Where’d You Learn That, Purely Preschool Fall Pack Review

Hey Loves!

I hope all is well with you. I have the pleasure of bringing to you today a review of Where’d You Learn That Purely Preschool Fall Pack. While this product was gifted to me, the review and thoughts below are all my own. (Also, y’all should know I would not lie to you.)

OK, so when this digital product arrived in my inbox I was a little concerned about the page count. Wow, was I wrong and I am so glad that I was! If you know me at all, you know that I love a product that I can use more than once and in multiple ways. Super bonus if I can use it with both of my kids at the same time. This hits all three of those marks! Let me explain how…

For starters, The images depict the actual subject. So if it is a fall animal like a squirrel it is a beautifully black-and-white drawn image of said squirrel, not a cartoon image or a character. I really like this, especially when studying nature because then I feel like my children can really learn about the animal and explore as opposed to just engaging with some random image that may not depict its actual likeness.

Next, the layout: I absolutely adore how the author briefly but thoroughly explains each activity in the pack and provides all the things that you need. Honestly, this is a lesson plan anyone could follow. Seriously, I could give the lesson plan to James and he could implement it. There is no fluff, but it is very full.

Finally, the best part, the content! While this pack is for Fall, the sky’s the limit with all you can do! There is so much in it and while she does provide instructions and guides, you can adapt these for much more. For example, I used the images as instructed with Jude, then together both my children used the images for a scavenger hunt on a walk they took later that day. Jude loved painting fall color leaves and on his own tried to make the color orange. Art then became science!

Lastly, I like how this packs reminds us how t ocare for and appreciate nature. I am so looking forward to using this for many Falls to come with my kids. Check it out here

Check out what my fellow Melanted Gold Squad Review Members thought about Where’d You Learn That here!

Fall Into Fellowship

Hey Loves!

We are moving full-steam ahead in our homeschool year and adjusting as we go. This past spring and summer were literally like no other I have experienced, both good and bad. We made lots of memories we wouldn’t have otherwise but oh how we missed people, travels and ya know, our things.

However, I kept adding things to my plate and not clearing away other things. This led to exhaustion, burnout, and something like emptiness. I was depleted in ways I hadn’t been in so long and in my crying out, seeking and listening, I started looking ahead to fall and this is what came to me: It is time for fellowship. Not just communing together but intentional supporting, connecting, uplifting and restoration.

I’m not sure about you, but if I had to guess I would say some part of the past six months has depleted you. Maybe something or someone was neglected, even just a little bit. Maybe you have realized how much you actually have and want to serve.

For me, the majority of 2020 took so much from me and I am taking it back and turning this year around. I’ve got little eyes watching my every move. I’ve got little ears hearing all my words, more specifically, all my complaints and groaning. I’ve got little hearts absorbing my anxieties and fears. I want more for all of us.

So, we are #fallingintofellowship. For 4 weeks we are supporting our neighborhood city and the world while we connect with each other and friends. I plan to uplift some friends and strangers and restore myself, our home and relationships.

Why? I mean, really, why would I now, heading into the last quarter of the year, sprint to win? The answer is simple. It is time. It is really that simple. It is time to fulfill our hearts and not live in a state of barrenness. I don’t mean any of that with physical things (although those are nice.) I mean with things you can’t buy-joy, peace, love and grace.

So, will you join me? Some friends and I have joined together to make this a challenge for all our friends via socials and I’d love for you to join us. All you have to do is share how you are connecting, supporting, restoring or uplifting! I’d love to have you. Also, I want to see it. Share what you are doing with the hashtag, #fallintofellowship.

Love you. Mean it.

Fall-ing In Love with Fall

Hey Loves!

Can you feel it? Can you see it? Can you taste it? Yep, that is Fall coming in with cooler temps, warmer sunsets, and steaming cocktails. Yes, friends, Autumn abounds and I am here for it!

Y’all, being a Florida girl and not even seeing leaves change in real life until a year ago, you still couldn’t tell me Fall wasn’t where it’s at! Now, my husband has basically just resigned to being the person to help me put together things, make things, and eat all the goodies with me because isn’t that what Fall is all about???

I mean, if the picture above of all the things to do with apples didn’t clue you in on how much I love fall, maybe this will. Let’s have fun this Fall, y’all! Speaking of the picture, I’ll be using that as our apple fun guide, and, guess what???? I’ve got one for you too. Grab it right here!

Note: This download is free for personal use, but the credit line must be included (which just means to make sure that you don’t accidentally crop off the line with the website information at the bottom of the printable when you are reproducing it to hand out). It cannot be sold, published, or hosted on other websites. If you want to share printable though, please share a link to this post (not directly to the printable) with others. Thanks!

Graphics for this project were purchased from flaticon.com

Full disclosure, this pandemic life is not easy and I knew something was going to have to shake when James looked at me and said, “I really don’t want to wear real clothes. Just very comfortable things like pajamas all the time.” Same, James. Same.

So, first, get you some cozy loungewear, grab a note pad and let’s get to Fall fun-having, mmmkay!

Let’s talk Fall food and, no, not Thanksgiving. I’m talking everything apples… cider, pies, crisps, candied, coated, topped, and stuffed. I’m salivating as I type. If you have never gone apple picking, I highly recommend it. Like from my soul. I am going to do my best to get us there safely this year and with actual people (quaran-team is the best way to quarantine). No, we won’t be able to do a hayride and hang out there all day but I’ve got that handled and we will have fun and make memories home! After we inspect our haul, here comes the fun! We will make our own candy-apple dippers after we have a serious apple washing with the water table I made this summer, weather permitting. 

Next it is apple cider/apple doughnut poetry tea time about what? F. A L. L.

I even grabbed some playdoh and toy baking items my kids already had and made a little apple pie playdoh invitation. That with some re-purposed Christmas jammies, apple-themed shirts, and punch cards for treats, and what do you have? “Falling for You” baskets! Get it?

You don’t have to do everything I do or did but the point here is to take the season by the reigns and make all the memories, peeps. 

Have a ton of Fall fun. I’ve got more Fall memory-making ideas coming your way.

Love you. Mean It!

Warming up to Fall Decor

Hey Loves!

Well, it’s Autumn and the weather is cooling down. It feels lovely outside –but what about inside? While it is colder outside, you still want the inside of your home to be warm and welcoming. I know Martha Stewart and the crafting-geniuses on Pintrest may be a bit intimidating, but I am here with some easy and inexpensive tips.

Use Fall Fruit- Yes, you read correctly, decorate with fall fruit. Apples, pears, pumpkins and grapes go a long way AND they promote you to eat healthier snacks. You can have a full fruit bowl on your kitchen table or counter and use apples instead of votives in candle holders. (Hint: for cleaning and preservation use this vegetable wash)

Burlap- Go Burlap crazy! Make a new table cloth, a runner for your coffee table, placemats, napkin rings, bows for the banister… the possibilities are endless. The plus, burlap is super cheap! I got mine for $2.97/yard at Wally World and 3 yards goes a long way. (Hint: iron the wrong side with heavy starch to avoid fraying) You can also get burlap in ribbon form which leads me to…

Mason Jars- I know they are normally used for preservation but they can be used for household décor. You can wrap then in different size burlap ribbon and place a tea light candle inside. For a different touch, you fill the jars half way with coffee beans before adding the tea light candle. Oh! Different size jars also add a great element to centerpieces.

Bring out the Blankets- What makes you feel warmer than a blanket? You can bring out comfortable throws that are complimentary to your décor with accent colors on the ends of couches and ottomans.

Hope this helps!

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