It’s no easy task to find entertainment that truly appeals to kids and adults alike, but the Muppets are an excellent candidate. Now through Tuesday (April 3), you can both indulge your Muppets nostalgia and introduce your little ones to Kermit and the gang during Muppets™, Music & Magic! at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge. Morning and early afternoon shows include films suitable for the entire family; evening programming is geared towards teens and adults. Click here for the full schedule.

General admission is $9.50, $7.50 w/college ID, and $6.50 for seniors & children under 12. Matinee rates ($7.50) apply to shows before 5pm. Those unable to attend may find solace in picking up some Muppet tunes for home or car.

Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge; Tel: 617-876-6837

Posted 31 Mar 2007 in Fun Indoors; Local | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

And now for our weekly dose of fabulous web highlights from our stylish blog partners:

Check out four amazing modern nursery designs at Coochicoos (shown; design #3). She Finds Mom reports on readers’ picks for the best nursing bras. See a video review of a toddler testing Aqua2Go at Classy Mommy, as well as the latest vidcast at Clever Parents. One Chic Mama recommends a professional photographer based out of Raleigh, NC to capture your family summer vacations, and Babyfaces features a boy and his wagon for its photo of the week. And in the celebrity corner: MamaPop investigates how new celebrity moms seem to snap right back into shape. Celebrity Moms dishes on Halle Berry, who is ready to start a new chapter in life. And the Celebrity Baby Blog announces the winners of their first annual celebrity baby poll.

Posted 30 Mar 2007 in Books & Entertainment; Decor & Furniture; Fashion; For Grownups; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Home | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

With a room full of preschoolers, a meltdown, mischief, or other parental grimace inducers are inevitable. Last weekend, at the birthday party of one of Laurel’s friends, as one mom moved to negotiate her son’s behavior, she rolled her eyes and astutely said, “I think half of parenting involves worrying whether the other parents think you’re doing a good enough job.”

So true. You feel a million judging eyes when your kid loses it in public, and want to evaporate when you can’t control the behavior. Fittingly, my husband Jon just finished reading a book on parenting and behavior; he steps in this morning with a guest post reviewing Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason.

“Are we doing our best to help our kids become independent, courageous, thoughtful adults? Or are we doing our best to make sure they don’t embarrass us in the supermarket? In Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason, Alfie Kohn challenges us to re-think the way that we interact with our kids. He points out that in our society we label children as “good” only when they are quiet on airplanes, don’t make too big a mess at the dinner table, or bring home As on the report card. And he suggests that the way that we mold noisy, messy, distractible children into “good kids,” consciously or unconsciously, is by withholding our approval (or outright punishing them) when their behavior is inconvenient for us.

That sounds harsh, but Kohn’s examples hit close to home. He suggests that leaving a child alone in a “time out” is basically a way to say “I don’t love you right now.” Ouch. And even harder to handle, always saying “Good job!” when your kid cleans her plate leads the child to think that the purpose of dinner is to please mom and dad. And the real problem is the long-term cost. Kids who are always wondering if they are doing enough to please mom and dad may become teenagers who will do anything to win the approval of their peers, or they may become adults who are constantly trying to impress the boss even when it’s not in their own best interest.

So what’s the alternative? Kohn describes a shift in mindset rather than a series of techniques, and his order is a tall one: He calls for parents to have more respect for their children, which means no more “Because I said so” responses. He calls for an understanding of age-appropriate behaviors (like tantrums for 3 year-olds) and acceptance for them even if they aren’t convenient. He asks parents to involve their children in decisions so kids can learn how to think for themselves. Most of all, he challenges us to find ways to communicate our love and acceptance to our children all the time -- even if we don’t love the behavior.”

Posted 30 Mar 2007 in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Back in January, after reading an interesting New York Times feature on the intentional – and successful – tactics of niche oriented retailers (i.e., those who cater to particular age/style demographics versus trying to cater to all), the chances of me stepping into a teen (or early 20’s at best) store like American Eagle decreased exponentially. But this morning, emboldened by a favorable AE denim pitch I recalled seeing in a non-teen source, and the need for new denim (not to mention an adventure that would get us out of the house but shield us from the wind), I stopped in with Laurel.

