valentine's

wren attends a program at the local library every tuesday.  they have story time and then they usually have a craft project, coloring or some other activity.  wren loves it and has met a lot of great kids.  they have fun themes and usually do something for every holiday.  today they are celebrating valentine's day of course, and were supposed to bring valentine's to exchange.  

i am sure i was more excited than her to craft up some amazing valentine's but she was pretty pumped when she saw that they were dinosaurs.  if you saw my valentine post, you probably already had an idea that i would do something candy free:)  after doing that post i headed to the dollar store to see what kind of goodies i could snag up.  i had a few ideas in mind and ended up finding a package of 9 mini dinosaurs for $1.00....i snagged two of them.  

that is literally the only money that i spent on these valentine's.  probably my cheapest project ever, and i would be pretty pumped to receive a dinosaur if i was a kid.

i created the cards and printed them on white card stock, because that is what i had.  you could totally do it on colored card stock. i went with a black and white design and went back with my red sharpie pen to add some color, but you could add color if you wish with the printing process.  you can download my card designs below.

i used a single hole punch to punch 2 holes in the cards and wrapped black and white bakers twine around the dinosaur to attach them, i already had the twine.

to make your own dinosaur valentine's, download the design here.

sharing the love//55 ideas for "no candy" DIY valentines

if you are anything like my husband and i, you try your best to feed your child healthy balanced meals, avoiding processed foods and candies.  holidays make this especially difficult, and especially for kiddos. unfortunately as a society we have centered so many of our holidays around candy or food.......halloween, thanksgiving, and rapidly approaching, valentine's day!  while i love any DIY craft, especially ones that involve wren, i do not welcome the idea of gifting other children diabetes or rotten teeth.  yes wren has had candy and yes i think it is okay in moderation, but a bag full of candy filled valentine's is not my idea of a proper gift for a almost 2 year old.  so for those parents who think like us and want to get in on the fun of valentine's without the candy, this post is for you!

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to advent or not to advent.

that is the question.

that i asked myself last year!!!

this year was for sure a yes.  it is so fun now that wren actually understands (mostly) what is happening with holidays, christmas is going to be especially fun this year.

 

we get a real tree, from the tree farm, every year.  my husband goes to the farm, picks out the tree, and brings it home.  when the tree arrived last night wren was esctatic.  she was pointing, smiling and exclaiming christmas tree.  it was such a special moment. 

it arrived right before bed time, so this morning when i carried her into the living room, she started pointing and exclaiming again..i think she was so excited it was still there.  i know she will love it even more, when we begin decorating it tonight.

knowing that she is more aware, i knew that this would be the perfect year to begin an advent calendar.  i really want to have traditions that she can look forward to each year.  i am however, having trouble coming up with 25 activities GEESH!

anywho, i recommend all you momma's to do an advent calendar for your kiddos.  she loves flipping over the card each day and she loves the organized activities.

 

don't forget, tonight st. nicholas comes!!!!!!

i have not had good daylight to post photos of our advent calendar, but i will, promise!

 

happy adventing:)

 

shared rooms.

if you haven't already heard, m and i are expecting our second little blessing on march 27th.  we couldn't be more thrilled to give w a playmate and to have another child to ooh and ahh over.  being a parent is the most rewarding job ever.  i cannot imagine my life before w. 

we are currently in a 3 bedroom house and really enjoy having a guest room, so we have decided for the kiddos to share a room.  i think they will love this.  i don't know if it is something we will do forever, but for right now i think it is what is best for our family.  w is still in her crib so we will have to transition her into a bed at some point.  i am sure i will not be getting much sleep once the baby arrives, so that may be the perfect tim to do it.  i cannot get shared room ideas out of my head!  of course pinterest has been my best friend.

this is wren's room now.

(the scale is off, but you get the idea)

 

so i have been looking at photos getting inspiration on a shared room.

 

wren has the same rocker, only white.  i love the idea of a small table with a chair instead of an end table that would probably just get knocked over.  the little table could have a lamp and would be a great place to sit a drink while i was nursing the little one.....yes i plan to nurse again:)

we currently use a bookshelf in the living room and the changing table to house all of wren's books.  now that the changing table has to store items for 2 people, this will no longer be an option.  w is obsessed with reading so our living room is also always a mess with books everywhere.  i definitely want to incorporate bookshelves into the new room.

i totally want to incorporate a chalkboard into the room.  not sure if it will happen, but i love the idea.

 

i think that this is the bed i want to go with for wren.  it is extendable which i think is perfect.  she seems so tiny still to stick in a twin bed that something that can be small at first and grow with her will be best.  it is from ikea, and super affordable.

 

so after much consideration i think this is the layout we will go with.

 

so what do you think...would you do a shared room?

 

All things teeny tiny

Well if you haven't already figured it out from my hint, here, and my facebook page, here, I have opened a new etsy store!!!  With the Holiday's among us I have not created as many listings as I had hoped, but atleast I have a little taste of what the store will sell.  Check it out here!  The store will have something for all of the teeny tiny ones in your life.  I am so excited about it.  I think it is going to be a lot of fun for me.  Here are some of the things for sale.