Woman Tribune » Family

Toys R Us and Babies R Us Expand to Include Full Infant Care Line

Holly — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:34:35 +0000

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

Toys R Us has long been a resource for parents, extended family and friends of parents to retreat to as their own, personal toy haven where the perfect toy for any child (or immature adult) could be found. Babies R Us has long been known as the place for all of your infant and toddler needs from nursery furniture and decor to health, cleansers and clothing. Regardless of which one of these stores you and your family frequent, both stores have expanded their inventory to include an entire line of infant and baby care essentials.

Now the next time you’re cruising down the aisles of Toys R Us, trying to find your husband who has Ooohed and Aaahed in the direction of some totally awesome toys, you can also pick up anything you may need for the littlest family members without having to stop at another store or two on your way home, which will definitely end up saving you some time.

The decision for Toys R Us and Babies R Us to stock a line of Babies R Us-branded infant care line in its stores was formally announced this past week. The products of this line include powdered infant formula, diapers, baby wipes, laundry detergent and purified water–all of the basic essentials needed at home, at all times. Better yet, the Babies R Us branded line of products are said to be up to 50% less than other brands of the same products.

For a brand already synonymous with being a leading, heavy-hitter in the infant and baby market and whose customers know as an establishment where they will receive quality products to expand their line in this fashion is an outstanding move. Not only will stocking a line of infant and baby essentials save busy parents some time by not having to go store-to-store looking for diapers and formula, but this will boost Babies R Us, specifically, in the registry department. Expectant mothers flock to Babies R Us to complete their baby shower gift registries and now, they will also be able to add diapers, baby wipes, formula, purified water and laundry detergent onto that registry; all very in-demand products any parent cannot possibly have enough of–So be sure to keep Toys R Us and Babies R Us in mind for those essentials you need at the highest quality you can find and for the most affordable price.

The Babies R Us brand infant care items are currently on shelves at Babies R Us and Toys R Us now!

Apple-Obsessed Couple Tie the Knot on V-Day at Apple Store

Holly — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 10:29:52 +0000

Happy newlyweds Josh and Ting Li had a Valentine’s Day wedding, and while V-Day is a very, very cliche day for engagements, weddings and vow renewals, the Li’s wedding was anything but run of the mill.

The two said “iDo” in an Apple store at New York’s Fifth Avenue Apple store. The ceremony referenced Steve Jobs, the ring bearer was a first generation iPod and the priest who officiated the ceremony was dressed as Steve Jobs.

While this may just seem like two geeks who fell in love and because of their epic fandom, chose to have their wedding at an Apple store, but the location actually bears a great deal of meaning to the couple, since it was where they met. Ting was looking to buy an iPod and Josh struck up a conversation with her and the rest was history. Josh also accounts that he used to joke that the Apple store was his church because he is not religious and obviously, loves everything Apple, so it was only natural for the couple to tie the knot at a location that was very much important to them both.

Check out video of the couple’s wedding:

I absolutely love that this couple was able to have their wedding in a setting that they felt passionate for, but check out all of those people taking obsessive amounts of pictures! I know I would personally opt for a more intimate setting where I didn’t feel like I had a flock of paparazzi after me trying to get as many pictures of me as possible. While there are definitely some people out there who do crave that celebrity treatment, when it comes to your wedding, I would personally keep it a bit more private.

Have you or would you ever want to have a fan-based wedding?

Introducing New Siblings to Young Children Meets Children’s Play

Holly — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:16:34 +0000

Explaining to your young child that a new sibling will be joining the family can be a pretty difficult task; Beleduc, a company that prides itself on helping children to learn during their play, have created 5-layer puzzles that make it easy to teach children about the human body while putting together a fun puzzle.

One of the puzzles teaches boys and girls about their bodies, from the skull and outward to what they see when they look in the mirror, and more interestingly, a mother’s body puzzle ($22.50) that makes it easy to teach small children about their mother’s new pregnancy, showing them the various stages of their new sibling’s development. The puzzle is directed towards children ages 4 and up, but I would think could be used for children as young as 3. It contains 29 wooden pieces in all and made of birch plywood, German water-based paint and lacquer.

I think this puzzle is a great idea; it’s always a good idea to back up any close-to serious conversation you need to have with your small child with some fun games and toys and it can definitely be a tremendous feat to portray exactly what is going on that they should be aware of during a pregnancy and an impending new sibling. However, of course concepts like this are novelty items that aren’t always “in season” when it comes to the various toys children accumulate, so this puzzle is a bit on the pricier side.

Would you use a puzzle like this to help explain pregnancy and a new sibling entering the household to your child or is it a waste of money?

Plan Toys Educational Activity Bus from eBeanstalk

Holly — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:16:22 +0000

The Plan Toys Activity Bus (provided by eBeanstalk, a company dedicated to learning toys and baby toys for educational development) is an extraordinary, safe and green toy for children ages 3 and up that is sure to capture the attention of your children. It is a bus that opens up into a classroom and comes with two little people, desks and other school accessories to play with and is a great educational tool.

