Vanessa

Gratitude Activities for Kids

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Homeschool

Thanksgiving is just over a week away. As the plans get made, then change, then change again, (#2020) it’s a good time to take a step back and remember the reason for the turkey and pumpkin pie. Gratitude. Gratitude for the blessings and mercies we have experienced this year, even in the year 2020. Not only is it a good time to practice gratitude in our own lives, but it’s also a good time to practice gratitude with our littles. Today I’m sharing Gratitude Activities for Kids.

Gratitude Activities for Kids

Teach Gratitude through Literature

Books are a great way to coach kids in gratitude. Books help our kids make meaningful connections to what gratitude looks like and why being grateful is beneficial. These book recommendations can be used with any of the activities listed.

Bear Says Thanks

Give Thanks to the Lord

Sharing the Bread

Giving Thanks

The Thanksgiving Door

Look and Be Grateful

Thanking the Moon

Thankful

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving

All the World

Thank you, Omu!

Everyday Gratitude

You want gratitude to become an everyday rhythm. At breakfast, dinner, or the beginning of the school day (if you’re doing school at home), simply have each child state something he/she is grateful for. We do this at the beginning of our schoolroom time each day after reading our Jesus Calling Devotional. It’s a simple way to make gratitude a daily rhythm.

Make a List

To piggy back off Everyday Gratitude, make a list. Record what kids are grateful for each day on a piece of chart or construction paper. It’s a good visual reminder of Everyday Gratitude.

Gratitude Journal

If you have older kids, gift them a journal to record 2-3 things they are grateful for each day. Do this alongside them. Another visual reminder and the act of writing it down is powerful.

Play a Game

Everyone loves M&Ms. Use the leftover mini bags from Halloween for this simple game to remind us of all the things we are thankful for. Thanks to A Thrifty Mom for the idea. Click here for the link.

Put it on Paper

If you have a worksheet loving kid, this one is for you. Simply download and print this worksheet or these free printables to color and record gratitude.

Write a Letter

Discuss how there are so many amazing people to be grateful for. Each family member chooses a person they know and are grateful for and writes a letter thanking the person for the impact on their life. Get it in the mail in time for Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Gratitude

For a fun twist on Write it down, have a family pumpkin to write down what you’re grateful for each day with a Sharpie.

Make Thankful Placemats or Collages

Have each child look through pictures and magazines and cut out things and people they are grateful for. Glue onto cardstock and laminate if you would like to use for a Thanksgiving placemat.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

If you’re looking for something to play around the dinner table on Thanksgiving with extended family, try this Photo Scavenger Hunt from KC Edventures. Simply print off the free printable for all the players and have fun scouring your phones to find each item on the list. The rules are included in the post.

Teaching our kids to be grateful is a worthwhile venture. Gratitude is a choice and my hope is I can teach my kids it’s a worthy choice to make everyday. Tell me: how will you practice gratitude this Thanksgiving?

Vanessa

Thanksgiving Learning Activities

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Homeschool

It is November and Thanksgiving is just weeks away. Traditionally, Thanksgiving is the celebration of the blessing of harvest. For us Americans, it is modeled from a feast shared in 1621 between the pilgrims of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. It is rich in history and tradition and worth our time to study.

Today I’m sharing a few Thanksgiving activities to help our kids learn about the traditions and history surrounding it. These activities are geared for elementary aged children.

Thanksgiving Learning Activities

The Mayflower

Literature: The Thanksgiving Story

Alternate YouTube Book: The Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving

After reading The Thanksgiving Story, make a Mayflower and sail it using an empty applesauce cup, paint, construction paper, popsicle sticks, and play dough. See instructions here.

Alternate Activity or Extension: Make this simple Mayflower Craft.

Pilgrim Life

Literature: Samuel Eaton’s Day, Sarah Morton’s Day, If You Lived in Colonial Times

YouTube Books: Samuel Eaton’s Day, Sarah Morton’s Day, If You Lived in Colonial Times

After reading, discuss the lives of pilgrim girls and boys. Make a list of what their lives looked like on a daily basis. If reading both books, compare and contrast how Samuel Eaton and Sarah Morton’s days were alike and different.

Extension: Pilgrim children played with marbles. Make marbles using this recipe or simply get out some marbles and have some fun.

Extension : Make butter in a mason jar.

Squanto

Literature: Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving

Youtube Book: Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving

Mom Note: Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving is a hard and true story about Squanto being sold into slavery and then returned to America.

