DIY Halloween Doormat: Choosing a Sealant for a Door Mat That Lasts

DIY Halloween doormat with 'Spooky Season' ghost design layered on black-and-white checkered mat, surrounded by pumpkins and fall decorations.

This year, a few girlfriends and I got together for a DIY Halloween doormat painting party, and it was so fun and not too hard. The Halloween doormat adds a personalized touch to my front porch—the place where holiday magic begins!

The hardest part of this project was picking out a doormat sealant. In this post, I’ll share my choice of doormat sealant and update you on how it holds up.

Why Sealing Your Doormat is Important

Sealing your doormat protects it from the elements—rain, sun, and all that foot traffic. The right sealant ensures your artwork stays vibrant and your mat lasts longer.

Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase any products or services from this website using my link. However, all of these opinions are my own.

Best Sealant for Doormat

I discovered that Flex Seal Spray is a fantastic option for sealing doormats. According to the Flex Seal FAQs, Flex Seal Spray is a rubberized coating that sprays out as a thick liquid, seeps into cracks and holes, and then dries to a watertight, flexible coating. Perfect for outdoor projects like our DIY Halloween doormat!

flex seal spray for sealing diy doormat

Key Features of Flex Seal Spray

  • Waterproof Barrier: Once dry, Flex Seal creates a waterproof layer that protects your doormat from rain and moisture.
  • Flexible and Durable: The coating stays flexible, so it won’t crack or peel even with heavy foot traffic.
  • UV Resistant: It’s resistant to UV rays, helping prevent fading from sunlight exposure.
  • Versatile Application: Flex Seal works on a variety of materials, making it suitable for different types of doormats.

How to Seal a Doormat Using Flex Seal

Here’s how I went about sealing my doormat:

  1. Prepare Your Doormat: Make sure your doormat is clean and dry. Remove any dust or debris so the sealant adheres properly.
  2. Shake Well: Before using, shake the Flex Seal can vigorously for about a minute to mix it up.
  3. Apply Evenly: Hold the can 8 to 12 inches away from the surface for even coverage. Spray in a steady, sweeping motion to avoid drips.
  4. Multiple Coats: Apply several even coats until you reach the desired thickness. Allow 24 hours to dry before applying each additional coat.
  5. Drying Time: Flex Seal Spray dries to the touch in 2 to 3 hours and cures fully in 24 to 48 hours, depending on the weather.

Safety Precautions

A few things to keep in mind for safety:

  • Ventilation: Always use Flex Seal in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes.
  • Protective Gear: Wear protective clothing, gloves, and a mask to keep yourself safe from overspray and fumes.
  • Avoid Heat and Flames: Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames during application—the product is flammable until fully cured.

My Sealant Picks

  • Flex Seal Clear: Great for heavy-duty sealing. Its flexibility ensures it won’t crack under foot traffic, making it one of the best sealants for door mats.
  • Aleene’s Clear Acrylic Spray Sealer, Matte: Perfect for a smooth, subtle finish without the shine. I used this as an extra layer of protection. If you are looking to do this project for less, I think this spray would be fine on its own.
DIY Halloween doormat painting party with four hand-painted doormats featuring ghost designs, 'Spooky Season' text, hocus pocus, and bats on a wooden table indoors.

Tips for Painting and Sealing a Doormat

  • Choose the Right Materials: Start with a quality doormat that’s suitable for painting.
  • Use Outdoor Paints: Pick paints designed for outdoor use to prevent fading.
  • Seal Thoroughly: Don’t skimp on the sealant. Multiple coats will provide better protection.
  • Patience is Key: Let your doormat dry for at least 24 hours before placing it outside to ensure it’s fully cured.

The Waiting Game

Trust me, I know it’s hard to wait, but patience pays off! Let your doormat dry completely before exposing it to the elements. According to Flex Seal, allowing the sealant to cure fully ensures maximum durability and waterproofing.

Stay Tuned

spooky season diy coir mat on porch with fall decorations

I’ll update you all in 30 days on how my DIY Halloween doormat is holding up against the elements and all those tiny feet on Halloween night! 🎃

Join the Fun!

Have you tried painting a doormat or sealing a painted doormat before? What sealant did you choose? Drop your tips or questions in the comments below.

Other DIY Halloween Projects You’ll Love

Looking for more fun and creative Halloween ideas? Check out some of my other DIY projects that will get you ready for the spooky season:

Pumpkin Painting Ideas for Fun Halloween with Kids
DIY Pokémon Family Costumes for Halloween & Trunk or Treat
Superhero DIY Family Costume (Spider-Man)
How to Make DIY Flintstones Costumes— Bam Bam, Betty Rubble, Barney Rubble

Enjoy crafting and happy haunting! 🕷️🕸️

DIY Pokémon Family Costumes for Halloween & Trunk or Treat

Pokémon Family Costumes at Trunk or Treat, with mom as Misty, dad as Ash Ketchum, daughter in a Pikachu costume, and son in an Ash riding Charizard outfit, posing by their decorated car.

Pikachu, I choose you!

This year, Pokémon took center stage in our house. Dressing like Pokémon characters was the obvious choice for our Halloween family costume and trunk or treat transformation! Halloween was on a Tuesday so we had many costume events leading up to the main event. Pokémon costumes were perfect for being worn several ways.

Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase any products or services from this website using my link. However, all of these opinions are my own.

Ash Riding Charizard Costume

Luke, our little Pokémon enthusiast, was set on becoming charizard (but only if it was a “super scary” charizard). We didn’t like any of the premade costumes so I searched for a dragon blow up costume. He ended up wearing it two ways—once at his school trick or treating event much more casually (with just the costume and a Pokémon hat), and fully in the ash costume for trunk or treat.

