Kids Trends Weekly

v 2 issue 3: Back to School

2008-08-24T21:37:00.002-04:00

Summer vacation has come to an end, and it’s time for the kids to go back to school. Whether your child is beginning preschool, kindergarten or elementary school, preparation will help make school go smoothly. We've packed this issue full of products your child will adore for back-to-school!

Cover by Kara May

1 Room Seven is a well-known children's clothing company based out of Europe. Girls will love this ever so girly backpack to get them off to school with classy style. Several correlating prints are combined to fashionably adorn a backpack with all the space needed for school supplies and the little extras a girl might need...(think extra sets of clothes for the preschoolers/they take up tons of space). Available at Littlejetset.com

2 Snikiddy Snacks have a fantastic solution to your child’s craving for junk food. They are made with 100% organic ingredients so you will feel good about sending them off to school with a snack that you know will be eaten. These delicious delights come in everything from Grilled Cheese Puffs to Chocolate Chippers to satisfy the sweet tooth. Available in individual packets for perfect portion control.

3 EM Tanner Designs is a great place to pick up personalized items with lots of style. This funky fireball lunchbox really lights our fire. No problems finding your lunchbox when it has your name written all over it and eye catching flames flying off the first initial like a hotrod.

4 A lunch bag to keep hot or cold lunches just the right temperature and compartments to store everything: one wide zip pocket for the top and another for the bottom, three slide pockets for extra snacks, and holders to keep utensils and drinks in place. The rouge color is delightful! Find lots of great Allerhand bags and backpacks at oompatoys.com.

5 We are still talking about how much we adore Mayfair Lane organizers. Your child can decorate their lockers in style with picture frames, notepads and clips. They have an incredible selection of prints to choose from. Best of all… they stick to any smooth service with no sticky residue to deal with!
See our full review of Mayfair Lane in our Editors Blog.

6 Stripes-colored dots, you get it all with this school bag at Littlemissmatched.com. If you get board with one design just unzip and reverse the front flap for a whole new look. It is large enough to store all your needs for school and more. If you like coordinating you can get a matching pencil case, notebooks, wallet and our favorite… their 3 pack of miss-matched socks. Now that is cool to the max!

7 Knick-knack, patty-whack get your bag a PakNak. PakNaks are the coolest little soft & rubbery charms used to decorate backpacks, lunch bags, or anything else you can think of. Start a collection today! Every adorable charm is super adhesive and easily interchangeable...no rings that little kiddos can't handle on their own. Each one has their own little story and we love them all.
PakNaks would like to extend a 15% discount to TTW readers. Enter code: TTW15 at checkout.

Preparation will help make school go smoothly

The Elements of Kindergarten Readiness from Tessandtab.com

Social Kills:
Many parents believe that skills like counting and writing are the key factors in kindergarten readiness. However, The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that teachers say children with advanced social skills are more likely to have a successful kindergarten experience.

Academic Skills:
Starting early to prepare your child does not mean attempting to teach them kindergarten skills in preschool or at home. It just means ensuring that they have mastered these preschool skills.

Fine Motor Skills:
Over the next year, these skills will become second nature to your child. For now, you just need to make sure your child is familiar with the hand/eye coordination and spatial reasoning skills that are most useful.

What Teachers Expect:
• Share, take turns and listen
• Sit quietly in a circle for 10 - 15 minutes
• Use words to communicate
• Use the toilet by yourself
• Dress yourself (zip, button, fasten clothes and shoes)
• Follow simple directions
• Recite and recognize alphabet letters
• Know basic colors, shapes and numbers
• Use positional words (over, under, up, down)
• Print your first name
• Recite your address and phone number
• Properly hold a pencil
• Hold and use a pair of scissors
• Know how to use crayons and glue
• Assemble a 10-12 piece puzzle

What Parents Can Do:
Introduce your child to new social experiences by joining a play group, attending story hour at the local library and encouraging interaction with new friends. Keep a list of social activities that excite and frustrate your child and share this important information with the kindergarten teacher.

* Tessy & Tab offers fabulous kits to get little ones ready for school. The Kindergarten Confidence Kit is made for those venturing on to bigger things. The Confidence Kit gives an in depth preview of what children and parents can expect from the upcoming year through a Parent's Guide, writing practice sheets, a poster, and a DVD featuring a real day at Kindergarten. Perfect to ease fear &/or prepare for a new school experience.

Showcase: Meringue Boutique
Meringue Boutique has made a name for themselves by carrying all of the women’s clothing lines worn by moms everywhere: designer denim from Seven for all Mankind and True Religion; tops and tees from Splendid, Michael Stars, Three Dots, etc.; and undergarments from favorites like Spanx, Yummie Tummie, and Hanky Panky.

However, Meringue is just as focused on the trends for children as they are for women. Meringue Boutique is equipped to meet all of your children’s clothing needs- from super-cute shower gifts to exceptional clothing for your own little one.

With fashionable brands like Petit Joie, Kingsley, Luna Luna, Hubcap, Splendid Littles, C&C California and all of the designer denim labels- your trendy tot will be set for back to school- with style! Meringue also carries a wide variety of diaper bags from in-demand lines like Petunia Pickle Bottom and Fleurville, besides maternity denim and tops.

Visit www.meringueboutique.com today!

Tot Trends Weekly readers can save an additional 10% on off all baby sale items. Use code: TOTS10 at checkout

v 2 issue 2: Boys Only

2008-08-10T20:22:00.009-04:00

Calling all boys and tomboys too. We have selected some of our favorite items that your boys will be proud to own. We also have a book list of our favorite books for boys about boys.

Cover by Alicia O. Crews

1 Tattoo fans alike will appreciate this COOL signature Ed Hardy "Snake & Tattoo" Tee. The front has decorative art,the back has Ed Hardy's signature. Trivia note- Hardy pioneered the pop-culture tattoo-as-art space decades before the worldwide boom in tattoo art. This tee is available at Kitsel.com in toddler through size 8 - No needles required.
Coupon code: BABES at checkout to receive 10% off.

2 Buzz on over to miatom.com to find one-of-a-kind tees with a hint of manly spirit. All shirts are tagless with digitally printed images such as this motorbike Tee. You will also find golf tees, boxing gloves and more... Ranging in price from $20. to $27.95, we know your little mate will love these Aussie tees!

3 This remote control car can go anywhere imaginable! It's deep tread tires have twin propellers that spin for extra power to get through even the roughest terrain. One can only imagine the thrill your little boy will receive as he is kicking up dirt and water with this powerful Komodo Dragon remote control car.

4 What little boy doesn't love trucks? He will be the envy of the school yard with this Appaman Digger Tee from Cute Little Clothes. This manly shirt is available in vintage black sizes 2T-7.

5 The eyes don't lie...this is one super cool t-shirt. A simple black design of a monster truck stands out when detailed with flaming tires. Known to stop foot traffic (when others ask where you found it!), so be prepared to say you bought it from hipsterhugs.com!

6 A fabulous addition to a landlubber's room! The Pirate Island clock is 13" round with a moving pirate flag pendulum, detailed artwork and precision quality which makes this device well worth the booty! View the whole Timeworks collection for sale now at Layla Grace.

7 Bold, flashy, and sure to spice up the wardrobe of any tot. We love the artistic graphics of this long sleeve tee. Tons of fabulous styles for the ladies too, but the Dream Big long sleeve tee is our favorite pick for this issue since it's all about the boys!

