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Gift of Curiosity: Winter Printable Pack

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Gift of Curiosity: Winter Printable Pack

Photograph Credit: Gift of Curiosity

Katie @ Gift of Curiosity has put together a Winter Printable Pack for children ages 2-7.

The package includes 77 activities of which many have multiple versions for parents and caregivers to adjust the difficulty for each child’s skill level.

The activities contained within this pack include the following:

  • Shapes
  • Colors
  • Same vs. different
  • Sorting
  • Sequencing
  • Categorizing
  • Puzzles
  • Mazes
  • Math

To download this printable pack, you must to subscribe to Katie’s free e-mail list. She will then send you a link to the Winter Printable Pack to download, open, and save. I appreciate these printable packs as my girls love to work on the pages. With fun activities, my girls forget they are learning and practicing their gross motor and fine motor skills.

I am sharing Katie’s Winter Printable Pack without compensation or affiliate benefits. Finding her packs beneficial, I offered to share Katie’s resources on Using Time Wisely. Hope you can use these activities with little ones or pass along the information to others. Happy printing!

Tying up 2013 and Ringing in 2014

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Tying up 2013 and Ringing in 2014On this last day of the year, our family is looking ahead while tying up 2013 and ringing in 2014.

As we are underway in our current remodeling project – redecorating our children’s bedrooms – and out-of-town family is still visiting, we are glancing back and pressing forward.

Tying up 2013

The end of the year is a good stopping point. Though I may not be done with my 2013 goals, I take time to reflect and evaluate.

As I was thinking about the lessons I learned, I realized the growth I’ve experienced this year by focusing on my priorities, investing in true friendships, and refusing to feel guilty when I declined an opportunity that conflicted with my priorities.

In tying up 2013, I found these two exercises fun and helpful:

1. 2013 Time Capsule from Amy McGuire @ The Finer Things in Life

This fun printable is great for each family member to fill out. Hide the pages away or stuff them in a paper towel holder with aluminum foil rubber banded on each end. You can either bury it or store it away in your Christmas items for next year.

This is our first year filling out a time capsule form, so we’ll see if this becomes one of our family’s traditions. I think we will store our forms with our Christmas items as we keep our decorations up until after the start of a new year.

2. 20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection written by Tsh Oxenreider @ The Art of Simple (formerly Simply Mom).

These 20 questions focus on the specifics of 2013. If you journal, these are great starting points. Not into writing and journaling, no problem. Tsh included a printable form with the 20 questions if you would like to record your answers and then look them over next year to see how far you’ve grown.

Ringing in 2014

Miss 6 is ready for New Year’s Eve night. One of our favorite traditions is to eat crackers with “squirt” cheese – making smiling faces and mini towers – while we wait for the ball to drop. Usually we all huddle into the master bedroom bed and snuggle up together watching the firework displays outside.

Yes, crumbs get everywhere, but that is why we have a vacuum cleaner. 😉 It’s one night, and these together moments bring excitement and enjoyment to the start of our new year.

If you are looking for ideas for ringing in 2014, check out these additional resources:

1. Dixie cup party lights from The Krazy Coupon Lady to spice up any room in your home.

2. Party ideas from Celebrations.

3. A midnight dinner idea from Money Crashers.

4. 6 different New Year’s party themes at International Business Times.

Whether you are throwing the bash of the year or spending New Year’s Eve quietly at home, may you continue using time wisely tying up 2013 and ringing in 2014. See you in the New Year!

Happy New Year’s Eve!

Question: How you are planning to ring in 2014?

2013: Black Friday and Cyber Monday Survival Tricks

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2013: Black Friday and Cyber Monday Survival Tricks

Photograph Credit: iCLIPART

The mayhem is about to commence. During Thanksgiving week, stores are gearing up for deep discounts, crowds of customers, and money in their safes.

In preparing for the crunching numbers craze, I found these Black Friday and Cyber Monday survival tricks to make the best use of our time this shopping season.

Black Friday

Cyber Monday

Our 2012 Black Friday Experience

Though Black Friday is quite popular, our family has found Cyber Monday and on-line deals a better option. Last year, we missed a Black Friday deal for a 40-inch television priced at $250. We chose to spend time with our family rather than wait in long lines at the store.

Fast forward to a week before Christmas when Amazon put a better quality 40-inch television on sale, we snagged it at the $250 price. We received the television on Christmas Eve at our doorstep, and our television was one of our favorite deals of 2012.

As you scour the advertisements and find really great deals on items you or your family needs, know your bottom line. If the deal does not match your need or your budget, then let it go. There really will be other opportunities.

In using time wisely, use your knowledge and your Black Friday and Cyber Monday survival tips to maneuver through the deals to find the ones that best fit your needs. Happy hunting!

Question: For what item(s) are you searching this holiday season? 

2013: Thanksgiving Activities

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2013: Thanksgiving Activities

Photograph Credit: Putti’s World

On the heels of the previous Thanksgiving printable activities post, I found more wonderful Thanksgiving activities to share.

As our family is hosting Thanksgiving this year, our kitchen gets active around 10:00 a.m. for our 1:00 p.m. feast time. My children are usually in need of attention, and I plan to keep them occupied this year with some of these easy craft ideas focused on Turkey Day.

In addition to the crafts, there are a few more printable coloring activities which are easy to print off for a best-coloring contest. My favorites on the list are place cards, the fruit loop turkey, and the turkey leftover recipes. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Activities

Coloring Sheets

Moderately-involved Crafts

Quick and Easy Crafts

Recipes

With so many choices, I know my children will have plenty of excitement just choosing their craft. Knowing Miss 6, she will set herself down in the morning and work on as many crafts and coloring pages as available until she finishes or tires.

In using time wisely, I am looking forward to encouraging creativity while keeping the kitchen clear of little ones around the hot dishes. Happy creating!

Question: Which of these Thanksgiving activities is/are your favorite(s)?

2013: Black Friday Store Hours

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2013: Black Friday Store Hours

Photograph Credit: iCLIPART

Not sure what to call this season anymore as Black Friday has expanded to include a few days on either side of the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Some stores are calling their event the After Thanksgiving Sale, but their on-line sale starts before Thanksgiving. *Hmm.* Since I am unaware of a new term given to this event, I will stick to Black Friday.

If you are interested in this craze of great deals which will save you lots of money when you time it right, then plan what you want to purchase, check your timing, and hunt for your favorites. The lines to some stores begin weeks, days, and hours prior to these sales.

To plan accordingly, here are the Black Friday Store Hours arranged by the time the stores open their sales.

Thursday, November 28

6:00 a.m.

 5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

Friday

5:00 a.m.

6:00 a.m.

8:00 a.m.

If you head out, be careful. Yes, the deals are great, but fighting, pushing, and trampling is not a way to using time wisely. Most stores are organized making this a time of fun, and I wish you lots of savings as you venture out, stretch your dollars, and use your time wisely. Happy shopping!

Question: Will you head out to the stores for Black Friday deals?