Personalized Napkin Ring – Mother’s Day Craft

This personalized napkin ring Mother’s Day craft is really easy to put together and it’s full of thoughtfulness so Mom will be sure to love it! Getting started is easy, you’ll need two separate colors of paper – one for the center of the flower and one for the petals. Cut out a small round piece for the center of the flower and cut out petals in the other color. Glue or tape the petals to the back of the circle center. You’re then ready to start writing down thoughtful notes for Mom. This could include things you love about her, things you’d like to thank her for, things that she does to make you laugh, etc. I’ll include some ideas for inspiration below the photo.

Once you’ve written a message on every petal, you can glue this to a ribbon to tie around a napkin and use as a personalized napkin ring.

Mother's Day Craft Idea - Personalized Napkin Ring

Mother’s Day Craft Inspiration:

In the center of the flower you can write “Thank You For” and then on each petal you can write something you’d like to thank Mom for. This could include things like:

  • Reading me a story before bed
  • Walking me to school each morning
  • Teaching me how to plant flowers
  • Always planning fun activities for us
  • Always packing me delicious lunches
  • Cheering for me a soccer practice
  • Making me creative Halloween costumes
  • Helping me with my homework
  • Taking me to the library
  • Taking me to swimming lessons

Another idea is to write “Mom’s Best Skills” in the center of the flower and then on each petal include compliments like:

  • Great Cook
  • Best Storyteller
  • Greatest Hugs
  • Fun Activity Planner
  • Great Listener
  • Best Lunch Packer
  • Most Creative Craft Planner

What would you like to thank your mom for?

For more fun Mother’s Day craft & activity ideas, visit our special Holiday Fun page and scroll down to May for the Mother’s Day section.

Free Mother’s Day Printables

Mother’s Day is coming up quickly. Have you decided how you will celebrate? As you know, I love a good party! I did a little searching around the internet today and found some adorable, creative and free Mother’s Day Printables that would be fun to use during your celebrations. Here I’ll share those printables with you along with links to where you can download your own for free.

Free Mother's Day Printables

Free Mother’s Day Printables:

Amanda’s Parties To Go always has creative party printable sets to share. In the free printable Mother’s Day set, you’ll find 36 pages of freebies including signs, banners, cupcake wrappers, cupcake toppers, napkin rings, food tents, straw flags, mini chocolate bar wrappers, Hershey’s Kiss stickers, drink wrappers and much more. Here are a few of the items that you’ll find in her free printable package (click here for the freebies).

Free Mother's Day Printables

Free Mother's Day Printables

Free Mother's Day Printables

Free Mother's Day Printables

A Night Owl offers a cute print (like subway art) that would make a pretty addition on your party table. This free print comes in a variety of different colors. Click here for the freebie.

Free Mother's Day Printables

Seven Thirty Three is filled with fun & creative ideas for all sorts of special celebrations. This cute “You Inspire Us” sign would be perfect for a Mother’s Day art project. Their artwork could hang by string and clothespins with this “You Inspire Us” sign hanging above the masterpieces. Click here for the freebie.

Free Mother's Day Printables

Also from Seven Thirty Three is this unique and thoughtful Mother’s Day Room Service door hanger. I love this idea! Have your little ones write down some breakfast items for Mom to choose from. They can then leave this on her pillow along with a pen. Mom simply checks off the items she’d like for breakfast and hangs it on the doorknob outside her bedroom. The kids can then pick up Mom’s order and make her a special breakfast in bed with Dad’s help. Click here for the freebie.

Free Mother's Day Printables

For more fun Mother’s Day ideas, visit our Holiday Fun page and scroll down to May for the Mother’s Day section.

Dana Point Harbor Adventures

During our trip to Disneyland last month, we spent a few days around the beaches of Orange County for some fun adventures. You can read more about our Orange County beach adventures here. In this post, I’m going to tell you about some of the family fun activities in the Dana Point Harbor area including a fun video from our whale & dolphin watching trip!

