Good morning everyone! I'm so thrilled to be guest posting for my sweet friend, Cassandra, over at her blog coco+kelley! We actually grew up together, attended the same high school, and have reconnected through this fantastic blogging community of ours. I'm over at her blog today sharing my simple ideas for a spring baby shower...

...head over to coco+kelley to see the rest of my simple party ideas!

I've written before about how much I love the BabyLit Classic board book series by Jennifer Adams. They are Gigi's favorite books, and they are among my favorite gifts to give kids. There's something truly wonderful about hearing Gigi talk about the Mad Hatter, Darcy, Romeo, and Governesses. She had Pride and Prejudice (my favorite), Alice in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet, and Jane Eyre. The illustrations, by Alison Oliver, are whimsical, bold and bright, and she has loved them.

So, you can imagine my excitement to discover that Jennifer had written more wonderful books! She sent the new ones right over for Gigi to enjoy. The new books are Moby Dick, Sense and Sensibility, and Wuthering Heights! They contain fun quotes from the stories, help teach about opposites, and weather. Gigi hasn't put them down for the past two weeks. 

Jennifer is generously offering to give away an entire set of the books (see details at the end of the post)!

 I am so intrigued by these books, and just love them. I asked Jennifer a few questions...

Q: I absolutely love every classic novel you’ve adapted into these children’s books and it’s obvious you love them too. What inspired you to do this series?

A: I do love the classics! I first wrote a book called Remarkably Jane: Notable Quotations on Jane Austen. It's a book about what famous writers had to say about Austen--those who love her and those who don't. Then I wrote Y is for Yorick: A Slightly Irreverent ABC Book for Grown-ups, which is a playful take on Shakespeare's plays and characters. Those two books spurred a discussion with my editor of what else we could do with Austen and Shakespeare, and classics for babies grew out of that.

Q. Are there plans for even more BabyLit Board Books? What other books do you dream about adapting?

Q. What does it feel like to know that little kids, like my daughter, know and ask for Pride and Prejudice, Alice in Wonderland, etc. at bed time, and that they’re sharing these well loved stories with their parents who love and enjoy them too?

A. I have to say that is my very favorite thing about authoring the BabyLit books. One mom wrote and said how happy it makes her to hear her little daughter say "Pemberley." One of my best friend's little girls just spent an elaborate amount of time telling me that Colonel Brandon is sad because his girlfriend won't marry him. I love the fact that when these adorable little people grow up and it's time to read the real classics, rather than being daunted or overwhelmed, they will turn to them as old friends.

Jennifer also offered up a fantastic giveaway for you all! She's giving away the WHOLE set of BabyLit board books. That includes 9 books: Pride and Prejudice, Alice in Wonderland, Dracula, A Christmas Carol, Moby Dick, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Romeo and Juliet!

To enter the giveaway, like the BabyLit Facebook page and leave a comment below! I'll choose a winner at random next Wednesday! Good luck!

The winner is Jessica MG!

Thanks so much to everyone for entering! What a great giveaway. I loved reading all of your comments and thoughts on these fantastic books!

We're still getting settled back in and in the swing of things. I missed April's care package because we were just so busy! Just before we leftfor Seattle, I sent a care package to my friend Steph in San Diego and her sweet daughter, Lucia.

Sometimes we girls just need a few little treats...

For Steph: Lots of dark chocolate and dark chocolate covered nibs, photos of Steph and her kiddos (from my trip to L.A.), my favorite Rosebud Salve
For Lucia: l'amour BabyLegs, Pride and Prejudice board book (see more board books here)

Join in and send a care package this month... or every month. It feels great to do it and it really brightens the day of the recipient.

Mother's Day is right around the corner so I thought I'd put together a little list of gift ideas for the Mama who loves to cook. Some of these items are a definite splurge, but others are really affordable. They're all fun and would be the perfect thing to get for a Mom who loves spending time in the kitchen.


Le Creuset Dutch Oven
KitchenAid Pasta Attachments
Lodge Mini Skillet
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
Microplane Grater/Zester
Bonjour Chef's Torch
Lodge Grill/Griddle
Anthropologie Cuisine Couture Apron
La Pavoni Espresso Machine

Cookbooks:
Joy the Baker
The Sprouted Kitchen
Super Natural Every Day
Very Fond of Food