Dear Readers: In my quest for better balance, I have decided to take my first Internet vacation ever. My person, family, and sore eyeballs and forearms need the R & R, and I’ll be back posting lots of fabulous content next week. Meanwhile, if you need your Boston Mamas fix, scroll down to peruse our archived topics in the left column. There are almost 1200 back posts to amuse you. Have a great week!

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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Congratulations to all of the winners of our amazing online birthday giveaway series, and thanks to the thousands of readers who entered the contests and left supportive, thoughtful, and sometimes very amusing feedback! We also are hugely grateful to our fabulous sponsors for their generosity and help celebrating our second year; please be sure to visit their pages if you haven’t yet had a chance to do so.

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Moms’ Buzz offers tips for spending less when shopping for back to school necessities. Clever Parents features clever ideas for healthy school lunches. Modern Mom announces the launch of their mom groups, where you can meet other moms at exclusive Moms Night Out events, play dates, and more. In honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, One Chic Mama features two pumping solutions. And you could win a $100 giggle shopping spree at MomFinds.

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Family Issues; Feeding & Nursing
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Babies – in all their cute chubbiness – are irresistibly cuddly, but can be challenging to dress. That’s why Happy Panda came to being; this clothing and accessories line is specially sized for bigger babies, making it easier to shop beyond antiquated growth charts. Today, Happy Panda contributes to our online birthday party with a $100 gift certificate to be used on any of their tagless baby clothing or diaper cakes. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

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Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers healthy back to school lunch tips:

“During a family fishing expedition one summer, despite our best efforts, we were unable to catch anything, even though the boat next to us was reeling in fish every time we looked. Clearly, there was something we weren't doing right. As a man from the next boat yelled over to us, "What kind of bait are you using?" a crazy thought entered into my mind: Feeding children is a lot like fishing – you have to have the right lure, or they won't bite.

Packing desirable school lunches is a lot like the fine art of selecting an appealing lure while fishing. Try some of these stress-free strategies for packing lunches that are healthy for your kids and the environment. They'll be sure to bite!

General Strategies

To be honest, as a kid, I always was more excited about back to school supplies than school itself, and something like the Lands’ End Cordura StudyHaul backpack probably would have sent me into blissful organizational overdrive. This sturdy pack is all about access, featuring a wide mouthed central section for books, a deep front pocket to stash frequently used items, and two zippered side pockets that run the height of the backpack, each loaded with compartments to keep supplies in order. The pack also features an MP3/CD player pouch & cord port and comfy, padded shoulder straps; there’ll be no forgetting homework at school if it’s loaded in this cool pack.

Want to win this Lands’ End backpack? Here’s how:

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In my unofficial role as green parenting guru, I was pleased to provide a guest column on Teaching Green to Preschoolers, over at The Savvy Source, a site that focuses on raising preschoolers. Most of the ideas actually are applicable to kids of all ages. Enjoy!

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Family Issues
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I love body products - the delicious smells, the pretty packaging, the pampered feeling. And there’s a cool new collection on the block in Honeydew, a paraben, preservative, dye, and fragrance free line packed with natural goodness and formulated especially for expecting and new moms. Creamy in composition and yummy in natural scent, my top picks are the Balmy Mommy belly balm, which offers on the go itch relief via its glide on applicator, and the C-Scar Therapy cream, which helps reduce the appearance of surgical scars, partially thanks to - of all things - onion extract.

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Pregnancy & Postpartum
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The skort concept isn’t just handy for jungle gym climbing tots. Whether you’re hitting the yoga studio, hiking trail, or local barista, you’ll be cute, concealed, and eco-conscious in the Love Yoga Skirt from BECKONS Organic. And today, BECKONS contributes to our online birthday party with this flippy and fun skirt, which features contrast shorts underneath and is constructed of 93% organic cotton/7% lycra. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

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Today, Kate reports on the family friendly benefits of the minor league:

“My toddler daughter loves to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, a favorite at her daycare center, and a good choice – slowed down and with a bluesy tone – for bedtime. I wanted to give her the real experience this summer, but she’s too young and too active for the claustrophobic intensity of Fenway Park. So, we tested out two minor league parks instead – LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Massachusetts (home of the Spinners) and Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine (home of the Sea Dogs) – and found that they’re great for both adults and kids, even really young ones.

Both parks are small, tickets are inexpensive, and the mood is invariably relaxed and easy-going. No one complains if you stand up a lot, no one yells swears at the opposing team, and no one objects to a quick diaper-change in the stands. The innings are punctuated with sideshow entertainment – frisbee-catching dogs, raffles, go-kart races, mascots of all stripes, and even a dancing toothbrush – and kids are allowed to run the bases after Sunday games at LaLacheur Park (and unlike the players, kids aren’t required to touch all the bases).

