kids backpacks... from sentimental to sweet finds

Earlier in the year, Dad found a purple backpack along curbside that looked new. He picked it up, dusted it off, and filled it with a ruler, calculator, glue, and even chapstick and presented it to Ava {without telling my Mom, who has been wanting to buy Ava's first backpack for years}. Ava was absolutely elated... and gave him a giant hug. It was a very sweet moment for Dad and Ava.

Mom still wanted to buy her something new. So over the course of the months she'd ask, "Ava, what kind of backpack would you like Grandma to buy you?" ... and Ava's why-didn't-you-know? kind of reply was always the same: "I already have a backpack. The one Grandpa gave me." {smiling}.



When Mom was little, she remembers carrying a leather satchel to school... and when I was a kid, I received a vinyl backpack satchel as a gift... it was white with colorful animals on it, and it was my most favorite piece I owned {more than toys}. In high school, my older sister traveled to Greece and brought back a leather brown messenger bag. Its 15 years old, and I still carry it into the office with me. Satchels just bring back fond memories... but that's not to say that the bag Ava carries at the start of her academic career - will actually be with her for always {although wouldn't that be sweet?}

So let's think outside that box for a moment...  and see what's out there.  Here are my favorite picks:

1} Resembling almost exactly what I have, this leather backpack from the Cambridge Satchel Company in the UK, is just timeless - and is at the top of my wish list for Ava. It comes in several sizes, vibrant colors like yellow and orange, and is priced at around $151USD.

2} This red leather Japanese pack, or Randoseru, a term borrowed from the Dutch meaning backpack, is such a, well, Japanese version of #1. Japanese style is as hip and trendy as they come. I read how its common for Japanese grandparents to purchase these as gifts for their grandchildren starting school, {how appropriate} and accommodates kids for 6 years. It's so beautifully simple - and I love the red. It's size is a deterant though - approximately 9x11" - and so is the price. Even on ebay, new ones are going anywhere from $99 to $850 USD. I know... I know....

3} The messenger bag from Apple & Bee... such a cute design isn't it? The wooden buttons, little birdie... I feel like Ava should be riding a bike with this slung over her side. If it had backpack straps - it would have even been better. The pluses? It's made out of 100% organic material, and is also reversible - so 2 designs for 1, for $30 USD.

4} I'm a huge fan of quilted bags. A few years ago, my friends helped me make my own quilted tote - granted it took me a year to finish - but still, I carry that thing everywhere. There's just something so vintage, comfortable, and everlasting about quilts. This one is Vera Bradley - and if you're a fan of hers, you can choose a handful of designs that come in both preschooler and big kid sizes. The Viva la Vera pattern (shown above) is currently on sale for $75 USD.

5} The Solar System bag by Crocodile Creek is just one example of how the designs are unique to its brand. The quality is on par with others in the market {if not better} - but how cute is this solar system bag? my favorite...  Pluto is actually crying in this scene... and there are matching lunch boxes and drink bottles too. This is a bit sentimental for me, since Ava loves astronomy and learning about the planets. A huge contender for us, priced at $28 USD!

6} Last but not least, this one caught my eye too. "Papar" is the name of this owl, and she comes from Dante Beatrix - a popular line carried in stores around us and online. I can just picture Ava walking to school feeling, "I didn't get my donuts and milk this morning. Grrrr...." LOL! More fun designs to choose from for both boys/girls and run about $52USD.

So what do you think? Which one is your favorite? And what will your little one be carrying to school this year?

dream big - inspirational read

Earlier this year, a publicist contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing a children's book written by Kristi Yamaguchi. To be honest, I thought it was spam, but I couldn't delete that email. It turned out to be true - Yamaguchi was releasing her first children's picture book this Spring. A few weeks later, the book arrived - and I can't even begin to tell you the irony for what this means to me personally, as well as how I hope this will help teach and instill in my kids to - always dream big...

That's what inspired this sign I put up in the kids' bathroom. To read this message every time they wash their hands, and when they brush their teeth morning and night - so that they would start and end their day knowing that there's still so much more... that the impossible is a figure of speech, and that anything that is imaginable, is as real as they are.

Visit our reading corner for a book review of Dream Big Little Pig, a wonderful new book that I've had the fortune to read with my children...

birthday party ideas

Noah's 4th birthday is coming up, and I've had "party" on the brain for quite a while. I've been inspired by so many wonderful birthday party ideas online - I thought I'd share some of them with you....

I wish A & N loved the animated movie Up as much as I did... otherwise, I would have loved to throw a party like Wendy Updegraff did for her daugher. Wendy is also an amazing professional photographer... {photos by Wendy Updegraff}

Did you see this cake? The table of sweets is all eye-candy...

