It’s like The Big Chill in our Frozen-obsessed house. Can you relate? My girls can’t get enough of this movie, and I know we’re not alone. Just last week, our plumber was singing “Let It Go” as he fixed our leaky sink…et tu, Brute? As this record-setting Disney franchise continues to amaze and delight fans of all ages, prepare yourselves for the continued onslaught of Frozen-themed goodies. With so many stores already sold out of Frozen toys, dolls and dress-up clothes, insiders are predicting a new wave of merchandise lasting well into the holiday season. (Really? Guess that means Olaf might make it to that summer he’s been longing for…). Naturally, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for any and all things Frozen, and so we’re [&hellip
Monthly Archive:: April 2014
My almost-10-year-old has developed an ear for music. After years of being “subjected” to plenty of kiddie music for her mom’s work, she has been able to weed out the “boring” from the “too-babyish” (her words, not mine). So when she sits up and takes notice of a new sound that is both catchy and one that she thinks will appeal to discerning listeners such as herself, it makes me pay even closer attention. Danny Weinkauf’s No School Today is our latest conquest and in both of our humble opinions, it does not disappoint. Right from the opening track, “Hey!,” the upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics (“It’s easy to sing along to…they just keep singing ‘Hey’”) makes for a smooth start, segueing into the delightful [&hellip
Baseball season is off to a busy start, and if you’ve got your own little slugger to join you in the stands, it’s the perfect excuse to let him (and the world) know just who he’s rooting for. Score a few points in the stands with the sportiest MLB baby gear we’ve seen this season. Baby Fanatic has a full roster of MLB goodies that will get little ones interested in the game long before they can get up at bat themselves. From bottles and bibs, to pacifiers and plush blankies, each item pays tribute to your favorite teams in their signature colors. And for the newly minted sports fan comes our favorite must-have: the Starting Line-Up Essentials Gift Set, which comes with a bib, [&hellip
The open road is calling your name. Maybe it’s because it’s finally Friday, the weather is good and you’re itching to get out of town. Or maybe it’s just easier said than done; you still have family commitments and a list of errands a mile long. If that’s the case, it never hurts to live vicariously and that’s what we’re doing, thanks to a globe-trotting little girl. Lately Lily is a fresh new face in the world of kids’ entertainment–and a refreshing one at that. This is not a girl who dwells in the virtual world, but who joins her jet-setting parents on their various travels and records her observations about these adventures. Aside from a doll in her likeness made by MerryMakers, Lately Lily [&hellip
When I was a kid, I loved my Play-Doh. The scent alone was enough to inspire me to create anything, from the pizza topped with pretend pepperoni to a three-dimensional heart that made for a heart-felt Mother’s Day gift. So naturally, when I had kids of my own, I couldn’t wait to break out the good stuff and watch them sculpt away. In fact, some of my favorite moments of my now-fourth grader’s early days were seeing her make play food out of dough with my dad, the two of them with sleeves rolled up, working feverishly to outdo the other one’s creativity. Boy, have things changed. Since my daughter was in preschool, a whole slew of molding compounds have entered the scene: from ones [&hellip
Ah, the 1980s…the big hair, the acid-washed jeans, the legwarmers. If you grew up in this era, you’ll recall these signs of the time fondly…or wonder why the fashion police weren’t out to get you. I remember trying to make like Jennifer Beals and “flash-dancing” my beloved sweatshirt by chopping off the sleeves. Funny that I never looked as cool as she did (sigh…). One 80s trend that’s making a comeback is Bo-Po nail polish from Worx Toys. Maybe you tried it out at a friend’s sleepover or coveted a bottle of your own? It’s that Brush On, Peel Off (hence the name) polish that made application and removal a snap. Now it’s back for a new generation of mini make-up mavens, and with a [&hellip
How will you and your family be celebrating Earth Day? For starters, we’ll be filling up on water from the tap instead of stocking up on those fancy-schmancy bottles that come in super packs bigger than our car. We’re also gearing up to plant our annual garden, one that’s been on hiatus in the last few years but that we’re determined to start up again (can’t wait for that fresh mint scent that wafts through the open windows…). And naturally, we’ll be tuning into a special episode of WordGirl airing on PBS Kids, April 22nd (check your local listings for times). We like this show in general because it proves that reading is cool, even for superheroes. In honor of Earth Day, the show’s monthly [&hellip
Still looking for last-minute Easter basket stuffers? We’ve got some great suggestions that work for girls and boys, from a name that’s synonymous with creativity. New this spring, Crayola has introduced Chalk Grab ‘N Go Games, a line of classic games based on its colorful sidewalk chalk. If you’ve got kids, chances are you have a bucket of sidewalk chalk hiding somewhere in your garage, like we do. With these fun games, chalk extends its usefulness beyond hopscotch and sidewalk sketches into more active play. Each packaged game–Chip Shot Golf, Foot Hockey, Bean Bag Toss and Obstacle Course–contains all the tools needed to play, including four sticks of chalk. Not only are these games ideal for backyard play, but they pack easily for trips to [&hellip
As soon as spring break rolls around and my kids have been home bothering…ahem, spending time with me for a whole week, it makes me realize that summer vacation is not too far away. I feel like we’ve gotten a bit of a jump-start on getting our summer gear, thanks to off-season swimming lessons, but still haven’t found a decent bag for toting all my kindergartner’s stuff…until now. PaddlePak is a water-resistant backpack for ages 2 and up that’s both pretty and practical. You can stash a wet suit or towel without worrying about ruining the fabric. A special roll-top seal keeps everything safe and secure, while the Trunki grip keeps sunglasses or water goggles within easy reach. Our favorite “de-tail” is the tail that [&hellip
In our family, spring cleaning extends itself over to our family car, and that means swapping out our current CDs for some fresh new tunes. Just in time, The Little Rockers just dropped their third kids’ CD, Count Me In!, and it makes for a refreshing new sound. Chris & Jessie Apple are at it again with a medley of songs that are as diverse as its listening audience. Aimed at ages 2-6, Count Me In! contains plenty of catchy, sing-alongs that are easy on the ears and age-appropriate for the preschool crowd. From the opening title track, to “Wild, Wild West,” each track invites young listeners to use their imaginations and dream big. Whether they are greeting a new neighbor in “Hi, Hi, Hi,” [&hellip
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