Petite Planet

New Documentary Unacceptable Levels Examines the Everyday Chemicals Polluting Our Lives

2013-06-11T21:24:00.003-07:00

Please watch this trailer and view Unacceptable Levels in the theater, online or anywhere you can, so we may all understand how to better protect our families from harmful toxins and chemicals.

Personalize Your Kids' Belongings in Style with 'Write Your Own' Labels from Emily Press

2013-06-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

When it comes to labeling your kids' stuff, there are certain types of moms. There's the permanent Sharpie marker mom who leaves an indelible mark across T-shirt labels and on the bottom of drink containers, there's the hand embroidery type of mom who sews her little girl's name lovingly into her personal belongings in cursive writing, using perfectly contrasting thread. And then there's me. I'm the type of mom who fishes a ballpoint pen out of the glove compartment as I pull up to said event where my kids clothing and gear need to be labeled, and I quickly search for the tag to scrawl their name in ink that bleeds to the point of being illegible.

So you can imagine my thrill when I learned about Emily Press Labels -- specifically their new Write Your Own Labels, which are non-PVC and BPA-free (and their packaging is made from recycled content!). They are the ideal answer for moms like me -- who want an easy, stylish way to label kids' belongings sans the ballpoint pen and the sewing kit.

Emily Press Labels Write Your Own Labels come in an array of cute designs from elephants and dump trucks to princesses and peace signs, that will please both boys and girls. The designs pictured in this post are what I chose for Miss O and Mr. A, and they love them. These labels make it effortless to ensure your childrens' belongings will be clearly labeled. With summer camp coming up, they are a real lifesaver, too. You can adhere them to everything that requires your kiddo's moniker, and rest assured they'll stick around to do the job.

These labels are also dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe, and waterproof -- which is key when it comes to labeling lunchboxes, water bottles and food containers! To use Write Your Own labels, all you have to do is write your child's name on one in permanent marker, then seal and protect the writing with the built-in laminate.

I love that Emily Press Labels makes their products so affordable and user-friendly. You can get a pack of 24 Write Your Own labels for just $9.99 -- and you don't have to pay outlandish fees for a company to personalize your labels, since you do it yourself. I like that you can also write as many names as you need to on the labels, and aren't limited to having 24 labels in one name.

Thanks to Emily Press Labels, I will look like a super-hip, totally organized mom. I'll be toting these labels around for all my personalization needs from now on!

Spot It! Alphabet and Numbers & Shapes Editions are Perfect for Travel & Preschool Prep!

2013-06-02T20:55:00.002-07:00

Mr. A and Miss O have such different ways of learning. Miss O used to sit still for up to an hour at a time to study letters and numbers via puzzles, books and games. Mr. A's attention span is fleeting -- and after a few minutes he's ready to move on to the next activity, closing a book or pushing a game away, waving his little hands in mid-air and declaring, "All done!" Since Mr. A loves watching Miss O and I play one of our all-time favorite games, Spot It! and he often wants to join in, I was thrilled to discover that the masterminds behind Blue Orange Games have made letters, numbers and shapes editions of this handy, entertaining game!

Spot It! Alphabet and Spot It! Numbers and Shapes are essential games to add to your preschooler's repertoire. Playing these card games together is a sly way to help little ones learn their letters, shapes and numbers, and also color rcognition, by disguising the education as entertainment. I plan on traveling with both of these easy-to-tote tins all the time, to utilize them during opportunities such as airplane travel and for long lulls like waiting in the doctor's office.

Miss O will also benefit from playing Spot It! Alphabet, because although she has mastered her letters, there are plenty of other variations of the game offered in the instructions that make it suitable for kids with more advanced skill sets. For example, you can ask your older child to think of a word that starts with the letter they are "spotting" or a word that contains the letter.

I love these good, old-fashioned games because they enable me to bond with and teach my kids essential information, and we have a blast playing every edition of Spot It! we own. It's such a fun way to pass the time while dinner is cooking and it's time to unwind in the early evening. And I just know that Mr. A is soaking up knowledge to embark on preschool in the fall every time we open the can holding these ingenious card games.


Mr. A studies the Spot It! instructions intently

Twinkle Tent for Summer Cat Naps & Leisurely Reading

2013-05-26T22:48:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous Twinkle Tent from Banana J Creations is so beyond inviting it takes my breath away. The simple addition of a string of LED lights makes it ethereal and heavenly, and I can't imagine a sweeter locale for Miss O to dive into one of the many chapter books we've been collecting to read together over the course of the summer. I want to nestle in this tee pee play tent when we embark on Charlotte's Web!

