toy land

In the wake of a first birthday party, we've been pretty spoiled by all the fun new toys around here. I swear the inventory has doubled. But when I spied this sweet set of wheels at the thrift store last week for just a couple bucks, I simply could not pass it up. It met all of my requirements: cute, check. wooden, check. sturdy, check. vintage, check. rubber wheels, check. The boy's first bike has become a welcomed addition to toy land. At first I was a little skeptical about the chipping paint, but provided it's not MIC (gasp, made in china) we should be good, right?
Graham is so lucky to not only have one, two, or three, but four crafty aunties. The kind of aunties who sew quilts and make stuffed monkey lovey blankets and artsy monkey cakes. This year, his auntie Heather made him this adorable nursery rhyme block set, with props to uncle Justin for custom cutting the blocks and hinged wooden box. The blocks are super light weight and made of balsa wood, which is ideal for baby handling, stacking, and whacking. (Although we discourage the latter!) We are in love with all of the colors, patterns, and pictures. Soon he'll know the tales of Wee Willie Winkie and Humpty Dumpty like the back of his hands.And yes--that double lucky duck is wearing his favorite new t, screen-printed with the ABC's. One of Amanda's fine creations! We are huge fans and she was so amazingly sweet to share one with us.