For the Kiddos

Hey kiddo!

After spending 4 days in Atlanta with my beyond delightful 3 year old niece and brand spankin new little nephew, I have developed a severe case of baby brain. Not to be confused with "want a baby" brain, my baby brain is just a constant state of kid-filled daydreams which get me super excited for the day when Dr. H and I decide to start a family (because from what I can tell, having a family is awesome:) To hold me over until that day, (and to share all the ideas and info I've been hoarding for it!) here's the latest installment of "For the Kiddos". Enjoy!

I'm absolutely in love with the adorable shirts and leggings available in the Spoon x Chogre Etsy shop! Made of organic cotton and covered in colorful, unique prints, I can't wait to have a tiny human to dress in these shirts!

Want a craft activity for your toddler that doubles as an adorable gift? How about you "send a hug"!? The perfect way to send love to far away relatives, this 3 ingredient craft (paper + scissors + markers/crayons) is sure to be a hit with your kiddo as well. (Original post HERE.)

Pretty much the coolest way to store your kids Legos. Ever. (Also, an excuse to eat Cheese Balls!)

Toddler proof your doors for the cost of 1 pool noodle. It's all about improvising people!!!

Breakfast is always better with (smiling) monsters! Turning morning oatmeal into an adorable treat using THIS simple step-by-step tutorial. You've probably already got everything you need except the edible marker (and I think every kitchen should probably have an edible marker:)

Parental Reading.
Here are a few kiddo-related books I've recently heard very good things about around the web:

* How to Have Your Second Child First: 100 Things That Are Good to Know... the First Time Around

* All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood (not how parents effect kids, how kids effect parents)
* Real Food For Mother and Baby (a book about just giving your kids all the good stuff you're eating).

And here are a few interesting articles that got me thinking:

* Comparing American parenting techniques to those in other countries (REALLY fascinating)
* Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes.

* 7 Secrets to raising happy kids? Sure, why not!!?
* 10 common mistakes parents make - a REALLY interesting look at what parents do now and how it may impact the long term health and well being of their kids. 

Plus, a few things you just might need to buy:

* Must have baby items according to Cup of Jo.

* The perfect high chair solution for apartments dwellers and others without a ton of space.

* Got a little one waking you up before the sun!? Maybe this "ok to wake" clock is the solution?!

Would you rather...

Get your thinking cap on!

Back in the fall when Dr. H and I moved, one of my best girlies gave us the game Would You Rather? as a housewarming gift (the same brilliant lady who planned a trip to Alice's for her birthday!) On a cozy Saturday night at home not too long ago, we busted out the game, quickly abandoned the rules and board and just started tearing through the cards, asking one another "Would You Rathers". This led to hysterical, heated debates on important issues like eating nothing for 3 days vs. eating only your most hated foods for 1 day. Then when our (elementary school age) niece and nephew were visiting and we needed something to pass the time while waiting for the subway or preparing dinner, the same Would You Rather cards provided awesome entertainment and conversation from the silly (would you rather burp uncontrollably or fart uncontrollably) to the thought provoking (would you rather have 1 very good friend or lots of people you're only friendly with... this one took a little re-phrasing to help them understand, but their answers and explanations were inspiring!) 

So next time you're looking for an ice breaker, a party game or simply a way to pass the time on a quiet night or boring car ride, consider a lil round of "Would You Rather". You'll be amazed at how the game transcends ages and just how much you can learn about people when they're forced to choose between peeing every time they stand up or pooping every time they sit down.

Sourced from Pinterest HERE

Click HERE and HERE for more excellent questions to bust out during your next round of WYR!

(Wonderful) Weekend in Review

Hiding from Monday!

There are few things more fantastic than a weekend's worth of plans turning out just as fabulously as you'd built them up in your head to be. So in an attempt to roll around in the awesomeness that was my weekend for just a little while longer (and because if it made me merry, I bet it will make you feel that way too!) here's a recap of my 2 days and 2 nights of weekend glory!

