Toddler Easter Basket Ideas

Last year I did a post with ideas for Baby's First Easter Basket.  This year, I decided to share some ideas for toddlers.  At 22 months, I feel like Carson is in an in-between stage with Easter baskets.  He's not quite ready for candy, but he also doesn't need Easter bibs/outfits anymore.  This year I didn't want to spend a lot since a.) we just moved, b.) we have a new baby coming very soon, and c.) Carson's birthday is in May!

Here is what I came up with for a toddler Easter basket on a budget!

I feel like Carson's Easter basket looks like it was sponsored by Crayola but I promise it wasn't....they just have good prices!

Here's a look at what's inside (click the links to find the products)

• Crayola Coloring Book (Target dollar spot)
• Crayola Twistables Crayons (I bought these with a 50% off coupon at JoAnn's)
• Crayola Bath Dropz (I got an 8-pack at the Target dollar spot)
• Jelly Belly Scented Bubbles (Target) - these are pop-up NO SPILL! :)
• Crayola Bathtub Finger Paint (Target Dollar Spot)
• Circo Swim Trunks (Target clearance)
• Spring Board Book (Target dollar spot)
• Crayola Sidewalk Chalk (Target - purchased with 15% cartwheel discount!)
• Pottery Barn Kids Bunny Ears (Target Dollar Spot has some that are almost identical!)

I think I might also add in some bunny-themed treats like bunny crackers or bunny grahams.  Here's a breakdown of what I spent and my total approximate cost:

Coloring Book: $1

Crayons: $2

Bath Drops: $1

Bubbles: $3

Bathtub Finger Paint (2): $2

Swim Trunks: $5
Book: $1

Sidewalk Chalk: $2.50
Bunny Ears: $0 (these were saved from last year!)
Total Cost: $17.50!

What are you putting in your child's Easter basket this year?  

Mess-Free Finger Painting

I love doing art projects with Carson.  He loves the process and I end up with a cute little keepsake (and usually a big mess).  Because painting projects can get super messy, we don't do them very often.  This "mess-free" technique was inspired by a Pin I saw on Pinterest.

What You Need
Gallon-Sized Ziploc Baggie
Piece of Paper (I just used regular computer paper for this project)
2-3 colors of paint (I used acrylics I had in my craft stash)

 

How to Make It

1. Place your paper in the ziploc baggie.  Make sure you do this BEFORE putting paint on the paper!
2. Reaching inside the baggie, squirt some dots of paint onto the paper.  You can use as many or as little colors as you'd like but make sure your paint dots are spread out!
3. Zip your baggie closed.
4. Double check that your baggie is zipped so you can make sure this IS a mess-free craft!
5. Let your child paint away without making a mess!

Here's Carson's final product.  He had fun and I had very little clean-up!

*Note: As you can see in the final product image, our paper tore a bit.  I think this is because I let it dry too long INSIDE the baggie.  I would suggest carefully removing the painting as soon as your artist finishes so that the paint won't dry to the bag like ours did!

I'm linking up today:

My Favorite StrollerS. Yes, plural.

Before I get started, if you are in the market for a stroller, PLEASE go check out the amazing deal Zulily is running on Phil & Teds strollers!  This deal only lasts for one week so hurry over to check out what they're offering.  If you aren't in the market for a new stroller, keep reading because you will be by the time you're done with this post.  :)

Click here (or the picture below) to go directly to the sale!

I never thought I'd be one of those moms with more than one stroller.  I used to think, you get ONE good stroller and you won't need any others!  I'm totally biting my tongue now.  Oops!

Back in the day BC (before Carson obviously), I had intentions of getting one excellent stroller and it would work great for all of my stroller needs.  I researched thoroughly and decided on the Britax B-Agile.  I wanted something lightweight since I'm not a body builder and I also wanted the option to use it like a travel system with our infant carrier.  I loved that this stroller had a one-handed fold and was super lightweight.  We decided on this after testing many strollers in stores.  (Note: for those of you wondering why I chose this over the ever popular Baby Jogger City Mini, we liked that our feet didn't hit the rear axle when walking.  We both have long legs and a fairly long stride!)  We ended up getting this stroller as a Christmas gift along with the Britax B-Safe Infant Car Seat.  I still LOVE this stroller and use it on a daily basis.  This is the stroller I keep in my car and use while we're out and about running errands, making trips to the zoo, etc.

