Child's Play: Museum of Natural Curiosity

One thing I realized on our trip to Utah is how many fun entertainment options are available for kids. From restaurants with child-centered distractions and menus to large, high-quality entertainment centers, I was highly impressed with the selection. My cousins were nice enough to take us along to the Museum of Natural Curiosity one morning and my kids were in heaven! They have three main areas to play - Kidopolis (a miniature metropolitan area filled with a pretend theater, post office, laundromat, etc.); rainforest (filled with fun ropes course and even an airplane you can fly in the sky); and waterworks (fun ways to play with water for kids of all ages.) We stayed for a few hours and left at lunch time, but this is a definitely a place you could spend all day and be a hero in your kids' eyes.

Blake especially loved this theater where kids could change the scenery, lighting, sound effects and even dress in costumes. His favorite was the pirate set-up.

What kid isn't obsessed with laundry machines? These light-up manual washers and dryers were a big hit.

There are even little hidden compartments along the ground of the complex. This one was a miniature dinosaur house that visitors could peek in on.

Several of the activities incorporate learning in fun ways. This music studio lets kids add different musical elements to create their own personal masterpiece.

The drum room is probably the loudest area in the entire place. It's fun to create a beat, but you'll be ready to duck out within a few minutes.

Ella jumped right into the rain forest area and loved playing on all of the ropes.

I even followed my kids up the rope bridges to the suspended airplane to catch a few shots of Blake driving. Definitely not a good idea for people who are afraid of heights, but so much fun for adventurous kids.

It was a great day filled with fun and cousins we don't get to see very often. I would highly recommend a visit to anyone living in or traveling to the Salt Lake area.

Valentine's Day Countdown

Anticipation might be the best feeling in the world, which is why countdowns are so much fun. For Valentine's Day, I wanted to do something to help us feel the love at our house and add more meaning to the year's most mercurial holiday (really lovely or horribly lonely).

We'll use the embroidered felt hearts I made last week to create a Valentine's Day countdown tree. Starting February 1st, we'll add a heart to the "tree" (some curly willow branches in a large vase) each day and, even more importantly, also select a small act of kindness to complete that day.

Here are 14 ideas simple enough for even your littlest ones. You can download the printable here.


14 Small Acts of Kindness

1. Hug someone
2. Secret pixie a friend (i.e. drop off a treat, ring the doorbell, run)
3. Do a favor for someone
4. Kiss someone
5. Give a compliment
6. Learn to say "I love you" in a different language
7. Tell someone you love them
8. Name 3 things you like about yourself
9. Write or draw a thank you note
10. Smile at everyone you see today
11. Call someone you love far away
12. Say thank you to 3 people
13. Blow kisses to someone
14. Hold someone's hand

I hope these help add a little more love to your February (which for me is in a perpetual race with January for the Worst Month of the Year award). If not, at least enjoy a few timely distractions:

The most beautiful box of chocolate
Venice, Paris, Dubrovnik! The 20 best cities for romance
A (virtual) walk through the world's most glorious rose gardens
True love: 4 inspiring tales of marriage
Bling! The world's most famous jewels
The lost art of writing love letters
The secrets of happy couples, infograph-style
Go out: the most amazing dinner dates ever
Stay in: 50 greatest romantic movies

Sick Day(s)

It's that time of the year. Besides all of the fun festivities - the hustle and bustle - its also a time when germs seem to be running most rampant. My family has not been immune. For the last week we have had a rotating game going of who is feeling the most under the weather around our house. But we're finally on the mend, hallelujah.

The whole experience has made me reflect on how horrible it feels to have a child struggle, leaving you, as a parent, feeling completely helpless. Both of my kids were hit with viruses that left their little heads and bodies hurting to the point of needing doctor visits. But each time we met with a physician we were told "it's a virus, there's nothing you can do but wait it out and give some pain medication as needed." But is that really the case? Is there really nothing else we can do but wait it out?
Being a "fixer"-type person, this solution just doesn't work for me. Sure, there may not be a medical cure-all but there are certainly ways to help your little ones (or big ones as the case may be) get through their sick days. Feeling down and out, it makes sense that getting some extra attention and patience is key to boosting spirits.

There are a few times as a kid I can recall being really sick and having my mom fill up this insanely awesome dinosaur water bottle with ginger ale as part of our "medicine." Sure, it may not have been actual medicine (... or was it?...) but the idea of getting something extra special made something not so fun have a little bit of a bright side. I try to do similar things and seem to pamper my kids with meals on trays in bed as they rest. Overindulgent? Some may think so. But I think the support is what shows our loved ones that they aren't alone in trying to heal and get through a trying time.

The power of touch also seems to have magical powers in healing. When we've exhausted our options with pain medications (note that we have liquid and chewable because my kids get picky on which type they will take) and the hurt is still ever-present, the best we can do is be there to give back scratches, head rubs and snuggles. Does something so simple really help? I like to think that the good feelings help outweigh the bad and give some distraction for the pain. And to be honest - who doesn't like a good head rub?

