Keep This In Mind

Back to school next week. I'll keep the above words in mind as the year kicks off. Poster available here for $17. There are several others in the collection, too: Wouldn't they serve as nice "life" reminders framed in the family foyer or a classroom?

Chalk It Up to Experience

One of the many, many things I've learned in my tenure as an early childhood educator is that almost all young children love to draw on unconventional canvases. In need of a change of scenery? Take your kids outdoors and let them go crazy on the sidewalk or the wall. Traditional sidewalk chalk will certainly do the trick but why not jazz things up with these adorable dinosaur, floral and heart-shaped chalks in a variety of fun colors? $5 packs available to order at Red Maple Grove Crafts.

Rocking Horse

Clean, classic, truly beautiful design. Oh what I would give to store one away for my future children...

(Calidu Rocking Horse by Gunther Schunn, discovered via Seesaw).

Process

There's almost nothing I love more than watching a child work. My colleague recently sent me these photos from the end of the school year in which she captured the process of one of my students creating a masterpiece. I can't stop scrolling through to relive the wonder. Isn't it amazing?

(All photos courtesy of Jasmin Ortiz)

Postmark Paris

I recently returned from my first ever trip to Paris, France, and if my self-proclaimed francophilia was pronounced before, it's in full on obsession-mode now. That's why I cannot wait to pick up this adorable children's book about a young girl's experience and adventures in Paris conveyed through her growing stamp collection. Available in hardcover from Chronicle Books for $12.95.

Bumblebee Backpack

This bumblebee backpack from the MOMA store is pint-sized and perfect for transporting after-school snacks, library books and other daily preschool necessities. At $20, the price couldn't be any cuter.

I Wish I Could Show You Actual Photos Of Their Sweet Faces

...so you could see first hand how incredible their self-portraits actually are. They make my heart go boom boom!