July Fourth - Easy Kid DIY

 I cannot believe it's July 1st and that we are already looking at the Fourth of July weekend! This summer is flying by! We have some tentative plans for the weekend. Pool time, taking in "School of Rock" at Theater in the Park if the rain holds out, and a family cookout on Monday. And, as always, we will adorn our table with darling DIY placemats that McKinley made several years. 

But, what started out as a fun DIY fireworks project, turned out to be the most adorable tablescape focal point. As McKinley was trying the toilet paper fireworks painting project, midway through his creations, my husband had the brilliant idea to take them and have them laminated after they dried! It's a minimal cost DIY, one that takes truly minutes to create, and one that will last a lifetime!

Here's what you need:

At least three toilet paper rolls depending on how many kids are participating, red, white, and blue paint, heavy white paper, paper plates, and wet wipes! And a little patience as it can get a little messy! I lined my table with a throw away table cloth.

To get started, cut the end of one toilet paper in small slits all the way around the roll. Only on one side and cutting roughly half way up the roll. Take the slits you cut and flip them up on their edges so you create a flat end. This will be the firework and the end you place in the paint.

Next, load up your paper plates with your paint. Dip each end of your toilet paper rolls in the different paint colors and apply to your white paper. Let them get as creative as possible. And make sure to layer some of the fireworks over each other so it resembles the ones in the sky.

Set aside to dry. Make as many as you want. Like I said, we had McKinley make five for our placemat idea. We took the completed project to UPS for the lamination. So easy and convenient! Done in minutes. 

Have a blast when setting your table. 

Honestly, this is a last minute DIY that you will use over and over again. Make them today and use them on Monday! They are that fast! You can also use them on Memorial and Labor Day weekend.  

Another darling idea just came to mind! Find an inexpensive white table runner or table cloth and use a stencil paint to create a larger canvas for your kids creation! I'm off to find one now!

Happy Fourth of July!

XO,

Andrea

Crown Center Christmas - Did You Know?

Did you know that Crown Center was named after the Hallmark corporate symbol? But before Crown Center, the area in which the shopping center stands, was once a part of the Union Square neighborhood. During World World I, downtown Kansas City was a hustle and bustle of businesses. But like everything else, times changed and by World War II, most families had moved out South leaving downtown to dry up. Hallmark maintained their headquarters, which opened in 1922, at 26th and Grand Boulevard, and was one of only a couple of businesses left standing in this vacant part of the city.

 Did you know that in 1966, Donald J. Hall, Sr. took over as President and CEO of Hallmark? His father Joyce Hall, wanted to develop an area around the existing headquarters, and Hall Sr took the reigns to develop the entire area. Over time, he acquired all the land around the headquarters and worked with local architects to create a "city within a city" concept. 

Did you know that in September of 1968 they broke ground and the entire complex was completed in 1971? There were five interconnected, seven story buildings that existed as office complexes. Today, there are three major law firms that reside in the office buildings that surround Crown Center Square. It also maintains Hallmark headquarters and our favorite spot for the holidays, Crown Center!

Did you know that Crown Center offers nearly 300,000 square feet of leasable space? And I can't wait to share some of my favorites soon. Places I love to shop, eat, and find entertainment are all housed inside Crown Center! This weekend, you can find so many new things to do! A Spectacular Christmas, brought to you by Musical Theater Heritage, opens this weekend and runs Wednesday through Sunday until the 23rd. This annual holiday show is a Crown Center tradition. It offers classic holiday tunes and original arrangements. There are some safety protocols in place, so make sure you head to their site to find out all the details and to get your tickets. 

Did you know choir performances are still taking place in the Atrium? Has your school performed this season? If you want to get a list of current, and upcoming performances, check the schedule here.

Did you know that Hallmark released their first Christmas card in 1915? A staple for our family, and now their line of ornaments, I find that I spend lots of time browsing the aisles of the Hallmark store on the second floor of Crown Center! I can truly get lost reading all the sweet sentiments, stocking up for birthdays and other occasions, and adding a few extras to the pile I've already created! 

Did you know that SpongeBob Square Pants lived in a pineapple under the sea? In the Coterie's current production of The SpongeBob Musical For Young Ages, SpongeBob proves to his friends that optimism can save the world! Get your tickets for this family fun event here!

Did you know that the Crown Center Fountain has 49 water jets and 48 water shooters that can shoot up to 60 feet in the air? And if you get there at just the right time, or stay for the next show, the water dances all around the square! It's so much fun to watch. And, they are currently playing lovely holiday music to help you stay in the spirit! 

Did you know that if you head down to Crown Center this weekend, you and your family will end up creating memories you didn't know existed? What are you waiting for? Get to Crown Center now!

XO,

Andrea

Crown Center Christmas - Santa's Arrival

 Today was a first for us. We watched Santa arrive at Crown Center! We got there early, not knowing what the crowd and parking would be like on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was perfect. We were able to walk around and see all the new developments around Crown Center. So much has happened in the week since I was there. Let's take a peek!

The EBT Santa's Countdown to Christmas is up and running, and as of today, there are 28 days until Christmas! This laughing Santa is a long time holiday tradition. The history behind this display is so cool! He originally graced the window of Emery, Bird, Thayer (EBT) department store in downtown Kansas City in the early 1900s. After their doors closed in the 1960s, Santa sat in a lumberyard, with antique dealers, and finally with the late Jerry Smith. Smith was a well known KC toy collector and philanthropist who sold the piece to Crown Center in 1979. Fun Fact: Santa laughs 267,840 times per holiday season, which adds up to roughly eight times a minute! Whenever you come down, check out how many days are left until Christmas!

