the Magikrull Life

a whole lot of Disney with some life sprinkled in

Tag: Disney at Home

Tips & Tricks: Pixar Cars Party

July 9, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Howdy! It’s been awhile, but I come bearing good tidings of party joys!

This past week, our little buddy turned two *cue the waterworks*, and to celebrate, we threw a Pixar Cars birthday bash, of course! He is into all things transportation – planes, trains, and automobiles – so this theme was right up his alley.

So racers, start your engines, and let’s get this party started!

1. The Inspiration

As always, I have to turn to my good pal Pinterest. She is always there when I need a party-planning helping hand, and this party was no exception. After some perusal, these are the pins that drove the overall vision of the day:

After deliberations and discussions with the husband unit, this is the pin that won the overall goal and drove the final creative intent.

2. The Prep

This is the part where I typically wait until the night before, stay up ’til 3AM painting and blowing up balloons, and tell myself I won’t do that next time…

Well…spoiler alert: I still stayed up until 2AM the night before, BUT I made it a little bit easier on myself this time and ordered some great items from Etsy that made my life so much easier and still brought all the crafty fun.

First, the invitations. I found this fun design on Etsy that matched the overall vibe that I was going for. The print itself was reasonably priced and printing them was no biggie. I printed them through Shutterfly because I wanted the matte finish, but if that isn’t a priority, you can also print from CVS or Walgreens for a faster turn around and cheaper price.

Disney Cars Birthday Invite Printable | Etsy, AmorDesignCo | $10

Side Note: I ordered the invites before I ordered the next set of party printables. The printable package also had an invite option.

Second, the party printables. Luck would have it that the very pin I chose to drive the creative vision just happens to be an Etsy printable package. AHHH! Yay! I get to make it look JUST LIKE THE PICTURE.

{gentle reminder to always work smarter, not harder}

Y’all. I cannot RAVE about this package more. I bought the customized banner {$15}, the oil can labels {$5}, and the license design party favor template {$3}, so for $23, I had all of the extra little decor templates ready to go. PLUS, SeawayStudio provides this AMAZING pdf that goes over how to print everything {sizes, companies to use, type of material to print on, etc.}, as well as shares any “additional items” {ex. what soup cans to use} to help recreate the given party. AND they gave me some extras {banner template, cake topper template, and pin the buck teeth on Mater game} for free. Cannot rave enough. Highly recommend. 6/5 Stars. Top notch.

Radiator Springs Vintage Cars Birthday Party Printables | Etsy, SeawayStudio | $35

Once I had all the design templates, it was time to print, cut, laminate, cut, repeat. This part did take some time, but it was mindless, Netflix-watching work and all came out simply extraordinary.

3. The Food

You know me. I can’t go an entire post without talking about food. Food is life. It is the sustenance that sustains me {I know, duh 😛 }. But really, let’s talk food.

So I’m lazy {& cheap…haha} and prefer to plan our kids’ birthday parties around times when a full meal is not expected, i.e., 10 AM. I like this time for a couple of reasons, namely:

  • Toddler Prime Time. This is a time of day where I can usually count on the kids being in a decent mood.
  • Mid-Meal Zone. This is between breakfast and lunch, so I can plan a menu that is mostly snacks and desserts {cheaper and more “Pinterest-y” food options}.
  • Florida Sweet Spot. We live in FL. It’s hot {especially in July}. 10AM is slightly more bearable. Slightly. Haha.

This party was no exception. Started at 10am, people began to leave at 12pm to go home for lunch, and I got to focus on my snacks. All was well.

Now, speaking of those snacks….the menu consisted of:

  • Sally’s Cozy Cones {aka Bugles}
  • Luigi’s Spare Tires {aka Chocolate Iced Donuts}
  • Lightning McQueen Birthday Cake {aka Publix vanilla cake with SeawayStudio Cake Toppers}
  • Radiator Springs Friend Cupcakes {aka Funfetti cupcakes with SeawayStudio Cake Toppers}
  • Traffic Light Fruit Kebobs {aka watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew}
  • Popcorn {aka Skinny Pop Popcorn – healthier and does not require popping}
  • Blue Oil {aka Hawaiian Punch Polar Blast}

Side Note: The cake topper and cupcake toppers were laminated

Side Side Note: Recommend NOT buying cut-up fruit for the Traffic Light Fruit Kebobs. If I were to do again, I would have bought the whole fruit and used a melon baller instead of a cookie cutter {s/o to Lucas and Paul for making those and figuring that out the hard way!}

4. The Decor

MY FAVORITE PART – THE DECORATIONS.