The experience reminded me not to judge a book by its cover. The staffers were friendly and extremely sweet towards Laurel, and I did in fact pick up a terrific pair of jeans. Check out the AE Hipster Jean; it’s got a stylishly low (but not too low) rise and boot cut similar to my beloved Lucky’s, but at a fraction of the price ($29.50). The Sunfaded Wash is particularly fresh for spring, and the back pockets feature flattering signature stitching.

Posted 29 Mar 2007 in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

The end of the month is approaching, which means the clock is ticking on your chance to enter to win the fresh and functional New Stylin’ gift set from New For Baby. This contest closes at midnight on March 31, 2007, and is open to US & Canada residents. Good luck!

Posted 29 Mar 2007 in Web (Admin) | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Puzzling over the how, when, and what of solid feeding can burn countless parental energy units; my cousin Pauline recently wrote in to recommend First Meals by Annabel Karmel. Written for parents ready to mix it up in the kitchen, this book covers nutrition basics, home prep process and gear, and recipes and menus for babies and kids. Pauline’s daughter enjoys lots of the recipes!

We used the older version of First Meals, and while I didn’t have the energy to cut and structure all of Laurel’s food to look like animal faces and shapes, we did get a lot of great ideas about what to try when, and different menus to present. Plus, for a good month or two, Laurel was wildly entertained by the book itself; she spent a lot of time giggling at the pictures of said food animals.

Posted 28 Mar 2007 in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

Blankies are a workhorse in the baby gear collection; they live in the crib, travel on adventures near and far, and can provide comfort like nothing else.

And the “ultra-personalization” offered by Fill in the Blankie ensures comfort in the now, and a keepsake for the future. Choose from a range of 100% cotton styles and colors to fit a range of budgets (as data hounds, we love that they offer Cuddle Factor and Quality ratings on a 10 point scale). The ability to specify up to 200 characters of text (50 per side, in your choice of font and thread color) allows you to include details well beyond date of birth. Extra options include wrapping your blankie around a plush pig (shown) and adding an embroidered illustration.

Fill in the Blankie also offers a companion site, Pig in a Blankie, where you can order one of five plush pals wrapped around a non-personalized blanket of your choice.

Posted 28 Mar 2007 in Gear | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

If your child loves books and art, be sure to check out The New Art Center’s current exhibit, The Visions & Voices of Children’s Book Illustrators. Running now through May 20th, this cross-genre, cross-cultural collection features over 100 pieces from 13 contemporary children’s book illustrators, showcasing original illustrations, books, drawings, computer generated images, sketchbooks, and videos. And it’s not all look but no touch; hands on activities are available throughout the gallery, a mini-library allows for relaxing with a story, and kids and adults can create books, collages, and drawings with provided materials. The gallery is open from 9am-5pm on weekdays and 1-5pm on weekends. Admission is free.

In addition to the gallery, the center offers an impressive roster of art classes for kids, teens, and adults (including special programming for April vacation week), weekly story times, and art party hosting services.

The New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newtonville; Tel: 617-964-3424

Posted 27 Mar 2007 in Fun Indoors; Kid's Parties; Local | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

A lot of interesting and unexpected things have happened since I entered the world of online publishing, but it’s safe to say that yesterday’s events topped the list thus far. It’s not every day, after all, that someone deposits a shiny ride in your driveway, hands you the keys, and cabs off to the airport to fly back to the location from which the car originated.

In my capacity as the publisher of an eco-conscious parenting blog, General Motors has loaned me a Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid SUV to test drive for a couple of weeks. Stay tuned for the usability report; meanwhile, we’re clearly already in trouble. When Laurel and I took a spin this afternoon she said, “I like my new car.”

Posted 27 Mar 2007 in Eco Living | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

We never fail to be amazed by how much distinct personality and energy little people have, even when they’re teeny tiny. And you can let them wear that personality on their sleeve, as it were, with the bibs, bodysuits, and tees at Prophecy Wear. Available in sizes for babies up to kids' size 12, Prophecy Wear uses simple statements to celebrate the interests and aspirations of kids. We like the Total Package bodysuit (shown; $13, available in sizes 6-24 months), reflective of our belief that all kids are born with great gifts.