After reading, discuss how Squanto helped the pilgrims plant and care for crops. He also taught them how to fish. Corn was a big commodity in colonial America. The most common use for corn was cornbread, which can also be called ashcake, hoecake, Johnny cake, or cone pone. Make Johnny cakes together.

Alternate Activity or Extension: Make Squanto’s Dirt to learn how Squanto taught the pilgrims to plant and grow corn.

Legend of the Five Corn Kernels

Literature: Legend of the Five Kernels (free printable)

After reading the legend, cut corn shapes out of cardstock. Finger paint Indian corn using red, yellow, and brown paint.

Thanksgiving YouTube Videos

This video tells about the Mayflower’s journey.
(Mom Note: It mentions the pilgrims who died the first winter.)
This video explains pilgrim life told from the perspective a pilgrim boy.
This video tells about the first Thanksgiving and how it became a national holiday.
(Mom Note: It mentions the people who died the first winter.)
This is a shortened video that presents the Mayflower coming to America as well as the first Thanksgiving.
(Mom Note: It mentions people who died during this time.)
This video explains the 13 colonies.

Learning about the tradition of Thanksgiving doesn’t need to be complicated. It can simply mean a few books, some paint, and maybe some heavy cream to make butter for your muffins. Tell me: How will you teach your kids about Thanksgiving?

Vanessa

Christmas Gift Challenge

A Simpler Motherhood

It’s officially November, which means we are behind the eight ball if we wanted the wine advent calendar from Costco. I received texts from friends the first week of October telling me the much-sought-after advent calendar was on the shelves. October. Christmas seems to creep up earlier and earlier each year. If Consumer America wants to give us Christmas in October, why not use it to our advantage and do a Christmas Gift Challenge.

This year I have given myself a Challenge. It’s simple: Purchase all Christmas gifts before December 1. Each stocking stuffer. All the neighbor goodies. Every gift under the tree for my babes.

My why behind the Christmas Gift Challenge is this: If my gifts are bought before the magical month of December, I will have room to savor and enjoy the magic and beauty without the added stress Christmas shopping can sometimes initiate. I would love it if you’d join me!

Let’s talk about what this will look like and the practical steps for the Christmas Gift Challenge.

Christmas Gift Challenge

1. Set a budget

If you don’t already have a Christmas budget, set one now and make a commitment to stick to it. Budgeting is all about habit. If a budget hasn’t been on your radar, decide to take one small step towards making it a habit and set a Christmas budget.

2. Make a List

Make a list and check it twice. List all gifts your family will give this year. Use a spreadsheet or notebook (I spoke about my spreadsheet in A Christmas Plan) listing the person to shop for, the gift, and the approximate cost. It may also be helpful to note when you will be giving each gift.

Think about every gift you give each year. Family gifts, teacher gifts, neighbor gifts, coffee barista gifts, mailman gifts. Include it all. After the list is made, sit down with your spouse and go over ideas for gifts. Make it fun by adding an appetizer and special holiday drink to get you both in the Christmas spirit.

Kendra Adache over at The Lazy Genius Collective has a good tip: When deciding what to give people, think about what might make each person feel more like him/herself. Make your list with this in mind.

3. Start Shopping

Set aside time to shop. It will look different for all of us depending on how we shop:online, in person, or a mix of both. Decide when you will shop and put it on the calendar. Or maybe you are making many of your gifts this year. Set aside time to create and get it on the calendar. Don’t assume it will just happen.

Start checking things off your list one by one. Online shopping makes it easy to do all your Christmas shopping on a Saturday afternoon while watching football. Each time you buy or make a gift, note it on the list.

Try to shop small or local when you can to support small businesses. Make it a goal to be done clicking ‘Buy Now’ by December 1.

Jack and I finishing up Christmas shopping last year.

4. Store the goods

Designate a bin or a closet to house the gifts, preferably somewhere out of sight from little eyes. Store all the gifts in one space. Determine if you want to wrap now or later. Wrapping gifts while watching Christmas movies brings me joy, so I will save it for Thursdays and Fridays in December. If you’re worried about remembering what gift goes to who, simply keep the list handy.

Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.

Sun Tzu

Completing the Christmas Gift Challenge will look different for each of us. If you’re overwhelmed with life right now, it might look like getting gifts purchased or made by the first week of December. Or maybe you want to enjoy Thanksgiving too and choose to complete your Christmas shopping before you eat turkey and pumpkin pie. It doesn’t need to look the same for you and me. Make a plan and a goal that works for you, your capacity, and your holiday life.

