A Candy Free Easter Basket!

Our Candy Free Easter Basket- Think Spring!

I have wonderful childhood memories of the Easter bunny, searching for eggs and Easter baskets, and fighting with my brothers over the items they received that I really wanted for myself. (My parents might not have such great fond memories of that part.) Although we always received some chocolates and jelly beans, we also always had some great practical items in our baskets. Items that lasted much longer than the sugar binge we went on.

This is my first Easter with our toddler. Last year I was barely clinging to my sanity with a newborn, I don't remember Easter even occurring. Whether you celebrate Easter in the traditional sense or just want to bring in the spring with a happy celebration, I've come up with a candy free set of items I'm excited to include for our little chick.

1) Green Toys

Have you tried out the Green Toys before? Baby Z received the Green Toys Ferry Boat for a birthday gift and it has immediately become a bath tub favorite. I plan on moving it outside into her water table when things warm up a bit. Green Toys are made from 100% recycled plastic and are so sturdy. I'm excited to snag the construction trucks, dump truck, and tractor to add to her Easter basket so that she can move dirt around the yard soon.

2) Planet Wise Lunch/Snack Bags

Spring time means more time outdoors and more time enjoying picnics at the park. The Planet Wise Sandwich Wraps are going to make an Easter basket appearance this year because they are perfect for the park. Wrap your sandwich in the wrap to keep it fresh and sand free while you play, and then lay the wrap out flat to use it as a place mat while you eat.

The Reusable Zipper Bags are also perfect for small snacks for little hands. We have several bags in cute prints and let Baby Z pick out her bag and her snack for the day. Putting that small amount of choice in her hands has made a big difference and I'm excited to include a few more in her Easter basket this year.

3) Baby Leggings

These are loved by both mom and baby in our house! For mom, they make diaper changes so simple. You don't have to remove them to change the diaper and they keep her warm when there's a cool spring breeze outside. Baby Z loves to pick out a cute pair to match her diapers and prefers them to pants (let's be honest, who really wants to wear pants!). We've also found they are awesome to use under pants if  it's a chilly morning and you take a trip outside. When we wear Baby Z in a carrier her pants ride up, but the leggings underneath keep her lower legs and ankles warm.

4) Nicki's Doll Diapers

With Baby #2 on the way, we spend a lot of time talking about babies and baby care in our house. Baby Z has started dragging her baby doll around by the leg, so it seems like we're off to a good start. The new Nicki's Doll Diapers are the perfect way to continue the baby conversation and help her learn to care for a baby. They match her adorable Nicki's Diapers prints and she loves to look just like her baby.

5) My Swim Baby Swimwear

I'm so excited to get outside more as the weather warms up and Easter just makes me think of spring time and sunshine. Baby Z loves water and instead of just playing in the dog's water bowl, we plan on letting her enjoy her water table, sprinkler, and baby pool this summer. While a naked baby running around the backyard will probably happen on occasion, a My Swim Baby swim diaper is a more neighbor friendly option. Pair the swim diaper with a matching sun hat and rash guard top and Baby Z will be protected from the sun while she runs in the sprinkler. We used a reversible sun hat for every walk last summer as well, both to keep her face protected and keep the sun out of her eyes.

**Giveaway!!** Want to win your own My Swim Baby swimwear for your little one's Easter basket? Leave a comment on what non-candy item you're excited to include in your baby's Easter basket this year or just your favorite item that makes you think spring and you'll be entered to win a My Swim Baby swimwear set. Comment by 3/15/16 to be entered to win.

Top 10 Gifts for 0-12 Month Olds

In a previous blog post, I wrote about what I think are the Top 10 Gifts for Toddlers 12-24 months old. This time I'm going to talk about my favorite gifts for the littlest ones on your shopping list, 0-12 months old! Just last year my Emmett was only 1 month old at Christmas, and being my 3rd boy, I was again having trouble shopping for him! This year I have a brand new niece on my list, so here is what I've come up with!

10. Organic Farm Buddies: These are quite possibly the cutest and softest little critters you've laid your eyes on! Available in a ring, blankie or buddy, these little toys are perfect for chewing and snuggling and the bright patterns will certainly catch your little one's eye!

9. Jellystone Designs Chocolate Chew Bar: How funny will your little one look chomping on this silicone chocolate bar?! Various textures on the soft BPA-free bar will sooth your little one's teething pain and the sight will definitely bring a smile to anyone's face!

