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Leaf and Steel

motherhood - growth - living

April Toddler Birthday Party Themes

October 17, 2023

As April showers pave the way for May flowers, it’s time to sprinkle a bit of birthday magic into the mix! If your little one’s birthday falls in this delightful month, get ready for a celebration that echoes the vibrancy and joy of spring.

From blooming blossoms to fluttering butterflies, April offers a charming palette for toddler birthday parties.

Join us as we explore enchanting themes that will turn your toddler’s special day into an April extravaganza of laughter, love, and pure birthday bliss!

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Filed in: Toddler Things • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

30 March Lifestyle Blog Prompts

October 2, 2023

As the brisk winds of March usher in a season of renewal, I’m thrilled to present ’30 March Lifestyle Blog Prompts.’ With nature awakening and the promise of warmer days ahead, these prompts are designed to infuse your blogs with fresh inspiration and creativity.

From embracing the changing seasons to exploring wellness rituals and fostering creativity, this curated collection is a compass guiding you through the diverse landscape of March. Let’s make this month a canvas for personal growth, exploration, and shared experiences. Ready to dive into the blooming possibilities of March?

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Filed in: blogging • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

Spring Gifts for Newborn Babies

February 20, 2023

As the weather warms up and flowers start to bloom, it’s the perfect time to welcome a new baby into the world. If you’re looking for a special gift for a spring baby, there are plenty of options to choose from. From cute and practical clothing to toys and accessories that celebrate the season, there are so many ways to help the new arrival feel loved and cherished.

In this post, we’ll share some of our favorite spring-themed gift ideas for newborn babies. Whether you’re a new parent, grandparent, or friend, we hope these ideas will inspire you to find the perfect gift for the special little one in your life.

Read more

Filed in: Guides, Uncategorized • by Olivia • 1 Comment

15 Spring Farmhouse Decor Items Under $15

March 31, 2022

Here are 15 spring farmhouse decor items you can find for under $15! Spring decor is all about flowers, bunnies, eggs, and new life!

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

“Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.”

Doug Larson

When is the first day of spring 2022?

Spring 2022 begins on Sunday, March 20th and ends on Tuesday, June 21st.

Is February too early to decorate for spring?

Some people may ask if February is too early to decorate for spring. No, February isn’t too early to decorate for spring! Adding spring decor is a nice way to break up the grayness of winter. You can really decorate anytime you want.

Is November to Early to Decorate for Christmas?


Read on to see the best farmhouse decor items for spring!

Farmhouse Stuffed Fabric Rustic Bunnies (Set of 2)

Mini Wooden Houses

Hello Spring Placemat Set of 4, 18″x12″

Farmhouse Decor Spring Wall Decor Fabric Floral Bicycle Sign Wood Rustic Home Decor Indoor Outdoor Wall Plaque Hanging Art Gift 11″ X 16″ – Spring in The Air

Flower Fairy Lights – Pink Cherry Blossoms

2 Pack Artificial Eucalyptus Garland (Set of 2)

Primitives by Kathy Slat String Art Box Sign, 6″ x 6″, “Bee Happy”

Faux Lavender Bundle

5 Piece Honey Dipper with Faux Honey Mini Bee Tiered Tray Decor Spring Summer Farmhouse Kitchen Display

Spring Pillow Covers 18×18 Set of 2 Farmhouse Buffalo Plaid Truck Floral Decorative Throw Pillow Covers for Home Decor

Stonebriar Small Country Rustic Galvanized Metal Pitcher with Handle, 5 inch

Table Runner with Tassels for Home Dining Table 100% Cotton Linen 14″x72″

2 Piece Farmhouse Wooden Picket Fence Tiered Tray

Welcome Sign For Front Door Porch Wreaths With Lights 13”

Lemon Wooden Bead Garland with Jute Plaid Tassels and Lemon Slice (34”), Handmade 


How will you be decorating this spring?

Do you think February is too early to decorate for spring?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • The Best Books for Baby’s First Birthday
  • Sunday Night Routine for a Successful Week
  • Zero Waste Laundry with Kind Laundry
  • Cloth Diapering with Charlie Banana
  • Mommy and Baby Day Off Schedule

Filed in: Home, Uncategorized • by Olivia • 1 Comment

The Best Easter Books for Babies

March 11, 2022

Here is a list of some egg-cellent books to share with your baby or toddler this Easter!

If your little one loves to read, why not fill their Easter basket with books? These books make great Easter gifts, too!

Keep reading to see the best Easter books for babies.

How do I get my baby to read more?

You can get your baby to read more by incorporating books into your daily routine. Snuggling up with a book is a great way to start a peaceful morning. Reading before nap times and bedtime is the simplest way to read more books with your little one.

It is important to always have books easily accessible and at eye level!

Cloth Diapering with Charlie Banana

When is Easter 2022?

Easter will be on Sunday, April 17, 2022.

What is Easter All About?

Here is a condensed explanation from the BBC (click link for reference):

“The Easter story is at the heart of Christianity. On Good Friday, Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion. His body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a cave.

The tomb was guarded and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no-one could steal the body.

On the following Sunday, some women visited the grave and found that the stone had been moved, and that the tomb was empty.

Jesus himself was seen that day, and for days afterwards by many people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead.”

How to Survive Your 1-Year-Old’s First Blood Test

Does my baby need an Easter basket?

Technically, no. Your child does not need an Easter basket. However, it’s a great way to wrap up things you already need for your little one and wrap them up in a basket for them to inspect! Even if it’s just a new sippy cup, a few books and clothes that they will grow into, your little one will be overjoyed to have something to open. Keep reading to see what we put in our one-year-old’s first Easter basket.

