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December 19, 2020 · Leave a Comment

FREE Elf On The Shelf Printable

Books· Crafts· Freebies· Kids· Uncategorized

Little girl reading Elf On The Shelf Book

The Elf On The Shelf can be such an amazing addition to Christmas magic! Find yourself a FREE Printable to make the last day with your favourite Elf a breeze!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.

I was pretty reluctant to jump on the Elf On The Shelf trend, however, I am really glad I did. Don’t tell my kids, but I may be having more fun with it than they are!

The reason that I was reluctant really comes down to time. The holiday season is already so busy and I didn’t want to attempt a feat that would only disappoint them or myself when it slowly petered out due to busy schedules and/or forgetfulness.

It turns out just a little bit of planning ahead and leaning on others for the work that’s already been done (ie FREE printables!) and it is actually a breeze (and super fun) to pull off.

We are two years in and it has now become something the entire family looks forward to (despite the mom groans you hear about it on the playground it’s actually awesome!)

If you haven’t gotten your Elf, you can easily grab one from Amazon.

*I can’t not put a plug in here to grab your Prime membership while you are at it! It literally saves my sanity, bank account and soooo much time during the holiday season!

Elf On The Shelf – Last day Decoder Puzzle

Grab a copy of this super fun decoder puzzle for your Elf to leave out on his last day with your family! A super fun way for him/her to say goodbye before heading home!

Download Last Day Decoder Puzzle
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Can you feel it!? ๐Ÿ˜ Itโ€™s finally the WEEKEND Can you feel it!? ๐Ÿ˜ Itโ€™s finally the WEEKEND and we are so excited to be giving away a Cricut Explore Air 2, an Apple iPad, Apple Pencil, UGG slippers, a Starbucks gift card, a yeti tumbler, and a @mikibeads gift voucher. โ˜บ๏ธ You choose the colors for everything!

All you have to do is:
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๐ŸคFollow @happyclassroomsgiveaway
๐ŸคFollow everyone @happyclassroomsgiveaway is following.
๐ŸคTag a friend!

Bonus entries:
๐ŸคTag more friends in the comments- each new tag counts as an additional entry!
๐ŸคRepost this image on your story or your feed and tag @happyclassroomsgiveaway

๐ŸคThis giveaway closes Sunday, January 24th at 10 pm EST. The winner will be contacted via DM and then announced 48 hours later. We will NEVER ask for CC info or for you to click any links- please report and block anyone who does.

๐ŸคThis giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or associated with Instagram, Apple, Cricut, or UGG. This giveaway is open worldwide. Non U.S. residents will be awarded PayPal cash.

#teachergiveaway #teachergiveaways #ipadprocreate #cricutcrafts #teachersofthegram #newteacher #firstyearteacher #aussieteachertribe #iteachprep #preserviceteacher #weareteachers #distancelearning #middleschoolteacher #iteachmiddleschool #iteachk #iteachfirst #teachershare #cricutlife #letsgetcreative #selfcarefirst #selfcareday #teacherinspiration #teachertribe #fridayfavorites #homeschoolmama #homeschoolfamily #teacherlife๐ŸŽ #teacherootd #educationmatters #kindergartenclassroom
โ€œ๐•€๐•Ÿ ๐•–๐•ง๐•–๐•ฃ๐•ช ๐•จ๐•’๐•๐•œ โ€œ๐•€๐•Ÿ ๐•–๐•ง๐•–๐•ฃ๐•ช ๐•จ๐•’๐•๐•œ ๐•จ๐•š๐•ฅ๐•™ ๐•Ÿ๐•’๐•ฅ๐•ฆ๐•ฃ๐•–, ๐• ๐•Ÿ๐•– ๐•ฃ๐•–๐•”๐•–๐•š๐•ง๐•–๐•ค ๐•—๐•’๐•ฃ ๐•ž๐• ๐•ฃ๐•– ๐•ฅ๐•™๐•’๐•Ÿ ๐•™๐•– ๐•ค๐•–๐•–๐•œ๐•ค.โ€
๐•๐• ๐•™๐•Ÿ ๐•„๐•ฆ๐•š๐•ฃ

Today, it was the simple wish to make a snow angel, which of course lead to pondering how to get up without undoing his careful work, which lead to better problem solving skills and creativity. 

