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DIY Easel Photo Stands

This easy straw easel diy is the perfect solution to displaying photos and works of art on the cheap.
All you will need is a few straws and some hot glue to create these fun and functional easel photo stands.


My kids love to draw pictures and my husband loves to take photos. I usually have an abundance of things to display on any given day. Considering how artistic my family is, I regularly rotate the display!
These easy easel photo stands are the perfect solution for displaying notes, photos or works of art.
They come together in moments and are just the right size.

      

To make straw easel photo stands you will need 4 paper straws and a hot glue gun.
Begin by forming an upside down V with 2 straws and glue them together.


Next, cut one straw in half, place this on the two straws to form an A shape. For larger photos, add the cut straw a little lower to allow more room to stand a photo.

Now glue the last straw on the back of the A shape.  Glue from the top to give the stand its support.



Allow to dry for a moment then place a photo or work of art on the stand to display.


I love this idea for the office, a dorm room, or around the house.




I have a video on facebook for this project.
I would love to have you check it out and give it a thumbs up!



You might also like this Time Out Jar project.

Cotton Candy Ice Cream Cones

This easy treat is perfect for sharing with a group of kids! On the hottest day, these tasty ice cream cones won't drip because they are made with cotton candy! Everyone loves these cotton candy ice cream cones!


Harper and I are always getting into something. She loves to bake and is known in our home as the making baking girl. But, between friends, my oven really needs to be cleaned before we bake, and I have no idea how to actually do it... google here I come. But, in the meantime, I can't deny my girl her fun in the kitchen!

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We had a box of sugar cones and Harper had talked me into a bag of cotton candy recently. Inspiration hit, and this is what we came up with. Cotton Candy Ice Cream Cones. To make them "fancy" we dipped them into chocolate and then into sprinkles.

This is such an easy treat to make. They would be perfect for sharing at a birthday party, or in the classroom for a mess free snack. You can make a dozen of these in under 10 minutes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup of Wilton white candy melts 
1 package of cotton candy
Sprinkles


Instructions

Melt the chocolate in a microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until the chocolate stirs smooth.
Immediately dip your sugar cones in the melted chocolate.



Next dip the cones into sprinkles, allow to dry for about 15 minutes.
Stuff the cones with cotton candy.
Wrap in cellophane or serve immediately.


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Advice for the New Mom: The Easy Way of Approaching a Big Trip with Little Kids

 
Advice for the New Mom: The Easy Way of Approaching a Big Trip with Little Kids
Traveling with your kids is always exciting. However, for new moms, it can be both an adventure as well
as nerve-wrecking. 


Like any adventure, it has its challenges but it is also extremely rewarding and memorable too. Of
course, some parents also refer to it as a learning experience. This is because it can be a way to open
a child’s world further.


I remember my first traveling experience as a new mother like it happened yesterday. It was definitely
not the walk of sunshine I was expecting. 


Although traveling with a child is not easy, especially as a new parent, with the right tools it can be less
intimidating for both parties.


It’s finding those right tools which can add up to unnecessary frustrations and even ruin the
family vacation fun. To make your life easier, I have put together tips to help you approach a big trip with
the little ones the right way.

Pack Smart

When traveling with kids it’s important to pack as smart as you possibly can. You can’t always buy what
you need at the destination. Of course, you should pack what is needed but make sure not to overpack
either.


In order to pack the bare minimum, you need to get in touch with your creative side. A nifty trick I have
learned over the years is to roll clothes instead of folding them. I also stuff socks and underwear inside
shoes. 


Some people even wear their clothes on the flight. This leaves more room in their bags for other items.


Another hack I have learned is to select versatile and comfortable clothes. I also make sure our clothes
are color-coordinated so if something gets dirty you only have to change part of the outfit. I personally
use this tip not only for traveling purposes but to minimize laundry in everyday life.


Having fewer clothes result in lighter bags which makes it easier to transport them with as little
complaints as possible. When checking in baggage, you will also pay less because they charge you
per pound.

Make Pre-bookings Your Friend

Of course, you will have your flights booked for your trip ahead of time. However, your pre-booking
shouldn’t end there. Before having kids, you may be used to showing up at a destination, getting a feel
for the town, and choosing where to stay. 


I’m sorry to have to break the news to you but sadly, those days are over...


