Early Childhood Parenting Examiner: ‘Tis the season for taking photos for personalized Christmas cards – Some tips for photos & cards

Early Childhood Parenting Examiner: ‘Tis the season for taking photos for personalized Christmas cards – Some tips for photos & cards

Posted using ShareThis

 

Early Childhood Parenting Examiner: Mommy Minute: A great gift for every mom and pregnant mommy-to-be

Early Childhood Parenting Examiner: Mommy Minute: A great gift for every mom and pregnant mommy-to-be

Posted using ShareThis

 

Early Childhood Parenting Examiner: More than bottles: A BPA-Free guide that goes past bottle for babies

Early Childhood Parenting Examiner: More than bottles: A BPA-Free guide that goes past bottle for babies

Posted using ShareThis

 

Wooden toy recall

Recalled wooden car

Reposted from my Examiner.com column to spread the word…

The Consumer Products Safety Commission has announced a new recall today – this one involves about a thousand wooden toys from company “Earth Friendly.”

The CPSC says, “Small parts can detach and break from the toy, posing a choking hazard to young children. In addition, the size of the rattle handle violates voluntary rattle standards.”

No injuries have been reported.

The details:

• Three models of wooden toys. Moee the car, Cubby the stackable bear and the Bell rattle.
• The toys are painted in glossy red, orange, green, red, black and yellow.
• They were sold at Toy specialty stores in Alaska, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington from April 2008 through September 2008 for between $12 and $22.
• Manufactured in India

The CPSC says consumers should take the toys from kids and contact Earth Friendly for an exchange or recall.

For more info: Contact Earth Friendly toll-free at (888) 360-6292 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit the firm’s Web site at www.earthfriendlyllc.com/recall

 

Dear readers…

The focus of this blog is changing!

I’m pleased to announce that my parenting column at Examiner.com is having great success. Please join me there for a variety of parenting news, ideas and resources.

I will still be blogging here about great products to that you may like and want to try.

Thanks for your readership.

-Angele

PS- You can subscribe to the RSS feed of my Early Childhood Parenting column by clicking HERE or to get my stories emailed directly to you, click on the bottom button of any of my Examiner.com posts that says “subscribe.”

 

Free Fall Fun For Toddlers

Here’s a fun adventure to do with your toddler this fall…

1. Gather a small bag, crayons and paper. Let your toddler be in charge of it and carry the bag.
2. Go on a walk, hike, or even just out to your front or backyard.
3. Explain to your toddler you’re hunting for fall treasures. This is particularly fun in the woods. Talk about all of the colors and objects you see.
4. Gather leaves, twigs and rocks on your adventure.
5. Help your tot hold the paper up to a tree and rub the crayon (with no paper wrapper) across the bark and make a rubbing.
6. Do the same to the leaves and twigs. Even rocks.
7. Talk about the different textures.
8. Hang up the rubbing on the fridge when you get home!

My 2.5 year old and I (with my one year old in a baby carrier) did this activity this week. It was a big hit!

Check out another fun rubbing activity HERE.

 

Bargains (9/27/08)

Here’s a look at some of the good bargains, coupons and coupon codes this week for baby related stuff!

Babies R Us: get a printable coupon HERE for $5 off $25 or more in store Sunday 9/28 only. Also other deals.

BabyCenter.com:

• DaVinci cribs: 20% off plus $5 flat rate shipping 9/29 thru 10/26. Use code: FREESHIP49
• Britax Car Seats: Closeout pricing plus free shipping 9/29 thru 10/26. Use code: FREESHIPBRITAX

Looking ahead…

• Free Standard Shipping on all orders $29+ from 10/6-10/12 using coupon code FREESHIP29.
• All Baby Bjorn products: On sale, 2 weeks only from 10/13-10/26. No code needed

Hackleyhme.com – 20% off all Breast Pump Accessories til 9/30, using coupon code: fall08.

CottonBabies.com - BumGenius organic seconds diapers are $17 & their “repairable” diapers are $8.50.

Buy 1 Get 1 50% off another item at SpiritHalloween.com

 

Breast pump named one of the most innovative products of the year

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association’s new list of top innovative products for 2008 includes Medela’s Freestyle Breast Pump.

Here’s what they say about it:

The Freestyle™ is the first rechargeable, hands-free, double-electric breast pump. Not only does Freestyle weigh less than one pound, making it truly portable, but it is powerful with Medela’s exclusive 2-Phase Expression® technology. Freestyle’s hands-free accessories attach easily to nursing bras and the motor can be worn on the waist, or placed on mom’s lap or a table

For more info – check out medelafreestyle.com.

 

Bargains: Seconds sale on BumGenius

You know how I love my BumGenius diapers.

So I had to share this email I just got. They tend to run out really fast, so get in on the seconds sale before they’re gone.

BumGenius 3.0s are $12, the BumGenius organics are $17.

I’ve got some of both and like them both. My husband votes for the 3.0s, however.

Check out the sale from Cotton Babies, the makers of the BumGenius HERE. No coupon needed.

 

Bargains (9/20/08)

Britax sales come to an end at most stores on Sunday. Read more about my views on Britax and why I recommend it at Examiner.com.

• Amazon.com has 10% from September 15-21, plus free shipping and no tax
• BabyUniverse.com has 10% off plus free shipping using coupon code: BUBXTN98
• BabyAge.com has all Britax Car Seats & Strollers All on sale
• BabyEarth.com All Britax on sale

Babies R Us Coupon: $5 off $25 or more, must print out and bring into store. Get it HERE.

TinyRide.com: Super deal on BOB strollers at Tiny Ride! Save about 15% plus free shipping. Good thru 9/26 while supplies last. Britax also on sale.

20% off any one item at Spirit Halloween use code SPAF20P valid through 10/31/08

Free Shipping* on orders of 2 pairs of Robeez Footwear or more!

BabyUniverse: 10% Off Select Baby Safety Gates. (ends 9.30)

New member’s offer: Get 50 free 4×6 prints and an 11×14 Collage Poster when you join Shutterfly.
Shutterfly – Free Shipping on orders $25+. Coupon code: AF64-SP08. Exp. 10-7-08.
Shutterfly – Buy 1 calendar, get 50% off additional calendars. Offer valid 9-25-08 to 10-29-08.

www.momsmilkboutique.com offering free shipping on everything…plus has Thirsties V1.0 covers for $9.

www.huggabuns.com Coupon code SUPERSALE type in at checkout (all caps) to save an additional 15% on all orders over $50.

Get coupons for Seventh Generation products HERE.

This doesn’t start until 2009, but you can plan out your trip now – all Disney Parks are offering a FREE ticket to the park on your birthday. Open to everyone! For more info go HERE.

 

Bargains (9/13/08)

Tis the season… or at least weekend… for bargains on top of the line strollers & car seats!

TinyRide.com: Super deal on BOB strollers at Tiny Ride! Save about 15% plus free shipping. Good thru 9/26 while supplies last. Britax also on sale.

BabyAge.com: Britax Car Seats & Strollers All on SALE – Limited Time Only!

Baby Universe has a super bargain on their Britax products. Enter coupon code BUBXTN98 to get 10% off plus free shipping!

