Dwink It

Our new Dwink boxes came! We've put some serious mileage on our old ones, having ordered them way on back when Roo was about Jasper's age. I really do consider them one of the indispensable products of child-rearing, since they foster independence with their double handled design and also keep your munchkins from squeezing juice boxes (or pouches) all over the place. I was a bit overexcited to hear about their new Special Edition Dwink boxes, which are a lovely BPA and phthalate-free white plastic with a smart die-cut logo and cool dot pattern that makes them extra-grippy.



Even cooler, the net proceeds from sales of the Special Edition Dwink boxes are donated to Raven + Lily, a non-profit design studio dedicated to empowering women through design partnerships and micro-enterprise opportunities. So, yes, there is a good excuse to buy yet another kid-feeding accessory…



New Dwink, old Dwink. Both very useful, in my book.



Disclosure: I bought these with my own money because I really think they're cool. In fact, I saw them on Cool Mom Picks, so I guess you could say they're literally cool, even.

CARES - Kids Fly Safe!

Summer is looming on the horizon and with it, the daunting task of traveling with the kids. I absolutely despise having to deal with bulky carseats on the airplane while simultaneously trying to keep your kids reigned in, so CARES, the Child Aviation Restraint System, was immediately appealing to me. CARES is a lightweight belt and buckle system that turns the airplane seat into a secure and comfortable child safety seat. It is the only harness-type child aviation safety restraint ever certified for airplane travel by the Federal Aviation Administration.



CARES is quick and easy to install using the airplane seat back and lap belt and it folds into a convenient 6" pouch that weighs only a pound so it fits into most carry-ons. We took our CARES on our recent trip to Disneyworld where we knew we would not be needing carseats. I have also heard that CARES is an effective way to keep toddlers from fidgeting and trying to roam during extended flights. It gives them the restraint that they are used to from carseats but also allows them to stretch out a bit more.

Disclosure: we received a CARES harness to review.

Britax Marathon CS Review

We are a Britax family. Case in point:


Roo in her Marathon, Jasper in his Boulevard. They're like plush recliners for your kids, only with the added bonus of protecting them in the event of a crash. In fact, these carseats are so well-designed, they have been known to keep children safe even when the car they are riding in has been struck by a train! (I would still recommend not stopping on train tracks, in case you were considering doing some home-testing.) That seat was a Roundabout, a convertible seat that is good for rear-facing infants to 40 lb forward-facing kiddos.

We went with the Marathon when Roo was a baby because it has such a long lifespan. Britax carseats are not cheap but they are extremely well-rated and in our experience they are just as durable as they are plush and good-looking. When Jasper outgrew his infant carrier (at six months!), I discovered a new Britax convertible seat. The Boulevard is even cushier than the very similar Marathon (both seats are recommended for children up to 65 lbs) and my hands-down favorite feature for Jasper has been the No Re-thread Harness Adjustment which allows you to adjust the harness height without having to re-thread the harness straps– super handy when you have a rapidly-growing baby/toddler/kid. Roo was a much more gradual grower so it's not as much of an issue to have to switch out the harness height every six months or so when you pull the cover off to wash it.

We recently received a new Britax model, the Marathon CS. The "CS" refers to the Click & Safe audible indicator that helps to determine when the child seat harness is within range of appropriate snugness. I remember taking a carseat safety class when I was pregnant with Roo and being informed that an alarmingly high number of parents were installing their seats improperly AND using the harnesses incorrectly, as well. I think it might have been close to 70%! The Marathon CS is just as comfy and sturdy as its non-clicking predecessor but it does give me a reassuring feeling to know that there is a way to make sure the harness is optimally tightened. Especially since this seat is going to go in grandma's car…

The Click & Safe feature is also available in the Boulevard CS. (Did I mention how totally awesome that No Re-thread Harness Adjustment is for wiggly boys?) The Britax Marathon CS has a MSRP of (USD) $299.99 and can be found wherever quality baby goods are sold.

Staycation, All I Ever Wanted…

Summer is near and the specter of keeping two little kids busy and even traveling with them is looming on the not-so-distant horizon. I'll admit it. I am terrified of Roo being out of school for three months. She talks from the moment she wakes up until her eyes close at night and while I usually am very interested in what she has to say, it is pretty exhausting. Especially when I have to keep Jasper from pinching her and pulling her hair and keep her from instigating said actions. I'm already breaking a cold sweat!

