Delaware Beaches: 10 Kid Friendly Activities You Haven't Done...But Should!

I have been coming to the DE beaches my entire life.  As a kid, we went to my grandparents' beach house in Lewes...and now with a 2 and 4 year old, myself, we return nearly every weekend to my in-law's beach house.  We take daily bike rides (have you tried the Breakwater Trail or the bike path around the Villages of Five Points?), hit up the pool, and of course truck a cartful of stuff to the beach. 

Despite returning every one of my 32 years, I still manage to find new kids activities at the Delaware beaches each time I return.  When we come down for week long stretches, it's nice to find beach and boardwalk-alternatives, especially for the really hot, rainy, or really crowded weekend days.


Funland at the Rehoboth Boardwalk, Jungle Jim's and the other water parks, outlet shopping, and the beach are the obvious kid-friendly activities.  But aside from the biggies, there are some real hidden gems (many of them free).  Lucky you - now I'm letting you in on my little secret so you and your kids can get even more out of the DE beaches. Free events are indicated with an "*"

Removing nail polish from carpet and clothing with bug spray - Mom APPROVED!

I was at the point this morning when I was this close to throwing my hands up and giving one - or possibly - both of my kids back.  I kid...I kid (well, kinda, sorta, maybe).   I should have known something was seriously wrong when my 4 year old daughter was suspiciously quiet in her room for a good 10 minutes.  I didn't think much of it until she asked if I wanted my nails painted.  We were trying to get out the door so I said "no...but did you paint yours because it smells like nail polish." She innocently said "No, but I spilled a little and I cleaned it up." I turned around to little drips of what was now smeared blue nail polish all over the hardwood floor in her room - oh and a half-used roll of toilet paper with the other half crumbled up in little wads with some blue here and there.

Between my gritted teeth I thanked her for trying to clean up the mess she made and told her this kinda thing was better to just let mommy handle.  So as I'm using my blunt finger nails to try to scrape the now-dried nail polish off the hardwood, I turn around to see my 2 year old son basically pouring the entire rest of the bottle all over my daughters comforter and area rug.  This is the point when I'm convinced #3 is NO.WHERE.in.my.future. EVER.

Potty trained toddler showing regression? Try these 5 tips to nip it in the butt

Potty training on the go

It's been almost two months since I successfully potty trained my then 21 month old son after enrolling him in 3 day potty training boot camp.  Even though he was potty trained in less than a week, there are days I am still on edge -- nervous he's totally forgotten all that we've worked on. 

Most days he stays completely dry and tells me when he has to go (it's usually more of a "ahhh ahh ahhh" with a little dance than a "potty mommy," but whatever, he's not even 2 yet).
But other days it seems like I'm changing his clothes so much I need to do laundry just so he's not wearing sissy's panties.  When he does slip into a minor bout of potty training regression, I use a couple of tricks to quickly get him back on track.

How to make throw pillows: The 5 minute DIY version using standard shams

Now that the walls are painted a perfect shade of Revere Pewter and the upholstered headboard with nail head trim is done, I'm moving on in my master bedroom makeover with the details that really make a room.  My first project is a set of DIY throw pillows.

I ordered the $200 Poetical by Barbara Barry king size comforter.  (That was the sale price...yikes!) Usually, I wouldn't spend that much, but I really loved the look and I'm pretty picky about comforters so I splurged a bit there. (Click here for how I really made up for the cost with sheets and the coverlet.)

The comforter set came with two king size pillow shams.  Not only were they enormous and way oversized for our pillows, but I'm not a huge fan of pillow shams...so I decided to introduce them to my scissors and sewing machine to make four throw pillows.

These were seriously the easiest and cheapest pillows I've ever made.  Think about it, most of the work is done for you and you're left with only one side to sew.   The pillow shams were so large, they were each good to make two large throw pillows.  Here's a quick tutorial for how to make throw pillows out of standard shams - making them this way you can actually either stuff them yourself with fiber stuffing or use 20x20 or 18x18 pillow insert.   (This only works for shams that have a center envelope style closure as seen in the picture below.)

