Want, Wear, Need, Read Gift Guide

Do you have a gift philosophy?

Back when it was Max's first Christmas, and had no idea what to give him (because really, can you top the gift of LIFE?! lol), my baby group gave me the idea of the "want, wear, need, and read" concept of gift giving. I love that it keeps gifting balanced! If your personal budget can't get all four gifts, then how about letting other's cover an aspect of the philosophy? Someone knows someone who always asks, "what should I get a _____ year old?"

If you need some gift ideas, here's our very own gift reveal (i'm glad Max isn't allowed to surf the net just yet!). Happy shopping!!

want:

Because Max is IN LOVE with monster trucks, Monster Jam, and random Monster truck channels on youtube. we got him a mini remote control monster truck, named "MAX-D" (really pronounced like maxed but i love that it is also his name!). I highly recommend getting a remote control car without a fishline antenna for kids this age. If your kid is anything like Max, they will be pulling and wrecking the antenna which would deem the toy relatively useless after it's damaged.

wear: 

Bloch

i'm still on the thrifting hunt for these gems, but TAP Dance classes are going to happen in January 2015! His first dance recital? Be still my heart!

need:
Nothing. However, we will be donating some new toys to children and purging some of his under played toys as well. We're giving back with Max this year for as he puts it, "the kids are sad because they don't have any toys to play with." Altruism starts at home.

read:

amazon

we love Oliver Jeffers! Max's favourite book is THIS, we seriously read it every.single.night and he even pretends to bite the book too (lol). This year I got him, Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffer's best seller- The Day the Crayon's Quit. So charming and inspiring when the moral of the story finally hits you.

and as an added bonus...

how cute and nostalgic is this Charlie Brown MUSICAL tree? You can get your own at Home Depot!!

Christmas Gift Guide 2013

It's that time of year again when people are put on the spot and asked what they want for Christmas. For me, I'm such a consumer- i want SO.MUCH.CRAP that ill happily buy for myself. However, when it comes down to someone asking me what I want for Christmas, I'm completely stumped and get stressed out about it. In essence, i want a lot but really need nothing and content with that. As each year I'm maturing (hopefully) I'm pretty happy with what I've got and look forward to traditions being met (like eating certain foods) more than any thing. On the flip side, i love buying gifts for people mainly because i kind of love shopping. If you're feeling like you need some support in that department, here are some of my recommendations for  some people in your lives:

---> For The New Mamma and Pappa: 
ERGO Stowaway

i love our ERGO and I'm glad the company has finally come out with a travel carrier because their carriers take up a lot of space. Whether it'd be in the undercarriage of a stroller, a backpack, your luggage, or just any where, from baby to toddler stage, i consider this carrier a sanity saving device! fussy baby? tired kid who refuses to walk? kid a slow walker and you didn't bring a stroller? quick errand and need your hands free? going to the mall and don't want to be part of the craziness that is the elevator waiting times? wear the kid!

--> The Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins
iPAD

clearly Apple doesn't need any more advertisement but i really need to rave about this life changing device for Max's grandparents. the one thing we love about it was the FaceTime app and because of this, Max is able to see my parents on a daily basis without have to trek over to their house. Since he was a baby, we can keep them on board with updates and they can talk in real time, no fuss, no getting dressed, no diaper bags, and hang up when he's cranky! to top it off, the technology is free (no long distance charges), it's light and portable, cheaper than an iMac or macbook and is very intuitive for the not so technologically inclined. 

--> for the KIDS!
Sensory Shapes!

Max has 2 sensory balls and ill be getting him the rest of the set. He calls them "spiky balls" and he just absolutely loves playing with them and carrying them around. they're a fun texture, they float in the bathtub, they're lightweight, they're colourful, it doesn't hurt if thrown at your, and if you keep rotating them then it's like a new toy every week!

Wedgits

I saw Max playing with these Wedgits at Strong Start. He was really into it staking them high in different order and colours, and then of course once it got a certain height either someone would kick it down or Max would tip it down so it all comes crashing down…and then he would rebuild it again. I thought it was just a plain stacking toy until i saw the website and you can do so much with the pieces and the add on's! it's really neat and not only does it support creativity through construction, it's perfect for small hands with no choking hazards. I thought you didn't get much for what you paid for (vs. Lego) but then when it was time for clean up, i was like YES and DONE! 

