Easter Basket Round Up

Time to talk baskets! Growing up our Easter baskets were heavy on the chocolate (Cadbury, yum) and jelly beans, and an accessory such as a hair bow or little purse but honestly not much else. Not that there is anything wrong with that but more sugar is one thing that my kids don’t need, wink, and since Easter is an important faith holiday for us, we like to focus on something that encourages them in their faith walk while also celebrating the new life that is reflected all around us during springtime (which sometimes looks like new art supplies, new poetry books, etc). And if you haven’t endured a Michigan winter you don’t know just how joyous that celebration is! Here I’ve rounded up some of my spring favorites. I try to focus on what we need to replenish (chalk, bubbles, paints) and sometimes I snag a little something at Target (they have such cute watering cans for kids as well as wooded painted birdhouses). And at the end of the day, you really just have the size of a basket to work with so while it’s easy to get overwhelmed with Christmas (and having to stem the tide of gifts from well-meaning family and friends), I find Easter much easier and simpler. And that’s probably the way it should be, no? Smile. Happy Easter all!

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Valentine's Day Picture Book Round Up

Confession: once I moved past middle school, I either found Valentine's Day unnecessarily stressful or just downright cheesy. And while I don't want to give in to the sugar/chocolate marketing hype, I do think it's a fun day to remind those closest to us that we love them and to teach our kids what love looks like. As a family we try to do surprise love notes throughout the month of February to each other (this has gotten fun as my older two can now write on their own but stickers work great for little hands too), send handmade cards to friends and grandparents, read books about love that goes beyond romantic love (love is servant-hearted, courageous, thoughtful, etc) and love on our community (we've surprised firefighters with donuts and make & pass out blessings bags for the homeless as February can tend to dip into single digit temps here). Anyway, it's not to add any pressure or stress on the parent, just fun ways to model various acts of love to the littles. Here's a fun round-up of some Valentine's Day picture books that we are enjoying this month!

My Heart
By Corinna Luyken
Love Is
By Diane Adams
This Is Not a Valentine
By Carter Higgins
A Hug Is for Holding Me
By Lisa Wheeler
Love Is a Tutu
By Amy Novesky
I Wrote You a Note
By Lizi Boyd
I Carry Your Heart with Me
By E.E. Cummings
Words and Your Heart
By Kate Jane Neal
My Heart Is a Compass
By Deborah Marcero

Mini Mother's Day Gift Guide

The other day my husband was asking what I wanted for Mother's Day and my answer was the same as it is every year: just time with you and the kids. And good, strong coffee. And brunch. LOL. But honesty, tangible gifts aren't my love language the way that quality time is, but he pointed out that he wants to teach us our kids how to love on their mama and my boys particularly had been asking for him to help them pick out a gift...SO since my arm was twisted, a book list was rapidly sent his way and they have plans to hit our local indie bookstore this weekend. All this made me think of how many of you perhaps are looking for a gift for your own mothers...or for sisters, friends, aunts, or yourselves! I am hesitant to call this an official gift guide since there are so many other bloggers out there that do a fabulous job of curating gifts (I see you, @dosaygive) but here a few unique ones for that woman in your life that loves to live by the page:

Books

Cookbooks

Links below to some of my favorites....even if you are working with more of a novice cook, cookbooks provide fabulous inspiration or even make lovely coffee table books too. Wink.

Cloth + Paper

Because one can never have enough bags or paper goods, right!? Special Living by the Page coupon codes included below!!!

from the library haul to the farmer’s market one can never have too many canvas bags! USE CODE MOM15 FOR 15% OFF! ORDER BY MAY 7 TO ENSURE DELIVERY FOR MOTHER’S DAY!

from the library haul to the farmer’s market one can never have too many canvas bags! USE CODE MOM15 FOR 15% OFF! ORDER BY MAY 7 TO ENSURE DELIVERY FOR MOTHER’S DAY!

this parent/child journals make amazing gifts that she’ll not only use, but will treasure forever! USE CODE LOOM15 FOR 15% OFF! ORDER BY MAY 5 TO ENSURE DELIVERY FOR MOTHER’S DAY!

this parent/child journals make amazing gifts that she’ll not only use, but will treasure forever! USE CODE LOOM15 FOR 15% OFF! ORDER BY MAY 5 TO ENSURE DELIVERY FOR MOTHER’S DAY!

What woman doesn’t love stationary?! we love everything from joycreativeshop! use code mom15 to ensure delivery by mother’s day!

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a personal journal makes a fabulous gift and these ones are perfect for upcoming summer travel or to record those special moments in a unique list format. head here to order and shipping is free if you order by may 7!

a personal journal makes a fabulous gift and these ones are perfect for upcoming summer travel or to record those special moments in a unique list format. head here to order and shipping is free if you order by may 7!

Flourish Motherhood Magazine is graciously offering a FREE digital download for either Issue 01—4. I’ve written several times for Flourish and I’m always encouraged, challenging and uplifted by this magazine as well! Use code MOTHERSDAY19 now throug…

Flourish Motherhood Magazine is graciously offering a FREE digital download for either Issue 01—4. I’ve written several times for Flourish and I’m always encouraged, challenging and uplifted by this magazine as well! Use code MOTHERSDAY19 now through June 1!!