Family Crafting Books

 

I am constantly looking for ways to keep my older kid busy (and quiet) while my younger child naps-that doesn't involve a screen! I was happy to try out these family craft books that I thought were so cute and creative. I knew my son would be a tough critic-how many times have you bought your kid something only for them to glance over it and toss it aside, minutes later? Lucky for us both-he loved them and probably logged close to an hour with the mom & me: an art journal to share and Stick it to Em sticker book. (The Hand Lettering A to Z would be great for kids over 8 in my opinion...or myself!)

Each layout in the mom & me journal has a page for the kids and a page for the mom with the same prompt. I found it interesting to see what my son wanted to include on his pages and actually learned a lot about him!

Our unique sticker creations from Stick it to Em! I will say, some of the stickers definitely had an adult theme to them (a sticker that says "vodka is my spirit animal" for example) but thankfully there were lots of kid friendly ones to chose from and I could easily explain the pinata sticker that said "I'd hit that". ;)

Featured on The Fount Collective

Head over to The Fount Collective blog to read about my thoughts on motherhood and see more photos from our family shoot in Hawaii taken last fall.

Valentine's Day with VitaTops

I recently had the chance to try VitaTops Deep Chocolate muffin tops and was blown away. For 100 calories I need to have something substantial, not just one little bite of chocolate or a single truffle. VitaTops fit the bill-they are light and fluffy, loaded with vitamins and minerals while still being decadent. They are located in the freezer section and wrapped individually so you can always have them on-hand for whenever a craving hits. I prepared mine right in my toaster and the smell of the warmed up chocolate chips was an added bonus.

I decided to make a healthy snack for my kids for a Valentine's Day treat. First, I warmed up my VitaTop in the toaster, then topped it with almond butter and sprinkled coconut shavings and chocolate covered sunflower seeds on top. Festive without being toxic! The kids flipped out and I felt good about serving them something that wasn't loaded with artificial flavors and high fructose corn syrup. (Chocolate covered sunflower seeds are from Trader Joe's and coloring is from tumeric, beet and red cabbage powder, FYI)

Greening your bathroom with Green Goo

I recently had the chance to try out products from a company called Green Goo. I had never heard of them before and was happy to find out they are a B Corp company! I have made a huge dent in greening my bathroom, but there are always those less-than-green products that sneak their way back into my cabinets. With Green Goo, I now have even more options to not let those sneaky products back into my life!

First product that I am 1000% on board with is their lip balm, seen above. So we all know every company has tried this, some come close to perfection and some are total garbage. I have tried them all. I have a tiny stash of lip balm in a few spots in my house and since adding citrus zest and cool mint to my collection, I will dig around specifically for those instead of just grabbing any one from the cup and using it. Yes, those iconic mustard yellow lip balms you can see in my picture aren't getting any use now that I have Green Goo. It goes on so smooth and leaves my lips so moisturized and shiny but not heavy feeling! The lip balm is so easy to put on and doesn't drag like some other natural brands. Also of note: some natural lip balms get weird in cold weather (like the coconut oil in your pantry...) but so far these Green Goo lip balms haven't changed one bit. Both scents are amazing and I can't wait to try Sweet Honey and Kiss-On next!

Product Love: Hip Peas

Have you heard of Hip Peas? They are a great all natural company that focuses on kids' hair care and other bathroom essentials. We got the chance to try out the products shown above and are big fans! Before I even cracked open the lids, I was swooning over the design and packaging. And the scent itself is lovely, I actually enjoyed that it was a calming scent other than chamomile or lavender. I love those scents but it was nice to have a little departure from the tried and true with the rosemary and green tea. The foaming soap and bubble bath passed the test for my myself and my kiddos. We just used the foaming wash for shampoo but I think I might check out their actual shampoo once we run out.


And heads up for all new mamas to be or people like me who want to get useful gifts for baby showers: they have a cradle cap care product that looks like a must-have! It is made of a blend of natural oils and no harsh soaps-perfect for newborns.

Stuff those stocking with Back to the Roots

As the kids I am gifting for are growing up, we are heading more into "activity" type gifts. The kids are busy with an activity that isn't a screen and the parents are happy for a little quiet time, win-win. Some of our favorite activity gifts include gardening and getting little hands dirty! Don't be afraid of a little dirt, folks, just have a proper set up and you'll be fine. My favorite kits to include in kids' stocking (ages 4-12, in my opinion!) are by Back to the Roots.

