I love when musicians I enjoy listening to decide to join the indie kid music scene; their new music makes me feel like I haven’t completely lost my pre-kid self. First it was They Might Be Giants and then Caspar Babypants (formerly of the 90s Seattle band, The Presidents of the United States of America). Lucky for me, Chris Ballew decided to hang up his alt rock persona and adopt the playful moniker that represents his new sound, one that car pooling moms are thanking their lucky stars for. Caspar Babypants carries his easy-on-the-ears style over to his fifth CD, Hot Dog!, which drops this Tuesday, April 17. Among the toe-tappin’ numbers are “Crazy Blue Beetle” (a preschool anthem for the stop-and-let-me-look-at-this-bug crowd), “This Old [&hellip
Monthly Archive:: April 2012
When my preschooler was an infant, boy, could that kid cry! Pacifiers were never enough to soothe her; she’d spit them out faster than I could pop them back in. And bouncy seats never offered enough movement to satisfy her for any considerable length of time. Thank goodness then for her swing, a newer, portable model that replaced her older sister’s bulky floor model. It didn’t matter that it offered more music or an extra cushiony seat; for this temperamental tot, it was all about the constant motion that kept her smiling and her mommy, sane. Amazed as I was four years ago to see the transformation in her swing’s more sleek design, I marvel today at the strides in innovation that make baby gear [&hellip
Know many kids these days who don’t have their own water bottles? Me neither. Most of the grade schoolers we know have been carrying their own beverages as early as first grade, and if your child brings her lunch often, it’s almost a given that she’ll carry one along. No longer reserved just for summer camp or the soccer field, water bottles are everywhere. And if there’s a staple product that I know we’ll be using again and again, I’m more inclined to invest in a more expensive model that stands up to wear and tear than settle for an inexpensive, flimsy model that we’ll inevitably wind up replacing again and again. In my houses, we go through water bottles like…well, water. One look at [&hellip
I must admit: I’m not a big fan of kiddie tatoos. Sure, I realize they’re not the same as the permanent ink versions sported by more and more people these days (even a cool children’s librarian I know has a little one hidden on the inside of her wrist)…but the mere thought of perfect, unblemished tender skin being tainted by some silly wash-off sticker just doesn’t seem right. Maybe it’s because every birthday party goodie bag seems to contain a sheet of Dora or Diego stick-ons…where’s the originality in this so-called art? So when tattly, a line of ultra-hip tatoos for kids and grown-ups alike, recently crossed my desk, I figured they were worth a look. Created by a team of graphic artists and lead [&hellip
If you haven’t figured it out already, The Talking Walnut is a big fan of Skip Hop, makers of durable kiddie products kid gear in eye-popping designs. So when we recently had a chance to see their new Alphabet Zoo Wall Decals in the flesh, we knew we wouldn’t be disappointed…and we were right. This adorable assortment of removable decals perks up any child’s room or nursery with a touch of whimsy. Whether you’re spelling out your little one’s name or introducing her to the ABCs, these stickers offer instant personality to even the closest of corners. If you’re working under tight conditions (city dwellers, you know who you are) or decorating on a shoestring (man, those cribs are costly!), this sweet set will work [&hellip
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