A side-by-side comparison image showing the inspiration and final result of an Ash riding Charizard Halloween costume. The top half displays the original animated scene from Pokémon where Ash Ketchum is riding Charizard, labeled "Inspo." The bottom half shows a young boy dressed as Ash Ketchum, wearing a costume where he appears to be riding Charizard, labeled "Costume." The image highlights the creative execution of a Pokémon-inspired Halloween costume. The text "Ash Riding Charizard" and "Pokémon inspired Halloween" are prominently displayed, with a web link to edamommyblog.com at the bottom.

This dragon rider costume was perfect for paying homage to the iconic scenes where Ash Ketchum rides on charizard. As a bonus, I was able to paint the viking hat that came with the costume to serve as a pikachu hat for Riley’s DIY Pikachu costume.

Child wearing a Spooktacular Creations Inflatable Fire Dragon Rider Costume, available for $29.99 with Prime Overnight Delivery.
Adult Cosplay Costume featuring a blue hoodie jacket, white and red cap, and green gloves, perfect for kids' Halloween outfits, available for $23.99 with Prime Two-Day Delivery.

DIY Pikachu for 3 Year Old

Over the past few months, my daughter has been so into Pikachu that she basically turned into one. Her little voice is perfect for Pikachu’s signature “Pika pika”s. Once again, the pikachu costumes that were being sold didn’t appeal much to me so I decided to craft Riley’s pikachu costume.

Child in a DIY Pikachu costume from a Pokémon Family Costumes theme, featuring a yellow tutu, handmade hat with black-tipped ears, and a cardboard tail, standing at a Trunk or Treat event.

Supplies for Little Girl Pikachu DIY

A product listing for a yellow EQSJIU gymnastics leotard with shorts for girls, displayed on Amazon. The leotard is shown in a sparkly yellow color, suitable for activities like gymnastics or as part of a DIY costume. The listing indicates a limited-time deal with a price of $7.99, down from the typical $9.99, with free Prime delivery by Friday, September 6th. The item has received 1,196 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars.

Instructions to DIY Pikachu for Little Girl

Creating a DIY Pikachu Tail

Supplies Needed:

Handmade Pikachu tail for a Pokémon Family Costumes theme, created from cardboard, yellow construction paper, and brown felt, designed for a child’s Pikachu costume.

Instructions:

  1. Create the Tail Base: Begin by drawing Pikachu’s lightning bolt-shaped tail on a piece of cardboard. Make sure the size is appropriate for the costume you’re creating. Once you’re satisfied with the shape, cut out the tail using heavy duty scissors or a box cutter.
  2. Cover with Yellow Construction Paper: Place the cardboard tail on a sheet of yellow construction paper. Trace the shape, then cut it out. Apply glue evenly on the cardboard tail and carefully place the yellow construction paper cutout on top, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles.
  3. Add the Brown Felt Tip: To mimic Pikachu’s tail exactly, cut a small piece of brown felt to cover the bottom portion of the tail. Apply glue to the felt and attach it to the corresponding area on the tail. Press down firmly to ensure it adheres well.
  4. Final Touches: Allow the glue to dry completely before attaching the tail to the costume. You can secure the tail to the back of a costume using safety pins or by sewing it on if the material allows.

This DIY Pikachu tail is a quick and easy addition that perfectly complements a Pikachu costume, making it instantly recognizable.

Creating Pikachu DIY hat/ears

A DIY Pikachu hat made from a repurposed Viking helmet, painted yellow with black-tipped ears. The collage shows a young girl painting the hat, the completed Pikachu hat drying, and a mother and daughter wearing the hat and a Pikachu costume together. This creative craft is perfect for a homemade Pokémon costume and is easy to replicate with simple materials.

Supplies Needed:

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Helmet Base: Start by cleaning the Viking hat to ensure the paint adheres well. Place the hat on a drop cloth or cardboard to protect your work area from paint spills.
  2. Paint the Helmet Yellow: Using a medium-sized paintbrush, apply yellow fabric paint to the entire helmet, covering all visible areas. This will serve as the base color for Pikachu’s head. Allow the first coat to dry, then apply a second coat if needed for full coverage.
  3. Create Pikachu’s Ears: The existing Viking horns can easily be transformed into Pikachu’s ears. Paint the tips of the horns with black fabric paint to mimic Pikachu’s distinctive ear design. Be careful with the edges to create a clean line between the yellow and black sections.
  4. Let it Dry: Allow the hat to dry completely before handling it. Depending on the thickness of the paint, this may take several hours or overnight.
  5. Final Touches: Once the hat is fully dry, it’s ready to wear! Pair it with a yellow outfit to complete the Pikachu look.

Instructions for Creating a DIY Pikachu Leotard:

A DIY Pikachu costume in progress, featuring a sparkly yellow leotard with brown felt stripes glued onto the back to mimic Pikachu’s signature look. The leotard is laid out flat on a table next to a hot glue gun and a piece of brown felt, showing the materials and tools used in the crafting process.

Supplies Needed:

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Leotard: Lay the sparkly yellow leotard flat on a clean surface to ensure you have a smooth area to work with. Make sure the back of the leotard is facing up, as this is where the stripes will be applied.
  2. Cut the Felt Stripes: Using brown felt, cut out two or more stripes that will be placed horizontally on the back of the leotard to replicate Pikachu’s iconic look. Measure the width of the leotard to ensure the stripes are proportional and evenly spaced.
  3. Attach the Stripes: Heat up the hot glue gun and apply a thin line of glue along the back of each felt stripe. Carefully place each stripe onto the leotard, pressing down gently to ensure they stick well. Be sure to position the stripes horizontally across the back of the leotard, evenly spaced apart.
  4. Let it Dry: Allow the glue to dry completely before handling or wearing the leotard. This step is crucial to ensure the stripes are securely attached.
  5. Final Touches: Once the glue is fully dry, the leotard is ready to be worn. Pair it with the DIY Pikachu hat and tail to complete the Pikachu costume.

