October begins next week, and that means Halloween will be here before we know it. I love everything about it: the decorations, the candy, the costumes…did I mention the candy? This is one holiday that my entire family adores, including the grown-ups. (Last year, my husband made a coffin for a skeleton that was part of our front lawn display…I kid you not!) So since Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore, we’re on the lookout for Halloween goodies that have grown-up appeal, too. Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty celebrates the season with two new squishy putties begging to be played with. Jack O’Lantern is a orange and gold-speckled squishy putty that sparkles when the lights are dimmed. Witch’s Brew Putty Creature boasts a purplish hue that [&hellip
When I was pregnant with each of my daughters, my husband presented me with a stash of gourmet sodas in unusual flavors: key lime pie, pomegranate and even Shirley Temple (a throwback to my youth when my dad treated me one whenever we went out for dinner). It couldn’t have been more thoughtful…and depressing at the same time. Did I really think I could make it through nine long months without a sip of Chardonnay? Amazingly I did, but not without developing a strong dislike for pineapple-flavored bubbly stuff. If I’d hand my hands on Momosas while I was pregnant, I would have been able to ditch those fruity sodas once and for all. This paperback book is filled with more than 130 non-alcoholic cocktail [&hellip
On my kids’ first day of school, I included a handwritten note in each of their lunch boxes. It was the first time I’d done anything like that, but thought it was a nice way to start off the year. Despite my efforts, my missives were met with mixed reviews. “Why did you send me a letter?,” inquired my first grader, who then went off to play without waiting for an answer (clearly, my gesture was lost on her). “Thanks for your note,” my 10-year-old offered later that day, and then told me about a classmate of hers whose mom packs a note everyday. “But it’s not written by his mom; it’s like a fun fact- kind of thing.” Hmmm, maybe that’s something I could [&hellip
Has it truly been 30 years since Safety 1st debuted its Baby on Board sign? I remember, back in my B.C. (before child) days, when I noticed these signs proudly posted in mini vans as they jetted around town. OK, I wondered, why the need to announce your precious cargo? When I later became a mom myself, I realized why so many like-minded parents wanted to alert their fellow drivers to the importance of safe motoring. While today, car designs may have become more sleek and parents, even savvier, one thing remain the same: our children’s safety is always top of mind. That’s why we’re helping celebrate the 30th anniversary of Safety 1st’s Baby on Board with the unveiling of its Digital Baby on Board [&hellip
There’s almost nothing I love more than a good book. When a new title I’ve put on reserve at the library finally comes in, my heart beats a little bit faster (hey, don’t judge). My mom tells me I’ve been surrounded my books ever since I could put a few words together, so it’s no wonder I’m a writer by trade today. But enough about me! I’m more excited about the Indestructibles line of books from Workman than any other baby book that’s crossed desk in a long time. If you know how much little ones like to chomp on anything they can get their hands on, then you’ll appreciate a book line (finally!) that’s designed to stand up to that kind of wear and [&hellip
Backpack? Check. Lunch bag? Check. Pencils, pens and crayons? Check, check…and check. If it feels like life has suddenly turned into one big “to-do” list, that’s how you know summer vacation is officially over, and the new school year is about to begin. While we know so many of you are already set with all your supplies and new clothes, who says there’s no room on the list for a little something extra? (Don’t worry: these little treats won’t break the bank.) For the tween girl who’s always complaining of dry lips and has grown tired her Chapstick, she’ll want to get her hands on eos Visibly Soft Lip Balms. Designed in an unmistakably unique sphere, this lip balm is as much fun to put [&hellip
I consider myself to be a person who’s big on words. I can appreciate the choices different writers make in their work, and can sympathize with their struggles to perfect their craft into something that is both informative and engaging. Oh, and spelling counts. OK, in all seriousness, I know that all word play should have some element of fun in it. And what better way to maximize that fun factor than with Jenga Giant, a game that let takes the fine art of careful balancing to an entirely new level–and builds on it with the addition of word play? The life-size version of the tabletop game can stack as high as 3 feet and weigh up to 17 lbs. And what’s more, you can [&hellip
It’s the first rainy day we’ve had in weeks, and somehow, it’s oddly comforting. Staying indoors practically forces me to hunker down, brew a cup of tea and watch the raindrops fall. And yet, when you add kids to that equation, it suddenly becomes a different story. Lucky for us, my 6-year-old had a puppet-making class at our local library this morning that helped save the day. On our way out, we stopped by a table of books featuring kids’ crafts, an ideal way to extend the creative experience back at home. While we perused several noteworthy recommendations, nothing comes close to the recent book I received for review. The Complete Book of Activities, Games, Stories, Props, Recipes and Dances for Young Children is teeming [&hellip
Tis the season to pack up the kiddies and hit the road. Of course, traveling with little ones is never as carefree as one might wish (just thinking about having to schlepp all that baby gear is exhausting enough!). If for some reason or another you find yourselves staying close to home this summer, your little one can still have fun and see the world. Ella Lou’s Wanderlust City Playmats are the passport for playtime in some of your favorite urban settings. Designed in a road map motif, these organic cotton mats let tots toddle their way through the streets of Los Angeles, New York City or San Francisco. The crawl-friendly surface is gentle on tender knees and is also ideal for tummy time. Older kids [&hellip
In our house, losing baby teeth means big business…and I’m talking about the Tooth Fairy making sure she has enough funds to satisfy the expectant child! Imagine how much easier life would be if a kid would rather forgo his cash reward and hang onto his lost tooth as his prize. Such is the premise of The Tooth Fairy Wars, a picture book that challenges kids to think outside the mouth, so to speak. The story revolves around a young boy named Nathan who’s determined to keep his missing teeth, no matter what the Tooth Fairy says or does. Page after page, he attempts to outsmart her with a series of seemingly clever antics…but is only met with disdain as she manages to one-up him. [&hellip