October 29, 2017

Playhouse Makeover

I have been wanting to get our kids a plastic playhouse (you know, the Little Tikes type ones) for a while but knew I wanted to get a used one to update and give a makeover, and let me tell you – that was less than easy to find. Now that I own one I get why people don’t just sell these things often. They are amazing. They pop together with no screws, and I love that we can take it apart and put it in the storage room over the winter (because midwest winters are brutal).

This post contains affiliate links. Read my Disclosure here

To update a playhouse of your own, you really only need a couple of items.

Supplies:
Degreaser
Spray Paint that can be used on plastics and outdoors

Steps:

Take apart the playhouse and clean it WELL. I used a degreaser because I knew that would really get the dirt off. I then used a wet cloth and wiped the whole thing down one more time to get any leftover cleaner off.

Next paint – Go with thin coats, and know that it will likely take a lot of paint.

Assemble and play…I know guys, super tricky!!

The kids LOVE this thing, and I haven’t been worried about how it weathers, because I know I can touch it up each year when we get it out!! So if you have a sun faded playhouse, or you’re just looking for the one you have to have a cute “mini house” look, now you know how easy it is to do your own playhouse makeover!! I would love to see your finished product if you try this out!

The accessories in this post: Avé’s Dress // Leather Mat // Tableware //

Arin

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DIY

October 25, 2017

Budget Friendly Fall Birthday Party

I swear if I say ‘birthday’ one more time this month I might burst..and Sam’s birthday is tomorrow, so I don’t stand a chance haha!

A couple of weeks ago we did a joint birthday party for the kids and their friends, as well as some of ours, and I wanted to post how we did it. First of all finding a theme for kids who are different genders is hard. They love different things, and if I had gone with a TV show theme I promise you they would have been mad that I went with that show by the day of the party. So my solution was to do something gender neutral, simple and cute. I went with a fall theme, knowing that the 340 pumpkins I have as decor around the house would work, and I wouldn’t need to buy much.

This post contains affiliate links for more information you can read here

My main focus for decor was a backdrop wall, but knowing that I wouldn’t ever do this again, I wanted it to be inexpensive. I will break down how it was done below. Aside from that wall, the only decor I had was a bar cart with a runner of paper on it to tie it all together. I truly kept it super simple. The main expense for the party this year was put into entertainment, and that was a bounce house and pumpkins for each kid to paint. I wanted them to stay busy and have fun, and it was well worth the money. The bounce house was SO MUCH fun, and I loved watching them jump all day.

So off to the wall breakdown – the wall was done for $10 DOLLARS! now I have a Silhouette so it Made it easier, but regardless it was super inexpensive. (and if you’re thinking about a Silhouette, get one, they are amazing and I use it all the time !)

Leaves – I bought a pack of scrapbook paper for $5 from Walmart and cut leaves in colors to hang in an ombre pattern.
Poster Board – I used a trifold because I wanted. BIG board, but you could certainly go with a normal size one. This was less than $3 at Walmart
Letters – Cut from the same pack of paper as the leaves
Balloons – I bought one big bag of white balloons for $2.50 from Walmart and tied them around a string to make a balloon arch.
To hang everything I used command hooks, command strips, and painters tape, all of which I had.

For food I kept things simple with caramel popcorn that was homemade (this is my favorite recipe) and smart pop, which was a huge hit. We did Cake pops for the cake, chicken and waffle bites, because it was morning, Soft pretzels and dip from a local place, and a veggie and dip platter. I did hollow out a pumpkin for the veggie dip to tie things together and I loved that touch.

We had water, soda water, and juice boxes to drink, and caramel apples for everyone to take home.

For the pumpkin painting instead of letting things get super messy I bought paint pens and it was such a great decision. The kids loved it, but they were too messy to send home…so now we have lots of small pumpkins haha.

All in all it was such a great party and the kids had SO much fun! Feel free to comment with any questions you have!!

XOXO ARIN

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Family

October 24, 2017

The Kids are Growing – a life update

Instead of just popping in with an update on Walker this month, I decided I would group all the updates in one! Incase you don’t follow me on Instagram, or have missed my last couple blog posts, Jack recently turned 5 (FIVE….yeah that was a tough pill to swallow), and Avé turned 3 a few days later. As a mom, I feel like birthdays are so bittersweet. On one hand I feel so blessed and lucky to have healthy children who are celebrating another trip around the sun, and love seeing their excitement. On the other hand the fact that their baby and toddler years are flying by, and I can practically feel Jack getting older daily is painful. I always felt like I was born to be a mama, and I am having to remind myself that just because they won’t always be babies, it doesn’t mean my job with them is done, or even close to done. I just think that when you’re in the thick of it with babies and toddlers its hard to see the parenting side much past the wiping of butts and preparing meals. Anyway, enough about me, on to the updates about those sweet babies!!

