I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Katie made the best cornbread stuffing this year. We had deep pit turkey, ham, and I even tried out a new recipe for sweet potatoes that Mike fell in love with but I’m really less than thrilled about. I think I’ll tweak it a bit and maybe try it at Christmas. We’ve been snacking on holiday leftovers while decorating the house inside and out for Christmas. You cannot beat a turkey and cream cheese sandwich with cranberry sauce! Between that and hot chocolate, coffee with Bailey’s and Sam Adam’s Winter beers (Chocolate Bock is to die for!) it’s been a really nice holiday weekend.

I love this time of year. I love the chilly temps, the frost on the grass in the mornings, a fire in the fireplace and carols in the air it’s really wonderful. Christmas vacation is something my kids always get excited about no matter how old they are. I think they look forward to the break from school and lessons. It’s fun to just cut loose and break out of the routine for a couple of weeks. I think I enjoy it almost as much as they do!

I know many parents look for educational activities to keep kids stimulated over extended vacations like Christmas or summer break. It’s nice to be able to turn to the internet for fast and easy access to quality educational activities.

There are loads of really cool online reading games for kids. Preschool Learning Games are popping up all over the internet.

Maggie has been using a phonics and spelling program online called ClickNKids for about two years. In this day and age online educational games teach kids basic computer skills that they will undoubtedly need as well as supplementing and strengthening reading skills as well.