Fun Fall Activities with Pepperidge Farm Goldfish

It is no secret that we are Goldfish cracker eaters in this house. So when I have a chance to combine them with Fun Fall Activities for the kids it makes for a happy family.



Because of the time of the year it felt obvious that we should make something geared toward Halloween. There are so many Fun Fall Activities that we could have made. I thought about making many different crafts. Maybe a spider out of an egg carton and pipe cleaners, or handprint Frankensteins, Tin can ghosts, but we decided on these fun popsicle stick spider webs.

I ran to the store and grabbed our favorite snacks! Who doesn't love Pepperidge Farm Goldfish? I actually don't know anyone who doesn't love them! And my kids will pick Goldfish crackers over just about any other option! And I love the new Goldfish Baked with Whole Grain.

A few things I love about Goldfish crackers:

1. Always Baked with Real Cheese


2. No Artificial Flavors or Preservatives


3. Colors Sourced from Plants, such annatto extracted from the reddish seeds of the Achiote Tree


4. Baked with Whole Grain Cheddar has 12 g of WG per serving


5. And ultimately, it is a snack I feel comfortable giving to my kids

Then we got to work on our fun fall activities, which was making a popsicle spider web.

Of course, before hand I used my hot glue gun and put together the popsicle sticks because I didn't want little hands touching the hot glue! But then it was all up to them. I made one and showed them how I was doing it then it was up to them how they wanted to make a spider web!

All I used was some yarn, popsicle sticks and hot glue (not shown). Then if you want to add a spider to make it a little more fun, you'll need one of those too!



Check out Tyler making his awesome spider web!



We had a fun time full of smiles making our fun fall crafts and snacking on Goldfish Colors while we were at it!



I went and dug into our Halloween decorations and found these plastic spiders that were the perfect touch for our new creative spider webs!



What do you think? Is this a craft your kids would love?

Visit the campaign landing page to get inspired and learn how to enter the Goldfish Tales promotion for a chance to win $1000 plus lots of other fun prizes!

Party Decorations {Summer's Tea}

Last week I shared with you Summer's Tea Party that we had for her 4th birthday.

Today I just wanted to share a couple of the party decorations that I made for the party!



I got this banner from Hobby Lobby about a year ago. They were on sale so they were only a couple of dollars. Then I grabbed some lace ribbon from the floral area at Walmart. I cut pieces to fit perfectly over the top of the banner and then used hot glue in a couple of places just to keep it on. It worked perfectly!



Then I cut out letters and used the remaining piece of paper as my stencil then I painted it with my pink acrylic paint I got thanks to @decoart.

Next, we made Sand Art. Last week I shared how I made the Home made Sand, and this is what we did with the sand. First, I had been saving glass bottles from a coffee drink that we buy. I peeled all the labels off of them and removed the goo residue, then I laid the caps out on an old rag then spray painted then with the perfect girlie pink color.



Ballet Slipper pink- Doesn't get much more girlie than that!



I sprayed them from one angle and let them dry. Then I sprayed them from the other side to make sure I didn't miss any spots without actually picking them up and getting paint on my hand!



Next, I grabbed a handful of bottles. I borrowed six from my bestie who did this same project at her daughter's birthday over the summer time, and I bought six more. I got them from "Cash & Carry" which is a restaurant supply house.



These are Tyler and Summer's final product. Turned out pretty cute!



Also, I needed to make a platter of some sort to hold food so I ran to the dollar store looking for platters. I also grabbed some candle sticks and I used the hot glue on the edge of the bottom side of the candle stick then immediately placed the platter onto the hot glue. Then I took them outside and set them onto my rag and spray painted them with my same pink spray paint.









I used my Cricut for several of my projects. If you don't have one then find a friend that does because you can get a lot done with those things!

I made these awesome doilies and I was super happy with how they turned out!



I cut out this tea pot and taped it to a wall in our living room. Then I put tape on the back of each of the cups and we played "Pin the cup on the teapot". The kids loved it!

