Goldfish Snack Math Sheets

All moms seek moments to connect with their kids. Sometimes it feels like there isn't enough time in the day between all the to-dos and the must-get-dones. Over the years I have learned that moments to connect with my kids do not have to be over planned or extravagant.

Moments to connect can be found in to-dos and the must-get-dones.

I found learning time can be a fun opportunity to connect with my boys. Sometimes homework and learning time is no fun because it can cause stress, boredom, and frustration. I decided why not fix that and make it a fun moment to connect.

I made these Snack Math Sheets. Then I gathered a few of the kids favorite flavors of one of their favorite snacks: Goldfish® crackers.

We used the Cheddar whole grain Goldfish crackers to do some Snackity Snack Snack Addition.

The color Goldfish crackers were perfect for working on classification and sorting.

This little man had so much fun making up his own addition problems, solving them, and of course eating a few.

For my slightly older boys I made up a number bingo sheet. I busted out the Goldfish grahams.

Nothing is more fun than getting a bingo. Well except eating the bingo.

Right now there is a Goldfish Tales campaign going on where you can share your favorite Goldfish cracker moment. You just need to go and visit GoldfishSmiles.com to find out more about their latest tale, details regarding the promotion, submissions, and a behind-the-scenes video of the making of their tale. To enter the Goldfish Tales entrants are asked to share a photo and story for a chance to win a case of product each month and an awesome trip to the U.S. location of the winner's choice, so that you can create more Goldfish Tales and of course more memories for your family.

In case you want to use a learning moment for your Goldfish Tale, I am providing these Snack Math Sheets for you to use with your own kiddos.

get Addition and Sorting Sheet HERE

get BINGO Sheet HERE

We had so much fun with this learning activity. It was fun to take a must-do and turn it into a moment to connect with my kids. I loved it because they were learning and having fun. They loved it because they were learning (even though they may not admit to it) and eating Goldfish crackers, one of their favorite snacks.

How do you like to connect with your kids? Little moments seem to be great times to connect. Tell me in a comment how you connect with your kids and you will be entered for a chance to win a $100 VISA Gift Card!
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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected. 
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First Day of School 2012

Today was the first day of school.

We now have two kids in school. Crazy!

Middle has been ready and excited for awhile.

He went armed with his Super Hero backpack.

Speaking of super...

Oldest was SUPER silly this morning. I just chalked it up to all his excitement to head back to all that learning.

I can't believe how big he is getting. He is so handsome...I am also grateful that he still let's me pick out his clothes.

How much longer do you think I have?

My camera battery died right after the front porch photos. Sigh. Yeah I realize I should have probably charged it last night...I mean I knew I would be taking photos!

Oh well.

I didn't get to take pictures of  Middle getting on the bus for the first time (wipe my eyes). He was so excited to get on the bus with Oldest. He looked completely at ease.

We may or may not have followed him to school in our car...

There we waved Oldest off to play on the playground. He doesn't need around now...hahaha. Then we walked with Middle to his classroom and waited with all of the other new kindergartners...and their parents of course.

We quickly walked him in, expressed how excited we were for him, and then we made a fast exit.

The house was pretty quiet this morning. Little was at a loss as what to do without big brothers.

When Middle came home, I took it as a sign of success that he kept repeating, "I wish I was still at school."

What a great day!

First Day

Yesterday Cole started Kindergarten. To answer the most obvious questions--he did marvelous and I didn't cry...much. Here is a little photo journal of his first day...the parts that I could witness.

Our morning routine works so well we were ready 1 hour early.

Here he is waiting patiently

Backpack on. Family ready to walk him to school.

Handsome kindergartner poses for mom's mandatory picture

Walking to school

He'll still let me hold his hand...when will that end?

Waiting outside classroom for bell to tell him he can go in...he is starting to look a little nervous.

He finds a spot at a table...I have to leave him soon...sigh

1 hour passes

2nd hour passes

3rd hour passes

So excited after his first day of school plus he gets to ride the bus home.

I know officially have a kindergartner. What a fun new stage of mommyhood. I can't wait to see all the stuff he'll do as the year goes on.

Thwack...BAM...Pow

Today was the day before Cole's first day of kindergarten. We had a trial run of getting ready this morning. Everything went pretty smooth except I still can't get Cole to eat breakfast in a timely manner...sigh.

OK on to the FUN. I had a friend give her daughter a princess party dinner the night before her first day of school. I thought that was an awesome idea but then I realized I had a boy and he would not like a princess party. BUT he would like a superhero lunch. So like many of my party adventures, out of a little notion was born a whole lot of party fun.

Everything was so low key. We invited a couple of boys who are starting school tomorrow too. Thanks to a stockpile of craft supplies and budget-friendly Wal-Mart I whipped out some capes and eye masks for our education superheroes. I spent just a smidge on paper products in superhero colors to help decorate the table. Then my sister and I busted out some "bang", "smack", "crunch", etc signs. Add some lunch goodies and you have one awesome Superhero Back To School Lunch and one fun new tradition.