Marble Run Play Set...

At our house we just love to build things.  Lego's, blocks, Trio's...you name it we have it.  One of the most popular sets we have though is the Marble Run Play Set.

Marble Run is something I had as a child and just adored so when Santa delivered it to the kids this year I was just as excited (ok...more excited) than they were.  Marble run is a set of tubes, chutes, slides, funnels and ramps that you connect to make paths to send marbles down.  There are countless ways to set up the runs making it a real favorite.  Together we try and use every piece making elaborate runs.  On their own, the boys can work on smaller, independent runs.  The pieces are made from bright primary colored plastic that is very durable (trust me, we have put this to the test!).

The age recommendation on this toy is 5+ but at 3 1/2 my boys are able to create simple runs and they really enjoy building them as a family.  Believe me when I say this set is addictive to parents as well...this is one I never say "maybe later" to!  You obviously want to be careful about the marbles espeically if you have a "mouther" but other than that there are no real worries here.  This is a fun set for the whole family to enjoy.  There are 68 pieces in the set but you can also buy add-ons for more pieces.  The original set is more than enough to get you started though.  Check it out and just try and tell me you aren't as hooked as I am!

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Dannon Dan-o-nino Yogurt...

I'll admit it...I am a sucker for anything new especially when it comes to groceries.  Plant a flashy "NEW" sticker on something and I fall for it every time.  This is why I ended up with Dannon's newest yogurt in my cart last week. 

I had seen the commercials for Dan-o-nino yogurt for a couple of weeks.  Cute kids at the park eating yogurt so wonderful it nearly doubled their life span.  I am exaggerating a little (maybe a lot) but it was definitely something that got my attention.  When I saw the "new" packaging at the grocery store I piled it in my cart, anxious for my boys to try this new, healthy snack.

When I got home and paid more attention to what I had tossed into my cart I noticed the Dan-o-nino packaging seemed a bit small.  When I removed the cardboard packaging and got a look at the yogurts I was a bit stunned.  The yogurts were tiny.  Really tiny.  Like, shot glass tiny.  Hmm.  Ok, now for the taste test.  One of my son's is just as easily dazzled by new as I am so he could not wait to dig in (and he just loves his yogurt).  His hand eagerly dipped the spoon in (mind you the spoon just barely fit into this yogurt shot glass), took a bite and then "I don't like this Mama".  What?  I was surprised as yogurt is one of his favorites so I took a bite myself (the last bite since the shot was nearly gone).  Ho-hum.  It was just ok...nothing out of this world yummy.  After a day of no yogurt my son succumbed to this "just ok" yogurt and promptly polished off four shots leaving me in a wake of orange plastic.

I checked out Dannon's website wanting more information about this Dan-o-nino yogurt since I just had to be missing something.  Well, the site promised 80% of the days protein in 8 ounces.  That is pretty great but since each little shot glass has a disappointing 1.7 ounces you would need about 5 to get there.  The site also spoke of portion control.  Apparently, they are awfully concerned about portion control in children and I am too...but not so much when it comes to yogurt.  Cake?  Yes.  Yogurt?  Not really.  If my child wants to eat an extra helping of a dairy serving I am not going to say no.  Are you?

My take on this flashy new product?  Leave it on the shelf.  It is pricier than others, not as tasty and the portions are too small even for a three year old.  I can just picture us "eager to please moms" littering the planet one Dan-o-nino shot glass at a time.  Do everyone a favor and buy the jumbo yogurts you always do...the planet, your kids and your pocketbook will thank you! Pin It

Brain Quest for Threes...

I am always on the hunt for portable toys or games to keep the kids entertained when we are on the go.  Things like waiting rooms at the doctor or dentist or waiting to be served in a restaurant are just so much more manageable when you come prepared with a method of distraction.  I usually rely on favorite books for these scenarios but I recently discovered some flash cards that fit the bill as well.  Brain Quest for Threes are a set of sturdy flash cards arranged in a deck featuring questions just perfect for your three year old. 

