3 little kid-friendly apps that won’t make you feel like your phone is babysitting your child
My kid is almost four, and like a lot of little kids who are growing up surrounded by computers and smartphones, he’s way into playing games on my phone. I’m very picky about what I let him play, but I have found a few targeted at kiddos between two and five that I like:
A family photo session served with lots of yellow and a hand-drawn lighthouse
Jonas Seaman is a longtime friend of the Empire — he took photos at the reception we had in October 2011 and promptly became everyone’s best friend. I’ve been blogstalking him, patiently waiting for the day that he took the dive into family photography and friends: that day has come. If you live anywhere near Seattle, you’re going to be hauling yourselves up to his door and asking to have your photos taken after seeing these snaps!
A Rule is to Break: A Child’s Guide to Anarchy
Are you busy raising a little anarchist? Then you’re gonna looooove A Rule Is To Break: A Child’s Guide to Anarchy.
RAWR: Etsy delivers handmade lion-themed cuteness for that little kid you know
How absolutely ADORBZ is this lion hat and diaper cover set made by Offbeat Families Flickr pool member HiLL.jO?! SO cute I had to cruise Etsy to see what other lion-themed preciousness is available, and naturally that’s a veritable treasure trove of diaper covers, birthday cakes, nursery designs, and so. many. outfits that are waiting for you to “AWWW” all over them.
The disappearance of a family member is making me a better aunt
I have a feeling of protectiveness for Julie, and my other niece, Mandy, that’s really hard to completely express. I want to hug them tight and play with them and always be there for them. I probably would have always felt this way for them — it’s primal instinct, you know, for adults to always want to care for the children to whom they are related — but it’s especially important to me given my family history.
A rockabilly maternity session featuring the whole family
I am super stoked to share this maternity session featuring Silvia, Geo, and Mia today — the rockabilly theme and tin can phone is the cutest combination of ideas! These photos were taken by Minerva Photography in Davie, Florida.
Make these three low-budget toys (and then get into some open-ended play!)
One of the things I love most about this time of year is how excited so many people get to spend time with their families and friends over the holidays. In all the excitement, though, there are always some unexpected lulls. Whether you’re their awesome uncle or their godmother from another state, here are some new ideas to help you have fun and connect with the children in your life. Make them in 30 minutes or less, toss them in your bag, and you’ll be prepared no matter how unexpected the lull.
Monsters aren’t real… but sometimes they are
I say, “I am just down the hall. You have nothing to fear. I am here and will protect you . I always will,” I tell her. “There are no monsters lurking in the dark.” I say these things. Even though a very big piece of me cringes. I promise her she is safe and that there are no such thing as monsters, but even as I say it, I feel the bitterness of the lie on my tongue.