You guys, the first animated Disney movie of the year is finally out and the theaters in our area are CLOSED due to the current virus outbreak. While I totally approve of all the social distancing, it’s still a bummer to have to put off seeing movies in the theaters. Thankfully, Disney swooped in to save the day. They have expedited the digital release of this month’s Disney · Pixar movie Onward so you can purchase the digital title on Movies Anywhere starting today. Then, starting April 3rd, you will be able to stream Onward on Disney +. How awesome is that?

Your kids will love these free Onward printable coloring pages and activities!

When you see a printable that you want to keep, just right-click the picture and save it, or click the link below the image to go straight to the pdf file. You can save them to your computer and reprint them whenever you want! 

Grab some crayons or colored pencils and bring these pages to life!

We hope you enjoy these coloring pages of the Onward characters. Let us know, who is your favorite?

Click here for the pdf of Barley, Ian and Guinevere.

Click here for the pdf of Barley Lightfoot.

Click here for the pdf of Blazey.

Click here for the pdf of Ian Lightfoot.

Click here for the pdf of Laurel Lightfoot.

Click here for the pdf of The Manticore.

Get everyone together for some Onward fun activities!

This memory card game is really 4 pages, so you can download the complete file by clicking here. 

Help Barney and Ian get to Guinevere in this fun printable Onward maze!

Click here for the pdf of the maze activity.

Check out these other popular Disney Printable activity Pages:

Frozen 2 Printable Coloring Pages

Toy Story 4 Printable Coloring Pages

Coco Printable Coloring Pages

Incredibles 2 Printable Coloring Pages

Adjusting to Life with Daddy Working Out of State. Well, that pretty much sums up what’s been going on over here, how about you?

Towards the end of March my husband heard about a job in Missouri. It sounded really cool, but it’s in Missouri so we discussed the pros and cons. Most of the “pro’s” are related to money and you all know I’m pretty good at penny pinching. Leaving everything I love in order to have more money is not a motivation, in my opinion. When it came down to it, there were no pro’s for me. The biggest con was that my oldest, Logan, would be staying in California. There is no way I could move that far away from my Logan, and… Well, fast forward a few weeks and this happened.

John was offered the job, he took it, and they moved him out to Missouri right away. As much as I wish I could say this was a unified marital decision, the truth is that it was not. The job is a 2-year contract, so he could end up moving again in 2 years anyway. More importantly, I simply can’t envision moving 1500 miles away from my child. I still see Logan constantly but when he moved in with his dad’s after junior high it literally crushed my spirit. And he’s only 40 minutes away! So my moving to Missouri is, in my book, not an option. At least not while Logan is under 18. He’s not driving, so he still needs rides everywhere. And we have a very close relationship, even though we don’t live in the same house. We talk daily and see each other often. So when John started making plans to move to Missouri, I did everything I could to find some sort of compromise. This is what we came up with.

John will take the job in Missouri, the kids and I will stay in California, and he’ll fly home as often as he can to spend time with us. In 2 years Logan will be off to college and won’t need me as much, so at that time I can rethink moving to Missouri or wherever John’s job takes him at that time. John found an apartment that’s pretty nice, and really affordable. His first day was last week, and we already have a flight booked for him to come visit with me and the kids in California. Shortly after that, the kids and I are headed out to Missouri to spend a week with him there while everyone is still on summer vacation. Right now our visits won’t be as frequent as we’d like because it’s nearly summer and plane tickets are pretty expensive. Hopefully in the fall we can make more trips back and forth.

The adjustment period has been rough for the kids. Granted, it’s only been just over a week since their daddy moved away. Madeline especially took it hard at first but they’re all getting used to things now. My family and friends have been tremendously supportive. They’ve been checking in on me, helping out with the kids, inviting us over, and just all around making this transition so much easier for all of us.

Looking ahead, I don’t know what our future holds. My marriage is a top priority for me, but then again so is my son. It’s a tough position to be in, when the people you love the most are spread across the country. I’m sure there are many of you who can relate to such a situation as this. We’re all taking things day by day, rejoicing in the blessings that come with a job that pays well, and appreciating the sacrifices that everyone is making.     

