Mama Sparkles

Comic-Con=Vacation

2008-07-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

Comic-Con starts TONIGHT! Which means that for the next four days I'll be spending all my time at the San Diego Convention Center and not blogging. I'll be back on Monday though. For anyone who cares, here's a neat article about Comic-con from MSN. Have a great week, everyone!

"How Old Is Your Baby?"

2008-07-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

I can't count the number of times people asked how old my son was when he was a newborn. The funny thing is, that even though I was constantly being asked his age, sometimes I would forget and have to think about it before answering. These snap-tees from Growth Sprouts/Culpeper General would have been a great reminder and they are so adorable as well! They come as a set of six or twelve onesies, and you can pick from four different designs: rainbow polka-dots, circle rainbow polka-dots, rainbow stitches or green olive stitches. Here's a look at the different designs:

You could take some fabulous photos of your child in these! These are made by a family-owned business and they have a variety of cute products for your little one. Check out the birth-tees and the I'm One/I'm Two tees for more adorable options. You can find more products still at their Etsy store.

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a set of six onesies, your choice of 1-6 months or 7-12 months. To enter, go to Culpeper General and take a look at the grow BABY grow sets. Leave a comment on this post and tell me which set you would choose and in which design. Please leave your email address. The deadline to enter is Tuesday, July 29th at Midnight. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

A Meal Fit For A Baby

2008-07-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

When my son first started on solid foods, I was pretty clueless. I had no idea what to give him or how much. Some of my friends made homemade baby food, which sounded pretty complicated. I remember glancing at a baby recipe book one time and being turned off. It seemed like too much work and I didn't even know where to buy half of the ingredients anyway. So I ended up just buying commercial baby food and hoping that I was giving him the right amount each day.

A Baby Bistro Box would have been a really helpful thing to have during that time. This nifty little box is a wealth of information in a recipe card format. It includes everything you need to know for feeding your baby for the first twelve months. There's prenatal information, safety rules, easy to follow recipes, and helpful shopping tips to help you find what you're looking for at the grocery store. The recipes are healthy and sound delicious. And once your baby reaches the 12 month mark, the Toddler Bistro Box is just the thing to guide you. The Toddler Bistro Box includes interesting information about toddler behavior - for example, did you know that one theory suggests that pickiness is an instinct evolved to prevent cave-babies from sticking poisonous prehistoric bugs or plants in their mouths? I didn't, until I read it in the box. And of course, it also includes nutritious recipes, environmental safety, and creative activities to do with your child. The Toddler Bistro Box is proving to be an extremely useful resource for me right now. I also love the recipe card format. It's innovative and fun to read, plus everything you need is right at your fingertips.

Baby Bistro Brands boxes are available for purchase here. You can also view sample recipe cards, sign up for their newsletter and much more!

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a Baby Bistro Box. To enter, leave a comment on this post prior to Monday, July 28th at Midnight. Please include your email address. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

Give Me Some Fierce Hugs

2008-07-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

With all the talk lately about saving the Earth, I've been trying to make more conscientious decisions. I recycle all my junk mail, reuse my plastic ware, and walk wherever I can. Sometimes, I even eat organic food. But I never really considered organic clothing - until now. Fierce Hugs is an organic clothing line that makes hip, wearable art for babies and toddlers. These high quality tees and bodysuits are made of 100% organic cotton freeing them of any harmful pesticides. This is great news all by itself, but Fierce Hugs has taken it one step further and made the designs on the clothing totally unique. Collaborating with independent illustrators and artists, each item is a fresh, funky, imaginative wearable piece of art.

My son got the Marmalade Chaser tee and it fits him perfecty. In fact, it fits him better than anything else he has. The design on the shirt looks as if it was created just for him and when he wears it, he truly looks like a walking work of art. What's more, is that the organic cotton is so luxuriously soft that I just want to give him tons of "fierce hugs"!

The Fierce Hugs line is available for purchase at their website . Use exclusive coupon code SPARK3 to get $5.00 off your order. Each order comes packaged in a recyclable box which is almost as cool as the clothing itself.