Most importantly, I need to remember that it's always ok to ask for more ideas. Much to our doctors' dismay, I am a WebMD frequenter ("I saw online that those rashes can sometimes lead to..."), but I do appreciate the home care ideas. Reaching out to several resources and trying different things to find what works best for your specific situation is key. So please share! What are some things that work for your family as you work through sickness? I'd love to hear some of your personal experiences.

Book Report: Best Christmas Books for Kids

When I was growing up, my mom had a collection of books that she stored with the holiday decorations and only brought out at Christmas time. Each night of December, we'd pick one or two to read together under the glow of the tree lights. Pretty nice, right?

I'm working on building a Christmas library so I can carry on the tradition with Max (and on that note, do any fellow moms of heavy-machinery-obsessed toddlers have recommendations for Christmas stories featuring cement mixers and excavators?).

Anyways, here are a few of my favorite Christmas tales:

The Story of Santa Claus by Scribbler Elf
The lush illustrations in this book are so magical they’ll enchant even the most skeptical little ones. As a kid, I truly believed Scribbler Elf  penned this tale of how a man named Nicholas became Santa (especially after my mom told me that the editor was just Scribbler's American publishing partner).

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Relive your childhood with this Caldecott-winning perennial favorite about a young boy swept away on a magical Christmas Eve journey.

The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
I love Jan Brett’s signature Scandi style, which is at its best in this story of Teeka, who learns a valuable lesson about how to win friends (human and otherwise) as she helps train Santa’s reindeer.

The Snow Child by Freya Littledale
This isn’t strictly a Christmas story, but the snowy setting and themes of hope, love, and dreams coming true make it a worthy edition to your Christmas library.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!” I’m sure it’s already on your list, but I’d feel irresponsible if I didn’t include this Christmas classic.

Stars Were Gleaming by Greg Olsen
A beautiful tribute to the true Reason for the season. Kids will love the beautiful artwork, while you’ll enjoy the poetry, scriptures, and quotations about the Savior.

I’m sure I’ve missed some great books...what are your favorite children’s stories for the holidays?

Tips for DIY Family Photos

Taking pictures with young kids is hard. Really hard. It seems like trying to get a natural looking smile is like asking my kids to give up Paw Patrol for a week...a monumental achievement. Its no wonder I procrastinate the dreaded holiday photo every year. But through our numerous attempts (some of which have been massive failures) we have come to find a few tricks that help when you're using friends or family to snap photos for you instead of a professional.

1. Outfits - I'm not a huge fan of being too match-matchy in pictures. It seems like going too similar with the matching khakis and white shirts just end up looking overly fake and cheesy. Instead, I try to pick a color or two that all of us are wearing in some way. Keep in mind that if you plan to print your photos to display somewhere in your home, you may want to avoid anything looking too seasonal so that the photo looks appropriate year-round.

2. Location - For these pictures, my sweet Momma met us at Robinswood Park in Bellevue. I love this spot because it has a great range of backgrounds to try. Everything from water, woods, buildings and wide open spaces - it's all available here. Not only will a location with multiple options add variety to your photos, it helps your family feel less stale as the session goes on.

3. Let them play - Go into your photos knowing that the process will take twice as long as you would expect. When you're not in a hurry, letting kids get their wiggles out and find their comfort zone will only make them more natural in photos. An added bonus: the candid shots of them running and doing silly poses end up being some of my favorites.

4. Switch things up - Change who is in the pictures, your positioning, your scenery, even do an outfit change if you so choose. Doing different combinations of people gives others a bit of a break to feel refreshed and ready for more. And it showcases the special individual relationships within your family.

5. Stay comfortable - Make sure you stay hydrated and as comfortable as possible as you're taking pictures. Kids should be well fed and not tired (avoid naptime.) It can help to bring some non-messy snacks along to keep blood sugar levels up and - ok you caught me - to ask for kids to show their "fruit snack smiles" as seen above. Just try not to bring along things like dark juices, peanut butter, etc. that will most definitely end up making a big mess that will cause more harm than good.

When all else fails, just tell your photographer to shoot away and keep your fingers crossed that you capture at least one acceptable shot. Embrace the flaws and know that it (supposedly) only gets easier as time goes on. What other tips have you learned for taking great family photos?

Finding the Right Tree

Christmastime is filled with traditions. One of my favorites this time of year is our annual search for the perfect Christmas tree. We like to get a head start and head out the morning of Thanksgiving to find our tree. We've been a few places over the years but Mountain Creek Farm is the one that's seemed to stick with their friendly people and gorgeously green trees.

This sweet spot has trees of all shapes and sizes so we're always able to find exactly what we're looking for. There's a little stream that runs through the middle with cute bridges that the kids love to throw rocks off.

