Sick Day Movie Party with #Super4onNetflix

Thank you to Netflix for sending all the fun supplies for this Movie Party

This little girl had her tonsils taken out last week. 

So we have had lots of time at home eating popsicles and ice cream with limited activity as she recovers.  To make the time go by faster we had a Sick day Movie day!  Netflix has a new series by Playmobil: SUPER 4.  SUPER 4 will follow the fun adventures of Alex the Knight, Ruby the Pirate, Agent Gene and Twinkle the Fairy as they explore distinct island communities, fight evil and save the planet.  The perfect setting for out movie party.  

We kept things low key so that the sickie could participate in everything!  Here is how you can have your own Sick Day Movie Party:

Dress the part:

To add excitement to the movie party we dressed up like the characters.  Even just a hat or small prop can get you in the mood.  

Some easy actives to get you in the mood:

All of these could be done from the comfort of a couch or bed. 

To get the excitement up for the movie we had some simple low key activities for the kids to do.

1. Complete the story:  One person wears the crown.  they get to start a story (about anything but we kept it in the SUPER 4 theme).  They then stop and pass the crown to the next person who continues the story.  Keep passing until everyone has a turn.  You can decide if you want to finish the story or keep going for another round. 

2. Create a sticker book.  We got themed stickers and the kids got to create a book using the stickers.  They could just do a sticker/picture book or turn it into a story (depending on the age).

3. Coloring sheets.  You can never go wrong with good ol' coloring!  

Enjoy the show! 

Here is the little sickie watching it on my Ipad mini.. her favorite.  Since she is sick I let her use it.

Thats what I love about Netflix - it is so portable since we can stream it on almost anything!

Be sure to check out Netflix for SUPER 4! Here is a peek of all the fun!

*Disclosure: I am part of the Netflix Stream team.  However all opinions are 100% honest! 

Spring Cleaning with QVC!

I am teaming up with QVC  to do some spring cleaning and organizing! 

This month challenge with QVC is spring cleaning! something that I really needed to do! 

Here are some of my craft supplies that I keep on top of my hutch in my dinning room. Anyone one else have a dining room/craft room combo?  I keep most of my stuff on top so that the kids don't get it.  But needless to say, it's a mess!  

I was sent these 3 piece nesting banana leaf baskets

Oh-yeah, that is so much better.

We use baskets all over my house to keep things organized.  They are the most simple way I know how to contain all the stuff! Besides keeping my crafting things in order, I also use them for toys and hats/mittens.  Really you are going to want to order a bunch of them! 

Jill Bauer's Blog You're Home with Jill has all sorts of organizing tips for you to check out! 

Jill Bauer, QVC’s Home-Savvy Hostess, hosts the network’s popular show, “You’re Home with Jill®” and provides fans with simple solutions for their busy lives through innovative products, a library of stress-free DIY projects, and crowd-pleasing recipes. Fans can connect with Jill on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram @jillbauerqvc.

**Disclosure: I was provided with the Nesting Banana Leaf Baskets. However all my project ideas are mine and my opinions are 100% honest. **

Puppy Paw-ty (Easy Birthday Party idea)

We had a Puppy Paw-ty.  This weekend.  I have done some big themed parties at my home (Buzz Lightyear and Princess Party to name a few) but this year I just didn't have it in me to put on a big production.  So, we went to an indoor play park.  That way all the kid entertainment was taken care of.  But I do love a theme.  2 of my kids have birthday's in April (and so is my birthday!).  It gets to be busy.  So this year we combined the party to include both kids.  And both of my kids LOVE puppies, so that was the theme!  

Here is our invite.  I created it in PicMonkey and I just emailed it out to family.  But I could have had it printed out as a photo.  This is my favorite, cheapest way to make customized invitations. 

The Food

I got a little carried away with the food

Puppy Chow 

I made 2 kinds

Chocolate Covered Strawberries Puppy Chow

Cake Batter Pupper Chow

Pup Corn

Cheese and Caramal 

Hot Dogs and Cheese and Lunch Meat

I used cookie cutters to cut the cheese and meat into bones and puppy paws

PupCakes

I just ordered from my grocery store

Fruit Kibble

For the decorations I kept it ever simple with a Puppy "Happy Birthday sign" that I got from the party store and added some small stuffed puppies that I got from the thrift store.  Most of them still had the tags on them!  As the party favor, I let each kid pick out a puppy to adopt.  I printed out pet adoption certificates to make it seem more official and I decorated a brown gift bag with a dog bone with the kids name on it. 

We kept the party pretty simple in the fact that the activities were just playing at the indoor park.  I did not plan and puppy crafts or games.  But I did find some cute ones that I am sharing with you! 

Here are some other fun Puppy ideas/crafts you could do too: 

1. Sock Puppies 

2. Cardboard Tub Dog

3. Puppy Balloon

4. Wash Cloth Puppy

5. Puppy Ears Card

6. Footprint Puppy

7. Puppy Craft

8. Paper Bag Puppy

The Best Artichoke Dip Recipe

I have the best artichoke dip for your next party, get together, office potluck, night at home... whatever excuse you have to make this- it is so good.  Every time I make everyone asks me for the recipe.  So I am sharing it with the world! 

Ingredients:

1 cup Mayo (I like Miracle Whip)

1 -8oz package cream cheese (soften works best)

1- 8 oz package sour cream

2 -14oz cans of Artichoke hearts (diced)

2 cups Parmesan cheese 

optional: Substitute out 1 cup of parmesan for 1 cup Mozzarella cheese

2 tsp Dill weed

2 tsp Garlic

Directions: 

Oven- Combine all ingredients in a glass (oven safe) bowl and cook for 30 min. or until all the cheese has melted.  Check and stir at 15 minutes.

Crockpot- Combine all ingredients into crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or high 2-4 hours.  Stirring occasionally.

Serve with crackers and bread and it will disappear! 

DIY Coasters (15 minute Craft: Teacher Appreciation Gift)

I love my kids teachers. They work hard and do a fantastic job!  I am a teacher too, so I know how much they put into it.  So I always like to get them something to show our appreciation.  Teacher Appreciation week is May 4-8th so you have time to make this! 

Here is an easy DIY for you to do to show teachers that you appreciate them.  DIY Coasters paired with a cute glass, some straws and a fun beverage... to show that you know they deserve a break for all the hard work they have done.  This gift uses Oil Cloth since it is water resistant.  You can find it at Joann's (by the home decor fabrics- you may need to ask someone) but they have a limited selection.  I got this print from Oil Cloth By the Yard.  Lots of cute patterns! 

Here is what you will need to do:

1. Gather supplies: 1/4 yard Oil Cloth,  1/4 yard Felt, Sewing machine and other sewing tools.

2. Trace out the coasters.  I used a coaster I had as a template but you could also use a cup.

3. Cut out 4 of each out of the felt and the oil cloth (or more if you want).

4. Use a zigzag stitch and sew around the edge as close to the edge as you can get.  Since the oil cloth and felt do not fry you can leave unfinished edges out.  

And your done!  I got this cute glass much from the Dollar Tree and the Paper straws from Target.  I added lemonade mix to complete the gift! 

Here is a printable you can add to the gift! Just right click and save the image.  

Joining in the fun with: