Ah, vacations are all well and good, but there is something special about coming home as well. Everyone fell back into routine quite well, and we finally had SUN! The little ones really enjoyed having more outside time, and we were able to bring out the water table. Cedric got so wet that he literally had water pouring out of his boots. Amelia enjoyed the outdoors by helping her grandparents plant their flowers, and I enjoyed it by lounging in the sun during their naps.

This last week has also been like Christmas – you know when you order online in the wee hours of the night and then kind of forget what you did, and wind up being equally surprised when a parcel arrives. That kind of Christmas.

For starters I am not sponsored in any way, everything I rave about is because I am literally just so impressed that I want to share….and if I can give you resources for deals than that is a bonus I am willing to give with no reward (but if you want to sponsor me I probably won’t say no haha)

I pitched the idea to the extended family that we should all contribute and order one of the giant play couches for the kids as a joint birthday present. I ordered in at the beginning of March but with shipping delays due to covid still making a muck of things it only arrived two days ago. It is positively better than I could have imagined. High quality foam with washable covers (thank goodness because my son is teething which means he pretty much exists as a giant saliva creature) that can be configured into many different structures. The little ones are o.b.s.e.s.s.e.d 

We ordered from Kiico Play after researching a few companies. I chose them because they are a relatively small business in British Columbia and I try to support local. They do source out of China, but so do all the others. 

As I mentioned in my last post I purchased a kinderfeets balance board for the children, and I loved the quality so much I purchased one of the rainbow arch sets from them too. It just arrived today, and it is so much more than a rainbow. We (more like I) spent quite a bit of time making different configurations and builds. My daughter quite enjoyed knocking down my creations….sigh….toddlers. 

For those that do not know me, I used to be a teacher. While I was learning to be a teacher we were introduced to the Montessori teaching philosophy. I don’t necessarily agree with all of it, but I really feel their approach in early childhood is beneficial. Saying that, the balance board and rainbow arches are toys that follow the open play idea of Montessori.

** Hello husband, if you are reading this, I swear I don’t have a shopping problem, I was cleaning out the house and selling things on marketplace and as things sold I bought other things hahaha.

Ok little disclaimer out of the way!

Mastermind Toys was having a big birthday sale so I took advantage and bought these amazing Janod Stacking Stones. I am fairly frugal and love high quality toys, so often have trouble justifying full price – but a sale! YES! 

Firstly they are beautiful to look at, and secondly they are delightful to touch. I can see why they are worth what they are. We’ve had fun stacking them into different towers, and using the balance board to make stacking more challenging.

Then there are the little stackable nesting stars that I also got on Vancouver Island. The box was damaged so they gave a massive discount. Who knew 5 nesting style stars could be so much fun. Amelia is constantly playing with them, or at least watching closely incase Cedric decided he may have wanted a turn. The toy store on the Island I recommended in the previous post is Buddies Toys and they have a section specifically for discounted damaged items. I am not too proud to buy something ‘damaged’ – most of the damage is completely superficial and the product is perfectly fine.