Each set of cards contains 300 questions in picture format.  The cards cover letter recognition, number games, word associations and more. My kids are partial to the "all mixed up" questions which ask your child to put a sequence of three pictures in order.  All the questions are centered around a little cartoon mouse called "Molly".  Examples of some questions are "What is wrong with this picture?" and will depict Molly with her sweater buttoned improperly or "Which two items would be used to clean up a spill?" showing illustrations of paper towels, scissors, a sponge and a hair brush.  There are a lot of logical questions that my children find interesting and the illustrations are enough to keep their interest as well.  The questions are fast paced so there is less chance of your child getting bored before their "mac and cheese" is delivered at the restaurant.

There are some questions here that may be a little "young" for older three's such as "Which of these animals barks?" but for the most part I have found the topics to be age appropriate and fun.  I really like how the deck is broken up into two "attached" sets making them easy to toss in your purse or the car.  The set we have it for "Threes" but these Brain Quest Flash Cards continue on right through the high school years.  Somehow I can't imagine my 17 year old letting me play flash card games while we wait to be served at a restaurant but, hey, you never know!

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Infantino Slingrider Baby Carrier...An Update

Last month I posted a review on the Infantino Slingrider Baby Carrier.  Since my post was published these slings have come under fire because of some serious (and life threatening!) risks to your baby.  It seems there is a whole lot more wrong with them than the awkwardness and general discomfort of the design that I wrote about.  Today I learned that the Infantino Slingriders are officially being recalled.  Three deaths over the last year have been attributed to the Slingrider.  Apparently the fabric can cause suffocation as well as the "C" position the baby is in while in the sling (it can block airways causing slow suffocation).  The babies highest at risk are those 4 months and under, premature babies and those with breathing problems.  The bottom line?  Toss that sling!  Nothing is worth that type of risk. 

Infantino is offering replacement products for those with the Slingrider Baby Carrier.  You can visit infantino.com or call 1-866-860-1361 for more information.  I called the toll free number today and was pleased to see how accommodating the company was.  They sent me a return label and instructed me to slice a part of the strap to send back as well (to insure that no other person would use it).  I chose a new baby carrier as I still don't have one I love and the "wrap and tie" one they have looked pretty good.  I could have also chosen a grocery cart cover or an activity mat.

I hope any of you with the affected Infantino carrier will stop using it and take the steps necessary to make sure nobody else does either.  Let's be sure we do what we can to keep our babies safe.  Meanwhile I will still be  on the prowl looking for that comfortable, stylish and most importantly, SAFE baby carrier! Pin It

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight by Jane Yolen...

We are pretty avid readers at our house (kids and adults alike) and read a wide range of books.  There are however a few authors that keep us coming back again and again.  For my boys Jane Yolen is one of those authors.  Jane Yolen writes a whole series about Dinosaurs and their behaviors (as if they were humans of course!). 

In How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, Yolen depicts exasperated (human) parents putting their dinosaur children to bed with such lines as "How does a dinosaur say goodnight when Papa comes in to turn out the light?" and "Does a dinosaur slam his tail and pout?" or "Does he throw his teddy bear all about?".  It is easy even for the youngest listener to understand that those dinosaurs on the page are behaving an awful lot like some kids they know when it becomes time for bed!  The first portion of the book is spent on the naughty behaviors of the dinosaurs while the closing pages explain how the well behaved dinos REALLY carry on at bedtime.  They "turn out the light and tuck in their tails and whisper goodnight".

My boys adore this book.  It gets them laughing with the silly antics of the dinosaurs and I really like the fun way Yolen slips a good behavior lesson in.  Reading this book ends the night on a happy note and often my own dinosaurs "whisper goodnight" when it is done.  Mark Teague is the illustrator of the book and does a fantastic job with "actual dinosaurs".  Each page shows a dino of a different breed (species??) like a stegosaurus or a pteranodon and the dinosaur lovers in your life will appreciate the attention to detail.  My guys always get a giggle over the Trachodon hurling books around the room while demanding a new story.

