Favorite Toddler Books for Spring

Making time to slow down and read out loud to my kids every day is my way of refocusing, reconnecting, creating special memories, and fostering a love for literature. It's no secret that I am a total bookworm and always have been. Children's books are my jam! 

Here are my Favorite books to spring into with my little ones.

1. Plant the Tiny Seed

The perfect spring story for little readers. This engaging read keeps little ones wiggling their fingers to water the seeds and clapping to make the sun shine all story long. 

2. Wolfie the Bunny

The most adorably hilarious story of a little bunny named Dot who gets a new baby brother, Wolfie. She isn't too sure of him until a bear attempts to attack her baby brother....then, watch out! This funny packs a punch! An absolute must read. 

3. Pete the Cat Big Easter Adventure

Pete the Cat wakes up on Easter excited to see what's in his basket only to find a note from the Easter Bunny...asking for help! This cute read has Pete busy as a bunny getting ready for Easter and learning how nice it is to lend a helping hand!

4. Where's My Mom

When a little Monkey loses his mother, a sweet butterfly offers to help him. This charming tale takes Littles on an adventure to find Monkey's mother and learn that not all babies look like their parents. 

5. All the Things I Love About You

In this sweet story, a mama lists all the things she loves about her little boy from the way he says "mama" to the way his hair sticks straight up every morning. This adorable read made me think of my sweet babies and the unconditional love between a mother and her child. The most heartwarming read that makes you appreciate the small moments that make each day so special. Perfect for Mother's Day!

6. When Spring Comes

A cute read with beautiful illustrations that depicts the changes that come with spring...flowers blooming, baby birds singing, and new life that comes with spring. 

7. Too Many Carrots

The cutest tale about a rabbit who loves carrots. He loves them so much that they have taken over his home and he has no where to sleep! This is funny tale depicts what happens when his patient friends try to help but Carrots keep getting in their way and the lesson Rabbit learns about sharing!

8. Little Blue Truck's Springtime

Beep! Beep! Peep! There's no better way to celebrate spring than with everyone's favorite Little Blue Truck! My littles love finding the adorable baby animals beneath the flaps in this precious book. 

9. The Night Before Easter

I love these books. These adaptations of the book 'Twas The Night Before Christmas introduce what each holiday is about and what excitement comes with the new day! This particular book covers when the Easter bunny comes to visit and what he leaves behind. An adorable read right before Easter that my little ones really enjoy. 

10. Let It Rain

The sweetest picture book depicting the wondrous changes during spring...snow melting, flowers blooming! A precious book with simple sentences and beautiful illustrations to introduce the season. 

EGGSTRA Special Egg Hunt

The holidays are EGGSTRA special with little Peeps running around...bringing back the magic. 

Is there anything more magical than the Easter Bunny visiting and an Easter Egg hunt?! Nope. That's just the best thing ever. 

As a true holiday junkie (& former teacher), I am always looking for new ways to jazz up our holidays and make them a little less chaotic with little funny bunnies hopping all around! 

Last year, I was told about this genius way to make the Easter Egg Hunt fair for big and little kids alike! I was like, "What the Peep?! Tell me more!"

This isn't a new idea but it's new to me and pretty darn EGG-celent! 

Every little honey bunny is assigned a different color and can only pick "their" color eggs. You can customize the eggs so they are filled with EGGS-traordinary things that they love, hide them appropriately for each age, and best of all...everyone gets the same amount! Winning! 

This year, I filled the eggs with...

-Cars

-Dinosaurs

-Lip Gloss

-Play-doh

-Tattos

-Hair Clips

-Nail Polish

-Candy & Other Sweet Treats

Wishin' all you Peeps a hoppin' good Easter! 

*Disclaimer: The Easter Jammies were gifted to me by Leveret Clothing.* 

Spring Bucket List

Spring has sprung...flowers blooming, chirping birds, buzzing bees. I love springtime but I especially love it with my kids. 

Here's our bucket list for tons of family fun this spring!

Spring Bucket List:

-Go Berry Picking

-Visit a flower farm or garden

-Find a Rainbow

-Watercolor

-Plant Flowers

-Go for a Bike Ride

-Go Puddle Jumping

-Fly a Kite

-Have a Picnic at the Park

-Dye Easter Eggs

-Have an Easter Egg Hunt

-Blow Bubbles

-Go Swimming

-Do some Spring Cleaning (Nothing Better than a fresh home!)

Hope this puts a little Spring in your step and gets you excited for all this season has to offer!

Photo courtesy of my sweet friend, Kayla Klemke

Sun Bunny Easter Basket

One sure way to bring a little sunshine to your favorite peeps' this Easter is with a basket filled with all the goodies they'll need to enjoy a water filled spring and summer.  

Whether it's the pool or the beach, this fun basket gets everyone excited for sunny days. 

1. Beach Bucket
2. Water Toys
3. Sunglasses
4. Towel
5. Swimsuit (Girls & Boy)

And of course...a few sweet treats! What's easter without Peeps, Starburst Jelly Beans, Cadbury Mini Eggs, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Eggs?!

Hope you all have a Hippity Hoppity Easter!!

Play Dough Time

I have yet to find a batch of play dough we don't like!

Homemade Play Dough is one of our all time favorite indoor, quiet-ish time activities on super hot or rainy days!

Since it rained and today being Dr Seuss' Birthday we decided to whip up a batch of green play dough and ham?! 😉

This is the best recipe I have ever used. It took us less than 10 minutes to make and led to hours of creative (& educational) fun!

I am a huge fan of sensory play. Play dough is jam packed with developmental and learning opportunities while being so much FUN!

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup Salt
• 2 tbsp. Cream of Tartar
• 1 tbsp. Vegetable Oil
• 10 Drops of Green Food Coloring
• 1 cup of Water

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium sized pan, mix over medium heat until lump of play dough forms! The dough should be soft and squishy. Not sticky.
2. Allow play dough to cool for about 5 minutes. 
3. Knead well to make sure the coloring is even throughout the dough and is the happiest of Greens!
4. Then...have all the fun! Pull out the play dough cutters, rollers, and go to town!

And if you have a little who loves tasting play dough...fear not, it is totally safe to eat!🙄

There is no better way to learn than through play! 

While playing, we work on numbers, shapes, counting, and size!!

Paired perfectly with Green Eggs & Ham and Bartholomew and The Oobleck!

Bonus...stores nicely in a container and will be perfect addition to your St. Patty's Day Fun!

Thank you, Northern Wildwood Blog, for the recipe!