If we plan and shop for Christmas now while it is easy, our hearts will be lighter and more able to be present when the actual Christmas season arrives. Tell me: Will you join me for the Christmas Gift Challenge?

Vanessa

A Christmas Plan

A Simpler Motherhood

It’s October. Yes, we haven’t celebrated Halloween, yet. Yes, I am going to be THAT person talking about Christmas before the jack-o-lanterns have even been carved. But friends, it’s all intentional. A Christmas Plan now can make the season a bit more magical and peaceful come December.

Last year was my first year planning Christmas early after speaking to a sweet mom at MOPS. This mom told me she finishes her Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving. Her reasoning was this: she wanted to enjoy December in all it’s glory and not fret about gifts and planning. At the time I thought it was a little extreme, but the more I thought about it, the more it resonated with me. I want to savor December, too.

My Christmas Plan was super helpful last year and I was able to be more present with my people and soak in the magical season. So I am back for round two.

As I write this, I am close to 50% done Christmas shopping, have been readying my pantry, and thinking through our Christmas Calendar.

A good plan is a good idea. Plans allow us to be intentional with our actions so we can achieve our goals. A plan isn’t always necessary, but can be helpful and, at times, essential. I don’t need a plan for what I’m going to do at quiet time each day (although it sure helps). But, I should probably have a plan when taking our family of six to Disney World.

For our family, Christmas is a big deal. Commemorating Christ coming to earth as a baby is cause for great celebration in our home. It may or may not be for your family. If it is, I would argue a Christmas Plan helps make the holiday much more enjoyable and a lot less stressful.

Here is what I am doing to prepare for the magical Christmas season.

Christmas Shopping

I use a Christmas list spreadsheet to outline the people our family will purchase gifts for this year. It outlines in detail who we are buying for, what we are buying, and the cost of the gift. Each year I copy and paste the previous year’s spreadsheets into a new tab. I have used this list for years and although I review and revise each year, the bones stay the same. In the past I have edited at the end of October, but now I open it early September and start making plans.

An alternative to a spreadsheet is a notebook outlining the who, what, and cost of each Christmas gift.

I am about half way done with my Christmas list. The last gifts I need to buy are mostly for my own babes. My hope is to be done before December 1 and (fingers crossed) I think it’s realistic at this point.

A few things I have found to be helpful in buying Christmas gifts.

1. Start Early

For years I have shopped year round and kept bought gifts in a ‘GIFTS’ tub high and away from little eyes (The women in my life have taught me well). However, the past two years, I have been intentional with starting the list sooner. The earlier I have my list in hand, the quicker and simpler my shopping becomes. My spreadsheet holds every person I will buy for along with the gift and cost. This keeps me accountable to stay on budget, to shop intentionally, and helps me avoid impulse purchases.

2. Give similar gifts for specific groups of people.

This has been sanity saving for me. I give the same gifts to various groups of people. For example, I enjoy giving small gifts to my MOPS table as well as neighbors. Giving the same gift to similar groups of people just makes sense. This small Christmas hack makes Christmas shopping a bit simpler and I still believe people feel loved in the giving.

3. Shop online.

This isn’t rocket science, but it is smart. In the time of COVID, this is probably the route many are taking. Most of the shopping I have already completed has been online. I have shopped small and shopped Amazon. (Some of my favorite small shops are: Alice and Ames, Charli Dean Designs, Wax Buffalo, and Natural Joy Boutique.) When those packages come in the mail, I simply place them in the ‘GIFT’ tub that lives in my master closet. I will wrap all the gifts when the season gets closer because it is something I enjoy. My Thursday and Friday afternoons in December will be spent watching Christmas movies and wrapping gifts for the special people in my life.

Readying the Home

No, my Christmas decorations are not up. Pumpkins are still donning our porches and our costumes are hanging in the closet ready to be worn on the last day of October. Christmas pretties wait until after Thanksgiving at our house.

However, I have been readying our pantry and freezer for the upcoming holiday season. Our family has tried to use what we have in the pantry and freezer this fall to make room for the goodies that will fill it for the upcoming holidays. I also did a quick pantry sweep to purge expired items.

In the next month, I will stock up on pantry items needed for the holiday season. Things for baking: flour, sugar, pie crusts, vanilla, peanut butter, sprinkles. And ingredients for comfort foods: butternut squash, chicken stock, yeast for bread, and bacon. Readying my home now takes one thing off my plate later.

