As long as your sleep deprived eyes are at least halfway open, there’s no missing the fabulous transformation that has hit the baby apparel circuit. One of the contributors to this fashion revolution is Okki (which, incidentally, means "wake up"), an apparel company founded by a socially conscious mom with a fun eye for design.

Okki’s bright, cheerful 100% cotton collection makes a statement in punchy colors. Choose from a variety of onesies and t’s, coordinated gift sets (onesie, booties, and hat), and birthday sets (onesie or t-shirt plus bib). This week Okki will unveil their holiday collection, which includes the snuggly, long-sleeve reindeer onesie shown here ($20).

We also love Okki because they give back; a portion of their profits are directed to a Colombian orphanage. Okki also is offering an exclusive holiday discount to Boston Mamas readers. Use coupon code “bostonma20” to receive 20% off your order plus free shipping via USPS. This code expires December 15, 2006.

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Little Ones
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As a parent, there never seem to be enough hours in the day, but sometimes you really feel as if the world would spin on a better axis if you just had an extra hour or two to run some errands solo, squeeze in a work call, or get a pedicure.

My sister passed along a terrific idea from her best friend’s mother (who we’ll call Grandma P.). Grandma P. loves taking care of children but all of her grandkids live an airplane ride away. She’s an active retiree and thus didn't want to commit to a fixed babysitting schedule. Instead, she decided to post on Craigslist, offering on the fly childcare to parents in need of a few hours of relief.

Grandma P. has been inundated with calls; not surprisingly, there are plenty of parents out there hunting for short term babysitting solutions. So if you know of retirees or other flexibly scheduled folks who love looking after little ones, have them post in the childcare section on Craigslist; likewise, take a look in said section if you are in need of a last minute sitter or other childcare arrangements.

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Childcare
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Time for a bit of shameless (yet relevant!) self-promotion. As described previously, I love design work; my gradual evolution from academic to artist has involved a number of projects over the last few years where I have developed announcements, invitations, and gifts to celebrate life’s milestones and transitions.

If you love paper, fabric, and other crafty goodness, I would love for you to check out Posh Peacock, which features the types of design projects that help infuse style, color, and happiness into my every day life. More samples, as well as pricing details, will be added to the site soon; meanwhile I'm happy to chat with clients about estimates for potential projects (initial consultation is complimentary).

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Gifts & Paper; Home
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Okay, so this is an odd, ringing endorsement: Maxima Gift Center is so fabulous that it makes my daughter poop. Seriously.

As devoted readers know, I am a scientist by training and while these days I work more on intuition, my empirical persona can’t help but be impressed by repeated trials and consistent results.

So here’s what has happened the last five out of five times I have visited Maxima with Laurel. We arrive with her in the stroller. She strains against the straps and demands “Out! Mommy!” once we cross the entry. She bolts for the children’s section (resplendent with cool toys, stuffed animals, baby accessories, and her beloved, beloved books) and darts around excitedly (apparently too excitedly...), no doubt wondering how on earth such a place could be possible. I keep an eye on her while desperately straining to take in the stylish collection of bags, jewelry, body products, stationery, pottery, and other gifts that are just out of my reach.

And then, within 5 minutes, she poops. Like clockwork.

Maxima’s cool collection of regular retail and handcrafted gifts is better reflected in their physical stores (Waltham & Arlington) than online. Just be sure to bring your diaper bag when you visit.

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Local; Retail
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With holiday travel comes cumbersome physical (and sometimes emotional) baggage. You at least can take charge of reducing your physical baggage with the Munchkin Duck Bathtub ($9.99 at Target). Recommended by a mama reader from Italy (whose 20-month-old has enjoyed this tub all across Europe), this inflatable tub stows compactly and is suitable for ages 6-24 months, has a heat safety feature, and a non-slip surface to keep baby in place.

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Gear; Travel
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If you don’t quite have the energy for the mess of paint by numbers, check out the groovy Sticky Mosaics from Chinaberry ($24.95). Including eight picture templates (two 8.5" x 5.5", four 12" x 8.5", and two 17" x 12") and over 5000 foam mosaic squares of different colors, this peel-and-stick project will keep mess to a minimum while creating instant art for your home.

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys
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This past weekend, as Laurel and I were busy catching colds at the playground, it became clear that I need to suss out more indoor activities as winter approaches.