Constipation relief for kids: Plum juice goes down easier than prune juice

I pretty much feel like I'm an expert in constipation relief in kids.  It's not a title I really ever strived to have, but given my daughter's recent frequent peeing problems, my son's potty trained but won't poop issues, and some ongoing hemorrhoid problems in this house (this blog doesn't have nearly enough room for all I've got to say about being the caretaker for 10 days of bed rest, two surgeries, two ER visits, sidz baths, a cath, and 'roids....so we'll just leave it at that), I've come to know a few things about poop.  More precisely, I've come to know what keeps it moving.


Prune juice is an old stand by, but let's face it the stuff not only smells and looks like poop juice it's not exactly the easiest thing to swallow - literally.  I've been looking for an alternative to prune juice to keep my kids regular and recently I came across plum juice.  After looking at the fiber content per serving and all that good stuff I decided to give a bottle of Sunsweet Plum Smart Juice a try.

Here's a direct comparison of the nutritional information between prune juice and plum juice.  Pay specific attention to the dietary fiber, calories, and sugar.

I gave a small cup to my daughter who proclaimed... "Mmm it tastes like apple juice." The consistency is the same as apple juice and it's not pulpy in the least -- plus I like it because there's not as much sugar or calories.

Now, as soon as I recognize that my kids are constipated or even showing the slightest sign that they're headed in that direction,  I start giving my them 6 - 8 ounces of plum juice a day. 

DIY Kitchen Art (and how to spray paint straight line letters on canvas)

I have a huge wall in my kitchen that has remained empty for the two years we've lived here.  We've considered buying a piece of art to put on it, but I'm just afraid a year from now I'm not going to like it so I really didn't want to spend a whole lot of money on it.

The other day I was in Target and I came across these huge silver utensils -- they're nearly 3' high (click here to see more oversized fork and spoon decor).   I thought they'd be perfect so I picked up a fork and spoon for about $40 total.  The way they are made, you can only hang them vertically, which I was kind of bummed about since I  thought they'd look better on my wall horizontally. 

When I put them on the wall, despite their size, they still
seemed lost.  I told you my wall is huge!  I kept them hanging there for a few days and was just about ready to return them when my husband urged me to keep them -- suggesting we could buy these $50 Pottery Barn letters EAT.  Obviously he's not a real DIYer.


That got me thinking that I could make something similar and it would be the perfect kitchen art and hopefully wouldn't look too hokey.   I experimented a little bit with getting the letters on the canvas until I finally figured out the perfect technique for getting straight lines.

The result when I taped cardboard letters to the canvas

Having first cut out cardboard letters and taping them to the canvas and spray painting, I realized the spray paint was getting under the cardboard letters except where the tape was.  That gave me the idea to simply use packing tape to form the letters.  Of course it worked because EAT only have straight lines, unlike an "S" or "D."  Not only would it keep the spray paint out and keep the area of the letter perfectly white, it would also guarantee a perfectly straight line.

Packing tape applied directly to canvas to form letters

'Before' touch up

I created three canvases E - A - T and then spray painted them red.  After I took the tape off I
realized some areas around the edges had let a small amount of paint spill into the white area.  I used
Q-Tips dipped in nail polish remover to clean up the edges.  On areas that still weren't perfectly white after removing the red paint, I used some white out. 

'After' touch up

When I put the three canvases on the wall I thought the spray painted area looked a little blotchy.  I actually put a second round of packing tape over the original letter area.  This time I made sure all the edges of the tape were really firm on the canvas to avoid any leaks.  I then re-spray painted and when I was happy with the dried product, removed the tape.   I liked that look better. 

My final step was to outline each letter with a black sharpie.  I did this to cover up any imperfections along the edge and I think it worked. 

After adding Black Sharpie to hide imperfections

They're not perfect by any means, but that's what makes my kitchen art DIY!  Plus, when my kids won't eat their dinner, I just tell them to turn around and read the sign - the kitchen made the rule, not me!

