Binkies and Briefcases

I have a secret. Actually, it’s not a secret at all.

I have a slight addiction to children’s books.

I’m trying to get it organized, if not under control.

This is what our basement floor looks like at the moment.

There are 14 of these bins organized by category, like historical fiction, biographies, Newbery Award winners, etc.

and there are 3 more of these storage tubs filled to the brim with special books that I don’t want my little ones getting into because they are autographed, out of print, valuable, or they go with a specific classroom lesson and I’m keeping the materials together, despite the fact that I have no plans to return to the classroom anytime in the foreseeable future.

These are only the books that are out of season, or that I have multiples of (yes, I buy multiples on purpose because who knows when a stay at home mom might need to break into a spontaneous reading group with a bunch of imaginary third graders? When Nicholas’ preschool has the scholastic sale every month I always buy multiples of the well known authors that are in the $1 section.) or are too advanced for my own kids.

That doesn’t count any of the books that we are currently reading regularly. (There are at least 75 in my living room right now, I’m quite sure)…

Or any of the ones we have set aside for our upcoming yard sale….

Or any of the ones that I took to church when I started the children’s book exchange for our mom’s group earlier this year (and filled up an entire 8 foot tall bookshelf by myself!)…

It also didn’t stop me from buying three more today. But seriously? Who can pass up brand new books for 39 cents?

I totally justify this collection to myself by saying that it I ever do go back to the classroom most of them will go with me, and I never spend more than $25 in a month on books. (but I can stretch that far, believe me) and they will really come in handy if we decide to home school. (which I have no intention of doing) Plus I’m pretty sure that all this reading is the reason the pediatrician says Abby is a year ahead of schedule in terms of her verbal development.

Yes, I confess, I am a total hoarder of children’s books. Do you have a collection that has taken on a life of its own?

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Don’t you love when you fall in love with a new toy and that toy happens to be super affordable.

Like under $5.

I am so in love with my new stamping set. I got it yesterday for $4.99 at Harbor Freight Tools.

Pretty soon I’ll be stamping every wood and soft metal surface in our house. It’s so easy! You just pick a letter, put the stamp on the surface and smack it a few times with a rubber hammer.

I’m so excited about all the possibilities!

jewelry, personalized furniture, stamped spoons, toys…

I’m pretty sure I can go on forever.

For now I’ll just show you my first project.

It’s not quite finished yet because I need Eddie to cut it down to size before I stain it. (I’m banned from the miter saw. I think I need a little hand saw so that I can do quick, easy little cuts like this by myself.)

Today is Abby’s 2nd birthday already!! She already received all of her gifts at the party we had last weekend, but I still wanted to do something to commemorate the day, so I am making her a little plaque with one of my favorite quotes of all time. It comes from the children’s book The Runaway Bunny.

The book version says: “If you become a bird and fly away from me,” said his mother, “I will be a tree that you come home to.”

All I have to do is stain it and add a picture hanger to the back and I have all that stuff already, so all this cost me was the price of the stamps, which I will use over, and over, and over again.

I think it would be really cute to do this to a picture frame with any quote you want as a baby shower or wedding gift. Or maybe just the names or a special phrase that’s important to the couple. Or, you know, Mother’s day is right around the corner.

You could also make really cute wooden coasters…

Or add hooks and make a really cool coat rack…

I’m a little bit excited about these stamps, can you tell?