Little Things I Do To Make my Baby Feel Loved

The Best Easter Books for Babies

See below for the best Easter books for babies and toddlers!

The Itsy Bitsy Bunny by Jeffrey Burton

Happy Easter, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff

I Love You, Funny Bunny by Zondervan

Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Easter Colors by Eric Carle

Easter Chunky Lift-a-Flap Board Book by R.I. Redd

The Story of Easter (Little Golden Book) by Jean Miller

Llama Llama Easter Egg by Anna Dewdney

God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren 

The Berenstain Bears and the Real Easter Eggs by Stan Berenstain

Hippity, Hoppity, Little Bunny by Cottage Door Press


Does your child have a favorite Easter book?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • 5 Free Indoor Places to Go with Baby
  • 10 Mom-Influencers I Follow for Inspiration
  • The Best California Books for Babies and Toddlers
  • Sunday Night Routine for a Successful Week

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

Easter Traditions to Start with Your Baby or Toddler

March 4, 2022

Are you looking for Easter traditions you can start with your little ones? If you want to keep it simple this year and pick a few special moments to have with your baby or toddler during Easter, look no further!

I might be getting ahead of myself, but Easter is really around the corner!

Here on Long Island, the early spring usually still feels like winter. Easter is like the unofficial start to spring and always brings up warm feelings of rebirth.

Growing up, we had a few different Easter traditions. One that I loved and that I will be passing along to my children was the way my parents the Easter Bunny hid our baskets. They He would hide them in different places around the house. If one of us came across our siblings basket, we would keep quiet and keep it moving. 

It was of course followed by a puzzling egg hunt, but it was the hiding of the baskets I remember vividly!

Easter is the season of renewal, rebirth, and coming together to give gratitude for the lives we lead today. Whether you take a more religious approach, or use it as an secular unofficial start of spring, Easter can be a special time with your family.

When is Easter 2022?

Easter will be on Sunday, April 22nd this year. Let’s all hope for a warm sunny day!

Easter is always on a Sunday and changes year to year.

Here is an explanation from the Osprey Observer (click for link):

“Because the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ happened after Passover, they wanted Easter to always be celebrated following Passover. Because the Jewish holiday calendar is based on solar and lunar cycles, each feast day is movable, with dates shifting from year to year.”

What is Easter all about?

According to the BBC (click for link):

“On Good Friday, Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion. His body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a cave.

The tomb was guarded and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no-one could steal the body.

On the following Sunday, some women visited the grave and found that the stone had been moved, and that the tomb was empty.

Jesus himself was seen that day, and for days afterwards by many people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead.”

Does your baby or toddler need an Easter basket?

Technically, no. Your child does not need an Easter basket. However, it’s a great way to wrap up things you already need for your little one and wrap them up in a basket for them to inspect! Even if it’s just a new sippy cup, a few books and clothes that they will grow into, your little one will be overjoyed to have something to open. Keep reading to see what we put in our one-year-old’s first Easter basket.

Can babies and toddlers have Easter candy?

Candy is not appropriate for babies and toddlers. While I’m impartial to the occasional bite of ice cream or pie for my toddler, candy isn’t appropriate. Stick to other “bunny food” like cooked carrots and broccoli or eggs (obviously).

Easter traditions to start with your baby or toddler:

Here are some easy and fun ways to celebrate the Easter season with your little one!

Take a family walk

I think taking a family walk is an excellent tradition for any holiday. It’s a great way to get some fresh air and make room for dessert! A walk also lets your little one get their energy out, if they’re walking yet.

Easter basket

Easter baskets are fun for us because Baby M’s birthday is right next to Christmas, so a lot of her gifts end up being winter themed. Having an opportunity to get her some new clothes and books in the spring is a welcome treat! We filled our basket last year with swimsuits, bunny books, sunglasses, and a stuffed duck! They were things we would buy for her anyways, so it was cute to see it all in a basket ready for her to inspect.

Paint eggs

This one is a classic! It might be harder to do with extra tiny babies, but painting eggs can bring joy to any age! For an easy clean up, put your little one in an empty bathtub with the paint and the eggs- you won’t have to worry about mess. Remember to always use non-toxic, kid-friendly paint, especially during the “put everything in my mouth” phase.

Easter egg hunt

This does not have to be a complex, all-out Easter egg hunt. “Hiding” colored eggs in plain sight for you to point out to your baby definitely counts. As they get older, opening and closing plastic Easter eggs is an egg-cellent fine motor building game!

Make an Easter craft

A quick search on Pinterest will reveal hundreds or Easter crafts for all stages of development. I love using pastel paints for handprints and footprints in the springtime. Basically, anything that you can do with your kids together is a tradition they will treasure even into adulthood.

Plant a tree or flowers

I love, love, love this idea. Here on Long Island, it would depend on how early or late the holiday lands and if the ground is frozen. Sprucing up your garden with a special new bush or flower (or even a tree) is a wonderful holiday tradition. Your child will be able to point it out and enjoy its special meaning.


Did you have a favorite Easter tradition growing up? Do you plan to start any this year?

Do you practice any on this list? Let me know below!
O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • The Best Airplane Books for Babies and Toddlers
  • Decorating with Mapiful
  • Sunday Night Routine for a Successful Week
  • Mommy and Baby Day Off Schedule
  • How to Create a Home Learning Corner for Your One-Year-Old
  • Little Things I Do To Make my Baby Feel Loved

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • 8 Comments

Hi there!

Leaf and Steel is a collective on all things motherhood, growth, and living. Read More…

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