The world is a multi-sensory place, and no one stages that fact better than Blue Man Group. The real show is a must-see for grown ups, but if you’d like your child to experience multimodal creativity (without potentially getting splattered with paint or marshmallows), then check out the Boston Children’s Museum “Blue Man Group: Making Waves” exhibit. Running through the end of the year, this exhibit allows kids to explore the art and science of sound through interaction with Blue Man-inspired instruments and displays.

As we have written about earlier, many libraries offer discounted passes to museums; click here to see if your library offers passes that will reduce typical admission to $2.

Boston Children’s Museum, 300 Congress St., Boston, Tel: 617-426-8855

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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If you recently have gone apple picking and now are overrun with bushels and pecks, or if you just love fall apple treats, try this terrific and simple apple crisp recipe that I got from my Mom about 25 years ago.

The story is this: growing up, ours was one of only two Korean families in our town (the other family being relatives); it was no surprise then, when the public schools asked my Mom whether she would tutor an adopted Korean girl who was struggling in school. Despite having seven children of her own and a family business to run, my Mom couldn’t resist helping this student.

Not surprisingly, given uprooting and culture shock, this child was angry and wild; but my Mom’s patience and kindness (coupled with distinct “take no crap” undertones) persisted. By the end of the school year, this little girl could communicate with her classmates and teachers and was making friends. On the last day of school the kindergarten class presented my Mom with an apple crisp and the attached recipe.

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Home; Recipes
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I'm continually amazed by how well little ones are able to abstract animals from simple shapes or cartoons; but if you’re looking for more realistic, kid-friendly art, check out the amazing collection of Round Art critters at PoshTots.

Offering a modern aesthetic that will last well beyond the baby years, each print originates from an acrylic painting that has been scanned and printed on watercolor paper; the print is mounted on plywood and coated in acrylic for protection. The back features a keyhole for easy hanging.

This collection includes an ark-load of animals (badger, bear, cat, dog, elephant, giraffe, gopher, ladybug, leopard, panda, peacock, penguin, sheep, zebra) set against modern, vibrant background color options (shown, Giraffe Round Art in Bright Orange) in three sizes ($17 for 5 inch, $22 for 7 inch, $32 for 10 inch at PoshTots).

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Home
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When we moved this summer, Laurel’s new room seemed cavernous compared to her old room. She was scared of the big new space and her previously easy sleeping routine went out the window; we needed to up the cozy factor in a hurry. Laurel definitively wanted a yellow rug and I was thrilled to discover the Shaggy Raggy Rug collection. Made of hand dyed 100% cotton, this soft, nubbly rug instantly transformed Laurel’s room, has fascinated all of her little pals, and is so comfortable that we love stretching out on it during play or quiet reading time.

This rug series is offered in a variety of fabulous colors and shapes at Shop.com (see our bargains page for coupon codes); we ordered the 4.7’ x 7.7’ ($338) rectangle and matching 3’ x 3’ star ($78; shown). Life has been grand ever since!

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Home
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Last week something momentous happened: I actually started reading a novel.

Don’t get me wrong. I love reading. But in the last long while my reading has been limited to parenting or music perception or Curious George or magazines. Last week, inspired by a novel I received for my birthday, I decided it was time to take action. It was time to bring back “quiet reading time.”

As background, a few months ago, I was stunned to pick Laurel up at day care one day and find her lying on her belly on a mat, surrounded by a stack of books, reading happily on her own. She’s not exactly the type of kid who tends to play on her own so we thought it would be great to encourage this behavior, and introduced “quiet reading time” as a way to wind down for 5-10 minutes before bed time.

Back then (she was around 22 months) it didn’t fly. Laurel translated “quiet reading time” as a chance to drag all of her books off the shelves and shuttle them between the living room and bedroom. But last week, we tried again and the results have been amazing. We typically stretch out on Laurel’s rug before bedtime (or yesterday, we even snuggled up on the couch during the day) and read together for 10-15 minutes. It has been a marvelous way for everyone to unwind. Plus, I’m more than halfway through my fabulous novel, and we have been stunned by the evidence of what Laurel has absorbed in her 25 months. Even for books that haven’t been read in some time, she picks them out and starts reciting the stories aloud, either cuddled up to me and/or Jon, or while sitting in front of her stuffed animals, who she has assembled for story time.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Development & Behavior
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I was blessed to grow up in a multi-generational household, and loved that my grandfather walked me to kindergarten every morning. We couldn’t communicate verbally (he only spoke Korean and I only spoke English) but it didn’t seem to matter. Our non-verbal communication always seemed to be enough, and we had a grand time winding our way down to school.

