• Monthly Archive:: August 2013

    One more week of summer vacation, so naturally it was time to bite the bullet and take the kids backpack shopping. Amazingly, it was relatively painless; my 9-year-old grabbed the first blue bag she spotted, and my 5-year-old made a beeline for Hello Kitty. Not a big surprise there; all things kitty continue to reign supreme in this kingdom. So naturally, when we got wind of the new Hello Kitty Sweet Little Shops game for the Leapster Explorer, I knew she’d be in heaven. Designed for ages 4-7, this game teaches kids all types of basic (and not-so-basic) math, including how to estimate, recognizing numbers and shapes and even how to read a bar graph (wow, already?). Of course, the learning is cleverly disguised within [&hellip

    Read More...

    It’s been a few days since the VMA awards, and everyone is still buzzing about Miley Cyrus’ absurd appearance. Parenting groups are outraged not only by her get-up, but her less-than-innocent actions on stage. (Personally, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at my teddy bear the same way.) All kidding aside, like any parent, Miley just makes my job as mom a little more difficult, as I try to explain to my impressionable 9-year-old why it’s not cool to act and dress a certain way strictly for attention. For those parents looking to hang onto their child’s innocence just a tad bit longer, there’s a new fashion doll line that seeks to let girls act out their fantasy lives through play. Fairy [&hellip

    Read More...

    “Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” is a fitting description for my soon-to-be kindergartner. She’s been enthusiastically picking out her backpack, new school clothes and supplies like there’s no tomorrow. Plus, we’ve been checking out nearly every first day of school picture book from our library (luckily, there’s no limit!). While I don’t fear my 5-year-old will have any separation issues, reading with her about what she can expect is my way of preparing her for the big day–and getting her into the groove for storytime. One of my favorite books so far is the just-released Rufus Goes to School, an adorable story about a precocious pig who’s determined to go to school, even if he is an animal. Prompted by the desire to read his favorite book, [&hellip

    Read More...

    Today we picked up school supplies for my 9- and 5-year-olds. We have it easy this year, as our school works with a local retailer to fill orders by grade and have them boxed up and ready to go. It’s truly one-stop shopping, and there’s no hunting for that special 3-ring binder or illusive composition book with the correct number of ruled lines. It also means no fun extras that we always manage to accrue every year, like scented colored pencils or purple glue sticks. But that doesn’t mean we can’t pick and choose an item or two that can shake up the classroom routine and update our home repertoire. Enter the Crayola Wild Notes line of notebooks and journals, featuring black (gasp!) lined paper [&hellip

    Read More...

    Today was my birthday (my 29th, of course), and yes, even Mama Walnut was treated to a day that was all her own. After an afternoon at the beach with a good book in hand, my family treated me to a homemade red velvet birthday cake, an unexpected delight. But perhaps one of the greatest surprises was from my 9-year-old daughter who decided to wear a dress in my honor. And not just any dress, mind you. One that would be the envy of any fashion-conscious tween, or so I told her. You see this is one girl who does not enjoy skirts, dresses, frilly blouses or anything remotely feminine. While she’s not exactly a tomboy, this gal just doesn’t care for clothes. Some might [&hellip

    Read More...

    The woman who runs a local cafe gave birth to her second son this past spring. Not one to let motherhood slow her down, she had soon returned to work and, much to my surprise, with her newborn in tow. Straight from the kitchen with a smile on her face, she emerged with her baby boy swaddled in a sling as she set food down in front of waiting diners. As I waited for my order, we chatted about how difficult it is, going from one to two, and I left impressed by how well she seemed to be managing. I also couldn’t help but notice the latest baby gear trend–the baby wrap–being put to good use. It’s a great way to keep a newborn [&hellip

    Read More...

    Don’t be freaked out by the title of this post. I realize I wrote about Halloween last time, and now it seems as if we’ve already fast-forwarded to November (heaven forbid!). Instead, we’re paying tribute to a quality with year-round appeal, one that never goes out of style, and that’s good manners. It’s a skill that (hopefully) our parents cultivate and that we continue to refine through adulthood (haven’t you appreciated when someone holds the door for you, or when another driver lets you out in front of him?). In our house, we’re “big” on saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ but generosity goes beyond those simple gestures. And that’s something wholeheartedly embraced by Recess Music‘s latest CD, Gratitude Attitude. Chock-full of a variety of musical [&hellip

    Read More...

    If you’re not quite ready for the back-to-school rush, you’re probably not up for any Halloween goodies. But because we love new kids’ books, no matter the season, we can’t resist the latest title from the literary ladies behind Click, Clack, Moo. Aptly titled Click, Clack, Boo!, this story takes us down on the farm, right before All Hallow’s Eve. Farmer Brown, however, is in no mood to celebrate. If anything, he’d rather crawl under the covers and let the holiday pass without him. But that, of course, wouldn’t have the makings of a great story, and so the drama begins. Setting out a bowl of candy on the front porch (not unlike some recent Halloweens around our neighborhood!), he draws the shades and locks [&hellip

    Read More...

    When my 4-year-old was a toddler, finding a spot for her at the table sometimes posed a challenge. If we were barbequing on the deck, we alternated between a plastic booster that proved too wobbly and a fold-up seat that never seemed to open wide enough for her comfort. Now, if we’d been able to get our hands on the brand-new Svan Totseat, letting her sit with the rest of the family would have been a no-brainer. What makes this soft seat different from standard boosters is the extra fabric that can stretch over high-back seats. The fact that it folds flat so you can stash it in your diaper bag or purse makes it even more practical. Designed for ages 8-30 months, the Svan [&hellip

    Read More...

    It wouldn’t be summer for my family without having a lemonade stand. My 9-year-old prides herself on being an entrepreneur. Or maybe it’s justĀ  that she likes being showered with attention from all our kindhearted neighbors. Whatever the motive, this past weekend was sunny and hot–an ideal setting for a setting up shop. With her 5-year-old sister on hand as a helper, my daughter laid out the provisions and in no time at all, was ready for business. And what an operation it was! Not only did they rake in some staggering profits (in the upwards of $15!), but the addition of some lemon Oreo cookies complemented the refreshing beverage of choice. They were so excited by their job well-done, they are already thinking about [&hellip

    Read More...