How do you celebrate birthdays in your home, Mama? As the years have gone by, we’ve gotten simpler and simpler in our celebrations, and I’ve come to really appreciate the rhythm we have now. And with 5 kids, it’s been good to keep it simple! We start the day with a simple birthday breakfast, chosenContinue reading “How We Celebrate Birthdays”
Category Archives: Presents
A Simple Family Easter Tradition
Hey Mama, it’s almost Easter weekend. How are you going to share the Good News with your children this weekend? In our family, we set a simple table for Easter morning breakfast that always points to Him and His story. Sometimes there’s candy. Sometimes not. There’s almost always a sign something like the one picturedContinue reading “A Simple Family Easter Tradition”
Kings Day Epiphany
Happy Kings Day. Feliz Día de Los Reyes. In our family, today is the final day of Christmas; and the day our kids give and receive their gifts. The star 🌟 is removed from the tree and hidden, and the children dress as the Magi or Wise Men, prepare a gift for Jesus, (often makingContinue reading “Kings Day Epiphany”
Simple Gift Idea
Want a really simple homemade Christmas gift that you’ll actually feel good about gifting? This homemade hot cocoa mix recipe only uses 3 ingredients (and two of them are sugar and salt!) with a few optional mix-ins; and let me tell you…it might be the most amazing Hot Cocoa you’ll ever drink. Rich, creamy andContinue reading “Simple Gift Idea”
A Gift for the King
Hey Mama. Do you have “perfectly good” toys in your home that aren’t getting any love? This charming little dollhouse hasn’t been nearly as played with as we thought it would be. And so this afternoon, the kids had an absolutely wonderful time fixing it up, adding a few fun furniture pieces (because what isContinue reading “A Gift for the King”
Unit Blocks for Open-Ended Play
Good Afternoon, Mama. It’s been a rainy couple days here in the Northeast, and the kids have been playing more inside than out. Two of the toys that get the most play in our home are unit blocks and peg figures. We’ve had the unit blocks for years and years*, and my eldest son oftenContinue reading “Unit Blocks for Open-Ended Play”
Good Enough
Hey, Mama. Have you ever wanted something that’s simply beyond your means? For years, I’ve wanted a mud kitchen for our backyard. A little wooden stand with a basin and a counter, and metal pots and pans for making mud pies. It’s simply beyond our means. It’s not something we will budget or even saveContinue reading “Good Enough”
Simplifying & Gifts
If you’ve tried to simplify or declutter at all, you’ve probably come to realize that birthdays and holiday gifts can seem to quickly undo any progress you’ve made. I used to feel a lot of stress around this, and tried to keep tabs on what was being given by whom, and ask folks not toContinue reading “Simplifying & Gifts”
Next Door Hope 