You can see what it’s like (behind the scenes) on our Instagram stories. I’m brand new at this solo parenting thing so I appreciate any advice you have for a mom of 3 little ones with a husband who’s away!

The girls are rounding out their kindergarten year. I can’t believe how quickly it all went by! They have learned so much over the last year, and had such a wonderful experience at school. From the time I found out I was pregnant with twins, I always knew I’d keep them together, both at school and at home. I never would have believed I’d be sitting here today advocating putting twins in separate classes at school. But it has worked out so well for us, I just have to share our story with you.

I Never Thought Separate Classes was Fair to Twins

Twins spend the first 9 months of their lives sharing a small space. It only seems natural for them to want to be together all the time. During my teaching career, almost every twin pair I encountered was in the same class at school. When there were twins in separate classes, they always gravitated towards one another on the playground, as if they were each a yin missing her yang.

Twins Have Different Learning Strengths

Just like all kids, twins will have different interests and skills. One of them may even be higher achieving academically than the other. In those cases, it’s definitely a good idea to keep twins in separate classes. The gap in learning is hard to hide when they share a learning space. Of course, parents will do all they can to foster a sibling relationship that is built on love. Even so, when one twin consistently scores higher on tests than her sister, it has to register with them that one is “smarter”. That could be damaging to their relationship and their self-esteem.

From My Experience as a Teacher…

During the 12 years I spent as a classroom teacher, twins were frequently placed in the same classroom. I had an adorable set of twin girls in my first grade classroom one year. They did great in the same classroom, which is one reason why I always planned to keep my own twins together. I saw from a teacher’s perspective how being in the same class wasn’t an issue for a pair of twins. Based on how my students behaved, I was aware that there may be occasional tiffs between twins at school. But don’t all girls have friend troubles every now and then? I was sure that my daughters were just as sweet as these twins, and everything would work out fine for them if I kept them together.

Can You Separate BFFs?

I went back to work right after the twins were born. The girls were in a small daycare, and after that they were in a small preschool class together. After that they went to pre-k, which in our district is a full-day program held at the public school. There was only one pre-k class, so they spent the year learning alongside one another. For the first 5 years of their lives, they were always together.

Towards the end of the year the teacher was helping the principal to fairly place her students in the kindergarten classes. The teacher called me and asked if I would be alright if she put the twins in separate classes for kindergarten. I emphatically told her no, I wanted them together. They were BFFs, I was sure it would break their hearts to separate them! Ever so kindly, the teacher strongly suggested that I consider separate classes. She said they were too clingy, and might have trouble making friends if they didn’t spend some time apart.

My husband thought we should follow the teacher’s advice. As much as I disliked the idea, I hadn’t seen them interacting in class or on the playground so I had to defer to the teacher’s input. So to my disappointment, we separated the girls for kindergarten.

You Just Can’t Compare Sets of Twins!

It wasn’t until well into this year that I realized how much better it was for my twins to be in separate classes. Things came up in conversations with the various school personnel that painted a picture of what my twins were really like in pre-k. My darling girls weren’t naughty, but they did have a hard time being separated for any reason. I’m talking, when one girl went to the restroom the other one bawled if she wasn’t allowed to go in the stall with her sister. Granted, they were only 4 to 5 years old at the time and this kind of behavior is typical at home. But they weren’t able to adjust their behaviors to more school-appropriate ones because, with her twin sister in the room with her, the class felt like home to each of them.

I know our story is not a typical one. And maybe the girls just needed more time to develop socially. Maybe they would have been fine in the same kindergarten class. As it stands, they have thrived in separate classes. They’re both doing well in reading and math. They share some of the same friends and each have a couple friends that they don’t share. As the parent, I know I can ask for them to share a class or to be in separate classes, and you can too. If you find yourself faced with this decision, seek the teacher’s or principal’s advice.

