Several weeks ago, while slowly making our way through the children’s section of Ikea, I spotted this cardboard play market. Now it’s not like me to purchase play things on a whim (we sort of operate on a minimal toys basis in our house), but with all of the all of the possibilities and a $12.99 price tag ($14.99 in the US), I couldn’t pass it up.
For the last little while, it’s been Grae’s Fruit & Veggie Market, where she sells all sort of {felt} fruits and vegetables for ridiculously low prices (and she even throws in a free reusable bag with your purchase!)
One of Gracen’s very favourite pretend play games is ‘store’, so it goes without saying that this has been a total hit, plus I love the fact that it encourages all kinds of communication, manners, and role play.
Next up, our cardboard market is being put to use as a puppet theatre!
♥
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It’s no secret that Gracen loves to help in the kitchen. So for a long time, we’d intended to buy her a play kitchen for Christmas. But when going back to Kuwait became a serious consideration, we decided to put the kitchen plans on hold, buy one after the move, and opt for handmade felt food instead as it can easily be packed overseas. 
Unfortunately, we had a few snafus with our order and it only arrived a couple of weeks ago… Of course, for Miss G, who was spoiled at Christmas nonetheless and had no idea it was coming, opening the parcel today was the best surprise ever.
We laid out a blanket in the living room, grabbed a couple of stacks of plates, and she’s been whipping up meals ever since.
The funniest part is that every time we’re out and about and she spots a restaurant, she points to it and shouts, “Mama, a resdaraunt! Grae Grae has one of dose at home in da living room. Grae Grae has a resdaraunt station!!!”
It’s certainly no play kitchen, but our little sous chef doesn’t mind one bit.