Beautiful Modern Contemporary House Elevation: Oscar

Showing posts with label Oscar. Show all posts

style files / little guy style

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUuvVGvvdQH6dWxwvqkXhMk4xjsts924GqxqKIElOBupeHkScu02fMCgJCI3qmMFkWvU4VrcybSfEnhUIkbEjl16P0O_8Re7Hb9wgIZZ4s9bDgNlLeLnXFst9_KjYgx7bo1o8hgT2rUs/s1600/Untitled-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUuvVGvvdQH6dWxwvqkXhMk4xjsts924GqxqKIElOBupeHkScu02fMCgJCI3qmMFkWvU4VrcybSfEnhUIkbEjl16P0O_8Re7Hb9wgIZZ4s9bDgNlLeLnXFst9_KjYgx7bo1o8hgT2rUs/s1600/Untitled-6.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zara.com/ca/en/kids/boy-%283-14-years%29/coats/combined-jacket-c269266p2004825.html" target="_blank">1</a> /   <a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?id=459841425&pid=uid224-25867832-88" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?id=455923691&pid=uid224-25867832-88" target="_blank"> 3 </a>  /   <a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?id=443628223&pid=uid224-25867832-88" target="_blank">4</a>  /   <a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?id=453829306&pid=uid224-25867832-88" target="_blank">5</a>  / <a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?id=443628050&pid=uid224-25867832-88" target="_blank">  6</a>  / </div><br />I'm not a huge fan of logos or, big bears or, cartoonish figures on Oscar's clothing so over the last four years I've come to love H&M and Zara for their lines of kids clothes for boys because they aren't too cartoonish or, plastered with planes, trains and automobiles. (All of that being said, I sometimes can't resist a cute shirt that has a bear or two on it, because I mean, they are only young once, right?) I picked up <a href="http://www.zara.com/ca/en/kids/boy-%283-14-years%29/coats/combined-jacket-c269266p2004825.html" target="_blank">this green jacket (<i>fig</i>. 1) last week at Zara</a> online last week and it's <i>perfect. </i>Although it fits a little on the smaller side, he's 4.5 years old and the 5-6 year old one fits perfectly with no room for growth. The green is stunning, and a nice contrast to the common darker jackets on the playground.<br /><br />I was in H&M a few weeks before, and picked up those suspenders (<i>fig</i>. 3) , and some more of those basic T's (<i>fig</i>. 4) that wash so well, and are ridiculously cute. (Seriously, those t's are sooooo good, he's been wearing them since he was a baby) Oscar used to have a little backpack to go to school with but we upgraded to a <a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=453829306&pid=uid224-25867832-88" target="_blank">Herschel Supply Co. bag </a>that I picked up at <a href="http://www.getoutsideshoes.com/" target="_blank">Get Outside</a> here in Toronto, when I was shopping with a girlfriend. And slouch hats are my favourite hat for fall - Etsy has a bunch. Here are some more favourites that I've spotted for the little dudes in our lives....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe7PHah1AWYT3WQquc9E8ZvU95c7CRWCVDqfFk4xy92WZn-AOsCrvYGVV9cHuVR7XK6v4En6-2MfcWlLYFLs4Bc5sWmmuH0OKAc6kR4F3bQ-fr3j2RU3HpQd6OOuEwkfpU69D3WI8wwU/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe7PHah1AWYT3WQquc9E8ZvU95c7CRWCVDqfFk4xy92WZn-AOsCrvYGVV9cHuVR7XK6v4En6-2MfcWlLYFLs4Bc5sWmmuH0OKAc6kR4F3bQ-fr3j2RU3HpQd6OOuEwkfpU69D3WI8wwU/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="shopsense-widget" data-options="%7B%22columns%22%3A4%2C%22rows%22%3A1%2C%22showBrand%22%3Afalse%2C%22showRetailer%22%3Afalse%2C%22showInfo%22%3Afalse%2C%22showPrice%22%3Afalse%2C%22showSalePrice%22%3Afalse%2C%22size%22%3A%22130%22%2C%22pid%22%3A%22uid224-25867832-88%22%2C%22productIds%22%3A%5B443628050%2C453829306%2C443628223%2C455923691%2C448151463%5D%7D"><script> !function(doc,s,id){ var e, p; if(!doc.getElementById(id)) { e     = doc.createElement(s); e.id  = id; p = '//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/widget-script.js'; var cb = new Date().getTime(); p += '?cb=' + cb; e.src = p; doc.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.ss_shopsense === 'object'){ if(doc.readyState === 'complete'){ window.ss_shopsense.init(); } } }(document, 'script', 'shopsensewidget-script'); </script> <iframe height="205px" seamless="" src="//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/#/?options=%7B%22columns%22%3A4%2C%22rows%22%3A1%2C%22showBrand%22%3Afalse%2C%22showRetailer%22%3Afalse%2C%22showInfo%22%3Afalse%2C%22showPrice%22%3Afalse%2C%22showSalePrice%22%3Afalse%2C%22size%22%3A%22130%22%2C%22pid%22%3A%22uid224-25867832-88%22%2C%22productIds%22%3A%5B443628050%2C453829306%2C443628223%2C455923691%2C448151463%5D%7D" style="border: 0;" width="685px"></iframe></div>

style files / little guy style

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / I'm not a huge fan of logos or, big bears or, cartoonish figures on Oscar's clothing ...

4:00 AM

summer party loot bag idea

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCREMYD5P9Wz06XC_dqdRmI-hexFPD0EHhXmhujn8jxTaSDjC0CqUntzO0p3Q2KqPyDe_9krxQmhJgYKciFk5Cpp4SbSfyCc3YnAYRB0s4Huj4IhxDy2giP2qXkMiMS5GmgMjhyphenhyphena6xk4/s1600/IMG_3977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCREMYD5P9Wz06XC_dqdRmI-hexFPD0EHhXmhujn8jxTaSDjC0CqUntzO0p3Q2KqPyDe_9krxQmhJgYKciFk5Cpp4SbSfyCc3YnAYRB0s4Huj4IhxDy2giP2qXkMiMS5GmgMjhyphenhyphena6xk4/s1600/IMG_3977.jpg" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0091/7252/files/candy.gif?3191" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTDKudYRpMIDypRrYfd2b_Kho5R1FKz2FyX38HmmzOOgNzp0YP3tV_VS7bg2ErTAKRxytBn1AmrfRcMl6GGrhe7_57de1ibMtDOopKwTsTQqBbTQJm8rInNv61shSlLym-ihoKLeUm8k/s1600/IMG_4041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTDKudYRpMIDypRrYfd2b_Kho5R1FKz2FyX38HmmzOOgNzp0YP3tV_VS7bg2ErTAKRxytBn1AmrfRcMl6GGrhe7_57de1ibMtDOopKwTsTQqBbTQJm8rInNv61shSlLym-ihoKLeUm8k/s1600/IMG_4041.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0091/7252/files/candy_good.gif?3193" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0091/7252/files/candy_good.gif?3193" width="680" /></a></div>I can't take credit for this idea - my friend Julie did this loot bag for her son's birthday party last Summer and I thought it was GENIUS. <i>So genius</i> that I copied it for Oscar's birthday party this past Sunday. Shovels are from <a href="http://www.target.ca/en/" target="_blank">Target</a>, and candy is from <a href="http://www.bulkbarn.ca/en-ca/index.html" target="_blank">Bulk Barn</a>. Making these loot bags were a great deal of fun. I put everything we needed to make the bags on the floor, put the candies in their own bowls and Oscar helped make the loot bags - counting out exact worms and frogs for each shovel and helping me tie the ribbon. It was a fun activity to do together and we talked about how we'd be giving them to people to say thank you for coming to his party!

summer party loot bag idea

I can't take credit for this idea - my friend Julie did this loot bag for her son's birthday party last Summer and I thought it was ...

