Thoughts on books for kids

A couple of weeks ago I got a book that I had once borrowed from a friend. I ordered it from Amazon but since it's out of print now I chose to buy a copy from a market place seller, that is the book is used. When it arrived it had came from another friend of mine who I have not seen for years. Both myself and the two friends who had this book all belonged to the same playgroup. Since the marketplace sellers use screen names I had no idea it was actually someone I knew. Small world!

The book is Babies Need Books by Dorothy Butler. Of course I don't have a baby but the scope of the book covers the early years through to age six. I loved this book when I first read it since it contains lists. I am a list person. I love having a list to work through especially when it comes to buying and completing "collections".

Yesterday Little Guy and I spent some time searching the house for some of the titles from the three year old's list. I think I must've first read the book when Biggie was three as I had a lot of titles and some were dated 2004 (he was born in 2001).

I really liked the words Butler had to say on "energetic three year olds". She writes at length about the different styles of listening to and absorbing books. She suggested having a big reading session on the couch in the morning, after older siblings have gone to school and dad has gone to work. The bedtime story is often quite a strain for me since we're all tired and I am eager to have the day over. We tried the morning read today and it was so much better. We read and enjoyed four books! Little Guy has been calm and happy while I have been able to get on with some housework. The TV has not been on at all!

In case you are interested we read:
Hairy Maclary's Caterwaul Caper by Lynley Dodd
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
An Evening at Alfie's by Shirley Hughes

Mee a Bee gets a mention on Style Collective

Thanks Style Collective and Kawaii for You! Mee a Bee is definitely kawaii baby! Take a look at guest author and Kawaii for You owner Christine's picks in the Japanese cute theme.

It is a valuable garment

Wolsey
Originally uploaded by Mee a Bee

I came across two old but unworn boy's woolen undershirts while I was in NZ. Mum had gotten them from a friend of hers thinking they might be suitable for my boys.

Take a look at this wonderful vintage care label.

In bold it says "IT IS A VALUABLE GARMENT. Please treat it as such and it will give you wonderful service. If we were washing it ourselves, we would: ..."

I love this label so much I can't bring myself to remove it! I think I need to write something like this on my bags. Do you think people would take the time to read it? Sadly I do not.

In years to come the conscious buyer will care more and more when making purchases and then taking care of those goods. People are much less inclined to buy and replace which means buying something that is going to last the distance.

I also found this article/advertorial from the Sydney Mail, April 7,1926 about the famous underwear brand, Wolsey. They're still going strong after more than 250 years in business. Something to aspire to!

Camping

When Biggie was little I visited several friends who had really cool pop-up tents for their kids to play with. Of course I wanted one too. I bought this one from "Ryan's Room" and hauled it back to Japan in my luggage.

The first time we put it up we were so disappointed. It's hard to set up - you need the instructions everytime - and it's very very stressful when you have a toddler "helping".

Once it's assembled it's very flimsy. I think one of the poles bent on the first day. Nevertheless we still have it so I set it up for Little Guy last week.

I have had to tape all of the stupid broken poles together and reinforce some with wooden chopsticks but it is standing.

I thought it was so cute when Little Guy dozed off in it.

Now what I really want is a teepee. I saw one in an Ikea pamphlet so have been entertaining the idea of making one for the past few months. Lots of people on Etsy make them. What do you think?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/moozlehome
http://www.etsy.com/shop/GracieBeanBaby
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBirdsBoutique
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dannideniese2002

Happy Waitangi Day

We made biscuits :)

Our first professional photo shoot

I am so excited to be using the first of our photos taken by the wonderful and talented Nykie Grove-Eades of Mistral Photography. Back in December we spent an afternoon in the Auckland Domain while Nykie and her camera worked their magic.

Mee a Bee is all about good old-fashioned fun. Adventures, exploring, discovering. Nykie put the kids at ease immediately (she's a mum herself as well as being a professional). She had them racing around on an old tricycle, being pulled along in an antique wagon, and fishing in the duck pond.

My favourites are the ones of Biggie balancing in a thatch of bamboo that seemed just perfect for Mee a Bee, all that's cute from Japan.

Little Guy really took to the camera being a bit of a show-off. I've got some great shots of him balancing on a low-hanging tree branch.

It was also part of the brief to get some natural portraits of the kids that I'll be sending as gifts to the grandparents. I have some beautiful photos to choose from.

Take a look through my store to see more of the photos here and there. I can't wait to use them throughout the year on my main website (in need of a lot of work) and other promotional material.

We didn't have any little girl models with us that day so that'll have to wait until next time!

If you're interested in beautiful family portraits visit Mistral Photography blog to see some of Nykie's recent work.

Thank you again Nykie! http://www.mistralphotography.co.nz/

Craft Madness Continues

It's my friend's birthday this week. I remembered, then forgot, then remembered again. I was at the shops a couple of nights ago and luckily remembered again.

I found this pretty fabric that I think she will like. Today I stitched it up into this cushion cover.

Mee a Bee says: When making a cushion cover, cut the fabric exactly the same size as the cushion inner. Your cushion will look nice and plump once it's in its cover. Allow extra for the envelope closure to overlap. Mine was a bit gape-y so I improvised with the lace ties. I think my seam allowances could have been wider.

Crafty Mum strikes again

It's really hard being crafty when you have two boys ... they won't wear fabric covered buttons in their hair, little frilly twirl skirts or even Mee a Bee bags very much.

I felt like making something for Little Guy a.k.a The Policeman (Boy in Blue).

This is what I came up with, a stretch arm-cuff / watch. I used wide elastic to join the strapping at the back so he can put it on and take it off on his own. He loves it! Especially because it is blue.

