Bathing Walnuts | The Talking Walnut

tub treasures: bathblocks

Jan 232012

We’ve seen our fair share of bath toys over the past 7 years. From waterproof books and foam letters, to squirters and squeaky animals, my girls have had no shortage of tubtime amusement. But when you take a classic construction toy and adapt it for the bath, you know you’ve found yourselves a keeper. We recently got our hands on a set of BathBlocks Ball Run Set, and my 7-year-old was treated to a water-friendly version of Marble Run that she couldn’t get enough of. This 21-piece set contains tons of lightweight construction materials that not only float, but can stick to the walls when moistened. The colorful blocks came in a variety of shapes and sizes that she could assemble any which way she pleased. Whether it was a tall tower that connected to a bridge to create a cascading waterfall, or a more simple construct that resulted in a ball dropping into a hole, these blocks stood up to the play I was looking for: the kind that doesn’t command kids which button to push for a specified result. Instead, she just had a ball (literally and figuratively) making a series of imaginative structures that were completely of her own making. When her 3-year-old sister joined the bath, I was eager to see if these blocks would capture her attention as much as they had with her sister. Much to my delight, she found her own way of playing with them, including stacking them high and sorting them into a pattern of different colors. Needless to say, it wasn’t easy convincing my girls to get out of the tub that night, but it was worth it to see them enjoy a new style of water play.

In a Nutshell: When it comes to tubtime play, BathBlocks really float our boat. They toys offer tons of open-ended entertainment and are ideal for older and younger kids alike.

Tags: bath toys, BathBlocks, blocks, Just Think Toys, toys for mixed ages, water toys

bathing cuties: skip hop tub toys

Bathing Walnuts, The Playful Walnut

Jan 112012

Bathtime boring? Not in our house. Who could get tired of splashing around in a sea of bubbles, all the while getting squeaky? While it may already be my kids’ favorite time of day, it never hurts to kick things up a notch with some new tub time friends. Skip Hop Moby & Friends Bath Squirters are an ideal companions for any soaped-up kid. Six colorful sea creatures are just begging to take a dive and fill up with bath water, so kids can squeeze and squirt them over and over. We love that they’re easy to grasp, especially when you have slippery fingers. And when it’s time to drain the tub, make a game of it by dropping them into the Sort & Spin Fishbowl Shape Sorter (sold separately), which affixes right onto the wall. The next time your kid is ready to bathe, he can spin the sorter and watch everyone dive into the water. Rub-a-dub-dub!

In a Nutshell: Don’t let bathtime become ho-hum in your house. With these silly squirters, your kid is bound to have some good clean fun. Just add bubbles.

Tags: Moby & Friends Bath Squirters, Skip Hop, Sort & Spin Fishbowl Shape Sorter, tub toys

fresh start: maclaren beginnings

Bathing Walnuts, Diapering for Walnuts, The Green Walnut, The Healthy Walnut

Dec 212011

Right about now, I’m feeling like the holidays are catching up to me. I’m all shopped out, have more wrapping ahead of me and still need to go out and pick up last-minute essentials like extra tape and batteries. Speaking of which, I could use a little recharging myself…can you relate? If the holidays have left you a bit frazzled and you realize you still need to make it to New Year’s without losing your spirit, it’s time to indulge yourself. No, I don’t mean to spring for that new pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing all season. I’m talking about something to invigorate your senses and start your day off right. Maclaren’s beginning collection is exactly what this weary mom desires. It’s a new line of organic bath and body care products that your entire family can use. We love the eye-opening scent of the shower elixir that gives you that fresh-from-the-bath smell, and as your day winds down, slather on some beginning body lotion for a calming effect. Other products in the line include shampoo, body butter and lip/cheek balm–winter essentials for dry, parched skin. With New Year’s right around the corner, beginning is a timely way to start off 2012 on a healthy, happy note.

In a Nutshell: New year, new you. The body/bath line that’s gentle enough for babies works on big kids, too. Here’s to babying yourself in 2012!