A few minutes into our trip, Ella announced that she wanted this little tree. While I was originally tempted to bring the little guy home and set him up Charlie Brown-stlye in her room, she quickly focused her attention on a much larger tree that we were actually able to consider.

Blake was a little busy throughout the trip, hunting birds with his stick. Help.

Finally we found the perfect tree. And luckily I brought along my trusty saw and person who uses the saw. Be sure to bring along gloves, boots and even a garbage bag to kneel on for the actual cutting part if it's raining. 

Watching All of that hard work, sawing and carrying trees, calls for a yummy cup of warm cider. Lots of tree farms provide a cup or two complimentary during your visit, a must on my list of proper tree farm requirements. The other is candy canes. Without these critical items, the experience just isn't quite the same. See how easily I can be persuaded with a little bit of sugar?

If you decide to forego the faux this year and cut down your own, there are a few things to keep in mind in terms of type of tree. Durability, color and fragrance are the main concerns. I've outlined the most common types you'll find at any fir farm or tree lot. Keep in mind, the best tree for one person isn't right for another so go with what seems right for you. Good luck in your search!

Type	Look	Fragrance	Durability
Douglas Fir	Full and dense with short and soft needles; classic green color	Average	Low
Noble Fir	More sparse branches; green with blue hue	Highest	Average
Grand Fir	Average fullness with areas of open foliage; dark green	Average	Low
Fraser Fir	Narrow shape; dark green with sliver under needles	Average	Average
Turkish Fir	Similar shape and density to Noble; dark green with blue hue	None	High

Movies to Feast on This Weekend

Long weekends are the perfect opportunity to catch a movie. Especially during Thanksgiving, you may want an opportunity to sneak out of the house, let the turkey cook and relax for a couple of hours.  Whether you go with or without the kids, we have a couple ideas on what to see.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

If you haven't yet read the Hunger Games trilogy yet, stop now and begin reading immediately. If you have, you know how fabulously exciting and wonderful the story is. The first two movies held up to my high expectations so I'm hoping this third installment is no different. If you've got the time, create your own Hunger Games marathon, watching movies 1 and 2 at home, so you can be sure you've got everything Katniss Everdeen fresh on the brain.

                                        Penguins of Madagascar

If you've seen Madagascar, you know how cute and crazy these penguins are! The perfect choice if you're looking for something to take the kids to, this colorful and fun movie is something the whole family can enjoy. And since this is a spin-off of the original movie, not a sequel, it can be seen as a stand-alone without you missing anything.


If you're still in a turkey coma on Friday and Saturday, there are plenty of movies available on iTunes or Amazon to rent or download immediately that don't even require you to change out of your jammies.

What If

Danielle Radcliffe moves away from his Harry Potter image with this romantic comedy that asks whether or not men and women can really just be friends. The movie wasn't huge in the theaters but I've heard great things about it and have definitely put this one on my list for the weekend.

                                                         Maleficent

If you have little ones running around the house that you want to catch a flick with, take a break from Frozen with this recently released movie centered around the Sleeping Beauty villain. Entertaining enough for adults yet still appropriate for kids, this one's a good one to watch together as a family.


What do you plan to watch this weekend? We'd love to hear what's on your list!

Child's Play: Turkey Handprint Place Cards

Every Christmas Eve, I’d make place cards for dinner. They would usually feature a very artistically drawn holly leaf (you know, three berries, two leaves...a holiday classic). Even though my extended family would probably have sat in the exact same configuration with or without the cards, I loved feeling like I had a part in a grown-up affair.

I decided to start my two-year-old early in the place card making tradition. Using a fantastic idea from Kaitlin, my fellow TJB blogger, we made turkey handprint place cards. For a kid who usually isn’t very into art projects, dipping his hand in the paint was messy enough to keep his attention for the three minutes it took to do this.

But before I go any further, you must know something: I am not crafty. At all. So anytime I write about a crafty idea, you can be guaranteed it’s very easy, very straightforward, and requires almost no supplies.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s what you need to know to make these charming little place cards for your Turkey Day feast.

You’ll need:
Gold acrylic paint (like this)
White card stock, cut into the size of your choice
Gold sharpie marker (like this)

To make the place cards:

1. Squirt some paint onto a paper plate. (Depending on the type of paint you use, be careful to not get it on clothes and surfaces.)
2. Have your kids dip one hand in the paint and press onto the cardstock.
3. Let dry.
4. Once dry, add a beak, gobble thing, and feet to the turkey handprint.
5. Write each person’s name on a card.

Done! I love how the gold paint keeps these from looking too preschool project-y (not that I have anything against preschool projects).



We’ll be bringing you more fun things to do with kids every week, so stay tuned. In the meantime, what are your favorite Thanksgiving crafts to do with your little ones?