Couples Pokémon Costume Ash Ketchum and Misty

woman in misty from pokemon costume holding a pokeball and with diy misty shoes next to a man in an ash ketchum costume holding a red and white pokeball. pikachu is on the mans shoulder.

DIY Misty Pokémon Costume

DIY Misty complete with her signature red suspenders and yellow tank top was a low-maintenance and comfortable option for my costume. I found some great white shoes on clearance and had a lot of fun painting shoes for the first time— it was much easier than I had imagined and they held up surprisingly well.

A product listing for a MapofBeauty golden orange cosplay wig designed for costume use, priced at $11.99 on Amazon. The wig features a short, layered style with a side-swept bang and a small ponytail, ideal for cosplay characters like Misty from Pokémon. The wig is shown on a mannequin head, highlighting its vibrant color and style.
A product listing for Trilece red adjustable Y-back suspenders, available on Amazon for $5.20. The suspenders are designed for both men and women, suitable for costumes, tuxedos, or dress-up occasions. The image shows the suspenders laid flat, with silver clasps and adjustable straps, making them a versatile accessory.
A product listing for Yageyan women’s high-top white sneakers, priced at $25.99 on Amazon. These platform sneakers feature a classic design with white laces and a padded collar, perfect for casual wear or as part of a costume ensemble. The image shows the sneakers from multiple angles, highlighting their clean and modern look.

Misty DIY Costume Supplies

Custom painted Misty Pokémon shoes

Close-up of DIY Misty shoes for a Pokémon Family Costumes theme, painted with red and yellow designs to match Misty’s iconic look from Pokémon.

Supplies Needed:

Instructions:

  1. Prep the Shoes: Start with a clean pair of white high-top sneakers. If you want clean edges where the colors meet, you can use painter’s tape to section off the areas you’ll be painting.
  2. Paint the Red Sections: Using a medium-sized brush, apply the red acrylic paint to the sides of the shoes, creating the bold red areas seen in Misty’s shoes. You may need to apply multiple coats for full coverage, letting each coat dry before adding the next.
  3. Add the Yellow Lightning Bolt: Once the red paint is fully dry, use a small brush to paint the yellow lightning bolt design on the sides of the shoes. This bold, zigzag pattern is iconic to Misty’s character and adds the finishing touch to the shoes.
  4. Seal the Design (Optional): To ensure your design lasts, consider applying a clear paint sealer once everything is dry. This step will protect your work from wear and tear, especially if you plan on wearing the shoes often.
  5. Final Touches: Let the shoes dry completely before wearing them. You’re now ready to step into Misty’s shoes—literally!

Ash Ketchum Costume

Dad in an Ash Ketchum costume from the Pokémon Family Costumes collection, complete with a red and white cap, blue vest, and a Pikachu plush on his shoulder.
A product listing for an ANOGOL short black cosplay wig for men, priced at $16.99 on Amazon. The wig is styled in a short, tousled look, perfect for completing a cosplay costume, such as Ash Ketchum from Pokémon. The listing includes both front and back views of the wig on a mannequin head, with an average rating of 4.2 stars from 2,084 reviews.
A product listing for the KASOYA Ash Ketchum cosplay costume set, available for $19.87 on Amazon, down from $27.99. The set includes a blue jacket, white shirt, Ash’s iconic red and white cap, and green gloves, perfect for both adults and kids. The costume is designed for Halloween or cosplay events and has an average rating of 4.3 stars from 206 reviews.
A product listing for an official Pokémon 8-inch Pikachu plush toy, priced at $14.99 on Amazon, down from the list price of $15.99. The ultra-soft and adorable plush toy is shown sitting with a smiling expression, featuring Pikachu’s signature yellow color, red cheeks, and black-tipped ears. The product has received 10,452 reviews with an average rating of 4.8 stars.

Pokémon Trunk or Treat Theme

A family dressed in Pokémon-themed costumes for a Trunk or Treat event. The mother is dressed as Misty, the daughter as Pikachu in a yellow tutu and DIY hat, and the son as Ash Ketchum riding a Charizard costume. They are standing in front of their decorated car, which is themed with Pokémon characters and Pokéballs, capturing the festive atmosphere of the event. The scene is bright and colorful, with a clear blue sky and other participants in the background.

I hope our Pokémon costumes inspired your Halloween plans! If you try any of these ideas, or if you have your own unique family costumes, I’d love to hear about them in the comments. Let’s make this Halloween the most memorable one yet!

Discover More Family Halloween Costume Inspirations

Pumpkin Painting Ideas for Fun Halloween with Kids

With little ones in tow for Halloween pumpkin carving contests, we have been embracing the art of painting pumpkins. We are all having fun coming up with creative pumpkin painting ideas and getting festive without the mess of pumpkin guts.

A row of creative pumpkin painting ideas. Includes grim reaper pumpkin, gastly pokemon pumpkin, and carved pumpkins.

Make your own painted pumpkin by following the easy instructions below.

Gastly Pokémon Pumpkin Craft: A Spooky DIY for Halloween

A spooky yet adorable Gastly pumpkin inspired by the Pokémon universe. Gastly, the ghostly Gas Pokémon, comes to life in pumpkin form.

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: I may receive a small commission if you purchase something from a link on my page. All of my opinions are my own and I only recommend products I love. Thank you for supporting small business.

A creatively painted pumpkin transformed into the Pokémon character Gastly, displayed on a vibrant poster with information about its “Sleep Pulse” ability. The pumpkin features large white and black eyes, a red mouth, and is surrounded by purple cloud-like forms to mimic Gastly’s ghostly appearance. The background includes a tablecloth with skull patterns, adding to the Halloween theme. One of the most creative pumpkin painting ideas.

Supplies

faux pumpkin for creative painting pumpkin ideas. orange pumpkin with brown stem.