Fierce Hugs also has this super cute tote bag. It's made of 100% cotton (exclusive of trim) and is perfect for groceries, play dates, or pretty much anywhere.

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a Fierce Hugs tote bag. To enter, go to their website, then leave a comment on this post and tell me your favorite item. Please include your email address. The deadline to enter is Friday, July 25th at Midnight. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

Please Pass the Tooth Tissues

2008-07-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

My son is the typical kid who hates to brush his teeth. As soon as he sees that toothbrush coming he starts crying and refuses to open his mouth. Actually, he doesn't like anything coming at his mouth besides food. I tried wiping his teeth and gums with a wet washcloth and ended up getting bitten (ouch!) While trying to sort out the toothbrush dilemma, I looked for an alternative way to clean his mouth. What I found were these amazing Tooth Tissues - dental wipes for baby and toddler smiles! Invented by two dentists for their kids, these are disposable textured dental wipes specially designed to help remove plaque from your baby and toddler’s teeth and gums. Formulated with xylitol – a natural cavity fighter, use Tooth Tissues with confidence because they are 99% natural, fluoride and paraben-free.

I tried these on my son after he had eaten and drank some milk. They worked beautifully. He likes anything that resembles paper and kleenex, so I was able to wrap one of these tissues around my finger and give his mouth a good wipe-down. They're also great for travelling...just throw a pack of them in the diaper bag and you're good to go. They seem like they would work for adults too. I know there have been times when I've been out and I've wished for something like this to wipe my teeth with.
You can order Tooth Tissues on their website here. Here's to a lifetime of healthy smiles!

Grobag Egg

2008-07-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

When my son was a newborn, I was constantly stressing over the temperature of his room. I worried that he might be too hot or too cold, and I would check on him multiple times during the night. At one point we did buy one of those clocks that also told the temperature, but it didn't really glow in the dark as advertised. Eventually I just gave up and continued to stress out. I sure could have used a Grobag Egg during those early months.

The Grobag Egg is a color changing digital room thermometer. This clever innovation lets you know if your baby's room is too hot, too cold or just right by changing colors. The egg acts as an aid to maintaining a safe sleep environment for your baby. In addition to knowing the actual temperature of the room, I love the color aspect of the egg. I can just peek in my son's room and if the egg is yellow (the recommended temperature), I can just leave without disturbing him. If it's red or blue, I know to take action. The egg provides a nice, soft "nightlight" glow which actually feels pretty calming. It doesn't seem to bother my son at all. And as an added bonus, the egg itself is cute! To purchase, you can go either to Keen Distribution or to Giggle . If you're the type to stress out like me, I would highly recommend the Grobag Egg!

Hook Me Up - The Mommy Hook

2008-07-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Even though my stroller has a place underneath to store bags it can get frustrating, especially when I'm shopping. I have a tendency to just throw every bag I collect down there, my diaper bag included. This creates a jumbled mess, which can be disastrous when the baby starts crying and you're searching in vain for something to calm him down. That's why I'm grateful for the Mommy Hook , a nifty stroller hanger that eliminates all the mess. Made from durable, heavy-duty aluminum, the Mommy Hook snaps easily onto your stroller. With each bag you collect, you just place it on the hook, keeping things organized as well as your sanity in check. It's also useful at the grocery store. It hooks right on to your cart, making a safe convenient place for your purse. Then when you've finished shopping, you can use the hook to bring in all of your bags at once! My son is pretty entertained by it too, an added bonus.

You can purchase the Mommy Hook from Keen Distribution . Check out their other great products, too!

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a Mommy Hook. To enter, go to Keen Distribution then leave a comment on this post telling me another product that you like. Please include your email address. The deadline to enter is Tuesday, July 22nd at Midnight. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

Update - The winner is #28 gillian. Congratulations!

See Kai Run...Away

2008-07-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

When my son started walking, it happened very suddenly. He was ten months old and had only begun standing up and cruising along furniture a few weeks prior, when he just took off. I was shocked. Then a couple of weeks after that he started running. It was pretty obvious that he was going to need a good pair of shoes to accommodate all of his mischief. Luckily, I found out about See Kai Run , a family-owned business with quality shoes to fit every child's foot.