Also I made and cut out some super cute Tea Party photo booth props! Hot glued them to a stick and then we were ready! I had an awesome metal chair that my friend Chasing Zoie lent me for the photo booth and I bought a piece of fabric to hang up behind it, but come party day it was pouring rain outside and I had to bring my photo booth indoors. It made for a little darker setting than I was hoping for, but it still worked out pretty good!





I also used my Cricut to cut out circles just a little bit bigger than the opening of the cup. Then I put hot glue around the opening and then placed it over the circle. I used some scrapbooking paper flowers and a brad to hold them together then put a dot of hot glue on the back and then stuck it onto the paper cup.

Then I used a ribbon and hot glued it to the cup. I used the ribbon to tie onto the kids to keep it on their heads. But I'll be honest, a plastic headband would have worked SO much better! Some of the kids had trouble keeping their hat on with the ribbon.



Of Course, Party Decorations aside, Summer had a wonderful 4th birthday, and I am so thankful to our friends for making it a special day for her!

JORD Wood Watches

Recently I was approached about doing a review for JORD Wood Watches. I didn't immediately say yes because I don't typically wear a watch, but after looking at their website and all the watches, I realized that I needed one of these beauties in my life.

But believe me, I was so excited to get the cool watch I chose in the mail.



I received a women's watch from the Cora Series and got the Zebrawood and turquoise wooden watch.

When it first came the box was so light that I was wondering if there was actually anything in it. Because these unique watches are so light weight it really did feel like I was holding an empty box, but when I opened it I found this amazing watch.





It might seem silly, but I love the way the watch opens and closes. There is a spot on each side that you press and it opens right up.



I really wasn't sure how I would feel once I actually had the watch on, because like I said earlier, I don't typically wear a watch. I haven't worn one in years- But I love it. Because it is so light weight I don't realize it is there most of the time. (No pun intended)





Luxury Wood Watch



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I was provided with a JORD Wood Watch for free to review, however, all opinions expressed are that of TheColbertClan alone. And a HUGE Thank You to JORD for letting me share this unique watch.

Summer's Tea Party

This past weekend my baby girl turned 4 years old. Yep, Summer is four years old and that called for a Tea Party with her friends.

So we rounded up the best girlfriends a girl can have, and had some snacks, drinks and played some games.



Months ago I decided to have a Tea Party for Summer's birthday. Of course, I turned to Pinterest because, obviously you can find everything there. And several weeks ago I started collecting things here and there to complete her party. Then I made her invites and got them into the mail.



Then this last week I was in Party mode to get things done and make it happen!



Thank goodness for my Cricut because I was able to make so much of my decorations with it! I made doily's, a banner, photo booth props, tea hats, pieces for Pin the tea cup on the tea pot, it was awesome, I made so much of it myself and that always feels great!

I am going to be sharing some individual posts on a few of the things I made over the next few days, so keep your eyes out for those too!


In the past I always attempt making my own cakes, and it never works as good as I hope for it to so this year I just bought a cake from a local box store. I struggled to find a teapot or something similar so I ended up going with this princess cake since it was gardeny and flowery and I went with it! Plus Summer loved it and that is really what matters.



I love my chalkboard wall. We never get tired of drawing on it!





Using the Home Made Sand from the other day we put it to good use and made fun sand bottles. I used a coffee bottle that I washing to fill with sand. The kids all loved it!



Then finally we did the photo booth all through out the party. It sort of got messed up because I planned to do the photo booth in my back yard with this beautiful wire chair my friend Kara lent me but it was pouring buckets and I had to set it up in my entry way instead! But it all worked out!



We really had the best day and Summer had so much fun! She loved seeing her friends, playing games, eating cake and getting some super fun gifts!

Thank you to all of our friends that made this day possible for her! We love you!

Home made Sand

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FreeToBe  #CollectiveBias

Summer has come to an end, School is back in session, but that doesn't mean that play time is over.

If you have kids then you understand how important play time is. My little two are both in school this year- One in Kindergarten and one in preschool. Also, they go at different times. Preschool in the morning and Kindergarten in the afternoon.

