Marshall's Back-To-School Educational Books/Toys! Infant/Toddler Edition

Back-to-school is well underway and so I thought I'd share a few cool (educational!) items I saw at Marshalls the other day. Two of them have proven to be fun, as we already have. If you're a parent, are you like me? I'm always on the lookout for educational goodies, even scoping out the stuff that my kid has already outgrown.

One thing I love about Marshalls (aside from the shoes :>) is the discounted books and toys. We gotten a few gems in the past so I always scope out the merch when I'm there. Check out this book rack! In all my times shopping there, I've never seen it so packed!



So the first thing I stumbled upon was this shapes barn.



We have the basic Fisher Price version and love it. Nui Nui's mastered the shapes but still plays with the pieces. For a couple of dollars more, I think the animals, letters, and swinging-door barn are worth it :>

Next I stumbled upon were these alphabet foam puzzle pieces, which we also have and got from Marshalls.



Nui Nui really used these letter pieces as she was learning the alphabet. They're perfect because they are small and handle-able by their little hands, have a relevant picture associated with each letter, and can be built into a little cube or pieced together. For less than $5, this is a steal.

Last, but definitely not least, is another alphabet-learning item, which, again, Nui Nui loves and got from Marshalls.



This book comes with magnetic letters, which can be matched and magnetized in the book. This really helps not only with letter recognition and word association but with alphabet sequence as well.

The only cons about this book is that magnetization of the pieces onto the pages is not that great and, with 26 letters afloat, it's easy to lose a piece or two. Nui Nui's 'N' fell down the toilet and it took a couple of weeks for her to get over it :< :>

As I mentioned, I'm always on the lookout for educational toys and books. If you have any suggestions, please share them in Comments below or Tweet/Instagram us, we'd love to hear! :> :> xoxo

First Day, New School!

Nui Nui started her new school yesterday. I forgot to take pics or film at dropoff. It was bustling, slightly overwhelming, and quick! Yes, quick. And easy! The playdates have definitely paid off.

We prepped Nui Nui yesterday, letting her know she'd be starting school the next day. [She knew anyway, as I dressed her in her school uniform :>] New school, new friends. In the past, I don't think I would have done that but I think she can handle it now. Her response? 'Sandbox!'

On our playdates, we weren't in Nui Nui's actual classroom but the one next to it, where her future classmates were. When I entered her new classroom, though, It.Was.Amazing. Seriously. Better than I could have imagined. There was this entire, low-to-the-floor playset, equipped with stairs, tunnel, slide, and all. Next to it was an awesome 360deg kitchenette (I think you might have to crawl under to get to it). I used to be slightly against the idea of the kitchenette as a toy but remember I had a Strawberry Shortcake one when I was a kid and realize it's fine and sparks imagiplay. Anyway, it was seriously amazing. I'll have to take pics or a video of it to show you its awesomeness. Nui Nui had her own cubby drawer and the windows allowed in more sunlight than the other classroom. All in all, I was very pleased.

I kissed her good-bye, she looked at me, I worried she realized I'd be leaving and would cry but didn't, and then I walked out. I hid behind the open classroom door to watch her reaction and see how she did. She was ok. They were gathering around for circle time. I saw she was still learning the ropes of what to do :>

When I went to pick her she was outside in the playground/sandbox area. I thought I'd get a little more enthusiasm when she saw me but this was her exact reaction.



No running, just a casual look of 'Hi Mom'.

She was pretty ok when I picked her up. I think the only thing I'd have to say is that she was super thirsty for milk. I don't know why this happens. She drank two full bottles last night. The same thing happened at her other school but after repeated 'Please offer her milk during and between meals', I think it got better. I'm thinking it's just the change of scenery, perhaps? And that she'll just have to relearn a new place and routine and eventually learn to drink more when the milk is offered?

Let me know in the comments below if this happens to your kid (or a kid you know).

As for a quick debrief from her teacher and the directora. Her teacher said she did great and that there were daily notes for her in a binder, which I ended up forgetting to check. [I'm seeking a routine myself! :>]. The directora told me she was in her office mid-day during nap-time. Apparently, she only slept 1 hour, 20 minutes and started to make a disturbance. O no, did she wake up the other kids?, I asked. She politely replied it was better she was in her office. On Instagram, I asked...



All-in-all, I'd say she/we had a great first day of school.

Speaking in sentences... :> Top half of her uniform... :>

Fuel for the night...

Jammin' to Taylor Swift...

Building strength...

Getting the abridged version with Grandma.

How has your end-of-summer/fall kick-off been? Share in the Comments below or Tweet/Instagram us, we'd love to hear! :> :> xoxo

Five Simple Habits That'll Make You A Better Co-Worker: A Working Mom's Perspective {**HealthyButJuicy Teaser**}

What you do as a parent can often seem completely irrelevant to what you do in your professional career. On the other the hand, though, the people you work with are, in some (or many) ways, very much like the children you are trying to raise and be role models for. That being said, here are five simple habits, practices, or things you can say to help yourself be a better co-worker.



Read the full post on Healthy But Juicy! There are FOUR more pics! :> :> xoxo