Potty Training? (printable sequence cards)

Potty Training? (printable sequence cards)

Friday, October 11, 2019

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Okay, I'm going to start this post with the total truth....

I have no idea what I'm doing.

This past couple of weeks, Monster started taking his diaper off when he woke up in the morning. Then last Thursday I walked into the nursery and stepped into a puddle of pee. Honestly, I was impressed. How did he get it so far from the crib? But that puddle pointed out a truth that I had been avoiding... it might be time to start potty training.

I had been kinda researching because I knew it would be time soon, so I had a vague plan in mind that involved chocolate. Because all good plans should involve chocolate. And I needed an excuse to use this sweet gumball machine I found at Goodwill.

I also really love a good themed basket, so naturally, I put together a potty basket. Gonna have to invest in more potty books. (Shown here: What's a Potty For? by Katie Daynes)

We are trying (and failing) to get him excited about underwear so I got some diapers and undies for Jack-Jack. At this point he just wants Jack-Jack to wear the diaper, and the underwear can stay on the doll's head for all he cares. It's so cute to watch him slowly put it all together, though. He likes to figure stuff out on his own, so I just plan to leave everything accessible and let him mess with it on his own time. (Buy here: doll diapers, doll underwear)

So right now the plan is simple. We try to sit him on the potty right after he wakes up. Getting him used to what this potty business is all about. Celebrate his successes with ridiculous amounts of cheer and chocolate. Beyond that... I don't know. I'm really taking this a step at a time. But I've got my basket, I've got my quarters, and I've got a plastic potty with pee in it. Livin the dream.

I'd love to hear any advice you have in the comments. What worked - or terribly, messily didn't work - for you?

And if you would like to have some of those quirky little sequence cards for yourself, you can download a printable version here.

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Dragons Love Tacos Party

Dragons Love Tacos Party

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

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I love dragons, and I love tacos, so when I decided I wanted to do something special with my family for my birthday, it really just made sense that we would have a "Dragons Love Tacos" party. (Obviously. ) So that's what we did! (Except, because we are not dragons, we did have spicy salsa. Sh, don't tell.)

In case you haven't heard of it, Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin is a bestselling children's book all about dragons who love tacos. The problem is, while they will eat boatloads of tacos, even one hint of spice will make them spew fire everywhere. This adorable book is written in a casual voice that makes it tons of fun to real aloud.

Of course, if you know me at all, you have probably figured out that what really draws me into books is the illustrations.  This book is no exception. The playful lines and speckled backgrounds make for an iconic style specific to this series.

So speckles were the base I used for my table. Specifically a diy splatter painted tablecloth. Using watered down tempera paint and an old brush, I set out my plastic white tablecloth and started to make a mess. It took some time, but was well worth it. This subtle detail really hinted at the book in a subconscious way.

The place settings were simple but on theme. Everyone got a dragon with their own salsa jar.

To make both the invites and the salsa jars I just used plain white copy paper and colored pencils. The beauty of this artistic style is that you can use your normal sloppy handwriting to create everything! If you are nervous about spacing, I would suggest you lightly plan everything out in pencil first.

The favor/activity for this party is sure to be a hit... Salsa Slime. Using clear glue, slime additive, food coloring and pony beads I was able to create a very satisfying salsa slime.*
*Now with spicy jalapenos. :)

Another activity idea is put out the dragon fires. Use tissue paper to create a small fake fires, then have them throw small blue balloons at it.

I think the really great thing about this party theme is that the food is really a no brainer. Tacos! We always set out our ingredients and let everyone make their own. You can even have dessert nachos! Break some chocolate waffle cones to use as a base. Add plops of ice cream, chocolate sauce, and sprinkles and serve in a bowl. Yuuum!

Pack up their dragons and salsa into a Taco Cave take out bag (created with black marker and craft paper bags), and your party is complete!

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Ten Things

Ten Things

Sunday, September 1, 2019

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1. "A Woman's Place" shirt from Modcloth

2. Updated Edge Moto Jacket from Modcloth (out of stock)

3. Waiting for the Sun Bells from Stoned Immaculate

4. Upward No. 9 print by Jess Franks

5. Bespoke Handmade Loveseat, Reclaimed Hardwood

I've been really inspired lately to introduce Ro to new (old) music. Frankensteining together this post about a music jar and this post about vinyl from A Beautiful Mess, we've been selecting a new record to listen to every week. Oddly enough, this week's record is a Country Classics record, which includes a Patsy Cline song.