Instructions to Paint Gastly Pumpkin

  1. Prepare the Pumpkin Base:
    • Clean and dry the pumpkin to ensure a smooth surface for attaching the paper cutouts.
  2. Spray Paint the Pumpkin:
    • In a well-ventilated area, apply black spray paint to the entire pumpkin.
    • Let it dry completely before gluing the eyes and mouth on.
  3. Create the Eyes and Mouth:
    • Cut out two large white semi-circles from the white construction paper for Gastly’s eyes.
    • Cut smaller black circles to fit inside the white circles, creating the pupils.
    • Glue the black pupils onto the white circles.
    • Attach the eyes to the pumpkin, positioning them where you’d like Gastly’s eyes to be.
    • Cut a curved mouth shape from the red construction paper for Gastly’s mouth.
    • Cut two small triangles out of the white construction paper for Gastly’s teeth.
    • Glue to the white teeth onto the curved mouth shape.
    • Glue the mouth onto the pumpkin below the eyes.
  4. Craft the Pokémon Card Background:
    • Take a large sheet of cardboard.
    • Glue construction paper onto the cardboard to create a vibrant pokemon card background.
    • Write Gastly’s name and other info from the card. I used my cricut to create the name and attack.
  5. Add the Background Mist:
    • Glue stretched cotton balls around the base of the pumpkin to represent Gastly’s mist.
    • Once the cotton balls are securely attached, proceed to the next step.
  6. Spray Paint the Mist:
    • Spray paint the area around the base of the pumpkin with purple spray paint.
    • Let it dry completely.

Hatching Dinosaur Painted Pumpkin: A Mesozoic Surprise

Step into a prehistoric world with a mesmerizing Hatching Dinosaur Painted Pumpkin! This pumpkin painting idea imagines a dinosaur egg cracking open, revealing the ancient creature within.

A dinosaur hatching from a painted pumpkin, with realistic cracks and green slime texture. The dinosaur toy emerges from the pumpkin, creating a playful and prehistoric scene. One of the most creative pumpkin painting ideas.

Supplies

Toy dinosaur used for a creative pumpkin painting idea. Grey T-rex dinosaur from jurassic world.

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pumpkin:
    • Clean the pumpkin’s surface to remove any dirt or debris.
    • If using a real pumpkin, pat it dry.
  2. Spray Paint the Base:
    • In a well-ventilated area, apply white spray paint to the entire pumpkin.
    • Let it dry completely.
  3. Disassemble the Dinosaur and Position Pieces:
    • Take the dinosaur apart so that you have two arms, two legs, a head, and a tail piece.
    • Position the plastic dinosaur parts to look as if the dinosaur is breaking out of the pumpkin.
    • Push the pieces into the pumpkin, you may need to use a knife to create an opening. Secure with hot glue (optional).
  4. Create the Cracks:
    • Use black acrylic paint to paint around each limb and then draw realistic cracks on the pumpkin’s surface.
    • Imagine the pumpkin as a hatching dinosaur egg with visible cracks.
    • Make the cracks irregular and jagged for an authentic look.
  5. Add the Green Slime Texture:
    • Apply lines of hot glue around some of the limbs, creating a textured, slimy effect.
  6. Paint the Dried Glue:
    • Once the glue is dry, paint it with green acrylic paint.
    • Highlight the raised areas to enhance the slimy appearance.

Searching for a Family Halloween Costume Idea?

I’ve got you! Now that you have painting pumpkin ideas, check out these timeless family halloween costume ideas:

How to Make DIY Flintstones Costumes— Bam Bam, Betty Rubble, Barney Rubble

Superhero DIY Family Costume (Spider-Man)

Colorful Behavior Chart DIY For 2-4 Year Old Siblings

magnet behavior chart for two year old and four year old siblings

I created this simple behavior chart for my two-year-old and four-year-old to give me a visual aid that stimulates day-to-day communication with them about behavior.

According to some experts, using rewards to influence children’s behavior may diminish their intrinsic motivation, so I’m trying to limit using rewards while still being realistic.

Using this behavior chart allows me to reward good behavior without needing to give them a treat or toy every time they do something correctly. Likewise, it is nice to have a visual warning system when they misbehave instead of going to a punishment right away or falling into never ending verbal threats.

Here is everything you need to know to make your own DIY behavior chart for siblings. If you have a Cricut, I’ve included a link to my label designs!

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: I may receive a small commission if you purchase something from a link on my page. All of my opinions are my own and I only recommend products I love. Thank you for supporting small business.

DIY Your Own Magnet Behavior Chart

Materials Needed

Magnet Board
Magnet Printable Paper
Printer
Scissors (or Cricut)
Laminate (optional)
Vinyl (optional)

Instructions

1. Choose your magnets.

I used pictures of my kids for this behavior chart, but you could also use shapes or even write their names.

2. Print your magnets on magnet printable paper.

3. Laminate the magnets for extra durability.

This laminating paper is easy to use and has kept our magnets in good condition.

4. Cut out your magnets or use your Cricut to cut.

5. Add labels to the middle of the board.

Download my Cricut label designs for free.

I used my Cricut to cut these out of vinyl but you could just write them in sharpie.

Divide the magnet board into 5 sections to include “START,” “GREEN,” “YELLOW,” “RED,” and “STAR.”

5. Explain the rules of the chart to your child.

For example, if you stay in your bed all night, you will move your magnet from START to GREEN. If you disobey, you will move your magnet from GREEN to YELLOW. If you disobey and your magnet is already on YELLOW, you will move your magnet to RED. When my kids are on RED, they take a time out and they may not use any electronics or other special privileges until they get back to GREEN.

6. Let your child move their own magnet as they make choices throughout the day.

Our behavior chart is hung out of reach because my two-year-old continued to use it as a toy or destroy the magnets in a tantrum, but I still allow them to use a stool to move their magnets, especially when they are moving up for good behavior.

7. Reward your child for making good choices.

If they stay on GREEN all day, move them to STAR and give them a special treat. We have a treat bowl for STAR days and even a special STAR day celebration dance.