Prophecy Wear has extended a shopping code to Boston Mamas readers; use code BMAMAS07 to receive a 15% discount on your order (expires 12/31/07).

UPDATE 12/10/07: ProphecyWear is closing its doors. All direct links subsequently have been removed.

Posted 26 Mar 2007 in Fashion; For Little Ones | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

I realize that multiple cooking posts in the span of a few days makes clear my obsession with food, but a recipe this easy must be shared with my fellow mamas.

For our gathering yesterday with some of Laurel’s BFFs, we made vanilla cupcakes but subbed the vanilla frosting with this incredibly easy chocolate frosting recipe from our trusty Baking Illustrated. Bring 1 cup of heavy cream to a simmer in a small saucepan or in the microwave. Place 8 ounces of chopped semisweet chocolate (chips work great and lessen cleanup) in a bowl and pour the hot cream over it. Cover the bowl with foil and let it stand 5-10 minutes. Whisk mixture until smooth and velvety brown. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cool and slightly firm, about 1 hour.

If you want a light, mousse-like frosting, whip the frosting at medium speed about 2 minutes until peaks form. But it works just as well to skip this step and use the frosting right out of the refrigerator. (The frosting in the center of the bowl was a little looser than that at the edges, but the frosting continued to firm up after the cupcakes were frosted.) This recipe generously frosts 12 cupcakes, plus plenty left over for “quality assurance testing.” Shown, the last cupcake left standing.

Posted 26 Mar 2007 in Home; Recipes | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

Avocados have long been a staple in our household, and after naptime today we’ll up our daily consumption by serving some friends the easiest and best guacamole recipe ever.

This recipe comes from The Border Cookbook (a James Beard Award winner). Simple mash 2 ripe Haas avocados roughly, leaving some small chunks. Stir in 2 tablespoons of minced onion, 1 fresh minced Serrano or Jalapeno pepper, ½ teaspoon of salt, and the juice of ½ a lemon or lime (bottled juice works fine). Makes about 1 ½ cups; serve within 30 minutes of preparation.

Posted 25 Mar 2007 in Home; Recipes | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Here’s the weekly dose of cool web finds from our stylish blog partners:

An amazing twins photo from Babyfaces (shown; warning – full sized photo may induce ovulation!). A cool new way to stash your stuffed animals, from Coochicoos. A review of Wife in the Fast Lane from Classy Mommy. A pediatrician’s perspective on pain, from Clever Parents. Two great new shoe styles from Crocs, from One Chic Mama. A roundup of stylish baby carriers, from SheFindsMom. A feature on Babycakes of Scottsdale, creating shower gifts that take the cake, from The Stylish Child. And in the celebrity corner: from the Celebrity Baby Blog, a review of the Phil & Ted E3 stroller, and photos of the refreshingly normal Jennifer Garner and daughter Violet Affleck. And news about Gwen Stefani’s upcoming concert tour to raise funds to benefit children's charities, from Celebrity Moms. Happy surfing!

Posted 23 Mar 2007 in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups; Gear | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

These days, weekend gatherings with our friends and their kids tend to zone in on the brunch window; the timing works for various nap patterns, the prep is simple, and the food suits kids and adults. One easy and yummy go-to recipe in our brunch arsenal is the Sour-Cream Banana Coffee Cake from Real Simple (shown; click thumbnail to enlarge).

My only revisions include not bothering to chop the chips (forgoing the extra step and associated cleanup with extra chips), and dispersing the chocolate-nut sugar and batter more loosely than by thirds (to better spread around the good stuff). Also, using ripe, frozen bananas in this and other banana bread recipes improves the taste. Just let the frozen bananas thaw in a dish, or defrost them in the microwave, before use.

Posted 23 Mar 2007 in Home; Recipes | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

The working mom balancing act is complicated enough without contradiction and irony littering the path. Today, without childcare, I was reminded of a recent unsettling discovery: the household is in much better shape on days when I am home with Laurel.

