It's hard to believe tomorrow is July 1, but the good news is that the change of month is marked by the start of the Highland Street Foundation's Free Fun Fridays -- a program that offers free admission to four different Massachusetts cultural venues for nine Fridays starting tomorrow. The roster is fantastic and there's something every single week that I'd love to take the girls to (I've been meaning to take Laurel to the MFA Chihuly exhibit ever since it opened). What a lovely way to slide into summer weekends -- enjoy!

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local

Though I typically am a fan of bikinis, given that I'm hitting swimsuit season about three months postpartum, I wanted a little more coverage this season. Just the other week I was looking remorsefully at my bikini collection (which includes a couple of cute bikinis I bought at Lands' End last year) when Lands' End reached out and asked if I'd like to try out some swimsuits for editorial consideration. And I'm thrilled to report that there's just as much cuteness in the full coverage suits as there are in the bikinis. Here are two great picks to consider:

I should first say that I'm a regular online shopper and when it comes to clothes, it's not often that I order something as critical-eye inducing as bathing suits and am happy with everything that arrives. But remarkably, this was the case with my Lands' End suits. After browsing through all of the two-piece non-bikini options (I'm a big fan of two-piece bathing suits both for myself and for Laurel for ease of bathroom use), I decided on the Beach Living Geo Print Tunic Top + coordinating Beach Living Bottom with Tummy Control (pictured above). I was thrilled with this suit -- the print is cute and modern and the top has side drawstrings to allow for coverage adjustment. The suit also features real straps (I'm not a fan of halter ties, given my fear of wardrobe malfunctions) that are removable and the sewn-in cups offer nice structure and support. And I really like the tummy control bottom -- it offers full rear coverage and a wide waistband that doesn't pinch.

Despite my love of two-piece suits, I also wanted a one-piece option since the very tired one-piece I brought to Red Jacket Resorts barely survived the water slides. I ordered the All-over Control Slender Sweetheart Swimsuit, which I think would be super flattering on anyone given the sweetheart neckline and shirring at the waist, and I imagine the use of slimming fabric doesn't hurt either. Like the geo print set, this suit has sewn-in cups and real straps. Another winner.

In a nutshell, I'm thrilled with both of these suits. Though I'm all about celebrating the body in all forms, I'm not quite ready to step out in bikinis yet and these two suits made it easy for me to enjoy our first poolside weekend in comfort and style. I definitely recommend checking out Lands' End for swimsuits -- there are lots of options and everything appears to be on crazy sale right now. Though Laurel's swimsuits from last year still fit, I think I might go ahead and stock up on suits for next season (seriously, how cute is this Hampton triangle tankini?).

Posted by Christine Koh on 29 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Pregnancy & Postpartum

The school year is finally over and one of my favorite things about the transition to summer involves food -- no more school lunches to pack and far less rushing around in relation to meals in general. But that doesn't mean meals -- particular dinnertime -- are easy...there's still the planning and the making and the inspiring kids to come to the table and eat something other than popsicles. As part of the Mom's the Word on Dinner conversation series via Momversation, last month I wrote and asked about summer food inspiration. Today I'm curious about summer dinner strategies. Here are a few things that we're doing differently (or planning on) around dinnertime now that summer is here. I'd love to hear about your summer dinner strategies as well!

Head outside. I love that summer means grilling, and being able to eat outside is fantastic because, well, it saves me the trouble of sweeping up crumbs and spills inside after dinner. I find that the change of venue also gets Laurel excited about mealtime.

Picnics. This summer I'm excited to pack picnics and head out to enjoy some green space beyond our backyard. I have a feeling Laurel will love helping me with the packing and preparing.

Nibble platters. Similar to how I like raiding the fridge for leftovers to make butler's salad, summer is perfect for what we call nibble platters. Instead of turning on the stove, we'll pull out all sorts of odds and ends (cheese, crackers, veggies, leftover chicken, pasta, etc.) and arrange them on a big platter. Not only does this strategy save on food waste and energy use, but we find that there's something lovely and communal and fun about picking dinner items off a big platter.

Celebrate veggies. The start of our CSA share really marks summer for us. And it has ended up being a fantastic inspiration point to talk about food with Laurel and encourage her to try new things. Thanks to the CSA, Laurel now eats foods such as cilantro and beets and is pretty much open to trying anything.

