diy mama

lifestyle blog sharing diy, family, travel, organization & disney tips

Shelly

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Helping Baby Recognize Family Members

In collaboration with Pinhole Press I was gifted products to review. All opinions and excitement for these products are my own.

With grandparents and family members living in different states it can be difficult when our children don’t recognize them between visits. I was looking for a way to help our baby recognize people’s faces easier. Helping baby recognize family members faces is easy with Pinhole Press.

Helping Baby Recognize Family Members

Pinhole Press has a ton of great products you can customize from photo calendars to holiday cards to personalized games. We were specifically looking for a hardy board book our baby could look through by herself with photos of our family. The Custom Board Book of Names and Faces is now her favorite book.

Baby’s Favorite Book

We gave our daughter the book on her first birthday and she looks through it every day. She’ll walk it up to one of us and we’re able to point to the name and point to the person while saying their name. This helps her hear the name and it also helps my older child recognize their written names.

Story Starter Memory Book

Another product we love from Pinhole Press is their Story Starter Memory Book. We customized this book for our oldest daughter when she was just learning how to write. It was extremely easy to upload photos directly from my IG account into the photo book. I chose several of her favorite memories that she loves telling friends and she was able to write what she loved about those memories.

I’m so excited to be able to look back on this book as she gets older. This is a great gift to give each Christmas with new memories from the past year. I can see both girls being excited for their personalized books and being able to draw pictures and write about what they remember.

As a minimalist, gift giving always brings a lot of stress. I want to make sure I’m giving my daughters gifts that will be impactful for years to come.

I’d love to know some of your favorite personalized gifts that you’ve given or received.

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Helping Baby Recognize Family Members

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Children’s Museum Seriously Spooky Hotel of Spells

We love the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and have been members since we moved to Indiana. We’re also huge fans of their Haunted House and make it a priority for Fall Break. Last week we went to check out the Children’s Museum ‘Seriously Spooky’ Hotel of Spells. I added in the ‘seriously spooky’ because I don’t think everyone understands that their lights-on version is still pretty scary for little kids.

This year my girls were 6 and 1. The 1 year old is at the age where nothing scares her but my 6 year old is easily spooked. We tried the lights-on version for her sake and mine (I’m a scaredy cat). I put on my brave face and we headed in only to be amazed by the skilled work of the creators of the haunted house.

Yes, it was creepy but the creative in me kept my brain wondering how they created such an elaborate display in every room! Each year is great but I think this year has been the best I’ve ever seen. TIP: Don’t forget to dress up as the Haunted House is a trick-or-treat spot!

Indianapolis Children’s Museum

Ring the front desk bell and check into the spooky Hotel of Spells, The Children’s Museum Guild’s 56th Annual Haunted House. The witch and her staff of Halloween haunters hope you enjoy your stay, but beware—at this hotel, the guests have left magic and mayhem behind!

Haunted House Hours

IPL’s Lights-On Hours are recommended for children who scare easily. CENTURY 21 SCHEETZ Frightening Hours are recommended for children who dare to be scared.

Sundays
Lights-On: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Frightening: Closed

Mondays
Lights-On: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Frightening: Closed
Oct. 28: The Haunted House is closed.

Tuesdays
Lights-On: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Frightening: Closed

Wednesdays
Lights-On: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Oct. 16: Lights-On 3:30–8 p.m.
Oct. 23: Lights-On 3:30–8 p.m.
Oct. 30: Frightening 3:30-9 p.m.

Thursdays
Lights-On: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Frightening: 3:30–9 p.m.
Oct. 31: No Frightening Hours. The Haunted House closes at 3 p.m.

Fridays
Lights-On: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Frightening: 3:30–9 p.m.

Saturdays
Lights-On: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Frightening: 3:30–9 p.m.

Haunted House Tickets

Ticket Information
$9 per person

Visit the online calendar and select the date you would like to visit, then choose between CENTURY 21 SCHEETZ Frightening Hours or IPL’s Lights-On Hours.

Tickets are also available at The Children’s Museum Box Office
Members receive a 10% discount


Discount tickets are available at Indianapolis-area Old National Bank branches


Haunted House tickets are separate from museum admission. Museum admission not included or required


Children under the age of 2 are free


Children age 13 and under must be accompanied through the Haunted House by a paying adult.


Groups of 10 or more receive a special rate.


Still trying to decide between Lights-On or Frightening Hours for your family? See their site for tips!

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Top 5 Tips for Mommy and Me Swim Lessons

This post is sponsored by Goldfish Swim School, though all opinions are my own.

Swimming with babies and toddlers is amazing and a fabulous way to bond with your baby, but if you are not confident in water it can be daunting. The whole point of swim lessons is to teach water safety and confidence to our children. With these tips you’ll feel ready to help your little one learn a necessary life skill. Here are my top 5 tips for Mommy and Me swim lessons.

Top 5 tips for mommy and me swim lessons

Top 5 Tips for Mommy and Me Swim Lessons

  1. Expose your baby to water as often as you can. Between regular weekly swim lessons, splashing in the bathtub and swimming at a local pool, your child will be very comfortable with getting their face wet.
  2. Ask questions in class. Never be afraid to ask the purpose of an activity during swim class. The instructors want you to fully understand what you’re achieving by doing these motions with your child. It’s likely another parent has the same question.
  3. Encourage your baby to be on their back. Your class will likely be teaching floating by having your child on their back with your assistance. This is easier done with a young baby but there will be resistance in the toddler years. Continue to practice this important safety skill with your child no matter how much they complain.
  4. Show a happy smile. You may personally feel uncomfortable in the water or uncomfortable with how your child is reacting to the water. Children can sense our unease so no matter your feelings put on a happy face so baby can learn that being in the water is a good thing.
  5. Enjoy the bonding time. Some days may be hard to get all the gear together and take your child to lessons but consistently going with your baby will be great for both of you. Not only for the sake of adapting to the water but for bonding time with each other!