The fabric is by Sanrio, it's a licensed product so is not for sale in my store. I used it to make a little bag for a friend of mine.

Kawaii means Cute in Japanese

This morning Mr. T and I (oops I mean Little Guy and I) biked to the post office a bit further away than our usual one. After a day of heavy rain yesterday we were suffering cabin fever so enjoyed the fresh air and winter sun today for a while.

We made a few stops along the way. One of them was to a shop that until today I have been too scared to go into. It's called Cotton Shop. It's located in front of a small towel factory. It's tiny and a bit intimidating. Of course they sell towels but not just any towels, Shinzi Katoh ones! That's why I finally decided to go in.

Shinzi Katoh is a well-known illustrator here in Japan. His work is very recognisable and just fabulous. You can buy most of his goods online, they will happily ship anywhere in the world but why go to all that trouble when you can shop at my friend Christine's new online store (based in Brisbane):



I am really excited for Christine (of Little Diva Designs). Her new business venture looks like so much fun. Christine has sourced the cutest and most irresistible items from Japan (mostly). You’ll find everything from stationary, tote bags and photo frames to Bento (lunch) boxes, containers and toddler cups. The best thing is you’ll find something for everyone – kids, teens and for yourself too !

If you live in Brisbane, you can visit Kawaii for You at Mathilda’s Market on Saturday 20th February, Brisbane Racing Club at Eagle Farm, 230 Racecourse Rd, Ascot from 9am to 4pm.

Otherwise you can keep up to date on new products, specials etc on the blog (www.kawaiiforyou.blogspot.com), Facebook Fan Page (www.facebook.com/kawaiiforyou) or through Twitter (www.twitter.com/kawaiiforyou).

The only thing you won't find at Kawaii for You is Mee a Bee bags ... we might have to do something about that Christine ;)

Love is in the Air

Are you the kind of couple that could work together? Mr. Mee a Bee and I are most definitely NOT. As supportive as he is of my business we could never collaborate. For one thing Mr. Mee a Bee drives me nuts when it comes to reading and following instructions - you either do or you don't - I DO.

I'm in love with this morning's Etsy Finds. They've highlighted some of the Etsy shops that are run by couples.Something's Hiding in Here is one of my favourite couples. Check out their Flickr page as well.

Picture from The Vintage Sister

Where did you get that giraffe?

Mr.B's mum mentioned Sophie the Giraffe to me in an email. When I saw the vintage-looking giraffe poking her head out of Mr. B's new bag I thought she was very cool. But forgive my ignorance, I hadn't heard of her.

Tonight, since I live in a world of funny coincidences, I clicked on a link only to find her staring out at me from a friend's webshop.

The more I read the more I love. Not only is she really cute, "Sophie is the ONLY 100% natural teething toy in the world". (She is made of a special non-toxic rubber). She also provides the all-important stimulation of all five of baby's senses.

Visit Little Bare Bear to read and learn more. Sophie is a lot more special than she looks.

Something a bit different - a GIVEAWAY!!

For the past few months my blog has been sponsored by U-Printing.com. I am really excited to be able to offer US residents a chance to win your own custom printed stickers or labels!

The prize:

250 Stickers/Labels for One (1) lucky winner

Sizes: 2” x 3.5”, 2” x 4”, or 3” x 3”

Paper: 70lb Label Matte

Specifications: Full color front, blank back; 4 Business Day printing

Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping

Eligibility: Limited to US Residents only (sorry)

All you have to do to win is COMMENT below telling us what message you want to spread. (i.e what do you want to print on your labels)

The giveaway will be open until midnight, Japan time, February 13th.

Winner will be picked at random by yours truly, using random.org

You may enter once.

I will forward the winner's name to U-printing.com so please make sure you leave a contact email or blogger sign-in so I can contact you. Good luck!

Never too young for a man-bag

This little chap's mum told me she would email me a picture of Mr. B and his new bag. The email came with ten pictures and an apologetic note saying she couldn't pick a favourite. I can see why!

Bag Schmag - get a load of this future cover of GQ Magazine! Isn't he just gorgeous?

Mr. B snapped up the last of the Beetle Car & Jumping Frogs reversible bags but I still have some of the single-sided ones in grey or red with the car flap in my store.

Thanks Lou for sharing your little man with us!

Inspired to cook!

You read my post about the books I am reading. I'm totally hooked on Julia Child's book. Can you imagine me getting into bed each night and reading a cookbook? Too funny!

I had just been reading the chapter on soups when the kids started to get sick. I decided to zap some vitamins into them with a restorative carrot and ginger soup. I couldn't find the recipe I thought I had so I improvised: onions, a quarter of a kabocha pumpkin that was kicking around in the vegetable drawer and two or three large carrots, which I grated. Once I had that boiling in some stock I grated in some fresh ginger. It was delicious. Though it had a little bit too much of a kick for Biggie. I couldn't help mentioning the expression "That'll put some hair on your chest!"

Yesterday it was Mr. Mee a Bee's birthday. His dinner request was lasagne. Biggie doesn't like tomatoes and until recently has refused to eat anything tomato based including pizza. He also hates cheese. Therefore lasagne is not on our menu these days but since it was Mister's birthday I agreed to make one. Yum! I made it over the course of two days, since it's quite time consuming and labour intensive. The meat sauce was just heavenly having had a night in the fridge to meld the flavours.

Also on the menu were blue cupcakes. Little Guy is a policeman now. He has to wear blue everyday and loves everything blue. We don't eat much blue food ... so for fun I made some blue icing. I used the cupcake recipe from my old faithful Edmond's cookbook. Even Nigella swears by it.

Happy Birthday Mr. Mee a Bee