Dear Eight-Year-Old Me #AmericanGirlMemories

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sivan Social. All comments and opinions are my own. 

Dear eight-year-old Julie,

Hey, it's me. I mean...it's YOU...twenty-some years in the future.  

I know that you've recently spent hours and hours poring over that mail order catalogue from Pleasant Company, featuring all those really amazing American Girl dolls. You know how you think you won't make it through another day unless you receive that magical "Molly" doll for your upcoming ninth birthday? I don't want to give anything away (so watch out because there are some major spoilers below), but I can't help it - I just have a feeling that you might want the inside scoop on how things are going to turn out. 

Sure enough, that beautiful doll is going to find its way into your arms when you turn nine. #BestBirthdayEver, right?! She's going to become the best friend you can imagine! You're going to bring her with you everywhere. You might have a panic attack when she's loved so well that her leg falls off - but don't worry! After a quick trip to the American Girl hospital, she'll be back with a shiny balloon and your adventures can continue. 

A few years after you turn nine, you're going to be absolutely thrilled to receive a Samantha doll, as well. She may not go on quite as many adventures with you as Molly did, but you're still going to love both of them with all your heart. You'll keep them long past childhood because you can't imagine giving them away. Besides...what if you have a daughter someday? 

But, that's a long way off. Between now and then, you'll continue channeling your love for American Girl by recommending the books wholeheartedly to every child who you encounter when you're working as a librarian. You'll be the founder of an "American Girl Book Club" and bring kids together routinely to share their thoughts about each of the different characters. Over time, you'll help many, many students learn how to use old-time skills to make crafts and keepsakes inspired by these characters. You'll host more American Girl themed tea parties than you can remember, and you'll smile every single time a child learns something through the eyes and experience of these girls you've always loved. And yes - your Molly and Samantha dolls will be along for the ride throughout all of this. 

Around ten years from now, you'll finally make it to New York City - where you'll excitedly take your girlfriends on your first EVER trip to American Girl Place. You'll spend more time there than anywhere else near 5th Avenue, and you'll be wishing you could bring home the entire collection! From that point on, anytime you are in New York, you'll make it a point to stop and visit the store. 

However, the best thing that's going to happen is even further down the road. In 2020, you're going to have your own little girl who's turning eight years old - and that's going to be even more special than you can dream right now. That little girl is going to wholeheartedly embrace your love for these dolls and their world, and together, you're going to live through the magic all over again. There is something incredibly special about passing on your treasured keepsakes to your kids. Don't believe me? Just you wait and see how spectacular it is when the only thing she wants for her eighth birthday is that Samantha doll of yours. 

She's going to read the books over and over again. She'll giggle when Samantha teases Eddie Ryland. She's going to make secret presents and sneak them under the tree on Christmas Eve so she can feel like a Christmas secret-keeper like Molly. She's going to say "Mom, do you know what Felicity and Elizabeth keep calling Elizabeth's sister?!" And after you reply "Bananabelle, of course!," you'll both laugh and laugh. 

Oh, and her Halloween costume that same year she turns eight? It's a matching Samantha dress from Pleasant Company (but don't get too jealous of your kid....even though I know you'd die of excitement if you had that dress in your collection).  

Eight-year-old self, there's a little something more that I think you should know. Those characters and their stories are going to become such a big part of who you are. They're going to help define how you see the world. You're going to remember Felicity's loyalty, Kirsten's pioneer spirit, Addy's quest for freedom, Samantha's hopes for justice and equality, and Molly's patriotism and spunk - and each of those things is going to contribute to the woman you grow up to be. But it won't stop there! You'll be able to share those same stories and so many more with your own daughter, and watch her form her own thoughts and opinions about how to tackle the world as she grows up...your very own little world-changing American Girl. 

It's going to be beyond beautiful.

If you are looking for a gift this year, consider an American Girl doll - it may end up becoming a family heirloom (like ours have). We had to add a Julie doll to our collection this year because...well, that's my name! And to those of you who might be wondering....no, my daughter Addie was not technically named after an American Girl character. But with both of our names represented in the historical character collection, we kinda think we're gonna be American Girl fans for the long haul. 

American Girl is offering free shipping on orders of $135+ this holiday season! Leave a comment and let me know which doll was your favorite growing up...and which one you would choose now! 

