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Pretty Packaged Friend Gifts

Thursday, October 15, 2015

A free printable for those days when you need quick friend gifts.

A free printable for those days when you need quick friend gifts.

Please raise your hand if you ever go into Target just to stop and look at their amazing dollar section stationary supplies? Why does it always have to be so pretty? I, honestly, do not need another notepad, paper clips, and (above all) more washi tape. But, its tricky little $1 price tag and gorgeous design always win me over every time. Now you have me to thank for even more Target dollar spot binge spending because I’ve created a clever way to turn it into your emergency friend-birthday-gift stash. I will never again have to feel bad for my random stationary purchases, and neither will you.

A free printable for those days when you need quick friend gifts. [Read more…] about Pretty Packaged Friend Gifts

Outdoor Family Adventures in Banff National Park with Manfrotto Offroad Series

Thursday, October 15, 2015

This Summer we had the incredible opportunity to visit Banff National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. While there, I knew I’d need a camera backpack that could not only safely carry my photography gear, but also support my desire to engage with my family and the world around us.

Outdoor Family Adventures in Banff National Park with Manfrotto Offroad Series

As any mom knows: we need a lot from our camera bags! We need to be able to access wipes, a hat or a snack as quickly as we do our cameras. As a mom, photographer and outdoor enthusiast, I will tell you that the #Manfrotto Bags​ Off road Backpack met my needs and then some! I had a lot of people asking to know more about the bag. You can read my full review on the Manfrotto blog here today.

Woodland Creature Cup Crafts

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

These adorable, budget-friendly woodland creature cup crafts are so fun to make and can be used for anything from classroom parties to decorations for your Thanksgiving table. I hope you enjoy making them as much as we did! 

Aren't these forest critters the cutest? Fill them up with goodies and use as party favors, classroom treats, or decorations for your Thanksgiving table.

Clothing featured in this post from Olive Juice.

The inspiration for these cute cup crafts comes from the beautiful colors of fall. As my children and I watch the leaves start to change and spend more time indoors cozied up with some of our favorite fall books, we couldn’t help but let our love for this season spill over to our craft table.

Aren't these forest critters the cutest? Fill them up with goodies and use as party favors, classroom treats, or decorations for your Thanksgiving table.

That said, the beauty of this season also comes with a fair amount of hustle—homework to be done, permission slips to be signed, and carpools to be arranged. But crafting gives us a chance to slow down and connect with each other. On purpose.

When my girls and I sat down to make these the other day, it was just what we needed. Some stolen, stress-free moments to catch up and nurture our creativity together. I hope you’ll experience the same thing while you make these sweet and simple woodland creatures with your own kids.

Aren't these forest critters the cutest? Fill them up with goodies and use as party favors, classroom treats, or decorations for your Thanksgiving table.

Simply print the free templates below, and use them as a guide to cut out the pieces for each forest critter—the raccoon, owl, and fox.

Woodland Creature Cup Craft Supplies

Supplies

Paper Cups (White, teal, orange)

Grey Craft Paint

Cardstock (white, blue, orange, black, tan)

Foam brush

Black sharpie

Scissors

Gluesticks

Hot glue gun

E-6000 adhesive

Aren't these forest critters the cutest? Fill them up with goodies and use as party favors, classroom treats, or decorations for your Thanksgiving table.

Fun Uses for these Woodland Creature Cups

One of the things I love most about these cup crafts, besides the fact that they’re so dang cute, is that they’re multipurpose:

  • They can hold party snacks for your child’s class or your family.
  • They can organize crayons or other odds and ends on a craft table.
  • They’re great for party favors. Just send the kids home from a birthday party with these cute critters filled with treats.
  • They’re a mess-free craft for a classroom party.
  • They can add some fun and whimsy as decorations for a fall party or Thanksgiving dinner.

We made a few different versions of these woodland creature treat cups – a raccoon, a fox and an owl. Pick and choose your favorite or make them all!

Aren't these forest critters the cutest? Fill them up with goodies and use as party favors, classroom treats, or decorations for your Thanksgiving table.

