12th Day of Giving

"12 Days of Giving"

Last minute super things for the lil' superhero in your life! (nod to Bebe Bird)

I Believe I Can Fly:

Clockwise from top left: RH, Restoration Hardware's superhero in a box, $29, at RH.com, Oeuf's alpaca superhero hat, $48, at Oeuf, DC Comics Action Trio in a Box, $27, at Amazon, Ouef's alpaca superhero jumper, $96, at Oeuf, DC Universe Batman Blast Lane Batmobile, $14.99, at Caminoodler,  Dents de Loup's handmade cotton superhero doll, $53.33, at Dents de Loup Etsy Shop

On the 11th Day of Giving

A little domestic bliss for the tiny homebody living in your casa:

Domestic Bliss:  

Clockwise from top: Plan Toys wood chalet, $249, at Magic Beans, Jeanne Rag Doll, $80, at Smoochie Baby, Brinca Dada dollhouse furniture, $15-$50, at Module R. 

Clockwise from top: Timo Handmade's handmade cotton dollhouse dolls, $80-$200, at Timo Handmade Etsy , The Wooden Horse's handmade wood pram, $89, at The Wooden Horse Etsy, Melissa & Doug's, wooden play food, $19.99, at Melissa & Doug. 

On the 10th Day of Giving...

As we deck those halls and continue to spread some holiday cheer woo guests and party goers alike in some lovely holiday gear:

Beautiful Little Things

Clockwise from top center:   Anthem & Ants lace dress, $86, at Smoochie Baby, Cuff-Daddy's rhodium silver cuff links, $28.99, at Cuff-Daddy, Areaware Harmony silver rattle, $79, at Smoochie Baby, Wolfechild's wooden bead necklace, $25, at Wolfechild, Marie Chantal's diamond pendant, $2,000, at Marie Chantal , Asprey's sterling silver child's comb, $250, at Asprey, Burberry's silk tie, $85, at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloch's leather and sparkle fabric shoes, $65, at Smoochie Baby, Petits et Mamans by Bulgari's alcohol free fragance for mother and child, $50, at Bulgari, Elsa Peretti's sterling silver bubble blower, $150, at Tiffany & Co, Gucci's leather and sterling silver bracelet, price available upon request, at Gucci.

On the 9th Day of Giving

Retro favorites from my childhood's past have found a modern day revival this holiday season.

What's Old is New: 

Clockwise from top: Eco-Bonk's Wildlife Series bop, $59.95, at Pueri Elemental, $59.95, Fisher Price's musical teaching clock, price available upon request, at Toy Space, My Little Pony Princess Sparkle with light up wings, $49.99, at Target.

Clockwise from top:  Lite-Brite's four share cube, $26.99, at My Gofer, Goose Grease's DIY family kit dolls, $26, at Norman & Jules, Monopoly Metallica, $45, at Yoyamart. 

* Receive FREE shipping on Eco-Bonk's Wildlife at Pueri Elemental 

On the 8th Day of Giving...

5,4,3,2,1! Our little orbit (home) has blasted off to a universe of space loving fun. We often find ourselves landing on the moon (Bebe Birds bedroom) while dressed in superhero garb.  Once on the moon we will float and then fly off to bring "friends" to a new world we discovered.  It's quite fun & makes me enjoy the creativity of an almost 3 year old mind!

Space Invaders

Clockwise from left : Simpel en Leuks wooden robot, appx $17.00, at Simpel en Leuk, Magna-Tiles magnetic tiles, $51.50, at Module R,  Lucky Jade's cashmere coverall, $80, at Torly Kid, 4m's 3d model kit, $8.99, at Heights Kids

Clockwise from center: Hape's space center, price available upon request, at A Nu Toy, Oopsy Daisy canvas wall art, $139, at Rosenberry Rooms, Crocodile Kids' playball, $8, at Half Pint Citizens, TANE organics organic cotton coverall, $118, TANE organics, Uglydoll's limited addition stuffed toy, $25, exclusively at Yoyamart

On the 7th Day of Giving....