Do you ever notice that your kids come unglued at the most inappropriate times? There’s a reason that memes about getting out the door on time are so popular. It’s a legitimate struggle for many parents! Quite often, the key to fewer tantrums and meltdowns is a simple strategy: Have a plan for guiding your child through transitions to the next activity.    

What are Transitions?

In parenting, transitions are any time when the child has to completely switch from doing one thing to doing another. Some kids are easygoing and may not even be aware they’re transitioning. Other kids hold onto what they’re doing with fierce determination and transitions may lead to meltdowns or tantrums. This child’s parent may feel like everything is a struggle.   

How to Win at Transitions in your Home

All parents need a toolbox of tips and resources they can pull from when needed. These transition tips are what I used in my teaching career with special needs children, but I’ve learned over time that they work great with all children. If you’re sick of tantrums, try some of these strategies.

Set a Time Limit

Do you want Jimmy to put away his cars before eating lunch? Give him a warning, “In 5 minutes you need to out your cars away.” Use your regular talking voice, not a shout or irritated tone. Set a timer on the microwave. We use our Alexa Show, which displays a cool countdown as the timer runs out. Our kids are usually eager to wrap up their activity so they can watch the timer end on the Alexa Show!

Use Visual or Verbal Schedules

One year I had an autistic student, and he relied on visual cues throughout the day. I posted our daily schedule in a prominent spot and I referred to it often to the whole class. Before and after each transition I would refer to the schedule and point out what we had done already, what we were about to start doing and what was coming up. This strategy actually helped my whole class feel more calm throughout the day! When kids know what to expect as their day progresses, they are less anxious about what might happen next. Of course, we don’t make and post a schedule every day at home. But I will often give my kids a verbal schedule. “We are coloring a picture and then we will go to the store.” So they know that their current activity will happen for a while, and when it ends there is something else planned. I made this visual schedule for our morning routine for free in less than 10 minutes from this site.

Create Routines  

Routines help a lot with transitions, especially bedtime and out-the-door transitions. For us, I started to notice a pattern of grouchiness and bickering as soon as the kids got home from school. I thought they should be happy to be home, but almost every day someone was teasing or crying before we got in the door. We needed a “coming home from school” routine! With the kids, I put together a playlist of their favorite songs. The next time we got in the car, we’d start their “after school playlist”. This musical cue helped ease the transition from a busy day at school to a more peaceful family at home.

I wish I could give you the key to the perfect routine, but unfortunately there is no universal routine that works for everyone. You have to find a routine that works for your family, and it may take some trial and error. But having routines in place will save you and your children from meltdowns.

Use a Collective “We” and not a Condescending “You” Command

One way I get my kids all on board with switching activities is to emphasize that whatever it is I’m asking them to do, it’s the expected thing they should be doing at the time. Both me and my children feel less tense when I use “we” instead of “you”. For example, “We are getting our shoes on now” reminds the child that there is an expected thing she should be doing, and everyone else is already doing ti. This puts some passive social pressure on the child to start putting her shoes on like everyone else. Barking orders like, “Get your shoes on” only makes me and my child feel like we’re gearing up for battle, when neither of us really wants that.

Hopefully by now you’ve had some time to think about times during the day when your child struggles with transitions. If you have any questions or want to share in the discussion, leave a comment below.

When I was little my mom used to make dinners from the same combination of ingredients for years: Chicken, rice, and broccoli. And wouldn’t you know, years later I’m finding myself following suit. We eat a lot of chicken. I have to admit though, my mom knew what she was doing. Her meals had plenty of protein, nutrition, vitamins, and were pretty low in calories! This poached chicken dish is all of those. But because it is poached, it’s much more moist and tender than if you grilled or baked it. 

Your Budget Will Thank You For Making Poached Chicken

This recipe is so easy on the wallet. Cooking with bone-in, skin-on chicken helps the meat keep its flavor and juiciness. Thankfully, bone-in chicken breast is usually pretty cheap. You can use store bought chicken stock (be sure and choose low-sodium) or make you own and save a few dollars.  