Raccoon Cup Instructions

Step 1.  Gather supplies – white paper cup, grey, black and white cardstock, sharpie, scissors, adhesive, grey craft paint and foam brush.

Step 2. Paint white paper cup with grey craft paint. Allow to dry completely.

Step 3. Click here to download Raccoon Cup Craft pattern. Print and cut out pattern pieces.

Aren't these forest critters the cutest? Fill them up with goodies and use as party favors, classroom treats, or decorations for your Thanksgiving table.

Step 4. Trace pattern pieces onto carsdtock.

Step 5. Paint grey stripes on Raccoon’s tail. Begin attaching paper pieces to cup as shown using adhesive.

Step 6. With a sharpie add a nose and eyes.

Aren't these forest critters the cutest? Fill them up with goodies and use as party favors, classroom treats, or decorations for your Thanksgiving table.

Fox Cup Instructions

Step 1. Gather supplies – orange paper cup, orange and white cardstock, sharpie, scissors, adhesive.

Step 2. Click here to download Fox Cup Craft pattern. Print and cut out pattern pieces.

Step 3. Trace pattern pieces onto cardstock.

Aren't these forest critters the cutest? Fill them up with goodies and use as party favors, classroom treats, or decorations for your Thanksgiving table.

Step 4. Glue tail pieces together

Step 5. Attach paper pieces to cup as shown using adhesive.

Step 6. With a sharpie add a nose and eyes.

Aren't these forest critters the cutest? Fill them up with goodies and use as party favors, classroom treats, or decorations for your Thanksgiving table.

Owl Cup Instructions

Step 1. Gather supplies – teal paper cup, orange, tan and white cardstock, sharpie, scissors, adhesive.

Step 2. Click here to download Owl Cup Craft pattern. Print and cut out pattern pieces.

Step 3. Trace pattern pieces onto cardstock.

Aren't these forest critters the cutest? Fill them up with goodies and use as party favors, classroom treats, or decorations for your Thanksgiving table.

Step 4. Attach paper pieces to cup as shown using adhesive.

Step 5. With a sharpie add a eyes and some feathers.

More about Paper Cup Crafts

Paper cups come in such a wide range of colors and are available at craft stores, party supply shops or the dollar store. I always have them on hand because they’re so fun to craft with – especially white cups. White cups are easy to find and can be painted, colored, or covered in paper to customize the color for whatever project you’re working on.

These adorable, budget-friendly creature cups are so fun to make and can be used for anything from classroom parties to decorations for your Thanksgiving table. I hope you enjoy making them as much as we did!

A special thank you to Olive Juice for partnering with us on this post. Find specials and kids style inspiration on your favorite social network: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

If you’re looking for more super cute paper cup crafts we have a whole bunch! Check them out here:

Crafting with Paper Cups Series at Simple as That

FOR MORE FALL INSPIRATION VISIT THESE POSTS

DIY Hand Painted Pumpkins

50 Photos to take this Fall

DIY Glinda and Wicked Witch of the West Costumes

Simple Fall Pumpkin Bunting

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Tips for Capturing Spooky Silhouettes with your Phone

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14 Fancy Fonts for Fall

1

 

25 Darling DIY Disney Costumes

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

25 Darling DIY Disney Costume Ideas – if you’re still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY’s is sure to inspire!  

If you’re looking for deals on your next Disneyland vacation, click the image below for the best prices on hotels, tickets and Disney vacation packages!

Keep reading for our top reasons to book your Disneyland trip September through November and get information on exclusive offers for Fall travel from Get Away Today!

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Peter Pan and the Lost Boys | A Beautiful Mess

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Snow White | Craftiness is not Optional

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Easy Frozen Costumes | Alpha Mom

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Prince Charming | Make it Love it

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

101 Dalmations Family Costume | Everyday Art

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!


No-Sew Elsa Costume | Eighteen25
If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!
Mary Poppins | Merrick’s Art

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Tweedledum and Tweedledee Family Costumes | Sew Woodsy

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Mr and Mrs Potato Head from Toy Story 2 | 733

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Great Deals

Discounts during this shoulder season can be found on tickets and hotel stays. When we were booking our Disneyland vacation we booked through Get Away Today and got the best rate we could have anywhere else and they’re running some great specials this year as well!