LaLacheur has the added attraction of a miniature amusement park immediately next to the field, and my daughter spent several happy innings enjoying the moon bouncer there. Minor league baseball may not be the best choice if you want to see top-notch baseball, but it’s a great family way to spend a summer afternoon or evening, to introduce your child to America’s pastime, and to pick up some fun giveaways. Plus, fans get to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, just like in the majors.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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In our house, talk of fall inevitably leads to talk of Halloween, which leads to my fretting over ways to enhance Laurel’s costume for warmth on what's typically a very chilly and spooky night. Luckily, there's a super cute and functional solution from BabyLegs, the folks who made leg (and arm) warmers cool again. I got a sneak peek at their Punkin’ and Itsy Bitsy designs (shown here; forthcoming on their site), and as with the rest of their stylish collection (which includes a delicious organics line), these warmers are great for accessorizing, protecting crawling knees, and foregoing tights for easier diapering and potty trips. But the fall designs in particular are perfect for keeping little limbs cozy, both on the playground and while scavenging for loot.

Want to win a BabyLegs gift set? Here’s how:

This weekend I hosted my mom’s birthday party, and since Koreans tend to make a hearty meal spread then opt for fruit or lighter desserts following, I made this Strawberry Cake Roll for the birthday cake. I clipped this recipe from Real Simple several years ago and have made it many times since; it's Jon’s favorite cake, and everyone at the party went berserk over it.

This cake is airy light in construction (but not necessarily calories, given the whipped cream…) and is easy to make if you use a standing mixer (otherwise beating the egg whites to peak and making the whipped cream is tedious with a hand mixer). Since we had a gathering of 19, I actually made two of these cake rolls and they were devoured in entirety. One of my sisters brought a giant fruit salad, and it was nice to add extra berries to the dessert too.

Baking notes: If you have a Silpat mat, you can use that in place of parchment paper. Also, I recommend checking the cake at 10 minutes, which was sufficient baking time in my oven. You want the edges to be done but not too crispy; otherwise the cake may crack and break when you roll it in the dishtowel.

Image credit: Real Simple

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Home; Recipes
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If you’re looking to transform a room instantly without breaking a sweat (or your pristine walls), consider wall decals, one of the most brilliant décor inventions ever. Fun to See's giant, removable, reusable stickers offer plenty of inspiration for room makeovers with hammer-free ease, and today, Fun To See contributes to our online birthday party by providing one each of their Outer Space, Jungle Safari, and Funky Flowers makeover kits (3 winners). To enter to win, simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on which kit you’d love to own.

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

Moms’ Buzz offers safety tips for riding with a child on an adult bicycle. One Chic Mama previews fall fashion's passion for the color purple. And you could win a Target summer gear set over at Modern Mom, and a Mom4Life $50 shopping spree over at MomFinds.

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Gear
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Kids are amazingly flexible and busy, so why not fuel their movement curiosity with a little yoga? Today, Namaste Baby contributes to our online birthday party with a 45-minute Itsy Bitsy Yoga birthday party or playgroup class for a group of up to 12 children, aged 3 weeks through 4 years old (value = $200!). This complimentary class will take place at the winner’s locale, provided it’s within a 20-mile radius of Arlington, MA. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

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If you love a good neighborhood block party, this weekend (Aug. 16, 12 - 4pm) visit the West End Children's Festival in Boston. Cozy like a block party but larger in scale, this event will celebrate art, culture, and community with entertainment and activities. Free to the public, the festival's sponsor proceeds will benefit children’s programming in the West End and surrounding communities.

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Kids aren’t the only ones who need back to school supplies. And to get organized for fall (or any time of year really…), there’s the Mom's Ultimate Family Organizer from Mommy Track'd. Designed to help moms keep it together, this stylish binder includes calendar, directory, and planning pages, as well as sticky notes and tear-out lists to keep organized on the go. Today, Mommy Track’d contributes to our online birthday party with a copy of the Mom's Ultimate Family Organizer. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

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Today, I’m thrilled to welcome new contributor Kristin Chalmers, a fabulously creative mama who will contribute content on everything from her gear obsessions to useful local finds and services. Today, Kristin reports on her favorite non-diaper diaper bag, the Patagonia's Lightweight Travel Tote:

“To start, I’ll put it in the most basic terms: I am a pathetic gearhead. I love all things gear, whether it’s for babies, kids, or grownups. I have a Mac (which my 4-year-old son has mastered), am a slave to my Ipod, and would rather be trampled by elephants than give up my TiVO. And of course as a mom of two, my biggest obsession is baby gear. I love it all, and love sharing my gear research with other moms. Today, I’ll start by reporting on a great non-diaper diaper bag.