See Kai Run shoes are made of butter soft leather with a breathable leather lining and padded collars for comfort. They smell wonderful too. My son got a pair of the Oliver style, and they are perfect for when he's running around outside. They are sturdy enough to withstand his activites, yet the soles are very flexible and support his developing feet. I think these shoes stand out from other brands because of the incredibly cute and unique styles available for both girls and boys. The designs are hip, fun, and suitable for every occasion - many of them can be double as a casual or a formal shoe. With all the running around my son does, these are holding up great. I know he'll be able to wear them for a long, long time.

You can purchase See Kai Run shoes at their website . They are available in sizes 3 to 9.

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive one pair of See Kai Run shoes of his or her choice. To enter, go to the website, then leave a comment on this post and tell me which pair you would choose if you won. Please include your email address. The deadline to enter is Monday, July 21st at Midnight. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

Update - The winner is #2 cula parker. Congratulations!

Closing Comments

2008-07-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

I hope you all enjoyed "Countdown to Comic-Con" week! I'm happy to have had the opportunity to share some of my favorite things with you, and only wish I could have shared more. Don't forget to enter my giveaweays if you haven't already. If you happen to be in the San Diego area in a couple of weeks, you should consider going to Comic-Con. It's a great experience, one that you'll always remember. But you better hurry...tickets are nearly sold out! Hope to see some of you there!

Fly Away with Little Capers

2008-07-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

There's something about being a Superhero that's just so appealing. I've seen kids running around with sheets pinned to their backs, as they let their imaginations run wild. I've witnessed adults pretending that they have superpowers, myself included. It's fun to escape from reality every once in a while, especially when it involves wearing a cape.
Little Capers are adorable t-shirts that are perfect for your little superhero. Featuring original, fun and stylish designs, these shirts come with a shiny detachable cape. There are numerous styles available, suitable for both boys and girls. You can choose short or long sleeves, and there are even shirts for infants (these come without capes.) The regular shirts come in sizes 2 to 8.

My son received the "Blue Earth" hero, and I actually squealed with delight when I saw it. It's incredibly well made, the graphic is unique, and best of all it has that beautiful shimmering cape. It's the perfect thing for him to wear to Comic-Con (or anywhere for that matter.) I love the non-commercial aspect of the shirts and how they can encourage kids to be their own hero, and not feel like they have to copy anybody else.
Check out the Little Capers website for all the different styles and start saving the world today!

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive one shirt of his or her choice. To enter, go to the Little Capers website , then leave a comment on this post telling me which shirt is your favorite. Please include your email address. The deadline to enter is Friday, July 18th at Midnight. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

*Update - The winner is #50 Channah. Congratulations!

Comic-Con Costumes

2008-07-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

In case you don't already know, it's countdown to Comic-Con week here at Mama Sparkles. A major part of the convention are the costumes. There is even a Masquerade , an onstage competition designed to show off all these costumes. It's so much fun to see people dressed up, and some of them can be pretty creative. Here are some of our costume pictures from last year:

Daphne from Scooby-Doo

The Incredibles

The Ghostbusters

The Black Widow, Electro, and Spider-Man

And finally, my son the Spider-Baby

Comics from Canada - Adventures of Rabbit and Bear Paws

2008-07-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Let's be realistic here - people from Canada can be pretty funny and this comic strip by Chad Solomon and Christopher Meyer is no exception. Adventures of Rabbit and Bear Paws is a delightful little comic about two mischeivous brothers and their humorous pranks.
Initially, I was attracted to this comic at Comic-Con because it looked like it was kid-friendly. Then I found out it was from Canada and had a pretty interesting concept as well. I was completely sold. I purchased the first full color graphic novel, The Sugar Bush, and was not disappointed. This book is kid-friendly, fun to read, has great illustrations and is also educational (which I love.) The fun continues with their second graphic novel, The Voyageurs, where our young mischeivous heroes experience the trials and tribulations of being a Voyageur.
Set in 18th Century colonized North America, the books follow the two mischievous Ojibwa brothers, Rabbit and Bear Paws. With the help of traditional Ojibwa medicine (spirit powder), which tranforms them into animals, the pair gets caught up in a pretty funny situations. The stories are based on the Seven Grandfathers, which promotes virtues such as respect, bravery, wisdom, love, humility, honesty, and truth. I love the books' simple charm as they teach us to respect nature, help animals, and respect our neighbors. We also learn a lot about First nations history, culture and tradition. A map and a description of the characters included at the beginning of each book is appreciated and sets the tone for the adventures to follow.
You can purchase Rabbit and Bear Paws and learn more at their website. There are sample pages from the different graphic novels, and every Monday there's a new strip to read. This is a unique, all ages North American Indian comic that's both entertaining and informative. It's a great read and I look forward to reading more of their creations in the future.