Dinner Is On The Table In Less Than An Hour

While not one of my quickest dinner recipes, this one is definitely low-maintenance. Plus, you can make it from start to finish in less than an hour. Most of the cook time is the chicken simmering in broth, so you can go about your day while it cooks.    

You don’t have to pair this chicken with rice and broccoli. I guess it’s just in my nature after years of the same 3 ingredients at so many dinners of my childhood! To be perfectly honest, I made and photographed this on a Friday after already having worked all day. So, working mamas, try poached chicken next time you need an easy after-work family dinner.  

It can be hard to find creative ways to bring a healthy, inexpensive, and tasty meal to the table. My family enjoyed this poached chicken because it was delectably moist and tender. I hope yours does too!  

Disclosure: Thank you Curves International for sponsoring this post. Ready to get #CurvesStrong?

We all know that exercise is important. But finding the time to actually work out can be such a challenge! Life is so busy as a mom with small children that taking care of myself and getting enough exercise has easily become much less of a priority over the last year or so.

A few weeks ago I started gym shopping. My comfy jeans had become not-so-comfy anymore, and I’ve felt a lack of energy that I used to have when I was more active. I was primarily interested in the gym’s location, friendliness of staff, and variety of exercise options.

That “sweat is fat crying” sign had me worried! But I survived, sans crying…

Last week I stopped in and tried out Curves® and it was by far my favorite. This gym gave us a workout experience unlike any I’ve had before. 

I had no idea what to expect when I got there

Walking in to Curves®, I was excited to see such a variety of exercise machines. The music that played in the background was a fun workout remix of popular beats. The place was bright with soft purple and cream tones in the decor, giving it a relaxed atmosphere. The club is set up with a circuit of specialized exercise machines around the perimeter of the room. 

Workin’ it at Curves®

The coaches had everyone choose a machine to start on, and then we worked our way around the circuit. A TV screen gives everyone the signal when it’s time to switch machines. Curves® fitness coaches, who are all women, circulate the room during workouts. My coach really put me at ease, reminding me how to use each machine and encouraging me to “give it more power”. She was like my own personal cheerleader/trainer!

Coaches also lead cardio exercises for members to do in between machines on the circuit. Members alternate from machine to cardio set as they go around the room, and the whole circuit is complete in about 30 minutes. By the end, my glutes were burning and my obliques were screaming at me. But I went home feeling like a million bucks because every muscle had gotten a workout. 

Make the most of your workout

Curves® is perfectly set up for busy moms and women on the go. In a short amount of time you can get a workout that strategically uses all your muscles. Members use an electronic device that tracks their progress and sets goals to increase their activity level each time they visit.

I loved working out with all ladies. Granted, I was definitely the pudgiest one in the bunch. I had a lot of fun, and by the end of my workout the Curves coaches were like my new BFFs. The other ladies in my group were super fun to exercise with too! Personally, I get more motivated to stick with a workout when I’m moving towards my goals alongside other busy moms. Even though we’ve all got different challenges and fitness goals, everyone was so encouraging. 

So, back to my checklist for the perfect gym: Location? I used this club locator to find three Curves® clubs in my area. Friendliness of staff? The coaches were right alongside us the whole time. I don’t know where they get their energy, but I loved it! Variety of exercise options? It’s amazing how quickly time flies when you’re changing exercises every 30 seconds, and it definitely added variety to my workout.

When you’re at Curves®, you know you’re in good hands. The coaches not only helped me to make the most of my workout, they also gave me tips on stretching. Next up for me is the Curves Complete program, which is a personalized weight loss and weight management solution that comes with customizable meal plans and one-on-one coaching and support.

With over 400 clubs nationwide, you’re bound to find a Curves® in your area. Curves® is celebrating its 25th birthday this month with special offerings.  So grab a workout buddy and get your sweat on at Curves®!

Follow Curves® on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more workout inspiration!

This post was sponsored by Curves International but the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.