I can't get enough of colorful blankets with huge tassels, such as this one or this one. Maybe I'll just make one myself using this tutorial from Treasure Travels.

Doctor Beth is a stuffed animal doctor who shares her progress as she fixes well-loved treasures, and it just might be the most heartwarming thing I have ever seen come from Tumblr.

This studio from Kalio Chic is what dreams are made of. She described it as working in a giant light box, and I am so on board with that idea.

World of Warcraft Classic was just released, and I am surprisingly quite into it. I started playing WoW during the "classic" time, and there is something about the simplicity of falling into a routine that I already know well that is so relaxing. 

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Night Sky Family Night

Night Sky Family Night

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

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Sometimes you just need a little party in your life. Like... a dinner party for just your family, nothing fancy, just something a little be more than normal. With that in mind, I created this themed evening for two- myself and Ronan- that was centered around one of my favorite things - the summer night sky.

This night started at the dinner table. Using things that I just had around the house, the centerpiece was a tray full of containers of varying heights holding sparklers, candles, matches, etc. I was going for a textural melody that was also functional. I was enchanted by the colors of these blue enamel camping plates, really I think they are what inspired this whole thing, so I used them as the pop of color among the gray tones. Then I topped off the place setting with a simple star crown that I created with paper and tape, using the same technique you use for a paper people chain.

To stay within the theme of the night, we created a few simple star crafts. Using dark blue tempera paint (created with a mix of normal blue with a bit of black in it), we painted sticks to match the night sky. Perfection wasn't necessary, so even my almost-2-year-old could help with this. We let the sticks dry, then I hot glued them into a star shape. We added a string and hung them up, giving Ronan a chance to point show them off every time I asked him where the star was.

For our second art activity, we painted some heavy paper with the same dark blue paint and glow in the dark paint. I cut both of the papers into stars and put them in a jar to be used later during storytime.

I like to keep themed baskets around the house for Ronan to enjoy. This storytime basket included an adorable starlight that we played with in our forts, the jar full of stars that I mentioned earlier, and a ton of books. The Stars by H.A. Rey is a simply beautifully designed book that is full of information. Moon by Britta Teckentrup is a beautifully illustrated peek through book that goes through the phases of the moon. Starry Skies by Samantha Chagollan was a book with glossy/raised constellations that Ro loved to touch. I particularly loved the Stars book by Mary Lyn Ray. It had a great message, and after reading it I painted a special silver star just to be kept in Ronan's own pocket.

Some other books that were in the basket where Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes,  Once Upon A Starry Night by Jacqueline Mitton, and Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin.

Because of the simplicity of this theme, there are a ton of other activities that could be easily incorporated to make it a fun-filled night. Backyard camping, firefly catching, sparklers...  I think that anything that makes you get that warm feeling of a classic summer night is the perfect addition.

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Going on a Bug Hunt

Going on a Bug Hunt

Thursday, August 1, 2019

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"We are going on a bug hunt!" I announce to my almost two year old. I am met with a blank stare. Yup, this is pretty much how I expected this to go. I herd him over to the couch and dump out the contents of the bag in my hands. A small notebook, "map," bug examination box and measuring tape fall out. I let him examine everything, the pack it back into his small bag and sling it over his shoulder. "Let's go!" I exclaim, met by another bewildered look. 

In my own bag I have a pile of colorful bugs I had drawn on contact paper while he was sleeping. I put one down and gasped. "I found a bug! Look!" Ronan follows my pointed finger, and his eyes light up. He makes the comically exaggerated "omg" face that I had been hoping for. I tell him to put it in the bag, and he toddles over to grab his discovery.

  

Amazingly, we are able to find most of the bugs before he loses interest.  I put them in the examination box, and make references to what he found all night, being sure to tell Dad when he gets home. 

The next day I ask Ronan if he wants to look at his bugs. We get them out and one by one stick them in our notebook and measure them. (Measuring is one of his favorite activities). It takes about a week to fill the whole notebook, but now he has a book he can get out and look at. When he is a bit older I'd like to name the bugs, or even have him draw them!

