diy mama

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

Shelly

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One Day at Magic Kingdom

What do you do when you only have one day at Magic Kingdom? We were lucky enough to sneak in a mini trip on our vacation to Anna Maria Island. Disney comped us two tickets so we knew we had to make it work. We went for one day two years ago and said I would never do it again. It was so hard for me to leave and I felt so rushed that it wasn’t magical. This time was different because I was prepared. Here’s what I did differently.

Ride Every Ride

I stumbled upon an amazing course called Line Hacks that changed how I do Disney parks. We arrived at the park around 10a and were able to do the following before fireworks:

  • Haunted Mansion
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Dumbo
  • Enchanted Tales with Belle
  • It’s a Small World
  • Mad Tea Party (3 times)
  • Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel
  • Meet Mickey, Minnie, Tink, Cinderella and Elena
  • The Barnstormer
  • Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
  • The 3 o’clock parade

The best part was that we weren’t rushing to do all of these things. We had a super laid back day and were able to choose which rides we wanted while we were around them. My step count was less than half than it usually is because I wasn’t criss crossing the park to get to my fast passes. I highly recommend paying one time for the course and using this every time you go back. If you have older kids or are there with adults only, this would be a really fun way to hit every ride. They have a challenge that is 20 rides in 8 hours (including the big ones) which sounds really fun!

This Won’t Be Your Last Trip

It’s likely that this won’t be your last trip to Walt Disney World Resort. Keep this in mind when you’re planning your trip and also while you’re there. If you get a massive migraine and need to sit out of a few rides, allow yourself some grace. If your toddler has a tantrum while meeting Mickey, he’ll meet him again. It’s hard to keep this in mind when there’s so little time and so much money spent but everyone will have a better experience. Choose two must-do attractions and one snack or meal. Beyond that, go with the flow.

Don’t Make Meals a Priority

Sit down meals take so much time. We did not want to have a lot of snacks because they’re more expensive. While we were there for one day at Magic Kingdom we had Pecos Bill’s. We got a kids meal for our 5 year old because she was really hungry but my husband and I split beef nachos for $13. We asked for an extra container and headed to the toppings bar where we made them full meals by adding lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese and salsa. Both of us were unintentionally stuffed. For $6.50 a person at Disney, that’s the best deal I’ve found. We shared a treat in Big Top Souvenirs (giant Mickey Cookie and Mickey rice krispie treat). For dinner my husband and I split a Bacon Macaroni & Cheese All-Beef Hot Dog from Casey’s Corner which came with fries. It was $12 and stuffed us both. Our daughter got a Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich with Nutella from Sleepy Hallow and it’s now on our ‘must-get’ list. It was the perfect mix of dessert + fresh fruit.

How do you spend your time if you only have one day in the parks? And which park do you choose?

Related Posts to One Day at Magic Kingdom:

Surviving Disney World with a Toddler
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one day at magic kingdom

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Bedtime Routine for Baby with Burt’s Bees

This post has been sponsored by Burt’s Bees. All thoughts are opinions are my own.

As a second-time Mom, I feel like I’m re-learning parenting all over again. No baby is the same, and my two girls are definitely proof of this. For our 9 month old, it’s imperative that we have a full bedtime routine for her to have good sleep throughout the night. We can definitely tell when we rush or skip her routine.

Bedtime Routine for Baby

For us, there are four parts to our baby’s bedtime routine:

  1. Warm bath with Burt’s Bees Baby® Foaming Shampoo & Wash
  2. Lotion Lather with Burt’s Bees Baby® Ultra Gentle Lotion
  3. Snuggly 100% Cotton Sleeper
  4. Read a book

Reading to Baby

First, I want to talk about the last step of the evening. A lot of people think babies don’t need to be read to because they’re so young. I know, from my oldest daughter, that reading at a young age instills a love of reading. Reading to your baby will significantly improve their vocabulary and encourage speaking at an earlier age. Plus, that bonding one-on-one time is so important—especially when you have other children.

