One night my daughter came to me, head down and forlorn, and she asked, “Why don’t I love cars like Brother does?” I started by explaining that people like different things and it’s what makes us all special and unique. Then I suggested that she not focus on the one thing the two of them … Read more
This little car-loving guy spied something fun on the counter and asked me to get it down "so he could hug it". Clearly, he's got me all figured out. And then he noticed a second Motorworks customizable wooden toy car on the counter and of course he wanted that one, too. Because, you know, "they … Read more
I love toys with no instructions. There’s nothing more exciting than opening a box and finding a gorgeous open-ended toy that allows the kiddos and I to get creative. For this reason, I love PlanToys. While technically most of their toys do come with some sort of instruction {especially the ones requiring assembly}, you really … Read more
It would be hard to forget the first time you lay eyes upon Moover Toys. I remember vividly the first time I spotted them in the middle of the HABA booth at the ABC Kids Show in Kentucky, surrounded by buyers and gawkers that just wanted to get up close to all this cuteness. And, … Read more
A couple months ago I read a piece of home buying advice that I wished I had heard back before we bought our house in 2006. The author of the article was talking about the hidden costs of buying a home and at the top of her list was “count the damn windows”. Her point … Read more
Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide – Day 11 Chances are you have seen anamalz all over since they arrived in the U.S. from Australia. You now can find these adorable bendable animals in specialty stores, book stores, and toys stores everywhere for a really great reason – they are amazingly fun to play with and kids … Read more
Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide – Day 6 Don’t you love when companies just “get it”? BigJigs is one of those companies that understands that parents these days want the best of all worlds – imagination inspiring, adorable, educational, quality-made, and extended play value toys for their kids. For 25 years BigJigs has been all the … Read more
I simply adore European design. In fact, I would do nearly all my shopping overseas if I could afford the shipping or the plane tickets. So, finding a retailer like Maukilo that specializes in European design and in heirloom quality toys is pretty much a dream come true. There are hundreds of ways I could … Read more
Get Out and PLAY Event – Day 17 When I first found out I was pregnant, all I could think about was little itty bitty cuteness. But, while I was dreaming of small clothing and even tinier shoes and accessories, my husband was looking much further ahead. He had already set his heart on road … Read more
Every once in a while I find a toy that is so perfect that I just can't help but covet it for my little ones. This would be a toy that combines clever design, good play value, and high quality parts as well as being fun to play with, which means it is bound to … Read more