Fun in Motherhood

gogo Kidz Travelmate

2008-01-19T14:54:00.001-07:00

Traveling with babies and toddlers can be a complete nightmare. Not only are you dealing with temper tantrums in crowed airports, but you’re also forced to pack up the entire house and manage to drag it with you. Go-Go Babyz makes traveling with little ones much easier with the gogo Kidz Travelmate. The gogo Kidz Travelmate allows you to wheel your car seat and child through an airport instead of juggling them in each arm. What a great way to free up one of your hands. Traveling with it is great because it’s lightweight (only 5 pounds), it’s easy to attach and remove car seats, and it folds flat for easy storage. The gogo Kidz Travelmate is also completely safe and is compatible with just about every car seat. (Click here for a complete list.) Once you use it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed with it.

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Hopscotch Rugs

2008-01-18T23:27:00.000-07:00

I was the hopscotch champion back in the day. My lucky rock, which I smoothed to perfection, was tucked inside my pocket everyday so that I was ready when recess rolled around. I seriously love the game. That’s why I absolutely fell in love with the Hopscotch Rugs at Just Kids Rugs. They have a beautiful assortment of hopscotch rugs in different styles and colors.

Hopscotch in the house - anytime, anywhere! This would be great for those rainy days when your children are stuck inside. And with these rugs, say goodbye to chalk!

Cold Medicine too risky for little ones

2008-01-17T08:14:00.000-07:00

The FDA issued a warning for parents to stop giving babies and toddlers (ages 2 and under) over-the-counter cough and cold medicine "because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur.”

It’s not the first warning about cold remedies for toddlers. Last October, drug companies quit selling dozens of medicines targeted specifically to babies and toddlers. That same month, the FDA’s own scientific advisers voted that the drugs don’t even work in small children and shouldn’t be used in preschoolers, either — anyone under age 6. Read the full article here.

2008-01-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

My daughter received the book Tails, by Matthew Van Fleet, as a gift and hasn’t put it down yet. She loves the vibrant colors, the textures, the interactions on each page, and the rhyming text.

This book allows babies and toddlers to see, feel, and even smell the tails of many creatures up close. From the sparkly blue tail of the peacock to the spiny tail of the porcupine, this book is sure to hold your baby’s interest. Bottom Line: this book is absolutely great for babies and toddlers!

Yaktrax

2008-01-15T00:16:00.000-07:00

Walking outdoors during the winter is a nightmare because of ice. Even carrying my baby across the parking lot scares me to death. I’m glad a friend told me about Yaktrax. Yaktrax easily slip on over your regular shoes or boots to provide traction so you can confidently walk on ice or snow. What a great product for women and men who fitness walk in the winter! And it is small enough to fit inside your purse so you can carry it with you for an emergency. Don’t leave home without it – seriously!

Crazy for Crayola Flip-Top Markers

2008-01-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

If you have children that love to color with markers, you also know what a pain it is to have a cap-less marker. You might as well throw it out because drying up is inevitable. With these new Flip-Top markers from Crayola, you no longer have to worry about finding all of your caps because the cap is attached! Just pop the cap up, slide it down the marker, and lock it into base at the base of the marker while you color. It's that easy. And these markers come with the superior advanced washability formula so you don't have to worry about staining either. You just can't beat these markers. Happy coloring!
Check out some more products from Crayola.

Delicious Hot Chocolate

2008-01-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

One thing I cannot live without during the Winter is Hot Chocolate. In fact, I love it so much that sometimes I drink it during the summer. (My husband thinks I'm crazy.) I thought I'd share a delicious recipe for Creamy Hot Chocolate that is lip-smacking good.

Ingredients
1 cup real semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 cups milk
2 cups (1 pint) half & half
2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions
Combine chocolate chips, sugar, and water in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH, stirring every minute, until chocolate chips are melted and mixture comes to a full boil (3 - 4 minutes). Microwave on HIGH 2 minutes. Stir in milk and half & half. Microwave on HIGH, stirring after half the time, until heated through (8 - 10 minutes), but do not boil. Add vanilla. Whisk until frothy. Enjoy. (It makes about 8 servings.)

(Picture courtesy of Wikipedia.)

