I discovered Small Fry, a children’s lifestyle blog written by three moms, right as they launched their blog about 18 months ago, and have been delighted by their fun posts ever since (they even wrote for Spoonful for a while). Between the three of them, they have six little boys, but their posts are great for any child.
I love this tiny tea set post (I can’t resist an IKEA project, especially now that I live two hours from the nearest IKEA, like some sort of early pilgrim or something), and this babuska doll banner.
I really like that, while they have gorgeous photos and tutorials on their blog, their projects and ideas are totally realistic too (not “here is a project to do with your kids that will cost $65 and take 10 hours of you working painstakingly away with tweezers and tiny faux-jewels”).
They also featured one of the little guys from our co-op preschool last fall during Diabetes Awareness Month. (One thing I did not expect to learn last year was how to test blood sugar and monitor insulin levels).
I met them at Alt Summit in January and they were so delightfully down-to-earth, real-life moms.
(Also, Jenna has started an Instagram account dedicated to healthy eating, which I can’t get enough of. It’s super fun to see what she’s eating and be inspired to not have nachos for lunch (or, at least only ONE plate of nachos)).
I loved seeing what they were reading (both to themselves and their children), and seeing what they loved and . . .didn’t love. Books are my love language.
EMILY:
I graduated in Literary Studies from college, but apparently couldn’t get enough. Now I’m in a book club once a month, which is a definite upgrade. No quizzes, and lots more cupcakes.
JENNA: I’m a health nut stuck in a foodie body. It’s not easy loving doughnuts as much as you love eating clean but I’m managing. I love cooking for my family & find great pleasure when they eat unique foods!
NICOLE: I’m a photographer who loves to see new places. I find great excitement and joy in taking my kids to experience new and exciting adventures. In my dream world we eat everything with chips because dipping is my love language.
Childhood Favorite:
- Emily: I vividly remember reading Matilda by Roald Dahl at a 6 or 7. The moment when you find out that Ms. Trunchbull is Miss Honey’s aunt, my stomach dropped and I simultaneously fell in love with reading. I love the emotional connection reading provides, at any age! I still love Roald Dahl and go back and read old favorites.
- Jenna: Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things Are
- Nicole: I Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Currently Reading:
- Emily: Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt. This is a book club pick, and not something I ever would’ve picked to read on my own, which is what is so great about book clubs. It is the sweetest little book and so laugh out loud funny.
- Jenna: Clean by Alejandro Junger for myself & Where the Red Fern Grows to my 5 year old!
- Nicole: A zillion books to my toddlers every day! I don’t find a lot of time to read for myself, and I’m kind of okay with that. Some of their current favorites are Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, The Hueys in the New Sweater by Oliver Jeffers and Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
Comfort Reading:
- Emily: Can I even call this reading? Every night before I go to bed I read the celebrity gossip blog DListed. It is the most crass and hilarious writing and it helps me unwind. After I’ve read something super literary and my scriptures, of course. 😉
- Jenna: Broken Things to Mend by Jeffrey R. Holland. I read this book several times a year, it’s a Church book & offers great solace & peace in the love of our Heavenly Father.
- Nicole: A comfort read for me is something short, simple, but loaded with inspiration. I like to turn to articles or talks from leaders in my church. Ensign, talks from recent General Conferences etc.
A Book Everyone Else Seemed to Love, But I Didn’t Like/Get/Finish:
- Emily: The Book Thief. I’m cringing because I’m sure this will cause an uproar. Maybe it was reading it during a crazy hectic time and I couldn’t really sink my teeth into it, but I just didn’t love it.
- Jenna: Harry Potter. I mean I just couldn’t get in to the fantasy of it all even though it’s magical!
- Nicole: (but thats because I’m really not a reader, but attempt to read just about everything. I didn’t get very far in East Of Eden, although its a favorite of most everyone i know.
A Book on My To-Read List:
- Emily: My Goodreads list is so long it hurts.
- Jenna: The Fault in Our Stars.
- Nicole: I’ve been meaning to read 7 Habits for Highly Effective Families by Stephen R Covey
Book I’m Most Likely to Recommend to Someone Else:
- Emily: East of Eden is maybe my all time favorite book, but it’s long and tough at times, if you’re not looking for that kind of meat, I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Peace like a River.
- Jenna: Little Women. The book of my childhood and one I’ve read 2000 times.
- Nicole: I have a hard time with super crude books, so maybe a book I read that was recommended to me while pregnant, I think it was called Belly Laughs. . . we can leave it at that. I think everyone else loved it though, so don’t take my word for it!
Thanks, Small Fry!
P.S. You can check out other posts in this series here!
Loved reading this interview. Definitely need to start following them!
I love the series!