Paper Plate Spider Craft

This cute craft is perfect for Halloween, it is easy to make and the results are so cute you will want to display the finished project so everyone can see how creative your little crafter is!



We are big on holidays! We get excited about them all; Easter, Valentine's Day, Memorial Day, of course Halloween is a big one too!

This year we started crafting up Halloween fun maybe a little too early, but we couldn't resist! This is one of the first ones we made and it was so easy and cute!!


This post contains affiliate links.

All you will need is:
A paper plate
A piece of black construction paper
8 googly eyes
A black kwik stik
school glue
Scissors



Paint your paper plate black with a Kwik Stik.
Cut 8 strips of paper for legs and glue them on, 4 to a side
Add 8 eyes
Give your spider a smile and you are done!




Find more of our favorite halloween ideas here
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Easy Paper Apple Craft

Every day, my little girls says, "Let's make a craft!" I love her enthusiasm and always encourage activities we can do together. On this particular day, we were anxious to get into some fall themed crafts, and we are always super excited to kick off fall with the harvesting of apples!

This craft was so incredibly fun! It was a bit of a challenge for my almost 4 year old, but we worked together to get it right.



You will need:
A square of heavy white paper {Ours was about 6'' x6''
A piece of green, red or yellow construction paper
School Glue
A tiny strip of brown paper for the stem


To begin we made thin strips of green paper that were 4 inches longer than the square of paper
Next we began folding those strips of green paper so we had 2 folded edges per strip
We glued these on the white paper
Working in a circle we kept gluing both sides of the strips on to the square, being careful to not disturb the other strips of paper
At the end, we added a tiny stem to the top.



We liked this apple craft because it was challenging, a good exercise in patience for both Harp and I. It was also really cute when it was finished! This was a fun craft to follow up with apple slices as a snack!


Easy Apple Tree Stained Glass Window

Cute and easy to make, this kids craft adds a pretty touch to any window, just like stained glass!



We love to craft with contact paper, it is so much fun to use in so many projects! But, one of my favorite uses for it is to make 'Stained Glass' or window decals! These are so cute!

With fall being on the way, our thoughts drift towards the apple orchard almost every weekend. We head out for the time together as a family, harvesting fruit, eating fresh donuts and playing outside. In anticipation of the fun fall weekends that are to come, we made these easy as pie Apple Tree Stained Glass projects.

You will need:
one square of transparent contact paper per decoration
assorted colors of tissue paper, we used green and yellow
one strip of brown construction paper

Lay your contact paper sticky side up
Place your brown paper on the sticky paper to form a trunk
Next cut small circles of yellow or red tissue paper for apples
Place the apple cut outs around the tree
Fill in the leaves using green tissue paper
Leave a few sticky places without paper to easily affix to the window for displaying.




Chicken Salad Recipes to Cluck For

I have been on a chicken salad kick lately. It is an easy lunch, it tastes great, and there are so many economical ways to make it! I guess it is easy to see why I am clucking for chicken salad these days!

I have found some awesome recipes that I can't wait to try, and I know you are going to love them too! I had no idea there were so many yummy ways to make this lunch time staple. I also have a few tips to help you make the best chicken salad!


  • Poached chicken breast is the best option for making chicken salad, but you can use a rotisserie or canned chicken if that makes it easier for you.
  • Allow your chicken to cool, no matter how you cook it! Wait until it is cool to add it to the other ingredients.
  • Cover your chicken salad tightly to keep it fresh while stored in the fridge.


Some of the best chicken salads I have ever made have been on a whim. Made by surveying what ingredients I have on hand and making them work for me. However, these all look superb and I will be modifying my shopping list to make these happen in my lunchtime future!


Which of these sounds best to you? I think they all sound perfectly devourable!


A Day at Malabar Farm with the Kids

A few Sundays ago we decided to re-visit Malabar Farms in Richland County, Ohio. We have been numerous times in the past, but it seems that since the kids were born our visits have grown fewer and further between.

As a Louis Bromfield fan, I love to not only check out the house but also to stroll the scenic, Pleasant Valley farm.  The property has a lot to offer, making it a destination that can appeal to everyone.

When we arrived, we had to visit the playground area. The kids were entertained by the large tractor, slide, and swings. After a few moments of leg stretching and playing, we took a walk to the barn, where we petted cats, cooed over baby goats and checked out some lazy cows.



From there we admired the house, from outside.



