I have to admit, when I first cracked open my copy of The Daring Book for Girls I scrunched my nose up and sighed heavily. The book was born out of much clamoring over The Dangerous Book for Boys (oh I clamored too "The Dangerous Book for Boys is a five star find for boys AND girls..."), but it seemed in those first few pages that this book was trying too hard to like like it's predecessor. I was really put off by it opening with the game of basketball.
Is basketball something that should be covered? Yes, but I feel like the books authors cow towed to pressure to make this book about girls but not start out too "girly". I think I was prepared for girly with the glittering cover. I'm happy to report, though, as I read on it quickly recovered in my eyes.
Instructions of weaving friendship bracelets, chick pirates, woman inventors/scientists, slumber party games (bloody Mary!), women spies, and cootie catchers all sucked me deep into the book. My girls gathered around, interested to have me read passages and eager to try out projects.
My girls are 4 and 5, their favorite thus far has been the hand clapping games. I had vague memories but really was unable to recall any solid lyrics to hand clap by. the Daring Book for Girls has fixed us right up and we are now merrily double back clapping.
You can check out what other bloggers have to say about The Daring Book for Girls over on The Parent Blogger Network.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
RECALL: Boppy pillow covers
The ubiquitous Boppy and it's fashionable slipcovers is the latest company and product discovered to be chocked full of lead and as a doubly whammy, it's also a choking hazard!
Find out the exact models of Boppy slipcovers involved in the recall by clicking HERE
Find out the exact models of Boppy slipcovers involved in the recall by clicking HERE
Monday, November 19, 2007
Day Runner Family Matters
To say I am unorganized is like cookie monster informing you that he likes cookies- huge understatement. The odd thing about my disorganization is how deeply I crave order but can never seem to keep a toehold on it. When The Parent Bloggers Network offered to send me Day Runner Family Matters color coded family organization system I, ever hopeful, jumped at the opportunity.
For me, getting into the system was a bit like waking naked uphill backwards in the snow. All this order was overwhelming. Everyone was assigned a color, coordinating folder, and storage case. This immediately helped to control my piling instinct. Everyone's papers ended up in the proper case, albeit a little messy, but together with their companion papers. Forcing myself to use the system even lead to me paying the water bill on time- in 3 years I can count the number of times it's been paid by it's due date on one hand, and it's not because we didn't have the money but simply because with it's wonky due date, it's always lost in the shuffle.
I will admit to having a hard time keeping up with the erasable calender. I function much better when I don't have to remember to erase and relabel a calender every month. Also, anything erasable is typically immediately erased and used to write ABCs and 123s by my 4 and 5 year olds.
One thing I did manage to keep from their grubby mits is the door hanger reminders
These things are awesome! My usual mode of reminder notes is taping the across them door and or microwave. While effective at being seen, they seem to have little impact once my husband has ripped them off. The door hanger catches him at the last second. He reaches for the door knob and it brushes his hand. He grabs it and reads my note "Take out the garbage sucka!" or "Please my loving wonderful husband, before you leave mop up the dog's barf," and it leaves him no time to forget.
I can say with confidence if your organizing gene is not completely dysfunctional like mine, theDay Runner Family Matters system would work pretty well for you. It's not doing half bad for me .
For me, getting into the system was a bit like waking naked uphill backwards in the snow. All this order was overwhelming. Everyone was assigned a color, coordinating folder, and storage case. This immediately helped to control my piling instinct. Everyone's papers ended up in the proper case, albeit a little messy, but together with their companion papers. Forcing myself to use the system even lead to me paying the water bill on time- in 3 years I can count the number of times it's been paid by it's due date on one hand, and it's not because we didn't have the money but simply because with it's wonky due date, it's always lost in the shuffle.
I will admit to having a hard time keeping up with the erasable calender. I function much better when I don't have to remember to erase and relabel a calender every month. Also, anything erasable is typically immediately erased and used to write ABCs and 123s by my 4 and 5 year olds.
One thing I did manage to keep from their grubby mits is the door hanger reminders
These things are awesome! My usual mode of reminder notes is taping the across them door and or microwave. While effective at being seen, they seem to have little impact once my husband has ripped them off. The door hanger catches him at the last second. He reaches for the door knob and it brushes his hand. He grabs it and reads my note "Take out the garbage sucka!" or "Please my loving wonderful husband, before you leave mop up the dog's barf," and it leaves him no time to forget.