Other bargains:
Free Shipping* on orders of 2 pairs of Robeez Footwear or more!

BabyUniverse: 10% Off Select Baby Safety Gates. (ends 9.30)

Amazon.com – Sale on gDiapers: Save 20% on Flushable Refills

20% Off Costumes $30 or More at Costume SuperCenter Use Coupon Code: FRIGHT20

Receive 15% off on all purchases when using your Kohl’s Credit Card with coupon code: PICK15EXTRA thru 9/16/08.

At MonkeyToeDiapers.com: Thirsties diaper covers on ale for $10, use barktober coupon code to get 10% off order total (that would make one cover $9).

Shutterfly.com – Free Shipping with any order of $25 or more through October 7th. Plus buy 1 calendar, get 50% off additional calendars

Get coupons for Seventh Generation products HERE.

 

Bargains: Free Shipping + 10% off Britax

Just wanted to pass on a quick bargain tip… for all the parents out there looking for a new carseat or your first car seat.

Baby Universe has a super bargain on their Britax products.
Enter coupon code BUBXTN98 to get 10% off plus free shipping!

I recommend Britax products. We have a Britax carseat for each of our girls and I think they contribute to their good behavior on long road trips. They make me feel good as well because of their high safety ratings.

We also have Britax’s small umbrella-type stroller. Another great product.

For more info on carseat safety, see NHTSA.gov.

 

Quick Tip: Sweet Kids Drinks Without Sugar!

Here’s a quick and easy way to make your kids a drink that tastes sweet – but is without sugar!

Buy the cheap Koolaid packets (about 20 cents each at Walmart) that require you to add sugar and water to make. But instead of sugar, use Splenda… or better yet opt for Blue Agave or Stevia.

Blue Agave is much sweeter than regular sugar and it is a low glycemic sugar substitute.

Stevia is an herb that is harvested for its sweet leaves. It is also much sweeter than sugar.

They’re both 100% natural and can be found at health foods stores and specialty grocers.

 

Quick Tip: Save on Fun

Whether or not your kiddos are going to school, daycare, or just hanging at the house with you, NOW is the time to stock up on fun stuff for them to do.

Target has some great deals… 50% off most of their back to school supplies. They even have some straw sippy cups by Thermos that are great for kids 6 months old and up. (Not the ones marketed under the Foogo name, but they’re the same otherwise.) Normal price is $15 but they’re currently about $10 if there are any left. They
also have food storage containers by Thermos on sale too.

Yesterday I stocked up on art supplies… paper, markers, twistable crayon pencils (great choice for toddlers and babies who like to scribble!), and more. All at great prices that we can have fun with all year long.

If you didn’t buy a backpack or lunch box/bag yet, now is the time because they’re on clearance too. You could always buy one now for next year if the kiddos haven’t started school yet.

 

Bargains (9/6/08)

Here are the bargains for this weekend:

• HUGE sale at Old Navy this weekend on baby stuff.
• Use the barktober coupon to save an additional 10% off at MonkeyToeDiapers.com
• $10 off $25 at Macy’s with the printable coupon HERE.
• Babies R US Coupon Code 923864 for $5 off $25.
• Babies R US Coupon Code 922652 $20 off EVERY stroller, or travel system $99.99 or more. 8/29-9/18
• CostumeSuperCenter.com – FREE Expedited Ground Shipping on orders of $40 or more and runs through September 7th. Use Coupon Code: SHOPEARLY.
• One Step Ahead: 15% Off Orders $100 or More with Code: BABY15P through 9/30
• BabyCenter.com Free Standard Shipping on orders $49+. Coupon Code FREESHIP49
• BabyCenter.com Halloween Costumes – Save up to 20% off thru 9/28.

• UPCOMING EVENT NOTICE: Britax car seat sale – Save $30 off at BabyCenter.com! From 9/15-9/21! Mark Your Calendars!!

 

Children’s socks sold at Target being recalled

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is leading a voluntary recall of Circo Rosette Bobbie Socks sold at Target (See photo, left).

The CPSC says:

The ribbon on the sock can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Target has received four reports of the ribbon detaching. No injuries have been reported.

The recall involves girls Circo bobbie socks. The socks were sold in packs of six (pink, purple, plain white and three pairs with a box), ranging in size from 6- to 12-months, 12- to 24-months and 2T to 5T. The socks are packaged in a green and white sleeve with a Circo-brand logo on the front.

If you have these socks, take them back to target immediately for a full refund.

 

HABA is recalling over a dozen baby products

The popular German toy maker HABA is recalling over a dozen different products today.

No injuries have been reported but they are working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission because of potential problems.

The recall involves “a select group of HABA items containing glued on mirrors and/or prisms,” according to a statement on their website.

The recall is in two parts -  the first is in conjunction with the CPSC.

The items involved in this recall are:

	0972 Lucy Clutching Toy ´
	0973 Little Heart Clutching Toy
	0920 Clutching Toy Belinda
	2268 Triolino Puzzle
	0951 Miro
	1037 Bunny Pacifier Chain
	1048 Pacifier Chain Bear

The second part of the recall involves toys HABA feels are similar to the recalled toys so is being proactive recalling them as well. They say on their website, “To date, there have been no injuries, incidents or product failures associated with these toys. The decision is made out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety of our consumer’s children.”

Those recalled products are:

	0917 Speedy Clutching Toy
	0971 Bella Clutching Toy
	0919 Clutching Toy Pixie’s World
	0924 Clutching Toy Pirate
	0974 Bonita Clutching Toy
	0975 Rally Clutching Toy
	1062 Pram Decoration Little Hearts
	1066 Flori
	1067 Triola
	1184 Trio
	3739 Stellino Clutching Toy
	3744 Tamtam Clutching Toy
	3572 Discovery Ball W/rattle
	3571 Discovery Balls, Set Of 4
	3708 Construction Site Stroller Chain

The items were sold at specialty toy stores nationwide and at specialty online retailers from January 2002 through August 2008 for between $10 and $35. They were manufactured in Germany.

What should you do if you have one of these HABA products?
Consumers should immediately take the recalled puzzles, rattles, pacifier holders and stroller toys away from children and contact HABA through its online recall form or a toll-free number to receive a free replacement product or a full refund. For additional information, contact Habermaass Corp. at (800) 468-6873 ext. 107 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.HABAusa.com/safety.

 

Travel the world without leaving your living room

Looking for a way to share cultural experiences with your children but don’t have the time or money to travel?

You’ll want to check out the award-winning “Families of the World” DVD series. The series takes kids all around the world into homes of other children to experience what life is like other places. There are about 20 titles in the series that take journeys to city and country homes in Egypt, France, Sweden, Japan and more.

My daughters and I just finished watching the “Families of Costa Rica” DVD, the newest addition to the series. Although my little ones are just two and a half and 11 months old they sat interested in the whole show. We got to see how one little girl and one little boy live from breakfast to school and everything in between.

I’ve personally never been to Costa Rica, so I found it educational and entertaining for myself as well. The language used is very kid friendly and you can watch it in both English and Spanish.

There’s also special activities for teachers included. This would be a great tool for elementary social studies teachers and for home schooling families. I’m going to send my copy to my sister who teaches 12 year olds, as I think her students would enjoy it too.

The “Families of the World” series is recommended for children 5-11 years old.

You can find more information, including where to buy the DVDs, at familiesoftheworld.com.The suggested retail price is a little steep at $29.95. But maybe you could get all of the parents in your child’s class or moms group to pitch in to buy them. Or check your local PBS listings, as the entire series airs on PBS stations around the country.

 

Baby product testers needed!

Cotton Babies, makers of the bumGenius diapers, is looking for moms with babies to test their products.

The company sent out an email today saying, “We need over 2000 product testers… and we’d love to have your help!”

If you’re interested, you have to fill out a survey and agree to a few conditions. But you’ll get free products! Click HERE to take the survey. Contact cottonbabies.com for more info.

 

Bargains (8/30/08)

Here’s a look at some of the bargains, coupons and deals of the weekend:

One Step Ahead: 15% Off Orders $100 or More with Code: BABY15P through 9/30

www.luvingmammadiapers.com -This Weekend only the first 15 orders received will receive a free wet bag from our Luving Mamma Diaper collections. Minimum order of $35. Put WET BAG in at check out to make sure you receive your free gift! Click HERE for details.

10% off greenearthmama.com with coupon code diaperpin.

Spend $40 at Walgreens, get $10 off with THIS coupon – Saturday 8/30 ONLY!

BabyCenter.com sales:

• Free Standard Shipping on orders $49+. Coupon Code FREESHIP49
• Save up to 40% off Storewide Labor Day Sale.
• Halloween Costumes – Save up to 20% off thru 9/28.
• UPCOMING EVENT NOTICE: Britax car seat sale – Save $30 off! From 9/15-9/21! Mark Your Calendars!!

BabyAge deals:

• Free Shipping on Bedding Orders over $50: Use Coupon Code BEDSHIP
• Get Free Shipping on 2 or more boxes of diapers: Use Coupon Code DIAPERS2

Halloween deals:

• Diapers.com- Free Shipping with Purchase of a Halloween Costume – Now 10% Off through 8/31
  
• Buy one get one 50% off any item at Spirit Halloween ends 9/2/08
• CostumeSuperCenter.com – FREE Expedited Ground Shipping on orders of $40 or more and runs through September 7th. Use Coupon Code: SHOPEARLY.

 

Forget Bubbles, Try This For Toddler Fun

My daughter’s speech therapist told us it can help toddlers talk more clearly by practicing blowing.. whether that is bubbles or whistles, or what have you. And it seems to be helping Ava along nicely.

We just discovered something else along these lines that every tot can do for fun and to work those mouth muscles… dandelions! And what a discovery this was yesterday when we encountered tons of these flowers on our walk. Ava had a blast! Give it a try!

 

Quick Tip: Cheap Entertainment For Toddlers

Here’s a fun and cheap idea for your toddler… while the back to school shopping bargains are on the shelves, pick up a few spiral notebooks. I found them for 10-cents at Target (but made in Mexico) and 5-cents at Walmart (made in USA!). Add a cheap pack of pens, crayons and/or markers to the cart and you’ve got a ton of fun! And you can’t beat that price!

You can have your little one draw designs (aka scribbles) and send them to grandma, you could teach colors and shapes, or just freestyle it with some classical music on in the background and let their minds go to town.

Be sure to toss the used pages into the recycle if you don’t keep them!

 

Want your child to be featured in the photo of the day?

Want to show off your cutie pie to the world?

I’m going to be starting a new fun feature in my parenting column at the national news website Examiner.com to turn the spotlight on the world’s cutest and funniest kids.

To participate, email a photo you think best captures the spirit of your child to
parentingexaminer@gmail.com with a description about the photo and what makes your child special!

Also complete the phrase: “My child’s favorite…” This could be a sentence about your child’s favorite toy, activity, food, you name it! Please include your child’s first name and age.

Only submit photos you personally took of your children. Do not send professional photographs unless you are the professional photographer that shot them! By emailing the photo you are giving me and Examiner.com permission to publish the photograph and the information you provide. There is no prize that will be given out. This is just for fun.

 

Do you know a mom or dad business owner who deserves recognition?

Hi. I’m looking for moms and dad owned businesses to feature in my parenting column at the national and local news website Examiner.com. The goal of this series of news stories is to feature hard working parent who are using their skills/knowledge to make other parents’ lives better.

Does this describe you or someone you know or do business with? Then email me at parentingexaminer@gmail.com with a short one or two sentence description of your business and what makes it/you unique. Also provide me a link to your website so I can see what you’re all about.

I look forward to hearing all about you!

-Angele

 

Bargains (8/23/08)

Here’s a look at the bargains and deals I’ve come across for this week…

DeepDiscount.com - Buy 1 Get 1 Free Thomas the Train DVDs. Plus get free shipping… and they’ve got the videos discounted to about $6! Whoowhoo. This momma’s going to order her Thomas lover some Christmas stocking stuffers now! Good thru 9/2. Use promotion code : B1G1THOM0808. I just ordered Thomas’ sing-a-long and the Christmas special DVDs for $6.06 TOTAL! So Excited about this deal!

OompaToys.com – 10% off any merchandise order over $50. Good thru 8/31/08.

New diapers in stock over at TotallyOrganic.us – They’ve got some cute 100% organic cloth diaps with pear patterns (see photo, right) for $15! Bargain! I’ve got the red one on the way. (Much cheaper than the bumGenius new organics diaps that are $25).

Diapers.com $10 off first $50 purchase PLUS free shipping. Use code: AFFL10. They have bumGenius 3.0s there. Probably the best deal you’ll find on those on the net.

Smarty Pants Diapers Use “plumberscrack” for 15% off embroidered items, use “sunnyday” for FREE 1st-class US shipping, use “mydipe” to add name or caption FREE.

MonkeyToeDiapers.com has a 10% off coupon right now thru 9/15/08 (enter coupon code “barktober” at checkout), plus free shipping on orders over $25. Plus, the owner of the site is donating $2 from each sale to an animal shelter. Win, win in my book!

Peg Pergo on sale at HappyMothers.com thru 8/31 and free floor saver with any high chair purchase $100 or more thru 9/30, use code: SAVEHIGH. HappyMothers also has a free BOB diaper bag with any 2008 BOB stroller purchase thru 9/30, coupon code: FREEBOB.

Get free standard shipping on your Robeez order. Enter promo code SPECIAL2007.

20% off any one item at SpiritHalloween.com use code SPAF20P valid through 10/31/08

Old Navy’s having a big jeans sale… kids $7, adults $12. Saturday only!

 

Mom Treat: Feel like your in spa heaven with this drink

Photo courtesy freepixels.com

When I go to the Aveda salon, it is a true treat and not something I get to do very often. Besides the fantastic services like a good hair cut and a massage all with great smelling products, I especially like sipping their Aveda Comforting Tea, made with licorice and mint. But I just can bring myself to pay the $14 for 20 teabags price to enjoy it at home.

Begin the bargain hunter I am I sought out alternatives. I found a very similar product in Yogi Tea’s Egyptian Licorice Mint tea. Just like the Aveda tea, it’s 100% organic and caffeine-free. But this one is $3-$4 for 16 teabags. Much more my price!