Favorite Find - Unshelved

2008-07-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you grew up reading the Sunday Funnies, then you probably enjoy reading to some degree. And if you like reading, then you probably enjoy a trip to the library every now and again. So what would happen if you combined comic strips with the library? That's exactly what Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum have done with Unshelved.

I remember when I first discovered Unshelved. While wandering the giant exhibition hall I was handed a flyer with a comic strip on it. I took it and shoved it into my bag with all the others I had received. Later, as I emptied my bag and tossed all the fliers I came upon this particular strip again. I read it and laughed. I wanted more. I quickly marched back to the exhibition hall and ran toward the Unshelved booth, as it was about to close. Tired and out of breath, I stated that I wanted to buy the book. Then I noticed that there were three volumes available. And t-shirts. Oh dear. I had to settle for just one book that time, but since then I've read all five volumes (I will get the sixth at this year's Comic-Con), and I have a shirt. I also remember that I kept sneaking peeks at my book during a film festival that night and snickering. My laughing probably wasn't appreciated, but that's okay because reading Unshelved was totally worth it.

The library setting is perfect because it's full of hilarious characters. I love these characters because they are real...we've all known the old-fashioned librarian who's hopeless at technology. We've all encountered the overly friendly children's librarian, and we have witnessed the charming young adult librarian who would much rather play than work. But most of all we know the library patrons, the ones who ask the annoying questions, give unwanted advice and do the most unexpected things. Yes, the library is a very funny place indeed, and Unshelved captures this humor with quick wit and sarcastic one-liners.

If you like comic strips (and even if you don't), you should give Unshelved a try. You can read the daily strip, sign up for their email, read all the archives, buy the books, t-shirts and more at their website. Another really cool part of Unshelved is Book Club. This is a full color page that they publish every Sunday. It features a different book every time and is presented in an entertaining way by the characters. Book Club is great if you're looking for suggestions for what book to read next...but I suggest you start with Unshelved.

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a copy of Unshelved Volume Six: Frequently Asked Questions. To enter, leave a comment on this post and tell me what your favorite comic strip is. Please include your email address. The deadline to enter is Tuesday, July 15th at Midnight. Winner must provide a U.S. or Canadian mailing address.

Update: The winner is #1 Mary512. Congratulations!

Quality Reading with Penny-Farthing Press

2008-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

The first time I walked by the Penny-Farthing Press booth at Comic-Con, I remember thinking that it looked different from all the other booths. It stood out because it looked neat, well organized, and the books looked unique and of high quality. The people running it also seemed like they were super nice and friendly. My interest was peaked enough that I went over to take a look. I'm glad I did, because in regards to storytelling and artwork, the books are indeed of the highest quality. I quickly fell in love with two of their titles: Decoy and The Loch.

