Sit Still & Have Fun

I can NOT sit still!!! I'm constantly moving quickly doing all the things ALL day long! 

I like to do things, be productive and get a thrill from crossing things off of my to-do list.

I think of relaxing and long for it but can't bring myself to actually sit still. I'm just like the wiggle worm you see in a little kid. I'm not mad about my energy and wouldn't want to be any other way but I would like to incorporate some focused fun and quiet. 

Over Christmas break I received a puzzle. Puzzles are something I enjoyed doing as a kid and have missed as an adult. I put it together with my sister and gracious was it so much fun! We sat at our breakfast table and I said 'boom' each time I connected a challenging piece!

Bonus: the puzzle was reversible so the next day we did the other side

This past weekend I decided to sit still and do another. I'm not sure if it was the busy week I had or just enjoying our home with Ryan in it (rare especially on weekends) but I pulled one out of our cabinet and started.

Note: Before I can work or do anything focused I make sure all chores are done. I'd like to think I could just make them wait but I that's outside my limits.

Here are some great activities for sitting still & HAVING FUN ...

Needlepoint

This art is making a comeback.

I have a few gal pals that do it and I'm thinking of trying it.

Stockings & Pillows are popular projects.

Cross Stitch

I used to do this a lot as a kid.

Crossword

These have never appealed to me - but I imagine it would really enhance your vocabulary

Back when the newspapers were big this was very popular.

Games

I absolutely LOVE games but it does require more people.

I really want to incorporate them with my gal pals. 

Maybe you enjoy painting, or sewing or making jewelry, 

whatever you like to do I encourage you to sit still and do it!

Life is meant to be enjoyed! Work is necessary but so is fun!

Dress Beautifully Sitting Still

XOXO Sarah Louise 

Friday Favorites: Toys for Three Year Olds

 TGIF! Gals, Praise Him from whom these blessings of sunny warm weather flow!

airplane watching

My productivity has been terrible but my time outside has been joyful ... It may not be 'balanced' but it sure is fun :)

You know what else is fun?? Getting to play all over again.  I wasn't sure how I'd feel about actually playing with my child, and to be honest was quite discouraged when folks would make comments like 'if you only have one kid you'll always have to be their playmate'. Gee thanks Karen for your unsolicited opinion and I can't have more children and am completely content with our family size thank you very much! Rant over.

Back to playing ... Life as a grown up is full of responsibilities and getting to let it all go and be silly is what makes it worth living.  I will say Vivian is in school 5 days a week so I'm not her sole playmate.  She is also so precious at playing independently (I love to spy on her & eavesdrop on her chats with her babies). 

Since Christmas & her birthday are a mere 3 days apart there was a huge influx of toys in our house. She's also matured to using more advanced toys for learning and development.

Even if you don't have kids or a girl, you can use this post as a gift guide or to just awww at the cute pictures! 

Here are some of Vivian's favorite toys at 3 years old .....

She loves to be like her Mamma and carry a purse. This one came with lots of play makeup.

Her favorite is to put it on daddy!! This was her first purse.

It looks and feels real but isn't.

BOOKS! My darling girl LOOOOOVES books. It's what she plays with most ... every where! 

This set is so much fun.  The tablet reads along to each one. 

Eric Carle has been her favorite books since she was a baby.

It's so sweet to see her pretend to read just like Mamma and her teacher.

I love reading her classic Little Golden Books just like I was read to as a child.

Velveteen Rabbit is another classic story she loves.

Teepee

such a fun little tent to read and play in

This carrying case with little animals is one of her favorites.

Lakeshore learning is one of the absolute best resources!

Gracious this gal loves dinosaurs! She's named these Petey, Sister & Mamma LOL

I'm pretty sure I found these at the dollar store. 

Small figurine toys while simple are fun for them to play make believe with.

I'm the most jazzed to share with you about Maileg! This is a European company that makes very unique little mice and accessories. They are small and allow children to use their imaginations. Very similar to toy dolls. Vivian got a classic mouse in a matchbox along with a cradle & dessert tea set for her birthday. We added on to her collection with a Princess & the pea castle set for Valentines day and this baby bunny & this cot since she loves the story of Baby Moses in a basket.

I may add something else for Easter. 

If you are local to Charlotte Fable is a sweet shop in Blacklion that sells tons of Maileg & other precious things!

These toys will grow with her for several years.

They are also great to take with you to places such as Grandma's or vacation.

You can incorporate them with other toys such as a dollhouse or Barbie accessories.

PS Bandaids are fun too

Dollhouse - this was a gift and I couldn't find it online but small houses are so fun.

Magnetic dress up dolls - she can sit down and play this for an hour

changing their outfits over and over 

I wonder where she learned this?? :)

Never ever stop playing dress up!

My gal pal gave her this Elsa gown for her birthday, I love to watch her play and parade in it like it's no big deal.

I adore this set of dress up skirts (they're so easy to wear over clothes) & dress up shoes

I let Vivian wear them to the mall one day and to make wishes in the fountain.

It tickled me to let her do it ... these are the things I cherish.

Passing down costume jewelry or finding it at thrift shops is a great way to build up their dress up accessories.

BABIES!!! 

Vivian's a little Mamma to all her dolls. 

She has this ballerina, classic soft doll, small baby, and goodnight baby.

Tip: newborn clothes can serve as doll clothes. Some of her baby swaddles and accessories can also be used to play with baby dolls.

Carriages are a joy to push her babies in (along with lots of other toys and treasures)

She got her first Barbies this year. She loves to play pretend with them.

There's A LOT of tiny parts (I've organized them in these clear zipper pouches).

Vivian is now old enough to play games - we're still working on following the rules but the point is to have fun and she has a ton! Hungry Hungry Hippos is a good first game.

Bed Bugs!

When it comes to art, we use the Color Wonder markers! They don't color on anything but the special paper. I'm complete opposed to mess! This activity table has been great for art and learning. You can purchase cards for a variety of topics.

Outside is our favorite place to play! Her dolls love it too. 

Vivian's tricycle

This playhouse is the BEST! She actually received it for her 2nd birthday but the play has just grown over time. We made a base floor out of plywood and added peel & stick laminate on top to create a nice clean surface for her.

Not all toys are 'toys'.  Seashells and rocks make great pretend food.

She made me a pizza this morning before school.

We use her beach toys to play with in our garden & backyard.

Bubbles = Happiness!

Dress Beautifully & PLAY!

XOXO Sarah-Louise