The 2011 Blurb Book

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I’ve posted in the past about that I get made at Blurb.com every year (you can see more here), but I couldn’t help but share the newest addition to our collection. Yes, I do realize that we are now in the third quarter of 2012, but cut me some slack, 2011 was a huge year for us. In fact, the 2011 book was twice the size of any other year we’ve done so far. I blame a few things, but mostly, I think it was the addition of Mr. Tate. Technically, he’s a part of the 2010 book, but only for a few pages at the end since he was born around Christmas. So the 2011 book was the first book full of both kids, which led the amount of pictures to double. In addition, Lu graduated preschool, started Kindergarten, we went to Disney World…let’s just say there were a TON of photos to choose from. I’m super excited about how it turned out!

Blurb-Book-Layout

Each book is named after one of our favorite songs* from that year, and this year’s was “All I Need” by Radiohead. This has significance for us since we finally were able to see Radiohead in concert (a 2011 Christmas gift from Trent to me!) and because of the words themselves. This little family, plus my amazing friend network, is really all I need.

The cover photo is from our photoshoot with Nicole Coleman last fall. Have I mentioned how much I miss her? Wah! I miss you Nicole.

I love seeing all of my books lined up on a shelf or laying out on a coffee table and pulling them down to remember all of the amazing times we’ve had together. I am pretty freaking lucky.

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*Funny story, Trent was looking through some of our older yearly books and was like, “Where did you get the title ‘I And Love and You’?” [for the 2009 book]. I told him it was from the Avett Brothers song, and he was all, “Oh, I always wondered where that came from and then I heard the song the other day and wondered if that was why.” I’ve been doing these books for years and he never realized where I was getting the titles…he just thought I was a weirdo. And I thought I was so profound!

Our Favorite iPhone Apps for Kids

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How did people parent before the iPhone? I have been an iPhone devotee since Lulu was about three, and having that magical little box with us on long trips or in doctor’s office waiting rooms has been such a lifesaver. We use the iPhone for everything, from getting directions to recipes for a quick dinner to a white noise machine when we’re staying in a hotel. But my kids’ favorite thing to do on the iPhone is play games. So here, without further adieu, are Lulu and Tate’s favorite iPhone apps.

Lu-iPhone-Apps

1. Way Cooler – This app takes your photos and makes them, well, way cooler. Lulu has loved playing around, taking photos of herself and others, and adding googly eyes, crazy noses, little creatures and all sorts of fun embellishments. The aesthetic kind of reminds me of old school Ren and Stimpy, and the gross factor is just fun enough for kids her age. Best part, it’s FREE!

2. Toca Boca Birthday Party – Pretty much anything from Toca Boca is on Lulu’s list (we also have the Christmas app, the clean-up app and the haircut app), but her current favorite is Birthday Party. You pick each part of the party, things like a cake, gifts, drinks, plates, etc., and then throw a little party. Lu would spend forever with this game if we let her. Cost – $1.99

3. Fruit Ninja – This is a game that is addictive for kids and adults. Basically, you’re trying to slice up fruit with a ninja sword (aka, your finger) before it falls to the bottom of the screen. Lu likes to play in easy mode, but if you play in game mode, it can get pretty intense. All four of us enjoy this one. Cost – $0.99

4. Don’t Let the Pigeon Run This App – Pretty much anything from Mo Willems is fantastic, and this app doesn’t disappoint. It’s based on his characters from the Pigeon Book Series, and let’s kids create their own stories and then save them to read later. It’s sort of like a mad libs with a grumpy pigeon. There are other features too, like learning how to draw the pigion and memory games with the bus driver. Cost – $4.99

Tate-iPhone-Apps

1. Wheels on the Bus – This is one of the first apps I bought when Lu was little, and Tate loves it too. The Wheels on the Bus is one of his favorite songs, so he gets really excited when the music starts playing. For each verse, there is a new screen where you act out parts of the song, while singing along. Cost – $0.99

2. Peekaboo Barn – This is by far Tate’s favorite thing to do on the iPhone. This app teaches kids about animals, and when each animal knocks at the barn door, Tate gets so excited to hear their noises. He likes to steal my phone and I’ll find him sitting with this game on his bedroom floor. Little rascal. Cost – $1.99

3. Sprout TV App – This is a great app made by PBS Sprout for kids to watch their programming in a safe environment. Tate will yell “Coooookkkiiiieeee” until you pull up this app and let him watch clips of Cookie Monster. This only works well with Wifi, so keep that in mind when you promise your little one they can watch it. Cost – Free

What are your favorite apps or games for kids? Any lifesavers out there I should know about?

