• Wired Walnuts Archive

    My 3-year-old’s new favorite fruit is the clementine. She can’t get enough of them, and I can’t say I blame her. They are sweet, incredibly juicy and easy to peel and eat. From a mom’s perspective, I like that they’re portable and pack easily when we’re on the go, and don’t result in sticky, orange fingers. In fact, theirs is a rather invigorating, citrusy scent that I much enjoy this time of year. Because I tend to buy clementines in bulk, I am forever experimenting with different brands and currently can’t resist Cuties Clementines. Bursting with flavor and packed with vitamin C, they are the perfect addition to lunch, snacktime or anytime hunger strikes. If you happen to have a resident cutie who also loves [&hellip

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    Has your child written his letter to Santa this year? I can vividly remember dutifully writing out my wish list–and throwing in a “How’s Mrs. Claus?” for good measure–before dropping it off in a specially-marked mailbox at a local garden center. I was convinced that somehow, it would magically arrive at the North Pole, no matter how much postage I affixed to it, and that Santa would bestow upon me everything that I had requested. After all, I had been a good girl all year…well, most of the time. When we recently took our daughters to the very place I had mailed my letters many years ago and I pointed out the same mailbox, my 7-year-old wondered aloud, “There must be a faster way my [&hellip

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    Growing bellies have launched a growing trend–one that celebrates motherhood in all its phases. In the last month, The Talking Walnut has reported on more than a few companies making growth labels for expectant moms to affix to their clothing in proud proclamation of their soon-to-be new arrival. Whether you are three months along or in your third trimester, it’s a fun way to announce your pregnancy progress–and a clever means of putting a stop to all those unsolicited inquiries. If you’re more inclined to profess your thoughts on your belly itself, then we may have be just the venue to share your feelings. The Million Moms Challenge, along with ABC News, the United Nations Foundation, Disney Baby and Anne Geddes (phew!), is holding a [&hellip

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    In our home, Laurie Berkner rocks. When my 7-year-old was in preschool, you could hear “Victor Vito” and “Five Days Old” blasting from the CD player on any given day. Four years and two kids later, and we’re still rockin’ out, albeit to newer releases like “Shake Your Body Down” and “Choc-o-lot in My Pock-o-lot.” Yes, Berkner is a proven mainstay in the fast-growing kids’ indie music space that’s peppered with tons of musical variety. Because there’s undeniably no shortage of singers devoted to entertaining the 4 and under crowd, The Talking Walnut likes to keep on watchful eye on who’s still hot–and who’s not. We’re glad to say that 13 years later, Berkner still holds her own with plenty of toe-tappin’ favorites that even [&hellip

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    When you’re looking to buy something for a girlfriend and her little one, you inevitably wind up making more than one trip to the mall. Now that school has begun and we moms are more time-pressed than usual, we can appreciate a shopping destination that has it all. Enter Layla Grace, an online boutique that recognizes your discriminating taste for gifts that make lasting impressions. Stocked with everything from baby bedding to bubble bath, you’ll find no shortage of ideas for new arrivals, new moms in need of pampering and new homes that beg to be outfitted in style. In our quest for quality merchandise, we were particularly pleased by the Matteo line of linens for the nursery and the dining room (those linen napkins [&hellip

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    My 3-year-old tries to be like her big sister in so many ways. She mimics what she says and how she says it, she sings the same songs (eat your heart out, Katy Perry) and she so desperately wants to join her in playing Wii. Sadly, yoga and go kart racing doesn’t exactly appeal to the average preschooler, so she has been forced to watch her sister and dad from the sidelines…until now, that is. We recently got our furry paws on a copy of Sesame Street: Ready, Set, Grover!, a video game for the Wii and Nintendo DS, and let’s just say she has found her idea of true blue heaven. Right off the bat, the ultra plush remove cover in the likeness of [&hellip

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    My 7-year-old kissed a frog the other day, but alas the little critter did not turn into a prince. My daughter was learning about different types of amphibians during camp and suddenly decided she wanted to kiss this “very cute frog.” I can see what possessed her; I wound up “meeting” this very frog during Parents’ Day and I must admit, he was awfully cute. When one of her counselors recounted the frog/prince story to her, she frowned and said “Yuck!” This is no damsel in distress, I tell you.  For those who long for their own happy ending, check out the latest incarnation of SqwishLand, the collectible characters that take a giant leap from vending machines and into toy stores. The new DIY SqwishLand [&hellip

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    One of my daughters’ favorite Laurie Berkner’s songs is “I’m Not Perfect.” Does this mean they are chips off the old block? My older daughter tells me I am perfect…bless her little heart. I know, just wait until a few years and she’ll be telling me I can’t do anything right! If there’s one thing I know for sure after nearly 7 years of motherhood, it’s that imperfection has become an art form; there are days when it’s one comedy of errors after another and all I can do is sit back and laugh–and drink a good glass of wine, of course. In honor of all you fellow moms out there, Boon is holding a special contest just in time for Mother’s Day. Dubbed “No [&hellip

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    When I was pregnant with my firstborn, my co-worker ventured their guesses as to when I would go into labor.  Much to my chagrin, one guy was banking on May 5th and went so far as to yell out “Cinco De Mayo Baby!” whenever I’d waddle down the hall. (My actual due date was May 19th.) Turns out it was more like Memorial Day Babe, as she was born at the start of the long holiday weekend. Trying to figure out when a pregnant buddy or family member will give birth is a great way to build the momentum of the Big Day, and to further up the ante, there’s a new online game that gives even more of an incentive to come up with [&hellip

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    If you blink, you just might miss him. The illusive Easter Bunny is on the loose, but he needs to get back to bunny business in time for Easter. Want to help track him down? You can join the search by taking part in the Apple Park Cyber Eggstravaganza beginning on March 30. Every Wednesday until Easter, fans of Apple Park organic toys can answer weekly questions that will earn them prizes and eventually solve the mystery of the bunny’s whereabouts. Prizes range from gift cards for Apple Park toys and Whole Foods stores, to a secret grand prize that will be revealed on April 24. Simply “Like” Apple Park on Facebook or become a fan on Twitter. Either way, we’ll need all the help [&hellip

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