Are your kids ready for school?

Summer has been great, but it's time to start thinking about the school year. In a little over a month the kids will be back in school, but area they ready? You should still let your kids have fun and enjoy their freedom, but prep them for the fall school year. Try using these simple 5 tips from Susan Stainsby. Remember, to make them fun!

1. Read
-If you haven't done so already have your kids start a small ready list. Or have them finish the list they already started. This will help to keep your child's mind active and sharp. Make this fun for the kids. Take a trip to the library or give them an incentive/goal to reach by the end of summer. What kid doesn't love winning at something?!
2. Make sure your kiddo gets enough sleep
-I'm sure you've loosened up on bed time these past few months. But, make sure your kid is still getting his/her full 8-10 hours. I recommend starting a school like sleep schedule about two weeks before school starts. Whatever their bed time is during the school year is when they should head off to sleep. You can be a little leanient on their wakeup time. (I'm sure you like your sleep too) This way, you won't have a crabby kiddo the first few weeks of school.
3. Emphasize the positive
-Make shopping for back to school fun! If you send out a negative vibe or make the shopping seem like work then your kids will have a sour feeling about going back to school. Let them pick out a school supply that is fun. i.e. Let them get that sparkly notebook. Also make school clothes shopping fun by taking a trip to McDonald's for lunch afterwords.
-You can also make some fun crafts that will get your kids in the school spirit. Try making homemade bookmarks, play number mazes, tic-tac-toe and create some fun crossword puzzles!
4. Don't wear them out
-This might be a little late, but don't sign your kids up for "five different summer camps." If they are already enrolled in a lot keep things low key the last few weeks before school. Give them some down time and let them play.
5. Practice handwriting and spelling
-"Kids who don't write during the summer have to relearn to write and spell when school starts." Have the kids start a journal and let them write about their daily summer adventures. Or spend certain days letting them create their own stories. If you've got a little one in the house you can also stop at a local teaching store or office supply store and find alphabet tracing sheets.

Hope you've all been having a great summer and I hope your looking forward to the school year!

Check out Mypersonalizedprint.com for personalized placemats! They have great games and activities on the back, perfect for that end of summer school prep!

Beating the Summer Heat

Hi everyone! Sorry about the whole, "too busy to blog thing." Life and work have been CRAZY lately, but I'm back! Hope you all are enjoying your summer. The weather here in Chicago is going to be super hot, sticky, humid, and rainy these next few days. What the heck are you going to do with the kids? It's too hot to be outside and it's the end of summer and they don't want to be stuck inside. Here is what I suggest!

1. If the kids are going crazy and have to go outside....Make sure they are playing in some sort of water. Conduct sponge races, have them swim, set up a sprinkler obstacle course. Make sure to have them take breaks in order to drink some water and eat some refreshing fruit. You need to make sure to hydrate them and fill them with the good sugar in weather like this.
2. Take a trip to the local library or local children's museum. Let the kids go loose and let them explore. This kind of trip will be educational and will give you some quiet time.
3. This is the time to go see that movie the kids have been wanting to see. Pop a bag of popcorn before and distribute it into little plastic bags for each kid. Sneak in some juice boxes as well. This will save some money and give you some time to cool off.

Try these ideas and remember to stay cool and hydrated!

Remember to check out Mypersonalizedprint.com for cute placemats for the end of summer or beginning of the school year. Yikes...did I just say that?

It's time for Mom & Dad to have a date night!

Hi parents!
I bet you guys have been crazy with school ending and getting the kids set up for summer. How about you two take some time for yourselves to have fun and relax. I have the perfect idea for you!

Date: Comedy club and dinner!
Most towns have a local comedy club. Most have an early show around 7 and a later show around 9. Go out to dinner before or after to a restaurant you can't go to with the kids. Then, kick back, have a drink or two and laugh your heads off!

If you are in the Chicago area you can try the following comedy clubs:
1. Zanies, St. Charles IL
2. Schaumburg Comedy Club, Schaumburg IL
3. Second City, Chicago IL

But, if you aren't in the Chicago area Google will be your friend! Remember to make time for the two of you and have some fun every once in a while. It will make your hectic life seem a little less hectic.

Remember....to check out Mypersonalizedprint.com. Get the kiddos a personalized placemat to use during meal-time so the babysitter can relax a little too!