• Monthly Archive:: January 2013

    My 8-year-old’s school has reduced its recess from two periods to one–and believe me when I say how much this bums her–and me–out. After sitting in class through math, reading, science and all those other learning-intensive subjects, she is more than ready for a break. Too bad it’s so short; she tells me that sometimes it feels like they have just bundled up and headed outdoors…only to be told to “line up” again and head back into the classroom. I’m sure that’s why SteveSongs can relate to this childhood woe in “Recess Rocks,” the first track off his new CD, Orangutan Van. No stranger to the kids’ music scene (this marks his 8th CD of the guy who’s alter ego Mr. Steve is a mainstay [&hellip

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    Around this ho-hum time of year, I admittedly get bitten by the redecorating bug. Be it new throw pillows for the couch, some fresh flowers on the kitchen table or a cheerful mat to wipe off those muddy boots…any small improvement helps slough off winter’s dullness and perk up our living space. And that includes the kids’ rooms. Of course, if you can’t afford to rack up any more post-holiday bills, it doesn’t mean you can’t invest in some room-enhancing extras. Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes WallCandy Arts Whoo Loves U, a charming decals sets of owls and hearts to make any kids’ bedroom go from boring to beautiful. Like the other WallCandy Arts collection, we love how easily these peel-and-stick decals instantly [&hellip

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    As a kid, my potty seat was as low tech as it gets: a wooden seat with a smiling bunny on the back and a pull-out plastic pot for easy clean-up. Exciting, eh? Innovation in the toilet-training area continues to make leaps and bounds that I can hardly keep up with, like the potty seat that works with your iPad. What could possibly be next? Well, if you’re pulling your hair out over your training-resistant toddler, consider yet another electronic gadget your partner in crime on the war against wet bums. Huggies has created the Pull-ups Big Kid App, a free, downloadable app that celebrates those moments when peeing and pooping are your child’s greatest achievement (don’t laugh; you know how god-awful frustrating it can [&hellip

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    Our next-door neighbor has been renovating his home for the past six months. Thanks to Superstorm Sandy and some other setbacks, it’s been taking a lot longer than expected. But because he is such a kindhearted guy (and always apologizing for the noise and commotion), we could never truly be angry with him. So when I opened the pages of Wooby & Peep new picture book, I couldn’t help but look over my shoulder–had someone been spying on us these last few months? Did the author see when a tree guy was removing some broken limbs from next door and accidentally knocked over our garden fence? Let’s just say that sometimes neighborly mishaps make for new friends…like they do in this charming tale where a [&hellip

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    When I want my hot tea, I want it fast. As in “5 minutes ago…but (insert big sigh) now will do.” But when you’re talking about your baby in need of her bottle, that’s 5 minutes you just don’t have. And if you happen to be in transit with a little one during feeding time? Well, you get the idea. Getting moms and dads out of tough situations like these is an ingenious new baby bottle that puts basic models to shame. The Mixie is a self-contained, formula-mixing bottle that is waiting at the ready for the hungry child. By taking the convenience of a snap-on formula container one step further, it holds the formula compartment at the base of the bottle. Unscrew it from [&hellip

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    In our neighborhood, the first sure sign of spring isn’t a robin, but rather a rabbit. My girls always keep a lookout for these gentle creatures as we head out on foot for our weekly jaunts. Hard to believe we’ll be seeing any bunnies anytime soon–not until this cold snap breaks–so until then, we’ll have to look forward to spring’s arrival in other forms. Like cute kids’ clothing, for instance. babyGap has just debuted its adorably sweet Peter Rabbit ensemble, and we’re already smitten. Inspired by the fabled Beatrix Potter storybook, this collection pays tribute to the 110th anniversary of that mischievous bunny with an entire wardrobe for your little angel (or devil). Be it a bodysuit featuring illustrations straight from the book or the [&hellip

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    Another bone-chilling day like this, and I may just have to hibernate. At this time of year here in the northeast, thoughts naturally turn to spring and warmer weather. Even if I can’t manage to escape the cold and head off to a seaside resort anytime soon (well, I can surely visit one in my mind…), I imagine there will plenty of peeps booking their sunny getaways right about now. For those of you heading out of town with the kiddies, I envy you…and urge you to cover up. As a mom who continues to fight skin cancer (three battle scars to prove it), I keep my girls protected from head to toe, especially when the summer sun strikes. While sunscreen is strongly recommended, it [&hellip

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    As the Super Bowl looms closer, our Facebook friends have been posting a lot more comments about their favorite team. (Personally, hockey trumps football in the Walnuts house, but I digress…) Whether you’ve been rooting for the 49ers or the Pats, the Falcons or the Ravens, we know how much football fans like to display their team pride: on your sweatshirts, your cars, you name it. And in honor of diehard fans, you can now add your toothbrush holder to that list. Just in time for the Super Bowl and National Children’s Dental Health Prevention month, Flipper NFL toothbrush holders are a fun way to store your brush, while proclaiming your unwavering devotion to your team. Not only do these holders add a touch of [&hellip

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    I label practically all of my kids’ stuff. Water bottles, backpacks, lunchboxes…you name it. If I’m not busy folding endless loads of whites and darks, you can probably find me perched over some object, Sharpie in hand. Of course, none of the labels I’ve been using have been able to stand up to standard wear and tear or my dishwasher. I’ve tried everything from official-looking file folder labels, to the clever now-I-don’t-have to-do-anything-but stick-them pre-printed return address labels. But nothing will stay put. How incredibly psyched I was to stumble upon Kidaroo Crew’s Sippy Grab. Designed by a mom whose own experiences of keeping her kids’  gear labeled once and for all, these incredibly write-on, slip-on labels fit right over any standard sippy cup, baby [&hellip

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    Just when we thought we’d seen it all in the world of baby products, we’re knocked off our rockers. Debuting at this week’s big Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the iPotty for the iPad has officially entered the potty-training sphere. At first glance, it may seem your average potty seat…but look closer and you’ll see a built-in case for your iPad at perfect viewing range for seated tots. So now when it’s time to go, your toddler can plunk down on his seat, tune into his favorite app and play away as you wait for the magic to happen. (And here we thought singing potties were all the rage!) Good luck getting him off the pot once his business is done…     Tags: CTA Digital, [&hellip

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