When we first received this toy it was right around back to school time and since one of my stepdaughters was headed to kindergarten and the other was headed to Head Start (pre-kindergarten) it was a great experience to be able to let them play school and get acquainted with the school bus, since they would both be taking a bus to their schools. This is a must-have toy for small children who are either just starting school in the coming year or who are still having trouble adjusting in school; this makes it fun for them to experience the school environment right in your own home and get rid of any fear, hesitation or conflicting thoughts about the beginning of the going to school process your children may have. The girls just loved this toy and it quickly became something that they regularly wanted to play with, even now.

What I love most about this activity bus is that it is made by Plan Toys, who make green toys and pride themselves on safety and using only natural materials, proving that it is possible to maintain superior quality of toys and safety standards in addition to following a path of environmental and social responsibility. With that in mind, I would definitely recommend talking to your children about the materials that are made to make their favorite toy and introduce this toy as something that is safe and environmentally conscious.

About eBeanstalk

eBeanstalk is dedicated to providing the learning and educational toys that promote a child’s development…and we go far beyond just toys. Our mission at eBeanstalk is to “plant the seeds that help children grow” while making gift-giving easy and special.

eBeanstalk is a place where you can give expert selected newborn toys, baby toys, toddler toys and toys for a preschooler. All of our learning toys are packaged into a GIFT SERIES, where every three months a new gift arrives that is perfectly suited to the appropriate stage of a child’s development.

Featured Gift Idea: Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough

Holly — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:46:00 +0000

Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough (deluxe set, $29.95) is an absolute must-have for young children. Every child has fond memories of spending hours creating pizzas, people and pies with Play-Doh, but Organic Fun Dough lets your kids create completely organically–even the packaging is made from recycled materials. It is made purely of simple ingredients including filtered water, organic flour, Mediterranean sea salt, organic canola oil, kosher cream of tartar, organic vitamin c and non-toxic USA-made watercolor. Although the recommended age for this product is 2 and up, I would definitely recommend this for kids who have hit the 12-month mark and on; even if your child has a fascination with tasting their toys, because Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough is non-toxic and of course, made with completely organic ingredients, so it isn’t going to make your child sick or harm them in any way.

We received Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough Deluxe Gift Set that included three different colors of fun dough, a kid-size wood rolling pin, four wooden shape stampers in the shapes of a leaf, star, heart and apple, and also a kid-size organic apron printed with the words ‘Organically Awesome!’ and it really is! I must admit that I got to playing with the Organic Fun Dough before the kids got a hold of it. I can explain those weird looks on your faces away because I did receive a note saying that the fun dough does have a tendency to be a little sticky at first; Miss Brittany recommends refrigerating the dough before use for a firm consistency, which is what I did so it wouldn’t be too sticky to mold with.

The kids had a great time playing with Miss Brittany’s Organic Fun Dough, it held their attention for far longer than most of the other toys we have for them here and while it was a little sticky when they were playing with it, they had a ball with it and also with commenting on its stickiness because sometimes, kids just like to get their hands a little messy and there’s nothing wrong with that!

Buy Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool Fun Dough Deluxe Gift Set — $29.95

Enter SPOILME at checkout for 20% off your Organic Fun Dough purchase.
Valid November 23, 2009 – January 1, 2010

U-Play Mat

Jenny — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:10:37 +0000

Looking for a fun, engaging and educational way to spend time with your child? Then look no further, the U-Play Mat is here.

Designed by Pediatrician (and mom of two sets of twins), Dr. Jennifer Canter, or Dr. Jen as she likes to be called, designed the U-shaped mat and accompanying picture cards “with the goal of enhancing interactive floor play between toddlers and parents.”

The U-Play Mat is a U-shaped, 4ft x 3ft deep mat with 15 large, clear pockets on its surface. The innovative “U” shape allows the child to sit inside the opening of the “U” with full access to the 15 pockets. Your child now has full visual and tactile access to the whole surface, without having to crawl atop the mat. The see-through pockets are child-safe and secured to the mat surface. U-Play Mat comes packed in a cute tote, with 8 outer pockets to store the cards in. Plus, a handy instruction booklet to help get you started.

To begin play sit across and engage the child in a variety of exercises using the adorable theme-based card decks, (ie. Food, Home, Play, Dress). There is no writing on these durable cards, so you can play/teach your child in any language. Here’s a look at some of the things you can do with U-Play Mat:

Exercise 1: Identification, works on receptive vocabulary

Exercise 2: Labelling, works on expressive vocabulary

Exercise 3: Matching Skills: understanding same/different

Exercise 4: Same

Exercise 5: Different

Exercise 6: Yes/No

Exercise 7: Wh’ Questions: ‘who, what, where, why, when; foundations of conversation

Exercise 8: Using More Words: improves on communication skills

Exercise 9: Making Connections; helps with recalling information

Exercise 10: Following Directions process information skills

For more information or to order your own U-Play Mat, please visit http://www.playthisway.com.

This is a guest post by Sandie Lee of Family Matters.

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Study Claims Co-Sleeping Causes SIDS, But Not Really

Holly — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:36:13 +0000

A new study out of England claims that “most babies who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) were babies who were co-sleeping, either in a bed or on a sofa, with an adult or another child.