We strolled to the Pugh Cabin and continued back to the cave formation.  The walk was ideal on a late Sunday afternoon as traffic was minimal. As a parent, I truly appreciate a walk in the woods, so this was one of my favorite parts of the adventure.



The kids were tired upon arrival of the gift shop. We chatted up the lobby bird, strolled the shop and picked up a snack of fudge.

Snack excluded, this was a completely free adventure. They do not charge admission to visit the grounds of Malabar farm, but the house tour does hold a fee.



If you go, plan to drive to the top of nearby Mount Geez for a breathtaking view of Plesant Valley. Stop by the cemetery on the farm to pay your respects to Bromfield, and don't forget to check out famed Pugh cabin from the film, the Shawshank Redemption. You might also want to peek at the infamous Ceely Rose house.



You might also enjoy this guide on activities in the Richland County area for kids.

School Bus Snack

This easy school bus snack is the perfect way to welcome a new school year!

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Back to school is an exciting time for both kids and parents! This year my youngest is excited to begin her first year at preschool! My oldest, he says he must be most excited about lunch or the bus, he can't decide. I appreciate his honesty.

To take their excitement to a new level, we made a delicious and easy school bus snack to the delight of the kids!

This is so easy you guys! The kids can build these and they will love munching on them too!



Ingredients:
1 to 2 teaspoons of yellow frosting, any kind will do!
2 Nilla Wafers
1 Graham Cracker
4 Rice Chex pieces


Instructions:
Spread the frosting on the graham cracker
Add the Nilla Wafers as the wheels for the bus


Add the Chex cereal pieces as the windows


Enjoy!


This was a fun way to get the kids involved in making their own snacks and we might have played with our food just a little!

Do you have a fun back to school snack idea to share? I would love to hear about it in a comment!


You might also like this fun handprint fish puppet craft.

How to Rock a Hurricane Like a Boss

This most may contain affiliate links.

Hurricane season is here and many of our readers are in the path of the latest storm. While it is a major pain in the hiney to face a tropical storm or a hurricane, have no fear wonderful people. I am going to share a few of my tips to help you handle this hurricane and any others that come your way like a boss in reasonable style and comfort, given the situation.



Stock Up!
Ok, I know the experts are going to say buy things like bottled water and tuna fish, but come on people. Drastic weather calls for comfort. Instead of getting in a fist fight over the last cans of spam on the store shelves, let's get real. No one wants to eat spam in good weather, let alone terrible weather. Buy all of the pop tart's, granola bars, cold cereal and snack cakes you can get your hands on. Buy soda, booze and single serve fruit juice drinks. Buy candy, coffee singles that are like tea bags, and shelf stable milk. Buy the damn doritos and bean dips like there is no tomorrow.

Kiss Your Ice Goodbye
Accept that ice is going to be something you want, but don't have. Do not stand in line at the gas station for an hour for a bag of ice, just will yourself to go without it. I once paid $10 for a bag of ice and got a handful of laffy taffy as my change. Never again. Ice ain't worth $10, no matter how hot it might be outside.

Run, Don't Walk, to the Sporting Good Store
No, I am not crazy. But I am going to give you a tip to help you keep your cool. Buy as many cooling towels as you possibly can. There are these great ones out there by Mission that will make life feel a little cooler in the sweltering temps while you wait on your power and beloved air conditioning to return.

Dust Off the Board Games
In 2004 we lost power for a week during a hurricane, 2 weeks later we lost power for another week during a second hurricane. We played board games with reckless abandon. We battled it out over every game we could get our hands on and somehow we survived a week without electric, air conditioning, television and gasp even our phones as charging them was nearly impossible.

When In Doubt...
Fondue
Get your booty to the hardware store for denatured alcohol right now if you have a fondue set. If not, Get. One. Now. You can heat soup, make ramen noodles and even brew hot coffee if you have a handy dandy fondue set. You will be the envy of your friends and neighbors if they get a whiff of some hot soup, oatmeal or whatever cooking. If they smell your hot coffee, look out  cause you might just become block president or something if you are willing to share. I am not certain, but I would be willing to guess that in a pinch votive candles would heat a fondue pot nicely if you can't get the Denatured Alcohol easily.

What are your pro tips for riding out the storm? Do tell so that everyone can hunker down with minimal annoyances and maximum comfort!

Pie Crust Cookies

If you need a treat in a flash that is low in sugar but packed with buttery flavor, this pie crust cookie recipe is one that you will want to check out!






