Love This: Upcycle with Box Play

Box Play stickers in action!

How many times have you put that same old dinged up toy in front of your kids understanding why they dont want to play with it again?  But at the same time, you look around any given room in your home, and you know there is no need for more toys.

While waiting out time to reintroduce the same toys anew, try these great stickers from Box Play.  Apply to the trash you find in your home, and presto-change-o, a new toy appears!  Such a great idea and such a practical way to teach kids about reusing and re-purposing.

Plan Ahead! National Find a Rainbow Day is April 3rd (Free Download!)

Did you know April 3rd marks National Find a Rainbow Day?  What a great excuse to plan a fun day for your kids and their friends!

The topic of rainbows will not only draw your kids' attention, but its also a great opportunity to work a mini-science lesson into your day by explaining how the natural phenomena occurs. 

Breakfast:  Rainbow fruit skewers and pot of gold yogurt.
This is a fruity breakfast option to start your day.  Take wooden skewers and skewer fresh fruit in the following order - strawberry, cantaloupe, banana, green grape, blueberries, and red grapes - Viola! a rainbow appears before your own eyes.  For pot of gold yogurt, take a serving of plain Greek yogurt in a small cup, pour a thin layer of honey over the top.  Doesnt get much easier than that!

Storytime:  A Rainbow of My Own, by Don Freeman.
"If I were a rainbow where would I hide?"  Follow along in this engaging book as a little boy plays with his imaginary friend - a rainbow.

Playdate:
Unfortunately April does not always provide the best weather for outdoor activities.  Make your own rainbows with many items found within your home.

Take a box of Fruit Loops, have the kids separate the colors, teaching the little ones ROY-G-BIV (red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-violet). Then take the colors and paste them onto this free printable activity page.

Not into Fruit Loops?  Take pasta wheels, cook and use food dyes (we suggest mixing both the regular and the neon food dyes) to color the pasta the night before. 

Dinner:
With a little creativity and access to fresh fruits and vegetables, most meals can be turned into a rainbow experience.  Rainbow TexMex Tortellini Salad is easy, healthy and tasty - a true crowd pleaser.

Late-Nightcap:  
Look what mama found at the end of her rainbow!  An April Rain Martini is your beloved vodka martini with a hint of refreshing lime.  Easy to make and sure to put some Spring in your step.

Love This: Non-Candy Easter Basket Filler

We at Beacon Street Baby are proponents of filling your little one's Easter baskets with items other than candy.  Not only will the items last longer, but come on, no child needs three pounds of sugar to celebrate the resurrection! 

A perfect example of non-candy Easter basket fillers is this adorable eco-friendly wood and felt bunny & duck kit by Topozoo.  The pieces are big and sturdy, the design is clean and bright.  It is like a puzzle for kids to assemble, and once they are put together your kids have these wonderful toys. 

So walk right past the aisles of green plastic 'grass' and skip those chocolate eggs filled with yolk-flavored corn syrup -- this is a basket filler that will put a smile on the faces of both your kids and their dentists!

To Do List: Cinco de Mayo (May 5th)

Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, commemorates the Mexican victory in the Battle of Puebla of 1862.  Cinco de Mayo is not a major holiday in Mexico, yet it has taken on a life of its own here in the US.  Its a great opportunity to bring some fun and culture into your family's day!

Breakfast:  Chilaquiles.  Chilaquiles are a delicious traditional breakfast served throughout Mexico.  They are easy to make, and make good use of some leftovers you may already have in your kitchen.  To make the meal complete, serve along side scrambled eggs and a fruit salad.

Storytime:  Grandma's Chocolate, by Mara Price.  This wonderful story introduces a young girl into a whole new world when she asks her Grandma to play princess.  The story will educate your children on Aztec and Mayan cultures, and offers a much welcomed twist on the typical "princess" definition.

Playdate: Make & Break Pinatas:  We all are familiar with pinatas, and no doubt have seen them hanging in every major big box party store around town.  But in reality, pinatas are not difficult to make, and are a fun creative project for your family.  If you don't have the time (and/or the patience) to make a paper maiche pinata, then try this super easy alternative that uses a paper bag and the base.

Dinnertime:  Fish Tacos & Corn on the Cob.  Save some tortillas from the chilaquiles you made in the morning, and use them in this easy healthy recipe for Fish Tacos.  The perfect Cinco de Mayo side dish is a delicious Mexican style corn on the cob.  Such a tasty meal - you'll wish every day was the 5th of May! 

Late-Nightcap:  Georgia Peach Margarita.  Once los ninos are asleep, let the real fiesta begin!  Try this delicious Patron and Peach Schnapps margarita - que rico!

Love This: Modern Dollhouses by Brinca Dada

Times have changed.  No more clunky dollhouses with hodgepodge wallpaper!  New York based Brinca Dada has taken "toyhouse" designs to a new level.

Brinca Dada has created a new generation of dollhouses that are of such gorgeous design, even adults wont be able to resist. These modernist dollhouses wont be relegated to your little one's rooms, you'll want them out front and center.

Dylan House, by Brinca Dada

Bennett House, Brinca Dada

Now, those toys cant come home to an empty house... Not to worry, they even have furniture collections complete with miniature modular bookcases and platform beds. 

Maison Furniture, by Brinca Dada

Go ahead, transform that toyhouse into a bonafide dream home!

Too Good Not to Share: Free Number Set Printables

Number Prints by The Handmade Home

Forget about one fish, two fish.  How about 1 birdcage, 2 vintage cars and 3 Airstreams? Sure, but only if you follow it with 4 pinwheels, 5 teapots and 6 spring chickadees! 

Head over to The Handmade Home where fresh colorful ideas abound, and download your free set of number prints.  These cheery prints are great not only for decor on your wall, but also could be laminated and used as flash cards for your little ones.

To Do List: St. Patrick's Day (March 17th)

There is much more to St. Patrick's Day than just green beer and shamrocks.  Here's the Beacon Street Baby way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style.

Breakfast:
Wish your little ones top of the morning with Green Eggs & Ham.  Whisk together eggs, add one cup chopped fresh spinach and a 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil.  Pour into buttered frying pan, scramble as usual.

Traditional Irish Soda Bread is a great accompaniment to the breakfast, especially when lathered with butter and jam!  No time to bake bread?  Check out the bakery section of your local supermarket, many actually carry Soda Bread for the time frame prior to St. Patrick's Day.

Playdate:
An essential pat of Irish culture is music and dance, for inspiration look no further than Riverdance.  A fun way to translate the rhymic step dance for children is through jump roping.  Lace up the tap shoes, pump up The Chieftains and let the kids loose!

Did you know that St. Patrick chased the snakes out of Ireland? Well he did!  Hide and Go Snake is a great game for kids and adults alike.  Plant hidden snakes throughout your yard / nearby park / or inside your house if its raining.  Whoever collects the most snakes - wins!

Dinnertime:
Shepard's Pie is a delicious traditional meal in Ireland.  While a true Shepard's Pie is made with lamb (hence the whole "Shepard" part), you can substitute ground turkey or beef stew meat if preferred.

Late-Nightcap:
The kiddies are asleep, what a better way to finish your day then with a delicious adult beverage.  The Nutty Irishman is a delicious combination of Bailey's, Frangelico, Kahlua, coffee and whip cream.  But if you're gonna call it a night after a long day of jigging and jiving, you may want to do decaf!