This easy DIY behavior chart for two-year-olds and four-year-olds is a great way to teach your children young about consequences, both good and bad. And it’s a visual reminder for you, too!

Superhero DIY Family Costume (Spider-Man)

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can. Spins a web, any size, catches thieves just like flies. Look out!

Here Comes the Spider-Man Costume

three year old boy in spider man costume on tricycle

If you have a little boy at home, chances are you will be searching for a Spider-Man costume at some point.

Spidey seems to be a popular choice for preschool superhero lovers. Luke, my three year old, insisted on being Spider-Man for Halloween last year (along with 9 other boys in his preschool class).

I lucked out and found a reasonably sized priced, high quality Spider-Man costume that fit him perfectly (I ordered an XS and he weighed about 40 pounds). *2024 edit: unfortunately, they stopped making this one and now all of the spider-man costumes have built in six packs 😂

Amongst all of the Spider-Mans on Halloween night (and there were a lot of them), his costume seemed to be the most comfortable and durable.

I considered buying matching Spider-Verse outfits for the family, but I wasn’t sure my one year old (or my husband haha) would go for it.

Instead, I put together this DIY family costume around Spider-Man without much effort or cost.

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: I may receive a small commission if you purchase something from a link on my page. All of my opinions are my own and I only recommend products I love. Thank you for supporting small business.

Superhero Siblings

spider-man costume for little boy and wonder woman costume on little girl siblings

Wonder Woman was an easy (and adorable) addition to Spider-Man for my one year old girl. We used a hand-me-down from her cousin for her Wonder Woman costume, but there are a few cute options on Amazon right now.

Spider-Mom

mom dressed up as spider web with boy in spider-man costume

Luke got a kick out of my spider web costume and I dressed it up with heels for an adult costume party.

Accessorizing options are endless with all of the fun spider gear available in the halloween section. I chose purple lipstick, face webs, gemstone web false lashes, and pinned a halloween spider web decoration into my hair to complete the Spider-Mom look.

DIY S.H.I.E.L.D Agent Dad Costume

diy shield agent dad

I used my Cricut to add the S.H.I.E.L.D logo and logos from both kids costumes to a black long-sleeve shirt (I know, I know, different universes) and Dad fit right in with our superhero crew as a S.H.I.E.L.D agent.

diy shield agent protection unit dad

Other DIY Family Costume Ideas

If you are looking for another family halloween costume idea, check out our costumes from other years

Unlock Big Rewards by Creating Online Baby Registry with Amazon

As a new parent, how do you pay for ALL OF THE STUFF babies require?

Creating an online baby registry is a good place to start. By simply creating an online baby registry with Amazon, I have saved well over $500. It is free! And easy! You can do it in 5 minutes—so why not knock it out now?

Create Your Baby Registry on Amazon

Need more convincing? Let me tell you about the three major benefits I experienced when I created my online baby registry with Amazon.

BENEFIT 1: Receive a 15% Discount on Amazon Purchases After Completion of Online Baby Registry

Disclosure: I may receive a small fee if you choose to sign up. It still costs nothing for you to sign up. Thank you for supporting small business 🙂

One of the best parts about creating a registry with Amazon is the completion discount.

After you complete your online baby registry, you will be able to make two bulk purchases utilizing 15% off of your ENTIRE purchase (for big items, that can mean saving $15-$20 on a single item).

We chose to use the first discounted purchase right before having our baby and used our second discount bundle right after our baby arrived. The first purchase was a lot of the fun baby items and the second purchase was all of the emergency supplies we realized we needed during the newborn days.

Amazon baby registry completion discount

BENEFIT 2: 20% Diaper Discount for First Year

You are going to be buying a ton of diapers the first year, so having a 20% discount is clutch! Amazon is my go-to for ordering diapers last minute because they get delivered right to my doorstop.

Amazon registry diaper discount

BENEFIT 3: Free Welcome Box

Who doesn’t like receiving fun mail?!?

The welcome box Amazon sends you after completing your baby registry has a ton of items I actually used. It is full of goodies including a muslin swaddle, a baby onesie, and a bottle. Not bad for just creating a baby registry online!

Source: https://curatedbycherish.com/2020/02/amazon-baby-registry-welcome-box/

The price listed on Amazon is $35, but that will change to $0 in your cart once you complete the registry steps.

Want to Save Even More?

Not only did their online baby registry perks save me a bunch of money, but I have also saved a lot by using Amazon’s Subscribe and Save.

Subscribe and Save gives you a discount for setting items you purchase all of the time on a reordering schedule. I have found it useful for baby wipes, diapers, pet food, and cleaning products.

Do you have any money saving tips for new parents? Please consider posting them in the comments for others to use. Enjoy your exciting adventure ahead!

Alaska Road Trip in the Summer—10 Day Itinerary

If you have always wanted to explore Alaska by car, this is a must read. My friend, Cayla, recently took a breath-taking road trip through Alaska that made me want to immediately board a plane to follow in her footsteps. She graciously mapped out everything you need to know for a gorgeous drive/hike/camp through Alaska.

Check out her guest post below for all of her travel tips and a full itinerary for your 10 day road trip through Alaska.

Guest post by: Cayla Platt, Season 33 Contestant on The Amazing Race

Travel Prep

This trip is best for Alaska’s summer season. I can’t give you much insight on how these hikes/driving would be in the winter. Beautiful, I’m sure, but I don’t know how accessible.

We did it in the beginning of shoulder season so we got a discount on the van because it’s a very slow time for Alaska and typically rainy, but we only ran into rain twice so we got very lucky with weather.

A lot of the typical tourist stuff is closed especially in Homer. We mostly wanted to hike and camp this trip so it was awesome timing for us… we rarely saw anyone on all of our hikes (which we loved) and only ran into an issue with two campsites being full. 