Tags: baby skincare, Maclaren, Maclaren beginning, organic baby products, winter skincare for kids

oh my aching knees: moby bath kneeler

Bathing Walnuts

Nov 162011

Since my last birthday (I’m not revealing my age, so don’t even try to guess!), I’ve been noticing my body ain’t what it used to be. I get a winded a little faster when I break out into spontaneous dance moves. My back develops a bit of a crick after playing endless games of merry-go-round with my 3-year-old. Yes, I’m getting older and I’m slowly learning that time is not always on my side. So when bathtime rolls around, I fear that once I am down on my hands and knees, scrubbing away my girls’ daily grime, I may not be able to get back up. While I’m only half-joking, maybe you know the feeling? That’s why something like the Moby Bath Kneeler is most appreciated. It’s a delightful little mat made from a wetsuit-type fabric (neoprene) in the shape of a whimsical whale. We love that Moby not only stays in place, thanks to its non-slip backing, but it dries quickly without any sign of a wrinkle. Wish I could say the same for myself (sigh…)

In a Nutshell: Give your knees a much-needed break during your kid’s nightly tub with this adorable bath kneeler, and let yourself age with your dignity in tact.

Tags: bath kneeler, kids' bath products, kids' bathroom accessories, Moby Bath Kneeler, Skip+Hop

baby’s best defense

Bathing Walnuts, Diapering for Walnuts, The Healthy Walnut

Oct 262011

It’s only October, and I’m already seeing signs of dry skin on myself and my daughters. With more frequent hand-washing during cold/flu season, our hands are a bit chapped and rougher than they were just a few months ago. Because my girls have unfortunately inherited my tender Irish complexion, they are more susceptible to winter’s wrath and therefore are slathered with lotions and creams more often than they’d like. Since the Talking Walnut is always on the lookout for products that combat eczema and other irritated skin conditions, we’re always willing to put new skincare to the test. Well, Episencial’s Soothing Cream is just what the doctor ordered. A pleasant-smelling balm made with a blend of natural ingredients like organic green tea and jojoba seed oil , it goes on smooth without that heavy, greasy feeling of some other lotions we’ve tried. I like that it’s as effective for both my young girls’ sensitive skin as it is for mine. The ideal after-bath companion, the Soothing Cream seems to absorb best on clean, dry skin, leaving no match for Ol’ Man Winter this year.

In a Nutshell: We’re one step ahead of the colder weather with a lotion that leaves skin soft, smooth and soothed.

Tags: baby skincare, eczema, Episencial, kids' skincare, treating dry skin, winter skincare for kids

wishing well whimsy

Bathing Walnuts, Diapering for Walnuts

Oct 132011

My sister’s co-worker is pregnant, and even though the baby shower is months away, she is already researching gift ideas. I don’t know about you, but when I received new baby presents, the personal, yet practical were the most memorable. Bibs rolled into lollipops were a delectable treat (little did I know just how many I would go through before the next load of laundry!). Diapers fashioned into cakes elicited “oh’s” and “ah’s” from my shower guests, disguising their usefulness as the top nursery necessity. And if there was one thing I remember appreciating from the moment I made my baby’s first diaper change, it was being armed with a tub of bathtime basics: baby shampoo, baby wash, lotion and diaper rash ointment. Seven years ago, the choices were limited to classic brands like Johnson & Johnson, but today your little one can be bathe and cleansed with a variety of spa-worthy products. Our latest favorite is the Live Clean Baby line of eco-friendly personal care products: Tearless Shampoo and Wash, Moisturizing Baby Bath, Moisturizing Baby Lotion, Non-Petroleum Jelly, Diaper Ointment and Moisturizing Bar Soap. Made from natural, non-irritating plant-based ingredients, the collection is gentle on newborn skin and smells heavenly. If my sister’s friend’s shower has a wishing well, any of the items in the Live Clean Baby line will surely make a splash.

In a Nutshell: Babies may be born with great skin, but it’s part of your job to make it stay that way. Wash your little one with the Live Clean Baby line-up, and be sure to inhale the sweet smell of clean.

Tags: baby shower gifts, baby skincare, bath bath products, eco-friendly baby gifts, Live Clean Baby

scrub-a-dub

Bathing Walnuts

Oct 042011

I’m a huge fan of kid products that serve more than one purpose: wipes for diaper changes and spot-cleaning, sunscreen with bug repellent…the list goes on. And when bathtime rolls around, having one less bottle of bubbles in our already-overcrowded bath caddy makes an otherwise nutty time of day a little more manageable. For the multitasking mama comes Philip Kingsley Baby Shampoo and Body Wash . The first product in a new line of baby care items named for the Hair Doctor himself, this extra-gentle formula contains a chamomile extract to soothe tender scalps and mild conditioning ingredients to prevent tangled tresses. Plus, it’s paraben (chemical)-free and has a non-allergen fragrance for sensitive, little noses. We love that PK Baby comes in a generously-sized, 500-ml pump dispenser, making it one less thing to wrestle with in the tub. Now you have a free hand to wrangle that escapee rubber duckie. Got him now…phew!

