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Nurturing Young Minds Together

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Spent the perfect fall morning at Anderson’s Ple

Spent the perfect fall morning at Anderson’s Pleasant Patch in Cottage Grove 🍂 — just minutes from Madison.

We hopped on the free wagon ride out to the patch, picked our own pumpkins straight from the vines, and even got to peek inside their cute spooky barn room for the kids.
It was low-key, family-friendly, and everything I hoped for in a pumpkin patch outing. 🎃

If you’re looking for a simple, sweet fall adventure with zero pressure, this is your spot. #PumpkinPatch #FallDays #FamilyFun #AndersonsPleasantPatch #AutumnVibes

Willow River Falls never disappoints! The kids hik

Willow River Falls never disappoints! The kids hiked another 4 miles (not counting their time scrambling over rocks and running behind the falls). We found warm and cold pockets of water, climbed like champs, and hit so many firsts. Such a cool spot and a proud day for our little crew! 💪❤️🌲
#WillowRiverFalls #FamilyHike #HikingWithKids
#LittleAdventurers #TrailFamily #TheyDidIt
#NatureKids #GetOutside #FamilyAdventure
#WaterfallHike #BuiltTough #ProudParentMoment

We hiked the Raspberry Trail off our campsite and

We hiked the Raspberry Trail off our campsite and the kids renamed it Mushroom Trail. Seems fitting! 🥰
#FamilyHike #HikingWithKids #LittleAdventurers
#ProudParentMoment #TheyDidIt #TrailFamily
#NatureKids #GetOutside #4MileHike
#TinyButMighty #BuiltTough #FamilyAdventure

Grandma babysat, so we snuck away for a day of hik

Grandma babysat, so we snuck away for a day of hiking at Devil’s Lake. Hit Tumbled Rocks and Parfrey’s Glen with my sister and her boyfriend—views were unreal, weather couldn’t have been better. Obviously stopped for rock candy and ice cream at the gift shop because… tradition. Solid day all around. 😎🍦🥾

#DevilsLakeWI #ParfreysGlen #TumbledRocksTrail #WIhikes #FamilyDayOut #HikingWisconsin #GiftShopStaples #ViewsOnViews #MidwestOutdoors #TrailTime #DevilsLakeDoesntMiss

✨Toy rotation magic!✨ I swapped out the toys t

✨Toy rotation magic!✨
I swapped out the toys this morning and wow — this afternoon was full of creative chaos, deep play, and pure excitement.
It’s wild how “new” old toys feel when they’ve been out of sight for a bit! 🙌
Toy rotation isn’t about having more — it’s about helping kids see what they already have in a fresh way.
Less clutter (kinda 🫠), more imagination.🧠💫

#ToyRotation #SimpleParenting #PlayMatters #IntentionalPlay #ToyShelfRefresh #EngagedKids #ChildhoodUnplugged #MontessoriInspired #PlayroomGoals #LessIsMore #ParentingWin #EarlyYearsPlay #KidLedPlay #teachandthrivelearning

When Connor was born, I started a journal just for

When Connor was born, I started a journal just for him.
Now, with three kids, I have three journals — one for each of them. 💛📓

I write when I can — sometimes just a quick paragraph, other times a long catch-up of all the chaos, joy, and sweetness life brings. It’s not every day. Sometimes not even every month. But it’s enough.

Today, Connor found his journal and sat reading it out loud to his little sister — laughing at old entries about pee on the wall, food thrown at the dog, and all the funny, messy moments I had nearly forgotten. Watching them giggle together over memories I had tucked away? That’s the magic.

I hope these journals grow with them — so one day, they’ll hold their childhood in their hands and know just how loved they were in every ordinary moment. ✨

If you’ve ever thought about starting a journal for your kids — it’s not too late. Even one sentence here and there matters.

My hubby is not much for handwriting but he keeps his own digital journal to give them each one day. I’ll occasionally convince him to add a short entry to my journals…and he does because he is a gem of a man. ❤️

#JournalingForMyKids #MemoryKeeping #MotherhoodMoments #ParentingTraditions #MessyBeautifulLife #DearFutureYou #FamilyJournals #IntentionalParenting #ModernMotherhood #KeepsakeJournals #ChildhoodMemories #MomOfThree #SentimentalMama #LoveNotesToMyKids #GentleParenting #ReelParenting #SlowDownMoments #MomLifeUnfiltered #ParentingWithHeart #LittleThingsBigLove #teachandthrivelearning

The water table was filled with grimy water… So

The water table was filled with grimy water…
So I drained it, added dish soap + water, and turned it into a full-blown bubble bath + toy wash station 🫧💦
Are they playing?
Cleaning?
Soaking themselves?
Yes. All of the above.