7:01 PM

captured at 4am

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VF_A0BmiKXJLSEbHSPD2d5y85p0ilQuVByfTUwOLYuZaOwvcuHDWrm2-XJ_0KbU97LKLxFMKs-4Tmw1kDmf_ObEX8tra2spuzobOIuMepjwvBqgNKv5GdDAMJKCvRiKU4UhWyQ-FJG4/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VF_A0BmiKXJLSEbHSPD2d5y85p0ilQuVByfTUwOLYuZaOwvcuHDWrm2-XJ_0KbU97LKLxFMKs-4Tmw1kDmf_ObEX8tra2spuzobOIuMepjwvBqgNKv5GdDAMJKCvRiKU4UhWyQ-FJG4/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Every night after midnight, we hear the quick footsteps running from across the hall. And then my sweet little one quickly climbs into bed beside me, pulls the covers up to his neck and falls back asleep as if he had never <i>sprinted</i> from one room to the next. We snuggle every. single. night. I am forever grateful that Aubrey documented how much room I get in the bed, when he snapped the above picture it at 4am before going into work. We gave up on the crib early on when Oscar was a baby, and we always co-slept. Now, he falls asleep in his own bed in his room - and sleeps soundly until late at night, when it's just habit to crawl into bed with me. I pick my battles, and having him sleep in his own bed isn't one of them. :)

captured at 4am

Every night after midnight, we hear the quick footsteps running from across the hall. And then my sweet little one quickly climbs into bed b...

1:13 PM

Gift Idea for Kids, LeapPad Ultra from LeapFrog

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj_xctrqvTHyL3NKCQ9D-cRBE7G78Ij8Wnm2HH3MidE4ptXKW-31tP52DD7f87HSPFM1jEUlufDqzhbwckn3uUHuN8Pg-h4qkxWqek5S7a3k2-Qw0RgB6KYGxM0gi-dwMdhy8GMD0gao/s1600/IMG_8868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj_xctrqvTHyL3NKCQ9D-cRBE7G78Ij8Wnm2HH3MidE4ptXKW-31tP52DD7f87HSPFM1jEUlufDqzhbwckn3uUHuN8Pg-h4qkxWqek5S7a3k2-Qw0RgB6KYGxM0gi-dwMdhy8GMD0gao/s1600/IMG_8868.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>About a month ago my Mom called me up and mentioned that she thought that she'd like to get Oscar a <a href="http://www.leapfrog.com/en/landingpages/leappadultra.html" target="_blank">LeapPad Ultra</a> for Christmas and wondered my thoughts. Mom and I are <i>really </i>familiar with the <a href="http://www.leapfrog.com/en/index.html" target="_blank">Leap Frog</a> brand. You see, I worked for a toy store for 10 years - first as a teen as a sales staff all the way through to working at the Head Office after University. So although I'm new as a <i>consumer </i>to the toy world- I'm really, really comfortable with toys and familiar with certain brands like<a href="http://shop.leapfrog.com/leapfrog/jump/LeapPad-Ultra/category/cat1380008" target="_blank"> LeapFrog</a>. I know that their products are really well made, stand up to the test of time, are educational and are a <i>great </i>investment. Although the Ultra is for officially 4 years and up, I thought that Oscar at 3.5 years old was pretty fine with technology and figuring things out - mostly because he knows his way around my iPad more than I do.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br />Because of my blog, and Oscar - the team at <a href="http://shop.leapfrog.com/leapfrog/jump/LeapPad-Ultra/category/cat1380008" target="_blank">Leap Frog </a>have generously reached out to me in the past. But we never really got into many electronic toys for Oscar when he was younger as my iPad was being enjoyed by the whole family. But fast forward to today and I thought it was perfect timing to give Oscar his <i>own </i>tablet- that was <i>age appropriate</i>. You see apart from wanting my own iPad back - Oscar is finding his way around YouTube like you wouldn't believe. Although I'm supervising (for the most part) he's getting a little <i>too</i> comfortable with my tablet. The Ultra tablet comes with parent safe controls and gives me a little more peace of mind so that I can pass it to him in the car, and let him play without me worrying what on earth he's watching. (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7QE62FDn08" target="_blank">Like this video </a>thanks to my Brother, which is now Oscar's <i>favourite </i>song) So I felt like it was an ok time, and perfect product to accept from our friends at LeapFrog.<br /><br />My Mom suggested that we set up the tablet prior to Christmas morning. Because of that suggestion I was able to shoot a video for you of the tablet, prior to Oscar opening it. (I did this at night when Oscar was asleep, so not to see it) So below is a video of just the tablet and <i>some</i> of the features.<br />     <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="386" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2scV4FUs97k?rel=0" width="686"></iframe><br /><br />So this will be Oscar's gift from Grandma this Christmas. I get my iPad back, and don't have to freak out when he starts surfing YouTube (which he does). I'll have to show you more of it in "action" after Christmas as I want to let Oscar play with it. If you were looking for a great gift idea for that young one on the list - this may be a great one to grab before the big day!<br /><br />xo Lindsay<br /><br /><b>Links of Interest</b><br /><a href="http://www.leapfrog.com/en/landingpages/leappadultra.html" target="_blank">LeapPad Ultra</a>, <a href="http://shop.leapfrog.com/leapfrog/jump/LeapPad-Ultra-Accessories/category/cat1380006?q_facetTrail=9004%3Acat1380008&q_docSort=&addFacet=9004%3Acat1380006" target="_blank">LeapPad Ultra Accessories</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/LeapFrogOfficialSite?feature=watch" target="_blank">LeapFrog YouTube Channel</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7k35gfkV08" target="_blank">LeapPad Ultra Video</a>,<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaQfUBhkB1X8hP3fgV2AoR2V8CMAkm-2aBgTDJRXjUVc8YdUh6ZIfg6700hHAj8pE1Ma685me-lXkkt94p9Hyf54dM9tMCLINpTgqq9eqqpOaMXMZi_BTuTb_33PLzhTnt5x4pVsLdrQ/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">LeapFrog products were kindly gifted to us. Comments, pictures and sentiments are all my own. No other compensation was provided. <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/p/site-policies.html" target="_blank">Read more about my site policies here. </a></span></i></div>

Gift Idea for Kids, LeapPad Ultra from LeapFrog

About a month ago my Mom called me up and mentioned that she thought that she'd like to get Oscar a LeapPad Ultra for Christmas and won...

