Month: November 2021

After a great deal of anticipation, the sweetest new thing in Athens is finally here! On Washington Street, in the heart of Downtown Athens, Georgia, Condor Chocolates has just opened it’s brand new Choco Coffee Roasters Cafe + Factory! Gorgeously outfitted in a rustic-meets-modern industrial chic vibe, this counter service cafe offers all your favorite Condor brand chocolate truffles; chocolate bars; drinking chocolate; hot cocoa; locally-roasted coffee and espresso; and so much more! As convenient as the new downtown location may be, though, don’t just rush in and rush out! Grab your favorite hot or cold beverage from their extensive…

MindWare babu Wooden Baby Collection: Stacker Tower Toy MindWare babu Tilt and Spin MindWare babu Wooden Baby Collection: Rocker Balancing Toy

Montessori Mama Wooden Toddler Puzzles for Kids Springflower Wooden Toddler Jigsaw Puzzle Set Wooden Shape Peg Puzzles Beestech Montessori Toddler Wooden Puzzles

Montessori Learning Toys Slide Puzzle Color & Shape Matching Brain Teasers Logic Game Humerry Wooden Memory Apple Matching Game RAEQKS 36Pcs Wooden Balancing Blocks Game Colorful Stacking Stones

Lollipop Logic: Critical Thinking Activities (Book 1, Grades K-2) Lollipop Logic: Critical Thinking Activities (Book 2, Grades K-2)

After 22+ years of educating my 4 kids, we have tons of recommendations for the best, and often overlooked, products for Maximizing Your Family’s Fun Efficiency in YOUR Homeschool Classroom! The world truly was (and still is!) our classroom! Both inside and outside of the home, our Homeschool Experience was very unique; and never did look much like anyone else’s way of doing things. We were, and continue to be, a free-wheeling, unstructured, eclectic, heavily child-led sort of bunch… In all aspects of life. Maybe you strive for the same, or maybe you do prefer a bit more structure to…

Have you ever gone hiking with two loaves of bread? That’s exactly what we did on this lovely Thanksgiving Morning! We are so very fortunate to know a very beautiful soul by the name of Julie. And Julie bakes the most unique, gorgeous, and amazingly delicious breads we’ve ever had! Julie bakes everything fresh, and by special order only, so we headed over bright and early this morning to pick up a rectangle loaf of Maple Tahini Sourdough and a round loaf of Turmeric Ginger Sourdough. These breads are absolute beauties to behold… They have HEARTS on them! AND, They…

Are you looking for the SMARTEST gifts to give this Holiday Season? Stocking a homeschool classroom, looking for unique birthday gifts, or putting awesome presents under the tree? The following items are some of our favorites we recommend for encouraging logic, thinking skills, and creativity! Many of these toys, games, and puzzles I remember fondly from my own classroom experiences as a child! And most of these amazing items I have owned as a homeschooling parent to keep our homeschool classroom fresh and exciting! HABA Bonita Garden – 25 Piece Wooden Mix & Match Stacking Peg Toy Give SMART This…

We’ve been testing the Top Toys for Kids for over 22 years, and these following brands have very special places in our hearts! They will always remain our favorites! Are you looking for the Greatest Gift Ideas for YOUR Family? You can find them here with these amazing brands! Click on any link or photo to be taken to that Brand’s Store Page to see their current selection of toys! What are your favorites? Drop us a comment if you think we should check something out! LEGO Playmobil KidKraft Teamson Kids Fisher Price Imaginext Tender Leaf Toys Learning Resources Janod

If we visit a Boba Tea Shop that doesn’t have any Vegan Alternatives, it helps to have a back up plan. No one wants to feel left out. If Alysia and I try a new boba tea cafe, but Trillian can’t find anything on the menu, we’ll hunt down a tried-and-true place we know has something good for her! 2 PLUS 2 Bubble Tea + Ice Cream in Suwanee, Georgia is a GREAT back up plan! They have lovely Matcha Lattes available with Almond Milk and Brown Sugar Tapioca Pearls so Trillian can have her boba and drink it, too….

