My 2-year-old loves playing doctor, and so naturally I have been cast in the role of her most popular patient. Whether she is checking my reflexes (ow, that hurts!) or giving me a shot, it’s all for a good cause: helping her understand the value of practicing good medicine. While her older sister could not be bothered with furthering her little sister’s future medical profession, she does get in on the action with the Smart Heart Pulse Monitor. It’s a creative way to illustrate just how fast the heart pumps. Simply hold the monitor over your child’s heart and press the button. Within a few minutes, you’ll be able to hear an audio computation of how many heartbeats per minute, so you can calculate her [&hellip
Monthly Archive:: March 2011
Long after my younger daughter’s arrival into this world, I couldn’t get her doctors’ voices out of my head. “What are you doing all curled up in there?,” they probed during her delivery in the OR. “It’s time to come out.” After a bit of cajoling and a dose of medical magic, she emerged kicking and screaming, and they laughed as they revealed just how tightly she had cocooned herself, refusing to budge and face the world. Smart girl, I thought…Who would want to leave a warm, secure and snuggly place for a cold, bustling and noisy one? It’s this particular memory that makes me think the gunapod is a true gem for any baby–and any temperament. This wearable blanket sets itself apart from others [&hellip
If you blink, you just might miss him. The illusive Easter Bunny is on the loose, but he needs to get back to bunny business in time for Easter. Want to help track him down? You can join the search by taking part in the Apple Park Cyber Eggstravaganza beginning on March 30. Every Wednesday until Easter, fans of Apple Park organic toys can answer weekly questions that will earn them prizes and eventually solve the mystery of the bunny’s whereabouts. Prizes range from gift cards for Apple Park toys and Whole Foods stores, to a secret grand prize that will be revealed on April 24. Simply “Like” Apple Park on Facebook or become a fan on Twitter. Either way, we’ll need all the help [&hellip
When my brother was a boy, my mother was lucky if she could wrangle him into a suit for his First Communion, let alone for any other special occasion. He’s now all grown up with a teenage son of his own, and finds that it’s not much easier trying to convince him to dress up, not down. Because we learn early on that clothes do indeed make the man, finding fashionable finery that doesn’t require moms to make harsh demands (no Xbox or Facebook for one week) doesn’t have to be a losing battle. Appaman Fine Tailoring seeks to please both parent and son with its ultra sleek suit collection for young gentlemen. The collection’s euro slim Mod Suit earns points for its sophisticated lines [&hellip
My 2-year-old has a thing for school buses. Whenever we pass one on the road, she wonders aloud where it could be going. And when we drive past her older sister’s school, she is enthralled by the parade of yellow vehicles, all lined up and awaiting their passengers. I find it amusing since the bus often comes into conversation in our household–as in “who’s driving the bus?” when referring to a demanding toddler who professes to be in charge of all our comings and goings. It’s no wonder then that she’s big on school bus pretend play, and why the Weebles on the Bus Playset makes her feel right at home. If you grew up with the Weebles, you’ll really like this brand-new-for-spring vehicle whose [&hellip
When I hear my daughter utter those famous words, “I have to go to the bath-rooommm,” I cringe. Even though she’s been potty-trained for a few years now, I absolutely dread having to visit public restrooms (and what mother doesn’t)? Forget the fact that they’re filthy, smelly and always crowded; my 6-year-old still holds on to the sides of the toilet bowl no matter how often I remind her to keep her hands to herself. If you’re a mom like me who finds herself in this type of situation more times than she’d like to, you may appreciate gLovies. Aiming to keep germs at bay, these disposable hand covers are perfect for slipping on when making a pit-stop. I was never a big fan of [&hellip
In another lifetime, both my kids ate their veggies. Not on the same days, of course, nor the same vegetables. If one loved carrots, the other suddenly developed a strong aversion to them. And heaven forbid they both ate their greens cooked; now they demanded their broccoli “raw.” Since I don’t run a farm stand out of my kitchen, I have lovingly adopted our preschool’s motto, “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset,” for dinnertime. And when it comes to screen time, we’ve been noshing on VeggieTales.com, a new site that’s chock-full of interactive games, reading activities and amusing antics surrounding the wacky cast of characters that make up the Veggies Tales. While this gang may be known for content that hints [&hellip
The mere thought of potty training brings me down. If I wanted to spend my time cleaning up messy, little piles of do-do, I’d have gotten a dog. And yet I’ve successfully mastered this feat with my older daughter, so doesn’t that make me a pro? Nevertheless, it’s something all moms must roll up their sleeves (really) and teach their kids, and one that I’ll be taking on later this spring. Until then, we’re having a blast “experimenting” with Dino Poop, modeling clay inspired by TV’s “Dinosaur Train” that lets kids investigate exactly what makes up a dinosaur’s diet. This brown ball of poop-like dough comes with bone and plant pieces that kids simply press into the clay to create fossil imprints. Was your T-Rex [&hellip
If I had a dime for every time my 6-year-old asks my husband if she can play Angry Birds, I’d be able to pay for her first semester of college. OK, well maybe just her textbooks, but you get the idea. I shudder to think what will happen once she has her own Smartphone someday. Until hell freezes over, we’ll keep her gaming time limited to apps designed just for kids, like the new Moody Monster Manor that launches this Friday, March 25. Aimed at 3-6 year-olds, this is one app that’s bound to amuse even the most fidgety preschooler. Your child may find his likeness amongst one of the 20 monsters dwelling in this make-believe playhouse where they can join them on any number [&hellip
Back strain can bring you down–literally and figuratively. Every spring, I make a point of cleaning out my purse to minimize the droop in my already-slouched shoulders. That’s what years of schlepping around a textbook-laden backpack will to do you. And those diaper bag years haven’t exactly helped matters either. To make whatever bag you’re lugging around town a little less cumbersome, Go GaGa’s Urban Sherpa Strap may just be your new best friend. Even if you don’t want to part with your favorite diaper bag, purse or laptop case, you can still use it by updating it with a strap that evenly distributes the bulk across your back and shoulders. Just remove the current strap and clip the Urban Sherpa one onto the metal [&hellip