My 2nd grade daughter’s female classmates form bands. As in musical groups. At recess.

Except they don’t exactly sing or know the first thing about musical instruments. They hire boys for “SECURITY” enforcement and have “band practice” at each others homes (which consists of jumping on the trampoline and eating cupcakes). The term “band” to describe their activities puzzled me so I suggested that they simply form groups.

The group wants matching t-shits bearing the group’s name, flashing their colors so that the playground knows who you’re with. Sounds a little disturbing…like the precursor to a gang…but it seems harmless for now. (If they start flashing gang signs, I may have to pull the plug.) But kids (and especially their loyalties to certain friends at this age) are fickle. The need for extra shirts and complete revamps of designs runs rampant.

Thank goodness for screenprinting kits so the tees are DIY. Can’t be ording at cafe press or zazzle every time 2nd grade girls make a new friend or want a design change.

Wow. When my girls were babies, I could have written this book. It captures a parent’s frustration at bedtime. The agony of trying to make a toddler cooperate so you can just have a minute of adult peace. Just like herding cats. Very, very honory cats.

The latest must-have item for my girls are clip-on ponytails. Not the cheapo play ones either. Needless to say, mama isn’t spending $50 on some faux locks just because. Nope, the girls are shelling out their own clams for this.

After a recent friend’s birthday party, my 6.5 year old (going on 20) decided that since mom won’t let her purchase stripper heels with her squirreled-away funds, she was gonna have to have some Barbie locks on a clip. Being the super-nice mom that I am, I took her to the mall where the birthday girl’s mom had scored a realistic-looking clump of synthetic hair for $50. I knew that the 6.5 year old was in love, because Ms. Scrooge promptly forked over the entire sum without blinking (she NEVER wants to spend her own money on anything!).

Fake hair in hand, and money no longer scorching a hole in her pocket, the 6.5 year old and I headed home where she immeadiately tried on the Taylor Swift-esque fall and promptly rubbed the new treasure in her big sister’s face. Naturally, big (8.5 year old) sister is green with envy. Worse yet, she is not the saving type, and will spend her cash as fast as she gets it, so she can’t just stop by the mall and pick up her own synthetic tendrils tomorrow.

Something good has come out of the fake hair purchase. Big sis has found out firsthand why saving cash for things that you really want is the way to go instead of impulsively buying more and more meaningless junk. Big sis has started saving money! And trying to earn it by working around the house! Fake hair, you may be the best thing that has happened to our household in a while.

Recently, I picked up a Paperonikit on clearance for a rainy day activity for the girls. It wasn’t rainy today, but I brought it out anyway. I was so surprised that my little hyper 6.5 year old tomboy girl took to it immediately!

Seriously, it kept her content for HOURS today. WITHOUT my help! That kit was sooo worth the $, even if it wasn’t on sale. My tomgirl who never sits still for 2 minutes (pre-paperoni) asked for more paperoni projects. A total Paperoni surprise.

I have ice cream on the brain all the time now that our local soft serve stand is open for the season! If you are an ice cream junkie like me or need a gift for an ice cream lover, here is a berry sweet gift set for any age girl. A rosy red strawberry topping off a fluffy creamy pink washcloth is a deliciously delightful combo.

Yummy, yummy Peeps are a favorite Springtime treat for your taste buds and Peeps Lip Candy lets your lips in on the fun. Handmade with top quality ingredients that are good for your lips, these Peeps Lip Candy tubes are a calorie-free goodie for everyone’s Easter baskets. Tuck these into eggs for egg hunt treasure. Marshmellow-y, pastel-y sweetness!

Transporting your Kindle & iPad just got personal & stylish! The Carrie & Tuck Note Tote comes with a stash of notepad, cards, clipboard, and pen, which is great, but the real reason to purchase this monogrammed bag is not it’s contents. Nope, in this case, it’s what’s on the outside that counts. 

In my house, it’s the girls who have the Kindles (not me) & tech gadgets. Of course, they toss their gear in big bags to bang around and get damaged. Carrie & Tuck Note Totes from Baily Bea are perfect for hauling valuable electronics. Of course it comes in other colors besides pink, but you know how I feel about pink.

Use code BAG for 15% off through March 14, 2011!

When Dana decided to redecorate her girls’ rooms, she made sure the theme was something timeless and beautiful- the beach!

Dana scored unique wall art at etsy shops, but her preschooler Kamryn was set on a seahorse print. Unable to find one she loved, Dana asked Heni Sandoval, who has etsy shop Circles Round The Sun, if she could create some seahorse art just for Kamryn. Dana had already purchased other prints from Circles Round The Sun, and she loved this artist’s style and the bright cheery colors. The use of acrylic paint on watercolor paper gives a unique look.

Kamryn’s Seahorses was created and I think that i may have to buy one for myself. Like Kamryn, I am a fellow seahorse enthusiast. I have even had a little green seahorse tatooed on my ankle for the past 18 years. Don’t worry, Dana- I’m sure that Kamryn doesn’t have any plans for a seahorse tatoo yet.

Raising them right is a little bit easier with fill-in thank you notes from Pitter Patter Creations. The daunting task of post-party note penning becomes a simple process…Just remember to keep track of who gave which gift and have these adorable cards handy(available in lots of different designs!).

I have already squirreled away the cupcake fill-in notes and cupcake fill-in invites for one of my girls’ next soirees (I am just dying to do a cute cupcake-themed birthday party!).

No need to hire a pricey artist to give your princess’ room a magical touch.

Wall decals are my new favorite way to make a big impact in a room. I have them in my living room, master bedroom, and in my girls’ bedroom.

I’m loving this pink blossom-y tree, it reminds me of Washington, DC in April: Cherry Blossoms ’round the Tidal Basin.  

Is it Spring yet?