Halloween time officially starts September 15th and runs through October 31st so start planning your trip now!

Get all the Halloween Time Information you need HERE


Visit Disneyland this Fall!

EXCLUSIVE DISNEYLAND DISCOUNT

Travel during September to get Adults at Kids’ Prices on 3-Day and longer Park Hopper® Tickets, or take your kids in October during Fall Break! Either way, you’re in for a treat.

Get Away Today is also offering all Simple as That readers exclusive hotel discounts PLUS $10 off a Southern California vacation package which can be combined with any current specials they’re running! This is amazing and you aren’t going to find prices like this anywhere else!!

USE COUPON CODE —> SIMPLEASTHAT

Princess Merida Costume | Sew Can Do

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Alice in Wonderland | Misha Lulu

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Russell and Mr. Fredricksen Costumes | Sol and Rachel

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

DIY Tinkerbell and Peter Pan Costumes | So Wonderful So Marvelous

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Kristoff Costume | Peek-a-Boo Pages

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Baymax Costume 2 ways | All for the Boys

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Cruella de Vil Costume | The DIY Village

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Alice in Wonderland and White Rabbit | Baby Bump and Beyond

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Pinocchio | Eclectic Mom

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Flynn Rider | Make it Love it

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Princess Leia and R2D2 | Source Unknown

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Lilo and Stitch | It’s Pamela

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Elsa | Kiki and Company

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Buzz Lightyear | Source Unknown

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

Darla from Finding Nemo | Cameron Jules

If you're still looking for Halloween costume ideas this collection of darling Disney DIY's is sure to inspire!

FOR MORE HALLOWEEN INSPIRATION VISIT THESE POSTS

DIY Glinda and Wicked Witch of the West Costumes

Modern Halloween Photo Card Templates

Tips for Taking Creative Halloween Photos

costumes31

Tips for Taking Spooky Silhouette Photos

silhouette21

Silly Spider Halloween Hairdo

Silly Spider Halloween Hairdo

DIY Katniss Everdeen Costume

katniss-11

This Is Our Motherhood

Monday, October 12, 2015

For the days when you have lost your perspective on this long climb called motherhood…

For the days (or weeks or months!) when you've lost your perspective on this long climb called motherhood.First it’s the “I’m so tired I don’t know if I can do this” stage.

Then it’s the “My kid is climbing everything and falling off everything and getting into everything and I don’t know if I can do this” stage.

Next up, the “constantly googling ‘how to get kids to stop fighting'” stage.

I don’t know what’s next, because I haven’t gotten there yet. (I don’t want to think too hard about it.)

Sometimes I think there is nothing in the world more polar than having children.

One moment, when my little lady notices music playing in the grocery store and starts wiggling her body to the tune, my hearts fills like it could never be more full.

For the days (or weeks or months!) when you've lost your perspective on this long climb called motherhood.

But in another moment — that same day, that same hour, even that same minute — that heart-bursting feeling can feel so distant. Fatigue, boredom, aggravation, and feelings of inadequacy win out.

I once ran a half-marathon in San Francisco where every time we hit a plateau — every time we finally stopped climbing — I’d lift my eyes and see another hill starting just yards in front of me.

That’s motherhood. A series of hills, interspersed with brief plateaus when we’re lucky.

The problem is that we don’t always recognize when we’re on a plateau. We forget that we have air in our lungs and some parenting confidence swelling in our hearts.

And then we start to climb again, and dang it, we realize we missed the plateau.

For the days (or weeks or months!) when you've lost your perspective on this long climb called motherhood.

So if you’re on a plateau, where mothering feels doable, enjoy it. And if you’re climbing, know that a plateau, however short it may be, is closer than you think.

It’s during those days (those weeks, those months) that we hold on to the foggy memories that feel as if they’ll never come again. Because they will.

It’s the way my oldest nods his head from side to side AND up and down, just slightly but all at once, when he’s nervous. And how I’m probably the only person in the world who recognizes it.