This weeks mom tips:
Health Tip:
How to treat a bee sting:
Immediately scrap off the stinger with the edge of a credit card or a very dull knife. Wash the area with soapy water, and then hold an ice cube on the infected area for a few minutes. If you pull out a stinger instead of scraping it off more venom is apt to enter your child’s body.
*Watch your child for an allergic reaction. If your child begins having difficulty breathing or is swelling in his mouth or neck area or develops a rash around the sting area you should seek medical attention.

Cleaning Tip:
Add sparkle to your dishes in your automatic dishwasher by doing the following: Run the dishwasher on the regular cycle without soap. When the machine has filled with water, open the door and add a cup of white vinegar. Finish the cycle. This helps to remove deposits in the pipes.

Organizing Tip:
Wash the dishes and wipe the counters after each meal. No matter how large or small the meal or how tired and in a hurry you are, do the dishes. Make leaving your kitchen clean as important a priority as getting dressed for work. You never know when you will have unexpected guests.

Great books about boys for boys
A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue by Julia Cook.
No one likes Josh the Tattler because he tattles way too much. He tattles on his classmates, his brother, and even his dog! Until one night he wakes up to find his tongue is very long, yellow, and covered in bright purple spots. Will a bad case of Tattle Tongue teach him a lesson?

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst.
We all have good days and bad days. Your little boy will get a kick out of how bad things go one day for little Alexander. The book ends with his mother's assurance that everyone has bad days, even people who live in Australia.

Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson.
While Bear is on the trail of a snack, things quickly turn windy, wet and, as Bear gets lost, downright spooky. He cries and trembles, curling up amid the gnarled roots of a huge tree until his ever-faithful band of woodland friends come to his aid.

Dirt On My Shirt by Jeff Foxworthy.
From the thrill of flying to the imaginary planet Woosocket to bonding with a friend over a shared hatred of spinach, these poems capture the very essence of being a kid.

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long.
Jeremy Jacob sets off on a pirate adventure, he loves doing everything the pirates do but then he finds out what they don't do. Equipped with pail and shovel, young Jeremy Jacob is happily constructing a sandcastle and moat when his day at the beach takes an unexpected turn.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
Max's room grows into a mysterious, wild forest out of his imagination, and Max journeys to the land of the Wild Things. They are fearsome-looking monsters, but Max conquers them with a scary look and he is made the King of all Wild Things. This is a great book for big imaginations.

Barns and Noble Sale- 15% off online sale. Enter coupon code V9P4D7A at checkout to receive off the highest ticketed price book . Expires 8/17/08

v 2 issue 1: Media Mania

2008-07-20T21:33:00.006-04:00

We have chosen some wonderful and educational programs for the web and tv for your children. We encourage you to step into the cyberworld and join your child with safe exploration of the internet.

Cover by Alexi Killmer

1 Who doesn't like puzzles? Now your child can get their puzzle fix on the computer with Puzzlemania CD-Rom's. No paper to throw away when the maze is complete. This program even has a "hint" button when your child gets stuck. Puzzlemania will help build learning skills such as logical thinking and following directions with a huge variety of interactive games. Best of all, they didn't forget the Hidden Pictures Highlights is so famous for.

2 All well behaved little preschoolers (or the ones who need a little practice!) gather round to hear the tales of King Otis and his Kingdom of Goode. Theses videos do a fabulous job of teaching lessons of patience, tolerance, and sharing through warm-hearted storytelling. Brilliant animation and Broadway style tunes add to the adventures and make it a perfect fit for your 3-5 year old.

3 What child doesn't love to jump around, dance and have fun? Click over to the super fun site Superfunshow.com to find music and videos. The videos will teach your child some funky dance moves and the songs are fun too! Beware you will catch yourself having just as much fun learning the dance moves.

4 Help your child learn sight words easily with Fish for Words. Fish for Words is an online educational game that will help your child master the most common words used by schools. There are 5 grads levels for your child to learn, so it offers years of learning. Since it is online you can access it anywhere but it also offers printable cards as well. View their online tutorial at Fishforwords.com.

5 If your child loves playing with cars…Gary's Gadget Building Cars game is the perfect gift. By using Gary's junk yard they can put together any combination of parts to create their car. Once they have created their masterpiece they are ready to take it for a spin and head off to an auto show, gas stations and will find their help is needed by the neighbors. They will find through trial and error and using their thinking skills that they can build a car that will make it through all the missions. While younger drivers may need help we think that older kids will love this game and it gets them using their brains to solve problems.

6 Enlighten, inspire and spark the imagination of your child with The Book of Virtues series. Available on DVD and based on their best selling book, the series teaches your child the core virtues of honesty, compassion, responsibility, courage, self-discipline, work, friendship, loyalty and perseverance though their heart warming stories.

7 Nervous about sending your child off to school? Leave one worry behind by prepping them for learning with Preschool Prep Company's learning DVDs. We love the Meet the Sight series of DVD's as they teach the important high frequency words that must be learned by memorizing. Used in many schools, the Meet the Sight DVD's will help your child move to the head of the class quickly and make learning fun and easy.

This weeks mom tips
Cleaning Tip:
Keep the toilet bowl ring-free by pouring a half-gallon of white vinegar in it once a month. Let it soak overnight before flushing.
Green Tip:
When buying new household appliances, electronics, and lights, look for ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR®. They meet strict federal energy efficiency guidelines that can save you money and are better for the planet.
Time Saving Tip:
Buy in bulk…if you have the space, plan ahead and buy things in bulk. You’ll save money and time by not having to go to the supermarket so often.
Financial Tip:
Save on nearly anything you need and want. Search for online coupons by searching Google with the store name or item along with the word coupon. Voila…savings! Our favorite is ChuckECheese.

Step into the cyberworld
Make sure your family is protected from inappropriate content online. Preserve the best of what's online for your kids and avoid the garbage with proper supervision.

Browsers-
Some kids' browsers come with pre-selected lists of positive content built into their program; they can make it easier for children to find Web sites that are fun and educational, and can keep them from directionless surfing that might lead them into inappropriate areas. Some kids' browsers utilize filtering software to filter out access to inappropriate content.
KidZui is a kid’s browser that makes surfing the Internet fun and engaging for kids from ages 3-12. KidZui has all the sites and games your kids love with access to over 600,000 websites, pictures and videos.

Search Engines-
Kids' search engines sometimes define their content through the use of a filtering tool and some use content from preselected lists, compiled through human review. It is important to remember that kid-safe search engines do not filter Internet content in general, just the results that come up when you enter a search.
kids.yahoo.com/

The makers of Yahooligans!, Yahoo! Inc., described their product as: a browsable, searchable directory of hand-screened Internet sites for kids 7-12. Site also includes other content features including games, sports, news, animals, science and dinosaurs, a reference area, and more.
Instruct kids to use ajkids.com (Ask Jeeves) instead of Google. Google has no filters what so ever for adult material.

Monitor your computer:
Monitor and control access to your home or office computer and laptops from anywhere, anytime with snoopstick.com.
Setting time limits:
EyeTimer is a software that turns televisions and computers on and off. Parents set a time budget for each child-an hour a day Monday through Friday, for example. When the child wants to watch TV or use the computer, he or she signs on to EyeTimer, which turns on the device. When the prescribed time is up, it automatically shuts off.

There are so many great websites out there for your kids. Here are just a few of our favorites:
The Science Explorer
NickJr.com
KBears

Set house rules:
Give time limits for computers and TV.
Use the parental controls that your ISP provide as well as your TV remote, password protect the channels that your child should not be viewing.

v1 issue 25: A Day at the Zoo

2008-07-06T22:22:00.004-04:00

Lions and tigers and bears...Oh my! Our zoo review is here and we have chosen our favorites to share with you. Now here is something to travel for, a list of free zoos around the USA and Canada.