Warm Bath for Baby

We have been struggling with our baby’s sensitive skin since birth. She has eczema and without ever having to deal with it before it took a lot of trial and error to get her itchy skin in check. One thing that keeps her skin happy is a warm bath every other night (every night strips her of too many natural oils). With the Foaming Shampoo & Wash being truly fragrance-free it’s gentle cleansing is perfect for her hair and body. It is an easy pump for a Mom who may be juggling a slippery babe and never stings her eyes. The bath helps her skin be prepped for the next step which I think of as the moisture seal to keep the eczema at bay. TIP: You can earn up to $1.50 cash back on Burt’s Bees Baby® Sensitive products with the Free Ibotta® app.

Soothing Lotion for Baby

Once baby has been calmed down from the warm bath and her skin is still soft from the bath, lather on the Ultra Gentle Lotion all over. I will put a little extra on the problem areas so it’s a little thicker before putting on her outfit to make sure she has plenty in those spots. Both of these amazing Burt’s Bees products have the National Eczema Association seal of acceptance and now mine as well. I’m so picky about what chemicals I put on my kids and am so happy to have found these brand new products. Even better, I can easily grab them from Walmart when we go grocery shopping!

Snuggly Sleeper for Baby

Like most of us, our baby sleeps best when she’s comfy. For our house, this means a sleeper because we do not use a blanket in her crib. There are numerous reasons why I’m loving the Burts Bees footed pajamas but here are a few (not to mention, they’re super cute!):

-Elastic ankles to keep footies in place
-Non-slip “bee grip” on all sizes for extra stability
-Diagonal zip front for easy diaper changes
-Zipper guard, zipper garage, and snap tab at neck to protect delicate skin
-The purest layer™: 100% organic, GOTS certified, breathable cotton – great for sensitive skin and to prevent overheating

Next time you’re picking up your baby food at Walmart, check the baby section for the Foaming Shampoo & Wash and Ultra Gentle Lotion. I can’t speak for every baby in the world but I can say that I really wish we would have started our eczema journey here with Burt’s Bees Baby. I’m so happy we’ve found something that can keep our baby sleep soundly throughout the night. When used as a regimen, Burt’s Bees Baby® Sensitive Wash and Lotion help baby rest peacefully and improve quality of life by reducing dry skin that may cause irritation.

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When Should My Baby Start Swim Lessons

When Should My Baby Start Swim Lessons? When you’re a new mom, there are 1000 questions like this per day. ‘When should I start….’ When it comes to teaching babies safety, it’s so important to teach them as early as possible. At most swim schools you can take your babies as early as 6 months. We go to Goldfish Swim School and you can start lessons at 4 months! We started Lilly at 6 months and she has come such a long way in the 3 months we’ve been attending.

Goldfish-Baby-Swim-Lesson

5 Reasons to Start Your Baby in Swim Lessons

Aside from the obvious reason of starting early for safety’s sake, there are 5 other awesome reasons to start them young. Goldfish Swim School talks about the 5 reasons in class but I wanted to share with you how I’ve seen them work for our baby.

Balance

Core balance is crucial to little babies learning to sit up, crawl and eventually stand, walk and run! Lilly is in the crawling phase where she’s able to pull herself up on furniture and swim lessons have helped her shoulder muscles be strong enough to do that at an early age. She sits up on the ducky mats and learns to control her body while crawling on a floating mat. All of this core work out is essential for making sure she has excellent balance going forward.

Confidence

Babies, like us, fear what they are unfamiliar with. When we first started, Lilly was curious to watch others but not as interested in participating. Now, she’s splashing, kicking and pinching with the rest of the babies and squealing with excitement throughout. She’s now comfortable doing the sea otter float the entire length of the pool and back on my shoulder where a month ago she was constantly trying to sit up. Today, she leaned forward into my arms from sitting on the side. This was the first time she’s ever done this part of the class correctly! She’s confident in herself and bold enough to try new things!

Socialization

I am a stay-at-home parent. We get out a lot because that is my nature. I am used to exploring and adventuring with our oldest daughter so Lilly has become familiar with tagging along. At the same time, she doesn’t see many babies at the events we usually go to. At swim lessons she gets to see babies and it always makes her so happy to splash with them! It’s also a chance to be around a few adults which is always a plus.