It’s the way my second son looked, his head slightly above mine with the sun behind him, when we lay, bellies down, on the grass of a stranger’s front yard, doing a few push-ups in the middle of our walk.

It’s the way my daughter’s voice sounds when she falls flat on her face but gets up quickly and says, “I’m fine!” just to reassure me.

For the days (or weeks or months!) when you've lost your perspective on this long climb called motherhood.

Writing down moments like these is my way of clinging to them, and I hope you’re clinging to yours, too.

It’s the way your child looks with his face pressed to the window of his preschool room, craning his neck just to catch sight of you.

It’s the way your baby flaps her little wings when she’s excited or sticks out her tongue when she’s concentrating.

It’s the vulnerable moments that they let us hold carefully in our hands, like when they tell us they got embarrassed at school.

It’s a mighty accumulation of hills and plateaus.

For the days (or weeks or months!) when you've lost your perspective on this long climb called motherhood.

This is our motherhood. We only get to do it once.

Microwave Caramels

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Microwave Caramels – the easiest Christmas candy recipe ever! These caramels are so delicious and so simple to make. 

The easiest Christmas candy recipe ever! These caramels are so delicious and so simple to make.

I love making holiday treats, but I’ve always been a little intimidated when it comes to candy making. I especially enjoy caramels at Christmas, but after a few failed attempts at making them, I gave up. That was, until a few years ago, when I discovered a delicious and simple recipe for microwave caramels! We just made a batch of these today and they turned out perfect, just like they do every time.

4.6 from 5 reviews
Easy Microwave Caramels
 
Print
Ingredients
  • 1 c. butter
  • 2½ cups packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup light karo corn syrup
  • 1 – 14oz can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
  1. Generously butter a 9×13 inch pan and set aside.
  2. In a large microwave safe bowl melt butter.
  3. Add all the remaining ingredients except the vanilla and mix well.
  4. Microwave on full power for 4-5 minutes.
  5. Remove from microwave and whisk.
  6. Microwave on high for another 4-5 minutes.
  7. Whisk again. Microwave an additional 4-5 minutes.
  8. Whisk while adding the vanilla.
  9. Pour the caramel mixture into the 9×13 inch pan.
  10. Let cool for 1 – 2 hours.
  11. Using a knife, cut into bite size portions and wrap in wax paper.
  12. Keep refrigerated.
3.4.3177

The easiest Christmas candy recipe ever! These caramels are so delicious and so simple to make.

Like I said, they’ve turn out perfectly for me every time!! It always surprises me when they do, given my track record with making these tasty treats. I think the trick is to take them out of the microwave and stir thoroughly every 4-5 minutes.

If I can make them, then you know this has to be a foolproof recipe! Take it from me, a candy making novice, these caramels are easy and delicious!

To package the caramels wrap in wax paper and twist the ends to seal. I found these precut waxed twist papers and they make it so easy!

If you liked this post you might also enjoy these recipes from Simple as That

Applesauce Muffins

Family Friendly Piña Coladas

pina-colada

 

All-time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Choc-Chip-Cookies31

Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Muffins

whole-wheat-carrot-muffins-3

5 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in Banff National Park

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

5 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in Banff National Park – beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of  year – winter, spring, summer or fall.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

We’ve been hiking with our kids since they were small, and of all the benefits we’ve gained, the most valuable for us has been the bonding we’ve experienced as a family. We have made so many fun memories together on the trail. In June we had the chance to explore some amazing hiking trails in Banff National Park, and we wanted to share our top five with you. These hikes are gorgeous in the spring and summer, but all of them can be enjoyed in the fall and winter seasons as well!