Encourage little cooks. One of the great things about moving into summer mode is not being as rushed around mealtimes. And I find that this is the perfect time to encourage little cooks, either as a helper or primary chef. I wrote last year about how letting go in the kitchen inspired Laurel to cook her first meal, and on our anniversary this year, Laurel made us dinner. So lovely! I recommend taking advantage of the looser summer schedule to allow your kids to experiment in the kitchen -- it can be as simple as assembling sandwiches and salads. We'll certainly be doing more of that this summer!

Those are a few things we're doing now that we're in summer mode and I'd love to hear if you've got other great summer dinner strategies. Please feel free to share in the comments or at the Ragú® Facebook page.

Image credit: Stoonn via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing

Today, Jules shares a reason why you'll want to fire up your oven, even during the summer:

Over the past year I've really gotten into Greek yogurt. A few months ago I shared a recipe for easy, creamy macaroni and cheese, in which I incorporated Greek yogurt as a healthy means to create a yummy, creamy texture. I hope you enjoy this sweet counterpart to that savory recipe.

Jules' Banana Walnut Bread

I'm sharing my weekend picks a bit early this week since I'm going to hibernate with the family for a few days (Violet's 100 Days is this weekend...I can hardly believe it!). I hope you enjoy the first official weekend of summer!

1. This event will probably mess up bedtime (but hey, it's a Friday night right?), but I love the idea of a city dance party.

2. Events such as the Kids MTB Ride really make me want to help Laurel lose the training wheels this summer.

3. Thanks to a birthday party of one of Laurel's friends, Danvers conjures visions of Putnam Pantry for me, but this weekend there's Endicott Park Day.

4. And in the opposite direction, there's family fun to be had at Hanover Day.

5. I have to admit that the words "mechanical elephant" totally caught my attention when I read the e-mail pitch regarding The Family Fun Fest in Milton.

6. Salisbury is hopping this weekend -- there's the Sand & Sea Festival and I'm also totally intrigued by The Vintage Bazaar.

7. We always love visiting our friends in Swampscott...I wonder if they'll be at the Swampscott Harbor Festival this weekend.

8. If you missed the slew of strawberry festivals last weekend, you can get your fill at Verrill Farm (Concord) and Wilson Farm (Lexington).

9. If you head to Chinatown Main Street Festival please also visit some Chinatown bakeries for me (I love the cake rolls).

Happy weekend everyone!

Image credit: City of Cambridge

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local

I'm not sure if all families experience this, but in the past I have found family vacation planning a little challenging even with just two grownups and one (very vocal) child verbalizing preferences. Which is probably why we haven't done much in the way of just-us (vs. trips to see friends or family) family vacations. However, Red Jacket Resorts recently invited me to check out their properties and after mulling over the options, I decided that the universe was sending me a message to give family vacation planning another try -- that it may in fact be possible to find a destination that would satisfy all of our interests. Here's what I found at Red Jacket:

Property options. Red Jacket Resorts maintains five properties on Cape Cod and two in New Hampshire. There's a handy resort comparison chart that makes it easy to consider the options, and I decided to visit the Mountain View Resort in North Conway, NH for the following reasons: 1) I'm more familiar with the Cape experience than the NH experience so wanted to explore the lesser known for editorial purposes. 2) Though he enjoys both, Jon prefers the mountains over the beach. 3) Story Land is minutes away from the property and I've been meaning to take Laurel there for a few years now. 4) The Mountain View has an indoor water park, which would be handy if we got rained out.

Rooms. Our accommodations at the Mountain View were modest and functional (meaning, clean and well appointed but not luxuriously fancy) and perfect for a family vacation. When I booked the visit, I asked about options to accommodate two adults, one 6 year old, and a baby and what we ended up with was perfect: The main room included two beds (+ TV, desk, chairs, dresser, etc.) and then there was a small side room with another bed, nightstand, and armchair, separated by a sliding pocket door. Laurel bunked in this side room and she loved having her own space (especially the armchair for snuggling and reading books with me + her own TV...even though she only ended up watching it for about 5 minutes). In an effort to pack light, I had reserved a pack n' play through the hotel, but ended up sending it back because the two beds in the main room were plenty for me, Jon, and Violet (Jon took one bed and I co-slept with Violet in the other), plus it allowed us to regain some floor space. This setup worked great for us, and the hotel has a number of options -- including rooms with lofts, town homes, etc., to accommodate different needs.