As I mentioned, Yolen has a whole series of the dinosaur books.  How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight is one of our favorites but we have several including How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food and How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon.  Jane Yolen always does a great job sneaking in a good manners lesson while keeping the laughs coming.  Enjoy!

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Signing Time...

Before I even gave birth to my first child I had some ideas about what I wanted to do once I had children.  Of course you probably know how that goes.  Sometimes what looks good on paper does not exactly translate well to real life (ahem...baby yoga springs to mind for me!).  One of the ideas I had pre-baby that DID translate well in our household was the introduction of sign language.  I had read that sign language could help you communicate with your child before they even learned to speak...how great is that??

When my boys were about 6 months old I started to use some basic signs when I spoke to them (milk, drink, tired).  I was amazed that after a few months they began to use these signs too.  It really blew me away.  Right before their first birthday I discovered the Signing Times videos and I was really hooked.  The Signing Time videos feature a mom and two children using sign language for day to day items and actions.  The videos teach through fun, silly and, I will admit it, very catchy songs as well as some very cute and colorful animation.  I have to say, I was beyond impressed at how well Signing Time helped my boys to learn sign language.  They have learned signs for the potty, most food items, feelings and so many more.  I am certain that the ability to sign what they wanted significantly cut back on tantrums in our house.  I also really love that my children are learning a second language and having a great time doing it.

As you can see I am a big fan of the Signing Time program.  At our house we watched the videos and listened to CD's of those catchy songs but they also have flash cards that look pretty great too.  I also feel like the Signing Time videos are positive programs you can feel good about sharing with your children.   I would highly recommend these videos as the next addition to your child's collection.  Here is where you can check out what Signing Time has to offer...
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Bee Bop Band by Parents...

Like most kids, my boys love musical instruments.  The sound of their own musical creations gets them excited like almost nothing else.  We actually have a whole tote full of various instruments ranging from the barely played to the must haves.  The very fist instruments we received were included in the Bee Bop Band by Parents and those instruments are still played with two years later.

The Bee Bop Band is a drum which is filled with drum sticks, bells, a tambourine, xylophone and maracas.  The instruments are brightly colored and in the shape of various insects...a big hit for kids.  All of the instruments are made of a very durable plastic which is easily cleaned.  I especially like that all of the instruments are stored within the drum, making clean-up a breeze.  Now for what I don't like...the age recommendations from Parents for this toy is 18 months and up which I mostly agree with except for the drum sticks.  I think a toddler with hard plastic drum sticks is simply a recipe for disaster.  I snuck the sticks out of the set and had the boys use their hands on the drum...hello bongos!

I think the Bee Bop Band is an excellent first introduction to musical instruments provided you spirit those drum sticks away.  You can't beat the quality of toys made by Parents and every kid likes the chance to express themselves musically.  Who knows?  You could be housing the next Bach!
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The Nursing Mother's Companion...

When my twins were born I had my heart set on breastfeeding.   I was told how challenging it would be but nothing really prepares you for that until you are handed two hungry newborns....hello Challenge 1 and Challenge 2.  Seriously though, I really wanted to succeed at nursing and I was able to do this through persistence, exhaustion (no energy to fill/prepare/wash bottles!) and the help of my handy little "nursing bible".  The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins was what I turned to during every bump in the road of my nursing adventure. 

The Nursing Mother's Companion (now known as "NMC" to save me from carpal tunnel!) is dedicated to helping you figure out how to breastfeed your baby.  As a first time mom you think because it is the most natural thing to do it must be easy.  This is not the case for everyone.  The "NMC" is set up in sections from preparing during pregnancy all the way through nursing a toddler.  Each chapter spends time focusing on the different challenges each age bracket is associated with for baby AND mom.  Fearful your baby is not gaining enough?  Thrush?  Engorgement?  New Teeth?  All the answers to your problems are here.  There are also sections on the nursing mom's nutrition, nursing an adopted baby, pumping and the safety of medications while breastfeeding. 

