Tonya Staab

Harper Kids: DIY Easter Treat Jars Inspired By Books

Easter is just around the corner. Have you started putting together the kids Easter baskets yet? Every year I love hand-picking items to put into my kid's baskets, I'm just not the pre-packaged store-bought basket kinda person.

I'm over at Harper Kids today showing you how to paint Easter inspired treat jars (fill with candy or treats) that you can pop into a basket with the corresponding book, and some other fun items to make a themed basket that will be perfect for story time.

This is the first one, click here (or on the image above) to view the other two.

Where To See The Southern California Super Bloom

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by the makers of ibi as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. The makers of ibi sent me this for free. All opinions expressed in my post are my own.

My parents are currently visiting from Australia and they picked the most spectacular time to come with the Southern California super bloom in full effect. We've been taking road trip after road trip over the past few weeks visiting as many spots as we can possibly can to see the vast variety of wildflowers currently blooming. There are still many more locations that we haven't been able to check off our evergrowing list though.

Having two vehicles most of the time means that occasionally we've split up from our group and made different stops along our route, so we've been looking for ways to share photos with each other. Mike is also here with us, and neither he, nor my dad, are on social media sites such as Facebook or Instagram, so although I'm publicly sharing photos my dad (in particular) doesn't get to see them ... and let's not even discuss trying to email large photo files. This is where ibi comes in; it's the smart photo manager that brings your photos, videos and favorite people by saving, organizing, and helping you to share your cherished memories.

So, I want to share with you some of the beautiful destinations we've captured photos at, but also share just how easy ibi makes it to store and share those photos with loved ones.

Orange Loaf Cake Recipe

Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Planet Oat. The opinions and text are all mine.

I don't think I've ever eaten a fruit or vegetable loaf that I haven't loved. I often buy them from the local farmer's market because Marisol and I love them for breakfast, but occasionally I like to bake a sweet one for after school too. I especially love a tangy citrus loaf because they are perfect for afternoon tea.

I love this simple Orange Loaf Cake recipe... and the best part is you can switch out the flavors by using lemon, lime, grapefruit, or mandarin instead of orange.

This recipe uses a creamy oatmilk called Planet Oat Oatmilk! It is a new oatmilk that's available at Smart & Final. It is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage that’s just a little bit sweet (with no sugar added) and is free from dairy, peanuts, soy, and gluten. It is also an excellent source of calcium and Vitamins A & D, has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and is non-GMO.

It's great for baking with, but if you are looking for more delicious ways to enjoy it, try these:

• Replace the water in your oatmeal with Planet Oat for a creamy and wholesome oat-fueled breakfast.
• Planet Oat is fantastic for foaming in lattes and coffee drinks.
• Add it to your smoothies to make them extra creamy.
• Create a flavorful and creamy macaroni and cheese for a delicious, plant-based dinner.

Makes 1 Orange Loaf Cake.

Make and Takes: Wonder Park 'Steve' Porcupine Cake Pops

Yesterday, I showed you how to make fun blue bear cupcakes inspired by Boomer from the new movie Wonder Park.

Now, I'm over at Make and Takes showing you how to make cake pops inspired by Steve the porcupine from the same movie.

Don't forget to go see Wonder Park movie, which is in theaters this coming Friday, March 15. And make these fun treats before you go. The kids are going to love them.

 

How To Make Wonder Park 'Boomer' Blue Bear Cupcakes

Disclosure: This post and delicious cupcakes are sponsored by Paramount Pictures.

I'm a big believer of letting my kids imaginations run a little wild and then encouraging (and helping) them to fulfill those dreams, no matter how big or small. If you are like that too, then you will absolutely love the new movie, Wonder Park, that will be in theaters on March 15th. The movie tells the story of a young girl named June who imagines and builds an out-of-this-world amusement park that magically comes to life.

So I made some delicious 'Boomer' cupcakes inspired by Boomer, the big blue bear and “ride tester” in Wonder Park. Meet him in the clip below and then check out the recipe for these adorable treats!

5 Minutes for Mom: Painted Birdhouses

I'm sure spring is just around the corner. The hills alongside the freeway here are covered in beautiful California poppies.

I cannot wait to get outdoors more in the coming months ... not that a little rain has ever stopped me from being outside, but the cold to an extent does stop me in my tracks, force me back indoors, and under a blanket.

I haven't spotted the hummingbird who normally frequents our backyard while it's been cold and rainy, but other birds are popping out of the hedges. They'll start nesting in the eaves and shrubs soon enough.

If you are looking for a fun outdoor project to do with the kids for spring, head over to 5 Minutes for Mom where I'm showing you how to make pretty birdhouses just like this one. You could also win a prize pack from Testors paints.