It seems as if on foot outings (it was nearly a mile trek to school, and on little legs at that) are becoming a thing of the past, but the City Walks series is working to reverse that trend. Published by the ever-clever Chronicle Books, the City Walks series offers 50 walking adventure cards with color maps presented in a compact box that would easily stow in a purse or diaper bag.

In addition to City Walks: Boston ($14.95 at Amazon), the series also features walking adventures for New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., London, Rome, Paris, and Amsterdam.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups
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I wish I had known about Little Lettice when Laurel started solids and was unwilling to eat jarred food (i.e., she had developed a distinct palate for homemade food). Founded and run by Boston-area mother of four Sara Cabot, Little Lettice offers a wonderful line of organic fruits and vegetables for babies and toddlers; produce is carefully selected and recipes are homemade in small batches then frozen in 4 oz containers so you can have a stockpile of homemade goodness at your fingertips at any time.

We recently tried Little Lettice's Purely Apples (suitable for kids of any age), made from apples from Hutchins Farm in Concord, Massachusetts; the flavor was fabulously fresh and the texture smooth with a full richness leagues apart from grainy commercial applesauce. Laurel fired back the entire container and begged for more!

Little Lettice products are available at South End Formaggio (Boston), Debra’s Natural Gourmet (West Concord), Fresh Pond Market (Cambridge), and now at the Whole Foods Market at Fresh Pond (Cambridge). Drop by Little Lettice’s first tasting at Whole Foods tomorrow, October 24, from 9am to 12pm. Click here for the November tasting schedule.

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Feeding & Nursing
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Sometimes the best theories evolve on sleepy Sunday mornings.

Jon and I were barely conscious yesterday morning after a bad night of sleep (Laurel’s two year molars are coming in); Jon suggested shaking up the mojo with an old college solution: the greasy breakfast.

We headed to the Arlington Diner and Restaurant; I assumed it would be packed (as it tends to be on weekends), but at 8am there were plenty of tables. The diner has booster seats, the waitresses were terrific with Laurel (and completely on task in keeping me caffeinated), and the food arrived about 5 minutes after we ordered it; literally just as I was asking Jon whether I should take Laurel for a walk around the restaurant so we didn’t burn our seated time waiting for food. Equally excellent was that Laurel loved the giant breakfast (enormous pancake covered with blueberry topping, toast, eggs), and the vinyl/plastic décor made blueberry-print cleanup a breeze. For the first time ever we left a restaurant with Laurel because we were ready to leave, not because we had to deal with an emergency of the diaper or disposition variety.

Anyhow, so the theory goes something like this. Going to a diner early on a Sunday morning with a child is: 1) the most satisfying dining out solution you will experience with a little one in tow; and 2) the grown up equivalent of Sunday brunch with your friends in college, the differences of course being the source of your fog and the company you’re keeping.

Arlington Diner & Restaurant, 134 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Tel: 781-646-9266

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Food & Drink; Local
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Dachshunds just want to be taken seriously. But that will have to wait while you and your tot entertain yourselves with the Magnetic Weiner Dog ($26 at Uncommon Goods). This cute mix and match pup is constructed of six pieces that connect magnetically; the set comes in a clear plastic bag for easy travel and pick-up.

Posted by Christine Koh on 21 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys
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Luckily it looks like the weather will clear in time for the Stone Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo event, Saturday and Sunday (October 21 & 22), from 11am to 3pm. You and your munchkin can traverse the trick-or-treat trail and haunted maze, rock out to music provided by Radio Disney, and get creepy with crafts, critters, and costume contests. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $4.50 for children ages 2-12, and free for kids under 2 and members.

I’m still struggling with the concept for Laurel’s Halloween costume request (“big yellow grape”), but this event likely will prove entertaining, costume or not.

Stone Zoo, 149 Pond Street, Stoneham, Tel: 781-438-5100

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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I think it’s safe to say that the one item in my home that my friends and family both covet and rib me about is my pre-typed shopping list.

