Crafts & DIY

The long, hot days of summer have arrived, and so has the daily search for fun (but not too pricey or complicated) activities to do with your kids.  Flip flop wreaths are a great summer craft that are creative,...

My daughter has built an empire of collected art projects from school. They are wonderful in the sense that she's proud of them and they also tell me a story of how she's progressed throughout her preschool year. (eg:...

Thank You Thursday {April Edition} Thank You Thursday is a sometimes monthly Scottsdale Moms Blog series. The team at SMB is so LUCKY to receive products, try new local venues, and hear about new things to do all the time....

"Please no. Wha…what is that smell? "   I beg my stomach to stay strong.  This is horrible.  I’d take a fresh poopy at this point.   Yes; I said it - it’s that bad.  But I have to face the sea...

I’m the kind of mom who loves when her kids get messy. I know that may seem weird, but it’s just kind of my thing. I’ve found that if I’m prepared, it’s actually easier for me to engage with...

If you're looking for a fun process art project to do this spring break, consider a reproduction of Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night. If your preschooler is like mine and wants the facts, you can let them know: Van...

It happens every year.  My sons and I sit down every year to pick a birthday party theme.  We book the venue, pick out plates and napkins, and grab some wall decor.  And with each party we have to...

Easy Brunch Ideas to make your next Sunday easy! One of my favorite things is to host friends {new & old} for meals at my house. Bringing friends together to eat, drink & catch up is such a great way...

Sweet and spicy recipes to love I recently discovered this amazing honey at Fry's Grocery Store, and it is a must buy! It is called Mike's Hot Honey and it is the perfect blend of spicy heat and sweet delicious...

Like most of you, I host several playdates a month. If you, like me, are tired of the same old Goldfish, pretzel, string cheese snacks I have a solution that I’ve never seen a kid (or a mom) turn...

July is National Ice Cream Month! We recently hosted an ice cream themed party. These cute ice cream cone cupcakes were a big hit with the preschool crowd. Making the cupcakes was pretty easy - box mix, cone on...

If you are looking to change up some colors and decor in your house and you want to do it without spending a ton, I have a great step by step guide on how you can change the look...

With the summer months upon us, there is a likelihood that there's at least one car trip out of the abysmal heat to California or Northern Arizona in your future. While iPads, DVD players, and other electronic devices can...

Seriously the worst part about Summer with the kids is three meals a day, every.single.day. Why do they have to eat so many times a day!?! We are joking, but there are great things about summer cooking too, for...

DIY Savings Bank Supplies Shoe Box Cardboard Scrapbook Paper Stickers Decorative Tape Packing Tape Glue Scissors (adults!) Step 1 - Find a Box We picked a sturdy preschool sized shoe box that was already pretty cute.             Step 2 - Make Cardboard Dividers Use...

As I sit in my living room overlooking my gallery wall, nostalgia runs rampant. I am grateful for the photographers that captured, with one click, a moment that embodied our family perfectly. Photography is a true talent and art...

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, we decided to plan a mini-party at the park. I wanted to keep the theme focused, so we picked my daughter's favorite Dr. Seuss book, The Cat in the Hat. We invited a...

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! What better way to celebrate with your kids than a fun craft that involves gardening, upcycling, and lots of sparkly Valentine's hearts? I am not usually a super-crafty mom but my love...

Growing up in the midwest, everyone knew that when winter rolled around it’s time to bring out your crockpots! I remember as a kid, my mom would make my favorite vegetable soup in a slow cooker and the delicious...

During pregnancy I had a major sweet tooth! Now, after the baby, that sweet tooth just won’t go away. The battle between sugar and the gym are really starting to hate each other. I had to turn to some...

One of the first manners that we teach children is to say please and thank you. Some of us even start before they can talk, by teaching them to sign those words. Raising a child who is both generous...

Anyone else dying to do holiday crafts and activities with your little ones but find they are just a bit too small? My little one has zero interest and would rather put all the materials in her mouth rather...

Summer break in Scottsdale is upon us and the extremely high temperatures can make for some of the LONGEST days with little ones. Sure, there are amazing local indoor attractions offered in Scottsdale, but outings are not something I'm...

I guess you could say that making a cheesecake is a labor of love. But why settle with ordinary cheesecake when you can have one with a hidden surprise? So I give to you ... Hidden Caramel Pecan Cheesecake...

  If you’ve been searching for a handmade, Father’s Day gift that would come from your kids’ hearts, be made with love by their own tiny hands, and show dad just how much he’s loved… here's fun, quick, free idea! An...

Father's day is coming up and Dads love homemade and thoughtful gifts too. Here's 5 Father's Days crafts that are fun for children to make and Dad is sure to cherish. 1. Paper Tie: There are patterns online and even...

When the summer temps start to hit the level of blazing hot, I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to do is... Eat anything heavy. Turn on the oven. Stand over the hot stove. So I...

Know what's wicked? AZ summers. She been sayin' it for 4 years, and Mama ain't gettin' tougher. #preggo #dueinAugust #wasntthinking But know what's wicked yummy?  Summer BBQ's!! And not like healthy, skinny people, I'll-just-stick-with-the-veggie-tray BBQ's.  We're talking YOLO BBQ's. Burgers and dogs on white buns, potato salad,...

Our family loves to celebrate almost as much as we love traditions. Last year we made May Day Baskets with our two year old. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to teach her about sharing and being a kind...

As meticulous as I am, I love baking with my kids. It's one of the only times where a big mess doesn't freak me out and I don't feel the need for perfection. I learned about these easy-to-make, sweet and...