Perhaps this is just a function of a unique window in our lives, where we only have one kid who now enjoys independent play, or who is at a stage where we can chat and I can entertain her even if she isn’t sitting right on my lap. Or maybe Laurel’s penchant for stirring tuna fish and helping dump laundry out of the dryer has something to do with it. Whatever the factors, by lunch, a few days worth of tuna was made, the laundry done, the sink cleared, the living area straightened, and I even prepped some veggies for dinner while Laurel finished up lunch. Come to think of it, we also did a quick grocery and birthday present run this morning. Bizarre.

I don’t want to give up my work or Laurel’s school pals right now, so I guess I’ll just enjoy the tidiness today; no doubt the chaos will be back in full force tomorrow.

Posted 22 Mar 2007 in Mama in the Workplace | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

As someone who spent a decade in research, I can collect a mean pile of data. As a new parent, I jotted Laurel’s nursing, diapering, sleep, and solid food habits in a blank lab journal. I used an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of gifts so I wouldn't forget to thank people (I fear that if/then functions and conditional color formatting may have been involved). I created overly complicated Word summaries to provide to the rare sitter who came to look after Laurel. In short, I could have saved myself a lot of time, and had far more legible records, had I known about Baby Daze.

Created by a professional organizer and her husband, this all in one log book offers easy to follow worksheets (with nice sample sections for guidance) to help you track all of the important but forgettable-as-a-function-of-frequency elements of baby care (feeding & diapering, sleeping, pumping, solid food) in addition to other important details (milestones, gifts, medical information, contact information). It’s compact enough to tote on the go, and can serve to jog your memory (or resolve disputes…I always tried to soft pedal negative data and Jon was quick to refute) when you are answering your pediatrician's questions at those early, sleep deprived well visits.

Each section is well designed and easy to use, but we especially love that you can: collect data for a single baby or twins, keep track of which side you nursed or pumped on, chart your fresh vs. frozen milk supply and usage, and track solid food habits for both baby and mom; the latter of which no doubt will provide quantitative evidence that it’s time to hire a sitter and treat yourself to a nice meal out.

Posted 21 Mar 2007 in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

My sister-in-law Estelle, an avid recycler who has played a large part in keeping Laurel dressed via hand-me-downs, passed on word about an amazing consignment event in Albany, NY. Yes, this stretches our loose definition of “local,” but readers in Western MA, NY, and even bordering VT and CT could make the trek easily.

Pass It On is a twice-yearly consignment event where you can sell your children's outgrown items and shop for new and gently worn items at bargain prices. The March consignment period has passed, but the event - with over 400 consignors - is open to the public tomorrow through Saturday. And keep you eye on future dates; consignors, volunteers, and first time parents get special shopping windows. Estelle also said that the organizer is thinking about hosting a similarly organized sale in Boston. Keep your eco fingers crossed!

Pass It On Sale at The Albany Academy, 135 Academy Road, Albany, NY

Posted 21 Mar 2007 in Eco Living | Permalink | Comments (2) | E-mail this link

Laurel recently has decided to make her opinion of my periodic “thrill of the bid” shopping habits known; she yells “Ebay!” then laughs hysterically.

The shopping does serve a function, though. I recently picked up a 10-piece set of Russian nesting dolls on Ebay (we discovered while visiting relatives that she loves the nesting and un-nesting) and they have been a huge hit with Laurel and her older toddler friends (i.e., the ones past the stage of mouthing everything).

And in addition to offering impressive practice with shape sorting, matching, and hand/eye coordination, Laurel’s curiosity has resulted in a lot of conversation about artists (“Who made these dolls?”), the Russian Federation (“Where are these dolls from?”), and culturally oriented craftsmanship (“Why do Russian artists make these?”). When we’re not engaged in Q&A, the dolls also have kept Laurel busy independently to give me a little time to prep dinner, pick up around the house, or check my e-mail.

Posted 20 Mar 2007 in Art Supplies & Toys | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

When I was a kid, birthday parties were just immediate family, due in part to the facts that: 1) there were barely enough chairs for our household of 7 kids, parents, and grandparents; 2) activities like sleepovers, field trip chaperoning, and friend birthday parties were off my parents’ cultural radar; and 3) our home was in a fairly steady state of disrepair and disarray.

And while Laurel’s birthday guest list tends to be long due to the many wonderful friends and family we have in the area, part of me is acutely aware that the reason I become, for example, a lunatic baker around her birthday is pure residual overcompensation. I don’t need my therapist to tell me that.