The impetus for this list was my poor penmanship. I’m not sure why Jon couldn’t translate that what looked like “tuwutucs” was actually “tomatoes,” but we definitely were burning more time at the market deciphering my handwriting than shopping.

Click here for the shopping list. Not only is it terrific to just check items off on the fly, but shopping will be easier and faster with your list already organized by section.

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Home; Solutions
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Professional concerts can be prohibitively expensive, which is all the more reason to take advantage of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s free open house on Sunday, October 22, from noon – 5pm. On this momentous date (the 125th anniversary of the BSO’s first concert), Symphony Hall’s various stages will offer a performance of Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 (James Levine and the BSO), excerpts from 'Madame Butterfly' (Keith Lockhart and the Boston Lyric Opera), and a wide variety of classical, jazz, world, vocal, rock, and opera performances from members of the BSO and musicians from local conservatories and the wider Boston community. Click here to see the detailed schedule. Family friendly tours of the hall and instrumental demonstrations also are planned.

Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave., Boston

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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Style is in the details. If you’re looking to up the ante while diapering on the go, check out the Posh Pish Wipe Case ($20) at Ruby’s Kids, where humdrum Huggies wipes cases are transformed into a diapering accessory that could be mistaken for a cute clutch. Choose from a variety of designer or luxe fabrics (shown, Pink Chinatown). The case is padded and covered in your fabric choice, finished with cord trim, and shipped with a set of wipes so it’s ready to use right out of the box. Use Boston Mamas’ exclusive reader coupon code (BOSTON) to receive 10% off your order.

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Diapers & Potty
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Generally it seems a reasonable rule of thumb to not have reason to cry before 9am, but this morning there was no helping the tears at the Horizons for Homeless Children Annual Women’s Breakfast in Boston. At this remarkable event, 1,000 women gathered to learn about homelessness in Massachusetts. We heard compelling, moving stories from women who – with children in tow – battled back from homelessness to become thriving members of their communities, and learned about the impact of giving back from a woman who volunteers as a Playspace Activity Leader.

Horizons’ approach to battling the numbers surrounding homeless children (10,000 children in Massachusetts per year; 500,000 nationally) is impressive in its’ multi-dimensional structure. Not only does Horizons’ give children a safe and happy space in which they can learn, play, and develop (through community children’s centers in Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, and Roxbury that offer full-time care so parents can work, and through building of playspaces in local shelters across Massachusetts), but they also provide much-needed support to parents, whether it be informational – by helping parents learn how to be involved in the growth and development of their children, as well as how to access education and job training resources – or emotional, through listening ears and open hearts free of judgment.

It’s difficult for me to resist facts and figures; I felt encouraged by the idea that modest gifts of $50 or $100 could go so far ($50 = art supplies for a classroom for one month; $100 = 17 lbs of Legos, 37 lbs of Play-Doh, or 30 lbs of puzzles for shelter playspace programs). In addition to donations, there are many other ways to help, such as donating goods or services, becoming a Playspace Activity Leader (2 hour per week commitment), or event hosting.

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Good Deeds; Local; Outreach
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An innocent day of clutter purging can completely fall off the rails when you hit the nostalgia box. Or boxes.

Knowing this, I dutifully avoided the four intimidating boxes of letters and nostalgia that trailed me on 5 moves in the last 8 years. Recently, though, I was inspired to action when my friend Marcy sent me an item from her own paper purge (a flyer from my college violin recital). I asked Marcy for tips so I could follow suit; here are her terrific suggestions (paraphrased, with a couple of my own suggestions in parentheses):

1. If you have pictures and letters from the same time period - and enough pictures to remind you of the story of that time of your life - keep the pictures. (Jot descriptors on the back of photos with an acid-free photo pen; you’ll be surprised by how quickly names can drift out of memory.)

2. Get rid of most ex-boy/girlfriend stuff. If you keep good journals, you’ll have sources to access the same memories. And then of course, there may be memories that you are happy to lose, so ditch those, STAT!

3. If you don’t feel a reflexive “Ohhh!” when you see an item, you probably can get rid of it.

4. You likely don’t need to keep every letter from every friend; instead, keep one or two letters per friend. (I followed this rule with the exception of letters from a couple of longtime, letter writing friends.)

