DIY Pirate Themed Easter Egg Hunt and DIY Treat Cannon

In today's post, we'll share ideas for a Pirate Themed Easter Egg Hunt! We start with an Easter basket that contains a treasure map, share a few fun ideas to include in the egg hunt, and end with a color-your-own pirate ship that contains a treasure chest full of treasure in the form of golden eggs and gem eggs.  We then share two DIY Cannon Projects - a DIY Large Snack Cannon and DIY Mini Candy Cannon.  

Project The Pirate Themed Easter Egg Hunt Supplies
I listed the item numbers for the Easter egg hunt items that are from Oriental Trading so that it's easy for you to find the exact items if you search on their website. 

• Toys
• Color Your Own Pirate Ship Playhouse 
• Supplies
• Colorful Masking Tape Set  
• 1 piece of paper to draw a treasure map
• Plastic Easter Eggs of Your Choice Here is what we used:
• Sea Creature Plastic Easter Eggs 
• Jumbo Diamond Plastic Easter Eggs 
• Metallic Golden Easter Eggs 
• Noah's Ark Plastic Easter Eggs 
• Snacks
• 2 cases of Pirate's Booty (Individual snack bags)

Directions
Step 1 - Create a Treasure Map and X's to mark the location of treasure

Create a treasure map that gives clues for your child to follow. Personally, our son is still learning the difference between left and right, so we added an educational component to our Easter treasure hunt by using colorful X's to mark spots that he then needed to take 3 steps to the left or 3 steps to the right to find treasure. The dashes indicate the bottom of the X. For instance, there are eggs on the other side of the couch here which required him to take 3 steps to the right below.

Step 2 - Set up a Pirate Ship Playhouse

We used the trendy Color Your Own Pirate Ship Playhouse from Oriental Trading.  It's super easy to set up and is sure to help create a wonderful childhood memory! 

Step 3 - Stuff and hide Pirate Themed Eggs 

We have a few pirate themed eggs in our collection.  

We placed the Sea Creature Plastic Easter Eggs around the Pirate Ship Playhouse so that we could pretend that the pirate ship and sea creatures were swimming.  We also placed some of the Noah's Ark Plastic Easter Eggs around the pirate ship.

We filled a treasure chest basket with the Metallic Golden Easter Eggs and the Jumbo Diamond Plastic Easter Eggs. We also randomly hid some of these golden eggs and gem eggs throughout the house.

Finally, we created a large snack cannon. This is an easy DIY project, but be sure to be very careful when you use them and to wear protective gear. Never leave children unsupervised with the cannon and don't shoot stuff out of it too hard.  Let me share the details.

Project: Large Snack Cannon (Sling shot style)

Supplies

• 1 concrete tube (This is made from cardboard. You will find these in the fencing section of most home improvement stores)
• 1 exercise resistance band
• 1 can of black spray paint
• 1 paper plate
• 1 roll of black masking tape
• 1 roll of white masking tape
• 1 pair of scissors
• 1 or more cases of Pirate's Booty to launch from the cannon

Directions
1. Drill two holes into the side of the cardboard tube. Drill two more holes directly across from the previous two.

2. Lace the resistance band through the holes and tie knots.

3. Paint the cardboard tube with the black spray paint and allow to dry. (We removed the resistance band before spray painting and then reinserted it after the paint dried.)


4. Cut the paper plate from one edge to the center and then form a cone that easily fits into the cardboard tube. Err on the side of it being slightly smaller in diameter so that it will fall out of the cannon easily.

5. Use the black masking tape on the edges of the cannon to make the edges look cleaner.

6. Create cardboard wheels and tape them to the side of the cannon.  

7. Fill the cannon with Pirate's Booty and then use the resistance band like a slingshot to launch the snacks! 

8. Be safe when using this cannon and never let children play with it. Here are some tips. Be sure that no one will be hit by anything that shoots out of the cannon, including the contents or the resistance band.  We have everyone wear protective gear and googles. We launch the snacks in the opposite direction of everyone and then let our children run to grab the snacks after the launch.  Only my husband and I operate the cannon; never children.  We are careful when launching items so that things do not fly too far and hit anything. We never pull too hard on the resistance band, since it could potentially rip or snap back. 