Decoy

Created by Courtney Huddleston, Decoy is a charming series about a cute little alien who gets stranded on Earth. An outsider on his own planet, Decoy just can't seem to get the hang of being violent like the others of his species. The Metas are a shape-shifting, barbaric race who hunt the peace-loving and gentle Kranch creatures. On a mission to Earth to capture a fleeing Kranch, Decoy refuses to display any acts of violence like the other Metas. His kindness and compassion result in him being abandoned. Then there's Officer Bobby Luck, a rookie cop who's conceited, inexperienced and an annoyance to his new partner Tessa Moreno. His poor judgement nearly gets him killed, if not for the lovable alien who makes the ultimate sacrifice. Seeing a creature in need, Decoy creates a symbiotic union and bonds himself to Luck forever. Now, one cannot survive without the other. Together, they become the ultimate duo, fighting crime and saving the world!
Decoy is the perfect blend of Sci-Fi, adventure and humor. I love how the books don't take themselves too seriously. The stories are fun and suspenseful, and just when the action starts to feel a little tense, its humor relieves you. The relationship between Luck and Decoy is especially touching. As time goes on, they not only depend on each other physically, but also emotionally. They don't speak the same language, and they don't need to. Each one understands what the other one needs, and together they make a perfect pair. They're pretty darn good at solving crimes as well, often cracking jokes at the same time.
While reading Decoy I came to learn and to appreciate the fact that things are not always what they seem. In the face of evil, as on Decoy's home planet, it is possible for good to exist. In Officer Luck's case, a kind gesture and a little help from a friend really can make a positive difference. I was uplifted and inspired while reading these books.
This beautifully illustrated series includes several graphic novel titles as well as individual comic book issues. While Decoy is definitely an all ages character, I personally think the books would be most enjoyed by the young adult age group (and adults), as some of the monster images might be a little frightening for younger readers.

The Loch

For the younger children, The Loch is the perfect series for them to read. These beautifully bound hardback books are great for those who are easing into chapter books yet still rely on pictures for comprehension. This appealing trilogy was created and written by Marlaine Maddux and is gorgeous to look at. The lush illustrations by Courtney Huddleston support the brilliant storytelling, making this reading experience an absolute pleasure.
I've always been fascinated by stories surrounding The Loch Ness Monster legend. The Loch Trilogy embraces this legend, but puts a different spin on it with the creation of a whole other world that exists beneath the Loch Ness. This underwater realm is full of colorful creatures, including one young plesiosaur named Nessandra. Together with her friends, she must complete a Knowledge Journey in order to fulfill her destiny as leader of the Loch. The books are a culmination of their adventures along the way and all the lessons that they learn.
Each book is so enjoyable to read that I couldn't wait to read the next one in the series. You can really identify with these characters as they learn about their relationships with the world and with each other. At the end of the trilogy I felt as if I had grown up and become a different person, just as they had. The thing I love the most about these books is that in addition to being fun to read, they are also educational. I learned so much about geography just by reading them, which is amazing because geography is usually something that I struggle with. Not only that but at the end of each book there is a glossary for "drywalkers" (humans). These include terms and unusual words from the books and are very useful and interesting. There is also a Loch comic book and short animated DVD, which are equally delightful.

You can purchase Decoy and The Loch at the Penny-Farthing Press website. I highly recommend them!

WANT TO WIN? There will be two winners: one winner will receive two graphic novels in the Decoy line, The Original Series and Storm of the Century. Another winner will receive a Loch Trilogy. To enter, leave a comment on this post and tell me which set of books you would choose if you win. Please include your email address. The deadline to enter is Monday, July 14th at Midnight. This contest is open to readers from the U.S., Canada and Overseas.

UPDATE: The winners are #1 gkstratos and #14 melissa. Congratulations!

Countdown to Comic-Con

2008-07-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again - San Diego Comic-Con International is almost upon us, and I couldn't be more excited. This four day event has become an annual tradition for me and my family. Our first Comic-Con was in 2004 when we first moved to San Diego, and we've never looked back. This week, I'll be highlighting a few of my favorite books and comics that I've discovered over the years at Comic-Con. Be prepared for some great giveaways as well!
So, what exactly is Comic-Con? That's a hard question to answer, because it's made up of so many different things. In a nutshell, it's the largest comics and popular arts convention in the world. Thousands of exhibitors gather in the exhibition hall, where you can shop to your heart's desire and buy everything, including comic books, action figures, games, movies, celebrity photos and beautiful works of art. It's so big, there's no way you can see it all in one day. In addition to the exhibition hall, there are panels. These are interesting lectures given by special guests, artists, authors, major comic book publishers, TV networks, Hollywood movie studios, and more. You can also attend independant film festivals and get your porfolio reviewed. In 2007, 125,000 people attended this event! In order to compete with that many people, our days start early. We usually end up leaving the house by 6:00 am, snag a parking spot underneath the convention center, then eat breakfast downtown. Then we'll take a nap (if we can)and eagerly wait until the doors open at 10:00 am. It sounds crazy, but for us it's all part of the experience. To help you get a better feel of what's it all about, here are some of our pictures from last year:

An example of the huge lines that wrap around the building of people waiting to get in.