 8. Pediped or Baby Bella Maya Shoes: They may not be walking yet but who says they shouldn't have stylish accessories? Both of these shoes are soft soled for healthy foot development, have velcro closures to stay on baby's feet, and are available in a huge variety of styles!

7. Bumkins SuperBibs: In the world of feeding bibs, Superbibs are my ultimate favorite! Not only do they have the CUTEST prints, but they clean up so easily and their top quality keeps them looking new from child to child!

6. L'oved Baby or Zutano Clothing: If you don't have a baby, check out these two clothing lines and I guarantee you'll be wanting another one! L'oved Baby makes classic layette staples that look so pure and simple. Zutano's bright colors and prints are unlike any other line you've seen. Both are perfect gifts for the under 1 year old!

5. Babylegs: I have personally found Babylegs to be one of the most functional and versatile baby accessories on the market! They are perfect for laying in a cold day, can be worn with diaper and shirt around the house for easy diaper changes (and eventually potty training), and are just so darn cute!

4. Sock-Ons and Zutano Fleece Booties: Any mom knows how annoying it can be to constantly be losing baby socks and exposing cold toes! Sock-Ons go over socks to hold them in place and Zutano Booties take the place of them!

3. Amber Teething Necklaces: I know what you're thinking, how can a necklace worn against the skin help ease teething pain? It's magic, I swear! I was an unbeliever, too, and now I buy them for all my friends! Read more about Baltic Amber here.

 2. Aden & Anais Swaddle Blankets: Even if your baby is beyond swaddling, these muslin wraps are perfect for play blankets, loveys, nursing covers, stroller covers and burp cloths. Once you feel how soft they are, you'll probably want to sleep with one too ;-)

1.  Haba Clutching Toys: Bright, fun, easy to hold, and safe for baby! What more can you ask for? These adorable toys are a classic and will bring hours of enjoyment to your baby!

Top 10 Gifts for 12-24 Months

The holiday season is my absolute favorite time of the year! There is nothing like seeing the joy on my children's faces as they open their presents on Christmas morning. My two oldest boys are 3 and 5 and they can easily come up with a list of gifts they would like. My youngest little guy just turned a year old and obviously doesn't have much of an opinion on the matter. I found myself really struggling to shop for him this year. I don't want to buy him presents just for the sake of buying presents. I want them to be something useful and something he really will enjoy!

If you're like me and struggling a little bit too, I hope this list of my Top 10 Gifts for Ages 12-24 Months will help!

10. Hape Mini Maracas: This adorable pair of maracas are easy to hold, make the perfect amount of non-annoying sound, and make my little guy smile every time he shakes them!

 9. Plan Toys Pull-Along Snail: This toy is brightly colored, durable, and it's little body inches up and down as your child pulls it across the floor. I've bought this as a 1st Birthday gift before and it was a huge hit even with the grown-ups! 

8. Skip Hop Treetop Friends Busy Bead Tree: Help your child exercise their fine motor skills as they move these wooden beads along the branches of the tree. The modern look of this toy makes it a cute addition to any living space. 

7. Planet Wise Snack Bags: Fill them with their favorite snack or use them to keep keep toys and pacifiers clean! Lots of great prints to choose from! Functionality meets fun!

6. Mocc On Slippers: Think practical! Not only will these slippers keep your little one's toes warm, the leather bottom will prevent slipping and the adorable prints will make them WANT to wear them! 

5. Skip Hop Zoo Packs: Let them flex their newly found independence by choose which toys and books to tote around in these adorable bag. So many animals to choose from! Bonus, matching lunch boxes are available!

4. Cozy Plush Animals: Perfect for snuggling up on the couch on a chilly winter night! These animals go in the microwave and come out smelling like calming lavender. Don't tell the kids, but they're perfect for adults aching muscles, too!

3. Aden & Anais Dream Blankets: We may be done with swaddling, but my love for Aden & Anais products doesn't end there. Dream blankets are ultra-soft and make for the perfect lovey for your toddler. For ultimate luxury, treat your little one to a Bamboo Dream Blanket!

2. Hape Pound and Tap Bench: What's better than a toy you can pound on? How about one that you can pound on AND make music?! Hours of fun will surely be had with this high quality and brightly colored toy!

1. Sophie the Giraffe: No surprise here! This toy has been a favorite in our family for all 3 of my children. Sophie goes beyond teething, though. She keeps little hands busy in the car seat or on the changing table, she  plays in doll houses, she rides firetrucks, she does it all!