Burnt Pancakes

Candy Corn Tower Challenge

By: Katie Fenske September 27, 2021September 27, 2021

This is a great STEM activity to do in the month of October. I love giving my boys materials and just letting their imaginations go. For this challenge, I gave them pumpkin candy corn and popsicle sticks (and jumbo craft sticks for my 4 year old). I told them they needed to use the sticks…

Fall Letter Board Quotes

By: Katie Fenske September 21, 2021September 21, 2021

Mom StuffHolidays/Events, Home

I love my letter board! I use it yearly as a way to celebrate the holidays. We put birthday messages, seasonal quotes and holiday sayings on it. It is the perfect addition to any of our home decorations that go up. Now that it’s almost fall, I pulled out our decorations and am getting ready…

Easy Fall Art Project for Kids

By: Katie Fenske September 20, 2021September 21, 2021

Kid Stuff

This is an art project that I loved to do every year when I taught in the classroom. It is super easy and always got us into the fall mood, even though where I live it still feels like summer. I decided to try it with my own kids this year. It requires very few…

Our Favorite Halloween Books

By: Katie Fenske September 18, 2021September 28, 2021

Favorite Stuff, Kid StuffToys/books

It’s the time of year again, to pull out our Halloween decorations and cover the house in orange and black. Each year my kids are surprised when I pull out our Halloween book collection. I store them away during the year, so that it is an extra treat when they see them again. We’ve got…

Math Dice Game For Kids – Addition Facts

By: Katie Fenske September 15, 2021September 16, 2021

Kid Stuff

When I get my son’s homework list and see the words, “practice addition flashcards for 20 minutes nightly,” I want to scream and rip up the paper. It is not that I think this is not important. As a former classroom teacher, I know how crucial knowing math facts to automaticity is to future success…

Our Favorite Ninja Picture Books

By: Katie Fenske September 9, 2021September 9, 2021

Favorite Stuff, Kid StuffToys/books

As I was organizing my childrens’ bookshelf the other day, I noticed that we have A LOT of picture books featuring ninjas. This could be a sign that I live in a house with little boys or the fact that ninjas are just cool and will capture any little kids eye. Ninjas are sneaky, determined,…

How to Give a Newborn a Sponge Bath

By: Katie Fenske September 7, 2021September 7, 2021

Mom Stuff

Did you know that newborns between the ages of 0-2 weeks should only get a sponge bath? I sure didn’t when I was a new mom. I had no clue what I was doing. Luckily, I had my best friend on hand to give me some tips from a mom who had already been there.…

How to Make Hamburger Cookies

By: Meg August 31, 2021January 25, 2022

Kid Stuff, Yummy StuffFood & Drinks, Holidays/Events2 Comments

Hello Burnt Pancake readers! I am so honored to get to be a guest poster…is that a word/a thing? Anywho, I am pumped to share here! Alright, I am not much of a cook. I really wish I was…I’ve always envied those beautiful mama’s who cook organic meals with butter they have churned themselves and vegetables they grew…

Miss Kate, Why Don’t You Have Any Girls?

By: Katie Fenske August 27, 2021December 8, 2021

Mom Stuff, My StoriesBoy Mom6 Comments

Recently, while leaving the park, my best friend’s 4-year old daughter turned to me and asked, “Miss Kate, why don’t you have any girls?” Such an innocently loaded question. How do I answer that without dumping some deep emotions on this little girl? I quickly mulled that question over in my mind, trying to come…

Back to School Lunchbox Joke Cards

By: Katie Fenske August 24, 2021August 24, 2021

Kid StuffPrintables

You might have the child that gets excited about all things Back to School. From getting new school supplies to seeing new friends, September is something to look forward to. For my son, starting second grade, came with moans and complaints. He does not enjoy the hustle and bustle in the mornings and the end…