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon was the #1 hike we wanted to take the kids on while visiting Banff. My husband and I hiked this amazing trail sixteen years ago on our honeymoon  in the winter, and the frozen waterfalls were a sight to behold! We wanted to see it in the warmer months and this time share the experience with our kids.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Johnston Canyon is 25-30 minutes from Banff. If you’re planning to make the drive I’d recommend starting out early in the morning to avoid crowds. It’s a popular trail and can get quite busy during the day.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

The trail winds its way through Johnston Canyon on steel catwalks that have been attached to the canyon walls. You’ll find strategically placed lookouts along the trail for taking in the sights and capturing some beautiful photos and sturdy railings to keep everyone safe.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Depending how far your little hikers are able to go, you can view up to seven beautiful waterfalls along the Johnston Canyon trail. You’ll reach the lower falls after a short 20 minute walk, where you can duck into a cave and get super close to the roaring water. The second set of falls are 2.7km (1.67 miles) into the canyon. Just as we remembered, the views were incredible, and our kids loved the adventure.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Johnston Canyon trail is open and well cared for year-round. When we hiked it on our honeymoon, we were fascinated with the ice climbers scaling the majestic frozen falls, and now that our kids have seen it in the summer, we’d love to take them again in the winter months for a different perspective.

Moraine Lake Rockpile

This beautiful, glacier-fed lake has some of the most gorgeous views I’ve seen. The Rockpile Trail is the most popular hike at Moraine Lake, offering the best view of the lake. Our family loved it so much we did it twice during our week in Banff.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Once you’ve made the 12km drive up Lake Louise road to Moraine Lake the Rockpile itself is clearly visible from the parking lot. After a short climb our family came to the lookout area at the top of the Rockpile overlooking this magnificent aqua-colored lake.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Fitness and Leisure Apparel from Albion Fit

The Moraine Lakeshore trail is another beautiful trail to explore as a family. The 1.5 km trail is shaded and well kept, and it’s lined with signs that taught us interesting facts about the geology of this area.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Peyto Lake

One of the must-see stops along the Icefields Parkway, Peyto Lake viewpoint, is easily accessible and a perfect place for families. Peyto Lake is located approximately 38km (23 miles) north of Lake Louise.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

The Peyto Lake Lookout is more of a walk than a hike. From the Bow Summit parking lot, the trail up to the viewpoint is a short ten-minute stroll. This lookout, high above the lake, is the best place to see that bright blue water.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Many people simply take the paved nature trail to the Peyto Lake viewing platform but, if you continue one and climb another 3km (1.9 miles) to the Bow Summit Lookout, you’ll escape the crowds and enjoy some incredible views.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Peyto Lake is one of the most popular attractions in Banff National Park. This glacial lake draws visitors from around the world who want to see its turquoise waters and surrounding mountain scenery.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Because it’s so easy to access, thousands of tourists flock to the Peyto Lake lookout during the summer, but fewer people make there way here in the winter months. This area gets a lot of snow in the winter, but it’s still accessible. It would make a great snowshoe adventure for the whole family!

Sunshine Meadows

Sunshine Meadows is known as one of the most stunning alpine settings in the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Rockies, the unobstructed views from the meadows are a must-see, and this destination tends to be less crowded than other Banff attractions. 

It’s no surprise it was named #1 hike in Canada by Lonely Planet in their Discover Canada Guidebook. Our family loved our adventure in Sunshine Meadows!

Sunshine Meadows | Take in some of the most stunning alpine settings in the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Rockies, the unobstructed views from the meadows

An efficient shuttle bus took us straight to the base of the trail system, which is above the tree line—a rare chance for families since getting above the tree line typically involves a steep climb.

Once you’ve arrived, the Sunshine Meadows trails are all considered easy and can be walked by people of any age, in reasonable physical condition. The steepest part of the trail system is at the very beginning, but it’s smooth sailing from there.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

What our family loved most about Sunshine Meadows was how tranquil and quiet it was. We rarely ran into other hikers along the trail and enjoyed the quiet escape from the crowds for an afternoon.

We took a leisurely pace, enjoying nature and connecting with each other. We even stopped for a while to let the kids explore the snow and have a summer snowball fight!

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

We opted to do a guided tour and were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed it. Our guide was engaging and developed a noticeable connection with the kids. We learned so much from her about the local plant and animal life.

If you’re visiting Banff in the winter be sure to check out their guided Snowshoe Adventures!

Sulphur Mountain Summit Trail

The Banff Gondola provides an easy, year-round way for visitors to view the town of Banff, the Bow Valley and surrounding mountains from a unique perspective.