Ugh. I just love decorating for parties. It’s so fun and rewarding and just the best. So, without further ado, let’s talk about the main ticket items – dessert table, photo spot, party game, and party props.

Dessert Table. This was the main focal point of the party. It held all the food and the main theming elements. Decor-wise, the dessert table showcased the custom banner, balloon arch, specialty food containers, party printables, license & toy car party favors, and desert flora for that Radiator Springs vibe.

Here are all of the links to help recreate this tablescape at home:

Cone Cups | Amazon | $19
Blue Disposable Cups | Amazon | $7
Popcorn Boxes | Amazon | $10
Blue Balloons | Amazon | $7
Neutral Balloons | Amazon | $12
Green Balloons | Amazon | $10
Wooden Cars | Amazon | $15
Serving Platters | Amazon | $27
Cacti Pack | Lowe’s | $27

Photo Spot. This photo spot was a hybrid between the printables package and invitation. The invitation inspired the photo props {cardboard cutouts of Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez, Sally, and Mater}, which I created myself. Then, I used the flag banner printout from the printables set and twine for the flags background.

Party Game. The party game was Pin the Buck Teeth on Mater, which was included in the Etsy party package. The Mater poster was so easy to print {directions given to print through the 1-hour Walgreens poster print}, and then, I printed and laminated the teeth for a quick, easy party game!

Party Props. AKA the little, wearable cardboard box racers. Okay, these were probably my favorite decoration from the party. They turned out exactly as I envisioned in my head and looked so cute on the kids 🙂 The ideal purpose for them are kid races, but the kids didn’t really catch onto that concept. The photos sure are cute, though.

To recreate, all you need is a cardboard box, checkered ribbon, and some paint. 🙂

Side Note: S/O to my mom for bringing the right size boxes and staying up ’til 2AM painting them with me.

5. THE PARTY

The Florida rainy season {aka hot, FL summer} is upon us, so of course, our outdoor party turned indoor the morning of. Friends and family came, all wore masks {thank you! | Side Note: Lucas and I are vaccinated. However, since the kids aren’t old enough, we are still taking precautions. Stay safe, friends!}, and joy was shared all around.

And now, the pictures…

And yes, we did Disney Bound for the party as a family. And no, I have no regrets.

That’s a wrap on Buddy’s second birthday! We can’t believe he’s already two, but we had so much fun celebrating him.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed seeing the birthday fun!

Until next time…

Stay Magical!

Jasmine

*Disclaimer: All opinions shared are in no way affiliated with the Walt Disney Company. They are completely my own and shared from a Disney guest perspective.

Tips & Tricks: Mermaid Party

April 13, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Happy Mermaid Monday! April is such a special month for Lucas and I because both our birthdays and our anniversary are in the first two weeks of the month. {Fun Fact: Our birthdays added together equal our anniversary 🙂 }The kids’ birthdays are in the summer and fall, so we really get to claim this month all to ourselves and celebrate us.

In light of both of our birthdays just passing, I thought this was the perfect time to share one of my favorite themed parties – L’s Little Mermaid Party. This was for her third birthday this past year {so COVID-precautioned party} and even with 2020, it was such a fun party! Today, I wanted to share all the inspiration, planning, and detail that went into this day, so let’s dive in!

1. The Inspiration

Y’all know me. I can’t have a full party post without a book recommendation, and today, it’s right from the get go.

Entertaining with Disney | Amazon | $19

Entertaining with Disney makes all of my Disney party planning dreams come true. This book has such fabulous Disney party inspiration! Not only does it give that douse of magic, it presents such elegant and truly stunning alternatives to the cheapish-looking party décor you often find at party stores. I also love that it touches on a wide range of celebrations from holiday soirees to baby showers to brunches to, of course, birthday parties. So if you are like me and love planning parties {especially Disney ones}, I cannot recommend this book enough.

I used the Little Mermaid bridal shower brunch party as the inspiration for the party and added birthday touches to give it more of that birthday party feel.

Side Note: A personal goal of mine is to recreate every party in this book. I currently have one in the works. Any guesses as to which one?

