Easter!

 Easter is hopping right around the corner!!

I love Easter and everything about it. Even the goofy made up bunny that may or may not poop jelly beans (have you seen hop?). Last Easter we did hide eggs for Mackenzie and she so did not get it. This year I can't wait because I am sure she will get it!!

We bought her a big easter egg to put all her presents in,because of those lovely youtube videos she is OBSESSED with! Have you seen them, do your kids obsess over them? I am sure she will be jumping for joy when she sees it.

Easter fashion is always cute! I plan on buying an Amelia dress at my LuLaroe party to wear on Easter. My mom bought the girls outfits, although I couldn't find a picture of Ainsley's, here is the top she got for Mackenzie.

HM

Ainsley drools so much I am thinking of getting her this bunny bib to go with her outfit.

Target


While we were in Seattle we went to a Christian outlet store and bought Mackenzie these books:

You can find them on Amazon here and here. I have heard rave reviews from friends on the Jesus storybook Bible and Pinterest even has some great ideas.

We haven't bought anything for Ainsley yet but some ideas floating in my head are;

socks

bibs

book

little people toys
bows and headbands

More ideas for Mackenzie are;

stickers

hair clips

undies

nail polish

Last year I made my sister in law a basket filled with goodies.

It's a super easy project and works great for friends and or husbands.

You need a cardboard drink holder. I used Henry Weinhard or you can get wine ones at grocery stores. Cover the box in scrapbook paper.

Add in favorite drink on one side, I put in coke zero. Put grass in the other side.

Fill a couple of eggs with goodies. Candy, baby lips, nail polish, chapstick are great ideas.

Add a few more goodies and Viola a cute inexpensive easter basket!!

I made one a couple of years ago for my husband too. His, I glued the grass around the edge, or you can glue cheap Easter garland too.

I hope you enjoy this super easy tip and if you use it send me a pic, I want to see yours!!

Email me at mommyministryandmore@gmail.com

Thanksgiving decor and food!

One day at work a guy asked me what I was in charge of for Thanksgiving, I proudly responded; "Decorating!". He laughed and laughed and laughed. He told me that Thanksgiving was about the food, Christmas and Halloween were for decorating but Thanksgiving was for the food. I explained that the food doesn't taste as good if the room doesn't look as pretty! So here is how I plan on decorating for Thanksgiving. I will take pictures when I have everything set up to show you how it turned out.

To start off my mom's house has these two huge walkway openings that are screaming for decorations.  I plan on making these coffee filter pom pom's to hang from there.

Show me cute

I have been currently working on these Paper Bag Flowers to hang on the wall in the dining room.

Pinterest

For the table I like to keep it simple, you do have to have lots of room for food. I typically do a butcher paper table cloth to keep clean up easy, this year I think I will go with white table cloth with Paper bag placemats, crayons and newspaper leaves.

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

You can see how I have decorated in the past and my tips for a stress free holiday here! 

The Silverware printables, I plan on putting crayons in not silverware.

Now this is the holiday of lots of food and Mondo and I are helping cook. We are in charge of the turkey, he wants to fry it, and cornbread stuffing. Mondo always makes sweet potatoes because nobody else will make them with marshmallows. We also started a new tradition a couple years ago of serving soup with dinner.  I think I want to make this butternut apple one from whole 30 recipes Instagram. My mom and I are planning making mini pies so you can not feel so guilty for trying all the pies. Our list is pumpkin (duh!), apples, pecan, lemon meringue and these cranberry cheesecakes! This is also to add all the food everyone else is bringing, my sister in law and Aunt plan on bringing dessert too! Every holiday or party I always like to make a mocktail, it is so much fun! This Thanksgiving I plan on making this one, cranberry punch. Although, this cranberry pineapple looks yummy too. 

Which one do you vote for?

I can't wait to see and taste all this yummy food. Wednesday while mom and I are baking pies I think I need to taste test each one, you know make sure the mini version tastes as good as the full size!! What do you plan on making for Thanksgiving? Any favorite recipes??

Don't forget to check back Dec. 1st for the 25 days of blogmas and a giveaway!

Dorinda

Last Minute Halloween

This turned out more last minute than I thought. Yesterday, I was experiencing some Braxton Hicks contractions and thought instead of posting it would be best to relax until those pass. I never experienced those with Mackenzie so it was definitely new to me. Anyways I thought I would show you what I plan on wearing on Halloween, I actually work Halloween night, Boo :(, so nothing wild for me. Also, I am taking Mackenzie a couple of places the day before and Mondo is taking Mackenzie out that night. We kinda made her an Elsa costume, out of stuff in her closet. The same way I found all these great last minute costumes! Here are 7 easy last minute costumes from my daughter's closet. Maybe it will help you in case you forgot Halloween is Friday!

I came up with this idea last year when Mackenzie was in gymnastics and they had a dress up day. I realized that morning no way could Mackenzie do gymnastics in her costume, so I had to come up with an idea on the fly.

