Thankful Thursday – Thank You, Teacher!

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March 13, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media

Thankful Thursday – Thank You, Teacher! Teacher appreciation ideas for year round. It doesn’t have to be teacher appreciation week to show your love and support. Low cost random acts of kindness and small teacher gift ideas including free printables!

Thankful Thursday

As a former teacher (and survivor of a Virtual Teacher Appreciation Week in Quarantine), I have always instilled showing thanks for teachers. Often this comes with me picking up a candy bar at the checkout line or grabbing an extra cup of coffee “thanks a latte” before dropping my kids off at school. These are just because occasions.

There are many ways to show Teachers Appreciation without waiting until teacher appreciation week. One way to is adopt a Thankful Thursday. This does not have to be every Thursday, just choose a Thursday one a month or twice a year in send in something small.

Alternatively, the homeroom parent can create a classroom SignUpGenius. Easily organize a weekly Thankful Thursday with classroom signups for schools and classrooms. Promote a spirit of gratitude by gifting something small every Thursday.

How to Write a Thank You Note To Your Teacher

With electronics taking over, hand written notes are a thing of the past. Because of that, a handwritten note is more meaningful than an email or text. To show your upmost appreciation, use a pen or pencil to write your thank you note to your teacher.

First, start with blank canvas and outline positive words or phrases that come to mind when you think about this teacher. These are words you will want to put inside your letter.

Second, begin your letter with a salutation. This should be like with a “Dear _____,”

In your paragraph(s), give a reason your teacher has helped you or describe what they have done for you. Provide an example. Express the positive impact these words or actions had on you. How did this change you? Don’t forget your thanks.

End with a Closing. Choose a “Sincerely”, “All the best”, “Warm wishes”, “Deepest thanks” and/or “thank you again!”

Teacher Appreciation Thank You Messages

Thank you notes can be brief. They can short little messages with quick line of thanks. Consider some of these Thankful Thursday Quotes for Teachers when adding messages to your appreciation notes.

Thank you for believing in me.

You showed me how capable I am of achieving great things.

I don’t think you realize it, but you were such a huge influence on me this year.

I wanted to let you know how much of an impact you’ve made.

You are, hands down, the best teacher I’ve ever had.

Teacher Appreciation Quotes

This printable teacher quote can be found on Etsy at Soul Printables, “a truly amazing teacher is hard to find and impossible to forget.”

Sign off your letter with teacher appreciation quotes. Below are some inspirational quotes about teachers to share at the bottom of your message or on your gift tag. Sometimes no additional words are needed.

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry Brooks Adams

“When the teacher is ready, the student will disappear. When the student is truly ready… the teacher will disappear.” – Lao Tzu

“Most of us end up with no more than five or six people who remember us. Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives.” – Andy Rooney

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

“One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai

“A good teacher is like a candle—it consumes itself to light the way for others.” – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Thankful Thursday Small Teacher Gift Ideas

These thankful Thursday ideas come with instant downloads and some free printables. Show your teacher love and support with small teacher appreciation gift ideas year round or 52 weeks a year. It doesn’t have to be teacher appreciation week.

…and you know I am a sucker for a teacher appreciation printable. See how to take these instant downloads and Print Your Documents at Staples.

Pull through that coffee run drive through, and pick up an additional gift card. Pair with our “thanks a latte” teacher appreciation gift tag. (Seen in our One Year of Teacher Gift Ideas + Printable Gift Tags Set!)

Thank them for helping you grow with our succulent gift tags . Perfect for succa good teacher.

Did you find a good educator? Pair a sweet treat with this s’more teachers like you gift tag. (Seen in our One Year of Teacher Gift Ideas + Printable Gift Tags Set!)

You are appreciated teacher gift tag. Pair with a small token of your choice from Frog Prince Paperie.

Personalize your thank you teacher gift with this “thanks for helping me grow” teacher appreciation plant gift tag on Etsy.

C is for caffeine gift tag. Remind your teacher with a cup of morning joe! (Seen in our One Year of Teacher Gift Ideas + Printable Gift Tags Set!)

Pick up an extra candy bar at checkout and add these candy bar gift tags for teachers from Fun Squared. (Try this Copycat Almond Joy Recipe!)

It doesn’t have to cost money. Print this thank you note for teacher printable from Frugal Novice and have your child personalize it to his/her teacher.

“One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.” Turn this Malala Quote into a printable teacher gift from Amy Latta.

Use this free SVG file to turn teacher quotes into teacher gifts with this clip board idea from Happiness is Homemade.

It’s hard to survive some weeks! Take a look at this Teacher Survival Kit Teacher Gift idea with printable gift tag from Frugal Coupon Living.

Have a Cricut Maker? Grab this free SVG file from Happy Go Lucky Blog; “I teach, what’s your super power?”

Do your kids need direction with their thanks? This teacher thank you card allows you to fill in the blank.

Alternatively, download these free thank you notes for teachers from Pickle Bums. Color the card, make a cute hand print craft or fill in the blank.

Don’t forget to leave with a high five. This hand print art certificate allows you to award your teacher a huge high five for a great year!