2. The Planning

Since this was the year of COVID, I planned a special, family breakfast and then a drive by/driveway party. The Little Mermaid brunch was perfect for this because I was able to use the majority of the recipes for the breakfast and then adapt and expand the overall theme/vibe for the rest of the party. Typically, for the kids’ birthday parties, I try to plan a main table display, a dessert table display, a themed menu, and a photo op, and this year was no exception {Note: If this list seems daunting, I would focus on one photo op and the dessert table, which can often double as an additional photo op – will show more below}. Now that I had a theme and a general idea of what areas I wanted to create for the party, it was time to hit up good, ole Pinterest .

Pinterest is my best friend when it comes to planning. I spend a lot of time pinning and contemplating before making concrete moves and buying supplies. I wanted to share some of the additional inspiration that I used to help expand upon the Entertaining with Disney party.

Dessert Table

This was the overall look that I wanted to create for the dessert table: a sweet sign or two in the appropriate color scheme, a balloon arch, and of course, the desserts {i.e. the cake}. Note that this can be used as an additional photo op if you want to try to reign in the scope of the party.

Birthday Cake

Since I was using a wedding brunch as inspiration, no birthday cake recipe was listed, so I found this cute cake option in my feed and baked it myself. This was something I was extremely proud of because I am not the cook in our family. haha.

Photo Op

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it would go so great with the party. This definitely had it’s own challenges {which I’ll touch on later} but was a fun addition.

*Note: For the Main Table Display and Menu {excluding the cake}, I kept fairly close to the Entertaining with Disney inspiration.

Another aspect of the Entertaining with Disney book that I adore and want to point out is the planning section. It lays out how far in advance you should start working on the details for the big day, including when to send out invites, when to start those crafts, and when to prep the food. Of course, there is a good amount of procrastinator in me…{wah wah}, so a lot of these pieces were completed the day before {s/o to Karin for always being my partner in crafting and staying up into the wee hours the night before! Going strong on 3 years! lol}. However, I wanted to show what “main ticket” items I planned from either the inspiration book, Pinterest, or the crazy confines of my brain that could be completed in advanced.

3. The Menu

WE CAN’T FORGET THE FOOD.

It is very important. Most important. The noms.

Okay, so the food. As I mentioned, I did a family breakfast, which was mainly just the bridal shower brunch menu {all recipes provided in Entertaining with Disney}, as well as a birthday cake. {There was so much sugar consumed that day, but there were zero complaints from the kids. hah.} The recipes that I focused on were:

  • Smoothie Bowls
  • English Muffins
  • Sand Dollar Cookies
  • Fruit
  • Juice
  • Birthday Cake

L was a HUGE fan of the chocolate mermaid tails, which were so much easier to make than I expected! Highly recommend doing chocolate mold items for a low cost, high reward when it comes to labor required to theming gained. As for the menu itself, all the food items were prepared the day before or morning of and took a couple hours in total.

Mermaid Tail Mold | Amazon | $8
Mermaid Tails Mold | Amazon | $9

4. The Details

I know I’ve shown the inspiration behind all of the details, but I wanted to showcase the pieces created for the party and provide some tips if you want to create some yourself.

Lily Sign {1-2 hours}

This was another low labor, high reward item. This sign is just painted cardboard. Karin did background ombre which took 30 min to an hour, and I freehanded the details, which took about an additional hour. I love how it turned out and actually ended up keeping this piece to potentially make another appearance in the future.

Shell Sign {1 hour}

This was a simple, cardboard sign. It added the sweet touch of her age for the party but was a flat, easy design that could be produced quickly.

Dessert Table {2 hours}

I loved how this turned out. With a couple of balloon arches, signs, and a cake, we were in business. For the balloon arches, we used balloon tape, balloon dots {to stick the balloons to each other for volume}, different sized balloons, and a balloon compressor. I highly recommend all four to create an awesome balloon arch as painlessly as possible {all linked below}.

Balloon Air Pump, Balloon Tape, & Balloon Dots | Amazon | $21
Large Turquoise Balloons | Amazon | $17
5″ Mini Party Balloons | Amazon | $10

Main Table {0.5-1 hour}

This was created by sifting through my mom’s, Karin’s, and my beach decor collections to pull out pieces that went with the vibe. I did buy a couple of things specifically for the party, specifically the table runner and the drift wood on the table.

