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here comes the sun: gustafer yellowgold

 The Playful Walnut
Apr 302012
 

This past Sunday was definitely a sun-day. My family and I were treated to a performance by none other than the former Sun resident himself, Gustafer Yellowgold. For those of you not familiar with the name…well, get out from under that rock ! He’s the original cartoon brought to life by the imaginative Morgan Taylor, an indie kid rocker whose lively songs and amusing animation make a multimedia marriage that audiences practically gobble up. We were witnesses to this phenomena ourselves when Taylor (and Gustafer) were on tour to promote the just-released Gustafer Yellowgold’s Year In The Day. Taylor’s comfortable, yet playful demeanor won over the younger crowd happily clutching their Gustafer dolls, while his inside jokes were a hit with the moms and dads who have been subjected to one too many Wiggles concerts.  In fact, the guy seated next to us confessed that Gustafer helped him get through a recent family road trip from New York to Boston without a hitch (take that, SpongeBob!). As a mom of two girls in different age brackets, I can appreciate Taylor’s ability to appeal to short attention spans and critical listening ears. Whether it’s Gustafer’s wacky perspective (think breakfast taking over the world in “Pancake Smackdown”) or his unusual pairing of geography and fashion (“Wisconsin Poncho”), we love that his music lets us get outside of our heads and think about things…differently. And with Gustafer, oh, what a wonderful world it can be.

In a Nutshell: One part clever cartoon, one part kid music we can listen to without with protest:We heart Gustafer. Check out his latest entertaining DVD/CD package, Gustafer Yellowgold’s Year In The Day, available now.

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never let me go: loopy gear

 Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut
Apr 272012
 

Last weekend at church, I watched as a young baby dropped his rattle repeatedly, only to watch his doting grandpa bend over and pick it up again and again. Much to my and my fellow parishioners’ amusement, this game got pretty old pretty fast for Grandpa…but only continued to elicit giggles from the precocious little tot. Too bad this baby’s diaper bag hadn’t been packed with Loopy Gear, an inventive baby gadget that only a mother who’s been there, done that could have dreamed up. It works by attaching the larger loop to your baby’s wrist and the smaller loop around his rattle or small toy. Available in a variety of stylish cotton prints, Loopy Gear can also be attached to your child’s car seat, stroller or high chair. Voila! Your little one has instant access to her favorite toy, and you don’t have to suffer from chronic lower back pain. Now that’s what we call “attachment parenting.”

In a Nutshell: Don’t get rattled by the forever-dropping rattle game; this smart little device will keep your baby’s toy in place–and your sanity in check.

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h-app-y birthday: elmo reading app

 Reading with Walnuts, The Smart Walnut, Wired Walnuts
Apr 262012
 

If your preschooler is forever calling dibs on your iPad, and you’re in search of a satisfying game that doesn’t give you mommy guilt, check out the latest reading app for the 5 and under crowd. Elmo’s Big Birthday Bash from Random House is packed with plenty of learning-based activities to keep your little party-goer in gaming heaven. With 30 pages of interactive entertainment, kids can celebrate Elmo’s special day as they play guessing games, expand their vocabularies and, best of all, have fun while doing it. There are plenty of surprises along the way, and not just for the birthday boy. Our favorite part? No after-party sugar shock to contend with. We like to think of it as a screen-time reward for anyone who earned a ticket from their teacher this week–or an incentive for those who need a learning boost.

In a Nutshell: Hand over the iPad, and let’s get this party started! The latest reading app starring Elmo is great fun for Sesame fans.

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practicing sun safety: green babies sunscreen

 The Green Walnut, The Healthy Walnut
Apr 242012
 

Today I am recovering from Mohs surgery. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s a dermatological procedure that removes cancerous skin cells. Having been blessed (or shall we say “cursed”?) with a Irish complexion, it’s my second time I’ve had this procedure in five years, and one I hope my own fair-skinned daughters will not have to experience. Sunscreen usage wasn’t nearly as prevalent when I was growing up as it is today; we spent our childhoods blissfully ignorant of the sun’s harmful rays. And while I remembering my mom slathering me with that infamous Coppertone scent, there were clearly times when we missed a spot or two, or endured a painful burn after failing to reapply lotion after a long day of sun and surf. Because of my own experience, I am particularly mindful of protecting my girls’ skin when we head out for a day at the beach. As much as they protest about having to stand still for “sooo longgg,” I’d much rather them learn early on about the importance of adequate protection–instead of having to learn the hard way. Because it’s never too soon to start using sunscreen, I’m hoping more moms will add sunblock to their diaper bags when heading out to beach or park this coming season. One particular brand to consider is the new Green Babies zinc oxide sunscreen. Featuring a broad spectrum SPF 30, this water-resistant lotion is safe for babies ages 6 months and up, and is PABA-free. Whether you choose the unscented version or the one enhanced with tangerine essential oil, you’ll love how it goes on smooth and doesn’t leave behind that greasy feeling that many brands seem to do. Because it’s formulated to work on tender kid skin, as well as tough grown-up bodies, it means one less bottle to pack. And a sunburn-free day can really feel like a day at the beach after all.