Thank you to Sivan Social for sponsoring this post. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Shamrock Sun Catcher St. Patrick's Day Craft with Free Printable

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog and my family! 

We've had a few days of exceptionally warm weather for the month of February lately, which has made it even more difficult to be trapped inside when the temperatures are not so mild. Why not pass the time with a St. Patrick's Day Craft? This Shamrock Sun Catcher (with free printable) is a fun way to work on fine motor skills and enjoy the sunshine from inside your home!

Shamrock Sun Catcher Craft with Free Printable
Supplies Needed: 
-Wax Paper
-Shamrock Printable - download it HERE.
-Scissors
-Green Tissue Paper
-Mod Podge
-Paintbrush

1. Cut small pieces of the green tissue paper. I used multiple shades because I had them on hand, but you can do all one color or even throw in some white or gold! If your kids are learning how to use scissors, this is a great time for them to practice those fine motor skills. To make one shamrock, you won't need an exceptional amount of tissue paper - maybe cut up a square foot's worth of paper and see where you stand.

If you don't want to cut, you can also just rip the tissue into tiny pieces. I opted for scissors since that's something we are working on anyway.

Looks like salad - am I right?!

2. Print off the Shamrock Printable and cut it out. Trim around both black edges - inside and out. Cut a square of wax paper that is slightly larger than your shamrock outline.

3. Use a brush to spread Mod Podge all over the wax paper. The kids especially loved this part. Tip: tape down the edges of the wax paper to the table so it doesn't slide around while the kids are using a glue-covered brush.

4. Cover the Mod Podge with tissue paper pieces. It took my kids a few applications of Mod Podge before they had the whole thing covered in paper.

5. Once your wax paper is mostly covered, paint a layer of Mod Podge over the top of it all. Next, use Mod Podge or glue to add the shamrock on top of the green tissue paper pieces.

6. Allow the Mod Podge to dry, then trim around the outside black shamrock edge. Hang however you desire - punch a hole and hang with ribbon or just tape it to a window like we did!

This project was a lot of fun and kept us occupied on a cold afternoon! Have fun making your own Shamrock Sun Catcher!

How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

DIY Washi Tape Frame + Free Prints from Shutterfly

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Shutterfly. All opinions are my own and honest! 

Sometimes in the middle of a dreary season - like winter, where it's actually dreary outside or even just a season of dreariness of mind or heart - you need something new and lovely to brighten your spirits. It's amazing how something like a pop of color can change your whole perspective!

I used Shutterfly to print this baby photo of my daughter. At first, I put it in a plain purple photo frame that I had painted for her first birthday party. It was cute...but just not cute enough for prime placement on display. I decided to whip up a new solution: the DIY Washi Tape Frame and I love how it turned out. The best part is, it took me about thirty minutes from start to finish and was made mostly with stuff I already had in my house.

DIY Washi Tape Frame
Supplies Needed

-Photo Frame with Mat. Mine is from IKEA several years ago - not sure if they still carry this line, but it's a basic square frame with an included mat. If you can't find something similar, you could always do a plain square frame and cut the mat yourself.
-Washi Tape. No limit on how many you can use! I chose five coordinating rolls.
-Flower or some other accent. I had this in my flower stash (it's from Hobby Lobby), but you could make one or use some other decoration or skip it altogether! Did I mention this craft is easy?!
-Adhesive to attach the flower, should you decide to use it.

Instructions: 

1. Remove mat from frame.

2. Experiment with washi tape design. The great thing about washi tape is that it works like masking tape - you can peel it back up over and over again to get the placement right. I started from the top and worked my way down, but I think next time I do this, I will start the project in the middle of the frame so the pattern is symmetrical from top to bottom.

3. Tape, tape, tape, and then tape some more. It's therapeutic! I promise!

When you're finished, you could add a layer of glossy Mod Podge over the top if you wanted, but I didn't find that necessary since it was going to be behind glass.

4. Add photo and put frame back together!

5. Attach accent on the outside of the frame.

And that is it! I'm in love with it. 

Did you know that Shutterfly has an app (which is so much fun) and that right now you can get FREE unlimited 4x6 and 4x4 prints? How cool is that? FREE PHOTOS. You guys, I'm so bad about getting photos of my kids printed and in albums or up on the walls where my family can enjoy them. I'm so taking advantage of this deal and getting some of my iPhone photos into my hands so I can enjoy them OFF a screen.