Image © Banana J Creations

Regal Crowns from Humble Beginnings

2013-05-20T21:04:00.001-07:00

When life hands you empty toilet rolls, make... crowns? This is a cute, simple green craft that will make your kiddo feel like royalty upon completion. Head over to Kids Kubby to learn how to make these regal toppers! Be sure to use nontoxic paint for coloring the crowns. And if you are feeling really inspired, check out these adorable Cat in the Hat headpieces made from toilet paper rolls too!

Image via Kids Kubby

Dogs Made from Recycled Newspaper

2013-05-07T22:35:00.002-07:00

How cute are these dogs made from recycled newspaper? We're considering adopting a dog, and I'd love to know if any of you have suggestions as to which breeds are best for families with young children. Did you adopt a puppy or an older dog? Please share in the comments!

Animal Free Circuses

2013-04-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

I was never one of those kids who wanted to "run off and join the circus." Frankly, circuses scared me a bit with the dark tents, rings of fire, giant lions, and of course, the clowns.

But as an adult, I have had the amazing opportunity to attend a couple performances of Cirque du Soleil. They offer all of the same, edge of your seat excitement, thrills and laughs, but the shows are done without animals. When I came across the ASPCA's list of animal free circuses, and it included Cirque du Soleil, I wanted to pass the info along to you!

Clearly, animal free circuses are more humane and environmentally friendly than mainstream circuses. They prevent wild animals from being held in captivity and trained to perform 'circus acts.' With spring here and summer on its way, many of us will be considering trips to the circus with the kids. Why not opt for an animal free circus instead?

Here's a worldwide list of animal free circuses, put together by The ASPCA.

Waste-Not Sewing Kits Turn Trash into Treasure

2013-04-22T20:25:00.001-07:00

Upcycle that plastic cup you used at the last party you went to, into an adorable hedgehog with eeBoo's Waste-Not Sewing Kit. The kit comes complete with everything you need to turn trash into this sweet little treasure. Also available in a fox variety, for which you need an empty bottle.

Dear Photograph Website Brilliantly Combines the Past & Present

2013-04-16T21:39:00.000-07:00

The world gets increasingly complicated and hectic by the day, so when I stumbled upon the amazing site, Dear Photograph, it charmed me to no end -- because it suspends a moment in time and recaptures a memory in a way that seems to make the world stop spinning for a brief but magical second. The site's tagline is: "Take a picture of a picture from the past in the present." And Dear Photograph is full of poignant, delightful and nostalgic images in which people have tangibly harnessed the intangible essence of a cherished moment from yesteryear.

This would be such a fun thing to do with your children -- especially if you visit places you frequented in your youth together -- your first house, a favorite hangout, a park or tree you loved... take an old photo and have your kiddo hold it in the locale all these years later. It's playing with time in the most enchanting way. Visit Dear Photograph to enjoy all of the inspiring submissions.

Take a minute to treat yourself to this slideshow of amazing images from Dear Photograph.

Image via Dear Photograph

Madhava Organic Coconut Sugar is a Sweet Alternative to Pure Cane Sugar

2013-04-10T20:40:00.002-07:00

In our ongoing quest to streamline our diet and eliminate processed foods that are contaminated with horrible ingredients and additive s, we decided to switch from organic pure cane sugar to unrefined, non-GMO and vegan organic coconut sugar. I learned that sugar is processed using cow's bone char, and that does not jive AT ALL with our vegan diet! Madhava's organic coconut sugar (which we found at Whole Foods) is absolutely delicious, and I can't tell the difference in taste between this sugar and the pure cane sugar we had been using previously. This coconut sugar is sustainably grown and harvested and it includes the added benefits of containing "naturally occurring nutrients including magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, B vitamins, and amino acids."

Additionally, "the coconut palm tree produces 50% to 75% more sugar per acre than cane sugar - and it only uses 20% of the resources."

That's sweet! Make the switch!

