Letter M Tot School {Part 1}

Tot school is back after an extended break. The break wasn't really intentional, part of it we were on vacation, part of it we were just busy doing summertime stuff. I was kind of feeling guilty about how little time we've spend doing {planned} tot school activities, but I've decided to cut myself some slack in the summer. While last year we were able to continue tot school on a weekly basis over the summer, this year Henry is older, busier, and more interested in being out-and-about. So, I've decided if a letter takes two weeks this summer -- that's alright. 

So, without further ado -- Letter M week, part 1. Prior to this week, Henry could identify both the capital and lowercase M. 

On the first tray was all about mail. It included crayons, paper, stamps, crayons, envelops, and a small metal mailbox. This way Henry could "write" a letter to friends and family and send them off. He had so much fun with this tray! While he spent a lot of time putting his letters into his mailbox, we also put them in the actual mail together. 

The second tray was a "make-a-monster" station. It included a tray filled with different bodies, eyes, mouths, and feet/hands to make a silly, happy monster. Henry didn't use this tray much but did think it was silly the couple times he did which was good because all of a sudden he thinks all monsters are scary.

The final tray was a money sorting activity. The tray included a wooden bowl filled with coins, a plastic container with holes cut to fit each coin, and some identifying coin cards. This was Henry's favorite activity for the week. I included quite a few coins but he sat there and sorted each one several times over. He also used the cards to sort the coins into types. 

The final activity was a letter M sensory bin. As always Henry liked to explore this bin. He especially loved the little sock-monkeys. 

Stay-tuned for next week, for part 2 of the letter M. I have a bunch of fun stuff planned for this week! Do you find that you've had to modify your tot school program for the summer?

{Don't forget to enter our Melissa and Doug or Olive and Ruby Kids giveaways!} 

Blogher13 Hop Fashion Questions

Sorry, link up is a week late this month, we were waiting for the new redesign to be complete before we posted. I'm so excited for this month!! And, I really am freaking out about my wardrobe {or lack thereof.}


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This month's link up is the BlogHer Freaking Out About Fashion edition!

Because I can almost guarantee pretty much every female blogger who goes to BlogHer for the first time is doing exactly that - thinking about what to wear, how much shopping should be done, how much repurposing of current fashions can be done, and just how awesome we all want to look!

In that idea, we're doing the link up this time a little differently.  Instead of just telling us about your answers, we want you to show us.  For the following questions, post images {and descriptions, if you'd like!} of the items below:

- Show us one pair of comfortable shoes you'll be sure to bring.
- Show us one current item in your wardrobe you'll be packing.
- Show us one accessory you already own that you'll be bringing to the conference.
- Show us your shapewear.  {Let's get real.  We're all going to be wearing it.}
- And finally, show us a dream outfit that you don't own but would love to, and would wear to BlogHer if you could!

- Bonus question to add if you'd like?  Show us one hairstyle or make-up look you'd love to rock at BlogHer 2013!

We'll be posting the link-up this Friday, so get your posts ready and we'll see you back then!

Dear Morgan

Dear Morgan,

For 27 months, I've watched you. Every day. Watched you laugh, snuggle, play, rock, and feed Henry. And I cannot get enough of how awesome you are.

I love how protective you are of Henry. I love how you fight me to get the best spot on the bed for cuddles. I love that your idea of a perfect afternoon is napping with Henry. And, I love that you would do anything for him.

I can't imagine doing this parenting thing with anyone else. Thank you for being so amazing.

Happy Father's Day!

*These pictures were taken as part of an art project Hen and I made for Morgan*

New Layout!

Check out the new digs! I know it has been slow around here this past week, but that's because all of my blogging-energy has been going to getting this redesign complete. I am so totally in love with all the changes. 

Warning, all of the pages are still in the process of being updated. So, be on the lookout for those changes in the coming days. 

This entire design was only possible because of the wonderful and amazing Tiffany Kuehl Designs. Tiffany was so wonderful to work with and put up with a lot me indecision from me, and I seriously cannot thank her enough.

I hope you guys love it as much as I do!

Olive and Ruby Kids Prints {Review and Giveaway}

I seriously cannot tell you guys how happy I am with how Henry's Montessori toddler room came out! He has been sleeping in the room now for a little over a week and it has been kind of amazing. He's sleeping, he's playing; he's happy, I'm happy. 

The room could not have been what it is without all the little details -- especially the fun and whimsical robot prints from Olive and Ruby Kids. These prints were bright, fun, and fit perfect with the robot theme. And, best part?! They were affordable! I can't tell you how long I searched for something just like them.

The quality is seriously unbeatable. They were printed on beautiful thick paper with a nice edge around the print for easy framing. Each print was signed by the designer and shop-owner, which I thought was a really nice touch.

Olive and Ruby Kids is so much more than robots. I seriously want to decorate all of my kids spaces around these prints.

Squirrels cooking s'mores...love!

A girl dinosaur! Perfect!

Seriously, it's all so cute. Need something a little more grown up, check out its sister-site Olive and Ruby -- it makes me want to get married all over again!

And here is your chance to win one of  Olive and Ruby Kids prints of your very own! Olive and Ruby is allowing one lucky reader to pick a robot or a monster print of their very own! Follow the Rafflecopter directions below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I did not receive any compensation for this post, nor was I given the prints. However, the giveaway is hosted by Olive and Ruby Kids. All opinions are my own*