Cover by Jennifer Rose Hewes

1 Hand-crafted, and made of eco-friendly rubberwood...this is a toy with integrity. Not only is it safe, but also multi-faceted. Flip the Tiger puzzle over and you have a whole new puzzle in a flash. Stand it up and you have a decorative piece of art. Nothing like a piece of artwork that makes you think! We think the company name says it all – Imagiplay.

2 Zoobie Pets has some brand new additions to the family and the new zoo review is in. They're fabulous! Still 3-in-1 and tons of fun: the stuffed animal changes into a cushy pillow and the cushy pillow opens up to a kid-sized blanket. Rightfully earning its place as "the perfect travel companion", the animals of the zoo collection are just as great as their forefathers from the safari.

3 Now how could a day at the zoo be complete without your very own African inspired clogs? This clogs come adorned with flamingoes, elephants, zebras, and leopards, oh my! And there is nothing like the comfort and ease of a slip on shoe. Oh we can’t leave out the best part. These fun clogs are on sale half price at Vincent Shoes. Was $39.95 now only $19.95.

4 Daily adventures to the zoo are possible! Frecklebox books takes a child on a personalized storybook adventure through multiple animal exhibits and helps them take in all the details by camouflaging their name into the pages. Hours of wild-life adventure can be yours all for a one time price as low as $19.95.

5 Xeko (pronounced zee-ko) Is an Eco-conscious collectable card game. Mission China is the 4th and newest mission in this educational card game. The object of this game is to build the strongest Xeko-system that balances resources and species. The more endangered an animal the rarer the card. Your child will learn interesting facts about each endangered animal and their habitats to help save endanger species and become a force of nature! Visit the Xeko website for a store near you.

This weeks mom tips:

Cleaning Tip:
Before hanging shower curtains, soak in salt water solutions to prevent mildew.
Organizing Tip:
Make your bed first thing in the morning when you get out of bed. There may never be another opportunity throughout the day.
Time Saving Tip:
Create a box/folder just for bills. Compile all you need to get the job done including stamps, envelops, checkbook and of course the bills. Having it all in one place allows you to easily get the task done. Just pull out the box whenever you have a free minute.
Green Tip:
Replace 5 light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). According to the Department of Energy and the US EPA, Energy Star CFL bulbs are up to 66 percent more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs.

It's a zoo out there!

Zoos go Conservation Conservation involves acting as an "Ark" for endangered species, like the white rhinos that have been among the world's most critically endangered species since the end of the 20th century. Zoos also breed endangered species as part of the European Breeding Program. Next time you visit a zoo, look out for information about its work with endangered species.

A Few Great Zoos

The Toronto Zoo- Scarborough, Ontario
The Toronto Zoo is Canada's premier Zoo, known for its interactive education and conservation activities. As a unique wildlife experience, we inspire people to live in ways that promote the well being of the natural world. The Zoo has over 5,000 animals representing over 460 species. Approximately 1.2 million visitors per year.

The Bronx zoo- Bronx, New York City NY
New York's Bronx Zoo, one of the world's greatest, has been enjoying a renaissance. For a decade scarcely a year has passed without some spectacular addition to this park. 2008 is the year of the frog and the Bronx Zoo has a plan to save the frogs- The Zoo joins a worldwide campaign to highlight threatened amphibians. At various exhibits and events, you’ll meet frogs from around the world and learn about the amphibian extinction crisis.

Smithsonian National Zoo Washington, DC
163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek Park in the heart of Washington, D.C. Home to 2,000 individual animals of nearly 400 different species. Their best known residents are our giant pandas, Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their cub, Tai Shan. The Zoo is one of Washington's and the Smithsonian's most popular tourist destinations. They welcome up to two million visitors—from the local community, the country, and the rest of the world—every year, free of charge.

Philadelphia Zoo - Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Zoo’s 42-acre Victorian garden is home to more than 1,300 animals, many of them rare and endangered. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world. The Bear Country is a must see! With gushing waterfalls, babbling brooks and cool, deep pools, you'll discover an array of burly bears from around the world-sloth bears, spectacled bears and polar bears.

San Diego Zoo San Diego, Ca.
Home to more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies, the San Diego Zoo is a world famous conservation organization where visitors view exotic animals in habitat environments. Zoo guests may view rare giant pandas, cuddly looking koalas, reptiles of various shapes and sizes and many more interesting species.

FREE ZOOS
ARIZONA
Navajo National Zoo, Window Rock
CALIFORNIA
Sequoia Park Zoo, Eureka
FLORIDA
Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, Gainesville
ILLINOIS
Cosley Animal Farm, Wheaton; Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago
INDIANA
Columbian Park Zoo, Lafayette
KANSAS
Brit Spaugh Zoo, Great Bend; Clay Center Zoo; David Traylor Zoo of Emporia; Hutchinson Zoo; Kansas Wildlife Exhibit, Wichita;
Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City; Ralph Mitchell Zoo, Independence
MARYLAND
Salisbury Zoo
MINNESOTA
Como Zoo, St. Paul
MISSOURI
St. Louis Zoological Park
NEW JERSEY
Bergen County Zoological Park, Paramus; Cape May County Park Zoo; Cohanzick Zoo, Bridgeton
WISCONSIN
Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison
Ochsner Park Zoo, Baraboo
CANADA
Riverview Park and Zoo, Peterborough, Ontario

v 1 issue 24: Organic Gardening

2008-06-22T15:52:00.007-04:00

This weeks issue is full of fun garden themed items. We also have tips on organic gardening as well as an organic bug spay recipe, so roll up your sleeves put on some old cloths and get ready to explore, learn and educate with your children in the garden.

Cover by Raye Law

1 Totally organic! Your choice of lavender, lemon basil, parsley, or oregano in a gorgeous littleHerb Rice Garden pot made from renewable grain husks. The nifty little pots are 100% bio-degradable and will hold their shape and texture for 5 years. Comes with all you need to get your herbs growing lickety-split.

2 Kids love butteries so why not have a portable butterfly fandex for them to carry around for when they want to identify a butterfly.You'll also learn how to recognize each species in its caterpillar stage. What a great item to bring along to the zoo for the butterfly house or just for your backyard. Kidsgardening.com

3 It doesn't get any easier to make a long-lasting piece of artwork for your garden.
Steppingstones are super easy to make with step by step instructions. Just add water, mix, and pour. Add mosaic decoration with the kits' genuine stained-glass pieces (they've been tumbled to remove sharp edges). Use their design templates or make your own.

4 Step over to Lou Lou's Corner and grab yourself an eggling-hatch a plant. Just tap the top of the ceramic egg to reveal the soil and seed pack inside. A drink of water is all you'll need to keep this hatchling growing for up to 5 months in it's shell. Super great craft for those little ones who need a neat, sweet, and speedy project.

5 You will never find a collection of rain/garden boots quite like this. Dll raingear has hundreds of rain boots from matching Mommy and Me boots to matching rain gear- umbrella, coat and boots. Let your child pick out there own style. Starting at size 6 Toddler and up to adult sizes (mens too). Dll Raingear has everything you need to make Puddle jumping fun.

6 Your child will always be ready for what awaits them in the garden with this handy canvas garden tote.It includes kid-sized gloves, shovel, spade, watering can and a rake. The whole kit and caboodle is a mere $12.95.

