''Black Beach' - Read and Rise April 2025

I'll be the first to admit I had no idea how Earth Day originated so this book was a great find! This year marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day and while I do believe it's helped us all pay more attention to how we treat our amazing planet, I think we still have ways to go! So we're going to keep trying to celebrate Earth Day every day by being mindful of what we use and throw out and how we care for the world around us.

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'If I Were a Park Ranger' - Read and Rise April 2025

I can't talk about taking care of the Earth without mentioning National Parks! National Parks are vital partners in the quest for protecting the Earth. Not only do National Parks preserve and protect lands, but they allow us to explore, appreciate, and learn about the natural world around us. And none of that would be possible without park rangers!

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'Earth Hour' - Read and Rise April 2025

I'll be perfectly honest, I've COMPLETELY forgotten about Earth Hour the past few years. I remember trying to do it when the kids were little (although, I'll be honest, it was pretty easy then because 8:30pm was time to be sleeping!) but somewhere along the way it just wasn't on my radar anymore. But while I was at the library collecting lots of awesome Earth Day books, I happened across this one! So I thought I'd kick off the month with Earth Hour as an inspiration for all of us to give an hour for the earth this month (even if you, like me, missed the official earth hour...)

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'Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?' - Read and Rise March 2025

Next up for Women's History Month is Elizabeth Blackwell. Now this is a women most of you have probably heard of but I thought she was important enough to mention because, can you imagine a world where women are NOT doctors?? I can't, but it did exist! And I'm forever grateful to Elizabeth Blackwell for opening up that door for all the women who followed after her.

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DIY Doc McStuffins Doc-Mobile

Doc McStuffins may not be all the rage is was 10 years ago, but you can still catch episodes on Disney+. And even if your child has never watched it and will probably not watch it, this Doc-Mobile is still an adorable little mobile clinic for all your pretend doctors and veterinarians! Little C had a spontaneous need for a Doc-mobile so this was a spur of the moment-fast as possible creation. If I were to make it again, I would replace the Tinkertoy wheels and pull handle with something permanent. If I ever make it again, I'll update. But for now, here's what I used to build the Doc-mobile.

Sturdy cardboard box - I used the box from a 4-pack of gallon zip storage bags, probably about 12"x6"x6"
Tinkertoys
3/4" ribbon
Adhesive-backed Velcro
X-acto knife & scissors
Screwdriver
Purple acrylic paint
Glitter
Doc McStuffins stickers we had lying around

Painting/decorating was the last thing we did since I wanted Little C to have something to play with as soon as possible. If you have the option, I recommend painting first!

First I used the screwdriver to poke holes on the sides of the box through which to push the rods that hold the wheels. Then I poked a hole at the front for the pull handle. There's a yellow circle piece (like those used for the wheels) on the inside of the box to which the red flexible rod attaches.

Next, I had to make seats for Little C's friends. I cut rectangular flaps using the x-acto knife on either side of the box which would be used for seats. I cut a little notch at the top of the flap so Little C could easily pull the seat open when it was pushed closed. Above the flaps I cut 3 vertical slits (left, middle, right) for the seatbelts. I pushed lengths of ribbon through the slits and affixed Velcro pieces to either end so Little C could buckle her friends in. This left us with 4 seats, but Little C requested seats for the entire Mickey Mouse Clubhouse gang.

She wanted the last 2 seats on the back but that would have left Pluto sitting upright in an awkward position so I put them on the top. I cut another flap and stuck the ribbon for Goofy's seatbelt through it. It's a little hard to see, but Pluto's seatbelt comes up from underneath him, pushed through the top of the box.

Now, to hold all Little C's doctor tools, I cut a large flap at the front of the box above the pull handle. I put a little piece of Velcro on the end so it would stay closed. As you can see there is plenty of room for anything a little doctor would need!

Add some paint, decorations and friends and we're off to find toys - or people - in need of a doctor! If you make your own Doc-mobile we'd love to hear about it and see pictures!