Dana Wharf Whale & Dolphin Watching:

While on our trip, we had the opportunity to visit Dana Wharf Whale Watching for a fun dolphin and whale watching adventure. My little guy was 22 months old at the time and hadn’t been on a boat before so I was a little worried about how he’d do. My husband also gets motion sickness easily but he was determined to get on the boat because he really wanted the chance to see some whales. I am happy to report that neither of my boys felt sick! It was such a wonderful experience so I’m glad that they were both able to go on the adventure with me.

The captain and crew members were really knowledgeable about the area and the ocean creatures. They had a lot of interesting facts to share and kept everyone entertained throughout the trip. You could see that they really love what they do and they are passionate about it. They really did want to make sure that everyone had a memorable experience. Dana Point Harbor

During our adventure, we went through a mega pod of over 2000 dolphins! It was amazing seeing so many of them in one area and watching them swim alongside the boat. I hadn’t experienced something like this before and it was really awesome to see! I also took a short video so that I could share the experience here with you.

Some facts about the Dana Wharf Whale Watching Adventure:

  • guaranteed whale or dolphin sightings or your next ride is free
  • has been in operation since 1971
  • sightings may include whales, dolphins, sea lions and sharks
  • has a fleet of 12 vessels that can accommodate a variety of boating activities (whale watching, ocean fishing, sailing, historic cruise, cocktail parties and sightSEAing tour of Laguna Beach)

You can visit the Dana Wharf site to learn more about all of the adventures available.

Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor:

After our whale watching tour we had the opportunity to visit the Ocean Institute. If you have a little one who dreams of becoming a marine biologist or is just interesting in ocean life – this would be the perfect place to visit!

The Ocean Institute Mission is to inspire all generations through education to become responsible stewards of our ocean.

We had a tour inside their facility that is filled with educational tools and some ocean life that you can see up close. We also had a tour of the Pilgrim Tall Ship that lets students become sailors for daytime and overnight educational adventures. If you are in the Orange County area in September, be sure to stop by the Tall Ships Festival!

Dana Point Harbor

Additional Ocean Institute Facts:

  • they were founded in 1977
  • they educate over 115K students and 50K public visitors annually
  • they have over 40 marine service ad maritime history programs
  • they have facilities available for events (birthdays, weddings, graduations, seminars and other private parties)
  • they offer a large variety of field trips & programs suitable for anyone from Pre-K through to adults
  • they offer programs that can come right to your school
  • they offer overnight camp adventures

The staff is very passionate about what they do and they can’t wait to share some educational adventures with you!

Other activities to try & places to see around Dana Point Harbor:

  • Driving Tour – including both historical and contemporary attractions
  • Walking Tour – including both historical and contemporary attractions
  • The Dana Point Headlands – biological open space parks and trail system

Have you ever been on a whale watching trip? If so, what did you see?

You can read more about our Orange County and Disneyland adventures here on our Disney page.

*Disclosure: My family was invited on a magical vacation to the Disneyland Parks and the beaches of Orange County. My flight, our hotel, park passes, meal vouchers and other various perks were provided to me as part of this adventure. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

Party Tip Tuesday with Echoes of Laughter

Welcome to Party Tip Tuesday! Today I am so excited to introduce you to Angie with Echoes of Laughter. I honestly think that I’m Angie’s biggest fan! I absolutely love her work (and by the time you’re done reading this post, you will too!) and I am always amazed by her ideas and creations. So now I’ll pass it over to Angie who can tell you more about her work!

What is Echoes of Laughter?

Echoes of Laughter is my heart and soul. It’s my creative place where I love to share things that help inspire others…whether it be a recipe, a decorating idea, a parenting story, or an organizing project. If you are a regular reader at EOL, then you know that you get a little bit of everything with me. And that’s just the way I like it.Echoes of Laughter

Echoes of LaughterEchoes of Laughter

What do you feel is the best source for inspiration?

Often, I get my sources from seeing a colour or pattern that I love and want to use in some way in my house. I love pretty flowers and bright patterns or fabrics. One of my very favourite designers of patterns is Amy Bulter. I adore her fabric line.

