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What are your favorite games for 2 people to play? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Every time I talk about games, I get asked about our favorite games for 2.
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Whether you’re looking for a game to play with two adults, for a parent to play with a child or two children to play together, I’m sharing all our favorite games for two people on my blog today!

P.S. Splendor is our current favorite game - we probably play 3-5 games of it a day and have since we got it for Christmas 😬🤗

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It’s also okay to hide that book under the couch for a few days 😉
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Kids love repetition - when they are changing and growing and learning so much, it’s comforting to return to a familiar story, whether that’s a Sandra Boynton board book or the Harry Potter series.
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You can help add other books to the mix but also let them enjoy what they love.
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I’d love to know what books are on repeat at your house!

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What are you reading aloud to your kids right now?

I’m reading ELLA ENCHANTED to my girls right now and I just love this book so so much 🥰

I re-read it a few years ago on a flight which was a super bad idea because I finished it with tears steaming down my cheeks, sitting between two strangers 🤣

#janssenreadsaloud

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I get asked frequently for headphone recommendations and we love these ones from @lilgadgets!
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But I ALSO get asked all the time for recommendations on children’s dictionaries and book lights and I have zero suggestions for either of those 😬
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Do you have ones you love? I’m all ears! (Or eyes 😉)

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This crockpot white chicken chili was the first thing on my blog that really went viral, some 8 years ago.
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And all these years later, it’s still a favorite at house and checks the boxes for all my many crockpot meal requirements!
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If you haven’t tried it before, hop over and check it out - it couldn’t be more easy or more delicious!
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#jansseninthekitchen

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We celebrated Star’s fifth birthday today which just about blows my mind because it feels like about five minutes ago that she was born in a triage room on a super snowy night in Durham.

Star loves to snuggle and listens to audiobooks all day long. She would happily live on nothing but mini bagels and COLD water.

She wears her heart on her sleeve and is quick to tell you EXACTLY how she feels - tonight, when I told her some family friends were coming over for her birthday dinner, she told me “I just wish you would have invited someone who would bring me a present.” Imagine her delight when these friends showed up with a giant rainbow sucker for her 🤗

She picked up basic reading very quickly last fall but prefers not to practice.

She was my first brown-eyed baby and is my only lefty.

Happy birthday to this little sweetheart!

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Are you a journal writer?

I was a daily journal writer all through my childhood and even into high school but haven’t been consistent since then (but at least my children will know every book I read since 2006 🤣) and I’ve been looking for a guided way to get back into it.

The new autobiography journal from @promptlyjournals is PERFECT with great questions to help you record your past and present in an organized way.

It also makes a great gift for a parent or grandparent - use the code JANSSEN15 for 15% off through Friday at midnight!

#sponsored

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Reading aloud can be the most magical thing ✨
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Orrrrrr it can be extremely frustrating or daunting.
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I’m sharing 10 tips to make it a great experience for both parents and children on my blog today - if you need a little encouragement, hop over and check it out!
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And I’d love to hear what your best tips for positive reading aloud are! 👇🏼

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What are your go-to gifts to give for kid birthdays?

This drawing book plus a pack of colored pencils or markers is one of my favorites (it’s linked in my stories) and I can’t wait to give Star the newest edition for her birthday tomorrow!

A @kiwico_inc crate is another favorite that I like to keep on hand for an easy gift 👌🏻 What are your favorites either that you’ve given or received? 🎁