My Very Hungry Caterpillar

*A HUGE thank you to Gymboree for sponsoring this post. As always, thank you for supporting the wonderfully awesome companies that help to support my wonderfully awesome family!

I can remember being a little girl… maybe four or five years old and BEGGING my mom to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle to me. I’d follow her around the kitchen or the living room holding the book up asking her to read them to me for the 50th time that day. And, of course, my mom always obliged. I knew she actually loved reading to me… 🙂 I was just mesmerized by those books. They were some of my absolute favorites.

As I’ve gotten older, those books have remained favorites of mine, but they hold a much more nostalgic place in my heart these days – rather than a desire to read them for their literary value. Haha! BUT, when I became pregnant with Lilly, I so looked forward to reading her some of my favorite childhood books – especially those. 

And now it’s my turn! As Lilly has gotten “older” and more into actually paying attention when I read to her (as opposed to staring off into space – haha!) I treasure the moments in her room or snuggled in our bed reading and pointing out the details like the brown bear, the purple cat, the blue horse, and the caterpillar. Lilly’s really into pointing at everything right now (and I do mean EVERYTHING – everything is pointed at these days), so having her point to the different things in the books is my favorite. These are moments I really will remember forever.

I just love that those Eric Carle books have stood the test of time. They are classics for a reason. And, truthfully, I totally see myself reading them to my grandchildren one day. They’re THAT classic. You know?

Anyway, Gymboree, the adorable and classic Children’s clothing store, has just released a limited edition line of Eric Carle sleepwear and playwear inspired by his classic children’s books!

I stopped by the store with Lilly last Friday to check it out and I just fell in LOVE! Every single item in the line is absolutely precious. They also had a craft activity going on where you could color and decorate your own caterpillar and they had a reading of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Sadly, Lilly was a little too young for the craft – mainly because I’m pretty sure she would have just eaten the googly eyes and glitter. Haha! One day, though… one day.

While I was there, I picked up a set of sleepwear for Lilly an an adorable zebra top for playwear. They’re SO soft! I think she’s a fan! But, probably not as much as I am… to be honest. 🙂

Lilly enjoying an afternoon reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear…

Love this girl. SO much.

Then Lilly got ready for bedtime… but she wanted to play first. Sleep is for birds, she says…

But she is always game for daddy reading her a book… especially The Very Hungry Caterpillar… 🙂

Be still my heart.

Now, inspired by Eric Carle’s Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, through September 30th, Gymboree will be hosting a photo contest, where they are encouraging parents to help their little ones take a picture of what THEY see.

Entrants can submit a photo via Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr or via their designated direct photo upload site, using the hashtag, #WhatDoYouSee.

For even MORE fun, download the iPhone app so you and your little one can add some Eric Carle fun to your photos and play a caterpillar game! FUN!!

Entrants of the #WhatDoYouSee contest will have the chance of winning one of TEN Eric Carle gift baskets including: A House for Hermit Crab book, a signed copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar book, figurines, stickers, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Sippy Cup, Chunky Colored Pencils, Match and Munch Game, Place Mats Book, and Stage & Play (Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) $144.99). Get all the information you need here!

The winners will be announced at the end of the contest period, which is September 30th, 2014! How awesome is that?!

What about you? What memories do YOU have of growing up as a kid reading Eric Carle books? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!