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

For a serious dose of cuteness, check out The Bump’s Halloween photo gallery. And you could win: a Two Tinas personalized blanket & bodysuit at MomFinds, a pair of Fashion Bug Right Fit Jeans at One Chic Mama, and an Ubi baby changing table at Coochicoos.

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Diapers & Potty; Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Gear
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As someone who loves and relies on the convenience of online shopping, it’s probably surprising that grocery delivery isn’t part of our routine. But following my post about Stop & Shop’s overhaul, Peapod asked whether I’d be interested in evaluating their service, and as a one-car family eager for less errands, it seemed worth investigating. Here’s what I found during my online reconnaissance mission:

Browsing interface. Peapod’s browsing interface is solid; the online organization of their stock is sensible and I especially like that there are separate natural/organic sections within each department (e.g., produce, health & beauty). Since I defaulted to shopping those sections, it made the experience very easy.

One element that I would like to see improved, though, is in the right checkout column. The shopping cart items and running total are displayed, but the individual item prices are not shown. It made comparison shopping cumbersome, as I needed to go back to the original item listings to compare prices.

Availability. Stock availability in general was good, but not as good as in-store for my preferred natural and organic departments (the organic produce section in particular was very limited). Also, when I typed in my 13 digit Stop & Shop card number – which retrieves your shopping history to make online shopping easier - I was surprised to see only a dozen or so items available online from my in-store history.

Speed. I loved how easy and fast the Peapod experience was from start to finish. Shopping and checkout were quick and easy (especially since I targeted the natural and organic grocery sections), and there were plenty of time windows for next day delivery. Another nice feature is that you can make changes to your order until just before midnight. On the receiving end, the delivery person arrived right in the specified time window and was very courteous.

Quality of perishables. For my test mission I decided to order potentially problematic perishables, such as meat and delicate produce (e.g., grapes, strawberries, tomatoes), and I must say that I was really impressed by the quality. The meat arrived very cold (i.e., nixing my mental image of meat trays sweltering in the back of a truck), and the produce in great shape; as in, same quality as I would have selected myself at the store.

Overall cost. The online and store prices seemed comparable, so the one element families would need to weigh is if the shipping & fuel charges are worth the convenience factor. The delivery fee is $9.95 for orders under $100, and $6.95 for orders over $100. For my order under $100 the fuel surcharge was about $1.

Summary. While Peapod still doesn’t solve my aforementioned conundrum of acquiring all of my natural and organic needs from one supplier (at reasonable produce prices), the quality of the experience in general was very good. I think Peapod is a great solution for urban dwellers without a car, or those who want to streamline their routine and forego trips to the grocery store, particularly if you need to place a large order, in which case it would be really nice to have someone deliver and haul in your groceries for you.

A final note: one feature that could really sway me over as a regular Peapod shopper is if there was a paper bag option, or some way for regular shoppers to have groceries delivered in cloth totes that you could swap back in on your next delivery.

The folks at Peapod kindly are offering a discount code for Boston Mamas readers who'd like to try the online service; use code BLOGPOST17 at checkout for $20 off your order (first time users only).

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (12) | Filed in Home; Solutions
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Today, Kate reports on the Children's Museum of Maine:

“Most of us Bostonians have been to the big museums - the Boston Children's Museum, the Museum of Science, the Museum of Fine Arts - but New England is home to many smaller museums that have charms particular to their size and location.

The Children's Museum of Maine, located in Portland, is one such place. Made up of two manageably sized floors and a number of fun and interactive exhibits - some specific to the history, culture, and geography of Maine - the Children's Museum provides kids with a fun and educational experience in an environment that isn't nearly as overwhelming or crowded as the big museums can sometimes be.

My toddler daughter spent a happy hour in the first-floor exhibit that combined a play supermarket, auto mechanic, and fire truck, and she was joined by kids of a variety of ages all making their own activities with the hands-on displays. The Children's Museum - which is within a few blocks of a number of kid-friendly restaurants - is a great place for a rainy vacation day, and is also well worth the drive up from Boston. Members of the Boston Children's Museum are admitted for free.”