2008-01-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

Good Night Moon, written by Margaret Wise Brown, follows a young rabbit as he says goodnight to anything and everything just so he can avoid going to sleep – something all toddlers can identify with. Thanks to the rhyming and soothing text and the illustrations that progress from evening to night, this book is a fabulous bedtime story for little ones.

EarCheck® Middle Ear Monitor

2008-01-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

While sitting in the waiting room at the pediatrician’s office last week, I saw a pamphlet for an EarCheck® Middle Ear Monitor that caught my eye. The EarCheck® Monitor detects middle ear fluid, a key sign of an ear infection, to help you identify if your child has an ear infection. As a first time mom, I would really love to eliminate the guessing game and know when I need to take my daughter to the doctor. When I returned home, I checked out the website and found some more great features about the product.

It’s Clinically proven and physican recommended; FDA cleared and UL approved.
It's easy to use and easy to read. The monitor indicates the likelihood of middle ear fluid and interprets the results: Consult Doctor, Monitor, or Fluid Unlikely.

Visit Earcheck.com to learn about how the product works, or purchase yours today at Walmart or Babies “R” Us.

Beat the Wintertime Blahs

2008-01-08T08:18:00.000-07:00

Ahh, Winter - I can honestly say that I don't like it. Period. Even as a child I dreaded wintertime. You can only build so many snow forts before it gets old. Looking out my window this morning, seeing the ground covered in 6 inches of fresh snow, I thought I'd share some toys that children could have fun with this winter.

Who doesn’t love a good snowball fight? The Sno-Baller® can help you make perfect snowballs every time, and you can make up to 60 snowballs per minute! Anything that'll save my fingers from becoming soaking wet and numb has my vote!

I remember spending hours in the cold building snow fort and snow castles with my sisters. This inflatable snow castle would've saved us a lot of time. Or if you would rather spend the afternoon inside, just pump it up in the playroom and let your imagination run wild!

Or you can pretend you live in the artic with this inflatable igloo. This, too, can be used both indoors or outdoors. It measures 6 feet in diameter and can fit up to 4 children.

2008-01-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

There was A Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow is a Winter version of the traditional rhyme “There was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” and is also part the Lucille Colandro’s There was An Old Lady… collection. In this story, the little old lady has an appetite for some snow, a pipe, coal, a black hat, tree branches, and so forth. At the end, she hiccups up a snowman. It’s a cute story filled with rhyming text and delightful drawings that are sure to grab your children’s attention.

ABC* Gingerbread Man

2007-12-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Have a little more fun with your holiday cookies this year with these ABC (Already Been Chewed) Gingerbread Man cookie cutters. The ABC cutters come with one legless, one armless, and one headless gingerbread man cutter. ABC (Already Been Chewed) cookies probably aren't exactly what Santa was hoping to find, but they sure do make some fun cookies!

More Cake Pans

2007-12-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

I recently blogged about some winter-themed cake pans, and well, I found some more that I thought I'd share with you. These cake pans are would be perfect for summertime and are also available at Williams-Sonoma.

Ice Cream Cone Cupcake Pan. Presenting the best of both worlds: freshly baked cupcakes that look like ice cream cones.

Beehive Cake Pan. This decorative cake pan does the work of hundreds of buzzing bees – with incredibly sweet results.

Backyard Bugs Cakelet Pan. This charming baking pan abounds with garden bugs. Featuring four pairs of flying friends – bees, butterflies, ladybugs and dragonflies – perched on a leaf, the pan turns out eight little cakes. Kids will enjoy identifying their favorite critters, then decorating them.

Stadium Bundt Cake Pan. At game-day gatherings, tailgate picnics or a party for the kids’ team, you’ll score big with a cake in the shape of a sports stadium. Every sports fan will love this!

Must-Have Cake Pans

2007-12-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of cake pans. No- I'm not talking about your grandmother's rectangular cake pans. I'm talking about these new and improved cake pans from Williams-Sonoma. Not only are they gorgeous, but they are made with durable cast aluminum that ensures sharp detail and uniform baking, and a premium nonstick interior provides quick release and easy cleanup. They have a great line of winter-themed cake pans.