My son's first Comic-Con was last year when he was four months old. He's patiently waiting in line!

Every year there are celebrities at Comic-Con. Last year we got to see The Rock, Steve Carell and Kate Beckinsale as they discussed their upcoming movies.

Life-size movie and comic book characters are scattered throughout the giant exhibition hall.

There's so much to see and do at Comic-Con - I look forward to sharing some of my favorite things with you this week!

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

I love Independence Day. Even though I'm not from the U.S., I love the spirit and energy that people have on this day. I love the barbecues, the fireworks, and the time spent with family. And I think "America the Beautiful" is one of the most gorgeous songs ever written. Since I don't know a whole lot about the history of America, I picked up these Fandex Family Field Guides at the Cracker Barrel on a recent road trip.

There's one for Presidents and one for all fifty States. They're full color, die-cut cards packed with all the information you need to know. They are great whether you're on a road trip or at home, and the whole family can have fun with them. Hopefully they will help me learn more about this wonderful country that I live in. Happy 4th of July!

Say It With Baby

2008-07-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine this scene if you will - you're out with your baby and a complete stranger (or maybe it's somebody you know)comes up to you. Out of the stranger's mouth comes a phrase or two, something that you conceive to be a tad bit rude. It might be something along the lines of "Gee, your baby is kind of chubby, maybe you shouldn't feed him so much." In spite of being shocked and surprised that somebody would actually say this to you, you simply smile and nod, not wanting to make the situation any worse. But it still bothers you, and days later you find yourself wondering if you're doing something wrong. Sound familiar? As parents, we've all been there. Here's one solution: have your baby do the talking.
I found these brilliant shirts and onesies from gabbybaby and they really do say it all for you. The different sayings include phrases like please don't give my parents unsolicited advice, please don't ask my mom rude questions and no, we aren't identical. I think it's a pretty clever idea - what do you think?

Happy Canada Day!

2008-07-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Canada Day! Having grown up in Canada, people often ask me if it's a lot different for me now that I live in the United States. The answer is not really - life as I know it is pretty much the same...but also different. Here are ten things that will always remind that I'm a Canadian:

1. It's easy to mix up American money bills when it's all the same colour. Speaking of money, where are the loonies and toonies?

2. I have to think about how to spell words like ~~colour~~ color when I'm in writing in America.

3. "Would you like a candy bar?" No, but I would love a chocolate bar.

4. It's grade one, not first grade.

5. Garbarator, not garbage disposal.

6. Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) is the best shopping day of the year...but only in Canada.

7. I miss the four day Easter holiday, where you get Good Friday AND Easter Monday off from work or school.

8. I really want some ketchup chips right now.

9. Someone once asked me if I knew who "The Great One" was, in order to find out if I was truly Canadian. Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.

10. Yes, I'm from Canada...no, I don't say "Eh".

Put On Your ShooShoos

2008-06-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

I love going shoe shopping for my son, but it's hard to find good quality shoes at a reasonable price. That's why I was pleased to discover shooshoos, an adorable line of soft soled shoes. Started in South Africa to uplift disadvantaged communities, these are well worth the money. Out of the numerous styles of shoes available, my son got a pair of the Brown/Suede sandals (pictured) which are perfect for summertime. My immediate impression as soon as I put them on him was how comfortable they looked. They seem a little wider than most shoes, so they slipped smoothly right onto his feet without any struggling. They are well stitched and I can already tell that he's going to get a lot of use of these this summer. In addition to the economical pricing ($12.95-$19.95), shooshoos have some great features that every parent will appreciate. Every pair has an elasticized ankle and suede, non-slip soles. Constructed from 100% Napa leather, all of the shoes are manufactured in Cape Town, South Africa and are pediatrician recommended. Shooshoos are available for children 0-24 months old. Take a look at their exciting range of shoes - there's a cute style available for everyone!