When I had Robert, my first, I was living in Los Angeles. I can’t even begin to tell you the magnitude of baggage (here I’m referring to accessory, not emotional) for mamas out there. It’s insane. I had friends with Louis Vitton bags, Kate Spade bags, and even Gucci diaper bags. I drooled over them all but couldn’t fathom spending over $1000 on a bag that was going to hold soiled diapers and clothes. I may be materialistic in ideology but I’m practical in reality.

As a new mom, I quickly learned that the bigger the diaper bag, the more you put in it. I was carrying around extra bottles, changes of clothes, too many diapers, a whole container of wipes, binkies, loveys, toys, etc… none of which I ever ended up needing. My bag was so heavy it outweighed my kid. So when I had my second son this year, I vowed to pack less and streamline. But, I also have the challenge of packing to keep things simple for the baby, while still having room for a toddler snack and sippy and my personal effects.

The answer: Patagonia's Lightweight Travel Tote. It’s really not a diaper bag, but a simple and very lightweight knapsack. It’s constructed of triple-ripstop silicone nylon (think your LeSport sack from junior high) so it’s totally tear resistant, while the bottom of the bag features a durable water repellent finish, which is great when you need to put it…well anywhere. The main zippered compartment is super roomy, and the bag has an adjustable drawstring lock, so little hands can’t rummage through your stuff. Located inside and out are large zippered pockets so you can separate your keys, wallet, and other goodies. And, there are two ample sized mesh pockets on either side for sippy cups, bottles, etc. You can hand carry or wear as a backpack. The shoulder straps - which stow away - are really comfy as well as ultra light, breathable, and quick drying. The bag comes in a variety of colors, weighs less than 12 ounces, and measures 13.5" x 12.5" x 8".

Now, keep in mind that this is not a glamorous bag, but like I say about minivans, sexy they are not, but man is it practical. And don’t get me wrong. I would never turn down a Gucci diaper bag, but I would probably come back to the Patagonia knapsack when all is said and done.

I got my bag at Wild Child in Arlington, or you can visit the downtown Patagonia, or purchase it online.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Gear
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Few things are cheerier than a plate brimming with creatively cut and decorated cookies, and you can get just that - in an amazing variety of themed sweetness - at Fancypants Bakery. This Boston-area cookie line is nut-free, made from scratch, and hand-decorated to perfection, and today Fancypants Bakery contributes to our online birthday party with their Beach Party 12-cookie gift box. This colorful assortment of flip-flop, sun, and watermelon designed cookies no doubt will make you wish it was summer all year long. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

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Welcome to the 6th installment of Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they be entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents, authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Jill Notkin, owner of Alex Casey Baby, and busy blogger. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Jill Notkin, Owner, Alex Casey Baby & blogger

Christine: Tell us a little bit about your background Jill. My understanding is that you used to sell semiconductors before becoming an e-tailer and blogger. What was the path that led you to semiconductor sales?

Jill: When I finished journalism school, I was journalism’d out. I needed a change. I was offered a job at a public relations firm and at a company marketing semiconductors. Believe it or not, I took the marketing position and I learned more about business in those few years than I ever thought I would. It definitely paved the path to where I am today.

Christine: Now you’re an e-tailer and blogger. Let’s start with your online business, Alex Casey Baby. Obviously, your first daughter (after which the business is named) provided inspiration, but what was the catalyst for launching an online boutique (other than the fact that kid stuff is cuter than semiconductors)?

Jill: When I had Alex, I went back to my desk job with the stipulation that when it stopped being interesting and fun, I’d leave. An unfortunate reorganization of the company made it happen quickly and this, combined with an idea that I had sketched in my head of an upscale baby e-boutique, made it all easier. I had always wanted to bring to the public the beautiful and unique items that I enjoyed buying for my daughter, and this was a great way to do that.

Christine: I’ll be honest with you and tell you that I get pitched by a lot of e-boutiques; it seems like there is so much competition! What do you do to make your online boutique stand out from the rest?

Jill: First of all, Alex Casey Baby presents in a simple, uncluttered, and beautiful way. People love to peruse the easy-to-use categories to find the perfect gift. I also am extremely serious about customer service. I’ll spend as long as it takes on the phone with a customer to ensure he or she finds the perfect gift. Everything is packaged perfectly, whether it’s gift-wrapped or not; every item gets a special touch. Not all e-boutiques spend the time making sure their customers are 100% satisfied. Not to mention, our assortment of products is diverse and exceptional. Some, like the personalized towels and photo albums, are exclusive to Alex Casey Baby. I’ve also made a name for myself doing corporate gifts – most are baskets that are custom-made to the company’s specifications. They can be hand-delivered and are very personal. People really like this.

Christine: OK, this is an organizational curiosity question since I’ve talked to a lot of entrepreneurs who have either taken over their laundry rooms for storage/work space or literally work out of their closets (as in, office in a closet…). I assume you hold some product and drop ship other things. What room/area of your house has been taken over by product? And how on earth do you keep your little girls out of said area?