Snowman Cake Pan. Inspired by the classic holiday tune “Frosty the Snowman,” this pan produces a tall, festive cake that can serve as a delightful centerpiece for a dining table or dessert buffet.

Railway Cake Pan. This is one little locomotive no one will want to miss! This cake pan bakes a complete nine-car train that’s ready to decorate and eat. From engine to caboose, there’s no limit to the colors and decorative details imaginative young bakers can add to each train car.

Winter Wonderland Cake Pan. These dream cars are sweet enough to eat! Young bakers and car collectors will get a thrill from creating small cakes shaped like vintage cars and trucks.

Another Real Life Moment

2007-12-16T23:02:00.000-07:00

I love sharing some motherhood moments from my life because it gives my readers a glimpse into my life and helps them connect with me on a personal level. With that said, here is another momentous experience I had the other day. Enjoy.

Smelled a messy diaper on my daughter.
Went to change her and noticed the poop had somehow managed to squish it's way all the way up her back. AND she just happened to be wearing a white onesie. Awesome.
Peeled the onesie off her, but of course it got everywhere - her legs, arms, hair, me, the carpet - Aaaargh.
Wiped her down as best as I could, and then off to the bathtub we went.
Had my daughter stand outside the tub while I made sure the temperature was okay.
Pick her up to plop her in the tub.
Noticed a large puddle on the floor. Fabulous - she peed all over the bathroom floor and got the bath rug, too.
Realized I didn't have a washcloth.
Ran to get a washcloth. (Don't worry, I was seriously gone 10 seconds at most.)
Ran back to the bathroom.
Found my daughter standing in the tub with the shower running. Water was spraying all over the bathroom but she was having the time of her life.
I could either laugh or cry - I laughed.
Scrubbed every inch of my daughter.
Scrubbed every inch of her, again.
Dried and dressed my daughter.
Cleaned up the puddle on the bathroom floor.
Threw the rug in the wash.
Dried up the rest of the bathroom.
Soaked & scrubbed & scrubbed & scrubbed my daughter's onesie.
Scrubbed & scrubbed & scrubbed the carpet.
Laughed again.
Aww. Glad that's all over with.

Folding Cutting Board

2007-12-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

This is one of those tools that just makes cooking easier, especially for busy moms who don't have time for more messes. You simply us this folding cutting board to chop up food and then fold it inot a chute to transfer ingredients without spills. Genius. It was recently featured on the Rachael Ray show. They are available at the Moma Store.

Secure your Plate to the Table

2007-12-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

Do you have a cupboard full of beautiful china that hasn’t been used for years for fear of it being damaged by – your children? With the help of Napfnapf suction cups, even your children can eat off your finest china at your upcoming Christmas dinner. These double-sided suction cups enable any kind of plate to be fixed firmly to the table. They are made of silicon, which is heat resistant, hygienic, and food safe. And they are small enough to throw in your bag for your next dinner at a favorite restaurant or Grandma’s. She’ll thank you, too.

2007-12-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

The Legend of the Poinsettia, written and illustrated by Tomie De Paola, retells the Mexican legend of the poinsettia through folk-art style illustrations and vibrant colors. When her mother becomes ill, Lucida is unable to complete a blanket as a gift to place at her church’s Christmas manger. A miracle happens when the weeds she has placed with love at the manger blossom into beautiful red poinsettias.

Cupcake Wrappers

2007-12-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous. These laser-cut cupcake wrappers from Paper Orchid are some of my new favorite things. They come in all kinds of themes, designs, and colors. Believe me, you'll definitely make a statement at your next celebration with these cute cupcakes.

Ribbon Ornaments

2007-12-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

I love holiday decorations and am always in search for cute new ideas. I saw these beautiful grosgrain ribbon ornaments at Pottery Barn and fell in love with them. They would look great on my tree this year.

Being the crafter that I am, I also thought, “Wow, these would be easy to make myself.” So I did just that. I bought a few 3” Styrofoam balls and some ribbon. With my hot glue gun in hand, I went to work wrapping the Styrofoam balls in ribbon. I added a few finishing touches, attached a loop, and hung them on my tree. And I think they look even better than the store-bought ones. This would be a great project for children, too.