Play Kitchen

1 // 2 //  3

I love pretend play with Max and at the Strong Start kitchen we often play with the foods and utensils. I almost flipped out when someone said to me something in the realm of, "don't lie to him, it's not real food." i was like WTF?! i know it's not real food, Max knows it's not real food, but we're playing pretend. Argh! Anyhow, a full kitchen is not so apartment friendly but I'm digging these little pieces to prep with, to eat, and to drink. Max is always rifling through our kitchen drawers and whipping out the utensils. For food, these are just some starters that he's familiar with like the lemon, banana, orange and apple. And because he sees his dad drink coffee all the time, we like to have our own tea parties with cups that won't break when he decides to just clear the table..his own way (everything on the ground using in one swift motion of the arm)! haha

Hope this helps you some, happy shopping!

of course if you're really curious as to what I want here are some links to some beauties:

this bedroom  // all of these // these sandals // i can find homes for these // i won't say no

2012 Gift Guide #3: Your Loved One(s) Due With Their First Baby VERY Soon!

Sleepers from WALMART. The ones pictured are footless, but they have plenty to choose form with feet for the babies younger than 12 months old. i LOVE the Walmart ones as they ZIPPER. I despise buttons/snaps. 3 sleepers for $12 (all sizes)

Velcro swaddler option. I used and loved both the SUMMER INFANT and the HALO SLEEP SACK.

for the mom's choosing to breastfeed, and especially those exclusively breastfeeding, their nipples need LANOLIN.

i was a new mom who wanted to feed my baby in public on demand, but i didnt want to reveal my breasts to the whole world. this nursing cover Really helped me. I liked the BEBE AU LAIT ones because the boning allowed me to see the baby, as well as provide a route for air circulation (it was really hot under there). 

im very biased to the ERGO BABY CARRIER. ive used it from when Max was born (about 8lbs) and still use it to this day (at 22lbs). There are plenty more years (and weight gain leaps) left in our baby-ergo-mamma relationship! 

As a bonus (but not as a replacement for the ERGO), i highly recommend the BOBA Air! This little thing about the size of a cosmetic bag is the saving grace for a fussing baby who needs a position change (or just mom/dad). Mine is always in my undercarriage, whipped out at a time of need. Perfect item for those who want a carrier option that doesnt take up too much stroller/purse/diaper bag/luggage real estate! Sold locally at happy baby daily needs.

Happy Shopping!! 

Want, Need, Wear, Read: Gift Guide Part 2

i really love the concept of want, need, wear, and read in gift giving. 4 gifts for the little one(s) but they dont have to be huge or expensive.  it goes without saying, 'something they want,' 'something they need,' 'something to wear,' and something to read.' instead of buy anything and everything, there is purpose and sense in the gift buying!

want: 
(ok Max is too young to want anything but this is something cute that id want for him in the future) there should always be time to get messy and let imagination run free! im really digging the stamp sets from Yellow Owl Workshop  sold at Raspberrykids.  Especially the Beach and Circus set.

There are so many stamp set companies out there, but something about these just seem so much prettier! Like i want to make the same scene on the box with my own set, have a vast array of colored stamp pads, and heck ill find a reason just to use them. when Max is a little older, I see us making our little scenes and creating various paper projects on a rainy Vancouver day, with some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins baking in the the oven. Yes please!

need:
as Max is our first baby (and grandchild), my family and i are all about picture taking and documentation. Max wont be this small forever! to document how the little man is growing physically, we sought out a keepsake growth chart that was not only sturdy, but hung on the wall (as opposed to the wall decals). im really digging these growth charts by EEBOO.

It's hardcover, award winning, and they have many growth chart design options! We loved the outer space theme. It comes with stickers to apply when he turns 1 yr old to 10 yrs old, and more in between. From my escapades, it can be found at Chapters, Dilly Dally on Commercial Drive (awesome selection), and at Cowboys and Angels on West 4th.

wear: 
For the loved one of various ages (newborn to adult), im liking these padraig slippers.

based in North Vancouver, this independently owned and operated company make the perfect slippers for the cold season. they're a must to keep your feet warm indoors! im not sure how they'll stand up to the outdoors though if you live anywhere outside of west coast Canada as we have quite mild winters! nice array of colours and sizes, nice leather soles therefore no static against carpet! check out their store finder!

read:  
I love Dr. Seuss' Oh the Place's You'll Go!

There are some books that can just be described as beautiful from cover to back. Not just illustrations, but the message. This book is one of them! I can tolerate only so much Dr. Seuss after reading it over and over again ('the sun did not shine, it was too wet to play...') but this book i can read on and on and on. i think this book is even appropriate for some young adults in your life! Everyone should have a copy in their library.

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Gift Giving 2012! (Under 5 version)

I am so in the holiday mood! especially now that our local radio station is playing 24/7 Christmas music...thank you 103.5 QM/FM!

