Insting Blogs

 a panda bear made from round crackers, cream cheese an oliveshere's version 2.0....

This paper leaf garland (or is it bunting? I cant't decide)  is super easy to make and you will only need a few inexpensive items to complete this simple project.You'll need:1 (or more) package of paper leaf doilies from the dollar store (dollar tree to be exact)1 spool fall colored thin ribbon (mine is the 'spool o' ribbon' brand from Michael's)Scissors and tape, as needed.Total cost of project = $2Thread a length of ribbon through the doily holes, spacing them evenly apart. You...

It's Monday! And time for the weekly blog link up called Muffin Tin Monday. I get asked all the time "Why a Muffin Tin?" The first thing that comes to mind for me is "Why not?" But for those of you that are wondering, Here are some quick benefits to serving MTM's:breaks up the normal lunch time routinegreat for picky toddlers and preschoolersmuffin cups provide smaller kid-sized portionsa way to introduce new foods in smaller sizes and in an interesting waya way for me to express culinary creativityThere...

The weekly link fest that is sure to offset all the trauma drama you read about in the Sunday paper.How to...do something: Love these hand painted little girls personalized door hangers. One side is awake and one side is asleep. So sweet!Bento And Company: their Bento Colors Bento Boxes are so sleek and colorful. Not ideal for kids, but I think they are perfect for adults. Their Kokeshi Bento boxes are adorable and perfect for kids of all ages.Someday Crafts: love this Beautiful Laundry Room...

 I invited my my "in real life" and blog friend Stephanie of A Pocket Full Of Buttons to visit one of my new favorite local places in North San Diego: Little Cakes Cupcake Kitchen in Vista.It's not often that I get to spend a morning chatting with a friend and even more rare is the chance to spend it with this particular friend sharing in such a delightful space: a cupcake shop! I am breaking my own blog rules here by sharing a local spot with some of my national and international readers....

It doesn't have to be a Monday to enjoy a Muffin Tin Meal. Here's what the kids had today for afternoon snack.what's in that snack? sliced cucumbers, tangerine pieces, mozzarella slices, crackers, honeydew melon, cantaloupe melonIt's amazing how little cups can transform a meal from ugh to edible for a chi...

AND THE WINNER IS..... Comment #4 That's you, Lisa, (varunner) Thank you to everyone who entered. Reading all of your comments, I really wish I could have given away one to everyone that comment...

Welcome! If ever there was a favorite theme for Muffin Tin Monday, this would be it. SHAPES!Even more so than the Alphabet theme, my kids love their food cut into shapes. Circles, squares, stars, hearts....whatever the shape-they squee w/ delight. This week was no exception. I used a 6 cup muffin tin this time and the kids enjoyed this as an afternoon snack. It would have also worked as a muffin tin lunch for one child.Honeydew Melon Spheres, Baby Carrot Circles, Mini Cream Cheese Circle Sandwiches,...

Another week, another link fest for my readers! Happy clicking...The Adventures Of Bear: Simple activity for infants, exploring cause and effect. (baby + ball + empty tissue box = fun!). I love this idea and found it through The Activity Mom (another blog o' awesomeness)No Time For Flashcards: love this easy to make magnetic weather chart for kids. After gathering only a few items, you will be on your way to inspiring your little one to discover "what's the weather?" <--my favorite weather...

It's getting close to Halloween. And the decorations, displays, and oodles of candy are coming out of the woodwork at every store it seems. My appreciation for Halloween is of a much more understated nature. I appreciate simple Halloween decorating ideas instead of the "more is more" approach.A few years back I remembered gathering at a friend's house for a mom's night out. It was one of the most beautifully decorated houses for fall I have ever seen. Her signature was candy corn.That's right candy...

Welcome to the last installment of Wilton Wednesdays.For a little over a month I have been sharing each week, tips, ideas, and product highlights on everything Wilton. As a brand, I know that I can trust their products to be high quality, creative design and at a price I can afford. (Especially with a 40% off coupon from retailers like Joann's Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.).But many of you have come to me or asked your fellow Muffin Tin Meal community members "Where can I find Wilton products?"or...

I told you the giveaway was coming and that it would be awesome! I am excited to be able to offer you the chance to win a Nintendo DSi!!! ****GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED**** If your kids are school aged, then you probably have already heard of the DSi, have one, or your kids are asking for one. If not, check it out. I hear it works great for the older preschool set. The fine folks at GameStop are providing me with a Nintendo DSi to keep and one to give away. Did I mention they are throwing...

Welcome to MTM, that's Muffin Tin Monday, the weekly blog link up that celebrates creative toddler, preschooler, and kid food served in a muffin tin. Some call is muffin tin lunch, muffin tin meal, or for short: MTM. Whatever you call it, this here fine blog is the official home. Every week there is a theme, but you don't have to participate in the themes if you don't want to. We're cool like that.This week's Muffin Tin Monday Theme is Moviesand as I am writing this, The Muffin Tin Boy is sick...

This week's lovely links:Craftzine: love this post on tin can organizers. Also on my official to-do list are these clever[image credit above] mini-chalkboards-turned-birthday-party-favor Frugal Law Student: Did you love the Pottery Barn Halloween Countdown Calender out a few years ago? FLS made a fabulous DIY version. If I had more time this season on my hands, I might make one. It looks so festive!Tipjunkie also shares a round up of DIY halloween count down calenders...But if your like...

I found these Halloween themed paper cupcake liners and picks at our local dollar store (The Dollar Tree more specifically) .This is one Halloween item I can be glad is out already. :) They'd be perfect for Muffin Tin Meals or baking up some spooky fun! If you are thinking about getting them, I would go as soon as possible, because my experience with seasonal items is that they go fast!And don't forget to enter my Wilton Giveaway that ends Wednesd...

You'll have to watch to find out what's included, how to enter, and when it ends.Bonus entries for for any comments that can tell me how many times I say "super cut...

It's time for Muffin Tin Monday, the weekly blog link up where we get to share a Muffin Tin Meal made for the kids over the last week. What's a Muffin Tin Meal? It's just that a meal, snack, lunch or dessert served in a muffin tin. We've expanded the serving containers to include silicone muffin pans,  and paper cupcake liners. It's a little less artistic than a bento box meal, but still just as fun. I hope you will join in on the fun!There is no theme this week!Aren't these "silly feet"...

[image credit: let's explore]Welcome! This week's links are wonderful. I hope you enjoy!Just A Girl: I love this homework box. Clean. Simple. And inspiring.Rockislander on Flickr: Love this flickr photo round up of preschool fine motor activities. Found via tumblr, special thanks to teachpreschool, eca-prek, and totschool on tumblr for reblogging it so i could find it.House of Baby Pirahna: threading cupcake liners. Oh my goodness, so fun...and pretty. They would make great party decorations.Let's...

Paper bag albums are just about the easiest kid friendly craft out there. Construction is super simple. Here's the short version: Stack 3 or more paper lunch bags together, fold over to create a "book" and staple the side to create a "binding".You can even create a color-themed paper bag album to help your toddler or preschooler learn their colors. Use stamps, stickers, paint, and even handprints to decorate each page with a color of the rainbow. If you plan to use paint, be sure...

In today's Wilton Wednesday, I talk about afternoon (or after school) snacks and Wilton's new line of adorable paper muffin cups. Plus, you'll get to see me pause at the beginning to make sure the video was recording. Apparently I won't be getting rid of my vlogging newbie status off this week.So fun!For more Wilton products, be sure to visit Wilton.comI love to use paper muffin cups for snacks and muffin tin meals. What do you use them for? What about crafts, or even their original purpose: muffins...