snack ideas for kids // real + whole food choices.

Last weekend, I packed the pram up with a swimming lessons bag, sun hats, a picnic rug (just in case), water bottles and some yummy, filling and healthy snacks for my precious two.

Thought I'd share the treat ideas here. Simple but yummy for the big and little kids in your home.

one // medjool dates
two // goji berries & pepitas
three // raw cashews
four // raw coconut brownies: the best recipe we have found here.
five // strawberries (on a side note- straws are the best way to get rid of the green. pop it through the centre, bam!)
six // kefir water: orange and ginger
seven // home popped stovetop popcorn (we do ours in coconut oil with plenty of sea salt)
eight // chia (gf) crackers with avocado and a squeeze of lemon

Tonight is trick or treating, a far cry from the treats above. Happy Halloween!
♡ ashley

our (current) top 5 books for kids.

One thing we can never get enough of in our home is good children's books. As both a teacher and mum, finding a story that is beautifully illustrated and filled with imagination is simply divine. Here are our top 5 that may inspire you to be a perfect gift for the coming silly season! All can be found at the Australian based bookshop BookWorld online now. For even more ideas, check out our top 5 kids books for grown-ups here and a Christmas edition here.

Bonjour Camille

written by Felipe Cano & Laila Aguilar

A celebration of the fun side of being a kid. From jumping on beds, to drawing faces on thousands of balloons, to picking a new favourite colour, we follow cheeky Camille in her tutu and top hat through the perfect little person day. This book is read every. single. night. in our house and is adored by Piper (and I still love it too!)

Flora and the Flamingo

written & illustrated by Molly Idle

A book with no words and told through the beautiful illustrations and lift-the-flaps, it tells the story of a little girl learning all about friendship through an elaborate and synchronised dance.  Funny and light-hearted the characters are an absolute delight for young and old.

Isabella's Garden 

written by Glenda Millard & illustrated by Rebecca Cool

Come summer we spend 90% of our time barefoot and exploring our garden. This magical tale follows the journey of seeds growing and changing with the seasons. The beautiful artwork from the talented Rebecca Cool makes this book just breathtaking to read and savour.

Tap the Magic Tree

written by Christie Matheson

This book is so clever! It is an interactive story that begins with a brown tree standing lonely and plain. As you turn the pages the writer asks you to tap the tree and like magic leaves sprout, jiggle for blossoms and on it goes.  Simple and fun my girls just adore this story.

Lulu & Pip

written by Nina Greuner & photography by Stephanie Rausser

A sweet little story about a girl and her rag doll. It follows them on the adventures from a busy city life to a family camping adventure and is illustrated through beautiful photographs. Pure magic for a little lady. This is on our must order list for Christmas as Father Christmas' little elves have been busily sewing Piper a Jess Brown doll of her own!

Happy reading, for some more fab children's book ideas pop over here, plenty of inspiring lists.

♡ ashley

This post was in collaboration with BookWorld.

grateful.

These school holidays have held the perfect balance of lazy book reading and lavender baths mixed with spring cleaning and tidying school classrooms. I am recharged and feeling perspective and focus for the rest of this year. I have been focused on being grateful over the past week and it is changing the way I look at everything. I have taken a breath before washing the dishes and reminded myself how lucky we are to have food, hot water, peace. I sit with my girls for longer, reading and chatting and knowing that I will not miss out on this fleeting time. I will embrace it. 

♡ ashley