Hi all I am Nanny Sue for 4 amazing kiddos with another on the way. I absolutely love the Mystery Bag game. I teach psychic development for adults and this would be a great psychometry exercise too! I'm so excited to be here. I'm sure Asher, James, Mary and maybe even Jackson (15) will be too!

Welcome to eleven incredible humans joining our play-filled community this week! @Kata Rebbenszki is here with her music-loving 1-year-old daughter, eager to be fully present without the distractions of phones and housework. @Leah Connolly shares that same goal with her 15-month-old, both are seeking fresh activity ideas to support their little ones' development and would do well connecting around creative setups for that stage. @Hydee Douglas is a self-described hot mess doing her best, ready to spend more quality playtime with her 2.5-year-old. @Dana Britton has a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl who thrive on learning through play at play center and outdoors. You may want to connect with @Jen Staniforth, who runs The Baby Sleep Skool and brings 20 years of experience with littlies plus her own crew of six to the table. @Amy Jess is a mum to one fur child and one tiny human, hunting for new play ideas with her camera and appetite for travel in tow. @Danielle Wilson keeps it simple with her energetic 20-month-old boy. @Chanie Twersky is a mother of eight and inner child expert who leads Peak Parenting, she'd be a brilliant resource for any of you navigating multiple kids or big feelings and Chanie is one of our speakers at the upcoming Unplug & Play Summit in August! @Caitlin Siegers is determined to keep her 5-year-old and twin 7-month-old boys engaged without defaulting to screens. @T M has three kids, a firecracker 7-year-old, a tinkering 10-year-old, and an unmotivated 17-year-old and is calling out for help. @Celia Kibler runs Be A Better Parent and has five kids plus nine grandchildren, all ages, you may want to reach out to her for strategies around raising calm, respectful kids. @Mayelice Castro teaches kids French through play in just 10 minutes a day with The 10 Minutes French Club and could offer language-infused activities. @Brenda Chilstrom is a pediatric OT and feeding specialist behind Preschool Director Network, Raising Curious Eaters, and ULTIMATE Preschool Playbook sensory and emotional regulation are her specialties and all three of these lovely ladies are speakers at the Unplug & Play summit, too!

Is there anyone else in this community that’s also in Crust & Crumb Academy. I know @Sandy Chong and @Gwen Roach are. I’m asking because I don’t want to bore you but I want to encourage you and the kids in your life to come up with a kitchen ritual that works for you. Why kitchen and why ritual? First, it gives everyone something to look forward to. It doesn’t have to be weekly, it could be tied to a holiday or some other fun family activity. Second, you’re creating long-term memories. The kids may not remember the exact food item but will often recall the feeling kitchen time evoked. Third, but not least, kitchen time, opens up so many avenues of conversation. The kitchen creates opportunities for light conversation, exploration, and so much more. So, what’s your kitchen ritual or favorite kitchen memory?

I had the pleasure of having brunch with community member and Unplug & Play Summit speaker @Betty Jo Winters. We had a lovely meal and a great conversation. Have you meet a Skooler in real life?

What a week for Connected Through Play! 24 brilliant people just joined us, and the energy is already incredible! @Kaitlyn Fair is a stay-at-home homeschooling mom with a 3-year-old and an almost 5-year-old, looking for ways to keep them engaged through play. @Samantha Cross has three daughters (8, 13, and 16, the youngest has ASD) and wants fresh ideas to keep them entertained. @Lauren O'Rourke has a 1-year-old adventurer and a super-smart 3-year-old girl and is always hunting for new activities. @Lyndal P homeschools her two kids and is excited to teach academic and life skills through play you may want to connect with @Kaitlyn Fair, @Samantha Cross, and @Lauren O'Rourke, who are all navigating similar journeys. @Shelly Boyes is a Specialist Learning Support teacher in a rural primary school (working with 5-11 year olds) and always seeking new resources to keep kids curious. @Tania Petrone works with kids in Italy and loves food, wine, dogs, creativity, and spirituality. @Natalee Pinnock helps Christian women grow in spiritual maturity and leadership she has a 7-year-old plus three nephews and two godchildren, and wants great activities for their get-togethers. @Sarah O Toole has two toddlers and wants to spend more meaningful time with them. @Biyinzika Joshua runs Grace for Africa child care orphanage in Uganda with his father, providing orphaned children with school fees, food, and basic needs. @Neha Verma is a day home educator with curious kids who loves practical experiments. @Lani Carey began homeschooling in 1990 and now has grandkids nearby who are homeschooled, she's passionate about how children learn, the value of play, and relaxed homeschooling. Side note: Lani was also our counselor when I was homeschooling!