Organic Cotton Baby Blankets from Little Hip Squeaks

2013-04-06T22:38:00.002-07:00

This photograph makes my heart MELT! How precious are these little babies?! You may have heard the recent news that baby swaddling has been banned in day care centers, but if you have a newborn at home under your constant supervision, swaddling can be extremely beneficial for babies. Miss O and Mr. A couldn't sleep as newborns unless they were swaddled. They were both born in the heat of August, and we opted for lightweight organic muslin swaddling blankets from Aden + Anais.

The blankets modeled above are from Etsy shop Little Hip Squeaks and they're made of 100% organic cotton jersey knit fabric, which would also be a lovely, cozy and cool fabric choice for spring/summer. You can choose what color or pattern you'd like... but hurry and order today because the shop owners announced that "made to order blankets will be discontinued as of April 15th."

Upcycle T-shirts into a Cute Dress for Spring

2013-04-03T20:53:00.001-07:00

Miss O is growing like a weed, which means I just cleared out another batch of "too small" clothing from her dresser and closet. I send her sweet apparel off to two of my neighbors with little girls, so I know her threads are going on to have a fun second life... but I really wish I was crafty and could sew because I'd love to make a keepsake dress such as the adorable one seen above. The creative mom at I am Momma Hear Me Roar used stamps to breathe new life into old T-shirts, and then she sewed strips of the T-shirts together to create a cute new dress. I think this would be such a fun way to pay homage to outgrown articles of clothing, extending their life and keeping them in circulation that much longer!

Click here to view the tutorial on how to make an upcycled T-shirt dress.

image © I am Momma Hear Me Roar

Planet Dog's Orbee Tuff Cosmos Balls Offer Endless Fun for Canines

2013-04-01T21:09:00.001-07:00

If you share your life with a ball-obsessed dog like I do, then you know how challenging it can be to find toys and balls that are indestructible and last through countless hours of “fetch” and dog park play. We actually have to put balls in drawers to hide them from our Yellow Lab, Cash, who thinks it’s his sole purpose in life to run around like a maniac chomping, snapping and barking at balls. Thank goodness there’s Planet Dog to satiate Cash’s ball obsession. We’ve been fans of Planet Dogproducts for years, and they always invent new products that are fun and challenging for our pups. Cash’s newest infatuation is the SOL™ ball, one of three awesome Orbee Tuff Cosmos™ balls from the socially responsible, sustainable company.

At a whopping 5”, the orange SOL™ looks like the sun and is perfect for large dogs like Cash who love to wrap their entire mouth around their toy. LUNA™ represents the moon, is 4” and glows in the dark. And lastly, RINGO™ is a cosmic green 3” ball with a Saturn-like ring. Each ball has the Planet Dog signature Treat Spot™ for hiding your dog’s favorite kibble or treats.
Since 1997, Planet Dog has been known as the industry's leading socially responsible, values-based design house, bringing people and dogs together for fun and mutual support. Planet Dog’s mission is to “amuse, explore, support, innovate, create, educate, celebrate and philanthropate... all in the name of the dog.” They "romp the romp" by providing financial resources to those in need, by educating consumers about canine-related issues, and by creating an array of non-toxic and recyclable products. Planet Dog's products are socially responsible since they donate 2% of every purchase to the Planet Dog Foundation™ (PDF), their non-profit grant making organization. PDF supports canine service programs across the country that train, place and support dogs that are helping people in need. All of Planet Dog’s balls are doggie durable, buoyant, bouncy, minty, recyclable, non-toxic and 100% guaranteed. Check out all of Planet Dog’s toys and Orbee-Tuff™ products at www.planetdog.com.

This post was written by Petite Planet pet correspondent, Tracie Berger.

Recycle Your Egg Cartons into Math & Sorting Tools!

2013-03-29T16:55:00.002-07:00

Decorating eggs for Easter? Hold on to your empty egg cartons and recycle them into math and sorting tools! I'm always trying to find ways to reuse household items -- and I love finding ways to play a learning game that both Miss O and Mr. A can enjoy, on different levels. Read on to learn how we made counting and color coding fun by using egg cartons!

As seen in the lead image of this post, Miss O practiced her addition and subtraction skills by placing balls of play dough into certain numbers slots in the carton, counting them, and then adding them together on paper. (ie: 5 + 6 = 11) Mr. A enjoyed placing the amount of play dough balls in each hole in the carton, to correspond with the number. (ie: 1 ball in the slot numbered "1.") I simply labeled the holes 1-12, gave him plenty of play dough balls, and he practiced counting. He also enjoyed sorting the rainbow of colored balls into separate slots.

