Say Yes to the Messiness of Childhood & a Free Printable!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Wet-Nap®, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #ConquerTheMess http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Kids are the most creative beings on the planet. Always surprising us with their ideas, imaginative play, and the wonder they embrace as they navigate this world. Sometimes their creative ideas come at a cost though…a huge mess. Many times as a mom, it can be easier to say no to these activities. After all, we already have a bazillion messes to clean up, don't we? The dishes, the laundry, the toys strewn about. We can find ourselves eventually in a rut of saying no more often than we ever imagined we would. I know, because it has happened to me.

I used to imagine the kind of mom I would be. Always laid back and coming up with creative fun. Always willing to let them use their imaginations to do wild and crazy things. Then real life sets in. And you realize all of that is a lot of work.

DIY Felt Deer Antler Headband

When my daughter Hazel turned two, she was so fascinated with deer that we threw her a whimsical, woodland themed deer party for her birthday. I made her a sweet little felt antler headband to wear that day and always intended to share how I did it here. As life goes, it didn't happen, but I am finally sharing it now. Two years later…

I receive emails from time to time from other moms who want to make a similar antler headband but don't know how. If you are one of them reading this…my apologies for the delay in this post (bad blogger!). I have tried my best to explain how I made it in reply emails, but pictures always help, don't they? It is really a very simple diy project that only requires minimal materials. I am including a free antler shape template at the end of this post to make it even easier!

Hazel’s Frozen 4th Birthday Party

I seriously never thought I would do character parties for my kids, but as they have gotten older and have their own interests, it would be pretty hard not to, right? So the challenge for me then? Still make it as creative and unique as possible, while keeping with the theme they love. For Hazel's fourth this year, she knew for months what kind of party she wanted. A Frozen party. And not just any Frozen party: an Elsa party.

I guess I just had to let it go about my hopes and dreams that she would choose a unicorn party (her second choice), and go with the flow of the Elsa Frozen party. 

Summer Days. Sun Filled Days. The Longest Days.

"Some day these will be our old days, let's make them worth remembering." -Kacy Crowley

Summer is flying by. I kind of hate that. Some days are long, though. Not only does the sun stay out longer and make the daylight hours last, some days as a mother with little ones can feel like an eternity. If you are in a similar situation, you probably now what I mean. This post is for you…

Hazel’s Sheriff Callie Inspired Cowgirl Birthday Party

My daughter Hazel is coming up on her fourth birthday (hard to believe!) and if there is one thing I am terrible at as a blogger, it is getting my kids' birthday posts up around their actual birthday. Today, I am finally sharing Hazel's third birthday party which was a Sheriff Callie inspired cowgirl theme. Even though this post is near a year late, I hope you enjoy seeing how we celebrated and get some inspiration if you are planning a similar party soon!

When we were deciding on a theme, Hazel kept coming back to Sheriff Callie, an adorable show on Disney Junior that we would watch from time to time. She was fixated on being a cowgirl like the main character. 

Family Vacation to North Myrtle Beach

Last week, our family had the pleasure of going on vacation to North Myrtle Beach along with my mom and sister. The drive down to South Carolina from our home (outside of Rochester, NY) took us about 15 hours including stops. Even though I was a terrified of the trip down with little ones, it wasn't as bad as I had imagined it would be. We spent a relaxing week by the beach, sight seeing and making memories.

I know that generally, people find it boring to look at other people's vacation photos, but I like to do posts like these, more for myself, to have a collection of our photos of the trip to look back on and remember the times we spent together as a family. I am not a scrapbooker, and I must confess, I rarely get a photograph printed, so blogging is sort of my "memory keeping" method. I hope you aren't too bored today if you click through to read about our trip. I tried my best to make the photos pretty for you to help keep you from yawning 🙂

Living Room Redo with a New Leather Sofa

I have received product from Raymour & Flanigan in exchange for this post. All expressed opinions are 100% my own. Read my Full Disclosure Policy. 

I am so excited to share our mini living room makeover with you today! I have been working on it for awhile, ever since our new furniture from Raymour and Flanigan arrived. Then my grandfather died, and I lost all of my momentum. Life will do that to you. Right when you are going along thinking everything is just so…it changes. Your heart can be broken. And then needs time to mend. My grandpa was so special. Many days I still have a hard time believing he isn't here anymore. It has gotten brighter, even though I am still missing him every day, but I am able to find joy again in simple things like rearranging and decorating. I say this is a "mini" makeover since it doesn't look too different from the last time I shared a full tour of this space last fall, but there are several new things that I am excited to show you today!

As I mentioned, last Friday, I have been dreaming of a chesterfield leather sofa for ages, and can now say I am the proud owner of Raymour and Flanigan's Saddler Leather Sofa. I am in love with it! When the delivery men dropped it off, I was semi freaking out inside. It's one of those things I thought I would always dream of but never really have.

DIY Abstract Art “Masterpieces” on Canvas {Crafting with Your Kids No. 2}

Well, it's no secret I love art. All kinds of art. And I love sharing this passion with my children. Today, I have a simple and fun project that my two littles ones (Hazel & Owen) worked on with a little bit of help from me. We collaborated on these pieces to make abstract art masterpieces (in our humble opinion) to decorate our home.

I love coming up with projects or artwork that both parents and children can work on together, to create new decor for the home. This is one such project and is the second "official" post in my Crafting with Your Kids Series. This has been a long time coming, as my kids and I made these at the end of the summer. I used them in our decor in late September as part of a mantel vignette. They have moved around our home since then, but are special pieces that I love displaying.

