The Split-up Weekend

This past weekend was a big one for us! Gwen went in one direction and I went in another.

Gwen
Gwen went camping in Hershey with my mom and dad. They did Boo At The Zoo and came home with all kinds of creepy facts about vampire bats.

She saw a black bear eating a pumpkin!

They also did Treat-or-treating among the campers and went to Chocolate World!

Colleen
Meanwhile, I went to Washington D.C. to visit a friend. It was a loooonnngggg drive and metro ride trip by myself, but completely worth it! We always have a lot to talk about :) We visited the White House gardens which meant A LOT of standing in line for our time slot and then more standing in line to get through security.

We got up close and personal

saw the rose garden



and the veggie garden

The coolest part, though, was going to the International Spy Museum! My friend had already been into the main museum and said it was cool, but pricey. So we went right into their Operation Spy experience instead. We loved it! They have transformed the entire upstairs of the museum into an imaginary country to simulate a spy mission. So much fun :) it lasted almost an hour.

The website says there are some cool things for kids under 10yrs old in the museum, but the interactive missions are for ages 12+. I grabbed this from the website

 

I would love to post real pictures of it but there's no pictures allowed. Just trust me that it's a must see on your next D.C. trip, just beware the spy store... I could've spent a FORTUNE there!

A Book Every Month For A Book Lover

This site is my most favoritest so far.
(Hey, I'm with kids all day, and in this house favoritest is a word)

You've heard of the beer of the month and wine of the month gifts you can get, but have you heard of www.giftlit.com where you can sign someone up to receive a book every month for 3, 6 or 12 months??? It completely blew my mind. I sat in awe of the idea of it for... well only seconds before I really got into exploring the site.

There are suggested lists for every occasion including new baby, wedding and Valentines Day. There are also

Gifts for her

Gifts for him

Gifts for teens

and Gifts for children

Or you can start from scratch and make your own

One of the things I am loving about these ready to go suggested lists is that you can substitute books. You can use the list, but tweak it too. If you know they have a certain book, or you think they'll like a different one better you can click the handy-dandy  button.

Then pick from one of the recommended categories and  something you know they'll love!

One of my thoughts on this gift is that it's an especially great option for someone (grandchild, niece or nephew, sibling, cousin, friend) who doesn't live close to you. It's a great reason for them to pick up the phone every month or two and

Tell you about what they received and

What they liked and

How they are and

To ask how you are :)

Another great thing about this 'subscription' is that if the recipient is not interested in or already has the book that arrives, they can send it back and another month will be added on to their gift.

 I will admit that I did not check the store price of every book they offer. Despite the rumors to the contrary, I do have a life. But the price really seems like a good deal. I mean, have you ever mailed a book before? The weight of a hardcover book will break the bank in shipping costs.

Keep this in mind! Use it for Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Christmas, or Birthdays... or for no reason at all!

Oh! Added bonus! They also do book recommendations on their Blog :)



Etsy Gifts For a Book Lover

The other day I sent you to a T-Shirt site for gift ideas for your Book Lover. I haven't found any T-Shirts on Etsy yet. There are a lot of other really neat things though.

Journals:

  

Bookmarks:

     

   

Bookends:

  

Book Bags:

    

Necklaces:

  

  

Keychains:

  

T-Shirts For A Book Lover

I was browsing google for more fun literary quotes and I started finding the coolest things. I will introduce you to the sites one at a time so you don't get overloaded :) Check back in a few days for another one.

I found heaps of cool T-shirts on http://www.giftsforageek.com/designs/book_geek
Disclaimer: The images you are about to see may offend you, but I promise that at least one person you know will think they are hillarious.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mothers day is coming up... Just sayin'

New Stuff

Well, soon after my post on Friday I received an anxious call from a friend who desperately needed to get out of her house and away from her children and husband for an hour or two. There's no shame in that. We've all been there. If you're sitting there judging her then we need to find a way for you to walk in her shoes for a week... heck, a day would probably be enough.


SO. I packed up my poor kid and we scooped up my friend and spirited her away to...


LAKESHORE LEARNING!!!! We were in the car for 2 hours to get there so once again I am insanely grateful that Gwen is into audio books now.


We spent an hour in the store. If I hadn't had a budget I would've been a lot quicker. It was a lot of picking up and putting back and looking and exclaiming and putting back. I talked myself down to just a few, super exciting things

 
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom activity tree


Math board game for Gwen


Fun Foam

Also Old MacDonald felt characters, and a large jug of glue. It was so much better explore in person then it was online :)

Hello!!!

I'm back! I know it's been quite awhile, but I think I'm ready to get back into the swing of things.

There's something you should know about me... I have a slightly obsessive personality. I latch onto something and think about it all the time for a few weeks or months and then I move on to something else.

That being said, my latest obsession is Lakeshore Learning. What makes this different from others is that lakeshore is a repeat offender. I have gone through lakeshore 'kicks' 2-3 times a year, every year since I discovered them.

They have so many things that I could use for my daycare and my daughter... even if I wasn't homeschooling, but especially because I am!


Bookshelves


Giant reading pillows


Really cool rugs


Active play kits


Bugs discovery kit

 
and Educational Games

So how much money has it cost me to be 'window shopping' on the website a couple days a week? $0.00

In all this time I have not been able to justify the purchase and shipping cost of any of the things on my wish list.

Unbelievable huh?