The study consists of a 4-year study conducted in a southwest region of England. It includes 4.9 million people and 184,000 births. It focused on 80 infants who had died from SIDS, 87 who were randomly selected from the population and 82 who had known risk factors for SIDS, which was defined as having young, socially deprived mothers who smoked, but whose babies did not die.

The study found that 54% of SIDS infants were sleeping with someone else at the time of death.

Now while this could definitely be construed as a huge factor in why so many infants die of SIDS every year, as Mama 2 Mama Tips pointed out, and what I definitely agree with, is that SIDS is when there is no clear cause as to why that infant died, so you cannot point to a case of a mother who rolls onto her infant while sleeping and smothering that infant as a SIDS case–that is a case of a mother who accidentally and unconsciously smothers her baby. What she also pointed out is that this study is making very big use of the term “co-sleeping,” which has also translated to many other high-reaching publications and has undoubtedly sent many mothers of infants and small children into a tailspin, putting up cribs they had never planned on using and ceasing co-sleeping with their children. But. Yes, but. The researchers who have conducted this study obviously have no idea what true co-sleeping is. They say that co-sleeping causes SIDS in over half of the babies in cases that they studied, but they actually lumped co-sleepers with parents who got drunk, took drugs and passed out on the couch next to their baby, which is not co-sleeping and in any case, is just bad, bad parenting.

In addition, I actually find the reporting of this study as incredibly offensive. To suggest that all, or even most or the bulk of SIDS tragedies happen when babies have young, “socially deprived” mothers who smoke. With all of the numerous SIDS cases around the world, this isn’t something happens to just one class of people or one race of people and to conduct a study that focuses solely on lower-income, lower-class mothers strikes me as quite discriminatory.

A big fat thanks to Mama 2 Mama Tips for pointing the flaws and misinformation of this study.

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Parents Magazine Launches iPlay ‘n Learn iPhone App

Holly — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:27:23 +0000

Parents magazine just recently launched the Parents iPlay ‘n Learn iPhone app that will uniquely teach and engage your children to help them learn letters, numbers, colors and shapes.

The iPlay ‘n Learn iPhone app was planned by child development experts and features quizzes, tracing, flash cards and also exciting animations like exploding fireworks, chugging trains and rocket ships that deliver positive reinforcement for children and will also keep them completely engaged and learning–happily and quietly during long car trips, waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting in doctor’s offices, or anywhere else where your kids can become impatient or cranky.

You can get the Parents iPlay ‘n Learn app for the iPhone or iPod Touch in the iTunes store for $0.99.

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Health and Safety Tips for New and Expecting Moms from Dra. Aliza and Baby Looney Tunes *GIVEAWAY*

Holly — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:23:54 +0000

We are ending September with a bang by joining Warner Bros. in celebrating Hispanic Heritage month with Baby Looney Tunes and renowned health expert Dra. Aliza, who have partnered to create “Happily Healthy,” an initiative to promote healthy, happy babies. This partnerships will provide new and expecting mothers with fun, engaging and educational ways to best care for and nurture their babies; happily and healthily. This partnership and happy and healthy baby initiative will continue throughout 2010 and is also chock-full of great and useful information especially for moms.

By visiting the official Happily Healthy website, you will be able to access videos from Dra, Aliza about keeping your baby safe at home and outside. You will also be able to ask Dra. Aliza questions you have about your baby’s health and wellness which will be featured in weekly Q&A segments. You will also have access to fun and educational activities to enjoy with your child, like games great for young children, downloadable coloring pages, growth charts and desktop wallpapers featuring your favorite Baby Looney Tunes characters.

Giveaway

To properly celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, we have the opportunity to give 3 lucky moms the all-new health and safety book, Healthy, Fit and Fun! featuring Baby Looney Tunes signed by Dra. Aliza.

To win a signed copy of the Baby Looney Tunes Healthy, Fit and Fun! book, all you have to do is leave a comment with a tip on how to keep your baby safe and healthy. [REQUIRED]

For additional entries:

Put the Baby Looney Tunes Happily Healthy widget on your website
To get the widget for your site just click on ‘grab widget’ on our widget above or go here.

Become a fan of Baby Looney Tunes on Facebook
Leave a comment letting us know that you have become a fan of Baby Looney Tunes.

Tweet about this giveaway [Can be done up to 3 times a day!]
Example:

Win the new Baby Looney Tunes book Happy, Healthy and Fit! from @WomanTribune! 3 winners! http://twurl.nl/gkdcco

Follow us on Twitter
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This contest ends Wednesday, September 30th at 11:59pm. EST

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Special Invitation: #ChildSeatSafety Event

Holly — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:00:16 +0000

Woman Tribune has been fortunate enough to receive an invitation to a very special Twitter event. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3 out of 4 kids are not as secure in their cars as they should be because their car seats are not being used correctly. Tonight, from 8-9PM EST you have the opportunity to join other parents and Tweet with two NHTSA officials as they share information about child safety and answer your questions.

More information regarding the National highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Child Passenger Safety Week will be shared later this week, including how you can participate in this Saturday’s “Seat Check Saturday.”

To RSVP to tonight’s very special Twitter event, please visit Resourceful Mommy and add your name and/or Twitter ID to the Mister Linky.

