News

Massachusetts is ripe (pun intended) with some wonderful farms for picking apples and other seasonal fruits.  Check out this guide for information on some local hot spots for apple picking.  

Once you've got a few bushels, why not bake yourself a nice, sweet pie?  For an awesome homemade pie, try Grandma Ople's recipe.

The Wednesday morning playgroup will begin on September 13th. The Friday morning playgroup will begin on September 15th.  

If you are interested in joining either of these playgroups, please sign up via the links above.  Registration officially closes September 5th; late additions may be added if space allows.

America's National Waffle Day is August 24th.  The day is a commemoration of the day the first waffle iron was patented - so a perfect time to talk about inventions and patents with your kids and indulge in a hearty breakfast or tasty waffle dessert!

If you are interested in joining either of these playgroups, you can sign up at the June 24th event or register for the playgroup kick off day on this site.

We look forward to meeting you this summer!

One of the healthiest national observance days has arrived!  Treat your kids to a free classic doughnut at Dunkin Donuts with the purchase of any beverage on June 2nd.

The holidays are busy!  Here are my favorite go-to sites for activities to engage and keep my kids busy while doing something creative and festive.  Some activities only require two pipe cleaners and others will require a trip to the hardware store!

• Artful Parent: Art projects, ornaments, and decorations
  
• Toddler Approved: Toddler crafts
  
• STEAM Kids: STEAM projects for older kids
  
• Little Bins for Little Hands: Lego advent countdown
  
• Gift of Curiosity: Crafts, printables, and Do-A-Dot sheets
  
• Preschool Powol Packets: Busy bags and Montessori activities

This month only, new members can join for $20!  If you've been putting off joining, this is the month to do it!  For more information about membership benefits, check out our membership page!

It's fitting that Thanksgiving comes when it does--right after the sugar craze of Halloween and before the gimmes! of Christmas.  By November 1st, I'm usually ready for an activity to remind my kids that Disney Junior does not, in fact, rule the world (or at least, try to convince all of us of it).  

Last year, we used these Gratitude Conversation Starters.  First, I printed the sheets out and cut out all of the slips of paper.  I folded them and put them in a little dish we keep in the dining room.  Each night, the kids take turns picking a slip from the dish and each of us answers the prompt.  Then I record everyone's answers on a paper leaf (you can use this template to make them) and hang it up in the kitchen to remind us all month long of all the things we are grateful for.  

It doesn't prevent my kids from begging everything under the sun in December, but it does give me fond memories of a time when they were grateful, if only for a few weeks!

Now that the leaves are starting to turn, we have a great excuse to head out for a short walk every afternoon.  I'm especially trying to savor this time knowing that Elsa is predicted to return for several months this winter!  

To keep our walks interesting, I try to focus on a different activity either during or after the walk.  We wind up gathering tons of leaves, so I try to get the kids to count and sort them when we get home--by color, size, or tree type.  We add in pinecones and acorns to keep things really interesting.  

Luckily, there are lots of good leaf activity resources and craft ideas.  Below are just a few of my favorites!

• Preschool Mom: Fall Leaf Theme
  
• Moms Have Questions Too: Leaf Activities 
  
• Surviving a Teacher's Salary: Leaf game and coloring book
  
• Artful Parent: What to do with autumn leaves
  

My mom has made this dessert for the 4th of July for as long as I can remember, and I've made it a tradition to make with my kids each year also.  It's easy for little hands to help with, (somewhat) healthy, and visually on theme!

Ingredients

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Sugar (optional)
• Bisquick
• Milk
• Whipped Cream

Directions

1. Wash, chop, and combine the strawberries and blueberries.  Sprinkle with sugar, if desired.  Set aside.
2. Follow Bisquick recipe for biscuits (or make your own favorite kind!) to make the dough. 
3. After rolling out dough, use a star shaped cookie cutter to form the biscuits and cook as directed.  Tip: don’t make the biscuits too thin—it’s best for them to be about an inch thick when done.
4. After biscuits have cooled, slice them in half.
5. To plate, place a biscuit open faced on a plate.  Spoon fruit mixture on top of the bottom side, top with whipped cream, and then put the top back on.  Optional: red, white, and blue tooth picks to hold it all together!