It’s naturally sweet so you don’t need to add anything to it. Making it a great natural diet drink. The flavor is unique and relaxing. Even if you don’t like licorice, I’d recommend giving it a try.

I buy mine at a local natural grocery store for about $3.80. The cheapest I’ve seen it online is at foodsofnature.com for $2.99. You can find what local stores sell Yogi Tea at yogitea.com.

*Note: This product is not recommended for pregnant women in the last trimester because licorice root could promote early labor. Check with your doctor before drinking this tea if you are pregnant!*

 

Quick Tip: Potty Training & The Pants Off Dance Off

My two and a half year old is in the midst of potty training. I’ve tried seemingly everything to get it to stick. She goes through phases where she does a great job. But then there are times that I feel like all hope is lost. But I think I may have fit on the magic PT button. Tired of throwing money down the drain with disposables, getting no where with cloth pull-ups and cleaning up the floor with just panties on, I decided to let her run around the house without pants. We call it “the pants off dance off.” This is the only thing I’ve tried where my tot actually tells me every tie she has to pee. Sure we’re going to the bathroom all of the time now, even for just teeny tiny pee pees. But she is learning. Maybe your toddler will too!

 

The Good & The Bad About E-Mom Groups

From the week I found out I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, I have relied on the support I’ve gotten online from moms in my situation. In the now three plus years I’ve been going to e-mom groups, I’ve made some good e-friends that have become good real life friends, even though we live hundreds or thousands of miles apart. My family even met up with one of my e-friends-turned-real-life-friend for lunch while we were on vacation in her part of the world. And there are a few others I’d like to meet in person and have our kids play together in real life too.

I’ve turned to the moms I’ve met online when I needed advice late at night and the doctor was not available. When I needed support making difficult decisions. We’ve shared each others joys and sorrows. Experienced birth and mothering through each others eyes. I don’t honestly know if I would have been able to do it all (at least as well) without my e-friends.

If you don’t have other real life friends with kids, the internet provides much needed support. It can really make a difference in your life. An added bonus, the anonymity can allow you to vent frustrations and get it all out there so you can feel better.

Mom sites have a tendency to instill some trustworthiness because people share photos and such. But beware. A basic fact that you can’t get around is the necessity of keeping your guard up because it’s the internet. You shouldn’t put personal info in these chat rooms and parenting boards, like your real name, address, phone number, or even the city you live in (especially if it’s relatively small). Even putting your email on the web is up for debate with all the spammers out there. It’s hard to know who is reading your posts and if people really are who they say they are. I know people who have been stalked in real life after posting too much information on the web. Some sites, like Babyzone, not only don’t mandate registration to read posts, they also allow all of their posts to be searchable via Google, and the like. So all the things you may think you’re sharing with your friends are also being shared with people who Google any terms you have in those posts, even your kids names. So remember, it’s always a good idea to be cautious.

But you can still have meaningful relationships and make friends and most of all be a more-rounded parent from getting advice from people that may have a whole different take on life than you do. It has meant so much to me that I even volunteered a year of my time hosting one of the boards I’m on during my second pregnancy. Though why there are non-paid hosts for sites, like Babyzone, that are owned by huge corporations is kind of a mystery to me. They have all these rules for their hosts and demand so much of their time and they’re rarely even given a thank you but have to put up with a lot of grief. But still moms, including myself, have done it to give back to the friends they’ve made there and hope that you’re helping someone. You get some control which draws some people to hosting, but mostly it’s about having a big heart and giving of yourself. I came to the conclusion since my hosting experience with Babyzone that I’d have been better off volunteering for a non-profit group. You’re still impacting peoples lives but you’re giving your time to someone who can’t afford to pay for it, unlike a big corporation that is just too cheap to hire people to fill those positions so they can keep more of the ad revenue for themselves.

There are several good sites out there to meet online moms with kids your ages or in the same stage of pregnancy as you. I would recommend Cafe Mom or Babble.com’s Playground. Better yet, find out if any moms in your area or friends of friends know of any private groups you can join. Those are the best because you get all of the benefits on an e-mom group without the trolls and lurkers.

 

Old Navy Releases Their Kid Costume Lineup

Ava in her 1st Halloween Costume

The first Halloween costume I ever bought for my oldest daughter was the Old Navy Lion. I loved it and have recommended it to everyone since. It was reasonably priced and is oh so cute.

I always look forward to that email I get mid-August showing off their new lineup. I just got that email and there are some cute ones, though there have been better ones years past.

They aren’t making the lion I adore this year sadly, but they do still have their cute monkey (see photo, right), plus a mermaid, butterfly and pirate, all under $25. You can see them all over at oldnavy.com

If you can resist buying them right away, they usually go on sale at the end of September.

 

Super Deal on bumGenius Organic Diapers!

Cotton Babies, the makers of the bumGenius diapers I’ve been singing the praises of, is having a HUGE sale over at their site cottonbabies.com.

Here’s the bargain not to be missed: Seconds of the NEW Organic One Size Fits All bumGenius are only $17! Normally $25. Bargain! The site says there is nothing “wrong” with any of the seconds, they just aren’t perfect. I ordered two. Hopefully I like them as much as the bumGenius 3.0 & 2.0! They have yellow and white.

They also have used 2.0 bumGenius One Sized Fits All for only $5. Those have something that needs to be repaired, according to the site. But if you can sew and don’t mind preowned for a great bargain, this is a great way to try out cloth diapering and see if you like it.

If you’re in the need for breast pads, they have Egyptian cotton breast pads for $1.

Also, if you enter coupon code BEST DEAL, you get 5% off your purchase!

Click HERE to go to the clearance page with the bargains!

 

Quick Tip: Easy, Cute & Cheap Wall Decor For Tots

Velcro flowers & grass

Want to spruce up your baby room or upgrade it into a toddler room more suited for your growing kid with growing interests? Here’s a super quick and easy (and cheap) way to do that…

I was at Walmart last night for a late night run to get more Velcro for making some cloth diaps. While I was there, I noticed they had Velcro Crafts wall appliques pre-cut in fun shapes and colors. To add to their appeal, they were on clearance for $1.50 for a pack of 18 shapes plus clips for mounting art and photos. (You can find them online for about $5 HERE.) The Velcro shapes come in a variety of patterns: garden, seaside, dinosaurs, letters, numbers, and western.

I got the garden set for my two year old’s room. It includes several colors of flowers and butterflies plus a “patch of grass” (see photo, left), all of which have the soft loop side of Velcro on the front and restickable adhesive on the back. What I really like is that you can move them over and over without messing up the walls. Perfect for growing kids.

Not only do they make good wall art, but they also come with Velcro clips that stick right on and can hold photos (see photo, right), art work, or other lightweight things (like wooden letters dangling from ribbon).

NOTE: The packaging for the Velcro Crafts warns that it is not for children under three. My solution: put them up just out of reach around the room or on the door.

 

Quick Tip: Great helper for quick cleanups

Babies are messy. That’s a fact. Even your perfect angel can’t help but toss cheerios and fruit puffs onto the floor just for kicks.

