Kids Zone: Pretty tents

These kids' tents are so unique and creative. Kids love a tucked corner just for them, where make-believe happens. And they can be fun and even soothing, as they retreat into their own space to think, create or just play.  I know these images have been posted thousands of times all over the internet.  But, I couldn't help but feel like a kid again with these pretty tents.   I think I know where to put one. 

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{Images via MPMK}

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First a hand, then the whole heart

As you can see I'm still going through the pile of pictures from our vacation in the DR. This set of images I took one day during lunch in my mom's apt. My grandmother had lunch with us almost everyday. It was our time together, and one of the most fulfilling hours of the day. After lunch, we'd have coffee and dessert, and Emilu would play on the floor until her nap time. Then we'd all take a little siesta (I never could). That was my time at the computer. When we first arrived, Emilu was shy and introverted toward my grandmother. She always is. I think her white hair  makes Emilu distinctively suspiscious. But, my grandmother never acted dissapointed by her reactions. She would tell me that children raised by their mothers, especially around this age, are more attached and more suspicious of strangers.  She would even tell me not to let her whimper when she'd see her.  My grandmother is acutely distressed by babies' cries, especially when they are avoidable.  So, everyday we would set out to modestly have her interact with my grandmother on her own terms.  And my grandmother, who's wise and patient, would entice Emilu with small gestures, little by little, day by day, until she finally gave her a giggle, then a hand, and finally, the day before last, her whole heart.

Under the Christmas tree

I snapped these pictures of Emilu under the Christmas tree days ago and now is when I have been able to post them.  She was so perky and giddy, she played with some of my mother's ornaments and tried to 'precrawl' in the cold marble floor towards me.

My mother's vintage ornaments, include a drum and a 'nutcracker' mouse made of paper mache and felt.

I love her collections of nutcracker men,she must have around 20 throughout the house.

Oh Christmas is soon here, and we are can't wait to wake up on Christmas Day and have Emilu open her first gifts.  Merry Christmas, friends!

Giggle makes me giggle!

As a new post series, I will be exploring children's stores around town and posting the images in this blog.  Last week we were in the Friendship Heights/Chevy Chase neighborhood and found this amazing children's store I never knew existed. It's called Giggle and it's absolutely wonderful. One of the amazing things about being a new mom is discovering the world of baby-related things.  Yeah I know, it's always been there, but you would have never known it was there until you have a baby!

I love the modern lines of this dresser. It's perfection!

I'm digging the new Skip Hop Zoo Backpacks.

Animal design rockers and animal print storage bags.

This is the perfect bassinet!

When you live in the city, space is luxury.  This dresser/changing table is the perfect solution for a cramped style.

Happy Baby =Happy Mom

Emilu wakes up with a flowery face every morning.  She's all made up with smiles, as if she knows that this tickles my heart.  It just melts me in all the right places when she does that.  She's also started to giggle.  I love that sound.  The first time it came out of nowhere.  Now she's doing it more often.  But the amazing cool thing is how much she loves to stare at her image in the mirror.  She gyrates with pleasure and cracks me up every time.

Unfortunately by the time the flash kicked in, she had stopped laughing.  Like a game of " Statue". She could be cracking up in her crib and as soon as I bust out the camera, she stops.  Can you see a pattern here?  She's learning so fast.