Weekend Wish List:
BabyPop on Etsy

Etsy is one of my very favorite places to shop for gifts. You always know you’re going to find something completely unique. And best of all, you’re supporting independent artists as you go.

This week’s pick is an extra special one. BabyPop Designs is run by Sherry Aikens, a blogging friend of mine. These superhero capes and costumes are made in her home right here in Philadelphia.

With an extensive background (31 years!) in sewing, a bachelor’s in fashion design and 16 years in the apparel industry, Sherry really knows her stuff.

And it shows.

Her capes have been featured on Good Morning America and Inc. magazine, and in backyards across the country.

All her work is made to order – you choose your color, your logo and, of course, your superhero letter.

The capes are made from high-grade satin and sewn with expert professional sewing. The BabyPop superhero letters are made from environmentally-friendly felt, made from recycled soda bottles!

Best of all, she knows that every kid deserves to feel like a superhero, so she keeps her prices very affordable, starting at just $17 for a personalized cape.

She also makes the coolest lightning bolt masks and princess masks. And they’re only $4.50 each, so these would be the perfect birthday party favor!

Be sure to check out the rest of her shop. There’s a lot there to choose from!

Get to know Sherry a little more. Keep up to date on her newest projects and be sure to follow her on Facebook and on Twitter!

National

The Lorax Read Across America storytime
All Target locations nationwide
Sat. Feb. 25, 9 to 11 a.m.
Free.

Free Crafts for Kids
Lakeshore Learning 
Sat. Feb. 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ upcoming birthday with a super-silly stick puppet designed by you! Plus print this coupon and bring with you to save 20% off any single nonsale item.

AMC Best Picture Showcase
Select AMC theatres nationwide
Sat. Feb. 25, 9 a.m. (all day)
Calling all movie fans! AMC’s annual Best Picture Showcase continues this week. Enjoy a marathon of 5 of this year’s Best Picture nominees. $40 for a one-day pass to see all five films.

Philadelphia-area

Terrarium Making for Kids 
Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Rd., Media, PA
Sat. Feb. 25, 10:30 a.m.
Have fun making a one-of-a-kind terrarium using miniature plants in a glass container. This is an easy class for children ages 10 and up. You’ll learn how to take care of our terrarium so that it brings you joy for a long time. Limited to 15 people, so sign up early. Cost: $15. Call 610-876-7116 to register.

Little Dog Lost, author reading 
Lansdowne Public Library, 55 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA
Sat. Feb. 25, 1 p.m.
Monica Carnesi, a librarian and Children’s Book author/illustrator of “Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic” will read her New York Times reviewed Picure Book and present art contest prizes. Sponsored by Animal Friends of Lansdowne as part of “Love Your Pet Month.

Maillardet Automaton Demonstration
Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia
Sun., Feb. 26 (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.)
Inside the Amazing Machine Exhibit
FREE with Museum Admission. No reservation needed.

Hugo fans are invited to celebrate the movie’s incredible eleven Oscar-nominations this Sunday at The Franklin Institute by seeing a rare live demonstration of the “boy” who started it all. The Franklin Institute’s own Maillardet Automaton, an inspiration for the novel by Brian Selznick which eventually became an award-winning film directed by Martin Scorsese, will come to life at 11:00AM and 2:00PM.

For more events and activities throughout the week, check our Kid-Friendly Events Calendar!

In my other life, I’m an editor. (When I’m not blogging. Or being a mom, that is.) I write about early childhood education, and since it’s a small company that I work for, I tend to wear lots of hats.

One of those includes designing their brochures and marketing materials.

So I’m familiar with the search that goes into finding a reliable printing company and always interested in what companies have to offer that is a little bit different, a little unique.

When Day 2 Day Printing contacted me to share what they had to offer in the way of online printing, I was happy to take a look!

And while I haven’t placed an order with them (yet), I’m definitely impressed with their selection. It’s not only business card printing that they offer, by the way. Day 2 Day Printing offers a full range of printed materials, both for the business consumer and for the occasional personal customer, as well.