Porch Display {1 hour}

This one was a little bit of a bear. Karin and I had done one before and had some learning, which definitely helped, bit it was still a little tricky. I think the look is great {obviously, I was willing to create it again haha}, but I highly recommend following these tips:

  • Buy a light net {weight-wise}
  • Have extra balloons handy {some will pop, just be ready for it}
  • Place a sign on top {banners, balloons, etc. they all fit the bill}
  • Make sure to have extra Command Strips {you’ll need them}
  • Bring some extra patience {this requires some trial and error, be prepared for it}

Photo Wall {3-4 hours}

The Photo Wall…Oh, this photo wall. So I saw the inspiration and really wanted to create this. Looking at pictures, I felt I could make it with tissue paper, thread, and a hot glue gun, which we did. I cut out pieces; Karin and I threaded them, and then, we used the glue gun to keep them in place. However, I would not make it that way again. First off, I originally wanted this outside…those of you two steps ahead of me are already laughing. So there is wind outside and that does jive well with tissue paper. We moved it inside and taped it to the top of L’s closet door frame, which worked just fine for our purposes. If I were to do it again, though, I would use cardstock or some heavier material for the circles, actually buy a backdrop stand, and just plan on it being inside from the start.

5. The Party

Oh, COVID. How I truly hate you and cannot wait until you are gone for good {can’t wait to get my second dose of the vaccine this weekend!}. Due to COVID, we had a drive by/drive way party. We {plus Karin, who, along with our family, self-isolated for 2 weeks and got tested prior to entering our home} hung out on the porch, and friends and family came by to wave, say hi, show signs, and jam to some music with us. It rained for the majority of the party. Masks were required. Physical distancing was maintained. Zoom calls were made for our friends and family far, far away. And even with COVID, I think L had a really fun birthday.

Here are some pictures to document the fun:

Side Note: We did do self-grab goodie bags, which had bubbles {the big kind, which were freaking awesome}, sand dollar cookies, and gogoSqueeze applesauce {for those not comfortable eating homemade cookies or just because squeezable applesauce is the bomb.com}.

Extra Side Note: Why, yes, we did Disneybound. Do I have any regrets? Absolutely not. 🙂

6. The Memories

I couldn’t end without sharing more pictures! This was such a fun day, and to make it even more memorable, we were able to celebrate at Epcot the next day. We did the Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Search and Find, rode L’s favorite rides, and simply had the best time. Here are some more pictures from all the celebrations:

Thanks for joining me on this walk down memory lane. I hope you enjoyed seeing our under the sea party, and fingers crossed that it can help you with your next mermaid adventure!

Until next time…

Stay Magical!

Jasmine

*Disclaimer: All opinions shared are in no way affiliated with the Walt Disney Company. They are completely my own and shared from a Disney guest perspective.

Tip & Tricks: Easter

March 28, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Why, hello there! It’s been a long time. I have had some family stuff going on, which has kept me away, but I am back now. And what is better than spring and Easter to pull me out of my hibernation? That’s right. Easter is just ONE WEEK away, so I wanted to share some Easter basket ideas in case you find yourself basketless with T-7 days. So let’s dive in!

1. The Baskets: Flower Power

For L’s basket {3yo girl}, we went with a flower theme. L loves admiring and collecting flowers, so I thought a flower-themed basket would fit the Easter basket bill. The other “big item” is a water bottle. I have a Nalgene that I decorated with stickers {from Wish Upon Magic – LOVE their Disney stickers}. L seemed interested in decorating one too, so I got her some water bottles and Disney stickers to decorate it. Here is what she will find from the Easter Bunny this year:

  • The Big Book of Blooms
  • Flower Seeds {assorted mix from Target}
  • Toysmith Root Viewer {Thank you, Mimzy! 🙂 }
  • CamelBak Eddy + Kids Water Bottle with Straw {2-Pack}
  • Wish Upon Magic stickers, assortment
  • My Friend is Sad {An Elephant and Piggie Book}
  • Vintage, Kawaii Winnie the Pooh {Thank you, Aunt Caitlin! 🙂 }
The Big Book of Blooms | Amazon | $18
Burpee 12ct Annual & Perennial Seeds | Target | $24 {Note: can buy individually}
Toysmith Root Viewer | Amazon | $16
CamelBak Water Bottles, Grapefruit/Dusty Lavendar | Amazon | $19
Disneyland Sticker | Wish Upon Magic via Etsy | $4.40
My Friend is Sad | Amazon | $7
Kawaii Winnie the Pooh | Vintage, Aunt Caitlin