We headed outside to checkout the Mayor's Christmas tree and the large wooden toys underneath. They are finally in their place and McKinley took advantage of the early morning play time! He immediately ran to the firetruck, his all time favorite, and within minutes he was putting out fires all over the city. From there it was one toy after the other! We took the Crown Center Holiday Express to Florida, someplace definitely warmer than this chilly morning, and then the orange Jeep to our "hotel". This will definitely be our first of many make believe trips throughout the holiday season!

We made our way back across the street to take our place along the sidewalk to wait for Santa. We were joined by over 100 others, with some taking in the view from inside The Link to stay warm, all anticipating his arrival! And like clockwork, as 10:00 approached, Santa arrived on a horse-drawn carriage and invited everyone to follow him to Santa's Gingerbread Station where he will reside from now until December 24th at 5:00 pm. See the schedule below to add your visit to your holiday must-dos! Want to see Santa's arrival? Head over to my Instagram page to watch the video!

If you don't have any plans for this evening, head on down for the lighting of the tree! And if you can't that's okay, I've got you covered! Find it all on Instagram!

XO,

Andrea

*This is a sponsored post by Crown Center. All opinions and photos are my own.

This Kansas City Mama's Christmas at Crown Center

The holiday's are upon us and I for one am so excited to get this season started! And what better way than at Crown Center! For this magical time of year, Crown Center and This Kansas City Mama have partnered to bring you all the details of what is making this season so merry and bright at one of our favorite places in the city! 

My mom and I were just there earlier in the week and things are coming to life! The Mayor's Christmas Tree is up, the lights are strung in all the surrounding trees, and the ice terrace is as smooth as silk! Nutcrackers were finding their posts by entryways, the interior decor is larger than life, and walking through Halls left me ready to decorate my tree to the fullest! You have to take a moment to look at them all. I now want a tree in every room of my house, especially the one with Rose' bottles, popcorn buckets, and gumball machines. Oh, and the shopping bags with legs, sporting the chicest red heels, are darling!

We wandered outside and seeing the Mayor's Christmas Tree, standing tall at 100 feet, gave me all the feels. The annual tree lighting takes place Friday November 26th, festivities beginning at 5:30, and the tree will be on display until January 3rd. The oversized toys weren't on display, but don't worry they will be, just in time for the lighting. Lined up along the sidewalk, taking on the appearance of toy soldiers, they were awaiting their time under the tree. I can't wait to see, and hear, all the kids playing and squealing on weekends leading up to Christmas. It's such a sight to see. 

The ice terrace is officially open, and with warmer temps this weekend, it makes it the perfect time to take a spin around the ice. But don't get me wrong, getting all bundled up for the cold makes for amazing memories too. We do both! Then grabbing a hot cocoa, sitting at one of the small tables that line the sidewalks, and taking in all the joy, is what the season is all about.

Have you heard? Santa Claus is coming to town and will be arriving at Crown Center on Friday the 26th at 10:00! We can't wait to be in the crowd for his arrival, by a horse-drawn carriage, bringing with him the magic and wonder of Christmas! Want to pay him a visit? He will be at his Gingerbread Station residence until December 24th, where he'll then head back to the North Pole to get ready for his big night. 

And this is just the beginning! I can't wait to share with you all of our adventures, give you the inside scoop of all things Christmas at Crown Center, and highlight all the amazing events this special part of the city has in store! Are you ready to kick off the holiday season? If so, Crown Center and This Kansas City Mama have you covered!

The Holiday Season is here!

XO,

Andrea 

*This post is sponsored by Crown Center. All thoughts expressed and photos are my own.

DIY Felt Ornaments

Since McKinley is going to work on these after school today, I felt it was the perfect time to post this fun holiday DIY! I am a big fan of giving homemade gifts to family and friends and I make sure that McKinley gives one every year. This year, it's felt ornaments. But they don't have to be just an ornament. They make super cute gift tags on wrapped presents, a tag on your hostess gift bottle of wine, or a darling name tag at your holiday table. And they are so easy to make!

Here's what you'll need:

Felt, fabric glue, cookie cutters, a black Sharpie, fabric scissors, string, and any small craft adornments. I decided against the glue gun, but if you use on, make sure your little ones fingers are out of the way! It's hot!!

First, pick the perfect cookie cutter for your stencil. I chose a tree, snowman, sweater, bell, mitten, and stocking. 

Fold your felt in half so you only make one cut. You will want to double up your ornament to keep it from being see-through and to make it a little more sturdy. 

Next up, glue. You will want fabric glue for this project. You could use school glue, but the fabric glue is a little stronger. And it dries clear. Put a thin outline of glue around the edge of the ornament and make sure to glue the Sharpie side to the inside of your ornament. Once together, you can trim an excess you have.

 Originally, I punched a hole at the top of the ornament to string the hanger, but after the first one, I ditched this method and went with simply gluing the string inside the ornament before sealing it closed. It worked much better. The hole punch is still an option.

 

Now you are ready to start decorating! Use anything and everything small and cute that you can get your hands on! I shopped my mom's craft room and found tons of little mini things to use. Check out the craft stores miniature sections. That's where we got a lot of these things last year.

Here is the loot! I am in love with the sweater, but they are all so darling! 

And here's how they look on the tree, gift, and wine bottle!

The options for creating are endless AND, you don't have to use this idea for just Christmas! Think about Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween! So cute, right? 

Happy Crafting!

XO,

Andrea