Ok friends – I want to share some of my favorite books. These are books we own and love. There are many more but I tried to put my top picks on this list to keep it from getting out of control. I’ll do my best to put them into categories, based on my opinion and how well they were received by our kiddos. I don’t have books for older kids at this time, as this list is based on my own experience, which is dictated greatly by our kids current ages.
There is a good chance I will add to this list over time – so be sure to check back! The goal is to give you book ideas to add to your own library, your kids library, friends who are expecting, friends with kids, friends who are teachers, etc. Reading is a joy! Help give children a love of reading at a young age so they love it through life. I want to help encourage reading at all ages! Read this list, share it, read from it! Spread the love and enjoy! 🙂
Books for new and expecting parents:
- On Becoming Baby Wise – Gary Ezzo, MD
- The Happiest Baby On the Block – Harvey Karp, MD
- Ma! There’s Nothing to Do Here! A Word from your Baby-in-Waiting (Picture Book) – Barbara Park
Classics for any age:
- Goodnight Moon – Margaret Wise Brown
- Guess How Much I Love You – Sam McBratney
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle
- The Wonderful Things You Will Be – Emily Winfield Martin
- Where the Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak
- The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
- The Rainbow Fish – Marcus Pfister
- Where the Sidewalk Ends – Shel Silverstein
- The Story of Ferdinand – Munro Leaf
- Love You Forever – Robert Munsch
- Little Blue Truck Board Books – Alice Schertle
Books for 6-24 Months:
- Moo, Baa, La La La – Sandra Boynton
- Barnyard Dance – Sandra Boynton
- Are You a Cow? – Sandra Boynton
- Night-Night, Little Pookie – Sandra Boynton
- Peek-A Who? – Nina Laden
- Good Night Gorilla – Peggy Rathmann
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat – Nosy Crow
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star – Nosy Crow
- The Wheels on the Bus – Nosy Crow
- Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site – Sherri Duskey Rinker
- Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? – Brianna Caplan Sayres
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom – Bill Martin Jr.
- Dear Zoo – Rod Campbell
- Are You My Mother? – P.D. Eastman
- Giraffes Can’t Dance – Giles Andreae
- Little Owl Books – Divya Srinivasan
Books for 2-7 Years:
- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie – Laura Numeroff
- If You Give a Moose a Muffin – Laura Numeroff
- If You Give a Pig a Pancake – Laura Numeroff
- Elephant and Piggie Books – Mo Willems
- Pigeon Books – Mo Willems
- Iggy Peck, Architect – Andrea Beaty & David Roberts
- Rosie Revere, Engineer – Andrea Beaty & David Roberts
- Ada Twist, Scientist – Andrea Beaty & David Roberts
- The Day the Crayons Quit – Drew Daywalt
- Harold and the Purple Crayon – Crockett Johnson
- Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? – Dr. Seuss
- The Pout-Pout Fish – Deborah Diesen
- Hedgehugs – Steve Wilson
Books when expecting a second child:
- There’s a Baby in There! – Dandi Daley Mackall
- God Gave Us Two – Lisa Tawn Bergren
- I Am a Big Brother – Caroline Jayne Church
- Hello in There!: A Big Sister’s Book of Waiting – Jo Witek (NOTE: I added this book for the big sisters out there!)
Have fun reading! xoxo
Who doesn’t love a good brittle? This recipe is super customizable, fast, easy, and you can use almost any topping – so get creative! I’ve made this for Thanksgiving, Christmas, various holiday parties and most recently, for Easter (today)! I hope you enjoy this recipe and have as much success as I have had with it!
INGREDIENTS:
- 14 to 16 – Graham Crackers (approximately)
- 1 1/2 Sticks – Organic butter (unsalted and salted both work)
- 3/4 Cup – Packed brown sugar (light and dark work)
- 1 1/2 to 2 Cups – Chocolate chips
- Sprinkles in the colors of the closest holiday
- Optional: Unsweetened organic shredded coconut
NOTE: These can be made vegan by substituting Earth Balance butter substitute (1:1 substitute) and vegan chocolate.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Line the entire pan with graham crackers. You may need to break some to get the entire pan covered – which won’t be noticeable after these are done. Set
the baking sheet aside. - Put your butter into a saucepan and melt on medium heat.
- Once melted, add the brown sugar and stir to mix everything together and keep the sugar from burning.
Once the mixture is at a boil, keep stirring and let boil
for 2 minutes. Take off the heat and poor mixture on top of the graham crackers. Spread evenly using a spatula.