5. Toss Christmas and birthday cards unless there is something really great written inside.

6. Keep items that will give your child an idea of who you were before she/he was born.

7. Keep items from relatives who have passed, or who are old enough to pass in the next 5 years.

8. Keep at least one thing from each major era in your life.

9. Following Marcy’s lead, use nostalgia that you would part with anyway as a fun reconnection point with an old friend.

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Home; Solutions
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My mama pal Tracy recently wrote in with high praise for For Small Hands. Offering products that function in line with the Montessori philosophy, this site features a wealth of little helper items that will teach children everyday skills such as pouring, sweeping, preparing a snack, or helping in the yard. The open-ended activities keep kids busy, encourage discovery and creativity, infuse a sense of contribution, and give parents a chance to get dinner on the table or get some household chores done.

For Small Hands also offers a great selection of art, music, and movement products, books, and classic toys, such as the Potholder Loom Kit (shown; $10), the results of which I suspect my mother still has in her potholder drawer.

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys
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I’m always looking to expand my arsenal of toddler food techniques. And although technically a fruit, avocados do well enough with my conscience in qualifying as a vegetable when I’m having a particularly tough time getting greens into Laurel. After all, they do consist of “good fat” and are high in vitamins K, B6, and C, as well as in dietary fiber, potassium, and folate.

As an infant Laurel happily gobbled up avocado pieces. She then started to reject them sometime during toddlerhood; that is, until I decided to try presenting avocado in a "boat." I sliced an avocado in half, scooped out another half, and gave her the remaining 1/4 avocado + shell with a spoon. Laurel loved the process of scraping out the avocado; the autonomy of the project not only gave me a few minutes to catch my breath, but also resulted in a toddler who was very excited to eat her hard earned rewards. More evidence for the case file that toddlers just want to do it “all by self.”

Note: If the avocado flesh is soft but a little resistant releasing from the shell (i.e., would result in a frustrated, cranky toddler), cube the flesh with a knife and release from the shell with a spoon.

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing
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I hate to think that I am pandering to the requests of a crazy toddler, but the thing is, Jon and I got completely fed up with the huge ordeal associated with putting socks and shoes on our babe once fall hit. Clearly, Laurel wishes to reside in a climate that offers more than a 3-month window of sandal season.

I bet Laurel would love the colors and patterns of the previously reported Trumpettes socks but they only come in 0-12 months. So this week I gathered Laurel’s fleet of white Old Navy socks (multi-pack purchased when I got tired of sock sorting and lost pairs) and dyed them yellow (her favorite color). The dye process took about 2 minutes; I added a little yellow Rit Dye ($2.49 at Joann Fabrics) to hot water, stirred the socks in the dye with a plastic spoon, and squeezed out the excess water (wearing a plastic bag on my hand). Then I let the socks air-dry (I wasn’t sure if tossing them directly in the dryer would stain the appliance) then ran them through the dryer to set the dye.

Sock time has been more sane ever since. Now if only I could find a pair of yellow shoes...

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Little Ones
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You’d never guess that a tiny pair of baby feet could be so facile at wiggling out of socks, but my mama pal Kate swears by the stay put prowess of Trumpettes. These brightly colored and patterned socks are constructed with non-skid bottoms and just enough top elastic to hold socks in place while not cutting off circulation; a cute egg carton serves as shower-stopping packaging.

This Perfect Dozen of Socks fits 0-12 months and is available at Uncommon Goods in polka-dot or stripe sets ($30).

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Little Ones
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Boston is replete with excellent restaurants, but the suburbs have mounted an impressive charge, offering first-rate dining with the added bonus of easier parking. For seafood lovers, Catch is a must-try. Located in Winchester Center, Catch has an intimate and elegant feel from which the small open kitchen delivers top-notch French-influenced American cuisine. Fresh local produce is incorporated throughout the menu; you’ll want to try the potato gnocchi with English peas, lobster mushrooms, and lobster reduction ($12), which presents with a smooth and subtle richness, as well as the Asian-inspired, well-balanced red snapper with gulf shrimp, baby bok choy, fingerling potatoes, grilled portobello mushroom, cipollini onion, and soy ($26). Be sure to leave room for the warm chocolate truffle cake with brandied cherries and whipped crème fraiche ($8).