Every item offers templates to work from, available in several different formats (InDesign, Photoshop, PDF and EPS), so you’re not starting from scratch. That makes your job quicker and easier and helps ensure that the end product will look exactly right.

I’m particularly interested in the bookmarks and the trading cards. Both are such fun (and unique!) ways to get your company name out there – or frankly, just for fun. You can even place order in smaller increments, so they could make a perfect wedding favor*. I would’ve loved personalized trading cards, though. My wheels are totally turning on ways to use those in future marketing!

*I may be a bit biased here. We gave out bookmarks at our wedding way back when. Ha!

Their business card templates offer some unique characteristics as well. You could use one side of the card as a coupon, for instance, so that potential customers can get started quickly. Day 2 Day Printing offers several different customizations to help your business card stand out from the rest: make yours magnetic or a sticker. Or choose a special “leaf” die cut or opt for rounded corners.

Remember, though… those cards don’t need to be all about business. I’ve heard some using them as “mom cards” – to help make connections with fellow moms on the playground. Or you could use them as allergy alert cards for your kids, if they need them. Or a change-of-address card for a recent move. What other uses can you think of?

Be sure to follow Day 2 Day Printing on Facebook, on Twitter and at their printing blog to keep up-to-date on future giveaways and deals!

The giveaway

And best yet…

2 winners will each win the following:
• 1,000 free standard size full color business cards from Day 2 Day Printing

The rules: Must be 18 years or older to enter. Open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway runs through March 9. Winner will be chosen with Random.org and will be notified by e-mail. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Good luck!

**This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook or Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored giveaway by Day 2 Day Printing. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.”
- National Education Association (NEA)

Stop by your local Target store this Saturday (Feb. 25) for a free Read Across America story time: a live reading of The Lorax. Event runs at all Target stores, on Feb. 25, from 9 to 11 a.m.

The celebration also includes free goody bags, kids’ activities and more.

Check here for some free Lorax printables and activities.

NEA’s Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

(Thanks, Tracy!)

Last weekend I was invited to attend Freckleface: The Musical at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center (MMAC) in New York City, followed by the opportunity to meet Julianne Moore.

Um… WHAT?!?

Yes, you read that right. I couldn’t believe it myself!

Kid-friendly review: Freckleface The Musical

Freckleface: The Musical, based on the children’s picture book Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore, is such a faithful tribute to the book.

Rose Caiola, founder of the MMAC, conceived and produced the stage version of Moore’s beloved children’s series. The cast is amazing, transforming themselves into a tight-knit group of friends on the elementary school playground — not an easy task for a group of adults, but they absolutely made it happen.

I had the opportunity to bring the kids to the show, but figured I’d hit the city on my own and stay overnight so I could spend the day at Toy Fair, also in NYC, the next day.

Now that I’ve seen it? Oh my word! I’m already figuring out how to take my 4-year-old on the 90-minute train ride so we can experience it together!

This is the perfect introduction to live performance for even the youngest fans. The theater at MMAC is small and intimate enough that young kids won’t feel lost in the crowd. The set design is simple, which means nearly no down time between scenes. And that’s perfect for a preschool and older audience.

At just over one hour, Freckleface the Musical

The songs were vibrant and catchy – and there were a ton of them! The pace really held the interest of the kids in the audience that afternoon. Best of all, while it was absolutely a G-rated, family-friendly performance, there were parts that really did resonate with the adults in the audience as well. I’ll admit I even snagged the soundtrack on the way out — and remember, I didn’t have a kid along begging for one. It was just that good.

The messages, just like those in the book, are wonderful (and necessary) for the kids to hear. Be yourself. Be unique. And be OK with that.

“There are going to be things about yourself that you don’t like,” Moore says. “But when you grow up, it’s not that those things necessarily change. It’s that you don’t care about them so much.”

The Q&A with Julianne Moore and The Moms after the show was an unforgettable experience. Moore took questions from the audience (both adults and kids) and she couldn’t have been more welcoming. She fielded even the toughest of questions like “Where do freckles come from?” (that was a kid question) and “How do you do it all?” (that was from a mom).

