Before I unplug for the weekend, I wanted to share my usual Thing I’m Loving Friday roundup of favorites with you guys! Please see below for a short list of things that made me smile this week and, as always, please feel free to share a little bit about something that you’re loving right now in the comments section of this post.
Have a wonderful Friday and a fantastic weekend!!
Things I’m Loving Friday
My mom signed Ryder up for Lovevery Play Kits just before his first birthday and after receiving a kit, I cannot rave about these beautiful baby and toddler toys, books and puzzles enough. Lovevery Play Kits are designed by experts (researchers, academics and practitioners in the fields of psychology, development, occupational therapy, and education) and are especially created for a child’s specific learning stages. They’re all about “playtime with a purpose” and use science-backed research to create toys to engage the brains of babies and children in a way that’s both purposeful and age-appropriate. The play kits contain a research-backed play guide that explain what the toys included in every box do and offer tips and activity ideas for increased bonding with your baby or child. All products in the kits are made with organic cotton, sustainably forested wood and baby-safe plastics and aesthetically I can tell you that they are all absolutely beautiful.
Ryder’s most recent play kit, The Babbler (for toddlers 13-15 months old), arrived soon after his birthday and he’s been infatuated with the toys in this kit ever since! Chase also loves Ryder’s play kit and seems to really enjoy showing his brother how to use the various toys and creating new games with them as well. I think this is the kind of product that would make such a wonderful gift for a new mom or a one-year-old’s birthday that feels personal yet practical.
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The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames
This book was a recent blog reader recommendation (thank you, Andrea) and it was unlike any book I’ve read before. It is very disturbing but also completely engrossing. The book follows the life of Stella Fortuna, a strong-willed, beautiful, contemptuous woman, from her birth through old age, as she narrowly escapes death a multitude of times. As told by Stella’s granddaughter, the story is challenging to read at times, intense, heartbreaking, eye-opening and captivating. Now an old woman, Stella and her younger sister, Tina, haven’t spoken in many years, a rift that began after one of Stella’s many accidents. As young girls and adult women, Stella and Tina were incredibly close, a bond that began during childhood as they lived in poverty in a small Italian village and strengthened through their journey to America when they emigrated with their family prior to World War II. The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna attempts to explain how this rift came to be while also detailing Stella’s life, her struggles against her father and men and her intense desire for independence.
I stumbled upon this article on Wednesday and loved the way it offered a simple piece of parenting advice that seems like it would make a huge difference: “Let your face speak what’s in your heart.” When your children walk into a room, do they see a face that’s happy to see them or a critical eye? Do you light up and smile at your children or glance over them and tell them to fix something about their appearance? It’s a simple piece of advice but so, so powerful. The article is short but absolutely worth a read.
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Ancient Harvest POW! Pasta
On Wednesday night, our family dug into pasta that was made solely with – get this – lentils and quinoa. What!? Isn’t that awesome? The Ancient Harvest team sent me two boxes of their POW! Power Protein Pasta to try and since we’re big rotini fans in our house, I broke into the red lentil rotini first. I topped it with a turkey bolognese sauce and our family loved every bite. We will absolutely be buying more of these pasta in the future!
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Friday Flashbacks
Mason Jar Chia Seed Pudding (I made this to have on hand for an afternoon snack yesterday and was reminded how much I love this easy recipe!)
20 Minute Total Body Workout (A fast-paced workout with picture demos of the exercises!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile this week?
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I think I need to make turkey bolognese sauce…that looks so good! Hobby lobby does have Christmas out, so they may have candy canes. Good luck 🙂
So glad you enjoyed it! I just picked up The Banker’s Wife last night, looking forward to reading it!
I am so happy that you and the boys are enjoying the Lovevery Play Kits. I searched for something similar to the Johnson and Johnson toys that we loved when you and Leslie were little. These are even better. XO
One thing making me smile this week was our family getaway to Amelia Island, FL! Such a beautiful place and seeing our boys splashing around and having fun made it that much more enjoyable. 🙂
PS) Thank you so much for the rec on the beach tent! I grabbed one from your link and so glad I did, we all used it!
I’m so excited that you featured the Lovevery play kits! My daughter is 2.5 months old and I’ve seen ads for these kits but have been on the fence about subscribing. Your recommendations tend to work really well for me, so it’s encouraged me to give the kits a try! (Especially since it can be really overwhelming armed with a cell phone and Amazon trying to find the best developmentally appropriate toys!) Thank you!
Hi Julie, if you cant find candy canes,you may be able to find candy cane sticks by Bob’s (I think) It’s a straight stick of peppermint, without the crook. Maybe that would work. I’ve seen them at Dollar Tree and in candy aisles at grocery stores.
I’m not sure where you can find an actual candy cane in August but could you “play” with that idea and create something that’s similar to the shape of a real candy cane? Such as a sugar cookie recipe where you dye half of the dough red and twist the regular and dyed dough together to form a candy cane? Or organize white and red food/candy items in the shape/design of a candy cane on a plate? (raspberries and banana slices, white and red M & Ms.) Good Luck and Have a great weekend!
So happy it’s Friday! It’s been a long week with my daughter not wanting naps!!!
The subscription toy set looks awesome! My daughter is turning 2 next month. Wonder if she’d be too old for it?
I need to pick up a book soon! I want to read a mystery novel as those have been some of my favorites. I was a huge Nancy Drew fan when I was little (still am!). That toy box is such a neat idea! I agree that the colors are so pretty and quality looks to be very nice. I shared my own Friday Favorites post today, and one thing I’m excited for is to receive my new Pioneer Woman suitcase. 🙂 Have a great weekend, Julie!
You can absolutely order candy canes from Amazon… anytime of the year
Hey hey!
I wanted to pop in and ask about Asheville, NC. My family is looking to take a trip between Christmas and New Years and were considering Asheville. I was wondering if you thought it was a good spot to vacation with little ones. We will have a 1 year old and an almost 3 year old!
We are military overseas and our access to toys and toy stores is limited. So thankful for your review on the toy subscription! I think my little one will LOVE IT!