5:38 PM

Abstract Art with Kids

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M8wDgQYcbMlApuLP0he-vE3VXcrIa0fyca8o_HNXNqkYoIX67p4wI3MN_7bopvoYWDqbhV6RQLFO6zmbAUZOVwLZg-BXVR97Z_g3q3wlO4WPdmuDFIkJ1SZCyVi_d9P0ooX1GY4DY6U/s1600/IMG_4596b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M8wDgQYcbMlApuLP0he-vE3VXcrIa0fyca8o_HNXNqkYoIX67p4wI3MN_7bopvoYWDqbhV6RQLFO6zmbAUZOVwLZg-BXVR97Z_g3q3wlO4WPdmuDFIkJ1SZCyVi_d9P0ooX1GY4DY6U/s1600/IMG_4596b.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWUO7NJGclnLnUij1ueLGaOc1JhQdQub_6AcIsfGnYjwlTP1OfZh1laLNw39nOp_EDXdbKArjZ-sWAjH-aeM5mr63ynq7pVPrtBkSEHZtO3vpq4y4j-uHEjrOJqZZWFdHNyVev6bRgfs/s1600/IMG_4597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWUO7NJGclnLnUij1ueLGaOc1JhQdQub_6AcIsfGnYjwlTP1OfZh1laLNw39nOp_EDXdbKArjZ-sWAjH-aeM5mr63ynq7pVPrtBkSEHZtO3vpq4y4j-uHEjrOJqZZWFdHNyVev6bRgfs/s1600/IMG_4597.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9DY6QSx2m5ZnXoMpEXY2tMeHzv2yB7TgZ1gvNabu5pL7UZDLwSK3sazC6Sp80_5GyJmiEUPl9JdiX7Fe3ewBJt3t8Qxsfn7QIuCahhXHfT4MnG-fxXkrUz0LQ3wMS7No19R-5oefHoQ/s1600/IMG_4670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9DY6QSx2m5ZnXoMpEXY2tMeHzv2yB7TgZ1gvNabu5pL7UZDLwSK3sazC6Sp80_5GyJmiEUPl9JdiX7Fe3ewBJt3t8Qxsfn7QIuCahhXHfT4MnG-fxXkrUz0LQ3wMS7No19R-5oefHoQ/s1600/IMG_4670.jpg" /></a></div><br /><i>Your comments on my last post are so supportive. It never ceases to surprise me every single time when an outpouring of support comes in on certain posts, how much it really affects me and makes me feel better. Thank you.<br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExD_zZcA3oqX08RTwR5njhOVSbTipQ0qNJXP8UQ9KGbax6OcHA-ZFDTN9RaVD8LdtnM0iFMHVYuMmvS48PQ4RwuR11wZtGF4fhY3kPhuUUDNqaMAXTXT2zsfTSwHDN861-R_RIbmtkCU/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExD_zZcA3oqX08RTwR5njhOVSbTipQ0qNJXP8UQ9KGbax6OcHA-ZFDTN9RaVD8LdtnM0iFMHVYuMmvS48PQ4RwuR11wZtGF4fhY3kPhuUUDNqaMAXTXT2zsfTSwHDN861-R_RIbmtkCU/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />One other project I attempted to do with Oscar last week was some abstract painting. Selfishly I wanted some art for the house, and I love the look of black and white art - but wanted to do it with Oscar as I though it would be fun, but I also thought having a child beside me would make me loosen up my brush strokes. Kids are awesome at not caring what a final piece looks like, so Oscar was my support in "loosening up". ;) The results were ridiculously awesome in my opinion and I want to frame them all through my house.<br /><br /><b>Here is what we used to do it: </b><br />1. <a href="http://www.deserres.ca/en-ca/search/strathmore-watercolour-pad/SSAQUA/">Watercolour Paper</a> (It's expensive for a kids project but the thickness of the paper is beautiful)<br />2. <a href="http://www.deserres.ca/en-ca/products/fine-arts/paint/basics-acrylics/50/LBE/">Black acrylic paint</a><br />3. Old Bowl / Tin (See top photo)<br />4. Big Paint Brushes (Dollar Store)<br /><br /><b>Getting the paint right:</b><br />All I did was watered down the black acrylic paint with some water to make it slightly more of a watercolour vs. acrylic paint - I knew we'd get some more variation in colour that way. I originally thought I'd buy black watercolour paint but a small tube was <i>ridiculously </i>expensive. So I opted for the acrylic. Kids art paint seemed to thin, and I worried it wouldn't dry nicely. So I opted for acrylic that sits on the middle in terms of cost.<br /><br />The watercolour paper is really beautiful - and I thought is we were to frame a piece, having a nice paper would be beautiful. Plus, the watered down paint sits beautifully on watercolour paper. So that's something I think is integral in the success of this.<br /><br />I did one piece to show Oscar he could do whatever he wanted and talked about abstract paintings. But he didn't really care. So then it was just the two of us splashing paint on paper. Oscar painted a piece of the paper ALL black which at first I tried to stop but then was like, whatever, because that's what painting is all about. We got some awesome pieces out of the event and one ended up framed in our living room (that I'm still updating...sloooowly)<br /><br />Anyhow, I thought I'd post it as it was a ridiculously easy project to do, but the tricks of the watercolour paper and the acrylic paint I thought were worthwhile highlighting.<br /><br />xo Linds<br /><br />

Abstract Art with Kids

Your comments on my last post are so supportive. It never ceases to surprise me every single time when an outpouring of support comes in on ...

9:46 AM

Here fishy, fishy, fishy.....

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfycHrBXPn9ac_nISIqEhFRJSy1Mw7fgqC0VpdvI_0WgslhbUda7C6y28Q7tu8IntdnQUIaDe6HeDa62svDHOU4sVyzz8huH2vme403CnVq-6MsBLJpjYyiHM117yL6voTr5J1z3zZHA/s1600/Untitled-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfycHrBXPn9ac_nISIqEhFRJSy1Mw7fgqC0VpdvI_0WgslhbUda7C6y28Q7tu8IntdnQUIaDe6HeDa62svDHOU4sVyzz8huH2vme403CnVq-6MsBLJpjYyiHM117yL6voTr5J1z3zZHA/s1600/Untitled-15.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWSiO2iAlWuAwS3QA8sRQKkT6TO6gxcBhfGdWylUSxLJq6i8jqXDGa95jnuB5mlSkxZpCDm2iSNuxt4NUeMNpMc9JnaMBt8Xa9fK9okIDRZYb1HSGT9i2o-a_qnwFUyNTiH6Pg_hNSV0/s1600/Untitled-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWSiO2iAlWuAwS3QA8sRQKkT6TO6gxcBhfGdWylUSxLJq6i8jqXDGa95jnuB5mlSkxZpCDm2iSNuxt4NUeMNpMc9JnaMBt8Xa9fK9okIDRZYb1HSGT9i2o-a_qnwFUyNTiH6Pg_hNSV0/s1600/Untitled-14.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I played hooky from work yesterday afternoon - I had products in production and nothing waiting my immediate response - so we scooted over to the <a href="http://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/" target="_blank">new aquarium here in Toronto</a>. I've been excited for this to open ever since I saw it being built. I am fascinated with underwater creatures - I could go weekly and find new things to stare at. Unfortunately it is a <i>wee </i>bit expensive - It cost almost $90 for Aubrey, Oscar and I to go - but by the end of the visit I had even Aubrey (who is pretty skeptical of things) raving about how well they did and how worth it the visit was. Oscar was in heaven, and loved seeing animals he had only seen in books up close.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEjnKNXHxEYp_yroCPQrXVETv39VckmxMy8tXtyxvLEveeJr7GY9OR53UMJKXx7QNlQEKfAUSTYNUPDKDUsHqscQefof6fll3GvTnvGFFic8FO0NktIcp2doSFFB7P4bvFo5OUQp0vjw/s1600/IMG_3718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEjnKNXHxEYp_yroCPQrXVETv39VckmxMy8tXtyxvLEveeJr7GY9OR53UMJKXx7QNlQEKfAUSTYNUPDKDUsHqscQefof6fll3GvTnvGFFic8FO0NktIcp2doSFFB7P4bvFo5OUQp0vjw/s1600/IMG_3718.jpg" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzXJTHyn5KVIY5i7iTJy-3sPiYFVR42DqnK6AtvWslUkapHm43vn3QNz5R3CxsoqwchhTPzAyyxMleFcVrF8HYNVGs5aa3IgbOjPMRnA1bAnUsMM6EHYrJJq-CB3WcYadVqiWz9LXb4A/s1600/IMG_3722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzXJTHyn5KVIY5i7iTJy-3sPiYFVR42DqnK6AtvWslUkapHm43vn3QNz5R3CxsoqwchhTPzAyyxMleFcVrF8HYNVGs5aa3IgbOjPMRnA1bAnUsMM6EHYrJJq-CB3WcYadVqiWz9LXb4A/s1600/IMG_3722.jpg" /></a> There is a portion of the exhibit that you go through an underwater tunnel that is where you see the sharks. The genius part of this is that 1/2 of the floor is moving. Very slowly moving, but moving none the less, which means that traffic in this tunnel doesn't build up and you get to have a look without people standing in one space blocking traffic. If you want to stop and look at something you hop off the moving floor and step to the side. I was flipping out the entire time seeing sharks, Oscar on the other hand was more enthralled with the moving floor (See above) I think that was a pretty big deal for him. ;) (That's Aubrey trying to tell Oscar to look up at the fish)<br /><br />The last time that <a href="http://www.sheddaquarium.org/" target="_blank">I was at an Aquarium was in Chicago </a>on a Grade 8 trip and I've wanted to go back ever since. We're thinking of taking a trip to Chicago one of these days and go back, but now it's nice to have our own aquarium in the city.<br /><br />Anyhow, it was such a nice visit for all three of us that I thought I'd post some of our family photos.<br /><br />xo Lindsay<br /><br />Ps., All of this being said, I'm a little fence about how I feel about aquariums and zoos. (I'm 90% pro for them, 10% unsure) I feel a <i>little </i>uneasy sometimes thinking of animals in captivity but on the other hand, selfishly it's amazing to expose Oscar (and myself) to learning more about animals and seeing them up close.<br /><br />P.Ps., For those that don't get the title of this post - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUusX1Js6R0" target="_blank">watch this. </a>I often say this while lying on the dock looking at fishes and maybe said this with my nose against the glass yesterday. (You can skip to 1:15 for the exact reference)

Here fishy, fishy, fishy.....