Rent a Van

We booked our van through Get Lost Vans about 1.5 months in advance. We had originally planned to do 14 days but the van was only available for 10 so the itinerary below was originally for 14 days but we made it happen in 10!

  • Kettle $10
  • Coffee press $10
  • 24/7 roadside assistance $90
  • Windshield and tire insurance $8/day (highly recommend because if you drive around Alaska you’ll see almost everyone’s windshield is cracked and that could save you like $300)

Van Highlights

  • It has running water which was a huge surprise for us. You can dump the water at most campsites and to refill we used the hose at Chevron gas stations, but my recommendation would be to ask the Get Lost Van people ahead of time for water refill stations that they know of at each location/town you plan on going because that would have saved us a lot of time, ha. (I don’t know if they have a list but it’s worth a shot)
  • Fridge
  • Separate battery for lights and power ports so you don’t drain the car battery when you are parked camping!
  • The grill came with all the utensils and cookware you need and propane (maybe get an extra bottle if you plan on cooking most of your meals)! 

Tips for the Sleep Nest on the Top of the Van

  • Make sure when you pop it you keep both zippers closed for the window because one is for bugs but the other one keeps it insulated and warm. We slept so amazing up there!
  • We brought a lantern for up there which was super helpful.
  • Also, if it does rain, when you go to close the nest before driving, close it from the front first and then quickly step away…. otherwise you will get drenched.. I learned the hard way ☺

Packing Tips

  • Bring cash for all campgrounds – all were $15 – $30
  • Bring your own kindling if you want to have a campfire (most campsites didn’t sell wood but you can collect your own)
  • If you can come in a day early to do all your grocery shopping for your camping meals that would be ideal for time purposes.
  • Make sure you bring bear spray and have it on ALL hikes
  • It’s a pretty packed itinerary so if you only have 10 days, do a little research beforehand on how early you need to get moving each morning for the drive/hikes to fit it all in! You can purchase an Alaska Milepost, which is great to have for road tripping Alaska!

Alaska Travel Tips

  • If you stop for coffee/breakfast I HIGHLY recommend the tiny drive-thru coffee shacks (you’ll know what I’m talking about when you get there!)
  • My brother-in-law took us up in his plane, but there are a ton of companies that will take you up for like an hour. Not sure on the cost, but if you want to do that I recommend going over a glacier specifically so check before hand!
  • There are a lot of driving stretches with NO gas stations! I recommend filling up every time you see a gas station if you are around half a tank just in case! We were never in a bind because we did this!

10 Day Hiking Alaska Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 and 2 I’m giving you two options because depending on Denali campground availability you can do either. Option 1 was our original plan but we didn’t make a reservation in time so we actually did option 2 but it was still amazing!

OPTION 1

Day 1: 

  • Scoop van at Get Lost Vans in Anchorage (9am)
  • Drive to Denali
  • Savage River Loop Hike (easy) Recommend going past the bridge a little ways before looping back! Wish we had binoculars because a lot of people were seeing mountain sheep up in the rocks past the bridge but we couldn’t see them without binoculars.

Day 2

OPTION 2

Day 1: 

Day 2

Day 3

  • Granite Tors Hike 15 miles (hard but VERY worth it- when you get to the rocks and areas at the top look for stacked rocks to guide your path or tent poles, we also extremely recommend using the AllTrails app to help make sure you’re on the right path). Give yourself 8-10 hours to fully enjoy it and take a lunch break towards the top (we did it in 7 hours but hustled because we got a very late start lol) Pack lots of water and lunch.
  • We brought hiking poles for this hike but to be honest the trail is very narrow most of the time and the trees/branches are very tight at spots which made it hard to use them so it was kind of a hassle.

Day 4

  • Angel Rock hike (easy/moderate)
    • Camp at Chena Hot Springs Campground/Resort (depending on time of visit may want to book a reservation, you can stay in the van at the campground or they have cute little cabins to rent)
    • Visit/relax in the Hot Springs $15 good all day/night (bring your own towel)
    • Ice Museum on property $15 (we did it mostly for the Appletini they serve in an ice cocktail glass $15)
  • Ask the front desk about the glass cabin up the hill behind the hot springs because a staff told us it’s the best place to see the Aurora lights! We didn’t see them but we did bring wine, weed, and games up there to chill haha. If you stay in the cabin you can ask for an Aurora call and they will call you in the middle of the night to wake you up if the Aurora lights are visible! 
  • There is plenty to do at Chena Hot Springs Resort/Campground so if you are beat from the day before Granite Tors hike you can skip the Angel Rocks hike and do one of the excursions Chena Hot Springs offers.

Day 5

  • Driving day. Drive towards Delta Junction then take the Richardson Highway south towards Glenallen. 
    • Camp at this Google location: ALASCOM Access Road, Palmer, AK 99645

Day 6

  • Drive to Hatchers Pass
  • Hike April Bowl (easy/moderate) in the AM
  • Check out Independence Mine
  • Hike Gold Cord Lake (easy) (if it’s the summer time you can swim)
    • Camp at Eklutna Lake Campground (very busy spot we got lucky, not sure if you can make reservations ahead of time but if so I recommend) If this spot is full then camp on Knik River.

Day 7

  • Drive to Homer (want to get there by noon at the latest so you will have to leave earlyyyy)
  • Take Mako Water Taxi  ($85) across the Kachemak Bay to do the Grewingk Glacier Hike (easy) Make sure you do all parts of the trail to get to the tram!
  • Salty Dog Saloon – where all the Deadliest Catch fishers go – hole in the wall very salty!
    • Camp at Ninilchik Deep Creek Campground (on the water)
    • There is also another RV/campground called Whiskey Point in Whiskey Gulch that has 2 cute little cabins on the cliff/water for $150 if you wanted to stay there one night if they are vacant instead of the van.