In-room amenities. In addition to the great room setup, there were other nice points about the accommodations: our room had a small patio facing the White Mountains, the bathroom setup housed the sink outside the toilet/shower, and the room was equipped with a refrigerator.

On property features. The indoor water park ended up being a huge boon because the weekend we went was rainy and the day we arrived was downpouring. No matter -- we spent the entire afternoon/early evening at the water park. The water park was clean, there were plenty of lifeguards on staff, and there are are a nice range of activities depending on the age of your kids, whether you'd like to enjoy the gentle toddler area, shoot hoops in the water, negotiate the tidal wave pool, or coast down the water slides. The water slides were especially fun for Jon, me, and Laurel (Jon and I took turns walking baby Violet around), and it was perfect for Laurel that two of the slides accommodated two-person inner tubes. There also was an outdoor pool and a play area (including tetherball, which Laurel had a lot of fun with once the rain subsided) on the property.

In addition to the water park, I was impressed to find other activities and services available, such as paint your own pottery and a spa. Next time around I totally need to book myself a massage. Come to think of it, it would have been smart to book a massage for the day after the water park since I discovered some new muscles that day, undoubtedly from clenching Laurel with my legs on the two-person inner tube while screaming/laughing like a crazy person on the water slides.

Off property features. We could have definitely stayed longer than two nights in North Conway because there was Story Land (thankfully the rain held off to a light mist for our visit on Sunday...I'll share thoughts about Story Land in a separate post), the White Mountains (we had planned on doing a mini hike but scrapped the idea due to time, fatigue, and the fact that the trails would probably be super muddy from aforementioned downpours), shopping outlets, and a cute looking town center not too far from the Mountain View property. We did manage to squeeze in a round of mini golf on our way out (there are two fun looking courses right down the road from the hotel), which Laurel adored. There's also skiing in the winter and access to other outdoor activities.

Food. For the most part, we ate at the hotel restaurant because it was super convenient, and we really enjoyed it (the clam chowder was particularly excellent and I was thrilled to learn at breakfast that they use eggs sourced from local farms). There were plenty of options for kids and grownups and on Saturday evening there was a large dinner buffet and on Sunday a brunch buffet. (Laurel really liked being able to pick and choose off the buffet.) However, the property is also close to other restaurants, as well as a grocery store if you'd like to save some money and stock up your room fridge.

Distance. North Conway is about 3 hours north of Boston, which can be long if your child doesn't nap and/or if s/he gets carsick easily (Laurel and I both get carsick in about 2 seconds if we try to read while in motion). As it turned out, though, Laurel ended up napping a little both directions (and otherwise we played car games) and Violet slept the entire ride both ways so the trip was very doable for us.

Summary. In short, I think the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort is a great pick for a family friendly destination. The accommodations work really well for families with differing bedtimes, there are plenty of activities on and off the property to suit different interests, and I found it a perfectly easy place to navigate with a newborn -- no one batted an eyelash if Violet squawked during dinner or while I was nursing at the water park. We all had a great time and thanks to this experience, I'm excited about planning more family vacations in the future.

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Travel

Ah, the first day of summer! It's a beautiful thing to spend time outside with your kids, and per my role as a founding mother for the National Wildlife Federation, I wanted to point you all to this Saturday's Great American Backyard Campout -- an initiative designed to inspire families to enjoy a night of old-fashioned fun outdoors. The date is set as an inspiration point (to participate more formally, you can register a team of campers, join a team, or donate to the NWF's mission); otherwise, the point simply is to encourage family campouts any time this summer. So go pitch a tent and enjoy!

Posted by Christine Koh on 21 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Family Issues; Sports & Fitness

Since the sad passing of friend and Boston Mamas contributing writer Sarah Feather last month, I've been mulling how best to honor her spirit. Ultimately, I decided to use my graphic design skills to celebrate Sarah's impeccable style while raising funds for ovarian cancer research -- the result being these chic, cheerful, and eco-friendly Hello, Gorgeous greeting cards. You can read the full story behind the development of the cards here. I hope you'll consider purchasing some cards, both to support ovarian cancer research and stay in touch with loved ones.

