Cat in the Hat Pattern Making Sensory Bin

This year in honor of Dr.  Seuss's birthday we made this easy and fun Cat in the Hat Pattern Making sensory bin. This is a fun way to put your puffle to good use and work on pattern making skills which later help kids grasp math concepts.

This post contains affiliate links. 

We love sensory bins, bags and play! Both of my kids still get excited when they see I have a new bin ready to explore. This one was a huge hit because they had been itching to get their hands into pluffle. This is such a fun squishy foam! It is a must have for sensory play!

Supplies:

Pluffel

Assorted red and white items.We used cotton balls, feathers, legos, mini clothespins and glittery Christmas scatter

Measuring spoons, tongs and other fun items to pick up the items in the bin with.

A large tray or a plastic storage bin.

Directions:

Pour pluffle on to a tray or into a storage bin.

Make sure you take a moment to squeeze, form and otherwise take in the pluffle; it is a great sensory play option and adults will enjoy the texture too.

Next, offer your child an assortment of red and white items.

We used tiny clothespins, legos in red and white, feathers, cotton balls, and Christmas scatter that was glittery and red.

Encourage your child to recreate the stripes of the Cat in the Hat's hat.

This is a great opportunity to use fine motor skills with the spoons and tongs. Encourage your child to try placing the items with those tools as well as their fingers.

When play time is over, you can snap a lid on the bin, or put it all back in the pluffle container for future play sessions. Pluffle never dries out!

You can find all of my sensory ideas here.

Favorites include:
Rainbow Rice BinVeggie Garden Sensory Bin

Why You Should Start A New Hobby In Time For The Summer

Hobbies are something that everyone needs to have in their life. They give you purpose and keep you entertained for as long as you need, as well as being a healthy distraction to just pass the time. And what better time to pick something new up now before the Summer is upon us?

It's been a long Winter, and whether or not you want to admit it, we have all been in a state of hibernation that has left us all feeling rather blue - but that's enough! It's time for a pick-me-up that will put you back on track and get you ready for the delicious sun that awaits. It's fine to feel a lack of motivation at times - it's completely normal, but you can only allow it to go on for so long until you decide enough is enough, and you want to be passionate about something again. This post may contain affiliate links.

Capture the beauty.

Photography is a stunning visual way of capturing all of the wonderful things around you, like the magical sunsets that paint the sky all different colours of the rainbow, and the wildlife that surrounds you when you take a walk through the park. This is why you should pick up a camera and get snapping. You don't need to have an expensive high-end camera to do that with either, just go with something easy to start out with and take it from there. The warmer things start to become, the more your environment will begin to flourish, so enjoy the transition that is to come. 

Ride the adventure.

Cycling is not only great for your body, getting it ready for the Summer attire, but it's also a wonderful way to encourage you to get outdoors and explore. There is so much to see around you that you may have always overlooked because you've never had the need to go down that path, or through those trees, but you'd be amazed to find what beauty awaits you. You don't have to venture off alone either, you can buddy up with a friend and make a whole day out of exploring, with a pit stop for some lunch and a refreshing beverage to wash it down with, as well as a giggle or two.

Start DIY'ing

I watch way too much HGTV and am always adding to my home improvements wish list. Summer is the perfect time to learn the basics of DIY at home. Making renovations to the home can prevent wildlife infestations. Being proactive about critter control in warmer months makes the home comfier than ever. Not to mention the pride you would feel from DIY'ing those projects around the house.

So stop thinking about what is to come, and instead choose something exciting to pass your time and discover a newfound thrill that you’ve always had waiting inside of yourself.

Create the sound.
Who doesn't envision spending their evenings sitting around a fire, roasting smores with a ukulele, playing some of their favourite tunes off musicianauthority? It's the ideal dream while being in the company of the ones you love most. So the sooner you start to learn a new instrument, the sooner you can make this happen. Just think, you will be able to create your very own music and share stories from the songs you've written. This is a very powerful tool that can touch so many people on a deeper level, and that's what makes it such a special thing.

Easy Dyed Rice

Dyed rice for sensory bins has never been easier! This 3 ingredient method dries super fast and provides vibrant results!

I love to make sensory bins, almost as much as the kids love to play in them! They still love the sushi sensory bin we made ages ago and it inspired me to try dying rice for more sensory fun. 

To make this dyed rice you will need:

• Rice
• Food Coloring
• Hand Sanitizer

 Place the uncooked white rice in a zipper seal baggie. I used 3/4 cup per color.
Add a tablespoon of hand sanitizer.

Add 3-5 drops of food coloring (I used the cheap stuff from dollar tree FYI).

Release the air from the baggie to avoid popping it. The shake it, squish it, wiggle the rice around until it is coated completely. The pour the rice on a paper plate and let it dry for about 45 minutes.

Repeat with additional colors as desired.

