Enjoying the Small Things

Enjoying the Small Things

2019 Easter Basket Stuffers

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Happy Monday! It’s our first day back from Spring Break, and we are consequently doing what everyone else does on the first day back–dreaming about our next break. We have to hold out a little longer this year with Easter being so late, but that gives us more time to plan Easter fun and festivities and enjoy all the pastels and spring-themed beauties out there which include but are not limited to the following: Peeps in the grocery aisles, tulips at Trader Joe’s, the switch from red to ballet pink nail polish, straw hats, spring cleaning, Saltwater sandals and blooming trees. With those loves comes our Easter traditions, and my kids are counting down the days.

Easter baskets are right up there with Christmas stockings–something I take so much delight in filling with perfect little things I know my kids will love.

As always, I spent far too much time searching the Internet high and low for meaningful treasures my kids will love and share them in hopes your kids will love them too. With no further ado, the 2019 Easter Basket Filler List:

 

    1. Mystery Metallics  – Lainey’s all into the artsy things, so word has it the Easter Bunny is stocking her  basket with these gel crayons this year. They’re made with a waxy gel that looks white but magically turns into metallic colors when used on black paper (see #7). Or you can add a wet paintbrush to see them transform to watercolors.
    2.  Magic Puffy Pens – Draw with these pens, let the ink dry and then add hairdryer heat to watch your writing magically puff out into 3-d art.
    3. Automoblox Mini Sedan – Have you seen these? Soooo cute! They’re made of beechwood, and kids can build and take apart the wheels and windows or switch out parts with other cars. And there are so many different ones you can collect.
    4. Old Navy Flip-flops – These are basket staples for us. Super inexpensive and available in so many cute spring cute prints.
    5. Heart-shaped Sunglasses – Spring fashion must-haves with sunnier days around the bend.
    6. Fox and Raccoon – Blame it on my dollhousing obsession and the critter families that have taken up residence in their new abode, but the detailed scenes in this book created by felt artist Leslie-Anne Green will simply delight kids. Kids love miniatures! Kids love critters! Kids love tiny animals wearing pants!
    7. Black Paper Sketchbook – Corresponds with #1 – a fun way to take art beyond basic white paper and paints.
    8. Magna Shapes – The colors of this abstract jigsaw puzzle are beautiful, and the best part? All the pieces are magnetic, making this great for travel.
    9. Kids Writing Stationery – I remember being obsessed with stationery as a kid and wanting my very own letter-writing set. These adorable fold-and-send cards are great for any age and encourage meaningful correspondence. And did you see what stamps the USPS is releasing this year that would be perfect for these? SESAME STREET!
    10. Bunny Essential Oil Diffuser – If you’ve joined the essential oil band wagon (I have), check out this adorable little spring scene diffuser perfect for kids’ rooms. More miniatures! A tiny toadstool! Itty bitty succulents, I cannot
    11. Bunny Plush – I, of course, received my doctorate in Festive Holiday Studies; but have I told you I minored in Plush Animals? I did. Many hours of research in the Plush Bunny Lab, so I know what’s out there. This scrappy little Jellycat bunny is the sweetest offerings in the bunny plush world.
    12. Peter Rabbit Puzzle (60 piece) – We love doing puzzles over holiday breaks and have figured out that 60-100 piece puzzles are our favorites–easy enough for all the kids to stay involved and challenging enough for that good thrill rush when you find connecting pieces. We took this puzzle on our spring break trip, and it’s so beautiful — soft linen finish and gorgeous pastel colors.
    13. Zara Sandals – Our Easter baskets always include a few necessities for spring/summer — new bathing suits, sandals and underwear. I’m smitten with these leather sandals for girls.
    14. Calico Critter Bunny Family – You know how we feel about Calico Critters around here. Mrs. Hedgehog has settled in her new home but hasn’t met any new friends yet. Wait ’til she meets her new neighbor, Mrs. Rabbit. Her favorite movie is You’ve Got Mail too, and her kids are the same ages at the hedgehogs. Match made in heaven. They’ll be carpooling to soccer in no time.
    15. Spot It Jr. – Spot It! is one of our favorite travel games. We throw it in restaurant bags and bring it on trips. This Jr. version has more kid-themed pictures — super cute!
    16. Fried Egg and Bacon Earrings – For little pierced ears – food jewelry is hot right now. How fun are these breakfast earrings?
    17. Bunny Vans – When Vans meet Spring. Soft and fuzzy, these Vans are so cute, your kid’s going to want to look at her feet all day. Watch where you’re walking!
    18. Wooden Tetris – I’ve had this on lists before, but I’m throwing it back on because that’s how much we love it. We have two and always use them as competitions between two people to see who finishes their puzzle first.
    19. Kendama Game – This has Dash’s name all over it and as driven as he is to conquer and, he’ll be busy for hours with this baby and won’t quit until he wins.
    20. Dog-Gonnit! Game – We love everything Mudpuppy makes, and this game is no exception. A virtual dog-caring experience fun for the entire family.
    21. Pass the Pigs! Game – Another family favorite for us (and another fun one to throw in a restaurant bag or purse because it’s so portable). I love playing games with my kids but hate when they ask me to play something new that takes thirty minutes of reading directions to figure out how to play. This game is so easy to learn, super self-explanatory. You earn points by the way the little pigs fall when you roll them.
    22. Kids Electric Toothbrush – Bonus for filling the Easter basket with something practical they’ll use every day. My kids all received these from their grandma for Christmas, and they love them. They hold a charge for a long time, and they are so much more apt to remember to brush on their own with fun electric toothbrushes.
    23. We Are the Gardeners – The highly anticipated children’s book from Joanna Gaines and her family, this spring-themed story is perfect for Easter and filled with the most beautiful illustrations.
    24. Kids Paint by Numbers – This flower still life paint-by-number is easy enough for kids to paint and pretty enough to frame and hang in the house when it’s finished. They’ll be so proud of their work!
    25. Animalium Activity Book – The corresponding activity book to the gorgeous Animalium book is filled with animal-themed facts and puzzles that will keep kids busy for hours.