When arriving in a new place, it’s best to go straight to your resort, drop off bags, and give the kids a
chance to rest if they’re tired after the long journey. If they are not tired you could always use the extra
time doing some family activities.


I found that pre-booking locations generally make things easier. However, if you want a bit of flexibility
regarding resorts, I suggest booking the first night or two ahead of time. Once you’re settled, you can
then decide where to stay for the rest of the vacation. 


Not many people know that there are more pre-booking opportunities available other than flights and
resorts. You could also book certain activities to do with the kids such as booking tickets for the
museum, and theme parks. I have discovered on our last trip that even private and public transportation
can be pre-booked.


Anything you can book ahead of time is 1 less thing to worry about while trying to keep your whole family
happy. It also gives you more time to relax and enjoy your destination.

Child Discounts Are The Best

Never be afraid to ask for child discounts, after all, you are a parent now. Not all places offer these
discounts however, there is no harm in asking. These discounts really saves you a ton of cash.


Many new parents feel too intimidated to ask for discounts. I felt the same way, but I promise you once
you’ve done it a couple of times, it will be easier. 


It is shocking to see the number of places that will give you a child discount for tourists.


Here are places which usually have kids discounts:
  • Transportation (both private and public) 
  • Guide Tours
  • Attraction entrance fees
  • Restaurants (some have kids eat free nights)

When Kids Wonder

Despite your best efforts, your child may get lost. When this unfortunate circumstance does happen, it
helps if they have your contact information. 


Of course, little kids might not know what to do with the information. It is best to teach them what to do
in these situations as early as possible.


Another pretty nifty tip is to invest in an engraved bracelet for your little one. Not only will they feel cool
having jewelry like mommy, but these bracelets can have all the important contact information you need
on them. 


Which of course, can literally be a lifesaver if they decide to wander a bit too far away while you guys are
chilling by the pool, or exploring a new city. It’s a good idea to teach your child about the importance
of this bracelet, and how to approach strangers to ask them for help in the case that they are lost. 

The bracelets don’t necessarily need to be fancy. They could also be a simple as a rubber band, just
make sure the number can’t be rubbed off. Remember it's not about being fancy, the goal is to keep
them safe.

Easy Dyed Rice

Dyed rice for sensory bins has never been easier! This 3 ingredient method dries super fast and provides vibrant results!




I love to make sensory bins, almost as much as the kids love to play in them! They still love the sushi sensory bin we made ages ago and it inspired me to try dying rice for more sensory fun. 

To make this dyed rice you will need:
  • Rice
  • Food Coloring
  • Hand Sanitizer



 Place the uncooked white rice in a zipper seal baggie. I used 3/4 cup per color.
Add a tablespoon of hand sanitizer.


Add 3-5 drops of food coloring (I used the cheap stuff from dollar tree FYI).


Release the air from the baggie to avoid popping it. The shake it, squish it, wiggle the rice around until it is coated completely. The pour the rice on a paper plate and let it dry for about 45 minutes.


Repeat with additional colors as desired.


Naturally, we did all of the colors of the rainbow!

You can find all of our sensory play ideas here




Veggie Pizza

Summer is here! I am perfecting my recipes for cold meals that will satisfy the family. I don't want to turn on the oven for any longer than necessary, and that makes this the perfect recipe for the hottest days!

My tip is to prepare the crust early in the morning. This gives it plenty of time to cool and you won't need to swelter with the added heat of the oven in the afternoon.



To make Veggie Pizza you will need

One can of crescent rolls
Ranch Dip
Raw veggies (We used carrots, broccoli and sugar snap peas)
Shredded Cheese 

Unroll the crescent rolls. Make some sort of odd shaped crust with them on a cookie sheet. 

Poke lots of holes in the dough with a fork. 

Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes until the crust is flaky and golden.

Allow to cool completely.

Spread about 3 tablespoons of ranch dip onto the crust.

Top with veggies of your choice.

Sprinkle on cheese to taste.

Cut into squares and serve cold.


This recipe is a great side, main dish, or appetizer at a party. You can use any veggies you like, which makes it a great recipe for varying taste buds!

Find all of my recipes here

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Homemade Strawberry Peach Soda Pop

Homemade Strawberry Peach Soda is perfect for a summer day. It is refreshing, easy to make, and has no preservatives, caffeine, or additives.