He doesnโ€™t see his learning, but I do ๐Ÿ’•
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#snowfun #snow #snowplay #1000hoursoutside #outdoorfun #outdoorplay #outdoorkids #snowkids #kidfun #winterplay #yourbestmomfriend #kidsplay #winteractivities #snowactivities #kidsactivities #familyfun #canadianwinter #familytime #canadianmom #winterkids #canadianwinter #funinthesnow #homeschooling #canadianhomeschooler #homeschoollife
โ€œ๐”ป๐•–๐•’๐•ฃ ๐”น๐• ๐•ช, ๐•š๐•— ๐•ช๐• ๐•ฆ ๐•Ÿ๐•–๐•–๐•• ๐• ๐•Ÿ๐•– ๐•ž๐• ๐•ฃ๐•– ๐•ฃ๐•–๐•ž๐•š๐•Ÿ๐••๐•–๐•ฃ ๐•ฅ๐•  ๐•ก๐•ฆ๐•ฃ๐•ค๐•ฆ๐•– ๐•ช๐• ๐•ฆ๐•ฃ ๐••๐•ฃ๐•–๐•’๐•ž๐•ค, ๐•ฅ๐•™๐•–๐•Ÿ ๐•™๐•–๐•ฃ๐•– ๐•š๐•ฅ ๐•š๐•ค: ๐•ก๐•ฆ๐•ฃ๐•ค๐•ฆ๐•– ๐•ช๐• ๐•ฆ๐•ฃ ๐••๐•ฃ๐•–๐•’๐•ž๐•ค!โ€

This is the most beautiful tribute to little boys everywhere. It perfectly embodies so many of the lessons that my Mama heart wants to impart on my sweet (& wild) boy.

We always give books, inscribed with hand written love notes from Mom & Dad for Valentineโ€™s Day, rather than a card. This year Dear Boy & Dear Girl will be given to my little crew ๐Ÿ’•

โœ๏ธ Paris Rosenthal
๐ŸŽจ Holly Hatam
โœจ A book full of sweet messages, lessons, values and love. 

Sneak peak in stories. Link in Bio. 
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#kidswhoread #familytraditions #valentinesforkids #valentinesideas #booksforkids #booksforboys #boysbooks #momofboys #boymama #familybooks #readaloud #valentinescards #dearboy #boyhoodmagic #magicofbooks #booksbooksbooks #books #booksofig #booklove #homeschoolmom #bookfamily #kidswhoreadsucceed
๐•€๐•Ÿ ๐•™๐• ๐•Ÿ๐• ๐•ฆ๐•ฃ ๐• ๐•— โ„•๐•’ ๐•€๐•Ÿ ๐•™๐• ๐•Ÿ๐• ๐•ฆ๐•ฃ ๐• ๐•— โ„•๐•’๐•ฅ๐•š๐• ๐•Ÿ๐•’๐• โ„™๐• ๐•ก๐•”๐• ๐•ฃ๐•Ÿ ๐”ป๐•’๐•ช...๐Ÿฟ

Iโ€™m pretty sure we crossed off math, science, art and life skills by making popcorn balls today...no? ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

#kidsinthekitchen #kitchenskills #learninginthekitchen #littlechefs #kitchenhelpers #kidsactivities #handsonlearning #handsonactivities #reallifemath #reallifescience #21stcenturylearning #playfullearning #kidswhobake #homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #familyactivities #lifewithkids #lifeskills #littlebakers #bananabread #nationalpopcornday #learningthroughplay #homeschoolers #homeschool #kidapproved #kidfriendlyrecipes #recipesforkids #kidfriendlyrecipe
โ„๐•–๐•’๐• ๐•๐•š๐•—๐•– ๐•๐•–๐•’๐•ฃ๐•Ÿ๐•š๐•Ÿ๐•˜ ๐•š๐•ค ๐•ฅ๐•™๐•– ๐•ฅ๐•’๐•ค๐•ฅ๐•š๐•–๐•ค๐•ฅ, ๐••๐• ๐•Ÿโ€™๐•ฅ ๐•ช๐• ๐•ฆ ๐•ฅ๐•™๐•š๐•Ÿ๐•œ? ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

We absolutely love playing in the kitchen. ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿผโ€๐Ÿณ

Kids learn so much in the kitchen, from math and science to important life skills like problem solving and creativity. 

Nothing beats the learning that comes with hands on activities and thereโ€™s no better motivation than learning your way to yummy treats! ๐Ÿ™ƒ

Weโ€™ve been working out some kinks lately to find what is now our favourite banana bread recipe. Theyโ€™ve been changing things up, adjusting ingredients and baking times, and even playing with bakeware to get the exact texture and taste they want. Today they found it ๐Ÿฅฐ 

We were also working on equivalent fractions as Mama purposefully provided measuring cups that were missing the measurements they needed ๐Ÿ˜‰

The kids โ€œperfect banana breadโ€ is up on yourbestmomfriend.com ๐Ÿ’• Link in Bio! 