I can say with confidence if your organizing gene is not completely dysfunctional like mine, theDay Runner Family Matters system would work pretty well for you. It's not doing half bad for me .
Monday, November 12, 2007
That Baby DVD and That Baby CD
Raise your hand if at least half of your cd/dvd collection has been decimated by your small children. Raise your hand if you've bought a DVD or CD to replace one that your child, um let's say LOVED to death? Now raise your hand if you've ever encountered a company willing to replace your scratched DVD or CD free of charge. Stop laughing, there is a company out that understands the dynamics of having kids and who actually will replace your scratched up discs for free. Who? Who would do such a thing? The groovy people who make That Baby DVD and That Baby CD.
That Baby DVD and That Baby CD are comprised of kid friendly acoustic remakes of our music. No skipping to anyone's loo and forget about the farm. Instead you and your kids can rock out to versions of Bruce Springsteen, The Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Marley, The Beatles and a ton more.
That Baby DVD offers simple but engaging visuals. Kids playing, dancing, and singing encourage your kids to sing along. Friendly animation and puppets coax out smiles and bright eyes. We've been watching THAT Baby DVD as a chill out movie. Well paced but not overly stimulating means my 9 month old loves it as well as my 4 and 5 year olds. Whenever things get a bit heated between my older kiddos I can put this on and instantly diffuses the situation.
The That Baby CD, which is a companion to the That Baby DVD, has become a fixture in my car's CD player. My children's favorite song (and I must admit mine too) is Garden Song (Inch by Inch) with Anything is Possible coming in a close second.
The thing I find most appealing about the That Baby CD and DVD is the clarity with which the words are sung. My 5 year old has speech issues and if a singer is not perfectly clear with what they say she will mumble along just like them. That Baby DVD and CD is precises and very clear. Every word can be heard and because of this, I am considering buying the set for my daughter's teacher as an end of the year gift to share with her future students.
Personally I have nothing but positive things to say about the That Baby DVD and the That Baby CD. On top of being just simply awesome That Baby DVDs and That baby CDs are MADE IN THE US using recyclable materials. With such an uncertain climate in the kids gift market, That Baby DVD and That Baby CD both are a safe domestic choice.
If you are interested in purchasing That Baby DVD, That Baby CD, or both use the shopping code PBN for 20% off! Also, all domestically shipped orders over $25 include free shipping!
Thanks to the Parent Bloggers Network for sending me the set and arranging for you to get a discount.
That Baby DVD and That Baby CD are comprised of kid friendly acoustic remakes of our music. No skipping to anyone's loo and forget about the farm. Instead you and your kids can rock out to versions of Bruce Springsteen, The Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Marley, The Beatles and a ton more.
That Baby DVD offers simple but engaging visuals. Kids playing, dancing, and singing encourage your kids to sing along. Friendly animation and puppets coax out smiles and bright eyes. We've been watching THAT Baby DVD as a chill out movie. Well paced but not overly stimulating means my 9 month old loves it as well as my 4 and 5 year olds. Whenever things get a bit heated between my older kiddos I can put this on and instantly diffuses the situation.
The That Baby CD, which is a companion to the That Baby DVD, has become a fixture in my car's CD player. My children's favorite song (and I must admit mine too) is Garden Song (Inch by Inch) with Anything is Possible coming in a close second.
The thing I find most appealing about the That Baby CD and DVD is the clarity with which the words are sung. My 5 year old has speech issues and if a singer is not perfectly clear with what they say she will mumble along just like them. That Baby DVD and CD is precises and very clear. Every word can be heard and because of this, I am considering buying the set for my daughter's teacher as an end of the year gift to share with her future students.
Personally I have nothing but positive things to say about the That Baby DVD and the That Baby CD. On top of being just simply awesome That Baby DVDs and That baby CDs are MADE IN THE US using recyclable materials. With such an uncertain climate in the kids gift market, That Baby DVD and That Baby CD both are a safe domestic choice.
If you are interested in purchasing That Baby DVD, That Baby CD, or both use the shopping code PBN for 20% off! Also, all domestically shipped orders over $25 include free shipping!
Thanks to the Parent Bloggers Network for sending me the set and arranging for you to get a discount.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Sequoia Survival
Living in Florida is always an adventure. Sometimes I wish we could skip the adventure, like the summer of 2003 when three hurricanes rolled over my home boom boom boom, but I guess there is always a price to pay when you enjoy mild winters, the beach, and lots of sun.