2. The Easter Baskets: Transportation Station

For W’s Easter basket {1.5yo boy}, we went for a transportation theme. W loves all things with wheels {his Cars die cast cars collection is quite extensive…haha}, so I knew going with cars, trains, or planes would be a home run. Here is what he will find in his basket on Easter Sunday:

  • Disney Pixar Cars: 5-Minute Racing Stories {Note: Target is doing buy 2 kids books, get one free 🙂 }
  • Good Night, Lightning {Note: Second Target book 🙂 }
  • Duplo Construction Truck & Tracked Excavator
  • CamelBak Eddy + Kids Water Bottle with Straw {2-Pack}
  • Cars Sticker Bundle
  • Yoga Bunny {Note: FREE Target book 🙂 }
  • Pastel Rainbow Mickey Plush
Disney Pixar: 5-Minute Racing Stories | Target | $11
Good Night, Lightning | Target | $8
Lego Duplo Construction Truck & Tracked Excavator Set | Target | $20
CamelBak Water Bottles, True Blue/Palm | Amazon | $19
Cars Sticker Bundle | Creations by Jay and Ash via Etsy | $15
Yoga Bunny | Target | $16
Pastel Rainbow Mickey Plush | World of Disney, Disney Springs | $30

3. The Easter Essentials

I’ll be honest. Easter kind of snuck up on me. We all feel it. It’s super early this year. So…the Easter decorations are sparse in the Krull household this year. However, I did snag a couple of essentials from Target that I wanted to share. First, Easter baskets. I used colored organization cubes for the kids last year {which do work great, btw, if you don’t want to buy a basket}, but the kids found an old basket and have loved playing with it. Plus, I want to do some Easter egg hunting this year. Because of all that, I decided it was time to buy some baskets. I found the two cuties below {and they have a few other cloth pattern options}, and the price was right.

Spritz Easter Basket, Cool Blue Plaid | Target | $9
Spritz Easter Basket, Warm Pink Flowers | Target | $9

Speaking of Easter egg hunting, turns out, I don’t have that many…or in the color scheme I like…or in different sizes…so Easter eggs were also a must this year. Target has a bunch of different colors. I preferred this muted, pastel color palette, and I found it in both small and large sizes, which I was hoping for because I want large for W and small for L to make sure everyone enjoys the hunt.

Plastic Easter Eggs, 48 Count | Target | $3
Plastic Easter Eggs, Large, 6 Count | Target | $1
Plastic Easter Eggs, Large, 6 Count | Target | $1

Lastly, Easter bunny ears. You can’t forget the ears! I have a blue pair for W from years past {and I did have pink/flower crown one for L too, but it recently broke…wah wah}, and I got this yellow pair for L. It matches perfectly with W’s, and you truly cannot beat that price!

Bunny Ears, White & Yellow | Target | $3

4. The Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt

Craft time! You know I can’t go an entire holiday without sharing some form of craft or at-home, theming tip/trick. So for Easter this year…

*drum roll, please*

…we are creating our own Disney-themed Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt!

*crowd goes wild* *much applause* *hooray* hooray 🙂

If you are not aware, Disney does an Easter Egg Scavenger hunt every year. In Disney World, the hunt is at Epcot, and in Disneyland, the hunt is at Downtown Disney. It’s very similar to all of Epcot’s scavenger hunts where you are given a sticker map and once completed, you earn a prize. The prize is a character-themed egg, and you get to pick from a selection of 6.

I wanted to do this at home, so I painted and cut out 5 Disney-character Easter eggs, scanned them in to create a “map”, and then laminated everything to create a Scavenger hunt at home!

The night before Easter, I’ll hide them around the house and in the morning, the kids can go hunting. When they find one, they can either mark them or place a sticker to identify that egg has been found.

Now, here is the egg-citing part…I made everything printable, so you can join along too! All of the eggs can be found here:

Easter-Egg_Mickey-MouseDownload
Easter-Egg_Minnie-MouseDownload
Easter-Egg_Donald-DuckDownload
Easter-Egg_GoofyDownload
Easter-Egg_PlutoDownload

And here is the tracker sheet {recommend printing front & back}:

Please tag me on Instagram {@the_magikrull_life} if you share any photos!