Organizing tips: Home office paperwork organized in 5 easy steps

When the bottom literally fell out of one of the file cabinet drawers in my home office, due to the weight of all the papers, files, folders, and junk, I knew it was time to seriously get the office paperwork organized.  While it seemed like an overwhelming task at first, it actually turned out to be pretty easy -- plus, I got to put my label maker to work. Score!

If you're like me and are constantly rummaging through piles of old bills, paperwork, and essential junk to find a receipt or a physical form -- there is hope.

Just follow these 5 organizing tips and the home office clutter will turn into a color-coded, orderly, pared down, bottom-intact drawer of neatly organized paperwork where you can actually find everything you need -- quickly!

Yummy roasted brussel sprouts that even picky kids will eat

Brussel sprouts aren't exactly the most kid-friendly food.  I can remember my parents tempting bribing me to eat them with the lure of a quarter.  That was big time. 

A few weeks ago, I decided to give brussel sprouts a try again.   I didn't really have a trick up my sleeve for getting my picky 4 year old to try them.  In fact, I was pretty much not even planning on even going there, until she inquired.  I told her they were like little lettuces that I cooked for a few minutes in the oven.  She loves salad and it turns out, she loved roasted brussel sprouts too. 

They're seriously the simplest thing to make.  Just buy a bag of fresh brussel sprouts at the grocery store and in 5 minutes they'll be in the oven cooking.  Here's how I prepare them:

• Preheat the oven to 375.  
• Cut the ends off the brussel sprouts and then cut them in half.
• Put the brussel sprouts in a single layer on a cookie sheet. 
• Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over them.
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic salt. 
• Use a spatula to gently coat all of the brussel sprouts and all of the outer leaves that fall off (leave these on the pan, they crisp up like little brussel sprout chips)
• Bake for 20-25 minutes

I like to serve them with a perfectly cooked steak which can also be done in the oven (gasp!)

How to cook steak in the oven...I swear it works perfectly everytime

Perfectly cooked steak in the oven

I love a good steak.  I don't love a perfectly good cut of meat that is overdone, dry, and gray.   It needs to be pink and tender and preferably straight off the grill.   It used to be that we only had steak when the weather cooperated and we could use the grill.   But recently we've been cooking steak in the oven and they've come out perfectly -- if you know the secret.  Lucky, for you I'll let you in on the secret....okay, more like 8 of them.

Here's how to cook steak in the oven so it comes out perfect. We like medium rare...if you prefer your steak a little more well done, Step 6/7 is where you'll adjust the cooking time.

I got the wrong Valspar paint color...but there's good news

Note to self: NEVER take your 23 month old son to pick out paint colors.  I think I seriously just grabbed a paint swatch that was remotely in the rainbow of colors I'm considering and went with it.  I got two gallons of the stuff worth $75.

I got home and tested it on a small area and almost threw up in my mouth.  Um...I was looking for something in the gray family for my gray master bedroom makeover - this looks almost white with a hint of blue in it.

My first thought was to try to mix the paint with something that I already had in the basement to get the color more gray, but I didn't have anything that would even remotely work.  Then I went on Lowes' website to see about their paint return policy.  Turns out Valspar, not Lowes gives rushed, indecisive, or picky people, like me, who don't like the paint color a second chance - without having to shell out more money for another two gallons.  

Gray Master Bedroom Makeover Phase 1: Picking colors, a budget, and getting PINspired

It's happening again...we went to change one thing and it ended up as a big project and a huge room update.  The first time this happened we ended up with a $5,100 new kitchen faucet.   Well, actually, we got a $100 faucet and decided we may as well put in $5000 granite counter tops, too.  Cause ya know, a new faucet requires new counters right? No...but anyway..did I mention we moved 6 months later?

This time there will be no moving - but a new bed has turned into redoing the entire master bedroom. 

Not a fan of the master bedroom paint color

We've been in our house exactly two years and while we've painted most of the other rooms, the master has been left alone.   Ironically, with it's rather drab and flat tan paint and marked up walls it was probably the room most in need of a fresh coat...So a new bed is a great excuse. 

