As a kid, I’d treat my holiday wish lists like homework assignments, studiously researching what gifts I hoped to receive that year. When I was little, I eagerly flipped through the Toys R Us catalog, noting which Cabbage Patch Kid or Barbie needed to be added to my collection. Eventually, the contents of the J.Crew catalog (back when it was less trendy and more conservative) replaced my desire for dolls and games… READ MORE!
One of my fears about raising boys was that I wouldn’t know how to play with them. Toy tools, trucks and trains were never part of my childhood.
What I didn’t stop to consider were all of the activities that might appeal to both little boys and girls: arts and crafts, music, and play food. In fact, one of Levi’s favorite things to do has always been pretend food shopping and cooking in his play kitchen.
Today only, The Land of Nod is offering 20% off kitchen toys as part of their Holidaily Sale, a sale a day until December 17th (and keep reading for a giveaway!)… READ MORE!
It’s almost turkey time! Well, not quite for us — we’ll be having a pescatarian Thanksgiving tomorrow with JB’s family in Austin. This year, I’m very thankful for salmon!
We’re actually in Texas now, trying maximize our short time together as a family. We’d like to check out the Thinkery and the Dino Pit at Zilker Park. Also on the agenda: BBQ, preferably Franklin Barbecue, but I’m happy to “settle” for The Salt Lick. And I’m not leaving Austin without stopping at Gourdough’s for doughnuts.
Because priorities.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’m so grateful to have you as readers. Writing is so much more fun with an audience! And I’m very grateful to have the support of my guy, who always encourages me to keep going even on my most challenging days.
To help make your Thanksgiving feel a little bit more festive, here are nine (actually, 10!) printable decorations for your tabletop and decorations. Most of them are free, and all of them are easy enough to print and create at the very last minute.
Enjoy the holiday weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday!
The week of Thanksgiving feels like the perfect time to officially kick off holiday season on the blog. First up, a gift guide for the little kids on your shopping list.
When buying presents for preschoolers ages three and up, look for toys that encourage problem solving, pretending, building, and creating. Activity toys to practice physical skills (kicking, throwing, climbing, and riding) make great holiday gifts, too
Dear Asa,
I have big-time mom guilt. You turned seven months old at the end of September, and I never posted your monthly photo and update. So now I’m combining it with your eight month old photo and update . . . which also happens to be significantly late… READ MORE!
Having experienced postpartum hair loss after Levi was born, I knew what to expect in the months after Asa’s birth. Hairballs in the shower. Fly-aways and baby hairs. Bald patches along my hairline. But knowing didn’t make the hair loss any less devastating… READ MORE!
Whenever I pick up Levi from nursery school, I ask him about his playground adventures. Did he go down the slide? Did he crawl through the hippopotamus tunnel? Did he play with any of his classmates?… READ MORE!
Remember that extra hour of sleep we were supposed to have gotten this weekend because of Daylight Saving Time? Apparently, my kids didn’t get the memo. Did yours?
Now, I’m in a serious mondaze… READ MORE!
Do you dress up with your kids on Halloween? I might throw on a jeweled masquerade eye mask or plastic tiara. One day, though, I’d love to be the type of mom who goes all out and makes a family Halloween costume for us to wear together.
It would become a yearly tradition. We’d brainstorm costume ideas as a family, then wear our handmade creations while trick-or-treating around the neighborhood and attending Halloween parties with all of our (costumed) best friends and their young children.
Doesn’t that sound idyllic? Of course, first I’d need to learn how to sew.… READ MORE!