5. The Easter Baskets: The Fillers

One last thing before I wrap up the Easter talk. I wanted to share a couple more Easter basket ideas in case you are still stuck on how to fill those baskets. Here are some items that I love and we already own or that I love but just didn’t quite make the cut this year:

  • Beach towels {This was a tradition in my Easter basket growing up & I loved it!}
  • Swimsuits
  • Swim Shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Bubbles {WE LOVE BUBBLES| Go for the bubbles}
  • Sidewalk Chalk
  • Paint with Water DIY Kit – Paint Cup + Foam Brushes
  • Stickers
  • Popsicle Trays
  • Watering Can
  • Spray Bottle
Winnie the Pooh Beach Towel | Shop Disney | $14
Lightning McQueen Beach Towel | Shop Disney | $14
Winnie the Pooh Swimsuit | Shop Disney | $27
Mickey Mouse Tropical Swim Trunks | Shop Disney | $23
Lightning McQueen Water Shoes | Shop Disney | $17
Colorblocked Sunglasses, Red Dodgeball | Janie & Jack | $15
Sorcerer Mickey Bubble Wand | Shop Disney | $23
Sidewalk Chalk | Amazon | $10
Kootek Popsicle Molds Set | Amazon | $11
Watering Can | Amazon | $22

That is all for today! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you and your family have the most wonderful Easter!

Until next time…

Stay Magical!

Jasmine

*Disclaimer: All opinions shared are in no way affiliated with the Walt Disney Company. They are completely my own and shared from a Disney guest perspective.

Tips & Tricks: Wishables

February 25, 2021 / / 0 Comments

I get it. You are probably thinking: ‘Wishables? What on earth is a Wishable? A another stuffed thing to clutter my house? Is this really what you want to talk about?’

I won’t lie. I was like that at first, but then I found they are extremely cute and I could no longer resist. However, I also didn’t want just another stuffed critter(s) cluttering my house and space {trust me, we have plenty…haha…but I still buy more…I have problem…but that’s for another day}, so I put on my thinking cap on how these adorable little stuffies could make an appearance in our home and provide educational purpose.

1. The Wishables Line

So, what is a Wishable? It is a micro plush that comes in a mystery blind bag, and each is part of a 4-piece, limited release series. They can be bought from shopDisney or at the Disney parks and resorts. Here is an example of a release, specifically the Aladdin collection:

Aladdin Blind Bags {linked}

Beyond the blind bags, each release also provides an “out of bag” character that you can also buy. That way, there is at least one character that you know you can get. For the Aladdin collection, the additional Wishable was the Genie.

So what’s the appeal? First off, mystery! The blind bags are just really fun! I think it adds a level of excitement to the buying experience. Plus, if you do want to get a specific character, buying the bags in person {i.e. the parks, Disney Springs, Downtown Disney, or the resorts} allows for squeezing/feeling the bags {and as you can see on the Aladdin bag, is encouraged}.

Second, the limited release. The first Wednesday of every month is Wishable Wednesday and is when Disney releases a brand new series! It keeps it so fun and fresh, and to be honest, I’ve started to get so excited for that first Wednesday of the month. For 2021, the series so far have been Alice in Wonderland {Jan 2021}, Disney Transportation {also Jan 2021 – it got two! EEEEPPP!}, and Small World {Feb 2021}.

2. The Craft

‘Okay, Jasmine. I see they are cute, but how can they be educational?’

With a little magic, of course. Mom magic, that is.

I really wanted these in my house, but I needed the justification. So my solution was matching cards!

I pulled out our Windows Surface and created 4″ X 4″, printable cards on Google Slides. To start, I made a 4″ X 4″ square on the slide with an outlined, text box below it and then added the picture of the Wishable that I wanted to create. I found that the shopDisney Wishables pictures are literally PERFECT for this craft because they are nicely photographed and have a white background. Once I had the one created, I just copied and pasted to the number that I needed. From there, it was just print, cut and then laminate. So easy! I literally did all of ours in a night while chatting with my girlfriends on a zoom call.

The matching game has been something both L {age 3} and W {age 1} can play, and it helps with all those key skills they need to work on. The words are also nice, especially with L, who is starting to work on sight word and letter recognition.