This weeks mom tips

Cleaning Tip: Use white vinegar to get rid of odor- a bowlful of white vinegar left out in any offensive smelling area will eventually absorb a whole lot of that odor. Also great at getting get rid of burnt popcorn odor in the microwave. Leave an open bowl of vinegar in the microwave with the door open and Voila, the odor will disappear.
Green Tip: Save Water- A dripping faucet wastes up to 20 gallons a day, while a running toilet squanders up to 200 gallons a day. A low-flow shower-head generally will pay for itself in energy saved within four months.
Time Saving Tip: When you see a great toy on sale, buy several and sock them away for your child to give to friends at birthday parties throughout the year.
Financial Tip: Dump Expensive Funds-Many people are smart enough to own no-load mutual funds, but many still throw away money by not paying attention to the annual expense ratio. That's something every fund charges you, but it's easy to miss because it doesn't show up on your statements as a line-item fee. Instead it's subtracted from your fund's performance behind the scenes. The return you see on your statement is after the expense ratio has been deducted from the fund's gross return. The average expense ratio for managed stock funds is 1.5 percent. Smart market watchers tell us we'll be lucky if stocks' long-term gains average 8 percent a year. So if your fund has a gross return of 8 percent and it shaves off 1.5 percent for expenses, you're left with just a 6.5 percent return. Fees have swallowed up more than 18 percent of your funds' return! That's why it's smart to buy index funds or exchange traded funds (ETFs). With annual expense ratios of just 0.2 percent or less, you're going to hold on to a lot more of your returns.

Organic gardening with your children

Organic gardening is a completely natural way to garden. It doesn't involve nasty chemicals or weed killing sprays. Nature takes care of itself, it has a way of dealing with the typical pests without human intervention. Garden crops can produce just as well without the use of fertilizers. Try companion planting, basil helps deter many pests that affect tomatoes and peppers.
Get rid of the garden pests, safely yet effectively with Pepper Soap:
Blend four jalapeno peppers and three or four cloves of garlic in a blender or food processor with four cups of water. Place this mixture in another container, and stir in one teaspoon of vegetable oil soap. Let this homemade insecticide set for about twenty-four hours, and strain it through cheesecloth or a wire mesh strainer before pouring it into a sprayer and spraying it on bug-ridden garden plants. Be sure and spray the undersides of foliage, and reapply this homemade insecticide after it rains.
Children are natural gardeners. They're curious, like to learn by doing, and love to play in the dirt. So roll up your sleeves put on some old cloths and get ready to explore, learn and educate together.
While gardening, a child can experience the satisfaction that comes from caring for something over time and observe the cycle of life firsthand.
Children as young as two years old are capable of helping with gardening tasks such as digging and watering. Whereas, older child can plan, plant and take care of their own garden area.
Kids like easy, fast and reliability. Here are a few suggestions:
Sunflower
Sunflowers are an easy flower for kids to grow. They don't require much attention. They just require full sun and protection from high winds. They will need lots of water especially early on.
Lettuce
A quick and reliable crop to give the child fast results, and also a good way to interest kids in salads. Lettuce likes part shade; keep soil moist especially during the first two weeks.
Snow peas
A quick-growing early crop, and fun for kids to eat right off the vine. Peas prefer cooler, partially shaded locations in the garden.
Cherry tomatoes
Plant in full sun and use seedlings rather than planting from seed. Put in a 2' stake alongside each seedling; they need to be tied loosely to stakes as they get taller. Cherry tomatoes can also be grown in containers.
A few tips:
-Garden for short periods of time; changing activities frequently keeps kids engaged.
-Plant vegetables your child likes to eat.
If your child's first experience with gardening is fun and successful, they are likely to develop a green thumb that will stay with them for life.
* Is it worth buying fruits and vegetables that are organic? Check out the list of produce that's heaviest in pesticides here..... www.foodnews.org

v 1 issue 23: All Around The World

2008-06-08T17:24:00.002-04:00

This issue is packed with fun items from around the world as well as an article on an easy approach to teaching a second language to your children.

Cover by Shannon Stewart

1 This My Brown Eyes is a story will give you goosebumps. This is a beautiful and poignant story of immigrant life as told from the point of view of a child. The impact of this video is tremendous. It will teach your child tolerance and understanding of children that are different. We think all children could benefit from watching this DVD.

2 Bang that drum! The wildly colored Remo Konga Drum is a blast for young and old. It crafted to last for years and comes finely tuned so your beats sound professional. The removable strap is adjustable for all body sizes when you want to carry your drum around with you, making the drum easily portable.

3 Karito Kid dolls embrace the ethnicity of our world by teaching about Earth's varying cultures. Each 21" poseable doll celebrates beauty through ethnic features and comes with a chapter book & scrapbook detailing the country of the doll's origin. Be sure to activate your doll on the site for a 3% charitable donation.

4 Tessa Clogs offers a wide variety of fine Scandinavian clogs. They now have Tessa Snap Straps™. Change the look of your clogs by simply changing the strap. Now that is a brilliant idea! The straps can go across the clogs or diaginal. Be warned you are going to want a pair for yourself as well.

5 World of Good keeps true to its mission of being a global resource to women, helping them break free from poverty to improve the lives of their families. Check out the Social Impact Report for the whole scoop. The fair trade products found here are hand-crafted by artisans from around the world and are as beautiful as the women who make them!

6 With the help of Boca the hand puppet, learning Spanish becomes playtime fun. The Boca Beth Set is chock full o' goodies to get kids moving, dancing, and playing their way to the benefits of speaking a second language. Don't forget to sign up for the free e-newsletters to enhance the learning and the fun!

7 Definitely a site to be visited! With books like "The Tear Thief" and "My Daddy is a Pretzel", Barefoot Books has an eye for choosing children's literature with quality art, heartfelt stories, and purposeful messages. This is where you will find "The Whole World" book and sing-along CD that made it to the "O-list"...special not only because of its message & green tips, but also because 10% of proceeds go to global conservation.

Cleaning Tip:
Found magic marker on the couch? Try Hair spray to remove magic marker from surfaces.
Green Tip:
Wash clothes in cold water…Using cold water saves a significant amount of energy. Clothes last longer and colors stay brighter. Line drying clothes saves even more energy.
Organizing Tip:
This sounds very simple, but not many moms hang up their keys…lost time by searching for keys (not to mention the frustration!) could be spent playing with your kids or organizing the junk drawer. Find a stylish hook to hang near the door and save the last minute frantic run around.
Time Saving Tip:
Plan your meals in advance! By planning your meals for the week you will save time and money at the grocery store. Not to mention the stress of coming up with a meal on the spot. Also save time by avoiding the grocery store during peak shopping times (11a-1p and 5-7p). You may want to even consider grocery delivery, it’s not as expensive as you think when you consider gas expense.