The Christmas Calendar

We all know the month of December can fill up fast. Things might be a little different with COVID in the mix, but there will still be things to do and ways to celebrate. Last year we made a list of things we wanted to do as a family. This year we did the same and they are currently on the calendar. In October. We won’t be scrambling to find time to do certain activities together because we already know when we are cutting down our tree and delivering neighbor gifts. It’s on the calendar.

Another perk of including the calendar in the Christmas Plan is it allows us to know what we can and can’t do when things come up. It’s impossible to do everything in December, so knowing what we do want to do and planning ahead allows us to make space for it.

Christmas Traditions

I am a sucker for Christmas traditions. They give me all the warm, fuzzy feelings and I can’t help but appreciate them all. However, I know myself and how I can get overwhelmed. I know myself and know I can’t do all the Christmas traditions. I know myself and what will work and won’t work for our family. This year I made a list of traditions our family will do and will not do. I honestly think there is more power in making the ‘will not’ list.

We will…

Read a Christmas book each day.

Cut down our Christmas tree and decorate it together.

Deliver gifts to our neighbors.

Make a birthday cake for Jesus.

We will not…

Wrap a book up for each day of December.

Visit every Santa sighting.

Do elf on the shelf.

Add things to our ‘will’ list after scrolling social media.

As someone who sometimes struggles with FOMO, I know the Christmas ‘will’ and ‘will not’ lists will come in handy. If you make a list as well, please know your list will be different than mine and that’s 1000% the way it should be. It’s quite possible a tradition I desire for my family will not be one you desire for your’s. THERE IS NO RIGHT WAY TO DO CHRISTMAS. #amen

I yearn for a little more peace in my Christmas and a little less hectic. I am hopeful having a Christmas Plan will allow me to be more present during the month of December with my people and truly celebrate the reason for the season: the birth of our Savior. Tell me: Will you have a Christmas Plan for the upcoming season? Do you have any tips or tricks to make Christmas a bit more peaceful and a little less stressful? I would love to hear!

Vanessa

5 Simpler Art Projects for Fall

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Homeschool

In my limited experience as a homeschool mom, I find creating art can be put on the back burner. Figuring equations, phonics practice, grammar, read alouds, and learning the characteristics of a mammal seem to rank higher on the homeschool to-do list. However, as my mom once reminded me, creating is important to little humans. However much art is important to little humans the art of keeping it simple is just as important to the homeschool parent. Today I’m sharing 5 Simpler Art Projects for Fall.

The crafts on this list can be done (mostly) with things you already have in your home. A literature connection can be meaningful and is shared with each craft, although completely optional.

5 Simpler Art Projects for Fall

Leaf Rubbing

Supplies: Leaves, tape, cardstock, crayons (paper removed), watercolor

Literature Connection: We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt or an October poem

Hunt a few leaves down to do a leaf rubbing. Tape a leaf down on the table and then tape a piece of cardstock over it. Using the side of a crayon, rub the crayon all over the paper, revealing the leaf. (If you want a ‘magical’ leaf rubbing, use a white crayon instead of a colored one.) Next, use watercolors to paint over it. You will get a simple, beautiful result.

Natural Fall Picture

Supplies: Items from a nature walk, cardstock, glue

Literature Connection: Leaf Man

Grab a basket and go on a nature hunt collecting leaves, acorns, stems, grasses. Glue and create a leaf man or some other creature with the collected items.

Apple Art

Supplies: Apple template (or draw your own), empty toilet paper roll, black paint, watercolors and paint brush

Literature Connection: Apples or Ten Apples Up On Top

Print off the apple template or draw your own. Using black paint and the toilet paper roll, stamp circles on the apple. Let dry. Use watercolors to create a masterpiece!

Spookly the Square Pumpkin Art

Supplies: Large cut out shapes on construction paper or card stock (triangle, square, circle, oval, rectangle), Crayons, paints, or oil pastels, google eyes (optional)

Literature Connection: Spookly the Square Pumpkin

Read Spookly the Square Pumpkin. Discuss how God made us all unique. Cut out large shapes to use as pumpkins: triangles, squares, ovals, circles, rectangles. Have your children decorate the pumpkins using whatever medium they choose. Bonus: Make Spookly for a snack using graham crackers, orange frosting, and edible eyes. Another bonus: Watch the Spookly movie (47 minutes) on Prime.

