Let's talk nesting blocks/boxes/dolls today. This is one of toys that I've spent WAY too much time deliberating about for the shop. And as you can see, we don't have one currently available because I can't make up my mind which one is best for Brimful!

Cardboard nesting boxes are light, available in many modern designs and patterns, and have a great price point. But Kari and I worry about how durable they would be. Babies love to chew...and slobber + cardboard = soggy nesting boxes.

Next is plastic. Durable and immune to slobber, but available anywhere and everywhere! There aren't any sets I can find that are truly unique or don't come in garish colors. Just as a side note though, the plastic bucket set shown in the photo above is the same my children enjoyed as babies. They loved it and it's held up very well. So plastic is not to be discounted.

Then my personal favorite - wooden nesting boxes or wooden nesting dolls. Beautifully designed and made of a sustainable material. But wooden nesting toys can be on the heavier side and the price point is MUCH higher than cardboard or plastic.

As we hunt for "the perfect nesting toy" to offer here at Brimful, we'd love your feedback! What's worked for your child/children? Is there a type you'd love to see in our shop? Leave a comment on our Facebook page under the link for this post or drop us an email at info[at]brimfulshop.com. We want your feedback!

xoxo,
Annie

Since the first time we learned about Mixmates from the creative folks at Caravan Shoppe, we've been looking forward to carrying their new blocks at Brimful! After a shipping delay that pushed delivery into the new year, it was with excitement I received our shipment of blocks last week. 

Sadly, because the quality of the blocks doesn't meet the high standards we've set here at Brimful, Annie and I have decided to not carry Mixmates.

There's no denying the design is pleasing and unique -we love it! But there are some improvements that need to be made. We hope these changes will take place and look forward to carrying Mixmates at that time. We're sorry to disappoint those of you who were planning to purchase these blocks at Brimful. 

We do have another shipment of wooden toys coming to the shop soon, so stay tuned!

xoxo,
Kari 

Put a camera in your child's hand and curiosity will overflow!

Each time my little ones take my iPhone (or Nikon!) and snap, snap, snap around the house, mundane objects and boring rooms suddenly beg for the camera's attention. The bathroom, dishes, doorknobs, (blurred) fingers, a closet, or the pattern on a simple door mat - they all become irresistible subjects.

Taking pictures is fun and it's something our little ones see us do everyday, so it's natural for them to want to copy us and document their own surroundings. And that's why I'm so pleased that Brimful offers such a lovely, sturdy, "first" camera. And it's even more pleasing to see that you love our camera as much as we do! 

Based on it's popularity, Annie and I wanted to have a special print made of this toy. A tremendous THANK YOU to Ruth Simons of GraceLaced for the beautiful watercolor print she created for us. 

I imagine this print hanging in a child's room or play room, and when they are old enough pointing and saying "That's my camera!" before they dash off to find said toy and play photographer all over again. 

xoxo,
Kari