Instead of using her fingers to count, Miss O practiced her math skills by counting the play dough balls, learning important concepts, disguised as fun!

How To: Decoupage Flower Pots

2013-03-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

New to the medium of decoupage, I ventured out and got my first bottle of Mod Podge to start exploring the art -- now I am officially addicted and want to decoupage EVERYTHING! The warm sunny weather in San Diego this past weekend inspired me to plant some new plants and give the pots I put them in a bit of flair. I decided to decoupage some Terracotta plant holders with materials I had around the house. It was very easy and very fun -- read on to learn how to make your own decoupage flower pots!

Materials you will need:

Terracotta pots

Mod Podge - You can make your own by taking 3 parts white glue to one part water. Add 2 tablespoons of varnish for shine. Mod Podge isn't expensive, and it comes in a wide range of styles from matte to glitter. There is also an "outdoor" Mod Podge, so if you are going to put your pots outside, you may want to use that variety.

Whatever materials you want to decoupage onto your flowerpot. I used a napkin with a print I liked, the packets that the flower seeds came in, and some pretty paper. You can also use postcards, magazines, newspaper, etc.

Scissors

Paints

A "sponge" type brush

1) First, cut your paper, or whatever material you are using, into small squares. I did this as I went along because you will need to fill in with odd shapes and sizes. Put some Mod Podge or glue mixture on each piece and then affix it to your flowerpot.

2) Continue cutting and gluing your paper on the pot until it is covered. If you are using a napkin, take care because it will tear easily.

3) Once you have covered the surface, take your sponge brush and cover the entire pot with Mod Podge or glue mixture. One coat is fine, but the bottle says you can do several coats if you desire. Just allow 15-20 minutes in between coats.

4) Once the flower pot is dry, you can paint the rim of the flowerpot in a matching color, or leave it as is. Below, you can see the flower pot that I decoupaged using a napkin with a fun print (on the right).

The decoupage possibilities are endless! So next time you have some magazines lying around, postcards, or almost pretty material, try your hand at these decoupage flower pots, which would also make great teacher gifts with a lovely plant!

Below, you can see the flower pot I decoupaged with the packets that the flower seeds came in!

This post was written by Petite Planet craft contributor, Lisa Lopez.

Hello Hanna 'Yum Yum Bakery' Eco Sticker Book

2013-03-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

My little girl is CRAZY for stickers -- and this sweet Yum Yum Bakery sticker book from Hello Hanna takes the sticky fun factor up a notch by letting kids build and design their own confections. If you're trying to avoid oodles of candy in your tot's Easter Basket, ask the Easter Bunny to deliver this drool-worthy activity instead! And the best part for greenies: it's made with FSC-certified recycled paper.

Earth Hour is this Saturday Night from 8:30pm-9:30pm

2013-03-21T19:50:00.001-07:00

Personally, I think every hour of every day should be Earth Hour, in which we globally commemorate the precious planet we've been given. But I'll support any event that urges human beings to pause, even if it's only for 60 minutes, to turn off the lights and tune into what we can do to help save the planet. Here are more than a dozen activities and ideas for how to spend Earth Hour with your family.

And I'd like to urge you to use the time to collectively think of a call to action and support an issue you'd like to change in order to better the world in all of the hours to come.

Organic Cotton Tweet Birds Sing for Spring

2013-03-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Whether you have a spring baby on the way and you want to decorate the nursery in due spirit, or you're looking for a way to mark the change of seasons or the Easter holiday around your home, these sweet little birds are singing your tune. They're designed in Brooklyn and handmade in India using organic cotton -- and they'll surely add some chirp to any perch.

Sweet Paper Chicks from Mibo

2013-03-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

These adorable spring and Easter inspired paper crafts are a fun project to enjoy with the kids, and they also make festive home decor or Easter basket fillers! Designed by Madeleine Rogers for Mibo, The Yolk Folk spring to life in minutes -- all you need on hand are scissors, glue, a ruler -- and perhaps some chicken feed once your chicks are milling about!

St. Patrick's Day Craft: Potato Stamps & More Artistic Fun!

2013-03-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, let's make art with potatoes! Your Petite Picassos will love creating masterpieces with potato stamps, sponge stamps and marbles as a special alternative to pulling out crayons or markers for art time. Next time your little one wants to celebrate their abstract side, encourage their talents with these quick and easy, delightfully fun craft projects!

