Category: Kids

4 Uses for Peeps Marshmallows

I always buy Peeps because I think they are so cute!!!  However, truth bomb, I hate them.  haha!  They are so sugary and just do not taste good.  Obviously the kids love them so I bought a few packs and we have had fun this week!  I thought I would share 4 things we used them for!  I’ll save my favorite for last!!!

1-Peeps Puffy Paint

All you do is microwave one peep at a time in separate bowls for approximately 12 seconds.  Mix it up and paint!  I admittedly didn’t heat mine long enough and they got sticky the first time.  I also didn’t plan on doing this blog post so I don’t have the greatest pictures!

2- Peep Cupcakes

This one is pretty obvious, we just added them to the top of the cupcakes!  Aren’t they cute?!?!

3-Peep Playdough

I found this recipe here.  The kids really liked this and of course Emme was caught eating it!  lol.  Which is fine because it’s edible.

4-Peep Drinks for Easter

My favorite of all, add them to a drink!  Wether it’s got alcohol or not.  I had a ton of fun mixing drinks and food coloring.  The kids thought these were SO cool, and if we could actually have people over this year for Easter I would have these at the door upon their arrival.  I do believe you should still make it fun and do something extra special for Easter!

I hope this inspired you to use these cute little peeps for something this year!  Now, go make something cute:)))

XOXO,

Lissa

***This blog post uses affiliate links which means I may make a small commission.  Thank you for following along!***

Frozen Birthday Party

I love planning parties, I love decorating, and hosting!  Of course it’s more fun when you get to pick the theme and it’s something you are super excited for.  This year for Emerson’s third birthday it was without saying she was going to pick a Frozen theme.  Infact, she really just wanted an “Elsa” party.  So that is what she got!  When planning it out, I wanted it to be something she would love but also something I would love.  i.e. not too cheesy!!  Finally, here are all of the details.

The kids were super helpful setting up!  I think they were just so excited:).

 

We made this fun little table by using 2 boards(painting them white) and putting cinder blocks underneath.  It was super easy and the kids absolutely loved it.  It also added such a fun touch to the party!  I will definitely be using it again in the future.

When throwing a toddler party, even if it’s only for a couple of hours always add in something fun for the adults!  For the Elsa party I did a pretty basic Grazing Board and added in some frozen theme!  Check our my Full Blog Post on Grazing Board How To!  This post shares the exact items and materials, also my thought process on grazing boards.

I even added some of the Frozen II napkins for effect:).

I put my mom in charge of a Frozen themed drink for the adults and she did not disappoint!  She used this recipe she found on Pinterest and we tweaked it a bit!

Wanting to know more about all of the party favors?  Check out my full blog post on Frozen Party Favors.

Elsa was the entertainment and she was great!  All of the kids loved her.  She danced with them, sang, and even did face paint!  We used Traveling Princess Parties if you are local to us, I would highly suggest using Ashleigh!

Before the party Emme asked if Elsa was staying for lunch. We told her no because we assumed she wasn’t but to our surprise Elsa did hang out for a bit making Emme’s birthday a real fairy tale!

 

We originally were planning to order Chik-fil-a for the kids but then thought more about it and Emerson loves Happy Meals!  How fun is that?!?!  So simple, even comes with a drink.  Not sure why I haven’t thought to do this before?!?!?

Again, if you are local, I almost always order cookies from Sara’s Custom Cookies.  She does an amazing job matching my themes and they taste good!!!

Wondering about the balloon garland?  Check out this blog post with my balloon garland diy tutorial.

There was even a beautiful snow as Elsa was arriving at the party.  It really was magical, Thanks for following along!

 

XOXO,

Lissa

***All opinions are my own, there is no sponsored content, there may be an affiliate link or two in which case I earn commission if you make a purchase off of the link.***

Toddler Gift Guide

Hey guys!  These gift guides have been SO fun to put together.  It’s basically like I’m shopping!!!  I am super passionate about this toddler gift guide since I have two toddlers.  But just like the other gift guides, all of you were super helpful with your ideas so thank you so much!!!  I would say almost all of this gift guide is gender neutral. I think babies, frozen toys, etc you are likely already buying so I tried to compile a list a little outside of the box.