"The 12 Days of Giving"

When temperatures fall and snow swirls from the sky keep warm in these cozy winter sweaters:

Baby It's Cold Outside: 

Clockwise from top: Mole-Little Norway's merino wool sweater, $79, at Ella's Wool, Bonpoint's alpaca jacket, $340, at Bonpoint, Egg by Susan Lazar's cotton knit sweater, $60, at Smoochie Baby

Clockwise from top left: Mormor's merino wool sweater, $122, at Mormor, Marie-Chantal's cashmere sweater, $125, at Marie-Chantal, Poeme & Poesie's quilted kimono jacket, $52, at Taigan, Oeuf's alpaca sweater, price available upon request, at Oeuf

On the 6th Day of Giving....

"12 Day's of Giving"

When you "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" there's nothing better than curling up with a good book, and nothing better than Home Grown Books to introduce your bebe bird to the magical world of reading.

These early reading series books are eco-friendly (made of recycled paper and vegetable ink) and rich in content with beautiful art work sure to stir your child's imagination. Take a look for yourself


Artist Cecile Dyer for Home Grown Books from Kyla Ryman on Vimeo.

And allow us to introduce Kyla Ryman, reading specialist and creator of Home Grown Books.

Bebe Birds (BB):  Hi Kyla! Can you tell us the origin of inspiration when creating Home Grown Books?

Kyla Ryman: I had been doing some private tutoring and getting a little involved with a homeschool collective in Brooklyn.  It was very difficult to find the kinds of beginning reader material I needed outside of the schools that I worked in.  Families, just didn't have access, except for phonicx only books like "Bob" series.  A teacher I worked with in the homeschool collective was making their owl little books.  She is also a working artist.  It occurred to me that we could make our own.  We met shortly thereafter and started what is now Home Grown Books.  Cecile Dyer was our first artist and the teacher from this story.

BB:  That's awesome!  How did you guys discover other artists to contribute to the Home Grown Books reading series? 

KR:   I was collaborating with another mom in the beginning, who is a curator and friend.  She introduced me to Cecile and then brought in the next two artists, Nathalie and Sara, who have been great. I found our fourth artist Case, at the Gowanus Open Studio tours.  It was the first time I approached an unknown person and I was really nervous.  But he was excited about it.  Working with Case on the Adventuring set was really fun.  Part of the process is that we allow the artist to come up with the focus of each book. We want the art to be very authentic to the artist.  Case is really into myth and history.  Sometimes trying to write for his set was challenging, like when he came to us with the idea for A Collection of Characters, one of the characters was Cretian bull dancer. I negotiated him down to a fearless acrobat-which is still challenging for a beginning reader.  But it makes each set so unique and compelling. I really loved collaborating with all of these creative people to make something special for kids. I am super excited for other interesting collaborations we have coming down the pike!

BB:  At what age do you feel it's best to introduce Home Grown Books to children? 

KR: When a child is ready to read (I have a post on my blog all about that!).  I think from 3-6 is a wide range, but kids are just ready at different times.  My boys (who are now 18 and 10) were very different.  My older son was not interested in reading and probably should have been taught much later (like in Sweden)-but my younger son, while no enthusiast, was much more comfortable and really found his way to being ready around 5.

BB:  I love the stuffed characters that go along with each reading series. like Dash the superhero.  Is there a character that's been most popular amongst children?

KR:  We just introuced our cats from The Play Set, so the statistics are not in yet! But we find it interesting that adults are much more drawn to the specific cats. I think that Dash (our masked cat) may be the most popular so far. I am personally a fan of Tom-cat, he reminds me a bit of a hipster bartender. :)

BB: Being an early childhood education teacher and reading specialist can you share some ideas on encouraging our kids to read more? 

