🚦 TRANSPORTATION MORNING BASKET 🚗✨ Honestly it was between Life is a Highway and Ridin' Dirty and I went with Rascal Flatts because it always makes me think of that episode of the office 🤣 👉 Comment if your toddler or preschooler is obsessed with cars, trucks, trains, basically anything on wheels? 😆 What a fun way to kick off the morning with your little one, right? ✨ This week I am highlighting the Transportation Theme in the Preschool Playbook which is *perfect* for ages 2.5-5. I created this morning basket using some of the activity ideas from the Playbook. 🎉 You could set this out on your kitchen table for the morning and then leave it out all week and watch the magic happen. ✨ Sit & read together ✨ Teach them how to match up the numbers ✨ Get them started on the puzzle ✨ Take a step back and watch as they come up with their own scripts for play 🙌 More info & all the links in my stories ☀️ . . . . . . . . #morningbasket #preschoolathome #preschoolmom #preschoolactivities #preschoolactivity #carsandtrucks #trains #boardbooks #toddlerlibrary #toddlerbooks #preschoolbooks #littlebluetruck

✨ NEW YEAR, NEW INTRO ✨ Hi! 👋 I'm Marla! I'm a full-time stay-at-home mom to 3 girls and I also run Because I Said So, Baby (which has grown so much in the last few years & I am so happy to have "met" so many of you 😘) Let's get to know each other better! Here's me, by the numbers: 🌟 I'm 35 and Eric and I have been married 9 years, 10 this November! 🌟 My girls are 7.5, 5.5, and 20 months old 🌟 I resigned from my job in 2015 (about 20 days before Harper was born) to become a SAHM. 🌟 I drink 2 cups of coffee a day ☕ 🌟 Eric wants you to know I have a collection of approximately 105 Bento Boxes 😆 #husbands 🌟 Because I Said So, Baby has been my full-time business since 2019 👏, with hundreds of blog posts, 9 ebooks and now 2 courses! As always, my primary purpose is to keep bringing you practical solutions for everyday #momlife. This year we'll have even more lunchbox content, morning basket ideas, daily routines, what I'm making for dinner, all my systems, it's going to be a great year 🙌 Would love to learn more about you! Share some of you "by the numbers" below! . . . . . . . #everydaymomlife #motherhood #motherhoodjourney #motherhoodinspired #mamahood #toddlermommylife #stayathomemom #stayathomemomlife

✨ how to store playdough supplies + how to make a playdough tray! 👉 The plastic organizer case is from Michael's (will link in stories) 👉 The divider / dip tray is from Dollar Tree These are two essentials I couldn't live without. Keeping playdough supplies organized means I can easily set up a playdough tray when I need a quick, easy win!! 🙌 #playdough #playdoughactivities #organized #organizedlife #organizationgoals #activityideas

Where my moms of 3 on this one? 🤣 #momof3 #millenialmom #motherhood #momlifebelike #motherhoodforreal #reels #explore #momhumor #millenials

👻 all you need is a bag of uncooked black beans and you're on your way to a spooky fun sensory bin for Halloween 🎃 details in stories as always #sensoryplay #sensorytable #sensorybin #halloween #halloweenactivities #toddlerhalloween #sensoryplayideas #dollartree #dollartreefinds

✨Comment BINS and I'll send you a direct link to shop everything in these Daily Busy Bins 🙌 Will also share all the details in stories 😊 who wants to try this idea with their toddler? 🙋 #toddler #dailyroutine #morningroutine #busyboxes #busybins #toddleractivities #toddleractivity #reels

And I do it gladly, but I'm tired y'all 😅 #millenialmom #momlifebelike #momlifeisthebestlife #motherhoodreels #momneedscoffee

FALL ROUTINE 🍂 A new time of year calls for a new routine! The biggest difference in our house is the absence of afternoon water play in the fall. You guys know that afternoon water play block is essential in the summer, but it does actually get cold here so I like to replace water play with riding bikes, scooters, nature hunts, games, outdoor crafts, and standbys such as chalk and bubbles. One thing that doesn't change about our routine? TV is almost always in the afternoon. We definitely love a morning holiday movie or cartoon cuddle session this time of year, but in general I schedule TV later in the day Overall this routine is simply an outline to provide you with an idea of how you can structure your day. If you're homeschooling, consider which block works best for your learning activities. If kids are in school, think about weekends and Fall break or Thanksgiving break. Share with me below what's working for your daily routine this season so far! #toddlerroutine #dailyroutine #fallroutine #fall #stayathomemomtips #sahm #morningroutine

✨ highlight reel - but for bedtime ✨ Would you try this? Is this something that would work for you? #parenting #stillagoodmom #sahm #dailymomlife #dailyparenting #reels #motherhoodinspired

If your child struggles with play - this tip may be a game-changer for you! This isn't about a right or wrong way to do something. If background TV works in your house, then it works 😉 The best advice my sister in law gave me was: "If it works, it's right". That being said, if your little one struggles with play, is very distracted at mealtimes or in general, and you have the TV going in the background, try keeping the TV off or at least to a minimum to encourage uninterrupted play. Schedule a time of day in your routine for screentime when you need it most! Even as adults we get distracted by the TV while trying to work, and it's no different for children, except play is their work! I should add also, as a SAHM the house can feel quiet sometimes and I know background TV helps fill that quiet. However, if you find it's distracting your toddler too much, try a podcast, playing music, or audio books! My friend Jayme @teachtalkinspire has the best recs for kids podcasts!!

Bad days happen, right? In my years as a SAHM I've learned a few tricks to turn a bad day around. Often getting out of the house is the biggest game-changer, even if it's just to the drive thru, a change of scenery always helps. Of course my backup motto is always "just add water" - there's almost nothing sprinklers or a bath can't fix. What are your tips for turning a bad day around? #honestmotherhood #realmomlife #stillagoodmom #thegoodmommovement #motherhood #motherhoodjourney #sahm

Next time you're at Home Depot or Lowes remember this idea! These pavers cost maybe $1.29 each and have inspired endless outdoor play with my 3 girls (2, 6, and 8!). Next time I go back, I'm getting more!! Is this something your toddler would love?? 🚘