toddler

Gooey Granola Bars

Hi guys! I wanted to share with you one of my favorite Kid Chef recipes to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Laura posted this granola bar recipe at Heavenly Homemakers and I knew it looked like a super yummy snack that would be a great recipe for my kid chef!

Gooey Granola Bars

The title is extremely accurate. These granola bars are super gooey which is a great sensory activity for toddlers. This recipe is super easy and customizable. You can have your kids choose what additions to make to the recipe. There is only one part that an adult would need to help with, depending on the age of the kids.*

Gooey Granola Bars

Ingredients Needed:

  • 1/2 c peanut butter (or other nut butter)
  • 1/3 c honey
  • 1/4 c coconut oil
  • 1 c oats
  • 1 c (total) of any combination of : sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, dried fruit, coconut flakes etc.

Gooey Granola Ingredients

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Disney’s FROZEN Easter Backpack

I was so excited when I got accepted to make a Disney’s FROZEN Easter basket for Sophie! This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DisneyEaster #CollectiveBias
FROZEN Easter Backpack for toddler Disney vacation
I was especially looking forward to Easter this year with Sophie to begin our traditions of Easter egg hunts, big flowery hats and eating Peeps. I knew I wanted to do an Easter basket for her while putting my own spin on things, so all of her goodies will be things she uses all the time (rather than a ton of candy and more stuffed animals).

When I heard I had the chance to do a FROZEN themed basket, there’s no way I was passing that up. Sophie is more than obsessed with FROZEN and especially loves Olaf. We’re taking her on her first trip to Disney World and wanted to make her a #DisneyEaster basket backpack filled with everything she’ll need for her trip.

Walmart Disney Easter
I had a fun time going to Walmart with her Grandma to pick out goodies for her trip. I wanted to do a mix of  FROZEN items and practical Disney Vacation items. I’m most excited for her FROZEN PJs because I want to start the tradition of giving a new pair of Disney PJs when we visit the parks.

Disney Vacation Toddler Backpack
Disney Olaf Easter Egg
The fillable Olaf eggs are also super cute and I know Sophie will get a kick out of them! I didn’t want to go crazy with the sugar because I know she’ll get plenty from her Easter egg hunt. Putting cereal and cheese crackers in the eggs will still be a fun surprise for Sophie once she discovers the Olafs.

Disney FROZEN Vacation Toddler Backpack Walmart
Bringing along this insulated waterbottle will save us from spending extra money on soda and juice and keep her hydrated better. The Girl Scout in me wanted to protect her so I packed some SPF50 lip balm, 100% UV sunglasses, Mickey band-aides and sun hat. Sparkly Princess bows were a must as well as her neon outfit, Olaf socks and pink heart shoes! I seriously can’t wait for her to open her FROZEN Easter Olaf backpack and see how cute she is rocking those shades!

Olaf FROZEN Easter Peep
By the way, Olaf loves Peeps as much as summer. What are your family traditions for Easter? I remember getting dressed up in matching dresses with my sister, finding a real egg during an Easter egg hunt and having an indoor Easter egg hunt because it was raining and loved it just as much.

For more Spring inspiration on decor and recipes, check out my Pinterest board!
Follow Shelly @ DIY Mama’s board Spring Decor & Recipes on Pinterest.

Montessori Bedroom Inspiration for Your Child

Montessori bedroom, We did it friends! We made the big jump to switch Sophie (age 14 months) to a Montessori inspired room. Call us crazy, but we’re super excited!

Montessori Bedroom Inspiration for your child- DIY Mama

Montessori Bedroom

This past weekend we took out Sophie’s crib so there would be no turning back! It’s not very conventional to move a child of this age to a big kid bed but we think it’s best for Sophie. It will help aid her in being able to lay down when she’s tired or read a book if she wakes up at 6a (before Mommy).

Montessori Bedroom Inspiration for your child- DIY Mama

Her dresser has stayed pretty much the same from the start. Her drawers are still organized as they were in her nursery post. Bags and sweatshirts are at easy access with all the necessary diaper changing supplies on top of the dresser. The white cord hanging down in the corner is her camera. We attached the dresser to the wall and covered the outlet so she won’t be tempted to mess with the plugs.

Montessori Bedroom Inspiration for your child- DIY Mama

Sophie has a reading nook by her window. Over time I’m sure there will be pillows and blankets and art in this area but for now she likes sitting in this area and looking at her books with Bear. Also, that animal sorting bus in the lower corner is her favorite toy of all time. It’s a hand me down from her niece and I haven’t found it anywhere online, but if you’re looking for a toy for your little one, there are similar toys online.

Montessori Bedroom Inspiration for your child- DIY Mama

Sophie’s new bed is the Kura reversible bed from IKEA. There are so many fun ways to customize this bed. We’re thinking of making it more cozy with some kind of top and curtains. We put a temporary body pillow along the wall to make her more comfortable. She’s not a fan of blankets which is why her bedding is just a fitted sheet. With her bed being on the floor, when I see her rubbing her eyes or yawning, I can say ‘do you want to take a nap with Elmer (her elephant)?’ and she’ll walk into her room and lay down with him.

Montessori Bedroom Inspiration for your child- DIY Mama

Montessori Bookshelf

Sophie’s bookcase is minimal with some of her favorite toys and books. I didn’t put many books on the shelves, knowing that for now, I’ll be putting everything back on the shelves when she empties them. We wanted to have learning toys on her shelf that can grow with her as she learns how to play with them better. The Minnie on the top shelf is her sound machine for naps and the Winnie the Pooh is my old lamp/music box from when I was little. Her closet has the rest of her library, more toys and her hamper. Everything is attached to the wall or latched shut so she can’t hurt herself while playing in her room.

Montessori Bedroom Inspiration for your child- DIY Mama
We’ve all loved the new setup of Sophie’s room. We’ve been a bit sleep deprived while she’s getting the hang of actually laying in her bed throughout the night time, but we’re only on the second day.

When did you move your toddler to their big kid bed? How was the transition? Any tips on keeping them in the bed but not blocking their access to get up when they want? Wish us luck over these next couple weeks! We’ll be going back and forth between bed, crib and pack and plays with traveling for the holidays!

Shop This Room:

Kura Reversible Bed

Kallax Bookshelf

Name Bunting

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Preschool Montessori Bedroom

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