Enjoy your Easter Egg Hunt, Mates!

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(Review) The Husqvarna Automower is a Game Changer in the Texas Heat!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Husqvarna. All opinions are 100% mine.

This post is sponsored by Husqvarna. They recently sent us an Automower product to review.

My husband and I used to mow our own lawn. It's one of our least favorite chores, especially with the Texas heat and humidity.  Our first house together was almost an acre. We quickly learned that we did not like maintaining a large yard. When we had the opportunity to relocate for new jobs, we purchased a home on a smaller lot with .25 acres. We later realized that we would prefer an even smaller yard and we moved yet again to a villa where front yard maintenance is included in our HOA fee and we only have to maintain our small backyard that is hidden by fences. The space is approximately 1,000 square feet. We've mowed it for several years, but we finally decided that we have had enough and began researching alternatives such as artificial grass, hiring someone to help, or a robotic lawnmower. 

Many of our neighbors feel the same way about yard work. As I mentioned, we live in a villa where the HOA maintains our front yards and then we are responsible for our small backyards. The majority of our neighbors hire landscapers.  This is nice, but it's expensive and we don't like the idea of giving landscapers a key to our yard.  The typical cost of weekly mowing for our small backyard is $75 to $100/week.  We mow our lawn for approximately 7.5 months per year, so it's not trivial to spend over $3,000/year to hire landscapers to mow our backyard. As a Mom and an Engineer, I can't help but calculate the cost for multiple years and notice how quickly the expense accumulates. After five years, the cost adds up to around $15,000.

Several of our neighbors have artificial lawns. Some of them got together in small groups to negotiate a bulk discount, but it was still very expensive. An example of a neighbor's yard is shown below. It looks nice, but it was outside of the budget that we wanted to put toward our yard. Plus, with young children, we didn't want to worry about the cost of replacement down the road.

Only recently did we come across the Husqvarna Automower as an option to help mow our lawn. I wish that we would have known about it sooner. We looked into it and ran the numbers to figure out whether it could make sense for us.  Specifically, we looked into the Husqvarna 115H Automower that is priced at $1,599.99 with installation.  At this price, we felt like it was a cost effective solution to mowing our lawn that is cheaper than hiring landscapers to mow.  I searched for reviews and people seemed happy, so I reached out to the company to ask if it would be possible to collaborate and to send us review a unit.  They agreed! This was a highlight of my blogging year, especially if you consider the temperatures in Texas right now and how much we dread yard work. Of course, we were excited because the perks of this robotic lawn mower are amazing, but I also felt like it was a special opportunity to gain and share an experience that people are curious to know more about.

The process for ordering the Husqvarna Automower was nice because they ship the Automower in a package that arrives on your doorstep. They then connect you with an installation expert who sets everything up for you.  For instance, check out the photo below that shows my package on our front porch.  I took the photo from a distance so that you could notice that it's a large package, but still a reasonable size for me to carry on my own.

Here is a closer view of the package.

We were so excited about our new best friend that we couldn't help but to peek into the package to see it before the installation company arrived.  The package was comprehensive and included everything that I needed to get started.

The day before the installation company arrived, we mowed our lawn to the desired height.  This is something that you will want to do before your installation as part of the customization process.

Lambert's Landscape Company installed the boundary wire and charging station. In the Dallas area, we are very lucky because the pros at Lambert's know the ins and outs of the Husqvarna Automower. The Director of Fleet Services and Facilities installed our Automower. He manages a fleet of them and even runs two Automowers in his own yard. He is knowledgable about landscaping and Automowers. He was really nice about answering our questions and giving advice. The installation for our yard went by quickly. He installed the boundary wire with a machine that buries it rather seamlessly. I was relieved to know that the boundary wires would be buried so nicely, especially since I have energetic children who aren't even able to see the buried wires.  Here is a photo of him installing the boundary wire.

I also made a video and encourage you to watch it because you'll get a better idea of how quick and seamless it was for him to install the boundary wire.