In a Nutshell: Since May marks National Melonoma/Skin Cancer Awareness month, make it a smart summer by stocking up on sunscreen that works for everyone in your family.

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discreet feeding: undercover mama nursing shirt

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut
Apr 202012
 

During a recent walk on the boardwalk at our local beach, I happened to notice a woman sitting on a bench, her stroller parked nearby. A large blanket was draped across her upper body, which surprised me, given the warmth of the morning sun. But after doing a double-take and realizing that the stroller was empty, I then saw that it was her baby who was underneath that blanket and that she was simply breastfeeding her child…except it appeared anything but simple. She continued to shift her body weight and adjust herself and her baby as she nursed. Even while joggers, walkers and other passersby went about their business, it was clear that this woman did not want any onlookers (such as myself) to pay her any mind. I couldn’t help but think of this mom when I learned about the new Undercover Mama camisole tank this week. Designed specifically for breastfeeding moms who’d like a little less unwarranted “attention,” this is the first nursing cover-up we’ve seen that actually works with your existing wardrobe. It works in one of two ways: either by slipping a loop under your bra’s clasp and folding the hook behind it, or by slipping a hook on your bra’s strap and folding the loop behind it. It may take a bit of getting used to, but like your baby’s car seat or stroller buckles, after you’ve done it a few times, it will feel like second nature. The added incentive? You can save money not having to buy a nursing bra and special shirt. And with the warm weather ahead of us, who wants to wear a hot blanket over themselves–and their baby–anyway? We think Undercover Mama is on to something: breathe-easy breastfeeding. Sounds like a trend worth following…

In a Nutshell: Goodbye, gawkers. Now you can nurse your baby in public without commanding any undue attention.

 

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baby’s dozen: cupcake onesies

 The Accessorized Walnut
Apr 192012
 

Psstt…wanna know a secret? If you happen to be a new mom, then you’ll really want to pay attention. The secret to surviving the first year of your baby’s life is…wait for it…not having to do laundry every day. Now you may think that’s not exactly classified information, but if someone had told me to keep an endless supply of bibs and onesies on hand–and not just stock up on diapers–I would have spent a lot less time with my washer/dryer and more time chilling out. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have wanted to have your baby looking her finest at all times (you never know when someone will drop by unannounced and bestow a new baby gift upon you). For those who can take a hint, consider the utterly adorable Cupcake Onesies. Not only do they come ready-to-give, nestled in a confectionery-style, but they are look as good to eat as they are to wear. And because we moms appreciate things in bulk (they don’t sell those mega packs of wipes at Costco for nothing, you know), these delicate one-pieces (sized 0-6 months or up to 16 lbs.) come 2 and 4 to a box, so be sure to grab a few. For all those times she didn’t want to drop another load in the wash, believe us,  the new mom in your life will thank you.

In a Nutshell: Let them buy cake…cupcake onesies, that is. Now babies can look as sweet as they smell–and Mom won’t have to feel like she’s elbow deep in Dreft.

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future nest egg: alex toys 2 birdie banks

 The Green Walnut, The Playful Walnut
Apr 182012
 

My 7-year-old told me she didn’t have to flush the toilet this week…in honor of Earth Day, that is. So, in the name of science, we’re doing our part to conserve energy and save the planet. Just don’t hold me to that type of bathroom etiquette! Instead, we’ve got our hands on 2 Birdie Banks, an all-in-one environmentally-friendly craft kit that gives more than it takes. It comes with 2 makeshift banks (fashioned from recycled paper) that kids can outfit with coin slots and lids before decorating them with colorful squares. Using the included sponge brush, kids can easily affix the paper tape with glaze and wait a while for their creation to dry (the kit is designed for ages 6 and up, so younger, ambitious artists may need a little assistance from a grown-up). Even if you don’t consider yourselves crafty, this set has the makings of a fun indoor-day project, just in time for April showers (yeah, we’d be happy to see a few raindrops these days). And if that means I can use the bathroom in peace, so much the better.

