The Mama Ninja Shop

Showing posts with label easy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label easy. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

March 26, 2019

Creative Easter Baskets for the Entire Family

Its almost here...Easter! That wonderful time of year when Spring emerges from her long winter nap.

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Flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, and there is a wonderful scent of renewal in the air! Who doesn't love Spring, right?

Easter egg hunts, the warm sunshine, kids playing in the yard, cookies baking, Easter dinner being planned, and all that marvelous chocolate and goodies that the Easter Bunny brings. There is so much to look forward to! Did I mention all the marvelous chocolate?!

Of course, the annual trek through our living room by that notorious and elusive Easter Bunny is my kids favorite thing! And, I have to admit, planning those baskets and fixing them up are kinda my favorite thing, too. That and the chocolate, of course!

If you've read my post regarding Simple Ways to Make a Cancer Patient Smile, you already know how much I love baskets to brighten someone's day!

But what happens when the Easter Bunny (aka Mom) gets a little tired of the same-old same-old? Here's a hint, #mamaninja to the rescue!



Before I start my list, let us get a misconception out of our heads. 

An Easter basket DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A BASKET.

Whaaat?!

Yep. You heard me right. It can be anything that can be of use anytime of the year! Also, don't forget, Easter baskets can be and should be for everyone in the family, not just the kids!


Now that we have that little nugget of info out of the way, let's get creative! 


For the Baby or Mom to Be
Basket Ideas:
Baby bath, small hamper, decorative shelf box, diaper bag, hanging diaper cubby
Fillers:
Rubber ducky, wash cloths, bibs, sun hat, baby lotion, sunscreen, towels, engraved baby bible, diapers, travel wipes, car sun visor, changing table mat, rompers, cute little diaper covers for girls, coupon for baby pictures to be made, baby's 1st Easter scrapbooking supplies


For the Little Boy
Basket Ideas
New toy box, sand pail and shovel, plastic bucket with name painted, small inflatable pool, plastic tool box, toy crate, small indoor ball pit, a pirates ship, a toy grill,  a big dump truck, little red wagon, toy wheel barrow
Fillers
Ball pit balls, plastic tool set, grill accessories, legos, floor puzzle, giant coloring book, crayons, stickers, craft or drawing paper, matchbox cars and trucks, Lil' Swimmers or new bathing suit, bath toys, bath paint, bubbles, magnetic fridge letters, hooded towel, stuffed animals, picture books, rock painting kit, baseball cap, sunglasses, new shorts and tee shirt, sandals, water shoes, glow sticks, playground ball, toy sword, pirate costume

For the Little Girl
Basket Ideas
New toy box, Barbie car, doll house, baby carriage, wooden crate with name painted, caboodle, jewelry box, plastic bucket, inflatable pool or ball pit, little red wagon, toy wheel barrow
Fillers
Barbies, dolls, doll clothes, tutu, furniture for doll house, headbands, bows, sunglasses, Lil' Swimmers or new bathing suit, sunglasses, sun hat, purse, toy makeup, stickers, craft or drawing paper, giant coloring book, colors, rock painting kit, butterfly net, bath toys or bath paint, hooded towel, picture books, tea set, stuffed animals, magic wand, tiara, playground ball, glow stick necklace or bracelets, dress up clothes or shoes

For the Pre-Teen or Teen Girl
Basket Ideas
Overnight bag, large purse, makeup case, small laundry hamper, large caboodle, wooden crate for books, new backpack
Fillers
Makeup and brushes, nail polish and accessories, new hair brush, scrunchies and hair ties, scarf, wallet, locker mirror, books, CD, DVD, iTunes card, small bluetooth speaker, posters for bedroom, strand of Christmas lights for bedroom, flip flops, shades, new bathing suit, school tee shirt, a pool float, water bottle or travel cup, cross necklace, bracelet or ear rings, light up charger cords, ear buds, new phone case, beach towel, a diary or journal

For the Pre-teen or Teen Boy
Basket Ideas
Tool box, tackle box, duffle bag, new backpack, a foot locker, sports gear bag, laundry basket
Fillers
Tools, fishing tackle, rod and reel, iTunes card, books, flip flops, pocket knife, a good flashlight, sleeping bag, new bathing trunks, school tee shirt, canteen, water bottle or travel cup, baseball cap, shades, new sports ball or equipment, sport gloves, binaculars, bluetooth speakers, CD, DVD, new charger cords, beach towel, ear buds