My daughter started swim lessons at 6 months and has been going weekly for 8 months and she absolutely loves water. We scheduled our swim lessons for Friday morning so we can start our Friday Fun Day off with one of her favorite activities. We’ve loved our lessons at Goldfish Swim School! Check them out to see if there is one near you.

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Fall Fun at Piney Acres Farm

Fall has begun and despite the warm weather we have started our favorite fall traditions. We’ve made fall trail mix, started Halloween movies, made fall crafts and went to check out the fall fun at Piney Acres Farm. There are 11 pumpkin patches within a 40 minute drive of our home and we’ve explored 9 so far. Piney Acres Farm went straight to the top for family fun for a great price.

For the Kids

During the media preview we were able to experience everything other than the gem mining. For the fall 2019 season there is so much to do in the Kid Zone and they’re expanding it for the 2020 season. Currently kids can explore Swings, Slides, Spider Climbing Net, Rock Wall Climbs, Suspension Bridge, Fire Man Poles, Cow Barrel Train Rides, Rope Maze, Jump Pad, Mega Slide, Hay Mountain, Giant Rocking Chair, Climbing Tires, 4 Tier Sandbox, Pedal Carts, Zombie Shoot Game, Pumpkin Bowling, Barnyard Animals, Corn Hole, Horse Shoes, Fishing Game, Duck Races, Giant Tumbler, Gem Mining and 1 Acre Kid’s Corn Maze.

For the Brave

This section I was not brave enough to explore. Piney Acres Farm is known for their Scream Farm and just looking at the website will be giving me nightmares tonight! The farm features 3 horrifying attractions, and up to 72 acres of terror! Experience Dr. Rex E. Zenors latest experiment in the infamous haunted loft. Get lost in the 6 acre haunted trail complete with hillbilly horror hysteria. Or strap yourself in, and experience the end of the world in a real live zombie apocalypse on the haunted hayride!

For the Family

My favorite part of the trip was taking a hayride around the farm. You can take the hayride out to the pumpkin patch to pick out your own special pumpkin! Other highlights to do with your whole family: pick up some Gourds & Indian Corn for decorating, Indiana Corn Maze, Barnyard Animal Encounters, NEW Barnyard Tumbler Attraction, NEW Apple Cannon, Farm Store with Fall Decor Items and a snack bar with options for the whole family. I suggest the fall funnel cake!

What is your favorite fall tradition?
Opening day for the 2019 season is Saturday September 28, 2019 at 10 a.m. Check their website for general admission ticket prices as well as pricing for paid activities.

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Fall fun for the family at Piney Acres Farms in Indiana. Activities include hay rides, pumpkin patch, jump pad, kid zone games, corn maze and haunted loft.

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Halloween Movies for Little Kids 6 and Under

Halloween movies for little kids 6 and under are hard to come by. There don’t seem to be a ton that aren’t dripping with death and scary concepts. Our family begins watching Halloween movies in September once the trees start turning so I’ve been on the hunt.

We was trying to find movies to watch with my daughter and realized she’s past the baby phase where things aren’t scary yet but not quite to the phase where she understands some of the Halloween movie concepts.

Pumpkin Inspired Treats, Jack-o'-lanterns and Decor for Halloween

I almost played Casper for her, remembering watching it as a kid (swooning over Devin Sawa) but stopped to look it up on Common Sense Media quickly before pushing ‘play’. I hadn’t remembered that there is talk about parents dying and one parent being brought back from the dead (which is not appropriate for my 6 year old yet).

Some research had to happen before finding more age appropriate movies for my Halloween loving daughter. Check your library to see if they have these on the shelves and if not, put in a request! You can also get your own copy with my affiliate links below. I’ve marked some with ‘older’ so you can check it out before watching. These are all ok for my sensitive 6 year old but you may want to look them up first.

Top Halloween Movies for Little Kids 6 and Under

  1. Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie
  2. Sesame Street: Hello Halloween
  3. PAW Patrol: Halloween Heroes
  4. Littlest Pet Shop: Halloween Fest
  5. The Dog Who Saved Halloween
  6. Escape To Witch Mountain (older)
  7. Super Monsters Save Halloween
  8. Room on the Broom
  9. Mickey’s House Of Villains
  10. Dear Dracula
  11. Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
  12. Eloise: Rawther Unusual Hallow
  13. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
  14. A Very Brave Witch…and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids
  15. Alvin & The Chipmunks Meet The Wolfman
  16. The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad (older)
  17. Scared Shrekless (older)
  18. Toy Story of Terror! (older)
  19. Hotel Transylvania
  20. The Nightmare Before Christmas (older)
  21. Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (older)
  22. Frankenweenie (older)
  23. Paranorman (older)
  24. Monsters, Inc.
  25. Spookley the Square Pumpkin
  26. The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat
  27. The Legend of Smurfy Hallow
  28. Witches In Stitches

Let me know some of your favorites I may have missed for little ones!

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