The Synopsis

Freckleface Strawberry will do anything to get rid of her freckles – from scrubbing them with soap, to caking on makeup, and even wearing a ski mask to school! Will her schoolmates realize it’s her under the mask? Will Freckleface be brave enough to finally face her complexion in the mirror?

With the help of her loveable schoolmates including an amazingly talented ballerina, a cutie jock, a charming ditz, and a totally kooky teacher, Freckleface learns that everyone is different – and that’s what makes everyone special!

With fun music, awesome dancing… and a freckleface full of laughs, your whole family will love this brand new musical for all ages . . . freckles or not!

—-

Disclosure: I received tickets to the show to facilitate my review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

So one of my resolutions this year is to get organized. Kick the Clutter is a weekly series I’ve started so that we can all get organized together! Who’s with me?

We’ll go step-by-step around the house until we’ve reached every nook and cranny and there’s nothing left to straighten up, donate or give away.

Kick the Clutter: Organize Your Bedroom

This will be a two-parter, for sure.

Dig in and ditch the clutter

Books: We’ve taken most books out of the room completely, just keeping the most current that each of us is reading. We used to have a small bookshelf in here, but there’s just not enough room for it, so it’s gone.

Furniture: Our room is on the small side. Our house was built in the 1920s, so some of the rooms in our house (our bedroom included) are smaller. Since the closet is also small, we need to have dressers that can pick up the slack on housing our clothes. But in a small room… all that furniture starts to crowd. I’m in the middle of figuring out what to do here and figuring out the best placement for each piece.

Clothes: I have to admit… when it comes to my own clothes closet, there’s a problem. Since we have closets from the 1920s (read: tiny), that makes it an even bigger challenge. I’m about a quarter of the way through trying on all my clothes, keeping only what I truly wear and donating the rest.

One sticking point for me – and it’s especially true with clothes – is the consignment vs. donation question. So (and this is big) I’ve given myself permission to forget about consigning this time around. Don’t get me wrong. I love consignment. I love consigning my clothes and I love buying clothes from consignment stores.

Right now, though, it’s more important for me to just get through the decluttering project and to get the clothes out of the house. Otherwise they tend to stay around too long — until it’s the right season to consign, until I can get to the store (dragging two kids with me) and while they’re sitting, nicely folded in bags, there’s always the risk that I’ll pull some back out and think: “Well, maybe this could work after all.”

Not this time. It’s going to go much faster if I just get everything out of the house that no longer works for me, donate it to a worthwhile charity (I’m thinking Dress for Success for the dressier stuff and a local women’s shelter for the more casual stuff) and move on.

Photos to come!

This super cute Little Tikes Lalaloopsy Playhouse is marked down to $84.90 right now — it’s regularly $170, but is currently on roll back. Get FREE shipping when you ship to store.

It also comes with an exclusive Lalaloopsy doll – and gets very high ratings and reviews.

(Thanks, Frugal Freebies and Deals)

If you were inspired to read the story behind The Secret of Arrietty, you can snag the Kindle version of The Borrowers for just $1.59 right now (a $6.99 value).

*Prices can fluctuate quickly on Amazon, so make sure it’s still on sale prior to purchasing!

(Thanks, What’s In My Bookbag?)

It’s a Woot Off today at Kids Woot!

So… what does that mean exactly? Well, as soon as a deal sells out, they post another. And another, and another.

I’ve ordered from Kids Woot a few times and have always been pleased. It’s always fun to see what comes up on a Woot Off day.

Here’s the current deal (but I’m sure it’ll sell out quickly): 

This Scholastic Bilingual Learning Laptop is only $7.99 (+ $5 shipping). Great deal for your youngest learners.

(Also be sure to check Woot, Home.Woot and Wine.Woot – they’re all having Woot Off days today, too!)

If you’re in the market for a play kitchen, this is a great deal on a great brand:

KidKraft My Groovy Corner Kitchen for $149.99 + $5 shipping.