Materials You Will Need:

Paints

A potato

Sponges

Butcher paper/paper

Marbles

Any type of box ie: shoe box, lid to a box

Potato Stamps

Cut a potato in half, which will allow you to make two stamps. Draw your desired shape onto the surface of the potato using a marker. Cut around this shape with a kitchen knife, leaving the design so it is raised on the surface of the potato. Dry with a paper towel. Pour some paint into a dish and you are ready to stamp!

Sponge Stamps

Take any old sponges, and cut them into fun shapes, letters, numbers, or whatever your artsy child prefers! Dip the sponges in your paints and stamp away!

Marble Painting

Take your box or box lid, secure a piece of paper to the bottom with tape, and have your child choose their paint colors. Squirt a bit of each color of paint anywhere on the paper. Then drop in a few marbles, and have you child hold each side of the box, carefully rolling the marbles through the paint. Allow to dry completely, then pull the paper out of the box and proudly display!

Keep these easy ideas in mind and inspire your child to create art in exciting new ways!

This post was written by Petite Planet craft contributor, Lisa Lopez.

Beautiful, Unique Easter Eggs Decorated with Seeds, Grains & Beans!

2013-03-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, the fond memories of coloring eggs the week before Easter! Remember those colored tablets that would fizz in the cup, and the neon colored dye that would remain on your hands for days to come? While packaged egg dyeing kits are still readily available, there are so many greener, craftier ways to decorate your Easter eggs. This year, I decided to make unconventional, rustic looking eggs by decorating them with various nuts, grains, seeds and beans: raw pumpkin seeds, uncooked rice, lentils, beans, orzo and popcorn! To do the same, all you need is some creativity and a few things you already have in your pantry!

Materials You Will Need:

Boiled, cage free, organic eggs

Rice

Lentils

Seeds such as sunflower, pumpkin

Beans

Orzo

Anything else you can find in this realm!

1) Hard boil your eggs and let them cool and dry completely.

2) Gather the seeds, grains and beans you'd like to decorate with. You will need a food safe glue to use if you plan to eat your eggs once the holiday has passed -- also keep in mind that they will still need to be stored in the refrigerator if you have future plans to eat them. And any type of glue will do if you are going to use them for display purposes only.

3) Next, coat the egg in glue and get in touch with your inner artist! This craft is especially great for older kids -- it's a nice way to slow down, unwind and pass the time bonding together. If you have little ones in your household, make sure to supervise them during the process and display the eggs out of their reach -- since they are covered in small, uncooked items, such as beans and seeds that may look inviting to eat, but will pose a choking hazard.

Another idea for eco-friendly egg decorating is to color your eggs naturally. Click here to view a step by step tutorial on how to dye Easter eggs using fruits and vegetables! And don't forget to compost the shells of your Easter eggs once peeled!

Pura's Kiki Stainless Steel Toddler Bottle is an Ideal Transition to a Sippy Cup

2013-03-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Stainless steel is my favorite choice of material for bottles and sippy cups, and Pura's Kiki 100% plastic-free reusable bottles for babies and kids feature the clever and convenient ability to grow with your child from the infant through the toddler stage with a simple switch of the spout. Since kids get so attached to their bottle, you can transition them with ease from an infant bottle to a toddler bottle, by replacing the silicone nipple with a silicone sip spout.

Let's talk about safety. Pura's bottles are completely nontoxic and virtually indestructible. The stainless steel has no interior lining (don't ever buy bottles that have an interior lining such as aluminum which can leach toxic chemicals into the liquids it contains). Pura's bottles feature zero migration of heavy metals including chromium, nickel, cadmium, copper, aluminum, antimony, and cobalt and they are 100% BPA-free, 100% phthalate-free, 100% lead-free and 100% PVC free.

And let's not fail to mention that they're super pretty and fun to look at!

Their vibrant hues are achieved using paint that is non-toxic and free of lead, phthalates, PVC, and BPA. Further, the bottle and its components are dishwasher safe on the top rack.

What's different about Pura, as compared to Klean Kanteen, is that Pura bottles contain no plastic parts whatsoever. They're spouts are silicone, as are there travel lids.

Additionally, the use of your child's Pura bottle may be stretched even further via their new silicone sealing disks! With regard to this ingenious innovation Pura explains, "Our eco-progressive mission leads us to constantly seek opportunities to increase the usefulness and life span of our products. Our new silicone sealing disks, while simple in concept, allow our Kiki bottles to be repurposed for use by adolescents and even adults!"