I played hooky from work yesterday afternoon - I had products in production and nothing waiting my immediate response - so we scooted over t...

7:26 AM

kid style / GAP kids

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZWqDtJHiUyABB3QRHAIbTGBz_HLsohPv0X8vcLsfjNJDL7JbhxxQFWB86sOvLsfTGzBSxJagrToR7C9SoUPCOxN97tGn8VXkIK6_nJETP6o-2lDMl4NocvwpLKnbaveM5040Uw4wIQM/s1600/IMG_9343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZWqDtJHiUyABB3QRHAIbTGBz_HLsohPv0X8vcLsfjNJDL7JbhxxQFWB86sOvLsfTGzBSxJagrToR7C9SoUPCOxN97tGn8VXkIK6_nJETP6o-2lDMl4NocvwpLKnbaveM5040Uw4wIQM/s1600/IMG_9343.jpg" /></a></div><br />As we transition to fall, I've been dressing Oscar in a few new pieces that I've picked up from the GAP when they have their 40% off sales. (They are having a sale now too, so check it out) If you have a little man in your house, you have to grab <a href="http://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?pid=6367310035000&cid=100158&locale=en_CA" target="_blank">this little sweater/cardigan</a>. It is SUCH a awesome piece. Oscar is a three year old but I bought the size 5 - it's a little big but will wear well through the fall and winter.  Also a a shout out on their pajamas - Gap Kids has the<a href="http://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/browse/category.do?cid=34722&departmentRedirect=true#department=166" target="_blank"> <i>best </i>pajamas</a>. Since Oscar has been potty trained (yippeee!) I've avoided the footed sleepers as it's impossible for him to get undressed (quickly) if he has to go to the washroom. So I've stocked up on their 2 piece pajamas whenever they have a 40% off sale. I bought the <a href="http://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?pid=6345880035000&cid=100159&locale=en_CA" target="_blank">Skull & Cross Bones</a> style and a few others that are in the store but not showing online. Anyhow, just a little compliment on the styles offered at The Gap for boys. xo Linds<br /><br /><i>Ps., I'm kind of obsessed with The Gap & Banana Republic as they know how to do "classic" really well. I'm not one for pattern or crazy colours, so I am really loyal to these stores because they consistently offer classic looks with some style. <a href="http://bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?cid=69885&vid=1&pid=326715013" target="_blank">If you find this come back in stock, grab this dress</a>. I tried <a href="http://bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?cid=69885&vid=1&pid=427565003" target="_blank">this dress </a>on the other day while I was at Banana Republic and it sadly looked like a bathrobe on me. Booooo. I bought <a href="http://oldnavy.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?pid=6482990130004&cid=98407&locale=en_CA" target="_blank">this dress</a> online from Old Navy and love it. Yes. I like black. Don't judge. </i>

kid style / GAP kids

As we transition to fall, I've been dressing Oscar in a few new pieces that I've picked up from the GAP when they have their 40% off...

9:01 PM

sleepy time rituals

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSat1TTjUtu4N6bKgN0nokLuqsbnCFQ38n8tdNMeqXQ1_qO-zKZ-jtMkngzLCPFCfcrjC7KopvQIviy2oRGmZXNqsNwAlDdhyHiUsZdYYwRzusBfETFw9H3AEOwbPSXPEy-O-c6KnOGho/s1600/IMG_7956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSat1TTjUtu4N6bKgN0nokLuqsbnCFQ38n8tdNMeqXQ1_qO-zKZ-jtMkngzLCPFCfcrjC7KopvQIviy2oRGmZXNqsNwAlDdhyHiUsZdYYwRzusBfETFw9H3AEOwbPSXPEy-O-c6KnOGho/s1600/IMG_7956.jpg" /></a></div><br />Every night at the cottage after Oscar had brushed his teeth, said goodnight to everyone and after Aubrey had finished reading him stories - I'd go into his room and sit beside him to hold his hand as he drifted off to sleep.* And every night I'd kiss him goodnight and quietly ask what his favourite part of the day was. Often his response was "Playing in the sand" or "Eating Pink Ice Cream". It was a little conversation I cherished. My sister captured one of these moments between us (above) as Oscar and I snuggled on the couch at the cottage one evening. I have so few pictures of us (taken by someone else) and this one makes me so unbelievably happy.<br /><br />On the topic of Oscar - I'm still trying to maintain what I guess I would consider as <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/12/sharing-online-where-do-we-draw-line.html" target="_blank">respect for his privacy by not posting a lot of photos of him.</a> But as I also said, I was going to try to find a balance that felt right to me- because <i>being his Mom </i>is a major part of my life, so not show him at all was going to be impossible. But this moment above really is so special to me that I wanted it here, and also has become my profile picture on the blog.<br /><br />Do you have a special moment at night with your kids? Do you find that they talk to you more openly as they lie in the dark, and the day is almost over? I'd like to continue our conversations as he gets older - so he always knows there is a time of the day, that I will sit and listen no matter how busy the day has been.<br /><br /><i>*Oscar still likes to have one of us sit with him as he falls asleep. Sometimes, it's a wee bit frustrating that we're in this habit, but 99% of the time I don't mind as I like sitting with him as he holds my hand and rubs my fingers to fall asleep. </i>

sleepy time rituals

Every night at the cottage after Oscar had brushed his teeth, said goodnight to everyone and after Aubrey had finished reading him stories -...

6:31 AM

balance bike

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz87cF-2SnuAHvW9Fe2vMPzNIkfiBvMCKL-hEbsqDPmNUMs4WmzSmB2qCjz5K6fpUmsg54EbpEr_2yc6o76wOvoJrDHbeLi6sAyFKuejOhjOypq_JROC1UXGeNLCMeA-CHp-BRZIC37U8/s1600/bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz87cF-2SnuAHvW9Fe2vMPzNIkfiBvMCKL-hEbsqDPmNUMs4WmzSmB2qCjz5K6fpUmsg54EbpEr_2yc6o76wOvoJrDHbeLi6sAyFKuejOhjOypq_JROC1UXGeNLCMeA-CHp-BRZIC37U8/s1600/bike.jpg" /></a></div><br />One of Oscar's birthday gifts was a new shiny red bike. For the better part of the last year Aubrey and I went back and forth trying to decide if Oscar should have what I considered <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B002SW4856/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B002SW4856&linkCode=as2&tag=lithoublo-20" target="_blank"><i>traditional </i>toddler bike</a> or a balance bike. (<a href="http://www.balancebikescanada.ca/pages/Why-a-Balance-Bike%3F.html" target="_blank">See this site for a great explanation on them plus some videos</a>)<br /><br />So how did we come to decide on a bike with<i> no pedals</i>? When I saw a child on the street with a balance bike I would run over to the Mom and ask her opinion. Always the response was the same - that the kids <i>loved it,</i> and that if they had older kids, they skipped the training wheel stage.<br /><br />Prices on balance bikes seemed pretty high which contributed to my hesitation on getting one - until I happened across a<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00BGYQLXY/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B00BGYQLXY&linkCode=as2&tag=lithoublo-20" target="_blank"> Radio Flyer Balance Bike </a>and <i>fell in love</i>. The fact that it was Radio Flyer (a brand I really liked from my days working at a toy store) and the price was right, made me feel a lot more comfortable taking a leap. Anyhow, here is the little guy on his way down the street.... :) (He'll get the hang of it)<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="384" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/67837154" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="680"></iframe> Helmet from<a href="http://www.spokesandsports.com/" target="_blank"> Spokes in Toronto. </a><br /><br />Ps., I appreciate he's not really <i>riding </i>it - but for his second time out I think he's pretty good. :)

balance bike

One of Oscar's birthday gifts was a new shiny red bike. For the better part of the last year Aubrey and I went back and forth trying to ...