Supplies for this actrivity:

contact paper

colorful permanent markers

scissors

a notebook

a ruler

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Mood Board: Retro/Moody/Tropical Kids Room

Mood Board: Retro/Moody/Tropical Kids Room

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

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When I was scrolling through the Ikea website today (as you do) I found the cutest bed. And then I saw this rug that was giving me the same vibes, and then I found another rug that would be perfect for layering with the first one, and then I found the most adorable plant pots, and then all the sudden I was planning an entire room based on this one stinkin bed.

Unfortunately, I've been banned from changing around monster's room before I get the current theme done (logical, I guess) so I guess I'm going to just live in a dreamland for now. And my dreamland is taking the shape of a retro meets moody tropical children's room. Which sounds weird but totally works. And better yet, everything you need to create this dream world (besides paint) can be found at Ikea.

The mirror is an adorable DIY from Mr. Kate. I would use the NISSEDAL white mirror long ways and paint the sun design at the top.

The bed that started it all is the MINNEN bed frame. Pair it with the URSKOG blue tiger duvet cover and pillowcase, the dark blue LISAMARI throw, yellow SOLGUL blanket, and URSKOG white tiger cushion and you've got the purrfect tropical bed.

For lighting I can't help but suggest the yellow GRIMSÅS pendant lamp. It looks like a magical little swarm of bugs or birds. The rugs I selected were the IKEA ART EVENT 2019 rug designed by Craig Green and the yellow LANGSTED rug.

The plant is the Ficus Elastica in the RÅGKORN 12.5" pot. The two other containers are the yellow SOMMAR 2019 plant pot (pictured three times because it's just that cute) and the SOMMAR 2019 picnic basket.

I think that the Meet the Tiger book would be such a perfect addition to this space, and the LUSTIGT loom is just awesome.

And there you have it! Obviously there are a ton of other things that would match this room perfectly, (I mean, just look at this other rug by Misaki Kawai, and this BILD love poster) but I have to sleep sometimes so I'll end this daydream here.

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DIY Simple Cardboard Doll House

DIY Simple Cardboard Doll House

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

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I've been dreaming of owning one of these Magnolia dollhouses since I saw them last year. I love the simplicity, the clean lines, and the fact that it looks like when my kid decides to sit on it (because he will) it won't break. But, while reasonably priced for a dollhouse, I can't bring myself to buy one for our family. Without knowing if he would be interested in playing with a house without an attached garage, and, let's be honest, knowing that it would be more for myself, I just couldn't click the "add to cart" button. But make one? That I can do.

Supplies: 

cardboard

duct tape

paint

box cutter

scissors
hot glue gun (optional)

1. Cut off one side of the box and tape it to the bottom to give your house a sturdy base. I taped the bottom flaps of the remaining sides to the underside of the base.

2. Cut the two side flaps at an angle to support the roof. I marked off one using a straight edge, then cut it. I used the first cut off triangle as a template for the remaining 3 edges.

3. Create your roof. I used two pizza boxes taped together, leaving a quarter of an inch between the two edges to make folding easier, and also to act as a hinge so the roof could be folded.

4. Tape the roof to the angles you cut, tape it over the remaining long flap. Secure the roof by taping it to the flap underneath it.

5. Plan out where you want your windows and doors to be. Use a pattern to draw them on, then a box cutter to cut out where the glass panes would be. I modeled the shape of my windows off of the Magnolia house, with a larger lower pane then details on the top half. If you are going to cut the windows in your door, be sure to cut out the window before making the cuts for the door (three cuts, leaving one long side attached to the house).

6. It's time to paint! I painted the walls and ceiling with a flat white coat. You can add interest easily to the roof just by playing with the texture, which works best with a high gloss paint. I knew I wanted my roof to look metal, but I played around with making shingles by repeating a half circle pattern, starting from the bottom. Once the white paint was dry, I painted the door, windows, and trim black to make them stand out. The floor was created with a very light brown and white, which I would dip my brush into without mixing the two colors together, giving the floor a wood grain effect. The last step was to paint the "lawn" green.

7. To give the windows more definition and to add a touch more detail to the house I made window and doorframes which I painted the same color and then hot glued on. Totally not necessary, but I do think that extra step adds some charm.

And there you have it, my mother's day present to myself, a simple farmhouse.

Or, if you're my son, a super cool garage.

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