In a Nutshell:  A bird in the hand may be worth two in the bush, but in this case, we’ll take 2 birdies any day.

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all better now: feverall

 The Healthy Walnut
Apr 172012
 

There’s nothing worse than hearing your baby cry; to this day, I still can’t bear the sounds of my kids in distress. Maybe it’s the way my brain is wired, as I hear from other moms who complain that their husbands can successfully tune out the tears. No matter who jumps up first to tend to a inconsolable kid in the middle of the night, it only takes a short time as a parent to know that those sounds of distress are often the result of a fever. If you’re lucky enough to have a baby who takes her infant drops willing, then you’re lucky enough. We had one of those, and mistakenly thought that’s how all babies should be. Not the case with Kid #2. Even Mary Poppins and her spoonful of sugar couldn’t make the medicine go down for this little girl; it practically required a two-person operation to hold her down to administer the meds. Battles like these shouldn’t be necessary and fortunately, now they don’t have to be. FeverAll, a new acetaminophen suppository, to the rescue. Let’s face it: no one wants to have to go that route when their kid is a sick. But, if you have a baby who won’t stop fussing or who continues to spit up her drops, or even an older child who might be vomiting, this medicine will seem like a godsend. Because the Infants’ Strength version is deemed safe for babies ages 6 months and up, it’s ideal to add to your medicine cabinet. Trust us,  they’ll be plenty of other parenting struggles down the road for you to master.

In a Nutshell: Fight a fever quickly and without hesitation with this easily administered suppository for babies and children up to age 12.

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kid for hire: take your mama to work today

 Reading with Walnuts
Apr 162012
 

Last week’s spring break ran a bit little too long for my sanity, so my ever-thoughtful husband offered to take our daughter  with him to work for the day. She’d been begging him since Easter, so you can imagine her excitement when his calendar opened up and she was able to trek with him into the Big City (to a 7-year-old, commuting never grows old). While I was never able to accompany my dad to his job (one that required security clearance), I later worked for the same company while on summer break as a college student and was able to ride with him to work. He always let me pick whatever radio station I wanted (a big deal in the pre-iPod-ear-buds-glued-to-your-head days), and we occasionally chatted about stuff we’d otherwise never get around to at home. It’s memories like these that make me smile as I watch  my own young daughter experiencing these special moments with her own dad. How apropos then that a new picture book entitled Take Your Mama to Work Today should arrive on my doorstep. Just in time for April 26th’s “Take Your Child to Work Day,” this charming story chronicles a young girl’s day at the office and the many adventures she encounters in the business world. I couldn’t help but chuckle knowingly at some of the very instances that mirrored my daughter’s day; choruses of “You are so cute” are “You have grown so big” are echoed in these pages. Especially endearing are a child’s perspective on the office cultue, like power lunches (or, in my daughter’s case, Chinese take-out) in the conference room and business card exchanges (“networking”). I must say I was secretly relieved that my own kid was on her best behavior compared to the precocious kid in this story (no crazy copy machine tales to tell). An entertaining read, Take Your Mama to Work Today will beg the question, “Just who is driving this bus?” And if you’re like most grown-ups, you’ll be glad once school starts back up again.

In a Nutshell: An enjoyable read to share with your favorite new cubicle mate…even if it’s only temporary.

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hip head gear: krash bike helmets

 The Playful Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut
Apr 132012
 

Does your kid give you a hard time about wearing his bike helmet? I can’t say I blame them. From the look of some of the helmets out there, I’m more in favor of the utilitarian models that ooze sturdiness over style (or lack thereof). Fortunately, with the new line of protective head gear from C-Preme, tweens won’t have to sacrifice fashion for function when biking around town. Designed for ages 10-12, KRASH helmets  are the coolest thing we’ve seen in bike gear. From punk-inspired, spiky-head numbers, to cutey confectionery caps, there are plenty of choices for the most temperamental tween. And because the KRASH line is made from a soft, rubber-based materials, they’re as safe as they are slick. So, if you know any “hard heads” (ahem), this collection is just for them.

In a Nutshell: Springtime means bike-riding. Now the whole family can take a spin around the neighborhood, donning some extra cool head gear.

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