Jill: I absolutely inventory a ton of items. Luckily, I have an office in my home, though as my company grows, I’m being chased out of my office by cashmere sweaters and stroller blankets! While I don’t have a door (one can always dream!), I do have a gate, which my 2-year-old figured out within hours of it going up. I have lots of welcomed interruptions throughout the day!

Christine: Now, tell me about your work as Boston City Editor for The Savvy Source for Parents. How did you become connected with Savvy Source? And is the primary function of the site a database for regional preschooler resources, and then the Being Savvy Near You component adds the personal element?

Jill: I got the Savvy Source gig by being at the right place at the right time. A fellow Twitterer tweeted that she was in search of writers who had preschoolers and who lived in particular cities. I responded, submitted some sample pieces, and was hired. Within a week of being hired I had to submit 15 original pieces – I wondered what had I gotten myself into! While the initial work was intense, it’s now more scheduled and I am learning so much about my city and the activities and events within it.

Savvy Source for Parents was initially developed as the Internet’s first and most comprehensive resource for parents looking to navigate the enormous world of preschools. It has since branched out in other directions, with the most recent addition being the City Guides. The concept of the City Guides is to provide daily tips and interesting ideas on local educational resources from a local parent’s perspective. It’s not your run-of-the-mill activities, but sort of lesser known, or more personalized accounts of things in the city.

Christine: Between managing your e-boutique and blogging personally and for Savvy Source, you obviously spend a lot of time on your computer. When do you blog? Are you a wee hours of the night sort of person?

Jill: I keep really strange hours. In a typical day, I deal with whatever Alex Casey Baby stuff arises, like orders, marketing, and customers, I write at least one and up to three articles for Being Savvy, and I update my personal blog, The Daily Grind. Obviously I have to prioritize and my blog often takes a backseat to my other commitments, but I typically post four to five times per week. I’ve been known to tap away on the keyboard before the sun rises as well as long after my bedtime. I never imagined being a work-at-home-mom would be so busy!

Christine: You’re a work at home mom (WAHM). Do you have formal child care? And if you have limited or no child care, how do you juggle 2 under 2 with your work demands?

Jill: The first advice I always give to moms thinking about working from home is GET HELP! My kids have a nanny who watches them while I work, otherwise there’s no way I could accomplish anything during the day. But I have the best of both worlds – I can spend one hour writing and the next at a playgroup or splashing in the pool with the kids.

Christine: I hear from a lot of WAHM’s about the struggle of effectively creating a divide between work and home. Do you have any tips to share on this topic? What do you find are the most effective strategies for shutting off work mode when you are home?

Jill: I suffer from this as well. Truthfully, there is a very faint line between work and home since my family is usually home as I work. I very often get up in the middle of a piece to deal with meals or interrupt a conference call to comfort a crying child. My (very patient) husband has been known to come home after a long day at work to a wife who is holed up in the office and no dinner. So while there are plenty of perks, it is not without its challenges as well. When I shut down for the day, it’s because I’ve made a conscious decision to stop working and be done for the day.

Christine: I was interested to read that you are a native of Montreal, since I enjoyed several years in Canada while I did my Ph.D. Do you miss Canada? Do you still have family there? Did you want to return once you got pregnant so you could enjoy the traditional full year maternity leave?

Jill: I absolutely loved growing up in Montreal. It is, in my opinion, the best city in North America and if it didn’t have the uncertain political climate it has, we would still live there. The one thing they did get right though, is that full year of mat leave. I tearfully returned to work after a mere 15 weeks, and at that point I did wish for more. But I’m loving bringing my children up in Boston, where the culture is rich and diverse and the weather is a bit more temperate than Montreal’s.

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Jill: Boston has so much to offer for parents and kids. Beginning from the moment of conception, there are so many resources and this just continues for years! Also, there is so much to do in this city. We rarely have a weekend with nothing to do, even if we just hang out at the beach or on the Boston Common. I know my kids are enjoying growing up in Boston and we just have so much more exploring to do!

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Local
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As someone who consumes mostly water, fruit juices tend to be too sweet for me, and I found myself especially intolerant of intense sugar levels during pregnancy. And whether you’re pregnant, nursing, or actively chasing kids, here's a tasty new way to keep hydrated and vitamin infused. Glow Mama is more like flavored water than a fruit beverage, and this natural composition is low in calories and high in essential vitamins and minerals; among them, impressive amounts of fiber, vitamin C, and folic acid. The drink isn’t meant to replace your daily vitamin, but as someone who - despite the best of intentions - routinely forgets to take a multivitamin, Glow Mama is a great way to pack in nutrients on the go.

Want to win a Glow Mama 12-pack + eco-friendly blanket? Here’s how:

On a regular basis, I begrudge the absurd amount of time and energy we spend on grocery shopping. To get everything we need, we typically hit 3-4 stores, and I have talked to countless moms who share this inefficient routine. So when Stop & Shop invited me to learn more about their quantitative and qualitative overhaul, I was more than ready for a centralized shopping solution.