Naturally, we did all of the colors of the rainbow!

You can find all of our sensory play ideas here

Fancy Grilled Cheese Recipes

 Let's face it, summer nights can be a battle. The thought of firing up the oven and heating the whole house can be enough to send anyone running for the nearest ice cream tub. But what if you crave that warm, comforting feeling that only a delicious meal can bring? Enter the mighty grilled cheese: a summertime dinnertime hero in disguise.

There's something undeniably comforting about a perfectly toasted sandwich, the melty cheese oozing out the sides. It's a taste of simpler times, a reminder of childhood lunches and rainy day snacks. But the beauty of the grilled cheese is its versatility. It can be a blank canvas for culinary creativity, transforming from a simple cheddar and white bread combo into a symphony of flavors and textures.

Think about it: fresh summer tomato slices nestled between creamy mozzarella and fragrant basil. Or perhaps thinly sliced grilled chicken adds a protein punch, balanced by the sweetness of fig jam. The options are truly endless, allowing you to tailor this classic to your specific cravings.

Here are some of my favorite grilled cheese recipes. Click through the links below to view the full recipes.

Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese by A Page of Positivity 

Grilled Cheese with Kale by Platter Talk

Pesto Grilled Cheese  by Quiche My Grits

Taco Grilled Cheese by Sugar and Soul

Havarti Chicken Fajita Grilled Cheese by Mooshu Jenne

Grilled Cheese Burgers by Girl Carnivore

Lamb Grilled Cheese by Pass the Sushi

Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese by Cooking School Dropout

Gourmet French Grilled Cheese by Delicious Table

Taco Grilled Cheese by Simply Stacie

Pesto Grilled Cheese by Chef Not Required

Roasted Red pepper Panini Grilled Cheese by Fearless Dining

Kimchi Grilled Cheese by in the Kitch

Bolognese Grilled Cheese by Gluten Free Stories

Rainbow Grilled Cheese by Amanda’s Cookin’

Plus, the beauty of a grilled cheese dinner is its simplicity. It requires minimal prep, minimal cleanup, and cooks up in minutes. This frees you up to spend more time enjoying the warm summer nights, whether it's stargazing on the patio, catching fireflies with the kids, or simply relaxing with a good book.

So next time you're staring into a hot kitchen on a summer evening, don't despair. Embrace the power of the grilled cheese. It's a testament to the fact that sometimes, the simplest things in life can be the most satisfying.

Find more favorite recipes here:

Loaded Jalapeno Bites

Crab Cakes

Jalapeno Popper Spread

Dragonfly Charm Bookmark

Ribbon Charm Bookmarks are an easy DIY that makes for a great gift for any book lover in your life!

We are a family of readers. Adam, Rolf and I all like to end our day with a little reading in bed time. Harper has been learning her sight words and enjoys a bedtime story from Rolf most nights. When Rolf started taking a book to bed at the beginning of summer, I wanted to make book markers for him, so he wouldn't lose his place.

These are so easy and require no sewing! Which is awesome because I don't sew. 

This post contains affiliate links.

Supplies:

Wide Ribbon

Hot Glue Gun

Jump ring and clasp

Charms; I used dragonflies

Directions:

Cut a section of ribbon that is twice as long as the average book.

Fold the ribbon in half and liberally add hot glue.

Fold the ribbon over on to the hot glue and press.
At the end of the ribbon, insert a necklace clasp so that it just  barely hangs out of the ribbon.

Attach the charm to the jump ring.
Secure with hot glue.

These are so easy to make and they are pretty too.

Use a variety of charms and patterns of ribbon to make a variety.

This makes a fun DIY gift idea for tweens and teens who have a limited budget, but a little time and creativity.  These DIY dragonfly charm bookmarks would also make a great classroom gift idea to encourage reading over the winter holidays.

The addition of a simple charm to the ribbon makes these bookmarks feel really elegant and they look pretty too!

 

If you are looking for more diy gift and craft ideas check these posts out.

Queen of Heart Bookmarks

Rainbow Coasters

iPad Stands

Best Boba Recipes

 My 9 year old, Harper, has developed an obsession with boba. She bats her big blue eyes at me and says "Mommy, let's go out for a tea..." almost everyday. It is so funny that I have this little bestie who thinks I am rich. To keep her happy and getting her boba fix at least once a week, we have been making some fun recipes at home. If you are wanting to save some cash and still have a treat, like us, you are going to love this list of the best boba recipes to make at home.

Before we get into this, can you believe Harper is 9 and a half already? It seems like just a few months ago that so many of my friends were chipping in to write posts for my blog so I could bask in the wonder of our new baby Harper.  Now here she is, a full blown tween with a boba tea habit.

Photo Credit: Sara Lehman and various artists.