A baker

1. A baker, add an apron and spatula to any outfit. Ta-da! Bonus point for adding flour on their face and clothes! What baker doesn't make a mess?

2. A cowgirl. Just a tu-tu, button down shirt, and some boots. You are ready to go. Bonus: add a microphone to be a country star!!

3. A mermaid. Another tu-tu with any tank top would work. Sparkly shoes help or sparkly tights. Sorry about the picture I didn't realize it was blurry until I went to post.

4. Owl. Ok, so this one is kinda cheating. It would be great for wearing before going out to feel festive all day. You could use any fun shirt to dress up!

5. Minnie. You could also double this as a lady bug with a plain black tee. This is what Mackenzie ended up wearing at gymnastics last year.

6. Audrey Hepburn. Any fancy black dress will do, just add mama's pearls!

7. Football cheerleader or player. I know you kinda need these to make them work but, no denying how simple it is!

Now my diy maternity shirt. I just bought a big long sleeve shirt and some felt. You could glue the felt on for a no-sew but I actually ended up liking the shirt so I want to be able to wear it again, with out the pumpkin face! So, after Friday I plan on cutting out the stitches and there I go, black shirt again!

How to:
Just cut out a jack-o-lantern face from the felt.
Put on the shirt to figure out where the face should go.
Then glue or I did a simple whip stitch.

I hope this inspired you to figure out some easy last minute costumes in your kiddo's closet or maybe even your own. Have fun this Halloween!!

Check here for a couple of last minute ones, I did last year!!

Dorinda

DIY: Cheap Chalkboard

I know I said I would be posting a new point on my "Fight Like A Girl" series each week. Since this topic is so important to me I want to make sure I spend a lot of focused time on each point so, I will post every other week. Also, I plan on blogging again two times a week here shortly.

Until then here is how I made a super cheap chalkboard to last until I find the perfect frame to make my own.

Start off with one black and one white poster board. Measure 3" in and draw a square. This see through large ruler really helped!

Cut that square out with out cutting the edge. Give inside square to your toddler to draw on to keep them busy!!

Next hand draw your frame outline. I just rounded out the corners, use a cup to help keep it perfect. I also rounded out the edge. You only have to do half of the frame, just carefully fold in half before cutting to ensure they both match.

Glue the black poster board and white frame together.

Cut off any showing black.

Measure string across the back and glue down, near the top. I chose to use string so I can take it off the wall to draw on.

Draw on your board with chalk.

To erase use a slightly damp cloth, I found wet wipes worked great. There will be residual chalk, that just makes it look more realistic. When it gets two worn down just replace the black. Also, I am going to try painting it with a thin layer of homemade chalk paint? I will let you know how that goes.

Thanks, have a great week!!

Dorinda

Valentine Activities

I had spread out all our Valentine activities through out the month and instead of posting them in individual posts I decided to combine them.

Early in the month we had some snow fall. I had been wanting to make snow cream, so I ran out stuck a bowl in the front yard and snow cream was made (tutorial to come)!! Mackenzie loved it, and since I added valentine sprinkles I felt this made it a valentine activity.

Week before Valentine's day we made glitter hearts.

One wall in my kitchen was screaming for a big chalkboard. Since I haven't been able to find a frame I liked to make my own I made a cheap one to use until I find the perfect frame (tutorial to come). Mackenzie decorated the hearts. Essentially, I just cut out a bunch of hearts from construction paper, taped them down and let her "paint" the glue on, then glittered. She loved it!!

The day before Valentine's one of Mackenzie's friends hosted a tea. So we went to that, there they got to make valentine's and eat pink cinnamon rolls.

Finally, Valentine's day. Mondo and I decided we are going to make a shutterfly book. We just haven't done that yet. Hopefully soon! Here is what we did get each other and Mackenzie.

We were going to make Red velvet pancakes, then Mondo mentioned donuts. So we went to a local donut shop, so fun and cute!!

Of course after that we went to the gym but not before taking some more pictures.

That concludes most of our Valentine's festivities.

I have a ton of posts coming up you won't want to miss out! A new series fight like a girl, new one piece four ways, one diy, and a weight loss update!

I love because He first loved me,

Dorinda

Birthday: Adult scavenger hunt

I am so bummed! I completely forgot to take pictures of my birthday party! I loved it though, it was a complete blast! So, I will have to tell you all about it!

I decided to go ahead and have the scavenger hunt at the mall. I originally wanted to do the hunt around town with places that mean a lot to me but, this time of year you never know how the roads are going to be. Wanting to keep everyone safe I decided to have it at one location, our local mall. I called the mall to ask but, no one returned my calls. I also opted to not have everyone going into the stores (except one) just to not have any angry mall employees. So everyone met at the food court. Also, before I continue I want to thank my mom, dad, aunt Karm, and grandma for helping and being the check points. Extra thanks to my parents for babysitting Mackenzie.