And checkout the favor table... So clean and simple - capturing exactly what the movie is about. I love the house anchoring all the balloons {like the movie}... the globe, travel postcards streamed together above an old suitcase... and a banner that echoes the theme "adventure awaits!"

speaking of suitcase, the travel journals/favors are amazing - lots of thought went into this... each child got a travel journal to write in with themes and graphics from the movie.

oh I wish I had an Ellie pin!

More amazing pics and details on Wendy's blog. {Thanks Wendy for letting me share your photos here on the AoF!}

Off-site parties - oh my, why not rent out a historic airplane! I so love the *vintage* theme behind everything this Mom did for her son's 4th birthday party... Especially the suitcase favors and invitations. I also love the clever games she associated with the theme... {party details on Hostessblog.com /photos by Bryan Mikota}

You'll have to check out the complete party details to get the entire scoop. For each flight challenge the kids completed, they received an aviation-themed souvenir - love the felt hats she made!

And wouldn't this be the perfect weather right now to do a camping theme?  That's what mom and event planner Desiree from Desiree Spinner Events hosted for her son's 6th birthday...

She spray painted picnic tables with chalkboard paint to give the kids something fun to do as they arrived to "Camp Luke."

The goodie bag is absolutely charming... yummy LL Bean green backpack with camping gear!

And an entertainer that is an expert in this field entertained the kids while the family enjoyed themselves too - sitting back and watching the kids enjoy themselves is always a real treat!

P.S... I'm loving her house too... {sighing... this is why I dream of big grassy backyards...}

More photos on Desiree's blog, and details posted here. {Thanks Desiree for sharing your photos with the AoF!}

Now.... onto some party planning of my own... eek, it's coming up this Saturday!

planning for valentine's day

Last week I contributed to the national parenting website, Savvy Source, on Celebrating Valentine's Day with Preschoolers. Check out the article here for simple ideas on how to celebrate and teach our children about the importance of friendship and caring.

While searching for more craft ideas, I came across some sites here, here and here.

I imagine we'll start crafting today since we're snowed in again (did I actually just type that about Texas?) Yep, the snow is quite romantic now that we have the fireplace on. Some scissors, construction paper and gold glitter may do us all some good today. Plus, it's always nice to think of "I love you's" and write cards to our loved ones.

So while I'm thinking and planning how this year's Valentine's will go, I wanted to share some lovely bits...

reflections: another time, another place

Both Aaron and I share a love of history - for me, it's history represented by home furnishings, and for Aaron - in books. In all of these things, we seek to learn more about a distant world that was - teaching us a unique and fascinating story - leaving still - much to our imagination to inspire, sigh, wonder and respect...

We're starting to see some of these characteristics unfold in Ava and Noah - especially when we explore such places together - whether its antique stores or old towns - what they discover sparks their curiosity and gives them an appreciation for time and how things were once made. {There's an old post about some of these jaunts here, here and here}.

So... we headed south to hill country this past weekend, to Fredericksburg - a quaint Texas town lined with stores and German eateries. We've been visiting this town for the past 10 years, and each time we go, we return - inspired. The kids played and indulged in Spunky Monkey, the General Store and on ice cream of course - As did we - stumbling inside historic buildings that house pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries from France, Italy and Sweden... Oh my... the Garten -



To put it into perspective for the kids on what "antique" means, I said, "Noah... you see this sofa? It costs just as much as a car!" Noah asked "why?" - and I answered, "because it's over 200 years old!" Waiting for a reaction on that statement, Noah says, "can I have some apple juice?" Ava chimed in, "I don't like old things."



This declaration was amended when we arrived at Homestead...





Homestead welcomes you to 3 stories of unexpected finds - and enough room to roam and stroll without feeling like the kids would damage anything. It had this insanely "attic" feel of someone's old house - where each thing told an epic story.





I am really surprised at myself for not going home with this piece. {sighing...}

Outside a group of young girls sold handmade gifts to raise money. I guess most kids would save for a bicycle... or a trip to Disney World... But this sign made me laugh...



So instead of a wall cabinet, I bought an ornament from the girl with the pony wish - filled with twigs, a postage stamp, and feather... all tiny loved treasures! I'm not sure where I'm going to put this one yet - but it deserves a vignette of its own to be created around it... hmmm....



Did I mention that it reached into the high 70s on Saturday? We stopped for ice cream on our way to Red - a fun store with a motto I love, "modern lines. vintage finds." I was almost sold on this zinc covered dining table, but its not wide enough for what I'm envisioning. And I would have taken 2 of these stools home with me if they weren't sold already...



Many of the stores hosted wine tastings, so we kicked up our boots at this one, where the back patio was so inviting. I think Noah ate about 10 crackers with cheese, and Ava opened up her new puzzle and got to work.



As the sun began to set, the weather started to finally cool down. Making this whimsical backyard feel like a page out of The Secret Garden.







