An obvious announcement...

tutus & turtles was a lot fun, but things changed: time available, commitments, priorities, and well, life itself. Among many other things there were three pregnancies among the contributors (I was the exception), and three moves, two of which were cross-country (I was included in this). It became obvious that what worked and was enjoyed then didn't cut it for now.

So.... tutus & turtles is through, although the blog and all archives will stay put if you ever feel like accessing them.

Thanks for reading!

Rhymers will be readers: it's that simple. Experts in literacy and child development have discovered that if children know eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they're four years old, they're usually among the best readers by the time they're eight.

--Mem Fox

Mother Goose, anyone? Find nursery rhyme lyrics + their origin and history here.

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DIY Rocketship

It is amazing what kids can do with just a little bit of inspiration and creativity...

This wooden rocket helped to inspire this infinitely cooler creation by the marvelous se7en family. See images and "blueprints" here.

Be sure to check out the Charlie and Lola Dollhouse that really got the project rolling!

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A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it.

- Frank A. Clark

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Happy New Year!

(Decorating last year's New Year tree.)

New Year's Tree

*** This Post is from the Archives of Tutus and Turtles***

The creative Mom of this lucky family takes the Christmas decor off of the Christmas tree just in time for the New Year and when the kids wake up on New Year's Day the tree is covered in confetti and stuffed with party crackers. A New Year's morning party ensues, and face paint and homemade pinatas stuffed with confetti add to the festivities.

See more images and ideas from the New Year Tree Party here.
Isn't this the perfect way of involving kids in the celebration without sacrificing their sleep too much? I think having friends over and turning this into a New Year brunch would be a great way to compensate for the lack of babysitters and festivities for our early-to-bed on New Year's Eve Family...

Salt Dough Ornaments

This year we decided to try out an advent calendar. My girls love checking what is behind the door each morning, and were super excited when they got to make ornaments. I tried out this Salt Dough Recipe and it was awesome. It takes a bit of time, but the girls loved it and their ornaments turned out fantastic!

Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas

We love Fancy Nancy at our house, so when we saw that there was a new book out we just had to get it! Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas was darling! A new favorite for my girls.

* Check your local Costco or Sam's Club, it's a bit cheaper there than online!

Accentuate Designs

Accentuate Designs makes adorable banners that would help set the mood for any holiday or celebration -- and they even do custom banners with your own letters and colors!

My favorite for the holidays is the Believe Banner.

I know my girls would love to have this darling birthday banner hung up for them all birthday month long.

Their kid-friendly countdown blocks would be great to help your kids work on their numbers all the way to Christmas.

Aesop's Fables - Jerry Pinkney

We've really enjoyed the lessons learned from reading Aesop's Fables, and I've finally settled on a version for our bookshelves: Jerry Pinkney's illustrations really capture our imagination and the stories get the kiddos thinking. It is already a favorite, and the flexibility of choosing one fable for a quick read or reading to our hearts' content is nice.

*One down side to repeated readings of The Boy Who Cried Wolf: My son now thinks that "crying wolf" is hilarious. At least he is well aware of what is going to happen if he keeps it up!

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"Only where children gather is there any real chance of fun."

-Mignon McLaughlin

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Penguin Race

It is so fun to stumble across a long forgotten item that brings back treasured childhood memories: I remember spending hours playing with the penguin race at my Grandma's house during the holidays. I'm tempted to get one for my Mom this Christmas so that my children can develop the same fondness for little plastic penguins...

Wild Things' Forts

I'm preparing myself for a winter of indoor activities, and creative forts are at the top of my list after gawking over entries sent in for the Wild Things' Fort Contest:

Where The Wild Things Are is filled with references to building a world out of things from your everyday life and that’s exactly what we want you to do!

We want you to create a fort! Use garbage bags, tree branches, tablecloths, prosthetic limbs, wood, gold, whatever you got!

Click here to see the winners, then scroll down to follow the links to more submissions. There is enough variety and inspiration to keep you and the kiddos busy all winter long!

Crunchy Doughnut Eyeballs

Oh so creepy, and no baking involved!

(See the recipe here via here)

Playroom - Amie Weitzman

I'm enjoying this playroom designed by Amie Weitzman.
The magnet wall is so cool.

via dti

DIY Bunting

I never thought that making my own colorful bunting could be so simple and fun. The kiddos would love to help, and wouldn't it complete any birthday celebration?

(Halloween colors would be spectacular...)

Monsters on a Stick

These monsters are such a great October snack!

Via Little Nummies via TCC

Organized Playroom - Lisa Mahar

I've been obsessing about a dedicated and organized playroom/creating place.
Some of the details from Lisa Mahar of Kid O's home are inspiring.

See more pictures and read an interview here.

via here

Stella McCartney for GAP

I'm a fan of big designers producing affordable designs at affordable shops.

It will be fun to see Stella McCartney's collection for GAP Kids and Baby GAP this November.

Booed!

One of our favorite things to do this time of year is going "Booing." My girls love the thrill of ringing the doorbell and running after leaving a tasty treat on a neighbors doorstep. So I was thrilled when I saw that Skip to My Lou had a printable "Boo" post this week!

Happy Booing!

Luc's Room

This nursery looks so snug and cozy.

I now think that every child should have a tent in their room -
What a great way to let their imagination run wild!

See more of this house here.

Wool Felt Keychain

(Rainbow)

My daughter is truly crazy about keys and key chains and snatches up any real or play set in sight. I thought these wool sets could be a neat addition to her collection.

Don't they look especially baby friendly?

(Plum)

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"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them."

-Lady Bird Johnson


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Cricket Creations

This hat makes me grin!

(See more here)

P'kolino Puzzle Stacker

Doesn't this stacker look fun?

Sock Monkey

Adorable!

Preserving Children's Art

This list of ideas for saving treasured creations is a must-read...

Oeuf Mask & Tails Sets

Another simple costume idea that I happen to love this year: mask & tail sets. Oeuf's collection is particularly cute.

Lion Costume

I have had the hardest time with costume ideas this year. It doesn't help that my favorite place for affordable costumes went out of business (so sad!) So this year I've come to the conclusion that less is more. This lion costume kit fits that perfectly. I may just have to do it for my daughter, who is obsessed with all things animal right now.

And bonus! It's super affordable.

Pretty Playroom

This room makes such a pretty play place!

(I am particularly enamoured of the little Bertoia-style chairs.)

via dti