The Gift of Language Learning For the Families of Today
We are all fairly savvy to the fact that we live in an increasingly global society in which our neighbor is from Ecuador, our colleague is from France and the person who teaches our child is from Sweden! We realize as adults how difficult it is to learn a new language after our youth, but we keep reading that it is the perfect time for our own children to begin the language learning!
Time & Newsweek ran feature articles years ago about the window of opportunity for second language learning being between birth and ten years old. Experts agree that while a child is learning one word for an item, it is just as easy for his young brain to learn a second word for the same item.
Several studies out of York University show that children who receive instruction in two languages score twice as high on language tests than their monolingual peers. These studies also prove that these bilingual children read sooner and demonstrate advanced problem solving capabilities. (Dr. Ellen Bialystok, 2001)
Finding a fun and easy way to bring the language learning into your daily routine is often the challenge. Once-a-week classes just aren’t enough. The key is to find multimedia products that use a bilingual format for introducing the language to children ages birth – ten that encourage interaction. Find CDs for the many car moments you share and DVDs that incorporate your children’s various learning styles.
Experts agree that the two languages should be presented in a bilingual format for young children who are still acquiring skills in their native language. Meaning the new language should be presented in a seamless bilingual format alongside the child’s native language. This allows for better retention, higher self esteem and fun for the entire family as they learn together!
This year give the gift of a second language journey that is easy and fun for you and your children. Sing, dance and play together as you enjoy learning each new word on the path to becoming bilingual. Prepare your child for successful travel through our very global society and for what is sure to be a very diverse future.
About the Author: Beth Butler is the founder of the Boca Beth Program – a fun bilingual product line that makes it easy to introduce Spanish to young children. Gather your family around your computer, and sample the Boca Beth bilingual music and movies for free at bocabeth.com Call toll free 877.825.2622 or order online today!

v 1 issue 22: Summer Fun

2008-05-25T18:09:00.005-04:00

Summer Fun

This issue contains fun products that will make you want to get out and have some FUN with your kids this summer, in your own backyard.
Cover by Shalla Melton

1 What a great way to cool the kiddos off this summer. Splash, dash, have a blast! With this soft, 12 ft. hose. It has 15 sprinkler heads that wiggle and twist, squirting water every which way. This Wigglin' Water Squirter Hose can be found at Leaps and Bounds for only $16.95.

2 Bird, bug, & butterfly kites in brilliant colors and realistic designs can be found at www.breezechasers.com. Kites come with Twisted Kiteline for easy tangle resistant flying. Great kites for new enthusiasts.

3 The Big Boom Boomerang packs lots of air into each throw. Tosses fly up to 50 feet! Constructed of durable foam for lasting fun. Highlights.com

4 Australia’s Blue Lizard is a breakthrough in children's sun protection! It is a chemical-free sunscreen that pampers delicate skin while providing the best known protection against broad-spectrum UV rays. Water-resistant, non-irritating, and fragrance-free. For ages 6 months and up

5 Three wheels and pressed steel construction make this scooter safe for the little guys, but it's the adjustable height handle bars and a 75 pound weight limit that keep this baby around for long term use. Either way, this retro scooter found at Born Lucky, is Great!

6 Go on a silly adventure with Chipper the Squirrel to learn safety tips and lessons which get kids ready for outdoor fun. For only $29.95 you get a 35 minute video, a sing-a-long CD, and a story & activity book.

7. These Hop along balls never go out of style. Your child will have just as much fun today as you did when you were a kid. Lilly’s Kids has 18” Hop Balls in many sports balls like this basketball or choose a Disney Princess pattern. It supports up to 50lbs and is only $12.98.

Organizing Tip:
Purchase baskets/bins for the hall closet and label them for each family member. This way you can put everyone’s hats, mittens, bags etc in their basket for later picking up or just to keep the closet organized.
Cleaning Tip:
Remove ring around the collar with shampoo! Shampoo is designed to remove body oils. A savvy stain remover; keep a cheap bottle by the washer for use on all sorts of stains.

Time Saving Tip:
Purchase Method bath wipes (found at Target) and keep them under your bathroom sink. They are quick, efficient and perfect for when a visitor drops by unannounced.
Financial Tip:
Drive the speed limit. Cars use about 20% more fuel driving at 70 miles per hour than they do at 55 miles per hour.

Backyard Summer Fun:

With the over inflated economy today who wants to leave home. Gas prices are at an all time high. Traveling for most people this year is just out of the question. But never fear, you can still have a great summer with your family. It's time to get inventive and have a fun filled summer right in your own back yard.

Camp out Sleepover: If you don't have a tent borrow one, invite a few friends and have a blast. Don’t forget the camp fire songs.
Backyard Scavenger Hunt: Hide some specific items in your yard and make a list of what was hidden. Have your child go out into the yard and locate all of the items on the list.

Backyard BBQ: Allow your child to make the menu and help prepare the food. Together you can cook the food on the grill.

What's a BBQ without Homemade Ice cream? You will need 2 tbsp. sugar, 1/2 cup of whole milk, 1 tsp. flavoring (Vanilla extract, Chocolate syrup, Strawberry syrup etc.), 6 tbsp. rock salt, 1 pint size ziploc bag, 1 gallon size ziploc bag and ice. Fill the gallon size bag halfway with ice and rock salt. Fill the pint size bag with the milk, sugar and flavoring...seal bag. Place the small bag inside the large bag and seal. Shake the large bag until you have ice cream (5 to 8 minutes).

Backyard Production: Get some of your neighborhood friends and make up a skit or play. Plan out a stage and costumes, and then invite your other neighbors to watch your production.

Aqua Piñata: Fill a large plastic pail halfway with water and hang it from a tall tree branch. Blindfold kids one at a time, spin each one around, and let them try to tip the pail with a broom stick or plastic bat. Allow extra slack in the rope to have an older child or adult raise and lower the pail while the child is swinging.

v 1 issue 21: All about Etsy

2008-05-11T19:44:00.005-04:00

All About Etsy

We are so thrilled to share our favorite finds at Etsy. You will find the most unique items for your kiddos and you too.
Cover by Brenda Acuncius

1 Watch your little girl’s imagination grow when she slips on one of these beauties. Star Dust Princess has tutus to fit girls size 2 through 6 years of age. Great for dress up party, dance wear, and photo shoots too. I love the shop owners quote,
“Please beware of excessive twirling!!”
2 Keeping busy making beautiful art, stationary products and "all the things that make celebrating so much fun" really pays off...for us! BellaBlu designs has lots of fun stuff to pick from. Who wouldn't adore this tagless onesie appliqued with a lab dog? Great fabrics are stitched onto durable Carter's onesies with a zig zag stitch to prevent unnecessary fraying. Available in sizes 3-24 months or in tees for the bigger kiddos.
3 With four kids, this stay-at-home Mom manages to find time to make some of the coolest and unique necklaces we've seen. Custom tile necklaces from My Little Chickadees can be personalized or chosen from tons of great pre-designed tiles. All necklaces come with a ribbon which easily adjusts to any size neckline and you get to pick the color. Great prices and beautiful packaging-free of charge!-are the icing on the cake for this hand-crafted goodness.
4 Sarah + Abraham creates note cards perfect for saying hello, congratulations or thank you. But it's not just note cards you will find here. Artwork of simple and timeless design comes in the form of prints for hanging, invitations and announcements for celebrating, or tags and stickers for adding a sweet touch. Needless to say, all designs subtly remind us of the beauty in the simplicity of life!
5 Bellasofia truly is blessed with a gift for creating beautiful heirloom quality couture and accessories. Her creations of toile, satin and cotton...are reminiscent of a secret garden party. A favorite for us would be the adorable bunnies which come with aprons to match the lovely dress fabrics. These huggable stuffed bunnies come in small and large sizes and make a perfect guest of honor for a little girl's tea party. P.S.-We like her well behaved manner too!
6 Add a dash of this to a dabble of that and you come up with the absolutely fabulous finds of Pish Posh Girls. Like us here at Tot Trends, they love "a little bit of this and a little bit of that" and they have a fantastic way of pulling it all together to make adorable dresses and accessories for the girls we love. Add Kate Clips to your order and choose the fabric you want for only $5.- for two or $7.50 for three. What a deal!