It's more and more important to teach our kids where our food comes from and simple kits like the mushroom farm and garden-in-a-can are great tools to get the conversation going. Check your Whole Foods, mine has these all stocked up and ready for gifting!

We are currently doing our mushroom kit and Jonas loved misting it each morning. We always see mushrooms in the yard that I tell him to stomp so it will be fun to explain that these are the kind of mushrooms we can eat! And a random side-note: do you watch The Bachelor/Bachelorette? I am guilty. Second question, did you watch Emily's season of the Bachelorette? Then you might remember the super cute mushroom farmer named Alejandro?

What about now? Yep, that's the same mushroom farmer that started this company, Back to the Roots! Was a fan then, am now a customer, thanks Alejandro and company!

Post Halloween come down with Crispy Green

If you're anything like me, you are happy that the week following Halloween is over. The candy negotiations have lessened, I have secretly thrown out all the Twizzlers and Whoppers and only a few Dum Dums remain at the bottom of my son's pumpkin. It is time for an overhaul! Especially before the holidays and unhealthy eating try to sneak back into our lives. Enter: Crispy Green! Crispy Green is packaged fresh fruit that has been freeze dried. Nothing else.

We love the apple for my kids, my daughter is still too young for regular apples because they are choking hazards but these apples basically melt in her mouth and I love that they are simply Fuji apples, nothing else. There is ever only one thing on their ingredient list-the actual fruit itself. Imagine that! ;)

To encourage healthy snacking, we have them placed in a basket on a lower shelf in our kitchen. Kids should be able to have things they like at plain view. This way my son feels empowered to help himself and snack healthy. A couple bags of these are always floating around my purse and car-excellent to keep on hand for the adults and kids alike.

Find out where to buy Crispy Green here and happy snacking.

Pura Vida Bracelets

My latest obsession is Pura Vida Bracelets! They are hand-made in Costa Rica and offer endless options to show your unique style. I recently wore the gold track bead and Silver Cali black bracelets on my Hawaiian vacation and never took them off! Even though I am back home and the weather is a lot colder than Hawaii, I still like the laid back California feel so I don't see myself taking them off anytime soon. I love the layered look so I can't wait to add to my stack as the seasons change for more warm layers and colors.

Pura Vida bracelets would make awesome stocking stuffers this holiday season. Just sayin' :)

Just Bones Boardwear

I was so excited to learn about Just Bones Boardwear-a stylish company featuring board shorts with a unique technology for fitting the waist just right, without compromising the length! My son is long and lean so this is a MUST for us. So often we have to move up to the next size because of his growing body, but as most other moms know, either the waist fits or the length fits, rarely both.

I put the shorts on my son (who loved the pattern!) and flipped open the discreet panel in the back to adjust them exactly to his size and then Velcroed it shut! Super simple. And next summer when he has likely grown, I will be able to adjust them once again. My son was super active on the beach and the shorts held up on the sand and surf just great. Thanks Just Bones!

Shop toddler board shorts here and while you're there, take a peek at their styles for women and girls, too!

How I Use: Seabuckthorn Oil

I am a big fan of oils in beauty routines and lifestyle in general, which is why I was excited to try Seabuckthorn Berry and Seed oils. I have used their cleanser and taken their supplements in the past so I knew it was a company I trusted. Both of these oils are excellent to put directly on the skin to help with inflammation, which is the root of all health problems. These both are excellent Omega sources and can be taken internally and externally! They are truly super, hardworking powerhouse oils that you need in your medicine cabinet.

Personally, I like to put it directly on my face before bed but be warned, it will turn your pillowcase (and face!) orange. It soaks in during the night so when you wake up, there are absolutely no traces. If you aren't down for slathering it on, you can also add a few drops to your night cream, stir it with a toothpick and then apply as normal. I know you will soon be as hooked as I am.

Paw Patrol cake

Rubble on the double!

I thought I would share how I made my son's simple Paw Patrol birthday cake. Once he requested a Paw Patrol cake, I headed to Google to see what was out there. And out there was a whole lot of red, blue and yellow-frosting, fondant, actual cake. Every cake was literally dripping in artificial colors and dyes. Now I do allow artificial coloring every once in awhile, in moderation, but I just couldn't bring myself to make (or pay!) for a huge chemical cake. I decided to order a simple cake from my grocery store with vanilla and chocolate buttercream as the base. I bought my son's favorite character, Rubble and knew I wanted to have a "construction theme". I crushed up Annie's Graham crackers and spread them on top of the cake and inside Rubble's scoop! My son flipped for it and as a bonus-he got a new toy. The cake was delicious and I felt good that I wasn't feeding the kids Red40!