After he installed the boundary wires, he finished setting up the charging station and updated the software. This is the home for our new best friend, the Automower! He also helped us to get the app which helps us to monitor the status of our Husqvarna Automower. For instance, here is a photo from when we set it up.

Here is another photo of the app which shows statistics about the number of hours that it has spent on our lawn.

The Husqvarna Automower is smart and able to adapt to many variables such as different yard sizes, slopes, grass types, and more. Personally, our yard is around 1,000 sq. ft. and relatively flat with only slight sloping around our French drains.  We have Bermuda grass which is a southern grass that grows in warm climates. It has a narrow leaf blade which I think is aesthetically pleasing. It grows quickly and is also quite resilient. You'll find it at many golf courses and athletic fields since it's relatively good for high traffic areas.  Our yard is a breeze for the Husqvarna Automower that quietly works its magic on our lawn.  

The Husqvarna Automower spent the first couple of days exploring our yard.  My family enjoyed watching our curious little friend move around to learn the lay of the land! 

After the initial exploration, the Automower used its advanced technology to mow our lawn on a more scheduled basis.  The technology is actually more interesting than we initially expected. Not only does this little robot mow our lawn, but it also improves the health of our lawn. That was an unexpected bonus for us!   We just wanted a break from yard work, so it was even cooler to realize that the Automower could further improve the health of our lawn too. The way that it works is different than our old process. We used to go through with a loud electric lawn mower.  The Husqvarna Automower is more advanced. It uses several blades to finely mulch the grass.  Instead of rushing through like we used to do with a lawn mower, the Automower takes slower and more frequent passes which provides a noticeable difference to the health of our lawn.

Another big difference between our old mower and the Automower is the noise level. Our old mower was loud.  Our Automower is pretty quiet. I tease my husband that it has such good manners with how quiet it is. It even runs past my bedroom at night while I am sleeping without me noticing.  I also appreciate that it has safety features to stop if it bumps into something unexpected. For instance, my youngest son dropped his teddy bear outside. The Automower skillfully avoided it which is an important feature that we appreciate since our children play in the yard and don't always clean up after themselves.

The Automower may be scheduled to run at any time. We prefer an evening schedule so that our children aren't outside. I would actually be okay with my boys around it since it has safety features, but my children sometimes play soccer or have water balloon battles, so I figured that evening runs were better. Plus, as I mentioned earlier the Automower is quiet enough that I don't even notice it when it goes by my bedroom windows in the evening.

Security is an important feature to me. There is one loud thing about the Automower. That's the alarm. If someone doesn't know the pin number and then picks it up and tries to run off with it, the Automower has a very loud alarm.  You need to enter your pin number to turn it off. Depending on the model, you may also have GPS tracking. 

We've used our Automower for a few months now. Let me share a quick list of questions that people have asked us with our personal answers.

1. Is it as loud as a traditional lawn mower?  Answer: It is MUCH quieter than our old traditional lawn mower. In fact, we run it in the evening and it mows outside of my bedroom window without waking me. 
2. Does it break if it rains?  Answer: We have left our Automower out during several rainstorms without any issues. I just wipe it down with a cloth after the rain. (For reference, I also wipe down our patio furniture and grill after rain.) We moved the Automower to our patio for one storm because there were severe weather warnings. During that particular storm, you wouldn't have even wanted to leave your car outside.
3. What if children leave toys in the yard? Answer: My children have stress tested this feature. They have a bad habit of leaving toys in the yard.  Fortunately, the Automower is quite advanced and has avoided every toy left in our yard over the past few months.  One of them was my youngest son's teddy bear, so I was grateful for the Automower's technology to avoid their toys.
4. Could someone pick it up and walk off with it? Answer: Yes, but there is an alarm system.  It makes an obnoxiously loud noise that would make it hard for someone to casually pick it up in our yard and walk off with it. We are able to hear the alarm noise in our house. We have a pin number to turn the alarm off. Some models also have a GPS security feature.
5. Do you like it? Answer: We absolutely love it!  If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to stop wasting time on mowing the lawn and to let an Automower take over the chore.  Seriously, the combination of Texas heat and humidity is the worst. The Automower is a total game changer that allows us to spend less time on chores and more time enjoying life.