Budget Friendly Teacher Gift Ideas

As a former teacher myself and mother of five, let me help you achieve a simple and budget-friendly teacher gift ideas with our Teacher Gift Tag Printable Set!

Is it a struggle to find a perfect Teacher Gift Idea? Creating an EASY, LOW-COST, ADORABLE gift for teachers has never been easier!

Take a look at our Teacher Appreciation Gift Tag Set. This set includes 12 digital gift cards. Download, print, and cut. One gift idea for every season. Our Teacher gift tag pritnables provide easy teacher gift ideas. Staying organized during the school year is hard enough!

One Year of Teacher Appreciation Gift Tags

Don’t forget to also look at these Volunteer Appreciation Week Ideas with Volunteer Gifts for Adults. A great way for teachers to thank parents. Pin to Pinterest.

In a season of thanksgiving (which can be any time of the year), don’t forget this Gratitude Challenge. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

School Lunch Planner with Printable Lunch Notes

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July 18, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media

Do you find yourself in a school year rut? Have a great start to the back to school season with these lunch and snack prep essentials. Download a weekly school lunch planner, printable lunch notes, and a list of healthy lunchbox ideas for kids. Enjoy!

School Lunch Planner

If the end of last school year taught me anything, I taught me to plan our meals. Meats were out of stock, I was ordering groceries online and in order to not waste food or to have enough of what we like, I had to plan our meals. It is not that I didn’t plan before, but I was able to spread our food out and use it for the best purpose. I felt like a pioneer woman on a home school prairie.

I am taking that meal planning a step further as we head back to school with a weekly lunchbox planner. This will allow me to assign food to days before it goes bad, for me to pack non perishable food ahead and for me to use all the foods we have before opening something new.

School Meal Planning List

Included in our School Lunch Planner are…

Pantry Inventory List
Shopping List
Prepping List
Notes List

Each day is also listed Monday to Friday and includes what to pack for snacks and lunch.

Lunch Box Ideas for Kids

I wanted to supply you with a list of healthy lunch box kids idea. As the year goes on, creativity goes out the door. Below are ideas you can add inside your child’s lunch.

Drinks

Water
Milk
Juice
Sports Drink

Protein

Pepperoni
Turkey
Ham
Hard Boiled Egg
Tuna/Chicken Salad
Hummus
Nuts
Peanut Butter

Fruit

Banana
Strawberry
Berries
Orange
Avocados
Apple
Pear
Mango
Kiwi
Cheeries

Veggie

Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Carrots
Broccoli
Edamame

Dairy

Yogurt
Cheese Stick
Cottage Cheese
Drinkable Yougurt

Grain

Crackers
Bread
Pasta
Rice Cakes

Snacks

Graham Crackers
Vegetable Chips
Fruit Leather
Granola Bar
Goldfish
Trail Mix
Pretzels
Raisins

Note: Some schools only allow peanut free lunches. This would eliminate some weekly lunchbox ideas.

Printable Lunch Notes

We have been sharing free lunch notes for a long time. In fact, you can still print these —> lunch notes printables.

In addition to our original free lunch notes, we include six adorable lunchbox notes with our school lunchbox planner.

How to Access Your Back to School Printables

—> Get all of our free printables including our free lunchbox notes and weekly lunch meal planner. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

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I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

How to Print School Documents at Staples

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples. Sign in or create a Staples account and either pick up in your store or have your printables mailed to your home.

How to Store Lunch Box Notes

I have collected lunch box notes for years. With five kids, I hate reprinting new notes every year. To preserve these notes, I laminate my printables.

I have owned Scotch™ Thermal Laminator for ten years and it is still going strong.

I store both my lunch box notes and lunch box labels in a gallon sized Ziploc bag. This bag is stored by our lunchbox supplies including thermos, bento boxes and sandwich bags and more.

We know you are a busy mom. We get it, we are too. That is why we put together these —> Everyday Busy Mom Hacks and Tips.

We also created a Busy Mom Binder. In this family command center resource, we offer many home organization printables including a new and improved Weekly Lunchbox Planner!

Babysitter Notes
Notes for School & Teachers
Daily & Weekly Chores Checklist
How to Clean My Room Checklist for Kids
Stay-at-Home Schedule for Mom, Baby & Toddler
Family Bucket list (blank)

View the Busy Mom Binder & Home Organizer

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your weekly school lunch planner and printable lunch notes. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Back to School Printables

Save these Back to School printables. Pin to Pinterest.

Lunch Box Mom Hacks

You know I love a good mom hack! Follow these Lunch Hacks and Tips throughout the school year. Pin to Pinterest.

Kid’s Camping Journal Printable

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July 19, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media, Summer, Travel

Create a memorable outdoor adventure with this Kid’s Camping Journal Printable. Using guided prompts have your child share favorite events, who they traveled with, memories and more. Continue the tradition each year and add to your camping printable as a kid’s camping logbook.

Kid’s Camping Journal

Many of us have taken our kids camping and it was a great experience. However, there is a way to take your camping adventures a step further. If you’d like to get your kids even MORE involved in the camping experience, then it’s time to check out a camping journal. I want to walk you through how to utilize a kid’s camping journal and how it can be a great asset to learning.