You can use the colorful silicone sealing disks to seal up a bottle for transporting adult beverages to the beach, camping, or to take to work for an office lunch. Since the vast majority of bottles and sippy cups end up in a landfill after a few short years of use, it's great to see that Pura is extending their lifespan indefinitely with this simple, yet highly beneficial added component.

Grab your Pura stainless steel infant/toddler bottle here!

Beatrix Potter Miniature Tea Set for a Special Easter or Spring Gift

2013-03-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

The Easter Bunny really likes to think outside the basket when he visits our house. He knows we're not huge fans of candy and disposable trinkets, so he tends to give Miss O and Mr. A gifts that will be treasured and last long after the Easter holiday has been celebrated.

This miniature Beatrix Potter tea set would make a delightful Easter gift to be cherished for many a spring tea party in your back garden, or at the dining room table when the weather isn't cooperating.

If you have a child who loves having and hosting tea parties, this set would be a remarkable treat. Made in Germany, each porcelain piece is hand-embellished in 22k gold, and fired to be food and dishwasher friendly.

And hop to it, because right now the set is on sale at Nest for just $36.50!

Also available: a gorgeous Beatrix Potter tea for four set.

Carré jaune Skincare for Children

2013-03-07T21:50:00.006-08:00

Carré jaune is a refreshing collection of skincare products designed especially for children by someone who has their best interest in mind: a mother. Sylvie Lafave, mom of two, created the line when she couldn't find nontoxic products she wanted to use on her kids. So she dreamed up and then brought to fruition, carré jaune: chemical free skincare for babies and kids.

As clean and delightful as its fresh logo and packaging, the carré jaune collection is comprised of 100% natural ingredients, and none of the products contain essential oils. Instead Lafave's line relies on fruit extracts such as apricot, in order to provide the softest care possible -- in addition to other soothing ingredients such as vitamin E, calendula oil, and shea butter -- which all work to keep your kiddo's skin protected and/or to help it heal.

We happen to be going through a dry skin epidemic in our house at the moment, and we've been slathering on carré jaune apricot cream, which has resulted in the rejuvenation of our chapped skin. The apricot foam bath is also a lovely foaming wash for the bath or shower, and both emit a sweet but subtle, pleasing apricot aroma.

The cupuaçu balm is like an oversized chapstick that should be stowed in every parent's diaper bag, as it can be used in a number of ways and helps protect skin from the elements. Use it to moisturize lips, to nourish dry cheeks, or to soothe small wounds or bug stings. The cupuaçu pomade is an ideal diaper cream for babes in cloth diapers because it doesn't contain zinc, and it also does double duty to alleviate redness that sometimes occurs in baby's neck and thigh folds. I still look forward to a soak in the apricot bath powder myself!

A little more info on this charming company:

Carré jaune is French for "yellow square." Lafave explains, "I remember a time when we were showing our daughter shapes and colors as a baby. She only remembered yellow square while pointing at every shape and color. I never forgot it. Don’t worry, she’s ok now!"

On a philanthropic note Lafave offers, "Every year, carré jaune will donate 1% of our net profits to an organization helping children in need.

Charlie Banana's 2-in-1 Training Pants & Swim Diapers

2013-03-06T08:44:00.003-08:00

We're rounding the bend to potty training Mr. A (heaven help us!), and I'm also researching swim lessons for spring -- and much to my delight Charlie Banana, (read my review of their fabulous cloth diapers here), makes a 2-in-1 training pant/swim diaper! The Charlie Banana 2-in-1 Swim Diaper & Training pants have a waterproof, outer layer and a soft organic cotton interior lining, which is gentle against your kiddo's skin, and absorbent enough to contain any accidents along the way.

I really love that I won't have to use disposable pull-ups or swim diapers all summer long (let's hope the potty training process is a quick one? Fingers crossed!). Instead, I can outfit Mr. A in Charlie Banana's adorable prints and vibrantly hued reusable training pants and swim diapers.

Another huge plus, Charlie Banana products are now available for purchase at Target!

Note: if you're not looking for the 2-in-1 option, Charlie Banana also offers organic cotton training pants which you can see here.

I'll also be checking back in on this note with a progress report once we're in the full swing of potty training, to let you know how these training pants are holding up to the task.