First, let me be frank and spell out our grocery conundrum. We are committed to natural, organic products but also can’t financially stomach shopping exclusively at Whole Foods, particularly when it comes to produce (this unfortunately means we end up compromising on produce sometimes). But we’ve found that we can’t shop exclusively anywhere else either; Shaw’s has Wild Harvest, but not as many options for organic produce. We love the affordability of Trader Joe’s, but the selection is small (although sometimes that can be a blessing with a kid in tow) and the produce can be limited and spotty. So, we typically hit Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods for natural dry goods, meats, and produce (if on sale at Whole Foods, or in decent condition at Trader Joe’s), Shaw’s for basics runs and when we compromise on produce, the local bodega when we just need a handful of quick items, and the farmer’s market when we have specific seasonal produce in mind. It makes my brain hurt just thinking about that routine.

Clearly, I’ve been primed for a grocery shopping miracle, but I was skeptical as to whether Stop & Shop would be able to deliver it. I’ll be the first to admit that I have long thought of this grocery store as stodgy, replete with hydrogenated oil-laden products, and with a produce section remarkably void of vaguely exotic produce. (My first and last time shopping at Stop & Shop involved a failed attempt to find basic Asian ingredients in their produce section in 2002.) But at last week’s online and print parenting media lunch at Rialto, I’ll admit that the Stop & Shop reps broke down my stereotypes. Here were the major points that impressed me:

Technology Overhaul

Stop & Shop is stodgy no more. Over the last couple of years they have undergone extensive analysis to figure out ways to improve their convenience (via technology) and to make their offerings quantitatively and qualitatively competitive with other grocery stores. They plan on implementing a number of time saving technological advancements throughout their stores by the end of August, including:

If you want to instill good hygiene and helping habits in your child, a step stool is a must, making easier everything from hand washing to kitchen helping to reaching that box of crayons on the counter “all by self.” And today, Spunky Sprout contributes to our online birthday party with their sleek, simian-inspired Slice Step Stool. This cool stool offers your child an extra foot of height and a built in handle to encourage independence and an improved point of view. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

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

Clever Parents offers advice on plane and train travel with small children. And you could win a pair of Robeez baby shoes at MomFinds, a Bone comic book gift pack from Moms’ Buzz, and an organic Simone hooded poncho over at One Chic Mama.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Development & Behavior; Fashion; For Little Ones
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It can be challenging for busy parents to pull together paper invitations in advance of events. And the next time you find yourself in this boat, consider sending a pretty e-card. Inventing Matilda offers a stylish collection of e-cards that can be personalized with text and photo, then sent as an e-mail attachment, posted on your blog or family website, or printed at your local photo shop. Today, Inventing Matlida contributes to our online birthday party by providing 10 winners with a personalized e-card of their choice. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

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Today, my girlfriend Leslie makes a special guest contribution, detailing a fun and simple Explorer Party she just threw for her son:

“I have two boys, and my oldest son Liam just turned 5. After attending a seemingly endless number of big parties at group venues (e.g., clay painting, climbing gym) with pizza and cake that no one ate, we decided we'd rather have a smaller party at home with a craft, a game, and lunch. Nothing too long so younger sibs could go home and nap, but lots of fun with time to do something creative, run around, and then sit and eat.

The party lasted about 2 hours, which was about enough time to hang out and before anyone started squabbling over toys, so everyone left happy. The craft and game were linked through an explorer theme: the kids made binoculars out of toilet paper rolls, and then used them in the scavenger hunt. The craft is not too long and complicated, adapts to both boys and girls, and to different ages in what materials you make available and how much time you devote to it during the party. The game is also pretty flexible - we played with two 3 year olds and 2 five year olds, but you could easily do this with a larger number, different ages, and both genders.

Explorer Binoculars

[Click thumbnail above to see enlarged picture of binoculars in action.]

For each child, you need 2 empty toilet paper rolls and a length of wool or ribbon. Then you need some shared craft supplies such as crayons, stickers, markers, feathers, etc. Keep in mind that you will be using the finished binoculars right away, so paint or lots of glue requiring drying time is not ideal. (Note: one option is using a glue gun, which should be handled by an adult since the glue gets very hot.)

For the 3 and 5 year olds, I stapled the two tubes side by side, one staple at each end. I then used a hole-punch to make a hole on the outer edge of each tube at one end, so I could string the ribbon through once the decorating phase was done. Then I laid out the supplies on the table for the kids to share (small pie tins work well for dividing supplies if sharing is an issue), with a set of unfinished binoculars at each place. The kids had a great time decorating the binoculars, and once they were finished, we made sure each one had the child's name on it, and strung the ribbon through the pre-punched holes. Older children may be capable of attaching the tubes together themselves, but this would add time to your craft.