After meeting in the food court everyone got the rules:

Thank you for coming to celebrate Dorinda's big 3- oh. Here are some rules before you go. This is an old fashioned foot race. Please no running ( 10 sec added to your time) but, do set a quick pace. At each stop you will have something to do. Don't get started until your whole team has joined you ( 10 sec added to time). Each completed challenge gives you a reward, (5 sec taken from your score. If there is a task you can't complete, just wait 3 minutes and then you can move forward.

And clue #1:

Dorinda loves to shop and Mackenzie loves to play. This may Dorinda's day but, Mackenzie always gets her way.

Answer: Kids play area

Game: Do you hear what I hear:

Using the Christmas tradition of shaking presents. Arrange the 4 gift boxes in order of least bells to most.

Everyone completed this challenge very quickly but it's ok. They got harder.

Clue #2:

It's time to go where you can hear the Ho Ho Ho.

Answer: Santa (I know, easy)

Game: Chocolate Unicorn

Christmas is a magical time of year and a unicorn is believed to be a magical animal. In this challenge one player must become like a human unicorn by building a chocolate tower on their forehead. Using only one hand stack 4 ding dongs and hold for 3 seconds. If the stack falls you may begin again but, no eating!

Clue #3:

Dorinda has turned the big 3-oh. Some girls wish they would never get old. Go to the store where girls' age no more but, don't go through the door. Mondo only lets Dorinda window shop and no more. 

Answer: Forever 21

This one made me laugh! 2 out of 3 teams went into the store! 

Game: Puzzle me this

This puzzle has no end time and Dorinda really can't rhyme. Complete the puzzle and head out the door. Before you go pick up the puzzle from the floor. Give to Karm and she will minus 5 seconds from your score.

There was no clue for the next stop. I made a hand made puzzle using poster board and marker. I bubbled lettered out "Old Navy". The puzzle was actually very challenging! They didn't have to complete the puzzle just solve enough to tell them where to go.

Old Navy is located outside and across the parking lot! This day was only 10 degrees. So they were allowed to run.

Game #4: riddle me that

My dad came up with a riddle for everyone to solve. Here it is:

Welcome to Dorinda’s Scavenger Hunt. Now is your time to shine. To get your next clue please help solve this problem.  I wish to place my Christmas trees in 5 straight lines. Each line must have 4 trees placed on it. I have only 10 trees. Following these rules and using the hints given above please draw the pattern which meets these requirements below. You may ask for 1 hint after 2 minutes of trying, and another hint after 2 and a half minutes have passed. There is a 3 minute time limit.

Clue #5:

You're almost to the end. Head now to where it began. The game will be determined by a challenge that fits in your hand.

Answer: food court

Game: wooden puzzle

You can now rest at ease just finish the tiny little piece. Time limit is no more. Finish and you may win. We won't know the score until every team is in. 

I had bought 3 miniature wooden brain teaser puzzles. I took them a part and then they had to put then back together. It took my dad awhile to figure out how to pull it apart! . It took 20 min for one team to solve. This was not an easy puzzle. In fact I even let them look at the answers but, that made it worse. All in all whole game took 50 min. It was a blast!

Afterwards everyone came over for cupcakes and hot cocoa. 

I did decorate my house and took pictures of the decorations! 

happy me with pretty decorations

These decorations were way easy. Cost less then $10 and took me 1/2 hour to make!

For party favors I gave Mustache bazookas as a thank you to coming to my fancy party. Winners (actually almost everyone because I bought too many) got a million dollar candy bar!!

Mackenzie and I showing your are 'staches!

Thank you to everyone who attended my party. You made the beginning of my new decade super special!

I think I should party plan!

Dorinda

P.s. comment below.if you need the answer to the riddle! 

Remix the wardrobe

Sometimes when you can't go shopping and are totally needing to,but the budget won't allow it, or if you have a favorite piece but are tired of wearing it the same way all the time. It's time to remix the wardrobe. Here are a few pieces I have remixed for FREE!!

Denim jacket: This was a cute piece on it's own just a cropped jacket with 3/4 length sleeves, when I saw denim vests popping up like cray cray. I wanted one, unable to just go out a buy one. I took some scissors to the sleeves. I LOVE this piece. I wear it more now than before.

Skirts: Both of these skirts were okay dresses. The white and pink one was a halter top and the purple was a cover up from old navy. The white and pink one my mom cut down and added a zipper. The purple one my mom and I did together. We cut off the top and attached it to thick elastic.

Dress: this dress was a maxi, I chopped it, hemmed it. Viola!! A great dress!!

Half see through Maxi: This one I took pictures as I did.

Flip the skirt inside out and figure out the length you want the inside skirt to be, mark with a pin.

Separate the 2 layers and carefully cut a straight line where the pin is. 

Fold and iron a 1/4 inch on the bottom and sew a straight line (this keeps it from curling)

All done

New super cute maxi for FREE!!

Have you ever remixed pieces in your wardrobe? Send me a pic at mommyministryandmore@gmail.com