Holidays

Family Thanksgiving Traditions

It’s that time! The time of year when we sit down and enjoy the company of friends and family. For me and my family, I am all about starting fun family traditions that my kids can one day pass onto their own families. I love holidays and all they stand for. Trying to incorporate the true meaning of the holiday along with some fun is something I strive to do. I have done some research and come up with some fun traditions that will make your turkey day that much brighter and more meaningful.

By Mary Bockert, ago

Easter Crafts to get Your House Decorated for the Holiday

Our house looks like the Easter bunny may have gotten sick in here with all of the Easter crafts hanging around. For now, my nice Easter decor is in storage and the scissors, glue, glitter, crayons, paint, etc. come out. The more my house is gaudy around holidays with kids’ crafts, the more I LOVE IT! I am one of those mommy’s who LOVES plastering the walls with paintings and crafts. Lucky for you, I have come up with the different crafts we have either done or plan to do in our household (thanks to Pinterest) this Easter season. I always choose 5 crafts a season that I feel would be FUN and would decorate my house nicely…killing two birds with one stone. Here are the 5 we plan on doing.

By Mary Bockert, ago

New Year’s Eve Fun Traditions

Sometimes I look at my kids and think to myself, “What am I supposed to do with these little ones to entertain them?” I always want fun traditions around holidays and I put pressure on myself to make sure I do so. New Year’s Eve is one of those holidays that I want to start some family traditions but haven’t quite yet. It doesn’t have to be jam packed, but having something “to do” sounds fun. I want my kids to look back on their childhood and remember the things we did each year repetitively. I decided to do some research on what other people do for the holiday and this list is comprised of some of the things I plan on incorporating into our own family traditions. Feel free to comment below with some of your own family New Year’s Eve traditions.

By Mary Bockert, ago

The ABSOLUTE BEST Sugar Cookie Recipe!

Finding the best sugar cookie recipe can be quite the challenge. I find that the cookie is either too doughy, tastes too much like flour, the kids won’t eat them, or you have to refrigerate them so long and the dough comes out rock hard. I found a recipe ( I wish I could claim it as my own) that is FANTASTIC and I had to share it with all of you because it is just that good.

By Mary Bockert, ago

Halloween FUN (and safety tips)!

I LOVE Halloween and the fun of dressing up your littles and having them trick-or-treat. The fall brisk air, crunching of the leaves, kids running around having the time of their life, etc. is simply the best. I remember being younger and running from house to house, knowing which houses gave out the best candy and making sure to hit them up first before heading to the “less ideal” houses. I remember the police officers driving down the road handing candy out of their car doors and making sure kids were remaining safe. Everything about my Halloween memories make me smile and bring positive vibes my way.

By Mary Bockert, ago

Healthy Halloween Treats

If you know my household, you know that I am pretty crazy when it comes to eating clean and making sure we get all of our daily fruits and veggies in. It is so important that kids get a balanced diet and plenty of exercise in a day. I have created a list of healthy holiday treats that will fancy any toddler/preschooler/school-age child/adult. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

By Mary Bockert, ago

Bursting with Flavor: Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken

Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect time to dust off the grill and gather together with family and friends to thank the Lord for our many blessings as we remember the heroic men and women who have given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy!

What better way to celebrate than with a super quick-n-easy meal that allows us more time with our family and less time in the kitchen! Firing up the grill is definitely one of the easiest ways to get a healthy meal on the table in just minutes!

By Mary Bockert, ago

St. Patricks’ Day Crafts/ Science Experiments You Won’t Want to Miss with Your Young Kids

So I may be a little late with the March calendar of crafts/ science experiments, but I figured the 11th was good enough to get it out there. Most of my “crafts” are science experiments because my kids LOVE to tinker and explore. I also like my “fun things to do with the kids” to be educational and allow deep conversation to brew. Don’t get me wrong, there are times for the cute crafts, but I use them sparingly because there are so many amazing experiments out there with basic ingredients/ materials you have hanging around the house…so why not right!?! I have done some research on Pinterest and various teacher sites and have come up with a fantastic list sure to make your March fun and a HIT with your kids!

By Mary Bockert, ago

How do I effectively Explain Easter to Children?

As my kids get older and are ready to learn more in depth about Jesus, I find myself scrambling to explain and worried that they don’t “get it.” Explaining Christmas is so much easier than Easter right?!? – babies, sheep, angels, stars. It’s pretty much all about love and presents: things your kids can relate to. Sure there’s the nasty part where Herod kills the baby boys, but that’s not an essential part of the story and you can leave it out if you want to.

Easter, on the other hand, is much tougher. You have the joy and celebration of Palm Sunday and the even bigger joy and celebration of Easter one week later. But in between, there is betrayal, denial, torture, pain, and death. How do you explain all this to children?

By Mary Bockert, ago