RSVP NOW

Disclosure Statement: Amy Lupold Bair, founder of Momfluence, is acting on behalf of NHTSA’s child passenger safety efforts.

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Non-Toxic, Natural Craft Supplies for Your Young Artist

Holly — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:53:23 +0000

Safety is the biggest factor when buying arts and crafts supplies for your children; but parents are not double checking the ingredients used to make some of the biggest-selling supplies on the market. All natural, non-toxic, water-based supplies are definitely the route to go when purchasing new supplies for your kids to dive into (sometimes literally.)

Here are some safe supplies to opt for the next time you find yourself shopping for the supplies to let your little artist create their masterpieces.

Crayons

Stockmar’s Beeswax Block Crayons ($29.95)
Stockmar crayons are made of non-toxic and sweet smelling beeswax. Long lasting and brilliant in color, they are a favorite for parents, children and schools. This set of 16 block crayons presents endless artistic possibilities. Place the crayon on one side and draw endless skies with a single swoop. Use the edge to print letters and numbers. Stockmar wax crayons meet the highest artistic standards. Through the addition of pure beeswax as a binding agent, the light-resistant pigments display their purity and full brilliance. Because they are mixed with wax, the colors are able to be used in a wide range of interesting coloring techniques – more than any other coloring material. The natural transparency of the wax and the lack of additives result in a high degree of opacity like that of watercolors.

Artemis Plant Colored Pastel Crayons ($34.95)
These lovely high quality pastel crayons include soft tints of primary and secondary colors. Colors include carmine red, vermillion, orange, gold yellow, lemon yellow, pale green, blue, dark blue, lilac, purple. These beautiful crayons have been colored by natural plant extract from buckthorn berries, madder root, indigo plant, weld leaves, lac-dye, coreopsis flowers, and catechu acacia. The thick, chunky shaped crayon blocks provide stability when holding.

Crayon Rocks Soy Crayons ($10.00)
Little hands can reach for these cool little coloring tools. The shape actually helps strengthen small hand muscles and gets ‘em ready for pencils and pens. Makes for wide, expressive strokes, too. Box contains 16 1″ crayons. Made of natural soy wax (non-toxic and good for the planet).

Finger Paint

Speedball “Speedy Kids” Finger Paint ($26.00)
Exciting fun and entertainment for kids of all ages; 5 oz. squeeze tubes; washable. Absolutely non toxic! Bright fantastic colors! Cleans up easily with soap and water; normal laundering procedures remove stains from most fabrics. This set includes one each of all 9 “Speedy Kids” colors!

While you can buy non-toxic and eco-friendly finger paint, your best bet is to make it yourself. Here’s how:

You will need:

1 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup grated soap (choose your favorite plain organic soap bar)

1. Melt grated soap flakes into half cup of boiling water.
2. Add cornstarch.
3. Blend well and put aside. Allow mixture to thicken.
4. Divide into small containers and add coloring.

Natural colorings can be derived from the juice of frozen berries, beet juice, tea, onion skils (boiled) or other natural sources. You can store your fingerpaints in the refrigerator for about a week.

Thanks to The Green Mom Review for the recipe! (If you can call it a recipe.)

Modeling Clay

Artemis Plant-Colored Modeling Beeswax ($85.00)
These high beeswax sheets include soft tints of primary and secondary colors. Colors include green, transparent, pink, brown, yellow, carmine, orange, dark blue. These beautiful beeswax sheets have been colored by natural plant extract from buckthorn berries, madder root, indigo plant, weld leaves, lac-dye, coreopsis flowers, and catechu acacia

Play Dough

Eco-Dough ($22.00)
Eco-dough is an all natural alternative. It is made with plant, fruit and veggie extracts! No chemicals, artificial dyes or metals. The containers are made from cornstarch and 100% compostable. Also it doesn’t dry out like name brands. If it’s left out overnight just add a few drops of olive oil and it comes right back!

Mary’s Softdough – Solid Color Set ($17.00)
6 Solid Colors – Pink, Blue, Purple, Red, Green, Yellow Mary’s Softdough is a soft, non-crumbly modeling dough that’s fun to play with! It holds up well to lots of creative play and when stored in it’s container will last up to a year.

Also available: Natural Scents Set ($20.00)

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Big Eye Dummies: A Big Hit with Kids…and Immature Adults Alike

Holly — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:54:31 +0000

As soon as I came across Big Eye Dummies’ website I knew I had come across something very unique and very, very fun. Their website alone will make you crack up; from the first glance over the website and you notice that they recommend their designer plush dolls for kids ages 2 and up to immature adults and you know what, they are completely correct in that assessment. I recently had the opportunity to receive Slicka the penguin from the Big Eye Dummies collection and I have to admit, me and my partner played around for it for a good long while before handing it off to the stepkids.

Big Eye Dummies are incredibly cute, incredibly wacky designer plush toys that come with two sets of interchangeable eye and mouth pieces letting you change the way your toy looks by mixing and matching to your heart’s content!

Big Eye Dummies were designed and created in New York City by David Lipson who is a professional Animation Producer and Director. He has worked on television shows like Word World, Lizzie McGuire, Schoolhouse Rock, and also shorts for Sesame Street!