When Carson was about 6 months old, we started planning our first family vacation.  This vacation would include a flight, rental car, etc.  THIS is when I realized we needed more than one stroller (remember, tongue is bitten)!  We wanted to get a lightweight umbrella style stroller but I was NOT okay with getting one of those $10 strollers that look like they'll collapse.  For some people, those are fine and work great.  For me, I would be having a panic attack going over any bumps on the sidewalk, ha!  Either way, while we didn't want to spend too little, we also didn't want to spend too much.  We did a lot of research and found out about The First Years Ignite.  For under $60, you get a sturdy 14lb stroller that can hold a child up to 50lbs.  Did I mention the seat can recline and it can hold a child up to 50lbs?  Sold!  We have used this for traveling multiple times now and love it.  It steers very easily, folds up very small, and has a decent size storage basket as well as a parent console with cup holders and a zippered pouch!

For a while, I lived my life with 2 strollers.  Then my friend convinced me that I should sign up for a 5k with her and some of our other friends.  I was not a runner at all so I decided if I wanted to complete this race, I needed to start training.  Long story short, I discovered I absolutely positively needed a jogging stroller.  My husband may have attempted to kill me at this point.  I read tons of reviews and found an affordable jogger with great reviews.  I knew the hubster wouldn't be okay with a third stroller purchase unless I could find a great deal.  I stalked Craigslist for weeks and watched all the local ads.  I finally snagged the Baby Trend Expedition for only $85!  (I purchased through Burlington/Baby Depot during a sale and used a coupon as well.)  If you follow the link I posted, Amazon is currently offering the stroller for $75 in a couple color combinations!  This stroller is great.  The front wheel has the option to be locked or pivot.  The stroller itself is easy to fold (although bulky, but what jogger isn't?) and it has a HUGE storage basket.  The parent console area has 2 cup holders as well as a small plastic bin that snaps shut - great for cell phone, keys, etc.  It even comes with a snack tray for your child with two cup holders!

Who wants to help me convince my husband I need a FOURTH stroller?  Zulily is making me feel like I NEED to score an awesome deal on the infamous Phil & Teds strollers.  Not only are these strollers super snazzy, but they have rave reviews.  Did I mention some of them have options for a second seat?  Hello, baby #2!!  (Note: I am not pregnant...yet!)  ;)

A Patriotic Craft

I like having little pieces of Carson's artwork to put on display for each holiday and season.  I found a TON of flag ideas involving hand prints on Pinterest, but painting fingers multiple colors isn't really an option at Carson's current age! :)  I found one I really liked and used it as inspiration (see my link at the end of this post).

Here is how our craft turned out:

I know my mantel looks naked but I'm working on it! ;)

Here are some of our past projects:

Halloween Foot Print Craft {link}

Thanksgiving Turkey Hand Print Craft {link}

Christmas Reindeer Foot Print Craft {link}

Easter Chick Hand Print Craft {link}

{My Pinspiration}
I can NOT figure out how to embed pins in my blog.  I tried following Michelle's tutorial over at The Vintage Apple but it didn't seem to work for me.  I could not see the pin in a preview of my post like she said I should be able to.  Any tips?!

I'm linking up with Kristin today!

DIY Birthday Favors using Kool-Aid!

As most of you know, Carson had a WHALE of a first birthday.  Corny enough?  :)  I wanted to have some favors for the kids who came to Carson's party, but I didn't want to spend a lot and I didn't want to send them home with junky toys or junk food!

I saw the idea of making play-doh with Kool-Aid on Pinterest a while ago and pinned it for future reference to use with Carson.  Then I saw the idea of giving the dry ingredients for this play-doh as a party favor.  Since kids of all ages like play-doh, I figured this was a win-win!  (The kids attending our party ranged in age from 11 months to 7 years old.)  Once they get home, the parents only need to add water and oil!

DIY Kool-Aid Play-Doh

What You Need:

1 cup boiling water

2 Tbsp. cooking oil

1/2 cup salt*

1 cup flour*

1 Kool-Aid packet*

*Items marked with an asterisk are provided if you choose to make party favors!

How to Make:

Stir boiling water, oil, and salt until dissolved.
Stir in flour and Kool-Aid.  The mixture will be thick, gluey, and hot.
Mix until cool enough to knead to desired consistency.

Store your dough in an air tight container or ziplock baggie in the refrigerator.  I provided containers for my guests as well.

First, I made a test batch to make sure the recipe was legit.  I also typed up little "recipe" cards.

Next I made labels for the favor bags.  I created my label in Microsoft Word.

These are the items that were included in my bags (plus a small container for the play-doh).

I also used a ribbon to tie a sea-themed cookie cutter to the outside.  I was hoping to find all whales, but I found a pack of "under the sea" cookie cutters on Amazon that was super cheap so I went with that!

Here is the final product!  I think the kids enjoyed them and I feel good about not sending them home with junk! 

Here is the original pin with the favor idea:

Source: impressionsbyrochelle.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

I'm linking up with Katie & Stephanie today!

Easter Craft for the Kiddos

When I was looking for a cute craft to do with Carson for Spring/Easter, I checked Pinterest.  (Is there anywhere else to check?!)  I like to include handprints/footprints in his little art projects so that we can compare next year when we pull these masterpieces back out!  I've blogged about a few I've done in the past like Carson's handprint turkey for Thanksgiving or his footprint reindeer for Christmas!

