[JessFinds] Traveling with Wild Animals

Car travel with kids can be daunting, especially when your children start whining within moments of hitting the asphalt. Mine yell things like: "I feel like I am gonna barf." It is their charming variation on "Are we there yet."

I am building up an arsenal of go-to travel toys for when we depart for our cross country adventure. I plan on keeping these toys hidden until we are actually on the road.

Here are some of the newest additions to my bag of tricks:

The Victorian Wonder Ball has been a time eating joy for parents since the 1800's. Each of my girls will get a ball to unwind, gather the trinkets, play with and then attempt to strangle each other with the yarn. I picked this up from ThinkFastToys.

These little card sized games were picked up for under $2 each. Also at ThinkFastToys. I love the little Magnetic Mini Dozer - you use the magnet to push the dirt in to piles. Catch a Mermaid has you flipping the little plastic mermaids in to the net.

A certain Uncle and Auntie are sending the classic Etch-a-Sketch and a Crayola Glow Board. A certain grandmother has tended to their comfort w/ soft car blankies and fleece coats.

Now all I need is that tranquilzer dart gun... (it is a joke people)

[JessFinds] Living Simple, or How I am Failing at Clutter Control

I just posted about one of my favorite blogs and then I swung around in my office chair, surveyed the room around me and cringed.

When we had Miss Crab, we stuck to a very simple aesthetic. She had quality toys in a limited amount. A few craptastic-plastic pieces that would go the way of Craigslist or a friend the minute she outgrew it. I swore we would never have the jungle of brightly colored plastic.

Gonzo came along, and we continued with this aesthetic although the volume increased a bit and we got a little more lax. Still - no jungle.

No jungle ... but a mess nonetheless. My children do not pick up after themselves. Hell, my family does not pick up after themselves. How did this happen? How is it that my eldest attends classes in one of the most orderly schooling methods (Montessori) and yet can't seem to put anything back in its place? Or that my youngest when faced with "pick it up or I will throw it away" will say "throw it away" defiantly?

Piles of crap. My house looks like a mini-episode of hoarders. No wonder I look longingly at design blogs! My children don't enjoy the toys they have because they are scattered, bits and pieces everywhere. Some upstairs, some downstairs, some in the linen closet (??).

What methods for culling the mess do you use? I am a unnervingly balanced left brain / right brain gal - ok, maybe a little more left brain leaning - and I wonder if that is where my inability to stick with a system comes from. Some things I love artistically displayed...some things I love appropriately boxed and labeled. I have a love affair with my label maker, closet systems and storage boxes. I also have a love affair with haphazard style, creative displays of found objects and eclectic travel momentos.

I need direction. I want to start tossing things until there is little left. 

[JessFinds] Lincoln Logs

A few years ago, I think it was before I even had Gonzo, my grandmother bought Miss Crab the most fantastic set of Lincoln Logs from FAO. No craptastic plastic, all wood. Completely traditional set.

It sat unused for a while - Miss Crab is of a special temperment that lent itself to mega tantrums when she could not master something immediately. Heh. But now Gonzo is 3 and Crab is 5.5 and Lincoln Logs provide hours of happy play. As long as Gonzo does not knock down Crab's fort.

The big wood box is perfect for easy clean-up. The kids will use all of their little farm animals in very complex pretend-play that also involves Velociraptors and T-Rexes. Gonzo, as I type this, is giving the animals some sort of cheer that involves shaking maracas. Of course.

My brother and I had "lock-blocks" or maybe Loc-Blocs? I need to look that up. It was not the big chunky ones but it was not legos. Sort of an in-between. We played with those endlessly.

Ed: I am laughing so hard - I just found this great Wiki about Loc Blocs. Read it to the end and see why my brother and I will need years of therapy. Ha!

[MarieFinds] Her very own lust list

Following Jess' lead, I have a few of my favorite things....



The All Clad Slow Cooker ... cast iron insert lets you go from stovetop to cooker in one pot.

















The Jubiliee Stripe Ellie bag by Kate Spade.

A trip back here ... Cozumel....

[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] 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