My solution: keep a dust buster on hand in the dining room. I only recently got one of these as a hand me down. I jumped at the opportunity when I was offered it. I don’t know why I waited so long to get one. It has been a life-saver, speeding up cleanups of dry goods, even bananas. Having right there means I can cleanup the floor, high chair, even the table in under a minute. Now, if only the dust buster cleaned up apple sauce just as well.

 

Bargains (8/16/08)

Here’s this weeks bargains, coupon codes, and sales on all things baby/toddler/pregnant momma!

• Free BPA-free bottle from Medela (Have to sign up with their site, also free.)
• Jumbo pack of Huggies for $6.99 at Albertsons. Read details HERE.
• Bargains at Thirsties (cloth diapers) outlet store! I ordered two Thirsties all-in-one V1 diaps for only $11.50 each! They also have some of their FabFitted Diaps on there for $9.25. Products go fast and they restock new items all of the time, check so often. Shipping is cheap (like $2) and fast!
• $15 off Select Britax & Graco Car Seats at Babyuniverse.com (ends 8.19)
• 15% Off Orders of $25+ at Shutterfly. Use coupon code: AF63-AG08. Expires 9-9-08
  Also, 15% off Note Books, Address Labels, Note Pad and Stickers thru 08-20-08.
• Free Shipping Offers on Back to School items at Buy.com
• CostumeKingdom.com: Save 5% on your entire order! Use coupon code: Kingdom5
• 20% off any one item at Spirit Halloween use code SPAF20P valid through 10/31/08
• Subscribe to Cookie magazine, get a free bag. That ends up being $15 for 12 issues and a tote.

And if all else fails, and want to find something more specific, I wrote an article this week on the best coupon/bargain sites over at Examiner.com.

 

Gear Up For Preschool

Blabla's butterfly backpack

Back to school time is right around the corner. For many toddlers that means getting ready for their first preschool experience. This big step calls for some extra special (and extra cute) gear to make the transition easy.

Below are a few unique ideas of things to put on your shopping list (plus links to here you can buy them to make it easier for you):

• Backpack – Finding a backpack to fit well on little ones is not easy easy as it sounds. The Blabla line of backpacks are created especially for the tiniest school kids. They come in a variety of characters from dogs to tigers and my favorite – the butterfly. My 2.5 year old Ava tested this out. It was easy for her to put in and take out supplies. She didn’t want to take it off. They’re a little more than I would normally want to pay for a child’s bag but for such a special occasion, you need at least one splurdge. Plus it’s handmade in Peru by local artisans (paid under fair trade principals) from 100% natural cotton, it’s machine washable, and lined. In other words, it’s made to take a lot of tot abuse, so you’ll have this for a long time. ($42.99, Oompa.com)

• Safety ID Bracelets – Mabel’s Labels has come up with a great product to ease parents minds sending little ones off to school. They’re called “My 411 Wristbands.” Parents personalize them with any information they deem necessary: name, parent’s cell number, food allergies, and more! As if that wasn’t good enough, Mabel’s Labels donates 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the wristbands to the Autism Speaks foundation. ($21.99 for a pack of 30 bands, mabels.ca)

• Pencil/Crayon Case – For something extra special, albeit extra pricey… opt for this fun pencil case that doubles as a toy. Make sure you put your child’s name on this one, as it’s sure to be popular with all the kids in the class. ($24.99, Oompa.com)
  

• Lunch Bag – BUILT NY’s Munchler Lunch Bags are so cute, you’ll want one for yourself. They come in four friendly styles: dog, panda, rabbit, and tiger. This lead and food safe bag insulates for a few hours, has handles specially sized for little hands and unzips completely for easy cleaning and flat storage… which means they double as a place mat at lunch time. And they’re designed by award-winning children’s book illustrator Stephen Savage to boot. ($12.99 for one, $21 for two pack, Buy.com)

• Snack Containers – Go green and ditch the ziplock baggies for reusable containers. Check out the BPA-and-lead-free Lap Top Lunches containers. They’re reusable, recyclable and dishwasher safe. You can buy the set alone or in their Bento Box container to keep it all organized. They come in a variety of colors. ($10.99 for set of 5 containers, $20.99 with the bento box, LapTopLunches.com)

• 
• Thermos – For this I suggest my favorite no-spill kids cup – the Foogo Straw Cup by Thermos. Read my review of them HERE. They keep drinks cold for up to 12 hours and they’re cool to look at too. ($17.99, LandofNod.com)

• Utensils – The bamboo fork/spoon combo pack by Bamboo Kids is safe and sustainable and designed specifically for little hands and mouths. They’re made from a solid piece of bamboo and finished with a food safe oil. ($12.99 for a two pack, OurGreenHouse.com)

• Alarm Clock - If they’re big enough to go to school, then it’s a good idea to start teaching them about time and waking up on a schedule. That means buying them their own alarm clock. For boys, check out Clocky. When you hit snooze, this little clock gets rolling, jumps off the night stand and beeps til you get him. It comes in blue, brown, pink and white. ($49.99, PerpetualKid.com). Girls who aren’t into things with wheels might prefer a classic style clock, like Haba’s Emilia clock. I love all of their products and my girls seem to as well. My oldest daughter loves when this clock goes off. It sounds like an old phone. ($19.99, Maukilo.com) Whichever you select, don’t forget to practice/train waking up with the alarm with your youngster the week before school starts

• Starting Preschool DVD - Rent the “My First Day at Preschool” DVD at Netflix or see if your local library has a copy (mine does). Buddy Bear shows kids what to expect at preschool. It’s filmed on location at a real preschool with real kids and real teachers. It’s music driven and will help take the edge off first day scariness. ($12.99, target.com)

• Preschool Memories Journal – You can make a custom scrapbook or just buy a ready-made one like the Preschool Memories Album by Teacher Created Resources that you just fill out and add art and photos. ($21.99, BuyTeacherCreated.com)

• First day outfit – Make it something special that your little one loves wearing and is super comfy.

Parents.com has a good checklist for other things you need to do to get ready for back to school HERE. They also have an article on how to make school less scary for little first-timers HERE.

 

On the Cheap: Bath Art

Bath time is one of my girls’ favorite times of the day. They like splashing around and playing with their bath toys. It can also be a time for exploring kids’ artistic sides without worrying about a mess because it all washes down easily.

A friend of mine gave me this great idea for bath art. Buy a bottle of generic cold cream. Scoop out several small amounts (size depending on number of children) and put into small plastic cups or containers. Add a drop of food color to each container and stir. That’s it. You’ve just made really cheap washable paint that kids can decorate the tub or shower with. Just wipe down with a washcloth and rinse when bath time is over. You can even have the kiddos do that before they get out. Don’t forget to snap a few photos of their artwork for posterity!

 

Fav Things: HABA Clutching Toy Beetle

Ellerie with the Beetle Trixie clutch toy

As babies reach the six to nine month age range they start needing to grab at everything in sight. My daughter Ellerie (10 months old) is no exception. She paws and nibbles at just about anything from my hair to shoes… unless she has a nice little toy she’s interested in.

Enter: HABA’s new Beetle Clutching toys. They come in boy (Anton) and girl (Trixie) versions, though either are really gender neutral, in my opinion.