Honestly… that’s a parenting win in my book 🙌

Clean toys ✅
Bubbles ✅
Sensory play ✅
Entertained kids ✅
Grimy water? Fixed.
No notes.

#MomHack #WaterTablePlay #SensoryWin #SummerWithKids #BubblePlay #BackyardFun #MomLifeUnfiltered #GrimyWaterGlowUp #ParentingWin #CreativePlay #LetThemPlay #LowKeyGenius #ToddlerApproved #RealLifeParenting #OutdoorPlayIdeas #ReelParenting #ThisIsMotherhood #ReelLifeWithKids #FunAndFunctional #MessyPlayMatters #teachandthrivelearning

It hit 92° today, so we needed some water while b

It hit 92° today, so we needed some water while burning off energy outside! Griffin was running around with an ice cream bucket on his head, and Connor kept calling him King Bucket 👑🪣😂 Their giggles were totally contagious.
Also—anyone else save ice cream buckets and trail mix containers like it’s a personality trait? 🙋‍♀️

#kingbucket #summergiggles #momlifeunfiltered #waterplayfun #hotdayactivities #creativekidsplay #icecreambucketfun #reuseandplay #siblinglaughs #kidreels #boymomlife #92degrees #outdoorfunforkids #playoutside #momhumor #summermemories

My kids have never loved water in their faces 😅

The Sea Screamer in Panama City Beach did not disa

The Sea Screamer in Panama City Beach did not disappoint! 🛥️🐬 We saw dolphins and sea turtles, had a water fight with another tour boat (the kids were in heaven!), got tattoos, drove the boat, and even held crabs thanks to the awesome cocaptain. Ellie was brave—Connor… ran for his life 😂 Such a kid-friendly, memory-making kind of day. Highly recommend if you’re in PCB! 🌊🦀☀️

#SeaScreamerPCB #PanamaCityBeach #FamilyVacation #KidFriendlyFun #DolphinWatching #BeachWithKids #FloridaAdventures #FamilyMemories #BoatDayVibes #TravelWithKids #BeachTripBliss #EllieTheBrave #ConnorTheRunner

Ahoy, matey! ⚓️ We had an absolute blast at th

Ahoy, matey! ⚓️ We had an absolute blast at the Pirate Voyage show in Panama City Beach! Such a fun adventure to do while visiting my parents in Florida. The kids were all in—cheering, laughing, and totally captivated. 10/10 recommend if you’re ever in the area! 🏴‍☠️🌴🌊

#PirateVoyagePCB #PanamaCityBeach #FamilyVacationFun #FloridaFamilyTrip #BeachAdventures #KidApproved #TravelWithKids #PirateShow #VacationVibes #PCBWithKids #TravelRecommendations #FamilyTimeWellSpent

Reading Dog Man with Griffin while he babbles righ

Reading Dog Man with Griffin while he babbles right along with big brother—nonsense words, big smiles, and the kind of bond that melts me every time.
#ReadingTogether #DogManTime #LittleReaderBigImagination #SiblingBonding #BrotherGoals #ReadToThem #RaisingReaders #ToddlerTalk #AlmostWords #NonsenseButCute #FamilyReadingTime #KidsWhoRead #StorytimeMagic #BuildingBonds #ParentingJoy #TeachandThriveLearning

Chasing dragons and sunshine in the hayfield—jus

Chasing dragons and sunshine in the hayfield—just a perfect day to be a kid.”
#DragonKiteAdventures #HayfieldFun #BackyardMagic #ChildhoodUnplugged #LetThemPlay #FamilyMoments #CountryKids #SimpleJoys #KiteFlyingJoy #MakingMemories #GetOutsideAndPlay #CostcoFind #TeachandThriveLearning

After indoor recess ALL day, we needed a full rese

After indoor recess ALL day, we needed a full reset.

I grabbed a mindfulness game card — this one was “Quiet Body.”

We practiced sitting still and noticing how it feels to have a calm, quiet body before jumping back into learning.

Such a simple way to bring the energy down and reset as a class.

I pull these cards out all the time — love having an easy go-to like this.

Comment “mindful” to get yours!

#MindfulClassroom #TeacherRoutine #SELinTheClassroom #IndoorRecess #ClassroomReset #MindfulnessForKids #3rdGradeTeacher #TeacherTok #TeacherWellness #CalmClassroom #TeachersOfInstagram #ElementaryTeacherLife #TeacherTips #TeachingTools #ClassroomVibes #TeachandThriveLearning

Starting the day with calm + purpose makes such a

Starting the day with calm + purpose makes such a difference.