When I was a kid, sometimes my grandma would bake a pie. That was always nice, but the true treat was her pie crust. After she trimmed her crust to fit her pie plate, she would sprinkle to excess with cinnamon and sugar and bake it up. She called it cracklins and let me tell you, this is the flavor that I reminisce on as an adult.
The only bad part about cracklins was how few and far between they were! 

A few months ago, my kids were begging for treats, so I stood in my kitchen surveying the options. We were low on baking supplies, but my mind wandered back to this simple treat for childhood. I decided I would just make a pie crust and make something fantastic.


While at first, my family was skeptical that pie crust cookies could actually be good, now they beg me to make these at least once a month! The recipe is similar to a shortbread, it is so easy to make that anyone could make these!
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups of flour
1 cup of chilled butter
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of ice water
1/4 cup of sugar
2 teaspoons of cinnamon

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water, a tablespoon at a time, until mixture forms a ball.
Roll dough out until it is about 1/8 of an inch thick
Sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar and slice into chunks, strips, wedges, whatever!
 Bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees.




Hungry for more?
Check out this recipe for the kids:
Super soft play dough



Chicken and Mushroom Sandwich

A few weeks ago, I realized that my grocery budget needed a major overhaul. Summer is here and my expenses always double in the summer. From utilities to entertainment; gasoline and groceries. You name it, with my entire family home for 3 months, it is going to cost more!

Thanks to BFree for sending product to use in this recipe! Be Free offers wheat and gluten free options ranging from pita to bagels, breads and rolls.

This year, I want to enjoy having my son and husband home with Harper and I. Sometimes, money stress really hampers our summer fun. So, I began examining our expenses and finding ways to cut them where possible without sacrificing any standard of living... well lets be honest, standard of eating!

I made it my mission to uncover great meals for a family of 2 adults and 2 preschool-ish age kids that would cost us less than $7 total.

$7 seems like a cheap meal right? Originally I thought about doing $5 meals, but I doubted I could produce delicious and nutritious meals on such a tight budget. We are not big beans and rice eaters. The possibilities have been promising so far on this inexpensive gourmet mission. I incorporate sale items into my menu to maximize my savings and to get the best use of fresh ingredients.


Sandwiches are a great option for any meal. They are fun to eat and they tie so many good flavors together! There is no shortage of sandwiches you can make! If you can dream it, make it and eat it! This is another one of those incredibly yummy and easy recipes that you can create for under $7. I loved that it created minimal dirty dishes in the preparation process and that the sandwich was substantial enough to make a meal on its own.





Ingredients
1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast sliced thin or diced into small chunks.
1 cup of sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup of shredded cheese
8 slices of your choice sandwich bread, I used BFree Brown Seeded Sandwich Bread
Spicy Brown Mustard

Directions
 Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a frying pan. Cook thinly sliced chicken breast thoroughly.

As your chicken is browning, saute sliced mushrooms until they are a golden color.

When your chicken is ready add the cheese and allow to melt.

Add spicy brown mustard to the bread. Add cheesy chicken to the bread and top with mushrooms.
Serve while hot.


Do you ever serve hot sandwiches for dinner? What is your favorite kind to prepare?



You might also like my Elvis Sandwich Recipe or My Peanut Butter Chicken recipe. 


minions puppets

This super simple popsicle stick craft brings the fun of the minions to your craft time! These are great for book-markers or as the star of a dramatic play session!



There is nothing like a toy you make yourself! On a rainy day a little imagination can go a very long way. We made these DIY minions puppets on a whim and had so much fun playing with them! I know your kids will like them too! They came together in a few moments time and kept the kids entertained for at least an hour!  

To make this easy Minions Puppet Craft you will need:
craft sticks
Blue and Yellow Paint
Craft Eyes

Instructions:
Paint the bottom half of the craft sticks blue.
Paint the top half yellow.
Add an eye and here you have easy minions puppets!

If you have an idea for handmade puppets for toddlers and preschoolers I would love to hear about it in a comment. 




EASY Apple Pie Cheesecake Parfaits

When time is short, but the craving for a treat is strong, you can't go with this EASY Apple Pie Cheesecake Parfait recipe!


This is one of those shortcut creations that has saved the day and dessert a few times for my family. It takes 3 easy ingredients and requires only about that many minutes to create!

I used canned apple pie filling, graham cracker crumbs and Philadelphia Cheesecake Filling. This is pre made and sold in a big tub. I always like to keep this on hand for last minute entertaining or indulging!

