Valentine's Favorites for Kids

GIFTS
We like to get the kids a little gift on Valentine's Day.  It varies each year, sometimes it's candy, lipgloss, nail polish, bath bombs, journals, etc.  This year Jordyn is getting this suitcase because she's been using this one {in a different print} since birth and it's getting a little small.  Cullyn is getting this TreasureX thing that he couldn't believe Santa didn't bring him.  For the record the first time he mentioned it to Santa was Christmas Eve!  Our favorite heart themed book is In My Heart which talks about feelings.  Jo Witek has several cute books!  I also have my eye on this one and this one that may have to be added to the collection this year. Jordyn loves her pink camera and rose gold microphone.  This little doll is discontinued {it was Land of Nod} but there are several cute ones here.  And of course, both kids still love their Magnatiles!

CLOTHING
This tee for me.  This sweater & headband for the girl.  Be Kind & Love More top.  And this top for my little wanna be Paleontologist.

RECIPES
Valentine's week calls for all.the.hearts and/or all the pink/red food you can imagine at our house.  Heart shaped sandwiches, pizzas, desserts.  I like to make a festive little trail mix with stuff in the pantry {pretzels, marshmallows, m&ms, chex, raisins, and of course Conversation Hearts!}  Valentine's themed breakfasts are super easy too!

DECOR
We keep the Valentine's Day decor real simple at our house.  I usually just decorate the mantle with a sign, a couple red and pink trees, and a festive garland.

TRADITIONS
How we celebrate Valentine's Day really depends on what day of the week it falls on and what activities we have scheduled for that night.  Over the years we have booked a sitter and went out to dinner {easier when we lived in Des Moines}, ordered a heart shaped pizza in {also easier when we lived in a town that actually delivered pizza -- ha!}, or left the kids with my sister.  This year we're trying to do date nights every Friday {it's not going that well -- thanks basketball!} and it's my week to plan, it's also the also weekend of basketball -- praise.the.lord!  So I'm not sure how it will play out.  I love the idea of making it a tradition to get the whole family dressed up and go out to a nice dinner together.  We'll see...

VALENTINES
I used to spend hours finding the perfect Valentine's from Pinterest or Etsy and spend a million dollars on supplies/Etsy and then give them to all of the kids' friends, classmates, teammates, etc. And last year it finally clicked...in less than a week all of that was in the trash and nobody cared but me.  Seriously, the kids could have cared less.  So here is my PSA to all the mamas of littles.  Give your kids $5 and take them to the Dollar Store to pick out whatever they want for their friends.  It might just be the most freeing thing you've done this year! ;)

Previous Valentine's Posts::
2015 Valentine's | Our 2014 Valentine's | Our 2013 Valentine's Day and Night | 2012 Valentine | 2012 Valentine's Day | 2011 | 2010 | 2009

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Kids

Can you believe Valentine's Day is 1 week away?  

We don't go overboard for little holidays like Valentine's Day, but I do like to get the kids a little something {usually necessities of some sort since kids like to open anything} to make the day more fun.  I'm excited it's on a Sunday this year, so we'll be able to make a festive breakfast and spend the day together.

Here's what the kids will be getting this year…

Toddler Girl

Snacks | Plate | Kleenex | Hangers | Jammies | Chapstick

Toddler Boy

Undies | Snacks | Chapstick | Kleenex | Socks | Plate | Toy Boat

Previous Valentine's

2010 | Newlyweds

2011 | Right before I found out I was pregnant w/ J. The Weekend.

2012 | Jordyn's 1st

2013 | Pregnant w C Weekend.

2014 | Cullyn's 1st

2015 | Last Year

Science Center

I'm heartbroken because the last half of the photos from the day of gone!  I thought I exported them into a folder, but apparently only exported the first half before I deleted everything.  To make matters worse, I can actually see the images {in Lightroom} but can't export them because they're 'offline' :(  Of course the last half of the day was the party of the museum of actually had natural light {& therefore decent photos} Here are the only ones I had…

Science Center in 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}