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

Zooni

(Blue Grass)

Cold weather has started to arrive and I am not too happy about it! Fortunately there are fun cold weather items like Zooni's playful hats and mittens to keep the kiddos warm.

(Chunkee Monkey Mittens)

(Chunkee Monkee Hat)

Wooden Rocket Play Set

What little boy (or girl) wouldn't be over the moon about this rocket play set?

(Apparently outerspace is on my mind as of late!)

Space Birthday Party

This outer space birthday party is truly out of this world!

(pun intended)

See more images here and see how to make the papier mache planets here.

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The trouble with having a stubbornness contest with
your kids is that they have your stubbornness gene.

~Robert Brault

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Rikshaw Design

Mmmmm.

Maybe all baby bedding should be inspired by India...

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

I was unaware that they had made one of my kiddos' favorite books into a movie until this week. And while I am sure that the movie is a lot of fun, I am just not sure I am ready to let go of all of the magic that comes from only having read Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. The tall-tale bedtime story is so full of creativity and imagination that my kids can't help but use it as a starting point for their own spin-offs, silly scenarios, and giggles. It is one of those books that you never just read through, but find yourself frequently stopping to soak up the writing and illustrations as you discuss and act out your reactions to what you see on each page. I'm attached to the mood we get into when we find ourselves in the town of Chewandswallow, and for now I'm going to keep that the way it is.

If you like creative and crazy food stories, The Giant Jam Sandwich is another book we enjoy.

Bat Boy and Girl by Ouef

Oh what a hit these knit hats would be!

(See more of Ouef's Halloween treats here.)

Ollie Girl

While looking for a unique Jasmine costume for my little lady I came across this fabulous etsy shop, Ollie Girl. She has the most splendid princess costumes! Along with the darling Jasmine dress, Snow White is also a favorite of mine, and Cinderella and Belle....okay I love them all!

Wooden Photo Flashcards

I've always wanted to make personalized flashcards with words and items from around our house. This how-to for making your own wooden flashcards might be what finally gets me to do it! See it here.

We've recently realized that flashcards are a great way to learn and remember the words that my son's kindergarten class is working on. The problem is that my son isn't always enthusiastic about practicing more letters and numbers at the end of the school day. What is working for us is keeping flashcards in the car so that when when we are waiting in line at kindergarten drop-off, stopped at a long red light, or lucky enough to have someone else driving us I can hold up a few cards and we get some word practice in. It isn't time that can be used for anything else so it feels like a fun distraction and becomes more of a game than work. Even little sis gets in on the fun!