Anton

Trixie

We have Trixie. She’s made of a soft but firm foam covered in cotton/polyester to HABA’s and the EU standards. This toy is really like a fancy tag toy, which is fabulous because I’ve never met a baby who didn’t like a good tag to chew on. She’s also super cute kind of like a cross between a flower (when you fold up the layers to play peek a boo, which is a BIG hit) and a friendly bug. Ellerie particularly like to chew on the little wings that make crinkly noises when she scrunches them. In addition to the crinkling noise, Trixie also is a rattle, so it’s a good grow with you toy to buy for a younger baby as well.

Trixie and Anton are brand new to the market. They retail for about $12 each.

 

Quick Tip: Frozen Baby Treats

Ava enjoying a swizzle stick popsicle

Summer may almost be over, but babies don’t get tired of frozen treats… and neither will you with this quick, healthy ideas.

I bought the Cynthia Rowley designed Swell brand swizzle stick ice molds at Target this weekend. They were on clearance at the end of the isle for under three dollars so I decided to give them a try. The small mold makes four tot-sized frozen treats.

Swizzle stick ice molds from Target

First we made apple juice pops. My girls both loved them. Just pour any 100% juice with no added sugars (mixed with a little water if you want) into the mold, pop in the freezer and wait. When done, the mold flexes easily to pop out the frozen goodies. For an even healthier version for older tots, try using the V8 Fusion or Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise, both which have no added sugar and have both fruit and veggie juice!

Here’s a little something more inventive for any time of the year for babies learning to self feed… instead of juice, add frozen yogurt to the pop makers. When they’re completely frozen, pop them out, add into a mesh feeder and hand to baby. You could also do this in tiny ice cube trays. It’s healthy and yummy and much neater than baby trying to feed herself yogurt! (We used the Activa brand peach and strawberry yogurt, but any will do. Maybe try a little vanilla with small chunks of fresh fruit too.)

Of course, these are great for pregnant ladies… and everyone else looking for a healthy snack.

 

Fav Things: Bumbo

No, that’s not a typo, I didn’t mean to write Dumbo. I’m talking about the colorful, soft, and ever so useful
Bumbo Baby Seat. I bought mine about two years ago and it still looks brand new, despite using it with both of my girls. They come in a variety of colors and cost about $40.

These chairs are great for feeding babies (at least three months old). I also like to use mine as a seat for baby in the bathroom as I get ready or what have you. They help babies build their back muscles so they can sit unaided sooner. Both my girls started sitting up a month earlier than the milestones say they should. I attribute that to using the Bumbo.

The Bumbo is one of the must-have items every new mom should put on her registry or wish list. You can reuse them for every child and because they are super durable you can resell them on eBay or at a local resale shop when you kids outgrown them (though my two year old thinks it’s fun to sit in the Bumbo and watch a DVD every once and a while).

Warning: Never leave baby unattended in the Bumbo and don’t put the Bumbo on a table or other elevated surface. Babies (especially with skinny legs) can fall out or tip the Bumbo over. These were actually recalled several months ago to add warning stickers that say just that. But there was never a defect in the product, which clearly stated this in its instructions all along.

 

Baby Galileo

From the stars to planets to clouds, the Baby Galileo: Discovering the Sky DVD by Baby Einstein teaches little ones about everything in the sky. This is by far the favorite DVD of my 10 month old. From the first moment it started playing she started laughing and giggling with delight. That is not her norm. She usually watches DVDs with interest and an occasional laugh but nothing like this. I thought it was a fluke. But every time since, it’s the same thing. That makes Baby Galileo one of my favorites too.

But make no mistake, it’s not just for babies. My toddler enjoys this one as well, much more than any of the other DVDs in the Baby Einstein series. But then, she loves the moon. It’s her favorite word I think. She enjoys singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and repeating the words. I was surprised when she said Jupiter today. Sun, moon, stars, sure. But the name of a planet? Now that’s impressive! I’m going to be playing this one a lot more. Maybe I’ll end up with two little astronomers? We’re definitely going to check out the local observatory now.

Baby Galileo has all of the great features Baby Einstein videos have come to be known for: soothing yet stimulating classical music, puppet shows, real world images mixed with art, and more. Plus it has a repeat play function if 28 minutes of learning about the sky isn’t enough for your future star gazers. It also has a DVD-ROM bonus feature that allows you to print out a coloring book with corresponding images and ideas from the program.

You can find it at Buy.com for $16.88.

 

Kid Wall Art & Mini-Shelf

Here’s an idea to brighten up the walls of your kids’ rooms and add some lightweight storage. I was inspired to make this while browsing through the September issue of FamilyFun magazine. They have a fun paper crafts section this month. Two sheets of thick scrapbooking paper (double sided works best, but not required) turns into a colorful little shelf for to hang on the wall and fill with small trinkets… from little cars to wooden letters to hair clips.

This project works for any age, but you’ll have to do most of it for toddlers. They can still have fun “helping” with paper choice and hanging it though.

I tweaked FamilyFun’s idea a little. (It’s not posted on their website or I would just put a link in this story). So here’s how to make this project.

Supplies:

• Scrapbook paper or card stock (2-3 sheets, depending on the number of shelves you want. We used two 12×12 squares.)
• Glue (I used gorilla glue)
• Clear tape
• Paper clips
• Thumbtacks

Instructions:

1. Cut strips of paper into 3 inch wide segments 12 inches long. These will become your shelves, so cut the number of strips as you want shelves.
2. Rolls strips into tubes and tape to secure. Make sure to let the tubes overlap by .5″-1″. Alternate between rolling the paper so that the design is varied. For example, if you have paper that has a design on one side, on every other strip roll the paper with the design on the outside. The others roll the design on the inside.
3. Once all the tubes are made glue them together in the pattern you desire and secure with a paper clip until dry. You can make a circle, square, triangle, etc. (We made a square. The FamilyFun article has an example of a triangle, if you’re interested in that pattern.) Discuss the shapes with your tots to add a little learning to the fun.
4. Lay your pattern out on another piece of paper. When you’ve decided where you want it, put glue around the rims of one side of the tubes and set on top of the other piece of paper. Put a magazine on top of your shelves to keep the tubes level and in place until dry.
5. Hang on the wall with a few thumbtacks. If you’re not putting very much in the shelves, you can use just one tack. Be sure to ask little ones to help you decide where it will go in their room.
6. Fill the shelves with desired items. Again, ask your tot for input on what to put in them. Some ideas include: wooden letters, cars, hair clips & scrunchies, and other knick knacks. (We did a combo of wooden letters and Ava’s favorite little bendy aliens that we got on a trip to Roswell, NM.)

 

Baby Bargains (8/9/08)

Coupons and deals and bargains – oh my!

I’m starting a new weekly feature here at The Momma Blog: Baby Bargains. Every Saturday I will post coupons and discounts and other goodies that I find here for you! I’ll post deals I come across for anything related to babies, pregnancy and parenting. Each post will always be tagged with “baby bargains” so you can find it easily. Or just look it up in the category pull down menu under Bargains and all the past bargain posts will pop up. I hope you enjoy this new segment! (Check with the stores for details on their deals.)