It also includes a 60-piece set of pretend food, pot, pan, spatula, ladle and potholder. The same model is on sale at Amazon for $197 shipped, so you’d save about $40.

• Refrigerator, freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher doors all open and close
• Cordless phone
• Chalkboard surface on the freezer door
• 60-Pieces of pretend food, pot, pan, spatula, ladle and potholder
• Removable sink for quick and easy cleanup
• Convenient storage space under the microwave and dishwasher
• Kitchen made of composite wood materials and plastic with fabric curtains, food set made of plastic, accessories made of fabric and metal
• Large enough that multiple children can play at once
• Smart, sturdy construction
• Packaged with detailed, step-by-step assembly instructions
• Dimensions: 36”(L) x 36”(W) x 35.5”(H)

Score 50% off on kids’ DVDs and Blu-rays today at Barnes & Noble (online).

Plus the deal gets even better! Use promo code U7K4X3B to save an additional 20% off or code A8N7K7X for an extra 15% off. Those codes are valid for only one item in your order and only one use per household.

And you’ll get FREE shipping with orders over $25.

For example, score the original version of The Lorax on DVD for $8 (reg. $20) or on Blu-ray for only $10 (reg. $25)! It gets very high reviews.

Be sure to look around at the entire section — there are a ton of Disney movies and some other kid movies starting at only $2.50!

(Thanks, Cleverly Simple and Hip2Save!)

There’s an awesome sale going on today at Taste of Home!

Choose from several $5 children’s books, including Elmo’s Easy as ABC (which also includes a DVD) and Fisher-Price Let’s Get Moving.

If your order hits $20 or more, be sure to use code LS109 to get FREE shipping! Supplies are limited (and these do sell out), so make sure to order early for best selection.

Also be sure to check out the $5 sale on cookbooks, gardening and home books, too. You can save up to 80% on some of the books in this section!

Weekend Wish List:
Just Bunch on Etsy
Fit to Print Designs on Etsy

Etsy is one of my very favorite places to shop for gifts. You always know you’re going to find something completely unique. And best of all, you’re supporting independent artists as you go.

Part of the fun of pregnancy for me was preparing the nursery. Thinking and dreaming about our new little one waking up in a bright, comforting room with inspiring artwork and cozy fabrics — these are some of my favorite pregnancy memories.

I really wish I had found this shop earlier.

Just Bunch offers that fresh, modern and playful look that I was searching for when I was trying to find the perfect look for our kids’ rooms. Created using acrylic paint and decorative papers, Stephanie’s designs are sweet, without being overly so. They blend my love of all things paper with the custom touch of an artist’s hand.

I was very excited to learn that she’s recently opened Fit to Print Designs, a second shop that features prints with more of a graphic design focus. These would look perfect in our kids’ rooms and even would fit nicely in with the modern classic decor of the rest of our house.

With that in mind, I just had to share what I think is my absolute favorite piece of hers. Love the colors. Love the message. Love the price.

**And very good news – Stephanie has generously offered free shipping for our readers! Use code FUNSHIPPING to get FREE shipping on your order!

Be sure to check out both of her shops. There’s a lot there to choose from!

Get to know Stephanie a little more. Keep up to date on her newest projects and be sure to follow her on Facebook!

These are perfect for the gift closet or to decorate the rooms of your favorite animal fans:

Smart Labs 3D Adventure Bundles Animal Puzzles only $5.99 for each set. Shipping is $5, but is the same whether you buy 1 or 3 sets, so this would be a perfect time to buy multiples – one of each, maybe? Or grab a few for upcoming birthday parties!

Choose from Wild Animals, Ocean Animals or Dinosaurs. The same sets are on sale for $20 to $25 each on Amazon right now!