The "NMC" was on my night stand for a year after the twins were born.  Now with my third baby it is back there again ready to provide answers  and reassurance.  This book is a must for any mom-to-be who is planning to breastfeed.
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Stroll'r Swivel'rs...

I use my stroller a lot.  Having three young children makes shopping carts pretty inconvenient so I often pile the kids into the stroller and make do.  While this is great for the pocketbook (how much can you REALLY pile on your kids in a stroller without looking unfit??) it is often frustrating when you have more than a couple of things to grab.  I was very excited when I discovered Stroll'r Swivel'rs a couple of years back and have been a loyal user ever since.

Stroll'r Swivel'rs are hooks that attach to your stroller allowing you to hang your purse/diaper bag/shopping bags from the handle.  I often bring recyclable shopping bags into the store, fill them up as I go and then have the bagger load my purchase right back into it.  I leave one or two swivel'rs on my stroller at all times.  I have used the Stroll'r Swivel'rs on several different strollers (standard and jogger styles) and the hook has fit easily onto the handles.  I will say that the plastic can only hold so much so don't get over zealous like I have a couple of times.  I once loaded my twins (when they were babies) into a double stroller, walked to the grocery store and proceeded to hang 2 heavy recyclable bags from one plastic Stroll'r Swivel'r.  Picture one disheveled Mom pushing two squalling babies a 1/2 mile home while dragging two heavy grocery bags...not pretty and a lesson learned.  Plastic, even the durable kind, can only take so much abuse!

I suggest grabbing couple of packs of Stroll'r Swivel'rs (they come in a 2 pack) and stashing one in your car, one in your purse and leaving a couple on your stroller.  You will be prepared when you have that sudden need to shop and are not capable of growing that extra set of hands we moms all need!

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Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug...

As I have mentioned in previous posts, my boys adore the garbage men and everything pertaining to garbage/trash/recycling.  You could even say they are a tad obsessive over it.  It should come as no surprise then that a favorite bedtime book is Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug by Ellie Bethel. My guys have requested this book so many times that they can recite nearly the entire book right along with you....not bad for a couple of three year olds!

What is the appeal of Michael Recycle?  I can give you three reasons that are very popular with the pre-school set.  A super hero.  A villain.  Garbage...lots of it.  Need I say more?  Michael Recycle is a super hero living "in a beautiful valley in the shade of a hill" which is being invaded by a mountain of waste created by the villain Litterbug Doug.  With catchy rhymes the author keeps the reader riveted while sending a pro-recycling message.  We follow along as Michael campaigns to show Doug the error of his ways turning him from Litter Bug to Litter Police.  The end of the book includes some fun trash facts as well as some great recycling tips kids can do on their own.

I think this book would be a big hit for any child in your life who is on a super hero or garbage man (or both!) kick.  This is a book you can feel good about reading to your child and is a great way to introduce the concept of recycling and waste.
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Melissa & Doug Stamp & Sort Mailbox...

Like many pre-schoolers, my boys are very interested in the people in the community they see regularly.  The garbage men and our mailman are incredibly popular around here.  We have lots of toys and books about garbage men and trucks but I had not seen much out there to pay homage to our friendly mailman.  I recently discovered the Melissa & Doug Stamp & Sort Mailbox and thought for sure I had found a toy to keep my budding postal workers interest.  Hmmm....I missed the "post" mark (hahaha...I do crack myself up!) on this one.

This wooden mailbox is completely adorable.  It is bright blue and looks just like a real mailbox.  The play set includes six wooden letters and six removable wooden stamps (they attach to the letters with velcro) plus a key (also wooden) to open the mailbox door.  There are three different mail slots on the top to sort each of the letters.  The letters come in different widths so children need to figure out which goes into each slot. 

I want my boys to love this toy for the overall cuteness factor.  I had visions of them spending hours playing mailman with this quaint little toy...except they don't.  They were certainly excited to get the toy but after the initial excitement our little mailbox has grown dusty.  After you get past the appeal of the "look" of the toy there is not much else there.  Now my boys still love to play act and really do love to play mailman and sort mail...just not with the Melissa & Doug Mailbox.  Their tools of choice for this imagination play?  Real envelopes and an empty tissue box to serve as a mailbox.  Go figure! 

