Sensory Bins

Last summer I created a sensory bin for G with some items I found at the Dollar Tree. Summer in Texas is soooo hot, so we spend a lot of our days indoors. Nap time can get tricky. I don't like G to watch tv while Cash is napping. I am fine with him watching a short show, but I do not want him to spend 2-3 hours in front of the tv. I also like to be able to rest some during this time, so I needed something that would keep him busy. A sensory bin was a perfect thing for G. He can use his imagination and it's also a quiet toy. 

You could also find a lot of these items at Walmart or Target pick up to avoid going to the store during this pandemic we are going through right now. 

I spent around $10 to create this sensory bin. There are sensory bins on Amazon, Etsy and other various sites going for $30+. By creating your own you can do it budget friendly and create it based on what your child loves. 

We used a bag of beans and glass beads as our base in a clear plastic bin. Get a bin with a lid! You will want a lid to store this box up high if you have little ones. 

G loved helping create this box. I also bought a bag of letter beads to mix in. This way you can also make it educational, by asking them to spell their name, find certain letters etc. 

A bug catching set has been a lot of fun! He uses the scoop and the net to scoop up beans or to put some of the animals inside as he catches them. 

We made this sensory bin over 9 months ago. G still loves to play with it! Cash has now started to play with it with supervision. This is not my favorite toy for toddlers because they like to dump beans all over the house. It becomes a huge mess and it's not a relaxing toy for a mom. lol It is a great sensory toy for toddlers, but you just need some patience when you pull this out!

Items for a sensory bin

1 plastic bin - we used a 28 qt bin with a lid 

1 bag of beans

Glass Rocks

Alphabet Beads

Insect Collector Kit

Plastic Animals

Squishy Toys 

Option 1 

Option 2

Play Doh

Trees

Construction Vehicles

You can be so creative with sensory bin themes you would like to create for your kids! 

If you make a sensory bin let me know what kind of ideas of you come up with! 

Monday Thrive June 19

Happy Monday! 

1) I hope all you father's had a special Father's Day yesterday! I am so thankful for my amazing dad! The older I get the more I realize just what amazing parents I had growing up! I was closest to my mom growing up. I remember a change in my relationship with my dad  when I was about 18. 

I had left Michigan where we lived to go to college in California. I went to college about 30 minutes from where I live now. I remember the second day I was at school l became horribly homesick. I had asked to come home. I didn't want to be there and so far away. I cried so much in those 2 weeks. I am not sure if i had ever cried that much in my life. lol My parents said I had to finish the semester. At the time it sounded like the end of the world to a 17 year old. I had no friends, was in a strange place, and I was almost 2,000 miles away. Back then I didn't realize I needed to stay because 7 years later I would end up moving right back there! I didn't know this until later, but my dad told my mom to let me come home. My mom was the strict one this round and said NO. If I had known my dad was the softy in this situation I would have talked to him more about coming home. lol 

My dad told me after I came home at some point that I was the first person he missed so bad and how hard it was on him when I went away to college. This past summer he told me that story again. I dread the day G goes away to college. 

I have spent a lot of time with my mom over the past few years. She has come to CA to take care of me when I've been sick and when I had G. She stayed with us for a few months when I went back to work, so she could take care of G. Last summer I stayed in ND to help take care of my dad after he had open heart surgery. I really cherished that time that I was able to spend with him and my family. We spent a lot of time watching the Olympics. I told him I will be coming back every 4 years during the summer Olympics, so we can spend some time watching it together. He is less than thrilled to spend time watching the Olympics. lol He said he never would have watched it if he hadn't been recovering. 


2) G started preschool last week. The first day he barely had time to even tell me good bye. When I picked him up he ran to give me a big hug. I asked him did you like school? He enthusiastically said YES! I asked would you like to come back tomorrow? Again I got a loud YES! He really loved it! He had to tell both sets of grandparents all about his day. He played with trucks, had cheese sticks and crackers for snacks and there were lots of dinosaurs. He was a little clingier the rest of the day. I asked him did you miss momma? He said yes, then gave me a tight hug. I told him it was ok to miss me, but I would always come to pick him up. 

