Hi, I’m Erica from eLeMeNO-P Kids and I am SO glad to be the newest parent blogger for Cincinnati Parent!
I am a Cincinnati, Ohio transplant from New Orleans, Louisiana thanks to my Cincinnati-born and raised husband. He’s so thankful to be home. Me, well…when I can get crawfish on the daily up here, then I’ll be happy! I have really grown to love Cincinnati and all that it has to offer, especially all the fun things to do with kids!
When we first moved here 3 years ago, I decided to stay at home with our then 4 year old, and get my Master’s degree with the hopes of teaching one day here in Ohio. I attended the University of Missouri-Columbia online grad school, and in 2 years had my M.Ed. in Reading Education.
At the same time, I started my own at-home, small business, making Montessori and Reggio-inspired wooden play toys for children. That evolved into a whole online store containing wooden toys, busy bags, and felt food. At the same, I taught myself how to build a website and built & designed my own website. It doubled as my online store, as well as my blog. Preschool was my niche and I was fully immersed in providing parents with hands-on activities and toys that could teach their child through play.
Since I was making all the toys by hand, and was responsible for marketing, product images, production, shipping, and customer service, I got burned out after a few years. So, I decided to slow down with the products side of the business, and really turn my focus into the blogging side. I had so much early childhood advice, games, ideas, crafts I wanted to share and I just had to get them all out. I have always loved writing since I was a young girl, so I decided to channel that love.
Enter the blog…eLeMeNO-P Kids. I’ve always had the same name for my business, and with a quick re-branding and new logo (trust me, you DON’T want to see the old one), I was on my way! I have taken many, many hours of blogging education and have met many wonderful women and mentors along the way. I never imagined blogging was so technical, but oh-so-fun!
My blog is Our website is packed full of fun learning activities for kids:
- -Play: Sensory play, arts and crafts, and seasonal activities
- -Learning: Educational activities for growing preschoolers
- -Celebrate: Holiday activities and crafts
- -Mom: DIY, recipes, inspiration, and more stuff moms like
- -Freebies: Free resources + printables for you to keep
This August, my little boy entered second grade, so I decided it was time for me to find a job with preschoolers where I could put into practice what I preach! And besides, hanging out with preschoolers all day is a pretty awesome job! Well, my dreams came true! I got a job as a teacher of the Preschool Enrichment program at my local YMCA, and it’s seriously been one of the best blessings in my life. The kids bring me so much joy, and I love that I am their last step before they go to “big school.” I have a such an important job of getting them ready for Kindergarten, and I just love seeing the joy on their faces as they learn new letters or how to write their name.
I hope you’ll follow along with me as I navigate my way through Cincinnati as a preschool teacher, mom, wife, and blogger!
About Erica
Erica is a Cincinnati transplant from New Orleans, La. She is a lover of God, hot tea, tulips, stacks of books, essential oils, relaxing baths, and doesn’t do nearly enough yoga or get as many massages as she’d like. Since relocating to Cincinnati with her husband and son, she got her Master’s degree in Reading Education, and is now a preschool teacher at the Countryside YMCA | Landen location. She’s been a preschool blogger since 2013, and firmly believes that it is through play that children learn the best and make sense of the world around them. Here are a few fun facts about Erica:
The first time she saw snow was in 2012 after moving to Cincinnati. It was much different than the cold, muddy slush that New Orleans called “snow.” She still to this day stands by the window in awe of the beauty of the white stuff.
She currently lives in Morrow with her husband, 8 year old son, 2 dogs: Sprinkles and Evie, 2 hermit crabs, 1 African tree frog, and a few dust bunnies. She is in love with her circus.
She is growing to love the city of Cincy, loves the Museum Center, Cincinnati Zoo, Skyline Chili (her hubby is so proud), and is a huge Reds fan, even attending her first opening day parade last year, however she will never, ever root for the Cincinnati Bengals. She’ll forever say “Who Dat!”