family

Category: family

When I hold your hand printable - One Small Child

Free Inspirational Quote Printable

We want to share with you a printable that expresses the feelings of every mom with a new baby, a new bride who gets to spend the rest of her life with the man of her dreams, or maybe it is a best friend you cannot imagine life without.  No matter what the reason this saying inspires us all when we are with that special someone–whoever they may be.

Download Free printable here

Eternity Christening Headband - One Small Child

Maelee Eternity: The meaning behind the name

Maelee Collage

When we were given the opportunity to adopt our baby girl Maelee, her birth mom had one request–that we use the name Eternity.  I have yet to hear the reason her birth parents picked the name, but I know that it was deeply important to them. And I in turn felt like it would be important for Maelee.  As it turns out, we have this thing for ‘M’ names, (long story). We felt like we couldn’t switch it up and have a child feel left out.  All the siblings insisted that baby sister have an ‘M’ name like they do.  So we named her after my great grandmother Mae, and Kendall suggested Maelee. Eternity fit as the perfect middle name. We felt like it was important for this sweet little girl to have a connection to both her adoptive family and her birth family through her name.  The name Mae means spring and a time for growth, which perfectly described how Maelee entered our family.  The name Eternity means infinite and timeless which is also perfect for our little one.  We are so grateful for her birth family, their sacrifice, and the love they have for her.  Adoption is quite the amazing journey and a “time for growth”.  We love you Maelee Eternity.

Stay tuned…. tomorrow we will share her story.

Pudding Summer Treats - One Small Child

Jello and Pudding Summer Treats

We’re loving summer here at One Small Child! One of the best summer treats is getting to spend oodles of time with the littles. Today we’re sharing some creative Jello and pudding summer treats to make with the kids via Pinterest. They’re easy for little hands to create and even more fun to enjoy!

Jello Summer Treats

Top: Underwater Jello Treats at BombshellBling.com | Bottom Left: Sky and Clouds Jello Treat at BigOven.com | Bottom Right: Sand Cups at rebeccamealey.hubpages.com

Pudding Summer Treats

Dirt Cups from HighHeelsAndGrills.com | Homemade Chocolate Pudding Pops from DeliciousAsItLooks.com | Summer Sandbox Pudding Dessert at manouvellemode.com

Favorite Fourth of July Treats - One Small Child

Favorite Fourth of July Treats

Independence Day is this weekend! Are you ready? Need some fun ideas for food and snacks to keep your crowd happy? Today we’re sharing a Pinterest roundup of our favorite Fourth of July treats.

Favorite Fourth of July Treats

What to drink… This Patriotic Punch from MomEandeavors.com will have your kids puzzled and delighted! Don’t worry about the preparation. It’s not rocket science. We love a Twizzler straw, too!

Delightful dinner… How creative are these Firecracker Dogs from HandmadInTheHeartland.com? They’re sure to please your crowd of littles this Independence Day. You could even try a grown up version with Bratwursts! Pass the ketchup, please!

A cool treat… Let’s add a little fruit to the menu with these healthy Firecracker Fruit Pops from MillionMoments.net. She uses strawberries, coconut and blueberries. Yum!

Dessert with a bang… Okay, what kid (or adult) wouldn’t love these Firecracker Cakelettes from SheKnows.com!? We know they’re adorable. But the best part is the surprise inside! Soo fun!

Treats for the show… Keep their busy little hands and mouths quietly entertained with these Firecracker Favors from GoodHousekeeping.com. These treat boxes will (hopefully) keep the fun coming as long as the firework show.

We hope these Fourth of July treats were inspiring! Still puzzled about what activities to plan? Check out this post on fun family activities for the Fourth of July.

Summer Fun - One Small Child

Toddler Summer Fun List

Summer opens up a whole new range of activities. Take advantage and make some great memories with your little one! Here’s a list of summer fun activities to enjoy together.

Summer Fun

Play with bubbles: It’s oh so fun to chase and pop bubbles! You can even make your own bubble solution.

Go to the zoo: Splurge on a stuffed animal from the souvenir shop.

Make a water blob: These look so fun and cool on a hot summer day!

Play with buckets of water and measuring cups: You don’t have to get too fancy to entertain a toddler. Get out your big bowl and let them dump away.

Make a splash pad: Set up a few sprinklers on some plastic for a refreshing summer activity.

Go to story time: Many libraries offer a free story time program. It’s a great opportunity to teach your toddler about sitting still and making new friends.

Fly kites: A classic summer fun activity.

