i'm dirty & i stink.

if you have boys & they like trucks, they will LOVE i'm dirty & i stink.

i spy: an alphabet in art

art history was one of my favorite college courses of all time. i was lucky enough to take it the semester before "backpacking europe" with a few cousins & some friends. years later, i still get a thrill out of recognizing a work of art, or particular artist.

a couple of summers ago we traveled back to paris. we had some wonderful meals, saw the sights, made a trip to the second happiest place on earth, visited a museum or two, & picked up THIS awesome children's book. i love watching my boys thumb through it's pages, gazing at the beautiful paintings, pointing out the things they "spy". maybe the next time we go to the museum, they'll be the ones recognizing a painting or two.

giraffes can't dance

one of our favorite nighttime stories is giraffes can't dance by giles andreae. i love the rhyming story & my boys love the illustrations & all the bright & bold colors. it's the story of a clumsy giraffe who doesn't think he can dance. but with a little encouragement, he surprises himself (& all the other animals in the jungle), when he realizes "we all can dance... when we find music that we love." it's a great lesson for kids (& even adults) to learn, & be reminded of. and even though the story is meant for toddlers & pre-schoolers, my little little guy enjoys searching for the cricket & three small bugs that are hiding on each & every page. get your own copy here.

this is me.

a friend of mine is in the midst of starting a new venture... and although she is still dotting her i's & crossing the t's, i was too excited & just couldn't wait to post about it. so shhh! i'm offering you a sneak peak. i am tickled pink to introduce the this is me journal. her story is definitely one i (& probably you) can relate too. my friend spent forever searching high & low for the perfect "first journal." she really wanted something similar to what she had as a kid... something for her "little ones" to record their thoughts & drawings. having no success in locating said journal, she created one & then decided to self-publish (wow!). resulting in the this is me journal... the perfect combination of "drawing, writing, creativity & simple scarpbooking to capture the years memories through your child's eyes." i'm already having visions of sitting around with my "boys" filling out their copies together. seriously... go check them out HERE. for only 20 bucks, they are a total steal! & don't worry if you don't have any little kiddos of your own, they would make the perfect gift!

need a good read?

Gavin and I have a new favorite! "Starry Safari" by Linda Ashman