My mama pal Erica recently pointed me to Birthdays Without Pressure, an interesting website charged with launching local and national dialog about why children’s birthday parties have gotten out of control, what the consequences are for kids and parents, and what to do about it. In addition to user interactive elements, they offer a host of ideas for reducing party pressure. I also learned from a friend of Erica’s (thanks Amy from Northampton!) of some terrific pressure-free party ideas, including having joint parties for playgroup pals, and forgoing presents in favor of book swaps, a kids recipe exchange, giving flower seeds for a garden, or – and I love this one – asking each friend to bring a picture to make a buddy collage for the birthday child.

Posted 20 Mar 2007 in Development & Behavior; Kid's Parties | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

The seasons are, blissfully, officially about to change, and no doubt your child’s wardrobe is due for some spring cleaning. It’s the perfect time to check out the fresh designs of Little Lark.

Based out of Portland, Oregon, Little Lark’s collection includes a variety of designs, most of which show clear inspiration from nature. Designs are letterpressed onto note cards, or are hand silk-screened onto snuggly soft, sweatshop free, 100% cotton shirts, onesies, pants, and hats (for babies and toddlers; big kid and adult sizes are forthcoming). Onesies and shirts also come with a gift-ready, reusable muslin bag that adds to the rich, organic feel.

With plenty of snow and ice still on the ground, the spring promise of the Geese Tee (shown, $24-$26) is especially welcome.

Posted 19 Mar 2007 in Eco Living; Fashion; For Little Ones | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Back in graduate school I had a research assistant who tried to help back up my data while I was away at a conference and ended up deleting one of my dissertation experiments entirely (also known as “data lost due to technical difficulties” in the academic literature).

I’ve been a multiple copy backup hound ever since, and whether you share those habits, or need inspiration to take care of this tedious but critical task, check out the chic, patterned Mixit CD Stickers from See Jane Work ($7.50 for 8). These lovely labels no doubt will inspire your own data protection system, or make for a cool finish for music, photo, or video CD gifts for family and friends.

Posted 19 Mar 2007 in Gifts & Paper; Home | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Classic New England. Lull your residents into submission with a few days of spring weather, then hit them with another dose of winter.

If you’re in need of a fun indoor activity this slushy weekend, check out this week’s On The Farm feature from Kids Craft Weekly. Laurel – who loves singing Mary Had a Little Lamb and Baa Baa Black Sheep – went crazy over the Wild and Woolly Sheep project (shown, from KCW). This project is ultra low maintenance, easy to knock together with little other than basic bathroom supplies. And as if in homage to her urban exposure to animals, Laurel pointed out that we ought to make a fire hydrant to go with the sheep, which we executed by taping construction paper to a toilet paper roll, then rolling and taping a paper cone for the top.

Posted 17 Mar 2007 in Arts & Crafts; Home | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

We’ve recently partnered up with some fellow stylish bloggers to bring you a weekly dose of cool web finds for your weekend reading. This week’s treats include:

A very fetching round up of the best-fitting, figure-flattering maternity jeans, from SheFindsMom. Kudos for Babyproofing Your Marriage, from OneChicMama. Tips on how to use color to inspire kids, from Coochicoos. The peaceful deal behind the names of Angelina Jolie’s kids, from CelebrityMoms. And the baby photo of the week, from Babyfaces.

Posted 16 Mar 2007 in Books & Entertainment; Decor & Furniture; Fashion; For Grownups; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Home | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Inquiring minds want to know about the double burner griddle that’s perfectly sized to cook an entire batch of chicken tenders (posted earlier this week).

Ours was purchased at Williams-Sonoma with generous gift credit; you can get a comparable model for less via the Kitchen Essentials from Calphalon Griddle ($59.99 at Target). Along with our panini press, the double griddle is one of the workhorses of our kitchen. The only time it has moved farther than the stovetop to kitchen sink was when we moved house.

Posted 16 Mar 2007 in Gadgets; Home | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

It’s never too late to go to Harvard.