For Dad or the Man in Your Life
Basket Ideas
Tool chest, tackle box, minnow bucket, ice chest (full of crawfish!), ammo lock box, duffel bag, briefcase, hiking backpack, a new charcoal grill, car wash bucket
Fillers
Wallet, tools, mechanic gloves, tackle, new rod and reel, bluetooth speakers, car speakers, CD, DVD, BBQ grill accessories, BBQ apron, a steak branding iron, steak and burger seasonings, books, cologne or after shave, a beard and mustache trimmer, a subscription to his favorite magazine, baseball cap, shades, car detailing supplies, new rake or water hose, set of bungee cords or new tie downs, hunting knife

For Mom or the Lady in Your Life
Basket Ideas
Picnic basket, makeup bag, beach bag, tool box, decorative box, jewelry armoire, flower window box, a new large decorative flower pot, a decorative serving bowl, chip and dip bowl
Fillers
Jewelry, wine glasses (with wine!), gift card for mani, pedi, or spa trip, electric racer, fuzzy slippers, flip flops, ankle bracelet, self tanning lotion (the good stuff!), new sunglasses with case and a clip for her visor, garden gloves, gardening stool and apron, fresh flower bulbs to plant, books, a journal, a pretty bookmark, a new Bible cover, a stuffed animal (yes, we love them, too!), CD, DVD, a subscription to her favorite magazine, perfume,  and dont forget the chocolates! 

So, get creative with those baskets and see their faces light up! And let me know what your absolute favorite thing about Easter is below!

Don't forget to Pin for later!

Want more ideas to enjoy the Spring season? Check out my Spring Bucket List for Families!

As always, feel free to share and follow me on your favorite social Media!
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Monday, January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

Its an Inside Campout Party!


Before I get to the details of this super fun and simple party, I need to fill you in on where this idea came from with a little background.

The week after the Christmas holidays is always such a crazy hectic time for us. The kids return to school and struggle getting back on schedule. I, too, have a hard time setting that alarm clock and not just sleeping in.

The week is exhausting physically and mentally. The weekend can not get here fast enough! I'm sure most of you can relate, right?!
To top off that exhausting week, my husband has an annual overnight trip out of town.

The first year that this came up, the kids were devastated, as was I! After the week we just had, I have to handle the weekend by myself, too?!

(Insert Wine Ad!)

Monthly Wine Club
Now, my kids are in tears (and I am close!) and I need to get back in control quick. So, I asked was there anything special that they would like to do while Daddy is gone. They both light up, stop the tears, and reply enthusiastically, "Camping!"

Really?! I mean, REALLY?!

First off, it's the 2nd week of January and my toes haven't thawed out since Christmas because of the cold. 


Secondly, I'm not exactly the rustic, sleep-on-the-ground-with-the-bugs, pitch a tent, pee in the bush, adventurous type of Mama. Come on, I have to have indoor plumbing, at the very least!

Third, and lastly, I think the kids most definitely went for the shock factor here.

They knew I was at the end of my rope and decided to take the kill shot (why yes, I did just describe my kids as lethal, cunning little ninjas. Have you met my kids?!)
Now, at this point, 2 very important things happened that had a chain reaction for years to come.
  1. I immediately went into my creative Mama beast mode and hatched a brilliant plan, if I do say so myself. 
  2. My dear brave, not rationally thinking husband burst out laughing and replied, "Mama can't go camping!"  That's right. The love of my life... the father of my children... just told me I couldn't do it.

I'm not exactly sure what happened in the next few seconds, but apparently, flames must have appeared above my head and my eyes shot out little balls of fire that can burn into your soul.

I say this because all laughing and crying stopped cold, as my husband and children backed away slowly. 


Then I smiled.

I never really realized how much power a perfectly timed smile can have until that very moment.

As my husband started stammering apologies, excuses, and rationalizing his words while sweating bullets, I just said "Nevermind all that, we are going camping!" Their jaws all dropped.

Now, it was my turn to enjoy their shocked faces.

