(MarieFinds) First Crushes

My sweet Squirrel has a crush. She has had this crush for about 6 months. Her Auntie Feather has a boyfriend. Squirrel LLLOOOVVVESSS Drew. She has stated on multiple occaisions she is going to marry him. (And Feather. We won't tell her about things like laws yet.)

At a recent dinner ... Drew arrived later than the rest of us. My bright funny squirrel ... lost IQ points when he walked in the room. My gregarious 3 year old started flipping her hair and tilting her head. And giggling. I always thought this behaviour was nurture, not nature.

Now I wonder.

(MarieFinds) Things I love about motherhood

1. giggly morning babies
2. squirrel saying, "Mommy, I love you with all my heart."
3. baby boy saying "Ma-muh"
4. watching the kids try new food
5. hearing, "mom, i like this!"
6. sweet good night kisses
7. the scream of delight my girl gives after she gets scared.

[JessFinds] Gonzo's 3rd Birthday

Once upon a time ...

The March Hare, the Mad Hatter and Alice.

 

The people here behave curiouser and curiouser.

The table is set ... for a very important date.

 

Extra padding on the chairs for little guests - a dormouse might show up you know.

A little Alice at each wonky place setting...

Some of the guests have arrived!

First stop -- the Mad Hatter's Millinery. 

Next ... follow the White Rabbit through the rabbit hole to Wonderland! 

  

 Sugar roses (in bright red) thanks to Cupcake Social on Etsy!

 

Lots of little tea goodies - cookies, mini cakes, cheese sandwiches, peanut butter, nutella...

The Mad Hatter serves the tea...and spills a bit too.

 Alice truly enjoys a good cup of tea.

The Mad Hatter made sure all of the guests were properly entertained.

{MarieFinds} Of 3rd Birthdays and Sun

Oh, the differences between Jess and I are vast. And yet, she is one of my dearest dearest friends. One of my great sorrows is that our girls are growing up 3000 miles apart.

That being said, Squirrel also just celebrated a 3rd birthday. Rather than a lavish themed affair with other children, we went to the beach. With our grown up friends. With food. And wine. And Squirrel and Baby Boy. God smiled on our decision and gave us a sunny almost summery weekend.

For her birthday all she wanted was, "pasta and broccoli, and a kite and a shovel and bucket and a guitar." She got all of that, and then some. Auntie Feather supplied most amazing bubble wands. I'll post more photos once my new computer is up to date and I download the photos from the camera.

Squirrel running in the surf with her Auntie Lala.

Baby Boy, enjoying the beach. Despite his expression. He continually bent over at the waist into downward dog, and licked the sand.

Squirrel doing what she loves best - painting on the deck of the rental house.


It was an amazing weekend ... and the sun is shining like crazy here today. I think we'll go to the zoo this weekend.

[JessFinds] Party Prep -- Papering the Doors

I am starting to set up for the Alice in Wonderland themed party this weekend. Today we papered the French doors! Gonzo and Crab helped with the placement of all the papers.

 

The hat is a canvas hat from OrientalTraders.com - The kids party craft will be to decorate their own "Mad Hat" at the Mad Hatter's Millinery. Roses are courtesy of my dad - he sent them to the girls for Valentine's day. Sweet. 

  

The full French Door effect-- this will be the room that the actual Mad Hatter Tea Party takes place.

A close up of one of the decorated panels. I glued clear gems and used photographic frames that are normally used in scrapbooking.

 

This is my favorite. We glued photographic embossed frames on to tin foil to create "looking glass" decorations. Alice needs her looking glass!

[JessFinds] When Baby Gonzo became Miss Gonzo

I have had a pinched nerve in my shoulder that is driving me nutso, so it could be the heavy-hitting narcs I am popping (perhaps), but I am turning in to one of those sentimental fool moms.

My baby - Baby Gonzo - is no longer a baby.

1. Last night was the first night that the crib was empty. She slept in her big-girl bed in the same room as her sister. We held off on the crib-to-bed transition because we did it too early with Miss Crab and she staged a sleep demonstration out of protest. On the floor. For months on end. I figured it was smart if we could let Gonzo stay in her crib as long as she liked it - and if that was age 16, so be it. She climbed out once, around age 18 months. Did not like falling. Never did it again.

