We're not used to snow around here, so we've been snowed in.



We're trying to enjoy it while it lasts.



Snow is yummy.

Here's a fun game you can use to help your kids practice their math facts, such as addition or the multiplication tables. They probably won't ever notice they're doing drills!

First, have them make some flashcards. You don't need anything special for this, just whatever paper you have around. We folded ours in half lengthwise and then fourths the other way. I think. Just do whatever looks good. I won't check.


Have your kids copy out a selection of math facts at their skill level. If you have a printed version, they can copy from that. Otherwise, you can write some out or dictate if they can't figure it out on their own. Have them print one side with just the problem and the reverse with the whole dealio or just the answer. Don't worry about how messy or goofy the writing is. As long as you can all decipher it, you're good to go.

Hope your season is bright!

Things perhaps get a little silly.



And scratch 'n' sniffy.

Candles are traditional, and chocolate is fun, but snuggling and spending time together is the perfect way to count down the days till Christmas.

Consider wrapping a series of winter or holiday books and craft projects, then having your child open one a day until the big day arrives. You'll get to enjoy a cuddly reading time or an interactive project opportunity together.


You can adapt this for Hanukkah by wrapping eight themed books, or as a countdown to Solstice or another celebration your family keeps.

You don't have to buy anything if you don't want to, so it's a frugal option to keep the spending and clutter down as well. I store our Christmas-themed books with our holiday decorations so that I can find them each year and keep them off the shelves when they're less relevant.



I'd seen this idea before of doing a solely book-themed countdown, but with our small space, we don't actually own 24 Christmas books. This year, though, I got the idea to sprinkle in other items:

It's time for my annual roundup of coupons and deals sent to me by my affiliate partners. These are companies I support and recommend and whose savings I'd like to pass along to you for your holiday shopping! If you shop through my links, it costs you nothing extra and I get a little reward from the company to support my blogging. Thank you!

I need to come clean.

I have something of an addiction to Shutterfly.They just have so many cute gifts, made even cuter by the addition of my favorite little faces!

Shutterfly has the perfect assortment of holiday gifts for Christmas presents for loved ones. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other dear relatives will appreciate using high-quality items that just happen to feature their favorite people. Plus, Shutterfly is always offering amazing coupons and deals that make these gifts affordable.

Here are some of the items I myself have bought over the years and that I recommend to you. Yes, I purchased these with my own money, not sponsored. I told you I have an addiction — don't judge me!




This is a memory card game. With your own photos! Since we live far from most of our family, I filled the images with relatives' faces and gave this to my little ones to practice names and relations in a fun-filled manner. I included their own faces for the recognition enjoyment of it. You could also go scenic or nostalgic with your favorite vacation photos or similar.