They do lots of crafts, play with toys, play outside, have snacks and read stories. When I picked him up I loved how calm everything was in the room. It is a room with about 8-10 two year olds. Everyone is playing or reading stories on the bean bag chairs. The teachers are really fabulous! The staff is all so friendly too. I am so happy that we found such a great place. 

3) I recently bought these earrings from Mia & Mac. I follow her on Instagram. She posted these adorable gold hammered earrings on her IG story the other day. She was selling a few different designs of earrings for different price points. I loved the plain hammer gold hoops. They are about the size of a nickle. The perfect size! They are lightweight, dainty and simple. Just the perfect touch for all my gold jewelry. I am always looking for earrings to go with different necklaces. I need a plainer type of earring because sometimes I just wear my G Silver Wren tag necklace and other times I will wear a big statement necklace. I have been tending to lean more to more simple pieces since I stay home with G. 

4) Heather from My Life Well Loved started a series called Holy Grit. She talked about it on her IG stories. I was like meh I don't know that I really want to do a 30 day Bible series. I decided to sign up for the emails on it. I need some Holy Grit in my life. I am soooo glad I signed up for this series. It is so amazing! Each day I take the time to read the emails and read the verses. It has been such a blessing to me and helped me so much. There is still time for you to join in. I highly recommend you join in if you need some encouragement, positive influence or just are looking for a new type of devotional to do. 


5) We are planning some water activities this summer. I decided to buy G a puddle jumper. I keep seeing kids wearing them on social media. I am hoping he likes this and it works well for us. We have a small pool in our backyard. He is cautious in it. He would rather just stand in there with no one else and splash around just a little bit. What type of flotation devices do you use for your kids? 

Spring OOTD

I recently bought this tshirt on Etsy. I think the eyelash and lip shirts are really cute. I went out with a friend for drinks one night and wore this. I haven't worn a blazer in ages. I use to wear them all the time for work. I tried to find some similar booties like the ones I am wearing. I bought mine at Nordstrom Rack on a great deal! I found a couple pairs that are similar I linked below. 

Tshirt: Etsy

Blazer: Old from Target (similar)

Jeans: American Eagle

Booties: Nordstroms Rack (similar) (similar) 

I love these jeans! I wear them at least 3 times a week. Sometimes I have to force myself to wear something different. I have 2 pairs. I bought a pair at Gap and American Eagle. The pair from Gap I got for like $10. It was the only pair they had or I would have bought a second pair. I just love them because they are so comfy, cropped and they don't sag. I really like cropped jeans because I can wear them with booties, sandals or my converse. I don't have to roll them up at all. They are just perfect! 

I bought the sweater from Nordstrom Rack a few years back. It's a staple. Just a simple crewneck black comfy cardigan. I can't find anything on their website currently that is similar. You can find this type of sweater anywhere. Target even sells them. 

Sweater: Nordstrom Rack

Jeans: American Eagle 

Booties: Nordstroms Rack (similar) (similar) 

I recently bought this dress from Old Navy. I have been on the fence about this dress over the past year. I LOVE it, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to wear a form fitting dress. I decided that I needed to stop being over self conscious. This dress is the perfect dress for summer! It is comfy, cool and covers enough while chasing a toddler. I wore it recently when it was 89 degrees! We were dying from the heat. We went from the 60's to almost 90. I suggest you add it to your wardrobe! 

Dress: Old Navy

Sandals: Target (similar)

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own. The post Spring OOTD appeared first on Because Chocolate Can't Get You Pregnant.  

Lacey's Little Luxuries

Lacey's little luxuries is a home based small business. Started with candles, now I cant stop soap, salts, bath bombs and scrubs made with love by me for you!!!! You can find lacey's little luxuries on Etsy and Facebook. 

