Edible Finger Paint

I've been looking for some fun toddler activities for the kids and edible finger painting was a home run!  It's so simple to make & you probably already have the ingredients you need on hand.

All you need is some yogurt (vanilla since we're adding colors), food coloring (I think the next time we make this we'll pureed fruit for coloring), little bowls for each color you'd like and a whisk to mix the yogurt and coloring.

It literally takes 2 seconds to make which is a plus!

As you may have guessed, things will get a bit messy, so make sure your babe is wearing something you aren't attached to (or if it's warm they could just wear nothing at all).  I like to use our white Carter's onesies for activities like this.  They aren't expensive to replace and you'll likely be able to get any stains out with laundry stain spray.

Before things got too messy ;)

Beckett used his paint to finish decorating some left over cookies from St. Patricks day 

I like to save messy activities like this for bath days.  When we're done I just plop the yogurt covered babes in the tub and call it good!

What are some of your favorite toddler activities? 

Fabulous Flamingos

Ellia's current favorite book is Flora and the Flamingo.  She loves lifting up the flaps in the book and trying to imitate Flora's moves, it's so sweet!  Her love for the book has spiraled into a love for all things flamingo!

mimicking flora's moves. seriously, could this be any sweeter?

Flamingo pipe cleaners?  Brilliance.  I feel like having a few packs of these packed in the car wouldn't be the worst idea.  Now I just need to remember this for when the kids are old enough that I don't have to worry about them poking their eyes out with them...

Flamingo's seem to be everywhere this season and I love it!  Carter's has other cute flamingo pieces too that can be found here & here.
Both Beckett & Elle love Flora and the Flamingo.  Boy or girl, this book is a must :)  

floaty

Michael and I have been family trip planning (we'll see if anything comes of it, I'm secretly terrified of taking both kids on a vacay without our families there to help)  So I couldn't help myself when I saw this Flamingo floaty...  Family vacation or not, I can't wait whip this out come Summer!

What Summer styles are you swooning over? 

Spring Outfit Finds For The Babes

Today has been a complete and total shit show.  I arrived on time at 9 am, the day after day light savings, with 2 kids in tow to an ENT appointment just to find out it's actually scheduled next Monday... So naturally, we hit up Target, got a Starbucks and wasted some time wandering around the Easter section... Where Ellia proceeded to projectile vomit down the aisle.   Hello case of the Mondays.

Now that we're home & both the kids are napping, I'm taking some much needed time to myself.

MR. gave the go ahead on spring shopping so I've been keeping my eye out for deals.  I refuse to buy anything from Jcrew if there's not a sale ($30 for a onesie?? Come on.)  so I fill up my shopping cart and wait for a sale email.  When I get one, I swoop in like the super shopper that I am & get my favs.

Jcrew is probably my favorite place to get onesies.  (surprised? I didn't think so.)  They're always colorful, fun & let's face it, they're so damn cute on their own so you don't really don't even have to pair them up with anything else.  

I also threw a swim suit in this mixup because so far it's the only swim suit I've seen for babes this season that I love.  This one from Jcrew factory is a close second.  I might actually sign E up for baby swim lessons just so she can wear it before Summer!

Recently Beckett's become very aware of the sun.  What I mean is, he LOVES to be outside, but he hates having the sun in his eyes (lately it's been nice enough to play outside in short sleeves, but snow is still melting.  The glare is seriously blinding.)  He has a few pairs of sunnies that I've picked up on sale at Gap, but it seems like they hurt his head and he's constantly adjusting them and having to hold them on his face.  Here's where the Rayban's come in.  While Michael was trying on some new glasses at the mall last month the sales woman whipped out a children's pair and Oh Em Gee.  So damn cute.  They seemed somewhat flexible and they fit B's face like a dream.  I think these will make a great present for birthday #3 :)

I'm a fan of hats for no styling hair days and any shirt with a dog on it is a win in book!

I hope these Spring finds help spruce up your Monday like they did mine ;)
xo

Kitchen Love

MR has some new projects coming up, so we've spent quite a bit of time looking at design inspiration.  Houzz.com has got to be my favorite little spot on the web at the moment and I never get tired of looking through gorgeous homes.

Houzz was our go to when designing our kitchen. 