- Put baking sheet in the oven for 6-8 minutes, or whenever it is bubbling.
- Use your oven mitts and take the baking sheet out of the oven. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly on top of the crackers. Let sit for 2 minutes so the chocolate has time to melt.
- Use spatula to gently spread the melted chocolate evenly from edge to edge.
- Sprinkle your toppings evenly on top of your brittle (today I used Easter sprinkles and coconut).
- Let the pan sit for about 1 hour on the counter – or until it is at room temperature. I like to put the
cool pan in the freezer for another 30-60 min before I cut it. - Cut into desired serving sizes with a sharp knife.
- Store in a tupperware in the fridge or freezer. It is ridiculously good frozen and even better with coffee as a snack!
OTHER POSSIBLE TOPPINGS:
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Peanuts
- Dried cranberries
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed peppermints or even Andys mints (great for the holidays)
- Crushed candy (leftover Halloween or Valentines Day candy)
- Colorful sprinkles for any upcoming holiday or the current season
- Crunchy cereal (kix, golden grahams, etc.)
- Mix salty and sweet toppings for a great combination
- Use semisweet, dark or white chocolate chips depending on your preference. My favorite is semisweet – although white chocolate shows sprinkles really well (see photo below).
NOTE: For the holidays I use semisweet chocolate chips and top it with dried cranberries, unsalted pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, and a sprinkle of sea salt. It’s delicious and fits the holiday season well! Perfect to serve at or bring to a party!
ENJOY! XOXO
Healthy Banana Chocolate Cranberry Muffins! Say that 3 times fast! 😉 These turned out so yummy – and I don’t feel bad eating them or giving them to my kids! Give them a try – you won’t regret it!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 – Box banana bread/muffin mix
- 3 – Ripe bananas
- 3 tbsp – Raw cacao powder
- 1/3 Cup Dried cranberries (juice sweetened if you can find them)
- Organic coconut oil (melted)
- Water
- Cupcake liners
NOTE: The ingredients above are based on my boxed mix and my modifications. If your boxed banana bread mix asks for other ingredients like an egg, etc. – make sure to follow that as part of the instructions. I chose not to use any butter and used coconut oil instead. That is an easy swap that you can make no matter which boxed mix yo use. The cranberries and cacao were additions that I decided to add and that will work seamlessly with your boxed mix as well. Hope this helps!
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to the temp listed on your boxed banana mix. My box lists 375 degrees F – but be sure to use the temp listed on your box. If interested – this is my favorite boxed mix for banana muffins and more! I get it at my local Whole Foods but you might be able to request it at your local grocery if they don’t already have it. 🙂
- Peel your ripe bananas, put in a bowl, and mash them with a fork. I like them to be really mashed well – almost smooth with some small lumps.
- My boxed mix listed 1/2 cup of canola oil and a 1/4 cup of water. I chose to use coconut oil since it has so many wonderful health benefits – and I think it is delicious! You can substitute coconut oil for whatever the amount of oil your boxed mix
asks for. In this case, I added 1/2 cup melted coconut oil and 1/4 cup water – and mixed well with a spatula. - Next add in 3 tbsp of raw cacao powder. If you are new to this ingredient – it is not sweet like other chocolate powders. In this recipe, you do not need to add any sugar as there is plenty from
the bananas and boxed mix. Stir well with the spatula. Like organic coconut oil – this also has wonderful health benefits yet adds some yummy chocolate flavor without the calories and sugar of adding chocolate chips! Yay! - Next add 1/3 cup of juice sweetened cranberries. I am a huge fan of these cranberries because they are not sweetened with sugar. They are usually sweetened with apple
juice with does have sugar in it – but it is much less sugar and a lot more natural. My kids love them and so do I! They are also great in salads! 😉 Stir the cranberries into your batter so they are evenly distributed. - Put your cupcake liners into your muffin pans. This is a really fun thing to let your kids do! They feel like they are
really helping and it is super easy – my 20 month old was able to assist! I used Spring colors since it is spring time and they are really pretty. - Evenly distribute the batter between your 2 muffins pans. You will have enough to fill all 12 evenly so take your time filling them part way and then topping them off so they are all pretty equal.