You will also find info on the awesome heart shaped mold we used! ๐Ÿ’œ

#kidsinthekitchen #kitchenskills #learninginthekitchen #littlechefs #kitchenhelpers #kidsactivities #handsonlearning #handsonactivities #reallifemath #reallifescience #21stcenturylearning #playfullearning #kidswhobake #homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #familyactivities #lifewithkids #lifeskills #littlebakers #bananabread #bananamuffins #learningthroughplay #homeschoolers #homeschool #kidapproved #kidfriendlyrecipes #recipesforkids #kidfriendlyrecipe
Tell me you play Racko ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ We have Tell me you play Racko ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

We have literally spent hours playing this today. 

The kids love the strategy aspect, I love the learning disguised in play. 

Itโ€™s win-win. 

If you havenโ€™t played before, itโ€™s a really simple concept, collecting and  trading cards in order to hold a rack of sequenced cards. Special runs increase your points, but the first player to have all of their cards from smallest to largest wins - or can take their chances at increasing points before calling Racko! 

We sometimes use this during what would be our math period as they learn a lot about number sequence and probability. 

What are you familyโ€™s favourite games that disguise learning in the fun?!
Itโ€™s that time of year again ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ Itโ€™s that time of year again ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

Time for fresh starts and putting our best foot forward. 

Thereโ€™s such a beautiful feeling that comes with getting everything out of the house that really doesnโ€™t need to be there...I think itโ€™s called relaxation ๐Ÿ˜˜

But Iโ€™m all seriousness, it really does support wellness ~ both emotionally and physically. (Did you know it is actually linked to healthier food choices like less snacking?!)

Itโ€™s also an awesome way to teach positive life choices and involve kids in family responsibilities and rituals. ๐Ÿฅฐ

My favourite part? It creates more time in our lives to spend with those we love ๐Ÿ’• 

Thereโ€™s no better time than now (and when we are all spending more time at home.) 

New post up on the blog, including free printables ๐Ÿ‘

My kids LOVE the kids checklist (have I mentioned they think they are super independent ๐Ÿ˜‚)
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#momlife #familylife #cleaningtips #cleaningroutines #familytime #kidswhoclean #familychores #choreideas #choretime #organizedhome #homesweethome #homelife #newyearsresolution2021 #springcleaningtips #springclean #freshstart #familygoals #familyfun #kidschores #kidschorechart #teachingresponsibility #teachingrespect #familyproject
Do you have a little gamer? ๐ŸŽฎ (Link for MarioK Do you have a little gamer? ๐ŸŽฎ

(Link for MarioKart Home Circuit is in my bio ๐Ÿ˜ƒ)

I used to worry a lot about video games, but I donโ€™t anymore.

In fact, I now embrace his love of gaming and whole heartedly support it - because he is growing and expanding so much with them. 

He is learning team work, patience, commitment, problem solving, strategizing, money management and is even growing by way of emotional regulation. 

Through lock downs heโ€™s stayed connected to friends and family through online play and family game nights have been taken to a whole new place sometimes! 

This little one has dreams of becoming an engineer and creating games and he is eager to learn any and all skills that help him achieve those dreams. 

He has also helped me to open my mind, shift my thinking and embrace the unexpected good in something I was, at one point, firmly against. 

Video games have been a perfect example of why I choose free play, why I choose playful learning, and the importance of not setting limits simply for the sake of setting them. 

Iโ€™ll be forever thankful for the fun and the growth heโ€™s accomplished because of the imaginative worlds heโ€™s become absorbed in through his games. 

In this picture heโ€™s playing MarioKart Live Home Circut from @nintendo. 

This has brought him SO MUCH joy. Oddly enough, heโ€™s also bonded with his great grandmother in a new way as he playfully torments her with it ๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

Tell me how your kids have expanded your thinking?! ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿป
Come on Canada, do your thing โ„๏ธ We are in ne Come on Canada, do your thing โ„๏ธ

We are in need of some packing snow! โ˜ƒ๏ธ

We are absolutely in love with this Igloo from @playsnowigloostructures ๐Ÿฅฐ

If it hadnโ€™t been rainy up until today I would have had a really hard time waiting on Christmas to give this to the kids ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

This comes in pieces that very easily snap together. When you cover it with packing snow the frame is hidden and you have a very special, and very fun, Igloo structure. How amazing is that?! 

You can buy additional Igloos and tunnels to attach them together and my kids are already wishing for additions to make themselves an Igloo โ€œcityโ€ ๐Ÿคž๐Ÿป๐Ÿ’๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ

We are bundled up, enjoying the beautiful snowy day, now we just need the right snow to get our Igloo play on!! 
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#snowfun #snow #snowtoys #snowplay #1000hoursoutside #outdoorfun #outdoorplay #outdoorkids #snowkids #kidfun #toysthatlast #favoritetoys #outdoortoys #wintertoys #yourbestmomfriend #igloofun #kidsplay #winteractivities #snowactivities #kidsactivities #familyfun #canadianwinter #familytime #canadianmom #winterkids #canadianwinter #funinthesnow #qualitytoys

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