So, unless your child specifically asks for this toy, skip it and give them your junk mail and an empty tissue box instead.  Let those imaginations work!
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Netflix...

I realize that this review is a little off the subject from my usual but read on and you will see why Netflix is a Moms best friend.

For those of you who do not know, Netflix is a mail subscription program for renting movies.  For $8.99 per month you are allowed one movie out at a time.  When you are finished viewing your choice (no time limit AND no late fees!) you simply pop the DVD back into the mail in the provided envelope.  When the company receives your video the next video in your "queue" is immediately sent to you (the whole process usually takes 2-3 days).  To put movies in your queue you go online and choose from countless titles from every genre including new releases.  Now for me, this alone is great.  My husband and I always have a movie on hand for a movie night and we don't have to worry about late fees if we don't have energy for movie night for a week or two.  You also can't beat the right to your door service.  Our local video store is only ten minutes away but that might as well be ten hours on days when you don't feel like packing up the kids and dragging them into the video store to choose a movie!

Now for the very, very best part.  Included in the $8.99 per month fee is the little gem called "instant queue".  Instant queue are movies you can select that will automatically be available for you to watch online or on your television.  Wow!  I love, love, love this feature.  There are not as many titles to choose from (fewer new releases) but certainly enough to find something for everyone to enjoy.  There are movies, television shows and lots and lots of programs for children.  I use the instant queue mainly for the kids.  Using this feature they have been able to see some of my childhood favorites (Scooby Doo and Inspector Gadget!) as well as enjoy some newer favorites such as Caillou and the movie Bolt.  You can't beat this ammo in your back pocket for rainy days or sick days!

I don't pretend to be a technical wizard...far from it!  But if you have any of the following devices in your home you will be able to instantly watch programs...

Among the large and expanding base of devices that can stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix right to members’ TVs are Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PS3 game consoles and, this spring, Nintendo’s Wii console; Blu-ray disc players from Samsung, LG and Insignia; Internet TVs from LG, Sony and VIZIO; the Roku digital video player and TiVo digital video recorders.

Even if you do not have one of the above the DVD rental alone is worth it.  Every Mom needs something to make life easier even if it is something as simple as entertainment delivered right to your door (or TV!!).  Enjoy.

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My First Mirror by Lamaze...

From what I understand all babies pretty much despise  tummy time.  Who can really blame the poor babes though?  You are still developing neck muscles and it is a major struggle to lift your head off the blanket.  Sounds like not so much fun to me too!  I also know how important it is for them to have tummy time so I was really anxious to try out the My First Mirror by Lamaze with baby number three.

My First Mirror is a multi-purpose toy.  It is a detachable (non-breakable of course!) mirror that includes a soft, brightly colored wedge to place on the floor for tummy time.  The mirror can also be attached to the crib/pack and play, stroller etc...making it portable fun (yay!).  Now, I am not going to lie.  Baby number three still does not love tummy time but a fun mirror to gaze into IS more incentive for her to lift that heavy head.  The bright colors of the mirror frame and wedge are appealing to the eye and I like that the wedge is not heavily adorned with other "things".  The baby can simply focus on his/her face without being over stimulated by a bunch of other toys hanging in his/her face. 

I give a thumbs up to this reasonably priced toy for the multi-use factor and helping make tummy time a little less traumatic.

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First Meals by Annabel Karmel...

When my boys were born there were a few things I was committed to trying to accomplish.  Something right on the top of the list was making my own baby food.  I wanted to try and save some money (making your own is SO much less expensive) and I liked the idea of providing meals for my children right from their very first mouthful.  The big question was....where to begin?