We do a mindfulness card, a growth mindset share, and a quick comprehension warm-up while I take attendance.
I made the cards + daily sheets — they’re in my Etsy if you want to try them (link in bio).

We also use this mindfulness game I LOVE!

Comment “routine” and I’ll send these your way!

What’s your go-to morning routine? Drop it in the comments — I’m always looking for new ideas!

#TeacherLife #3rdGradeTeacher #MorningRoutine #TeacherRoutines #MorningMeeting #ClassroomCommunity #MindfulClassroom #GrowthMindsetKids #TeachersOfInstagram #TeacherWellness #EtsyTeacher #TPTResources #SmallShopSupport #ElementaryTeacher #TeacherInspo #teachandthrivelearning

Running a little sale this week and next for Teach

Running a little sale this week and next for Teacher Appreciation.
If you’ve had your eye on a shirt, now’s a good time!
Link’s in my bio. Thanks for supporting a teacher making teacher things. ❤️

#TeacherAppreciationWeek #TeacherTee #EtsyTeacher #TeacherShirts #SupportATeacher #SmallShopSupport #TeacherStyle #ThirdGradeTeacher #TeacherCreator #TeacherMade #ComfyCuteTeaching TeachandThriveLearning

I put a ton of heart into this CKLA Unit 8 narrati

I put a ton of heart into this CKLA Unit 8 narrative writing project. It’s got everything I use to walk my students through writing their own stories about First Nations characters — plus a fun triorama project to bring it all to life.

It includes:
• Simple, ready-to-use lesson plans
• Graphic organizers
• A rubric
• Triorama templates (students LOVE these)

If you’re teaching CKLA Unit 8, or just want a meaningful writing project, I hope this saves you time and stress!

Find it now in my Etsy shop or comment “Triorama” to get yours!

#3rdGradeTeacher #CKLAUnit8 #NarrativeWritingProject #RealLifeTeaching #TeacherCreators #EtsyTeacher #WritingIn3rdGrade #TrioramaFun #TeachersSupportingTeachers #UpperElementaryELA #TeachThriveLearn #TeachingNativeAmericanHistory #FirstNationsTeaching #HandsOnWriting #teachandthrivelearning

I’ve never really shared this part of my story p

I’ve never really shared this part of my story publicly — only the people closest to me have known.
But after reflecting during National Infertility Awareness Week, I’ve felt a pull to say it out loud.
After having Connor and Ellie, we faced years of secondary infertility — four miscarriages, surgeries that took two fallopian tubes and an ovary, a failed IVF cycle that left me sobbing and ready to give up.
The pain of those years is something I mostly keep tucked away… but some weeks, like this one, it comes rushing back.
I look at Griffin — our miracle after so much heartbreak — and I hold him, and all of my babies, a little tighter.
I am beyond grateful for the family I get to hold in my arms, and I will always carry the ones I can only hold in my heart.
Motherhood didn’t come the way I expected. It came through loss, grief, waiting, hope, and miracles.
If you’re still in the middle of your story — if you’re grieving or hoping or wondering if it will ever happen — you’re not alone. You are seen. You are loved.

#NationalInfertilityAwarenessWeek #NIAW2025 #InfertilityAwareness #SecondaryInfertility #MiscarriageAwareness #AngelBabies #IVFJourney #HopeAfterLoss #InfertilityWarrior #YouAreNotAlone #GratitudeAndGrief #MiracleBaby #FamilyAfterInfertility #MotherhoodJourney

Hands-on fractions for the win! Getting fractions $Hands-on fractions for the win! Getting fractions off the page and onto the number line makes such a difference. Third graders need to see it, build it, and move it to truly understand. Save this idea for your next math lesson! #thirdgrademath #fractionfun #mathcenters #handsonmath #elementaryteacher #thirdgrade #teacherlife #iteachthird #mathactivities #mathworkshop #teachandthrivelearning$

We’re hosting Easter this year, so I made these

We’re hosting Easter this year, so I made these activity placemats to keep Connor, Ellie, and Griffin entertained at the table while we eat.
There’s a toddler version, a little kid version, and one for the big kids—each with simple, screen-free activities to keep them busy and happy while the grown-ups enjoy a meal.
If you grab them from my Etsy shop (link in bio), you can choose between printing on standard 8.5x11 or larger 11x17 paper. I went with 11x17 for ours, and they turned out super cute!
#easterforkids #easteractivities #easterplacemats #holidaywithkids #screenfreefun #busykids #momlife #toddlermom #kidfriendlyeaster #printablesforkids #easterprintables #easterideasforkids #easterhosting #etsyfinds #holidayprintables #momhack #teachandthrivelearning

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