Any wise Floridian knows that disaster preparedness is imperative. Hurricanes, tornadoes, localized flooding, pretty much anything short of a snow storm and Godzilla can happen here. Heck, today the city trimmed trees around the power lines and knocked out both my electric and phone service. I only had 1 bar of power on my cellphone for a few hours there and started to feel a bit panicky until I remembered a certain special something tucked away- a Sequoia Vehicle Survival kit, which the Parent Bloggers Network had sent my way.
Granted a few hours without power does not necessitate breaking open the MREs or water packs included in the kit but the kit also includes a crank radio/light and cell phone charger. I felt a lot more relaxed knowing that I had a way to charge up my phone and keep connected even if the power stayed out.
Looking through the kit which includes:
* 32 oz water
* Meals ready to eat (MRE) for 2 people for 1 day
* 151 piece first aid kit from 3M
* Two thermal emergency blankets
* Two rain ponchos
* Two 6-hour hand warmers
* Two 12-hour light sticks
* Windproof and waterproof matches
* Crank radio/light and cell phone charger*
* Gerber multi-function hardware tool
* Leather work gloves
* Duct tape
* Rope
* Cleansing wipes
* Toilet paper
* Notebook
* Pen
* Playing cards
I realized that many of the included items are things we have needed in the wake of disaster. I was impressed with what they thought to include. Leather gloves is something often overlooked but after any sort of wind disaster you need them to safely move debris. I have always kept glow sticks in my car, not for an impromptu rave but rather for night time car break downs. At my husbands insistence Ive been driving around with a multi tool jammed in my glove box eating up valuable tampon space. Now it's included in my Sequoia kit.
My only complaint is that it's packed in there pretty tightly so there really isn't room for anything extra . I'd love to be able to add some extra food, a diaper or two and maybe some kid friendly stuff but still have it all in one place.
The Sequoia Survival Vehicle kit is thorough, well assembled, and useful. The price is less then you would spend assembling a comparable kit (trust me, I've priced it) and I would not hesitate to purchase one of their large survival kits based on the quality of the vehicle kit. I may even order one for next hurricane season.
Any wise Floridian knows that disaster preparedness is imperative. Hurricanes, tornadoes, localized flooding, pretty much anything short of a snow storm and Godzilla can happen here. Heck, today the city trimmed trees around the power lines and knocked out both my electric and phone service. I only had 1 bar of power on my cellphone for a few hours there and started to feel a bit panicky until I remembered a certain special something tucked away- a Sequoia Vehicle Survival kit, which the Parent Bloggers Network had sent my way.
Granted a few hours without power does not necessitate breaking open the MREs or water packs included in the kit but the kit also includes a crank radio/light and cell phone charger. I felt a lot more relaxed knowing that I had a way to charge up my phone and keep connected even if the power stayed out.
Looking through the kit which includes:
* 32 oz water
* Meals ready to eat (MRE) for 2 people for 1 day
* 151 piece first aid kit from 3M
* Two thermal emergency blankets
* Two rain ponchos
* Two 6-hour hand warmers
* Two 12-hour light sticks
* Windproof and waterproof matches
* Crank radio/light and cell phone charger*
* Gerber multi-function hardware tool
* Leather work gloves
* Duct tape
* Rope
* Cleansing wipes
* Toilet paper
* Notebook
* Pen
* Playing cards
I realized that many of the included items are things we have needed in the wake of disaster. I was impressed with what they thought to include. Leather gloves is something often overlooked but after any sort of wind disaster you need them to safely move debris. I have always kept glow sticks in my car, not for an impromptu rave but rather for night time car break downs. At my husbands insistence Ive been driving around with a multi tool jammed in my glove box eating up valuable tampon space. Now it's included in my Sequoia kit.
My only complaint is that it's packed in there pretty tightly so there really isn't room for anything extra . I'd love to be able to add some extra food, a diaper or two and maybe some kid friendly stuff but still have it all in one place.
The Sequoia Survival Vehicle kit is thorough, well assembled, and useful. The price is less then you would spend assembling a comparable kit (trust me, I've priced it) and I would not hesitate to purchase one of their large survival kits based on the quality of the vehicle kit. I may even order one for next hurricane season.
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