Turkey Chalk Art

Supplies: Black construction paper, turkey template, crayons, googly eyes (optional), yellow and orange construction paper, chalk

Literature Connection: The Great Turkey Race or A Turkey for Thanksgiving

Thanks to Glued to My Crafts for this simple and easy craft. Children use chalk to make ‘feathers’ on a black sheet of construction paper. Cut and color the turkey template (or use this turkey template). Cut an orange triangle for the beak and a red gobble. Kids glue the turkey onto the black construction paper and then glue the beak, gobble, and googly eyes on to make the turkey.

Simpler Art

Art doesn’t require lots of fancy supplies or loads of time. It simply requires a bit of creativity and some eager artists. Tell me: will you create art this fall with your littles?

Vanessa

Cynthia Rylant Author Study

A Simpler Homeschool

If you’ve been around here long, you know I love a good author study. The past month we have read and enjoyed books by Cynthia Rylant. She is a beloved children’s book author and has written both funny and heartwarming stories for young humans.

Simply reading and enjoying an author’s work is enough, but it can extend learning when partnered with meaningful follow-up activities. Here is what our Cynthia Rylant Author Study looked like this past month.

Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant Author Study

1. Collect books

Cynthia Rylant has written more than 100 children’s books so there is a plethora of choices. Check out a stack of books from the library by Rylant.

2. Learn about the author

Youtube is a great place to hunt down videos about an author. Learn about Rylant and why she writes.

3. Read books by the author

See how many books you can read by this beloved author. Rylant has written many early chapter books, great for early elementary readers including the Henry and Mudge series, the Poppleton series, and the Mr. Putter and Tabby series. Other favorites: When I Was Young in the Mountains, The Relatives Came, Scarecrow and Let’s Go Home.

4. Complete extension activities

Extension activities are completely optional when doing an author study. However, they can bring more meaning to the books and author studied. Here are activities to complete with various Cynthia Rylant books.

Read multiple Mr. Putter and Tabby books. Discuss the theme that appears in these books: friendship. Write a letter to a best friend thanking him/her for being a good friend.

Read Scarecrow. Complete this Scarecrow Art Hub for Kids or one of these scarecrow art projects: Torn Paper Scarecrow, Paper Plate Scarecrow, or Paper Bag Scarecrow.

Read Let’s Go Home. After reading, discuss each child’s favorite room in the home. Draw a map or picture of the room. Another option: go outside and sketch the outside of your home.

Read The Relatives Came. Tell stories of trips and past memories to see family. Have children dictate or write a favorite memory while visiting family.

Read When I was Young in the Mountains. After reading, tell a story of a memory you have from when you were young. Encourage your child to think of a specific memory and use details to tell the story. Find a photograph to go with the memory and glue to a sheet of paper. Have your child dictate the story to you or your child can write the memory on the paper with the photograph.

Read multiple Henry and Mudge books. Model telling a story about a pet. Encourage children to tell a story about a pet, past or current. Children can write the story and draw a picture to go with it.

Read Night in the Country. Let your kids stay up until the sun sets. Go outside and either sit on a blanket or take a walk. Tell them to use their senses to notice things they hear, see, taste, smell, and touch.

Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant has an extensive list of books to choose from and read. Her storytelling is heartwarming, funny, and memorable. Tell me: Will you study Cynthia Rylant this year?

Vanessa

Fall Simplicity Challenges

A Simpler Home, A Simpler Motherhood

The changing of the seasons naturally triggers a fresh start. The seasonal rhythm offers a chance to begin again, to create something new, to re-establish some simplicity in our lives, to complete one or two Fall Simplicity Challenges.

While getting ourselves and our homes ready for fall, a good challenge can keep us accountable, stretch us, and grow us from our sun-drenched summer selves. Today I’m sharing some fun Fall Simplicity Challenges. They are called challenges for a reason: they challenge. They will challenge us to push ourselves, get out of our comfort zones, and possibly deny ourselves short term so we can grow long term.

If you are competitive in nature, this post is for you. This is how it works: Choose one Fall Simplicity Challenge and complete for one week. At the end of the week, notice how you feel and reflect and name one thing you learned during the challenge. Possibly partner with a friend and complete the same challenge to keep each other accountable. The purpose of the Fall Simplicity Challenges are to get you to make progress in the area of simplicity and build some momentum to keep on the journey.

There is something for everyone. If you need to start small, choose a challenge from the Motivate Me challenges. If you are ready and motivated, pick a challenge from the I’m Motivated section. And if you need an overhaul and are looking for big change, check out I want to do it all. Like I said, something for everyone.

