Bear and Blue on the high seas

Bear and Blue are best friends. Blue has an adventurous heart. Bear likes to stay at home, but he also likes to make Blue happy. Today, they are exploring the high seas.

Blue takes the scuba gear. It doesn't fit Blue, but it makes Blue feel like a true explorer of the seas.

The two see a pile of sea urchins.

"Bear, can I take home a sea urchin? Maybe just a small One...or two?" Blue asked.

"No," said Bear. "Sea urchins are too prickly and need salt water to live."

Then, they saw a giant orange fish.

"Can I take home that giant orange fish?" asked Blue.

"No," said Bear. "Giant orange fish probably have a family and needs salt water to live."

Then, they saw some coral.

"Bear, may I take home some coral?" asked Blue.

"No," said Bear. "Coral is home to small fish and needs salt water to live."

Bear could see that Blue was disappointed. "Blue, why don't you take home one empty shell. And we will come back next week to visit the Sea urchins, giant orange fish, and coral?"

Blue was happy indeed. Blue picked out a beautiful yellow sea shell. Bear knew what made Blue happy.

Bear and Blue are best friends.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Bear and Blue explore the high seas imagination kit will be in my #etsy shop later.

Fairytale Friday - The Storks

 The Storms have a very important job to do. They take care babies then deliver them to just the right family at just the right time.

 There are babies of all kinds here - baby babies, Dragon babies, elephant babies, even tiny birdie babies.

The Storks weigh each baby, feed the babies, bathe the babies before making their special delivery to their new home.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Day 4 of Christmas in July event coupon code

It's Day 4 of Christmas in July event. I have been to the post office so much this week, I now have to add the post office employees to my Christmas card list! I feel like they are family. (they are actually super sweet!)

Today's code is giveimagination to save 30% on your purchase of $25 or more. I am shipping the stone cottage out to Australia this morning!

Follow me on Instagram @melanieshanks35 to see all my latest projects, playscapes, and news.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Day 3 Christmas in July event code

 Good morning! It's Day 3 of my Christmas in July event. Your coupon code for today is July25 to save 25%.

 Here are a few new items in my shop!

 Happy playing!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

What our mornings look like

One person wrote to me saying, this is what our mornings look like.

I love how engaged in play she is with my play mats.

Pure childhood right there.

What are you playing?

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

The many benefits of messy play

 I know, I know! Messy plays is...well, messy. Get over it! Look at this beautiful chart by Happy Art found on Pinterest that tells ALL the benefits. A little mess or a lot of learning??? I mean, messy is fun. Get in there with your kiddos - it will be twice the fun and twice the engagement. I promise.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Day 2 Christmas in July coupon code SHIPSFREE

 It's Day 2 of my Christmas in July event. Today, I will ship any order anywhere in the USA for FREE.

 Fun, right? Make your lists, check them twice, add some things, then I will ship to you! Easy peasy.

The above photo of Claire is from my friend @clairehereandthere on Instagram. Claire is holding Frozen peg dolls from @teenyweenyboutique.etsy.com next to my gingerbread house play mat. Photo credit goes to @clairehereandthere

Follow me on Instagram @melanieshanks35 to see all my latest shenanigans!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Etsy Christmas in July - mybigworld2015.etsy.com

 This week, I am holding a Christmas in July event in my Etsy shop. Each day, I will give you a new coupon code to save money.

 Today's code is CHRISTMAS
It will save you 20% Today only
Tomorrow's code will be different.

 I added NEW Playscape Play Mats today.

www.mybigworld2015.etsy..com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

🎄Christmas in July 🎄

 Did you know that there are only 5 months left till Christmas? Want to put some Imagination into a kiddo's Christmas?

 This week, I am having a Christmas in July event in my Etsy shop www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

 Each day will be something new. One day might be FREE shipping. Another day might be 20% off. I will continue to add to my shop until December. But some items are limited (I can no longer get some of the beads, fabrics, etc.).

 Follow me on Instagram @melanieshanks35 for all the latest news.

The Frozen peg dolls shown here are from teenyweenyboutique.etsy.com and photo credit goes to @clairehereandthere in Instagram.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Adding new items

 I am adding new items to my shop each day.

 In the past 48 hours, I have spent 25 hours sewing! No lie

 I am stocking my shop for an upcoming Christmas in July event.

 Stay tuned for more details.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Give a Hug, Ladybug!

I found this on Pinterest by Home Grown Cozy. It took me right back to things I used to say to my girls. I had no idea there were so many versions.

What sweet things do you say to your children?

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Tell Me A Story Tuesday - a home for lost children

Once there was a man with a kind and adventurous heart. He traveled to a land far, far away and found children that needed him. These children had been separated from their families because of hunger and war. The kind hearted man built a home for these wonderful children. Doon, he helped reunite the children with their families.

I recently read "The Little Princes One Man's Promise to Bring Home the List Children of Nepal". It was an amazing, incredible, and inspirational read. I don't usually recommend books, but this one is the exception.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Welcome to the Nest

As I am seeing my little finger to the bone, my husband asks if I can fashion a best of fabric for a play mat. Greta, age five, adds yes, it can be for birds and dinosaurs and fairies and eggs.

So, the idea was hatched. This Next play mat will be in my shop later today. www.mybigworld2015.etsy..com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

NEW in my shop

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Peter Rabbit birthday party

 It was a big day today. Roo turned 3. She is obsessed with Nick Jr. Peter Rabbit so...

 We carried the Peter Rabbit theme through the whole party - veggies in flower pots, veggies as centerpieces, fresh flowers, veggie garland.

 Carrots, carrots, and more carrots!

It was pretty low key - children playing in the backyard, hunting for plastic vegetables (Easter egg style), garden tool bags as goody bags.

It was a fun afternoon, but I am exhausted!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Invitation to Play

@forest.fairy on Instagram displayed some of my items in her beautiful invitation to play corner for her little one.

I told her that I needed to fly across the pond to play!

Send me your inspirational photos. I'd love to see them.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Part of a community

I received a message from a woman asking if I would donate a Playscape for a silent auction benefiting a child with MS. My passion is early childhood. Of course, I said yes. One of the best parts of being a part of the Etsy community allows me to gift my God given talent to others. They are strangers, yes, but if I can help raise money for a good cause, then my first instinct is to help.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

New in the shop

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com