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

All things Hearts

I haven't posted a shopping guide in awhile and the other day while doing some online window shopping I came across a bunch of super cute heart items. With Valentines day coming up I thought I would share!!

Toddler heart

Love dress/ heart overalls/ heart dress/ heart shoes/ heart pj's/ heart tutu
Mickey shirt/ King of Hearts pj's/ Monster heart socks/ plaid shirt/ Love machine shirt

The picture doesn't show it super well but those overalls have a heart on the front! Can I have those in my size? I also love the idea of having pj's for every holiday, why should Christmas get all the fun??

Baby Heart

#adorable outfit/ heart pj's/ pink tutu/ heart colo block dress/ heart hat/ heart blanket
i heart u pj's/ # heartbreaker onesie/ Major flirt outfit/ Hello ladies socks/ mommy onesie 

Shopping for a newborn again has been so much fun! I forgot how small the clothes are!!! I love the blanket, it could go boy or girl, and I am all about the gray!! My cousin had a little baby boy the same day Baby A was born, so that's why I chose to do a boy section too. I love the gray pj's I think if you pair that with a red bow a little girl could rock them too! And, the mommy onesie, please, the cuteness is irresistible!!

Mom and Dad Valentine

lace top/ pink skinnies/ heart pj's
love boxers/ red pants/ red t shirt

Of course moms and dads are the hardest to shop for, so I went with pink and red. The mom outfit could so go together but, I do think if a dad was to rock all that red it might be a little scary.

I'm not sure what we plan for Valentine's day, probably something on the chill. For the girls I think I will get each of them a piece of clothing and a toy or book, maybe a small box of candy for Miss Max. Mondo and I always make something for Valentine's day, this year it will be either a chatbook or a shutterfly book. Need an idea for Valentine's day here is a previous one I posted for the inexpensive.

Also, a blogger I follow at The Little Things We Do, has issued a "Choose Love" challenge. It's spending 7 days showing your husband you love him. Each day has a new challenge. I want to try this and encourage you to try too. Check out the Challenge here. 

What are your Vday plans??

Mackenzie 2nd birthday

Wow! I have a 2 year old!! Half the time I think it was just last year I was pregnant with her, hard to believe she is actually 2.

For her party this year I kept things simple. I planned to go more elaborate but things just fell through.

I did take a lot of pictures but, I didn't have a lot that turned out great, if you know what I mean. 

So we will just get started.

Everything took a lot longer than I planned so this was all the decor that got put up even though I bought a lot more and more in store! Oh, well. What will she remember in a few years? The decor or the fun? 

For food I wanted everything on a stick, that didn't work out so I did carnival food. Corn dogs, chips with nacho cheese (we also gave the option of doritos, YUM!), veggies in a cup (some had ranch at the bottom), fruit on a stick, and popcorn. For my gluten free friends I put some regular hot dogs on a stick. Sidenote: The food was yummy and kid friendly!!

Next we opened presents, Which was fun this year because she was actually into it! Then we had cake! I wanted to make cakepops to keep with my everything on a stick theme. Since, I hadn't tried it before I got scared off. Instead I went with ice cream cake cones.

The easiest way to do this was to flip the cones upside down into the cupcakes before you place in the oven. These turned out yummy!! Also, for my gluten free friends I went to a local bakery that bakes vegan and bought some cupcakes for them.

This is her "whooooo" chair from mom and dad. 

After this we let the kids run around and play. I put out a coloring table, her Ikea circus tent, some balls, made some homemade bean bags with socks and dried beans (just tie a knot in the top), and brought out her wagon. The wagon turned out to be the kid favorite.

My parents got her a trike for her birthday and that was the other favorite.

Overall it may have not been my most elaborate party thrown but, I think everyone had lots of fun. Mackenzie came inside almost brown from all the dirt which tells me she had fun.

Mackenzie also had a special message to share at her party!

That's right baby #2 is on the way!!

So next post will be a pregnancy update and then I think I will do a Mackenzie update/favorites. I haven't done one of those in a while.

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

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Valentine's Day is just a few days away!! I don't care what they say about this day being too commercialized I like any day to have an excuse to show those I love how much I love them.

We haven't done our shopping yet, we plan on going Wednesday. We will probably just get Mackenzie and my bff/sis in law a few things. For us we usually make something. We have discussed making another build a bear. We are worse than most pre teen girls we love those things! Or I was thinking of making a shutterfly book, they always have deals for new members. You can see what we did last year, here. Here are a few things I was eyeballing.

one/two/three/four/five

Of course Mackenzie needs all things, pink, hearts, and sparkly!! I love these pj's bonus on SALE!! This super cute purse, when I showed it to her in store, I thought I was going to have to buy it then. The headbands are from a local crafter who has an etsy shop, I love her bows and they seem to be some of the best prices!! Mackenzie loves sippy cups with straws we got her one for Christmas and it is still her favorite. Little miss artsy will also love to try the waterpaint. Something we have never done before!!

one/two/three/four/five

This old navy shirt makes me laugh, this I think is a must. A great vday shirt with out being over the top. For Christmas I got Mondo a Dollar Shave Club gift card. They sent a sample size of the shave butter which he said is great! So, I think that is a great gift. Whenever Mondo makes bacon he always comes up with a weird contraption for a bacon press maybe it's time to get him one? He loves Star Wars and chocolate, let's combine the two! I think a wallet is a great go to for a guy anytime.

one/two/three/four/five

This could be for me, hint hint hubby. Or for any female in your life. I am in need of gold nail polish, and essie good as gold will be a great addition to my nail family! I love this valentine sweater!! This ring is currently on Amazon for 99 cents!! Plus, I like revenge and it makes me think of that. Chocolate or flowers are a must for Valentines day, I prefer chocolate!! And this nail dotting tool from avon, I already own, is a super fun gift!!

These are my valentine gift guides. I hope they help you, I will post a review of our valentine's day once it happens. Later this week I will post a Vday fashion guide!!

See you soon!!

All you need is love, or chocolate,

Dorinda