Camper’s Profile

I love the idea of a camping journal because kids camp more than once in their lifetime. Each time you take your child camping, they can have a new profile. It’s so fun to look back on the camper’s profile and see what age, grade, location, etc, for each camping trip. Putting together the camper’s profile is one of the best parts for kids and creates a memory page you can keep forever!

Camping Education

When we do something with our kids, we strive to make it a little educational. I have found that this camping journal for kids is an excellent way to teach them about camping and where it all started. Everything we do didn’t just happen, there is always a story behind it and a camping journal is a great way to track that history!

Camping Education Answers:

What is Camping? Camping is a _____ activity. It is usually done _____ for _____ . (These can all be personalized to your child.)

Who is Thomas Hiram Holding?Thomas Hiram Holding is the founder of modern recreational camping. He made the first camping handbook in the world.

Camping Buddies

Whether your child is going off to camp with a recreational group or you are taking them camping, they always meet someone new. It’s always a lot of fun to get their information, so that you can keep in touch. There is space in this camping journal for kids to be able to keep track of their camping buddies and even get in touch with them when they get home and get settled. Perhaps a future pen pal!

Camping Lessons

You can’t live if you don’t learn. While camping, your child is bound to learn a lot from camping. This camping diary will allow your child to keep track of what they have learned from camping. It’s fun to use this journal as a memoir as well. Your child can hold onto these journals and look back to see what they’ve learned through their camping experiences.

Extra Options

I have to say that this camping notebook is an excellent way to add to a kid’s camping experience. Some of the extra options of this camping journal that I really like is that your child can keep track of their favorite memories, draw or paint their favorite scenes, and even add to their camping photo wall. Print every where and you can keep a running journal and watch your child age.

And for you and to create family memories, grab this The Camping Logbook (Camping Journal) to Record Your Adventures.

Use this camping journal to record the details of your camping adventures so you can look back on and share experiences and favorite spots. Use fill-in the blank pages that act as a guided prompt to write in such camping details such as location, date, notable amenities and attractions, who shared the trip, who you met, favorite events, and things to avoid next time.

Camping Games

Do you need a few games to keep you busy while you camp? There are plenty of ways to keep children entertained while outdoors. Keep this camping journal by their sleeping bag at night. You can also find creative ideas in our overnight camping ideas including camping crafts and camping games. We have a large series of Outdoor Games for Night or print our Flashlight Scavenger Hunt for fun memories and family traditions.

You’ll enjoy camping with your child and ensuring they are learning as much as possible while being in nature. Continue this tradition by printing new pages each year and creating a yearly camping logbook for kids!

Download Your Free Printable

Download our free Camping Journal for Kids printable and Camping Games Printable. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

2.) Confirm the email request in your inbox.

3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

How to Print at Staples

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples.

*Note: these Staple print service steps were added in Winter 2020. The directions may change as the website changes. They should give you a general outline of how to upload and order a print on Staples.com.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final camping journal and camp notebook. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

And make sure you download this Hiking Journal and Hiking Trails Bucket List for the Adults too!

Going on an outdoor adventure? Also take a look at our Camping Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Going overnight camping? In our Camping at Night Hacks and Tips post, download these Outdoor Games for Kids to Play at Night! Pin to Pinterest.

Out of This World Space Party Ideas

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March 17, 2023 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Birthday, Crafts, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

3,2,1 – blast off into a Space-Themed Birthday! Create an out-of-this-world party with these Outer Space Birthday Party Ideas. Astronauts, planets, stars, galaxies, and more. These Space Party Ideas include space cakes, space games, galaxy-themed party décor, and more. All with a chance to soar you to the moon, to infinity, and of course, beyond!

Have a reason to celebrate an astronaut with their very own Space-Themed Birthday? We have plenty of fun ideas to honor your astronaut.

What do you do at a Space Theme Party?

There are plenty of fun and entertaining ideas for a space birthday party. Keep kids active and entertained with games, activities, and crafts. Some fun space party ideas include…

Play Space Themed Games
Make an astronaut kit out of recycled materials
Create a constellation out of marshmallows, toothpicks, and craft paper
Decorate planet-themed cupcakes and cookies
Visit a planetarium
Sleep under the stars and use a telescope to look at the stars
Make your own rocket crafts
Make mason jar galaxies

… and more!

In addition to these fun space birthday party ideas, take a look at all Outer Space Birthday Party Ideas that will create an out-of-this-world experience.

Host your ver own space-themed birthday party and enjoy a few great DIY party ideas including galaxy-themed décor, space birthday cakes, astronaut party ideas, and space crafts and games.

3…2…1… blast off into some amazing galaxy-themed party resources!

Note: There aren’t many space htemed party names bu they are very clever ideas for examplet his two year old themed party idea. Space parties are great for second birthday party ideas. Use the pun two the moon! Amazon has an excellent, Two the Moon Birthday Party Kit that includes many outer space-themed party supplies for a two year old. This would also be a cute twin birthday party idea.

Galaxy Themed Birthday Party

Galaxy-themed parties are especially great for the night. Let your ceiling be the night sky. You can bring in glow-in-the-dark party elements or use it as a slumber party theme. They are perfect for hosting an outer space-themed birthday at a party venue or a home birthday. For a galaxy party, your main focus is the colors – silver, purple black, and blues. Man each lightyear goes fast, don’t they!?!

