Scrambling to Get Ready for Easter

I like to plan ahead, but these days I’m lucky if I remember to write out my to-do list, nevermind start crossing things off.  I feel like I just conquered Valentine’s Day and… oh crap, Easter is just around the corner!  It is my second favorite holiday after Christmas and I want to impart the meaning to my children, making it both fun and memorable for them.  We’ll definitely be doing our Benjamin’s Box activities in the week leading up to Easter Sunday.

With all the holidays and special occasions one after another –  many of them belabored as we celebrate them at different times and with different people – I really want to get away from all the candy. Yes, I know there are Peeps and Cadbury eggs and all those traditional sweets, but just because they line the shelves – and we see yummy things to create with them – doesn’t mean we have to buy them!

Anyhoo, here are some ideas I’m hoping to put together this year:

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Last year I made these bunny treat bags for the kiddos so I’m going to re-use them.  They’re pretty small, so we’ll see what I’ll be able to fit inside.

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During school last year we had these butterfly snack bags.  I still have the clothespins and will use them again, filling the bags with trail mix.

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The kiddos love Goldfish crackers and the carrot-shaped packaging is cute.

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Along the same lines, these crepe paper carrots are so cute!  The Easter version of a surprise ball.

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For warm-weather play or bathtime fun, these sponge balls would be a hit.

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And since Easter wouldn’t be Easter without jelly beans, Yum Earth Naturals makes a healthier alternative.

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It was fun putting together an Easter egg hunt lunch for the kiddos last year and I’ll probably do it again… if only to re-use our plastic eggs!

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Almost every year we do some sort of deviled eggs and birds’ nest cookies, so I’d like to make them again this time around.  We’ll probably be having Easter at my sister’s house and we’re not sure yet on the menu, but we’re thinking something brunch-y.  Perhaps I’ll make hash brown cups, French toast casserole, baked oatmeal or NY style crumb cake.

What will you be making and doing for Easter this year?

*See my Easter Pinterest board for more inspiration.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

If you’re anything like me, you prefer to have your gifts wrapped and ready as far in advance as possible.  Or at least have some sort of clue as to what you’re looking for before the day arrives. *grin*

I like to keep a gift list with names of friends and family members, suggestions for each of them and where I might find them (online or otherwise) and what I already have put away in my gift cabinet.

Buying for men can be especially challenging, in my opinion.  The things they want are often expensive, too specific in that I would worry about getting the wrong item,  and most definitely boring (tools, ugh). 

So while I don’t have them figured out, here is a list of Father’s Day (or guy-friendly) gift ideas I’ve gradually compiled.

Grill Spatulas from patinastores.com

Tool Pen Set from karmakiss.net

Chalkboard Mug, a DIY from witandwhistle.com

Switchblade Pocket Comb on Amazon

Daddyland Coupon Book printable from family.go.com

Jar of Peanut M&Ms for nutty but sweet DAD {dead link}

A&Wesome Dad printables from nothingbutcountry.com

Men’s toiletry kit, a sewing tutorial from thecottagehome.blogspot.com

To The Greatest Day I Ever SAW card,
from thatartistwoman.blogspot.com

Cute idea for a DIY t-shirt or tie
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Greatest Dad coloring diploma
from activityvillage.co.uk

This year I plan on using a couple of the above ideas in conjunction with some necessity gifts (when you need a $300 power tool around Father’s Day, it kind of becomes your Father’s Day gift).  Since I had a discount code, Grandpa will be getting a Paper Coterie album and I took advantage of the free shipping and 30% off code at Cardstore for Father’s Day cards.   

*See my Guy Gifts Pinterest board for more inspiration.

Summer Pinspirations

With all the pins and bookmarks and craft projects I have floating around in my head, some of my ideas get lost in the shuffle.  With the warmer weather upon us I thought maybe I’d share some of my Summer pinspirations.

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These sponge balls look fun and easy to make!  I’m thinking bath toy or water fight (gosh, I miss water balloon fights…).  We washed the cars this week and this could fit the bill for getting the little ones to pitch in.

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In keeping with the water fun theme, I would love for Phil to make us a homemade slip & slide!  I would totally get into this.

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I’m a sucker for smoothies and popsicles during the warmer months, and I’m always up for new concoctions.  These kiwi orange creamsicles look like a yummy, fantastic combination.

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Focusing on a different theme each week for preschool, I got into making all sorts of cute little kid-friendly foods.  These American flag sandwiches look super-cute and yummy to boot, and double as a festive 4th of July food.  It’s a dead link, but I’d say it looks like whole grain toast, cream cheese (or sub peanut butter!), jam, banana slices and blueberries.

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You could use the red, white and blue color scheme for these 4th of July Confetti Popper Rockets and make a patriotic decoration, or change up the colors entirely and use them for a birthday party with treats inside.  Great use for all those toilet paper tubes. 

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Have tons of little plastic beads lying around?  I just found these pretty melted bead suncatchers; the tinfoil-backed suncatchers are especially unique.  Can you say gift from the grandkids?     

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Now that my lavender bushes seem to be thriving, I want to use the blooms to make these lavender wands that can double as sachets. 

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We try to go camping at least once a month when the snow has finally melted, and when you spend the majority of your time outdoors you’re bound to get a few bug bites.  Even though I buy the commercial varieties, I try not to use them too much and would rather try my hand at homemade bug spray.

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Added to my growing list of sewing projects are these Sleepover Pillowcases, which would be great for roadtrips.  I love the addition of the zippered pocket for books or stuffed animals, but may opt for another version I found that utlizes a pocket instead.

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We love to use our grill in the summer and a good ol’ burger topped with fresh lettuce and tomatoes from the garden really hits the spot.  Though we aren’t vegetarians, I’m always looking for meatless meal ideas to stretch our budget and keep us healthy.  These Black Bean Burgers look really yummy!

The pinspirations are endless!  See my Pinterest board for more inspiration.