This week's Mom Tips

Cleaning Tip:
Clean those dirty and dander filled stuffed animals by placing them in a pillowcase, tie the top and wash them in the washing machine.
Financial Tip:
Save hundreds of dollars by cooking meals at home and packing lunches. Not only is this the most affordable way to feed your family
but also the healthiest way to satisfy your hunger.
Green Tip:
Purchase reusable bags for grocery shopping. It takes 20 to 1,000 years for a plastic bag to break down in the environment and paper
is bulkier than plastic, taking up more landfill space. Like plastic, it does not breakdown rapidly. Grocery Stores like Hannaford
offers attractive reusable bags for only $2 and also credits you for each recyclable bag you use. They also recycle your used plastic
bags. Check with your grocer to see what programs they offer. Check out Get hip get green for stylish reusable bags.
http://www.gethipgetgreen.com/bag02.htm
Time Saving Tip:
Pay Your Bills Electronically. Save time (and stamp money) by not writing out and mailing checks.

Polymer Clay Craft
Colorful and Fun:
Polymer clay can be molded, sliced, rolled and baked to become anything with the help of your child’s imagination. When the package is opened, the clay may feel hard; just have your child knead it and roll it in their hands. Polymer clay stretches as you work with it. The end result is always a surprise.
Let’s make a Bull’s Eye button together:

You will need:
Polymer clay in 2 colors
Plastic Knife
Imagination

Have your child roll a piece of clay into a log between their palms. Lets say about 3” long but it can be any length. Now take the second color clay and using a rolling pin, flatten clay into a sheet; trim to form a rectangle (the length should be the same as the log). Lay the long on the rectangular sheet, then roll together so the sheet wraps around the log.
Your child will now roll this formed log between their palms. Use the plastic knife to cut into slices. Poke 2 even holes in the center with a toothpick.
Parents will need to cook the buttons or whatever clay creation your child’s imagination has formed; Place all pieces on a cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper. Bake in the over at 275 degrees for 6-15 minutes, or according to package directions.

v 1 issue 20: Little Miss...

2008-04-27T20:35:00.003-04:00

Little Miss...

This issue is for your little miss creative, little miss prepster, little miss girly girl, or any little miss. While this issue is geared towards girls, many products have styles for boys as well.

Cover by Kellie Anderson

1 For little miss sexy mom, Progeny Inc is the sexiest fitting apron we have seen. Progeny Inc. has tweaked the cleverness of June Cleaver's apron by adding lots of pockets to hold the added accessories of a modern day Mom.

2 For little miss creative, Mugwaz do-it-yourself kits are the perfect gift. Choose from flip flops, a belt or a bag and let the decorating begin. We love the idea of their party packs as a great way to entertain a group of girls for a sleepover.

3 For your little miss prepster, the funky lunchbox from Em Tanner Designs is the perfect accessory for school. Personalize with her first and last name or a monogram. Many designs available for both boys and girls.

4 For your little miss girlie girl, choose stylish hair clips from Jen Pezzolla's designs at Sweettaia.com. Hair clips are kept sweet & simple here with satin, stripes, and polka-dots, but no ruffles & no lace. Just right for the girls who like to be girly, but don't want the added frills.

5 For little miss princess, the fill in the blank thank you cards from Doodle Bugs are the perfect way to say thank you. There are several styles available for both boys and girls and we love that they are customized with your child’s name…just fill in the blanks for the recipient.

6 Sassibella has your girlie girls covered with their feminine jewels just for girls. They Ashley bracelet is our favorite pick. $25, Sassibella.com.

7 For little miss prep, the coordinating backpacks, wristlets and wallets at Amies Circle are a fun way to tote around her favorite things. Prices range from just $12 to $25.

8 For any little miss, the Sunset Dip-Dye Dress from Tea is a perfect addition for the soon-needed summer wardrobe. This cotton candy colored sundress keeps your little girl pretty with a lightly ruffled collar and cool with an airy cotton fabric. Available up to size 8.

This Week's Mom Tips

Financial tip:
Take care of your family in case of death. Purchase a term life insurance policy to protect those who rely on you.
Green tip:
Avoid creating trash wherever possible: when ordering food, avoid receiving any unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, etc. (ask in advance), buy ice cream in a cone instead of a cup, don't accept "free" promotional products, buy products with the least amount of packaging, etc. Every little bit of trash avoided does make a difference!
Cleaning tip:
Have a coffee stain? Heat the area with a hot wet cloth then dab the area with white vinegar. Rinse well with water and then use a white paper towel to suck up the water. Repeat until the stain is removed. Dry well with a blow dryer or fan.

Time saving tip:
Clean with one product at a time and a roll of paper towels. By doing all the mirrors or dusting at one time and not switching between cleaning products you will actually save time. Switching between tasks can take longer than completing the same task in quick succession.

Recession Proof Party Ideas Part 2
PART TWO: THE CARNIVAL

Some parents spend thousands of dollars on their kids' birthday parties, while a majority spend somewhere between $250 and $750. Are these over the top parties really more fun for the kids than say a party within a smaller budget? Both provide many delights and thrills for the kids.
Lisa broke down the elements of a "Carnival" themed party; one that would cost parents $5000 and one that would cost $250. Now, with the difference in cost, how could these parties be at all similar? Well, take a look. They're definitely more similar than different!
FIRST, LET'S GO OVER THE TOP:
Carnival Party on $5000 for 25 kids
Invitations:
The invitations would be custom-designed by a stationary store and professionally printed ($150) and hand-delivered to each party guest by a professional clown ($150).
Decorations:
Professional balloon arches would greet the guests as they entered the carnival ($200×3). Besides the balloon arches, bunches of helium balloons would decorate the entire party area ($400). A big top tent ($350) would be rented for the entertainment to take place under. The party would have rented tables, linens, and table ware that matched the carnival theme ($500).

Activities:
Upon entering the party, the children would be given a carnival knapsack with a t-shirt and cap with their names monogrammed on each ($15×25). The kids would wear their t-shirts and caps at the party, and the knapsacks will capture their prizes from the carnival games. The knapsack ($10×25) will also hold an empty popcorn box and a string of booth tickets for the games.
Ten professional carnival game booths ($500) would be rented and staffed by professional clowns. Game booths could include: Ring Toss, Duck Pond, Balloon Darts, NBA Hoops, Crazy Ball, Coin Pitch, Tin Can Alley, Plinko, Large Hoopla, and Milk Toss. When the kids win a game, they are given a prize. These can include pencils, bouncing balls, yo-yos, bubbles, plastic sunglasses, etc.

A bouncing carnival inflatable ($200) and dunking tank ($150) would be additional fun activities.

Under the big top, an additional clown ($150) would entertain kids with her routine, along with a juggler ($150) and a stilt-walker ($150).
Food:
A hot dog vendor ($150), Sno-Cone Machine ($150), and popcorn vendor ($150) would all be available for the kids to use their tickets to buy their birthday lunch. The kids will be able to enjoy their food at the party tables. A fancy cake ($75) would be made for the party by a professional bakery. An ice cream sundae cart ($150) would be available to accompany the cake.
Goody Bags:
Kids would take home the monogrammed knapsack filled with prizes from the games, the t-shirt, cap, a fancy, over-sized lollipop ($5 x 25), and their own mini-clown costume, with a red nose, clown collar, and face makeup ($5 x 25).

