• Monthly Archive:: July 2012

    When I was pregnant with each of my daughters, I didn’t want to find out their genders in advance. It didn’t matter to me whether or not I could paint my nursery in pink or blue (for the record, we chose yellow) or whether I could buy adorable, frilly dresses (for the record, neither are girly girls…at least so far). I figured that this would be one (or two) of life’s surprises that would be pleasant, and I would rather sit back and wait rather than plan their lives away. It’s probably why I’m always amazed that the first question out of someone’s mouth when they hear of a pregnancy is, “Does she know what she’s having?” For those of us who relish a little [&hellip

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    I can hardly believe that in another year, my younger daughter will be starting kindergarten. It feels like only yesterday that my older girl was boarding the bus for the first time, and now she’s about to enter third grade! Because the little one likes to follow in her big sister’s footsteps (or at least, some of those steps!), she loves playing school even when she’s not in the classroom. I knew then that my preschooler would just eat up Get Ready for Kindergarten, the latest book in the LeapFrog Tag Reading System. If you’re not familiar with this electronic learning tool, it’s essentially a “smart” pen reader that works by touching the page to launch interactive games, reading exercises and other fun-filled activities. We [&hellip

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    This has been one, hot summer, and if you’ve been spending these sultry days with a little one in tow, we’re betting you’ve really been feeling the heat. And if you’ve been noticing that even your hands are perspiring as you stroll around town, we’ve found the summertime solution for you. City Grips stroller handlebar covers are one of those baby gears extra that you’ll appreciate once you’ve put them to good use. These removable soft wrappers fit over any standard stroller handlebars to provide you with a little comfort during your walk. Not only do they help absorb perspiration, but they keep handle-bars free of extra dirt and gripe that you inevitably pick up along the way. We love that City Grips are machine-washable, [&hellip

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    Packing for a vacation with kids is a job in and itself; trying to figure out what will fit in your luggage is one thing. But if you’ve got young kids, you also have to set aside some room for their favorite toys, especially for those rainy, indoor play days (we’ve had more of those than I care to remember!). Whatever toy we are taking along, I want to make sure it’s worth its weight: a toy that can stand up to wear and tear, offer hours of play and, for a refreshing change of pace, one that is powered by imagination, not batteries. Diggin Active’s new BoxSets line is just what every traveling parent is looking for. These carryall playsets, available as a castle [&hellip

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    Not long after my first daughter was born, I armed myself with enough baby gear to entertain an entire playgroup. Well, maybe not that much stuff, but in our modest living room, it sure felt like it. Looking back, I realized that the few things that seemed to interest her early on, ironically, didn’t take up much space at all: her books. And because I’d heard about the benefits of black-and-white toys and books for stimulating newborn eyes, I was armed and ready. To this day, I recall a cloth book that contained bold imagery with no words, so that I needed to “get creative” and come up with my own witty dialog (as it turned out, I could have been chanting about anything and [&hellip

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    Congratulations! You just had a new baby and you’ve been invited to your cousin’s wedding, all in the same week. But before you hastily turn down the invitation (who wants to get all dressed up when you’re not exactly feeling like your absolute best?), consider the new line of postpartum body ware from Ameda Intimates. Their collection of nursing bras and camisoles are especially forgiving, offering you sleek coverage for special occasions, while keeping you comfortable all the while. Made from a flexible microfiber, they are lightly absorbent, so you can dance the night away (if you’re up for it) without feeling sticky. Dual side knit panelsĀ  won’t cut into your skin, allowing you to move about freely, while the special drop-cup design provides easy [&hellip

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    Come the weekend, my daughters love to fight over who gets to use my husband’s iPad (you know, your average Saturday struggle). So like most families with different aged kids, we’re always on the lookout for apps that will suit everyone’s interests–easier said than done. Fortunately, my 8-year-old loves playing school and you can only guess who has been recruited as her one-and only student. When my girls got their hands on Educational Insights’ Hot Dots Jr. app, it was all they could do not to contain their excitement. The game play is relatively straightforward: four categories (ABCs, numbers, colors and shapes) with 12 questions in each. A friendly girl prompts young players to answer questions and with each correct answer, a talking dog rewards [&hellip

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    In today’s mail, the Old Navy back-to-school catalog arrived. It wasn’t the first one we received, and it isn’t even August yet. Seems hints of backpacks, lunchboxes and all things back-to-school are happening earlier and earlier this year. If you haven’t already gotten a jump yet on school supply shopping, allow us to whet your appetite with some items that are making a name for themselves–literally. Makaboo lets kids design and personalize their own lunchboxes, backpacks and other cool-for-school accessories. Simply select an item, and then choose from one of over 30 colors, a font for your name and favorite icon (take your pick of 100 different pictures!). You’re good to go! We think Makaboo will be a big hit this September, especially for kids [&hellip

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    Got a summer reading list? If your teen hasn’t cracked open this year’s selection, it’s time to get crackin’ (only 6 more weeks ’til Labor Day). But if the sun and surf are competing for her attention and making it difficult to hunker down with her Kindle, Nook or hardcover, it’s time to offer a little inspiration. Out of Print Clothing features an entire line of book-themed T-shirts, tote bags and journals for kids and adults alike. Whether your grade schooler has just finished “Charlotte’s Web” or your high schooler has plowed through “The Great Gatsby,” there’s an item that’s just perfect for her. Among our favorites are the literary covered journals that invite aspire young writers to keep at their craft, and the bags [&hellip

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    What mom couldn’t use a little “om” in her day-to-day? This morning at the library, I witnessed a mom desperately trying to quiet her babbling toddler while perusing the stacks. Despite her efforts, she was not successful and judging by her tone, her mounting frustration was entirely palpable. I know when I experience those stressed-out-mom moments, a little treat for the senses provides some welcome relief. It’s why the new skincare line from Baby Mantra caught our attention. Made from all-natural, organic ingredients like lavender, coconut and shea butter, these products are designed for those most sensitive skin, and are also a favorite of moms in need of a little TLC for themselves. Our favorite is the 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash that contains a [&hellip

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