Fall Simplicity Challenges

Motivate Me.

You need to move some things out of your home. Grab an empty cardboard box. Each day, choose 10 things to let go of and put in the box. At the end of the week, haul those 70 items (or more) off to a donation center and reward yourself with the beverage of your choice. Bonus points: Designate a permanent donation box or bin and regularly declutter unused items.

The toys have taken over every inch of your home. Discuss with your kids how unused toys could go to kids who don’t have many toys. (This is a great add on challenge to the first one above, we want to lead by example!) Each child chooses 10 toys they are no longer enjoying to donate. If you want to make it an all week thing, choose 2-3 toys a day every day for a week. Donate the toys and have a dance party to celebrate helping others.

Maybe you have been enjoying to-go curbside pick up a little too often lately. Decide to eat in all week long, including no pumpkin spice lattes. (Make your own pumpkin spice at home with Lydia’s recipe for Scooter’s Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Copycat over at Joy Filled Table.) Take the money you save and purchase some local coffee beans or just throw it in the bank.

Your phone is full of beautiful pictures of your family, but having so many is overwhelming. Go through your phone each day this week and delete 10 photos you don’t love.

I’m motivated.

Choose one room to declutter and organize. Every day set aside 15 minutes to declutter the chosen room. Set the timer, put in earbuds, and get to work. You will be amazed at what you accomplish in a little over an hour and a half in a week. Bonus points: If you’re still motivated after 15 minutes, set the timer for another 15 minutes and see how much you can get done.

Tackle every kid’s room in one week. Get a caddy loaded with cleaning supplies, grab a garbage sack for trash and a box for donations. If your kids are old enough, tell them their day at the beginning of the week and communicate how you will need their help. Meticulously go through each room and get rid of unused and ill fitting clothes and toys. Reward everyone with apple pie and ice cream when every room is complete.

Your pantry and freezer are full. Commit to not making a trip to the grocery store this week and getting creative with the things you have on hand. When you have made it 7 days without an online grocery order, reward everyone with the last of the popsicles in the freezer.

Set a timer for 15 minutes each day to work on your photo clutter. A few tasks to choose from: 1. Go through and delete unwanted photos on your phone or computer. 2. Get all the pictures from your phone to your computer. 3. Upload all pictures from your phone to an outside source like Shutterfly, Dropbox or an external hard drive. 4. Organize your photos on your computer into folders. 5. Begin a picture book for your family using Shutterfly, Chatbooks, or some other site.

I want to do it all.

Finally take the leap to overhaul the clothes closets. There are a million ways to do it, but here are two options. Option #1: Take all the clothes out and put them on the bed. Go through each item and ask yourself: Do I love it? Does it fit? Would I buy it again? If you answer ‘yes’, put it in the KEEP pile. If you answer ‘no’, donate, sell, or trash. Option #2: Keep your clothes in the closet and first tackle the summer clothes asking yourself: Do I love it? Does it fit? Did I wear it this summer? If you answer ‘yes’, put it in the KEEP pile. If you answer ‘no’, donate, sell, or trash. Continue with the fall, winter, and spring clothes. Bonus points: If you want to take it a step further and curate a capsule wardrobe, check out Fall Capsule Wardrobe.

Create a toy closet. Box up half the toys in the play spaces. Organize the toys in a toy closet so they are easily accessible. Kids are able to ‘check out’ toys from the toy closet by putting currently played with toys in the toy closet. Cutting toys by half means less clean up and clutter for everyone.

Eat through your pantry and freezer. No curbside pick up, no drive thru coffees, no last minute grocery pick up. Work with what you have for one week, no stocking up beforehand. Challenge yourself and your family to get creative and use what you have to eat meals throughout the week.

Make this the week you will tackle your photos. Start with January 2020 and delete unwanted photos, upload photos onto your computer and then Shutterfly, and begin a family photo book for 2020.

You’ve got this.

Challenges are a way to make a lot of change in a little amount of time. Keep in mind: It may or may not be the season for you to tackle a Fall Simplicity Challenge. But, if you’re feeling the itch to get rid of the clutter, to make a change, to finally clean out the spare bedroom, there is no better time than now!

Tell me: What Fall Simplicity Challenge will you choose to complete?

Vanessa

Book List for Fall

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Motherhood

The fall and winter months lend themselves to more book reading. Shorter days and longer nights, cooler temps, and the hankering to get cozy are just a few reasons to enjoy a good book in the fall.