Strawberries and peaches come together to make a soda that captures the essence of summer and can be made anytime you want it!

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We have a Drink Mate in the kitchen and I have made it my mission to put it to use for summer entertaining. I love to mix cocktails for friends and I hate to exclude anyone from my kitchen adventures. So I started custom making soda syrup.  This has been one of my most requested homemade sodas all summer! If you don't have a drink mate or soda stream, no sweat. You can still make this at home with club soda!

Homemade Strawberry Peach Soda Pop Syrup
Ingredients:

1 pound of fresh peaches, sliced
1 pound of fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
Mesh Strainer


Directions for Strawberry Peach Soda Syrup:

Combine sliced fruit, sugar and water in a saucepan.
Over medium heat bring to a boil
Reduced heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

Pour the fruit syrup through a mesh strainer to remove the fruit.
Allow the syrup to cool.
Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.


Directions for Homemade Strawberry Peach Soda
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Add 6 ounces of club soda or carbonated water.
Add 2 ounces of of the homemade soda syrup and gently stir with a eco friendly straw.
Garnish with a fresh strawberry if desired.



This drink is refreshing and perfectly fizzy without being incredibly sweet.
It is perfect for summer and is so easy to make. Even a beginner in the kitchen can handle making the syrup.


While I have only made this with fresh fruit, if you are craving this in the off season, I am sure frozen fruits would work out just fine!


You can find all of my favorite drink recipes here.
Bomb Pop Cocktails

Strawberry Cheesecake Floats 




DIY Barbie Serving Tray

My daughter is really into all things Barbie. So I made her this cute little rustic serving tray for her Dreamhouse play sessions. It took me less than 5 minutes and is pretty cute and you can personalize it if you wish!





We have all but given up on Barbie accessories. My kids lose them, the dog chews them and it seems like a big waste of money. I won't buy any more, but I will DIY some!



 I made this Rustic Barbie Serving Tray happen in moments with 3 supplies. It is pretty cute and it cost me $0 to make.


Supplies

6 small craft sticks 
Scissors
Glue Gun


Directions

Glue 3 craft sticks together
Trim the rounded edges off of 3 craft sticks then glue 2 of them to the longest sides of the base.
Cut the remaining craft stick in half
Glue this to the other ends


 Now you have a rustic serving tray for Barbie and her friends. Can you believe how easy that was?

We are already planning to make a version of this with taller sides to flip over as a coffee table for Barbie. You can paint the serving tray, or cover it with washi tape for a unique look if your daughter isn't into Farmhouse style decor yet.

Find all of my craft stick projects here

Handprint Fish Puppets

Monster Handprint Puppets



Wild Blueberry Gin Fizzers


Blueberry Gin Fizzers are perfect for summer entertaining.  They are so easy to make, and they have the ideal blend of sweet and tart flavors. 


 I was gifted 8 pounds of beautiful blueberries. My husband will eat them sometimes, the kids don't like them in any capacity. That left me with about 7.5 pounds of berries to use and enjoy. Naturally I had them on my cereal. I added them to oatmeal. I ate them on cake. I baked a small pie.  I froze half of them... I still had blueberries left! What is a girl to do? Why not drink them!?

This cocktail recipe is so easy to make. It is refreshing and tasty, making it perfect for summer entertaining. The flavor of gin is wonderful mixed with blueberries!


Ingredients:

2 ounces of fresh blueberries
Lime wedges
Sprite
Gin; I like Beefeater
Ice


Directions:

With a spoon,  or a muddler, smash the blueberries.
Add ice to the glass.
Add Sprite.
Top with 1 ounce of Beefeater Gin.
Squeeze the juice of a lime wedge into the glass.
Garnish with a lime if desired.



You can find more of my favorite blueberry recipes here.
Find more cocktail recipes here.


Awesome Soft Pretzel Recipes

If you like soft pretzels you will want to check out these awesome pretzel recipes! These are so easy to make and are all as yummy as the next!

The best soft pretzel recipes


Little known fact, once upon a time I spent a summer rolling pretzels at a flea market. It was a long time ago but I still think about how lucky I was to eat nothing short of 100 pretzels that summer! I loved them plain, with and without salt. I loved them with dips, garlic butter and in bun form for a one of a kind sandwich!