There are options. Bribery. Engaging them with thoughtful play options. Sometimes those two things can coincide. Case in point: Little Jet Set. This mom-founded boutique carries a plethora of stuff you might need to make traveling– or staying at home– with little ones bearable and even fun. I love their selection of funky suitcases and clever gift ideas.



Roo received the Poet and Astronomer Paper Dolls by eeBoo which feature gorgeous illustrations and inspiring scenarios. This would be a great surprise to pull out on the road since it comes in a slim portfolio but folds out for more imaginative play.



Jasper received a set of Automoblox miniature wooden cars that he absolutely loves to take apart and reassemble. (Technically, these are recommended for ages 3+ because they feature tiny parts that could be choking hazards. I took note of that warning but feel that Jasper's up for the challenge, being the little brother of a Polly Pocket aficionado. There are tiny things littering every nook and cranny of our house.) If I could ditch all of the cheapo plastic cars he has and replace them with these, the world would be a MUCH better place.




Don't forget to check out Little Jet Set before planning your summer trips. Something like the Tray Bien In-Flight Organizer would come in awfully handy on that loooong airplane ride…



Right now, Little Jet Set is having a HUGE sale– all regular-priced merchandise is 40% off and all clearance items are 50% off! Hurry on over because things are selling out fast and the sale ends on April 27th!

Pink, Pink, Pink!

Oh my goodness. Boon has struck yet again! This time the already utterly adorable red and black Bug Pod has been reinvented in pink, glorious pink. So has the Flo Water Deflector. Both products are available at Babies R Us.



We already have the traditional green Boon Frog Pod and Flo Water Deflector so I really have absolutely no excuse to get this pinkalicious set so I am hoping my cousin and his wife have a baby girl in June…

Tell Me A Piggy Story

***CONGRATULATIONS, Andrea Shops (non-blogger)!!!***

her comment...
They have a lot of cool stuff for kids. I like the Travel Toy Tote by Alex.
It looks great for those long car rides. =)

Please email me to claim your prize!




Little Jet Set specializes in travel gear for kids and they offer almost anything you could possibly want to make your holiday trip with kiddos in tow go smoothly. I love their collection of kid-friendly luggage, airplane and road trip accoutrements. But don't assume you can't enjoy Little Jet Set at home, too! They have a great selection of toys and games for holiday gift giving whether you're a globetrotter or a homebody.

We got to try two of Little Jet Set's best offerings for creative kids. First up, the Tell Me A Story Mystery in the Forest cards by eeBoo.



eeBoo is known for its remarkable illustration work and this game is no exception. The concept behind the Tell Me A Story is great: each sturdy, heavy-duty card has a full-color image and your child uses them as a starting point to illustrate his or her own story. This is a fantastic alternative to all of the bells and whistles on most contemporary toys because it fosters imagination and narrative ability. Roo, being naturally loquacious, loved it immediately!



There are other themes in eeBoo's Early Learning Literacy series, including LIttle Robot's Mission Tell Me A Story cards and the Write Me A Story line, which encourages kids to keep their stories for posterity.



We also received the What's A Dragon Art and Activity Backpack by The Piggy Story. This is a well-appointed backpack for little doodlers, complete with a ten-piece double-sided washable marker set, activity book and doodle pad. All of The Piggy Story products feature signature prints that are absolutely adorable.



This dragon set is perfect for Jasper while the Pretty Princess Art and Activity backpack is more in tune with Roo's pink-lust. I love how there is a place for everything in this backpack, including slots for the pens and a removable pouch for other supplies that tend to fall to the bottom of a bag. The laminated finish make it very durable and easy to clean, too.



I also love the Doggy Diary print… I just wish they had a corresponding kitty print! Maybe on lavender. Hint, hint.

To enter and win your own What's A Dragon Art and Activity Backpack by The Piggy Story or Tell Me A Story Mystery in the Forest cards, please comment on this post with your favorite item from Little Jet Set.


