Surf's Up

am an avid lover of all wooden toys. New and old. I discovered the most adorable wooden surfer car with wooden surfboard and beach ready folks made of wood who fit inside. The little green wagon has the faux wood panel siding and holds two surfboards. How fun. The same company also makes a wooden pioneer wagon, pirate ship, school bus, and fire engine.

A Long Pause

It has been a long pause to say the least. The birth of my son, Clark, last May; and the birth of my craft blog, Craftpad, have consumed most of my life over the past year. I would like to rededicate myself to this little site of mine because I have so many things I would love to share with my fellow moms and their little ones. This is my attempt to get back in the saddle and get this site up and running again.

Blabla Kids

I am in love with all of the Blabla animals. My husband bought "Bubbles" the cat as a gift for Jane before she was born and he has become a favorite in our house. His blue body and bright polka dots are so fun and brighten up Jane's room. In fact, he was my source of inspiration for her entire decor. Along with plush animals, Blabla Kids also makes adorable knit hats and booties, blankets, pillows, backpacks, rattles and more. I've had my eye on the butterfly backpack and the set of knit fruit rattles (I have a thing for play "food"). I also noticed they have added a piggy, froggy and tiger to their animal collections and they have a new line of plush girl dolls as well. EVERYTHING is super cute.

Ode to Dr.Seuss

Recently I spotted this adorable plush "Horton" (from Dr.Seuss' "Horton Hears a Who") at Pokkadots (one of my favorite baby sites!)that I think is too cute. Then I remembered a Dr.Seuss cookbook I came across while Christmas shopping that is totally unique and fun. Its the "Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook" written by Georgeanne Brennan with classic Dr.Seuss illustrations. The recipes were inspired by Dr.Seuss's children's books and include "Yots in Pots and Schlotz's Knots", "Who Roast-Beast", "Fitz-Fed Fred Food Feast", "Moose Juice and Goose Juice" and more. Doesn't that sound fun to whip up in the kitchen! (I must be hungry I keep blogging about cooking).

For the Little Chef

I love the retro Betty Crocker Cookbook for Boys & Girls. Too bad Jane isn't old enough to whip me up something to eat. I love the retro cover and the idea of teaching kids how to cook and not just how to heat up chicken nuggets in the microwave. I also love the A to Z recipe box for kids which features recipes for every letter of the alphabet (Ants in my Applesauce, Zany Zucchini, you get the picture). And for the littlest chefs I recommend fun wooden fruit and vegetable sets which can be "chopped" up and velcro back together. Jane received some for her birthday and loves cutting them up over and over again. You can find them at World Market stores.

Books for Today's Babies

Although I love classic children's books and vintage illustrations, I am also totally amused by the fun board books for today's modern tot. I bought the set of books titled "Urban Babies Wear Black" and "Country Babies Wear Plaid" by Michelle Sinclair Colman and Nathalie Dion, for Jane's friend Olive's first birthday last year. Since then, the Petite Connoisseur series by Karen Salmansohn which includes the "Art" and "Fashion" board books have caught my eye. These books make mommies laugh by teaching first words which include "dada", "Dali", "catwalk", "choo shoe train", etc. Ah, nothing like a good pun.

Win $10,000 to Pottery Barn Kids!

Right now Pottery Barn Kids and Parenting Magazine are teaming up and offering a $10,000 PB Kids Dream Room Sweepstakes. All you have to do is enter and you could win a $10,000 PB Kids gift card. The contest began on July 19th and ends on August 30th. The winner will be announced in October. Good luck!