The gondola ride is a perfect option for families, allowing you to skip a good portion of the steep hike up Sulphur Mountain. And more importantly, what kid wouldn’t love 360-degree views from the sky? By the end, you feel like you’re on top of the world.

Panoramic views of Banff and the Canadian Rockies from the Banff Gondola.

From the observation decks at the summit and the boardwalk trails, scenic mountain views can be seen in every direction. You can opt to hike up to the observation decks. The trailhead starts at the Upper Hot Springs parking lot and is a strenuous 5.5 km (3.4 miles) climb.

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

Once you’ve arrived at the Observation Deck you can follow the boardwalk trail and see remnants of the Cosmic Ray Station, the Sanson Peak Weather Observatory and take in the incredible beauty from this height. The kids found it fascinating to see Banff from this angle!

Beautiful hikes to explore as a family in Banff any time of year - winter, spring, summer or fall.

The Banff Gondola operates year round and though the views from the top are completely different in summer and winter, they’re incredible anytime of year!

Have you done any of these hikes in Banff? What other trails have you explored as a family?

For more information and tips for family travel in Banff National Park, visit these previous posts.

5 Places to Explore Along the Icefields Parkway

Outdoor Family Adventures | Exploring Lake Louise

I’ve shared a number of posts through the years that may help you make the most your outdoor family adventures! Be sure to check them out!

What Families Gain from Time Spent Outdoors

Tips for Photographing Your Family in the Great Outdoors

Printable Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids

On-the-Go Lunch Ideas for Hiking

5 Family Friendly Hikes to do in Waterton Lakes National Park

Photo Scavenger Hunt for Kids

5 Quick Tips for the Amateur Wildlife Photographer

10 Special Books for Bedtime

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

10 Special Books for Bedtime – bedtime is a perfect time to decompress and spend some calm, quality time together. These sweet, soothing books can help little ones settle in and prepare for sleep.

I’m excited to welcome Bookroo to the blog today to share a roundup of 10 special books for bedtime with us!

Bedtime is a perfect time to decompress and spend some calm, quality time together. These sweet, soothing books can help little ones settle in and prepare for sleep.

Bedtime is one of the absolute best times for reading. It gives everyone (parents and children alike) the chance to decompress and spend some calm, quality time together in those tender moments before kisses goodnight. It can also act as a signal to children (if done as part of a regular routine) that it’s time to transition to a quieter, less boisterous mood.  Quite frankly, bedtime reading quite literally saved our sanity. It does take the right kind of books though–the ones that are calming, sweet and soothing rather than overly active or silly.

Here at Bookroo, we do a LOT of book research, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to share 10 of our favorite special books for bedtime with you.

The Board Book Picks

A Book of Sleep | Il Sung Na

10 Special Books for Bedtime

The  illustrations are so unique and beautiful that I found myself fascinated by them instantly. Children and adults will enjoy the mix of textures, colors, and patterns interwoven throughout the illustrations as the story follows an owl as he watches over all of the other animals falling asleep. The book teaches about sleeping habits of various animals, and also gives children an opportunity to play “I spy” as they watch for the owl on every page.

The Going to Bed Book | Sandra Boynton

10 Special Books for Bedtime

An absolute classic! The Going to Bed Book is particularly helpful in teaching and reinforcing a bedtime routine as we follow Boynton’s iconic animals through theirs. They take baths, get in pjs, brush their teeth, and finally go to bed. This is a great choice, even for children with very short attention spans.

Hush Little Polar Bear | Jeff Mack

10 Special Books for Bedtime

A sweet and mellow story that follows a little girl and her toy polar bear through their dream adventures. The text is gently rhyming and the illustrations and delightful and soothing.

If Animals Kissed Goodnight | Ann Whitford Paul, David Walker

10 Special Books for Bedtime

This book takes us through the question of what would happen if animals kissed goodnight the way we do. The slightly silly scenarios are cute, told in rhymes, and also teach some classic characteristics of the animals involved–for example of sloths would kiss s-l-o-o-o-w! Definitely take the opportunity to teach your munchkins some of the funny kisses you know (like butterfly and eskimo kisses!)

Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site | Sherri Duskey Rinker,Tom Lichtenheld

10 Special Books for Bedtime

Definitely the absolute best choice for the truck lovers at your house! It takes you through the bedtime routines of each of the construction trucks and they finish their work for the day and head off to bed. I was probably woefully behind in my truck knowledge, but my first time reading this I was pleasantly surprised by how much I’d learned!

The Picture Book Picks

The Kiss That Missed | David Melling

10 Special Books for Bedtime

Once the king’s “royal kiss” misses his son and flies out the window, a loyal knight is sent to retrieve it, and we follow his adventures throughout the book. The illustrations are vibrant and fun, and there’s plenty of comic relief without it ever getting too silly.

Harry and Horsie | Katie van Camp, Lincoln Agnew

10 Special Books for Bedtime

Let’s face it–the retro comic style illustrations on this picture book are just beyond cool and the journey of the little boy to rescue his beloved stuffed animal is a story we can all relate to on some level. It teaches children about loyalty, and does a great job of having enough of a story to keep things interesting for everyone involved (parents included), without being so long that anxious children are ready to turn the page before you’ve gotten through it all!

Dream Away | Julia Durango, Katie Belle Trupiano, Robert Goldstrom

10 Special Books for Bedtime

The gently rhyming story follows a father and son on their adventures through their dreams together. The illustrations is this one are positively “dreamy”, and we love that it manages to be both an adventure and utterly mellow at the same time. Also, major points here on re-readability!

Hugless Douglas and the Big Sleepover | Written and Illustrated by David Melling

10 Special Books for Bedtime

This picture book is pure comedic entertainment, and the charming and funny illustrations will you have and your kiddos giggling as you follow Hugless Douglas on his trip to Rabbit’s sleepover and meet all the guests he picks up along the way. David Melling does a great job with all his children’s books, and this is our most recent discovery of his!

Dream Animals | Emily Winfield Martin

10 Special Books for Bedtime

The whimsical illustrations are absolutely the star of the show here, as they (in combination with the simple rhyming text) whisk children and their favorite stuffed animals away to enjoy fantastic and vibrant dreams. This is a particularly fun with in your little one is attached to a stuffed animal that they’ll be able to drift off to dreams of their own with!

Bookroo

We started Bookroo because we are passionate about children’s books and the benefits that early exposure can bring to the life of a child. Knowing what children’s books are excellent (especially if they aren’t on the NYTimes bestseller list) can be difficult and time consuming. Here at Bookroo, however, we LOVE doing children’s book research, and sending excellent, less well-known books to our customers each month, individually wrapped and beautifully packaged of course! If you’re interested in learning more, we’d love to have you visit us and learn more about our passion for reading and how we can share it with your children!

Bedtime is a perfect time to decompress and spend some calm, quality time together. These sweet, soothing books can help little ones settle in and prepare for sleep.

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Silly Stone Spider Kids Craft

Monday, October 5, 2015

Silly Stone Spider Kids Craft – with a short list of inexpensive, easy to find supplies these fun little spiders are sure to be a Halloween crafting hit with the kids!

With a short list of inexpensive, easy to find supplies these fun little spiders are sure to be a Halloween crafting with with the kids!

Today I’m sharing a simplified kids version of the Spooky Stone Spiders I shared here. The supplies are easy to find and inexpensive. My kids had such a fun time making these!

Supplies

round stones

black pipe cleaners

googly eyes

white glue

black paint and a paintbrush

With a short list of inexpensive, easy to find supplies these fun little spiders are sure to be a Halloween crafting with with the kids!

Step No. 1

Paint your stone{s} black. You can use acrylic paint or another kind of craft paint you have on hand. Just keep in mind whether your paint is washable or not and dress your child accordingly. 😉 Allow your stone{s} to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

With a short list of inexpensive, easy to find supplies these fun little spiders are sure to be a Halloween crafting with with the kids!

