• Monthly Archive:: August 2012

    If you think you’re the only one in your family psyched for the new fall TV line-up, you’re dead wrong. My 4-year-old has been watching and waiting for this Monday’s premiere of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” ever since she saw the promo earlier this summer. If the title alone conjures up memories from your childhood TV watching days, then you’re in good company. Turns out the PBS Kids’ animated series was indeed inspired by “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.” But this time, it’s a tame feline who’s leading the pack–and donning a fetching cardigan as an endearing nod to his predecessor. As Daniel begins each episode by tying his sneakers and inviting viewers to join him on his journey with his animal friends, we can’t help but think [&hellip

    Read More...

    It’s been a long, hot summer, and my kids are ready for a long winter’s nap…or maybe that’s just me. These days, it seems like the season’s novelty of tons of free time, beach days galore and outdoor play has finally worn off and everyone is getting on each other’s nerves a little too quickly. Even my cat has been howling a bit too much lately. So when “Catchin’ Some Peazzz,” a new CD of lullabies ‘magically’ landed on my desk, I took it as a sign and popped it in the player during a recent cranky lunchtime. “What’s this?,” my 8-year-old inquired. “I like the title.” (Catchy, that one is–and I don’t just mean my kid.) My 4-year-old, who had been crying about her [&hellip

    Read More...

    As my family and I wrap up a week’s vacation in coastal Maine, we can head for home, confident in the fact that we’ve completed all the requisite Maine specialties: We visited a lighthouse, sampled just-picked blueberries and, of course, gorged ourselves on lobster (well, maybe not all of us, but my husband was definitely had his fair share). And no matter the destination, what’s a vacation without a good book? My husband and I are happily devouring our selected reads, but I also wanted to make sure that my girls had some fun reading of their own. I was especially delighted when I saw that the picture book I had packed had made its way into area bookstores and gift shops from Portland to [&hellip

    Read More...

    Getting ready for vacation always puts our family in a good mood. But packing for the trip? Not so much. Trying to figure out just how many books/stuffed animals/toys can be crammed into our generously sized car still proves challenging. That means there is only so much space for kiddie DVDs and CDs (or at least, that’s what we tell them). This summer, however, we don’t mind making room for some of the newer, travel-friendly releases that put even our “driver” in a toe-tapping mood. Among the ones we’ve got our ear buds plugged into this season is The Harmonica Pocket’s Apple Apple. Not only is it seasonally appropriate, as the summer days segue into autumn, but it offers a fine balance between lively sing-alongs [&hellip

    Read More...

    Just because the Olympics are over, doesn’t mean the excitement of Team USA doesn’t live on, even when it comes to playtime. My 4-year-old’s summer camp fashioned gold medals out of sparkly glitter and construction paper, while a childhood friend’s kids turned a manicure into a opportunity to display their patriotism with red, white and blue fingernails. Maybe that’s why the timing couldn’t be better for the new line of American Girl Crafts, inspired by McKenna Brooks. Dubbed the 2012 Girl of the Year by American Girl, the aspiring gymnast is the focus of this collection of craft kits that let girls dream big as they express their creativity. Whether they share their heartfelt sentiments with family and friends using the Super Spirit Card-Making Pad [&hellip

    Read More...

    In my house, we go through paper towel like water; practically every time I turn around, it’s time to replace the now-empty roll with a new one. And while I aim to clip coupons whenever a brand I like is on sale, I am particularly fussy about which products I use. Once the colder weather rolls around, I tend to favor the softer towels with the thicker plush–much more kind on my seasonal eczema. Of course, like every mom trying to save the planet, one small sandwich baggie at a time, I do my best to cut down on waste. So, when I received a sample of Bambooee resuable paper towel, I thought maybe it could help me do a better job–both at planet-protecting and [&hellip

    Read More...

    Today, my 4-year-old unearthed a snail-shaped teether we had saved from her teeth-cutting days. I remember she would happily gnaw on whatever she could get her little hands on: from shiny spoons, to board books. And whenever I dressed up and donned a strand of colorful beads, she instantly gravitated toward my jewelry and, much to my horror, popped them in her mouth as though they were candy. If you have an equally curious baby with a penchant for pendants, then you’ll breathe a sigh of relief that there’s a cool product out there that may look like costume jewelry, but secretly doubles as a tempting teether. Rock-ease by Teethease is an attractive necklace of 7 stone-shaped beads fashioned from soft, flexible silicone. Not only [&hellip

    Read More...

    My 8-year-old’s best friend went on an African safari earlier this year, and truly had a chance to explore the wild. While a trip to the Bronx Zoo is as close to the animals as our family will probably get, there are still plenty of entertaining and educational ways to experience the wonders of the animal kingdom without leaving home. Uncle Milton’s new Nat Geo Wild line of puzzles, toys and games spotlight the many inhabitants that make up our jungles, oceans, rainforests and other natural surroundings. We got our paws on the African Safari Dominoes, featuring up-close-and-personal photography so lifelike, you’ll almost feel like the animals are right there with you. Not only does this game have an easy-to-follow format (think regular domino rules, [&hellip

    Read More...

    How many Cheerios and Goldfish do you think your toddler has consumed? One look at the backseat of your minivan, and you can answer with certainty: A LOT! You may not realize it, but even little kids get tired of eating the same snack foods over and over (in fact, multiple mini boxes of raisins have been blamed on many a meltdown…we kid you not). If you’ve been noticing that your little one has turning up her adorable nose at her favorite snack food, it’s time to break out of that rut and try something new–and nutritious. We’re finding ourselves going ga-ga over Little Duck Organics’ Tiny Fruits. This assortment of 100-percent organic dried fruits are especially tasty, not to mention healthy. There’s no sugar [&hellip

    Read More...

    Sometimes, when I can’t fall asleep, I stare at the ceiling and count sheep. And when I’m not busy composing lyrical poetry, I’m recalling silly moments that take me back to a time when life was a lot simpler and a lot less hectic. Like when my college roommate and I noticed that our dorm room’s ceiling had been decorated to look like the Milky Way. Upon turning out the lights during our first night at school, we realized that our previous tenants had left dozens upon dozens of glow-in-the dark stars and moons on the ceiling, turning our otherwise dull room into a heavenly spectacle. No wonder we slept like babies that night. As you create a dream space for your own child, do [&hellip

    Read More...