Guest Post-Homebound But Hopeful

*It is time for another guest post from a sweet blogger I have been lucky enough to connect with. Kate is a fellow boy mama, and stays home with them. She has the best creative ideas for things to do with kiddos, spend a few minutes over on her blog and you will immediately be inspired and want to do all of the fun things with your little ones! Be sure to head over and check her out, and read her fun featured post below for a taste of all of the fun things she has to offer!*

Fall Apple Picking Math with Free Printables

So I have something a little embarassing to admit… I didn’t go apple picking for the first time until I was in my 30’s! (Yes, seriously!) I live in upstate NY where we have lots of orchards and cider mills, but I’d never had the chance until I got married. My in-laws get together for apple picking each fall, and it’s a fun family tradition we look forward to. My boys love the excitement of finding the perfect apples and climbing on shoulders or ladders to reach them. Of course, their favorite part is sampling the sweet fruit straight off the tree.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting some fun book & activity ideas for apple picking story times. Today, I’m sharing a quick, simple activity for apple addition. It’s a great themed activity to make learning in the fall season a little more fun. And be sure to scroll all the way down for a link up to a TON of other great autumn themed learning and craft ideas!

Apple Picking Addition

I’ll be entirely honest- this activity was created as a way to use the adorable apple erasers I found in the One Spot at Target last month and had to have. You don’t have to have these erasers, but cute manipulatives always make math a little more fun at our house.

You Will Need:

• Apple picking addition printable. (See below).
  • I recommend printing on card stock since it’s a bit sturdier.
• Red apple picking die printable. (See below).
  • I recommend printing on card stock since it’s a bit sturdier.
• Green apple picking die printable. (See below).
• Scissors.
• Glue stick or transparent tape.
• Dry erase markers.
• Dry erase eraser/rag/tissue.
• Optional- apple manipulatives.
  • The erasers I grabbed from Target work great, but pom poms, pony beads, or flat back marbles would also be good if you’re hoping to incorportate manipulatives.
• Optional- dry erase sheet sleeve.
  • I picked ours up at a local craft store. We’ve also used plastic picture frames, sheet protectors, or zip-top plastic bags in a pinch.

How To Play:

• Assemble the die: 
  
  
  • Cut out each die from the printed sheet.
  • Fold along each edge prior to assembling.
  • Use glue or tape to adhere the tabs to the inside of the die.
• Slide the printed addition sheet into the vinyl sleeve.
• Roll each die and note how many of each color apple should be ‘picked.’
  • If you’re using manipulatives, ‘pick’ the appropriate number of each color.
  • Simply write the numbers on the sleeve with the dry erase marker if you’re not using manipulatives.
• Solve the equation.
  • Add up your green and red apples, and write the answer after the equal sign.
• When you know you’re correct, erase your work and roll again.

Does your family go apple picking? Do you have any other fun fall traditions? Let me know in the comments below!

>>> APPLE PICKING EQUATION SHEET <<<

>>> RED APPLE DIE PRINTABLE <<<

>>> GREEN APPLE DIE PRINTABLE <<<

DON’T FORGET THE ROUND UP!

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Scarecrow Craft // I Heart Crafty ThingsFall Initial Sound Match-Up Free Printable // A Dab of Glue Will Do
Fall Sight Word Dash // Playdough to PlatoFall Letter Tracing Printables // The Letters of Literacy
Apple Word Building // Recipe for TeachingScarecrow Busy Box // Teach Me Mommy
Fall Tree Number Sense Activity // Mom Inspired LifePumpkin CVC Game // Pages of Grace
Fall Apple Picking Math with Free Printables // Homebound but HopefulFall Nature Scavenger Hunt // Science Kiddo
24 Free Fall Puzzles // Liz’s Early Learning SpotFall Subitizing Math Center // The Kindergarten Connection
Rhyming Acorns Fall Literacy Activity // Mrs. Jones’ Creation StationFall Number Activities (0 to 10) // Fairy Poppins
Free Fall Printables // Stay at Home EducatorFall Parts of Speech Sort // Sara J Creations
Fall Leaves Number Match // Schooling a Monkey(Not Shown) Preschool Scarecrow Counting Activity // M is for Monster