Right now I'm especially drawn to contemporary kitchens.  I love the dark countertops and LOVE LOVE LOVE dark grout behind white subway tile.  (I wish it's what we would have done in our kitchen!)

Here's what I've recently pegged to my Houzz boards.

Kitchen

How amazing is the huge window off of the nook in the first & fifth pictures?  I love the floor to ceiling look and I love the dark metal frame.  So so beautiful!

On pictures 2,3,4 I'm drawn to the darker grout.  Scrubbing spaghetti sauce off of white grout isn't nearly as fun as it sounds ;)  seriously.  If there was anything I could change in our kitchen, it would be our grout color.  Hands down!

How about those exposed beams in picture 6??  Such an easy way to add focal interest in any space.

# 7 actually has me convinced I need a dark kitchen... which is so out of character for me!  & I'm in love with the natural wood island

I'm also drawn to the elegant lighting pulled into these contemporary spaces!  My jaw dropped when I saw picture #8

I'm drawn to #9 because of those cabinets.  If I thought I could keep the interior of my cabinets in a presentable state, I'd be all over this!

Which kitchen is your fav?

15 months of Ellia

I I still can't believe our baby is actually a toddler.  & the fact that she's now WALKING (first steps to daddy 2/1/15) makes it all that more real!

Over the month of February Elle Belle popped THREE teeth.  Her 4th bottom tooth and 2 top molars.    She has become much more independent & loves following in the steps of her big brother!

Age: 
15 Months!

Stats: 
18 lbs

Clothes: 
6-12 months and some 12-18 months
(if you're interested in purchasing some of her gentle used clothing, 
follow us @littlealpertshop on IG )

Favorite Foods: 
Banana's are without a doubt your most favorite food.  You can hardly contain your excitement while I'm peeling one for you!  You also love sweet potatoes, just like your brother, waffles and pretty much anything else I put in front of you.  One food you consistently won't eat is avocado.

Favorite Words: 
Mama, Dada, Baba and you love screaming alongside your brother

Favorite Activities: 
Following your big brother around wherever he goes, clapping, 

and you LOVE playing in the big window in our family room. You and Beckett climb up the chair and play with your toys on the window.  You could play there for hours :)

You're also a huge fan of bath time, you would play in the tub all day if I let you

Least Favorite Activities: 
Diaper changes.  We both hate them, actually.  
You don't like having to sit still and I don't like having to wrestle you while I try to change it!  

Favorite Things: 
Your owl!  It's so sweet how much you love and cradle your little owl.  Although you love owl most,  you seem love all of your stuffed animals.  Your toy bin is next to your crib and when I come to get in the am you've generally pulled all your stuffed pals into your crib for a party!

You're appreciating books more & instead of trying to rip or eat them, you're studying their pictures.  You also love helping to turn the page!

You love anything Beckett loves.  His cars, trains, books, shoes, etc.  He's not totally excited about it, but he does share with you so that's something! 

Signature Moves:

You scrunch up your nose & purse your lips when you don't want something and it's pretty darn cute

You also have the infamous grumpy cat frown, again, so damn cute

We have to be home for your bedtime because you absolutely will not sleep anywhere but your own bed.  When it's bedtime you literally throw yourself out of our arms into your crib!  You like your sleep :)

Other Milestones: 

YOU'RE WALKING!

You've started giving kisses and oh my gosh, there aren't words for how sweet it is! You gave me a big unprompted kiss before you went to sleep the other night and I just about burst into tears. You're growing to quickly!

You've started sleeping through the night consistently since we started going to the chiropractor which is a huge plus for mommy & daddy :)

You now have 10 teeth and I'm hoping your next teeth wait a little before making their debut.  We could use a little teething break, us and you!

Other Memorable Moments: 

While I was in the shower your brother took it upon himself to feed the cats and while doing so, decided to feed you too.  (we keep all the cat's stuff in our bathroom to keep it away from the dogs.) Evidently the cat food is pretty damn good, because you try to get in their food container every opportunity you get! 

You love the dogs.  Even more than you love the dogs, you love their kennel.  Seriously, what is it with kids and kennels?!  You lock yourself in the dogs kennel any chance you get.   & Lola is the only one brave enough to stay in there with you while you play.

You called for me by name the first time this month! 

Elle Belle you are growing into such a sweet & loving little lady!  We can't wait to see what the future has in store for you :)  Love you a bushel & a peck, sweet girl!