• Monthly Archive:: January 2014

    There’s a hint of spring in the air today, as the mercury soars above 30 degrees. Yup, it’s truly been the winter of our discontent here in the Northeast where we have been “toughing it out” during what feels like a never-ending chill fest. Trust me when I say we’ll be paying close attention to that groundhog, come Sunday. The skin on my hands would welcome some warmer temps; I wonder if this feeling of parchment paper will become permanent. Because I have an overactive imagination, I sometimes find myself daydreaming about warm weather getaways to far-off lands. High on my list is Provence in summertime, with the sun beating down on those lush lavender fields that seem to go on for miles. No wonder [&hellip

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    Since Christmas, my 5-year-old has been washing her hands to the tune of “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” After months of washing along to “Happy Birthday,” she was looking for a change of pace (aren’t we all?). All kidding aside, I’m impressed that she continues to follow the 20-second or longer hand-washing rule; the time-honored parenting trick of making a game out of something mundane works well for this child. Of course, not every kid is easily swayed by songs and rhymes; her 9-year-old sister prefers a quick wash–so fast, I wonder how she could possibly get clean? And don’t get me started on brushing her teeth…Joining the ranks of frustrated parents everywhere comes a new product that gives kids an incentive to get their hands [&hellip

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    Do you know where you’ll be this Sunday? Whether you’re lucky enough to have coveted a ticket, or are content to happily nosh nachos from the comfort of your couch, we’re betting all eyes will be on the screen to see which team will take home the Super Bowl XLVIII trophy. (If you’re like me, and don’t quite know your tight end from your end zone, you’ll do your best to smile, devour a chicken wing or two…and wait for the commercials.) But if you happen to have a budding football fan in your house, you don’t need to feign your intelligence about the game (wait a minute, who’s on first?). Arriving just in time for the Big Game is Let’s Play Football, a story [&hellip

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    There is no one who knows sleep deprivation like a new parent. Back in the day, when my girls were infants, I was lucky if I could manage 3-4 hours a night in those first few months. (And anyone who told me to “nap when they nap” never offered to do come do my laundry or wash my dishes either.) What I also heard a lot about was the key to getting your baby to sleep better and longer, and that was swaddling. I admit to trying to following the steps that the hospital nurse had demonstrated, but by the time when we were settled in at home, it turned out I was all thumbs and I gave up shortly thereafter. Lucky for us, our [&hellip

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    My kindergartner came home from school recently with yet another tale of a classmate. The same kid who called her “stupidhead” last week wrote “big blue butt” during sentence-writing time…not exactly what their teacher had in mind, I’m sure. I saw my 9-year-old stifle a giggle when her sister shared the story. And so it begins (sigh…). As any parent knows, calling other kids names is a big no-no, but it’s hard for little ones to discern between which words are right vs. wrong, especially when the result of your actions is laughter throughout the classroom. One mom has set out to change all this and (hopefully) put an end to fresh talk or, at the very least, discourage it. Tapping into her own experience [&hellip

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    My 5-year-old has an alter ego; she considers herself to be a bunny at times. At first, I thought her double identity was a scapegoat for any mischief-making, but she’s also takes credit for the good stuff, too. No matter what Bunny does, she helps to put a smile on my imaginative little girl–and that makes me happy, too. For kids with a voracious appetite for the make-believe comes Pebble, a standout line of organic, handmade plush. The quality alone blows me away (no cheap, carnival-style stuffed prizes here). Think beautifully crafted knit and crocheted toys that are soft to the touch, and even gentle enough for a baby’s sensitive skin. Among the collection’s assortment are organic blankets and rattles made from brightly colored cotton, [&hellip

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    Right now, I am listening to the ocean waves as they lap at my feet. The gulls are circling overhead as I sip from a cold concoction and inhale the tropical scents of coconut and pineapple. I inhale deeply and the intoxicating scent of salt mixed with sunscreen overcomes me…and then I wake up. Yes, my reality is that it’s snowing for the sixth time this winter (but who’s really counting), and my kids are yet again home from school. And since they’ll most likely be home again tomorrow, with frigid temperatures keeping us indoors, I’ll have to rely on my active fantasy life to get me through the next 24 hours or so. If this forecast is any indication of the next couple of [&hellip

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    Ever wonder what it’s like to zip-line through a rainforest? Or hike down a canyon? Kids will be able to find out for themselves on Monday–or, at least live vicariously through PBS Kids’ Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers Adventure Camp. This one-hour television special will take viewers along for a journey with the entire Pteranadon posse as they travel various terrains, from canyons to mountains, learning about geography and paleontology along the way. The show is divided into four nature-themed segments–rafting, mountain climbing, zip-lining and canyon hiking–with plenty of adventure to get kids interested in the great outdoors. It’s the perfect antidote to the winter blues, and proof-positive that there’s a great big world out there to explore. In a Nutshell: PBS Kids’ Dinosaur Train Nature [&hellip

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    Anyone with a new baby knows all too well how many diaper changes they go through in one day. And when you’re in a frazzled, sleep-deprived state of mind, trying to close up a squirming baby’s pajamas at 3 a.m. can be a little daunting. Ollie and Bess two snap crawlers aims to simplify the diaper changing experience. These sleepers are designed with just two snaps–strategically placed in the back–so your little one is ready to go…hopefully, back to sleep. Your first thought might be like ours: only two snaps must mean gaping holes. And yet, that’s not the case; these crawlers provide ample coverage without a tight-fitting feel. Made from 100-percent pima cotton, these one-piece outfits are soft and snuggly, and come in a [&hellip

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    Two weeks into January, and the winter weather has covered everything from an ice storm and subzero temps, to an unseasonal tempest that hints of an early spring. Today brings about a cold, damp rain…but I’m still debating whether I should put away my flip flops. If this roller coaster of a winter is any indication of the next few months, then we’ll glad hide out at home with a hot cup of something and a leisurely soak in the tub. If your version of reality hardly lends itself to undisturbed mommy time, then at least you can make bathtime for baby a little more fun –and less of a chore for you. One product we’re raving over is the brand-new Skip Hop Moby Waterfall [&hellip

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