NOW, LET'S SPEND $25 PER KID ATTENDING:
Carnival Party on $250 for 25 kids

Invitations:
The invitation would be hand-made by printing carnival tickets off of the computer with all pertinent details. These invitations can either be hand-delivered by your child at school and/or mailed to the guests ($10).
Decorations:
Purchase a helium balloon tank ($30) and blow up balloons ($20) on your own for the party. Make one large balloon arch on your own, and/or have balloons located all over the carnival party area. A few carnival Mylar balloons would be a very special decoration to attach to the birthday kid's chair.

Purchase streamers ($10) in an array of bright, primary colors and have them bunched heavily together from the ceiling, when the kids enter the carnival they can walk through the streamers to the fun.

For the big top, hang a very large sheet over four standing poles to create the affect.

Purchase primary colors of table ware and set the table. Over the party table, hang a mock trapeze ($3) with a stuffed Monkey ($2) on it for added décor.

Activities:

Upon entering the party, hire a favorite babysitter who is creative with paint ($40) to be on hand to paint little carnival animals on the guests' faces.

From there, the kids would receive an empty popcorn box and a string of tickets to use at the different activity booths.

Turn very large appliance boxes into carnival booths for the activities. Ask for parent volunteers to run the various booths, and hand out prizes. The prizes ($25) can be little toys found at a Dollar Store, i.e. spinning tops, bouncy balls, plastic animals, Pop Rock candy, etc. At the booths, the following activities could be organized using stuff that you have around the house:

* Fishing Game: Mock up a fishing pole with a paper clip on the end and have the kids throw the line over the box where the adult clips on a prize that the kids reel in.
* Hula Hoop Throw: Have the kids throw a ball through hula hoops to win a prize.
* Have a wading pool on hand with little Rubber Ducky toys floating. Little ones can pick up a rubber ducky, look for a number on the bottom, and receive a prize that correlates to the number.
* Balloon Darts: Blow up balloons and have them taped to a cardboard box. Have kids throw darts to see how many they can break. Make sure to have additional balloons as each one ones pop away.
* Guess the number of marbles in a jar.
* Enjoy a Water Balloon Toss. Have kids pair off in two's and start to throw water balloons to one another. After each successful toss, have them take one step back and continue with the toss. The last team still throwing the water balloon wins.
Under the big top, have an additional adult volunteer or the babysitter you hired for face painting, entertain kids with a silly routine.
Food:
Have a traditional BBQ with hot dogs and hamburgers ($40), and put out bowls of peanuts and popcorn. Have Cracker Jack boxes, animal crackers, and cotton candy bags lining the party table for additional treats ($10).
Make a carnival birthday cake yourself or a batch of cupcakes that the kids can decorate as an additional activity ($10). You could also host the kids making sundaes by providing three flavors of ice cream, chocolate sauce, peanuts, and cherries as another party activity.

Goody Bags:
Kids can take home a bright-colored cup filled with the prizes they won from the games, as well as extra boxes of Cracker Jacks and animal crackers ($2). Make sure to put the kids' names on the cups as a personal touch.

Where are the savings? (Money Saving Tips for Throwing Kids' Parties)
1. Make your own invitations, decorations, and games/activities.
2. Hire a babysitter or ask family and friends to provide the entertainment.
3. Make your own food and birthday cake.
4. Keep the cost of prizes and goodies reasonable.
5. Keep the number of your guests within reason.

These tips work for any theme for your kids' next party. Your kids will enjoy their parties regardless of the amount of time or the money you have to spend!
For more of Lisa Kothari's party etiquette advice, check out her recently-released Dear Peppers and Pollywogs...What Parents Want to Know About Planning Their Kids' Parties, available at www.Amazon.com for $9.95. Also be sure to visit Lisa's website at www.PeppersPollywogs.com before you plan your next celebration!

v 1 issue 19: Room Revamp

2008-04-13T11:32:00.001-04:00

Looking to spice up your kids room? Now that your child is getting older it is time to revamp. We have included something for all tastes that cover decor and storage.

Cover by Marianne Marshall

Revamping made easy

1 These Mini Mighty Magnetic Strip’s found at the Container Store are a great way to jazz up your kid’s room. Perfect for displaying photos or your child’s art. $4.99, Containerstore.com.
2 Safe for babies, functional for tots & stylish for kids. Loom Pop Bins are made of 100% natural canvas with sturdy handles for durability that lasts. Internal coil supports keep bins upright for easy storage and strapping helps to hold them together for compact storage when not in use.
3 Looking for a little inspiration for your revamped room design? Switchplates with an urban flair, available at www.alamodestuff.com, may be just what you're looking for. With an array of styles to choose from in either single, double or triple switch plates, you can cost effectively add just the right touch at only $10.00- $14.00.
4 Studio Luka has created easy to apply modern wall art that is self-adhesive and can to applied to any flat surface. With these vinyl adhesive stickers you don’t have to commit to expensive wall designs…these can easily be removed. $84.95 at TheSillyWagon.com.
5 The Calypso Toy Trolley is a great space-saver for organizing toys, crafts and more. $24.99, Containerstore.com.
6 Now that your child is growing up he is ready to get a big kid alarm clock. Clocky is an alarm clock that runs away and hides to get you up out of bed all while beeping. Clocky is also a great gift for adult kids as well! $50 at Uncommongoods.com.
7 Bring any wall to life with these beautiful hand-cut wall animals created from vintage and reprinted wallpapers by Inke Heiland. Each animal is available in several prints. Choose from a lion, elephant, chimp, ostrige or even a wallpaper tree. $100 at Rompstore.com.

Get your kids organized
If the mess is so overwhelming to you that you feel you cant even tackle the problem anymore it is time to get your kids involved. Depending on their age and abilities your child should be able to assist you each day with a few chores. Before you know it, you will be well on your way to keeping an organized home.
We have listed chores that your kids should be able to help with:
1 Make the bed every day! Even your 2 year old can help you do this (though they wont do a great job they will learn that making the bed each day is part of their routine which will help you when they are older).
2 If you do one load of laundry a day it wont become so overwhelming on the weekends. Have your older child help separate the laundry by colors.
3 Kitchen cleanup. Kids as young as 4 should be able to scrape their plate and put it on the counter.
4 Clean up the living room each evening prior to bed time. Make the kids pick up their toys and put them in their rooms prior to heading to bed.
5 Start a nighttime routine for your family. Include in this time picking up the house of their toys and clothes, putting their dirty clothes in the laundry and setting out their clothes for the next day.
6 Set a clean up time in the evening when everyone picks up their space. Show your kids exactly how you want their room picked up…label bins with photos so that your kids know what should go in them (or words for older kids who can read).
7 Reduce plastic toy buildup. When going through fast food drive-thru’s ask them not to include they toy. For birthdays and holidays ask for gift certificates to activities instead of toys.
8 Stuffed animals must go! They not only can cause health problems due to buildup of dander and more but they cause massive clutter chaos. For those favorite stuffed animals consider a hammock for them up near the ceiling or Boon’s stuffed animal holder is a great ‘pillow’ that keeps them contained.
9 Purchase a rolling under bed basket/bin. This will make pick-up easy for the kids and easy on your eyes!
10 Consider investing in a ‘do it yourself’ custom closet like those from Easy Closets. They make storage of clothes, toys, books, movies, games and stuffed animals easy and look fantastic!

This week's mom tips

Cleaning Tip:
To remove water spots on stainless steel, rub area with a clean, soft cloth dampened with white vinegar. Then wipe dry to avoid spots.

Time Saving Tip:
No time to read? Find the book you want to read on tape and listen in the car, while cleaning the house or walking. Save money by borrowing audio books from your local library.