The quality of Big Eye Dummies is incredible; the eyes and mouth are gently sewed down so after you cut the threads you can immediately begin mixing and matching. What I love the most about the toys is that the interchangeable parts are magnetic; they are not Velcro which has the tendency to get pieces of lint, hair, and whatever little easily-stickable things that are on your floors or furniture caught in it and after a while becomes unusable. Because Big Eye Dummies uses magnets to stick the eyes and mouths on the plush toys, they will last a good long time!

Not surprising in the least, Big Eye Dummies have received great recognition for their toys and have even received Creative Child Magazine’s Preferred Choice Award!

We love Big Eye Dummies; the kids had a great time mixing and matching them and I think my partner and I had just about as much fun with them! You can purchase Big Eye Dummies on their website for $19.99 each.

Big Eye Dummies is giving away a free doll every month! If you want to enter their contests, become a fan of Big Eye Dummies on Facebook. Further instructions are provided on the site.

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Shop Recycled: Shop with Toy Companies that Conserve Resources

Holly — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:00:10 +0000

New toys are made with petroleum and trees and sadly, a lot of toy companies do not take into consideration that these are resources that we need to last us a good, long while. That is precisely why it is so important to support toy companies and buy your toys from companies that use recycled resources. These toy companies also use less packaging and they recycle manufacturing waste.

Here are some toys from respectable companies that use recycled materials for infants, toddlers, and children up to age 9.

Infants

Kinderware Bear YoYo Doll
Super cute, machine-washable plush bear that measures 8-10″. Also available: puppy. ($24)

Toddlers

Jayden Earth Girl and Raji Earth Boy
Dolls made with organic hemp and recycled plastic containers. ($68)

Green Toys Cookware and Dining Set
Colorful pot, skillet, and place settings made from 100% recycled milk jugs; phthalate and BPA-free, and packaged in recycled, recyclable cardboard. ($26.50)

Preschool to Kindergarten

Wildlife Creations Reindeer/Moose Swing
Animal-shaped tire swing made with recycled shock-absorbing tires and water-based paint. ($79.99)

Sprig Toys Discover Rig
Truck made with the Sprig’s trademarked recycled wood and reclaimed plastic composite; self-powered LED lights and sounds. ($34)

Ages 6-9

Recycled Plastic Radio Flyer Earth Wagon
3-foot-long wagon made from 100% recycled post-consumer milk jugs. ($150)

Imagination Box Co. Country Cottage
Made with 45% post-consumer materials; comes with nontoxic paints to personalize. ($22)

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Make Your Own Kooky, Cuddly Creature! Get Smooshies!

Holly — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:08:36 +0000

It isn’t often that you find a toy that is not just a plush, cuddly companion, but also doubles as an interactive and hilariously fun plaything, but Smooshies has done exactly that and thanks to One2One Network, I was able to try Smooshies for myself!

From the first time I took my Smooshies out of the package I was impressed with it. I of course played around with it first before handing it off to my stepdaughters to play with (what, you thought I was going to let them have all the fun?) Even my partner took a turn with it, interchanging its parts and playing around with it; it was definitely fun for the whole family.

In my opinion, what makes Smooshies so appealing is the fact that it never has to remain the same plush toy you had before. Smooshies comes with interchangeable eyes, mouths, arms, legs, and even other attachments like wings and hair. All of these extra attachments are sold exclusively at JoAnn. Attachments are sold for $1.99 and Smooshies bodies are $5.99 so these toys are very affordable and very, very fun! The possibilities for your Smooshie and the fun you can have with it are endless.

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Wordless Wednesday: Flying Kites

Holly — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:50:02 +0000

Do you have a Wordless Wednesday for today? Leave your link below!

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Dog Shampoo

Holly — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:54:59 +0000

Is your dog itching, scratching and stinking beyond belief? No matter how much of a part of the family your dog is, chances are that on more than several occasions, you have been beside yourself when trying to battle the simultaneous chores that a dog brings into your life. There are a multitude of different dog shampoos on the market from dozens of different brands, and they’re all giving you their promise that they will be the brand to stand out among the rest and give your dog (and you!) some much-needed relief. Not only is giving your dog a bath a tremendous chore (just think of all the sopping wet towels covering your bathroom floor once you’re done giving your dog a bath and they hop out of the tub and conveniently coat your entire bathroom in a layer of water) but using a shampoo that isn’t the absolute best it can be can make this chore even more tedious, since you’ll have to adapt to a certain regimen that gives your dog time to heal from their bath! Prime example, do you have to wait weeks between bathing your dog because their skin gets so dry and flaky? In most cases, dog shampoos are so littered with unnecessary chemicals, perfumes, and fillers that they may give you the illusion that your dog is shiny and clean, but they are really doing more harm to your dog’s skin than you may notice. Another problem that arises when giving your dog a bath is that the bath never seems to end because no matter how much you rinse after scrubbing the shampoo in, you can’t get your dog completely rinsed!

Dinovite has paid close attention to what all the other brands lack and have created a dog shampoo that simplifies the chore of washing your dog, letting you get in, get out and have no regrets!