Let me back up here for a minute...We've been sleeping on memory foam mattress for about a year, after the spring mattress I bought before we were married was deemed not comfortable enough by the Mr.  But, I'd say about 300 days of the last year I've woken up with a stiff back thanks to the memory foam. 

So, this time we're biting the bullet and going with the big guns - a Sleep Number bed.  That was awkward laying on beds in the middle of the mall to figure out I'm a 35..but I digress.  Anyway, after 8 years of wedded bliss apparently the honeymoon's over - my hubs isn't liking the cozy queen anymore and so I can stop cramping his sleeping style, we're upgrading to a king.  So add to the paint, all new bedding, plus a new bed (headboard, etc) and there you have the makings of a master bedroom makeover.

Cute hairstyles for little girls...not your ordinary ponytail

My little girl is always looking to change up her hairstyle.  While we often resort to a ponytail as we're running out the door, some days I'm up for doing something that's well, a little cuter than a ponytail.

Now that we have finally found a brush for tangled hair that cuts through the knots without tears, running, and screaming we are getting a little more adventurous in the hair department.

This morning she asked for two braids with a bow at the bottom of each.  At the same time I was trying to keep my pooping son on the potty so I wasn't left with a trail of poo, we were already running late for school (goodbye, spring break), and her hair wasn't even brushed yet.  I suggested one braid. She requested a side braid and so we compromised.

Control crazy hair w/ these cute hairstyles

The only problem is, she still has a lot of whispies and she has a side part.  That equals hair.in.the.face in a matter of about two minutes. ^^^^Case in point^^^^

Easy Easter crafts for toddlers and kids

After weeks of planning our 1st Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Potluck (I know I need to have a second to make it the first annual) went off without a hitch.  The kids had so much fun, the parents enjoyed a little adult conversation, we got to catch up with some old friend, and the weather couldn't have been better after snow just five days before. 

Not knowing if the weather would be nice enough to keep the kids outside for very long I had a few easy and toddler-friendly Easter crafts planned.  Everyone loved them and they were perfect for all the kids who ranged in age from 1-5 years old.

Walt Disney World: 11 Must Do's for little girls

My four year old seriously lucked out.  She's been begging us to go to Disney World for the better part of a year and we kept putting her off -- telling her we needed to wait until her little brother got a little older.  But when my husband was scheduled to go on a business trip to Orlando we decided to hop on the tail end of his trip and make our first visit to Disney World.   (Actually, it turned out to be the best time to go because at not yet 2, my son enjoyed everything FREE of charge! Cha ching!)

I planned our trip for about three months to ensure we hit all the highlights -- focusing, this trip, on my daughter.  It's easy to see why people go back year after year to Disney World, there's just so much to do.  I figured this would be the only trip my son wouldn't mind missing out on the pirates and the "boy" stuff because...well, he was just too little to know any different.

DIY Disney themed photo books

Minnie Mouse for a DIY Disney themed photo book

Disney themed photo books are not the easiest thing to make because, from what I've found, there's only one online scrapbooking service that offers Disney packages.  I looked around for awhile after our recent trip and found that Snapfish offers Disney themes for an added prices -- albeit not too much.  The only problem, and what stopped me from using that service, is you can only pick one theme for the entire book and you can't mix and match with other Disney-related photo themes.  If you want your entire Disney photo book with a Mickey theme or want your entire family vacation on a Princesses backdrop you're in luck.  I was not a fan of being limited by just one theme so I set out to make my own Disney themed book.

Prevent water from boiling over with this easy trick

Prevent water from boiling

 I am notorious for having my pots boil over making a huge mess of my gas stove.  Recently I read about this trip to prevent water from boiling over while cooking and thought I'd give it a try.  It totally worked so I just wanted to quickly share it with all of you.

All you need is a wooden spoon.  Simply place it across the top of the pot as the water is boiling and wa-la...it will stop the water from boiling over the pot while you're cooking.  

Check out this picture you can see how the bubbles are being broken up by the spoon but they won't go over it.

Also, I should note, by using a wooden spoon, it doesn't get hot!

Have a cool kitchen or cooking tip? Share it with us!