Financial Tip:
More than 20 percent of 401(k) plan participants don't invest enough to get the maximum company matching contribution. How much you have to invest to get the employer match and how much your employer will match varies. Ask your HR department or the plan administrator how much you need to invest to get the maximum company match. Then change your contribution level to qualify for this incredible benefit. If your spouse has a better policy, consider putting more money in their 401 (k) plan.

Green Tip:
Use soy candles. Soy candles are made from a renewable resource, and are completely biodegradable. They emit no carcinogens, and burn much cleaner than paraffin-based candles. And soy products support farmers!

v 1 issue 18: Spring has Sprung

2008-03-30T13:31:00.003-04:00

Spring is here and flowers are beginning to bloom. With the weather warming up we thought we would introduce a few spring treats as well as our favorite booty exercises for mom!

Cover byToni Elmer

Spring has Sprung

1 The Plantarium Garden Lab is a great way to teach your child about the miracle of a plant growing from a seed. The gel transparency allows you to watch plants grow both above and below the surface. $25, FAO.com.
2 With flowers sprouting in our near future; Crea Crea makes gardening fun for kids with their collection of pruners, rakes and shovels. Found at Pylones-usa.com.
3 Its time to get out and explore the outdoors. We love the Seashore and Bird Watching Nature Study Kits found at Magic Cabin. Each includes 24 laminated cards for matching along with notes and information sheets. The seashore set also includes a net and collection jar while the bird watching kit includes binoculars and bird food recipes. A great way to spend spring afternoons for just $24.
4 Sperry’s new spring shoe line for kids is simply adorable. Available in madras and pink madras, both boys and gals will love this adorable print. $25-$35, Piperlime.com.
5 Head outdoors with the X-Stream Glider and have hours of fun gliding it through both air and water. Constructed of foam, this plane can go the distance both in longevity and flight. $25, Highlights.com.
6 Your kids will get a kick out of this super size kick croquet game. The inflatable balls kick through the wickets just like the traditional version but with a twist. $30, Highlights.com.
7 Mugwaz makes a lazy rainy day fun with their diy kits like this flip flop kit. Choose from three different colors and decorate any way you like with glitter tubes and joolz. $14.95 at Mugwaz.com.

This week's mom tips

Cleaning Tip:
Remove smoke smells quick by placing a bowl of vinegar in the room.

Organizing Tip:
Put hooks and pegs on the backs of room door and on the insides of closet doors for quick hangups for your children.

Time Saving Tip:
Subscribe to a major news outlet's online newsletter, like CNN's "AM QuickNews." In one e-mail, you'll get short briefs of the day's top stories and weather, and you can request stories on specific topics of interest.

Financial Tip:
Try store brands at the grocery store...not only will you save but most of the store brands taste the same as the name brand (and some even taste better!).

Shape up those buns
It’s time to shape up those buns for the upcoming shorts and bathing suit season. Get started now and you will have a rockin’ rear by the time you have to flaunt it in a swimsuit. By adding weight to each of these exercises you are burning more calories! Our favorite butt exercises are:

Squat and press – Use dumbbells and position over shoulders, squat down and when you raise lift the dumbbells straight up. Repeat.

Lunges – Reverse lunges, walking lunges as well as side to side lunges are our favorite.
A reverse lunge simply means that you step backwards for the lunge. Use small weights in your hands for a greater burn (and to burn more calories). Switch legs and repeat.
A walking lunge simply means you are stepping forward one leg at a time and lowering your knee to the floor (well, almost the floor) then join legs and step forward with your opposite leg. Remember to hold weights in your hands for a better workout.
A side lunge with interior raises will really make you feel the burn. For this one stand with legs far apart and you are going to lunge from side to side. Upon side lunge lift your dumbbells up straight in front of you until you reach eye level. Move side to side while continually lifting arms.

Step ups – Step up to a platform while holding hand weights. Go slow and use a higher step/bench as you get stronger. Be careful…don’t bend your knee greater than 90 degrees. Repeat.

Drum roll please...if you want a booty like Jessica Beil (if you aren’t sure what her butt looks like be sure to do a google search to check it out!) this is the best exercise move:
Deadlifts – Form is very important here and if you have back problems don’t attempt them. Stand holding a pair of dumbbells with your arms at your sides (knees slightly bent). Keep your arms straight and slowly bend at your hip and lower the weights as far as you can without rounding your back (keep that back straight!!), now squeeze and lift yourself up… be sure not to use your back. Repeat.

Do each of the above exercises 2 sets of 10 reps each to sculpt a better butt for summer.

v 1 issue 17: The Luck of the Irish

2008-03-09T22:10:00.002-04:00

St. Patrick's day is coming and it is time to celebrate with all things green!

Cover by Shannon Stewart

Lovin' Green

1 You can sit on it, lay or just lounge on it! The Fatboy is the alternative to the old beanbag’s from our childhood. Perfect for kids rooms, offices, or even a spare sleeping spot. The Fatboy Junior is produced from kid-resistant nylon that is easy to keep clean…just rub with a damp cloth!
2 These comfy clogs by Polliwalks feature the likeness of a duck, frog, gator or a ladybug with their footprinter bottom. Your child will leave tiny Polliwalks footprints behind on their journeys. These molded soft foam shoes are easy to get on and off and wash easily in the washing machine or with just a hose. Rest easy knowing they recycle all excess material created from the molding process and their packaging and manufacturing process is environmentally friendly.
3 Grow your own good luck with the Good Luck Egg Micro-Terrarium. Your shamrocks with start sprouting in as little as five days and will last for years. Kit contains micro-terrarium, seed disk and premium sprouting mixture. Only $3 at Fat Brain Toys.
4 Let's go Out to Tea and "dress our hair" in style. Non-slip clips and adjustable headbands make a great accessory to any outfit and there are plenty to choose from here. Great patterns and styles of headbands are available in toddler to adult sizes, so be sure to shop for yourself too!
5 Make baking fun for kids with these colorful melamine mixing spoons by Zak Designs. Dish washer safe and available in a variety of colors at Kids Central Kitchen.
6 Get the redesigned big wheel Huffy has created for a whole new generation of cool kids. With a sleek and low profile, slick wide tires and dual joysticks for real wheel steering, your child will love the thrill of big spin-outs. An adjustable seat allows the Green Machine to grow with your child for years of fun.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with these great ideas:

The night before...
With your kids prepare a plate of raw mushrooms and leave it out for the leprechaun's (then once they are asleep, leave gold-foiled covered chocolate coins behind on the plate as a token of thanks for the kids)

Put the kids to bed and...
Switch their sock drawer with their shirt drawer
Turn some of the furniture upside down and rearrange the rest
Fill everyone's shoes with green confetti

The Day of:
Wear green on St. Patrick's Day
Make green eggs or pancakes for breakfast (use food coloring)
Serve with green milk (food coloring again)
Paint their fingers and toe nails green
Decorate the house in green - Use green balloons, crepe paper, shamrocks and confetti
Make shamrock shaped sugar cookies - frost with green icing and green sugar sprinkles
Serve food using green paper plates, cups and napkins

This week's mom tips
Cleaning Tip:
Club soda or seltzer water will clean chrome.

Time Saving Tip:
Keep a squeegee in the shower so everyone can wipe it down when they are done (this will help prevent mildew).

Organizing Tip:
Place a hamper/laundry basket for dirty clothes in each bedroom. Now everyone can take care of their dirty clothes easily.

Financial Tip:
Save on gasoline and travel expenses, use car pools or take the public transport to and from work.