Introducing the bored box

Hi Everyone!

I'd like to introduce you all to the "bored box"!

My kids have moments in the day that they claim they are bored. 

It doesn't matter if we had a fun filled afternoon of outings they still get bored! 

For the sake of not wearing myself out or spreading myself to thin...I created the "bored box" for my girls!

What is the bored box, you ask!

Well its a box filled with various activities I know my kids enjoy. Whenever they claim they are bored they can get one activity out of this box to complete. All the activities are pretty easy for them to do without our help.

We tried it out today and it worked like a charm. 

The girls grabbed an activity to do and we all sat around the kitchen table tackling our various tasks and it was very enjoyable! 

So I think the "bored box" is a big win in my mommy book!

I purchased everything you see below from Michaels but will definitely be restocking this box with things I find at various stores!

The storage box with tray is currently on sale for $8.99.

The lid also comes in pink and white!

The paint tray is a steal! You can buy a 6 pack for $2. I love them because it really limits how much paint the kids use and its so easy to clean off!

The paints are Craft Smart and you can't beat the selection and price! Hello 70 cents y'all!

The various activities in the box cost less than $2 each!! 

I love the Play Pack packets and buy these whenever I see them! They are great for entertaining the kids in the car and at dinner!

Now to make myself a bored box that doesn't consist of binge watching Netflix when the kids are asleep lol

Do you have a bored box for your kiddos? and if so what do you stock them up with?!

xoxo

Jocelyn

Cate & Levi

Being a Mom has taught me that I am a jack of all trades but lately finding ways to entertain my little one when big sister is away at school has been difficult.

Sure a two year old is easily entertained but I was the one getting bored of the same play routine! 

Enter Cate & Levi to the rescue!

This amazing company is based in Canada and they create the cutest hand puppets and stuffed animals! 

All their handcrafted items are made with reclaimed materials!

Charlotte got the cutest little cow puppet and hasn't put it down since we took it out of the package! Its so funny how something so simple can be the best toy and help nurture her little imagination! 

The stories she tells me using her hand puppet are the cutest!

BTW her hand puppet is called "Baby coo" and he eats "beggtiables" and likes to talk to trees!

He goes with us to drop off sister and tells us everything he sees while we drive!

It has definitely made for interesting car rides ;)

And because we can't just have one we already have our eyes on this little cutie...because every cow needs his Moose bestie!

I am not trying to rush the holidays but I already know what our kids stocking stuffers will be come Christmas! Not only do they have the cutest items for littles they have these diy stuffed animal kits that older kids are sure to love!!

If you have a little one in your life that loves pretend play (and what little kid doesn't!?!) you need to snag these cuties! My readers get 15% off their order with code "ihelpmoms15" when you spend $30 or more!!

xoxo

Jocelyn

*This post is in partnership with Cate & Levi and IHelpMoms.com*

         
       

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Home Depot Kids Workshops

This morning was one for the books! 

As a family we got to experience something brand new! 

When we aren't jammed packed with weekends plans, I like to see what local events are going on and perhaps partake in. Well, last night I was up searching the Internet for something to do with the kiddos early enough to avoid the California heat. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Home Depot offers Free Kid Workshops on the first Saturday of each month! We didn't have plans so I thought why the heck not!

Per the website I only registered Cailee because it said for ages 5-12 but when we arrived to the event there was much younger kiddos participating. So next time I am registering both girls! Registration is not required but of course it helps them prepare quantities of supplies.

When we arrived Cailee was given her very own Home Depot apron! She thought it was the coolest thing ever!

We were also given the project for the day! This weekends DIY project was a "bug house". It came packaged with everything needed. Tools and paints were provided by Home Depot and were set up in different stations! 

The hubby took it from here! Cailee's first time using a hammer and boy was she so proud. Charlotte and I cheered on, took photos, and searched for hiding birdies! 