Jasmine Milk Tea Boba by Greedy Girl Gourmet

Lychee Milk Tea Boba by My Vegan Minimalism

Hokkaido Milk Tea by Aubrey’s Kitchen

Vegan Boba Cake by Rainbow Nourishments

Homemade Black Boba Pearls by Delightful Plate

Fruity Bubble Tea by Kids Activities Blog

The Devil Wears Salad.

Watermelon Fruit Salad with Brown Sugar Boba by The Devil Wears Salad

Strawberry Milk Tea by Moon and Spoon and Yum

Brown Sugar Boba Ice Cream Bars by The Oregon Dietitian

Photo Credit: White Kitchen Red Wine.

Strawberry Milk Tea by White Kitchen Red Wine

Taro Bubble Tea by The Oregon Dietitian

Chocolate Milk Bubble Tea by The Littlest Crumb

Photo Credit:  Entirely Elizabeth.

Earl Grey Milk Tea by Entirely Elizabeth

Iced Boba Coffee by Recipes from a Pantry

Vegan Bubble Tea by Plant Based on a Budget

With so many tasty bubble tea recipes, the hardest part of getting your boba fix will be deciding which of these recipes to make first. Happy sipping!

You can find some of my favorite drink recipes here 
Sour Apple Margaritas
Hillbilly Cider
Bomb Pop Cocktails
Blueberry Lime Vodka Sorbet

20+ Funko Pop Figures for Collectors

Funko Pop figures are so much fun! I love to see all of the awesome renditions of famous people and characters that they come up with!

Last month a friend of mine had 2 custom made for his engagement and I am in awe of how cute they turned out! Ever since I saw them, I have been obsessed with them! While checking them out on amazon I rounded up 20 of my favorites to share with you. If you to love them, or are shopping for a gift for a collector, you are going to get a kick out of this list!

 I am a participant in the amazon affiliate program. Making a purchase gives me a small commission at no cost to you.

Deadpool- Bob Ross Funko Pop
Buddy from Elf
Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation
The Dragon from Game of Thrones
Marvel Venom
Gizmo from Gremlins
Pickle Rick from Rick and Morty
Slash from Guns n Roses
Rainbow Brite and Twink
The Grinch
Ed Sheeran 
Dumbledore
James Bond
Flying Rocket
Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation
Steve with Sunglasses from Stranger Things
Krampus 
Sub Zero from Mortal Kombat
Jon Snow from Game of Thrones
Skeletor in Battle Armor from Masters of the Universe

Cousin Eddie is my favorite! How fun is that? I can't wait to hear about your favorite from this list, or a special Funko Pop in your collection!

I have so many fun shopping guides on site! You might want to check out a few others like:

15+ Unicorn Gifts for TeensStar Wars Gift Ideas

Ways to Keep Tweens and Teens Entertained This Winter

 Winter is the time to introduce tweens and teens to new, screen free activities. If you are looking for inspiration for busting boredom while teaching new skills to older kids, you are going to love these ideas.  From knitting to financial know how, this collection has something for a variety of interests.

Making a quilt is a great project because it teaches useful sewing skills and produces a good blanket to keep them warm once they're done. Try getting some simple quilt patterns from here and see what kind of project your teen will produce from there on out.

Keep a teens hands busy while creating a useful item with knitting kits. Make a scarf with the included pattern and knitting tools. These are so much fun for kids of all ages and they will love wearing their creation all winter long! 

Give kids the chance to have fun while developing financial literacy. This game is perfect for a variety of ages and will help pass the time on a snow day. Cash Flow for Kids is from the Rich Dad line of goods, and packs a lot of fun into a compact package.

Y'art Kits are the perfect crafty escape for a winter day. These are easy to create works of art with yarn. Harper and I loved this unicorn kit from Play Monster and it only costs about $11. We are going to order the Pug Y'art Kit too because it is so cute!

Knitting is the thing to do this winter, and this Hat Not Hate Loom Kit is the perfect way to get started. This makes it so easy to make a toasty hat for yourself and to share. Buy more yarn and keep creating hats, which are so much more fun to share than hate. Order for $25.

In the 1980's my cousin was really into Latch Hooking Rugs. I was always a little jealous of her creations and wished my parents would buy latch hook kits for me. 40 years later, my daughter has been latch hooking some impressive works that would have my cousin jealous! Order these for about $15 from Play Monster for a fun crafting session that will have your girls hooked.

Yamaha offers an assortment of high quality musical instruments that are perfect for all ages, including teens and tweens. Something like the Alto Venova makes for a perfect pastime. The instrument produces the mellow sounds of the sax, in a portable and fun to play package. Tweens and teens will love picking up a new skill this winter like playing a unique instrument. 

If you are looking for more ways to craft with tweens and teens check out these ideas.

Reader  favorites include:

Dragonfly Bookmarks

Rainbow Coasters