Children's Museum of Maine, 142 Free Street, Portland, Maine; Tel: 207-828-1234

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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Given that Laurel - much like mom - gets insanely grumpy when she’s hungry, I always try to tote a snack when we’re on the go. So I was thrilled to learn about Smashies, a wonderfully convenient and healthful organic fruit snack that provides a welcome alternative to carb-heavy snacks. Parent, kid, and earth friendly, these applesauce packs (more flavors are forthcoming) are mess and utensil free thanks to the slurp spout, and once your child has squeezed out every last drop, the packaging - the lining of which is BPA-free - is recyclable.

Want to win a 10-pack of Smashies? Here’s how:

If your kids are eager to get the Halloween party started early, check out tomorrow’s Fort Point Channel Pumpkin Pageant (12-4pm). Hosted by the Friends of the Fort Point Channel, this event is free and open to the public, and will include pumpkin carving and decorating, face painting, and fall treats. Costumes are welcome but not required to join the fun.

At the Children’s Wharf at the Boston Children’s Museum, 300 Congress Street, Boston; Tel: 617-451-9239

Posted by Christine Koh on 29 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Today, Mary reviews Be Nice, a locally grown CD that’s entertaining and helps parents teach kids about life etiquette. Read on for Mary’s review, as well as to learn how to be 1 of 4 winners to receive a copy of Be Nice!

“Ain’t isn’t a word, and I know that. However, my three-year-old daughter may not since it is so commonly (mis)used. Good thing Berklee College of Music grads, Ilene Altman (Leeny) and Steve Equi (Steve), collaborated to produce their debut CD, Be Nice.

Featuring songs such as Ain’t Ain’t A Word, Be Nice teaches youngsters about ain’t’s place in the English vernacular. Know What Nos Are and It’s Not Nice are other songs whose lyrics complement parents’ efforts at teaching preschoolers “life etiquette.”

The 16 songs on Be Nice teach and entertain children through a variety of musical styles, witty lyrics, and upbeat melodies. The music is also appealing to adults because it does not take the intellect of an adult for granted. Listening to the CD while in the car with my children, I found myself chuckling to the smart, well-written lyrics and quickly began singing along to songs like Mammals and I Like Fruit. (Admittedly, I also caught myself singing these tunes while doing dishes and working out.)

Lively music for car rides or play dates, as well great background ambience for doing things such as nursing a baby, Be Nice is a great way to spend an hour. This music “ain’t” no Wheels on the Bus, which is likely a welcomed reprieve for most parents.”

Now, want to be 1 of 4 winners to receive a copy of Be Nice*? Here’s how:

Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Susan Dorson & Amy Weitzman, two local moms on a mission to save their community library and provide parents with an eco-friendly, affordable shopping option via The Little Fox Shop. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Susan Dorson & Amy Weitzman, co-founders of The Little Fox Shop

Christine: Welcome, Susan and Amy! You were nominated for this feature because of the work you have done to start The Little Fox Shop at the Edith Fox Branch Library in East Arlington, where all proceeds go to support the library (whose doors have been on the verge of closing for some time due to budget cuts). Now, everyone (present company included) talks about the importance of preserving local libraries, but your efforts truly walk the walk. What inspired you to action to help save the Fox Branch?

Susan: I have always loved the Fox Library but when I was pregnant with my first son, I would take daily walks up to the Fox and chat with the librarians and it became a part of my life. After my son was born, there were days when I was very lonely but I knew that my local library was a place I could find people to talk to - and of course books. The thing about a branch library is that it is more than just a place to get books; it is a community gathering place. Owing in part to the smaller population that the Fox serves, you can see the same faces each week, you can network and go to events, and it becomes central to your life. I couldn't see this taken away from me, my children, or my neighborhood. The main branch is wonderful but to be able to walk into a place and have everybody know your name....well, that's special.

