Browsing Category: Holidays & Special Events

A Year in Review with Chatbooks

Chatbooks Gifts

With Christmas upon us, and New Years just around the corner, it seems another year has flown by. Time is a funny thing with kids– the pace increases, yet reflecting back so much has happened in a seemingly “short” time. What they say is true, the days are long but the years are short.

Each year I look back on all of our memories and milestones while creating an annual Chatbook for each of the girls. These books capture everything from the big moments–birthdays, celebrations, and events, to the the little ones– breakfasts, slow days at home, or time passed at the park– and everything in between.  Continue Reading

Comment Gift Guides, Holidays & Special Events, Products We Love

Little Library: Christmas Books Kids Love

There’s nothing quite as magical as Christmas with kids! One of our favourite ways to get in the Christmas spirit is with our Christmas book collection, which is quickly growing full of stories about magic and holiday traditions and fun. This list is perfect for school-aged children, these are all favourites of my five year old.

Home Alone  Kim Smith
Kids will love this fun story based on the favourite holiday movie! Vienna loves hearing about how Kevin takes on the bad guys, and its a bit less scary than the movie for a five year old. 😉

How to Catch Santa Jean Reagan
This story full of ideas about how to catch the big guy is perfect for kids interested in how Santa does it all! This book is part of the “how-to” series, filled with fun tips and tricks!

Pick a Pine Tree Patricia Toht
We love this pretty book all about the Christmas tradition of picking and decorating the tree. It’s sets the perfect opportunity to discuss your family’s holiday traditions together.

Tallulah’s Nutcracker  Marilyn Singer
This is the story of a little girl who plays a mouse and is determined to be the best mouse ever and the star of the show, until something terrible happens during the big performance! Tallulah learns what’s behind being a real ballerina and that mistakes are ok as long as you try your best. This book is perfect for my five year old daughter who loves ballet.

The Littlest Reindeer Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
A story about a little girl who befriends a lost reindeer on a magical night. We especially love the beautiful black and white illustrations of this book.

If you’re looking for more story suggestions check out our Christmas Stories and Baby’s First Christmas library posts!

Enjoy! xo

Comment Holidays & Special Events, Little Library

Toy Favourites: Holiday Gift Guide for the Littles

Can you believe that Christmas is just over a month away? We are so excited– the Christmas season is so much more fun every year older the girls get! I’m sharing a few of our most loved toys, great for ages 2-5. Of all the toys we have these are the most well played with over the years. I hope you find some fun ideas for the littles on your list! Continue Reading

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Christmas Eve Boxes for the Littles

Christmas Eve is a big night at our house, my family has always celebrated Ukrainian Christmas Eve with 12 traditional dishes. (And, of course our own modern spin on some of those dishes!) Its a big, loud, fun night and the tradition I remember most from my childhood. After a night of family and festivities I love tucking the girls into bed and reading them a Christmas story. It is, absolutely, without doubt, my favourite part of Christmas.

I’ve put together a Christmas Eve Box Gift Guide for the Littles- these boxes are perfect for any age, and are especially great for those hard-to-buy-for, have-everything kids. And, who doesn’t love seeing their kids in matching holiday PJs by the tree on Christmas morning? I mean is there really anything better? I love the idea of gifting these to friends and family to end off the Christmas Eve celebrations. You can package them in something like these fun Christmas Eve boxes, or pick up some simple craft paper boxes and dress them up with bows! Continue Reading

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Halloween Bookshelf Favourites

Halloween Bookshelf

One of our favourite ways to celebrate the holidays is with books, and our Halloween book collection is definitely a family favourite! This collection is perfect for kids aged kindergarten and up. These books are filled with fun story lines, little mysteries, and beautiful illustrations. And, it’s no surprise that two ballerina zombie books make the list– chosen by Miss V of course!

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22 Comments Holidays & Special Events, Little Library

Halloween Spider Snacks

Halloween Snacks

This festive little Halloween snack is super simple to put together, and makes for the cutest shareable snack for Halloween parties! My daughters’ absolutely love their class parties and bringing along a fun and festive snack to share. I’m that Mom that always pairs the snack with the holiday 😉 But, don’t worry, I always make snacks that are easy to prep! Because I’m also that Mom that burns her fingers with a glue gun every. single. time. This snack recipe is very easy to do. and your kids can help you make it too!  Continue Reading

20 Comments Holidays & Special Events, In the Kitchen

Okanagan Pumpkin Patches & Halloween Events Guide

Kelowna Pumpkin Patch

Fall weather is here and it’s nearly pumpkin patch time! I’m a bit of a holiday addict (ok, a lot), and I love finding fun things to do with my girls to celebrate holidays and special events. Growing up, Halloween was my parents favourite holiday, so we were those people with the decked out house, dressed up parents, and “spooky” music. 😉 I guess I come by it honestly!

Here is a quick guide to some local Fall & Halloween fun for families in the Okanagan!

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19 Comments Holidays & Special Events, Okanagan Living

Easter Basket Inspiration

Easter basket for kids

While I haven’t really given much thought to which holiday I like next best after Christmas, I’d have to say it is probably Easter. I don’t know if its the addicting mini-eggs talking (seriously, what is in those things?!) or the fact that signs of spring are popping up all around, or maybe it’s because baskets are just a spring version of Christmas stockings, am I right?

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Christmas, Once Again

Family Christmas Photo

Another Christmas has come and gone, and this one was one for the books! We truly had the best Christmas with the girls! Vienna is the perfect age for all things Christmas magic, and we loved soaking up every minute of it. Christmas break was late this year, so it seemed like we didn’t have as much of a lead up to Christmas as usual. But, we took the pre-Christmas weekend to do all of our favourite things: decorate cookies & make Christmas goodies, attend our annual family Christmas bowling night with cousins, host Christmas Eve breakfast for our friends, and watch Every. Last. Christmas. Movie. Possible.

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21 Comments Holidays & Special Events