- Put muffins pans into the oven for the specified time listed on your boxed mix. My box mix only had timing for a banana loaf (50 min or so). Because timing was not listed for muffins, I checked them at 15 min by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin. Batter stuck to the toothpick so I put them back in for another 5 min. I checked them the same way and no batter stuck to my toothpick – they were DONE! Yay! I recommend checking them a couple minutes earlier than what is listed on the box to be safe. If you have a boxed mix that only lists the loaf timing (like me) – try checking it around the 15 min mark. If batter sticks to your toothpick, put them back in and check again after a couple of min.
- Take our your muffins once they are done and let them cool for 10 min.
- Enjoy warm or let them cool all the way! Either way they are so yummy!
NOTE: I use silicone muffin pans and I LOVE them! Click HERE if you are interested in getting some and want to learn more. If you are new to this type of pan – they are wonderful and can be used for so many things…baked egg “muffins” for easy breakfast on the go (recipe coming soon), cupcakes, brownie cups, cookie cup molds, and more! They also cool down fast and you can get your creations out of these molds a lot easier than using hard pans. If you choose to use silicone baking pans of any type – put them onto a baking sheet for support.
ENJOY! XOXO
Are you getting ready for baby and trying to prepare your diaper changing station? I’ve got you covered! 🙂 These are some tips to get you organized and functional.
- Select a changing table that has storage.
There are many fantastic options out there. I decided on a changing table that doubled as a dresser for my daughters clothes. The baskets add additional storage for a variety of important items (more on that soon). If you already have a dresser that can be used for your nursery, look into changing table toppers. They are relatively inexpensive and can turn most dressers into a functional changing table. The best part is that once baby outgrows the changing table – or baby is potty trained – you can take the topper off and you still have the dresser! Take a look at this TOPPER – which is under $30 and comes in 5 colors! You can also click HERE for a TOPPER in white which is also under $30 and will ship free from Amazon if you use Prime! If you don’t have a dresser and need the entire changing table – try looking at Nextdoor for free or inexpensive items in your neighborhood. It’s amazing what neighbors may be looking to get rid of. It makes me so happy when I can pass things that my kids have outgrown to a family who needs it! Especially if they are in my neighborhood and can easily pick it up. - Get a changing pad and a couple of pad covers.
The changing pad will go on top of the changing table to make it comfortable for baby. It also has a strap to help keep baby safe. You still cannot leave baby unattended – but it helps keep a wiggly baby on the pad. This pad has worked well for us and is pretty inexpensive. Pay attention to the size of your changing pad to ensure it fits in the changing table topper (if using one). Getting 2 to 3 pad covers will help you keep the pad clean. Remember – you will be dealing with some messy diapers from time to time 😉 I would say having 2 pad covers is at the minimum – but 3 is ideal. We’ve had days when both get dirty and I’m grateful to have the third while I wash the others. - Pick a diaper stacker.
This will hold your diapers, keeping them out of the packaging, stacked neatly, and handy when you need them. Click HERE for examples on Amazon. You do not and should not spend a lot on this item. It has 1 job – hold diapers. If you get one that is neutral, it’ll work for baby #1 and baby #2 (or any other babies you add to your family), which is a money saver. My son was still using his when I had our daughter, so we ended up getting a pink one to match her room theme 🙂 Pick what you like but don’t waste money on something expensive. - Select a wipes dispenser.
If this is your first child, take note that babies do not like to be cold. With my son (first child), we used a regular wipes dispenser. It was fine, but the wipes are cold and when you are trying to change a sleepy newborn with cold wipes, it makes them mad or wakes them up (or both)! For my daughter (second child), someone introduced me to the heated wipes dispenser. AMAZING! I loved how warm the wiped were, and how it kept my baby girl sleep and cozy during diaper changes. It was also nice when I was wiping her face after nursing, wiping her little eyes after a nap, and so much more. I wish I had known about heated wipes dispensers for our first child! We have this heated wipes dispenser and it’s been great! Please note that for this model (and possibly others) you do need to add a little bit of water to keep the wipes from drying out. It is not hard to do – and it makes a big difference. - Creams, powders and more…
You will absolutely want creams, powders and other things to keep baby soft, clean and happy. The following are my favorite items that I recommend for your changing station: Desitin (use to protect against diaper rash), Aquaphor (use this on dry baby skin – fantastic for cheeks, upper arms and thighs), Baby Powder (helps absorb moisture and keeps baby legs soft), Hand Cream (will help keep your hands moisturized), Hand Sanitizer (great trick to “clean” your hands so you can get a clean diaper and clothes back on baby – and then go wash your hands), Mustela PhysiObebe No-Rinse Cleansing Fluid (gentle cleanser to wipe that sweet baby face after feedings, before naps and bedtime, etc.), Mustela lotion (use for face and body after giving baby a bath and after using the cleanser. This is not a thick lotion, so if baby has mild eczema – talk to your pediatrician, and consider trying Aquaphor). - Additional creams and baby items to keep handy.