Dig for dinosaur bones in the backyard: Plant some fossils for your little to find.

Go to the park: You could bring a friend, or make it a mommy date!

Play with shaving cream: Put food coloring in it, and now you can paint the sidewalk!

Pick flowers: Put them in a pretty vase on your table.

Go to a petting zoo: You know your littles would love this!

Play in the sand: Build a sand castle. Knock it down. Little ones love the new sensory feeling of sand.

Make mud pies: Just once!

Go to a beach: Play in the sand and splash in the water together!

Draw with sidewalk chalk: A fun and simple activity for your toddler.

Wash the car: Your little one will love sponging and hosing mommy’s car!

Go swimming: Check out the local pool for a day.

Eat a popsicle: Indulge in a cool mid-day snack.

Plant something: Visit it every day to take care of it and watch it grow.

Go park hopping: Have a whole afternoon to kill? Explore some new parks in your area. You may even find a new favorite.

Eat ice cream: What’s summer without a little ice cream? Make it even better by getting it from the big pink ice cream truck!

Run in the sprinklers: So fun!

Play ring around the rosie: Guarantee your littles will love this!

Watch fireworks: Snuggle up together for the show.

Wash their ‘car’: Shine up their little trike or cozy coupe! They’ll feel so proud and important.

Eat snow cones: Head to the local snow shack for a refreshing summer treat.

Chip away at frozen ice blocks: Freeze some little treasures in a big block of ice and let your little one dig them out.

Meaningful Memorial Day Ideas - One Small Child

Memorial Day Ideas: Family Activities for a Meaningful Memorial Day

Looking for some meaningful ways to observe the Memorial Day holiday? Here are several appropriate family activities to do on Memorial Day.

Meaningful Memorial Day Ideas

-Fly a flag. What a simple way to show your family’s patriotism as well as your support and appreciation for those who serve.

-Serve a veteran. Have the kids make some patriotic artwork, bake some cookies and pay a visit to a vet that you know. In many communities, like ours, there are nursing homes dedicated to war veterans that are always happy to have visitors. If you’re lucky, your family could end up hearing some great stories straight from those who have been there.

-Serve those on active duty. Put together and send a care package to someone on active duty. Be sure to include your kids’ finest patriotic artwork! If you don’t know anyone currently serving, AnySoldier.com is a website that will let you know who or where to send your gift.

-Attend an event or monument. Check out what events will take place in your community. Many have Memorial Day parades. If not, visit a local military monument or veteran cemetery as a family. What a great opportunity to teach your children reverence and respect for those who have served.

-Watch the national Memorial Day Concert. Check your local listings and tune in for some appropriate entertainment.

-Sing some songs. Teach your children a verse or two of the Star Spangled Banner, or America the Beautiful.

-Read some books. There are some great books that will help kids understand Memorial Day a little better. Check out your local library or purchase some just for the holiday.

-Have a moment of silence. Don’t forget to honor the national moment of remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.

-Say a special prayer. Include the loved ones of those who have given their lives protecting our rights in your prayers.

-Tweet. Tweets with #wearegrateful hashtags will be screened, printed and distributed on postcards to troops worldwide.

-Discover your military roots. Do some digging into your family history and see if you can discover a great-great Grandfather Smith who was part of World War I. Maybe an ancestor served as a nurse at Pearl Harbor. You never know what you’ll discover!

Mother Child Pearl Bracelet 3433 - One Small Child

Mom and Daughter Pearl Bracelet Set

As moms, we love to be spoiled by our little ones on Mother’s Day. Breakfast in bed with maybe an eggshell or two, cuddles, and a homemade card. But asking for gifts for something we love so very much is not something we do. But what if it was for something sentimental and a keepsake? Perfect for Mother’s Day: Mom and Daughter Pearl Bracelet Sets are a great way to share something sweet and simple with your little girl that will last over time. Then someday, she can pass it down to her little girl. But this gift could also be for a goddaughter, niece, or any little girl that is special in your life. They could even be used for a flower girl! The possibilities are endless for something that is timeless and meaningful.

I remember those simple gifts over the years at memorable events that really made a difference for me. Things that I want my daughters to be able to see/use and know that I love them so much that I want them to enjoy something that I hold so dear to me. Those small glimpses in their memories will last forever and be a wonderful connection we’ll have through the years, even after they’re grown up.

Mother-child-pearl-braceletMother Child Pearl Bracelet Set

Find the bracelets here for purchase. 

