Babies & Kids Blog » 2009 » March

Considering the economy, anything homemade will save the most money in the long run.  Your kids can also create a fun new basket every year that reflects their personality.  Not only will you save some much needed dough, you will be able to spend some quality time with the kids.  You can tell them funny Easter stories from your childhood while making some fun memories they will share with their children.

Check out some links to instructions on how to make some homemade Easter baskets:

Bunny Baskets from FamilyFun.Go.com

Paper Bag Bunnies from AussiesScrapbooking.com

Pretty Paper Easter Baskets from AllFreeCrafts.com

I don’t typically think of lambs when it comes to Easter, but they make sense I suppose.  Also, this is just super cute!

Cotton Ball Lamb Basket from MakingFriends.com

Or…you can just crochet one if you’re that crafty….cute right??

Source:  Flickr.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for kids’ arts and crafts supplies.
Be lazy and just buy some Easter baskets.

Mindful Mamma introduces us to a new eco-friendly cleaning products by ecostore.

Motherhood Uncensored asks: “…when it comes to…road rage in general, how do you respond, particularly when your kids are in the car?”

Mama Speaks gives us a “Recycling Refresher“. Learn how plastic is recycled.

The Fashionable Housewife features the best swimsuits for pear shaped bodies.

Notice when you were little, holidays were fun and exciting? You couldn’t wait for the day to come, as you would undoubtedly get a nice outfit to wear and receive a suitable gift of some sort. Then you get older and began to dread the day that you had to celebrate something, especially when you have little ones…

I might differ from many on this, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that holidays are similar to Olympic events when your a mom. For instance, we have to:

1)  Fight the crowds at the mall to find the right size dress/shoes/matching hat & sweater for a little girl, or search high and low for a little suit that is actually AFFORDABLE  for a little boy (or do both);

2)  Take time to go to several stores to price out a few different gifts (depending on the holiday or event);

3)  Stop at Starbucks because we haven’t slept and are perpetually exhausted;

4)  Call our husband to check the account as we realize it is going to be a lot more expensive than was originally planned, not to mention we just spent our last few dollars justifying said Starbucks;

5)  End up spending $90 on over priced baskets since they now have those commercial options, with Princesses and Spidey and your kids are screaming for them.

To top it all off, as if this weren’t punishment enough, we end up eating badly at the end of the day since the only quick meal idea is fast-food and we have to get home to control the chaos that undoubtedly erupted while we were out. All the while looking ‘tore-up’ since we’ve been running around like a crazy person! Ugh…

OR maybe that’s just me? I’m not sure, but I am exhausted just thinking about it! That is why this year I am going with the simple, old school variation. Yup, I’m investing in the good ‘ol spring colored, wicker-materialized, reusable, Easter basket. That way I can fill it with sugar-free candies and inexpensive little goodies. What do you think? Do you feel the same? If you can relate, here are some suggestions:

Girls’ Sabrina Easter Baskets:

Easter Basket Grass:

Easter crafts to keep the kids busy:

Cheap sugar-free candy to fill basket:

Look on husband’s face when you are relaxed and rested:

PRICELESS.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Easter baskets.
Discounts on Easter basket grass and Easter candy.

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Spring, you say?  What’s that?  Oh, sorry.  We don’t know what spring is in Southern California.  We only know random cold weather days, beautiful warm days, or scorching hot days.  Spring officially started on March 20th.  Here are some cute options for fun kiddie pools and some toys to keep them entertained ON SALE:

ELC Baby Rainbow Pool: $41 Now: $8.99

I Play Baby Activity Pool: $38 Now: $29.97

Spielstabil Water Fun Set: $19 Now: $15

Androni Giocattoli Boat Trio: $7 Now: $6

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more inflatable pools and water toys.
Discounts on outdoor toys.

BabyCatalog.com:  10% off your order - Use coupon code SALE10 (Exp: 04/12/09)

BabyUniverse: $10 off $75 - Use coupon code BUNL175 (Exp: 03/31/09)

CrazyBargains.com: Free Shipping on sleepwear orders of $40 or more - Use coupon code AFFSP29 (Exp: 04/30/09)

DisneyShopping.com:  $5 shipping on orders over $89 - Use coupon code SHIPTODAY (Exp: 04/05/09)

HappyMothers.com: Free gift with any purchase - Use coupon code HAPPYMOTHERS (Exp: 03/31/09)

PearTreeGreetingscom:  Free shipping on baby announcements - Use coupon code 16744 (Exp: 03/31/09)

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Little girls and growing up seem to be a hot topic lately. Sure we all want to keep our little girls… well, just that: little. But for how long will we be able to with the media and mainstream always pushing for something sexier, seems to be an ever evolving question. The other day my little niece, who is 3-years-old, asked me why “Dora was no longer an explorer”? I had no idea what she was talking about until my sister-in-law showed me a picture of the new Dora on the internet, a tween version that will be released by Mattel and Nickelodeon this Fall (although the cartoon version is to stay the same). The new Dora is geared towards children ages 8 and up, and interestingly enough, mother’s are outraged by the older version and feel that it sends the wrong message to little girls.

I personally don’t see anything wrong with Dora growing up, and feel as though it was inevitable. Ultimately, it is a “rite of passage” is it not?  From a marketing perspective, it is pretty ingenious as well, you’ll have to admit; Mattel was smart to have the character grow with her fan base since the doll currently has such a strong following and will continue to maintain a built-in audience this way.