Here's a quick shot of Main Street decorated for the holidays...





Now - due to the surprisingly hot weather we had on Saturday - the kids wondered if snow was still in the forecast. "Who knows" I shrugged, this is Texas after all... And then we woke up Sunday morning and headed to Market Square and found little mounds of snow... waiting. It's as if Ava snuck out of bed last night while we were all sleeping, looked out the window and secretly wished on a shooting star...



We didn't inform her that the snow was actually remnants of the outdoor ice skating rink around the corner - she didn't ask, and we didn't tell. For this brief moment {I say brief because it was very cold} - her joy reveling over the white fluff was just so beautiful. And so perfect. Aaron warned her not to throw any snow balls {since he didn't have a jacket} - so instead she softly patted her hand full of snow on his back {how could she resist?}



We went to the park, and by noon - we headed back home with a few new and old things - stopping at a few more antique shops along the road... 

From discovering "things" to meeting new people and having "southern" conversations - road trips are such a wonderful way to spend time together - outside of our routine element - doing routine things. The time was short - but we didn't feel compelled to rush to see this or do that. We just were - and having the backdrop of both sunshine and "snow" on both of these two days were just... well, even more spontaneously gracious.

a subscription to travel, learning, fun

Lately, I've been thinking about how to connect the kids beyond our circle of playmates, toys, books, cartoons, the computer, and so on... And of course - it has to be special... educational. And fun. Is that not a tall order or what?

So I've done a little homework for myself - by first thinking about what I enjoyed as a kid... and one of the first things that came to mind was when my best friend and I exchanged letters when she moved to Brazil after Kindergarten. Over the course of the years (and still to this day), we have connected through words (and when we were younger - through stickers!). It was such a great feeling - beginning with the simple arrival of a colored envelope addressed just to me. So I knew I had to start here...

And that's when I came across this wonderful new product online called Little Passports - a Global Adventure - a subscription to a travel magazine - but it's not a magazine per say - that would come in the mail, but rather a monthly way to explore, learn, and read about other cultures using tangible items that really give the child a hands-on type of traveling experience.

Here's how it works: Choose a traveler plan (3-12 month options), to enroll into the program. Your first package will include a small suitcase, passport, world map, and an intro to the fictional globe trotters, "Sam & Sophia." Also included are secret codes that we could use on the website to access games and activities... (we can't get away from technology I suppose...)

Each month you're subscribed for, a parcel will come in the mail about a country the characters have visited, and will include souvenirs, educational fun facts, and so on... how cool is that? Yes very! And I will venture to say that although I think this concept is brilliant, I also think that this can easily turn into junk mail after a few months.

Because as with most things that we invest and buy for our children - embracing new things ourselves first - whether that's food, a book, or an educational toy - will be far more successful in their acceptance, and not to mention, enhance their learning. So for me - this will be the motivational starter kit that I have been searching for to help our kids really engage in other cultures, while also fostering their love for travel... like Aaron and I have...

I'm already thinking of ideas for some of the locations ... for example, for Japan, (photo above) - we could extend the learning by exploring right here in our own town and visit some of the Asian markets - or let our palettes experience some of it too, like cooking tempura vegetables (mmm... one of my favorites) or trying sushi with the kids... Noah would get a kick out of using chopsticks and Ava would love to make origami birds to hang above her bed... The ideas are endless...

If you want to take part in this family adventure right now though, SavvySource is running a special national discount on your first 3 months (including the starter package) for only $23.

I'm sure there are other wonderful resources out there that we could use to bring the world to our kids - if you come across any, please leave a comment!

art party - memorable take home favors

I have a soft spot for party favors. From baby showers to weddings, favors are those little gems that guests take home as a memento from the wonderful occasion. I can still remember the party favor I received from the first birthday party I ever attended as a child. I think it's such a wonderful way to make every child feel special and included to receive a gift at a birthday party - and not just the birthday girl.

It was inevitable that the container to use for the favors had to be paint cans. I found these clear ones online, and ordered a box set - for under $2 a piece. Fill the bottom with shredded color paper, add candy and trinkets you find at your local party store. I included a stamp set and jar of bubbles.





I was exceptionally ecstatic to find Pop Rocks candy with actual paint rollers for dipping - that I went to two stores to get enough for the favors.



For the "thank you" message, I picked up some fun colorful paint sample chips (Home Depot) and glued them together to create a paint deck of 4 colors- then clipped them to the side of the handle. To prop the handle up so that the kids could grab the container, I inserted foam paint rollers (in the center and tied it with streamers.



And of course, while I don't mind sending kids home with more sugar and candy - I thought it would be fair to also send them home with a trousseu of art supplies to create master pieces of their own.