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Guest Post- Busy Little Izzy

"Happy Wednesday, friends! Over the past year, I have been so fortunate to meet other mamas who support, encourage, and inspire me. Over the next few weeks, I am going to be sharing some of these sweet mamas with you! Eryka is the sweetest lady, and she has the most darling little girl, Izzy. She is gorgeous inside and out, and shares the cutest baby and mama fashion! And *spoiler* she like sto drop the occasional swear word or two! (come on, you know you do it too ;-) ) Continue reading for her guest post, and be sure to head to her website for more great posts, and her Instagram for all the cute photos of her little family!"

GUEST POST-Eryka, busylittleizzy.com

1. Recovery from birth may be more traumatizing than the actual birth.

Am I right? And maybe it’s more traumatizing because no one warns you!!! Everyone says how bad the birth is going to be.. no one talks about your tore up stomach or vag and how that’s going to feel for weeks. I’m getting anxious thinking about those squirt bottles for everytime you pee and all the damn laxatives just to poop again. Beyond the physical recovery… let’s talk about the mental recovery. Post partum depression is real, scary and you must know you are not alone. It’s actually “normal” to feel overwhelmed and upset. That doesn’t mean you need to suffer. Ask for support and talk to your dr, a friend or spouse about how you are feeling.

2. Babies can not only shoot pee at you, but poop also.

When Isabella was a tiny newborn I changed her diaper in the night before a feeding and just as I went to cover her with a fresh diaper she legit shot poop out of her but at me! It was all over my arms… so gross. Man I thought I was in the clear having a girl… nope.

3. Baby/Toddler wearing is your friend.

It’s not just something “crunchy” moms do. If you baby likes it, all moms should do it! Can you say multitasking! I would breastfeed Izzy and cook dinner at the same time thanks to my baby carrier.

4. You will become the master of multitasking, or at least try.

I remember eating, while nursing Izzy and food just dropping on her head. lol Mama’s gotta eat!

5. Going to the grocery store … or ANY store alone is a damn vacation!

Target, grocery store, pet store to grab dog food. I don’t care, it’s going to feel damn good to get out alone. Take your time and enjoy those moments. lol

6. Wine will become your best friend.

Do I need to say more?

Wine glass from Banky Girl Creations

7. Toddlers need lots and lots of snacks!

Remember when your baby ate all that baby food and then you did baby led weaning or whatever and your kid was such a great eater. BYE! Once your child becomes a toddler all they want are snacks. Goodbye to the days of your kid eating all their veggies!

“Keeper of Snacks” T-Shirt from Banky Girl Creations

8. House work… what’s that? 

Remember how tidy your house was before you had a baby, ya kiss that goodbye. When you get a break the last thing you will want to do is clean up. Not to mention, if you are a working at home mommy like me… you will most likely be utilizing every spare second to work.

“Currently Avoiding Housework”tank from Banky Girl Creations

9. Things you said before you had a kid will bite you in the ass.

Remember that time you said your kid would never do that… they will. Okay, maybe not all the things you witnessed, but at least one of them will! lol

10. You will likely lose yourself early on.

But it’s okay we all find our way back to fun tops and makeup (on date night). On a serious note, I was so overwhelmed and so into making sure my baby was okay and then going back to work by the time Izzy was 8 weeks, I didn’t have time for myself. I used to paint and shop and have a lot of time for myself. That was gone and will be gone forever. Adjusting to this new life, that’s normal. It takes you time to find that balance again.

11. Love for your spouse will grow as you watch your child(ren) bond with them.

I must say I love my husband more and more watching him with our daughter.

12. You will also have times you want to rip your spouses head off.

Hey emotions with kids run high. The stress of having a child is no joke. Make sure you find time together so you can connect and talk about things.

13. You will never be a perfect mom.

There is no such thing. You can strive to do your best as a mother for your child and that’s all they need. Give them love, feed them & maybe attempt a Pinterest activity together. haha

14. Mama bear is a real thing.

You have never felt emotions like you will when someone messes with your kid.

XO Eryka

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