Best books for a 1 year old

 

For the past month or so, my daughter's interest in reading has sky rocketed. She will constantly bring you a book ("bup") and sit in your lap and she definetly has her favorites. Here is a list of the ones she (and my son!) have demanded we read to them over and over again. These are perfect to tuck into a gift for a 1st birthday party or baby shower.

Let's Go Outside by Katja Spitzer. This one is Ivy's favorite, hands down. I got this as a gift and before I even gave it to her, I fell in love with it! The colors, the whimsical and cheeky illustrations and the size of the book are just perfect. As it turned out, she became obsessed, so now it's hers. I might need to get my own copy. She especially loves the pages with the squirrel and I love hearing her try to say "Squirrel". 

Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton. You probably have seen Sandra Boynton books before but this is the best one for the younger set (10 months+). The pages are simple and it's a fun, quick read with lots of interaction. When my 4 year old happens to walk by if I'm reading this to my daughter, he will still come and sit for the duration of the book! I have this memorized, and if you get it, you will too! This book is the reason my daughter calls dogs "ruff ruffs" and I'm not mad about it. :)

Peekaboo Sophie! This book gets so much play at my house that I have to hide it because I need breaks from reading it! The peekaboo flaps in this book are large and thick and easy for small hands to grab, which is half of the draw. The other half is Ivy hears me say "peekaboo!" after she opens a flap, which never gets old in her eyes. Also, did you know that Sophie's friends are sophisticated animals named Lazare, Gabin and Margot? Must be a French thing. 

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle. Ok, I know what you are thinking, this is a no brainer. If you have kids, you know about this, but if you don't, now you know! We got our copy when my son was a baby and now, 4 years later it is literally falling apart. The kids love that purple cat and black sheep, what can I say. We constantly rotate books at my house to keep things feeling fresh but this book has a permanent spot and the kids never tire of it. A great book to turn into a sing song-y chant with clapping or just to flip the pages and name the animals. 

Ok, now it's your turn, what book is your child's favorite?

My "go to sleep" kit for babies and kids

Now that my daughter is one and her sleep is pretty regular, I am doing my best to keep it that way with nightly routines. With cold season coming up I know we are going to take a hit with my son bringing home lots of germs from preschool which always affect the kids' sleep. I'm sure our future holds many nights with the humidifier and nightly wake-ups due to coughing. I rely on my go-to sleep kit mainly for my daughter but I also can use it on my 4 year old son on especially rowdy nights or when he is sick.

I add a cup or two of magnesium flakes or epsom salts to their bath to start the calming process. Most people are deficient in magnesium and making sure your body is getting enough is key in getting proper rest. Other benefits include: improving circulation, stress relief and improving skin hydration among many more.

I spray Mommy's Bliss sweet slumber mist on my daughter's favorite lovey so she can snuggle it while she drifts off to sleep and not have to worry about the smell overpowering her pajamas. All of Mommy's Bliss products are safe and free of yucky chemicals. Sometimes I spray this on my pillow!

I roll essential oils on her feet as a final step to set the tone for sleepytime. My blend contains lavender and I feel that smell triggers something in her to know its close to naptime or bedtime.

What are your go-to tricks or routines in getting your kids to have good quality rest?

Greening your bathroom: Boka floss

I think the process of "greening" your bathroom can feel a little overwhelming at first, so I think it's best to go one product at a time and start with something slightly insignificant. Like floss! (Tip: do not start with shampoo, that one should go last) Most people aren't brand loyal when it comes to floss; they might get a pack free at their dentist or grab whatever they find at the store sort of without thinking. Unfortunatly for us, all the options at the typical drugstore are no bueno. Most floss is made from nylon (petroleum based product) and then coated with Teflon (yes the toxic stuff in the non-stick cookware, which is for another post). These are things we don't want in our mouth, period!

Enter, Boka Oral care. Their floss is petroleum-free and Teflon-free and coated with natural beeswax and mint oil so it still glides just as nice as the traditional kind. It also doesn't fray or shred! I seriously love this stuff. And not to mention it is the cutest little container.

All of Boka's products are designed so well and have ingredients you can trust. They have subscriptions too! I can't wait to try out their other products, especially their Cocorinse! 

#ivysgemjam

My daughter turned one this past week and here are some pictures from her gem party! 