WANT TO WIN? There will be two winners - each winner will receive one pair of shooshoos of his/her choice. To enter, check out the shooshoos website. Leave a comment on this post prior to Monday, July 7 at Midnight, telling me which pair is your favorite. Please include your email adress. Winners must provide a U.S. mailing address.

*Update- The winners are #36 Stacy and #11 Kristie. Congratulations!

Baby Talk

2008-06-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

I recently found an interesting study on the power of talking to your baby. According to the LENA system , "the sheer quantity of words your child hears every day from birth to age 4 directly impacts his or her language development and academic success." There is actually a device called the LENA Digital Language Processor (DLP) that measures all of the sounds and words that your child says or hears. You can then analyze the data and generate reports in order to track your child's development. They suggest narrating your daily activities to your baby to increase the number of words your baby hears. In fact, according to the study babies should hear 25 million words over the first four years of life - that's 17,000 words a day! I'm pretty sure I don't talk that much to my child, so I'm now making a conscious effort to use as many words as I can around him. I'm not sure if such a sophisticated device is really necessary, but I wonder if it really works. If I had one I would be afraid of constantly checking the word count on it, rather than actually focusing on my baby and communicating with him. On the other hand, perhaps such a device would increase our awareness as to how much we include our children in our day to day activities, therefore helping us to be more attentive towards them. Either way, it certainly opened my eyes to the benefits of communicating with my child as much as I can. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Gotta Love boon!

2008-06-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

Even before my son was born, the mountainous pile of stuffed animals began. At first I sort of just shoved them in a bin in the corner of the room. Not only did this look bad, but the problem got worse after he was born. People loved giving him stuffed animals, and while they were cute and made him happy, I ran out of places to put them. I ended up storing them in the Pack'n Play...until now. The animal bag by boon is a genius storage solution. It's not only stylish looking, but I was able to put all of his animals in the bag with room to spare. It's well made and features large, mesh zippered windows so that you can see where every plush "lovey" is hiding. It comes in a variety of styles and colors and is so soft, just like a big stuffed animal itself! Its practicality is two-fold - after you've put all the animals away, the bag becomes a soft seat for your child to sit on.

The myriad of innovative products offered by boon continues with the feeding line. I mentioned before that my one year old still likes to eat pureed fruits and vegetables, so I was intrigued by the Squirt. I've never seen anything like this before. You fill up the bulb with baby food, give it a little squeeze and the food comes out magically onto the spoon, thus eliminating the need for a separate spoon and container. This is also a great way to free up space in the diaper bag when you're out and about.

The ModWare comes in a bright, fun design and the rubber grip makes it easy to hold. My son is still trying to get the hang of holding his own spoon and fork, so this is an ideal choice for him. This set is BPA free and there are no sharp edges anywhere on the fork. This does make it a little more difficult to pick up food, but I no longer worry about poking his mouth like I used to.

The Groovy really is well, groovy. This is an interlocking bowl and plate set that is also BPA free. There are also two separate smaller bowls that you can attach to the edge of the plate anywhere you want. They are perfect for dipping or smaller portions and makes mealtime more fun! The non-slip rubber base is a convenient feature, and this set also matches the Modware perfectly.

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a Groovy and a ModWare from the feeding line. To enter, go to the boon website, then leave a comment on this post telling me what product you think is the most innovative. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 2 at Midnight. Don't forget to leave me your e-mail address. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

*Update - The winner is #80 The Mama Hood. Congratulations!

Browsing for Baby Boutiques

2008-06-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do when I have time is to search for baby boutiques online. There are a lot of cute ones, and many of them are mom-owned businesses. Here are three that I like to look at:

A Rocking Horse To Love
There is something about rocking horses that have always seemed special to me. They are so simple, yet so unique and I've never seen a child not smile at one. A Rocking Horse To Love has a beautiful selection and they are so much fun to browse.