Step No. 2

Take two black pipecleaners cut in half if your stones are small or four full pipecleaners for a larger stone. Using white glue have your child attach four pieces of pipecleaner to the bottom of their stone. Make sure the pipecleaners lay side by side and flat so your spider won’t tip over. Using a stronger adhesive {ie. E-6000} would be more durable but not nearly as child friendly so if you choose to use a stronger adhesive parents will need to be in charge of the glue.

With a short list of inexpensive, easy to find supplies these fun little spiders are sure to be a Halloween crafting with with the kids!

Step No. 3

Once your glue has dried take your spiders legs and bend and move them around to space them out and give them some shape and then you can move on to the very last step.
See I told you these were super simple.

With a short list of inexpensive, easy to find supplies these fun little spiders are sure to be a Halloween crafting with with the kids!

 Step No. 4

All we need to do now is give our silly little spider some eyes. Using your glue, attach two googly eyes to the spiders “body” and that’s it. All done. Isn’t he a cutie!? Have fun making some of your own silly stone spiders!

With a short list of inexpensive, easy to find supplies these fun little spiders are sure to be a Halloween crafting with with the kids!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and I’ve got all kinds of simple Halloween Inspiration for you! Here are a few posts to check out:

Free Something Wicked Printable

DIY Glinda and Wicked Witch of the West Costumes

diy-costume4web

Free Halloween Photo Card Templates

DIY Hand-Painted Pumpkins

Nothing says Fall like pumpkins, but if pumpkin carving just isn't for you, not to worry! Using faux craft pumpkins as your canvas, create your own hand-painted Fall decor that can be used year after year!

Silly Spider Hairdo

Dress up a simple bun with this Silly Spider Halloween Hairdo

Tips for Capturing Spooky Silhouette Photos with your Phone

How to take Spooky Silhouette Photos with your Phone

Do it Yourself Katniss Everdeen Costume

DIY Katniss Everdeen Costume

Printable Halloween Journaling Card / Gift Tags

Printable Halloween Journaling cards

Something Wicked Halloween Print

Friday, October 2, 2015

Something Wicked Halloween Print – looking for something easy and inexpensive to get your home ready for Halloween? This free Something Wicked Print is a great way to decorate for Halloween on a budget!

Something Wicked Halloween Print

Today I’m sharing this simple Halloween printable that will make the perfect addition to your Halloween decor! It’s a minimal, classic style it will go with anything!

Download and print at your favorite photo lab or at home and frame it, mod podge it to canvas or wood. You could even shrink the size down and use it as a card or gift tag! The possibilities are endless with this cute, free printable and it’s available in a few different colors.

Download it in plain white, barn wood, orange and textured black using the links below.

Click here to download Something Wicked | Barn Wood

Something Wicked Halloween Print

Click here to download Something Wicked Print | Orange

Something Wicked Halloween Print

Click here to download Something Wicked Print | Textured Black

Something Wicked Halloween Print

Click here to download Something Wicked | White

Going along with this minimal Halloween style I created these free Halloween Photo card templates. Do you ever wish you could get a little more mileage out of those cute Halloween photos? Send a photo card to friends and family, spice up your social media posts or create a fun piece of Halloween decor with these free digital templates.

Modern Halloween Photo Card Templates | simpleasthatblog.com

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and I’ve got all kinds of simple Halloween Inspiration for you! Here are a few posts to check out:

DIY Hand-Painted Pumpkins

Nothing says Fall like pumpkins, but if pumpkin carving just isn't for you, not to worry! Using faux craft pumpkins as your canvas, create your own hand-painted Fall decor that can be used year after year!

Silly Spider Hairdo

Dress up a simple bun with this Silly Spider Halloween Hairdo

Tips for Capturing Spooky Silhouette Photos with your Phone

How to take Spooky Silhouette Photos with your Phone

Do it Yourself Katniss Everdeen Costume

DIY Katniss Everdeen Costume

Printable Halloween Journaling Card / Gift Tags

Printable Halloween Journaling cards

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Rebecca Cooper — Founder, Simple as That Blog

Hello, I'm Rebecca. Welcome to my blog, Simple as That. Come along as we embrace simplicity in crafting, photography, travel, and family life. Read more about me.

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