The Wild Animal Bundle:

• Includes Mega Wild Animal 3D Puzzles and African Safari Kit 3D Puzzle Play
• Mega Wild Animals 3D Puzzles:
  - Fun and educational puzzle includes 25 dimensional puzzle pieces and 3 trading cards packed with facts and stats
  - 3 Build-Your-Own 3D puzzles: Elephant, Giraffe and Lion
  - 3 Trading Cards with animal stats for each of the giants in this box
• African Safari Kit 3D Puzzle Play:
  - This is a great starter science kit for the younger ones
  - Comes with 34 dimensional pieces and 5 trading cards with Fast Facts about safari creatures
  - 5 build-your-own 3D puzzles: Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Mandrill and Zebra
  - 5 Trading Cards with stats on exotic safari animals
  - Diorama pieces

The Ocean Animal Bundle:

• Includes Mega Sharks 3D Puzzles and Ocean Voyage Kit 3D Puzzle Play
• Mega Sharks 3D Puzzles:
  - 3 Build-Your-Own 3D puzzles: Great White Shark, Hammerhead and Whale Shark
  - 3 Trading Cards with animal stats for each of the giants in this box
• Ocean Voyage Kit 3D Puzzle Play:
  - This is a great starter science kit for the younger ones
  - Comes with 32 dimensional pieces and 5 trading cards with Fast Facts about undersea creatures
  - There are 5 easy-to-build ocean creatures
  - Build the 3D puzzles, set up the backdrops and create cool underwater scenes
  - 5 build-your-own 3D puzzles: Blue-ringed Octopus, Bottlenose Dolphin, Great White Shark, Green Sea Turtle and the Red Lionfish
  - 5 Trading Cards with stats on exotic aquatic animals
  - Diorama pieces

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a pre-screening of The Secret World of Arrietty this weekend. The film hits theaters today, Feb. 17.

Kid-friendly movie review: The Secret World of Arrietty

The Secret World of Arrietty is based on the The Borrowers, a 1953 book series by Mary Norton. The premise is that there is a whole secret world of little people living under our floorboards. When a young boy comes to visit, he discovers this world and forms a friendship with a young borrower, endangering their world as they know it.

Visually, the animation is simply breathtaking. This film is by Studio Ghibli (the same studio who offered us Ponyo and Spirited Away). We’ve actually never seen any of their previous films (gasp! I know), but this makes me want to check out more info on the others to see if the kids would enjoy those as well.

The voices are wonderful, as well – Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Carol Burnett, Bridget Mendler and David Henrie. Poehler, especially, adds a laugh here and there throughout the film.

I couldn’t be more excited, though, that this is based on one of my favorite book series as a child, The Borrowers. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve read those, so I’m looking forward to revisiting them myself. The books may still be a little too advanced to read together with my son, but I’m officially on the hunt to find an adapted version for the younger crowd that we might be able to read together. I’ll keep you posted on what I find!

I also appreciated some of the bigger themes the movie offered: Sometimes taking a chance on an unlikely friendship is absolutely the right answer. There’s also an emphasis on the importance of family and the fact that there are some things (friendship, family) worth standing up for. These are wonderful messages for kids and we’ll definitely be returning to them again when we talk with our son after the movie.

Is The Secret World of Arrietty appropriate for kids?

We give The Secret World of Arrietty 5 out of 5 cartwheels.

The Secret World of Arrietty is perfectly family-friendly… and I don’t say that too often.

Even my daughter (who turns two this month) enjoyed it. This is the first movie we even attempted with her in theaters and, to be honest, I wasn’t sure how she’d do. I expected to be in and out of the theater with her, but for the most part, the entire film held her interest — and she’s a wiggly one!

*I can’t guarantee, of course, that all wiggly toddlers will be the same. It’s a safe bet that preschoolers and above will enjoy all 90 minutes of the film without getting antsy.

This is a movie I would definitely take my kids to see again in theaters. It’s not often that there’s a truly family-friendly film that all four of us can enjoy together. This is absolutely one of those and we’ll take advantage of it by seeing it in theaters again (this time with my husband along!)

The Synopsis

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all.  From the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away,” “Ponyo”) comes “The Secret World of Arrietty,” an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.”

Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger. The English language version of “The Secret World of Arrietty” was executive produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, and directed by Gary Rydstrom.

The Trailer

How about you? Do you plan to take the kids to see The Secret World of Arrietty in the theaters?