Galaxy Party Decor

A galactic out-of-this-world birthday must have the right colors to create a galaxy color palette – black, purple, silver, and blue. Get your supplies together! | Kara’s Party Ideas

LED Balloons

These LED light up balloons are the perfect touch to a galaxy-themed night party. Grab a hula hoop to make some astronomical rings and allow them to orbit the room. Little kids would love them as galaxy theme party favors too. If doing these galaxy birthday party ideas for older kids, keep the same idea of galaxy colors and turn the clothes (or themed focus) into a white party or neon party.

Galaxy Ice Cream

Now to the dessert table for a space-themed birthday. Desserts and sweet treats can fit the theme too. Your space chimps will love this cool treat. Serve with your space-themed cake this very easy-to-make homemade galaxy ice cream. | Some of This and That

Rock Candy Party Food

Rock Candy on a stick makes an amazing meteorite display on your space birthday party tablescape. | Catch My Party

Planet Party Decor

How about plan-it party decor – get it? I love how Cyd hangs frugal paper lanterns and turns them into an entire affordable galaxy of space party décor. Have printouts of the different constellations and planets and let guests identify Mars, Saturn, and all the plants and stars for these space birthday ideas.| The Sweetest Occasion

If you lack a crafty thumb, pick up silver star wire tinsel garland & paper lantern planets on Amazon.

Astronaut Party Ideas

Space party decorations can absolutely set the mood of a party. Take a look at these astronaut party ideas that bring the outer space party together. These space theme party ideas include upcycling materials to keep your party at a low-cost.

Space Party Decor for Chairs

Start collecting 2-liter soda bottles to make this frugal-friendly space party decor. Easily, and affordably, put together water bottles using construction or tissues paper and aluminum foil and have your party blast off into something really cool. Use them as astronaut party favors for youngsters.| Kara’s Party Ideas

Space Birthday Party Food

A tasty healthy snack for space parties is these easy fruit kabob rockets. Who wouldn’t love these? Pair them with astronaut ice cream for a fun and tasty treat.| Party Like a Cherry

Space Birthday Party Invitation

Every adorable party needs an adorable birthday invitation. Personalized this Outer Space Blast Off Birthday Party Invitation. Grab this Astronaut Party Invitation on Etsy. Order to have it shipped to your home using Staples or learn how to download Etsy digital prints.

Space Themed Party Decor

Let the space party supplies and space tablescape tell the story for you. Michaels has amazing Outer Space Boys Party Decor (but totally girl worthy too!) These planet theme items add a cute touch to the food or activity tables.

Astronaut Party Kit

Every astronaut loves NASA. Instead of goody bags, turn USPS Priority boxes into NASA Kits. Depending on your budget for the goodie bag, you can add Space Party Favors. Include galaxy slime, galaxy bouncy balls, space bookmarks, space shuttle gliders, and space stickers. You can toss them all in your cardboard boxes with printed NASA logos or consider picking up these Space Party Favor Boxes as an alternative. | Life Frosting

Space Party Crafts

To infinity and beyond. It’s important to keep astronauts from getting lost in space by organizing space party crafts to keep small hands busy.

Galaxy Mason Jar Crafts

This Galaxy Jar Craft is perfect for a space party. Amy gifts an option for a messy mason jar galaxy version using glue or a non-messy version with a free printable. | Living Locurto

DIY Paper Rockets

Grab this free space shuttle printable and make your own DIY straw rocket crafts. When everyone is done, have a contest to see how can launch their rocket the furthest. | Six Clever Sisters

Cardboard Rocket Craft

Take some flight and blast off with these upcycled Cardboard Space Shuttle| A Little Pinch of Perfect (also seen in our Cereal Box Crafts) Children can use stickers, crayons, and markers to decorate their space shuttle. Incorporate an activity of seeing whose rocket can go the furthest. Throw them off the patio (or porch) or even off the living room couch for some height!

DIY Constellation

Constellation crafts are great for keeping busy hands. We share this Stellar Constellation Viewer for Kids in our Camping at Night Tips post.

Space Party Games Printable

Our Party Games for Kids can be incorporated into your space-themed celebration or you can try some of our space party games to teach your pilots new tricks!

No party is complete without some fun party activities. Find more Space Party Games including directions for how to play Star Light, Astronaut Challenge, Alien Capture, Pilot Capture, Musical Planets, Planet Grabber, Asteroid Crash, and more. party guests will love these space-themed games.

You can also see more of our Party Games for Kids for more kids’ games ideas on Frugal Coupon Living.

Space Party Game Printable

Get all of our free printables including these Space Birthday Party Games downloads.

Space Party Games Printable

Another fun game that will busy the kids is a Moon Rock Hunt treasure hunt. Use acorn vending machine capsules or Easter eggs. Insert space party favors and treat it like an Easter egg hunt. | Domestic Charm

Tip: If you are doing a night party, consider a glow in the dark Easter egg hunt!