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Gifts & Paper; Home

Hello friends! Per usual, the web was replete with interesting tips and inspiration this week. Here are some links that I thought you'd find interesting -- enjoy!

1. I think I need to give these cute freezer stencils a go.

2. I'm totally on board with these five money saving tips for summer.

3. Yikes, here are some sobering statistics on food waste. But also some good tips on how to reduce it (and also save money). And more thoughts/tips on food waste here.

4. Clearly, waste (and avoiding it) is on my mind -- here are some tips for making produce last longer.

5. Print this list out and you'll be all set with summer reading for the next, like, 50 summers.

6. I know Laurel will love making this rainbow fruit plate. So cute!

7. I love this giant roundup of veggie burgers.

8. Here are some handy tips for reducing water usage while gardening.

9. Be careful when you post photos of your family online, because this might happen to you. Twice.

10. An interesting read on preemies and what to say -- and not say -- to their parents (and also how insensitive comments can affect relationships).

Image credit: Say Yes to Hoboken

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Books & Entertainment; Eco Living; Family Issues; For Grownups; Home; Recipes; Solutions

Was this the craziest week ever for you too? I hope you have a chance to kick back and relax this weekend and celebrate a Dad you love. Here are 12 fun weekend picks to enjoy:

1. Yay for the Bruins (and I love that Zdeno Chara actually yelled "yay!" when he was holding the Stanley Cup over his head during the postgame celebration). You can celebrate en masse at the Bruins celebration parade.

2. Hello strawberry season. Consume to your heart's delight via the Mass Farmers Markets Strawberry Dessert Festival, strawberry festivals at Connors Farm (Danvers), Russell Orchards (Ipswich), and Land's Sake Farm (Weston), and strawberry picking at Drumlin Farm (Lincoln).

3. Lowell always impresses me with their festivals -- this weekend they host African Festival Lowell.

4. For artistic delights, check out the juried ArtsFest Beverly.

5. Or southward, there's the South Shore Art Center Arts Festival.

6. About a bajillion of my friends have moved to Reading. I bet they'll be at the Reading Friends and Family Day.

7. I'm fascinated by this interactive water art festival at the Peabody Essex Museum.

8. One of my elementary school crossing guards used to tell me everyone had a little Irish in them. My parents weren't wild about that comment but regardless, if you want to celebrate all things Irish, head to the Boston Irish Festival.

9. Science rocks. Yay for inspiring kids to think creatively about wind energy!

10. OK, this printing arts fair piqued my interest given that I'm a designer who dreams of owning a letterpress machine.

11. Teach your kids that farm animals exist beyond the pages of their picture books (among other activities) at the Smolak Farms family farm festival.

12. Haven't figured out summer vacation plans? No worries -- you can scope out local options at the See New England Festival.

Image credit: Bruins Online Shop (should I get one of these for Violet?)

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local

My friends Anne and Michael live in London, and during a recent visit stateside, they introduced me to the term "butler's salad," which apparently refers to a salad comprised of pantry (or refrigerator) odds and ends. I couldn't get enough of Anne's butler's salad, and ever since that visit I've been inspired to eat a lot more greens (and make use of random leftovers from the fridge). However, given the frequency with which I'm now consuming salad and the fact that I'm often assembling while carrying baby Violet, I've also found it super helpful to do some prep work in advance. Here are my 4 steps to building an awesome butler's salad:

1. Toss greens in a large lidded container. Typically, I buy a huge tub of greens at the grocery store but our CSA started this week so now I'll source greens from our weekly pick up.

2. Scour fridge for leftover veggies. And/or prep a variety of veggies in advance. Add to the greens all those little leftover bits...remnants from the baby carrots bag, the last quarter of a cucumber, etc. Or I've taken to prepping veggies all at once to save time on assembly through the week. For example, this week I prepped the following into one big container: cucumber, bell pepper, carrots, grape tomatoes, and corn (steamed and shaved off the cob). I also always have avocados and cashews on hand to add to the mix.