Entertainment

It can be hard to fill the day with little ones who don’t yet speak. I remember being very lonely when I only had one baby (which is why I started this blog!) Swim days are now our favorite day of the week. All of us have a chance to move our bodies, get out of the house, learn new things and have fun! Swim days also make for the best nap days.

Building Strength

Swim lessons always seem to short to me but for babies they’re the perfect amount of time. 30 minutes is ideal for them to be active, learning, and exercising without being overstimulated. When you’re sleeping 12-14 hours per day, 30 minutes of exercise is substantial. My tiny swimmer has definitely gotten stronger through these lessons and is just weeks away from walking!

Are you ready to sign your child up for swim lessons? Goldfish Swim School has different levels for kids ages 4 months and older.

Find a location near you and sign up today!

Photo courtesy Goldfish Swim School Blog

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What to Do at West Park • Carmel Indiana

West Park in Carmel is such a special park. The park plays host to active people of all ages. When I asked my daughter what her favorite part was she said ‘there were so many different people playing all types of things!’ She observed people of all ages and colors coming together to spend the beautiful day outside and it was heartwarming.

West Park Carmel

What To Do

  • Splash Pad
  • Open Greenspace
  • Playground
  • Fishing
  • Native Prairies
  • 2+ Miles of Soft Surface & Paved Trails
  • Amphitheater
  • Grills
  • Picnic Shelters (with electricity)
  • Drinking Fountain
  • Restrooms
  • Bike Rack

Like I said, something for everyone! Personally, we loved the paved walking trails (including boardwalk over a lake) to practice bike riding and pushing Lilly in the stroller.

TIP: If your child only ever wants to play on the playground, make a trail mix or snack necklace to bring along. Make a pit stop along the walking path for the snack and they’ll be refueled to continue on for the rest of the walk.

West Park Carmel

Amazing Stone Hill

Another huge highlight for us was the stone hill. Every time we go we head straight for the stone hill to race up it. Now that I have Lilly in the stroller I am able to stroll her up the paved paths up to the top and still get the beautiful view of the entire park. The hill is a great spot for family photos or a scenic view for meditation.

Spend All Day at West Park Carmel

You could easily spend an entire day at West Park in Carmel. If we were to go for a full day we would bring our bikes, swimsuits and lunch with us. We could play on the playground, ride bikes, go fishing, play in the splash pad, fly our kites, have a picnic and even do an archery class. They have classes for archery through the Monon Center there!

What other parks do you love around you and what makes you keep going back? Despite the drive, this is now one of our favorites and I am excited for the splash pad to open up later this month!

On the Go Picnic Kit
Splash Pads and Water Parks in North Indianapolis
West-Park-Carmel

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Summer Events at the Indiana State Museum

Summer Events at the Indiana State Museum- If you’ve ran out of time to book summer camps and are still looking for some fun activities this summer, here is a great list of activities going on at the Indiana State Museum. If you haven’t been to ISM in a couple years, it’s totally changed. There are enough family friendly exhibits to fill your entire day, not to mention all of the extra events going on throughout the year. Check out this list and see what inspires your family to get out and explore Indiana!

Summer Events at the Indiana State Museum

It’s About Time: The Art of Felrath Hines – open June 22 through Sept. 29

Discover the life and incredible art from Hoosier artist Felrath Hines, who graduated from Crispus Attucks High School and attended Saturday youth art classes at the John Herron School of Art. An abstract artist who used different shapes and colors to communicate, he also worked as an art conservator and restored noted artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings. Explore interactives, listen to the jazz that inspired Hines and try your hand at creating an artwork with colorful shapes.

Hoosier Salon – open Aug. 2 through Oct. 13

Enjoy artworks from Hoosier artists from around the state in what’s considered to be the preeminent juried exhibition of Indiana art at the 95th annual Hoosier Salon.

Little Learners at Indiana State Museum childrens program

May

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

Little Learners: Artful Play (ages 3-5)

9:45 to 11:30 a.m., May 7
$8/members, $10/non-members; free for children younger than age 3
Bring your littlest ones to a class where they’ll be inspired by art and create their own masterpieces. Children must be accompanied by an adult, younger siblings welcome.