Catch, 34 Church Street, Winchester, Tel: 781-729-1040

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Food & Drink; Local
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Back in the day (i.e., my early 20’s) I was really fit; as in, hit the gym at 5:30am on my way to work fit. Not surprisingly, those days are long gone and despite my efforts to keep up my gym membership, our relocation and my new schedule have made the gym less accessible.

Imagine my delight, then, when I learned about the stylish and portable Sane Fitness QuickStart Deck ($24.95). Comprised of 3 workouts (with a suggested plan for a 6-week full-body program) that can be done at home with minimal equipment or at the gym, this series is perfect for busy mamas. You’ll need to start with 20 minutes of cardio (does chasing a toddler around the house count?); otherwise each workout involves a mere 11 moves (6 full body exercises, 2 abdominals, 3 stretches). It can’t get faster than that. In the next 6 months Sane Fitness also will roll out a complete fitness deck with 6 months of workouts, and "Sane Preggers," a workout system designed specifically for expecting mamas.

Use the coupon code “FitMama” to receive a 20% discount at Sane Fitness directly; also available at Amazon.

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups; Pregnancy & Postpartum
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Earlier this week my ears perked up when NPR’s feature on college preparation, stress, and teens aired. Obviously, this phase of Laurel’s life is many years off (assuming she opts for college instead of a painting commune) but even now, as I see her and her little friends becoming more complex little people, I alternatively feel joyful and anxious about the years to come. I so want Laurel to be peaceful and happy and confident but times as a teen are invariably tough.

NPR’s feature, the catalyst of which was a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on the negative impact of stress and pressure on teens, focused on the stress associated with the college application process. At the end of the broadcast I was interested to hear that the AAP devised a new web site where teens could design personalized stress-reduction plans.

Unfortunately, when I checked out the site I was utterly disappointed. The AAP report page primarily features two links to purchase what appear to be publications resulting from the report, plus a decidedly un-hip looking “for teens only” graphic that leads to an even less exciting looking page that even I – a Ph.D. in psychology – struggled to stay interested in. Perhaps I’m underestimating today’s stressed teen, but I had a tough time imagining a freaked out teen wading through the verbiage and instructions and filling out all of the exercises (the responses of which apparently just get e-mailed back to you…why bother?).

Call me instinctive, but it seems that the first line of action involves the parent, the closest physical source to detect warning signs of stress. Despite the annoying pop up ads, FamilyEducation.com offers a solid resource center to provide parents with information about warning signs, stress factors, high achieving kids, over expecting parents, coping strategies, and dangerous behaviors resulting from stress. Following this, I believe there is utility to the types of questions the AAP expects teens to fill out on the computer (presumably on their own), but that they should be worked on by the teen in partnership with a parent or therapist or other “safe” mentor.

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Childcare; Tweens & Teens
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It’s hard to imagine where we would be without plastics, but the Sigg Kids Bottles makes a good argument for an alternative beverage holder for your babe. Cutely patterned and constructed of lightweight, seamless aluminum, these bottles are tested for 0.0% leaching, so you don’t need to worry about chemicals from plastic getting into your child's digestive system. The bottle features a non-corrosive lining, solvent-free paint on the exterior, and a leak-proof screw top that kids can open themselves.

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Feeding & Nursing
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Farms and fall in New England typically conjure vibrant, cheerful images; what a pity it was to read on Universal Hub that Honey-Pot Hill Orchards in Stow – where I happily have picked apples in years past – has evolved into a headache-inducing, commercial nightmare.

The good news is that you still can devise a pastoral outing while saving on aggravation and mileage, so long as you are okay ditching the apple ladders. Closer to Boston is Arena Farms in Concord, a lovely farm stand offering an impressive selection of fruits, vegetables and flowers, as well as a bountiful pumpkin area (shown, Laurel helping with farm chores last year), fun displays of freakishly large or mottled pumpkins, and an area to see baby animals.

Arena Farms, 167 Fairhaven Rd (Route 2), Concord, Tel: (978) 369-4769

UPDATE (11/2/07): Sadly, Arena Farms closed the week of October 29, 2007.

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Golf is harder than it looks. But apparently it’s even harder to find women’s golf apparel that shows that you've got both your style and athletic game faces on.