* Dos Caminos Soho

Dinner under the stars...

There are several Dos Caminos restaurants throughout NYC, but the W. Broadway & Houston location is my personal favorite. Nestled into an otherwise bustling corner with a large gated outdoor seating area, you get to enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine with an awesome outdoor ambiance. Far and away my favorite Mexican chain in the city (yup, I'd choose it over Rosa Mexicana) head to Dos Caminos Soho for your next evening of tequila, guacamole and al fresco goodness.

* Annie on Broadway

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!!

As a kid, Annie was on constant replay in my VCR, so when I heard that the show was returning to Broadway, I knew it would be a Meri must-see. Thankfully, little nieces are perfect companions for such adventures and in the end, I'm not sure which of us enjoyed the show more! The child actors were bursting with talent, Miss Hannigan was as hysterically cruel as ever and the sets and costumes were perfect. Sticking mostly to the original story line (a few changes at the end weren't bothersome) Annie on Broadway fulfilled all my redheaded orphan-loving desires. A must see for those who believe the sun will always come out tomorrow:)

* Keste

Can't go wrong with fresh out of the oven...

Tasty thin crust brick oven pizza, loaded with a variety of fresh toppings, in combinations beyond imagination. Salivating yet? Keste, located on Bleecker St in the W. Village is a fantastic lil pizza joint, with charming ambiance and a salad/appetizer menu that perfectly rounds out your meal. Now serving gluten free pizza so tasty that it's hard to tell the difference (seriously) Keste has something for everyone. (Note: Keste is prone to long wait times during peak dining hours. Consider early eats (we went at 5:30pm) and breeze right to your table).

* Pop Bar

Yum on a stick.

Only in NYC does "Handcrafted Gelato on a Stick" get it's own institution, but thank goodness it does. Pop Bar is a Merry Meri and Dr. H new discovery which continues to impress (the niece and nephew gave it 4 thumbs up). A ridiculous variety of gelato pop flavors are served plain or expertly dipped in fresh chocolate and other crunchy ingredients (pistachios, sprinkles, coconut, etc) to order. Located on Carmine St at 6th Ave (right around the corner from Keste!) I'm certain Pop Bar will be a frequent way to keep cool during the approaching hot summer nights.

* Alice's Tea Cup

For Birthdays and very merry unbirthdays alike!

Holy adorable overload, I am in love with a tea shop! The brilliant idea of a girl friend looking to mix up our usual "dinner and drinks" birthday celebrations, my party of 7 enjoyed unlimited tea, scones, cake, cookies and mini sandwiches in a sunny Alice in Wonderland themed "tea room". With three locations throughout Manhattan, Alice's is perfect for everything from brunch with the ladies (our unlimited menu was just $47 including tax and tip!) to a bridal shower or kid's birthday party (we were very jealous of the face paint jobs on the little ladies attending a party in the private back room!)

Yours, Mine, Ours

Fingers are just like families... stuck together for life.

This past weekend I was in Atlanta with my "new" family. By marrying Dr. H, I acquired not just a fabulous husband, but several older siblings, 2 sets of in-laws, 2 adorable nieces and 1 awesome little nephew (quite the package deal!) After years of knowing "his" family and loving "my" family, we suddenly had "our" family (now I will NEVER remember all the birthdays!)

Though there doesn’t seem to be any way to match the lifetime (literally) I’ve spent with my parents and Sis, I'm amazed by the bond I feel with the family connected to me through my husband. The stereotype of nightmarish siblings and monster-in-laws may exist for a reason, but I want to let you all know that fairytale endings exist too! There's a chance your spouse's family will be just as awesome (and at times lovingly annoying) as your own. As I lounged late night between my completely passed out “new” big brother and sister (I suck at couch sleeping), I felt completely at home, loved and in love. For that I'm very grateful.