Cloth Diaper Deal:

• Cotton Babies, the makers of the bumGenius diapers which I’ve been testing (see my other stories HERE), have a deal for moms (or dads) who can sew. They’re offering their pre-owned 2.0 diaps that need something fixed – like new elastic or velcro – for $8.50 each. They call them “repairable” diapers. The site has lots of positive comments from happy customers on how great of deal this is. A few people were unsatisfied though, but it’s worth checking out. That’s about half price. Find out more HERE.

Baby Coupons:

• Land of Nod: Free Diaper Bag* ($120 Value) When You Purchase any Stokke Xplory Stroller through 8/31/08
• Save up to 30% off on Breastfeeding Supplies at BabyCenter Store thru 8/24.
• Free Shipping on orders of 2 pairs of Robeez Footwear or more (Limited Time Offer).
• Save 5% off Your Entire Tiny Prints order through 9/31/2008

Halloween coupons: Halloween is starting to roll out extra early this year. I was at Sam’s Club today and they have a giant display already. This was exciting to me because I’m a huge Halloween fan as we said. And it means fall (my favorite season) is around the corner too.

• Halloween Mart: $5 off $50 or more purchase – code 5OFF
• Spirit Halloween: Save 50% on costumes & decor! Promo code:stockup
• Halloween Costumes 4 U: 10% OFF Your Purchase of $100 or More! Simply use Coupon Code CJ10P when checking out!
  
  
• Half Price Costumes: Get 10% off & Free Shipping on orders $70+ Use hpc10ship at checkout

 

Diaper Showdown – Kushies

My order for Kushies Ultra All-in-One Diapers and accessories arrived today. I was anxious to enjoy them, as a friend recommended them. Boy was I disappointed! I don’t know what other cloth diapers she has tried, but obviously not the bumGenius 3.0 Cloth Diaper because it is far superior and she wouldn’t be recommending the Kushies if she had tried both. (See Diaper Showdown Part 1 and Part 2 for details on the bumGenius and how it holds up.)

The first thing I noticed was that Kushies run large. They seem several sizes larger that the one size bumGenius that I’ve been enjoying. I ordered the large because Ellerie (10 months old and about 19 pounds) is in the 95% height range, but they were so big that I put one on Ava (2 years old) instead to test it out. She’s about 27 pounds or so and they were quite roomy on her too, but satisfactory. She was excited because she really liked the duck pattern. While they came in cute colors and fabrics, the Kushies seem more vinyl-y than the bumGenius on the outside. The inside, however, was a soft flannel.

Five minutes into the test and one partial pee later, Ava was notifying us that she peed and wanted to take it off right away. That may be a good thing for potty training purposes but not for diaper purposes. I took her to the bathroom, took it off, and noted that it not only felt really wet but it was super heavy too. And that was just a partial pee (I know because Ava continued it on the potty moments later).

I decided to hand wash and dry it to see if the Kushies diap could redeem itself. I had it in the dryer for two full cycles (one on delicate, one on regular) and it was still super damp. I took it outside for an extra hour. Still damp. It’s been hanging over the shower curtain for several hours now and it’s still not dry.

Needless to say, the rest of the Kushies are going back to the store. They are a bargain at about $7 each, but if they can’t perform well and take that long to dry, then they aren’t worth the price. I’d spend extra in energy costs just getting the thing dry. I am glad I ordered them from walmart.com, which accepts returns at no penalty on all Site to Store purchased items. Site to Store (at least at my Walmart) is slow and has many faults, but it proved to me today why I should use it.

As for the accessories I bought… they’re going back too. The biodegradable liners seem like a great idea but they felt really scratchy and I decided I just couldn’t see the point in making Ellerie have that in her diap. That would be like me having a piece of toilet paper in my undies. Not pleasant.

The reusable liners are made of the same flannel cotton material that the Kushies diapers are made from. I didn’t even bother to try them out after the diaper experience.

With that, I decided I could probably make just as good (if not better) diapers myself. Probably not as good as the bumGenius but for a fraction of the cost, I’ll give it a go. So for the next installment of the Diaper Showdown, I’ll let you know how hard/easy it it to craft your own pocket-style cloth diaper
.

 

Don’t Worry, It’s Natural

When toddlers reach the age of two or so… they begin to explore everything. And that includes what lies in their pants. But don’t worry – it’s natural. Body exploration is just a part of getting older.

I know when my oldest started doing it, I wondered if she had a diaper rash or something. Then she kept going at it… and I began to worry to myself. I started asking my mom friends about it and I was reassured all the other kids her age were doing it too, and from what I heard I was glad she was a girl at this phase. Our pediatrician agreed – “normal.” Good news.

Babycenter.com has a good article on toddler “tuning,” as we call it around my house. (As in tuning your instrument. lol.) We do our best to ignore it, which apparently is just what the doctor ordered. You can read their article HERE.

 

Bob the Builder in the Real World

If the popular cartoon character Bob the Builder somehow could become one with TV handyman Bob Villa… you’d get the newest DVD Bob the Builder On Site: Houses and Playgrounds. It’s informative for kids and adults alike.

My two year old daughter Ava loves cars, trains, and other “boy” things just as much as her princesses and ponies. But I still wasn’t quite sure what she’d think of Bob the Builder. We don’t watch any TV (but we do watch our fair share of DVDs) so neither of us was familiar with Bob and his buddies until we popped in this DVD. We were both pleasantly surprised. She sat their mesmerized.

Houses and Playgrounds is really entertaining and educational as kids learn all that goes into building houses and playgrounds. Bob includes information on how to build an environmentally friendly house usgin solar panels and recycled materials where possible. (A nice little extra for moms like me who are trying to teach eco-consciousness whenever and wherever I can.) They even build a dog house, which Ava particularly enjoyed.

Bob goes back and forth between his cartoon world and the real world helping kids to understand. I learned a thing or two myself about how houses are made, plus now I know what to do if we decide to put a playground set in our own backyard or build our dog Clarkie his own dog house finally. Another fun part (which I knew Ava would love) are the big rig construction machinery that rolls out to help in the building process in the real world.

At first I was worried that it was over Ava’s head when they started explaining how the house is built. It kept her attention and she even asked to watch it later that night, the next morning, and so on. So now I’m happy with it’s level of explanation because we can keep watching this DVD for several years to come. The whole DVD is 100 minutes, including the “Fireman Sam” bonus episode… or you can watch the house and playground segments separately.

Ava didn’t care too much for the “Fireman Sam” episode and asked to watch the house segment again instead. I think we’ll be tuning in to see Bob and his buds build more things. The new season of his PBS show Bob the Builder – Project Build It airs next month.

Bob the Builder On Site: Houses and Playgrounds hits DVD shelves on August 26th. You can pre-order it now at Buy.com for $13.51. (The MSRP is $19.98) I may have to check out the other DVD in this series, Bob the Builder On-Site: Roads & Bridges, as well.

 

Butterfly & Flower Bracelets

Toddlers love making things but it’s hard to get them to sit still long enough for a detailed project. My daughter and I, however, came up with a fun, wearable craft project that she is enjoying showing off to everyone: butterfly and flower bracelets. They’re made just from pipe cleaners, take under five minutes to make, involve no mess and no cutting, and cost about 3 cents each. Plus little ones learn colors and shapes in the process. Can’t beat that. This would be a fun thing to do at a party or sleepover for older kids too!

