Get your craft on

Northwest mom Marie LeBaron of the fabulous (and useful!) website Makes and Takes has a new book out: Make and Takes for Kids. Fifty seasonal crafts for kids, each one creative, fun, and (best of all) simple. No running to the craft store for some use-it-once item.

A great present for the child who's constantly playing with pipe cleaners and glue sticks--or a handy back up plan for those days when you've plum run out of ideas of things to do with the kids.

$13 at our affiliate Amazon

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Give yourself a gift

There is still time to order a beautiful silver necklace from PNW shop Morgan Prather Accessories for that special Christmas gift.  Or do what I do and just buy one for yourself and tell your hubby that you've taken care of your own Christmas present.  You get exactly what you want and your hubby doesn't have to stumble through the mall.  Win-win!  There are a number of intricate designs to choose from so you'll probably find more than one to love.

$23 at Morgan Prather Accessories

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A sweet new ride for the preschool set

I used my favorite Ergo baby carrier until my son was just too darn big for me to lug around.  But since he also didn't like to ride in the stroller, I would end up hoisting him on my shoulders anyway.  I only wish I had known about The Piggyback Rider!  This ingenious backpack-like device allows you to carry your 2 1/2+ age kiddo (up to 60 lbs) like a traditional piggyback but with much better ergonomic support.  Your child stands on the foot-bar so they can see everything from their little perch.  And they are secure with a safety tether and integrated grab handles.  

$80 at The Piggyback Rider

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A positive spin

There are days when I feel like we're doing more correcting than encouraging our kids.  So when I stumbled across the "I Like Book", I knew it needed a place under our Christmas tree.  Each day, parents write down something they like about their kiddo in this 12 month open-date journal.  I plan to begin this on New Years day as part of our bed time routine.  That way no matter how many corrections I've doled out, the day will always end with a positive message.

$20 at our affiliate, Amazon

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Serve up your favorite faces

Portland's Silhouette Shop has all sort of melamine Christmas plates and platters you can personalize with your own family's profiles. Just email pics (there are directions and tips at the shop's site) and you'll have an ultra-personal piece to enjoy for holidays to come.

$40 at Silhouette Shop

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Dress it up

Add a special touch to a plain dresser in your babies' nursery with beautiful hand painted knobs from PNW shop Sweet Mix Creations.  With a wide variety of colors and styles, you'll find a set of knobs to match your decor.  After hand painting the knobs are coated with several layers of hardwearing gloss for a durable finish.

From $33 at Sweet Mix Creations

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24 days of joy

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but this find needs a little prep time! The kit from Portland's Clip and Pin comes with the muslin bags, clothespins, and twine you'll need to create an advent calendar made just for your family. Fill the bags with trinkets, candies, or slips of paper with a special activity for each day--so much fun!

$44 at Clip and Pin

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