Day 8

  • Drive to Seward
  • Stop at Brew@602 for coffee and breakfast!
  • Harding Icefield Trail and Exit Glacier (hard) – we started at 2pm and made it back in time before dark but if you aren’t much of a hiker or are sore from previous days I would start this hike no later than 11am so you can take your time, it is verrrry steep. We did the Harding Icefield Trail first then hit Exit Glacier viewpoint at the end! I recommend poles and layers of clothes because it gets significantly colder the closer you get to the top/glacier.

Day 9

  • Drive to Whittier (check weather, “Whittier is always Shittier” but on a non rainy day it will NOT disappoint)
  • Whittier tunnel (check tunnel times so you aren’t sitting waiting too long)
  • Portage Pass hike (moderate)
  • Girdwood Brewery
  • Spoonline for dinner!!
    • Treat yourselves and stay at Alyeska Resort & Hotel. Otherwise just google what campground is open in Whittier or Girdwood.

Day 10

  • Head back to Anchorage; free day to do touristy stuff in Anchorage
  • 49th State Brewery is a must – request rooftop seating 
  • Anchorage has some awesome Gin distilleries if they are open I recommend checking those out 
  • Return van in Anchorage (we did the latest time which was 6pm)

Other Things to Do and See in Alaska

Outside of this itinerary, if you have more time (or want to alter it), I suggest spending more time in the general Seward area. On a previous trip I took to Alaska, I did a boat tour to go whale watching, which was awesome. I can’t remember the company I used but there are a ton in Seward.

Moose Pass, Coopers Landing, and Hope are all amazing spots! If it’s summer, they have river kayaking and tubing, which I really want to do, (the water is SO BLUE).

There is a hike we really wanted to do off the Sterling Hwy (along your drive between Homer and Seward) but didn’t have time. It is called Skyline Trail (highly recommended if you have time). I have heard Fishing Halibut charters are also awesome there.

Enjoy Alaska and safe travels!

Editor’s Note: Feel free to email Cayla at cplatt17@hotmail.com with any questions if you are planning a trip to Alaska soon (oh…and…bring me with you!!) Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Cayla!

Want More Trip Planning Inspiration?

Visiting Spain with Toddler (Large Family)
Charlotte, NC with Toddler

Giving Birth to My Second Child, Sweet Riley Grace

mom with baby after giving birth
  • Baby you’re worth it no slip socks for delivery

Isn’t giving birth miraculous? My birth story reminds me that something I once feared now empowers me. 

The most difficult undertaking my body has ever experienced has proven to me (twice) that I am strong and capable of far more than I imagined. 

If you are preparing for birth, hear these words—You can do this! You are strong!

I am going to go right into the nitty gritty this time, but if you’re looking for ideas for packing your hospital bag, I wrote about that in detail when I posted about my son’s birth.

Birth During COVID-19 Global Pandemic

In March 2020, 3 months before my due date, society got flipped upside down. The outbreak and rapid spread of a Coronavirus (COVID-19) led to social distancing, mandatory masks in public, and quarantining. It was unknown how deadly the disease was, how it affected pregnant women, or how it would affect a fetus.

Preparing to give birth during a pandemic really added a whole new layer of anxiety to the situation. My mind was racing with questions.

Will I have to wear a mask the whole time? (yes)
Can my husband be there? (thank god, yes)
Can we have any visitors? Grandparents? Siblings? Aunts and Uncles? (no)
If I test positive, can I hold my baby? (YES!)

I was trying not to panic about all of the unknowns surrounding birth during a pandemic, because the truth of the matter is, there are endless unknowns surrounding birth even without the pandemic. Worrying about these unknowns is pointless and only adds to your current stress level. I tried to channel my nervous energy into researching my rights at the hospital.

I did a lot of research and some hospitals/doctors will try to take the baby from you if you have a positive COVID-19 test, even if you are asymptomatic. You have the right to refuse that. Almost all of the experts agree it is better for the baby to have skin-to-skin with the mother wearing a mask than to remove the baby, even if the mother tests positive for COVID-19.

a woman with covid-19 should be supported to breastfeed safely, hold her newborn skin-to-skin, and share a room with her baby

Single Umbilical Artery (SUA) + A Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

At our 20 week appointment, we found out that Riley Grace had SUA and a VSD, a small hole in her heart. While both of these issues can be minor, they can also be indicators of much more significant problems. I was terrified. 

The SUA basically just means that the umbilical cord only has one artery, instead of two. There is no treatment, or threat to the baby once they are born. However, there is a risk of early delivery and delayed growth. 

Finding Support on What to Expect App

A support group I found on the What to Expect app was helpful in alleviating my anxiety about SUA. The moms in the group would all post after their healthy SUA baby was born to provide encouragement for moms, like me at this time, who were just receiving the news of their SUA.

  • SUA support group on what to expect group
  • SUA support group on what to expect group

We scheduled a cardiologist visit to look closer at Riley’s heart. Thankfully, we received good news that if the hole was even there, it was really small. 

By the grace of god, Riley was never negatively affected by the SUA and the hole in her heart closed up. But, because of those issues the pregnancy was labeled “high risk” and I was given clearance to induce at 39 weeks.

I didn’t want to force my body or baby to come out too early though, so I turned down the appointment for an induction at 39 weeks. 

We scheduled our induction for 40 weeks on the dot. If she was not here by then, we would head to the hospital. Or so we thought. It turned out that the appointment had never been made, so they couldn’t schedule an induction for us until a few days past 40 weeks. 

When my doctor received that news she offered to have us come in during her current shift to  be induced (39 weeks, 4 days). We agreed. I had been having painful Braxton Hicks for weeks and my insomnia was keeping me from getting any sleep. I was ready to have this baby.

Winnie Palmer “On Call” List

Because the hospital was so busy, there were not any beds available right away so we were put on the on call list. It was another waiting game. They could call us anytime of the day/night with an open bed and we would need to get there as soon as possible. 

We waited for about 48 hours before finally receiving the call around 8 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Induction

Once we arrived at the hospital, the check-in process was very quick and we were quickly moved into a room to begin the induction. 

