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

Another addicting easy snack/ kids can cook!

OMG! What is with me and easy snacks did you see my Thanksgiving day one? Have you tried it? This one I found on a blog completely randomly not even on Pinterest! Although I am sure it's on there! This one is 5 ingredients but could be 3! So, easy make these with your toddler. Heck! I made it with 2 toddlers! I made these while Mackenzie's friend Camryn was visiting. 

No Bake Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bites

1 cup room softened butter (that's 2 stick BTW)

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

2 cups flour

8...ish candy canes crushed

1 tsp vanilla

According to the blog you can switch our flour and sugar with cake mix. I haven't made it that way yet.

Step one: crush candy canes (the girl's loved to help do this. I used a pan and a baggie!)

Step two: cream sugar and butter (girl's added those and I worked the blender)

Step three: add vanilla and flour (girl's helped)

Step four: mix (it was pretty crumbly and I didn't think they would work but they did! )

Step five: stir in peppermint candy canes (girl's helped)

Step six: roll into balls

Viola! Best snack ever! Every time I started to make a ball Mackenzie would squeal and sign more. I had to cut her off, is there an A.aA meeting for toddlers?  Pretty sure she needs it after these!

Up next on blog this year's Christmas decor! Look at last year's here!

Easy treat, happy me,

Dorinda

2 Easy Scary Costumes (that are not so scary)

Monday at Mackenzie's gymnastics class it was dress up day! Mackenzie wore black leggings, red and black tutu, and a white long sleeve shirt. She was either Minnie Mouse or a ladybug I couldn't decide (and I forgot a picture). I decided against her wearing her fox costume (I know big surprise Mackenzie is a fox for halloween!) due to the fact that it is fleece and bulky, I thought that would be difficult to wear during gymnastics. Anyways, I thought I would be the "cool" mom and dress up with her, to my surprise I was the only mom that did! Since I was missing a small piece of my costume I decided last minute on what to dress up as, my actual halloween costume was just as simple. I thought this would make a great post because some of you might have decided last minute you wanted to dress up or you got a last minute invite to a costume party. I hope these help you out.

1. Scarecrow

Most of this costume is in the makeup. I used coral lipstick on my cheeks and my nose, and a light pink on my lips. I them took a black eyeliner outlined my cheeks and nose and added a stitched smile. Next I lined my eyes using black and did 3 small triangles under my bottom lashes. Applied mascara and face was done. For clothing put on a plaid shirt, jeans, boots and add a straw hat. Viola, a very cute scarecrow.

2. Cat

This one was all in the hair. I found this super cute video on youtube of how to do braided cat ears (see the video here). For my makeup I did bright red lips and added a little flip with my eyeliner to make a cat eye. I also used a black eyeliner to draw a heart shape on my nose and add whiskers. For outfit I opted to go sans tail, I wore black faux leggings, black long sleeve tee, and black flats. To dress this up you could wear a lbd and some black heels. Super cute!!

I hope these super easy, super cute costumes help you out. Here is Mackenzie helping me carve our minnie mouse pumpkin. Enjoy!!

Happy Halloween,

Dorinda