Father’s Day is around the corner and kids are scrambling everywhere to buy or make something for their dad or the father figures in their life.  This is probably the easiest craft that even special needs children can do with limited assistance.  All of the supplies I bought at my local craft store on sale.  It was less than $6 to make including the picture.

Supplies

• Scrapbooking stickers
• Paint
• Picture
• Frame
• clear spray (optional)

Instructions

1.  Take the frame apart and have your child paint the frame.  We painted it on all sides including the grooved part.

2.  Let paint dry.  It only took 20 minutes for ours, but it will differ depending upon the type of paint you use and the humidity in the air.

3.  Apply the stickers as your child sees fit.

4.  (Optional.) Use the clear spray to help everything stay on the frame.  I used a spray that I had in my stock, but it isn’t necessary.

5.  Once dry, reassemble frame with picture.

6.  Make sure that you can hang or set frame on a desk.  I had to do some creative work to get the frame ready for hanging, but it worked.

Each child will have an idea as to what stickers belong on the frame.  You can always stamp in paint or glue items onto the frame depending upon what the desired look is to be.  Be creative and have it reflect your child and their dad.  Happy Father’s Day!

The post Fathers Day Picture Frame Craft appeared first on Arizona Mama.

Number one on the list involved baking soda, salt and cream of tartar. Coincidentally, I had all of those ingredients in my kitchen. I decided to make a ¼ batch, in case it didn’t work. If you’re wondering here’s the recipe I used. (It made enough for two uses.)

Drain Cleaner

1 Tablespoon cream of tarter

4 Tablespoons of salt

4 Tablespoons of baking soda

Pour ¼ cup of the mixture down the drain. (My drain has one of those drain plugs that doesn’t come all the way off, so poured it on my drain.) Immediately I heard some fizzling; the baking soda was reacting with something.  Next I poured 2 cups of boiling water down the drain – more fizzling. I waited a minute or two before I turned on the shower. There was no water backing up! No chemical Dain-o smell and no waiting 10 minutes and trying again!

This wasn’t my first Pinterest success. I’ve tried several recipes, found a ton of party ideas, and lately I’ve actually been trying some of those exercises I pinned. But sticking to cleaning with baking soda, here’s my new favorite mop solution.

Mop Solution

¼ Cup vinegar

¼ Cup baking soda

2 teaspoons dish soap (recipe calls for more)

2 Gallons hot tap water

Combine the ingredients in a bucket (or your kitchen sink). Like the drain cleaner, this mixture fizzes too. I think the fizzing makes it work so well. It definitely makes it fun to use; well, at least less like work.

Now that I’ve shared my two favorite Pinterest cleaning solutions, it’s your turn. What is your favorite cleaning pin?

If you liked these cleaning ideas, you might enjoy these diversions from cleaning.

DIY Scratch Art Valentines

M&M Science

Scavenger Hunt Activity

The post Pinterest Love: Cleaning Drains and Floors appeared first on Arizona Mama.

Take Advantage of the Continental Breakfast

Sometimes this means getting up earlier than I would like, but FREE is my favorite word so I get up and eat when I can, and sometimes go back to bed.

Frozen Microwave Meals

Our hotel room had a “Kitchenette” that came with a microwave, decent size mini-fridge and freezer. Paying extra to have these in a hotel room may be worth the cost that you save by not going out. We stocked up on frozen food: Chicken Nuggets, Hot Pockets, and Pot Pies.

Other Microwave Meals

• Bean and Cheese Burritos: Can of Beans, Tortillas, Taco Bell Mild Sauce, Cheese (Kept Refrigerated)
• Chili Dogs: Can of Chili, Hot Dog Buns, Hot Dogs (Kept Refrigerated), Cheese (Kept Refrigerated)
• Easy Mac, Top Ramen, Canned Soup, Instant Potatoes, Instant Rice
• Leftovers! When you do eat out, save what you can to eat for lunch or a snack the next day.

Coffee Maker Meals

If your hotel room doesn’t come with anything but a coffee maker you can still make a couple meals in your room. Anything that just takes hot water you could make with just the coffee maker. I made a few of these when my son was sleeping because the microwave was too loud.

• Oatmeal
• Ramen
• Soup
• Instant Rice
• Instant Potatoes

If you want to get crazy with making things from your coffee maker check out Geekosystem’s post: Coffee Maker Food

We also bought stuff for some sandwiches, plenty of snacks and drinks. Don’t forget to bring plates, silverware and a microwave dish. We have a nice pocket knife we plan on using for the fruit. Check out my ideas on snacks to bring to the zoo- they would work well to bring to your hotel room as well!

Do you ever eat in your hotel room, if so what do you usually eat?

Other Traveling Tips:
Airport Traveling Tips
Road Trip Packing List Printable, And One For Toddler’s Stuff
On-the-Go Squeezy Applesauce
DIY Personalized Suitcase

The post Eating Out of a Hotel Room {Vacation Money Saving Ideas} appeared first on Arizona Mama.

