Pretty Whites...

I received a lovely plant that was just beginning to bloom for Mother's Day a few weeks ago.  It is blooming more beautiful and bountiful than any other plant I have ever seen.  It's creamy white flowers remind me of carefree linen, soft cotton poplin, white sand beaches, translucent edges of white seashells and all things I love about the season we are about to embark upon.

These perfectly sweet creamy/beachy dress makes me think of the effortless way a cotton summer dress should sway in the wind, ever-so-gently wisping by your tanned summer legs.

The nautilus shell has the perfect creamy white edges that make it a classic beauty.

And these white sand beaches are the ultimate summer treat!  

I hope you are inspired by a wonderful color this summer season!

Fabulous Find: Porcelain Fruit/Veggie Basket

Oh dear, when it comes to anything that is white and porcelain, I'm sold!  I recently ran across these lovely little porcelain fruit and vegetable baskets.

Wouldn't they make a sweet little centerpiece on your summer table?  A fun way to display those pesky fruit and vegetables your little ones turn their noses at?  After looking at them long enough, I'm sure they'd want to try some!  They are a bit pricey but good quality porcelain lasts a lifetime!

Television?

I have always carefully monitored what my children watch on television.  We have chosen to forgo cable television so that the only type of television my children have access to is Public Television (PBS).  I have been super pleased with the educational programming PBS offers.  Some of their shows helped with the learning of letters, numbers and colors for my big girl at an early age.  I attribute this learning from not only our efforts and her intense interest, but to the wonderful programming PBS offers.  Not only is the programming educational but it also instills creative thinking and good values (something every preschooler needs to hear from someone other than mom and dad).

Some of our favorite PBS shows are:

  

BabyCenter recently posted an article on good programming for children.  Their list combines PBS as well as cable shows.

What kind of TV censoring do you use in your house?  Do you set a time limit for watching?  

I would always rather my children be playing outside, doing a puzzle, coloring, dancing, or pretending...BUT I think a little quality television is ok too.  

Digging in the dirt...and other adventures

Have you ever dug new potatoes fresh from the earth?  My girls experienced this first-hand at a fruit and vegetable farm in our area.  There is something wonderfully exciting about digging through the mounds of dirt looking for the reddish skin of a potato that is ready to be harvested.  At first my big girl was hesitant to get her hands dirty but with a little encouragement (and reassuring words that the dirt was just dirt) she dove into the task of finding potatoes.  My little babe enjoyed sitting in the dirt and feeling its different texture.  I was incredibly happy to see them enjoying the simple pleasures of harvesting something fresh from the earth -- and playing in the dirt with just their little hands (no plastic please)!

Just down a few fields were the most glorious blackberry bushes.  They were filled with many ripe blackberries that begged to be picked from their weighted branches.  Many of these lovely and delightful blackberries ended up in my girl's belly rather than in the box.  Now, I am not a huge fan of blackberries because I find them too tart.  But these, fresh picked, were the most glorious treat my mouth has ever tasted.  Warmed slightly by the morning sun, these berries were delicious!!

Here's to a summer full of bountiful harvests!  Enjoy!

Good ol' TONKA

There is nothing like a wild ride, given by your sister, on a Tonka truck.  Big enough to haul a sizable load and sturdy enough to get her to her destination without injury (thank goodness)!  These trucks come highly recommended by the preschoolers I know, especially this one.  He was the inspiration for our Tonka dump truck purchase.  I have a feeling this truck might be around long enough to witness these girls driving real trucks!

Rain magic...

When light spring rains set in and all indoor opportunities are exhausted,

reach for the pint-sized umbrella to share with a friend.

Marching outside barefoot in the fresh puddles

makes a lasting impression

Forget the boots, hats and gear,

just grab an umbrella to share with a friend.

My big girl experienced this with her friend last week.  

Who doesn't have fond childhood memories of walking and playing in the rain with or without an umbrella?

It is always unplanned and spontaneous making for fabulous preschooler fun!

And the babe sleeps....

After 9 long months sleep has finally come!

A multitude of thanks to Dr. A and Dr. Ferber for their expert help!