Dogosuds is an all natural dog shampoo that contains 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils that have natural healing properties. It’s great on your dog’s coat and skin and is even ideal for dogs with sensitive skin, leaving your dog clean and smelling wonderful for a long time. The shampoo lathers and rinses beautifully, and what I find to be its best quality, Dogosuds is a natural flea deterrent. If your dog (and by extension, your house,) has ever been infested with fleas, you just did a little happy dance.

Dogosuds comes in four different varieties; two unscented including the straight-forward Unscented blend if you don’t like your dog running around smelling like fruit, as well as the Essential Oil Blend, a natural flea and tick deterrent with soothing and healing properties. They also carry Lavender, which is naturally good for your dog’s skin and coat, as well as Peppermint/Tea Tree, which is also a natural flea and tick deterrent with soothing and healing properties. Because we all know that dogs can get into mischief by doing just about anything, if your dog happens to have a run in with a skunk, either of the two scented Dugosuds shampoos will eliminate skunk odor in just one wash!

This is most definitely the all natural dog shampoo to check out if you’re a green family, and especially if you’ve been looking for that perfect dog shampoo since your dog has been a part of your family but just can’t seem to find the one that works for you and for your dog.

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Toy Crazy No More!

Holly — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:09:44 +0000

Kids are attracted to a multitude of different toys and activities, but no matter what toys they grow fond of, they tend to have one thing in common: Noise. Yes, as long as a toy plays music, screeches, whirs, cries, or makes some other high pitched and most often annoying sound, kids will have a ball with it and chances are you’ll be in the corner of the room wishing for any noiseless toy to take its place.

Here are some great silent, chemical-free, long-lasting toys that are sure to be a hit with your child whether they are an infant, toddler, or up to 9 years old.

Infants

Maple Landmark Wooden Rattles
Rattles made from responsibly harvested local maple with non-toxic and whey-based finishes.

Plan Toys Caterpillar
Green wooden caterpillar made from rubberwood; fabric cocoon converts to butterfly wings.

Toddlers

ImagiPlay Jungle Buddy Blocks
Animal puzzle block set with tray; made of chemical-free rubberwood.

The Little Little Toy Company Quack-a-Long Walker
Rubberwood push cart with water-based paints encourages walking; ducks quack as it moves.

Preschool to Kindergarten

Maple Landmark Clear Finish Classic Fire Truck
Truck made from responsibly harvested hardwood with beeswax-tung oil finish; Maple Landmark recycles every last bit of sawdust. They also make a school bus and a train!

Plan Toys Assorted Fruits and Vegetables
“Cuttable” Velcro-ed wooden produce, knife, and tray built with sustainably harvested rubberwood.

Ages 6-9

Quadrilla Try Me Set
Wooden blocks and marble set made from chemical-free rubberwood with water-based finish.

Blue Orange’s Gobblet
All-wooden game similar to tic-tac-toe; the company plants two trees for every tree it uses.

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Tips for a Happy Family & Clean House During Your Summer Staycation

Holly — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:57:22 +0000

More and more families are spending what would be their summer vacations at home this year. Summer staycations are sweeping the country and while parents are looking forward to spending more quality time with their partners and their children, taking advantage of their neighborhood and attractions that are close by. However, spending more time at home also includes more planning, bigger messes, and more chores for everyone in the family.

The reason why so many families are having a staycation is undoubtedly due to the downward spiral of the economy. My partner and I both work from home; I run this website as well as one other website, I am also a freelance writer, and a professional web designer and developer. My partner is a professional guitarist/musician who also plays around with professional web design and development. While many people hold the misconception that those who work with and in the technology field make a good chunk of change as truth, we truly make just about enough to live off month-to-month and as more people crunch their budgets and opt for pre-made website designs or go with bigger web design companies who are continuously offering discounted work due to the economy, we are continuously losing work. Needless to say, we are very familiar with staycations. To have fun this summer, we have been spending a lot of time at our local parks. Just a few houses up the street from our house, we have a great park that was just recently created for the children in the neighborhood, since they have very little else to do in our very, approximately 600-count borough. We have also been visiting parks in the next city over from us, having cookouts, flying kites, playing on playgrounds, and the like. Parks are a great way to spend the day with children of any age, and there are a great deal of activities that you can take part in at a park.

According to a recent Clorox survey, over 60% of the moms surveyed reported an increase in cleaning around the house as their families now spend more time at home. Mom Central teamed up with MommyDocs and came up with a list of five tips for Summer Staycations to keep your family safe and your house cleaner during the summer!

Staying Safe at BBQs. According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don’t forget to check that your child’s hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.

Keep the Pool Cool and Clean. If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach* to one gallon of water. Don’t forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

Staying Healthy and Hydrated. Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours. Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.

Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds. Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun – test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts. As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!

Saving on Spills. Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don’t have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach* to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink. Don’t forget to rinse and dry when done. A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

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Momfluence Summer Guide!

Holly — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:24:25 +0000

Looking for some great products to make your summer that much more fun and enjoyable? Looking to pamper yourself while the kids are off at camp? Or maybe you’re dealing with summer bumps and bruises. Momfluence has collected some reviews of great products that you need to know about! Check out what our reviewers had to say about these great summer finds. And don’t forget to stop by the Momfluence member giveaways listed at the bottom for some summer winning!

