Parker's 2015 Christmas List - Gifts for a 2 Year Old Boy

Below is Parker's 2015 wish list (with helpful links)! These are the items he would be most excited to find underneath the Christmas tree. The list has three major themes.

-Animals/bugs/nature
-Pretend play
-Building/construction

Other things he is interested in: octopus, crabs, spiders, books, sperm whales, going to the zoo, going to the park and boba.

1. Bug City. This is the one thing Parker is most excited about. He loves bugs! Hopefully this thing is escape-proof because Tuan does not like bugs. If you get this, you are required to help catch the bugs. Thanksssss.

2. Wild Kratts Power Suit. PURCHASED. Parker loves pretend play and he has been pretending to be the Kratt brothers from the Wild Kratts show. The idea of having creature powers is blowing his mind right now. If you haven't watched the show, you should check it out. I've learned so much about different animals. Yay PBS!

3. Dinotrux. Dinotrux is a Netflix cartoon about dinosaurs that are also construction trucks. It's all about working together to build things to improve their community. Parker is really into it right now. His favorite characters are Rivet (below) and Garby because he poops rocks. Duh.

4. Art supplies or the Artful Parent book. We love working on art projects!

5. Duplo Blocks. Thanks to grandma we have a ton of Legos in house but I have noticed that Parker still enjoys playing with the Duplo blocks more than regular Legos (they're easier to manage with his little hands). I think he would be most interested in the superhero sets.

6. Imaginext. Imaginext toys are awesome. They're high quality and have a lot of moving parts.. Parker flipped out when he saw this transforming batman robot thing at Target. Mama would be happy with any Imaginext toys.

7. Magformers. They're colorful, magnetic and allow you to build. Of course he likes this.

8. Gift cards to the San Diego Zoo for KinderTots classes.

9. Nickels for trips to Nickel City!

10. Planes, trains and automobiles. Parker's fascination with all vehicles continues! Construction trucks and airplanes are high on the list of favorites.

I hope the list was helpful! Of course the gift of your time would be the greatest gift of all. So maybe buy a toy and stay and play at our house. I promise I'll feed you. Happy shopping!

Give with Thanks Challenge

I think I've finally gotten it through to Parker that Halloween is over and no, it's not Christmas yet. It's Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Trying to get a toddler to understand the concept of Thanksgiving and being thankful has been a little tough but I think it's going to get easier with the help of The Small Seed's Give with Thanks Challenge. The challenge is to perform small acts of service to give thanks to your friends, neighbors and fellow human beings. It's a beautifully simple concept and I hope you join the challenge as well. We are a little behind as I just found this website while trying to come up with ideas for a thankful tree but we will do our best to make up for lost time. Be sure to visit http://thesmallseed.com/ to check out the Give with Thanks Challenge.

Download the free packet which includes a visual tracking system, daily service calendar, prints and mini lessons and additional service ideas at http://thesmallseed.com/. Thanks to the team at The Small Seed for sharing this wonderful challenge and beautifully design packet with the world. Thank you, Readers, for checking out my blog!  

Our Favorite Father's Day Cards 2015

It's almost time to celebrate the most important men in our lives! Don't wait until the last minute to pick up the perfect card for your husbands/dads/stepdads/baby daddies, etc. Here are some of our favorite Father's Day cards from around the web.

Father's Day Cards by marychu on Polyvore

Dad You So Rad Greeting Card / World's Greatest Dad Greeting Card by RIFLE PAPER Co. | Made in USA / Mother's Day Father's Day Card. I love you mom. by DesignParlour / Funny Fathers Day Card, Funny Card, Dad Card, Dad! Daddy! Dada! Da...

Happy Mother's Day 2015

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas I know! I want to say a special thank you to my mom whom I aspire to be more like everyday. Thank you, Mom, for teaching me how to be resourceful, patient, and loving and for being a brilliant example of motherhood in your actions and words. I love you!

[Spotted via Pinterest]

[When you have 7 daughters, you are blessed with a lot of grandchildren. Here are my parents collecting grandkids like it's going out of style.]

Mother's Day Candy Box DIY + a Few Last Minute DIY Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is THIS WEEKEND and I am completely unprepared. There's been a lot going on and I haven't had a chance to create/shop for the mamas in my life. I'm also on a tight budget because Parker's getting his new grill tomorrow and it's going to be $pendy. Never fear! Pinterest is to the rescue. I'm so glad that I stumbled upon this idea for candy boxes on the Julep blog. Thanks, Melanie, for sharing this idea and free printable. Total life saver. My boxes aren't filled with the same candy as Melanie's but they are just as tasty and look just as sweet with the cute labels. The clear boxes were a total score in the $1 bins at Target. Visit the Julep blog for the full tutorial.

Follow me on Pinterest @ marychu33!

Materials Needed
-Clear containers from Target
-Candy of your choice
-Adhesive (I used washi tape)
-Color printer
-Cardstock
-Label file from Julep blog

[Photo credits: Julep]

Some other fun ideas I spotted on Pinterest. 

[Free printable cards from Say Yes blog. Having babies like a boss!]

[Mini Flower Bouquets from Homey Oh My!]

[DIY Semi Precious Stone Soaps from Fall for DIY]

Happy Easter!

Family

Church

Egg Hunt

Risen

Love

Sweets

Laughter

Celebration

Happy Easter, Mamas! Have a blessed day.

[Spotted via Pinterest]

Confetti Eggs DIY

Here's a #throwbackthursday photo for ya! Easter 2010, the first year I bought confetti eggs for the Easter egg hunt. Best (and messiest) idea ever. Confetti eggs or cascarones can be bought in store or made at home. I wanted to make some this year but the store bought ones are such a time saver and what do you do with all those eggs? Maybe next year we can make a real mess with glitter filled eggs!