In a Nutshell: We know you already stock your bath with grown-up spa products (who’s kidding who?). Let your little one experience true bliss with a luxurious bath line that gets her squeaky clean and smelling like a rose.

Tags: baby bath products, baby bodywash, baby shampoo, Philip Kingsley, PK Baby, The Hair Doctor

king-sized cuddling

Bathing Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut

Jun 072011

There’s just no getting around it: with the onset of hazy, hot and humid weather, I’m back to bathing my girls nearly every night–and that means more laundry for Mommy! When I take one look at my 7-year-old’s face after she steps off the school bus, her hair matted to her forehead and her cheeks as red as garden tomatoes, I can’t help but feel like a bath is the greatest cure-all to a hectic day. (And let’s not even get started on my preschooler whose dirty, grass-stained knees alone deserve a good scrubbing…) Since my date with the washing machine is more like a permanent relationship (sigh), I figure I should at least be washing towels that get the job done: keep my kids dry and entertained, especially while one waits patiently for the other to get out of the tub. Just in time for all those extra baths–and of course, the days spent at the beach–comes an adorable array of hooded bath towels from ZOOCCHINI. Among the new styles are Jilly the Pink Giraffe and, our personal favorite, Elvis the Sock Monkey. As fans of The King, we know this monkey deserves his own spot in The Jungle Room…or at least the bathroom. These playful towels are generously sized at 20″ x 50″ and made from 100-percent cotton, making them a perfect after-bath companion.

In a Nutshell: From the beach to the bath, these extra plush, hooded towels are a must for summer. (Hey, if you’re going to have to do more laundry, it might as well be fun to fold!)

bebe bathtime

Bathing Walnuts, The Pregnant Walnut

Jun 022011

When you’re 9 months’ pregnant and caring for an older child, trying to bathe your kid can be a truly agonizing experience. I remember not so long ago how much I dreaded bath night for fear that once I was down on m knees, scrubbing away, I wasn’t so certain I’d be able to get back up properly. Little did I know how that level of discomfort would intensify after I gave birth…via a surprise C-section. Suddenly, bathing one kid seemed like a walk in the park as compared to managing a squirmy, crying infant while keeping an eye on a soaped-up preschooler. The Baby Diego is an ideal solution for handling the baby bath side of that equation. A century-old trend in Spain and Mexico and inspired by the old-fashioned concept of bathing in the kitchen sink, this portable tub is elevated to an adult’s height, enabling you to bathe your child at your own comfort level. Aside from the fact that you won’t have to squat on the floor, this bathinette doubles as a changing table. Once tub time is complete, slide back the top back over the tub and you have a secure, dry place to diaper your freshly scrubbed baby in an instant. No need to worry about bending over backwards to drain the tub water, either; a long tube on the bath’s side takes care of the job. The Baby Diego boasts plenty of storage space for baby bathwash, shampoo, diaper and wipes.

In a Nutshell: Anything that helps moms recover from C-section deliveries gets points in our book. Aching postpartum backs everywhere can appreciate this elevated baby bath.

Tags: baby bath tub, Baby Diego, C-section care, infant bath tub, postpartum baby care

bathing bonanza

Bathing Walnuts, The Safe Little Walnut

May 202011

Got any bathing baby beauties in your house? Well, then you’re in luck. 4moms is getting ready to launch its Cleanwater Collection of bathtime products, and is holding a giveaway. Every day from now until the line’s debut on June 15, the company will be awarding a winner with this new product destined to make tubtime more enjoyable for both you and your little one(s). Each recipient receives one Cleanwater Infant Tub, one Digital Spout Cover and one bath sponge. Both the Infant Tub and the Spout Cover feature color-coded digital thermometers that show the water temperature at a glance. What’s neat about the Infant Tub is that it lets clean water flow in while dirty water flows out, while the bath sponge adds support for newborns. When your baby outgrows the Infant Tub, the Digital Spout Cover will protect her from any bumps and bruises on the faucet.

In a Nutshell: Bathtime just got a whole lot easier with this high-end tub and accessories. Enter to win the Cleanwater Collection giveaway today. Good luck!

Tags: 4moms, baby products giveaway, bath spout cover, Cleanwater Collection, infant bath tub

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