Think about what other things will fit in your changing station that you will want on hand. A Nose Frida is a fantastic thing to have on hand and may fit in your changing station. It is small but has a big impact if your baby has a stuffy nose. Baby Vicks or other soothing chest rub helps baby breath easier when they have a cold. Consider putting it on the back instead of the chest if the smell is too strong for baby. I also recommend the bottoms of the feet (be sure to cover feet with socks right after you apply it so baby doesn’t touch the rub). Baby nail scissors are essential as babies nails are sharp and must be trimmed often. I personally love the Piyo Piyo baby scissors but you should look for the right option for you. Keep an eye out for a blog post on tips for trimming your baby nails! Baby safety swabs are a nice item to have on hand – but be very careful with them! I have only had to use them a couple of times over the last year. Talk to your pediatrician about the best way to use them. A thermometer! We use a digital thermometer – but you may want to discuss what is best with your pediatrician. This is our favorite thermometer and it has worked well for both of our kids. When sick, we take their temp about 4 times to get a good average and more accurate reading. - Find additional storage.
Make sure you have a place to put all of these items so they are within reach when changing baby. You cannot leave baby unattended on the changing table – which means you need these items within reach. Some dressers may be large and have extra space for these items on top. Our changing table/dresser is on the small side, so I chose a small side table to hold important items. I also use a basket housed in the changing table. You can see from the photos in this post that I have many of the creams and powders (which I purchase in the largest size to save $$) in the basket. I keep the pumps (hand and body lotions, hand sanitizer, and cleaner) on the small side table with the wipes. Everything is easily within reach so I can keep baby safe while changing her. - Select a diaper pail. If you decide to go with disposable diapers, you will need a diaper pail. We have used the Diaper Dekor Plus for both our kids and it has worked well for us. We use the biodegradable liners – but they do have cloth diaper and regular liners as well (depending on your preference or needs).
- Think about what other important things may fit on your changing station.
A humidifier is a must for a nursery. When baby gets a cold (which will happen at some point), a humidifier will help a lot. Ours fits on the side table by the wipes. Another key item is a sound machine. We use ours for naps and bed time. Select one that has a plug and also takes batteries. It is also best if it has a timer. We use this Sound Machine for our kids – but there are many options out there. I can say that it has traveled with us to visit grandparents, on vacations, etc., and it has made it much easier for our kids to sleep. This also sits by our wipes on the side table. Lastly, a baby night light is a wonderful addition to the nursery and may even fit near your other essentials. We use this little octopus night light that projects on the ceiling and is portable. Our son has the blue one and our daughter has the pink. It fits beautifully on the changing station – but can also be moved around the room. - Keep a hamper handy. A changing station is used for dirty diapers. Keep that in mind as you think about where to put a hamper. We keep ours close enough to toss in soiled baby clothes or any other items that need washing. Personally, I find that keeping a hamper close to my changing station makes for less mess and much more ease.
Baby spends a lot of time getting diaper changes, clean clothes, and other pampering at this station. Make sure it is comfortable, stocked, and ready for action!
I hope this helps you prepare your changing station! XOXO
Spring has sprung! That means playing outdoors, having BBQs, and eating yummy treats made with fruit! I have an easy one for you – so listen up!!! 🙂
INGREDIENTS:
- Coconut spray (or preferred cooking spray)
- 1 – Box white or yellow cake mix
- 1 – 12 oz Bag frozen blueberries (organic)
- 1 – 12 oz Bag of frozen peaches (organic)
- 1/4 cup Raw and unsalted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1/4 cup Raw and unsalted sunflower seeds
- 1/3 cup Rolled oats
- 1/2 cup Coconut oil (melted)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with your coconut (or other) cooking spray.
- Cut open both bags of frozen fruit and pour into the sprayed baking dish.
- Evenly distribute the dry cake mix over the frozen fruit.
- Sprinkle top with the seeds and oats.
- Evenly drizzle the melted coconut oil over the entire baking dish.
- Bake about 55 minutes – or until golden brown. Take out and let sit about 5 minutes. Thats it!
Serve this delicious and crazy easy treat with family and friends! Top it with vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream! I personally love home made whipped cream because it isn’t very sweet and is the perfect topping for this treat!
Enjoy! xoxo