Experience

Teacher

• I have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, from a University in Tennessee where I underwent training inside the classroom, as well as outside of the classroom ensuring I am qualified and licensed to teach grades 1-8
• Being exposed to so many different age levels, allowed me to develop my skills in communication, organization, research, computer skills, imaginative thinking, flexibility, critical thinking, patience, leadership, and teamwork
• Teaching also allowed me to inspire kids and instruct them in ways that were fun and engaging
• While receiving a teaching degree, I often taught under more experienced teachers which allowed me to observe under a mentor guiding me in the process of creative thinking, adapting to several types of learning skills, and pivoting when something does not go as planned

Mother of 4

• I am the mom to 4 kids (2 girls and 2 boys) which allowed me to develop a new role as a “room mom” where I hosted several school parties which developed my ability to organize parties and entertain kids with fun games, crafting, and fun food ideas. As a Sunday School teacher, I developed more lesson plans and followed up with relevant activities for kids to build on the subject in a fun and engaging way

Recipe Creator

• I have had the pleasure of being a Volunteer Field Editor for Taste of Home Magazine – a nationally known cooking magazine, where I was responsible for testing recipes and reviewing them. My job there also required submitting recipes that I created for the magazine to test and review. I am honored to have some of my very own recipes that I made published in printed cookbooks sold nationwide as well as online like my recipe for Pizza in a Muffin Tin which is also featured in 50 Mini Meals that are Big on Flavor, along with these delicious Muffin Tin Chicken Pot Pies. My Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake was also published in a magazine called Taste of Country and featured in The Best Recipes from Moms in Every State.

Food Influences

You’ll find that my easy-to-make recipes are influenced by different countries and regions from all over the United States. Food has always been a staple in my family and in bringing everyone together. Many family reunions, church potlucks, and holiday parties were recipe-swapping grounds for generational recipes to be handed down.

Getting Around

Kid Friendly Things To Do contains over 1,500 posts for you to explore. From easy family recipes to fun food crafts to crafts for kids, and games to play, you’ll find everything you need for food and fun.

Accolades

I have been sharing ideas with my readers for over 12 years, and I am tickled and honored to have some of my recipes, holiday treats, crafts, and game ideas featured on sites or in magazines like…

Fox News, The Today Show, Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Taste of Home, BuzzFeed, Fandango, Jell-O, The Pioneer Woman, FOX 17 News, MOPS, Zulily, Sargento Cheese, Redbook, Taste of Country, and a London Newspaper called The Sunday Mirror

Fun Facts

• I grew up fishing, camping, walking to the candy store with change we found in the couch cushions, playing baseball with the neighborhood kids, and not going home until the streetlights came on
• I didn’t fly in a plane until I was in my twenties and now I love to travel all over and fill our family’s passport books
• I was raised in a very conservative house and had to wear skirts to my knees to school. I always say were one step away from growing up Amish
• I love all foods but Mexican and southern food like biscuits and gravy are in the top 3 and Cracker Barrel is one of my favorite restaurants to go to
• If I had to pick between living on the beach or in the mountains, it would be hard but I think the mountains would win out.
• I get my creative side and love of nature from both parents, my mom is an avid quilter, former professional candy maker, and cook, and my dad painted oil paintings, was an avid bird watcher, a boy scout leader, and had a green thumb in the garden
• Adventure and nature are always at the top of my priority list when planning our vacations – jumping into the Caribbean to swim with whale sharks, sea turtles, and sting rays, joining the locals at a popular waterfall swimming hole in Costa Rica, running from wild horses in the Outerbanks, going back to what feels like my second home in Tennessee to explore the Smoky Mountains and take cover from black bears, drinking a Starbucks at an actual Starbucks coffee farm in Costa Rica, looking down at a volcano with my family, exploring Cenotes and the Mayan Ruins are some of our favorite vacation memories

Reader Favorites

Need more info? Contact me at

Melissa@kidfriendlythingstodo.com