This is the first year where I had to really come up with an end of the year gift for my son’s teachers, aides, bus drivers, and bus aides.  It has been quite a challenge to keep it from busting our family budget.  I was stumped for the longest time trying to figure out what to give a bus driver when chocolate or really anything that melts isn’t an option.  Because I work with teachers, administrators and have family and friends who are teachers, I polled them to see what their favorite types of gifts would be that doesn’t break the bank.  I found that the more creative gifts and more personalized gifts were very appreciated.   Here are some ideas to get you started:

1) Gift cards

These are great if you know a little more about what they like and you don’t have a lot of people to buy for on your list.  Most people like Starbucks, but if you know they like juice or something else, go for that.  Just keep in mind that if you do only $5 that it doesn’t go very far.  Bookstores, massages, movie theatres, etc. are some types of gifts to get.  Just think about the things that can help them relax, too!  Teaching can be stressful!

2) Classroom supplies

Teachers always appreciate anything they can add to their classroom without it coming out of their pocket!  Some teachers have received unique pencils, pen sets, briefcase, books, flowers, or anything that is fun and useful.

3) Consider the gender…

of your teacher along with their likes.  Also, observe how they decorate their classroom.  This is where the briefcase or a special homemade gift is appropriate.

4) Candles or candle holders

Just make sure they don’t have any major allergies!  I happen to have access to some amazing candles due to my side job, but anything that fits with the teacher’s personality is great no matter where you get it.  This just doesn’t work so well for bus drivers and aides because of the heat.  Unfortunately, not all buses have air conditioning.

5) Water bottles

I decided to go to a dollar store and see what kind of inexpensive water bottle I could find.  This is a great gift for bus drivers that they can use throughout the year.  I filled it with some candy that won’t melt along with some drink mixes.  I also put gum in there because sometimes it helps to have something to chew if you are hungry and have a long day or a long drive.

6) Hugs

Teachers always love hugs from their students.

7) Specialty candy or specialty desserts

If you know they have a sweet tooth, this is a great way to go.  Think about what specialty local shops are around and see what they have to offer in your budget.

8) Handmade items

Vases, pencil boxes, apples, etc. are great things to have your child make for them.

9) Picture of your child. 

Teachers love to have pictures of the children that they serve as reminders of them.  They can make a picture frame or buy one to decorate.  It’s a great way to say thank you.

10)  Pictures that your child draws.

Sometimes even the simplest gifts are the best.  Teachers, aides, and anyone involved in working with children love receiving stuff made by kids.

These are only a few suggestions, but be creative! One of my teacher friends once received cereal and she said it was the best thing!  Gifts do not have to be expensive or even cost anything.   It really is the gratitude you are showing the person for taking care of your child and helping them grow and learn amazing things.  Everyone who works in the school should be appreciated no matter what position they hold.  They are a big part of our child’s life.

The post Gift Ideas for Teachers, Aides, Bus Drivers, and more! appeared first on Arizona Mama.

Materials Needed:

• Scissors
• School Glue (Glue sticks won’t work on this project.)
• 1 or 2 Silk flowers (depending upon how many you make)
• silver or gold glitter
• Sturdy cardboard or stock paper
• 1 popsicle stick or paper towel
• Newspapers (for under the project to keep your table clean)

How to make:

1) Pull or cut all of the petals off the flower(s)

2) Draw a circle in the middle of the page.  Use a lid from a mayo jar or anything you have around the house if you need a template.

3) Lay petals around the circle and then glue them down (let dry for 15-20 minutes before continuing)

4) Using the popsicle stick or paper towel, put glue on it and then spread around in the circle making sure the whole inner circle is covered.

5) Pour or shake the glitter in the circle and shake the paper or cardboard to evenly distribute the glitter.  (let dry for 20 min.)

6)  Take the stem of the flower you destroyed and then cut it to size for the page.  If there are leaves, remove them.

7) Glue the stem and any leaves to the page and let dry.

8) Display or give away!

The post Mothers Day Craft DIY Flower Power appeared first on Arizona Mama.

• 4 inches by 43inches Outer Material (Try to go for lighter colors!)
• 3 1/2inches by 43inches Inside Material
• 2 1/2inches by 43inches Batting

Directions:

Cut your fabric to the dimensions above. This pattern is for a tube with the diameter of approximately 1-1/2 inches, and the length of 41 inches. Add any extra width or length if necessary.

Take the top fabric, and layer the batting and then the inside fabric on top of it, like the picture. Fold the end of the fabric and sew the hem.

Next sew all three pieces of fabric together, down the middle.

After you finish sewing the three layers together, hem the other edge as well.

Next, iron the two long edges. Fold the edge over by about a quarter of an inch and press. Do this for each side.

Put your two pressed sides together, and sew the edge.

Now you have a nice insulated hydration sleeve for the straw of your hydration backpack, that is made from much cuter fabric than usual!