Amy: When Susan asked me be to part of a new children's secondhand store inside the library, I didn't hesitate to join her. I have always loved libraries and seriously considered becoming a school librarian a few years ago, but was disheartened when I saw that librarian positions were being eliminated at many schools around the country. Running the shop to save my local library seemed like the next best thing to me. Susan informed me that Arlington elementary schools no longer have librarians. The Fox Library will be the best way for my children to access the wealth of knowledge that librarians have on children's books and reading. That really motivated me. Also, the recycling aspect of the Little Fox is tremendously important to both Susan and me. When you buy a recycled item from the Little Fox instead of new from another store, the earth smiles.

Christine:How difficult was it to get this effort going? What was the rough timetable from conception to opening? Did the town of Arlington help with startup funds to spruce up the space and get your website going or was it all pieced together through friends and family? Some combination of both?

Susan & Amy: Getting the Little Fox started took a lot of thinking and planning. The time from conception to opening was about 8 weeks. One of our most important goals was to create an atmosphere in which people would enjoy shopping and volunteering. We didn't receive any funds from the town, but they gave us the space and free reign over it. Almost nothing in the shop was purchased new. One of us would spy a good shelf on the curb for trash and haul it over to the shop. We would have "pizza night" at the store and our husbands and children would come and they would play while we worked. Friends would come with us to the shop and help us get ready for the opening as well. Susan has a really good eye for store design and has done most of the arranging and decorating of our physical space. Amy worked in advertising and software development before she had children, so she was able to create our website and organizes our online schedule of volunteers. Our different skill sets compliment each other very well.

One of the inspirations for the Little Fox was the PTO Thrift Store, which operated in the basement of the Fox Library for four years. It was a great success and many people in Arlington were sad to see it closing. They sold anything and everything, but we love and need kid stuff and decided to focus exclusively on children's items. We opened the same month the PTO Thrift Store closed, and they generously gave us many of their racks and shelving. Also, the librarians at both the Fox and Robbins Libraries have been wonderfully helpful and supportive.

Christine: What used to live in the space where The Little Fox shop now resides? Did you take before and after photos? From a design perspective, what transformed the space from (presumably) dingy storage space to what your nominator called a “hip thrift shop”?

Susan & Amy: The space most recently held the Arlington Early Intervention program, which moved about a year ago. I don't think we have any before pictures, but it wasn't very appealing when we took over the space. While we wanted to repaint the entire space, that was one thing were weren't allowed to do, so it was all about distracting the eye from the beat-up beige walls; we used paintings, colorful decorations that hang from the wall and ceiling, and the items we are selling tend to come in bold, bright colors so that helps, too. We put stuffed animals out as decorations and created a clothesline on our most prominent wall to display seasonal items; right now we have Halloween costumes on that wall.

Christine: You sell kids' clothing, toys, baby gear, and maternity clothes. What have been some of your favorite, most amazing finds to walk in the door?

Amy: It's funny, the best "finds" are very personal. I love stuffed animals that are characters from books and get excited when a new one comes in, like Madeline or Snoopy.

Susan: I love when great gear shows up, like an almost new jogging stroller or a highly sought after Bumbo seat. I also get very excited about great books and particularly cute girls clothes (as I have two boys, I enjoy the chance to see all of the great girls things)! We recently got a Thomas Train table and I am waiting to see how long that will last.

Christine: Your nominator wrote, “Since opening this summer, Amy and Susan have opened a beautiful retail space, organized a small army of volunteers, and raised over $7,000!” Are you aware of what that money actually funds (e.g., staff, longer library hours, utilities, etc.)? Meaning, roughly, what does it take to keep a small but thriving branch library open for business?

Susan & Amy: The library costs approximately $90,000 per year to operate, although closing it wouldn't save the town nearly that much, as most of the salary costs of the senior staff positions would simply be transferred to the cost of operating the main library. Our goal is to raise enough money to keep the town from considering The Fox a liability.

Christine: Clearly, your efforts are paying off and the shop is growing. Where are your greatest areas of need for volunteers? How can people get involved to help? What kind of commitment is involved?