Robert Sabuda's Christmas Pop Ups

2007-12-05T23:47:00.000-07:00

If you don't have any Robert Sabuda pop-up books in your library, Christmas is a perfect time to acquire one. Pop up books are generally non-stop fascination for children and Sabuda's are no exception. Children can't get enough of them. And neither can adults. They're a whole new level of intricacy and details. A whole new level of cool. Mr. Sabuda has several winter/Christmas themed options.

Robert Sabuda recently appeared on the Marth Stewart show. He gives a tutorial on creating a Reindeer Pop-up card.

Add some Color to your next Cake

2007-12-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

These Color Flame Party Candles are a fun way to celebrate any special occasion. Vat19 sells sets of 12 party candles that feature six different colors; there are two candles per color. There are also twelve plastic holders that not only collect wax, but also make it incredibly easy to decorate the cake. Visit Vat19 to order your party candles and give your next cake some pizzazz!

Beat the Christmas Stress

2007-12-03T22:58:00.000-07:00

With Christmas only a few weeks away, Christmas stress is about to officially start. According to Greenwich University, the first Saturday in December is when the anticipation is swallowed up by feelings of stress. Shopping for gifts, decorating the house, planning Christmas dinners, attending corporate Christmas parties, and sending Christmas cards will leave anyone exhausted. And it’s no surprise that shopping causes a majority of the tension. Working against a budget and a deadline to find the perfect gifts raises our heart rates, shuts down our digestive systems and leaves us physically and mentally exhausted. Phew. That makes me tired just thinking about it. Here are some tips on how to de-stress instead of distress this Holiday Season.

Do your shopping throughout the year to eliminate last-minute shopping. If that doesn’t work for you, try shopping all in one day so that your mind stays focused.
Shop online to avoid crowds, long lines, and horrible traffic.
Eat right and exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy. And definitely put that cup of coffee down. Caffeine makes the body release cortisol, the stress hormone, which leaves you feeling tense. Switch out your cup of coffee for a bottle of water instead.

Get Your High School Musical Fix

2007-11-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

It will be a while before the new High School Musical movie comes out, which means you’re stuck watching parts 1 and 2 over and over again. But here’s the good news. I’ve found some fun ways to keep your kids happy while giving your DVD player a break.

Dance It. Get your groove on with the High School Musical Got Moves Dance Mat. The mat lights up as you dance to 1 of 4 songs from High School Musical. With 3 levels of difficulty for each song, and a total of 12 different dance routines, your kids are sure to dance their hearts out.

Sing It. Sing along to all your favorite songs from the movies with the High School Musical Rockin’ Sing Along Microphone. Or host a karaoke night with the High School Musical Karaoke Series. You can either sing alone to the instrumental accompaniment or sing along to the vocal version with the original singers on a CD-G format.

Jam It. Jam out to your favorite songs with the High School Musical Rockerz Guitar, Rockerz Drums, or Rockerz Keyboard. With sound effects and riffs, you can play along with the songs!

Play It. Now you can take home Troy, Gabriella, and the gang to act out your favorite scenes from the movie.

Or you can Getcha head in the game with the High School Musical DVD Board Game. kids compete in 4 categories: Song, Dance, Q & A and Actual or SO Not. Use your knowledge of everything HSM to earn your way into the Final Call Backs and win the lead in the next musical!

Watch It. All the drama and fun of the movies will come to life at the spectacular High School Musical: The Ice Tour. This show features two smash hits on ice – Act 1 is a performance of High School Musical and Act 2 is a performance of High School Musical 2. Find a show near you here.

Wear It. Believe me, there is no shortage of HSM gear. From tshirts and pajamas to underwear and shoes, you're sure to find what you're looking for. There are also countless HSM accessories, such as toothbrushes, alarm clocks, and bedding.

Win It. Disney is kicking off another “year of a million dreams” which includes a chance to walk the red carpet and attend the premiere of High School Musical 3 with the stars. Go to Disneyparks.com/dreamcatalog for more information.

Bring in the Cake

2007-11-20T08:51:00.000-07:00

This is one of those things that'll make you laugh and then drive you crazy: A musical cake plate that spins. It plays "Happy Birthday," it revolves, and it has flashing lights inside. What a way to bring in the cake! It measures 5 1/2" high x 12" diameter.