All you have to do to create this yummy parfait is to layer those 3 ingredients {apple pie filling, graham cracker crumbs and Philadelphia Cheesecake Filling} in a pretty glass and serve chilled!

The luscious cheesecake filling pairs well with juicy apples. The graham crackers add a nice texture to this mix! Of course you could use cherry pie filling, or any flavor you prefer in this recipe.

You might also like this Coconut Rice Krispie Treat Recipe. It is dairy free and delicious!!



DIY Pencil Pouch for Back to School

In a few weeks, we will begin running over supply lists and stocking up on essential items for the school year. This year, why not DIY a few supplies to save some cash and make your child's supplies stand out from the crowd?

I made a DIY pouch for my son to store his pokemon cards in earlier this week, and I knew that this would also be perfect for storing his pencils and markers during the school year. This was so easy to make! It is a perfect craft for kids of all ages, including teens!

You only need 2 materials for this DIY Pencil Pouch. You can buy them both at Dollar Tree if you don't already have them to make this a super economical craft!

All you need is a zipper seal baggie and printed duct tape. I used one gallon sized bags. As you can see in the video, I folded my baggie about 1/3 of the way up and taped it to hold that way, just to make the pouch a smaller size for smaller hands.


This is so easy to make. You can have it finished in under 5 minutes for a sturdy, handy pouch you can use in so many ways. From storing pencils and pens to holding treasures like Pokemon cards or even makeup!


  • Begin by tearing duct tape to fit the width of the baggie.
  • Layer it from the bottom to the top.
  • Fold the sides over then flip the bag over and continue to layer tape from bottom to top.
  • Then stuff it with the contents of your choice.
  • Now you have a super easy and economical back to school supply that will be a one of a kind!



You might also enjoy this post on how to save money on back to school clothes

Mermaid Tail Craft

This easy mermaid craft requires basic supplies and creates a cute craft in under 5 minutes. Your mermaid fans will flip a fin for this easy craft!


My 3 year old has recently discovered the Little Mermaid. Mermaids are a frequent topic of conversation, as are unicorns, kittens, and Minnie Mouse. I had an idea to make a fun little craft with Harper that would keep her day dreams flowing like the tide. We were thrilled with how cute it turned out and how easy it was to make.



I loved this craft for my preschooler because it used her fine motor skills, she got to use her scissor skills and it involved glitter glue! Who doesn't like glitter glue!?



Supplies:
3 craft sticks
1 triangle of construction paper in any color
A heart shape of green or blue construction paper
8-12 circles of blue and green paper
Glitter Glue

Instructions:
Glue the craft sticks into a triangle shape.
Glue the triangle shaped paper onto the craft sticks.
Begin layering the circles of paper on the triangle to form the scales.
Add the heart shaped paper with the point in.



This was such an easy craft that was a lot of fun for my 3 year old!  It was easy, but it offered a little challenge to her with the layering of the scales.

You might also like this glitter rain drop craft.

You can check out the Mermaid Tail video on youtube to see me make this craft.









#BringIt With BodyArmor

As a mom of a couple of busy kids, I have learned to always be prepared for what life is going to offer. From play dates to practices; from defeats to game-winning runs, and of course, the art of keeping the kids fueled for fun!


Keeping a great sports drink on hand is important for not only the comfort of my hot and thirsty little athletes but also to keep them on their A game! That is why I turn to BODYARMOR when it comes to my kids. BODYARMOR is a premium sports drink with potassium-packed electrolytes, coconut water and vitamins – and has no artificial flavors or sweeteners. That is super important to me as a mother. I want to offer my kids healthier alternatives to popular sports drinks because they have practically no nutritional values to benefit growing bodies.





This post is sponsored by BODYARMOR. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

BODYARMOR is really handy for moms; I love that I can pick up 15 packs at Sam's Club and keep my kids hydrated and satisfied all summer long, no matter what sport they are headed out for! From a practice or tournament, or even a pick up game with neighborhood kids, BODYARMOR helps me to offer a healthy snack to my busy kids. I consider that the win for this mom! Healthy snacks and happy kids are a combination like a game winning hit!




When I grab a 15 pack of BODYARMOR, I can share the flavor and fun with our teammates and friends, which always earns a smile. BODYARMOR is on sale $12.98 (save $3.00) till July 16th, making it a deal you won't want to miss!