For parents interested in learning more about how babies and kids perceive musical features and other auditory materials, contact the Auditory Cognition and Development Lab at Harvard (director Erin Hannon is a new mama herself and a colleague from my days in the field). This lab conducts short studies for infants, toddlers, and elementary school aged children to learn about how the perception of melody, rhythm and other auditory stimuli develops over time. Parents will receive information about the goals of the study their child is participating in, as well as follow-up newsletters outlining the results. Parents also can request a DVD of their child participating in the study.

UPDATE 8/7/07: Erin Hannon has moved to the University of Nevada.

UPDATE 11/20/07: Rebecca from Medford wrote in regarding Harvard’s Laboratory for Developmental Studies (the arm in which the Hannon lab used to reside). She writes, “My older daughter participated in a couple of studies when she was a baby. They were simple activities where she was held on her dad's lap and shown pictures of adults with different emotional facial expressions. I think it is interesting work and I like being able to help with the research…My new baby is going to help by participating in a study next week. They are looking for infants that are 3-4 months old and they are having trouble finding enough young babies.”

To learn more about participating (infants, toddlers, and kids welcome), click here.

Posted 15 Mar 2007 in Childcare & Education; Local | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

With kids on the go, it’s typically tough to resist the convenience of carb heavy snacks. But now toting healthy fruit snacks that kids will love (and won't get mushy or bruised in transit) is a snap.

From the original makers of fruit leather comes FruitaBü Organic Smoooshed Fruit. Offered in flats (fruit wedges) and twirls (unwrap and unroll fruit sheets), these no-mess snacks are made from organic fruits and fruit juices, with no added sugar, hydrogenated oils, or other preservatives or artificial flavors. These snacks are intended for kids, but grownups will want to sneak some into their lunch too.

Available nationwide in natural health food stores and major grocery chains.

Posted 15 Mar 2007 in Feeding & Nursing | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

It’s the perfect pairing in a way; a mom who couldn’t possibly have prepared for what lay ahead and a mom on a mission to help parents be prepared on a daily basis. The former is Jordana Holovach, a mom who, in the face of her son Jacob’s struggle with Canavan disease (a degenerative birth disorder with severe physical and perceptual consequences), founded Jacob’s Cure to raise awareness and funds for clinical research. The latter is Stacie Mindich-Jordan, the mom behind BabyDish’s BabyBeReady Diaper Bag Survival Kit, a baby essentials tote that helps take some of the guesswork out of on the go infant care.

Inspired by Holovach’s passionate fight and Jacob’s bright smile (he is beating the odds at age 10), Mindich-Jordan created the Jacob's Cure Smiley Bag (shown), a limited edition addition to her line of waterproof, compact diaper bags that can be purchased empty ($45-$50) or fully loaded with gear stowed neatly in the two inner zipped sections ($99; includes onesie, sun hat, bib, burp cloth, diapers, changing pad, travel wipes, rattle, bottle, and pacifier). Not only will you have peace of mind in being prepared, but you’ll feel good knowing that 40% of the proceeds from this bag go directly to Jacob’s Cure.

Posted 14 Mar 2007 in Diapers & Potty; Gear | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

From day one, Laurel has been utterly (sometimes maddeningly) discriminating when it comes to the origin of her nutrients. She waged a fierce battle over taking breastmilk from a bottle (guess who ultimately lost that one…), and flat out refused to eat jarred baby food after months of exposure to homemade food. Once she hit toddlerhood, I repeatedly tried to entice her with store bought chicken nuggets (or other easy freezer items) to no avail.

One day we had little else other than chicken breast, eggs, and breadcrumbs in the fridge so I decided to make chicken tenders for the grownups. I didn't expect Laurel to respond favorably since she had shown little interest in meat, but she went crazy over them, particularly served with San-J Sweet & Tangy sauce (shown; click thumbnail to enlarge). These tenders now are a weekly staple, served with rice and vegetables.

To prepare the tenders, slice chicken breast (one whole breast – about 1 pound – is enough for 2 adults and 1 toddler, plus some leftovers) into pieces about ¼ inch thick and place in a bowl. Crack an egg over the chicken and mix to coat. Pour some breadcrumbs (we use Ian’s Italian Panko Breadcrumbs, shown) in a separate bowl and mix with a little salt. Heat a skillet at medium heat and thinly coat with olive oil (we have a terrific double burner griddle that allows us to do the entire batch at once). Coat chicken pieces in breadcrumbs and fry until golden and cooked through, about a minute or so on each side.

