Summer Fun with Mama Mocktails - 3 Delicious, Non-Alcoholic Party Drinks from Ocean Spray!

This post is sponsored by Ocean Spray, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Summer is officially here... and you know what that means, backyard get togethers, little pool parties, and sunset shindigs will be on the agenda! While I'm looking forward to the fun, this year I'm rocking a new title and well, that's MOM! I'm so lucky that Delainey loves me so much... and it's pretty precious that it's her one and only word. It really does mean the world to me to hear her call for me.

While my new title this year is the sweetest, it also means that I'm not going to be participating in the adult beverages served at the previously mentioned events. I mean, maybe one here or there, but as a breastfeeding mama, I'm holding back on my alcohol intake and former party animal antics.

With that said, that doesn't make me a total party pooper either... or at least I don't think so. I love to go have fun with friends and family still... I just do it without adding alcohol - just like delicious Ocean Spray Mocktails!

What's that? You have a baby shower coming up and you can't figure out a fun drink to serve? I've got you covered!

Maybe you've been craving your favorite cocktail, but you're also expecting a baby in a month...? Here's a drink for you and it tastes so delicious - just like that drink you were craving!

That's right, you can have your "cocktail" and drink it too... without any alcohol, that is. Made with real fruit juice and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives?! Count me in... and I'm fairly certain Delainey is thinking the same thing.

Want to have fun in the sun this summer without involving alcohol? Check out these three delicious mocktails from Ocean Spray & find out all about the taste that takes you away - I mean, picture it, you're in paradise sipping on a delicious coconut full of Tropical Citrus Paradise. The sweet flavors washing over you as you feel the breeze and hear the waves crashing against the shore. Well, I mean, that's how I feel as I'm sipping on this deliciousness anyways.

If you're craving something a little less tropical, pair the Cranberry Sangria with a pinch of sparkling water for a taste you'll love! Also, you can add in some fruit and place the delicious mixture in pitcher for a gorgeous addition to your next get-together! This Sangria not only looks the part, it tastes equally as delicious as the adult variety and hey, you can share the fruit with your kiddos now too!

Lastly, check out the Cranberry Peach Bellini if you're looking for a sweet, sophisticated drink.It's the sweetest of the three and also my favorite. Imagine yourself in Italy, enjoying a gondola ride down the Grand Canal, sipping on one of these delicious beverages... or at your bestie's baby shower nursing your new baby. Wherever you drink this yummy mocktail, I'm sure you'll love the refreshing treat as much as I did.

So, if you're in the same boat as me and not exactly partying this summer but still wanting to be a part of the fun - check out the Ocean Spray Mocktails line! If you give them a try or have already tried them, I'd love to hear your thoughts on these creative blends in the comments below.

Make Your Own Puppy Dog Pals Puppet & more FriYAY FUN with Disney Junior!

Today's discussion is sponsored by Disney Junior; regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

My baby girl is my side kick, my shadow, my mini me... She seems to love the same things I love and well, that's just heartwarming. While she shares my sassy side, I love already knowing that we also have common interests. From being a total foodie (who loves to occasionally watch cooking shows) to being a little fashionista who loves the camera, she's pretty much my twin - in a tiny, adorable form!

Here's the thing, if my daughter and I have one thing absolutely identical about us, it's our love of animals. She is absolutely gaga over birds and staring at dogs is probably her top favorite activity. I have a feeling she and I will likely surprise her daddy with a little puppy pal in the years to come, but for right now - we are savoring the time with the dog we already have and looking forward to adding to our family, someday! With that said, we have a not-so-little doggy visitor this week and she is loving the extra company!

Her and I are always admiring other doggies, whether it's at the park, on TV, or dog sitting - we love the company of puppies! So after catching an episode of Puppy Dog Pals a few weeks ago on Disney Junior, we are BIG TIME Bingo, Rolly, Hissy, & Bob fans!

And if I'm being frank, I suppose I can be a little bit of a "Bob" at times with my crazy schemes and ideas. Luckily, my little gal pal loves me as much as those puppy dog pals love their owner, so she just goes along with my crazy shenanigans just like Bingo & Rolly do with Bob!   

While we try to limit the amount of TV Delainey watches, I'm pretty sure we can count Puppy Dog Pals as "her show" now... she smiles and laughs when her favorite Puppy Dog Pals are playing and when they get into trouble, you can see her trying to help figure it out! It's just precious... and on that note, I'm fairly certain that D daydreams about the adventures she can get into with our dog. From plotting future mischievous deeds her and Pow can do, to dreaming of riding the visiting bear of a lab, Barkley, around the room - I can see the wonder in her eyes each time she looks at dogs.

Doggies really are her best friends and it's sad but this is the real world and our dog, the dog we are dog sitting, and even Puppy Dog Pals can't come with us all the time. So I decided to get crafty with my sidekick and make us some adorable little canine companions that we can take along with us everywhere from the library to the doctor's office!

It's super easy to make a little puppy puppet and the best part is you can customize them however you want, so your puppy pal will be your very own design and your best friend! While it may just be a piece of paper - I know Delainey loves our new little companions and while it isn't the same as taking our pups on adventures, I think she's pretty happy with her mama made paper pups.