Susan & Amy: We are constantly amazed at the quality and dedication of our volunteers, but we can always use more. Since many of the volunteers who run the shop are also moms, their availability can change at a moment's notice; when something in their household changes, whether it is a shift in childcare arrangements or a new job for themselves or their partner. We also have a few retired people working at the shop and they are a great help since they are able to work hours that are difficult for those with young families to volunteer (like pickup time at the elementary schools). Working at the Little Fox is fun! If you worked retail as a young person, running the register can bring back memories. For retired people, the Little Fox can be a low-key workplace and a place to socialize. Our volunteers work as little as once a month for a couple of hours or 2-3 hours each week; it's completely up to them. See the volunteer page of our website for more information on volunteering at the shop.

Christine: You’re both mothers of two children. How do you juggle your efforts with The Little Fox Shop with parenting? Do your children come to work with you?

Susan & Amy: Susan often brings her children to the store while she works. Sometimes she lets them borrow books or small toys from the shop as an incentive, but most of the time they are happy to be there since it's a toy store where they can play with all of the toys! Amy is able to work in the store with her older daughter who is 4 1/2, but not very well with her younger girl, who is 18 months old (she likes to wander out the door)! Amy's husband works at home, so she often runs over to the store during her younger daughter's nap or works the evening shift on Wednesday while her husband makes dinner and puts the kids to bed. The summer was a challenging time to start the store since our kids were home with us full-time, but now that we have volunteers running the store much of the time, things have gotten much easier for us and our families. And it helps that we both live within walking distance of the store.

Christine: I truly find your efforts so commendable and I wonder whether one or both of you have strong roots in community service. Is this work part of a long history of helping others?

Susan & Amy: We definitely love to help others. Susan's background is in Macro Social Work, which means working with groups and populations on issues that they face; one facet of that is community organizing of which there is a strong element at the Little Fox. For the past 2 years, Amy has been running the Arlington Parents List, an email list with over 1500 local parents. Before that, she taught a basic computer skills class for low-income mothers. We also have a strong interest in recycling, and the fact that we are helping families to reuse and recycle is important to us.

Christine: We’ve talked exclusively about The Little Fox Shop until now. We’d love to know more about you both; give us a snapshot of your history and interests.

Susan: A snapshot of my history? That is tough. OK, very quick. I grew up the daughter of two ministers learning about helping to give to our community and protecting our world. In college I majored in psychology and then afterwards worked in children's theater with a focus on social issues. As I said before, my graduate degree is in Macro Social Work (from BU). My interests are making everything around me better....maybe that is too ambitious?! In reality I love to read, camp, bike, and go on adventure with my family. I love to be challenged and am relishing my experiences in starting a non-profit!

Amy: I grew up in Texas and California, but came to Boston as a freshman at BU. I majored in English Literature but added a Computer Science minor at the last minute so I'd be able to find a job when I graduated! My husband and I love to travel and have tried to continue to explore the world, even though we now take up more than one row on an airplane. I enjoy making paper collage and reading crafty blogs. I also have been known to stay up half the night reading a book. Text the word "novel" to the number 41411 to get a list of my favorite books. Try it, it really works!

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

Susan: As a Boston mama I love the fact that there is so much to do. I can take my children to festivals, fairs, concerts, and museums or just bike on the Esplanade, sail on lakes and rivers, or explore the parks. If you can't find something to do or somewhere to go, you simply aren't trying hard enough!

Amy: Playgrounds and sandwiches. I'm not kidding, Boston has the best sandwiches. We love to get a great sandwich and eat it while the kids play at the playground. Most of our favorite places for sandwiches are in Cambridge, but we have been known to get a pizza and walk to Spy Pond right here in Arlington and watch the sun go down as the girls play with stones on the edge of the water.