I have been in the mood to make pretzels for a while now, so I started rounding up some recipes I knew I wanted to try with the kids. I wonder if I can still twist them up like a pro?

Easy Soft Pretzel Bites by High Heels and Grills
Vegan Homemade Pretzels by Nerdy Mama
Semi Homemade Pretzel Bites by Juggling Act Mama
Cheddar Garlic Pretzels by Layers of Happiness
Garlic and Cheddar Soft Pretzels by Palatable Pastimes
Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Bites by Somewhat Simple
Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites by Little Dairy on the Prairie
Soft Pretzel Footballs by Hungry Happenings



My family has been loving this creamy carrot soup recipe

DIY Superhero Cuffs


My daughter is all about Wonder Woman these days, so we made a cute and easy craft to keep her Superhero dreams coming! 


This is such an easy craft. All you need to make it is duct tape, toilet paper rolls and scissors!



Cut two toilet paper rolls in half.
Then cover them with duck tape in your favorite print. Make sure to fold the edges over to avoid paper cuts and rubbing! 

That is all it takes to make these crazy easy and cute Superhero cuffs for the kids! This is one of my favorite rainy day projects because after craft time ends they can engage in some dramatic play!

You can check out the short video below 



Find more crafts here

Cupcake Liner Crafts are perfect for preschoolers


12 Mermaid Craft Tutorials

If your kids are crazy about mermaids you are going to love these 12 Mermaid Craft Tutorials! From adorable bags to upcycled crayons, this list has so many ideas you will want to make!

Mermaid craft tutorials

Spring is here, so my family is day dreaming of the beach, the pool and all of the fun we will have this summer. My daughter wanted to make our mermaid tail craft again last week and we had so much fun with it! I searched some of my favorite blogs and found 12 more ideas for our crafty fun. I know you will love this collection of crafts too!


Mermaid Shell Necklace by Moms and Crafters

Ombre Mermaid Tail Crayons by The Crafty Guru

Mermaid Bath Bombs by Buggy and Buddy

Easy Mermaid Tail Craft by Stylish Cravings

Clothespin Mermaid Dolls by Create Craft Cook

Mermaid Succulent Garden by Creative Green Living

Mermaid Suncatchers by Sugar, Spice and Glitter

Paper Plate Mermaid Twirlers by Red Ted Art

Beach Towel Mermaid Tails by Somewhat Simple

Mermaid Mailbox Playset by Hello Wonderful

Mermaid Wall Art by Resin Crafts Blog

Mermaid Iron On Tote Bag by Sew What Alicia



You might also want to check out my easy mermaid tail craft for preschoolers.

You can find all of our easy craft ideas here


Stars and Stripes Bin

Bring a touch of patriotic flair to your sensory activities with this easy to set up Stars and Stripes Bin.
It is fun to play in and gives little hands a chance to design the flag. Make it for the 4th of July, or anytime for hands on play.



A few weeks ago I ran across a bag of white sand in my craft supplies and I wanted to use it before it spilled all over my craft room. I had visions of our rascally kitten Richard finding it and using it like a mini litter box. 

I kept poking around in my supplies and found a bag of glow in the dark starts. Inspiration was born.
This was an easy bin to assemble and both of my kids enjoyed playing in this bin. 


Supplies:
Popcorn kernels
Hand sanitizer
Blue food color
Red paper
Small glow in the dark stars
Paint brush
Plastic bin with lid
Scissors
Zipper seal storage bag.


Directions:

To make blue dyed popcorn:
Place about a 1/2 a cup of unpopped popcorn kernels, 2 generous drops of hand sanitizer and several drops of blue food coloring in a zipper seal food storage bag. 
Shake well.
You can allow the kernels to dry in the bag overnight, or place them on a paper towel to dry for several hours.


To assemble the bin:
Cut a sheet of red paper to fit inside of the bin you plan to use.
Pour white craft sand over the red paper.

In the upper left section, pour the blue dyed popcorn kernels.




Add a paint brush and an assortment of stars.



Invite your child to brush sand away to create the stripes.




Encourage your child to add the stars to the popcorn kernels.



When not in use, replace the lid on the bin for easy storage for future play!

Find more sensory bin ideas here.
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