I received First Meals by Annabel Karmel as a gift right before my boys started solids.  This book was incredibly helpful to this neurotic first time mom.  The book begins with loads of helpful nurtritional information and the how-to's of making your own baby foods.  The book is broken up into sections (6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-18 months, 18 months-2 years, 2-3 years and 3-7 years) and each section begins with specific nutritional tips and answers to common concerns for the age group.  Karmel is knowledgeable about the "whens" of giving certain foods which was a huge help for me. 

If left to my own devices I would have probably just boiled carrots and mashed them up for the boys.  This is fine but so limiting.  What about some yogurt and mango puree or a trio of root vegetables?  Karmel helped me to realize that baby food does not have to be bland...add some cinnamon or ginger!  Now, the downside of this book (for me) was that some of the recipes are a bit overwhelming.  I love my kids dearly but I am probably not going to whip up salmon teriyaki with noodles and bean sprouts for lunch.  I wish I was that motivated but most days I am not so much.   The book does however offer some fabulous inspiration especially during those early days and for those picky eating days as well. 

This book would make a great baby shower gift.  Even if the mom-to-be does not intend on making her own baby food it supplies valuable nutrition information plus great meal recipes to inspire adventurous eaters down the road.  Bon appetit!
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Imaginext Batcave...

This past year for Christmas one of the favorite toys under the tree was the Imaginext Batcave by Fisher-Price.  With the age of three came a huge interest in all things super hero so the batcave was a clear choice.

This play set brings the characters from Batman alive with lots of fun options.  There is a drawbridge for the batmobile, an elevator, a jail with an escape hatch and much more to keep your little super heroes entertained.  A fabulous feature that I really appreciate is that it can all be folded up and neatly put away when not in use...thank you Fisher Price!  Each Batcave comes with the following accessories:  batman, robin, batcycle, console, satellite dish, antenna, two batarangs and a bathook.  There are also many, many smaller accessory sets which include all your favorite villains (penguin, joker and riddler are a few we have).

My guys are on the younger side of the suggested age group (3-7) but they definitely enjoy this toy and are able to use all the "bells and whistles" associated with it.  I can also see definite staying power with this toy and could easily see it being a favorite for at least a couple more years.  I think this was $50 well spent.  The set is made up of a very durable plastic which has already withstood many tumbles in our house.  I would strongly suggest picking up a few of the accessory pieces because this toy is way more fun if your Batman can take on one of the bad guys.  This one earns a strong recommendation from this mom of two budding superheroes!

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Kidorable Rain Gear...

Last year rainy days became a whole lot less gloomy around here when we discovered the wonderful world of Kidorable.  Kidorable is a company that produces the most adorable rain gear on the planet.  Your child can become a frog, lady bug, fire fighter or fairy (the list goes on and on) every time he or she puts on her outdoor gear.

For the past two years we have purchased the rain jackets and boots for our boys.  The jackets are made from PVC/vinyl to keep out the rain and lined with polyester which keeps them cozy.  The boots are a thick rubber which keep little tootsies dry even after serious puddle jumping fun.  I have found the sizes to be spot on so, when ordering, stick to your usual sizes.

What I really love about this gear though is the fun, kid friendly designs.  What child does not want to be a pirate or a bumble bee?  Kidorable allows even the mundane task of getting dressed for outside to become an imagination packed adventure.  My kids LOVE their gear and the fun factor certainly cuts down on the getting ready battles...BONUS!  For all you fashionista's out there, little Suri Cruise has been spotting wearing the fairy gear around town so you know this gear must be cool!  Last year my guys were a dinosuar and a frog and this year they are sporting the fire fighter and space hero sets.
There are only two downsides to this gear.  First, the price is a little high.  The jackets run at about $35 and the boots are about $30.  This can easily be rationalized by the durability.  My kids wore their jackets and boots a ton and they are still in good enough to be passed along to friends.  The other downside?  How to choose a style!  There are so many cute sets to choose from.  I already have my eye on a mermaid set for my baby daughter for next year but that fairy set is cute too...how will I ever choose?  Here are a few links to some of my favorites but Amazon has a huge variety of styles.  Happy puddle jumping!

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