Workspace Guide to Holiday Shopping...

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If you've been following along with us for a while, you know that I am all about quality over quantity of toys.  Our playroom is small with open-ended materials that are appropriate for all three of my children (10,7,4).  Yes.  You read that right.  All three children can use all of the materials in our playroom.  That is the special thing about finding a well-made, open-ended material.  It lasts forever and can become whatever your child wants it to be- at any age.  

Now, I know you are about to be invaded with gift guides.  I usually don't even do one because I feel so overwhelmed by all of the ones other people publish! But, many of you have asked me to provide you with a gift-guide, so here it is...I will be publishing three guides this year.  So keep your eyes peeled for the other two! 

The first guide is things we already own (or very similar products) and have loved for years.  I have attached some affiliate links, and I really appreciate you purchasing through my link.  It gives me a tiny fee and it costs you nothing.  

1.  Unit Blocks   2.  Grimms Large Rainbow  3. Felt Library  4. Playsilks   5. Light Table  6. Hape Dollhouse   7.  Wooden Rocker Board  (Click for link to purchase)

If you've been following along with us for a while, you know that I am all about quality over quantity of toys.  Our playroom is small with open-ended materials that are appropriate for all three of my children (10,7,4).  Yes.  You read that right.  All three children can use all of the materials in our playroom.  That is the special thing about finding a well-made, open-ended material.  It lasts forever and can become whatever your child wants it to be- at any age.  

This is a guide to things we already own (or very similar products) and have loved for years.  I have attached some affiliate links, and I really appreciate you purchasing through my link.  It gives me a very small kickback and it costs you nothing.  Please reach out to me with ANY questions about anything in this guide.  Share it with the grandparents!! 

Here's the WHY behind the items that I chose to share in our guide: 

1. Unit Blocks... This is a link to the FAVORITE most-used toy in our home.  

2. Grimms Rainbow... This is one of my favorite things to give.  It looks beautiful on any shelf and can be played with a billion different ways.  It is so well made and no one is EVER unhappy with this gift.  Kids know what to do with a Grimms Rainbow.... and their parents are psyched it's not plastic and it doesn't make noise or need batteries.  

3. A Felt Library.  I bought one of these a few years ago on a whim.  I was attracted to the vibrant colors and texture. These are a staple in our playroom.  They are for sorting, pretending and much, much more.  

4. Set of Large Playsilks. These playsilks will replace all of the "dress up" chaos in your home.  These silks can be a roof for a fort, a beautiful dress, a cape, or something to drag your little sibling around on.  They make baby beds and nests for stuffed animals.  Bonus: They look beautiful hanging on hooks in your playroom or child's nursery.  

5.  Light Table.  This was a family gift that we gave to our children years ago.  It gets used every. single. day.  The light adds another dimension of learning to activity that you choose to play on the table.  Ours has stood the test of time and all three of my children use this table daily.  

6.  Hape Dollhouse.  This dollhouse is one of the most asked-about toys on my IG feed.  It was a gift to my middle daughter when she was two (she's now almost 8!).  

7.  Wooden Rocker Board.  This is such a versatile, well-made toy.  It can be used from infants to adult.  It is a balance board, a bridge, a scene for pretend play, a baby bed, or a sturdy bridge for babies.  We LOVE ours.  

I hope you all found this helpful.  The next guide is coming later this week... So, stay tuned.  Thank you for reading! 

Lizzie 

A Peek Inside Our Art Cabinet

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way- things I had no words for.
— Georgia O'Keeffe
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Our art cabinet is the epicenter of our home.  It is where we store the tools we use to cReaTe as well as the tools we need in our everyday lives.  There is a more detailed  post about the how and why of our art cabinet from my archives right HERE. 

In this post, you'll find me linking up everything you saw in my latest IG Post.  You can shop these links or be thrifty and find similar items in the dollar bin at Target or in your local Dollar Store.  

Some of the products listed below are aff. links.  As always, thank you so much for following along with me and my creative crew as we navigate childhood and family life. 

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Top Ten Children's Books That You and Your Preschooler Will Treasure

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There are many little ways to enlarge your world. Love of books is the best of all.
— Jacqueline Kennedy

I spent some time recently wading through our ever-growing collection of children’s books. In honor of World Book Day, I’ve pulled together a list of our favorites.  I’ve chosen the ones with beautiful words and pictures, the ones that make me feel nostalgic. I'm attracted to old, well-loved children’s books. Sadly, many of them are out of print. Still, you should be able to find a few old copies running around out there!  Here they are, our top ten books, guaranteed that you AND  your kids will love them.  These are the books that won’t make you want to skip over a few pages and call it a night. 

TOP 10 MOST LOVED BOOKS FROM THE WORKSPACE FOR CHILDREN: 

Good Night Baby Bear by Frank Asch:  A mother’s patient love when her cub can’t fall asleep.  This book highlights bed-time struggles that everyone has dealt with. The language and the pictures are breathtaking.

Thunderstorm by Mary Szilagyi: Hands down, the MOST comforting book about storms I’ve ever read. The language is simple and the pictures are expressive.  I could read this book a million times and not get annoyed. 

When I’m Angry by Jane Aaron: Does your child ever have tantrums? I thought so.  You need this book.  Every young child can relate.  It is told from a child’s perspective. Goes through the range of feelings about anger. The simple, collaged pictures really fit with the text. This book is perfection.

The Line Up Book by Marisabina Russo:This book reminds me so much of every three year old I know.  The little boy makes a line all the way from his room to his mom in the kitchen using toys and found objects.  I’ve watched countless children do exactly this.  Your child will be delighted to see the little boy complete his task and every parent will understand how mom feels!

Sam by Ann Herbert Scott: A younger sibling who cant do anything right! Everyone can identify with the main character, Sam. We've all been there. A great discussion  starter.

You Go Away by Dorothy Corey: A book for the very beginning stages of dealing with separation-anxiety.  I love to give this as a one-year-old birthday gift.  Simple text and pictures are perfect for the very young. 

Sam Who Never Forgets by Eve Rice: A book about zoo animals and empathetic friends.  Sure to be a hit with the two to four year old crowd. 

Into My Mother’s Arms by Sharon Jennings: Mother and daughter go through their daily routine.  Loving and engaging. A great classroom book for the Fall when children are missing their grownup.  Great book for cuddling and retelling your day.

Sometimes You Get What You Want by Lisa Brown and Meredith Gary: Simple and straightforward.  I love to read this when my stubborn 4yo is getting the best of me.  It’s magic.

On Mother’s Lap by Ann Herbert Scott: A graceful tale of big-sibling jealousy.  The words and pictures reassure everyone that mother has enough love to go around.  I love to give this as ‘big brother/ big sister gift’ when a new baby arrives in a family.

An Egg is an Egg by Nicki Weiss: The most comforting book of all time.

 I hope you check out some of our favorites.  Please let me know by commenting below if you do.  

Thanks for reading along,   

Lizzie 

*This Post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support. 

 

It’s light fell on the snow like warm honey
— from Goodnight Baby Bear by Frank Asch