We really like handmade goods and we particularly like to make things with our kiddos. It’s very fulfilling, so when we found “the creative family” by Amanda Blake Soule, we knew we had to have it. It’s just the kind of book we’ve been looking for. Soule eloquently articulates how creativity nurtures family connections, which we really appreciate. It’s such a hard thing to describe and she does it very well. Upon opening this book, one of the first sections that drew us in was the chapter devoted to gathering materials and Soule’s family craft cabinet (a roadside find that she refurbished with beautiful fabric to create door panels). It’s so amazing to think about the impact of having a specific cabinet in the center of the home filled with art supplies and everything needed to create. Love this. We also really like that Soule makes mention of how being creative can be a thrifty endeavor. She buys her family’s art supplies at thrift stores and garage sales. “the creative family” is helping us to pass on the tradition of crafting and to have fun without toys. Also promotes interaction and engagement with our kids that seems to be more and more rare. $14.95, here.

Letterpress and block prints make us drool, embarrassing yes, but we can’t help it. Hatch Show Print is one of the oldest letterpress printers in the United States. They have printed posters for some of  the country’s legendary country music performers like Hank Williams, Bill Monroe and Johnny Cash and are still printing to this day. When we found these beautiful posters, Charles Clack designs printed with blocks carved by Hatch’s bookkeeper in 1933, we had to, and we mean really had to have one. They were used to teach art students the craft of block cutting. The print of barnyard deer is peaceful, sweet and such an incredibly cool addition to our kiddos room, and the history behind it is something we can share with them when they get a little bit older. Probably on the same day we buy them their first black button-down shirt and their first copy of Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. Each one is printed at the time of ordering. 22″ x 30″ $45.00, here.

 
Nothing can separate us from our Chuck Taylor All Star Converse. We’ve gone through just about every obsessive phase imaginable with these shoes, including wearing a different color Chuck on each foot. Nerdy, we know, but a long time ago, so hopefully kind of okay. Converse have always kind of been a part of our uniform, you could say. And while we want the kiddos to find their own way in the shoe world, we might give them a slight nudge. Friends must realize this, because we continue to receive them as gifts. As far as first-time walkers and Converse, we can’t say they’re at the top of the list, but they’re not bad either, plus they’re just so good looking. We can say that they hold up and have been worn after many, many washings. And we like the fact that the Gparents seem to have a story or two about playing basketball in them. Why that’s delightful, we don’t know. Just is. $25, here.

Professional animals in suits were never that funny or charming before we had kids. Now, we love them and have a whole new respect for any polar bear clever enough to become Chairman of the Board. And he can put on a suit; tough task. We are very fond of Ryan Berkley’s pen and ink drawings and that he seems to enjoy creating bios for the animals he illustrates. Ridiculously cute. Makes us want to bring them all home, buy them dapper clothing and send them off to work. Willard stood out to us, he’s so good looking and embodies his COB status, but then there’s T-Rex in a cowboy hat and western shirt, too. Wonder what he does for a living. Digital archival prints of original work. 5″ x 7″ $8 or 8″ x 10″ $15, here.

There’s something to be said for a good hoodie. We’ve been wearing them for a very long time. They’re comforting and the perfect layer for the climate we live in, underneath the rain slicker, of course. We also like rocket ships (circa 1950s) and other things found in the galaxy, so when one of our kiddos received this little jasper hearts wren hoodie as a gift, we knew said gift giver was a true friend. It’s so soft and cozy on the inside, it really keeps the kid warm and the felt rocket and stars are hand-stitched, which we like. jasper hearts wren makes other modern playclothes, perfect for all sorts of play. We appreciate good playclothes and are very glad to get the kids started on their very own collection of hoodies. Felt rocket made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.Washes and wears well, even the rocket. $48, here.

We have a little confession to make. We were buying kids’ stuff before we had kids. We weren’t weird about it, not closets full or anything, but we did have a small collection of books and bibs. And this bib was one of them. Now that we’re finally using it, we’re glad we stocked up before hand, because the kids go through bibs, and fast. Funkie Baby bibs are reversible and soak proof. Two of our favorite words, and their fabrics are very cute. We like the numbers bib, we can sing the numbers song while the wee ones eat, but we also really like their yippee (cowgirl and cowboy) and sushi patterns. Every kid needs to be able to identify the different types of nigiri by the time they’re three. At least we think so. Measures 13″ x 10″. Three-layer design with cutie fabric on the front, soaker in the middle and reversible layer on the back. Not sure about the soaker, so can’t evaluate eco-friendabilty. Will stand corrected as always. Washes and wears well. $18, here.

We were stoked (do people still use this word?) when we found the safe sippy stainless steel cup by Kid BasixWe’re always pleased when a company takes the time to consider the environment and the safety of our kids by heavily testing and certifying their product. The research that Kid Basix has done is mind-blowing and a worthy read. They’ve also designed an innovative and good looking product with little hands in mind. Kudos.The stainless steel cup and thermoplastic rubber sleeve are very durable and the Safe Sippy is completely safe. BpA, phthalate and DEHA free, yippee. Plus, the sleeve makes this sippy quite easy for little hands to grasp onto. Unfortunately, we can’t say that the Safe Sippy is perfect, but who is? We have experienced some leakage and the cup keeps liquids so cold, it’s a little chilly to the touch for little hands without the rubber sleeve. We do know we’ll appreciate this feature on a 90 degree day, though. $15.99, here.

On the whole, we really like little twig’s extra mild unscented bubble bath, so do our kiddos. Mmmmm. Bubbles are fun to play with and taste quite good. We were completely okay with them eating these bubbles because little twig is paraben and sulfate free, non-irritating and has no artificial flavors. Kiddo didn’t wince after tasting it and we saw no side effects. It’s definitely a great product. Our problem was that we went through it very quickly, so it ended up to be about $1 a bath. We think it’s very important to use  the good stuff when it comes to our wee ones, but we do use our little twig sparingly. Maybe not every bath is a bubble bath. Organic jojoba, Vitamin E. Great for sensitive skin. $16.50, here.