KR:   I think that exploding the idea what makes a good reading material and not pressuring too much will help.  My kids love cartoons and comics. My older son enjoyed non-fiction more than fiction and my younger son is a big minecrafter-where he is reading and writing constantly.  He is just beginning to read novels. But I've always read to them and read my own magazines and books.  Sharing the joy of reading and having discussions, building language and thinking naturally all support readers. I caution parents not to get caught up in on expectations around what is a "good" reader or not.  Some kids love to curl up in a corner and read for days from the start and some come to reading much later for different reasons. I think that allowing that process to unfold and to keep it interesting and fun is the best way to support your child's literate life.  

Thank you so much Kyla! We love what you are doing!  Friends to get your very own Home Grown Book series, $29.95, and/or one of their alpaca knit cats to go along with the series, $38, visit Home Grown Books.  A great holiday gift for lil' readers.  

On the 5th Day of Giving...

"12 Day of Giving Tour"

Heading over the river and through the woods this holiday season has just gotten a lot more fun when cruising on your new set of wheels and decking those wheels with some bells and whistles that even grandmother would be impressed.
Sleigh Bells Ring:

Clockwise from top left: Flugel's bike horn, $9.00, at Chubby's One Stop Cruiser, KaZAM's balance bike, $99.95, at KaZAM, Avenir's orange bike flag, $9.00, at Chubby's One Stop Cruiser, Waves Fohawx water resistant foam helmet accessory, $24, at Chasing Fireflies, Airflow Collectibles sport race car vintage pedal plane, $507, at Rosenberry Rooms,  Claire La Secretaire bike bell, $30, at Eleanor's NYC, Radio Flyer's wooden tricycle, $79, at Height's Kids, Triple Eight's special addition bike helmet, $44, at half pint citizens 

Clockwise from top left: Raskullz Miniz bike helmet, $22.99, at Raskullz, Wishbone's 3 in 1 wooden bicycle, $229, at Norman and Jules, Chubby's One Stop Shop Cruiser's handlebar airplane, $5.40, at Chubby's One Stop Shop Cruiser, Nantucket Bike Basket Co.'s bicycle basket, $20, at Eleanor's NYC

On the 4th Day of Giving...

"12 Day of Giving Tour"

On the 4th day of giving we're going to stack 'em up, build 'em up, wayyyy up! Find a gift with a unique take on the classic building blocks sure to stir the imagination & keep your bebe bird busy for hours.

Building Castles in the Sky:

Clockwise from top left: Baby Baazaar's wooden & resin stackable rings, $38, at Sweet William, Brooklyn, Sevi's wooden construction kit, $41, at Norman & Jules, Micro Cubebot's wooden cube robot, $9, at Smoochie Baby, Uncle Gooses basswood stackable blocks, $48, at Uncle Goose, City Skyline Glow Blocks, rubberwoood glow in the dark blocks, $49.99, at My Brooklyn Baby, QuaDror's Blocks, L shaped blocks , $36, at Module R , Uncle Gooses wood nursery rhyme blocks, at Owl & Thistle General Store, GoldieBlox's book series and construction set with 16 design ideas, $29.99, at GoldieBlox. 

On the 3rd Day of Giving...

"12 Day of Giving Tour"

When the weather outside is frightful there is no better way to settle down for a long winter's nap than with these key essentials:

Settling Down for a Long Winter's Nap:

Clockwise from top left: Simpel en Leuk by Nelleke Langius' cotton house pillows approximately 31.00, at Simpel en Leuk, TANE organics alpaca blanket, $88, at TANE organics, Marie Chantal's cotton pajama's, $95, at Marie Chantal, Empress Arts slippers, $10, at Empress Arts, Egg by Susan Lazar's Australian sheepskin bear with velvet ribbon, $49, at Egg by Susan Lazar

On the 2nd Day of Giving...

"12 Day of Giving Tour"

Wonderful gift giving ideas for the animal lover in your life.  From monkeys, to narwals & bear claws...oh my!