Apparently many mother’s feel it sends the wrong message, however. According to Yahoo! News, the blog on Mattel’s website has been blown up by mother’s claiming the new look is “trampy” and too “sexed up” for children…boy, I never thought we’d see the day that Dora would be considered a poor icon! It almost makes me sad that people will not embrace the new Dora (or even their own children, subconsciously) turning into a tween and growing up before our very eyes. I, personally, would like to also see a grown up version of Boots, The Map, and Swiper as well. Then tweens can have the complete set, not to mention the incremental income it would make for Mattel (hint, hint, wink)!

What do you think? Is this something to get upset over? Let us know if you feel the new Dora is indicative of a “sex pot” and sends an unfit message to your children.

Source:  Yahoo News, Reuters, Huffington Post

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for Dora the Explorer toys.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  I know we are barely beginning to celebrate this wonderful day, but let’s talk yummy food for the next glorious occasion…EASTER!  When I think of Easter goodies I think of jelly beans and chocolate bunnies.  It doesn’t always have to be all about candy.  The first one is super cute looking and not made with candy.  Check out these links to fun Easter recipes:

Easter Brunch Pizza from FamilyFun.com:

Teacup Cupcakes from Parents.com:

Easter Bunny Cake from BettyCrocker.com:

Check out the Making Chocolate Easter Eggs Video from AllRecipes.com:

Easter Egg Cakes from MarthaStewart.com:

Enjoy!  I’m starving now.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for baking supplies.

Oh geez!  This made me cry!  Watch this great Coke commercial Thingamababy posted.

Mom Goes Green asks: Does organic milk REALLY matter?

Check out how you can win a copy of the Platinum 2-Disc DVD of the classic Disney movie Pinocchio at 5 Minutes for Mom!

Parent Hacks features the Handmade thumb guard which helps stop thumbsucking.

Being the mother of twins, I have to admit that I feel sorry for Nadya Suleman, a.k.a the ”OctuMom”, better known as the woman who became famous (or infamous, rather) for having 8 children, even though she already had 6 to care for. Although she chose to have this many children, I am not sure that the criticism she has had to endure by the media could have been foreseen. I have to come to her defense in saying that having multiples is tougher than any doctor can fully explain to you!

In this situation, I have to think about my grandmother, who has 12 children of her own. She is a strong woman who raised each one of her children with a moral upbringing and good Christian ethics, and without taxpayer assistance. Rest assured that they have all grown to be good people who are hard workers, and contribute their part to society. Thus, I have seen first hand how you can raise a large family and be successful at it!

It is reported that Ms. Suleman has accepted help by a company called “Angels in Waiting”, who will provide her with free in-home daycare for her children. This got me thinking about the value of daycare and help in general. Though the “OctuMom” has a lot of kids to raise now, couldn’t we all use a little help in raising kids at times? Whether you have one or many, the following products are dedicated to helping those hard-working Mom’s with cutting corners & saving time:

• Baby Tracker, Child Organizer (by Time Too): Plan, organize and track your child’s activities with your childcare organizer.  
• Choosing Childcare for Dummies: From figuring out affordability to knowing what to do if you suspect neglect or abuse, Choosing Childcare For Dummies covers it all. 
• DadGear Diaper Vest: Mom’s carry diaper bags, but Daddy’s can wear more manly vests, with pocket organizers that can fit diapers, bottles, etc. 
• bumGenius Diaper Sprayer: Why use wipes when you can spray & go? Think of a “bidet” for babies. 

Mother’s of the world: unite! Sound off and let us know what you think of the whole OctuMom frenzy. We’d love to hear your views…

Image Source: Transworldnews.com

The other day I wrote a post for the Smarter Beauty Blog that turned out to be pretty controversial (see Awesome Fing’rs - Rockin’ Nails Make a Comeback). The response shocked me, as I thought I was doing no harm in admitting that my little girl, of 4-years-old, loved to play with nail stickers and press-ons and thus I allowed her to. The differing viewpoints between the more conservative based vs. the more liberal based sparked a debate that made me really think. How old is old enough to mess with beauty?

Today I heard a news story that sparked a similar question in my mind: Mattel introduces ”Totally Stylin’ Tattoos Barbie“, which comes complete with her own tattoo gun!

Now this is where I draw the line people! I may be a liberal, I may allow my child to paint her nails and play with stickers to dress up her hands, but those things are completely removable, so I see no harm in THAT. However giving a child a gun and allowing her to ink any part of the body (even if it’s only a doll) is sending a different message entirely. Little girls everywhere will now be able to learn how to make a tattoo and stick it to the skin. They will believe it to be “playing” and “fun”, thus I am not sure this will create the right frame of mind to think seriously about choosing to do something permanent as they get older…will they be able to make the distinction between marking themselves permanently versus experimenting with dolls?

Now, let me say this: I DO see how tattoos are considered artwork and, by all means, if you have one nice permanent marking as a memory installed on your outer body or are a tatted out freak (hey, my brother is full of ‘em and he’s a good person) - then more power to ya!  But can’t we let our children be children and stay young as long as possible?

Maybe I’m just biased since I have no tattoos; after having been a ballerina for most of my life I never could get a tat, otherwise it would mean I wasn’t cast in a musical or chosen for a recital so I wouldn’t know personally if most regret it or love their decision. So Let me know what you think but remember: this is not an argument over whether or not people should get tattoos, rather a discussion of whether it is appropriate for a child’s toy.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for Barbie dolls.