Disclosure: The post contains affiliate links; I may earn commission if you make a purchase. Opinions shared are mine.

I hate reading.  Have you heard this declaration from your children before? 

When students enter my class each August, it’s inevitable that some of them will claim, “I hate reading.” It makes my heart hurt a little, because reading is so crucial to survival in our modern age.  Every day for the rest of their lives, their reading skills will influence their success and understanding of the world.  However, my approach to this teenage brick wall is very passive.  I don’t try to change their minds. I try to change their experience.  It’s hard to overcome a teen’s determination to be stubborn.  I’ve found that most students who claim they don’t like to read just haven’t found the book they like to read.  By introducing them to titles of different genres, it’s usually possible to find at least one book they’ll grudgingly admit they like.  Here are my secret strategies…just don’t tell the kids! [Read more…]

Disclosure: I will receive product samples; post contains affiliate links. Opinions shared are mine.

Is lounging part of your winter routine? We love the cozy days of Christmas. Brentwood Home has lovely items that bring warmth and comfort into any room in the home. [Read more…]

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Mixbook and contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links, I may earn a small commission. Opinions shared are mine.

This is a beautiful river near our home. I took the kids there over the summer and we walked along the riverbank. What a fun afternoon we had! Do you display your memories of special moments like this?

Looking for something special for that person who’s so hard to please?  Do some social media sleuthing and have home decor made with a special vacation photo!  My friends post pictures of their families, vacations, and DIY creations all over social media. When we visit their home, though, they don’t have any prints of those special memories. After all, it takes time to print off images. A lovely acrylic or vibrant poster of a special moment is so simple to create with a few clicks of your mouse. Like the photo of my special river, those memories are clear in my mind but haven’t made it to my wall.  Wouldn’t it be lovely to give a friend such a personal gift? 

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Disclosure: I will receive a copy of the book. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

If Periwinkle — the charming blue penguin on this book’s cover — looks familiar, it might be because she’s from the author of the Suzy’s Zoo characters.  Just as you’d expect, Periwinkle’s Journey is as cute as can be!   The book sends a positive message about looking at the inside, not at outer appearances.  It also provides an educational viewpoint into the penguin species, highlighting fun facts and habitat information.   [Read more…]

Disclosure: We received these beautiful samples to feature in the Holiday Gift Guide. Opinions shared are mine.

The Krafty Chix have been hard at work getting pretty personalized gifts ready for your Christmas shopping list.  Go ahead and start checking it off!  [Read more…]