All Creatures Great & Small:

TANE organics organic cotton monkey, $48, at Tane organics , Timo Handmade's cotton bird, starting at $40, at Timo Handmade,  Cawana's bear sole shoes, price available upon request, at Cawana, Elephant Hand Puppet, $30, at Norman and Jules

Clockwise from top left: Jacqueline Schmidt's "Gather Around" print, $24, at Screech Owl Design, Caitlin Wicker's stuffed narwal, $48, at Owl & Thistle General Store,  B. Toys critter clinic, $37.95, at Barnes & Noble, Oeuf's deer reversible hoody, price available upon request, at Oeuf NYC, Mezoome's pacifier holder, $13, at Mezoome, Toto Knits' organic cotton booties, $20, at Toto Knits

**When purchasing:

Timo-Handmade: Receive 10% off using discount code TIMOFORBEBEBIRD & free shipping  until mid December

Mezoome use discount code: BebeBird20

On the 1st Day of Giving...

Come join us on the 12 Days of Giving Tour:

It is mere day's into the holidays and all through stores festive shoppers are happy & all in good cheer. They begin the great search to find that perfect gift & cross off all the names on their holiday list.  As lights twinkle around us & caroler's sing may the magic of the season forever bring:

A Land of Make Believe:

Clockwise from top left: RH, Restoration Hardware's pavilion play tent, $549, at RH baby& child, Dents de Loup's crown mask, $11.27, at Dents de Loup Etsy Shop, Oeuf's animal booties, $48, at Oeuf, Colette Bream's lambswool tails, $42 each, at Colette Bream Etsy Shop, Sarahs Silks silk cape, $30, at Acorn

Clockwise from top left: Frida Tierchen's fox mask, $36, at Norman & Jules, B.Toys teepee, $39.99, at Target, Marie Chantal's velour footie, $85, at Marie Chantal, Wovenplay's moth costume, $164 at Acorn 

'Tis the Season...

.....of life with Toddlers.

Our season of merry & bright has begun with a series (a weeks worth) of unpleasant & gloomy.

It all began on:

Sunday of last week:
Getting ready for a birthday brunch for one of our best friends. I'm decked in heels, showered & even put on some lipstick.  Papa was busy getting Bebe Bird ready when I hear Bebe cry out.  When Papa lifted Bebe Bird up by the hand he accidentally pulled his elbow of the socket. It is referred to as a "Nurse Maid Elbow"and pretty common in toddlers, we've learned.  My niece had one, her cousin had one...BEBE BIRD now had one.  So, we call his doctor and rush to the office in Manhattan.  We pile in the car, me still in heels, carrying a wounded Bebe Bird wrapped in a big blanket, as we were afraid to put his coat on over his out of the socket elbow.

We arrive at the doctors and no sooner then it happened with a little trick of the arm by the miracle worker doctor Bebe Bird is as good as new and playing while we, his shaken up parents, look on grateful.

Monday of last week;
I have a CAT Scan while Bebe Bird is in school to check my sinuses. I'm diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and after a slew of allergy tests I am informed I am allergic to my 13 year old cat....wait what?!?!.....

Tuesday of last week:
The local beer garden in our neighborhood is hosting a Thanksgiving Crafts day filled with noodle necklaces, hand painted turkeys & pipe cleaner feathers. There were tables filled with warm cookies, fresh popcorn and pretzels. The mood was festive.  The event  fun & wonderfully unplanned. Bebe Bird sat busily painting a "rainbow" necklace" declaring "Oh my god!"as he painted the string on the necklace to make it look colorful.

While packing up to leave, Bebe Bird stood by the tall heavy glass doors waiting for me.  A gentleman opens the grand doors. They don't open all the way.  The man pushes the doors even harder...only to discover Bebe Birds teeny tiny fingers caught in the doors.  OH MY....People surround us...Bebe Bird begins to cry (he has been known for his delayed reaction to pain).  A woman grabs him a cookie, another grabs ice, I grab Bebe.  We drive to our pediatrician just down the road.  "NOT BROKEN" the DR. diagnoses "but go get X-Rays'" just in case..... 

