The foam puzzle is a great way to cover the floor when you have little ones.  Not only does it protect your hardwood or carpet…but also protects your kids from hard surfaces.  $17.47 through July 29th!  The cash register is a favourite toy around our house and is also on sale for 9.97 (reg. 19.99).

One of the best gifts I ever received  with my first baby (The Boy), is still in use today and is so great for summer excursions.  It is the Tuffo Water Resistant Outdoor Blanket with case.  It is gorgeous, functional and comfortable.  Perfect size.  It even comes with us on the plane…to pad the airplane floor the kids sleep on.  For trips to the park and to the lake, we love our picnic blanket.  The only drawback is that you have to fold it a certain way for it to fit back in the case.  Different patterns available at the Safety Superstore ($44.95).  Makes for the PERFECT shower/new baby gift.

Kids will love stacking and displaying their trains on this fantastic display shelf from Gifts By David. It can also be used for displaying rock collections, favorite toys and keepsakes.  Fits Thomas the Tank Engine (wooden and diecast), Geotrax and other similar size trains. Square compartments are each 3″ wide x 3″ high x 3″ deep.  Handcrafted and available in a few different colours.  Display shelves for cars were also available but sold out and inventory is currently being replenished.

Simple: Have the kids wash Dad’s car.

————————————————

Common:  Hand prints on a shirt, apron, or made into framed artwork.  This year, I will be cutting out my children’s handprints from Japanese paper to make a greeting card that can later be framed.

————————————————-

Creative: This idea is from the folks at Skip To My Lou.  Buy a simple pill box at the Dollar Store and fill it with small goodies, quotes of love and appreciation or coupons for hugs, kisses, back rubs etc.

————————————————-

Original:  Use your kids to make human letters that spell the word DAD or LOVE.  Have your kids lay down on a surface to make it easier for them to stay still and take a picture of each letter individually as you stand well above them to get a bird’s eye view.  Print out the single photos and put the word together in a frame or laminate and make into fridge magnets.  I tried this with my kids by laying them on a large blanket a few weeks ago and it was really hard for them to keep still…so if your kids are under 5 yrs., don’t try this at home.

—————————————————

True: Leave Dad alone.  Everyone says that Father’s Day is for family time but I have a feeling that if you were to incorporate some alone time for dad, he would be super happy.  Wouldn’t you have wanted your husband to take the kids away for a few hours on Mother’s Day?

If  you did something fabulous for Father’s Day, send me a photo or link!  I would love to publish some of your ideas.

In December, I surveyed teachers about their favourite gifts.  The winners were gift certificates to malls and spas as well as personalized stationary.  Losers were soaps, candles and chocolates…

Two personalized notepads from Honey Bunch are currently $23 for the pair and ship in 2 days.  Each pad contains 40 sheets.  Order this week and receive a furochic wrapping cloth for free.  Simply enter the code furochic at checkout.  What’s that?  It’s a cloth you use for wrapping gifts instead of paper.  Don’t worry, I didn’t know either!

Always looking for gift ideas for boys over the age of 5…  This is on sale at Masterminds for the next two weeks.

This is a personalized hand-stamped golf marker set which could be perfect for the dad in your family.  It’s my daily Etsy find.  However, I have to admit that I don’t know what the hell a golf marker is.

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20th. Take advantage of Huddy Buddy’s huge spring sale while honouring dad with our “I’m just like my dad.” or “I’m daddy’s princess.” Little Chatterbox tees. Other designs available too, and all are just $12!

Get 20% off  beautiful silhouette prints from Honeybunch when you enter code may20 at checkout.  This is a great local online boutique & store with lots of unique items.  Promotion valid until May 29th.