If you follow me on Instagram or have read my previous blog posts, you know that this is not my first pregnancy. However, when I was pregnant with Jasper we lived in southern Illinois. In addition, Jasper is a July baby, so the majority of my previous maternity wardrobe consisted of shorts and short-sleeved tops. July in southern Illinois can easily reach the upper 90’s, if not breaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Since we moved to Alaska, in January of 2017, the hottest it has ever gotten was 82…
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Fall Themed Preschool Projects
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Posted on November 26, 2019 by fromthestates12
This time next Fall we will be a few months into our true home school journey. For the time being we are trying to find what works for us and when good times for lessons are. I love to incorporate learning into the time we already spend outside. The last few weeks we explored a “Fall” theme. At this age, exploring the world around us is a great way for Jasper to learn! In addition Jasper is very interested in writing, so I have found ways to incorporate writing into our learning. Read More
Singing Stones on Frozen Lakes
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Posted on November 19, 2019 by fromthestates12
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Eczema Relief – Goat Milk Stuff Review
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Posted on November 8, 2019 by fromthestates12
Here I will share our recent, but nonetheless stressful journey with eczema. I know that some people struggle with eczema for years. I also know that I have been very blessed in having mom friends who can suggest idea or products that I would never have thought of myself.
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Great Gear for Alaskan Kids – Jan and Jul Mittens
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Posted on November 4, 2019 by fromthestates12
During Alaskan fall and spring we have the unfortunate reality that children need to wear gloves to stay warm outside. However, we then encounter the problem that most gloves quickly become soaked in our endless puddles or soggy snow. Jan and Jul Waterproof Mittens solve this issue! Read More
Halloween Slime!
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Posted on October 31, 2019 by fromthestates12
Well, we jumped on the slim bandwagon! Honestly, I had avoided making slime because it was my understanding that some of the ingredients weren’t completely safe. Did you know you don’t have to use borax to make awesome slim? Well apparently my husband did! Jasper and his dad started making slime together earlier this year and Jasper loves it!
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Exploring Alaska With Kids: Man Made Beach
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Posted on October 28, 2019 by fromthestates12
This summer was HOT for Alaska. In fact Anchorage broke its all time record high this summer! We did the more swimming we have ever done and we were lucky to find a couple new places to keep cool in the water. Man Made Beach was one of them! Read More
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
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Posted on October 28, 2019 by fromthestates12
First you simply pick out all the pumpkin seeds and wash them off. You want to do your best to get all the slime and bits of pumpkin out of the mix. The less pumpkin guts left mixed in, the crispier your seeds will end up! Read More
Great Gear for Alaskan Kids – Oaki Snowsuit
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Posted on October 22, 2019 by fromthestates12
We have been using Oaki rain suits for a few years now. They are pretty much the unofficial uniform for small children in Alaska during the spring, summer and fall. However, much of the year Alaska is covered in a good deal of snow. So when I heard that Oaki had begun offering snowsuits in addition to their rain suits I was excited to have Jasper try one out!
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Great Gear for Alaskan Kids KidOrca Rain Boots
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Posted on September 4, 2019 by fromthestates12
Alaska is rainy, some areas more than others. We have tried many different types of rain boots since moving here. My son’s love of splashing in puddles is ever growing. Inevitably he will always throw himself into a knee-deep puddle, and that was the extent of any protection his old rain boots provided. Our hikes and outdoor excursions usually ended with me back at the van, stripping my son down, because his shoes and pants were soaked through. This simply wasn’t a good mix as the Alaskan summer quickly turned into fall.
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FlyingKids Map Review
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Posted on August 28, 2019 by fromthestates12
When I first saw the FlyingKids Maps I thought they were so fun! They are brightly colored and have little images that show things or places different regions/states are known for. I have been working with my son for awhile now to locate the 50 States on a map. The FlyingKids Maps is a great tool to help him learn his US geography!
