** A Note ** I was going to post a nifty tutorial on how to make a full-length apron or a delicious recipe for a simple pot roast or maybe just a whole bunch of photos that I'd recently taken with my new camera. I can't do that however, because I am currently mourning the death of my Mac (my Mac, which was the keeper of said pictures). Last weekend, my Mac was just minding its own business when someone who shall not be mentioned (but whose name rhymes with Bustin and happens to be my husband and who happens to look like this guy)
dropped it. On the pavement. Outside a hotel (and "forgot" to tell me for, like, nine hours). So instead, you get this. A rant. But a rant that includes good ideas for your kids or someone else's.
This is me.
I'm a warrior, waging a never-ending battle against the sea of plastic crap toys that constantly invades my house through holidays and hand-me-downs (ahem. Alison.) and the weak parenting moments in the middle of the toy store. Yes, each month, I go through and systematically pitch large quantities of brightly colored synthetic junk that once upon a time caught my child's eye. Despite this seemingly endless struggle against over-consumption and no-need-for-imagination toys (here's where I interject on Noah's behalf, that no, legos simply do not fall into this category), we do like to invest in a few good items that will last not only through our children's childhoods, but hopefully through their children's childhoods too. Here's a rundown of a few of my favorite toys-- both things we have a home and things I've found that we will someday have (or that I'll just covet. Whatever). These are great suggestions if you have little ones, but also great gift ideas if you don't-- I haven't met a mama yet who said "geez, I wish you would have gone to _____(insert big box name of choice here) and bought some cheap plastic crap toy instead of this lovely, natural, handmade gift!"
Capes
The treehouse.
Max asked for this for his fourth birthday and I am so very glad we popped for it. It is a "gnome" house and while the gnomes still live there, they share their tree (so kindly) with various army guys, playmobile people, and the like. Max plays with this every day for at least a few minutes, and he'll often get lost in his imaginary gnome world (an often violent gnome world, but a gnome world no less).
Playsilks
While these are technically Elizabeth's, our playsilks get loads of use. The boys use them as weapons. Sigh. They also use them in costumes and peek-a-boo play with their sister. At 15 months, Lizzie just loves to touch them, to throw them and twirl them and crumple them up. They are also so easy to pack for travel play-- and have kept our daughter occupied at more than one restaurant.
Capes
I didn't make these capes, but I could (and will, in the near future). What a great gift idea-- you could personalize with a "super letter" personalized for the birthday boy or girl, or do a favorite superhero like these.
Made with basic broadcloth and simple stitching, these capes are a perfect way to go from secret identity to super in a jiffy.
Pirate's map
I just whipped this up in five minutes. Max wanted a pirate's map, and at a recent trip to the fabric store we found this.
Perfect. I backed it with a natural cotton batting and a piece of green broadcloth fabric.
By folding over the fat quarter, I was able to add three shallow pockets for the "treasures" Max is sure to find in the woods behind our house.
Adding a little ribbon I had kicking around, we can roll up the map when it's not in use for easy storage (or hiding, because finding a treasure map is just as fun as having one).
You can grab your own pirate map fabric here.
Wooden Blocks.
I think if I could tell parents/grandparents/friends of people with little people one gift to give, it would be a quality set of wooden blocks. The possibilities are endless and grow and change with the child's age. We have a wide variety of blocks around here that become towers and houses and forts and geometric designs.
Here's some toys we don't have, but I just love...All of these finds were on Etsy. Just type in Toys and you'll have eye candy to last all year. I heart handmade.