3. Add protein/carb type leftovers. And/or prep in advance. The salad really becomes a meal once you add some protein or carbs. I've added leftover steak or chicken, or sometimes I'll hardboil a bunch of eggs to have on hand through the week. This week I roasted a big batch of potatoes, which are great in this salad or in quesadillas or as a side to whatever Laurel is eating.

4. Drizzle with dressing and toss. Your container now is pretty full! Add your favorite dressing, or if you don't have one on hand simply drizzle a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle coarse salt and pepper over the top of the salad. Then the key is to put the lid on the container and give the container a good shake to toss everything together.

And there you have it. I've been known to eat these salads as lunch and dinner, sometimes several days straight. Kind of like this week. Enjoy!

Image credit: Piyachok Thawornmat via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Home; Recipes

Since Violet's arrival, I've been wondering whether we need to upgrade from our little four door sedan to something like a small-footprint wagon or SUV to accommodate our expanded family (not to mention an extra booster for Laurel's playdate buddies). We haven't taken any steps on car shopping so far, instead opting for super minimal packing when it's time for car travel. During our getaway this past weekend, I jotted down some minimalist travel tips that I thought would be useful as you pack for summer travel. I hope these are helpful, and if you have other favorite minimalist travel tips, please feel free to share them in the comments below!

Now first -- obviously, travel needs will differ depending on the ages of your kids and the length and type of trip (e.g., for work travel, admittedly, my packing weakness lies in the shoes...), but I'm still pretty impressed that by following the below tips, we still had room to spare in our small trunk and the backseat was not at all crowded. We were packing for our family of four (including a 6-year-old and 3-month-old) to a casual weekend destination for 3 days, 2 nights, but I use many of these tips when I'm traveling solo for work since I always try to travel carry on only.

1. Limit your bags. I basically retained my carry on only mindset, limiting myself, Laurel, and Violet to two bags each -- one small (that could fit under the seat on an airplane) and one larger bag (that could fit in the overhead compartment on an airplane). My rationale being that the bigger a bag (or greater number of bags) you allocate, the more you pack.

2. Pack mix and match basics. I'm a big fan of mix and match basics coupled with bright accessories to give outfits punch. Basics (such as the black pants I wore repeatedly through the trip!) allow you to pack less.

3. Stack and pack. I forget where I picked up this packing tip, but I've been using it for years: lay all of your like-category clothing (e.g., shirts, pants) in a stack then fold over into a bundle. Clothes folded in a stack vs. individually take up less room and also help prevent wrinkling (important for me, since I hate ironing!).

4. Reserve large items at your destination. Whenever we travel, I scope out large items that I can rent or borrow on site. I reserved a pack n' play at the hotel instead of bringing ours. And ultimately, I was extra glad I didn't bother packing ours because we ended up sending the reserved pack n' play away because there were enough beds for me to co-sleep with Violet, which allowed us to have more floor space.

5. Think old school. Violet is only 3 months old so she doesn't need a ton of gear, but when you have a small car with a small trunk, things like bouncy seats and Moses baskets take up a lot of real estate. We decided to only bring the bare essentials -- stroller and a Baby Bjorn carrier -- and skip things (like the bouncy chair) that our parents' generation never bothered with. It worked out perfectly fine!

6. Limit the entertainment bulk... Laurel and my small bags were pretty sparely packed, especially since I used my compact Amelia tote to carry both my things (camera, wallet, notebook, etc.) + Violet's diaper supplies and other essentials. Laurel brought flat things (chapter books, activity books, card games) in her messenger bag. Basically, we skipped anything big and bulky and during the car ride busied ourselves with verbal travel games (also a necessity since we both get carsick in about 2 seconds if we try to read anything while driving).

7. ...And/or bring things you don't mind leaving behind or are done with. This is more of a critical strategy for me when I'm flying (and try to shave off every ounce possible to lighten my carry on) but I used it this trip as well. I like bringing magazines I haven't yet read and don't mind leaving behind for others to enjoy, or personal care products that I know I will finish up during the trip, so I'm a little lighter on the return.

So what about you? If you've got favorite travel tips to share, please feel free to do so in the comments below!

