• Monthly Archive:: May 2012

    Ah, Mother’s Day…the early morning wake-up call of kisses and hugs, homemade cards and gifts fashioned from tissue paper and other recycled goods and coupons for “being good all day long”–or as long as they can live to their promises (10 minutes, tops?). While some moms may not admit it, this one will: What I’d really like most for Mother’s Day is…to be left alone. And if that won’t work, then dinner for two would be just lovely (notice how I said “two”?”). While I’m only half-kidding, it’s nice that dads have it easy this year when it comes to making reservations. Thanks to the new app from Savored.com, they don’t even have to talk to a real person if they don’t one to, and [&hellip

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    Indestructible sunglasses for kids? Never heard of ‘em. My almost 4-year-old has already been through 3 pairs, and they never manage to make it through an entire season. Whether her shades end up in the bottom of my beach bag, haphazardly having been crushed by a carelessly tossed rock or seashell, or are inadvertently stepped on (don’t ask), it seems kiddie sunglasses can’t withstand the power of play…until now. At the suggestion of a loyal Talking Walnut subscriber, we decided to check out Babiators, a line of child-sized sunglasses designed to outlast your kid (or at least until she makes it to grade school). At first glance, we were a bit suspicious; how could anything that fits into a package the size of travel-sized toothpaste [&hellip

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    With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, can I count on breakfast in bed or, better yet, a little extra shut-eye? Fat chance on either one, but not for lack of trying. My almost 8-year-old won’t stay in her room a minute past her regular wake-up time, and my feet have always hit the ground before my hard-working husband (and no, I’m not trying to butter him up by saying so…although I hope he can take a hint about a certain pair of slippers I’ve been eyeing). But, I digress! Even if I can’t have my first meal of the day in a horizontal position, I can bask in the glow of fond memories of my daughter happily preparing a pretend breakfast of pancakes, orange juice and [&hellip

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    When we “spring clean” in my house, it’s all about boxing up last season’s duds and making room for bigger sizes. My heart always breaks a little when I realize that we finally, after two kids’ worth of usage, have to part ways with a precious piece of baby clothing. Be it a pint-sized pom pom hat, or a miniature faded sundress that still smells of sunscreen, I find it hard to believe that a few swatches of fabric can practically reduce me to tears. For the nostalgia factor alone, I now look at baby clothing through a different eye, a seasoned lens that recognizes the days of sweetly scented baby clothes are fleeting. Despite my sensitivity, I haven’t abandoned my shopping philosophy: one that [&hellip

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    Delicate, precise handiwork isn’t only necessary for surgeons and craftspeople; it’s also crucial for moms of sleeping babies. I remember when my almost 4-year-old would finally conk out in her bouncy seat or swing. I was absolutely terrified to move her, for fear of disturbing her precious shut-eye–and me having to contend with a very unhappy baby. (And this was my second kid, so my fear factor should tell you something.) How cool would it have been to have an infant seat that doubles as a safe sleeping spot. My baby wouldn’t have to fall asleep in an uncomfortable, upright position–and I wouldn’t have to agonize whether or not to wake her. Well, Tiny Love has solved this dilemma with its new 3-in-1 Rocker Napper. [&hellip

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    Do you have a Mini Me in your house? My almost 8-year-old is (already!) embarrassed to hear people say she looks a bit like me, and yet my preschooler, who’s a dead ringer for my husband, enjoys pretending she’s Mommy. I can’t help but chuckle when she stylishly drapes one of my old silk scarves (now relegated to the dress-up box) across her shoulders, or when she shoves her tootsies into my favorite flats and clomps around the room. I still haven’t given up on my second grader just yet, though. As she slowly starts her descent away from parental influence, I figure maybe I can subtly influence her taste in a few things here and there. Like, for instance, her choice in footwear. Lucky [&hellip

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