Valentine Cards

How adorable are these Valentine Cards?  Check them out on Etsy. They were pinned on Pinterest with a link to Etsy. I had to go to Etsy to read the entire card. 

One of the cards says: "I HATE when YOU are not here with me"

They are reasonable at $13.50 for 6 cards and not your typical Valentine cards! Fun way to mix things up with your family and friends. 

source: Etsy

Yuni Kelley Bracelet

I am part of a style and beauty message board. We participate in Elfster Christmas gift exchange. My elf has been in contact with me to let me know my gift was on it's way. I received a Yuni Kelley pave textured chain bracelet. I was thinking the other night I was going to actually buy myself a bracelet. Low and behold guess what arrived in the mail.....the bracelet I have been wanting! 

picture source: Yuni Kelley

Check out Yuni Kelley jewelry on etsy. It is simply amazing! Yuni Kelley is also offering 30% off to my friend and family. Enter coupon code "CELEBRATE" at check out. 

Here are some of my Yuni Kelley wants.

silver pave ball clasp bracelet

gunmetal bracelet

Gray & Black Chain Necklace

All pictures source: Yuni Kelley

Stashing Through the Snow

How adorable is this Christmas ball?  Unfortantely it is sold out on Etsy. I will be stashing through the snow when I am in ND for Christmas. =)

While I am stashing through the snow I am going to need this mustache cozy for my tea!

A Sign?

I have had a rough month.  I am looking forward to April!  By the way how is it April already????  Anyhow.....I was checking out to see what Etsy was featuring & below is the sign being featured!  Boy did I need that!!  You can buy your own to remind yourself to stop worrying too.  

Dioly Rug

Check out this ADORABLE doily rug on Etsy.  I am in LOVE with this rug.  It would look so cute in our master bath!

YELLOW!!!!

Check out these adorable YELLOW items from Etsy.  Sunday Etsy was featuring yellow items and I found some cute stuff I would really like.

I am in love with the yellow cup cozy. 

How adorable are these mittens! 

Adorable hat with yellow bow



Yellow birdy pillow

 

How cute is this damask makeup bag?  I love me some damask no matter what color, but this yellow damask is just ADORABLE!

Etsy Shopping!

Check out my sisters Etsy shop. Laceys Little Luxuries

She will be adding additional items to it soon!

Craft Ideas

I have been saving some pictures on my computer for once we are moved of items I want to make. Here are some future crafting ideas.

Kitchen in German.

I would like to make some towels in my kitchen colors with forks and spoons. I think this will be my first project I try the freezer paper template for painting on fabric.

Carrie from Sex in the City inspired necklace. I want to make this with black ribbon.

Off to Etsy I go to see what else I can find!

GIVEAWAY On Make It and Love It

I love the Glam Bag!!!!! Here is a giveaway on Make It or Love it! How cute is the Boo Bag!
http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-sponsor-and-giveawayare-you-ready.html
Check out her Etsy site too.

Phone & Camera Case

iPhone Case Front
iPhone case - Back

Camera case

One of the nesties sent me a picture of a case she found and wanted to know if I could make her one. I sent her a couple pictures of fabric and she picked the birds. It was super easy. I put batting in the middle of each layer and put a small pocket in the inside. This way she can put her ID in the case with her phone and head to the gym.

Sewing

Here are a few things I have been sewing lately. I think I have made about 8 bibs, 8 burp cloths, 10 wet bags, 2 dresses, and 4 onesies. I have added some of these items to my etsy site. The little dresses are just soooo adorable.

Craft Project

Last night I cut out these bibs and sewed them together. Tonight I cut out the little designs and added them. It took me about an hour total to make them and $3.50 for both. I love the wiener dog bib!

First Sale

I just sold my first wet bag on Etsy. I am sooo excited!!!!!

Etsy Shop

I just opened an Etsy shop. I currently have listed some burp clothes I made. I plan to make a few other things to add. I thought I would experiment with craft sales. =)

Here is my store ~

http://mrspost08.etsy.com