Space Themed Birthday Cakes

You can sing happy birthday without a sweet treat to eat! These space cakes will make all your birthday wishes come true (maybe)! Serve with fun space-themed snacks and drinks. Make sure you label your drink as rocket fuel to give energy to all your little space guests. It’s time to blow out the candle.

Galaxy Cupcakes

You say cake, I say cupcakes. Make your own Galaxy Cupcakes and everyone gets their own slice of the sky with this chocolate cake recipe! | The Mommy Mix

Rocket Ship Cake with Fondant

Are you good with fondant? Use your talent and create this fondant outer space theme birthday cake with planets and a rocket ship! Serve with moon rocks cookies using a simple cookie cutter for the shape. Also, get inspired by this adorable backdrop which can easily be recreated with paper plates and a tablecloth from the dollar store. | Frost Your Cake

Space Fondant Planets

Are you not good with fondant but you want that look? You can buy your own fondant Space-Themed Birthday Cake Toppers and worry about making the cake or buying it from your local grocery store. Purchase these Fondant Solar System Cake Toppers with Rocket. Also shop on Etsy for asteroids, spaceships, stars, and other fondant space-theme cake toppers.

Space Cake Rocketship

Using a round cake pan, follow these cutting steps to make a rocket ship cake. This rocketship cake is perfect for your space buddies on the next space odyssey adventure. | Apples and Beavers

Alien Space Cupcakes

If you are going to far-out galaxies, make sure you have your UFO to get you there. These alien cupcakes are quite cute and perfect for your close encounters of the third kind. | Wonder Mom Wannabe

DIY Space Cake Moon

Do you have a few outer space party supplies around the house? Add them to your cake for easy decor. This round moon rock cake is an incredibly easy space cake. Sphere cake pan, white frosting, and an astronaut from this Out Of-This-World Safari Ltd kit.

Moms, in addition to the Space Party Games, also take a look at these 50+ Kids’ Party Games – indoor, outdoor, night, and birthday themed. These party games are great for younger children to adults too.

More Themed Birthday Party Ideas

We have so many birthday party ideas, save many of these for ideas for future years or for other children.

Additionally, keep some of these celebratory ideas in the home with family birthday ideas.

Enjoy another year!

Easy Baby Sign Language Basics

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April 11, 2022 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Baby, Facebook, Instagram, Parenting, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media

There has never been a better time to start. Easy Printable Baby Sign Language Cart – 25 Basic Signs and Words For Moms. Teaching young children sign language gestures has never been easier. Details on how and when to start early communication. Instantly download six baby sign language printable charts custom to your own style.

Easy Baby Sign Language Basics

What is baby sign language?

Baby Sign Language is the use of hand motions and gestures to communicate with infants and toddlers. This language of movement takes place prior to spoken language development to share emotions, desires and objects.

Sign language for babies is used to communicate with young children before speech is formed. It is a language that is not only used for those with hearing loss or difficulty. ASL baby sign language can prevent cries for babies who don’t have the words to express themselves. It also has the benefit of connecting auditory learning (via verbal communication) and kinesthetic learning (via the use of movement and motions.)

Is baby sign language the same as ASL?

What does ASL mean? In the case of sign language, ASL is an acronym for American Sign Language. ASL is one of many sign languages. Like spoken language, different countries use different sign language. Our baby sign language instruction chart is ASL.

When to start baby sign language

It is never too early for a baby to learn signs for early communication. Through sign language, communicating with preverbal children can began before speech envelopment occurs. The earlier you introduce sign-language, the more familiar your child will be when they have the motor skill to sign back to you. Babies as young as six months of age can benefit from sign language to express what they are feeling.

When you begin introducing food is a great time to start teaching sign language to babies. Start signing five simple words. Eat. More. Please. Finished. Thank you.

How to to teach baby signing

It is very simple and easy to teach baby sign language. Your baby will watch you sign the words and hear you say the word. Sign the word and say the word multiple times and then perform the action. For example, if I see my child has finished their Cheerios, I might say and sign more three times before I had my child more cheerios.

As you progress, you can sign and say the word then take your child’s hand and gently teach them the action. Say and sign more three times. After you do that, take your child’s hand and gently say and sign more with your voice and their hands. Repeat three times. Then hand your child “more” (in our example, the Cheerios.)

Repeat these same steps with all the new words you introduce. Start small, mastering a few simple words and skills. As your child becomes familiar with these basic signs, introduce more signing motions and gestures.

Examples of Baby Sign Language Basics

Start with some common phrases. In our family we began with these five examples of baby sign language basics.

More: Bring your thumbs and fingertips together, to make flat O shape. Then, bring your hands together and pull them apart repeatedly.

Finished: Open your palms and spread your fingers. Face your palms toward you and twist your wrists a couple of times.

Drink: Make your fingers and thumbs in the shape of a C like a cup. Plus the C on your chin and tilt the C toward your mouth as if drinking a cup.

Thank You: Place your fingers together and extend your thumb. Touch you fingers to your chin and bring your fingers forward as if blowing a kiss.

Please: Place your fingers together with thumb extended. Rub your fingers on your chest in a circular motion.

