I have a feeling this year is going to be the year of Encanto-themed birthday parties! I mean, if you haven’t been singing “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” for the past two months straight, are you even a parent?
Mom Life
If you’ve ever attempted a dairy-free diet, you know it’s no easy task. Milk products and derivatives hide in the most unsuspecting places, so nearly everything feels off-limits.
So when I had to go dairy-free while breastfeeding my dairy-intolerant daughter 2 years ago, letting go of some of my favorite Trader Joe’s items was painful. No more Turkey Corn Dogs? Or Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese? No more Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches?!
Of course, over time, I discovered a whole new slew of Trader Joe’s favorites that fit right in with a dairy-free or even vegan lifestyle. And just in time for me to go dairy-free again for my son, who also has a dairy intolerance (it’s my curse in life).
Picking out stocking stuffers for babies and toddlers is surprisingly hard. Usually, stocking fillers are my favorite thing to shop for – everything is fun and cheap and they tend to get the biggest giggles on Christmas morning.
But for babies, it’s more of a challenge. All the fun, cheap stuff is dangerous for them – since basically everything is a choking hazard. Plus, babies don’t really need much, so it can be hard to find things that are even worth getting.
I swear, y’all, I’ve been filled with Harry Potter party ideas since I was 13 years old. And finally – FINALLY – I got to put them all to good use, with a Harry Potter themed first birthday party for my last baby: The Chosen ONE!
Picking out gifts for young toddlers can be challenging – it’s hard to know what’s really age-appropriate, and they’re all so different in terms of development. But this post has, without a doubt, the best toys for 18-month-olds – as approved by my own three kids (and ME)!