1:35 PM

Oscar's 3rd Birthday Party

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJ6W1FWcmISbw4qs-WNh0dcP0mEZlx5glvRKs5VYF5PNWkMLn_OWDyJ-dPPwFc6Z-O-7oS_dSHpueDDrBwwvZG7QKN_mRjVchhV03YR2BgUcvoHXRUhnePNtUrWAluxRQH5n1fNLLbO4/s1600/IMG_4022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJ6W1FWcmISbw4qs-WNh0dcP0mEZlx5glvRKs5VYF5PNWkMLn_OWDyJ-dPPwFc6Z-O-7oS_dSHpueDDrBwwvZG7QKN_mRjVchhV03YR2BgUcvoHXRUhnePNtUrWAluxRQH5n1fNLLbO4/s1600/IMG_4022.jpg" /></a></div><br />We threw a BBQ for a small group of friends this past Saturday to celebrate Oscar's third birthday. I almost didn't throw the party as I was plagued with self doubt about what to do and overwhelmed with seeing really detailed parties online. I finally realized<i> I didn't have to do anything</i> - all Oscar wanted to do was play with his friends, and have some balloons. So I went with that.<br /><br />My Mom had given me some advice a few years ago with regards to setting up traditions with children. Although I forget her exact phraseology, the underlying advice was to be careful at what you do for an event, as you'll have to keep that up year after year with kids. I think the advice was originally was a reference to Christmas traditions (and Santa) but I've applied that same philosophy to other traditions over here.<br /><br />I decided to throw <i>a super low key BBQ</i>.  I think sometimes we all get intimidated because of the explosion of Pinterest and people show off these amazing parties - and the parties that are low key just get forgotten. Or maybe they aren't forgotten - they just aren't blogged about. ;) Read more after the jump.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><b>Invitations</b>: Although I own a <a href="http://www.pennypaperco.com/" target="_blank">stationery company</a> and believe that most events are worthy of a printed invitations in this case I knew that it was going to set the wrong tone for this party. I wanted it to be <i>REALLY low key</i>. So I sent out an e-mail to some of Oscar's closest friends (well, their Mom's) and invited them, and their entire family including siblings over for a "really low key birthday BBQ." I think I may have said "<i>really low key</i>" a few times in the e-mail. We had to keep the guest list pretty small considering we were inviting the entire family, so I kept it to Oscar's friends he sees weekly for play-dates and his friend that he has known since being born.<br /><br /><b>The party started at 4pm</b> - This was a perfect time because it was after naps, and pre-dinner. The perfect time for playtime, dinner, dessert, and then let the kids run around a lot to get them really tiered for bedtime. :) The kids played together, danced away to music on my brother's boombox and the parents got to hang out and have wine/beer ... everyone had a great time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMkzWn9br1XJQi1bNcZnqvKXLjZX3CPui47cfttEcKHz9egmv3DLFlxSJS9YlDf0E3IIFc98iOENQ7rgypwqL_kOZxOUssoN2ns-GTxlcRoQNpGPl3b9WzM10BVD6XHN9atXoM71wPRQ/s1600/prizes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMkzWn9br1XJQi1bNcZnqvKXLjZX3CPui47cfttEcKHz9egmv3DLFlxSJS9YlDf0E3IIFc98iOENQ7rgypwqL_kOZxOUssoN2ns-GTxlcRoQNpGPl3b9WzM10BVD6XHN9atXoM71wPRQ/s1600/prizes.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Activities. Nothing was structured, things were just around the backyard for kids to do. But I did have some games that the kids could play and occasionally I'd come around with a bucket of prizes - As a kid <i>I looooooved prizes</i>. I picked up a few different sets of prizes from the dollar store and put them in a big glass container. Kids tossed beanbags into the bean bag game (shown above) and if you got one in, you got a prize. That bean bag game was from the Dollar Store (it was $20). It was a little hard to get the bags in but you could do the same game with pails/buckets. It was a huge hit as the kids wanted to collect all of the different prizes. The 3 year olds were less interested but the older siblings were having fun with this.<br /><br />For the rest of the activities I had nothing really planned. I figured the'd have fun in the sandbox, we had music going (Oscar looooves to dance) and the kids just played together. We did do a race, two kids at a time had to run and get through the streamer finish line - but right off the bat two kids collided and no one really got the "two kids only" rule so it was over pretty quickly. everyone got gold medals (also from the dollar store) and that was that. ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr60CqFRT7MuoTa9cURvvNzqB6pYYf_ywdX_BBTVKiq-TKeAPxl9qBWeabS5tGsi_RucBQM-L-M1MHL6TFa8aIAsY-fPfHuuI_mHgoMzCzXzoUwo2e6FxQkah-WWAlODSKk8ET3pLLRyw/s1600/dessert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr60CqFRT7MuoTa9cURvvNzqB6pYYf_ywdX_BBTVKiq-TKeAPxl9qBWeabS5tGsi_RucBQM-L-M1MHL6TFa8aIAsY-fPfHuuI_mHgoMzCzXzoUwo2e6FxQkah-WWAlODSKk8ET3pLLRyw/s1600/dessert.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><b>Dessert </b>.... For dessert I didn't do cake for a few reasons. First I had some concern that with all the running around and activities, Oscar would freak out if everyone stopped what they were doing and sang to him. But the main reason for not doing cake is because Oscar doesn't really like cake. But he does go <i>bananas </i>for ice cream so I decided to do what he liked vs. what was traditional and make a really simple sundae bar for the kids. I went to the Bulk Barn and got cookies, gummy bears, smarties and sprinkles and let the kids make their own dessert. Success.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbhz8V3RPNeXK6opozJeZF810Zcc3DFm_yBO4j42phy1UbSIrHu5S_57Xg6k9gti-Ma_zn2pCt5kWBFxpSl-JhYqIAaK8xGKN1IsQpOVIaweLxenlNIR8albQsSN14LZ3oXSmq44SPbg/s1600/favours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbhz8V3RPNeXK6opozJeZF810Zcc3DFm_yBO4j42phy1UbSIrHu5S_57Xg6k9gti-Ma_zn2pCt5kWBFxpSl-JhYqIAaK8xGKN1IsQpOVIaweLxenlNIR8albQsSN14LZ3oXSmq44SPbg/s1600/favours.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Loot Bags:</b> I walked around a few stores over the week prior trying to come up with loot bag ideas. The price on loot bags was quickly adding up in my head. Plus all the stuff just seemed like it would be thrown out which made me feel like it was a waste, and an annoyance to the parents. Because I had bought some prizes for the games I figured that was enough for fun little goodies. But I wanted the kids to go home with something, so I decided to get each child a dinosaur toy that when you squeeze it, the mouth opens. It's hilariously cute and really inexpensive - Once all the kids got their dino at the end they were running around making them talk to one another and they ended up in the sandbox. :)<br /><br /><b>Presents </b>- I debated Oscar opening his gifts in front of everyone. I didn't know what was the new norm. When I was growing up we did open presents in front of the guests - that was part of the fun! It was funny timing that yesterday <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TodaysParent?hc_location=timeline" target="_blank">Today's Parent posted this exact question</a> (To, or not to open gifts at a party) on their facebook page. Do your kids open gifts? Oscar ended up opening them and all of the kids were great and I made sure Oscar said thank you to each guest after he opened a gift, and said thank you for coming, and for the gift as they left. I thought that was a good lesson to instill.<br /><br />Anyhow, that was our super low key birthday party for Oscar! :) The main thing was, he and his friends had fun playing together. At the end of the night Oscar was yelling "Hey guys! Wanna come into my house?!" which I thought was hilarious - he wanted the party to keep going. :)<br /><br /><i>*Ps., I'll try to get a better shot of the dino toy but you can see it lying in the sandbox in the photos above too. </i>

Oscar's 3rd Birthday Party

We threw a BBQ for a small group of friends this past Saturday to celebrate Oscar's third birthday. I almost didn't throw the party ...