Explorer Scavenger Hunt Game

Once the binoculars were made, I wanted to play a game in which the kids could use the binoculars they had just made. We gathered 9 household items such as a toy drum, dustpan, badminton racquet, teddy bear, kite, etc. and while the moms were helping the kids make the binoculars, the dads hid the objects out in the backyard. (Of course you could have these things hidden ahead of time, and if it rains then you could have them hidden around your house.)

Each child had a sheet with pictures of the items for them to find. I sketched simple line drawings of each object, but you could also use clip art or download simple images from the Internet. For older children, you could use smaller, harder to find items, and hide them in more difficult places. I glued the picture sheet to cardboard to make it easier for little hands to hang on to, and also to provide a hard surface so the child could check off items as they found them.

This was a great activity, especially outside, as kids could run around they yard, blowing off steam they had saved up while sitting and making the craft. The daddies supervised this game, while I stayed inside and changed the craft table into the lunch table. Don't underestimate the fun the kids had - Liam wanted to play this game again the next day.

Favor Bags

The weekend before the party we spent time with the boys painting brown paper bags with tempura paint to use as gift bags for party favors to give out at the end of Liam's party. It was a fun way to create an inexpensive gift bag while allowing me some fun creative time with the boys outside. The bags were filled with goodies like a ball you soak in water for pool time fun, glitter glue, stickers, and various other craft/toy items (no candy). To finish the bags, I folded over the top, double hole punched the folded over section and tied the bag closed with ribbon.

Expanding the Explorer Theme

You can add to the explorer theme by using explorer-type decorations (we just had balloons, my 5 year old's fave), a cake (two round cakes made to look like binoculars), and gift bags with bug catchers, magnifying glasses, and note pads for field notes. We found the kids were happy with what we did (the activities were age appropriate), and it was perfect for us since we don’t have the time or money for over the top parties.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Arts & Crafts; Home
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As an avid list maker, I start each day by jotting down 1-2 major and several minor (read: easy) to do items for the day. But I used to do this on envelope backs or scrap paper; basically, on sheets that quickly got buried under other things on my desk. That is, until I discovered the perfect solution in WallCandy Arts’ Chalkboard Circles. Part of WallCandy's clever chalkboard wall art series, these decals make for cool, graphic décor, are handy for covering up wall blemishes, and display your notes (or your kid’s doodles) in a prominent space. The generously sized circles come 4 to a pack, and the surface treatment makes it super easy to wipe off chalk (included) with the swipe of a fingertip. Who knew list making – and erasing – could be so fun?

Want to win a set of Chalkboard Circles? Here's how:

My fabulous artist friend Heather wrote in regarding a free family friendly event at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Tomorrow (August 7, 5 – 8pm) families can enjoy the last seasonal installment of the Gardner’s Neighborhood Nights. This celebration of lions will include live music, storytelling, craft activities, and a lion dance troupe.

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local
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It’s never too early to start incorporating green habits into your routine, and babies – with their perfect, delicious skin – offer excellent inspiration to live naturally. To get you started, today, Seventh Generation contributes to our online birthday party with their Natural Baby Starter Kit. This eco-friendly gift set includes chlorine-free diapers and wipes, natural laundry detergent, and a tote. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

Rules:

I love conducting interviews via Boston Mamas Rock!, but it was a real pleasure and honor to be interviewed as Woman of the Week on Betty Confidential, a website dedicated to women’s life stages and confidential social networking. Managing editor April Daniels Hussar asked all sorts of thought provoking questions; click here to read the interview, where we discussed everything from career changes, to the elusive working mom balance, to overcoming insecurities, to little known facts about the mama behind Boston Mamas.

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Family Issues; Mama in the Workplace; Web (Admin)
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Babies respond best to black and white, and kids love animals, so why not outfit the nursery - or any room in your home really - with a super cool safari print from Nagel Art & Co.? These images capture a timeless beauty and peace that no doubt will – at times – be strikingly similar to the expression of your own little zoo animal at home. Today, Nagel Art & Co. contributes to our online birthday party with their Giraffe print (24" x 24" - a $129.95 value!). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

Rules:

Earlier this year, Pampers provided 7 of my mamas with diapers and wipes to test across 11 kids from baby to preschool. The result was a thoughtful collective review on the pros and cons of various products across stages. I learned a lot from this review, and gained further insight into Pampers at their first mommy blogger meeting last week in Cincinnati.

Fourteen mom bloggers from across North America spent two days at Pampers Baby Care Headquarters, and at a general level, the experience was refreshingly similar to the Disney blogger event I participated in this spring in that it shed new light on a big brand that I assumed was solely focused on revenue. The folks I met at Pampers are deeply proud of their history within the framework of Procter & Gamble. Their research and development team works tirelessly on optimizing comfort for babies and usability for moms. And there’s an enormous amount of heart within their company; we met an amazing number of P & G “lifers” and learned about impressive global outreach efforts.

