A good place to start… Come on in!

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Ann

Today I am sharing a bunch of my favorite posts strung together with info about me and Doodles and Jots’ trajectory. I think my tag line says it best: Ideas for, diversions from, and celebrations of family life from a creative mom. You can also get to know more about me by checking out my About page, My ABC’s post, and Pregnancy Test Trees and a Pickle Baby (about me becoming a mom). I started this site in October 2011 with the encouragement of my sister who is a long time, successful blogger at Life Learning Today. Her blog is full of great advice on healthy, happy, purposeful living. Definitely check it out!

To read more about why I started this blog and my thoughts on the benefits of blogging, check out Why I ♥ Blogging.

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Old Timey Words

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Ann

My neighbors often have a table of free stuff on their front lawn. Sometimes bigger things too including furniture but they are usually old MDF pieces that are close to the end of their life cycle therefore not worth taking. No matter what they have, my daughter wants it. Sometime I will take the long way in order to not have to pass it because I hate saying no.

Yesterday they had an old television cabinet out on display. Continue reading →

Monkey Wrench

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Ann

Monkey Wrench (felt-tip pen on marker paper)

This morning we were running late and not just a little. We had a few monkey wrenches thrown into our morning. That is how I explained it to my son’s preschool teacher on the phone. On the ride home I was thinking about a monkey wrench and other idioms. One of my favorite assignments from elementary school was using an idiom in a sentence and then drawing a funny picture of the literal meaning. Of course they tell you not to use idioms in your writing because they are over used cliches. I think this is true but I also think it is good for kids to learn about them so they know what they mean plus it is fun and funny!

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All Signs Point to Fun!

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Ann

Do you have a young lad in your home who loves vehicles and transportation of all kinds? I think it is in their DNA.

On the way to school the other day my 4 year old son was asking about traffic lights and why we have them and stop signs and why they are red and not green (his favorite color). It occurred to me that his ever growing collection of toy cars at home are riding around like crazy without any traffic signs at all. A completely dangerous situation!

I have decided to remedy this today with print and play traffic signs!

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Optical Confusion

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Ann

Optical Illusions with free download

Want to really freak out your kids? Show them these classic optical illusions!

Q. Which line is longer?

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Reasons for Rain

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Ann

Because my car needs a rinse
For rain boots, coats, and umbrellas
For kids to splash in puddles
Because the animals are thirsty,
And so are the ponds and streams
For flowers to grow
To turn the world green
Because the clouds are tired
To turn the skies blue
Sometimes to make rainbows
Sometimes to cool us
To wash away pollen
To create a soothing sound
For inside play
For getting wet!

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane!

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Ann

It’s a bird and a plane.

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