Clothe Your Kids in Peekaboo Beans #KidsStyle #HolidayGiftGuide

I am admittedly picky when it comes to my kids clothes. I love simplicity, style and unexpected colours. And, of course, quality goes without saying. Pre-school and school aged kids can be remarkably hard on their threads, so personally I would rather spend a little bit more to get items which will stand the test of, well... recess, pre-school, rough housing, messy indoor picnics, playing in the trees at the lake, etc.  I'm lucky to have some amazing youngsters in my life who I'm always happy to pass on my kids' pre-loved clothing to, so this works well for us!

I've recently been introduced to a brand which I am now a huge fan of!  Peekaboo Beans makes amazing clothing for babies up to big kid sizes, and I'm sure you will love them too.  The brand has really thought of everything when it comes to design of kids clothing, from easy to pull zippers for chubby little hands, to the thumb holes to avoid sleeve bunching in jackets (a common complaint around here) to "grow-with-me" styles.  Check out the Anatomy of a Bean to see what I'm talking about! 

We were able to review several items from the new catalog, our very favourites being the following: 

Ten Karat Dress

Dazzl'n Dress

Dino Dynamite Hoodie

What I like most about these clothes is the fact that there's absolutely NOTHING my kids can say no to!  They love the easy, comfy design, and the small details like the cool dinosaur on the hood of the boys hoodie, and the modern looking diamonds on the sleeves of the Ten Karat dress. I am in love with the soft feel of the fabric, the incredible quality with reinforced seams and non-finicky zippers.  

Any of these items would make amazing gifts for the kids on your Christmas or Holiday gift list!  Be sure to check out www.PeekabooBeans.com to see what they have to offer.  Sizes run from Newborn to 14, so there's something for every little (or not so little) bean on your list! 

Happy Shopping! 

 

5 Simple and Fun #Valentines Activities for your Kids!

With Valentines Day just around the corner, I've been collecting activity ideas for my kids and my daycare. D is at the age where holidays - big or small - are a HUGE deal for her. She is so excited, I want to make every holiday as fun for her as possible! The smallest things make her happy, which is why I put together this list of simple Valentines crafts and activities for young kids.  Check it out, and get your kids into this LOVE-ly holiday too! :) 

1. Smitten Snowflake Hearts Tree
How pretty is this?!  The older kids will have fun cutting out the hearts, and putting the craft together.  Little ones can water the tree.  And bonus for you, it will look lovely on your dining room table for a while. :) Find the instructions HERE.

2.  Stained Glass Hearts
These stained glass hearts will brighten up your windows on a wintery day.  And this craft is easily adaptable to kids of varying ages.  The wonderful www.TeachMama.com gives you the instructions for this craft HERE.

 
3. Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies
Who doesn't love a sweet treat on Valentines Day?  Delight your little sweet tooths with these pretty (and pretty tasty!) chocolate covered Oreo cookies.  The recipe can be found HERE.

4.  Friendship Bracelet Valentines
I adore this idea from www.dandee-designs.com  What for a wonderful way to make those Valentines last.  Such a sweet sentiment behind these!  Older kids will have a great time putting these friendship bracelets together for their friends.  HERE are the details.

5.  Hand Print Heart Shaped Valentine
Even the newest munchkins can participate in this adorable Valentines craft.  What a great gift for family and friends!  Have a look at this adorable Handprint Valentine HERE.

Here's wishing you and your little ones a fantastic Valentines Day!  What are your plans for February 14th?  

xoxo,

#Christmas Nostalgia - Sharing #Traditions With My Kids

The kids and I have spent this past week getting ready for Christmas.  There's still time, but last year I was so last minute with everything (probably in part because I had a 3 month old baby) that this year I felt like I had to make up for it.  D and I have been busy painting little wooden Christmas ornaments, setting up the tree and stringing lights together.  It's been so much fun sharing these things with her, and watching her eyes light up with excitement every time we talk about the holidays.

Recently, my Mom invited my family and my brother's family over for dinner, to present us with some gifts.  I wasn't sure what she could possibly have for us so close to Christmas, but we went over and enjoyed a fun night watching my two kids and my 9 month old niece play together.  Just before it was time to go, Mom walked out with two wrapped presents - One for me and my kids, and one for my brother and my niece.  She told us to unwrap them at the same time. What was inside completely blew me away... It was magical.  It was childhood and Christmas and love and memories and joy.  Actually, it was a felt Advent calendar, but it brought all of those wonderful feelings along with it.  When I was a child, probably no older than 2 years of age, my Mom made this felt Advent calendar for me.  You've probably seen the design before, it's been a popular craft for Moms and Grandmas everywhere.  :)  A huge, sparkling green Christmas tree and 24 little pockets - each one filled with a new ornament to velcro on to the tree, one day at a time.  I remember my Mom making this, up late at night, gluing sequins and sewing little bells and creating each one so carefully.  When my brother was born, she made one for him too.  A stocking, to be filled with little ornaments and tiny presents.  Gorgeous!  Recently, Mom pulled these calendars out of storage and she tidied them up, fixed up the falling off bits and made them sturdy again to give to her grandchildren.  I was so touched! 

Sharing this fun tradition with my daughter has been awesome.  She loves the calendar and can't wait to stick her ornament up every morning.  I hope this is something we'll be able to take care of, and pass down to her own children some day.  I hope that some day, it will mean as much to her as it does to me.

Do you have any ornaments or decorations that you've passed down to your own kids?  Any special pre-Holiday traditions that you share?  Tell me about them :)