In a similar spirit to my Lessons from Disney report, here are the key points that struck me during the visit.

A rich, interconnected history. Our visit began with a tour of Procter & Gamble’s archives, which were fascinating from both vintage collector and brand identity perspectives. I had no idea how huge Procter & Gamble’s product umbrella was, and was particularly interested to learn about the scientific evolution of some of their products. Archivist Ed Rider showed us all sorts of interesting historical pieces (including wisps of John Wayne’s hair!), and described the following surprising cross-product development that emerged between laundry detergent, toothpaste, and osteoporosis treatment (Ed kindly re-translated these details to me via the e-mail below):

“One of the things that synthetic detergent does in the wash cycle is tie up the calcium in hard water to prevent the calcium from making fabric feel rough. This technology in Tide eventually made its way into tartar control Crest, where the calcium control technology helps prevent the calcium component of tartar from attaching to your teeth. Some doctors saw our research and patents in this area and hypothesized that this technology could also help control calcium in the human body. Making a very long story short, this led to the development of our osteoporosis drug Actonel.”

A passion for feedback. As a former experimental psychologist (married to someone with a degree in human factors engineering), I was truly impressed by Pampers’s dedication to usability feedback. One would think that they wouldn’t need to tweak a leading diaper right? Or that there wasn’t much else to tweak with a disposable diaper? We apparently were wrong on both counts. We visited the P & G Discovery Center, which essentially functions similarly to traditional psychology labs (minus the diapers of course). At the Discovery Center, local mothers come change their babies using various Pampers products and answer questions about fit, usage, and effectiveness. These moms are compensated for their time with gift cards to local grocery stores and they are welcome to bring older kids with them, who are able to play in the supervised Discovery Center day care.

A passion for product development. As I said, you wouldn’t think that modern diapers needed more tweaking, but we saw hard evidence to the contrary. The feedback generated by moms in the Discovery Center, coupled with innovations from the Pampers Research & Development team, fuel an impressive product development phase, where minute adjustments (to improve fit, comfort, absorbency, etc.) are rendered into daily prototype making sessions. We were welcomed into the actual lab where production line workers (working in pairs on either side of a diaper) assembled all the complex layers and pieces of the prototype diapers for testing in the Discovery Center. From a systems and operation perspective, it was amazing to see this level of hand crafting, and when we asked about the frequency with which they create prototypes, we were surprised to learn that it’s basically a full time ongoing process.

Focus on the future. Pampers's passion for product development is geared with an eye to meeting short and long term goals. We saw examples of recently rolled out improvements, such as an external wetness indicator (yellow stripe that turns green as diaper gets full) on the exterior of their newborn, 1, and 2 diapers. I found this development particularly handy, thinking back to my clueless days of new parenting, where I’d either stick a hand in Laurel’s diaper to check for wetness, or change countless diapers that weren’t really wet because it seemed as if schedule-wise, she should have peed in them by then. Liza Sanchez, Director of Product Development, answered my inquiries about eco-friendly future development; their team has immediate and long term goals (anywhere from 3 – 20 years in projected implementation), examples of which include identifying renewable sources for their products (immediate) and implementing part reusable/part disposable diapers (long term).

Committed to the environment. Regular readers know that I have become a bit of a green parenting guru, so of course I was the one piping up with questions about Pampers’s commitment to environmental practices and potential development for biodegradable diapers. Bruce Jones, Global Director of Product Quality, described Pampers’s life cycle approach; looking beyond the simple metric of landfill waste, and instead taking into account (and taking action on) factors such as reducing everything from material in the diapers, to packaging waste, to transport fuel, to production energy and water use. Bruce directed us to a very interesting (and surprising) independent environmental study - Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK - that was commissioned by environmental agencies in the United Kingdom (i.e., not affiliated with P & G).

The study compared disposable diapers vs. home laundered flat cloth diapers vs. commercially laundered prefolded cloth diapers delivered to the home, evaluating the life cycle environmental impacts of the various diapering methods during the first 2.5 years of a child’s life. For each method, the study considered the impact of the materials, chemicals, and energy consumed during the manufacturing and transportation process, use and disposal, and environmental emissions. I haven’t yet had a chance to sit down and sift through their analyses and data, but based on their summary conclusions, surprisingly, no system clearly had a better or worse environmental performance, although the different systems impacted the life cycle stages differently. In short, it doesn't appear that disposable diapers are on the radar, but Pampers is actively committed to reducing their environmental impact across various life cycle stages.

