The Revolution Event 2020

It's Revolution Time! Don't worry, we were just recreating the one that happened nearly 250 years ago. This was Cassandra's first Colonial era event, and she loved it!

What's Cooking in the Kitchen

After six years of living in our home with the honey oak colored cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms, we've decided to pull the trigger - of our paint sprayer that is! We're taking the project in small, manageable steps since we are doing it all ourselves and only when we have enough free time on a weekend to get things done. It's tricky with small children and a very full schedule, but it's going well and I'm so happy with the results!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear Valentines for 3 Year Olds

My little Carolyn is now in preschool and gets to pass out Valentines to her class of fellow 3-year-olds and again at her music class too. I know candy would be the easy option, but I always like to do something non-food, that's why this year we are passing out mini puzzles based on the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

Wild About You Toddler Valentines

This year I have two little ones to prepare Valentines for! My newest daughter Cassandra is only 6 months old and gets to participate in the ritual of passing out Valentines to her music class! I was inspired by a friend of Carolyn's who passed out little finger puppets at her first Valentine's Day, we still have the little piggy finger puppet and she still plays with it!

Princess Leia Costume

After a lifetime of waiting for a Star Wars land to be created my husband was delighted to fulfill his childhood fantasy and visit the Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland. He couldn't just go in street clothes though, he must dress as his favorite character Han Solo and Carolyn had to join him as her favorite Princess Leia.

Carolyn's 3rd Birthday - Tea Party for Toddlers

My sweet little girl just turned three years old. As you probably have already guessed one of her favorite activities to play is tea party. Therefore it was an easy decision to plan this year's birthday party as a tea party for all her toddler friends and family.

A Unicorn Birthday Party for a Special 3 Year Old

Carolyn's best friend Olivia turned 3 years old a month before her, so Carolyn got to witness the fun and amazingness that is a big birthday party. I've got to say, my friend threw the most awesome unicorn themed party for her sweet little daughter and I can't wait to show you it!

Playhouse Makeover

A little over three years ago (when I was pregnant with Carolyn) our neighbors across the street decided to get rid of their old playhouse, and gave it to us for FREE! My favorite word! Weeellllllll, there was a reason it was free, it was very much weather/sun beaten and needed some love. We had full intentions of fixing it up, but a certain little lady entered the world and we forgot all about it. Happily she doesn't mind what it looks like and has loved playing in it, but we decided we'd waited long enough, time for a playhouse makeover!

How to Make A Toddler Sized Mary Poppins White Dress Costume - The Easy Way

Did you know my darling daughter is obsessed with Mary Poppins? I believe the obsession is going on 10 months now, it was the first movie that she actually loved and requests to watch over and over, along with constantly listening to the sound track. For Halloween I dressed her up as Mary Poppins in her traveling outfit, you can see that adorableness here and there are links to how I made that costume for her.

Mother's Day Gift - Key Chain

Every Mother's Day I like to give the grand mothers a special gift from my daughter. Her first year I typed out a little poem and added her painted foot prints in the shape of a heart, last year I typed out I Love You with a clip art flower on some sturdy card stock and then let her water color to make it special (she was very into water coloring at the time). And this year my sweet husband realized that we could take a skill that she's good at, putting beads on a pipe cleaner and turn it into a special gift - enter the personalized key chain! This is a great last minute gift that you and your kids can make too!

Easter Front Porch Decor

I love changing up my decorations for each holiday, so it should be no surprise that I include Easter in this. The inside of my house is lightly sprinkled with Easter fun, but it was time to add some to my front porch!

Valentines Day Bubble Gift

I'm so excited to get to make little valentines for my daughter to pass out to her friends in her classes. We actually get to pass them out twice, once in her pre-preschool class and again in her music class. And seeing as she's my first child I get to do this for I'm over the moon delighted, I'm sure one day the novelty will wear off. But for now I'm all about that crafting!

I want to pass out a non-candy goody for the kids so this year I chose bubbles! Then I designed this simple little tag that I could tie to the top of the bubble wand, I love that the tag won't fall off while my daughter passes them out.

Christmas Gifts My 6 Month Old Daughter Loved

I've been looking at lots of gift giving guides trying to get ideas for the kids in my life, and I've had a realization. Often I'm looking at these gifts wondering just how much the kids will actually use them and love playing with them. So I decided to write a first hand review of the toys my daughter received over the past two years and share with you her favorites that we can highly recommend for the kids in your life, starting with her first Christmas.

Christmas at the Cottage - Christmas Home Tour 2018

I'm so excited that we have an extra week to celebrate Christmas this year! There's nothing like the cozy feeling you get with all the twinkle lights glowing along with a crackling fire. Last night Carolyn and I snuggled up with blankets and pillows in front of the fire place and read Christmas stories. Oh these are the best memories, and I will cherish them for as long as I live.

Thanksgiving Table Decor and Friendsgiving 2018

Every year I hold a small Friendsgiving potluck with my friends. We love the special time to get together and catch-up. I also love an excuse to set up a pretty table. This year I let Carolyn help me with the table decor.

Cheater Store Bought Thanksgiving Crafts

I love doing crafts with my daughter, but sometimes I tire of having to think up ideas, or find the perfect idea on Pinterest. So for the sake of just doing something fun I will impulse buy a craft at the store. I bought these two little Thanksgiving craft kits at the craft store thinking they would be fun and easy, one was, the other wasn't. Can you guess which is which?

Easy Meal Planning Calendar

How is your weekly meal planning going? At this time of year we tend to feel overwhelmed with all the holidays coming up trying to plan out all of our meals and thinking about all we have to do. I have a system to share with you that I've been using for over a year now and can highly recommend for it's easiness and flexibility.

Carolyn's Trip to the Pumpkin Patch 2018

I love all the fun activities of fall, in particular going to the pumpkin patch! This year for the first time we went to the Irvine Regional Park Pumpkin Patch with my lifelong friend Christen. It was so much fun, and Carolyn had the best time!

How to Make a Mary Poppins' Hat and Bird Umbrella

Have you checked out the price of costume props? Eeke! Why buy what you can easily make? All you need is some creativity and a glue gun! Check out how I easily made the Mary Poppins' bird umbrella and her iconic daisy boater hat out of felt.

Mary Poppins Costume

You could buy a Mary Poppins costume, but where's the fun in that? I made Carolyn's adorable little costume for less than $20 and the best part is that most of it she can wear again.