Picture books are one of our favorite ways to mark the transition to a new season and build up anticipation for upcoming holidays. There’s something irresistible about having stories we read only at certain times of year. You know that scarcity part of our brain that lights up when we see a product labeled “limited…
Earlier this week I told you how our annual leaf walk was a bust. That the boys weren’t into it and that not even the jauntiest of my rhymes was able to save the day. Not a big deal, right? Just a short neighborhood stroll where we’d gathered a few leaves and then stopped. Who…
This post was originally published October 21, 2021. It was updated August 23, 2022. I love many fall traditions — visiting an apple orchard, carving pumpkins, the start of a new school year. But my very favorite is going on a leaf hunt with the kids. We find leaves in as many hues from as…
This is the original Mr. Bones.* Perched on top of a storage cabinet in the dining room, he’s enjoying what we’d later look back at as his last carefree moments. The photo was taken October 1st, the very first day of posing Bones in all kinds of fun and wacky ways around the house. Shortly…
Looking to start a Halloween tradition that’s fun, simple, and inexpensive? Look no further than Sneaky Skeleton! Start a Fun, Simple Halloween Tradition Besides pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating, we don’t have much in the way of fun family Halloween traditions. This year, because I knew the kids would love it, I decided to get some…
Today is World Octopus Day! A few years ago, we checked out a book from the library called Octopuses One to Ten by Ellen Jackson. A rhymed counting book with factual sidebars, this text launched our fascination with the ocean’s eight-armed wonders. Did you know octopuses have nine brains, one for each arm and one…
This is my fireplace mantel, currently rocking a fall motif. It brings me joy every time I look at it. But I’m still pretty new to all this. Except for the month of December, I never used to bother with seasonal decorations. I’d thumb through the September issues of Real Simple and Better Homes and…