Entries will be accepted through November 12th and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible. Only one entry/comment per person, please.


For an additional entry, post my button on your blog, fave me on Technorati or subscribe via email or subscribe via reader and leave an extra comment letting me know.



Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win! Or, you may choose to check for your nickname at Prizey.Fetch, a site that compiles winners in one convenient place:

***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***



Be sure to stop back by during the week of November 10-14, Angie, Candice, Cheryl, Kathleen, Kristin and I will be hosting a bloggy Tea Party with fabulous reviews and giveaways– and no kids' stuff allowed! Get into the mood by putting our button on your sidebar (code is below, just copy and paste):

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Cap'n Jappy!

***WINNER PICKED 9/3 (late, sorry!) WITH RANDOM.ORG***


***CONGRATULATIONS, Jenn!!!***

her comment...
I love the pink/black saddle. Love, love, love!




Aaarh, matey! Cap'n Jappy* sails the seven seas in his unbelievably adorable skull shoes from Jack and Lily's new collection of outdoor-friendly soft-soled shoes, My Shoes.



We've had several pairs of Jack and Lily Original Collection shoes before, some plain and some with the sweet chenille appliques. They were very nice indeed but now that Jasper is toddling around more, it's great to have the more durable soles of My Shoes. They are still just as comfy as the originals, but definitely more rugged. The skull My Shoes are undoubtedly the coolest pair of toddler shoes I have ever seen. People stop us to ask where we got them. I think they actually give Jasper a bit of a spring in his step!



Unfortunately the skull My Shoes are on back order on the Jack and Lily website right now. I'm thinking if we got a pair of the elegant chocolate Prince My Shoes, Jasper would learn to walk unassisted…



And if Jasper was a girl, the Lovebirds My Shoes would be my top priority. Oh, how I wish they made them in my Roo's size!



To enter and win a pair of Jack and Lily shoes (Original Collection, sizes newborn-3/4 years, or My Shoes Collection, sizes newborn -18/24 months), please comment on this post with your favorite style from their website.


Entries will be accepted through October 1st and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US/Canada readers are eligible. Only one entry/comment per person, please.


Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win! Or, you may choose to check for your nickname at Prizey.Fetch, a site that compiles winners in one convenient place:

***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***


*Jasper was nicknamed "Jappy" soon after he was born by his big sister, Roo, and it has stuck, for better or worse!

Boon-tiful!

I know we probably don't need another bath toy storage device, since we already have the wondrous Boon Frog Pod. But look what's coming in September:



Yes, it's the Bug Pod. Possibly the cutest ladybug decor item I have ever seen. And since it's the same basic design as the Frog Pod, I can vouch for its usefulness. Boon products are designed to be as functional as they are fanciful and this might be their most adorable item yet. Well, until you see the new color that the whole Boon Feeding range is going to be available in very soon… PINK!!!



I suspect a bunch of tiny princesses will be very, very happy.

In the Beginning…

Roo loves to draw but I've been pretty reticent about letting Jasper loose with anything that makes a mark. He's a total spazz and I live in fear that our entire home will be covered with random scrawls. But the level of excitement that occurred when we got a package of Crayola products to review was so infectious that even grumpy mommy who doesn't want to clean anything more than she has to was caught up in the moment.



The package contained an assortment of items from the new Crayola Beginnings line of toddler-centric creative tools. Jasper was immediately drawn to the adorable Tadoodles markers and the Beginnings Utility Vehicle that acts as a caddy for them. They look a bit like rounder versions of the Weebles of my youth, only filled with ink. The round shape makes it easy for toddlers to grab and hold but I'm not sure Jasper, at one year, can grasp the concept of "don't touch the inky part."



Roo really liked the chubby drawing implements, too, and tried to teach Jasper how to use them properly.



Of course, he was mostly concerned with driving his markers around and then holding them upside down to make them bleed ink from their heads. So that he could form colorful puddles to crawl through.



Happily, the Crayola Beginnings line is all water-washable and non-toxic, so I was able to swab Jasper down pretty easily. I wish it were also designed with the proprietary Color Wonder technology that allows mess-free creativity!