2. She has not used a diaper in over six months. God bless her for that one! I am doing the happy-done-with-diapers dance.

3. Her pull-ups have been dry overnight for the last 7 nights in a row! Who is this child? Where is my baby? Even Miss Crab can't claim that glorious achievement. Miss Crab does have the excuse of entering a sleep coma each night though.

4. She is more talkative than I am. Seriously. The kid out talks me. This, in itself, is amazing. And frequently, her vocabulary rivals mine. I love it when she uses words like "perhaps."

Even Preacher, who does not share my endless depths of sentiment for our unruly youngest, quipped that he missed her barking orders at us this morning from her crib. Hee.

[JessFinds] Crave List for 3 Year Olds

 Each year I publish a list of things I think are great for the upcoming holidays. Who would have thought these lists would become so popular? I have received emails asking when my next list will come out! Mom's everywhere from Arkansas to the UK are visiting our little blog for inspiration. This is the 3 year old crave list ... the 5.5 year old list is up too!

Gonzo is very excited about Christmas this year - she is all about Santa breaking in to her house and leaving her "stuff." She has already asked for a puppy, a goat and a variety of farm animals.

Gonzo wears a size 3T with most of her clothing now. Her shoe size is a 6.5 to 7 toddler.

These are so cute. I could probably learn how to make them, but for $8 I figure it is worth it to let someone else do it! Crayon Rocks from Magic Cabin.

Gonzo is crazy for the Three Little Pigs. These interactive stories are a great way to keep her entertained and allow her to tell the story.

Another Gonzo obsession is Hansel & Gretel. Seriously. It freaks me out that my daughter has latched on to this dark tale of abandonment and cannibalism, but ... ok!! She would love the finger puppets and acting out the story. The only place I could locate this was Amazon.com.

And more in the Hansel & Gretel department! This is from one of my favorite booksellers, Powells.com. The illustrations look amazing.

This cardboard playhouse is begging to be decorated. Target has this fun "indoor" crappy weather activity available for $20 with free shipping right now. I would jump on this for any 3 year old.  They also have the castle available for $24.

My baby has outgrown her crib and it is time (really, it is) for her to transition to a big-girl bed. The Matrix Kid System looks like so much fun. 

Automoblox! This set of three wooden interchangeable cars (they lock together like a lego) are so cool In these great colors too! I think I want a set for myself. And while we are at it, I think I should make a case for Crab getting a set too.


iMac compatible keyboard for kids. Do you realize how many PC compatible learning programs and keyboards there are? Mac needs to jump on this bandwagon. I converted to iMac a few years ago and I would love it if my kids could use it too! I just found out that someone grabbed this for Gonzo - I love it when family shops off the blog! Woo!


I have long-admired the Calico Critters line of toys. Doll house play but with little woodland creatures! Squirrels! Bunnies! Kitties! We bought Gonzo the carrying case (pictured above) and the little squirrel family for Christmas. I think what I like best about this line is the ability to add on to it as inexpensively or as expensively as you choose. Big sister Crab thinks these are cool too and will also be getting a carrying case and family (cats, hello). Both girls will want this kitchen set for their little carrying cases.


I would love to learn how to put together these felt play food sets that are found all over Etsy. In the meantime, I nod to the experts! I love that this set comes complete with little play teabags.


Tutus! Hello. Shameless self promotion here. I think that all 3 year olds should be outfitted with a tutu from Chi Chi Tutu.

Playsilks are a big deal in the Waldorf education model, but I think that any open-ended toy is good stuff. These can be capes, dresses, blankets or wings! A set of 2 or 3 would provide endless entertainment for a 3 year old.

No - I am not insane. Plan Toys makes great musical instruments for kiddos! If it was a whistle, or a trumpet ... we would need to discuss my mental state.

Not too long ago I purchased the Tag Jr. system for Gonzo. Her sister has (and loves) the Tag system. I think the following books would make a great addition to the Tag Jr set:
Ni Hao, Kai-Lan Share Book
Pooh Loves To ... Book
Panda Bear Panda Bear What Do You See? Book