If sight words aren’t what you are looking for, there are some really easy alternatives. The one that a friend shared with me {hi, Kenny!} is that instead of sight words and labeling the item, letters could be used instead to work on alphabet recognition. Colors could be another option too. So many possibilites!

To help make it a little easier for you, I’ve added a template below, just follow the link to get started!

3. The Laminator

So let’s talk about laminators….

I got one based on an account I follow on Instagram {@brbgoingtodisney – highly recommend following her if you have littles and love Disney} and let it sit for MONTHS because I didn’t want to install/read the instructions lol. Then, one morning Lucas decided he was going to print and laminate a sheet with a bunch of Cars characters on it for W and did all of the set up {1. thanks, honey! 2. it was so easy. It’s laughable how easy it was. Plug in. Turn on. lololol}. Then, the crafts began…and OH MY GOODNESS. It has been a GAME CHANGER. If you love crafts and especially if you have littles, do yourself a favor and get a laminator. I’ve linked the one I bought below {which I LOVE}, but there are a ton out there!

Amazon Basics 9-Inch Thermal Laminator Machine | $25
Amazon Basics Letter Size Sheets Laminating Pouches 9 Inches x 11.5 Inches, 100-pack | $14

Another fun, laminator craft that I want to showcase quickly is the family flip book I made. I also used the 4″ X 4″ template from the Wishables to make this but instead of Wishables pictures, I glued 4″ X 4″ pictures of our family members {ordered from Shutterfly app – unlimited free prints of 4 X 4 and 4 X 6 pictures} and put the family title {aunt, cousin, grandparent, etc.} in the title section. We gave to W as part of his Valentine’s gift, as well as to my niece for her first birthday, and it’s been a great, fun learning toy!

4. The Tips

Lastly, a few random tips to make your Wishables journey more enjoyable:

  • Resorts are the best spots to go for Wishables, in my opinion {Contemporary has been our go to}. They get the new ones the same day as the rest of property; it’s often less crowded, and you can usually find older releases there too {bonus!}.
  • Squeezing a mystery blind bag + Covid = probably not the best combination. I like to take disposable, latex gloves to minimize what I touch as well as not contaminate bags further with my germs. I do love knowing that the plush inside has not been touched by other guests, though. Hooray!
  • Wishables are great gifts for holiday baskets {especially with the matching cards 😉 }. We gave the kids Wishables for Valentine’s Day, and it was a big hit! Easter is right around the corner, and these could be great basket stuffers if you are looking for ideas.

That’s all for today! I cannot wait for Wishables Wednesday next week! Will you be joining in on the fun?!?

Until next week…

Stay Magical!

Jasmine

*Disclaimer: All opinions shared are in no way affiliated with the Walt Disney Company. They are completely my own and shared from a Disney guest perspective.

Tips & Tricks: A Valentine’s “Sundae” Picnic

February 18, 2021 / / 0 Comments

This is one that I have been thinking about and planning for awhile, so I am SO EXCITED to finally get to share it with you! First, it’s my first blog post about something I am extremely passionate about – a good theme {coupled with some party planning 😉 }. Theme above all else is my motto {just kidding, the fun is always first, but theme is a close second}. And second, it was such a fun Valentine’s Day celebration that can easily be adapted to any holiday or quite frankly, any day you want to spruce up with some extra pixie dust and magic. So let’s dive in!

1. The Inspiration

A good theme always starts with a little spark, and this was no exception. It all started with a pair of ears and blossomed from there…

The Ears. Mid-January, Disney released these Valentine’s Day Minnie Mouse Ears. I thought they were adorable but debated on buying them. They did, however, get my wheels turning on a fun Valentine’s Day photo shoot {maybe a cute, critter photo}. Then, I saw the dress {see below}, and I had a clear vision. I had decided. I would buy the ears. I went to Disney Springs to purchase and found….them gone. Sold Out. Thus, my quest began. I tried EVERYWHERE – Springs {multiple days}, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and even Polynesian. Nothing. In the Wind. Vanished. A failed quest. ‘Twas a sad day. But then, a ray of hope. A shining light. A coworker to the rescue. So, Julia, if you’re reading this, thanks for letting me borrow your ears. 😉

All of this to say: 1. Don’t regret it. Buy the merch. 2. Julia saved the day.

The Dress. I saw this dress on Janie & Jack and immediately knew I wanted to pair it with the ears. Same colors. Quilted material. Little hearts. YES. PLEASE.

