I’ve always loved nature inspired baby names. River has always been on our list and Meadow has always been sharply vetoed by my husband. Nature names feel timeless and peaceful. If you love hiking, national parks, wildflowers, mountains, or just being outside, a nature name could be perfect for your little one.

If there is one thing I will always say yes to, it’s a mud kitchen.

Baby M is five now, which feels impossible to type, and she has loved her mud kitchen since the very first day we set it up. She has made “soups” for the fairies, chocolate cakes out of dirt, and more “coffee” for me than any real café ever has. It has been one of the most played-with things in our yard. And now that Baby E is almost two, I already know she is going to be right there beside her, sleeves rolled up, fully committed to the mess.

If I’ve learned one thing since becoming a parent, it’s that simple is better. As Halloween approaches this year, I’m happy to say that we’ve had a spooky, spirited, and simple October that didn’t break the bank or destroy the peace that we’ve found this year.

If you’ve read some of my other posts, you’ll know that I’ve been on a journey through peace and simplicity- I’ve cut a lot of the “background noise” out and I’m really proud of the slow way that I’m living now. And that doesn’t change with the holidays! There are so many expenses and fun things to plan around Halloween. Here’s how I’ve kept it easy, but still magical for my two kids.

Growing up, puzzles were always a big deal in our family. From afternoons spent huddled around the dining table piecing together intricate scenes to holiday gatherings where we’d team up and tackle the biggest puzzle we could find, puzzles have always brought us closer. It’s something that’s still true today with our little family.

So, if you and your family love puzzles as much as we do, these creative puzzle-themed pregnancy announcements might just be the perfect fit for sharing your big news.