7:05 AM

Costco. Go in for salad, come out with .....

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMjmUpF-fECXnldCqvjLW_7bOdL3beWRuDc9lMdDgQWGxNmeVnsnc4Els29Svc623x0XtiYRU-HorQwGEHJ0RKWDu6zlbJuxtgS4QKWp5hmTiUXT44bi-1vqnFx_5iRmvDUddHj2mLOg/s1600/sandbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMjmUpF-fECXnldCqvjLW_7bOdL3beWRuDc9lMdDgQWGxNmeVnsnc4Els29Svc623x0XtiYRU-HorQwGEHJ0RKWDu6zlbJuxtgS4QKWp5hmTiUXT44bi-1vqnFx_5iRmvDUddHj2mLOg/s1600/sandbox.jpg" /></a></div><br />So I went into Costco with my Mom two weeks ago and went in for salad and left with a monster sandbox. They get me every-time<i>.</i><br /><br />I had been on the lookout for a sandbox so it wasn't too much of an impromptu purchase. The fact that it was under $200, a really nice design, came with a cover (for sun protection) and an additional cover to protect the sand from rain, and animals, I did a happy dance at the find.  I was a bit worried that the cover - blue, green and red - would look circusy from the house but where we've have positioned the sandbox it's hidden from view because of the lilac tree. We now have a nice little nook in the backyard where Oscar and his friends can play with the sand and <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/04/playhouse.html" target="_blank">his playhouse (also from Costco). </a><br /><br />We went to Home Depot and loaded up 16 bags of play sand into our little itty bitty car and drove home really slowly because it was about 1,000 pounds worth of sand in our car - so we were riding <i>realllllly </i>low. But we managed to get the bags home without breaking our car.<br /><br />We were in a bit of a rush to build it because Oscar was having some of his friends over for a birthday BBQ - and I'm so glad we did have it ready as the kids had so much fun with it. Anyhow, more pictures of his party tomorrow but I had to share this find!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-Sg2LLQ_ihse1otVXau5IDRZz2a8OtE1VDlrX1d6YA4XB0xrFVA_V43cM7Nh4q3a6-DgttS4T8WiNG3LOkWuG8f4Sg3qJl8Mqo-h1b3Eo6_P79lWwq_2DZ8FefeKbJQRVkfkdWZ8FAI/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-Sg2LLQ_ihse1otVXau5IDRZz2a8OtE1VDlrX1d6YA4XB0xrFVA_V43cM7Nh4q3a6-DgttS4T8WiNG3LOkWuG8f4Sg3qJl8Mqo-h1b3Eo6_P79lWwq_2DZ8FefeKbJQRVkfkdWZ8FAI/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />*I unfortunately couldn't find the sandbox on the Costco website, however <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00349RMUK" target="_blank">I did find it here </a>(but it's more expensive than at Costco) The official name of the sandbox is Gorilla Playsets, Play-ZeeBo Children's Sandbox. It's also at <a href="http://www.target.com/p/gorilla-playsets-play-zee-bo-sandbox/-/A-13991915" target="_blank">Target </a>in the US.<br /><br /><br />

Costco. Go in for salad, come out with .....

So I went into Costco with my Mom two weeks ago and went in for salad and left with a monster sandbox. They get me every-time . I had been o...

6:17 PM

three years old...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_molOEeYyEjuQqRA6R9KLVmj73JVURUTsbvkF7-2-GrkjQ7JiyP0B7nPnZ50MrZ6aurSuAcTXaMCWDhvZEfmZ_oWg8ibZgDtuoVTBNlzHgo-48NAatdiFhXSWWR6nA8muI83I6ZOLOs/s1600/IMG_3855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_molOEeYyEjuQqRA6R9KLVmj73JVURUTsbvkF7-2-GrkjQ7JiyP0B7nPnZ50MrZ6aurSuAcTXaMCWDhvZEfmZ_oWg8ibZgDtuoVTBNlzHgo-48NAatdiFhXSWWR6nA8muI83I6ZOLOs/s1600/IMG_3855.jpg" /></a></div><br />Oscar turns three today! Yay! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UllnM7DwOA-Zeqt_kigG-CSgwXIwaSBkveV5co4cAUNYM7L_gbSSV79EmJmGSCbkE6oKLhXzf9yuG7zufzLTIU0MND_MZtx8HJV-fENli2ky6Y70_f2sVqdylbCERvRmIkUyTv_TJ6o/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UllnM7DwOA-Zeqt_kigG-CSgwXIwaSBkveV5co4cAUNYM7L_gbSSV79EmJmGSCbkE6oKLhXzf9yuG7zufzLTIU0MND_MZtx8HJV-fENli2ky6Y70_f2sVqdylbCERvRmIkUyTv_TJ6o/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2010/05/another-nursery-addition.html" target="_blank">Here was the first post introducing our little man to the blog</a>, and here is a<a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/search?q=oscar&x=51&y=14" target="_blank"> series of posts that include my sweetheart</a>. :)

three years old...

Oscar turns three today! Yay! Here was the first post introducing our little man to the blog , and here is a series of posts that include m...

10:59 AM

out of the mouth of babes....

out of the mouth of babes....

"Look! An Elephant Truck!" - Oscar, 2.5 years old

5:00 AM

oscar

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzpukV61aeDHV_KJ2osMO_CJKDgUyen08rpzTb0-U2GRWRPoFJk_0Y-sN8WY8CyRax_y2Z4BI1i6n3IAbVJnOHSlWzMKc1xLrk0gmRvjHquuHRQHIZ0JJc3N7PdfOzezgyS1aE7Wdqgo/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzpukV61aeDHV_KJ2osMO_CJKDgUyen08rpzTb0-U2GRWRPoFJk_0Y-sN8WY8CyRax_y2Z4BI1i6n3IAbVJnOHSlWzMKc1xLrk0gmRvjHquuHRQHIZ0JJc3N7PdfOzezgyS1aE7Wdqgo/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In December <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/12/sharing-online-where-do-we-draw-line.html" target="_blank">I wrote about my desire to keep Oscar's life private</a>, but I did mention that he wouldn't be <i>totally </i>removed from my blog. Hopefully I'll find a way to share my love of being his Mom, but also find the balance of respecting his privacy. Here are some pictures from the last week - <b>Top Row:</b> Playing in the laneway in his new red boots (<a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/02/things-you-didnt-pay-attention-to.html" target="_blank">Reminds me of this post</a>). I love this shot of Oscar and my Mom, playing with shipping tubes (aka the microphone / car tunnel.) <b>Middle Row: </b>eating home made Popsicles while watching TV and beside that, a shot of us napping in my bed. We're back to napping after a 2 month hiatus (thank goodness*), <b>Bottom Row: </b>going shopping for his very first "basketball" with Aubrey - Oscar waved goodbye to me right before this shot was taken. It was clearly an excursion for<i> just he and his Dad.</i> (Which I loved) And the last photo was taken after Oscar woke from a nap, and I was carrying him downstairs. I don't know why I snapped it but I rarely get photos of Oscar and I. I wanted to capture our snuggling. The iphone selfies with Oscar are probably my favourite photos ever. ;)<br /><br />Anyhow, for other Moms (Dads, or caregivers) here are some links that liked related to the topic of parenting. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amber-dusick/parenting-i-quit_b_3008809.html?utm_hp_ref=email_share" target="_blank">This article made me laugh. </a> Have you seen <a href="http://reasonsmysoniscrying.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Reasons my son is crying?</a> I can relate. And lastly, my friend Steph <a href="http://blog.bravewriter.com/2013/04/04/less-is-more/" target="_blank">posted this on Facebook </a>and it was a good reminder that <a href="http://blog.bravewriter.com/2013/04/04/less-is-more/" target="_blank">less is more. </a><br /><br /><div><i>*The napping thing has thrown me for a loop. He started resisting naps in January and we thought he dropped them for good. Then lately he's been cranky come afternoon, that we started trying to force the nap again. Which the past week has worked, but it means he's in bed at night so much later. Honestly, I can't figure it out. I think I'll take a kid that naps that goes to bed later (and is happier) - than making him stay up  exhausted, to go to bed early (and be cranky). I'm sure we'll figure it out. </i></div></div><br />