Samurai Tea is one of the newest Boba Cafes in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The main address calls it Duluth, but it’s right at the edge of Johns Creek, so I’ve seen this location listed with both cities for the address. GPS struggles a bit finding the storefront. Although it IS in the Kroger Shopping Center off of Peachtree Industrial, like GPS says, it is technically around what I would consider the Northwest Corner, facing Pleasant Hill Road, just before it splits into State Bridge Road towards Johns Creek. Thankfully we finally found it! We ordered: “Sasuke” Ube Swirl Taro Milk…

The last stop on our 2021 North Georgia Apple Excursion was Hillcrest Orchards. Here, we were able to grab some Braeburn and Arkansas Black. Each Apple House offers a different experience, and Hillcrest feels, by far, to be one of the most kid-oriented ways to spend a fall afternoon. The best time to experience Apple Season in North Georgia is usually going to be in September and October. This year, the Apple Industry as a whole suffered many setbacks, so many of the Pick-Your-Own Excursions ended early, or weren’t available at all. And most of the special events are over…

Our favorite Apple House experience on our 2021 North Georgia Apple Excursion was, hands down, Mack Aaron’s Apple House. It’s a smaller place, and looks a little unsuspecting from the exterior. If you only had a little bit of time, this might not be the place that would grab your attention. But, the customer service was the absolute friendliest. The folks working there truly appreciated our business, and they were genuinely kind and warmly personable. And, at the end of the day, those are the kinds of people with whom I want to do business. Most of the Apple Houses…

Next on the list for our 2021 North Georgia Apple Excursion is Aaron Family Orchards. They have a great selection of apples, and more importantly, the BEST prices out of all the Apple Houses we visited today! So, if you are looking for value, Aaron’s Apple House by Aaron Family Orchards is the way to go! Adding to our stash, we got September Wonder, Cameo, Rome Beauty, Crimson Crisps… And stickers! Yay stickers! Click HERE to Learn More About Aaron Family Orchards! CLICK HERE to follow along on our North Georgia Apple Excursion! For more fun things to do in…

R&A Orchards is an Apple House built for VOLUME! There are sooooo many apples in this place! Just check out the photos below! Prices were reasonable, and selection was great! In addition to the other apples we’ve collected thus far on our 2021 North Georgia Apple Excursion, we grabbed a handful each of Gold Rush Apples and Wild Twist Apples. R&A Orchards is on Highway 52, just Southeast of Ellijay, Georgia, and in close proximity to several other Apple Houses. If you are looking to buy a LOT of apples for a good price, this is the place to be!…

The first stop on our 2021 Apple Season in North Georgia Excursion was to Red Apple Barn. Red Apple Barn is on the Northwest side of Ellijay, where the greatest concentration of Apple Houses and Orchards tend to fall on the Southeast Side, but they boast a large, lovely property with lots of family-friendly fall activities! The purpose of our trip was primarily to buy pumpkins and apples for cooking and baking, so we’re too late in the season to experience any of the Fall Festivities first hand. But, we’d recommend checking out their website and Facebook page for all…

ROBUD Kids Kitchen Playset Wooden Kids Play Kitchen Set Pretend Play Kitchen Description From Amazon KITCHEN SET FOR KIDS: ROBUD kids pretend cooking kitchen equipped with stove, sink, washing machine, micro-wave oven, drawer, clock, and kitchen accessories such as pans pots plates bowls spice jar knife and spatula SOLID WOOD CONSTRUCTION: made of solid wood with edges polished smooth, ROBUD kitchen playset has been tested to comply with U.S. toy safety standards to ensure kids safe play EASY TO ASSEMBLE: holes are predrilled, easy to put together and the directions were easy to follow. Assembled dimension 31.3″ x 14″ x…

Costzon Kitchen Playset for Kids, Wooden Pretend Cooking Kitchen w/ Utensils, Oven, Cabinets, Faucet, Sink & Telephone, Toddlers Play Kitchen Set with Accessories Description From Amazon ?Realistic Kitchen Experience: With vivid appearance and simulated sound of stove switch and faucet, this kitchen playset will provide a realistic kitchen experience for your little one. And other playable features like telephone, clock, oven and sink will offer much more fun as well as enhance kid’s imagination. ?Stable & Durable Frame: This kids kitchen playset is made of high-quality MDF and has passed ASTM certification. Other than that, solid structure and durable material…

Best Choice Products Wooden Pretend Play Kitchen Toy Set for Kids w/ Chalkboard, Marble Backdrop, Realistic Design, Sounds, 7 Accessories Included Description From Amazon CHALKBOARD SURFACE: Little chefs can make pretend calls on the chord less phone and jot down notes on the included chalkboard surface as they play grownup all day with this large set made with a realistic design that mimics a real kitchen, designed for their size SAFE MATERIALS: Toy kitchen set is crafted with durable, coated composite wood and molded plastic, so your little one can have harm-free fun for years to come 7 ACCESSORIES INCLUDED:…

