Trucks, tractors, dinos and more

 Christmas morning is 15 days away. I know this because my nearly four year old is counting down feverishly until he can open all the presents that are wrapped under our tree. What he hasn't come to realize and we've told him one hundred times over is that they aren't all for him. In fact, none of his presents are under the tree, they're hidden in the basement. I thought I'd put together a little list of what our little guy is wanting this holiday season to help out shoppers looking for that little 3-5 year old boy that loves trucks, tractors, wheels and dinos. 

  First up Bruder trucks. These trucks are ginormous in size and Drew actually saw these in a store when we were in Boston and asked if one would fit in our suitcase so he could take it home. Some are a bit pricey but seem super sturdy. We actually purchased him the second one on the list with the crane, but he's dying for the concrete mixer as well. I'm thinking it would be a great birthday gift for him in March. 

Tow truck with Jeep

Bruder Crane

Concrete mixer

Next up, Switch and Go Dino's by V-tech. I absolutely love V-tech toys.  They typically seem to be the ones my kids gravitate towards.  I don't know who the genius is who came up with these dinosaurs, but THANK YOU!  Drew's cousin has a few of these and he loves playing with them when we're at his house, So there will be a couple of them sitting under the tree for him Christmas morning.

Tonn the Stegosaurus

Silver the T-Rex

Akuna the Velociraptor

Drew is enamored with anything John Deere.  We do live in Iowa so this isn't surprising.  However, he has been asking for a few more tractors.  He actually asked for a real gator to ride around the yard...If you would see our little fenced in backyard you too would be laughing. We barely have enough room for their swing set and outdoor playhouse.  We need some more land if we're going to even consider a child sized gator, NOT an adult gator.  I thought some nice little indoor tractors would be just fine for this John Deere enthusiast.  

Tractor with hay bale mover

Tractor with grain cart

The movie Disney Planes recently came out and I think nearly every little boy and girl went to see that movie. I know my son is in love.  The DVD just came out November 19th. They are so many accessories to go with the movie.  I know I'm not huge into character rooms but I've compromised and Drew has Disney Cars sheets and I thought he would love having Planes sheets as well.

Planes sheet set

Another toy I've heard nothing but great things about is a Marble Run.  The only reason I didn't buy one for Drew this year was because of Kate.  Even though we watch them constantly I would be terrified she would put one in her mouth.  I think this will be a purchase we make next year when Kate is a little older and not putting every single thing straight in to her mouth.

Drew started preschool this year and it really sparked his curiosity about everyday life and learning.  He's started to tell time and I thought this clock would be a great gift for those little ones that are starting to learn numbers and time.

Melissa and Doug clock.

Play-Doh is always a huge hit in our house with both Drew and Kate.  When you combined Play-Doh and trucks it's a double win. 

Diggin Rig Power Crane

Trash Tossin Rowdy Garbage truck

Play-Doh Diggin Excavator

Drew has this Play-Doh excavator and absolutely loves it!  I would highly recommend it for any little boy or girl that loves Play-Doh and machinery.  

I hope everyone is having a very happy and safe holiday season.  Cheers to you and yours!

Christmas, I still respect the turkey

   I've already started my Christmas shopping, I do however still respect the turkey. However we have way too many nieces and nephews not to start early. Not to mention six parents to shop for. This year we have six nephews and two nieces all under the age of nine that we will be giving gifts to plus our two kids, and two neighbor kids I decided earlier was better. The parents will come a little later because they are pretty darn easy. Although I do have to say it's been pretty darn fun shopping for the little kiddos, and Amazon loves me these days. We are planning on getting Drew the Melissa and Doug Cook's Corner Wooden Kitchen.  My question is, do any of you have this?  Our niece has it and loves it but I'd love to hear how sturdy it is.  We've seen it once, but that's it.  Drew is big into cooking these days, so we thought why the heck not! What are your child's favorite accessories?

Then for Kate we are on the hunt for a walker.  We never had one for Drew but I found this V-tech Sit to Stand Learning Walker and we haven't ever seen this in person, but I'd love to hear if there is a walker out there that you do have that you love or if you have this one, if you love it or hate it.  Looks fun, doesn't it?

So help a momma out before I make these purchases! Are you shopping early? 

You had me at Hello!

Lately, I've been really into getting out my spring decor, and packing away my winter reds and browns.  Hello green, and white.  I try and make our home light and airy during the spring and summer months.  So during this transition time my usual Pottery Barn and West Elm magazines land on my doorstep and as I was grazing the pages of West Elm this morning, I started to drool at their bedding.  We have the West Elm Pin Tuck bedding in the slate color, but apparently I got this bedding a few years too early because the other colors are too die for! 

(West Elm pin tuck bedding)

West Elm, I'm loving but hating you today!  I want it all!  Take a look at a few other options from West Elm, how great would these bed to create a light and airy feel in a master bedroom.

(Solarized Duvet cover)

(Macro Embroidered Duvet)

(Ruffled Circle Quilt)

I'll take one of each please!!  I love West Elm because their price point is lower than that of above mentioned competition, yet their quality is very high.  I've had nothing but great luck at West Elm and will continue to shop there. Now if only I was filthy rich with a 10 bedroom house and needed all of these bedding options!  A girl can always dream!  Check out West Elm, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Have a great weekend!

My little monkey

Last week Drew and I were at Target, my very favorite store in the whole entire world.  I once said that I could live in Target.  They have everything you could ever need.  Anyway, we were picking up a few things we actually did need like formula and diapers but I couldn't pass up the baby section.  I was browsing the sale racks as I like to do and I came upon this hat.  Now, I am all about bargain shopping.  I would consider myself bargain Betty.  This hat was not on sale but I could not pass it up, it was way too cute and it was 10 bones.  You'll see why momentarily why I could not pass it up.  Oh and it came with mittens....Seriously, mittens on my 6 month old, oh too die for!  So we got the hat and mittens and a few other things that Drew just HAD to have that were of course on sale!  Anyway, I tired the hat on Drew in the store and I screamed because he was so darn cute in it, I think I might have scared him, but darn it, he was so cute in it!  It will be perfect for those cold Iowa winters and go perfectly with his little fleece we got him.  No puffy winter coats with the car seats! 

I won't make you wait any longer,  my little monkey

Cute huh?

I think a great purchase for 10 bucks!