My Favorite Valentine Inspired Looks

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Valentine’s Day is an especially memorable holiday for us because Dash is our Baby Cupid and shares a birthday with the day we celebrate love, but there’s a number of other reasons I love this February holiday–namely, having good reason to pull out Valentine-inspired things out of my closet. I’m looking at you, pink neck bow. Speaking of neck bow, taking the #1 spot in the list below is the perfect romantic neck bow blouse, at Target now. Also in this list–my favorite red shoes, the prettiest bra I own and a red skirt that made angels sing in the dressing room at Anthropologie last week. My Valentine-inspired favorites:

  1. Who What Wear Blouse with Neck Bow
    Let’s have a round of applause for the neck bow, please. You know I love my neck bows, and this blouse does it right–big enough so it doesn’t hang limply and balanced out perfectly by the delicate blush color. And I love the sleeves–fitted around the wrists and then subtly ballooning out into a little poof.
  2. Noonday Collection Orbital Earrings
    Aren’t these fun? They’re part of Noonday’s new spring collection, and every piece is divine. White t-shirt, jeans, and these babies is all you need.
  3. This Matte Lipstick (Color: Love)
    I keep this in my car console so I can quickly fix one of those “Dear God, I need help” situations when I pull the rearview mirror down to take a look before I step out of my car. It’s the perfect matte red, and it instantly makes you look put together.
  4. Heart Sunglasses
    Super affordable and F.U.N. I’ve been wearing them on my runs to trick me into thinking running is fun.
  5. Glossier Cloud Paint (Color: Puff)
    Santa slipped this in my stocking last year, and I’ve used it every day since (I also use it in Dusk). I love this soft pink color–all you need is a little dab on the apples of your cheeks to give you that natural flush.
  6. The Bee & the Fox “Mother” Tee
    Whenever I’m looking to add a new graphic tee to my collection, Bee & the Fox is one of the first places I go to. I love their simple tees, and this one’s blush/red combo is perfection.
  7. Halogen Emilia Loafer
    These were my favorite shoes I bought last year, and I wear them all the time. Red shoes are my favorite way take an outfit up a notch, and these work with everything–skinny jeans, skirts, black pants, overalls. And I love the shiny patent leather!
  8. Free People Adella Bralette
    I have this bra in three colors, and it’s the prettiest one in my drawer. It’s not super supportive, but it’s really great for loose shirts, strappy or off-the-shoulder shirts or anything low cut because it’s pretty and delicate enough to peek out without screaming “I’m a bra.” The tiny double string straps are a work of art.
  9. Pink Vans for Madewell (super affordable, on sale)
    The perfect blush color, retro vibes and that subtle platform sole…total score.
  10. Scarf Hair Tie
    I was given a couple of these for my birthday, and I’m in love. Lainey’s already stolen one of them. Instantly turns a workout ponytail into something chic.
  11. Anthropologie Sandra Belted Skirt
    Very Gwyneth Paltrow in The Talented Mr. Ripley. I fell in love with this skirt the second I saw it on a rack when I walked in Anthro last week, tried it on, and the rest is history. If I wasn’t sold already, the other women in the dressing room did it for me. One woman walked out to go find one for herself and another told me, “If you don’t buy that, you’re crazy.” Thank heavens for the gift cards I saved.