HONEY JOY Kids Kitchen Playset, Wooden Pretend Play Kitchen Set for Toddlers, Cookware Utensils, Telephone, Realistic Microwave, Water Dispenser, Large Storage Cabinet Description From Amazon Assembly Video: https://youtu.be/mRkuSkbsZJs ?‍?【Realize Kids’ Chef Dreams】: This realistic kids kitchen playset features modern style with attractive appearance, simulating the real-scale kitchen for more fun. This play kitchen set for toddlers includes sink, simulated oven, convenient cabinets, refrigerator, water dispenser with realistic lights & sound, vintage phone, and other kitchen accessories toys (1 x pot with lid, 1 x pan, 3 x wooden cooking utensils). ?‍?【Role Play Games for More Fun】: Kids always get curious…

Teamson Kids Little Chef Florence Classic Kids Play Kitchen Toddler Pretend Play Set with Accessories, 2 Drawers, and Clock – White Green Yellow Description From Amazon Play set with 5 accessories Functional features make playtime more fun Measures 21.5″ x 11.63″ x 35.5″ MADE WITH EASY-TO-CLEAN MDF: Durable and eco-friendly MDF construction is kid-safe and easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth for every day messes. DIMENSIONS: H35.5 x L21.5 x W11.63 Inches. Weight: 28 lbs. Click on Any Photo for More Information! Be Sure to Check Out Other Great Gift Ideas and Exciting Homeschool Classroom Materials Below!

KidKraft Mosaic Magnetic Play Kitchen with Refrigerator and Magnets, Sink, Working Ice Maker, 9-Piece Accessory Set Description From Amazon Ice maker with 3 pretend ice cubes Magnetic refrigerator and top freezer with 1 sheet of magnets included Spacious oven with an extra rack and knobs that click and turn Ladle, pan and spatula on adorable hanging pegs Salt and pepper shakers included Removable sink for easy clean up Storage space under microwave and above countertop Showcase doors on oven and microwave EZ Kraft Assembly for less build time and more play time! Smart, sturdy wood construction Click on Any Photo…

Another trip to the School Bus Graveyard in Alto, Georgia, but this time, with the sun sinking into the golden fall horizon just beyond this supremely unique art installation… Color, everywhere, both naturally and creatively inspired. Light, dancing. Magic. Do you love Street Art? Consider checking out some of these cool Street Art Coloring Books! If you love School Bus Graffiti, CLICK HERE to see our entire collection of images from the School Bus Graveyard! We visit frequently, and things change regularly! MORE PICS COMING SOON!

In case you haven’t heard, the Atlanta Braves are the World Series Champions! Driving through Braves Country, you can find the joy everywhere you go! Here, in the School Bus Graveyard, in Alto, Georgia, someone is letting everyone know! If you want to join in the celebration, click on any photo below to check out Atlanta Braves World Series Merch! If you love School Bus Graffiti, CLICK HERE to see our entire collection of images from the School Bus Graveyard! We visit frequently, and things change regularly!

Give the taste of Georgia this holiday season! Consider small, locally owned produce markets to load up on all the regional flavors! Jaemor Farms, in Alto, Georgia, is full of produce grown on their own farms, as well as other items brought in from farmers throughout the area. They also have a market location in Commerce, Georgia. Peruse their themed gift baskets and boxes for curated flavor collections, or browse the entire store to create your own! Beyond produce, Jaemor also carries baked goods, meats, cheeses, and local dairy products; as well as jams, jellies, juices, sauces, ciders, and more!…

Little Tikes Real Wood Pizza Restaurant Roleplay Pizza Kitchen Cook and Serve with Realistic Lights & Sounds and Dual-Sided Play Description From Amazon REALISTIC: Inspired by the rustic pizza restaurants people know and love, this is the real deal, with realistic lights and sounds. DURABLE WOOD: This sturdy playset will last and last and has a cabinet with working doors and drawer for lots of storage and easy clean up. DUAL-SIDED PLAY: Multiple kids can play at once and take turns creating the pizzas, serving the pizzas and enjoying them as customers. ENCOURAGES IMAGINATION: With over 20 included and interactive…

Little Tikes Wood Chef’s Kitchen Roleplay with Realistic Lights & Sounds and Dual-Sided Play Description From Amazon REALISTIC: This designer inspired kitchen is equipped with everything kids will need to let their inner chef and social entertainer out. And realistic buttons, knobs, dials, lights and sounds enhance play. DURABLE WOOD: This sturdy wood kitchen will last and last and has lots of storage for easy clean up. ENCOURAGES IMAGINATION: With over 20 included and interactive accessories kids can imagine, create and practice making their favorite recipes, and explore the responsibilities of safely cooking in a kitchen and cleaning up after…