Summer Loving

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I looked at the calendar today and couldn’t believe it! Summer is nearing an end here in the Midwest, where school starts in three short weeks! THREE WEEKS! Bah humbug. We are going to have to squeeze every drop of summer out of these last few weeks/weekends. Here are some fun things we’ve been loving and/or coveting this hot, hot summer.

1. Friendship Bracelets from Madewell. // 2. Polka Dot Anything, but these cute shorts from Splendid will do the trick! // 3. We’ve been making tons of popsicles via the ole’ freezing juice method, but I’d love one of these Zoku makers for an instant treat! // 4. Curl Creme from Bumble and Bumble is how I make my wavy hair look beachy even when I’m in an air conditioned office all day. // 5. My Saltwaters have been my go-to shoe this summer…I can dress them up or down and they go with everything. // 6. The XX is coming out with a new album of more soothing, magical loveliness that just sounds like summer to me.

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Psssssttt…looky what I found! Similar polka dot shorts at Old Navy of all places! And $18! Get on that, people!

Mother’s Day Roundup

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Every year I am asked over and over again what I want for Mother’s Day. And really, I don’t want anything. I know, I know, I’m a saint. Or obnoxious. Whatever. But truly, all I really want for Mother’s Day is to a.) sleep in and b.) people to cook me food and serve me drinks, preferably with cute little notes alongside my breakfast dish. Also, I refuse to do any of the hard parenting stuff, like timeouts for toddlers or explaining to five year olds why they cannot attempt to fly off the kitchen counter. On Mother’s Day, I am immune.

However, since I am a loving and kind person, here (for those that have been asking, ahem, husband) is a list of a few things I would love to receive for Mother’s Day, ranging from the ridiculous expensive to cheap and sweet.

Mothers Day Gift Guide 2012

1. Madsen Bike – I’ve been jonesing for a bike for a while now, and this one comes complete with a child container. Now if only it came with a spill proof lid for said child container.

2. A Huge Canvas of Something Significant (Image via) – That sounds like the name of a bad movie. “A Huge Canvas of Something Significant,” coming May 2012. Anyway, I fill my house with these, so I’m always game for another. Maybe get a photo of the kids or one of an amazing piece of art that Lucy drew. Maybe a full sized photo of me, since I am the queen of this house, damnit.

3. Mother Mermaid and Baby Print – This makes me smiley.

4. 31 Bits Necklace – Have you guys heard of 31 Bits? Well, if not, get on it. This company sells jewelry made by women in Northern Uganda, and then uses the money it makes to set up services for these same women. It’s quite the incredible corporation, and you’d be supporting it and buying me something shiny. Win/win.

5. Flowers (image via astrasnotes)- Preferably wrapped in paper and preferably from somewhere local and awesome. I recommend Dutch Flowers in the River Market (P.S. On Saturdays, you can get all you can carry flowers for $5!).

6. Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen – Pretty much every gift guide I know is prescribing this for moms this year, and I have to say, it looks incredible. (Hat tip to Cool Mom Picks for the recommendation!)

7. Encore Membership to the Kauffman Center in Kansas City – With an Encore Membership you get all sorts of perks, including early purchasing of tickets for big shows and discounts. At $50, this is a great gift!

8. Anything From J. Crew – This look should get you started. Better yet, just go for a gift card.

9. Canon EOS 5D Mark II – Come to mommy, my precious.

10. Copper Band Ring – Get names or dates printed on this puppy, and you’ll have a mama in tears. (Thanks again to Cool Mom Picks for the heads up.)

Viva La Pinterest!

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Guess who found her Pinterest login? Yup, this nerd. Some recent pins that I love:

Pinterest Love Board

1. Black Bean Bowl via Bleubird Vintage, so delicious (and easy! and my kids actually ate it!) // 2. Don’t Lick My Arm (It’s What Weird Kids Do) print // 3. Bowties Are Cool print, a favorite Doctor Who quote and a very true statement // 4. No Makeup, Makeup Look, which I’ve used pretty much every day since I saw this // 5. The Madewell Spring Line makes me want (no, need!) to move to France // Moment Junkie, a new favorite site // 7. Swimsuit // 8. DIY Upholstered Headboard, Trent and I totally made this and no I’m not kidding // 9. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson, only read if you don’t mind snorting with laughter in public //

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