Added bonus: hang it on the wall at the end of the day for some cute kid art as well. My daughter was definitely proud when we hung hers up tonight at bed time.

Supplies needed:

• pipe cleaners
• crayon

Here’s what you do to make a butterfly bracelet:

1. Buy a multi-colored pack of pipe cleaners. Any ones will do, but preferably a pack with bright colors. We bought the Fuzzy Stix by Creative Hands.
2. Let your tot select the color pipe cleaners to use. I like to give choices by saying each color and pointing to it to help her learn her colors while we’re at it. She needs to pick two colors – one for wings, the other for the body.
3. Have your toddler take the first pipe cleaner (with your help) and fold it loosely in half. About an inch and a half from the top pinch the two sides together and twist. This makes the body with two long antennae.
4. Ask your toddler to pick up the crayon and twist the ends of the antennae around it a few times. You might have to do this depending on her age. Then ask her to pull out the crayon. You’re left with little curlicue antennae. Make sure to fold over the end of the pipe cleaner so the ends of the antennae aren’t pointy.
5. Round out the body into a rough circle. Be sure to point out that you’re making a circle to help her learn her shapes.
6. You’ll probably have to make most of the wings, but be sure to ask for your toddler’s “advice” on how to make them while you go. Take one of the second color pipe cleaners and twist the end onto the top part of the body about a half inch or so from an antenna. Manipulate it into an oval-like shape and twist once around the body. Make a second oval-like shape and attach the end back onto the body with a final twist. Repeat to make second wing.
7. Ohhh and ahhh over your pretty bracelet as you put them on.

To make a flower bracelet:

1. Have your tot pull out one green pipe cleaner and one other of her choice.
2. Tell your tot to take the green pipe cleaner and fold it in half. Then pinch the two sides together and twist twice. Shape into a circle with two long pieces sticking out. This is your flower stem-slash-bracelet.
3. Have your tot twist the pieces that are sticking out around a crayon to make two curlicues. These will be fun little leafs. Make sure to fold the ends down so the ends aren’t pointy.
4. With the second pipe cleaner… make flower petals. Like with the wings, you’ll probably have to do most of this step. If that’s the case, let your little one wear the bracelet and supervise while you make the flower. Take one end of the pipe cleaner and twist it twice around the top of your bracelet near the curlicues. It should look like a long stick coming out of the top of your bracelet. Make a loop, twist it under the top of the bracelet. Repeat three times.
5. Adjust the curlicues and petals into flower shape and enjoy showing it off

Safety note: Make sure the little ones don’t poke themselves or each other in the eye with the pipe cleaners while making or playing with their creations.

 

Dad Diaper Gear

DadGear Diaper Vest

Something for the proud papas today… diaper gear for Dads. Pops wants to do his part taking care of the little ones, but when it comes to gear to do so, it’s harder to find. But there is some pretty cool stuff targeting dads (but great for mom’s too).

Many dads refuse to leave the house carrying a diaper bag that looks like a purse, and why should he? There’s several much more dad-friendly options out there.

JJ Cole Logic Bag

We have the JJ Cole Logic Bag. It comes in a couple colors. I love to use it because it’s so streamlined. My husband likes it because he says it’s easy to carry around, doesn’t hurt his back to carry, plus looks much more manly than other diaper bags without being too bulky. He also likes the insulated water bottle holder. The logic bag also has multiple zippered pouches to store the essentials, from ointments and rattles to keys, credit cards, and phone. I use this bag frequently as well.

Another cool option… the DadGear Diaper Vest. Perfect for fall and winter especially, but practical throughout the year. This bad boy will hold the same amount of goodies as a traditional diaper bag. But you’d never know it to look at it. It costs in the $80 range but you’ll probably get your money’s worth in the first month. And who says mommy can’t wear it too!

DadGear Messenger Bag

DadGear also makes this cool messenger style bag. The DadGear Graphics Messenger comes in several styles, but I think this one with flames is the hippest of them all. Old pops will look anything but with this slung over his shoulder.

 

100 Cute Halloween Costumes

The cutest little Yoda!

It may only be August, but I’m already planning out Halloween! I LOVE Halloween, so I was so excited last year when Ellerie was born in October. She’s got a lifetime of fun birthday parties ahead of her.

Prettiest Princess Leia!

To get you ready too, I’ve created a special page (you’ll find it at the top of this website) called 100 Baby/Toddler Halloween Costumes. I’ve gone around to several different sites and gathered up some cutie pie outfits you might want for your little ones. Just browsing them will get you ready for Halloween. I’ve included my personal favs for the year – Princess Leia and Baby Yoda costumes. That’s what my girls will be dressing up as and we already bought them and have had fun trying them on.

I’ll also be writing several stories about Halloween costume ideas for different ages plus some simple homemade ideas too. So be sure to come back and look for those soon.

 

Quick Tip: Cutting Baby’s Food

It can get tedious cutting up all those teeny tiny bits of food for a baby who is just starting to self-feed. Here’s a tip to cut down on the time you spend slicing and dicing. Use a pizza cutter to quickly chop crust off bread and cut it into little squares. You can also use it to dice small bits of apple (once you cut it off the core and into slices). You get the picture. Another mom shared this tip with me a few years ago and I found it was a lifesaver, especially when baby is crying because she’s hungry and you don’t have anything ready yet.

 

Fav Things: Fruit Chips

I’ve found a new favorite snack for my girls: Freeze-Dried Fruit Chips by Mrs. May’s Naturals. They’re an easy, healthy snack for on-the-go or around the house to satisfy little ones over as they impatiently wait for dinner to cook.

They come in Fuji Apple, Asian Pear, Peach, and Pineapple. I bought a box of 20 packages (12 Apple, 4 Pear, and 4 Peach) at Costco last weekend for about $10. They retail for about $1.20 each.

What I really like about these is they dissolve in your mouth really quickly, so my 10 month old is able to snack on them, as well as my two year old. It’s hard finding easy snacks they can both have that don’t make a mess when we’re out and about.

Gerber also makes a freeze-dried fruit snack for little ones called Mini-Fruits. They come in several flavors and are sold at Target and grocery stores. My girls have enjoyed snacking on those in the past but they’re more expensive. They are cut up in little squares so they are good for babies just starting out. You can find a dollar off coupon for those on Gerber’s site HERE.

The ones we tried have fruit and evaporated cane juice. That’s it. Each package contains the equivalent to about one piece of fruit. Mrs. May’s also sells a sugarless variety, but I haven’t tied those yet. You can find those on their website.

 

Heat Dangers On Playgrounds

Playground equipment made from plastic can get super hot in the summer months. If it’s over 100 outside, temperatures can reach up to 150 degrees on the slide!

The fine folks over at CBS 11 News in Dallas (where I formerly worked) just did a story today on the dangers of playgrounds in the summer. I thought it was a good reminder for us all. They report, “Dr. Akram Khan with The Center for Preventive Medicine said there are reports of 2nd-3rd degree burns all across the U.S. from playground equipment accidents.”

What should you do if your child gets burned on the playground? Ice it right away, then seek medical attention.

You can watch the CBS 11 news story or read more about it HERE.