Last year, i blogged my first ever holiday gift guide, inspired by Mama in the City. Round 2 for 2012, and my baby is here! 2012 being baby's first Christmas, I cant help but feel super excited for what is in store for us this holiday season as a family of 3!

during my recent black friday shopping escapades, i came across plenty of wonderful toys. it's funny how before i had Max i never cared noticed all these toy stores, but post baby i see them around everywhere as if i had radar (this is also true for baby bumps)! if you need help finding that special gift, here are my favorite toys for the wee ones under 5:

most cost effective:

I saw this 5 in 1 activity cube at Costco for $50. $10/toy, space saver, no clean up., no apparent choking hazard, condo living friendly...i think that's WIN WIN! Max has something like this, but the 'busy zoo' version (thanks Mrs. D!). He's a little young right now, so he's using it as an anchor to hoist himself up...but every few weeks or so he's actually discovering the purpose of each little side and learning how to play with it. Great colors, no sharp corners, fun little activities, many learning and play opportunities, this is a fabulous toy!

for the budding musicians:

i love this set of sound and rhythm instruments from Melissa and Doug toy company. it was one of the first things that caught my eye as i entered Cowboys and Angels on W.4th. the seahorse is a rattle, you clack the clams, the octopus is a little tambourine, and i think the crab is another type of rattle. i dont know about you but sea life is always something i gravitate towards when checking out toys. they're always so cute!

For the 2+ toddlers, I love this little JANOD Confetti Piano i saw at Hip Baby , also on West 4th.

It has 18 keys, uber cute, and the keys sound like something off of 'Dance of the sugar plum fairy.' Not annoying at all, right? Nice start for the little Mozart or little Bon Jovi in the making! if money is no object, it's priced at a whopping $100- just think, 'hey it's cheaper than a real piano!'

Watch this guy play some tunes

if you can find it, Melissa and Doug also have their own version. it's a bit cheaper and the colors are different. I've had no luck locating this in the Vancouver area!

for the ones about to mobilize:

i saw this JANOD walker at Hip Baby (again on west 4th).

xylophone, walker, beads, rubber things around wheels for speed control, space saver, no scattered play things...yet another apartment friendly toy! lovely! but if you cant afford the $119 price tag, here is an equally beautiful alternative....

nearly identical right? this green beauty by IMAGINARIUM sells for $40 at toys r us CANADA, and toys r us USA for $30 (both online only). Snap it up! 

for the walkers and talkers:

i simply just love the SKIP HOP back packs and lunch bag sets. particularly the owl, monkey or penguin! i cannot make up my mind!

they just scream bright, cute, child, and happy happy joy joy! i can totally picture picnics with the lunch bag and Max carrying his little do-dads in his pack! locally, ive seen these at Granville island, TjsKids, Raspberry Kids and Crocodile.

just simply adorable:

Last but not least, this SKIPPER Roller Ride on Toy is just so freakin adorable! The body part is a soft foam that's easy on the little bums. Kids just ride on it and scoot around the house- recommended for dwellings with wood floors as the wheels are like office chair wheels (rolling on carpet would be hard). They come in a few designs such as a race car, cow, lady bug, and bee. I saw this at Raspberry Kids (online) and Hip Baby on W. 4th. 

happy shopping!

IKEA Rant

Along with my parents and sister, Max and I finally scoped out the 'new' IKEA on Bridgeport!

First and foremost, 

they have the best baby nursing room/bathroom in all of the city!

i took my sweet time changing and nursing Max, while sitting in a comfortable chair (with cute upholstery), in room that doesnt smell or look like a bathroom. All it needed was a crib, and it wouldve been a great nursery with a bonus built in ensuite! Thank you IKEA for putting family first!

Even though ive been to the old site 100 million times, something about going to a new building and finding yourself getting lost in a big space (as opposed to knowing the store layout like the back of your hand) makes it a more enjoyable experience. SO enjoyable that it may even be worthy for another 2.5 hour shopping trip (and of course for the 75cent hot dogs and $1 best frozen yogourt in the city)!

poor Max had to eat peas and carrots!

I love whoever is designing for IKEA! From textile patterns, to show rooms (this is your 296sq ft home), to just general aesthetics of their products, everything is like what you see in design magazines. everytime i go there, i try to store some good ideas in my brain and then try to replicate it with some better products not bought from the store. I think its common knowledge that although pleasing to the eye, the quality of their products aren't something to write home about.

CIRKUSTÄLT Children's tent

how fun is this!?

I would love to get Max something like this circus tent for his room when he's a little older. I dont know if i personally would fit in there to play with him, but i can just imagine him and his siblings/friends going in there, telling stories, indoor camping, hiding, and just having their own play and creative space! 

kids art space

If I can haul out some things in our den, i'd love to setup this great space for Max to get messy and creative, thanks for this idea Martha Stewart! I can see IKEA inspired  things like the MALA Drawing paper roll, the LACK Coffee Table, KARDEMUMMA Plant pots, and of course paints, felts, and colored pencils from the Arts and Crafts line.