14 {Non-Candy} Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Kids

This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.

Valentine's day is just around the corner, but there is still time to get some cute gifts for the little ones in your life! Today, I have compiled a list of gift ideas inspired by my own kiddos, Hazel, age 3 1/2 and Owen, almost 2 1/2. They would love all of these things or already do as they have a few on this list. All of these items are under $25 each and come from Amazon.com*. Most are available with free Prime shipping if you are a member (more details below). 

I hope you enjoy these and find some inspiration here!

Making Spirits Bright in the Playroom {with Holiday Wall Decals}

I received product from Wallternatives™ in exchange for this review. All expressed opinions are 100% my own. Full Disclosure Policy.

If you recently stopped by for my holiday home tour, I mentioned some new additions to the playroom that are bringing all of us some Christmas cheer. I love adding lots of whimsy to my children's playroom, especially at Christmastime. When I happened upon the Boy Meets Girl Reindeer Removable Christmas Wall Decal Set available from Wallternatives™, I knew it would be the perfect touch. This set is from their new Jennifer Rizzo Designer Wall Decal Collection. You all know by now how much I love Jennifer Rizzo, right? Seriously, she is mega talented.
When I first saw this set on the website, I knew that my children had to have them. Okay, maybe I was a teensy bit excited for them myself. At Christmas time, I am still just a kid inside. 

Pecan Walnut Pie {with Cream Cheese}

I am joining with several other talented bloggers today for Tastes of the Seasons and am sharing a recipe that I originally blogged about way back in 2010: a pecan pie with cream cheese….mmm…so good!

I was almost going to call this post, "The Best Pecan Pie I Have Ever Had," because, seriously, it is.

In the fall of 2010 my husband and I had just moved into our first home, and I was testing out the kitchen with this recipe that I saw on an episode of Katie Brown's Workshop on PBS.

DIY Wallpaper Feather Art on Canvas

I originally shared the following post on Yellow Bliss Road with a tutorial on how to make wallpaper feathers and transform them into collage art on canvas. The finished work looks like a piece of old metal with a distressed painting technique.

I have made plans to completely transform my children's shared bedroom in a boho tribal style, which won't fully start happening until late winter/early spring (I want to get through the holiday season without any huge upheaval in our home and the change includes moving them from the smaller of our two bedrooms, to the larger – a huge undertaking!). 

Even so, I have already started making plans for their space and want to include lots of handmade pieces for them. The first, for the room, is this feather art project. Here is the original post and instructions:

DIY Homeschool Preschool Daily Activity Calendar {with homemade magnets!}

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Office Depot, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #inspirestudents http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Getting prepared to start homeschool preschool can be a daunting task, but with a daily activity calendar and some fun magnets you can keep on track!

When I recently made the decision to start homeschool preschool with my three year old daughter Hazel, I felt a little overwhelmed. The reasons for going with homeschool preschool included Hazel not yet being potty trained, the cost, and the fact that she just turned three this summer. I felt another year at home would be good for her (and me!). We will venture into sending her off to preschool next year.

Thoughts of Fall on My Mind

I don't know about you, but fall has been on my mind for awhile. It always happens once August hits: I begin dreaming of those beautiful autumn days that are on their way.

We are approaching my favorite time of year, and I can't help but get excited. I can hold off, of course, on the winter's cold for quite awhile, but oh, how I wish I could make fall stay longer.

The Best Potty Training Books for Kids

If you have a child of potty training age, here are six books that he or she is sure to love. Hopefully they will bring some encouragement to the process. My three year old thinks they are the best!

My daughter, Hazel, just turned three back on June 30th. If you had asked me a year ago if I thought she would be potty trained by now, I would have thought, definitely. 

But…I would be wrong. So wrong. 

Most days we don't even seem close. Other days, I get glimpses of hope. Like last week when she went for the very first time. But that has been the only time.

I never imagined that I would have a child who would be so resistant to "going on the potty", but that's my girl. Has to do things her way. In her time. 

And I am okay with that (because…I am pretty sure she gets that from me.)

Come check out my DIY Feather Art on Canvas at YBR!

I am happy to be guest blogging over at Yellow Bliss Road again today! I am sharing a fun diy tutorial for making feather art on a distressed canvas. This piece is now residing in Hazel's room as I transition her from "baby to big girl" space.

When Your Child is in Pain

There is almost nothing worse as a parent than watching your child endure pain. I always want to take it from them. 

Let me take the pain instead, Lord. That is my prayer whenever one of my little ones is hurt or not feeling well.

DIY Outdoor Water Table for Kids

Summer is just around the corner, and the little ones will be wanting to play all day outdoors! If yours are anything like mine, they already do. Even on the rainy days.

Owen’s First Birthday: A Football Party {a look back}

My little man, Owen, turned one on September 26, 2013. I never got around to sharing a birthday post back then, but decided with the draft coming this week, I would share it now! If you aren't up on the NFL draft, well let me tell you…it is a very big deal. At least in my house it is 🙂

5 Rainy Day Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers {Volume One}

With spring comes many rainy days around these parts. That means we need to get creative on the days we stay inside. Those of you who care for young children during the day will understand this. Today I will be sharing the first "volume" of activities that I have done with my own little ones on days we played indoors. I will be sharing later volumes in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned! (And even if you don't have young kids…you might just enjoy seeing some personal pics of mine throughout these posts!)