christmas

Black and White Christmas Decorations

I never decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving has been celebrated. I’m not going to lie, it gets harder every year. I start hearing Christmas music November 1st and want to pour myself some hot cocoa, put on my slippers and watch Christmas movies. Christmas is my favorite holiday but the message of gratitude during Thanksgiving can not be passed up.

That said, I can still dream and plan about what fun events and decorating that is just around the corner! It’s a little disgusting how many totes of Christmas decor I own. I’ve vowed to not purchase one Christmas decoration this year despite Target’s amazing colorful line. Although I can not purchase any decorations, I can make decorations with the craft supplies I have on hand. I rounded up these black and white Christmas decorations as inspiration for my Christmas crafting session. I’m really drawn to the black and white minimalistic Scandinavian style.

Black and White Christmas Decorations

13_Scandi_Christmas_Tablesetting_by_All_the_Frills._Made_From_Scratch

Scandi Christmas Table Set by Rachael

10_final_large_jpg

Wood Christmas Tree Set by CapreeK

adorno-navidad-diy-guirnalda-bolas-madera-pinos-negros

Wood Ball Garland by Mª JOSÉ

modern_geometric_tree_topper_ehow

Himmeli Tree Star by Tim and Mary

ombretree2

Black and White Ombre Tree by Angie

napkinnametags

Evergreen Place Cards by Teri

9931b33c8290f9b3af045fc300d64cfe

Tiny Tree by Juliana

TOMFO-Free-Christmas-tags9

Free Christmas Tags by Sarah

himmeliwreath

Faux Brass Hemmeli Wreath by Rayan

black&white2

DIY Wrapping Paper by Chiara

blackwhitetree2

Painted Plywood Houses by Lidy

calendarready

Printable Advent Calendar by Hey Look

boxwood

Boxwood with Bow by Rita

Swoon. What are your thoughts on Thanksgiving being pushed aside each year here in America? Black Friday shopping yay or nay? (I’m way nay in case you were wondering). Do you have a favorite decoration you love putting out each year? I have several but my most recent favorite is a white and blue glitter nutcracker that Jeffrey and I bought at the Nutcracker Ballet three years ago. I’m excited and a bit stressed about finding all new places for my Christmas decor since we’re in a new house this year. What am I going to do without a mantle?!



Black and White Modern Christmas Decorations

Christmas at the Indianapolis Zoo

Two of my favorite things on Earth are animals and Christmas lights. We got to see both of those things combined for one magical evening at Christmas at the Indianapolis Zoo. I slightly remember riding the train around to zoo to see the lights when I was little but most of my memories have faded. I am so happy to be back in Indianapolis enjoying attractions like this with Sophie.

Christmas at the Indianapolis Zoo

Today I’m talking about our family night out at the Indianapolis Zoo and why you must make time for it this (and every) holiday season. It’s the perfect attraction for people of all ages. Sophie is at the perfect age for outdoor activities, especially when they include decorating cookies, seeing animals, riding the carousel and taking a train to gaze at all the beautiful Christmas lights. Being the music lover she is, she thoroughly enjoyed the light displays set to music and the carolers around the bon-fire. I loved the sense of slowing down and singing songs around a fire in the middle of such a bustling place. We are definitely putting this on the list of Christmas Traditions to do each year. To be honest, we may go again this year because we all loved it so much!

Christmas at the Indianapolis Zoo

Head over to Indy’s Child to check out my suggestions and let me know if you have every been to a Christmas at the Zoo in your town. PS. Those sugar cookies are worth going alone. They’re amazing.

Birthday Present Ideas for Two Year Olds

This post contains affiliate links through the Amazon Associates program. 

Yesterday was my little Sophie’s second birthday! That day in history will be marked as my favorite and least favorite day back in 2013. Physically it was the worst but nothing could exceed it emotionally. I wanted to do a roundup of cool birthday present ideas for two year olds because I know it can be tough to buy for kids. In our society, kids often have everything they need so it’s difficult to buy a birthday present that will be used often. Sophie is one of those children who is fortunate to have everything she needs as well as a ton of other cool toys. I’m always torn between wanting to buy her more stuff and trying to sell her toys because she has so many.

birthday present for two year old

 Birthday Present Ideas for Two Year Olds

These birthday presents for two year olds were selected based on their ability to help a child learn. The Disney Frozen Sparkle Anna of Arendelle Doll would be a huge birthday present success in our family, however, I wanted to choose toys that would be fun and entertaining for boys and girls. We’ve been introducing ‘real world’ toys lately where Sophie can learn to be like Mommy and Daddy by mimicking with tools that are her size.

Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag– Building blocks are one of the best ways to improve a toddler’s motor skills and hand eye coordination. This bright colorful set comes with a sturdy carrying bag for easy clean up.
Little Helper Broom Set– I was always more of a vaccuum person when it came to my hard floors but I’ve noticed the broom does a much better job. Sophie always wants to help so I got her a Little Helper Broom set and she helps sweep up crumbs after her meals (win win for both of us).
Little Tikes TotSports T-Ball Set– T-ball sets are great for long term fun. Using hand eye coordination to hit the ball, chasing the ball and replacing it on the T is an activity that takes a good amount of time to master. Once they do, they’re so proud and can then hit it to you while you toss it back.
Schoenhut 25-Key My First Piano– Forbes quotes a study where students who play piano have a higher IQ by three points. Introducing music at a young age may help that child to be interested in learning an instrument later on in life.
My First Touch & Feel Picture Cards: First Words– These flash cards are one of Sophie’s favorite toys. Each flash card has a touch and feel image on the front with the name written below. The back side of the flash card has questions you can ask your toddler about the item on the front. The Animals version is a big hit in our family
Joie Fruit And Vegetable Wavy Chopper Knife– Nothing makes a toddler more confident and therefore happy than being independent. This wavy chopper knife is a perfect way to get your toddler to help prepare dinner or their lunch for the next day. Apples, bananas and cucumbers are some of the snacks Sophie cuts for herself after school.
Guidecraft 1 to 5 Ring Counter– A great way to introduce colors as well as numbers. As the child uses this toy they start associating the number of pegs/rings with the written number. It also is a great toy for color sorting.
Toysmith Big Kids Garden Tool Set– Food will be in your child’s world for their entire life. A great way to help them understand where food grows is to plant a garden with them having them help you with their own tools. A small plot of land or even soil in a container can grow several plants. These tools help them with motor skills, learn about plant growth and may encourage them to try more foods.
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel– Art is major in a toddler’s development. The delux standing easel has a chalk board encourages creative expression and fine motor skills. The amount of awesomeness i ncluded in this easel is huge! Includes: dry-erase board, chalkboard, locking paper-roll holder, child-safe paper cutter, 4 easy-clip grips and 2 large plastic trays, that can be removed for easy cleaning. Two kids (or parent and child) can be creating together easily at the same time.
Melissa & Doug Easel Accessory Set– The easel set goes along with the easel, obviously, but I love the products included that are specially made for little hands. The no-spill paint cups with lids are a life saver when toddlers are just starting to be creative in painting.
Minnie Mouse Over-the-Ear Headphones with Volume Control– Headphones are another toy that make your child more independent. There are read along books that have audio CDs at our library that Sophie loves to check out. These headphones are also great on airplanes to help replace the noise of the loud engine with music or a movie.

It was hard to narrow our top favorite toys and tools down to eleven. Do you have any go to birthday present ideas for two year olds? I also love giving books but you never know if they already have that book at home. Gift certificates to fun places like Sky Zone or a museum are always great to fall back on as well (especially in the winter months). What is/was your toddler’s favorite toy?

I also have a great hand-made gift guide for one year olds that we used last year.

Christmas and birthday gift guide for two year olds.

2014 Wish List

Season’s Greetings! I’ve been decorating, wrapping, visiting with Santa and making Christmas presents! I’m deep in the Christmas spirit and there’s still much more to come! Shhh, don’t tell Sophie, but she’s meeting Ana and Elsa tomorrow at a Christmas party!

wish-list2

I wanted to share a few of my wishes for this year’s Christmas list in case you were stumped on what to ask for or buy for the crafty/organized Mom in your life!
packing-cubesEagle Creek Packing Cubes– I love traveling (which we do a lot) and I love organizing (finding what I’m looking for quickly because I’m impatient.)

martha-stewart-paintMartha Stewart Craft Paint– I found a set of these in metallic on clearance and LOVE them but want them in solids.

calligraphy-5502

Online Calligraphy Course– I’ve been following Melissa’s Instagram for quite some time. I swoon over her hand lettering and would love to learn her technique.

mollie-makes1

Mollie Makes Embroidery Book– Embroidery is a craft that I have yet to dabble in but always love the home made feel it creates.

bicycle-basket

Bicycle Basket– Remember my darling bicycle from Mother’s day? Wouldn’t it be even cuter with a basket to hold a picnic blank and snacks for the park?!

vinylSgt Pepper’s and Garden State Vinyl-I’ve collected quite a few vinyl but it still feels incomplete without these two albums that I never get tired of.

Sweet wish list, huh? My favorite gifts are always surprises that aren’t on my list. I also love receiving hand made gifts because I know how much thought and time went into the present. What’s on your wish list this year? Do you have anything on my list? I’d love to know your thoughts on them!

UPDATE! I was a lucky girl this year! Between Christmas and my 30th Birthday, I recieved the packing cubes, 3 sets of Martha Stewart Paints, Molly Makes Embroidery book and an even better bicycle basket from Longaberger! So grateful.

I am an Amazon Associate and will be compensated if you choose to buy products through the links above.

Google+