TORVA rug

TORVA TRADGARD Duvet Cover

How cute are these textiles? Seriously! The rug is adorable! 

And of course, toys to play with like the EKORRE Rocking moose, MULA Bead Roller Coaster, and the MULA Abacus! 

per mama in the city recommendation, we came out with the BUSA play tunnel. it took Max a few hours of coaxing and some of his favorite play things that needed to be retrieved before he warmed up to it!

If you haven't been to the new IKEA, it's definitely a must go. If not interested in their big ticket adult furniture, it's worth checking out the showrooms for inspiration and the kids section! it'll have you wishing you had a kids room to decorate, or wondering why your own room as a kid was never this awesome!

3320 Jacombs Road, Richmond, BC

Wooden Delights!

My first exposure to wooden toys surprisingly came when I was pregnant and became interested in baby/kids stuff. For someone without much exposure to kids, cousins, or had little people to play with in general...what would I be doing at Toys R Us? Why would I go into that new toy store on the Drive when that new shwarma place was calling my name right? haha

Fastforward, I was pregnant and Dilly Dally just happened to open on the Drive. Wonderful kids store! Lots of beautiful items that bring back that nostalgic feeling (ie. that paddle with the rubber band attached to the ball). Here I first noticed the vast array of wooden delights, from play food, play kitchens, animals, stacking toys, and rattles. I LOVE the workmanship, the colours, the simplicity (but not the prices, oh well), and as an added bonus- it's a sustainable product.

Whenever i see a shelf of wooden toys, i picture a nice clean  organized play room with pretty, solid, toys on the shelves  vs. the explosion feeling I get when i walk into toys R us.  Whenever I see instruments, particularly a Xylophone, i can see Max banging on that thing and creating some sweet tolerable noise. Whenever I see puzzles, i'm like "Wow, that'll make him a genius!" Something about a mess pile of wooden toys that make them more forgivable!

Our first wooden toy was gifted to us for Christmas (mind you I requested this as part of a secret santa). I admit they're still in the box, just dying to be opened, but i'll let Max do this when he's old enough.

UNCLE GOOSE Classic abc blocks

So there begins my current obsession. I almost don't even care to go into clothing shops- I want to look for baby boutiques and stores to check out the wooden selection!  Right now, I want to buy nearly everything I see. But since Max can't exactly play with most of the fun looking stuff yet, I honestly have to remind/tell myself that "now is not the time. don't tell yourself to stock up. Let him choose what he wants."

Where to find natural wooden toys in Vancouver (that i've been to):

Knotty Toys on Granville Island - The store of stores. LOVE. Best prices in my opinion
Dilly Dally Kids on Commercial Drive - excellent food and kitchen selections, as well as animals.
Lussobaby in North Van - Not too busy with kids running around
Dandelion Kids on Commercial Drive - not the greatest selection, but worth going to for other stuff
Little Earth consignment on Commercial Drive - lots of Melissa and Doug stuff. Some on consignment
Winners - Lots of Melissa and Doug stuff to choose from if you can look past the MESS
Chapters - Lots of Melissa and Doug and Manhattan Toys
Camelot Kids on Granville Island - lots of Haba Toys
Raspberry Kids - an online store, but you can pick up the stuff at their warehouse
Hip Baby on W. 4th - small in store selection, better website
TJ's Kids on SW Marine Drive or W. 4th - it's on the website, but i don't remember seeing in store
Go! Toys and Games at Oakridge - small but decent selection. Plan toys can be bought here too
Toys R Us - i haven't checked w. Broadway, but the Metro one has a pathetic small selection
Saf and Benjamin - small selection but stuff i also haven't seen around
Michaels  - small selection. even better priced when you have a Michaels coupon
Beansprouts - small selection but you can shop for other cool things at this consignment store
IKEA - some nice toys here! The MULA Bead roller coaster is popular!
Superstore - must be a new line, but they have some toys i wouldnt mind buying! well priced


Places I haven't been to yet:

Jack and Lola in North Van
Pebble on Arbutus
BC Playthings in North Van

if you know of anymore, let me know!

and last but not least. GARAGE SALES. Believe it or not, I bought my largest haul of wooden toys from a garage sale in North Van without breaking the bank!

these two are my all time favourite garage sale finds. Paid $2 for the bus, $4 for fishing set! 

Brands to look for:

Educo =====  Hape
Haba   =====  Manhattan Toys
Melissa and Doug ==== Superstore Brand
Plan Toys =====  Janod
Santoys =====  Le Toy Van
Grimms ===== Atelier Fischer
Goki ===== L'atelier du cheval du bois (canadian)
Holztiger =====  Sri Toys

name puzzles c/o Knotty Toys!