It began with using a cervical ripening agent, Misoprostol, to help the cervix dilate. The cervical ripening procedure was long, but overall, painless. The medication was placed next to my cervix for about 6 hours.

mom on birthing ball

Towards the end, I began having stronger contractions which became painful. I had progressed to 3cm dilated and they moved us into a birthing room.

Appealing to the Senses

To help set a calm, welcoming space for Riley’s birth, I diffused lavender and played music by Jack Johnson. 

The music was a repeat from my first labor with my son, and I would highly recommend it. It was so soothing and my son always seems to relax to his music as a toddler now.

The big winner was the oil diffusion though. Even with the mask on, the smell was extremely calming and pleasant. Multiple staff members commented on how much they liked it. 10/10 would recommend it.

Epidural

During labor with my son, the placement of the epidural was the worst part for me. It made my blood pressure drop really low and I nearly fainted. This time, it was much better. My husband held my hand and showed me funny pictures in his phone of our son to distract my mind while it was happening.

Unfortunately, after it was inserted, I was feeling a pain in my back. The anesthesiologist said that could mean it was too close to a nerve so she would recommend we re-apply it. Yep, I had to get that sucker put in TWICE! No worries though, we had an endless amount of Luke content on our phones to get me through it.

The epidural I got during my first birth with my son was out of a textbook. 

I felt none of the pain, could still push, and never loss complete feeling in my legs.

This time was different.

I could still feel the pain of the contractions (granted it was FAR less than I imagine it would have been without the epidural) but I could not feel my legs at all. Apparently, this is completely normal (and nothing to be medically concerned about) but it was very uncomfortable for me. 

Blood Pressure Drop

Overall, waiting for my body to fully dilate went pretty smoothly. Riley was never in any type of distress, and the pain from my contractions was manageable. 

There was only one complication.

Around 2 am, the combination of my high anxiety from having no feeling in my legs, and the position I must have been in when the nurse was turning me caused my blood pressure to drop really low for a few minutes. It was scary because all of the sudden I just felt extremely nauseous, dizzy, and unwell. My eyes were rolling to the back of my head and I was having a hard time staying awake.

Thankfully, once they repositioned me and gave me some fluids in my IV, my blood pressure returned to normal and I started to feel fine again.

The Push

A few hours later, my contractions started increasing in pain and the midwife checked my dilation. I was fully dilated and ready to push.

A new advancement in hospital equipment since my last birth was the addition of leg stirrups that allowed me to place my legs up in a comfortable position for pushing without requiring the nurses (or hubby) to hold them.

I only pushed a few times before Riley Grace entered the room. 

She was beautiful and such a sweet soul from the very start.

hello world newborn swaddle
  • Dad with newborn newborn after birth
  • mom with newborn
family with newborn baby girl drehoffs

I Failed. Let’s Talk About it.

#yearofencouragement

For my 29th birthday I wrote a post about encouraging others. My blog was new, and I wanted to use it as a catalyst for change. I believe encouragement can truly change the world in a good way, so it seemed like the right start.

#yearofencouragement

In researching for my post, I remembered my friend Takara’s social media challenge she called “tkssunshinethru29”. Every day, for a year, she challenged herself to publicly highlight someone who added positivity to her day.

I decided to take on a similar challenge for my 29th year. I would call it #yearofencouragement and every day, for a year, I would choose one person/organization/business to publicly applaud and encourage. 

year of encouragement facebook post

My Failure

Every day for a year would be 365 posts.
I reached my 30th birthday with a total post count of 68.
Pretty big failure, right?
That’s certainly how I felt.

I was discouraged from talking about my experience because I was embarrassed I had failed to meet my goal.

What I have now come to realize is that, as the good people of the world, we must stop worrying so much about failure.

Stop beating yourself up about your failures!

Failure is healthy. It means you are trying. It means you went for something.

Go For Your Goals

Sure, I missed my target in my #yearofencouragement challenge. But I still spent an entire year seeking out the good in the world. I made a difference, even if ever so small, in the lives of 68 different people through social media and said “good job, keep going”. 

If I had been afraid of failing publicly at this challenge, I probably would have just filled my profile feed up with the same repeated faces and rotating backgrounds.

Instead, my profile feed from my #yearofencouragement is alive with diversity and light—with stories of people who deserve recognition.

My #yearofencouragementposts

Doing the #yearofencouragement challenge changed me as a person. It made my year better and it made me appreciate people more in general. I would encourage everyone to attempt your own #yearofencouragement at some point in your life.

A motivational speaker I heard recently spoke about how we all have two sides of ourselves. We have our best side, that we want everyone to see, and we have the side that we’d prefer to keep hidden. On social media, everyone is quick to show their best side, but he believes we need to show more of our other side.

Let’s talk more about how no one is perfect. We are all struggling and we all fail daily.

The world is hard enough right now, yet we continue to be so hard on ourselves.
Let’s stop that.

If you fail, own it.
Then, thank yourself for going for it in the first place.

Must-Have Baby Product Reviews

Every product here has made my life much easier with kids. If you are a new mom, I would recommend purchasing these. If you know any expecting moms, any of these would be great gifts!

Affiliate Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase any products or services from this website using my link. However, all of these opinions are my own and my decision to purchase was not based on my affiliation.

Baby Nail Scissors

After horrifying experiences with baby nail clippers, this is the best $6 I have ever spent. My two year actually asks me to trim his nails! Check out how easy it is in this video (that I took WHILE doing his nails).

These nail scissors are so easy to use on my infant and toddler, and I’ve never had any accidents or injuries using them.

Portable Fisher Price Baby Dome

The beach, the pool, grandmas… you name it, this baby dome comes in clutch everywhere! It’s extremely light-weight, doesn’t take too much room up in the car, and can be cleaned easily.

fisher price baby dome at beach