This week, the kids got a surprise when they found our Elf Magic elf, Ryan, sleeping outside in the milk delivery bin. Although they knew he would be coming to stay the holidays with us again, they didn’t expect him quite this early as he usually shows up some time after Thanksgiving. Also a surprise … Read more
With Thanksgiving a mere days away, I know many of you are putting the finishing touches on your menu and getting all ready to celebrate the holidays the way it was intended – by hanging out with friends and family eating too much turkey and fixings. With prep in full swing at our house, I’d … Read more
Here at Rave and Review we clearly like our stuff. It’s really great to find that item that just blows you away with how well it works, or with some simple but brilliant design feature. But truth be told, we really only consider all the gear around us as items that make our days easier … Read more
Even though Christmas is a few weeks away, we got to preview some items in the Corolle line including their interactive Lila doll that my daughter has been dreaming about, and it was very popular. My daughter recognized Lila immediately as the one she had written “LOVE” by in the catalog and started jumping up … 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
A few years ago, my daughter fell in love with fairies thanks to the Magic Cabin Tree Trunk Fairy Home. Since then, we have done a fairy garden for her in our backyard with Plow & Hearth accessories, created a fairy cove in her bedroom, and decorated her wall mural with display shelves for her … Read more
Know what’s cuter than a fairy? Why, two fairies, of course! Disney’s The Secret of the Wings, gives you two for the price of one as a new fairy, Periwinkle, joins Pixie Hollow. As much as I was anticipating the release of The Secret of the Wings even as far back as BlogHer this summer, … Read more
Before this week, I had never seen the movie E.T. Sure, I knew of it and that it was about a little boy who eats Reese’s Pieces and turns into a googl-y eyed monster with a glowing finger that scares Drew Barrymore. Then through the kindness of others and the determination to win, he eventually … Read more
A few weeks ago, my preschool-aged daughter and I started learning about the War of 1812. Yes, I know it’s a bit late for me to be learning about a war I should have learned all about in High School and I also know it’s a bit early for her to start learning about war … Read more
Because of how much my kiddos thirst for knowledge, I strive to make each new toy that comes into our house a learning opportunity. Whether it be empathy and understanding or science and problem solving, I find myself turning to HABA toys again and again. With heirloom quality toys that capture the true essence of … Read more