I can hardly blame Laurel for wanting homemade. These tenders are fabulous, and the leftovers do well either cut up in little chunks for her school lunch, or in pressed panini sandwiches layered with avocado, tomato, and cheese.

Posted 13 Mar 2007 in Home; Recipes | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

It’s always a bit of a retail bummer when you find a design you love that’s unavailable in the right size or styling for the season. That’s why we love the customization offered by Makrista Baby.

Makrista features a lovely collection of whimsical, watercolor style designs that can be applied to a variety of 100% cotton clothing styles and accessories (0-36 months). Images can be screen-printed onto pebble or white garments, or placed against rich, hand-dyed colors via their cool new distressed patches (images are sewn on the chest; wording at the back neckline). During these troubled times, the “World Peace” graphic (shown on a short-sleeved romper; $30; click thumbnail to see detail) brings hope.

Posted 13 Mar 2007 in Fashion; For Little Ones | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Although I always will carry my bridesmaid memories with me, I plan on finding use for all of my attendant dresses at least by the turn of the next decade.

Laurel loves playing dress up at school, so yesterday I decided to put some of my bridesmaid pieces to work after a collective decade of dormancy. While the colors, fabrics, and silhouettes of a couple of the dresses do, in fact, offer Project Runway inspired recycling potential, the dated bolero jacket from one dress was ready to go, as was another dress that was beyond recycling. I cut the latter off at the hips to accommodate its new owner and attached a tie to the remaining skirt piece to make a shiny, red cape. The recycled garments were a huge hit, and now I can mentally move the money I had planned on spending on dress up clothes towards some fabulous spring fashion to fill my empty hangers. Ah, crafty parenting...

Posted 12 Mar 2007 in Home; Solutions | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

Sometimes (particularly after a stretch of indulgent eating) serving as a fashion consultant to a friend is more fun than shopping for yourself. Yesterday I had great fun hitting the maternity pavement with a girlfriend desperately in need of bumpworthy business attire.

After checking out Target and Kohl’s, both of which have a few business separates options but are better suited for casual wear, we hit the jackpot at Destination Maternity in Natick. Surprisingly not overwhelming in square footage, this one-stop shopping location includes retail areas each for Motherhood, Mimi Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, Destination Maternity, and Edamame Spa, which ensures satisfying a range of budgets and clothing styles, whether you are in the market for a $10 basic vs. $300 designer dress.

Destination Maternity offers a small number of physical locations around the country; the Natick store gets a thumbs up for including a play area for kids and a spacious lounge area for weary shoppers and shopping partners. They also offer free fitness and pre/postpartum classes in their learning studio (check the site's store location section for class schedules).

Destination Maternity, 104 Worcester Road (Rte 9, eastbound side), Natick; Tel: 508-653-1605

Posted 12 Mar 2007 in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Local; Pre & Postnatal Services; Retail | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Regular readers may know that Jon and I have developed skepticism about the ability to have a relaxed meal out with a busy two-year-old in establishments other than cafes or diners. But last night we tried again, and Laurel rewarded us by being an angelic dinner companion for nearly an hour and a half at Tamarind House in Porter Square.

It’s possible that the 15-minute post-nap tantrum over Laurel’s distaste for wearing pants depleted her crazy mojo reserve; or perhaps she’s just growing into a more mature dining out buddy. Those possibilities aside, a few other factors no doubt helped the cause. We hope these "dining dos" will prove useful for your future family dining:

1) Dine early to facilitate quick service. We were seated shortly after 5:30pm; appetizers arrived minutes after we ordered them, thus quickly engaging Laurel in her beloved dumplings. 2) Booths rock. In addition to serving to sequester Laurel (she can’t resist climbing up and down repeatedly on regular chairs), these particular booths were high backed, so Laurel wasn’t tempted to play with the people sitting behind us (as in Know Your Limits). 3) Interesting décor helps. Tamarind House isn’t terribly ornate, but they do have some pretty colored lamps and other accoutrements that Laurel was excited to check out. We walked her around during the brief intervals while we were waiting for food to arrive to give her a break from sitting. 4) Mix it up. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees and the pacing and variety of the food worked beautifully. All told Laurel ate an astonishing pile of brown rice, spring rolls, dumplings (5 of them!), and baby corn. She was so content that we even stayed for dessert. And she was so chill after that that we even had time to stroll down the block to get mama a café au lait at Simon's before heading home.

