Easter basket treats your kids will love, festive gifts for parents, the cutest springtime pajamas and more mom things from around the internet

Hi, mamas!

We’ve been playground hopping on the warmer days (finally!), and whenever we’re at a park, I find myself having an inner monologue about the woodchips. Seriously, why are they still the floor of choice?? I get that they’re used to create a softer surface in the case of a fall, which is important, and I’m grateful for that, but, oh my gosh, every time we’re there, it is nearly a miracle that a woodchip doesn’t end up in my daughter’s nose, mouth or eyes. (Knocking on wood(chips?) now that I’ve typed this out loud because we had a recent food-in-nose incident that is now why the Frida Nasal Aspirator comes with us everywhere we go.) Anyway, the difference that a year makes is incredible. This time last April, my daughter was just starting to like the baby swings, and now she’s climbing the stairs of a jungle gym and going down the slide all by herself — the growth is amazing. Let's scroll into today’s newsletter before I start crying.

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GIFT GUIDES: EASTER

Even though Easter is later than usual this year (April 20th!), I'm somehow behind on my Easter bunny responsibilities. In case you’re in the same boat, I thought I’d share what I'm shopping for my family.

TREATS FOR THE EASTER BUNNIES

Adults deserve Easter treats, too! A friend of mine curates an adult Easter egg hunt at her house, where the eggs are filled with cash, skincare items and scratch-offs. (Sign me up!) And I love to put together a basket with little goodies for my family to enjoy during Easter brunch or dinner. Stop reading if you're my husband, but I'll be making him a little basket, too! (Fun fact: my first ever blog, back in 2015, was gifting-themed.)

EASTER BASKET GOODIES

For my daughter, I’m Easter Bunny-ing this year with the rule that the sweet treats must be outnumbered by useful or educational toys that can be enjoyed long beyond the holiday. So you’ll find a few edible goodies (I'm planning to test a few of these recipes this week) paired with classic books, and stuffed animals (Mon Ami always has the cutest ones — have you seen their adorable Easter Baskets, too?), plus things like tableware and sunglasses that she can use for seasons to come.

EASTER JAMMIES

If you’ve been subscribing for a while now, you know I love any excuse for festive pajamas, and Easter tends to bring about some of my favorites! Florals, bunnies, chicks, eggs — so much cuteness.

SELF-CARE: Best Exfoliating Body Wash Sponge

Until recently, I had been very overdue for an eyebrow wax and kept planning to go when I’d have childcare help with my toddler, but when it came down to it, getting a wax was very low on the priority list when I had time to myself. So, last week, I decided to get it over with and went to European Wax Center with a toddler in tow. The treatment was fast and relatively fuss-free, thanks to a little stroller screentime. As I thanked the aesthetician on our way out, my daughter looked up at the woman and told her, “Very good job!” The wax specialist and I were cracking up -- who knew 21-month-olds could be so clever?!

Long story long, my point was to share one of my favorite products I buy after my appointments at EWC: the Get Smooth Body Buffer, which is a collab with Spongellé. This body wash hybrid product helps exfoliate and hydrate my body quickly during a shower, and I'm all about products that optimize self-care. Plus, it smells delish.

The Spongellé brand also makes body wash-infused buffers for kids! (PSA: There is a bunny-shaped one that could be a cute addition to an Easter basket.)

MOM MAIL BOOK CLUB: The Country Bunny

This week’s Mom Mail Book Club pick is The Country Bunny, written by DuBose Heyward and illustrated by Marjorie Flack. We’ve loved this book since I was a little girl, but re-reading it now as a mom with my own child is even more meaningful. The main character is mother bunny Cottontail, who abandons her dream of becoming an Easter Bunny after having twenty-one baby bunnies. (Okay, super mom!!!) Spoiler Alert: She has to push through some hurdles but finds a way to be both a great momma bunny and an Easter bunny — a wonderful message for kids and parents alike.

Don’t forget that you can be gifted a copy of this book by forwarding this email to a mom friend and encouraging them to subscribe. Each time you forward a Mom Mail email, it counts as one entry. When you forward an email, make sure to cc ‘mommailbymads@gmail.com’ so we can count your entry. The book winner will be contacted via email :)

Thank you for subscribing to Mom Mail! Until next week <3

Xo, Mads