The app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android. You can import photos to the app from Instagram and Facebook or upload from your phone's camera roll. The free photo offer is available for new and existing Shutterfly customers (yay!). Shipping fees do apply - choose economy shipping if you can wait 7-10 business days for delivery.

Read and Share 5 Minute Bible Stories {Children's Book Review}

Disclosure: I received a sample copy of this book to review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Around here, we never say no to a good book, I have to admit, though, that when I'm feeling especially tired, I am not a fan of the storybooks that have more words than they have pictures. Don't get me wrong - I love reading with my kids and I'll read them any book they bring me from our collection - but if I'm already in danger of falling asleep on the couch, I need a book with an upbeat pace to keep me engaged! Read and Share: 5 Minute Bible Stories is one of our newest titles, and it is perfect for bedtimes when we're all feeling sleepy.

This is a collection of stories retold by Gwen Ellis and illustrated by Steve Smallman, from the publisher Tommy Nelson. The book is split by Old Testament stories and New Testament stories. Each story is just two pages long, making it perfect for bedtime (each kiddo can pick one or two stories) or for a reading marathon (the stories are short enough that I don't mind reading half the book in one sitting)! The highlights of the Old Testament stories include Creation, Noah's ark, Abraham, Moses, Ruth, David, Esther, and Jonah. The New Testament features stories of Jesus' birth, John the Baptist, Jesus' parables and miracles, His death and resurrection, the early church, and a picture of Heaven, via Revelation.

Each story includes the Bible reference for the text the tales are from, as well as a comprehension question to engage kids in the story. The illustrations are engaging and often prompt my kids to ask further questions about what is going on in the story.

This one is already well-loved in our collection and I'm sure we will read it cover to cover many, many times!

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for my review sample of this book. I received no compensation for posting a review and all views expressed are my own.

Dairy Free Salted Caramel Shake

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DairyFree4All #CollectiveBias

When I found out that my son had food allergies, I felt disappointed because I feared that he might never get to experience "normal" things like frozen treats, cheese-covered meals, and buttery, gooey rolls. Granted - these things may not be the healthiest, but in moderation I still love them. So whenever I have the chance, I try to find an allergen-free alternative to special treats for my kids to enjoy. We needed a treat last weekend, so I whipped up this Dairy Free Salted Caramel Shake for us, and it was a huge success!

So Delicious Dairy Free® is my go-to brand for dairy-free frozen treats. My kids love them, I love them... you just can't go wrong. I feel safe choosing So Delicious Dairy Free® because of their world-class allergen-testing program and the many products they offer that are made with organic incredients, plant-based, and Non-GMO Project Verified. For a family that avoids artificial colors, flavors, trans-fats, and hydrogenated oils, they fit the bill just right! I found the Coconut Milk Vanilla Bean and Cashew Milk Salted Caramel Cluster varieties needed for this yummy Dairy Free Salted Caramel Shake in the freezer section at my Walmart store.

Dairy-Free Salted Caramel Shake 
Ingredients

1 1/2 cups So Delicious Dairy Free® Cashew Salted Caramel Cluster
1/2 cup So Delicious Dairy Free® Coconut Vanilla Bean
1/3 cup So Delicious Dairy Free® CocoWhip
1/4 cup So Delicious Dairy Free® Coconut Milk
Dairy-Free Mini Chocolate Chips
Blender

Instructions

-Mix together the Cashew Salted Caramel Cluster and Coconut Vanilla Bean in the blender, with the 1/4 cup Coconut Milk. Note that if you prefer a thicker shake, you can use less coconut milk! 

-Blend for about a minute, or until smooth and bubbly.

-Pour into glass. Garnish with CocoWhip and chocolate chips. Pop in a spoon or a straw and enjoy!

It turns out that creating a delicious dairy-free shake is no more difficult than a "normal" shake! My kiddos were thrilled with this treat and keep asking for more.

I'm seriously drooling just remembering how delightful this shake tasted! Another trip to the store for more So Delicious Dairy Free® frozen treats may be in order! What's your favorite dairy-free snack?

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DairyFree4All #CollectiveBias

26/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015."
(halfway through the year...what?!)

Lincoln - haircut time!
Addie - sharing her emotions with Sadness. Much love for her Inside Out toys.