I love a good book list. It allows me to always have a book ‘on deck’ so I’m never without something to read. Today I’m sharing a Book List for Fall for moms and kids.

Book List for Fall (For Moms)

Welcome Home

Myquillin Smith (aka The Nester) is my home decorating boss. She is real, down to earth, and has coined the term ‘cozy minimalist’, which I love. Her new book, Welcome Home came out September 15 and you better believe I pre-ordered it. This is her third book (I highly recommend her other two) and is about creating a home with more style and less stuff for each season.

The Lazy Genius Way

Kendra Adachi introduced me to one of my favorite meals: change your life chicken. She is a mom, wife, podcaster, and creator of The Lazy Genius movement. I am looking forward to diving into The Lazy Genius Way this fall.

Simplicity Parenting

Once a year, I try and read this book. It’s my favorite parenting book and one I gain a lot of value from. Kim John Payne thoroughly describes the childhood I want for my kids and how to get there. I thought I would get to this book over the summer, but it didn’t happen. It’s on my Book List for Fall.

You Be You: Why Satisfaction and Success Are Closer Than You Think

This is Jamie Ivey’s second book and comes out October 1, 2020. Jamie is a podcaster, mom, wife, and loves Jesus. I am a big fan of her and her work. I know I’m going to love this one.

Night Road

If you haven’t read Kristin Hannah, you should. The Nightingale, The Great Alone, Firefly Lane, and Winter Garden are some of my favorite books, all by Hannah. Somehow I missed this 2011 book and I’m excited to read it this fall. The only fiction book on the list, I will devour this one.

Book List for Fall (For Kids)

Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant

It’s not fall without a book about a scarecrow. This book is sweet and is the perfect lead in to a scarecrow art project. Check out this Art Hub for Kids.

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer

Every fall we have little oak trees growing in our yard because our squirrel friends bury acorns everywhere. This is the perfect book to discuss the connections of nature. It’s simple and short and begs for a nature walk after reading.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

Recommended by Sarah McKenzie over at Read Aloud Revival, this book is beautiful and gets you in the mood for fall.

Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper

Pumpkin Soup tells the story of friendship and three animals making pumpkin soup. My kids love to reread this one and giggle every time.

Applesauce Day by Lisa J. Amstutz

If you’re heading to an apple orchard to Celebrate Fall, this is a great read before or after you go.

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: The Pumpkin Patch Puzzle

Mysteries are a thing around here and Nancy Drew is queen of mysteries. We will be reading The Pumpkin Patch Puzzle this fall.

The Friendship Garden: Pumpkin Spice

The Friendship Garden series is new to us, but it looks sweet and perfect for ages 4-8, which is great for our family.

Reading seems like the right thing to do in the fall. Tell me: What books will you be reading this fall?

Vanessa

Fall Capsule Wardrobe

A Simpler Motherhood

With fall upon us, it’s the perfect time to recreate your closet and wardrobe for the new season with a Fall Capsule Wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe makes life simpler while still offering choices and creativity.

What is a Capsule Wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is a mini wardrobe created for a specific season in mind. It’s intentionally curated with items you love that are versatile and can be utilized in multiple outfit combinations.

Why a Capsule Wardrobe?

The number one reason a capsule wardrobe is beneficial is decision fatigue. A study done by an online shopping company showed women spend, on average, 16 minutes a day pondering what to pull from their closets to wear. A capsule wardrobe can reduce decision fatigue and save time because the pieces are curated to assemble an outfit in little to no time. Of course there is always the option to get creative within the boundaries of a capsule wardrobe.

A capsule wardrobe also reduces impulse purchasing and spending. The average American woman spends $150-$400 a month on clothes. With a capsule wardrobe, shopping happens at the front end of each season instead of every time a sale comes across the inbox. (Note: unsubscribe, unsubscribe, unsubscribe.)

A capsule wardrobe can reduce waste, as it promotes quality over quantity. An average consumer throws away 70 pounds of clothes a year. A capsule wardrobe can reduce waste as it reduces shopping and promotes buying intentionally.

Curating a Capsule Wardrobe

Curating a capsule wardrobe can take a bit of time, depending on the size of closet. However, it’s doable if taken in small chunks over the course of a few days or a week.

Step 1

Pull down everything in your closet that could possibly be worn this fall. Box up everything else for other seasons and put out of sight. Go through each piece of clothing and ask: Do I love it? Would I buy it again? Does it fit? Be honest answering these questions. Make two piles: one for KEEP and one for DONATE/CONSIGN.