Is your young athlete working to be the best? Check out how your athlete can become the next BODYARMOR athlete here: https://goo.gl/hRK7tC.


If you want to stock your cooler with BODYARMOR this summer. You are in luck! Someone is going to win an awesome cooler and a one year Sam's Club membership!



a Rafflecopter giveaway









Strawberry Cheesecake Float



Strawberry Cheesecake has been a favorite treat for many years. I decided it would be fun to bring that decadent flavor to a refreshing drink, ice cream float style! The results? Completely mouth watering!!! Fresh fruit, luscious cheesecake, and smooth ice cream come together to create a completely gourmet ice cream float!


Ice Cream Floats are the perfect drink for summer. They can be as simple as a root beer float, or as gourmet as this Strawberry Cheesecake Float! While this one looks and tastes like a million bucks, it comes together in a few steps to create a luscious treat everyone will love.

This recipe is one you are going to want to bookmark or pin for later. The results are so decadent that you will want a second glass, guaranteed!



This is the perfect treat to make for a group of friends on a hot summer day. It is delicious, fancy and easy to make. Everyone loves a great ice cream float! This one is sure to become a favorite!



Click through for the recipe.



Easy Butterfly Craft



This easy butterfly craft is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. It makes good use of common household items for a fun craft that really takes flight!


This post contains affiliate links.

Harper and I love to craft together! We try to make something every day. It is good for her development as a preschooler, and it is a great way to spend time together, expressing creativity.

This is one we came up with simple supplies that we had at home. I love crafts that don't need special supplies! This easy butterfly craft is a great example of gathering inspiration from the world around you.


To make this cute craft you will need:
Scissors
A Paper Plate
Glue
Paint {We used Kwik Stix }
An empty toilet paper roll
2 squiggly eyes

Have your child cut the paper plate to become wings. Use scissors your child is comfortable with. They are never too young to develop scissor skills which are so super important when it comes time for school!

Next paint the toilet paper roll as a body. We used Kwik Stix because they are easy to handle and clean up. They are also super fast drying!

Paint the paper plate.

Glue the painted toilet paper roll in the center.

Add the eyes and paint on a small smile.




This was easy and fun to make with Harper. She liked getting to cut the wings and paint. I helped with the hearts at her request.

You might also enjoy this easy paper plate lion craft.

Family Fun at Kalahari Resorts and a New Water-Slide!



We have a unique situation in the summer, all 4 of us are home together, free from the responsibilities of work and school. Making the months of summer stretch into the kind of fun that turns into memories to cherish forever, takes some careful budgeting and planning.

Planning a visit to an Indoor Waterpark is one way to make a splash with the kids. Lucky for us, Sandusky is just a few miles north and we can hit up Kalahari Resorts for family vacations in OH. Kalahari is nothing short of amazing. There are so many things to do at Kalahari Resorts that the entire family will have an unforgettable time.

Being in the Midwest, we are too far from the ocean to make a comfortable drive to the beach. Kalahari offers the solution for my family hands down. Let me tell you why:


While Kalahari is famous for its awesome waterslides, they offer so much more! From mini golf to an adventurers club, an arcade and a spa, shopping, and dining to name a few of the options for family fun in one location.



That is so appealing to me as a mom, the last thing I want to do on any given day is head out to relax and end up running all over town! At Kalahari Resorts you get to the resort, check in and explore without the car. This results in relaxed parents and happy kids!

There is a new waterslide at the Sandusky location this year, so make sure you head over to learn all about it and all of the fun that awaits your family under one roof!


Make sure you check out the See Sara Go page to check out some of our other adventures.



In the Carrot Patch Activity

This easy activity for kids is fun and it uses their fine motor skills!



My kids are too cute. In the warm months, they attack my flowers with the cutest dramatic play sessions. The flowers are carrots and they are farmers, anxious to share their crops!

With that kind of imagination, it is hard to get irritated over it. I thought maybe we could keep the carrot patch fun going, long after they had picked every stem.

This activity comes together fast! All you need is a box, some orange and green cardstock and some glue. A utility knife or box cutter will be handy as well.

Cut carrot shapes from the orange paper.
Glue green bits to the top, to resemble a fresh carrot.
Cut slits in the box, making them a tiny little bit wider than the carrot shape.
Slip the carrots into the slits and let the kids pick them and plant them.
This is great for fine motor and dramatic play, and it just might save the flowers, but I am not counting on it!