garden essentials for the kiddos

garden kits for kids_jsorelle

Nani and Mimi have the Easter baskets filled with goodies, accessories and clothes, so instead of a typical Easter Basket this year, we bought the kids their own gardening essentials to grow their favorite vegetables. My fave, Target’s dollar section, had colorful watering cans for just $3 each and gardening tools, and good ‘ole Home Depot supplied the organic cucumber, carrot and pepper seed packets, as well as the Transplant Peat Pots.

You’ll Need:
organic potting soil
biodegradable peat pots
cellophane bags
seeds packets
tools
watering can
name labels

How To:
Fill the cellophane bags with potting soil and tie a bow, then just fill the watering cans with the gardening goods. All the kids need to do is plant, water, find a sunny spot…and watch them grow. Once the weather gets warm, we will transplant the biodegradable pots into pots or the garden.

DIY gardening kits for kids_jsorelle

DIY gardening kit for kids_jsorelle

DIY gardening kits_jsorelle

DIY gardening kits_jsorelle

DIY gardening kits for kids_jsorelle

It’s a fun project for the kids {especially on Monday, April 22 – Earth Day}, teaches them the responsibility necessary to take care of something, and they will have the opportunity to watch and eat what they sow.

NOTE: The potting soil bags look slightly foggy – seems the soil was somewhat wet, and when I took the watering cans outside, the outside cold temps ‘frosted’ the bags.

{images via j. sorelle}

easter baskets

We’ve gathered some of our favorite gifts for the kids Easter baskets this year. Hop to it!

easter_girls basket_jsorelle

FOR THE PRETTY LITTLE LADIES
1. Pink Bunny Coin Purse, Paper-Source
2. Tropical Romper, The Children’s Place {I just bought this for my daughter – LOVE}
3. LIL tOOders Superhero Custom Cape – enter a giveaway for a free cape {including an Anna or Elsa cape from Frozen} here.
4. Melissa and Doug Bright Flashlight, Yo-Yo
5. Sunglasses, Gap
6. Melissa and Doug Watercolor Paint Set, Amazon
7. Bunny Jute Bin, Land of Nod
8. Frozen Snow Wand, Target

easter basket ideas for boys

FOR THE HANDSOME GENTS
1. Aviator Sunglasses, Gap
2. Swimways Torpedo Bandits, Amazon
3.  LIL tOOders Superhero Custom Cape – enter a giveaway for a free cape here.
4. Woosh Frisbee, Amazon
5. Green Puppet on a Stick Pen, Amazon
6. Galvanized Bucket, Pottery Barn
7. Melissa and Doug Habitats Reusable Sticker Pad, Amazon
8. A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee, Amazon

{images via The Children’s PlaceGap, Target, LIL tOOders, Amazon, Yo-Yo, Paper-Source, Pottery Barn, Land of Nod}

pint size superhero + giveaway

little tooders capes_jsorelle

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Superman. Only it’s the cutest super man or women I’ve ever seen…my very own kids. They don’t have the protruding muscles, Hollywood stunt doubles or the ability to climb skyscrapers…but armed with imagination and bravery to save the world one teddy bear at a time…they are my ultimate and favorite super heroes of all time!

And, now they have the perfect and must-have superhero accessory – their cape!

Thanks to my dear friend Devon, who surprised the kids with capes, and her friend, Leigh Ann, owner of LIL tOOders, who designed and created the adorable, custom capes.

little tooders girls capes

little tooders boys capes

The capes have been a hit around here – my son pretends to be a superhero and my daughter pretends she is wearing Elsa or Anna’s cape from Frozen. We have been living in a Frozen world of Let It Go lyrics and hair braids all winter with my 3.5 year old daughter, so this cape actually even excites me. It’s just like the real thing for a young girl with these LIL tOOders versions of the Princess and Queen’s capes.
lil tooders_frozen capes

The lightweight fleece capes are available for $25 and the satins are $30.  You can re-order any of the capes you see in the photos, or customize the cape for your child. E-mail Leigh Ann at liltooders@yahoo.com to order, visit her on facebook or her website for more information and photos…and other great products.

Lucky for you, Leigh Ann is offering a free cape to a J. Sorelle viewer, just in time for those Easter baskets!

To enter, use the Rafflecopter link below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends Friday, April 11, 2014. Good luck!

{images via LIL tOOders}

DIY Twig Cupid’s Arrow on Valentine’s Day

twig cupids arrow
I just couldn’t help myself with this post today – this project was too darn cute not to share. Today, my kids shared their Valentine’s with friends at school and I LOVED what their wonderful, amazing teacher created – twig arrow’s {she also attached pencils to the twigs for each of the kids}. So, I know it’s last-minute with Valentine’s Day being 2 days away, but it’s TOTALLY doable and adorable. Your kids will love to make and their friends will love to receive. Hope you, or someone you love, gets hit by Cupid’s {DIY} arrow this Valentine’s Day.

Thanks, Dee Dee!
diy cupids arrow

All You Need Is:
twigs {free from outside}
felt scraps
scissors
craft glue or hot glue
twine or ribbon to hang a tag

Cut the felt into two triangles for the tip of the arrow. Cut the other felt pieces in the shape of the feathers.
For the tip, place one piece of felt on the bottom, add the twig in the middle of the felt and add some glue around the twig. Press down on the top piece of felt, so it adheres to the bottom piece of felt and keeps the twig tightly in between.
Repeat for the ‘feathers’.
Once the feathers are glued, use a pair of scissors to cut diagonal lines to create the ‘feather’ effect.

diy cupids arrow made by twigs

{project done by Dee Dee, photos via Tutto Bella}

Snowman Soup Recipe and Gift made with Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows

With the snow falling and cold temps, it’s the time of year for snowmen and hot chocolate – and this DIY gift is the best combination of both. Call them ‘marshmallow snowmen’ or ‘snowman soup’ – either one works. This makes for such an adorable gift or party favor for friends, family or teachers this time of year.

You’ll Need:
small glass jars with lids
festive holiday socks
hot chocolate {individual packets}
bag of mashmallows
buttons for the eyes
orange crayons for the nose
hot glue gun
pom ribbon

How To:
Glue two buttons on the jar {where you want the eyes to be}.
Use a sharp knife to cut the tip off the orange crayon.
Hot glue the crayon in the center of the jar {where you want the nose to be}.
Fill the jar with one packet of hot chocolate mix.
Fill the remainder of the jar with marshmallows until it’s completely full.
Add the jar’s lid.
Add the sock {the top of the sock – where the elastic is}. If your sock is long like mine, just cut it to the length you want.
Use a piece of ribbon to tie around the middle of the sock, so the snowman’s hat is complete.
Print these tags, printed by Fleur de Lis, attach…and give away with a smile on your face! Seriously, you have to download the tags – the poem is so, so adorable!

{images via Tutto Bella}