Nanny to Mommy

If you have been following us for any length of time, then you know we love reading in our home. I am a firm believer that my daughter was an early reader due to our nightly reading sessions. I will post a full post soon about tips to get your child to read soon, but in the mean time, I have this great giveaway from Pavilion Children's Book just in time for the holidays!

If you are looking for a fun gift idea this holiday season that is educational as well, then you are in the right place. I plan to write an entire post about how I prepared my daughter for Kindergarten and is now on her way to the gifted program at school. Educational toys played a key part in that. I also believe a hands on approach is important as well. In fact, I think that taking time and working with your children is the number one thing you can do to help them succeed. I also believe reading to them every day is a must, here is a great list of classic books that I think should be on every child's book shelves. Please let me know what educational gift ideas that you think are perfect in the comments below.

Make sure to get those last minute Easter Basket stuffers in! I have a great list of stuffers that you can buy on Amazon if you have Prime to get them in time or you can find them in store at Walmart, Target, Kroger, and other retailers all for less than $5!

We have a huge egg hunt ever year with my husband's and I combined families. It is so much fun. We go to church that morning and then have a wonderful cook out. Sometimes we have more traditional food, but we always have a huge egg hunt that the kids enjoy. 

Here are some great Easter Basket Stuffer Ideas for Under $5:

Besides experience gifts, which I have been very adamant about this year, I am loving family gifts because I believe if it is something that we can enjoy all together then my children are going to remember that above all else. And that is my goal in all of this, creating more lasting memories with my family. These gifts do just that - create memories. I hope you enjoy this list and feel free to let me know in the comments some of your family favorite gift ideas!

Some items were received for consideration.

I don't know about you, but I'm over toys. The overwhelming amount of toys in house is getting to be a little much. And the fact that the kids beg for a toy and then it gets donated the following year is depressing and annoying. My children would rather spend their time with the people they love more than getting toys. Memories will last so much longer than this season's hottest toy. I have been wanting to share the gift ideas for a while because I think people are willing to gift the joy of experiences, they just don't know where to start. So I have compiled the long list of experience gift ideas to give kids instead of toys this holiday season that they will actually enjoy.

Easter is right around the corner. How do you celebrate? We believe in the Easter bunny and I love giving my kids baskets. They have personalized ones that they set out the night before. We also get together with all of my combined family and have a huge Easter egg hunt.

We love to read a book I have explaining the importance of the holiday as well. Everyone brings a dish and we have a wonderful lunch too. I love how it has grown. It started out as me just wanting to make sure that I have a special holiday for my mom and now it has grown to so much family getting together and celebrating. Since Easter is so close, I have compiled a list of great gift ideas to fill the kiddos' Easter baskets!

Some items were received complimentary for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! Do you celebrate the holiday? I think it's important to show the people in your life that you love them all year long, not just because of a specific holiday. We do celebrate Valentine's Day in our house though and I love giving little gifts to those I care about. From my husband to my kiddos to my friends and family. Here you'll find a cute list of simply perfect Valentine's Day gifts for kids.