I had become the Mama Ninja!
As I said earlier, two chain reactions happened because of that conversation right then and there.

I'm sure you have already guessed one. My husband never ever ever attempted to laugh at me again or say the words "You can't do that" (at least not within firing range of my little balls of fury!)

The other being, our Annual Inside Campout Party was born!


Our tradition started from a simple  business trip and my trying to cheer up two sad and crying children.

But it could be perfect for a girl's slumber party, an all boy sleepover, or just a spur of the moment idea to brighten your kids faces.

Raining? Don't want to pee in bushes? You don't have to! That's right, have a camp out right in your living room!

Enjoy all the campout fun while basking in the glory of electricity and indoor plumbing!



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My kids and I loved this so much, that it is now an honored tradition in our family! And I'm going to share with you how you can make it yours!

With any camping trip, there are necessities, right? A good tent, sleeping bags, fire, s'mores, singing, and story telling just to name a few. All of these are easily adapted for indoors!

Here's what you need to get the fun started!

Tent:

Now the kids love this part, and it's so easy! 

Gather extra sheets, tablecloths, pillows, and blankets into your designated camp site, aka the living room or den.

Move the furniture just a bit or bring in some chairs or side tables and place them where they are needed. Then let the kids build their own forts!

We have had one really big one or two connected by a tunnel, or even different ones for various activities.

My son loves having one just for coloring and reading! My daughter's can get eloborate with tunnels, and cat doors, and hideaways!

Lauren and I goofing around

One of our smaller "tents"


Flashlights or lanterns:

Both kids have their own lights for their own spaces. I usually turn the lights off just leaving a few lamps on low and have a fire going in the fireplace.



*Extra tip* 
Not everyone has a fireplace, but if you cover the lamps with a thin red pillowcase, t-shirt, or tablecloth, it will give the room a fire-like glow!

Sleeping bags:

The first time we did this, I went and bought sleeping bags for both kids and they have come in tremendously handy through the years!

I prefer the water resistant ones for the neverending amount of spills to come and they are fairly inexpensive!


Activities:

Now, I think that just my mere presence, witty banter, and melodic voice is all the entertainment that one should need. However, for some strange reason my kids get tired of hearing me?!

There's an easy solution to this. We just celebrated Christmas, so there are usually plenty of coloring books, games, movies, a radio, books to read, and toys to sleep with.


Food:

Oh yes, my favorite part! Let's eat!

Through the years, we have tried all our camping favorites...hamburgers, hotdogs, homemade pizza, grill pack cheesy fries, nachos, walking tacos, or corn dogs!

I always have plenty of snacks on hand, like cookies or chips, and don't forget the s'mores!


Hot chocolate (extra marshmallows and whipped cream, please!) is a must for the night!

 I always plan for a special dessert for the occasion. S'mores brownies, cupcakes, cookie sandwiches, or this year, we had ice cream sundaes!


I know what you are thinking, where are the healthy veggies or fruits?! Well, this is a party right?

Let the kids indulge once in a while! You can make all the veggie goodness you want...tomorrow!

We always have our party on a Friday night, since that is the day that Barry has to leave. Which works out great because the kids can stay up late and sleep in Saturday morning.

When things start to settle down, we climb in our sleeping bags and put in a favorite movie.

This year, they chose Ice Age. And they are both out like a light before that squirrel loses his nut for the third time!

And to round out our Indoor Campout Party, the next morning we have a lazy day brunch. Maybe some breakfast burritos, waffles, or cinnamon rolls.

So, there you have it, our Indoor Campout Party. 

Simple... Cheap... And memorable.

The perfect opportunity to discover your inner Mama Ninja.

The perfect opportunity to make memories that your children (and you) will cherish a lifetime.


Want to know more about my chaos?!
Read my Welcome post and find out why it is so blessed!

And check out my Party and Holidays Page for more thrifty, fun, and creative ways to make precious memories with your family!

If you enjoyed this post, please share! And don't forget to use the #mamaninja!!
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About



Hi, there! My name is Shannon Dewease and I'm so happy you found my blog. I am from beautiful South Mississippi and live here with my family. My life can get a little chaotic, comical, and down right complicated, as you will find out. I can't wait to begin sharing my misadventures with you!

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