The Book. I had the outfit, now I just needed some decorations and a fun theme…So where to go when in need of inspiration? A book, of course! Disney books has some AMAZING options to help inspire and guide for all your Disney theming needs. I have a handful of books that I often turn to when I’m looking for some inspiration, especially recipes. I found this Mickey Split and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries in my Disney Eats book {linked below} and felt it all fall into place.

The Date. Valentine’s Day fell on a Sunday. Sunday Picnic. “Sundae” Picnic. You get it. 😉

2. The Details

After scavenging my leftover, birthday decoration supplies, I decided that I wanted to set the scene in our backyard {picnic vibes} with our patio furniture {cozy, picnic vibes} and add some cute, Valentine-centered touches, specifically a balloon arch with a pastel, Valentine palette {read: what color balloons I had in the pantry that were Valentine acceptable} and Valentine-feeling foods {pink smoothies, chocolate covered Mickey strawberries, and Mickey sundaes}.

To recreate the scene, what you’ll need:

  • balloons
  • balloon tape
  • command strips
  • patio furniture {or anything you have! A couch would look cute too or even a dining room table}
  • recipe ingredients
  • outfits that inspire you {go for the bold 😉 }

3. The Prep

The Night Before:

Balloons. Do yourself a favor. Do the balloons the night before. I waited to do the day of during the kids’ nap and definitely regretted it. I would wait to hang the balloons until day of but setting up the arch and getting the balloons arranged the way you want can be done the night before.

The Day Of:

Food Prepping, Furniture Staging, & Tablescaping {looking at you, Lisa 😉 }

Food Prep. If you plan on doing the same recipes {strawberries, smoothies, and sundaes}, I recommend doing the strawberries first. I had a two hour window to prep, and that was enough time for them to harden before I pulled them out {placed in freezer}. This could also be done in the morning and placed in the fridge instead. Then, smoothie {either earlier and place in fridge or right before}. And lastly, the sundaes {do this right before you are ready to take pictures}.

Furniture Staging. Arrange the furniture however speaks to you. For me, this was how it sang:

Table Scaping. Add the little details to the table to tie in the theme. For this shoot, it was the food. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to make the pink smoothies {those balloons…again, seriously recommend doing the night before}, but I planned to add two of those in mason jars with red and white striped paper straws to fill in the remaining space.

4. The Final Look

Viola! It is time! Pull out that camera, let the kids at that chocolate, and soak up the fun!

5. The Tips

I want to add a couple of tips that I learned the hard way {wah wah}. Hopefully, these will help make your sundae picnic planning even easier.

Balloon Compressor. I bought this to prep for my daughter’s birthday party. Best. {Party-Planning} Purchase. Ever. I have this one. I wouldn’t say it’s the best quality, but it gets the job done and the price was right. Bonus: it came with balloon tape {use this to make the balloon arch} and balloon dots.

Light Matters. Apparently, the sun moves throughout the day…? Who knew, right? I got everything set up and realized that half of the set up was in the shadows and half was in the light. Keep this in mind and work to have everything in either all shadow or all light {recommend light}. If this does happen to you, you can work around it by angling your camera to capture the subject matter all in one side. For ours, I came in from the top right to get the kids all in the shadows {example below}.

Balloons + FL Grass. Apparently, balloons and Florida grass do not mix together well…upon contact, the balloons pop. That was a super fun discovery. Essentially, half popped while I was putting the balloon arch up. Recommend using a party planning buddy when hanging balloon arches up outside and waiting until the last minute to hang outside {wind can also be tricky}.

Sundae Secrets. I got these bowls from Amazon. I LOVE the look they gave the sundaes, but they were deeper than I realized so make sure to pay attention to your scoops and fruit for the Mickey ears. I ended up adding another of layer of fruit to push the scoop up so the ears cleared the top rim.

Smoothie Tip. As I mentioned, I ran out of time to add the strawberry smoothies. I wanted to add that extra pink and red to pull some more Valentine theming in, but alas, here we are. This is what I planned to use to make that happen, in case you would like to add it.

And there you have it! All the details necessary to have your very own sundae picnic. Happy picnicking!

Until next time…Stay Magical!

Jasmine

*Disclaimer: All opinions shared are in no way affiliated with the Walt Disney Company. They are completely my own and shared from a Disney guest perspective.

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