For this project you will need:

Scissors
Printer paper or cardstock in a variety of colors
Markers

Tape (optional)

To start you'll want to fold your paper into a perfectly even square by bending one corner into the paper and making a giant triangle, cutting and removing any excess.

Next, gently fold the triangle into a smaller triangle, creating a mid-line for you to follow. Unfold and lay the "giant triangle" on the table.

After that fold the lower (open mouth) point over onto itself, leaving about a 1cm gap at the top.

Once you've completed that step, unfold and separate, laying the two pieces on top of each other and folding the top piece down slightly, creating what will be the nose area.

Following that step, flip the piece of paper over and fold the two edges in, creating tiny triangles down at the bottom and a "winged" looking piece of paper.

Again, fold those two piece into themselves, creating what will resemble a fox like shape.

Finally, fold the fox ears one more time to make them either more puppy or kitty like, leaving the ears pointy for a kitty like Hissy or folding the ears over and making them less pointy like Bingo and Rolly.

The last but most important step, decorate your pup! Add a nose, eyes, spots, and more with markers! Make a collar out of paper, maybe even a leash or like Bob, you could even try and make an "invention"?! Use your imagination and have fun!

And that's it, you have created the perfect puppy puppet, with your own two hands!

If that was too much to try and follow via photos and text, I decided it'd be easiest to show you how to fold your puppy puppet! Check out the video below and give this super easy origami puppy fold a try!

Once your puppy is completed, I made a super special Puppy Pal Certificate you can personalize and print, making each and every Puppy you create a real member of your pack!

After all that fun, I'm sure a break is on order! Want to catch the next episode of Puppy Dog Pals? Tune into Disney Channel  on FriYAY morning for new episodes... and if you miss those, check out our new favorite show on Disney Junior!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Disney Junior.

Mess Free "Finger Painting" - DIY DAD Father's Project

This post contains a few affiliate links, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Making crafts is something I love to do with Lainey, I hope she always feels the same way. For now, we spend short little bits of time getting creative because well, she's a normal 9 month old and she likes to explore and then keep moving and exploring.

With that said, I wanted to try finger painting with her... but didn't want the mess of chasing her almost mobile self around the house with paint covered hands. SO, we got crafty and the end result is so cute. We made her daddy a little something special and she got to experience finger painting without the mess.

Hoping you can "finger paint" with your tiny tot? Here's one way you can make that happen, mess free!

For this project you will need:

Printer paper

Scissors
Non-toxic Paints in various colors

A box (or a piece of foam board would work too)
plastic wrap

To make this cute "DAD" sign you'll begin by placing two sheets of printer paper on the box or foam board.

Next add a few spots of paint on the paper, covering with plastic wrap fairly loosely, with one piece securing the paper horizontally and the other vertically.

Now, let your little one slap around on the paper - spreading the paint but not making a mess!

Once your little one is ready to move on to the next activity go ahead and clean up by removing the plastic wrap and placing the box in your recycling! Let your gorgeous creation dry, take a photo of babe with it, and have your sweetie hand it to Daddy on Father's Day.

I bet he'll cherish it and the coolest part is, it was mess free and fun to make! Now, if your little one is anything like Delainey, they're ready to move on to the next fun activity... so tell me, what kind of fun stuff do you and your little tike love doing? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below!

Curious about Delainey Kate's outfits?

The blue flower bow is from 21 Blessings! You can score one of these beauties AND help fund the adoption of a sweet babe with down syndrome by clicking here. [save with the code 15Delainey].
Her tie dye shirt is made by mama & pants are second hand.

The dress in the other photos is from one of our favorite small shops - creekbaby & co. [use code CBCfriends to save].
Her precious mustard colored bow is from Accessories by Sabrina [mention code Delainey10 to save].
Lastly, those precious gladiators are from The Mini Princess Designs [and again, mention Delainey to save]!

Cute & Creative FREE First Father's Day Gift - Simple DIY DAD Photo

It's safe to say I have the best husband, ever... and that obviously means Delainey has the best DAD there ever could be. So celebrating my hubby on his first Father's Day is something Delainey and I plan on doing all month long! On that note, we've been crafting our hearts out lately. Today I want to share a super fun DIY gift idea for your kiddo's dad and the best part is, you can even complete this thoughtful project in just a couple of minutes!

For this project you will need:

a camera

printer paper

something to write with * we used paint *
a printer & a frame *optional*

To start, all you'll need to do is write out the letters D and A on a plain white sheet of paper. We used paint for ours, but any writing utensil will work.

Once your letters are ready, set your kiddo up in a nice, bright spot in your home - nearby a window and get ready to snap some photos quick, especially if you have a little one that'll eat anything and everything.

Hand your kiddo the letters you created and let them get silly, serious, or whatever emotion they are feeling that day. Have fun while taking their photos but make sure each letter is visible.

Now once you have the perfect photos, turn them into a collage using an app like layout for Instagram or Paint (on your computer)! Post this cute, personalized gift for everyone to see or keep things hush and give your other half his gift closer to Father's Day.... either way, I bet he will love this super easy and thoughtful gift!

*This content is completely my own, although it does contain Amazon affiliate links - that just means if you click through and make a purchase on Amazon, you'll be helping my family - nothing more!*