Enter girlsgreen, a company founded by a pair of sisters on a mission to infuse style into women's golf apparel through their cool collection of polos and tees. girlsgreen's golf polos are classically structured but updated to incorporate fresh colors and pretty detailing, such as contrast buttons or patterned collars. Their ¾ sleeve fall polo ($49) offers styling and weight perfectly suited for autumn temperatures. Wear it alone or layered over one of the super soft, fine jersey cotton range tees (shown, girlie tee in bubble gum, $24).

These tops are so cute and comfortable that they are terrific for everyday wear or out on the green, even if your golfing ability is limited to mini putt.

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be
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If you have a budding scientist in your midst, you’ll need to get your hands on the ecologically relevant Inflatable Earth Ball ($16.50) from Sons & Daughters. This groovy globe shows a realistic rendering of how the Earth looks from outer space, based on satellite imaging from NASA and photorealistic imaging technology from Orbis.

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys
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Yesterday Jon, Laurel and I experienced immense pride and happiness cheering on my sister Sharon as she zoomed towards the finish line at the Boston Half Marathon.

Afterwards over lunch I asked Sharon how she managed to look so fresh and upbeat at the end of her 13 mile journey. She said that her goal was to stay tuned in physically and mentally during the race; to listen to what her instincts and body were telling her and to move through the course at a pace where she felt energized yet comfortable. Meaning, she managed to march to her own beat and avoid getting caught up in the psychological dynamics or "should's" projected by the other runners.

This approach applies well to parenting. There’s so much judgment out there, so many sources that leave you feeling like a failure if you don’t rise to a prescribed level of perfection. But ultimately, at the end of the day the journey is similar to that experienced by my sister as she modified her textbook training regimen to incorporate meaningful, instinctive elements that were all her own. Ultimately the motherhood manual can’t fit every single person the same way; your instincts matter and likely will serve you well.

So today I’d like to applaud Sharon for completing her race successfully on her own terms; she inspires me to continue to parent in a way in which instructions simply serve as the framework on which my instincts operate.

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Family Issues
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What’s not to love about a toy that is stylish, educational, and clutter taming? Great for home or travel, the My First Puzzles series by Crocodile Creek ($19.99 at Oompa) comes in Wild Animals (shown), Vehicles, Jungle 123 Dominos, and Horses. Each set includes four puzzles (4, 6, 9 and 12 pieces) housed in a pretty suitcase.

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys
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Had you told me a few months ago that I was moving into a house full of psychologists, I would have run screaming.

But in addition to being incredibly kind, gentle people, our new landlords (who, as Ph.D.’s in child development and social psychology, don’t appear phased by my near abandonment of academia) are extremely sweet towards our daughter. During a recent visit they brought some wonderful books for Laurel’s birthday; among them, A Pocket for Corduroy, which has become a fast favorite.

Revisiting this classic many years later, I am struck by the diversity that author Don Freeman weaves through the story's pages. And apparently Laurel is struck by it too; whenever we get to the page with the Asian woman illustrated, Laurel proclaims, “That’s my mommy!”

A Pocket for Corduroy; regularly $15.99, on sale for $10.87 at Amazon.

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids
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As part of WGBH’s Kids’ Month, and in celebration of Curious George’s 65th birthday, WGBH and the Boston Public Library are co-hosting Be Curious at Your Library events at Boston library branches. Geared towards children 3-5 years old, the events include engineering activities, coloring projects, and giveaways.

Today’s “Be Curious” event is at 10am at the West Roxbury Branch Library (1961 Centre Street, Tel: 617-325-3147). Click here to see the full schedule of "Be Curious" events that run through October 31.

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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We’re thrilled to announce our October contest giveaway in partnership with Ruby's Kids, a fabulous site offering the latest in cool baby products and accessories by hip designers.

One lucky winner will be able to choose between a pink or blue Jenerations Baby Deluxe Gift Set. This gift set features a super cute carrying case that includes: shampoo/body wash, lotion, hair gel, bar soap, and a brush & comb set. When the products are done the case can be used for keepsakes, storage, or as your babe's on-the-go travel case.

Click here to enter to win the Ruby's Kids contest (and find out how to increase your odds of winning!). This contest closes at midnight on October 31, 2006, and is open to US and Canada residents.

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (12) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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Congratulations to Michelle C. of Melrose, MA! Michelle is the lucky winner of the Chloe In Style contest. Thanks to all contest entrants! We had impressive geographical representation across the US & Canada, and were actually a little surprised when we drew someone local!