Gissy Bella
My favorite item from Gissy Bella is the Comfy Crawlers.

I bought these for my son when he started crawling, and they were a lifesaver! The built-in knee pads protected his little knees as he raced across our hardwood floors. Even though he can walk now, he still has a pair that he wears, as he spends so much time on the floor and getting into mischief. This boutique has a lot of other adorable gifts as well.

Chocolate Cake Club
I could spend forever looking at all the unique items at Chocolate Cake Club! Their goal is to provide products that will make our lives as busy parents a little easier. They have a lot of great things to help you get organized and of course, a great selection of gifts.

Do you like to shop/browse online for your kids? Where's your favorite place to go?

Freeze-dried fruit, Revisited

2008-06-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

Following my recent discovery of the wonders of freeze-dried fruit, I had the opportunity to sample Today's Farm made by Justus Foods. This healthy snack really does taste like fresh picked fruit. My son, who loves strawberries but won't touch anything wet, gobbled these up. I liked how I was able to enjoy the fruits with him as the pieces were not cut up into tiny little cubes (although I still broke them into smaller pieces before serving them to him.) It felt more like I was eating a real piece of fruit, therefore making it more appealing to me. I also loved the "crispy-crunch" texture. Today's Farm fruits come in two flavors: Strawberry and Apple Cinnamon, both of which are delicious. If you're looking for a natural, healthy snack, these are worth checking out. You can purchase them online here. They are also very reasonably priced, making them a great choice for you and your family.

Owly Review and Giveaway

2008-06-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

While I love all children's books, I especially appreciate the ones that can be equally enjoyed by adults. One of my favorites is the Owly series by Andy Runton. These graphic novels follow the adventures of Owly, a kind, gentle owl with a good heart. Along with his sidekick Wormy and their forest pals, they discover important lessons about themselves and what it means to be a true friend. These are heartwarming tales, told with a simple charm that just makes you feel good after having read them. Owly's ability to solve problems with kind understanding rather than anger seems to be the central point of the books. The unique thing about the Owly series is that the stories are told without words. Instead, Runton relies on the pictures to reveal the story. One would think this would be a difficult task to accomplish, but his mixture of symbols and expressions make it easy to understand what's happening.

Owly's early beginnings are also unique. Owly began as a simple doodle on a post-it note, a message to Runton's mother to let her know what time he went to bed as it was always late. Years later, the notes would serve as an inspiration and eventually unfold into the Owly graphic novels. Runton received the prestigious Eisner Award for Owly, an amazing and deserving accomplishment. I love the fact that Owly is not just a bunch of cute drawings (although there's no question that they are adorable.) It's so much more than that. Adults can enjoy the stories with their kids, but at the same time read beyond what's shown in the pictures. The character of Owly has human emotions and finds himself in situations that we can relate to. There's a lot we can learn from this wise owl, and if we look hard enough, I'm sure we could all see a bit of ourselves in him. I'm looking forward to sharing the wonderful world of Owly with my son when he's a little older.

There are currently four Owly volumes available, with the fifth one coming out this summer. You can buy the books and other Owly merchandise from Top Shelf Productions. Also, check out Andy's website for more Owly info and other fun stuff. If you're looking for a great book to read with your kids, give Owly a try. You'll be glad you did.

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a signed copy of Owly Volume four: A TIME TO BE BRAVE. To enter, leave a comment on this post prior to Wednesday, June 25 at midnight. Tell me either what books you enjoy reading with your children, or your favorite children's book growing up. Please provide a valid e-mail address so I can contact you if you win. Winner must provide a U.S. or Canadian mailing address.

*UPDATE: The winner is #10 cancan. Congratulations!

Mikarose

2008-06-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I'm constantly on the lookout for cute, fashionable clothes that are also modest. At times this can be quite a challenging thing to find, especially when it comes to dresses. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of them out there, which is why I was happy to stumble upon Mikarose , a website specializing in modest dresses. Although the selection is rather small, the dresses are stylish, elegant and reasonably priced. Go over there and take a look!