Babies & Kids Blog » 2008 » May

Work Out Mommy asks “Have you read your food labels lately?”  Find out what you need to watch out for.

Metropolitan Mama gives her opinion on the importance of picture taking every moment you can & announces a contest to win a $40 gift certificate to frameAgram.com!

Fitness for Mommies gives us reasons why Acai Berry will help you reach your fitness goals.

This week on the Smarter Babies & Kids Blog we covered:

Would you want to save your newborn baby’s cord blood right after giving birth?  Watch a video that discusses the benefits.

Cool the kiddies down with one of these great inflatable pool toys on sale!

We found a pretend play toy deal for your little future sushi connoisseur!

Product recalls this week:

      Toy Cell Phones & Hooded Sweatshirts Recalled

      Children’s Jewelry & Helicoper Toys Recalled

QuinCrafts Children’s Jewelry recalled due to “risk of lead exposure.”

“Immediately take the recalled jewelry away from young children and contact QuinCrafts for a replacement jewelry set.”

Click here to read the full press release & for more pictures.

Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys sold exclusively in Walgreens were recalled due to “fire and burn hazards” by TWIE.

“Immediately stop playing with the recalled helicopters and contact TWIE for a full refund. Returns will be accepted by TWIE. Walgreens will not accept returns or provide a refund.”

Click here to read the full press release & for more pictures.

The name of this pretend play food set is almost as cute as the set itself!  This is a great way to get your kids to be at least interested in or intrigued with sushi.  A review I read about this sushi play set said that one was given as a gift to an adult sushi lover.  It would be neat to have this around as a little prop just for fun.  It comes with everything you see here & is appropriate for ages 3+.  Is it time for lunch yet??

Wake Up Little Sushi: $24.95 Now: $14.95

Click here for more pretend play toys.

The weather has been pretty unpredictable & crazy the past few weeks here in Southern California.  Today is pretty nice & not too sunny, but I know we are a few weeks away from scorching heat!  Here are some great inflatable pool toys on sale for water fun:

Beach Fun Inflatable Island: $49.95 Now: $19.95

Inflatable Arcade Shooter Pool Game: $49.99 Now: $34.99

Water Trampoline: $89.95 Now: $69.95

Rip Tide Water Park: $349.99 Now: $319.00

Water Totter: $59.95 Now: $33.99

Shop for more pool toys here.

Kids Station Toys recalled Little Tikes Toy Cell Phones due to “choking hazard.”

“Take these toy phones away from young children immediately and contact the firm for instructions on obtaining a free replacement.”

Click here to read the full press release.

Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts were recalled by Adio Footwear due to “strangulation hazard.”

“Immediately remove the drawstrings from the sweatshirts to eliminate the hazard, and return the item to the place of purchase or to Adio Footwear for a full refund.”

Click here to read the full press release.

What would you say?  Post your caption in our comments section. 

What?  Yes, umbilical cord blood can be saved & stored after you give birth to your child.  I see it as sort of an insurance of white blood cells for later use of stem cells in case your child or their compatible siblings need them later for a bone marrow transplant.  I saw this on The Today Show this morning.  It’s exciting to here about new developments in the medical world.  Watch.

So, the processing fee is about 2K and about $125 per year to store it.  Would this be worth it to you?  I know it would give me some “peace of mind”…just in case.

Check out Matt, Liz & Madeline.  It’s a blog about Matt’s new life with his new baby Madeline.  Liz, Madeline’s mother, passed away shortly after giving birth.  Very inspiring. 

Mamanista features Clothing for Babies Who Love Their Pacifiers.

One Chic Mama recommends the Symmetry Sleep System for newborns to prevent “flat-head symdrome.”

This week on the Smarter Babies & Kids Blog we coverd:

We found some comfy Robeez baby shoes at closeout prices at BabyEarth.com.

Your kids will love being creative with Crayola’s 3D Sidewalk Chalk.

Protect your kids from harmful summer UV rays with some kids’ swimwear that will give a bit more coverage.

We gave you some great options for safe face paint for kids found on Smarter.com & a recipe so you can make your own paint at home!

There were a TON of product recalls this week:

      Children’s Blankets & Little Rider Toys Recalled

      4 Product Recalls Today: All Violation of Lead Paint Standard.

      Three More “Violation of Lead Paint Standard Recalls.

United Scientific recalled Magnets due to “violation of lead paint standard.”

“Immediately stop using the recalled magnets and contact United Scientific to receive a free replacement magnet.”

Click here to read the full press release.

American Scientific recalled Magnets due to “violation of lead paint standard.”

“Immediately stop using these products and contact American Scientific to receive a free replacement.”

Click here to read the full press release.

Floppy Friends Horse Toys were recalled by Toy Investments due to “violation of lead paint standard.”

“Immediately take the recalled toy away from children and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund.”

Click here to read the full press release.

Jan D. writes:  “At 72 years of age I suddenly find 4 (soon 5) great-grandkids in my life. The oldest is 2 yrs 2 mos. I believe they would really like to have their faces/hands painted. What would you recommend as far as safe paints, brushes, and also a pattern book - one with insects, balloons, flowers, etc. - the EASY stuff! Thank you so much!”

I found a homemade face paint recipe on Recipezaar.com.  What is more safe than homemade?!

Ingredients:

-3 tablespoons cornstarch
-1 tablespoon flour
-3/4 cup Karo light corn syrup
-1/4 cup water
-food coloring, liquid or gel

Directions:

1. Mix cornstarch and flour together in a bowl.
2. Gradually stir in Karo syrup and water until smooth.
3. Divide mixture into individual containers as needed (Mix and store in baby food jars or discarded film canisters - or Glad plastic ware cups/lids — see pictures).
4. Color each one with the food coloring of your choice until you reach your desired color (I like mine darker — they seem to show up on the skin much better).
Leave one batch untinted.
5. NOTE: I felt the mixture was thin so I added another tsp or so of cornstarch. The recipe didn’t say to do this, but the face paint still worked.
6. NOTE: If using the gel food coloring (I find the colors are more vibrant), you will want to mix with your spoon first and then put the lid on the container and shake, shake, shake to mix it all up. Otherwise, your paint will be speckled with “pieces” of the gel food coloring.

-From Recipezaar.com

Here is a face painting stencil set:

                                                               Face Painting Stencil Set: $3.98

Here are some books that teach you how to face paint with kids:

                                              Gymboree Face Painting Book & Paint: $10.35

                                                          Face Painting Book & Paint: $16.47

If you don’t feel like making your own face paint here is some safe face paint options found on Smarter.com:

                                                      Snazaroo Face Painting Sticks: $3.95

-Easy to use.  No need for paint brushes.  Washes off with soap & water.

                                            Crafty Dab Face Paint Jumbo Crayon Set: $2.94

                                                          Palmer Face Paint: $1.29 for 2 oz bottle

                                               6 Big Pots Face/Body Paint-Brush Included: $11.99