Featured Products

FishBites Swimmies: Spending time in the water is one of the most fun and exciting parts of summer. FishBites Swimmies by Swimways is a great solution to give the little ones the extra security they need in the pool, in a fun and exciting way.

Delsey Helium Fusion Carryon: If you are hitting the road or flying the skies this summer for your family vacation, the Delsey Helium Fusion carry-on offers a lightweight solution for packing your travel essentials.

Do Something Daily Calendar: Tired of hearing the kids say they have nothing to do? The Do Something Daily Calendar offers fun and exciting suggestions for things to do on each and every day of the year. Make memories with your family, every day!

Perlabella Pearls: Want to combat some of the wrinkles caused by sun damage? Perlabella’s Retinol solution helps to fight the signs of aging the can be caused by excessive sun exposure and other factors.

More Summer Fun

iTurtle

Playdoh Spaghetti Factory

Submergency

Nerf NFL Pro Grip Football

Super Soaker 50

Boochie Game

Good for the Kids

Talking to Toddlers

Two Belles and a Bead Engraved Necklace

Cardstore

Jumeau Handbags

Staphaseptic

Member Reviews/Giveaways

Bonggamom – $50 Tiny Prints Gift Certificate

IceFairy’s Treasure Chest – KiNeSYS, Purex 3-in-1, and more

Eccentric, Eclectic Woman – Bra Barrette, Skipping Hippos

Riding With No Hands – 20 Piece Rubbermaid Set

Consumer Queen – FurBuster

Plus Size Mommy Giant Hershey Bar, Zensoy, and more

Mommy Not Guilty – Kids Banz Sunglasses

Robyn’s Online World – Kodak Digital Frame

Simply Being Mommy – EA Sports Active

Lattes and Life – Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs and Parent’s Choice formula

Motherhood Moment – Summer Fun

A Simple Kinda Life – Summer Soiree of Giveaways

From Cribs to Car Keys – EcoStore $25 gift certificate and more

Miscellaneous Finds 4 U – Tiny Prints and more

All Momfluence guide reviews are product-provided, featured positions were purchased by vendors. Member reviews and giveaways are not associated with Momfluence.

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Find Gifts for Dad on Mom Central’s Father’s Day Gift Guide!

Holly — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:55:33 +0000

Still stumped for a gift for Father’s Day? My father is the hardest person to shop for; every holiday I find myself scattering all over the place trying to come up with something to give my father that he will actually like. Sure, while I know he will “like” anything I give him because I’m his daughter and all, it’s still a wonderful feeling when you’ve finally found the perfect gift that you know that the giftee is going to be over the moon about! And now not only do I have one difficult man to shop for, I have two!

So if you’re in the same position as I am, you definitely need to check out Mom Central’s Father’s Day Gift Guide! It is full of a bunch of really great gifts that encompass pretty much every type of male personality you can imagine, making it easy to find a great gift for that special man in your life, despite his tastes! The gift guide has gifts for all price ranges from over $100 to under $25, making it extremely affordable to get that perfect gift!

The tent to the right sleeps 7 people and is the exact tent that me and the man were looking out a few weeks ago when we started to think about camping season and when we were going to go this year and I also found something that I know that my father would love–he transformed his basement into a fully stocked bar a few years ago and Gourmet Gift Baskets has this awesome(!) basket full of microbeers! Both of these gifts and other phenomenal choices are all over at the Mom Central Father’s Day Gift Guide so be sure to check it out so you can pick out the perfect gift in time for Father’s Day on June 21st!

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Help Name the Comforts Brand FireFly & Win a $10,000 Scholarship to Help Fund Your Child’s Education

Holly — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:42:57 +0000

Comforts has always provided the very best baby formula possible for your baby, containing all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your baby needs for his/her baby’s first year; the formula is fortified with iron and contains the lipids DHA and ARA, the two lipids associated with infant’s mental and visual development. Best of all, Comforts baby formula contains many of the ingredients found naturally in mother’s breast milk, so if you are a new mother who would prefer to breast feed and need a break from nursing and pumping due to sensitivity, if you have trouble lactating, or if you are weening your baby off of your breast and onto formula, this is the perfect formula. Comforts is fortified with choline, contains lactose, and contains the nutrients that help develop the immune system, all of which are found naturally in a mother’s breast milk.

Comforts is running an awesome contest! They are asking for moms and dads across America to help name their Brand FireFly and in doing so, you have the chance to win a $10,000 college scholarship to help fund your child’s college education. This is definitely a worthy cause, since it can potentially help save money on your child’s future education and as we see university prices rise every year, chances are parents are going to need all the help they can get when funding their child’s education.

You can enter the contest online by visiting Comforts for Baby. You must include all of the information requested on the online entry form, including your name for the Comforts FireFly, in 25 characters or less. Every time I look at the Comforts firefly the name Daisy pops into my head; it’s just a really cute name, even though the firefly looks as if it could be a boy firefly… Have a better idea for the Comforts firefly? You should enter the contest!

The winner will be announced online after September 21, 2009, good luck!