Small Wonders: Plants & Seeds (ages 3-5)

10 to 11 a.m., May 8 & May 11
$9/members, $12/non-members
Bring your little one to learn, play and discover in the museum. This month, your child will explore nature with the help of leaf prints, create seed balls and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Young Explorers: Transportation (ages 4-6)

1 to 2:30 p.m., May 11
$10/members, $13/non-members
Drop your child off at a class to encourage creativity, exploration independence in an environment that fosters curiosity and imagination. This month, your child will explore different transportation, from Indy cars to airplanes. Children may attend on their own.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Homeschool Tuesdays: Abstract Art Extravaganza (ages 6-13)

9:30 to 11:30 a.m., May 7
$8/members, $10/non-members
Dive into a world of investigation and discovery during these two-hour classes designed to stimulate a child’s interest in science, art, history and culture. This month, students will explore abstract art and create their own masterpiece.

Batik Fabric DIY (ages 5-12)

10 to 11:30 a.m., May 11
$15/members, $20/non-members
Be inspired by the vibrant clothing in Color of Style, then decorate your own piece of fabric in the ancient batik style. Use beautiful symbols to create an intricate print to represent your own personality.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Family Discovery Day: Gardening

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 11
Included with purchase of general admission
Gardening season is right around the corner! Meet local experts and get some tips from the pros on how to get the most out of your own garden. Discover key ingredients to great soil, and make seed bombs and paper pots to take home.

Color, Style and Tea

2 to 4 p.m., May 11
$15/members, $20/non-members, plus purchase of any menu items
Hear from the museum’s textile conservator as she talks about the fashions in Color of Style, all while enjoying a delicious lunch in the L.S. Ayres Tea Room™. Then, take an exclusive tour of the experience and hear the personal stories behind the clothing.

Cardboard 500 Indy 500 event at the Indiana State Museum
Cardboard 500

New Event: Cardboard 500

9 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 18
$50/team (2-5 youth members, plus 2 adults)
This race season, join the newest spectacle in racing. In Cardboard Alley, families will compete to design and build a cardboard body atop a pre-built push cart frame. Then, race to push your creation into the winner’s circle.

New Event: Great Chalk Out

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 26
$5/small sidewalk square, $10/large sidewalk square; $3/box of chalk
Get creative on the sidewalks around the museum! Create works of art and compete for prizes in the following categories: Best Family Art; Best Child Art (age 7 and younger), Best Youth Art (ages 8-15) and Best Adult Art (ages 16+). If it rains, the competition will move indoors. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Atomic Movie Nights: Back to the Future (PG) (ages 21+)

7 to 10 p.m., May 2
$10/members, $12/non-members
Be a part of the conversation led by local experts as you travel through space and time to explore the unique influences these movies have had in today’s culture. Seating is first come, first serve. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.

Eco Dyeing DIY (ages 18+)

7 to 10 p.m., May 3
$20/members, $25/non-members
Learn about eco-friendly dye techniques with items you can find in your home, supermarket or garden. Become inspired by the Color of Style, and make your own sustainably-dyed scarf to take with you.

June

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

Small Wonders: Toy Engineering (ages 3-5)

10 to 11 a.m., June 12 & June 15
$9/members, $12/non-members
Bring your little one to learn, play and discover in the museum. This month, your child will explore the creative process of toy design. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Young Explorers: Creating with Color (ages 4-6)

1 to 2:30 p.m., June 15
$10/members, $13/non-members
Drop your child off at a class to encourage creativity, exploration and independence in an environment that fosters curiosity and imagination. This month, your child will explore colors and textiles, creating their own designs. Children may attend on their own.

Canal Nights at Indiana State Museum family event

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Signature Event: Canal Nights

6 to 8 p.m., June 5, 12, 19, 26
Free
Celebrate summer nights on the canal with free activities and family fun, Wednesday evenings in June and July. This month, explore color, nature, chemistry and more during different themed nights. For all themes and activities, visit indianamuseum.org/canal-nights.