Eat: Place your fingers and thumb together in a pinching motion (as if making a duck bill or birds beak). Put your fingers and thumbs to your lip with the top of your hand facing outward. Repeat the motion as if feeding yourself with pinched fingers.

It’s important when you sign the motion, you also speak the motion for hearing babies and for non hearing babies. Hearing babies will connect the sound and motion. Non hearing babies will connect the motion and lips.

For additional resources, take a look at this Video Signing Dictionary.

Even with my three boys (ages 4, 4, 5) I find myself uses these basic signs in communication as part of their everyday interactions. Just a matter of habit.

Overall, give yourself some grace. The sign language gestures that you use in your home can be personalized to your family. What sign language motions work for your home? Even if they are different from ASL or any other foreign sign language, they fit for your family. Your child will not go to Harvard University based on the wrong signs they learned at 6 months of age!

Baby sign language printable

Consider our Baby ASL Sign Language printable your baby and toddler sign language dictionary. It contains the most basic and easy baby sign language motions for your infant and toddler. Make learning fun! The baby signs printable is an easy-to use resource for parents, siblings and grandparents.

How download your free ASL chart printable

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How to print at Staples

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples. This allows me to print on Cardstock at a good resolution. You can also laminate your cardstock, because we all know this can get messy around the dinner table! Consider adding magnets with adhesive to to hang on the refrigerator.

Go to Staples to upload and print.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final ASL Sign Language Chart. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Why didn’t I think of that? Don’t forget our Newborn Hacks and Tips for new and experienced moms! Pin to Pinterest.

Save these Toddler Hacks and Tips too. Pin to Pinterest.

We Had a House Fire | My Busy Mom Solution

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July 8, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Amazon, Hacks, Online Shopping

I wanted to share with you my life lesson to hopefully become something that helps you and your family in the future – might even save someone’s life.

As some of you know, we moved in the middle of March. I quickly had an alarm system installed and decided not to go with the alarm systems smoke detectors. Instead I had an electrician come out for work and when he was out here, I had him look at our smoke detectors. I also replaced all of our smoke detectors batteries.

Smoke Detector Tip: Put 9-Volt Batteries on your Amazon Subscribe & Save every 6 months. That way you are reminded to change your smoke detectors twice a year!

We Had a Home Fire

Last week, I was home alone working. The kids were at the park, the cat and I were sitting in my office. All of a sudden the smoke detectors went off. Typically, my first instinct is to assume the battery. Only I smelt it. Something was burning. Immediately I called 911 and ran to a neighbors house to drop off our cat. The neighbor ran back with me and he shut down the electricity and HVAC circuit breakers while we tried to trace the source of the fire. We couldn’t find it and assumed the attic due to the top floor having the most odor.

After the fire department came out, we discovered our instincts were correct and the HVAC indoor unit had a small electrical fire in the attic. My neighbor shutting down electricity was the right thing and aided in changing our outcome.

Busy Mom Tips

The point of my email is to share lessons that I learned to help you too.

Lesson 1: Shutting Down the Electricity

First, if you are in a safe situation and you can access your home circuit breaker panel(s), flip the entire unit off. In our case, the breaker was the farthest thing form the electrical fire.

Lesson 2: Get Alerts When You Are Away

Second, I am not always home. I wanted a future solution in case I was out. I called my alarm company and they installed smoke systems that will alert my alarm company (the same detectors I declined before) and me if a fire occurs. Perhaps your alarm system has this type of smoke detector too.

Mobile Alert Smoke Detectors

Don’t have an alarm system. No worries. there are smoked detectors with mobile alerts. You could pick up this one I found on Amazon in my Home Store. This smoke detector sends text alerts to your phone if the smoke detector goes off.

A more expensive option is the Google Nest Protect smoke detector. It will also send an alert to your phone if the detector goes off.

If this fire happened while we were away, 911 would not have been called until it was visible to neighbors and at that point, maybe too late!

Lesson 3: Reminder – Smoke Rises

Lastly, I re-learned is that alarms are best at the highest point of the home (where ours went off) and at stairwells, as smoke rises.

All is okay. Shutting down the electricity prevented the electrical fire from continuing and spreading. The fire was contained in the unit. Our ceiling, roof and attic are otherwise okay. Want to know what I grabbed (other than the cat)? My computer. Only my computer from which I write you now.

Chances are if I was not home, our house would not be here today! Grateful to be able to write you all this email today. Quick thinking, Quick acting. My my lessons become future fire prevention for you!

Disclosure: I am not a fire expert, please contact your local fire department, your local electrician or the American Red Cross for fire safety tips.

Beach Camping Basics & Tips

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May 17, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media, Summer, Travel

Reinvent your typical camping vacation by taking your tent to the beach! These Beach Camping Basics and Tips will have you ready to embrace the sand and sun at your favorite local beach campsite. Camping at the beach has never been easier or more enjoyable!

Beach Camping Basics & Tips

Nothing feels more relaxing and fun to me than kicking back on a sun-drenched beach while my kids giggle and splash in the water. This could just be the Florida girl in me, but very few things beat beach camping in the summertime. Whether you’re embarking on this adventure for the first time on your own or with your family, preparation is key to making this a worthwhile endeavor for everyone, especially you. Keep these tips for camping on the beach handy for your next excursion to stay prepared and make some unforgettable summer memories.