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

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Eco Living; Local; Retail
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One of my favorite perks of traveling in creative circles is meeting truly inspired and amazing innovators, and I was honored when Melissa Massello and Meghan Udell - the savvy and stylish local brains behind Shoestring Magazine - asked me to be part of their creative team. New this month, Shoestring’s mantra is “the good life for less” and offers great content on resourceful living and achieving style on a budget. While surfing they're cool site, check out my first column with Shoestring, on secondhand, vintage, and regifting for kids.

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Family Issues; Home; Solutions
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Opportunities can emerge in unexpected ways, and shortly after reporting about Care.com last year, they approached me about freelancing. I’ve written a lot of nuts and bolts family care articles for them, and more recently have written about some very interesting child development and child care topics. Check out my column on understanding why children lie and how to work through this normal part of childhood development.

Image credit: Wikipedia entry on Pinocchio

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues
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It’s not easy drumming up new material when your kid asks you to conjure a story, but luckily, parents now can find relief and inspire their child’s creativity with a nifty twist on choose your own adventure. Written by Newburyport based author Jennifer Karin Sidford, The DreamStarter Book offers 50 story beginnings that serve as the catalyst for your child to create their own adventures. Well suited for quality time with the tween set at home or on the road, what’s not to love about an activity that offers parents a way to read and bond with their kids, while encouraging kids to hone and become confident in their unique style of narrative?

Want to win 2 copies of DreamStarter*? Here’s how:

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

One Chic Mama reports on the Lady Lock safety system (hop over to win one). MomFinds is giving away a $100 shopping spree at Vincent Shoes. Check out The Bump's Your Belly This Week newsletter, which provides developmental information, planning tips, advice, and more. And Modern Mom chats with The Bachelorette’s Trista Sutter.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Little Ones; Home; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Solutions
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Babies and toddlers attract a lot of attention on their own, but don a costume and they take the cuteness to a whole new level. And this Sunday (10/26), Isis Maternity will celebrate the opening of their fabulous new location at The Shops at Prudential Center with Pru Boo – a costume parade for kids under 3 (actually, 2 parades – pick your time of 11:30am or 12:30pm).

Pru Boo will benefit local organization Room to Grow. In exchange for a $4 donation to Room to Grow, your child will receive a Halloween bag and is invited to trick-or-treat throughout the Pru. After the costume parade, Isis also will offer a free Halloween-themed photograph of your child with professional photographer Keirnan Conroy Klosek, story time with children’s author Barbara Barbieri McGrath, and Halloween giveaways.

And to keep the celebration rolling through the week, Isis Boston has an impressive roster of events scheduled Oct. 27 – Nov. 2. All classes and events are free and open to the public (registration is recommended to ensure a spot).

I’ve known about the impending Pru opening for some time, and I’m thrilled that it’s finally here. After responding to many Boston moms who are eager to test strollers and other gear, but lack the wheels to get to stores in Brookline, Arlington, and the surrounds, Isis Boston no doubt will fill an excellent niche for downtown moms looking for easy access to gear, classes, and – let’s hope – the occasional massage.

Isis Maternity - Boston, The Shops at Prudential Center (between the U.S. Post Office and P.F. Chang's in the Belvidere Arcade), 800 Boylston Street, Boston

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local; Pre & Postnatal Services; Retail
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Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on moo juice:

Milk is on my mind at the moment, because: 1) the fall edition my Little Lettice newsletter focuses on milk, and 2) I just signed up with a raw milk buying club where milk straight from pasture-fed dairies around Boston is delivered to a pick up point near my home. Here’s a primer on milk and ways to incorporate it into food for the family.

Why milk is good for kids

Milk is a good source of calcium and of protein. Research has shown that children aged between 2 and 8 years who consumed more calcium actually had overall lower body fat than those who consumed less of this mineral. Calcium also appears to help prevent cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, kidney stones, and hypertension.

At what age can cow’s milk be introduced to my baby?

When the child is about 12 months old.

Why is it that babies can have cheese and dairy around 7 - 9 months, but not milk until 12 months?

Pediatricians recommend waiting until 12 months because cow’s milk contains low amounts of iron. Also, many infants have trouble digesting milk before this time because the blend of cow milk protein is not ideal.