Experiences

Annual Family Museum or Zoo Pass

Gymboree or Little Gym Classes

Swim Lessons for the year

Highlights Magazine Subscription

Furniture

Personalized with Family name wooden growth chart

Toddler Couch, its not just a couch though, the kids can build forts, etc!!!  its so cool.  I want one:)

Personalized Comfy Chair to watch TV

Easel

Personalized wooden name puzzles

Orbeez or Generic Water Beads

Hexbug & track

Cardboard Bricks

Picasso or Magnatiles-Picasso is like 60% cheaper for the same amount of tiles

Play Kitchen

Scooters, these specifically were suggested a few times!

balance bike

Teepee or other fun tent!  We had this camper for 4 years!!!

Wagons!!!  A camoflouge one!! and a classic-ish

Market Cart

Bounce House for those LONG winter months.  Will fit in your basement

Grocery Store

Grocery Store Accessories

Farm toys/animals

Baby with Baby Carrier

Power Wheels

Amazon Dot-my kids are obsessed with Alexa!

I hope your kiddos have a FABULOUS Christmas!!!

 

XOXO,

Lissa

***All links are Affiliate Links which means I may make a small percentage off the purchase of these items.***

Matching Swim for the Family

One of my favorite mom things to do is match with the kiddos so I was especially excited to partner with Yaffi Fashion!  It was an easy decision to pick the Watermelon print because Emme has been loving it and also calling it Wa Wa Melon 🍉 !  Yaffi Fashion is pretty great because they also have mens and boys matching swim.  So Max was especially excited to get to match with us this time.  For reference, I ordered up one size for each of us and the fit is great!  We also wore these suits swimming in the lake all day and they held up wonderfully!

Another bonus perk, Yaffi Fashion is on Amazon and of course works with Prime!  You can shop our swim HERE.  I’m so excited to get matching dresses and PJ’s in the future 🙌🏻  They have some of the cutest!!!!

Happy Matching with your littles ❤️

 

XOXO,

Lissa, Max, & Emme

 

***These swimsuits were gifted from Yaffi Fashion but all opinions are my own***

Swim Lessons with Goldfish Swim School St. Charles

 

Happy Friday!!  We started swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School St. Charles about 3 months ago. It’s crazy, we are around water ALL the time. My parents live on a lake( I grew up there), so we have always had a life jacket rule. Anytime any kids are over they have to wear life jackets wether they are on the boat or just swimming, etc. What I didn’t really think about was what would happen if they took their life jackets off. Truthfully, it didn’t cross my mind because my kids had never actually taken theirs off before and it seemed we as parents had full control. Well this past February we were in Florida, about to be done at the pool and Max made the decision to take his life jacket off. Because you know, toddlers are the bosses amiright?!  Well he walked into the pool, fell, and sunk to the bottom within seconds. I was literally right there but had I turned my head for 5 seconds that could have ended differently. Truth be told, because my kids always wear life jackets I honestly don’t think Max realized that he couldn’t “float.”  At any rate, both kids were signed up for swim lessons upon returning home and there was no question it would be with Goldfish Swim School St. Charles!  We had attended a third birthday party there and saw how adorable and fun it was!!!!  

 

Emme is 2, so she started out in the Mini 2 class where she had to have a parent with her. She loved this because she had one of our undivided attention for 30 mins!  She was in this class for about 2 months and or 8 sessions. We asked if they thought she was ready to move up(simply because she is so independent) and they agreed. So she is a couple of weeks into her mini 3 class and is LOVING it. I couldn’t believe how great she did her first class, goggles and all!  

Max will be 4 in a couple of weeks and started in the Junior 1 class. It has been fun to watch his progression and even simply his maturity of going to class alone!  Every week he gets more brave and confident with the water.

A couple things, each class is 30 mins long and meets once a week.  If you have to miss a session you are able to make it up. This is such an awesome rule as a lot of places don’t offer this. Goldfish also has family swim times a few days a week. The kids especially love this!  There are changing rooms, an awesome blow drying station, diapers(which we often need because I always seem to forget one), and Maxwell’s favorite:  the swimsuit drying machine!!!

 

Below are some pics of the kids celebrating National Water Safety Month at home in our bath tub!

Good Luck on your swim journey!

 

XOXO,

Lissa, Max, & Emme

***Goldfish Swim School has provided me with the experience of swim lessons, all opinions are my own***

Prime Wardrobe

Archives

Wanna hear from me more?!?!?

Categories