Are you a dress up for Valentine’s Day kind of gal? There’s always the subtle route of a little pair of conversation heart earrings or shoe clips.

Christmas Day

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For the first time in–well, ever–the end of Christmas hasn’t put me in a sentimental all-the-fun-is-over funk.

Last year, somewhere between the last present opened and the first piece of pie cut for Christmas dinner, Brett found me in the bathroom, curled over the tub while I washed Dash’s hair, a tearful mess. It was like all those childhood Christmases where I cried when it was over and all the magic years of raising babies and all my love for the holidays had crescendoed to that very moment in the bathroom–a recognition of how much I have loved it all and how much it is changing, sweet and painful at the same time.

“It’s all changing, they’re getting older, these Christmases…I love them so much.” Sob, sob, blah, blah, blah. If I recall, I pulled it together for pie.

This year, I didn’t cry or mourn the end or say one word about how next year would look different. I sat back and enjoyed our little Christmas–just as it is–a maturity graduation I attribute, of course, to turning 40 tomorrow because I’m attributing every meaningless thing to turning 40. Drop a spoon in the kitchen: “Ha ha, look. I’m dropping things. Must be turning 40, eh?” Try a new lipstick color: “Gotta change things up, you know. Turning 40.” Puts clothes away instead of leaving them on the floor: “I’m a new woman! I pick things up! Yay, 40!” I realize this is annoying, but I can’t stop.

That said, yes, I do love so much about Christmas and I’m grateful for the memories we’ve made this month and the festive celebrations and all the pretty things that have added wonder to the past few weeks. But I can tuck them away without feelings of scarcity or sadness. Because 40, of course.

Some favorite moments from the past week…

Baking Santa’s cookies.

A hug he grabbed because he loved the little buns she put in her hair so much, he couldn’t help himself.

A check off our holiday bucket list with a trip to a nearby neighborhood that puts on the best light show.

Every weekend in December, it’s bumper-to-bumper slow traffic in this neighborhood–trolleys and buses come to tour it, residents host parties in their driveways, bands play Christmas carols and just about every family in Naples spends an evening touring the streets.

Another holiday bucket list finished (I think we had two unchecked items at the end), rolled up and tucked in the keepsake bin…with no feelings of scarcity or sadness BECAUSE 40. We’re doing this, folks. We’re doing this.

I was so proud to announce that I had all my wrapping done early this year and would not be staying up until 1:30 a.m. Christmas Eve to prepare.

But we all know how that ends. I stayed up until 1:30 a.m. Christmas Eve to prepare.

The Eve is my favorite. Christmas movies by the fire…

Writing our final words to Santa.
(Dash: “I’m not going to tell Santa I love him because he’s not in my family, and I don’t love him.” Touche, Dash.)

Annual tradition: setting up the reindeer runway in our driveway.


Cookies for Santa.

And putting all three kids to sleep in the same bed. It takes forever for them to settle down, but when they do, I take this photo every year.

And yes, I fully expect them to keep doing this in their 40’s (Because 40). I know this can happen because the mother in the book I Love You, Forever crept into her son’s room to cradle him grown man style, and if she can do that, then my grown kids can surely leave their spouses and children at home to come curl up in bed at my house to fall asleep and get their photo taken, not creepy at all. (We will absolutely reenact this scene to recreate a photo in 20 years, and it will hang in my old lady office someday.)

The final scene, 1:30 a.m. before I crashed, excited and happy.



And all the Christmas morning joy. Running to find evidence of Santa, Blitzen’s spit-out carrots (he doesn’t like them), snowy reindeer tracks (it’s magic North Pole snow that never melts), stockings and presents and Christmas breakfast, pajamas that don’t get changed until the afternoon, endless coffee and movies and family piled up on the couch. Grateful for these memories and the people in them.





And Nella’s little doll with Down syndrome. I’ll tell you more about it later this week. Let’s just say I changed my mind about dolls with Down syndrome because I used to feel very strongly against them, and this little baby has brought so much joy.

We’re still in cozy lazy day mode over here. Whatever you celebrate and wherever you are, I hope you all made some special memories this week and were surrounded by love.