What other sources of calcium are out there apart from milk?

Leafy greens such as kale, kohlrabi, and broccoli contain calcium. Our bodies absorb the calcium from leafy greens at a higher rate than they absorb calcium from milk. But because there is so much less calcium in the leafy greens to start with, we would have to eat 3 servings of kale to 1 serving of milk to absorb the same amount of calcium.

But don’t rely on milk only for your child’s nutrients

Don’t let too much milk (more than 3 servings per day) prevent your child from eating a nutritionally varied diet.

Recipes that contain milk

If your child is like my son Nick, who doesn’t drink milk, I have some alternative ways to work milk into his diet. And he loves them all, which proves my theory that children’s bodies crave what they lack in their diets!

Creamy Rice Pudding

Don’t worry if it seems as if there is a teeny bit of rice drowning in a sea of milk. It gets absorbed in the end and the slower you cook it for, the creamier it becomes!

Ingredients (serves 6-8):

As much as I love summer, I’m always relieved when fall arrives and I no longer need to slather Laurel in sunscreen. The task is completely necessary, but nobody enjoys it. Even after summer, though, skin protection is important and I love the nifty little shortcut that Bethesda sunscreen soap offers. This natural soap – which is suitable for the whole family – nurtures the skin via a boatload of vitamins and minerals, and creates an unnoticeable protective layer that provides a minimum of SPF 10 protection. If only summer skin protection was this easy!

Want to win a 3pk of Bethesda sunscreen soap*? Here’s how:

Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers tips for improving the health of your Halloween festivities:

“I have a confession to make. I am one of those moms. I cringe at the thought of high fructose corn syrup entering the bodies of my two children. It's not that high fructose corn syrup is much worse for their bodies than ordinary sugar. But to me, it is a sign that the food that it's in is a man-made laboratory concoction. Don't get me wrong. I love a good hunk of chocolate or a bowl of ice cream as much as the next person. But I aim to indulge in sugar-laden treats that are made from real food. And even then, I try to do so only on occasion.

So, how should I handle Halloween? Should I ban the sugar-bombs that my kids bring home with pride after a fun evening of trick-or-treating? No way – that will only make them want to eat more. Are there appealing options for handling the sugar and over packaging madness that surrounds this holiday? You bet!

Kids learn from our actions – it's time we step up and show our kids that we care about their health and the health of other people's children…not to mention the health of our planet. Here are some tips for improving the health of your Halloween festivities:

1. Try to shift the focus from conventional candy treats to activities and treasures that are better for our bodies and our planet.

2. Consider the ingredients that are in the treats that you share with the little ghosts, princesses, and superheroes that come to your door.

3. Consider a partial trade-in policy – you will give your child a book, toy, or coupon for a favorite activity if they turn in all but their favorite 10-15 pieces of candy.

4. Do you have to give out candy? If not, give out special treasures that will last awhile before being dumped into the trash. Here are some of my favorite treat alternatives:

One of my favorite things about fall is the return of snuggly jammies, and Éléphant’s pajama sets – part of a new collection of 100% natural fiber clothing and toys for kids – are downright cozy and delicious. Éléphant’s aesthetic is simple, yet conveys a distinctly hip, earthy point of view. And I love the line’s rich, gender-neutral color palette; no doubt these pajamas will get plenty of wear by their first owner, and any lucky hand me down recipients following.

Want to win Éléphant’s crockie stuffed animal? Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win.

Rules:

Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Sharon Chase, mother of two and professional vocalist and party-throwing princess. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Sharon Chase, professional vocalist and party planner

Christine: Tell us a little bit about your background Sharon. You’re a professional vocalist who owns a princess oriented party business. How old were you when you found your voice? When did you decide that you wanted to become a professional musician?