We’re by no means setting this experience as the bar for future outings, but we are still relishing in the glow of having had a fun and relaxing outing as a family while enjoying real adult food and no dishes to clean up at home.

Tamarind House, 1790 Mass. Ave., Cambridge; Tel: 617-491-9940

Posted 11 Mar 2007 in Feeding & Nursing; Food & Drink; Local | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

If you’ve been agonizing over baby gear options and are ready to get your game face on this weekend, check out the American Baby Faire at the Bayside Expo Center (10am – 5pm Saturday & Sunday). This Babies R Us sponsored event will include product demos and seminars, entertainment, and activities for kids. Admission is $8 for adults; grandparents and kids under 12 are admitted free ($3 admission coupons are available at Babies R Us stores). Eat your Wheaties before you head to this extravaganza.

Bayside Expo Center, 200 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester; Tel: 617-474-6000

Posted 9 Mar 2007 in Fun Indoors; Local | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

For chic diapering on the go, reader Sophie from New York, NY wrote in with high praise for the Rio Grande Toddler Change Pad from Pineapple Cove (shown; $50 at the amazing art and design collective Trunkt). Featuring an oversized zipper pocket to securely hold diapers and wipes, and thick padding to comfortably cushion your baby, the interior is waterproof and the pad folds from 34 x 13” to 7.5 x 13” and secures with a Velcro closure. Click here to see Trunkt’s full collection of change pads and diaper wallets from Pineapple Cove.

Posted 9 Mar 2007 in Diapers & Potty; Gear | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

One of Laurel’s school pals eats waffles every morning for breakfast and subsequently always smells distinctly like a sweet puddle of maple syrup. This little guy thus ought to be thrilled that March is maple sugaring time in New England.

This weekend your kids can learn that maple syrup has a life beyond the breakfast aisle via demos at Brookwood Farm in the Blue Hills Reservation and at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Click each link for admission and schedule details; the Brookwood link also includes additional maple sugaring programs offered this month by the Mass DCR.

Blue Hills Reservation, 695 Hillside Street, Milton; Tel: 617-698-1802 & Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield; Tel: 978-887-9264

Posted 8 Mar 2007 in Fun Outdoors; Local | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Although I initially was among those new parents wary of pacifiers, Laurel was so orally fixated as an infant that there were many moments where I desperately wished she would take a pacifier so I could have my pinky (or breast) back. She would have none of the plastic stuff.

Perhaps she would have changed her tune with one of the cute Plush Pacifiers from Baby Dagny. Their exclusively designed WubbaNub pacifier is attached to any of a host of small cuddly critters that little hands will want to hold onto, thus keeping the pacifier in the mouth, not on the ground (shown, the Ultimate Shower Set 7pk included in this year’s Oscar swag bags; $72). These plush pacifiers are machine washable, suitable for babies from 2 months to 2 years, and are offered in a variety of set size/animal combos, starting at two for $29.

Posted 8 Mar 2007 in Gear | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Coping with sibling rivalry is an expected part of the parenting journey, but what a drag for one of my mama pals that their first experience with rivalry presented itself in the form of poop smeared all over the crib formerly belonging to the older sibling, likely not coincidentally following the baby sister’s first snooze in the crib.

ParentCenter and AskDrSears offer useful advice on how to cope with sibling rivalry by preparing and involving the older sibling before and after the baby arrives. Related to my friend’s experience, ParentCenter notes that aggressive behavior, particularly from 2 year olds, is common. It seems that communication will be the big challenge; you need to find a way to encourage the sibling to talk about their feelings of jealousy and anger and relate that it is normal to feel this way (but not acceptable to act out towards the younger sibling), while curbing your own fuming and potential urge to punish (which could invoke more aggressive behavior). Click here for our post on time-outs, which may serve well in situations like this.

Posted 7 Mar 2007 in Development & Behavior | Permalink