oscar

In December I wrote about my desire to keep Oscar's life private , but I did mention that he wouldn't be totally removed from my blo...

7:33 PM

kids / rocks + paint

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebNs5P6tzDbQoKxQAJtHn4CXs5kFGki0uXkROAezi_-a7x9dSLrc5mpw3p44mBW3NpXtQZo7VnOrDgt5s06YDOaynFsElkdHZokBUVVaHKe4gOZkcYBaAdbMKiwLtQC8V61zk7Tdudwc/s1600/IMG_1567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebNs5P6tzDbQoKxQAJtHn4CXs5kFGki0uXkROAezi_-a7x9dSLrc5mpw3p44mBW3NpXtQZo7VnOrDgt5s06YDOaynFsElkdHZokBUVVaHKe4gOZkcYBaAdbMKiwLtQC8V61zk7Tdudwc/s1600/IMG_1567.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcUdikGzZl2McWzbQ5W52dSIebZ8qRAdLjVHcQyn2YosAwNbp5d7_gJFKUgZgGtIr2_Az8z2CoY9OfqeEAMizXLguTldQ8Cr4IwpZyFxEPETsXyyn7x3vVmWyVltNLd_oAn5jgoURj4s/s1600/IMG_1557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcUdikGzZl2McWzbQ5W52dSIebZ8qRAdLjVHcQyn2YosAwNbp5d7_gJFKUgZgGtIr2_Az8z2CoY9OfqeEAMizXLguTldQ8Cr4IwpZyFxEPETsXyyn7x3vVmWyVltNLd_oAn5jgoURj4s/s1600/IMG_1557.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrQS0WppJ_D4VaI-8bbo7929dzREF3FXcWxZ_7GvHh3td3B_nuGsIjrNRQ3yD1OmAPiRR-iwTuqbzNTHWmLLtDOUH_UeS3jsEdy7Ojz7WxXKj3HLQ1IymK3WErxEW89S8sLi6MVZSu8Y/s1600/IMG_1549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrQS0WppJ_D4VaI-8bbo7929dzREF3FXcWxZ_7GvHh3td3B_nuGsIjrNRQ3yD1OmAPiRR-iwTuqbzNTHWmLLtDOUH_UeS3jsEdy7Ojz7WxXKj3HLQ1IymK3WErxEW89S8sLi6MVZSu8Y/s1600/IMG_1549.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'm all over the place. NFL videos, bathroom renos, photo shoots of Valentine's Day stamps. I guess that is reflective of the fun times over here this week. Anyways, this is such a<i> ridiculously simple</i> craft for kids I resist posting it but I think sometimes the simplest of projects are overlooked. This turned out to be a huge hit with Oscar and resulted in a few days of fun. Collect rocks at beach. Awesome adventure. Bring home the rocks and paint them. Get messy - super fun. While painting talk about mixing colours. Educational. When the rocks dry, you shellac them and the little one now has cool treasures. A lot of "I made that!!" is said by the toddler. End result - awesome, cheap craft. Yup. I just posted about painting rocks.<br /><br /><i>Ps., Oscar gave Aubrey a rock that he painted and that I shellac'd for his desk at work as a paper weight. They make the cutest gifts.</i><br /><br />Ps., Truthfully I thought it was over his head to talk about mixing colours, but a few days later I overheard Oscar was telling family how when you mix red and blue you get purple. I don't give him enough credit sometimes - little ones soak it all in.<br /><br />

kids / rocks + paint

I'm all over the place. NFL videos, bathroom renos, photo shoots of Valentine's Day stamps. I guess that is reflective of the fun ti...

6:03 AM

Nursery to Toddler Room...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25HXpofHNmVGH2rbPXAy-vpjs62_UyNuleHxoE5YlbViGcAlaHDNUmh0drCPjsDFMHaSrC_LIXlE_tmj4qyblPqNSeOVyHOXqk8qk-1J97InBNhEOgP5-uhPDMFYuXmT3TI-jRYkg4y5Y/s1600/oscars_room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25HXpofHNmVGH2rbPXAy-vpjs62_UyNuleHxoE5YlbViGcAlaHDNUmh0drCPjsDFMHaSrC_LIXlE_tmj4qyblPqNSeOVyHOXqk8qk-1J97InBNhEOgP5-uhPDMFYuXmT3TI-jRYkg4y5Y/s1600/oscars_room.jpg" /></a></div><br />The <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/11/updating-oscars-room.html" target="_blank">new pine dresser </a>is in Oscar's room.<i> I love it.</i> I actually clasped my hands together, jumped up and down and beamed.  A year ago I don't think I would have put pine in this room but for some reason when I saw the piece it felt like it was meant to be for Oscar. It just feels like a family piece, worn with bumps and scratches from years of love and ready to handle many bumps and scratches from our family.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwlC3ucSZqv0IBaD9mwz7M2Frz9wriF4kgE9SnfScqjGIpjntZQ9MT_hrHNOulkH2x1lI_IZYdlcUrVAvUFsGIu3ZpOd7Jx8zaC-41T-rI2GrHughD0Yde0vswuGUNWwNS3KEGZGfoblQ/s1600/IMG_8545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwlC3ucSZqv0IBaD9mwz7M2Frz9wriF4kgE9SnfScqjGIpjntZQ9MT_hrHNOulkH2x1lI_IZYdlcUrVAvUFsGIu3ZpOd7Jx8zaC-41T-rI2GrHughD0Yde0vswuGUNWwNS3KEGZGfoblQ/s1600/IMG_8545.jpg" /></a>Resting on the pine chest are some special mementos - There is the <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/11/a-few-little-updates.html" target="_blank">painting of a bear that I made for Oscar</a>. Lately the book of choice at bedtime has been "<a href="http://www.scholastic.ca/titles/theverycrankybear/" target="_blank">The very cranky bear</a>". Hearing Aubrey read the book to Oscar at night, and hearing Oscar giggle when Aubrey reads it, fills me up with this happiness I can't really explain. The bear in the painting was inspired by the story, although although he doesn't look all that cranky in the painting. ;)<br /><br />Next to the painting is a the gorgeous red wooden train. It's one of my most cherished items in our house. The background is that <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/02/my-dad.html" target="_blank">My Dad </a>grew up with a love of trains. When Oscar showed a love of trains it instantly became a bond between Grandfather and Grandson.  Last Christmas my Dad, who was pretty sick at the time, and my younger brother, worked together to make Oscar this wooden red train. And they gave it to him on Christmas morning.  I still feel a little bit sad when I see it, but it deserves to be out on display and it makes Oscar <i>so happy</i>. I feel pretty lucky to have it in my house.<br /><br />Next to the train is a little globe piggy bank that I found on Etsy. It's the least sentimental out of everything, but it's cute.  ;)  Here is a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/113685653/vintage-ohio-art-globe-bank-1960s?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=globe+piggy+bank&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=globe+piggy+bank" target="_blank">similar one </a>and many more can be found by searching<a href="http://www.etsy.com/search?q=globe%20piggy%20bank&view_type=gallery&ship_to=ZZ" target="_blank"> "Globe Piggy Bank". </a> Oscar can sit there for half an hour putting pennies in it, and then loves to shake it wildly to get them all out. (It lets me put away laundry in peace.)<br /><br />Lastly, above the chest of drawers still hangs the print that <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2010/05/new-art-in-nursery.html" target="_blank">Sarah </a>designed. It still suits the room and the boy in the print oddly resembles Oscar with his thick black hair.<br /><br />Overall this is a great example of how simple changes can really transform a look of a room without a major investment. Here is the "before".<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQv1Ers_10ZeZZX8_SF4yxt78KBOll3lahLQ2LQ2lVD-3d4ie-YfhBkaFxBRx9NxA1xW2bxWU2_WSPBHV82_pWtl1UBSEJme5cSIBevLk_fJv5-GHpHG4VAekSjiFjXLOCVbUPwrE27qD/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQv1Ers_10ZeZZX8_SF4yxt78KBOll3lahLQ2LQ2lVD-3d4ie-YfhBkaFxBRx9NxA1xW2bxWU2_WSPBHV82_pWtl1UBSEJme5cSIBevLk_fJv5-GHpHG4VAekSjiFjXLOCVbUPwrE27qD/s1600/004.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />

Nursery to Toddler Room...

The new pine dresser is in Oscar's room. I love it. I actually clasped my hands together, jumped up and down and beamed. A year ago I...

6:40 PM

and his costume of choice was....

and his costume of choice was....

Glow in the Dark Skeleton Pajamas from Carter's . :-) Hope you all had a nice Halloween!

10:49 AM

updating oscar's room....

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8LPyLOv19LgIcw1tQ9KRFHYuTNWQamTsgX0Kp7UemVBTqS6uojk36aoFcjemMDgSsRwIRvqGR1dWMGusfyVa1FdAsCNU1EoYxu5br6MaQs0MR51wVWYt-1fklMamUW0OeOFKaaE_9kCS/s1600/dresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8LPyLOv19LgIcw1tQ9KRFHYuTNWQamTsgX0Kp7UemVBTqS6uojk36aoFcjemMDgSsRwIRvqGR1dWMGusfyVa1FdAsCNU1EoYxu5br6MaQs0MR51wVWYt-1fklMamUW0OeOFKaaE_9kCS/s1600/dresser.jpg" /></a></div><br />I've been thinking of Oscar's room a lot lately. I think it's important to make his room more for <i>him </i>instead of what I thought it should be when he was a baby. I don't want to do a <i>huge </i>updates   - just little changes to make it more appropriate for him as he gets older.<br /><br />Earlier this week I <a href="http://guffonline.blogspot.ca/2012/10/solid-pine-dresser.html">spotted this dresser on GUFF's blog,</a> and although we weren't anticipating spending any money on furniture, it was too perfect to pass up. Now, I do love the <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2010/10/nursery-final-reveal.html" target="_blank">dresser I have in the room right now</a>, but it's proving to be too small to fit his clothing as he (and therefore the clothing) gets bigger. But that little dresser worked perfectly as a change table when he was a baby. :)<br /><br />The new dresser has drawers open perfectly, it has a warmth to it and will grow with him. I'll post some updates later on, but needed to show you what prompted some little updates to his room.<br /><br /><i>Ps., Guff is amazing - they constantly post new products that they get in on their blog. I see new products come in on my blog reader - it's a fantastic way as a business to economically promote your wares and as a shopper, find out what's new without trekking into the store.  </i>

updating oscar's room....

I've been thinking of Oscar's room a lot lately. I think it's important to make his room more for him instead of what I thought ...

6:34 AM

Best Wooden Blocks

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsyzdK20I1gzWD3acSV5I-XtEKnqvVGHMZ-upiTVmMZ1qTtkiMd2Iq7zIyMG_eorBlBaxJDj03WaezDgxZGkmUeYgwx8jo5dewtPEdiX6xgyj0dZLlY6kpIZoDLddMry0brHdpiGFR_Ek/s1600/blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsyzdK20I1gzWD3acSV5I-XtEKnqvVGHMZ-upiTVmMZ1qTtkiMd2Iq7zIyMG_eorBlBaxJDj03WaezDgxZGkmUeYgwx8jo5dewtPEdiX6xgyj0dZLlY6kpIZoDLddMry0brHdpiGFR_Ek/s1600/blocks.jpg" /></a></div><br />If you're looking for THE perfect set of wooden blocks, check out <a href="http://www.mastermindtoys.com/Melissa-and-Doug-Wooden-Architectural-44pc-Block-Set.aspx">Melissa & Doug Wooden Architectural Block Set. </a>They are <i>amazing</i>. My Mom gave this to Oscar for his birthday and they get played with <i>every single day</i>. We make tunnels, parking lots, more tunnels. They are thick pieces, making it easy for little ones to stack. The price may seem a little steep, but truthfully they are 100% worth it. It's kind of the perfect gift from Grandparents. :) xo Linds<br /><br /><i>Ps., Although I like to shop locally and support stores I love, I just did some price comparison and t<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Architectural-Unit-Block/dp/B000GFZMYS">his set is available on Amazon for $50</a>, and it looks like they ship to Canada. Grab them. </i>

Best Wooden Blocks

If you're looking for THE perfect set of wooden blocks, check out Melissa & Doug Wooden Architectural Block Set. They are amazing . ...

8:13 AM

rainy afternoon

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg6-coRrjjHm4N491mLO4Bm0RNja5URjrmSC4oRE3QUkHmKgZkWnQYB49LshWkOIT3nxwWhQN2o2sOFNlCusFBN2TWEnKwZjStBMZ8o0pWmHGdxC9vn2lIDwrf6PYhO9XoyPY32FSg7cc/s1600/oscar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg6-coRrjjHm4N491mLO4Bm0RNja5URjrmSC4oRE3QUkHmKgZkWnQYB49LshWkOIT3nxwWhQN2o2sOFNlCusFBN2TWEnKwZjStBMZ8o0pWmHGdxC9vn2lIDwrf6PYhO9XoyPY32FSg7cc/s1600/oscar.jpg" /></a></div><br />It was raining outside. Oscar was playing quietly in his room.... I stepped in to make sure he wasn't causing mischief and caught this moment - he was playing with his rabbits & making up sweet little conversations. I quickly took this photo with my phone and tip toed out and went back to quietly folding laundry in my bedroom. It was too sweet not to share.<br /><br />Speaking of little ones I've added a complimentary advertisement on my blog for <a href="http://www.changeforkids.ca/iSynApp/showHomePage.action?sid=1100621" target="_blank">"Change for Kids" - a program for Holland Bloorview | Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. </a> I'm very passionate about any organization founded to help children and adults/children with disabilities. If you have a moment please take a peek at their website and see what they are doing for Halloween. xoxo Linds<br /><br /><i>Ps., Thank you for all your support on the <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/10/where-to-find-my-art.html" target="_blank">launch of my collection.</a> You can see some photos of my art  spotted around Ontario on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PennyPaperCo" target="_blank">my facebook page. </a>Love it. :) xo</i>

rainy afternoon

It was raining outside. Oscar was playing quietly in his room.... I stepped in to make sure he wasn't causing mischief and caught this m...

9:23 PM

Beautiful Modern Contemporary House Elevation