 Let me know in the comments if you would like the sources of any of the items or DIYs!

Recent kiddo mealtime favorites

 I love this bowl! The Bump It Bowl is my new favorite mealtime product for Ivy. It suctions to her highchair tray (or anywhere really, but we have only used it at home) and she cannot knock it over! She definitely tried to pull it over the first time she used it and it would not budge. This makes mealtime a lot less messy, so I love it for when we are on a tighter schedule and don't want a huge mess on the tray/floor to deal with. It kept her black beans and cherries perfectly separate but that separator is also removable! I also love that it has a lid that makes it easy to go straight to the fridge.

I don't know if you can tell, but Jonas is a fan of the MyDrinky juice box holder! Truth we told, we are not a juice family and aren't fan of buying juice boxes for kids. But with that said, its hot here in the summer and staying hydrated is key, so every so often I will get some low sugar juices and have them available for Jonas. MyDrinky is so cute and fun for him to hold but the real winner here is he can't squeeze the juice and get a sticky mess all over him! Win-win. Also, if your kid is anything like mine, about half-way through his juice he will lay it down somewhere and I will find a nice little puddle of juice under it but with MyDrinky he always keeps it standing upright. This would also be perfect for little cartons of milk!

Father's Day with AwesomeBox

Not to brag, but this Father's Day I totally nailed it. Of course I got Jon a dopp kit and a wallet and some kid-made crafts, but the winner this year? It was a personalized AwesomeBox. If you are like me, you are the photographer and historian of the family, always taking pictures, gathering memories and trying to figure out what to do with everything. That isn't necessarily my husband's thing so I didn't know if a personalized box was going to impress him as much as it impressed me to put it together!

 I was wrong. He was floored! I did the 25 cards box and you can put a picture on one side and write something on the back. Since it was for Father's Day I mainly did pictures of my husband with the kids and wrote on the back what they were doing or why he was a great dad.

The quality of the cards is nice and thick and the pictures look so great, he has them propped up on his dresser and can rotate them. This would be an awesome (you like that?) gift for birthdays or anniversaries. I already want to make one for my parents 45th wedding anniversary.

If you sign up on their mailing list you can get 10% off! Take a peek here.

Making the best grilled cheese sandwich

I have a couple tips for making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich for you. One, high quality butter and cheese, duh. I used Finlandia unsalted butter and swiss cheese, soooo delish. But beyond that, the trick is patience! This is not the sandwich to make for a hungry, whiny toddler. You really don't want to rush the process or end up smashing it down so it cooks faster (it isn't a panini!). You really want to give each side 5-8 minutes to get golden brown and let the cheese melt. Once you have that down to a science, you add the yummy extras! If I am making one for my toddler, I usually just add turkey but if it's for an adult, I might jazz it up with pears or arugula.

You know it was an excellent grilled cheese if your fingers are a little buttery afterwards! Never again will I use cooking spray or store brand butter for my grilled cheese, its Finlandia high-quality butter, all the way. I can find mine at my local Costco and I am not mad one bit I will have to buy it in bulk.
Enjoy and happy first day of summer!

Our new laundry upgrade

I recently got the chance to try out some laundry products by Method and as a mom of two little ones, anything to make the laundry experience better is welcomed! We had been using a non scented powder detergent and no dryer sheets since we started cloth diapering 3.5 years ago. Since we didn't continue cloth diapering with Ivy, we technically didn't need to continue our current detergent. Maybe I need to get out more, but trying the key lime + coconut detergent and beach sage dryer sheets felt like a vacation. (Ok, clearly not, but for a stay at home mom, it was realllllly nice) Great smelling clothes once again!! I cannot tell you how much I missed this and didn't know I did.

The detergent is super concentrated so that huge jug will last a long time and there are a ton of uses for dryer sheets besides the usual (including used ones!). With two grimy little kids, the delightful scents of these two products is enough to keep me coming back to Method! Next time I think I'm going to try out ginger mango. ;)

Oli & Carol Natural Bath Toys

I am obsessed with these bath toys by Oli & Carol. The designs are fresh and playful and most importatntly, they are 100% pure latex from Hevea trees.
They also float in water yet do not have a hole so you don't have to worry about mold growing inside. That cheap tub of squirter toys from Buy Buy Baby is tempting, but you soon realize that if you don't squirt the water out after each bathtime, mold can grow inside.
I just got a couple for Ivy's Easter basket as they also make great teethers!