Author: Carrie Spritzer

Ladybug Love

Our toddler loves reading books about ladybugs, making up sing-songs about ladybugs, and flying around pretending she’s a ladybug. It came as no surprise when she insisted that we bring home this dress-up costume for Halloween (and, no, I wasn’t allowed to make one — sigh). Ah, ladybug love.

Imagine our delight in finding hundreds of ladybugs swarming our house!

We had to dress up as ladybug to match.

Yes, we may have missed Halloween, but we don’t need a holiday to dress up in our house.

Evidently while romping around the yard with ladybugs, one must be in costume.

Ladybugs love umbrellas too. I learned that this was not an optional accessory. So there.

And, yes, that is chocolate all over her face. Just cause we didn’t go trick or treating doesn’t mean we withheld the chocolate. We’re not that mean. After all, if the adults are going to indulge, we need to set a good example and share. There’s enough chocolate for everyone in this house. Well, maybe.

Favorites Gift Ideas from Etsy

We’ve been busy getting ready for the holidays, trying to plan ahead with presents and decorations to limit the last minute scrambling that inevitably happens each December. This year instead of our typical Week of Design, we’re talking about holiday gifts, presenting items we love and recommend, as well as items from our wishlists for fun splurge items.

I’m a big fan of Etsy. I love that the money from sales go directly to the artists. I love the idea that art can be affordable. I love the idea of art being accessible. I love the diversity of artists selling their wares. I love browsing the site, adding new favorites, and day dreaming of things to buy. Here are some items that I think are splurge-worthy.

Artwork and Posters I Heart Lust After:

Choose Joy, Keep Calm and Conjure a Patronus Charm, and Kitchen Conversions

Lake Waters, Leap 33, and So Cozy

One of a Kind Hand Printed Tea Towels:

Block Printed Organic Cotton Mason Jar Towel and Set of 4 Seasons Tea Towels

Lovely Jewelery:

Blue Topaz Trio and Monet Gemstone Sterling Stacking Rings

Favorite Shops:

Janet Hill Studio


Shirt Sela


Jane Mount


Element Clay Studio


Elizabeth Scott Designs – Botanical Jewelry

David bought me the above necklace for my first Mother’s Day; love it!

Chickenpox Party

The upside to having chickenpox? Friends who want their kids to catch chickenpox can come over! (This was our doctors idea!)


Sharing favorite books


Heartfelt music making


Playing hide and seek, laughing hysterically


Snuggles together

Miss Leyba now feels fully recovered, so we’ll be breaking quarantine this week.

Look out, world! My toddler has a weeks worth of pent up energy ready to release on you!

Ready, set, go!

Spotted Pumpkins and a Spotted Toddler

Another post in our First on Friday series where we share a new experience from the week.

You saw it here first.

Before we even noticed it.

Yep, the toddler has chickenpox.

Luckily her fever appears to be behind us and she’s her usual happy self during the day, running in circles around the house. (Literally! We’re stir crazy over here.)

Her will power to not scratch amazes me. All it took was the doctor and pharmacist to both tell her not to scratch and she hasn’t. Mama may not have authority (“I’m scratching! HAHAHA!”) but those strangers sure do. They also told her to drink lots of water and she has (a constant battle in our house).

I may need the doctor to call and ask Miss Leyba to clean up her toys and, um, bring mama breakfast in bed… It’s worth a shot, right?!

Unfortunately being itchy doesn’t go well with sleeping soundly, so our nights have been rough. I keep reminding myself how thankful we feel that she has chickenpox now as a young child instead of as an adult, even if we have to hold, comfort and rock her most of the night. This too shall pass.

David and I both have had chickenpox twice (talk about crazy statistics!) so we’re able to provide her with the care she needs right now and not worry about ourselves: nearly constant contact and attention, lots of hugs, many books read and projects done… we’re been busy carving pumpkins, cutting paper dolls, baking, cooking and various household chores. (I’m trying to catch up around the house. HA!)

We’re also glossing over the fact that it’s Halloween this weekend, since she under quarantine. Thankfully she’s just two years old and has no idea. We hope she won’t realize she’s missing anything since she goes to bed before it all starts too.

After all, we can always pretend it’s Halloween next month when she’s healthy again, right?! I think hosting a toddler costume party may be in order.

Paper Dolls Obsession

My daughter has entered a paper doll phase.

Although perhaps I should clarify and explain that she’s not particularly interested in dressing the paper dolls, just cutting out their clothes, carrying them around with her, talking to them, helping them use the toddler potty, putting them down for their naps…

They have become her new imaginary friends.

The downside? Suddenly our entire downstairs is covered in little bits of white paper and I’m perpetually vaccumming.

But her paper cutting skills are improving noticably every day.

And she loves it!

Curious about our paper dolls?

The ones shown above are Tiny Littles, free paper dolls you can download at The Toymaker website in Historical and Halloween costumes, and a collection of paper doll cutout books from my childhood that are still available (and affordable!) on Amazon. We are loving them!