After some assembling it was off to the painting station! Easily Charlotte's favorite part because she got to get in on some of the action! Meanwhile big sister was taking paint selection very seriously! 

This is the face of pure joy mixed in with a little chaos!

Don't mind the makeup free face but sorry summer you win! Heat and a full face of makeup just doesn't work for me! But I am so happy I took a picture with my girls :) Smiles for days from these two girls!

It just so happens that Home Depot was celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the Kids Workshops (who knew right?!?!) so each kiddo was asked to leave the hand print! The hand print art will be displayed in the store and we can't wait to go check it out once its up!

Upon completion of the activity each child receives a certificate of achievement and a commemorative pin! I saw so many kiddos with their aprons filled with commemorative pins from previous workshops and it was adorable! The pins reminded me of girl/boy scout pins! 

Cailee and my hubby are already so excited for next months workshop! 

If you've never been to the workshops I highly recommend at the very least attending one :) Its an experience you can share as a family and best of all its free!!!

Check your local Home Depot for this event and definitely register in advance!

*This is not an ad nor is it sponsored by the Home Depot. Just one momma sharing an experience her whole family enjoyed*

xoxo

Jocelyn

unicorn perfection

A few weeks ago we surprised the girls with a photo shoot with a real life UNICORN!!

It was the sweetest experience and I am so glad we were able to share this as a family.

Cailee has always loved unicorns and often times would ask where they live.

I am a firm believer of letting my girls believe in all things magical for as long as they possibly can. So of course that means sharing "stories" about unicorns and their origin!

To see the surprise on her face as we approached the unicorn was everything I had expected and more. I totally thought Charlotte would freak out at the sight of the unicorn but she was just as intrigued as her big sister!

We were patiently waiting to see the photos from the session and it was worth the wait. 

I won't bombard you with all the images but want to share a few of them because...

 well they are adorable!

   

Our family photographers are a great husband and wife duo(Sosa Photography).

You can check out their work here!

Dresses from Amazon

Floral headband for Cailee from Amazon

Floral headband for Charlotte from Claire's 

xoxo

Jocelyn

judging a book by its cover

I don't like to judge a book by its cover except when it comes to kid books.

There is something about the artwork on the covers that just draw me in!

During our little trip to Barnes and Noble yesterday I took pictures of my current favorite kid books!!

one | two | three | four

five | six | seven | eight 

If you think the covers are beautiful the content inside is even better! 

We enjoyed sipping our drinks and cuddling in the corner reading all of these books.

We brought two home and can't wait to add the rest to our collection soon :)

I love checking out new books with the girls so leave me a comment with your current favorite books!!

xoxo

Jocelyn

a day at the museum and some helpful tips

Yesterday we enjoyed our last day of winter break at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. After months on our "we should take the kids there" list we finally crossed it off! 

We spent about 2 hours there but still have so much to explore on our next visit. The hubs was amazed by the Dinosaur Hall, I was enamored by the beautiful architecture and the girls were over the moon exploring the Edible Garden. 

A few honorable mentions go to the African Mammals, North American Mammals, Gems and Minerals, and the Nature Lab. 

Surprisingly we didn't get many pictures in the museum but a good amount of the girls enjoying the garden. It clearly stole the show and I am so glad we got to experience it with the girls. We pretty much had the garden to ourselves so the girls got to take their time and run all over the place. It was awesome to see Cailee so excited about the plants. She kept asking which plant was what and she even found a few sprouted fruits and veggies. Both girls were so intrigued that it only inspired us to really find a way to start our own edible garden!

If any of you mommies are considering visiting I highly recommend it! 

Some helpful tips:

- The first Tuesday of every month is free (except in July and August)!

- The museum has its on parking lot right on the property and it is $12 (cash and card accepted).

- You can bring your own lunch but their cafe food is delicious.

- The earlier you go the better!

- Stroller friendly but almost uncomfortable maneuvering around people.

Any other tips you guys might have please send them my way! We can't wait to go back!

xoxo

Jocelyn