[Look how itty bitty my nephew Nolan is here!]

[Gotcha John! Haha]

Got some time to spare? Here are instructions on how to make confetti eggs at home from mom.me.

[For completely instructions and a supply list, visit mom.me]

Christmas: Outfit Planning for Family Photos

[Sneak peek of Parker courtesy of Hello Pinecone Photography]

Last year, we took a cute photo of Parker for our holiday cards and called it a day. I had just discovered Hello Pinecone Photography and we missed Erin's mini sessions by a week. A week! Ugh. Fast forward one year, this mama was determined to get glammed up to have our holiday photos taken by Erin. Outfit planning for holiday our mini session with Erin was fun. I started with finding a color scheme that hinted at holidays without screaming CHRISTMAS. Once that was decided on, I found the perfect sequin dress at H&M and Tuan and Parker's outfits fell into place. I love the detail on the J Crew sweater Tuan wore and Parker's little blue coat. What are you planning to wear for your holiday photos this year?

Also, reminder that today is the last day to enter the giveaway. Click on this link for more details.

Holiday Photos Family Outfit by marychu featuring slim fit pants

H M dress, $64 / Slim fit pants / Steve Madden polka dot sandals / J.Crew Slim rustic merino elbow-patch cardigan / Zara Coats / Zara Herringbone Trousers With Suspenders / Gap Baby Dobby Stripe Shirt Size 12-18 M / Toddler Boy's Cherokee Declan Chukka Boots Brown / Original Penguin - STRAIGHT TIE AND POCKET SQUARE GIFT SET

Family Christmas Tree Farm - San Diego

Saturday we paid a visit to the Family Christmas Tree Farm in Santee in hopes of buying a mini tree for Parker and Kaden. We arrived at the farm around 2 PM and I was excited to see that it was not very crowded (better for picture taking). Overall, the farm is not very big but there are plenty of large, lush trees that were available to for guests to pick and cut and a large variety of pre cut trees as well. The farm also sells a good selection of wreaths and tree clippings so you can make your own garlands. It was no forest in Oregon but who could complain about walking among Christmas trees in 70 degree weather in the middle of December. Next year, I think the farm would be really fun to visit at night when the strings lights are on to set the holiday mood.

 

 



Family Christmas Tree Farm

300 Pepper Drive

El Cajon, CA 92021
619-448-5331
www.familychristmastreefarm.com

 

 

[Test shot of Tuan in his cool Ray Bans]

 

[The Noble Firs are my favorite]

 



[My favorite guys among the Monterey Pines]

 





 

 



[Sweater and leggings: H&M, Shirt: Gap Kids, Shoes: Toms]

 

 

[The money shot! I love this photo]

 

Peppermint Pretzels

 

We picked up our Christmas tree from Costco yesterday. On my way to the register, I picked up a bag of these peppermint dipped pretzels. I have to say that these are my fave peppermint noms after peppermint Oreos and peppermint mochas. They are so delicious and I love the snowflake shape. So festive and fun! These would be great for a party.

 

 

Land of Nod Holiday 2013

Love all the fun holiday items at Land of Nod!

Land of Nod Holiday 2013 by marychu featuring a plaid bedding

Plaid bedding / Preppy home decor / Kids' Holiday Decor: Kids Chambray Christmas Advent Calendar in... / Peppermint Twist Felt Garland in Garlands | The Land of Nod / Holly Jolly Stocking (Fox) in Stockings | The Land of Nod / Christmas Stockings: Personalized Bear Themed Stocking in Stockings |... / Kids Throw Pillows: Cold Outside Throw Pillow in Decorative Accents |... / Kids Ornaments: Baby's First Christmas Ornaments in Ornaments | The... / Christmas Stockings: Personalized Silver Triangles Stocking in...

H&M Holiday 2013

Christmas is right around the corner and it's time to get the house ready for the parties that will take place at our house. Lucky for us, H&M home has a great selection of very affordable holiday items available online! Seriously, I cannot even express how happy I am that H&M finally has an online store. I know it's been out for a few months now but I am still not over it. My favorite is probably the gift sack. Totally getting one so I can haul all the kids' Christmas gifts to OC this year (and haul Parker's gifts home). Right now H&M is running a 24% off any item of your choice offer + free shipping over $50 with code 1022. Happy shopping!

H&M Holiday 2013 by marychu featuring a knit blanket

H&M knit blanket, $56 / H&M white serveware, $16 / H&M home decor, $21 / H&M holiday decoration, $11 / H&M christmas holiday decor, $4.81 / H&M Christmas sack, $13 / H&M Sequined cushion cover, $13 / H&M Cotton cushion cover, $13 / H&M Christmas tree mat, $13

Mini Me Look - Plaid Pants

Plaid is so trendy right now and I like the green/blue combo as a quieter alternative to the ever present red plaid that seems to fill the shelves during the holidays. Woo hoo for tiny plaid pants!

 

[Chic mens outfit from J Crew Factory]

Min Me Look - Plaid Pants by marychu featuring a tweed jacket

Robeez Mini Shoez 'Dress Man' Slip-On (Baby & Walker) Black 3 M / Gap Plaid Pants - plaid / Zara Basic Shirt / Sovereign Code Woven Tie (Toddler Boys)



Holiday Photo Cards - To send or not to send

Holiday cards. Send or skip? Tuan and I have been debating whether or not to have some made this year. Now that we have Mr. Photogenic (Parker) I'm sure our families and friends are expecting to receive something in the mail with his mug on it. The problem with photo cards are 1. most of them are so cheesy 2. Tuan and I don't particularly like taking photos. I was really leaning towards skipping the photo cards this year until I found this card on Minted. So flippin cute right?? It's simple, modern and does not require us to be in the photo. Love it.