[JessFinds] Marc Jacobs is a Genius

CocoPerez just informed me that Marc Jacobs has (finally) opened an online retail site. When I went to play (because I can't resist when designers bring it to the masses) I found this:

!!!

I can't really justify spending $60+ on a tee shirt for my rapidly growing six year old, but this is Miss Crab's shirt!

I so rarely come across girl pirates. It makes me so happy. Thank you Marc Jacobs, I am just happy to know that it exists. Call me when you get the shirt under $30. Thanks.

[JessFinds] Crave List for 5.5 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 5.5 year old crave list ...the 3 year old list is up too!

Miss Crab is a wee slight thing who believes (strongly) that she is a pirate. No really. So what does a pirate find endlessly amusing?

Stats: Miss Crab is a 5T (toddler) or XS girls (size 5 regular girls). She is weighing in at a whopping 37.5lbs. She wears a 10 - 10.5 toddler shoe.

Oh-Bento! Obento or Bento Boxes as they are commonly known are a big hit this year for parents with school-age kids. I am currently entranced by the Yubo brand. It seems so, well, efficient! How could any child resist healthy snacks packed in such a adorable container? I love it in orange with the included "peace" faceplate option. But get this: it has a custom pirate faceplate option. The addition of the medium containers would complete the set. I just found out that someone has picked up the set for Miss Crab. I love it when family shops off the blog! Woo!

Gonzo and Crab tend to, ahem, quarrel over certain things but they both seem to be madly in love with the little fuzzy creatures that make up the Calico Critters collection. We have purchased the carrying case with a family (squirrels for Gonzo and cats for Crab). The case opens up to reveal a mini-doll house of sorts.  They each will want this kitchen for their playcases. Miniature perfection.

GeoSafari Talking Globe Jr. I have been researching globes for something like six months. I find in interesting that around age 5, children naturally start wondering about distance and the world around them. This interactive globe is designed for the K-3rd grade set.


I get it - this is completely over the top! But a pirate ship bed is certainly crave-worthy. The details that have gone in to it are amazing. I think it runs $2k (gasp). I wonder if my crafty husband could make something like this?

Playmobil "Take Along" Pet Clinic is their newest addition for the holidays. Miss Crab saw it and instantly was drawn to it's mini cats and the ability to take care of them. Like a pirate should.

One day, I witnessed my daughter playing with Barbies in her preschool. I was a bit shocked. She has never shown interest in Barbie at our home or in stores. I asked her what she liked about it and she said it was "fun to play people." Only Hearts Club girls are a sort of anti-barbie in that they (a) look like actual girls and (b) don't have nearly the level of pink in their wardrobe (c) don't look like prosta-tots (Bratz Dolls anyone?). I am a fan. Wish they made some boys too. I have seen them in Target stores and online. They have a "horse" line and a "princess" line - neither one engages my daughter. She likes the regular kid line. We picked up "Lily Rose" for her stocking.

And of course, what girl could live without the Soldier Fortress set from the Pirates line? Ok, we ended up buying this. It will be under the tree for Christmas. It has a real working lighthouse! Come on! That is just too cool. If you are a parent looking for a good deal on this item, visit ReallyGreatToys.com. They offer free shipping on items over $40 w/ free gift wrap.


To help build up her sea legs, a good pirate could use this indoor activity balance board w/ maze inserts.


I found out about Curly Q Cuties from one of my favorite sites: zrecommends. Kids can create their own monster and the plush version will be delivered to their door! This would be such a fun $25 stocking stuffer gift-certificate.




Now, clothing is never all that exciting for the holidays - but there are certain exceptions: Tea Collection is one. My pirate refuses to wear anything too girly, too dressy or perceived as itchy. This collection from Daily Tea are church-ready outfits in colors (and textures) a pirate would approve of.


Mom is all about educational toys, so the telling-time game is completely mom-approved!

A knitting machine! Indoor activity that prepares the child for outdoor play. Excellent. It is 15 degrees? Make your own (pirate) hat, kid.


Miss Crab loves puzzles so this combines two of her favorite things.

[JessFinds] Pirate Party

We did it!

The pirate birthday party was a huge success thanks to Mother Nature and that big ball o'fire in the sky. We had a glorious day. In the 80's - nice breeze. Lots of kids in bathing suits getting their first sunburns of the year.


I am still in shock. I had a full plan B for inclement weather. If you are prepared for the worst, then you are pleasantly surprised by the best! It was pouring rain w/ t-storms on Friday. And it is overcast and cool right now (rain expected tonight). But for some reason, Miss Crab's birthday had brilliant weather. All day long.

Bouncy house, slip n' slide and hot dogs = 20 happy, happy kids.

We rented a sno cone machine at the last minute. It was such fun last year and turned out to be a hit again this year.

I love summer babies. Summer parties are so easy to throw together. It takes very little to exhaust a large group of kids. I love the chaos. The parents love being able to sit back and have a beer while their kids participate in contained chaos.


The highight of the party was when all the kids came inside to have cupcakes and Preacher went outside to bury (with help) the gold doubloon pieces of eight in our ginormous sandbox. Each kid was allowed to find four pieces of gold and then come to me to collect a "pirate pouch" to put the gold in.

I have already heard stories of one child telling her parents that they are "rich!!" and another going to bed clutching his pouch. THAT makes it worth going the extra mile to find replica doubloons -- made of nickle and painted gold. Heavy and realistic!

[JessFinds] Pirate Party

This is going to be a busy week!

We have about 15 RSVP's for Crab's 5th birthday party (plus their families). The pirate theme is so easy to do - pirate party supplies are everywhere.

eBay has been my buddy for finding unique party treasures and literal treasures. I have ordered 100 "gold" (nickle w/ gold covering) Atocha pirate coins - pieces of 8. We are going to bury them. In the sandbox.

We have a huge sandbox in our back yard - huge with a wooden swingset / fort structure built in the middle. We are going to decorate it with pirate bunting flags and some pirate helium balloons. We have a giant ragged pirate flat to run up the flagpole off the side of our house.

Future use: I like the idea of using the pirate flag as a signal to "those in the know" that our backyard is open for margaritas and lounging.