So while I am hearing less bickering because they are not together all the time, it also means that they don't have each other to entertain the other. Now I am looking for some other things that I can do one on one with the kids during their time before/after school.



After being at my best friends daughter's birthday over the summer, and they made some adorable sand bottle art I thought it was a great idea to make some of our own home made sand. Not only are we making our own sand art for Summer's upcoming birthday, we also use the fun, colored sand as a sensory activity. It is great to just dump into a deep cookie sheet and let the kids play and draw pictures in it!

But the fun activities are always dirty and messy, right?

I headed to Walmart and grab a few things. First, Salt and food coloring to make our "sand". Next, all® free clear liquid detergent because, CLEAN UP! Am I right?



A couple of things about all® free clear detergent:
- It is the #1 detergent recommended by Dermatologists, Allergists, and Pediatricians for Sensitive Skin. Which is great when you have people in the family with sensitive skin and seasonal allergies.
- all® free clear detergent fights tough stains, whitens whites, and brightens colors. And I am grateful for that considering Summer's favorite place to play is in the sandbox. And this time I am not referring to the "salt sand".
- all® free clear detergent was awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association for having no dyes, perfumes, certain chemicals, and irritating residues.
- Removes 99% of everyday and seasonal allergens. Washing with all® free clear helps remove 99% of the top everyday and seasonal allergens* Dog and cat dander, dust mite matter, ragweed pollen, grass/tree pollen. My allergies have been the worst this past year than they ever have. So having something to help remove allergens is definitely worth it in my book!

Make sure to follow the directions for use on the packaging exactly as instructed.

Next I made my "salt sand". It was super easy. I used 1.5 cups of salt an about 12-18 drops of food coloring per baggy. Then seal the bag and use your hands to "massage" the bag until it is mixed.









Fun colors, right? I used the Neon food coloring and mixing the colors made for some really fun colors that the kids love! Light green, bright green, blue, turquoise, several shades of purple, orange, tan, pink, red. The list goes on and on.

Head to your local retailer and get your own all® free clear detergent.

Pesto Chicken stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Until a few months ago, I have never had spaghetti squash. Can you even believe that?

I love trying new foods and I have actually even bought spaghetti squash on many occasions and ended up tossing it out because I had never cooked it. But finally someone gave me one last fall and I searched online for an awesome recipe. After finding this Pesto Chicken stuffed Spaghetti Squash you can believe I will never buy and waste another. I couldn't believe how delicious it was.



It was really easy. I think from start to finish was less than an hour and half of that was the actual cooking time.



I did use a seasoning too. It is the 21 Day Fix season which is something I make a head of time and always have around.













Make sure you scoop out some of the spaghetti squash and mix it in with your chicken and veggies.







Adapted from Peas and Crayons

• medium spaghetti squash


• 2 chicken breasts


• 1/2 C. pesto


• 2 C. fresh baby spinach, chopped


• 1/2 C. bell pepper, chopped


• salt and pepper


• 8 oz shredded cheese


• 1 TBSP fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.


2. Cut your spaghetti squash in half the long way. Clean out the seeds.


3. Use a cookie sheet with edges. I use a silpat mat and lightly brush the squash with olive oil then place the squash cut side down on the mat.


4. Cook for about 40 minutes, or until tender.


5. While your squash is cooking, cook the chicken however you like. Poaching my chicken is my newest favorite way to cook chicken. I make it that way a lot when I make my 21 Day Fix chicken


6. Chop the chicken into pieces (I sort of shredded it) and mix it with pesto. Set aside.


7. In a skillet sauté your bell pepper in olive oil for a few minutes until tender. Add the spinach and pesto chicken and stir in salt and pepper.


8. Add half of your cheese to the mixture and stir to combine.


9. I loosened some of my spaghetti squash and stirred that into the mixture and then scooped all of the mixture into the two spaghetti squash halves.


10. Top with the rest of your cheese and bake for about 25 minutes.

These were so delicious. Tyler didn't really like it that much, but the rest of us loved it! I have made this same Pesto Chicken stuffed Spaghetti Squash since and have some more recipes in the works!

Have you ever had Spaghetti Squash?