Art Party Guest Favors - Our Tips
1. Favors are no doubt an extra expense. A simple notebook with watercolors wrapped together with a beautiful bow would be fantastic giveaway too! Depending on the amount of children you are hosting, splurge on what you feel is right. But don't forget to include something nonperishable too - like a paint brush, or personalized apron.

And if you shop throughout the year and collect some pieces during sales, you'll find yourself inspired to create memorable guest favors long after the party is over. Except for the candy - every thing can be reused - which parents love!

Our favors ran approx $10 each, but we planned ahead for that - since we only had 6 to make.

Have a favor idea? Please share your ideas here...

planning a preschooler art party

For Ava's fourth birthday, we decided to do an Art Party theme. It was an easy choice - considering my former home office was turned into the children's art studio - and our home decor is filled with masterpieces the kids created since they could hold a brush. Ava has always embraced art, and a few years ago, she even painted canvases and gave them away as party favors. So we took this idea and ran with it...

The invitations went out, and I had fun making this just using the home computer and card stock. A new paintbrush taped to the side quickly turned this dull card into something fun for the kids receiving them in the mail...



Once the theme was finalized, we set to work on finding age-appropriate art activities the children could have fun with. Online shopping at Oriental Trading proved fun - including purchasing loots of jewels, clear paint cans for favors, foam paint brushes to embellish the favors, child-size aprons for each guest to use and take home, and crafty activities to keep the tiny artists busy - including canvas painting, making pinwheels, masks, and tote bags...

Each child had a seat at the art table - noted by these wonderful chalkboard labels I found at Pottery Barn Kids.



Square canvases were then propped on miniature easels, along with acrylic paint trays for for each to use...





I brought in a fold up table and covered it with a washable tablecloth to set the stage for the art supplies... using a lot of what we already had at home. I even used one of Ava's pottery sculptures to house scissors, and tin baskets to contain each art activity...





I used quart and gallon sized paint cans to hold the art supplies and even an arrangement of flowers as the centerpiece for the table. There are a lot of wonderful ideas available - but I knew for a 2-hour party, we had to select just a few, while providing a variety for the 2 boys and 2 girls attending the party...

Planning an Art Party - Our Tips
1. Craft stores sometimes run specials on canvases - pick some up throughout the year for just under $4 a piece - to use with the kids anytime of the year - or for an art party! (Tip: Michaels and Joann's run 40% coupons weekly)

2. Use easels to mount the canvas, and make the artist feel as if they were painting in a gallery of the vatican. I scored these great finds in the frame section of Wal-Mart for under $7 a piece.

3. We normally reuse egg cartons to pour paint for the kids - but then I discovered white washable plastic trays - also at Wal-Mart - for just under $1 each. We also purchased 8 jars of acrylic paints ($2 each) to fill their palettes with.

4. Aprons - although we asked our guest to "come dressed messy" - it's still a sweet touch to provide aprons for the kids they can reuse over and over again. These can also be personalized with names, or draped over their chairs. You can pick up a pack of 6 for $17 from Oriental Trading.

5. Use what you have - more than likely you have glue, crayons, markers, and stickers to help spark creativity at the art table. Bring these out and display them with quart and gallon sized paint cans ($4 each from Home Depot).

blossoms from portugal

I've recently discovered that "Z," a dear friend of mine, has been spending some time healing - and finding solace through her hands - crafting beautiful little doll girls [and boys!] to life. Using her favorite fabrics, these Blossoms carry an expression that could only be saying one thing- love me.

Not surprisingly, her collection from this lot [above photos] have sold quickly - but you can still find a few similar ones at her online store - or inquire about a custom order by visiting her crafting blog. Owning or creating a handmade doll of your own is like owning a piece of history - as young girls before the age of time have played, danced, and shared tea with their stitched playmates. If you're lucky, you have one passed down to you from your own geneology map. But for the rest of us, we can't help but create a history of our own - buying handmade, and bringing childhood - as it was meant to me - to life for our own kids - in paisleys and polka dots of course!

Zelia created this one for Ava - and we're excited about her arrival next week all the way from Portugal! She will be cherished and played with - and of course, hear all of Ava's stories and secrets she has yet to share...

About the crafter:: Ze

Zelia Evora is one of those moms we wish we could emulate more of - natural in every fiber, she parents the way she lives - nurturing all those that surround her - so it wasn't surprising when I learned that she's also a doula! When we first met through the blogging world - she graciously sent me a package containing beautiful Portugal fabric with a handwritten note - to hopefully inspire me to create dolls of my own. I have yet to do so - but every time I see her fabric sitting on my desk - I think of her and her motivation for mothers to express themselves creatively.

At home in Portugal, you'll find her running her own baby-wearing business and crafting - from dolls to quilts! Visit Zelia's online store, or handmade blog to see more photos of her Blossoms or send her an email about your custom order.