Now that we have used the Husqvarna Automower for a while, we are very happy and wish that we would have adopted it sooner.  The time savings has been amazing. We no longer have to mow. We only have to do the edging. My husband has approximately 5 extra hours to spend with us every month. If you multiple this by 7.5 months, he has saved approximately 37.5 hours/year. That's almost an entire workweek out of the year for him! We have a small backyard that is under 1,000 square feet. I imagine that the time savings increases for Texans with bigger yards.

During the Coronavirus shutdown, the Automower was also a life saver because it mulches the grass into fine pieces and we do not have to bag and dispose debris. Our garbage collection company temporarily stopped the collection of lawn clippings.  Prior to the arrival of our Automower, we had garbage bags full of lawn clippings for weeks until they finally announced a special day when collection of lawn debris resumed.  I'm glad that we don't have to dispose of lawn debris after the Automower.  The mulching process is eco-friendly and convenient!

In summary, the Husqvarna Automower is an amazing application of technology that has improved the quality of our lives.  The experience has given us a healthier lawn, but more importantly, the gift of time. As busy parents, the ability to cross mowing the lawn off of our chore list was amazing! I know that we could have hired landscapers to mow weekly or invested in artificial grass, but those solutions were very expensive. The Husqvarna Automower is more cost effective for our situation. The Husqvarna design team deserves credit for the meticulous attention to detail that they put into the Automower!

Learn more on Amazon

We are part of the Amazon Affiliate program for bloggers.  If you order this product through one of our links, we receive a small referral fee that helps to keep our blog in business. It doesn't change the price of the item or cost you anything extra to use our link if you were going to order the Automower. We appreciate the support!

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How to Make an Easter Egg Tree

One of our family traditions is to make an Easter Egg Tree. We hang plastic eggs filled with jelly beans on trees in our yard such as the one shown below. In this post, we'll teach you how to make your own Easter Egg Tree.

Craft: Easter Egg Tree

Supplies:

•  Plastic Eggs (We recommend at least two dozen.)
• Thin string (Any type is fine, but keep in mind that it is easier to shut the eggs with thinner string.)
• Scissors 
• Optional: Candy to fill the eggs

Directions:

1. Cut string to desired length between 6 and 12". Tie a knot on the end.

2. Insert the knotted string and optionally fill with your favorite candy.

3. Close the egg. You'll notice that the knot helps to prevent the string from slipping out of the egg.

4. Hang the colorful eggs on your trendy Easter Egg Tree!

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Don’t Miss THE OPTIMIST — A True Story That Will Stay With You Long After the Credits Roll #TheOptimistMovie #TheOptimistMovieRWM

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Trafalgar Releasing.

Some films entertain. Some inform. And every so often, one arrives that quietly transforms the way we see resilience, connection, and hope. THE OPTIMIST is that kind of film.

Releasing nationwide on March 11, 2026 through Trafalgar Releasing, THE OPTIMIST tells a deeply moving true story about survival, silence, friendship, and the extraordinary healing power of being truly seen.

If you follow regularly, you know that I enjoy watching movies that drive discussion with my kids. Stories like the one in THE OPTIMIST feel especially important to experience together. Watching films rooted in real history opens the door to conversations that might not otherwise happen around the dinner table. My teen has always been drawn to history — for better or worse — and when a story like this comes to life on screen, it sparks thoughtful questions about the world around us, about human behavior, about resilience, and about the choices people make in impossible circumstances. Those conversations matter. They help our kids process the past, understand the present, and think more deeply about who they want to be. For me, using a conversation guide really makes this movie even better for families who want to reflect.  I'd love for you to check it out here because it's pretty amazing for a family discussion!

At its heart of the movie is Herbert Heller, a Holocaust survivor who, at just 15 years old, escaped the Auschwitz-Birkenau death march. After enduring unimaginable horrors, Herbert carried his trauma quietly for six decades. His silence was not uncommon among survivors. For years, he chose to protect others — and perhaps himself — from the weight of his memories.