These bracelets are made of freshwater pearls, and a sterling silver closure, and are made right here in the USA. If you have more than one little princess, you have the option to order more to go on everyone’s wrists. If this darling gift is for a Christening or Baptism we offer the ability to attach a cross charm as well. Mom and Daughter Pearl Bracelet Sets are a great start to traditions as well as one to begin even if they are not so little.

Family Spring Break Staycation Ideas - One Small Child

Spring Break Staycation Ideas for Your Family

We’re celebrating Spring Break at One Small Child this week! Many families take advantage of this vacation time to travel together. But we’re opting to stay in town this year. Let’s talk about some fun spring break staycation ideas for your family:

Family Spring Break Staycation Ideas from One Small Child

-Plan a themed movie night. With a little planning on your part, put together an activity and dinner (with dessert) based on a movie theme. For Cinderella, have a room cleaning contest and then serve their favorite pumpkin treat. etc. You could even let the kids pick the movie ahead of time.

-Check out the local museum or art gallery. Many art galleries even offer kids classes or workshops. Check into registration early.

-Do a project as a family. Let the kids choose from a few family projects like: plant the garden, clean out the garage together, fix the broken playhouse door, paint a room, etc. Working together on a project that benefits everyone will bring your family closer together.

-Build couch forts. Remember doing this as a kid? This is a great rainy day activity that gets kids up and moving. Why not join them? When mom and dad get into these activities, the kids enjoy them so much more.

-Have a family video game party. This may not be most parent’s first choice, but the point is that you’re spending time together doing something that your kids enjoy. Set a time limit and give it your all for that long.

-Visit the local zoo or aquarium. To make it extra special, look up some fun facts to share about a few of the animals before hand.

-Go to the matinee together. Enjoy an afternoon at the theatre with your little ones! Indulge in some popcorn and laugh with them at all the one-liners.

-Have a family game night. Drag out those board games that you hardly use and play one together. Put some finger foods out and make it a real treat!

-Plan a family walk or hike with a picnic lunch. Go to a favorite park spot, or explore a new one. Bring along a blanket, some pb+j’s and trail mix. You’re all set for a fun afternoon enjoying nature together.

-Enjoy a day at the local pool. What’s Spring Break without a little water fun, right? Stay in town and support the local pool or water park.

-Try something new together. Whether it’s baking a cake or riding a horse, let the kids experience something they’ve never tried before.

-Visit a local historic site. I recently heard of a family who lived in France that had never visited the Eiffel Tower. Crazy, right? How many historical sites are within driving distance for your family? Why not pack a lunch and take a day trip to visit one or two of them?

-Take a tour of a local business or factory. Have your kids seen how the local dairy farmers make cheese and ice cream? Many facilities offer public tours. This is a great way to keep their little minds working.

-Check out the community events calendar. Don’t forget to take a look at the local events during your spring break!

-Have an indoor campout/slumber party. If the weather where you are is anything like here, you may be stuck inside more than you’d like. Make the most of it with a slumber party in the family room. Drag out your sleeping bags. Set out all their stuffed wild animals. Turn off all the lights and tell ghost stories by flashlights. They’ll love it!

-Put on an indoor scavenger hunt. Make a simple list of ten items for each child to search for and find hidden in the house. The first one to gather all ten items is the winner!

Share with us! What other spring break staycation ideas do you have?

Kids Easter Activities   - One Small Child

Kids Easter Activities 2015

It’s always fun to try something new around the holidays. With a million kids Easter activities to choose from, we’re shooting for three new ones this year.

Kids Easter Activities | One Small Child

I love the idea of growing our own Easter grass. I know my kids would enjoy watering it every day and watching it grow. …And wouldn’t it be fun to decorate with? Here’s a great tutorial from How Does She?.

Easter Kids Activities 2015 | Cascarones from mom.me

These cascarones look like so much fun! I know I’d be in for a mess, but the kids would have a blast making and breaking them. Mom.me has a great picture tutorial on how to make these.

Kids Easter Activities | One Small Child

I really enjoy doing fun service activities as a family. I think it’s important to incorporate service into our family time. Especially around holidays. I love the idea of ‘egg’ing someone for Easter! I’ve seen several variations of this: scatter treat-filled eggs in their yard and leave the sign on their door; leave a basket of candy-filled eggs; or my favorite-put together a simple plate of home-made Easter treats and do the ring and run. This activity offers extra family time since we’ll make the treats together. Family Ever After has a cute “You’ve Been Egged” free printable.