What You Need
White paper (or another light color)
Paint of your choice, I chose a bright, sunny yellow
Paintbrush
Googly eyes or a black sharpie to draw eyes
Orange paper (I used scraps)
Feathers [optional]

How to Make

1. Prep your white paper by lightly sketching the chick's body.  I just did a big oval.  
2. Paint your child's hands (one at a time) with the paint color you chose.  "Stamp" their hands onto either side of the chick body you drew.  I chose to do thumbs up on both sides. 
3. Clean up your child QUICK before you have paint everywhere.  I'm a little OCD so these projects are always a test for me!  Next you need to fill in your chick body with paint.
4. Once the paint is dry, you can add your embellishments.  I used some scrap orange paper to cut out legs and a beak.  I also added a few googly eyes.  {Other Options: feathers, a bow or bowtie, background like sun/clouds/flowers, etc.}
5. Once my chick was fully embellished (doesn't that sound fancy?!) I mounted the white paper on some cardstock and added a little "Happy Easter" sign with the date.  If you're doing this craft with an older child, challenge them to write their name and the year! :)

Let me know if you attempt this project!  It was pretty easy and I think the result is so cute! 

My inspiration:

Source: makobiscribe.com via Emily on Pinterest

I'm linking up with a few lovely ladies today:

Traditions

It's Wednesday which means I'm linking up with Allie and Kay!  This week's question: What is a holiday tradition that you and your husband do or plan to do each year? If you don't have any, what is an idea you could try out this year?!

I LOVE traditions!  I didn't have a ton growing up so I'd like to instill a ton with my own family now to make up for lost time. ;)  Now that Carson has joined our family, I'm even more excited about starting traditions.  Here are some traditions that we've started and also some that we want to start.  And when I say we, I mean I.  My husband just goes along with it all to make me happy.  Bless his heart!

Watch a Christmas movie when wrapping gifts.  When I was little, my mom always watched 'It's a Wonderful Life' when wrapping presents.  I love carrying on this tradition.  I watch any Christmas movie, though.  I know Carson will appreciate my flexibility once he's old enough.  I hated watching anything black and white when I was little.  (Now I love it!) 

Open one gift each on Christmas Eve.  This is another tradition we had with my mom.  My sister and I would get SO excited and (usually) we were allowed to choose the gift!  Nick and I have done this every year and I love it!  I'm going to continue this tradition with Carson, but I'm going to give him the same thing every year: Christmas PJ's!  That way he can wear them when Santa comes!  I'd like to add to this tradition and also give Carson a movie or book that we can enjoy together on Christmas Eve.  Carson has been sporting his Christmas jammies since after Halloween this year!  (Only because I was worried he would grow out of them!)  Don't worry, I have a brand new pair wrapped up for Christmas Eve.  

Elf on the Shelf.  We won't be starting this tradition for a few years, but I'm already so excited!  This year I have seen so many fun and creative ideas on Pinterest and Instagram!  I can't wait until Carson is old enough to understand and name his special elf!

Visiting Santa Claus. This may seem obvious, but I know people who said they don't bother going!  This is another tradition I'm carrying on from when I was little.  (Maybe we had more traditions than I thought?!)  I remember going to the shopping mall downtown to visit Santa.  Every year I got to wear my fancy Christmas dress.  I was so excited to see the talking tree and go to the Secret Santa Shop to buy gifts for my parents!  Unfortunately that mall closed, but I still plan on taking Carson to a mall every year to see Santa!

Baking Christmas Cookies.  Ok, I lied.  I had tons of traditions when I was young!  (Thanks, Mom!)  This is yet another one that I remember and love.  Every year we would bake special cookies for Christmas.  Not cookies that you bake in March or July, special Christmas cookies!  My mom always made her peanut butter blossoms and used my Grandma's cookie press to make those little flower cookies with red and green sprinkles.  I try to make the peanut butter blossoms every year and I'm also loving finding new recipes to try!

Ornaments.  This is a new tradition I would like to start with Carson.  Each year, we'll buy him a new ornament.  I would like to try to get one with the year on it so he can look back and see which ornament is from which year.  I used to hate the idea of a mismatched tree with all of those random ornaments.  Ever since Nick & I lived together I would put up my coordinating teal and silver bulbs and I loved the cohesiveness.  Now I really regret not buying each other ornaments each year.  Especially since this is our 10th Christmas together!  I can't wait to fill the tree with Carson's annual ornaments!  Maybe I'm loosening up on these OCD tendencies since becoming a Mom?  Here's one of Carson's first ornaments.  Check out my post explaining how to make one of your own!

What is your favorite holiday tradition?