Can you camp on the beach?

In short, it totally depends on the beach! Make sure you research the rules and regulations pertaining to camping on the beach at your desired shore. Doing your research ahead of time will give you peace of mind knowing that you well-prepared for an unforgettable beach vacation.

Know Your Destination Area

Whether you’re camping directly on a beach or at a nearby campsite, it’s important to know the area you’re going to. Will there be a source of water available? What about electricity and showers/bathrooms? If it’s a bare campsite, that means you’ll need to bring everything you need and be prepared to haul it back out again.

Regardless of the facilities and amenities provided, you’ll need to plan accordingly for how long you’re going to stay. There are plenty of camping hacks out there to help you improvise for what you need as well. Grab a map of your campground and see if you can get there by car or you’ll need to walk a ways. That will affect what you decide to bring with you!

Make a List

There’s no worse feeling than arriving at your camping spot, boogie board in hand and poised to dive in, and realizing that you forgot diapers or deodorant. While that might be a unique tactic for claiming more sleeping space, forgetting necessary items will most assuredly add unwanted stress to your getaway vacation.

It might be the natural organizer in me, but I feel more confident that I have all the essentials when I have a checklist in front of me. Try this free beach packing list to make sure you remember everything for your beach camping trip.

Plan Your Meals Ahead

While carving a fishing spear out of a tree branch in order to “live off the land” may seem quite rugged and exciting, that excitement will quickly wane after your three-year-old’s piercing screams for animal crackers. Unfortunately, you can’t hunt and gather those in the wild.

It’s important to have meals planned BEFORE you arrive at your campsite. Make sure the meals are low-prep and can easily be prepared over a campfire. There are some delicious foil packet meals out there that my family has tried and loved. Also, speaking from experience, aluminum foil is the quintessential camping meal prep item that every beach camper should have in their arsenal.

Snacks are a must. After all, the sun can quickly take you from full to famished. One recipe we always make for the beach is our beach snack mix! Double or even triple your recipe for hungry bellies.

Have the Right Equipment for Camping at the Beach

Having the right camping equipment can make or break your beach camping experience. You’ll want to invest in gear that’s appropriate for the place and time of year you’re making your trip. This doesn’t mean that you’ll have to take out a second mortgage on your home, though. Ask your friends if you can borrow their tents/gear first, and there is nothing wrong with gently used camping tents and equipment either.

Regardless of how you get your hands on a tent, you’ll want to ensure it has the following qualities:

Well-ventilated
Easy set-up and breakdown
Lightweight
UPF 50+ Protection (Recommended)

You’ll also want to make sure that you have good ground cover to prepare for any type of weather. If it’s hot, there’s a virtual certainty of sand fleas and ticks. No one wants to worry about sharing their sleeping quarters with sand fleas. No one.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

The type of beach you’re camping at (sandy or rocky) will determine what clothing you’ll want to throw in your suitcase, but for the most part, you’ll want items that are:

Lightweight and moisture-wicking
A nice hat that shades you from the sun
Mosquito netting
Water shoes (if beach is sandy)
Water-resistant sneakers (if beach is rocky)

Have Activities Planned

While it is fun to be spur of the minute, consider planning ahead some of the things you might want to do on your trip. Get organized by downloading these Beach Games or Camping Games. Both can be played when beach camping and include game directions and a supply list (so you have your camping packing list ready before going!)

All in all, the key to a fun, memorable beach camping experience is preparation, organization, and a healthy thirst for adventure. Follow these Beach Camping Basics and you’ll be a pro in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go to the beach!

Don’t forget our Camping Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Also take a look at our Overnight Camping Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Memorable First Day of School Ideas

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July 11, 2022 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

What didn’t I think of that – memorable first day of school ideas?! Create memories they will cherish with these First Day of School Ideas. Back to school printables, first day of school photo ideas, activities for kids and new family traditions you will repeat yearly.

Do I address what a crazy year 2020 has been or move on and act like all of us didn’t experience a terrible end of the year? While going back to school is always a milestone, this year is especially special. Celebrate the start of a new school year with these memorable First Day of School Ideas. We bet many of back to school ideas will become annual family traditions!

How do you start the first day of school?

Starting the first day of school can really establish the rest of the school year. It’s the fist day for re-establishing routines and it’s important to link those routines to positive feelings. The first day of school is very important because the feeling you child has walking through their classroom door can really set the tone for the rest of the year. Do they establish the feeling they love this day? Do they establish the feeling they like their teacher? Do they establish the feeling of self-confidence?

How do we celebrate the first day of school?

Living for the moment is important. Treasuring precious time with family and friends and looking for activities for bonding create a good first day of school experience. Celebrate the first day of school with a fun back to school treasure hunt to collect school supplies. Take a yearly first day of school photo. Eat a tasty first day of school snack when you get home. After school or after dinner, go for a first day of school ice cream treat. If the budget it tight, run to the grocery store and grab a cheap ice cream novelty box and take an evening walk to enjoy it. You can talk about the first day of school activities your child experienced at school!