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Three Things You Will Need While Pregnant in Alaska
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Posted on March 4, 2019 by fromthestates12
If you follow me on Instagram or have read my previous blog posts, you know that this is not my first pregnancy. However, when I was pregnant with Jasper we lived in southern Illinois. In addition, Jasper is a July baby, so the majority of my previous maternity wardrobe consisted of shorts and short-sleeved tops. July in southern Illinois can easily reach the upper 90’s, if not breaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Since we moved to Alaska, in January of 2017, the hottest it has ever gotten was 82…
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Six Valentines Themed Preschool Projects
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Posted on February 11, 2019 by fromthestates12
Jasper seems to love all holidays (what child doesn’t). Especially the holidays that include presents and candy. For Valentines Day we generally get Jasper one of those $1 boxes of chocolates that Walmart sells. Then sometimes we also get him a small Valentines themed toy. So that means Valentines Day is among Jasper’s favorite holidays (along with his birthday, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc). I personally enjoy Valentines Day because there are lots of fun Valentines themed projects you can do!
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Pink Blush Maternity Clothing
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Posted on January 13, 2019 by fromthestates12
Maternity clothing can be tricky. Sometimes it makes you look like a walking tent, and other times it can be so tight that is shows every lump and bump you don’t want the world to see. However, with PinkBlush you can find stylish maternity clothing that is flattering to your shape (even as that shape gets bigger… and bigger). Read More
Why We Won’t Be Traveling Across Any Frozen Lakes This Winter
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Posted on January 3, 2019 by fromthestates12
Yesterday morning I was woken yet again by another aftershock. This one was a 4.2. This 4.2 followed two that registered around 5.0 earlier this week. It is interesting how much you learn about earthquakes after going through one as large as a 7.0. The main thing I have learned is that earthquakes often come with a warning. A few seconds before the world starts to shake, you hear the earthquake coming. The noise is similar to the heater kicking on or an airplane flying past. So sometimes you experience that jolt of fear for no reason. Other times the noise is the reason you are woken at 6:16 am. Then you get to wait with bated breath for a few nerve wracking seconds to see how large the aftershock will be and whether or not your child will wake up crying.
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The Anchorage Solstice Tree Tour 2018
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Posted on December 21, 2018 by fromthestates12
Where I grew up, in the Midwest, if there were solstice celebrations, I was unaware of them. However, here in Alaska, celebrating the summer and winter solstice is a much bigger deal. This is for the obvious reason that the solstices have a real effect on every day life here.
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2018 Alaskan Earthquake
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Posted on December 7, 2018 by fromthestates12
Alaska is known as the last frontier. It is beautiful, and yet very dangerous in many ways. The largest earthquake to ever hit North America happened in Alaska in 1964 at a magnitude of 9.2. It is known as the Good Friday Earthquake or the Great Alaska Earthquake. This is the second largest earthquake ever to be recorded worldwide. In addition it is considered a mega-thrust earthquake. It is believed that Alaska has had 9 mega-thrust earthquakes over the last 5,500 years with an average time span of 630 years between each earthquake. The 64′ earthquake reworked the landscape of Alaska and, along with the two following tsunamis, took the lives of 139 people. Most of these deaths can be attributed to the tsunamis. 13 of these people didn’t even die in the state of Alaska, but from one of the resulting tsunamis that reached California! Thankfully the earthquake that Alaska experienced on November 30th, 2018 was not as strong as the earthquake experienced in 1964.
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The Anchorage Sand Dune at Kincaid Park
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Posted on October 17, 2018 by fromthestates12
I assume when the average person envisions Anchorage, Alaska they picture mountains capped with snow and valleys rounded out by the glaciers that once passed through them. They may think of salmon swimming up the streams or moose wondering about. Often people find it quite surprising to learn that nestled in the forests of Anchorages Kincaid Park there rises a sand dune straight from the forest floor. However, this remnant of the Ice Age was in fact deposited by a glacier moving through the Anchorage Bowl! Read More
Artwork to Grow On
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Posted on June 25, 2018 by fromthestates12
Jasper’s third birthday is upon us and I don’t know where the times has gone. He is so big and so smart. He can do so many things and is constantly impressing me. However, at the same time it makes me very sad to know that his baby years are past. This year we celebrated on his birthday, just the three of us at home. However, this coming weekend Jasper will have a birthday party. He has chosen a Monsters Inc theme and he is very excited for his birthday cake! Read More