Healthy, Kid-Friendly Summertime Snacks

One of my favorite things about summer has always been the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetable options that are available for us to enjoy. Whether you are hosting a summer shindig or just want to spice up snack time with your kids, take advantage of your favorite in-season produce with some of these healthy and easy to prepare Summertime Snacks.

Fruit Fish: How cute are these little fruit fish from Canadian Family. They would be perfect for a beach/water themed party. Or, just because!

Photography by Jill Dubien

Flower Power: Veggies are so much more fun to eat when they are in disguise, don't you think. Grab a "petal" and chow down, courtesy of Parents.com.

Grape Kabobs: These caterpillar/snake grape kabobs from Six in the Suburbs are just so darn cute and they are super simple to put together.

Image from Six in the Suburbs

Craby Crabwich: This little guy is sure to be a hit with everyone involved. Stop by Family Fun for all of the how-to's.

Sunflower Sandwich Snack: Want to sneak in some vegetables, dairy, whole grains, and fruit into one fun summertime snack? Gourmet Mom on-the-go did just that with this Sunflower Sandwich Snack.

Have fun and happy summertime snacking!

Sneak Peek: A Firetruck Themed Party

No, I have not completely disappeared from the blog world. Life and mommyhood is just keeping me super busy these days. So sorry for my absence. I will make it up to you with a little sneak peek of a FABULOUS Firetruck Themed Party that my talented friend Nicole, of Salsa Sweets, recently hosted for her daughter, Anna.

Photos taken by Sarah Kaupp Photography, http://sarahkauppphotography.com/

Amazing, right! Can't wait to see more photos and details? Me either, and that's saying a lot these days! I promise to share more soon but until then, check out Nicole and her amazing cookies on the Salsa Sweets Facebook page and Sarah Kaupp Photography, here.

Patriotic Fruit Pops

Who wouldn't love eating their fruit when it looks this cute! You don't have to wait until the 4th of July to debut these Patriotic Fruit Pops by Bakers Royale. Break out your cookie cutters and striped straws to dress up your fruit for this weekend's Memorial Day celebrations.

Here are a few notes from Naomi of Bakers Royale on how to make the fruit pops:

• To make these, I used watermelon, apples and blueberries.
• To keep the apples from browning, lightly brush them with lime or lemon juice. I prefer limes for the flavor and that they seem less tart.
• Cut watermelon and apple pieces to thickness of the cookie cutter, then place cookie cutter on top of slices and push straight down. Place one fruit inside of another and finish with a blueberry in the middle.
• Push the straw through all three pieces of fruit to keep it everything in place. If you have trouble pushing a paper straw through the apple portion, use a plastic straw first to create a pathway and then replace with the paper straw. Popsicle sticks will work as well.

Have fun, happy celebrating, and thank you to all of the men and women who have served/do serve our country!

Easter Craft and Decorating Ideas

Sorry for the recent lack of posts. Sometimes mommy duties and life just don't leave enough hours in the day! Now that Spring is officially here, Easter is right around the corner. Here are some Easter Crafts and Decorating Ideas to get you inspired.

Here is a fun way to reuse some of your old party supplies: transform a generic crepe paper ball or lantern into Bunny Decor for you Easter party with a little help from some craft paper (ears, whiskers, eyes) and pom poms (eyes and nose). Stop by Country Living for more details.

Bring style to your egg hunt this year with these Upcycled Paper Bag Baskets. Recycle your used gift bags by cutting off the tops (or not) using scissors or punches to make various designs and decorating them with ribbons, tissue paper flowers, and whatever else you have laying around your house. Be creative and have fun!

I am a sucker for any type of craft that my children create that I can turn into artwork so I naturally feel in love with this Thumbprint Easter Art idea from Lovely Living. Love it and can't wait to do it with my kids! Visit Lovely Living, here, for step by step instructions.



Here is a fun idea for party or classroom favors that your little one can actually help out with: Paper-Envelope Bunnies! Aren't they cute. Fill them with stickers, treats, or even just a little note. Visit Martha Stewart, here, for directions.

Stop by the Modern Parents Messy Kids site for directions on how to make this DIY Paint Chip Easter Garland. So creative!

If sewing is on your list of talents, these Spring Napkins from The Purl Bee should be on your list of "to-do's". They scream SPRING and are so happy and cheerful that you could keep using them well into the summer. Click here for DIY instructions.



{DIY} A Lucky St. Patrick's Day Garland

In the past, St. Patrick's Day hasn't received much decorating attention in our house. I am usually recovering from Valentine's Day and gearing up for Easter, which leaves little time and energy for much in between. Well, I decided to step it up this year. With the help of a few St. Patrick's Day printables and this Lucky St. Patrick's Day Garland that I recently made, our house is looking a little more green and a little less "in between" this year.

This Lucky St. Patrick's Day Garland is simple to make, very inexpensive (you probably already have everything that you need), and will add a fun touch to your St. Patrick's Day decor. Here's what you need to get started:

Materials:

- Green card stock or construction paper (I used two different shades of green)
- Scissors or a paper cutter
- A glue gun (or a stapler)
- A hole punch
- Ribbon/string

Instructions:

- Step 1: Begin by cutting your green card stock into 1" x 6" strips. You will need four strips for each clover that you wish to make. I made 8 clovers for my garland.
- Step 2: Fold each strip in half.
- Step 3: Bring each end of the strip in to make a heart shape. Glue (or staple) the ends together.

Repeat the above steps with each strip of paper. Group four hearts together to form a clover and glue (or staple) together.

Once all of your clovers are completed, use a hole punch to make holes for stringing your garland. String clovers, hang your LUCKY garland, and enjoy!

St. Patrick's Day Printables

With only a week and a half until St. Patrick's Day, I finally got around to putting up a few festive decorations around the house today (I will share my favorite soon). If you are looking for an easy and inexpensive way to add some festive flair to your day, printables are the way to go. Especially FREE printables. Here are a few of my favorites:

Start St. Patrick's Day off right with Lucky Charms and Sandy Toes & Popsicles. Isn't this a fun breakfast idea! Put these together to surprise your kids in the morning and start their day off with a smile. You can find the FREE printable over at Sandy Toes & Popsicles, here.

This fun St. Patrick's Day Subway Art Printable from eighteen 25 was added to our mantle decor today. Love it! Stop by eighteen 25, here, to print your own copy. Love the pom pom mini garland, too!

Need an easy party/classroom favor? It is what it is put together these clever "You're My Pot O' Gold" bags using cellophane bags, rainbow twizzlers, chocolate gold coins, and this FREE printable.

 Planning a St. Patrick's Day party? These printables from Chickabug and How Does She? are sure to be a hit! Get your copy, here.

Healthy St. Patricks Day Snack Ideas

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. Here are some fun and Healthy St. Patrick's Day Snack Ideas to help you celebrate with your kids without worrying about a sugar overload.

Sources:

Banana Shamrock Snack: Diva Dietitian
Shamrock Peppers and Dip: Le Top Blog
Leprechaun O'Riley Sandwich: Little Nummies
St. Patrick's Day Lunch: Lisa Storms
Rainbow Fruit Kabobs: Cute Food For Kids
Luck of the Irish Sandwiches: Kitchen Daily
St. Patrick's Day Pizza: Make the Best of Everything
Pot Of Gold {Jell-O}: Party Pinching
Rainbow Fruit Platter: Pinterest