Echoes of Laughter

What pieces of entertaining items do you get the most use out of?

The pieces I get the most use out of are my white dishes. I have collected a large assortment from the local Goodwill store and HomeSense, including plates, bowls and platters. Shopping at Goodwill keeps my white dish collection eclectic, but also budget-friendly.

Echoes of Laughter

Echoes of Laughter

With Mother’s Day just a month away, do you have any special tips for planning a Mother’s Day brunch at home?

Yes. I have 3 great tips for a Mother’s Day Brunch:

1. Keep the menu simple.

2. Fresh flowers and fresh fruit always make for a beautiful table.

3. White dishes and coloured napkins complement fresh flowers beautifully.

Echoes of Laughter

When planning a dinner party, what are some of your best tips for creating a WOW factor?

These are my 3 tips for planning a dinner party with WOW:

1. Start with a white table cloth and white dishes.

2. Add fresh flowers or candles for a centerpiece.

3. Add one or two other colours to your table with: napkins, place mats, a table runner, striped straws, and if you have the time, tables favors such as treat bags with chocolate or handmade wreaths can add HUGE impact.

Echoes of Laughter

Echoes of Laughter

Echoes of Laughter

Thank you so much for having me as a guest here at Moms and Munchkins! I had a blast sharing a bit of EOL with you and I wish you all a Happy Spring!

Photos featured here are courtesy of Echoes of Laughter.

We’d like to send a big Thank You to Angie for being featured in this Party Tip Tuesday! Be sure to check her out on Facebook and Pinterest to keep updated on her latest creations.

Do you have party related questions that you’d like me to ask an expert? Do you have a favorite expert that you’d love to see featured? Please contact me to let me know!

Family Fun Friday – Easter Edition

Welcome to Family Fun Friday! This week we’re focusing on Easter! Bloggers, feel free to link up your best family-friendly ideas such as:

  • crafts
  • delicious recipes
  • Easter activities
  • printable Easter games
  • Easter party ideas
  • …anything for a family to enjoy together!



We’re Going to Disneyland & Orange County!

This year our city has received a record snowfall – 6 1/2 feet already and no signs of stopping anytime soon. My little guy and I have ants in our pants while we wait for spring to arrive. We look forward to the days when we can walk to the park and play in the backyard. We really need to escape this winter cold for a while and I’m excited to say that we’re soon heading to The Happiest Place on Earth – Disneyland!

Disneyland Adventures

This is my husband and my little guy trying to hitch a ride to Disneyland and The OC. As you can see from all of the snow around, we’re ready for some sun, sand and Mickey Mouse ears!

When I first received the call from Disney to invite us on this trip, I was holding in my squeals of excitement! I called my husband at work to tell him the news but I was shaking with so much excitement that I almost couldn’t get the words out! I play a lot of practical jokes on him (only friendly ones!) so I think he thought I was kidding. Once he realized that it was not a joke and that we were really taking this amazing adventure together, he was super excited too!

I have been to Disneyland twice in the past (the first time when I was 12 and the second time when I was 21) so it has been a long time since I’ve been there. My husband and little guy have never been and I can’t wait to see the looks on both of their faces when we arrive!

My little guy is nuts for Disney! We’re always watching the Disney Junior channel and we’ve watched Toy Story 3 more times than I can count. He has also really gotten into Cars now – so much so that he’s learned how to open the DVD player and put in the Cars movie himself. Funny how they learn how to work those technical gadgets so quickly! I can just imagine the excitement he’ll have when we walk into Cars Land. Oh, there is so much to look forward to!

After a few fun-filled days in Disneyland, we’ll be traveling to Orange County for some more amazing adventures. We’ll be staying at a beautiful hotel that has earned a AAA Five Diamond status for the last 28 consecutive years. We’ll be indulging in delicious food, beautiful beaches, a whale watching tour and more! I can’t wait to share photos and stories with all of you!

Have you been to Disneyland? Have you traveled there with a toddler? What do you recommend we check out during our trip?

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