Step 2

Take inventory of what you have. If you want, choose a color scheme of colors you love to wear, around 3-4 colors. Create outfits with the pieces you have by sketching them, putting them physically together, or visually creating them in your mind. (This may seem like a silly step, but is quite worthwhile.)

Step 3

Decide if there are any pieces you need to purchase for fall. Make a shopping list and commit to shopping now and not again until next season. Choose quality over quantity for the pieces you need to purchase. Here is a great round up of ethical, quality shops: My Favorite Ethical Brands.

Step 4

Hang and fold clothes neatly you will use for your Fall Capsule Wardrobe. Donate or consign the unwanted items and box up out of season clothing.

Note: If you’re wanting a bit more information and a printable on curating a capsule wardrobe, see this post: How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe.

My Fall Capsule Wardrobe

1 vest

1 zip up jacket

1 jean jacket

1 dress

3 cardigans

3 sweaters

5 sweatshirts

3 button ups

1 long sleeve top

7 t-shirts

3 tank tops (These will get put away when the temperature drops.)

3 pairs of leggings

2 pairs of joggers

1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of black jeans

2 pairs of boots, 1 pair of sneakers

Obviously not a fashion blogger. 😉

My Fall Purchases

When I put my Fall Capsule Wardrobe together, I had a few things I wanted to add. I purchased a pair of leggings, a sweater, a sweatshirt, and a winter jacket. My leggings and sweatshirt purchases were specifically for bike rides this fall, a new family hobby. The sweater purchase was something I have been looking at for awhile from Everlane. Last year my winter jacket made it to the donation pile because it had been on it’s last leg for a few years. I knew the only way to make it happen would be to donate what I have. I made these purchases intentionally and don’t plan on buying any other clothes until I piece together my winter capsule wardrobe.

The changing of the seasons is the perfect time to finally edit your closet and create a wardrobe you love. Tell me: will you create a Fall Capsule Wardrobe?

Vanessa

Celebrate Fall

A Simpler Childhood, A Simpler Motherhood

Crisp fallen leaves, adventures in tall boots and brown grass, pumpkin muffins, and hay rack rides. It’s time to Celebrate Fall.

There is no denying fall is a magical time of year. Fall is the perfect temperature for a hoodie and cozy socks. It’s for Saturdays with a hot cup of coffee and a game to watch. Fall is making the house smell like banana bread or pumpkin muffins or zucchini cakes. It’s a season when we can watch and enjoy the transformation from summer to fall in all it’s red, purple, and gold glory. The changing of the seasons is an intentional rhythm and one we can celebrate.

Saying goodbye to summer and hello to fall looks different for all of us. Intentionally creating space and celebrating the seasonal rhythm can help us feel grounded, give us joyful anticipation, and make life a bit more fun.

Today I’m sharing some ways to Celebrate Fall. These ideas are simply a place to begin. Not every family will find joy in the things on this list. My hope is it will inspire you to create a list of ways you and your family can Celebrate Fall.

Celebrate Fall

Read Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak with your kids. Discuss the changing of the seasons and use this as the motivation to start your discussion on ways you can Celebrate Fall.

Go on a nature hunt to the nearest local park or preservation area. Read the book We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt prior to heading out. Bring sketch books to draw what you find.

Head to the local farmer’s market to see what has been harvested recently. Squash, pumpkins, tomatoes. Create a harvest meal together. In many places, these markets will wrap up in the next month, so make a trip soon!

Apple crisp, applesauce, apple pie, apple cider, apple donuts. Apples feel like fall. Choose a recipe you want to make with apples and then visit a local orchard to pick yourself.

Create a capsule wardrobe for yourself or your kids for this fall. Go through what you already have for the coming season and then make a shopping list. Get your closets ready for fall!

Invite family or friends over for a bonfire and s’more feast. Get creative with the combinations. My favorite is a s’more with a Reese’s inside.

Head to your local gardening center and pick up fall mums or other fall blooming flowers to brighten your pots.

Collect some fallen leaves and let your kids get creative as they paint and stamp with them. This tutorial is simple and easy.

It wouldn’t be fall without a trip to a pumpkin patch. Put on your boots and support your local patch. Pumpkins feel like fall.

Speaking of pumpkins, make some pumpkin goodies. These chocolate chip pumpkin muffins are my favorite fall treat.

How will you Celebrate Fall?

The changing from summer to fall keeps us grounded and allows us to anticipate all the adventures and experiences the new season will bring. Tell me: how will you Celebrate Fall?