Imaginarium All Around Play Kitchen with Appliances and Accessories Description From Amazon Play Kitchen: This playset has everything you need for kitchen fun, including a sink with drying rack and storage shelves, coffee bar with espresso machine, and stovetop with hood and clicking knobs; Assembled dimensions: 23” L x 23” W x 36” H Toy Appliances: Also features an oven and refrigerator with pull open doors, washing machine, recycling center, overhead sliding cupboard, and chalk Message Board, plus 14 kitchen accessories in wood and plastic Encourage Creativity: Our toys will help spark your child’s imagination and creativity while promoting the…

Melissa & Doug Cook’s Corner Wooden Kitchen Description From Amazon Compact wooden kitchen with realistic details to stir up imaginations Features refrigerator, cook top, oven, removable sink, a working timer, and more 26″H x 36″L x 16″W assembled Contains small parts, adult assembly required Makes a great gift for children ages 3+ Click on Any Photo for More Information! Be Sure to Check Out Other Great Gift Ideas and Exciting Homeschool Classroom Materials Below!

Chef’s Cook N Create Island Play Kitchen with Ez Kraft Assembly Description From Amazon Chef’s Cook N Create island play kitchen with EZ kraft assembly Lights & Sound features Marble style countertop Age: 3+ years Click on Any Photo for More Information! Be Sure to Check Out Other Great Gift Ideas and Exciting Homeschool Classroom Materials Below!

Little Tikes Real Wood Drive-Thru Diner Exclusive Roleplay Kitchen Cook and Serve with Realistic Lights & Sounds and Dual-Sided Play Description From Amazon REALISTIC: Inspired by those fun drive-thru diners and restaurants we all love to go out to and drive through. You’ll think you’re really there with realistic lights and sounds. DURABLE WOOD: This sturdy playset will last and keep kids serving up their favorite foods for a long to come. And with shelves and under the grill storage, cleanup is easy. DUAL-SIDED PLAY: Multiple kids can play at once and take turns cooking, taking orders or getting their…

Hey! Play! Birthday Cake-Kids Wooden Magnetic Dessert with Cutting Knife, Fruit Toppings, Chocolate and Vanilla Swirls-Fun Pretend Play Party Food Description From Amazon CAKE SET WITH TOPPINGS – With a wooden cutting knife for serving up the cake pieces, fruit toppings, as well as chocolate and vanilla swirls included, your little boy or girl will love decorating the cake for any occasion! FUN PRETEND PLAY – Equipped with magnets so the cake pieces can be “cut” apart, this engaging set is a fantastic addition to any play kitchen. For younger children, the set is also great for developing hand dexterity,…

Tender Leaf Toys – Pretend Food Play Birthday Cake – (Chocolate Birthday Cake) Description From Amazon PRETEND PLAY – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Who doesn’t love birthday parties? Imagine your kids sing happy birthday songs to practice their verbal speaking skills, and rhythm skills. They can pretend that they have made the birthday cake for their favorite person in the world. Kids can also play the role of a birthday girl/boy and pretend to blow the candles, cut the cake into slices, and serve each piece of the cake. DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS – Prepare your kids for upcoming birthday events…

Tender Leaf Toys – Pretend Play Food Rainbow Happy Birthday Cake Description From Amazon PRETEND PLAY – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Who doesn’t love birthday parties? Imagine your kids sing happy birthday songs to practice their verbal speaking skills, and rhythm skills. They can pretend that they have made the birthday cake for their favorite person in the world. Kids can also play the role of a birthday girl/boy and pretend to blow the candles, cut the cake into slices, and serve each piece of the cake. DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS – Prepare your kids for upcoming birthday events by playing…

Tender Leaf Toys – Animal Macarons – 5 Wooden Animal Themed Macarons Description From Amazon ADORABLE ANIMAL MACARONS: Tender Leaf Toys presents animal macarons play set for kids!. Each macaron has a separately colored filling like real macarons. REALISTIC DESIGN: Animal macarons play set for kids are colorful and elegant, crafted with precision and authentic detail to create a beautiful toy for kid that teaches and inspires toddlers and kids of every age. CRAFTSMANSHIP: Animal Macarons Play Set is handmade by master craftsmen. They are looking very realistic and amazing. Every kid will love them on their toy collection. SET…