New Event: Flair in the Air Kite Fest

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 15
Included with purchase of general admission
Is it a bird, or a plane? No, it’s Kite Fest! Visit with local kite groups, check out kite displays and borrow one of our small kites to set soaring for yourself. For a challenge, join a kite building workshop and create your own kite. Additional cost of $2-10 for kite workshops.

Courageous Conversations

6:30 to 8 p.m., June 27
$5/person, $2/student with student ID
Join your neighbors to talk about contemporary community topics in this moderated discussion. Explore the challenges that contemporary African American artists face. This program is for high school-aged students and adults. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Mats and Mastodons (ages 18+)

6:15 to 7:15 a.m. & 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., June 6 & 20; 1:15 to 2:15 p.m., June 15
$10/members, $12/non-members
Bring your own mat and relax with yoga at the museum. Each session, meet at the Indiana obelisk and move to different areas of the museum to take in the skyline, sunrise or view of the canal. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.
New Event: Techno-Color (ages 21+)

8 to 11 p.m., June 28
Presale tickets: $45/members, $50/non-members; At the door tickets: $55/members, $60/non-members
Get ready for a color explosion at this adults-only, after-hours event that’s all about style, bold colors and fashion. Come dressed in your most vibrant outfit and take selfies galore in front of photo ops outside of Color of Style. Add to a mural, sip a themed cocktail and dance the night away. Ticket purchase includes one free cocktail. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.

July

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

Small Wonders: Space Exploration (ages 3-5)

10 to 11 a.m., July 10 & 13
$9/members, $12/non-members
Bring your little one to learn, play and discover in the museum. This month, your child will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Young Explorers: Astronauts in Training (ages 4-6)

1 to 2:30 p.m., July 13
$10/members, $13/non-members
Drop your child off at a class to encourage creativity, exploration and independence in an environment that fosters curiosity and imagination. This month, your child will launch rockets and discover planets and stars in honor of Apollo 11’s 50th anniversary. Children may attend on their own.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Signature Event: Canal Nights

6 to 8 p.m., July 3, 10, 17, 31
Free
Celebrate summer nights on the canal with free activities and family fun, Wednesday evenings in June and July. This month, explore fireworks, gardens, Apollo 11 and more during different themed nights. For all themes and activities, visit indianamuseum.org/canal-nights.
Family Discovery Days: Apollo 11

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 20
Included with purchase of general admission
Celebrate the “giant leap for mankind” on this day honoring the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. Design and launch your own rocket, learn to land spacecraft and explore the geology of the moon. Plus, hear from local experts about our next steps into space.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Atomic Movie Nights: Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (PG) (ages 21+)

7 to 10 p.m., July 11
$10/members, $12/non-members
Be a part of the conversation led by local experts as you travel through space and time to explore the unique influences these movies have had in today’s culture. Seating is first come, first serve. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.

Mats and Mastodons (ages 18+)

6:15 to 7:15 a.m. & 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., July 11, July 25; 1:15 to 2:15 p.m., July 13
$10/members, $12/non-members
Bring your own mat and relax with yoga at the museum. Each session, meet at the Indiana obelisk and then move to different areas of the museum to take in the skyline, sunrise or views of the canal. Tickets can be purchased in advance at indianamuseum.org or by calling 317.232.1637, or at the door.

New Event: RESPONSE: A Celebration of Felrath Hines (ages 15+)

7 to 9:30 p.m., July 16
$5/visitors (ages 15-17); $10/members (ages 18+),$15/non-members (ages 18+)
Often, Hoosier artist Felrath Hines found inspiration from music or poetry. Honor his spirit by joining spoken word poet and multi-talented artist, Tony Styxx, along with other guest performers, as they respond to Hines’ art with their own. Then, respond yourself with painting, dance, poetry or other performances.

The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is located in White River State Park in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. It is Indiana’s museum for science, art and culture, offering a place where you can celebrate, investigate, remember, learn and take pride in Indiana’s story in the context of the broader world. Even the building is a showcase of the best Indiana has to offer in architecture, materials and sculpture. Easy and convenient parking is available in the attached underground garage.

Related Posts to Summer Events at the Indiana State Museum

Color of Style at the Indiana State Museum
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