Best of Parenting

Best of Parenting

Dec 31, 2019

New Year's Eve Fun

2020 is almost here and what better way to celebrate the new year than with a family friendly new year's eve party!  Check out these fun ideas of ways to celebrate the new year!

Looking back at last year and forward to next year

1. Look through old photo albums or pictures of special events throughout the year.

2. Remember favorite games and toys.

3. Watch family videos and from months past.

4. Put up a white board in the party room so people can write down memories or 2020 goals.

5. Gather an old branch, put it in a vase, then cut out blank leaves. People can write their best memories from the year or hopes for the next then tie them to the tree.

Kid Friendly New Year’s Eve Cooking and Eating Ideas

1. Have special “fizzy drinks” for the small ones, like sparkling grape juice. You can add Sprite to any juice and get a Sparkling Something for the little ones.

2.Get fancy cups and make fun drink labels.

3. Have easy and accessible appetizers at your children’s level. 

4. Set up a chocolate fountain or hot chocolate station.

5. Make food that can sit in crock pots so it’s warm all evening long. 

6. Have lots of chips and dip, veggie slices, and things that are easy for kids to eat.


Countdown Ideas For Kid New Year’s Eve

1. Write the time on balloons and pop one every 30 minutes or hour to build anticipation.

2. For small kids, choose another time zone a few hours ahead of your own to countdown.

3. Make simple goody bags to open at set intervals throughout the night. For example, on the hour every hour.

4. Make some type of food and write the hour on it (with icing or condiments) to be eaten every hour on the hour. It could be cupcakes or sugar cookies.


5. Every hour on the hour turn off the lights, turn on a song, and light glow sticks and dance.

Dec 23, 2019

Merry Christmas from The Academy of Cool Springs


We want to wish each and every family a very Merry Christmas! We hope it is filled with love, family, and fun. 

Dec 18, 2019

Christmas Bucket List

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! We are less than one week away from the happiest day of the year. But if you are home with the littles and have a bit of cabin fever, check out the ultimate Christmas bucket list below for some great ideas on how to make those holiday memories. 


Dec 12, 2019

Christmas Programs

Yesterday we enjoyed our annual Christmas programs.  Pre-K One and Pre-K Two put on amazing shows where the students (and teachers) displayed their singing talents. They practiced all month long and we so excited to perform for their families.  Afterwards they celebrated together with cookies and lemonade.

After performance refreshments.

All smiles before the songs begin.

This is SO exciting!

We had packed crowds.

Who doesn't love a Christmas cookie?

Friends celebrating together.
 
Family time = the best time!


Dec 4, 2019

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Christmas is in the air at The Academy of Cool Springs!  All of our classrooms have been busy making ornaments to decorate our school Christmas tree, then each class came out one by one to place them on our tree. 











Nov 26, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving

From the Academy of Cool Springs to all of our friends and family, we want to wish each and everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!  We hope it is full of fun, food, family, and friends, and we hope new memories are made and old ones are shared.


Nov 22, 2019

Thanksgiving Fun for Families

After the turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie have all been gobbled up, what’s a family to do? Instead of piling onto the couch for family nap time, gather everyone up for some fun after-dinner activities that will keep all ages entertained! It’s a great way to bond as a family and make the most out of your time together!  Check out these great ideas to make your Thanksgiving one to remember! 

1. Volunteer Together

Provide a meal for those in need at your local Salvation Army or through a local soup kitchen where families can team up to serve dinner and welcome the less fortunate in for a warm holiday meal among friends.

2. Family Football Game
Start a friendly football game for the whole family outdoors and get in some great outdoor gross motor. 
3. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Assemble family members into pairs or teams and organize an exciting scavenger hunt either in the backyard or throughout the neighborhood. Offer a prize like small gift cards or special treats to inspire some friendly competition.
4. Set up the Christmas Tree
Turn on some festive music, delegate out the tree-decorating tasks, and watch your holiday come alive with the help of the whole family. Serve up some hot cocoa to really help get everyone in the spirit!
5. Family Game Night
From traditional board games to card games to made up games of your own, nothing gets family together better than a family game night!