Please read

I am so happy to have my little Natural Kids & Toys etsy shop open and I appreciate all that have come by and even checked out this blog. This blog gives me a chance to post parts of my day and share my thoughts and interests. I have some new visitors and I feel compelled to share information that I feel is very important regarding lead paint recalls. Thank you in advanced for taking the time to read this as I feel it is very, very important.

My little shop came about after my little one's first 3 years and countless lead paint recalls. I knew there had to be safe, natural alternative toys for my little one. As my little one's play environment transformed from typical "toy store" toys to natural and multi-purpose toys, I saw my little one's play change and her imagination take flight. I saw the creative play limitations of Dora, Polly Pocket, Thomas the train and other formed toys. Dora is only Dora, Barbie is only Barbie, and they provide very limited uses, which hinder a child's creative play, not to mention them being dangerous and possibly lethal to children. One of my goals is to make other families aware of better & safer natural, multi-functional toy alternatives without the lead paint recalls.

LEAD PAINT RECALLS

* nearly 1 million Dora, 30 types of Dora-branded products recalled in 2 months, from May and August 2007

* 1.5 million Thomas & Friends products recalled from 25 different types of toys from January 2005 through June 2007

* 683,000 Barbie & Tanner sets recalled from May 2006 through August 2007

* 675,000 various Barbie accessories recalled between October 2006 through August 2007

* 7.3 million Polly Pocket play sets recalled from May 2003 to November 2006

Children's jewelry, charms, shoelace charms, keychains are plagued with recalls:

* 30,000 Faded Glory Lip Gloss, Locket & Bracelet sets recalled in 2008

* 13,000 Bead Bazaar USA "It's A Girl Thing" bracelets, necklaces, and phone charm recalled from Feb 2006 through June 2008

* 12,000 Tween Brand Inc. necklaces, cd players, and mp3 players recalled from May 2007 through August 2008

* 18,500 Action Product International Inc., Children's charm craft kits recalled from July 2007 through April 2008

* 70,000 Jewelry Sets and suncatcher sets recalled from QuinCrafts from August 2007 through March 2008

* 71,000 Nintendo Lapel pins recalled between April 2004 through November 2007

* 500,000 Ballet Show charms recalled from Parragon Inc. from January 2003 through June 2008 (On the market for 5 years !!!!)

.... This is crazy!

And it makes you think twice about what to bring into your house, what to allow your children to play with, and where to spend your money. The only way companies will change their manufacturing and safety policies is when they dramatically see their sales declining. Which companies value our children's safety and health and future??? Which companies are you going to buy from??? Which companies have earned your trust???

CHANGE will only come when we, as consumers, change how we spend our money.

Thank you for your time,

Christine

Vivid Colors

Some bright kaleidoscope designs captured our attention at a local museum. 

The first snow

My little one came down the stairs this morning and noticed it snowing outside. Boy, was she happy and very excited! Only one problem, no snowsuit. Though, it did not seem to halt her enjoyment, I bet she was cold. This year my little one has some specific plans for her snowWOMEN - a straw hat with a flower, a vest, and a scarf. We'll have to go down to the thrift store and let her vision come to life.

Oh, my little one corrected me. She would like a straw hat with a flower, a vest, and a scarf for her snowGIRL.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

A little needle felted creation for this time of year. 

This little mouse found a nice home inside a small hardwood pot. A great addition to a nature table, puppet show, or natural play. Only one available.

St. Nicholas & Advent cones

I was able to get some Advent cones made and decorated with some big help from my little one. After the cones were made, she could not wait to decorate them. The new holiday confetti shapes were a big hit.

These pictures were made before some of the cones were assembled. I had to keep a few as keepsakes.

The Advent cones were hung after my little one was tucked in. She spotted her Advent cones and a few little gifts from St. Nicholas as soon as the sun rose and lit this area of our house. Yes, she rose before the sun. Ready for a sleep over, Mom?

The little elves left some kernels of corn in her Advent cone, for a holiday movie night. At first, the kernels were not going over so well, someone was expecting a toy. And, then there was excitement as she ran to tell Dad what the little elves had left for her.

I tried to keep the Advent small and simple, mostly incorporating seasonal activities for the family to enjoy together.

Just a few little things from St. Nicholas - an apple, some nuts, and a chocolate treat to reinforce his spirit of giving simply.

Advent Calendar Ideas

I quickly searched through flickr today to get some quick Advent Calendar ideas in a hurry. Looking for something simple, fun and easy to make. Here's what I found.

In a Natural Play Kitchen. Wooden goodness

Our kitchen is bustling with activity, there is something always cooking or being prepared. Here are some of our favorite things that we seem to use a lot and that I am able to offer in my little etsy shop - Natural Kids & Toys.

A basket of wooden & wool eggs is a staple.

Fresh milk and cups.

Little ones love these little bowls.

Wooden Morter & Pestol play set or a mixing bowl or a pot of soup....

Wooden Salt & Pepper Shakers. They make fun maracas for the little ones.

Usually a bowl of fruit - a purple grape, a blue blueberry, a green apple, a yellow lemon, an orange orange, a red cherry or raspberry or strawberry or apple or pomegranate.

A little honey pot with dipper.

A little wooden dinner bell.

A wooden set of 3 Dry good containers. A must have.

My little one's doll has started cooking as well. She usually brings in some vegetables from the garden or some fresh eggs.