Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Favorite Toys & Books | Toddlers {Gift Ideas}

Around here, we don't get too carried away with 'gender specific' toys.  In fact, Cullyn plays with Jordyn's makeup more than she does and Jordyn is most likely to be playing with Cullyn's cars, so whatever.  But, for the sake of gift giving ideas, I've listed them as boy or girl.  Truth is...most of their favorite toys would be fine for any kid.

So, in case you're looking for gift ideas for your own child or a friend/family members, I hope this helps...

Boy | 2 Years

Wooden Parking Garage| My parents got this from Target for Cullyn for Christmas and both kids have been playing with it nonstop!
Wonderworld Toy Cars | $15-25 I bought Cully two of these Christmas and I can't wait to add to the collection! Dumper. Mini Loader.
Melissa & Doug Car Carrier Truck | $15 My parents also got this for Cullyn for Christmas {can you tell he's big on cars?!} and it's been a hit for both kids since.  
Wooden Car |$10 I forget what brand this is, but I bought it at a local shop called Eden in Des Moines.  
CAT Trucks | $15 This is pathetic, but I can't even remember where these came from!  But, they love them! :)

Girl | 3 Years
Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks |$15 Jordyn first started playing with these at the gym daycare, so my sister {a teacher!} bought these for her.  I'm pretty sure half of the reason she loves them so much is because Cullyn doesn't get to play with them {yet} :)
Baby Carrier | I swear this came from Pottery Barn, but I can't find it anywhere.  I also don't know the price because it was a gift from my MIL
Doctor Kit | I can't remember when brand this is, so I can't find a link, but Jordyn got this as a birthday present from a friend for her 3rd birthday and both kids are obsessed with it.  We always bring it out before a doctor's visit to help remind the kids that the tools don't hurt them.  And call me crazy, but Jordyn's had less anxiety about doctor visits ever since. 
My Light Up Vacuum Cleaner |$15 We obviously bought the pink one, but both seem to be out of stock.  Again, both kids love this toy.

Gender Neutral Toys
Until We Hug Again Bear & Bunny | $30 My in laws got these for the kids and they're one of my all time favorite gifts.  They recorded the Hubbard family song {my MIL made has sang it to all of her grandbabies} and when you push the tummy it plays.  These are the only stuffed animals we own and the kids sleep with them every night.  A true treasure!
Wooden Camera Toy | I bought this off Etsy when Jordyn was just a baby, and it's help up so well.  Both kids fight over this toy! :)
Baby Carrier | I swear this came from Pottery Barn, but I can't find it 
Learning Resources Pretend & Play Cash Register | $20-30 There are tons of models, but I linked the one we have.  My mom got this for Jordyn's 3rd Birthday, but both kids play with it all the time. 
Bumble Bee Riding Toy | $60 I got this off Amazon for Jordyn's 1st or 2nd Chirstmas {I can't even remember} It's big enough for them to ride, but small enough to store at the condo.  Excellent quality!  Both kids love it!
Giraffe Pull Toy | I think Cullyn got this from my sister for his 1st Christmas, but I can't be positive.  I'm pretty sure it was purchased from a small boutique on Main Street in Cedar Falls, Ia {Peek-a-Boo Baby}  Either way, both kids love pulling it around


*Before I go into books, let it be known we have tons and tons of books, so these are just a couple that stand out in our house.  We also have a few favorite 'local' books about Iowa/Des Moines that I didn't include.
Boy Books
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Diskey Rinker & Tom Lichtenheld 
Trucks by Rodger Priddy

Girl Book
My Mommy's Tote by P.H. Hanson {so hands on!}

Gender Neutral Books
Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett {we love this book - it always brings giggles!} *Mitts sold separatly.  We don't have this one, but it's on my wishlist!
How To Live On An Island by Sandy Gingras {prettiest book we have!}
Counting Kisses by Katen Katz
If I could Keep You Little by Marianne Richmond {I love this book as much as I love 'I'll Love You Forever' by Robert Munsch, so that says a lot}
Happy Birthday {audio books you can record--ours are from my in laws}
All the Ways I Love You by Theresa Trinder {also a Hallmark recordable book}

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Playroom {Guest Bedroom} Reveal...

In our condo we have just 3 bedrooms.  Which was fine when it was just two of us, and really with three of us.  We had a room for us, a room for J, and a guest bedroom.
Upon finding out we were expecting H2 Adam wanted a  room for each of us.  But I had other ideas... like getting my living room back!  My plan {turned 'our plan' after some discussion} was to keep our room and put both of the kids in the 2nd room {regardless of the gender, I like it when kids share a bedroom.  Now, ask me when both kids are sleeping in the same room and one wakes the other up...}.  We would then make our guest bedroom a playroom/guest bedroom.

I've showed some sneaks {on IG} of the room in progress....

And here is the final* product...
Metal letter & numbers :: made by an AMAZING friend!
Paint :: Lowes {bottom half is chalkboard paint}
White shelving :: made by my husband and father {with lots of complaining}
P crayon :: idea from Pinterest {still missing the 'lay' to make it say PLAY}
Crayon canvas art :: idea from Pinterest
White tissue poms :: leftover from Jordyn's 1st Birthday Party
Colored pencil photo frame :: Christmas gift from my MIL from a little boutique in Pella, IA
God made you sign :: Christmas gift from my MIL from a little boutique in Pella, IA
Chandelier thing :: CB2 {years ago}
Playroom Rules Sign :: the Giftshop at the hospital I work at
Bookshelf :: Christmas gift for J {2011} Ordered from StepOne
Dress Up Box :: made by my BIL for J's 1st Birthday

Bookshelf :: Christmas gift for J {2011} Ordered from StepOne
Storage Bench :: Purchased from Penny's Home Store several years ago
Bedding :: Purchased from Pottery Barn several years ago
Pillows :: CB2, Pottery Barn, Target, and Etsy

*Note: It's not really final.  Pretend like the photoframe on the A-Z shelving is filled {with a photo of my kid playing, not printing from the manufacturer}.  The have curtains {purchased} waiting to be hung.  We have lots of colorful balls to be hung from the ceiling for some fun dimension {but do you think I can remember when I put the metal things for inside them?!}.  There are several pillow cases {waiting for pillows} to be added to the bed.  So this is really the 'for now' product! :)  Enjoy!

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