Sharon: I have been singing pretty much since I popped out of the womb! I have always been acting, singing, and performing as far back as I can remember. I always knew that I wanted to do something with children but I also couldn’t ignore my great love for music. I graduated from Wheelock College in 1996 with a degree in Early Childhood education and an interdisciplinary major in theatre, voice, and cello. I also was doing independent studies over at the New England Conservatory and was always in shows at the Wheelock Family Theatre and the "Little Theatre" at Wheelock.

When I graduated I was a little lost, not thinking that my calling was to be a typical classroom teacher. I ended up in, of all things, financial services selling mutual funds! I did love working with others helping them to find their investments, but my heart wasn't there. I then began working as a computer programmer, software consultant, and trainer.

After some soul searching, I decided to quit my job and get back to music and children and began recording personalized children's tapes with a music company. Then I started teaching music classes for children and mommies; I called myself "Vocalmotion." I also worked as a special education teacher in the Cohasset Middle School until right before I had my son, who is now 5 (I also have a 3-year-old daughter). And I painted children's murals on occasion and sang in wedding ceremonies.

As my Vocalmotion classes started filling and I continued to paint murals and sing at weddings, I felt as if I wanted to do more and the princess thing just evolved! I knew that with my creative background and interest in music I could create something that was not only fun and super cute, but educational and enriching as well. I still do murals on occasion (I'm working on a "transportation" mural right now for a childhood friend's little boy who has overcome cancer).

Christine: Wow, that’s an impressive history! Let’s discuss your party business. As Princess Sharon you provide musical princess, diva, and spa themed birthday parties and special events in the Boston and South Shore areas. Tell us a little bit about how a typical party goes; how do you work in music and movement into something like a spa event?

Sharon: Good question! I make sure that all of my parties have a musical focus. We take about two hours to set up, and we go pretty over the top! I figure if you are going to be a princess, you might as well FEEL like one! For the princess party, we have a rack of ball gowns, a fluffy pink mirror with pearls for the girls to look into, and hang giant butterflies and scatter flower petals and play princess music. The kids get to play dress up, and do face paint, a craft (usually princess purses and pirate pouches to decorate), and then a tea party. After this I do the music portion, where I read musical stories and lead other fun musical games. It's a performance but also very interactive.

My Diva Glam and Spa parties are a whole other ball game! The accoutrements for Spa-Berry Twist, for example, include racks of plush pink robes, slippers (which the girls get to take home), flip-flop pillows, spa mats with pillows, glitter toe polish, and fuzzy foot massagers. The Diva Glam party is for girls who are out of "princess" mode but are not old enough for spa. It's an age-appropriate "rock-star" type party where they get to play with dressing up (glitter, boas, hats, bags, etc) and do dancing games. Of course I do musical singing games at both my diva and spa parties.

I also do custom events if someone wants to have a theme party that I don't offer. There is a cost associated with custom parties but I'm always open to doing them!

Christine: I see that you are able to provide everything from linens to tea service to food to all the dress up clothes for girls and boys. I have to admit, I’m a little curious; how often do little pirates and princes attend such parties?

Sharon: Pirates are always welcomed at my parties!! My linens and gowns may be girly but my little pirates never go hungry! I always have lots of pirate costumes in a big pirate chest, deluxe pirate favors with skull and cross bones on them, hooks, eye patches, and lots of other "boy" stuff. Also, my music is always universal and never leaves anyone out. Believe it or not, my dad, of One World Video in Boston, is not only a multi media producer but he's also a great performer and has been known to accompany me as Pirate Peter!

If someone wants a pure, no-frills pirate party, I often refer them to my online boutique where I provide "do-it-yourself" party packages to go, custom boutique (monogrammed) children's clothing, invitations, sweets, and other favors and gifts. I offer pretty much everything you would need to create your own party if you wanted that option.

Christine: You started this business only two years ago, yet you’ve already done gigs for folks like the Red Sox. How have you gotten your name out there?

Sharon: Yes, I was so grateful to be asked by the Boston Red Sox to perform for the children of the players. Word of mouth got me that one! Most of my work comes from word of mouth and I also believe that if you have a very sharp website people can get a much better idea of the quality of work that you do. I used to spend hours plastering my name on the Internet at every free advertising venue that I could find. I don't do any of that anymore for the most part. Once word of mouth spread and people started clicking on my site, I started moving up on Google and other search engines, which had a cyclical effect.

