Sunday, March 27, 2016

Happy Easter | 2016

Happy Easter from my little bunnies...
c/o ASpectacledFox





Previous Easters...
2011 {pregnant in Montezuma}
2012 {J is almost 6 months - we went to both towns for Easter}
2013 {36 weeks pregnant w/ C - we celebrated in Denver}
Happy Easter {Jordyn almost 18 months}
Basket Ideas {for an 18mo. girl}
2014 {celebrated in Monte}
Basket Ideas {for a 1 y/o boy & 2 1/2 y/o girl}
2015 {celebrated in Ankeny}

Thursday, March 3, 2016

St. Patrick's Day | Giveaway!

NOT A LEPRECHAUN...JUST LITTLE ;) 

St. Patrick's Day is just 2 weeks away!

HeadsUpShirtDesigns sent us these adorable shirts which got us in the mood a little early this year.  I started pinning my favorite green recipes and ordered treat bags to make something similar to this for the kids' daycare/preschool/friend snacks.  

Enter below for a chance to win a free shirt shipped to you!  In case you can't wait, 10% off for everyone with code murdock10


Past St. Patrick's posts...
2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Educational Games for the Kids

I had awesome intentions of telling you guys about this over School Break, but Sickness, Christmas, Painting, Moving, Sickness again hit and before I knew it we were almost half way through January and I still haven't posted about it.  So, let's just call this very early Spring Break planning! ;)


Jordyn loves to learn and Cullyn loves to be doing whatever Jordyn is doing, so while I was on Etsy searching for some Christmas gifts, I came across a Felt Matching Game from AllTheTimeLearning.  It seemed like the perfect thing because it allowed Jordyn to work on identifying numbers {out of order} and matching them with the corresponding number of dots and also helped Cullyn learn to count quantity {how many dots are on this one?} versus counting continuously like he normally does {think 1 to 20 without stopping}













Shortly after the Matching Game arrived, Diane emailed me asking if I wanted to try her eLearning Series for Preschoolers.  I knew it was the perfect thing to work with the kids on over Christmas Break {almost 3 weeks}  Diane is a homeschooling mom for 25 years and gave all kinds of advise on teaching methods for different learning styles which is perfect because Jordyn loves to learn and likes a structured, quite learning environment but Cullyn is all boy and while he is very smart, he cannot sit still for very long at all.  I really liked her 'Rocking Chair Method' for Cullyn.  


She emailed me several sets of learning activities and we just did a few pages each day {we aren't done yet}.  I love how you an use the same sheets in different ways depending on the age/skill level.  I didn't do it at first, but after a week or so I decided to laminate the worksheets so Jordyn can keep doing them {I'm telling you, the kid loves to learn}  And judging by the way she acts around her brother during 'school time', she has a good chance of becoming a teacher. :)
Matching

Counting

Number Writing




Look at the beautiful, custom illustrations!


Thanks again, Diane, for sending us these!  

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Myles Graduation | My Uncle, My Hero

My brother in law, Myles, graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, and we were so honored to be a part of his special day!  It's been so incredible watching his dream come true {I had no idea what it takes to become a police officer}  I have no doubt he will be amazing.  I just pray God watches over him every day, specifically this day and age.  Becoming a police officer is not something for just anyone.  Congrats again, Myles! 

Shirts from JessLynnCreation on Etsy


















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