YM Gift Guide 2014: For The Kiddos

Having two little ones, I feel like I am an expert on knowing what kids want.  The short answer? EVERYTHING.  My answer?  Things that are useful, don't contain a lot of plastic or batteries (aka bad for the earth,) will hold their excitement/ attention for more than a month (ideally a few years) and don't have 1,000,000 pieces that will always get lost and stepped on in the middle of the night when someone is thirsty (aka, why am I always steeping on a matchbox car?  I swear these things reproduce while we are sleeping.)  Here are a few of my favorite things that the kids are sure to love, and you or the receiver's parent won't hate.  It's a win, win, my friends. 

Batman/ Star Wars sheets (From $70). I mean, what fan wouldn't love to sleep on these? These are what my boys are getting this year for their shared room, and it's a total surprise.  Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of character specific items in my home, but these are cool enough that with their striped duvet, I think even I can get excited about putting them on the bed.  The bonus is that these are grown up enough that they will be loved well in to their teen years.  Longevity is the name of the game here. 

My little man is just getting to the age where they are having sleepovers, and I realized that we don't have a sleeping bag for him! We hosted a few last year, so it hasn't come up yet, but I'm pretty sure we need to find one soon, and I love that you can personalize the name on this astronaut ($130). If space exploration isn't you thing, there are plenty of adorable patterns to choose from. 

Okay, I'm not really sure a baby would love these, but I can guarantee that their momma will. I mean, flamingo bloomers ($25)... I feel like I immediately need to borrow a baby to put these on them.  Like, immediately.

This little chef's apron is so cute ($45), and is prefect for all those budding foodies out there. 

I'm all about the storage bin, and honestly there aren't that many that the kids really would care about.  This one ($13) reminds me of the story Where the Wild Things Are, and would be great gifted with that book ($6). 

Speaking of books, I think I'm going to get a few of these Big Nate books for the LM this year (from $10).  He recently finished his first chapter book on his own, and now is hooked.  These stories of a mischievous 6th grade boy, told in comic book form are apparently addicting and well reviewed by teachers and parents alike. 

Yep, another reason to have another baby. Can someone please get this and send me a picture of their baby in this hat and glove set ($27), immediately? So stinking cute. 

There are two things my kids are obsessed with.  Minecraft and Legos.  This welcome series brings together the best of both, and unlike regular legos, you can combine the worlds and you are encouraged to free build like in the game.  You can bet this is going to be under our tree this year. (Prices vary)

I feel like every kid has one of these scooters ($80) and if they don't, they should.  The break popped off on our old one after years of use and abuse by the LM, so Gray will be getting one this year from Santa...in his favorite color of course. 

These tights are pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen.  Buy them before they are gone. ($8)

Okay, so I know I said no plastic, but I feel like there are few things cooler or probably more dangerous than a snowball launcher ($25), which clearly only adds to its awesomeness.  Heck, I kind of want one. 

A spy camera ($10). I don't know why, but little kids just love spy stuff.  I'm really digging this one.

For the budding fashionista, I can only imagine the excitement of a piece that combines tulle, jewels, and the comfort of a sweatshirt ($88).  Oh, and yeah, I would totally wear that. ;)

An anywhere/ anytime glow in the dark ping pong set ($14).  My kids would die for this.  I think I may save it for our next Costa trip, but we are totally getting this. 

Every year, on Christmas Eve my kids open their present from me, and it's always matching pajamas. From that moment they are referred to as "matching jammies" and worn together the next 200 days in a row.  This year I'm getting them these ($52), which have glow in that dark constellations on them, but I'm also a big fan of these as well. 

Finally, how cute are these slippers ($45)?  Kids really do get all the good stuff!

P.S. You can find my gift guides for kids from previous years, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. 

P.P.S. I put the full price of these items, but almost every one of these websites is running a promo, so make sure you check and get the code before you buy!

O Christmas Tree.

 Sunday, was the much anticipated day when we picked up our Christmas tree. The kids are SO in to it this year, they would have bought one the day after Halloween if we had let them. We have talked about this day for over a month now, so I was beyond elated when it finally came. 

 After 12 years together, and an equal number of trees, my husband and I have finally gotten this Christmas tree thing figured out, and I have two things to thank for that. The first, and most important, is getting the right stand. For years, and years, and years, we had a too small stand, that neither of us refused to give up on, and after too many leaning trees, I finally bit the bullet and got a stand that could probably hold the tree in Rockefeller Center. Game changer, people. The second thing we have learned is that you've got to get your tree from the right spot. Yes, I would love to cross country ski out in to the woods somewhere, and chop our own tree down, but we are years away from that happening, so we still pick ours up. After some trial and error, we found the perfect place in Somerville (right next to the old police station) and we haven't been let down yet! They have a great selection, parking, incredible wreaths, and the second you pick out your tree it is whisked away, and placed *wrapped* on top of your car. This may not seem like a big deal, but with two kids running around it is so nice, I shed a tear each time we pull away, with just how easy it goes. 

Of course, getting the right tree is essential and after some serious negotiating (between the Little Man and I) I think this year we got our best one yet. I prefer tall and skinny (like my men ;)) and the LM likes them fat. Here he is trying to plead his case. 

… and Gray is like, "whatever you two… this is just so awesome."

We finally found our winner.

Which was VERY exciting!

Gray helped to pick out the wreaths (my favorite!)

20 minutes later we were in business. 

We spent last night decorating the tree as a family, but this guy likes to keep the party going and has re-hung everything in reach ALL.MORNING.LONG.

Our 2013 tree! She's a beauty! The best part is that this morning we woke up to snow! It sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!

Tepees Are Back!

Before baby Gray's first birthday, I was obsessed with finding him this Tepee for his room.

I find gift giving for him difficult, and somewhat unnecessary, because he inherits everything from his brother. Having been the first child/ grandchild, his brother has amassed quite the collection of toys and sports equipment, that is now Gray's, so I feel like I am always on the lookout for the "perfect" gift for him. This would be something he can use for a long time, something he can share with his bro, AND something that we don't already have.

Enter the tepee. 

It's as perfect as a gift can get. It's something we don't have, something the boys can play in/ camp in/ live in for years, and it's so damn cool, that I kind of want one for my room. 

Then I tried to buy the one pictured and that baby was sold out. As in, you can't even get it on ebay, the etsy ones are a little over the top, why doesn't ikea make 10,000 versions of this,  kind of sold out. FOREVER. I went so far as to try to offer double to the Land of Nod Lady, who didn't bite, but under her breath whispered more are coming, just wait until we get closer to Christmas. 

I took this inside information, moved on and got Gray a globe for his birthday (thrilling I know) and continued to check Land of Nod on a weekly basis. 

Then... last week... I saw them.

TEPEES ARE BACK!

I would have waited until Christmas to share this in my annual gift guide, except for the fact that they are already backordered until the beginning of December. Meaning, if you want one in Santa's sleigh, you have to act NOW. 

I'm torn between the orange and navy stripes (story of my life) but also thing the cowboy one is too cute to pass up. Throw in a few comfy pillows and I think this is pretty much the best christmas present ever. Let's just hope baby Gray agrees ;)

Tepees from Land of Nod can be found here. $149.00

 (Top photo, from here.)