Jack at 5 years old:

He lost his first tooth a few days post birthday.

He LOVES animals and is SO SMART

He can write all his letters and numbers and do some basic spelling and reading.

He is so sweet and kind and really loves being a big brother. He is so proud of telling people that he has TWO babies (Avé and Walker).

He remains fairly compliant, but has his fair sure of meltdowns and moments where he chooses not to listen – aka his is a kid.

He loves to sing, and we have really loved to see that he’s developing a strong grasp of faith, and prayer in the past year. Something that is so very important to Sam and I.

He is totally an outdoor lover. He loves to get dirty and play in the dirt and grass all day. God has a funny sense of humor for this indoor lover!

Still struggles a lot with his language understanding, but has gotten so much better, and is really thriving and working hard!

Would eat pizza, Oreos and ice-cream for all meals if given the option (so would I haha).

Is becoming more adventurous with food!

Avé at Three years old:

So sassy, articulate, and smart.

LOVES jewelry, makeup, princesses, dolls, and anything small.

Very opinionated and less compliant than her brother.

Shy in social situations until she feels safe.

LOVES dance, and is so fun to watch. She really pays close attention and HAS to be closest to the teacher.

Would love it if we let her take her blanket or lovey everywhere with her.

Cake pops are one of her favorite things. but only the pink ones, and otherwise she isn’t a big sweets fan.

Loves all things chip/cracker related.

Got her first hair cut and thought it was the greatest thing ever!!

Walker at 4 months:

Super smiley and happy but wants to be held while standing ALWAYS

The most drooly baby I have encountered…SEND HELP ha.

Sleeps well at night

Sleeps like crap during the day haha

His laughs are my favorite but you have to really work to get them

He loves baths with country music in the background

He is bursting off the charts in length and holding middle ground on weight – but for this family is huge!

Overall he makes my world go round and I thank God everyday for that sweet soul!!

XOXO ARIN

Kids clothes C/O – Bohemian Babies ; Professional Photos C/O – Cindy Lee Photography

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Gift Guide

October 21, 2017

Toddler Girl Gift Guide

Incase you missed it on my Instagram, my sweet Avé turned 3 this past week, and I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about a few things she got, a few that will be making an appearance under the Christmas tree, and a couple of items she already loves!

This post contains affiliate links and product in exchange for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. You can read more here.

Toddler Girl Gift Guide

Ikea Doll House/Wall Shelf – We love this!! The kids can play with it for hours, and it’s not an eye sore….that is a mom and kiddo win in my book haha.
Fawn Design Mini – Okay mama Loves hers, and I have been eying a second, but I think this Christmas a matching one for Avé will certainly happen! I love how functional these are, and the cute factor can’t be beat!
Balance Bike – I love this one, and will definitely be getting one for Avé to keep up outside!
Magnets – These are our Favorites, but all in all I Love having magnets like this and they make the perfect little gift for kids. You can see how we use them and store them here.
Felt food – Okay seriously, this is the cutest stuff you will ever see, and she even got a felt pumpkin spice latte.
Cuddle and Kind doll – She got Lucy for her birthday, and there are some cute new ones that need to come home for Christmas. If you haven’t heard of Cuddle and Kind, they are the cutest, softest stuffed animals and for each one you buy, they donate meals to children!!
Little Unicorn Blanket – Avé loves her Little Unicorn quilts, and I am pretty sure as long as new prints are coming out, we will continue to bring new ones home!
TrioKid Stroller – I LOVE that this stroller folds up and it will be a must have for Christmas this year!
Primp and Pretties makeup – girlfriend loves my makeup, so some play makeup of her own was a MUST, and she LOVES all her cute stuff from Primp and Pretties!!

What are your go to gifts for Toddler girls? With a birthday in October and Christmas coming I can always use other ideas!!