Linking up at Practising Simplicity.  

DIY Plush Toy Backpack Tutorial

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #InsideOutEmotions #CollectiveBias

Have you seen Inside Out, the new animated film from Disney/Pixar, yet? It's so cute! I never would have thought that a movie about feelings could have such a profound impact on people! I have no issue admitting that I cried through most of the movie. I mean - those pigtails on baby Riley? Break my heart already.

We talk about feelings a lot in our house anyway, and Inside Out opened more avenues of discussion for that. I wanted to come up with a tangible way for the kids to interact with their emotions, so I decided to make a DIY Plush Toy Backpack so that they could carry some emotions along with them wherever they go!

First of all, we had to gather up some emotions to carry in the backpack, so we headed off to Walmart, where we found these adorable exclusive Inside Out plush toys!

It was quite the debate by Lincoln and Addie on which emotions were the best. They're all so cute!

Ultimately, the favorites chosen were Anger (by Lincoln) and Sadness (by Addie). Addie has developed an obsession with "her Sadness" and carts it with her just about everywhere she goes.

Once we had our emotions in hand, I set out to create a backpack so that they kids could keep their emotions with them at all times! It's a great way to keep them aware of how they always have feelings - and that it's okay to have those feelings!

DIY Plush Toy Backpack Supplies Needed
-11x11" fabric square, cut on fold (so actually 22"x11")
-10" tall x 11" wide fabric square, also cut on fold (so 20"x11") - coordinating color (this is the lining)
-Roll of coordinating 1.5" ribbon
-Velcro
-17" piece of elastic
-Sewing supplies

1. Cut your fabric out. I folded my fabric and cut an 11" square on the fold. Then I folded the lining and cut a 10x11" piece on the fold.

2. Sew up the sides of each square, leaving the top open. Use a 1/2" seam. Trim seams.

3. Attach Ribbon Straps to Outer Fabric Pouch. This part was a little tricky. It may have been easier to do this before sewing the edges together, but I opted to wait until it was already done (in other words, I got ahead of myself). I used a 26.5" piece of ribbon for the lower band (which goes around the waist) and two 19" pieces for the shoulder straps. You may have to tweak this based on how you decide to finish the ends (see below) and what size your child is.

To attach the lower strap, I pinned the ribbon on top of one piece of the pocket and tacked it in place with my machine. It was tough to get the fabric under the needle without bunching or catching the back of the pocket - it may be easier to just hand stitch it.

For the shoulder straps, I sewed the ribbon onto the back of the outer fabric pocket about 2-3" below the raw edge.

4. Attach Velcro. I used three sets of velcro pieces - to attach the waistband sides to each other, and each of the shoulder straps to the waistband. I think the photos do a better job of illustrating how I did this than my trying to explain it!

5. Turn the outer fabric pouch inside out. Insert into the inner (lining) pouch with wrong sides together. Photo above illustrates this. The outer pouch has been cut larger than the inner pouch, so there should be some fabric sticking out of the top.

6. Turn outer fabric under 1/8" and iron. 

7. Fold outer fabric over lining and stitch, leaving small opening. Insert elastic into opening/casing, stitch ends together, then whipstitch opening.

8. Finish Ribbon Edges. Make sure that the backpack is appropriately sized for your child, then finish the ribbon edges. Maybe it would be easiest to do this before adding the velcro, but that wasn't my method.

You can fold the ends under and stitch them down, use something like Fray Check, or use a candle to singe the edges of the ribbon. I did a combination of these ideas.

And that's it! Make any adjustments needed to the ribbon length before you attach them, okay? You'll thank me later.

Better visual of where all the velcro went!

The last step is to drop your emotion in and take him or her for a spin!

Lincoln showed a wide range of emotions over trying on the backpack, almost the full range of joy, anger, disgust, fear, and sadness. Ultimately, I think he liked it, but I might have asked him to stand for a few too many photos!

While in use.

It didn't bother Lincoln, but the ribbon straps tend to ride up on his belly when he is wearing it, making the backpack sag a little. I'll be tweaking the instructions a little when I make Addie's backpack - hopefully I'll find a solution and will update the post if I do!

This project took me about two hours to make from start to finish. What emotion would people see on display if you had to carry your feelings around in a backpack like this?

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.