We also would like to thank our friends at Chloe In Style. If you haven't already had a chance to do so, check out Chloe In Style's fabulous selection of apparel, gifts, and decor for women and children.

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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Children’s birthdays are such an amazing, assumed milestone that it’s difficult to imagine that some kids don’t have the opportunity to open a present on their birthday.

Smiling Kids is working to turn that tide. They partner with social service organizations to anonymously provide birthday presents or other types of support (e.g., comfort items during a hospital stay, school supplies) to children and teens. Smiling Kids also will help you host a Party with a Purpose, where attendees bring donations in lieu of gifts, and Smiling Kids provides the invitations, thank you note cards, and tax receipts.

On Saturday, October 14, 2006 Smiling Kids will host its Annual Birthday Bash at the Weston Golf Club (Weston, MA) from 7 – 11pm. All proceeds will go directly to purchasing birthday gifts in 2007. Click here for details about the event or how to donate; call 508-281-0069 to reserve tickets ($50 per person).

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Local; Outreach
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I’m trying not to make too much of the fact that during a recent pumpkin picking excursion Laurel explicitly selected “tall pumpkin” for herself, “skinny pumpkin” for Auntie Sha-Sha, and “chubby pumpkin” for mom.

At the very least, this seems like the right segue to share the results of a baking obsession from last fall. During a quest for the perfect pumpkin muffin I wasn't completely satisfied with what the stores and bakeries had to offer. So I engaged any available family and friends as part of my pumpkin muffin test kitchen. Click here for the final fabulous result!

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Home; Recipes
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A local mama wrote in to pass along word about Boston Cares’ Frosty’s Friends Program, a winter holiday gift-giving program through which volunteers give gifts to kids from Greater Boston’s emergency shelters, community centers, low-income housing programs, educational programs, and day care centers. This local mama and her husband have participated in the Frosty’s Friends Program for about five years (even before becoming parents); sometimes the requests are as heart-wrenchingly simple as asking for physical warmth in the form of a winter coat.

Click here to download the Frosty’s Friends application (due October 16, 2006). You will receive a hand-written letter from a child requesting a small gift (between $20-30 value). All you need to do is purchase the gift, and send it directly to the child’s agency.

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Local; Outreach
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Are you losing your mind trying to keep the schedules of you and your family members straight?

Take preventative action with the 2007 Mom Agenda Bound Book ($42 at the fabulous See Jane Work). Created by a mom for moms, this planner is covered in durable, stain-resistant shantung fabric, has monthly and weekly planning pages for you and each kid, and also has pages for you to fill in contact info and medical info. This calendar runs from August 2006 through December 2007 and measures 7” w x 9 ¼” h.

If you want to invest in a refillable planner, pick up the Mom Agenda Refillable ($175) and all you’ll need to do in subsequent years is buy refill pages.

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Gifts & Paper; Home
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I recently chatted with some mama pals about time-outs. We actually have yet to use them, given that our 2-year old hasn’t been prone to aggression (her exploration into hitting was brief), and usually can be redirected by distraction. However, my friends’ kids are 4-5 months older than Laurel, so it’s certainly possible that time-outs will become necessary in the future. It seemed like a good time to do a little research.

A popular misconception is that time-outs are a form of punishment; in fact, time-outs are more effective when they are used to shape behavior instead of punish. When used as punishment, time-outs are negative, keep the anger percolating, and do nothing to turn the tide of the misbehavior. In contrast, when a time-out is used to break the misbehavior, it offers a short window during which both child and parent can change up the mojo, reflect, and cool off. BabyCenter offers an article describing time-out parameters and strategies; Dr. Sears offers a helpful set of 10 tips, including strategies on how to prepare children for time-outs, time-out length (about 1 minute per year of age; for older children you can tailor time to fit the crime, as it were), and time-out location (typically a boring, neutral place).

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Development & Behavior
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I’ve been a fan of Haba from the moment I started prowling around for baby goods; Haba’s remarkable collection of thoughtfully-designed toys is built from natural materials and fabrics that are both stimulating for babies and easy on parental eyes. The Klettinos Soft Stacking Toy ($28.99 at Oompa) encourages creative expression; babes and parents alike won’t be able to resist trying their hand at assembling different animals with the 14 cotton/Velcro pieces.

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Oct 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys
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