Fun with Food: Ocean Jello

We're on vacation this week at a beach in Charleston, South Carolina. During a little rest period out of the sun, Lydia Grace and I decided to make ocean Jell-O--a fitting food for the beach.  The blue Jell-O and gummy fish were a fun and delicious treat to enjoy after a full day of sunning and swimming.

This little treat is super simple to make. Make a batch of blue Jell-O, spoon some into a bowl, and add a few fish-shaped gummies. That's it! This one is so easy, it doesn't even need an official recipe. As you can see, it's one that Lydia Grace was able to do most of the steps on her own. Don't you just love recipes like that?

Happy snacking!

This is THE life!

I am not sure I ever want to leave.

Happy times!

Happy Sunday

2-Month Photo Shoot

My sweet baby boy is doing wonderful now that he has been on a hypoallergenic formula for the last month.  His tummy seems to have healed up, and he has gained quite a bit of weight.  I am so glad that the worst seems to be behind us.  Will her ever be able to have dairy or milk products?  We are not sure.  We are just taking things one day at a time and for now a soy-free, milk-free formula is what the doctor says he needs to grow and thrive.  And thriving he is!  Caleb is such a happy, laid-back baby who loves to snuggle.  Look at that sweet face...

Happy baby!

Homemade Lunchables

Kids love Lunchables!  And my kids loved these homemade lunchables...

Peanut Butter and Jelly Lunchable: cinnamon graham crakcers, peanut butter, jelly, and fresh apricot

Sub Sandwich Lunchable: Bread, cheese, mustard, fresh tomatoes with ranch, mandarin orange, and a banana cookie

Pizza Lunchable: tortilla shell cut with a puzzle piece sandwich cutter, sauces, cheeses, and fresh tomatoes

Turkey and Cheese Cracker Lunchable: crackers, preservative free turkey, cheese, fruit tart for dessert

Happy eating!

Happy Sunday

Fun with Food Friday: Colorful Lunches

Here's a week's worth of lunches that are full or color!

Red: strawberry yogurt with a fresh strawberry, flower fruit strip cut-outs (fruit strip + cookie cutter), red goldfish, a cheese wheel, and tomatoes

Orange: mandarin oranges, cheese crackers, carrots, cheese slices, and peaches 'n cream pretzels for dessert

Yellow: fresh bananas, yogurt melts, crunchy crackers, dried pineapple pieces

Green: green goldfish, dried apples, and broccoli with dressing for dipping

Rainbow: tomatoes, carrots, crunchy crackers, snap peas, dried plums, and yogurt melts

These were great for my preschooler and toddler because they went along with the "mommy school" theme for the week--colors.  These fun lunches helped to reinforce the color skills we were learning and reviewing during the week.

What foods would you include in your own color-themed lunches?

For more great lunch ideas click here, here, and here.

Happy lunch packing!

Tooth Fairy Pillows

Are you familiar with the book Silverlicious by Victoria Kann?  I recently read it to my four-year-old daughter during one of our bedtime story sessions.  The book goes through the main character’s adventure of losing her sweet tooth and discovering another meaning of sweetness beyond treats, candies, and goodies--the sweetness that comes from being kind to others.  Prior to beginning the book, I failed to realize that my daughter did not know anything about losing her baby teeth and eventually getting her adult teeth.  Oops.  It had never come up prior to that.  When the main character lost her sweet tooth, my daughter's already "bigger than Texas" eyes got even bigger.  She was a little horrified by the idea until I explained and finished reading the book.  I guess it would be a scary concept hearing about it for the first time.  One of these cute pillows should make loosing her first tooth a little more fun by giving the tooth fairy {wink, wink} a special place to leave her a prize.  I made one for Eli and Caleb too although  it will be awhile before the tooth fairy pays them a visit.  In gleaning inspiration for the design of this pillow, I looked back over the book Silverlicious.  That’s when I was reminded of the envelopes that the main character received under her pillow.  Aha!  Envelopes!  What a perfect item to incorporate into the design!  And what better way to embellish them than with a tooth?!  Want to make a tooth fairy pillow for your own little one?

Click here for the full tutorial!

Happy sewing!

*Affiliate links have been added to help guide you to some of our favorite books.

Floral Onesie Dresses

What do you get when you add onesies to gorgeous floral fabric and and lace?

Lacy Onesie Dresses...

Onesie Dresses are always fun to make, and I knew this Riley Blake floral fabric would make some cute ones.

Adding to the cuteness are these pinwheel flower brooches that are another one of my favorite things to make.

Click here (original tutorial) or here (updated tutorial) for the tutorial on sewing your own pinwheel flower brooches. You'll also find a tutorial for sewing your own onesie dress here.

Happy Sewing!

Happy Sunday

Derby Day

Today is one of my favorite days of the year.  Four things I love--horses, competition, fashion, and Sothern charm--are all combined into one exciting event.  Today marks the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby, and although it has been years since I have attended the event in person, I still enjoy the televised coverage year after year.

Audrey Inspired Derby Look by jenniferdawn84 featuring summer floppy hats

  Maybe Lydia Grace and I will even put on some hats today...even if they are just worn around the house.  {chuckle}  Spending this rainy day at home with my family certainly sounds like a winning combination!

Derby Day Hats by jenniferdawn84 featuring nordstrom collection

Happy Derby Day!

Let's Play Today!

Happy playtime!

More Budget-Friendly Bento Ideas

At some point during the weekend, set out the food you'll need to pack all of the lunches for the upcoming week.  Prepare and pack each lunch.  Get creative with cookie cutters, themes, and designs.  Store the packed lunch containers in tubs labeled for each child.  I put the lunches on the top that may need to be eaten first due to perishable foods inside.  Place the tubs in the refrigerator where you can get out the lunches as your need them during the week.  Packing a week's worth of lunches all at once is a huge time saver!  It also gives you the convenience of having packed lunches anytime you need them--even if you child does not go to school and you just need lunches pre-packed for outings.  Here are some fun ideas for budget-friendly bento boxes...

Fantastically Fruity: Fresh fruit (A cutie and grapes), wafers with a fruit and veggie dip, and fruit tart

Taco Day: Taco shell, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream

Growing Healthy: Fresh vegetables (carrots, snap peas, celery, and tomato), cheese and ham (preservative free) cut-outs, and Ranch dressing for dipping

Star and Butterfly Meals: Cute cut-outs of cheese and turkey (preservative free), pretzels, fresh cut apples, and 100 calorie chocolate chip cookies

Fruit Fondue: Fresh fruit (grapes, apples, strawberries), granola, and yougurt
Click here for more great ideas!
Happy packing!

Snapshots of My Day

It was a good day...

Happy day!