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SiteWarming for New Parenting Information Site, Mamapedia

Holly — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:31:53 +0000

It’s 2:00 a.m. and your three month old is crying…a lot. You’re a first time mother, and while you’ve got a ton of questions, you called your mom at 2:00 in the morning last night about that crazy looking diaper, so you’d really like to get through this one on your own.

But where can you turn?

Mamapedia is a new parenting information site that takes the wisdom of thousands and thousands of moms and makes is searchable! You can head to the computer with that screaming infant in your arms and type,

“Why does my baby cry so much at night?”

And this is what you’ll find – an article about a mom who asked a question titled “Sleepless Nights with a 13 week old” and the responses of forty-four moms. You can read those forty-four answers while bouncing your baby, and with a little luck by the time you are through your infant will be fast asleep and you will feel better as well.

To launch this new mom resource, the Momfluence network and Resourceful Mommy are throwing a party. Join us on Twitter this Friday, May 8th, from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. eastern time along with mom experts in a variety of parenting areas: multiples, kid crafting, health and safety, potty training, home schooling and more!

During the party, details about a “What Can I Learn Today?” contest will be revealed…along with the incredible grand prize.

Join Us – RSVP!

This event brought to you by Momfluence: rocking the cradle and shaping the world.

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Stop Training Sitters, Put Everyone on the Same Page with By The Book

Holly — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:32:20 +0000

Every parent will continually be faced with the decision of who they are going to leave their children with when they need a sitter. Many parents have experienced “parent guilt” when leaving their children with a sitter, but there is a great book out that will eliminate any discomforts, doubts, and second thoughts you may have about leaving your children with anyone.

Karen Berg’s By The Book puts parents, their sitter, and their children all on the same page by outlining your child’s daily routine and how they should react to certain circumstances. It is a book full of adorably illustrated pages with the space you need to fill in everything your sitter needs to know about your family and taking care of your children. It comes equipped with pages about how to handle disciplinary actions, what to do in case of an emergency, what to do in case your child is sick, and a page where you can fill in where your sitter can reach you throughout the time they are with your children.

Because of By The Book, you will never be plagued by having to re-write sitter notes or already leave the house and remember that you forgot to tell your sitter something very important. You will never feel as if you have left your child in incapable hands because you know that you gave your sitter everything they need throughout the time you’re gone, and you won’t find yourself calling home every five minutes. By The Book makes it extremely easy to keep all of the pertinent information about your child, their routine, and what to do in case of an emergency all in one place.

By The Book is great for anyone taking care of your children, including babysitters, nannies, work at home moms, moms who work outside of the home, single fathers, grandparents, children with special needs, and so on. You can purchase By The Book in hardcover as well as refills for the book on their website. As a special bonus, you will receive 25% off of your purchase of a hardcover copy of By The Book by using promotional code BTBK7757.

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Chic Fashion Question: Bridesmaid Gifts

Beth — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:23:23 +0000

Ally wrote~ “I’m having a September wedding. What are some fashionable, fun and not too expensive ideas for bridesmaid gifts that are popular right now?”

The classic bridesmaid gift is something that she can wear on the day of the wedding and enjoy after the event. Make sure you enclose a personal note to each one telling them how much it means to you to have them involved in your special day.

After the dress is hung in the closet and the shoes packed away, you want them to have a gift they can use for years to come. Anything monogrammed is nice, but will need to be ordered well in advance. Themed gifts are cute for destination weddings, but long term may not be practical. Combination gifts are popular this year. A make-up bag filled with lip gloss and perfume, a pocket mirror inside a chic evening bag or cozy slippers and a bathrobe definitely show you took extra time to plan a memorable gift.

- – - – - – - – - -

Beth is the Editor in Chief of Chic Galleria, a natural extension of her experience in retail sales and special personality – a sincerity that continues to attract business owners, designers, artists, and a plethora of wonderful readers. This veteran school teacher loves to make others feel special, and Chic Galleria is just one of her favorite places to do just that.

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What’s in Your Easter Basket?

Holly — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 09:17:21 +0000

Easter Sunday is already just one day away. I know a lot of parents will most likely be up late tonight making their children’s Easter baskets, but I went a little Easter basket crazy a few days ago. If I do say so myself, the two baskets I put together for my stepchildren came out great!

What are in your Easter baskets this year? Here’s a picture of the two I made up, do you think I went a little overboard?

Of course our baskets contain the mandatory extreme levels of sugar, which you can’t see because they are buried with a variety of small (and not so small) toys and Easter basket stuffers. Each basket contains one book by Leslie Patricelli, Baby Happy Baby Sad and Higher! Higher! [review here.] They also contain large metallic eggs full of Peeps and Hershey Kisses, candy necklaces and bracelets, Play Doh, two plush toys; one is a small bunny and another is a small bear with bunny ears, both toys are holding small bags of jelly beans, and both basket also contain a My Little Pony.

Don’t forget to check out Amazon MP3’s MP3 of the Day this Sunday to download 150 Fun Songs for Kids for just $0.99. 150 sing-a-long songs are sure to be a huge hit with your kids!

What is the Easter bunny bringing your kids this year? If you already have your Easter baskets done, feel free to share a picture with us!

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