Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post.
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Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post.
Back to school shopping used to be fun. Unlike when I was a kid, the lists now are very specific and very...how do you say...boring. For example: "Red folder. Black Expo Dry Erase Markers. 3" White Binder." No Lisa Frank or Trapper Keepers (showing my age here) allowed. The pro of a very specific back to school supply list is that you can skip the store and have all of the school supplies delivered right to your doorstep- which is precisely what I did! I did 90% of my school supply shopping on Walmart.com, back in May but I almost wish I'd waited because the rollbacks are insane! This time of year can be expensive so I'm happy to save where I can and Walmart makes it easy. Here's how to do your back to school shopping in MINUTES plus my favorite supplies from Walmart at the end!
In honor of Black History month, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite children's books. This list certainly isn't exhaustive; these are just the books we own. I'm a 'check it out, don't buy' kinda girl but within the past few years I've made more of an effort to purchase children's books that catch my eye or that I think will be enjoyed over and over again and of course that extends to books that feature Black characters or are written by Black authors. To me, Black history doesn't mean only talking about segregation. There's so much more to it than that. Black history will always include some sadness and trauma, but there's also joy, love, endurance, perseverance, excellence, grit, hope, love, strength, and honor and it should be celebrated! Note- some of these books are faith based. Here they are-
Little Leaders Bold Women in History and Little Leaders Exceptional Men in Black History. Did you know that the first person to build a full size clock in America was a Black man?! Or that Langston Hughes was the first Black person to be able to earn a living from his writing? Or that the precursor to the invention of the yellow traffic light was a Black Man (it used to just be stop and go)? The same man also invented the hood fire fighters wear! These books are full of fascinating facts, and examples of Black excellence and determination. Many of the accomplishments were during the height of segregation and discrimination which is just mind boggling. Nadia particularly has fallen in love with Black History- and I credit the Bold Women book!
I Like Myself- We love this book. It's all about accepting yourself even when (especially when) you're different. I wish I'd had it when I was young! It's fun and zany in teh best way. I read it to Nadia's class in 1st grade and they loved it as much as she did.
The Who Was series. This series features all types of people in all different industries- we haven't read them all (they were gifted to us) but they're on the list.
The Faith Gurlz series. Written by a Black author (Alena Pitts) and her daughter, these are great for older kids/pre-teens. Finding youthful fun fiction that's wholesome AND features black girls is not easy but this series nails it.
God's Very Good Idea. This is basically the gospel message in a children's book but talks about how God created all of us- light and dark skin alike- and how we all need him and all have intrinsic value.
Cool Cuts. Maybe a bit young for us but the illustrations were so cute I had to have it. How you feel about your is closely linked to self confidence and having 'different' hair can be a challenge. At various times all of my children have had days where they come home from school and said they want straight hair like their friends. Luckily those days continue to get fewer and further in-between thanks to books like this and maybe a little to my lecturing about how special it is to have different (and beautiful!) hair. There's also a book by the same author featuring girls called Happy Hair.
Courageous World Changers and Brave Heroes Bold Defenders. These faith based books discuss figures who fought for their faith or used their faith/convictions to change the world. It features a variety of figures and ethnicities but has no shortage of Black men and women and their contributions.
I Am Enough. Not pictured, but we have and love this one too! Beautifully illustrated book about self acceptance- something I want my kiddos to embrace.
I'm sure we have a few more I've forgotten about but I'd love to hear your recommendations below!
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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #AmericasBestToyShop #TheLionKing
You guys. I have always been obsessed with Disney's The Lion King. When I was young I could quote every line (and still do!). When I had children, it was the very first Disney DVD I bought. Despite the fact that Genevieve could barely sit through a 20-minute kid show, let alone an entire movie, still, I tried. My excitement the first time I saw the preview for Disney's The Lion King coming to theaters July 19th was off the charts. Literal butterflies! There's something about passing on an experience you were passionate about as a child to your own kids that feels so precious. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to tell you guys about The Lion King events at Walmart and adorable The Lion King products there. Keep reading for a peek at these new toys plus my very own The Lion King Trail Mix recipe!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FreeToBe #CollectiveBias
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RestEasyWithCVS #CollectiveBias
housework?
No one cares unless I have a magical remedy or method. My God I wish I did.
kid stuff?
Usually not fun nor pretty...or too revealing (maybe I'll save it for this series).
writing for Tall Clothing Mall?
To be honest, you all don't seem too interested in that topic judging from my numbers. Perhaps because I'm the only giant in the bunch?
I am a little obsessed with felt. It's pretty. It's cheap. Need I say more? First I made a felt bow. It was harder than it seemed and I certainly didn't want to take the time to blog it. But until the clip on it stopped being springy, both Nadia and Genevieve did wear it often! See evidence below:
Genevieve with one of our favorite teens on a gorgeous fall day in October. And Nadia playing in the back yard 10 days before Christmas (with no coat! and here we are a week before Easter and it's snowing. What's wrong with this picture)? And then I made this.
Nadia's new blocks came in a little muslin bag that didn't close. Really, Wonder toys? You couldn't have added a little piece of Velcro? I needed to think of something to keep them in. I love the look of her blocks and figured something clear would be cute. Though I have about 50 glass vessels of some sort, glass isn't the best idea for a nursery. (Can I still call it that even though she's 16 months, climbing, running, and talking?!). Well when looking around the house I came across an old animal cracker container I'd saved. It was a good size and I figured I could use it for something down the road.
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Or really, in my case, toddler room art. I've been slowly chugging along in re-decorating Genevieve's toddler room. It's been sloooooow going but I feel like I'm FINALLY making some good progress. As for an update:
I posted the tiniest sneak peek known to mankind a few weeks ago. Is it weird that I feel guilty about that? Let's just say I was making up for the 1200 posts I did on Nadia's party. Not that you didn't enjoy every last one of them. ;) So here are a few more details of my baby's 3rd Birthday Party! And this time there will only be two posts--this one featuring the dessert (because let's face it; that's my favorite part!) and one more featuring, well, the rest. So here goes!
the big picture:
The menu consisted of:
I'm SO excited to be a guest over on Live the Fancy Life today. I've mentioned Jessica many, many times on Taste{full}. She is an amazing writer, event planner (you MUST check out her son's little man 1st birthday and her client's Curious George themed party. like now. wait, finish reading my post first. then GO.), and photographer. I love getting inspiration from Jessica on home design, mama stuff, and parties, of course! For my guest post I had way too much fun curating a little girl's gift guide.
To read the post, see the sources, and no doubt get sucked into perusing her blog, go here.
Happy Monday!
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To read the post, see the sources, and no doubt get sucked into perusing her blog, go here.
Happy Monday!