When Herbert finally breaks that silence, something remarkable happens. He forms an unlikely bond with Abby, a troubled teenager grappling with her own pain. What begins as two lives intersecting becomes a transformative, life-saving friendship. Together, they discover that healing is not about erasing the past, but about sharing it — about connection, honesty, and the courage to speak.

This is not simply a story about history. It is a story about now. It is about trauma, mental health, generational understanding, and the possibility of hope even after profound darkness.

A Story Developed with Care and Integrity

Directed by Finn Taylor and produced by Jeanine Thomas, THE OPTIMIST was more than a decade in the making. Jeanine Thomas first met Herbert before his passing in 2021, and this film represents the fulfillment of a promise to honor his truth and preserve his legacy.

Herbert devoted his later years to education, sharing his testimony with thousands of students nationwide. He believed deeply in the responsibility of bearing witness — not to dwell in darkness, but to prevent history from repeating itself and to encourage compassion across generations.

Bringing that kind of real-life story to the screen requires both sensitivity and strength, and the cast delivers powerfully.

Stephen Lang portrays Herbert with dignity, restraint, and emotional depth. Known for commanding roles, Lang calls this performance a profound privilege — and many are already describing it as career-defining. Opposite him, Elsie Fisher plays Abby with vulnerability and authenticity, capturing the complexity of adolescence and mental health struggles with honesty and compassion.

The ensemble cast includes:

• Luke David Blumm

• Leah Pipes

• Ben Geurens

• Ursula Parker

• Slavko Sobin

• Stella Stocker

• Oskar Hes

• Robin Weigert

The film’s visual storytelling is guided by cinematographers Antonio Riestra and Alexander Surkala, with editing by Kaufmanova Olina and Rick LeCompte. Every element works together to create an intimate, respectful, and emotionally resonant experience.

A Film That Gives Back

What sets THE OPTIMIST apart even further is its commitment to extending impact beyond the screen.

The film is deeply rooted in two meaningful causes:

• KAVOD, which supports Holocaust survivors living in poverty, ensuring they are cared for with dignity in their later years.

• Bring Change to Mind, a national nonprofit empowering youth to end the stigma around mental health and create open, supportive conversations.

These partnerships reflect the very heart of Herbert’s story — honoring survivors while supporting the mental well-being of today’s youth. Contributions connected to the film help expand its mission of education, compassion, and tangible change.

In a time when so many stories fade quickly, this is a film intentionally built to matter.

Why This Story Matters Now

We are living in a moment where conversations about mental health are more important than ever. Teen anxiety, depression, and isolation are real and rising. At the same time, the generation that survived the Holocaust is dwindling. Their firsthand testimonies are becoming fewer with each passing year.

THE OPTIMIST bridges these two realities in a powerful way. It reminds us that trauma does not discriminate by generation — and that healing often begins when we listen.

For families with teens, this is a meaningful opportunity to open dialogue. For educators, it’s a story rooted in historical truth and contemporary relevance. For anyone who believes in the transformative power of human connection, this film delivers something deeply personal and profoundly hopeful.

Director Finn Taylor said, “Herbert’s story shows how one person can change countless lives.” That sentiment echoes throughout the film. Herbert’s choice to speak after decades of silence didn’t just free him — it impacted thousands. And through this movie, his voice continues to reach even more.

Mark Your Calendar

THE OPTIMIST opens nationwide on March 11, 2026. This is the kind of film you do not want to wait to stream months later. It deserves the big screen — the shared silence of a theater, the collective emotion of an audience experiencing something meaningful together.

It is more than a historical drama. It is more than an intergenerational friendship story. It is a reminder that hope can coexist with sorrow. That courage can surface after silence. And that one relationship can truly alter the course of a life.

If you are looking for a film that is thoughtful, timely, and rooted in real human resilience, make plans to see THE OPTIMIST.

Because some stories deserve to be witnessed — and Herbert Heller’s is one of them.

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Hurry! The Epic Waters Spring Break Deal is Selling Out Quickly!