Across the street we go for X-Rays: 

"NOT BROKEN!" the new doctor declares...."but make an appointment for an orthopedic surgeon to be safe."  You can go in on Friday or Monday...(it's Thanksgiving Day weekend-remember friends)

The new doctor puts a splint on the brave boys right arm before wishing us a happy holiday.

Brave boy is proud he has an arm like Eva from Wall-E!

Wednesday of last week :

We venture forth, splinted up right arm and all, to the Upper West Side to check out the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Balloon blow up. One of my favorite yearly traditions.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Balloon Blow Up

It's awesome! It is rainy, yet the energy still exciting.

We have dinner.  The sun has set.  We drive down to New Jersey to celebrate the holiday with family. Bebe Bird begins breathing heavily.  He's stuffy...is it a cold or is it allergies or is a reaction to his not broken splinted up right hand.  I worry.  Like a parent to to an only I panic a little.  "I hope he's ok.  Why is he breathing like that?  Let's pull over.  I'll look at him. Buddy, you OK?" the gist of our conversation the whole 2.5 hour drive down south.  No sooner that I pull into the driveway I receive a text message from Z Birds mama.  It reads 'Z has a fever...No Thanksgiving Balloons tomorrow.' 

Thursday (Turkey Day) 

Bebe Bird wakes up with a fever in the middle of the night.  I wake and begin looking all over my moms house for the ib-profen I packed for his splinted up arm.  I can't find it.  My mama awakes, then my brother.  Bebe Bird begins crying in the background.  Papa's busy trying to sooth him.  We're all exhausted.

We let the little boy rest for the weekend at his grandmas house.  

Sick Brave Boy with Splinted Up Arm

Friday & Saturday

A weekend full of text messages between Mama Friends & I :  Z birds getting sicker.  Fevery.  He's only eating ice-pops.  Then O Birds mama writes "O's fevery.  Sinus infection that turns into an ear infection."  What's happening to our boys we all wonder wearily?!? Bebe Birds fever subsides.

Sunday: 

Our day of rest.  We're back home & head to the movies for some fun & relaxation.

Monday of THIS week

Bebe Bird goes back to his nursery school with splinted arm and non-stop cough. Z's there and seems better too.  When picking Bebe Bird up his teacher mentions that he hadn't stopped coughing...maybe sounded asthmatic she mentions.  But reminds me that she isn't a doctor.  I panic to myself.  Z's mama waves her arms behind me to signal to the teacher "don't say that to her. We're fragile right now..." The teacher doesn't notice.

I worry he may have allergies like me.  Is he allergic to the cat too?!?! It can't be.  I hope not.

An appointment is made after naps to head back to the pediatricians office to see if he is in fact asthmatic.  

I'm greeted at the door by Z & family who needed a follow up appointment from Z's illness too.  "This is where it all began" commented Z's dad as we watched our un-sick looking kids playing together in the waiting room of the doctors office.

It was CONFIRMED: I AM one of those parents that takes their healthy kid to the doctor, splint and all.  His cough is just a cough carried over from his cold a few days before.  Ya don't say?!?  "It's OK," the kind doctor says, "it's what we're here for." 

We leave the pediatricians office and pay a visit to my ENT doctor who again discusses my allergy to the cat and informs me that "Yes, yes indeed" I will need surgery for chronic sinusitis.  Oh.

Tuesday (today)

Bebe Bird & I make a trip to the orthopedic.  After a few new x-ray's, two doctors and one lollipop later it was confirmed again that Bebe Bird's hand is"NOT BROKEN! But, I'd like to see you back in two weeks..."

And, so continues life with a toddler.  "I'm overwhelmed with life right now" I write Z's mama recently.  As parents we encounter almost broken bones, coughs & colds, joints out of the socket &  witness such fierce resilience.  Through it all we remain forever thankful knowing how lucky we are. In the midst of such minor chaos, our kids, are more or less healthy.  Once again, I'm reminded to keep things in perspective and to remain present in here & the nows.