First Day of School Traditions

You might find yourself asking, what are some (really awesome) school traditions? Back to School traditions are are first day of school ideas you want to continue and keep consistent every year. These can include first day of school lunches, first day of school photos, DIY crafts, back to school printables and mores. Start with a couple ideas and build on them year after year. You can always hault back to school activities you don’t want to stick for future years.

Love family traditions? Some of our birthday family traditions can be easily transferred into back to school ideas for the first day. Don’t forget these end of the year traditions too!

First Day of School Lunch

Make their first bite special with a First Day of School bento lunch box. Add a sweet Back to School Lunch Note. | Must Have Mom

Balloon Avalanche

This is one of those first day of school and birthday traditions you can use either way. We always keep balloons and streamers in our gift supply area. Whip it together when the kids go to bed and they will wake up to a pleasant first day surprise. | Side Tracked Mom (no longer active)

School Gitters Necklace

Have a nervous Nancy? This first day jitter glitter can go to school with your child on a necklace or can be sprinkled on them the night before school. | The DIY Mommy

German School Cones

Adopt a First Day of School German Tradition. Make these adorable DIY Schultüte, or school cones. Fill your homemade Schultute with treats and school supplies to make the start of school sweet for little ones. | Frog Prince Paperie

You can also purchase German School Cones.

Have a huge first day of school bus greeting. Host a water balloon or a silly string fight! Have a barrel of silly string and silly string guns. Gather the neighbors at the bus stop. | Source – Bower Power Blog

First Day of School Photo Ideas

There are so many first day of school photo ideas and we share many that have free downloads in our Back to School Printables post. For this list of First Day of School Photo Ideas, we are taking them outside the box. Instead of First Day of School Signs you can download, we are finding items you have to craft and create.

Sidewalk Chalk Photo

Spell it out on the driveway. This first day of school sidewalk chalk art is easy and adorable. Think you can continue it through 12th grade? | Blue Cricket Design (no longer active)

Reoccurring Photo

Create a reoccurring DIY Photo in Photo first day of school idea. Starting kindergarten year your child will hold no photo. Each consecutive year, your child will hold the previous years first day of school photo and you can watch your child grow. This will take planning ahead as you need to order the print. We recommend ordering from CanvasHQ. | She’s Making Cards (no longer active)

First Day of School T-Shirt Photo

This is an extra special idea your child will grow into. This DIY Back-to-School Shirt with Handprints for Every Grade! You can make your own first day of school shirt (with a silhouette cameo and iron) or you can pick up a handprint first day of school shirt on Etsy. | Where the Smiles Have Been

First Day of School Banner Photo

Announce a new school year with a colorful DIY First Day of School Banner. | Make it My Own

Balloon Photo

Using a white balloon. colorful stickers, and balloon sticks, write the school grade and year on a balloon! | Design Improvised

First Day of School Printables

These First Day of School free printables are helpful in creating memorable family traditions.

Time Capsule Printable

Conduct a school interview. Mark the changes school year with these yearly interview school printables fitting for kids from pre-school through high school. Add them all to a notebook or scrapbook for a printable time capsule!

Honorable mention at Mortiz Fine Designs

Back to School Breakfast Printables

Celebrate the first day a back to school breakfast with this free printable school table place setting. | The Real Housewife of Fresno (first day of school breakfast) & A Girl and a Glue Gun (table printables)

Back to School Supply Scavenger Hunt

Get the kids excited and have little fun collecting school supplies with a Back to School Scavenger hunt! 20 fun Back to School Themed treasure hunt riddles. This at home scavenger hunt leads them through a series of clues to collect their back to school supplies.

DIY Time Capsule

Make a printable Back to School Time Capsule. This adorable pencil time capsule is made with a Pringles can. | Aimee Ferre

Back to School Minute to Win it Games

Host a family game night with a Minute To Win It Back To School Edition Printable. You can also take a look at our list of Minute to Win It Game Night Ideas. | My Digital Creations.

Back to School Minute to Win it Games Printable Set

Classic Minute to Win It PDF Printable

Summer Party Minute to Win it with Water Printable

First Day of School Activities

Make going back to school to school exciting with memorable first day activities for kids.

Back to School Party

Get everyone together with a Back to School Party. So many beautiful tablescape ideas and goodies to welcome the first day of school. | The Sits Girls

First Day of School Ice Cream

When the school bell rings, bring the kids to get ice cream. This has been a tradition we have continued for years.

Encouragement Post It Notes

Begin a tradition of kindness and start the first day off right by hanging a positive affirmation sticky note each day. Add these messages as the days go on until they fill your child’s mirror. | Source

Backpack Fairy

Have a visit from the backpack fairy. Leave your backpack in a designated spot the night before school and in the morning the back to school fairy will leave a special gift! | Blissful Roots

Paper Chain Countdown

And before the first bell rings, start a countdown. Perhaps build each day with a special bucket list on the calendar. Make a paper chain with a different activity for each day until the night before school. | Brassy Apple

Back to School Printables

Take a look at these Back to School Printables – our favorite is “If you give a teacher a cookie” as a sweet treat on the first day of school. Pin to Pinterest.

School Year Traditions

Save for later these End of the Year Activities and Ideas. Pin to Pinterest on your School Board!