• Monthly Archive:: May 2011

    Memorial Day weekend just can’t be complete without a good, old fashioned BBQ. Whether you played chef in your own backyard or were a guest at a friend’s or family’s gathering this weekend, you hopefully enjoyed what will be the first of many meals centered around the grill. And if there’s ever an American staple during a summertime feast, it’s the hotdog. We can’t seem to go to a ballgame without sampling one, and it’s always a favorite among the kiddies. In the spirit of the season, The Talking Walnut is holding a Hebrew National giveaway this week. We’ll be awarding 2 lucky winners 4 sets of coupons, each good for a free package of hot dogs. It’s a great excuse to stock up on [&hellip

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    When my husband was a boy, he had a wooden rocking horse on which he happily rode off into the proverbial sunset. Well…not exactly, but I believe that horse had something to do with his signature sign-off, “Happy trails.”  Today, we have that same treasured horse in our own home, so our girls can rock to their hearts’ content. Among all their other toys, it stands out as a treasured childhood favorite and is in sharp contrast to the high-tech gadgets and brightly colored plastic playthings of today. If you’re a fan of the toys of yesteryear, you can step back in time with a classic favorite that returns to the modern world. Woody Rocking Horse is a simple, but elegantly designed rocker just begging [&hellip

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    My 1st grader is so excited for her upcoming class trip to the aquarium, she can hardly contain herself. A recent trip to the local fish hatchery was enough to whet her appetite…now she’s ready for the big time! (Why do I foresee a follow-up trip to the zoo in the near future?)…It’s only natural that kids love animals. Think about it: they do what they please, eat without the use of napkins or utensils and spend their time either playing or sleeping. Did I mention that they can do what they please? When watching my girls play with their stuffed animals, they act out the silliest scenarios, so it only makes sense that they are drawn to playthings that mimic the very behavior they [&hellip

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    As a mother of two girls, it’s not always easy to find something my kids can play together. Either a craft or board game is too complex for my 3-year-old, or her older sister is bored to tears because “it’s too boring.” Sometimes, you just can’t please everyone! Luckily, we have found common ground for both girls in the amazing world of Calico Critters. If you’re not yet familiar with these adorable pint-sized animals and their various habitats, it’s not too late to immerse yourselves in this imaginative culture. From the common mice family, to the atypical hedgehogs, there are a variety of species that play together and co-habitat, be it in a cozy cottage, monstrous treehouse or any magic-believe locale young minds can dream [&hellip

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    My 7-year-old has her own tape measure; I kid you not. Maybe it’s because she expressed an early interest in home improvement, thanks to her handy father, and wanted to covet her own tool. When she’s not assisting her dad around the house, this tape measure has become a useful tool for her math homework when she can’t seem to locate her MIA ruler. This ingenuity got me to thinking about inventive ways to make math fun, and so I stumbled upon Inching Along. This clever board game makes the chore of using a ruler repeatedly a little less tedious. Set against a camping-themed backdrop (just in time for summer),  Inching Around has its players move around the board as they draw cards and solve [&hellip

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    Got any bathing baby beauties in your house? Well, then you’re in luck. 4moms is getting ready to launch its Cleanwater Collection of bathtime products, and is holding a giveaway. Every day from now until the line’s debut on June 15, the company will be awarding a winner with this new product destined to make tubtime more enjoyable for both you and your little one(s). Each recipient receives one Cleanwater Infant Tub, one Digital Spout Cover and one bath sponge.  Both the Infant Tub and the Spout Cover feature color-coded digital thermometers that show the water temperature at a glance. What’s neat about the Infant Tub is that it lets clean water flow in while dirty water flows out, while the bath sponge adds support [&hellip

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    Outside our kitchen window, a new family of sparrows have created a home for themselves. While my husband installed a birdhouse on top of a high post, it was the mother bird who did the real work of feathering her nest. Each day, she diligently flew back and forth, returning to the house with a beak full of grass and small leaves. My daughters marveled at her dedication and tirelessness…and I was reminded how my own job as a parent isn’t too different from the mother bird’s. Whether clothing our kids or feeding them a nourishing meal, I am trying to be more mindful of taking pleasure in the simple things in life: a warm bath, a good book and a snuggly pair of PJs [&hellip

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    One of my all-time favorite things to do with my daughters? Read. After a long day that starts with getting to the bus stop on time, and ends with a fresh bath (most days!) and a clean pair of PJs, the idea of sitting down with a good story is an experience I relish and one that I find both engaging and calming. (It’s a great way for me to wind down before bedtime, too!). I began reading to my girls shortly after they were born and home from the hospital; we have tattered copies of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “Goodnight Moon” as proof. When my fussy, younger daughter wouldn’t stop crying, I would take a book in my shaking hand, clear my throat [&hellip

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    On Day 2 of a super soaker rainy stretch, it’s hard to imagine we’ll soon be trading in this wet spring for sweltering heat. In my family, the hot summer sun is nothing to scoff at; my girls have unfortunately inherited my fair complexion and I make a point of slathering them in sunscreen so much that the sun’s damaging rays don’t stand a chance. Of course, when my little ladies aren’t under my wing and it’s time to re-apply the lotion, it helps to have a way to make this chore both convenient and not so involved, especially for kids. Sunbow Sunscreen Sun Sticks are handy, portable sticks that stow away easily in camp backpacks. Not only do they offer optimal protection with an [&hellip

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    It never hurts to have another friend and when you’re a kid, you’ve got an entire lifetime to make new ones, wherever you go. A friend doesn’t have to be a person, but even a cool plaything that you can tote with you. Shoulder Buddies may just be the next best portable pal. Bearing somewhat of a resemblance to those Trolls dolls that we grew up with in the 1980s, these pint-sized creatures have spiky up-dos that kids will love to brush or simply flick with their fingers. And, like any good friend, Shoulder Buddies have a magnetic personality…almost literally. These figures are embedded with a magnet and come with a Magic Coin that kids can place on their shoulder, hat or backpack. Then they [&hellip

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