Tender Leaf Toys – Garden Wheelbarrow Set – Deluxe Garden Pretend Play Wooden Toy Set with Everything You Need for Gardening – Educational, Creative and Imaginative Fun in Garden for Children Description From Amazon For all the budding gardeners out there…a sturdy solid wood wheelbarrow complete with 3 seed packets, 3 flower pots with a sunflower, carrot and tomato plant Water the plants with a watering can, tend with a trowel, and cut the flower with the birdy scissors For more awesome gift ideas from Tender Leaf Toys, CLICK HERE! This is one of our FAVORITE Companies! Click on Any…

Little Tikes Real Wood Café & Bakery Exclusive Roleplay Kitchen Cook and Serve with Realistic Lights & Sounds If you’ve browsed your way around the Smiles Per Gallon website for any length of time, you’ll know the bulk of our absolute favorite toy recommendations are ones that combine creativity, role play, imagination, and FLAVOR! We adore kitchen, food, and drink play sets of all sorts…. From kitchen units with stoves, sinks, and fridges, to dessert carts and trays, to pretend food trucks… From coffee makers and espresso machines, to ice cream dispensers; blenders, smoothie makers, baking sets, cookies, candies, cakes,…

Melissa & Doug Wooden Frozen Treats Ice Cream Play Set (24 pcs) – Play Food and Accessories Description From Amazon 24-PIECE WOODEN FROZEN FOOD PLAY SET: This frozen treats set includes 6 cookies, 3 ice cream fillings, 2 double-sided Italian ice inserts, 6 multicolored ice pop halves, 2 Italian ice cups with lids, 2 spoons, and a reusable menu card. DURABLE WOODEN CONSTRUCTION: Our wooden frozen play food set is made from high-quality and durable wooden materials. Each piece is decorated with elegant, realistic-looking artwork. PROMOTES CREATIVE EXPRESSION: This Melissa & Doug frozen food set promotes creative expression while helping…

Imagination Generation Ice Cream Maker Playset | Classic Wooden Play Food and Pretend Accessories | 9 Pieces, Including Mixing Station, Cup, Spoon, Cones, and Four Dessert Flavors Description From Amazon Imagination Generation Ice Cream Maker Playset Classic Wooden Play Food and Pretend Accessories 9 Pieces, Including Mixing Station, Cup, Spoon, Cones, and Four Dessert Flavors Click on Any Photo for More Information! Be Sure to Check Out Other Great Gift Ideas and Exciting Homeschool Classroom Materials Below!

Melissa & Doug Wooden Snacks and Sweets Ice Cream Food Cart – 40+ pcs Play Food – Double the Fun with Reversible Awning! Description From Amazon 2-IN-1 PLAY STRUCTURE: The Melissa & Doug Wooden Snacks & Sweets Food Cart includes 40-plus play food pieces, from salty pretzels to sweet popsicles and condiments to cones. Flip the awning and menu to “Hot Dogs” or “Ice Cream“. DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Our food cart with play food is made from high-quality materials. The durable wooden construction is easy to assemble and designed to last. MULTIPLE CONVENIENT FEATURES: Our ice cream and hot dog play…

ROBUD Wooden Ice Cream Cart Toys for Kids, Toddlers Pretend Play Food Truck Description From Amazon CUTE & EDUCATIONAL: ROBUD Wooden Ice Cream Toy is design to promote language and encourage imaginative play, Including pretend ice cream, ice cream cones, and ice cream truck. SAFETY & NATURE: Ice Cream Truck Toy is made of wood; sturdy and durable construction. The surface is smooth without burr, and all edges are rounded corner design for safety. GREAT INTERACTIVE TOY: Kids love scooping the ice cream and doing different colors/flavor combos. The magnet on each color ice cream and topping communicates with the…

Fat Brain Toys Let’s Have a Tea Party Imaginative Play Description From Amazon SUCH A CHARMING PLAYTIME TEA SET! Sure to be a beautiful, long-lasting playtime delight REALISTIC TEA BAGS, sugar cubes, delicious-looking desserts; Serve everything atop the serving tray! GREAT FOR AGES 3 AND UP; Chunky pieces are perfect for smaller hands; Strong, high-quality wood ENCOURAGES IMAGINATIVE PLAY, role-play, cooperative play; A classic playtime essential! PAINTED WITH CHARMING BIRD DESIGNS; Tray measures 11.5 x 8.5 x 1.5 inches; Simple packaging Click on Any Photo for More Information! Be Sure to Check Out Other Great Gift Ideas and Exciting Homeschool…