Christine: In addition to your work as Princess Sharon, you also are a wedding vocalist and paint children’s murals. What is your distribution of time across these various ventures? And how did you get into the mural work?

Sharon: I LOVE painting and singing but my main business is Princess Sharon. It takes so much of my time and between my family and the business there isn't a ton of extra time. If someone asks me I'll do a mural or a wedding (and I'm going to paint my kids rooms in our new house we are currently building) but I don't advertise those things. Murals started honestly because I discovered one day, when I was trying to figure out a theme for my children's reading corner, that I could actually do it and I could do it well! Then friends started asking me to paint murals, and then friends of friends.

Christine: You have two children. How old are they and where were you work-wise when they arrived? How did you handle maternity leave time and return to work? Was your work environment supportive of your role as a new mom?

Sharon: My children, Zander (boy) and Aizza (girl), are 5 and 3, respectively. When I was pregnant with Zander I left teaching special education and started teaching music classes. That worked because it was on my schedule and I could really do what I wanted with it. I started teaching classes at Our World, Children's Global Discovery Museum in Cohasset. They were wonderful about letting me use their fantastic space and now I am gratefully a board member of the museum working to keep it available for other young families.

Christine: As a multifaceted artist, you really are going it solo. What do you think has been the most challenging aspect about being an independent mamapreneur? Do you have any nuggets of wisdom for fellow mamapreneurs?

Sharon: For me, the challenge was believing that this princess could do such a "grown-up" thing! I always knew I had different talents and skills but wanted to work for someone else. I never thought I could possibly find out and take action on the things you need to do for your own business -- the scary IRS, tax ID's, pricing, websites, board of health, book keeping, wholesale purchasing, advertising, storage, and not to mention being responsible for the total entertainment of large groups of children! "One step at a time" was very, very critical for me. I needed to not be afraid to pick up the phone and ask lots of "how" questions. I asked other party planners, the town, friends, my mother-in-law, my mom, my sisters…anyone I could brainstorm with. It has been a HUGE and humbling learning experience for me! I am a member of several party planning groups on Yahoo (there is a group for everything!). One step at a time I have gotten the courage to do all of those "grown-up" steps and have been able to now say I am an official successful business. I love what I do and really believe in it. I always wanted to be able to bring music into other children's lives and have found my calling.

Christine: We’ve talked all business up to now. When you’re not singing, painting, and preparing for parties, tell us about the favorite things you do to unwind.

Sharon: I hate to admit it, but I'm a Scramble junkie! If you have never heard of it, it's an application on Facebook much like the old Boggle. I'm not terrific at it but I love to play! I also am one of three girls and am very close to my parents and my in-laws and their family. I have been blessed with a really wonderful family and love to spend time with them. On occasion I actually get to SEE my husband (who is a builder and has to work a lot) but absolutely treasure our time together.

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

Sharon: You know what I love most about Boston? The fact that I can get into the city in a flash. I have the best of both worlds down here in Cohasset. We get the water and that country feel and then if I zip up 93 I can be in the city in no time. I am a city girl at heart but really also love my rural family life here on the South Shore. I grew up in Lexington where it was the same deal. We lived back in the woods and the smell of pine was always in the air, but we often made trips to the city for fun, museum trips, and shopping, of course!

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

Posted by Christine Koh on 21 Oct 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Kid's Parties; Local
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Today, Heather shares a yummy recipe from her Triplets, Moms, & More newsletter:

“My 5-year-old daughter Emma just loves to bake - and of course eat - chocolate cake. I’m happy to encourage culinary activities, but can do without the messy cleanup and irresistible leftovers that somehow find their way straight to my thighs. Subsequently, we really like this 5 minute chocolate cake in a mug recipe. It’s not necessarily decadent but more than satisfies, and it makes for a nice play date activity.