Spring Break is just around the corner, and if you have not made plans yet, this is your friendly reminder to book now before tickets sell out. If you are in North Texas and want something that feels like a vacation without ever leaving town, you need to experience Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie, TX. Spoiler alert — our day was epic, and we are also going to point you to an incredible deal to book your Spring Break tickets at Epic Waters and score free access to the Epic Circus Spectacular, too.

One of the biggest reasons Epic Waters is such a Spring Break win is simple: the weather is always perfect. While March in North Texas can be unpredictable, inside the park it is a sunny, comfortable 82 degrees every single day. No wind. No cold fronts. No last-minute cancellations. Just guaranteed waterpark fun under their incredible 40-panel retractable roof that fills the space with natural light. It feels bright, cheerful, and vacation-ready the second you walk in.

Epic Waters has earned national recognition from USA Today, Newsweek, and most recently Travel + Leisure, and after spending the day there, I completely understand why. It genuinely feels like a cruise ship on land. There is always something happening, something new to try, and something for every personality in your family.

I have to start with the FlowRider because it was hands-down my favorite part of the day. Yes, mine. I loved it. I will be inserting photos because it deserves the spotlight.

The trainers were phenomenal with both the kids and me. They were patient, encouraging, and incredibly skilled at breaking down the basics so we could actually improve with each try. 

There is something so energizing about attempting to surf — even in an indoor waterpark — and the support from the staff made it even more fun. Watching the kids gain confidence and then taking my own turn made it feel interactive and empowering, not intimidating. It was one of those experiences where you laugh, cheer each other on, and instantly want to go back for another round.

We also floated the Lazy River — the longest in North Texas — more times than I can count. It is the kind of attraction where you say, “One more lap,” over and over again. If you want to make the day extra special, you can reserve a cabana overlooking the Lazy River and have your own little home base while the kids rotate between attractions. 

The kids splash area deserves its own moment because it is generously packed with fun. There are three slides built right in, countless fixtures spraying water from every direction, and the iconic giant bucket that slowly fills and then dramatically dumps water onto the crowd below. The anticipation builds as kids gather underneath, squealing and waiting for the splash. That bucket drop moment is pure fun!

Now let’s talk about what makes this Spring Break visit truly unbeatable: the Epic Circus Spectacular is included with admission. You are not just getting a waterpark day. You are getting a full entertainment experience.

The circus performances were absolutely incredible. The acts were show-stopping. I don't want to spoil too many surprises, so I'll share just a few. The photo below is a woman spinning 25 hula hoops at once — it was mesmerizing to watch. 

There was a father-and-son duo riding dirt bikes inside a metal sphere, circling and crossing paths in a way that had the entire audience holding their breath. 

And honestly? It is the perfect excuse to grab popcorn or cotton candy and lean into the fun. Watching my son with cotton candy in hand, completely captivated by the performers, was one of those sweet Spring Break memories you wish you could freeze in time. The circus elevated the entire experience and made it feel like two big outings wrapped into one epic day.

The arcade was another highlight. My youngest hit a 500-ticket jackpot and was absolutely thrilled. An employee even playfully challenged him to a game and offered a prize if he won. The staff throughout the park were upbeat, attentive, and genuinely fun. That kind of energy makes a difference. It makes the day feel welcoming and personal.

From a parent perspective, the logistics are easy. Epic Waters offers free parking and a courtesy trolley. They have convenient digital lockers.  I love the free Wi-Fi. 

There is also an onsite store, plenty of food options, plus a full-service bar with beer, wine, and signature cocktails for adults. It feels thoughtfully designed for families who want a full day of entertainment without stress.

And of course, Wobbles the lovable duck mascot made surprise appearances throughout the day, adding even more personality to an already lively atmosphere.

If you are planning Spring Break, do not wait to get tickets because they may sell out. The combination of perfect indoor weather, nationally recognized water attractions, and the included circus performance makes this one of the most exciting family options in North Texas. Peak days can sell out, and this is absolutely the kind of experience families will be booking quickly.

Spring Break should feel exciting, effortless, and memorable. Epic Waters delivers all of that under one bright, retractable roof. It is waterpark thrills, circus wonder, arcade victories, and family laughter all rolled into one incredibly epic day.

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