• Monthly Archive:: March 2014

    TGIF. It’s been a long, hard week of deadlines, doctor’s appointments, pick-up and drop-offs, and now you’re finally free. Until, of course, that famous question is asked: “What’s for dinner?” Short of turning the kitchen over to the kids (who really wants to clean up the aftermath?), it’d be nice to give your family a home-cooked meal without the prep that goes along with it. And while you’re somewhat tempted to hit the drive-thru, you know they deserve something more than that. That’s where Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza comes into the picture. It’s one of the few, if only, pizza-making companies that puts together  your pre-ordered pie, but lets you do the baking at home. We love the concept of all the prep [&hellip

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    We don’t know about you, but we’re having a hard time trying to get out of this winter rut. Sure, the calendar says spring, but it feels more like January. To help turn our thoughts to warmer weather, we decided to head to the beach…well, maybe not yet, but at least the sand and sea can inspire us to be creative. We had a chance to check out the Beach and Nature Company’s Ocean Charms Jewelry Making Kit, and loved what could be made in one afternoon, in any season. This all-included kit contains everything needed to make three cord necklaces that make for polished presents. The pre-measured plaster simplifies the design process, so you know exactly how much to use to make your charms. [&hellip

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    Moms always say how much they love the smell of their new baby; there’s something about that all-natural scent that prompts us to bury our noses in their skin and hair, and drink them up! But did you ever think about how a baby may recognize his own mother’s special smell and love it nearly as much, if not more? A new product that has just started hitting stores is tapping into this very notion, and may very well be revolutionizing the way to feed babies who alternate between bottle and breast. Mamascent is a bottle-feeding pad designed to fit inside a bra cup. After wearing one for about 2-3 hours, simply detach the pad’s five petals and store them in the included container until [&hellip

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    A show of hands: How many of you swaddle your baby? If you’re a new mom looking for a way to comfort your little one, you’ve probably heard about the benefits of swaddling (how it can help babies fall asleep and stay asleep). But what you may not know is that the more natural way for your baby to sleep isn’t with her arms at her side, but with her arms UP. Studies have shown that giving babies access to their arms and hands enables them to self-soothe, and may help prevent them from rolling onto their tummies. While we’ve seen quite a few swaddling blankets on the market, there wasn’t any particular product that supported this type of design…until now. Enter Love To…Swaddle UP [&hellip

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    When it comes to favorite pigs, Miss Piggy will always be at the top of my famiy’s list. But coming in at a close second is none other than Peppa Pig, the precocious preschooler from across the pond whose everyday antics add up to a ton of fun. Both my girls enjoy her show on Nick Jr. (even if the 4th grader refuses to admit it!), as they tune in to find out what type of mischief (er, fun) Peppa and her brother George will get into this time. Now, for the first time in the U.S., Peppa makes her DVD debut with the just-released Peppa Pig: My Birthday Party, a compilation of 14 episodes that is pure piggie bliss. Whether they are be treated [&hellip

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    Walk into any supermarket, drug store, Target or Walmart these days, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a seasonal aisle that’s not overrun by Marshmallow Peeps. This well-loved Easter basket confectionery has expanded from its color palette from traditional yellow, into a vast array of rainbow-bright chicks that have now commanded their own designated section on store shelves. (Whoever said it was bunnies that multiply?). As if the love of all things Peeps couldn’t grow much bigger, Yankee Candle has just released a Peeps Marshmallow Chicks candle just in time for Easter. One whiff of this scented springtime candle, and you’ll be ready to dive into your stash of Easter treats, long before the bunny himself arrives. This weekend, on Saturday, March 15th, Yankee Candle [&hellip

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    We always get psyched when TV shows make their debut. For the grown-ups, we’re head over heels for True Detective and holding our breath for Believe. For the kiddos, there’s a slew of new educational and entertaining TV series coming to Nickelodeon later this year/early 2015, with plenty of crowd-pleasing choices for your favorite preschooler. (We’re particularly excited for the latest Fresh Beat installment!) Here’s the scoop on what to watch and when: ·         Dora and Friends: Into the City!  is set in a fictional, pan-Latino city, where Dora is 10 years old, in school and at the center of a group that works together to give back to the community. This show aims to teach Spanish and introduces new educational areas to the curriculum, [&hellip

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    When both of my girls were younger, Goodnight Moon was our go-to read. No matter whether they’d been angels all day, or if my nerves were frazzled by nightfall, this classic bedtime tale was a constant in our home, one whose repetitious verse and soothing imagery offered them as much comfort as it did me. So naturally, when we were given the opportunity to review the latest Margaret Wise Brown treasury, we jumped at the chance, and when we found out the origin of its publication, it made the experience all the more special. Goodnight Songs is a collection of previously unpublished lullabies, unearthed by a children’s book editor and fellow fan. Presented in an engaging format that includes a musical CD, each lullaby is [&hellip

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    Because my 5-year-old is infatuated with all things bunny these days, Easter can’t come soon enough this year. And after the winter we’ve all just endured, I don’t mind adding some signs of early spring to our home decor. This season’s Pottery Barn Kids catalog is teeming with tons of Easter goodies to outfit your home in its Sunday finest. Top on our hunt for Easter finds that make a statement  is a tabletop runner, and we’ve found just the one. The Peter Rabbit Table Runner features watercolor-hued illustrations taken from the pages of the classic children’s book: the perfect complement to any dining room that prides itself on timeless style. And if you’ll be hosting the holiday this year, and want to turn your [&hellip

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    Do you know a kid who’s bogged down by their bag? I see it nearly every day when kindergartners can barely manage to traverse the steep step up on the bus, thanks to a bulky backpack. It’s even more heartbreaking when it’s a preschooler who seems to be toting enough luggage for an overnight flight than a half day at school. And a lunch bag to the mix, and you’ve got a date with the chiropractor in your kid’s near future. Maybe that’s why we like SuperMe! bags so much. It’s perfect for the pint-sized Superman-in-the-making who can’t quite part with this special powers when headed off to school or daycare. You can choose between the Cape Backpack, a sturdy model that converts into a [&hellip

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