We received Glitter Paint and Brush Pen Color Wonder sets. I am fascinated that the inks and paints are clear and only show up on the special Color Wonder paper. Roo is actually very neat when she draws and colors but she loves how her artwork magically appears on the paper. I like that she can paint glittery princess fairy angels all she wants without getting glitter all over the house.

And to think I was so excited about my box of 64 Crayolas as a kid. I didn't know what I was missing…

Will the Circle Be Unbroken?

***WINNER PICKED 8/7 WITH RANDOM.ORG***


***CONGRATULATIONS, Marci!!!***


her comment...
I love the all the different pictures of the kids on the bottles - so cute! I think my girls would love the banana scent of Lala's Leaping Lemur Banana Lotion!




Circle of Friends is a line of bath goods that offers salon quality products for kids. Instead of dumbing down their line to cater to little ones, Circle of Friends uses quality ingredients and fun fragrances packaged with stories about children from across the globe. Kids can even play interactive games and learn more about the characters on the Circle of Friends website.

We got to try a whole range of Circle of Friends products and loved them. I was especially thrilled with how nice the hair products were, since Roo has such a crazy mane of curls. They dried smooth and ringlet-y, with just a simple combing and air dry:



She feels pretty, oh so pretty.



These are results garnered from Natasha's No Tearski Shampoo, which smells like ripe raspberries, and Abebi's Safari Detangler which has a pineapple scent. The pump dispensers are so easy to use and the detangler can be used on its own. I think next time I might try one of the conditioning shampoos (the character on the Ana Banana sort of looks like Roo!) and a heavier leave-in conditioner like Maya Papaya.



Roo also went nuts for Heidi & Niklas' Yodel-Ay-He Lotion because it smells like C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E, her favorite thing in the whole wide world. This might have been why she and her friend managed to use half of the bottle while I wasn't paying attention. Oh, well, at least their skin was soft and they smelled divine…



The product I loved the most was Emma's Pre-Swim Conditioner. It has a coconut fragrance that is perfect for summertime and it is absolutely essential for pool use. We've been swimming so much that our hair has gotten dry and this definitely helps to alleviate that. I say "we" because it's a great product for the whole family and I've been using it as much as Roo! It uses an exclusive blend of polymers, emollients and Vitamin B5 to protect the hair. My kids aren't blonde and don't get the greenish cast that I've heard tell of but apparently Emma's Pre-Swim Conditioner will take care of that, too. And it has such a great, beachy scent that I am almost tempted to spray it on everything in sight.



There are plenty of other items I am looking forward to trying from Circle of Friends, too. I am absolutely dying to try their Hair Paint now that Jasper has enough hair to make a little faux-hawk. And there are six different varieties of Bubble Bath, all of which I am sure smell better than the fake-fruity grocery store brands that make Roo's skin itch. Their gift sets range from $6-$30 and are an outstanding value. My favorite is the All-Star Collection Lunch Bag, which features a starry-patterned lunch bag filled with Leilani's Halakahiki Lotion (tropical fruit), Chehn's Mandarin Orange Sudsy Sponge, and Niklas' Mint Chocolate Buddy Bar Soap. This is over $20 in products, plus you get a free lunchbag! And it's super cute! (I think getting Roo's enrollment forms for full-day preschool has made me covet lunchboxes.)



***Superdumb Supervillain Bonus!***

Use code SDSV20 for 20% off your Circle of Friends online purchase!

To enter and win an All-Star Collection Lunch Bag gift set, please comment on this post with your favorite items from the Circle of Friends collection. Also, what items or scents would you like to see added to their line?


Entries will be accepted through August 6th and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. Continental US readers are eligible. Only one entry/comment per person, please.

Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win! Or, you may choose to check for your nickname at Prizey.Fetch, a new site that compiles winners in one convenient place:

***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***

Say My Name

***WINNER PICKED 12/21 WITH RANDOM.ORG***

***CONGRATULATIONS, #2: LILY PAD MOM (non-blogger from NY)!!!***


When Bob and I were first dating, we found pre-made mini license plates with our names on them at the gift shop at Hoover Dam– Bobby and Naomi. We were so excited! When we were little, our names were never on things like that.