Arin

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Gift Guide

October 11, 2017

Toddler and Young Boy Gift Guide

Buying for Little Boys

Christmas is around the corner and I have been trying to come up with some gift guides for everyone in your life! This round will be for toddlers and young boy gift guide. I am basing this off of Jack, and things he loves now and has loved for the past few years!

One thing that I have learned over time with my kids is that: A – less is more, and B – I am better off getting them similar items in many categories so there are less arguments. So if you have boy girl siblings and are looking for great gifts that they can share this is a great place for you to start, and I will link the guide to my girl guide next week, and here is the baby guide if you have a babe in your life!

this post contains product in exchange for review and affiliate links. All opinions are my own – read more here

The Gift Guide

Usborne Wipe Clean Activity Books – I talked about my love for Usborne books in my baby gift guide, but these wipeable activity books are amazing. I like to buy them in sets and then give them to the kids one at a time. (as a side note – dry erase markers are NOT washable, so buy a set of these off Amazon and save the headache haha).
Green Toys Cars – I love these. We have some for the car, and all over. I let the kids take them outside. They are great. But honestly, any cars are pretty great for boys!
Micro Kickboard Scooter – My kids LOVE to scooter, and these with the 2 wheels in the front are the way to go.
Toymail Talkie – We got this for Jack this year for his birthday and it’s SO CUTE. He can send us voice texts through the little animal, to an app on our phones and thinks it’s the coolest thing! We can also reply back, which has been especially fun for Daddy while he is at work.
Teepee – We are planning to get the kids one for Christmas. I love watching my kids use their imaginations, and things like this totally foster that. I love the Tnee’s Teepees if you are looking for one!
Legos – enough said. They are such a timeless great toy.
Cuddle and Kind doll – I have this on all my other lists too (see Baby gift guide) and put one in Walker’s room when he was born. They are an amazing company, and you will be shocked by how soft these sweet friends are when they arrive. Jack got one for his birthday and him and Noah are instant best friends.
Tri0Kid Wagon – We also got this for Jack for his birthday, and the kid Loves it. It is currently in the middle of my living room full of so many animals and books I don’t know how he can pull it. I love that it folds flat, so its a great space saver, while still being fun for the kids.
Muffin Bub Felt Food – we got the kids some of this adorable handmade felt food for their birthdays, and it is as cute as you might imagine!! They are IN LOVE!

XO ARIN

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Gift Guide

October 4, 2017

Baby Gift Guide

When it comes to buying for a baby, I am really big on buying more practical items. They are too little to understand, and I have learned from experience that you’ll wish you didn’t get them every toy for Christmas! Below is my baby gift guide for ages 0-12 months, but much of it would really easily go all the way up to two years old or older!

this post contains affiliate links and products in exchange for my honest opinion

DockATot Grand – we LOVE our deluxe size, but by spring Walker will be ready for the Grand, and Christmas is the perfect time to buy it!
Board books – Books are the only thing I think you can’t have too many of. I love the Sandra Boynton books and Usborne Books are my favorite for sure!
Slumberkins – Walker is obsessed with all things soft and these are just the cutest little lovey animals!
Joovy Spoon Walker – We live in a much less ‘open concept’ home than we did when our older two kids were babies, so I knew I needed something more portable that Walker could sit in. This walker is functional, simple, and stylish (which is super important to me). I love how big the tray is to put food or toys on!!
Cuddle and Kind Doll – We are obsessed with these! Cuddle and Kind dolls will be under the tree for all our kiddos. They are SO soft and the company is amazing, providing meals for kids with each doll purchased! We got one for Walker, and put it in his nursery, and I will forever be hooked.
Wooden Playgym – This has been one of my favorites for Walker so far. I love how cute it is, the fact that it folds up flat, and that I can add any toys I want to it! As a bonus its a super sweet family who owns the company!
Freshly Picked Moccasins – hands down my favorite baby shoes. They are worth the money, and my go to gift for my babies!
GoPod – I have posted about this before, but seriously this is such a great gift for the babies in your life. It is portable and provides a place for them to play inside or outside. By far one of my favorite baby gear items out there!!
Saranoni Blanket – We love blankets around here. Both Walker and Avé have Saranoni blankets and they are amazing!! It’s a great gift for babies that they will love for years. But be prepared to want your own. haha.

Check back in a few days for gift guides for older kids, and please feel free to comment and let me know if you have any must have ideas for gifts for Walker this year! I’m ready to start stocking up on presents! I hope this guide helps you when you’re buying for a baby in your life!

XO ARIN

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