Commitment to babies around the world. I receive lots of pitches about ways in which big and small companies are making a different via outreach, but I was truly impressed to learn how well Pampers walks the walk. Their global outreach program seeks to create products that work for different cultural markets (e.g., diapers to accommodate Chinese split pants) and also make a difference in impoverished populations. Pampers currently is partnering with UNICEF on a One Pack = One Vaccine campaign to protect women and babies from tetanus, which commonly (and tragically) is transmitted through unsterilized tools and the mud used to cut and stop the bleeding of umbilical cords during delivery. This campaign launched stateside in April (Salma Hayek is their spokesperson) and runs through the end of August. And it’s simple for moms to participate in the campaign. For each pack of Pampers purchased (bearing the special One Pack = One Vaccine label shown above), Pampers will donate 1 vaccine to UNICEF to treat women in developing countries.

The passion for this campaign is remarkable; Pampers employees have been donating out of pocket to the cause, and Pampers also is raffling off two trips to their employees, so that their employees can see the impact of this partnership on the ground. Pampers also has donated scores of vaccines to the effort. During Salma Hayek’s spot on Oprah they donated 1,000 vaccines to UNICEF in honor of each audience member, and 1,000,000 vaccines in honor of Oprah. And Pampers concluded our meeting by informing us that they also are donating 1,000 vaccines to UNICEF in honor of each of us bloggers.

Passion at Pampers. I arrived in Cincinnati with an open mind to learning, but an admitted big-brand perception of Pampers. My perspective soon shifted, as I met more and more Pampers employees who were unbelievably passionate about caring for babies and mothers. I realize we were likely seeing the cream of the employee crop, but regardless, the emotions were genuine. In fact, it was surprisingly to all of us bloggers – for whom transparency and emotion are central to what we do – that this passion does not translate through in any of Pampers’s materials. Over the whirlwind couple of days we encouraged Pampers to find a way – whether through blogging or posting some of their amazing, less polished employee testimonial footage – to show the faces and passion behind the brand. It will be interesting to see where they go from here.

In sum, this was a fascinating trip in many ways and I am grateful to Pampers for including me in the opportunity. And per my full disclosure, Pampers generously assumed all of the trip expenses, but I was not paid to share these thoughts or required to write about the experience in order to attend (for the record, I wouldn’t agree to go to an event that made attendance contingent on editorial...). As devoted readers of this site know, all editorial on this site is not bound (advertorial or otherwise) in any way.

It was a pleasure to meet all of the P & G staffers and event organizers during the trip, as well as the following mom bloggers who attended the event:

Amanda (A Moms Review)
Amanda (Oh, Amanda!)
Erica (Yummy Mummy Club)
Elizabeth (Table 4 Five)
Elizabeth (Busy Mom)
Heather (Lil Sugar)
Isabel (Alpha Mom)
Kailani (An Island Life)
Karen (Thrifty Mommy)
Lisa (My Thoughts, Ideas, and Ramblings)
Mindy (The Mommy Blog)
Romi (True Mom Confessions)
Stacy (The DeBroff DeBrief)

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (5) | Filed in Diapers & Potty
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Sensitive skin needs to be taken seriously, and if you’re looking for body products to treat your little one during babyhood and beyond, consider Arbonne’s sensitive skin care products. Their hypoallergenic baby care line is botanically based and free of dyes, fragrances, and animal byproducts, and today, Arbonne independent consultant Alison Ryan contributes to our online birthday party by providing 2 winners with a baby care gift set including one each of Arbonne’s SPF 30+ sunscreen, hair and body wash, and body oil. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

Rules:

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

Coochicoos features the imaginative murals by Japanese artist Ami Suma. Clever Parents offers an article on coping with a stepdad. Car & Caboodle highlights 5 essentials to pack for overnights with the grandparents. And you could win: a $100 giggle shopping spree at MomFinds, and a pair of Isabooties soft soled shoes at One Chic Mama.

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Family Issues; Gear; Home
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One byproduct of toting reusable grocery bags is that we - thankfully - are free of that landslide of plastic shopping bags in our pantry. But it also means we no longer have those bags for toting Laurel’s soggy swimsuits. No matter - far more stylish storage is available. Wet Happened? bags are simple yet brilliant. They fold and tote easily, are eco-friendly via their washable, reusable, PVC-free construction, feature a waterproof interior and zippered end to keep wet items sealed, and are available in a variety of chic outer fabrics for the mommy fashionista. Store everything from soiled diapers and clothes to wet swimsuits to leaky bottles and sippies.

Want to win a large Wet Happened? bag?* Here how:

Here’s a cool and unusual weekend pick: tomorrow (Aug 2) celebrate the positive messages of old school hip hop at the Peace 2008 Hip Hop Festival at City Hall Plaza in Boston. This free event runs from 4-8 pm and will feature performances by legendary hip hop group EPMD, Chubb Rock, and Das EFX. Local acts include Acrobatik, Static Noyze, Status Quo, Esoteric, and more.

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 Aug 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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