Kids love personalized stuff. No big surprise there. I was always so disappointed that I never saw my name on the super cool zipper pulls or pencil packs or sticker sets in stores. Naomi is a much more popular name these days but still not very common on the tchotke list.

Roo and Jasper obviously have a similar dilemma, but here's Olive Kids to the rescue! This company makes fun, funky non-commercial themed kids' gear, everything from bedding to placemats to shower curtains. And most items can be personalized with any name you choose– no matter how long or difficult to pronounce! Olive Kids designs are adorable and there are quite a few: dinosaurs, fairy princesses, animals, rockets, bugs. There is something for almost every kid's interests but nary a logo in sight (sorry, Viacom and Disney). I am most partial to the mermaid theme. Have you ever seen anything as cute as this floor pillow?


The pirate motif is also fabulous:



I am really intrigued by Olive Kids' Hugger comforter designs, too. They feature a fitted end, which I think could revolutionize bedmaking. It would be so great to have them on Roo's bunkbed, no more wrestling with the comforter and blankets and sheets. Ooh, I could actually use a Hugger on our bed, too, to keep Bob from untucking the covers…probably not the one with cop cars on it, though!



But back to their personalized stuff: Olive Kids' laminated placemats are thick and heavy-duty. I was impressed with how sturdy they are. Aside from their obvious cute factor, they wipe clean and are great for mealtimes and craft projects. Roo loves hers!


Jasper is not sure what a placemat is for yet, but he likes the vip-vip sound it makes when you shake it.



To enter and win a five pack of Olive Kids Personalized Placemats (a $45 value!), comment on this post with your favorite Olive Kids and design or item!



Entries will be accepted through December 20th. US/Canada readers only, please. Make sure you leave an email address or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win! If I can't find your email, I will pick a new winner. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR BLOG PROFILE IS SET TO PUBLIC AND THAT THERE IS AN EMAIL AVAILABLE ON YOUR BLOG OR LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH YOUR COMMENT!!! Only one entry/comment per person, please.

***Superdumb Supervillain bonus***
Olive Kids is offering a free holiday gift with a minimum purchase of $50- enter code HGG7 at checkout.

Giveaway! The Learning Tower

COMMENTS CLOSED
*** Winner selected via random.org***
CONGRATULATIONS QTPIES7!

***Entries will be accepted through September 30.***

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL WITH YOUR COMMENTS IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BLOG OR IF YOUR BLOG IS PRIVATE/RESTRICTED!!!
Otherwise, I won't be able to reach you if you win.


Welcome to my very first giveaway! It's a really good one, too, be sure to tell all your friends and please feel free to link to it if you have a blog.

Hey, I just noticed that this giveaway also coincides with my 100th blog post! High-fives all around…


The Learning Tower is a sturdy platform that allows children to not only observe but participate in counter-height adult activities like cooking or washing dishes. It's literally a step up from traditional stools which can slip or tilt when an active child is using them. The Learning Tower can be adjusted to four different heights as your child grows and is recommended for ages 18 months through 6 years. It can be used as a stepstool, a desk, a playhouse– whatever a child can imagine! Two kids can even work together safely on The Learning Tower– it is rated to hold up to 500 lbs!


Add the optional Playhouse Kit to give your child even more ways to play with The Learning Tower. This new accessory set comes with four themed signs, bright red curtains, and a roof attachment:



Suggested retail value of The Learning Tower is $169.95 and $32.95 for the additional Playhouse Kit, but Carol Gamble of Little Partners, its creator, has graciously agreed to send a complete set to one of my lucky readers! Wow! Wouldn't this make the perfect present for your little one?

To enter (US readers only due to shipping costs, sorry), just leave a comment on this post telling me where Carol Gamble resides and, for fun, how your kid would use The Learning Tower.

Entries will be accepted throughout the month of September, with the winner to be announced the first week of October, just in time for the onset of holiday baking… If you have a blog, it would be great if you could link back to this post or grab the logo to share the contest with your readers. (If you want to give them a chance to win, that is.) If you don't have a blog, make sure to leave your email so I can get in touch with you if you are the lucky winner.

I wish I was was eligible to win! Roo would LOVE The Learning Tower.

***Check out my other contest: Win a nursing nightgown by Boob!
Enter by midnight, October 5th!***