See Also:
How to Pack for Hiking with a Baby

DIY Foam Camping Mattress

DIY Squeezy Applesauce

DIY Laptop/Tablet Sleeve

The post DIY Insulated Hydration Sleeve for Hydration Backpacks appeared first on Arizona Mama.

Paint the Plastic Eggs

This way was my favorite, although it was very messy! We used Acrylic Paints and Puff Paints. We probably should have sealed the acrylic paints on with a coat of Decoupage but we were a little lazy. The acrylic paint can scratch off, but then you can have fun repainting them next year!

Decorate Plastic Eggs with Stickers

These ones weren’t as fun, mostly because our sticker collection is lacking. It is a great way to revive cheap eggs that don’t stay closed though!

Decorate Plastic Eggs with Duct Tape

This was a little more fun than the stickers because it takes a little more creativity. I am a little bit crazy about my scissors and if you are like me be sure to use an old crappy pair of scissors because the tape is not good for them! The cute duct tapes would make this even better, but it is a great cross between painting your own design and putting stickers on. Plus, it’s less messy!

If you wanted to get more creative you could paint duct tape and put that on the eggs! Do you decorate your plastic Easter eggs?

The post Decorate Plastic Easter Eggs appeared first on Arizona Mama.

Valentine’s Candy fits in an Egg

So do snacks!

Clementines fit in an egg, some are much more snug than others!

Eeyore fits in an Easter egg, just like his friend Pooh.

Cars fit great,

and so do Army Men.  Why there is only one army man we will never know…

Regular Sized Crayons don’t

Mini Rubber Ducks are cute, and they also fit.

A few magnetic letters fit.

Batteries fit, great for kids that have something that needs batteries in their Easter basket.

My son will love this money even though he’s not yet two. He loves to put coins in his piggy bank!

Could you guess that was a fish? You could see the eyes through the egg, it’s a little creepy but it fits.

Also a small stress ball fits,

And so do Nerf bullets.

Having stuff that isn’t candy in eggs will help keep kids healthier, and toys last longer.  Now that you have plenty of ideas to get creative with, what are you going to put in your eggs?

Related Articles:
Baseball Easter Basket Tutorial
Halloween “Treat” Ideas
Preschool Activity- Penny Pictures

The post What Fits in an Easter Egg? appeared first on Arizona Mama.

Materials:
Ribbon
Felt
Hot glue
Flame
Needle and Thread

Directions:
1. Melt the edges of any ribbon you will be using to keep them from fraying.

2. Start with the Easter basket handle. Feed the ribbon(s) underneath the top layer of wicker and back under once or twice to keep the ribbon in place.

3. Now wrap the ribbons around the basket handle, very tightly. Tuck them under the wicker on the other side, and around and back under again to keep them from pulling out too easily. Trim any excess ribbon off.

4. Measure the length that the ribbons should be around the basket, and cut the ribbons to that length. I layered two ribbons. They are hot glued together, but very lightly.

5. Cut out your felt and hot glue the pieces together. Mine was done free hand but a google search would find a great template. You could also buy something instead, such as a felt, foam or wood cut out that was premade.

6. Hot glue your felt baseball to the top edge of your ribbon.

7. Wrap your ribbon around the basket. Use a couple of pins to keep it in place. Use your needle and thread to tack your ribbon (and felt baseball) in place.

To take apart the basket after Easter it should be easy to clip the thread and pull it out, and to pull out the other ribbons with a needle or pin.

I enjoyed doing something a little cutesy for my little boy! Do you ever get to do cute projects for your boys?

Boy Projects
Souvenir Baseball Bat Display
Boy’s Shoes Decorated With Tractors
Camping Foam Pad and Case
Blue Angry Birds Hat

The post Boy’s Baseball Easter Basket appeared first on Arizona Mama.

Materials:
T-shirt 2-3 Sizes Larger than you wear
T-shirt that fits perfectly (Just for the pattern!)
Matching Thread

Directions:
Fold both t-shirts in half. Lay the small pattern t-shirt an inch from the center. This will account for seam allowance. Cut the bottom shirt along the lines of the top shirt.

Turn the t-shirt inside out, and pin the sides together. The best for sewing these sides is a serger, but using a zig-zag stitch on a regular sewing machine will work just as well. Sew the sides of the t-shirt dress. Do not sew the arm holes closed.

The last thing is to finish the sleeves. Fold the edges over twice, and press them. Use a long straight stitch or a zig-zag stitch to hem the arm holes.

That’s it! It took me longer to write this post about how to do this than it did for me to make each of these t-shirt dresses, and I love them!

I did go back to the black one and made it into tank top instead, because it is going to start getting hot in Arizona!

Other Sewing Tutorials:
Cross Body Bag
Swim Suit Bikini Top
Messenger Bag
Cascading Ruffles Curtains

The post T-Shirt Dress {Easy Sewing Tutorial} appeared first on Arizona Mama.