Image credit: Simon Howden via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Travel

Today, Heather recommends a toy that her brood never tires of:

Magna-tiles may very well be the best toy purchase I have ever made. My 7-year-old and 4-year-old triplets never get bored with them, and, well, neither do I. We purchased the 100 piece translucent set that includes square and triangular tiles in a variety of sizes. The tiles attract on all sides and in all combinations, helping children move easily from two-dimensional to three-dimensional creations.

The tiles truly are unbreakable as advertised (and believe me, my triplets in particular have put them to the test!) and offer a fun way to teach spatial relationships and inspire creativity. My kids proudly show off their creations -- rocket ships, boats, airplanes, mazes for their Hexbugs, houses, towers, stages for their talent shows, ice cream cones, etc. -- and have just as much fun knocking them down before building again.

The only downside of the tiles is that they are expensive, but we've found them to be worth every penny and then some. We love the tiles so much that we're looking to get another set this year, likely the non-translucent version.

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys

I recently wrote about getting back to basics with reading and engaging on the web. I feel so happy when I not only take the time to read and comment on other blogs, but also share particularly handy, clever, or amusing posts with others. I'm going to try to do these roundups more regularly. I hope you enjoy these 9 bits of web awesomeness.

1. Did someone say mojito?

2. I was just talking to someone about how to find and interview doulas.

3. A party detail that clearly says, "I love you vegan friend!"

4. After trying countless products, I'm pretty much convinced that the dark circles under my eyes are hopeless, but I still can't resist checking out eye cream and concealer roundups.

5. Similarly, I can never resist city lists...I'm proud that Boston is #3 on this one.

6. Now that I finally upgraded to a smartphone that's actually smart, I can play with apps! I went and downloaded iMapMyRun after reading about these 3 great apps for runners.

7. Here's how to disable that creepy Facebook facial recognition setting.

8. My friend Marie is featuring a basic crochet series. I love knitting projects because I love fawning over materials at knitting shops!

9. Because all kids seem to go bonkers over slime.

Have you read anything awesome this week? Feel free to share in the comments!

Image credit: Musings of a Housewife

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Bath, Beauty & Health; Family Issues; Home; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Recipes; Sports & Fitness

Yay, Friday! Here are 10 fun weekend picks that caught my eye:

1. I used to love taking walks through the Arnold Arboretum with my Dad. Painters for a Purpose opens tomorrow at the arboretum and features South Shore pastel artists. A portion of sales from the exhibit will benefit the Elizabeth Stone House in Jamaica Plain -- an institution for women and families in need.

2. There's lots of nature-y goodness to be had at the Sudbury Assabet Concord Riverfest.

3. And for more community fun, head north to Lowell Riverfest.

4. Or south to the Dedham Square Music and Art Festival.

5. I have a thing about kites. If you do too, head to the Lawrence kite festival.

6. Or if you'd like a more extended kite flying adventure (a harbor ferry ride is involved), consider the Reach for the Sky kite flying event to benefit the AIF Learning & Migration Program.

7. Laurel's stomach seems like a bottomless pit when it comes to strawberries. However, she would probably be put to the test at the Topsfield Strawberry Festival.

8. There will be a whole lot of Asian awesomeness at the Boston Dragon Boat Festival.

9. And for another celebration of diversity, check out the Boston Race Amity Day Celebration on the Greenway.

10. Finally, as a former color guard member, trumpet, and bass drum player (not all at the same time...), I can't help but have a place in my heart for parades such as the Quincy Flag Day Parade and Bunker Hill Day Parade.

Did I miss anything awesome? Feel free to share below in the comments and have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Image credit: Arnold Arboretum

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local

Today, Lindsey shares a book that her kids clamor for repeatedly:

One of my very favorite books to read with my children is Space Boy. I knew I loved this book, but I learned that they loved it also when my son chose it, without hesitation, as the book he wanted me to read in his Beginners classroom when I was the parent reader. My daughter, now eight, has loved this book also and still does.

Space Boy is a charming story of a boy's adventures before sleep. Before bed, Nicholas escapes the noise of his family's house by putting on his space suit, walking out into his back yard, and climbing into his rocket. He flies his rocket to the moon, walks around, enjoys a picnic, and then heads home.

Even as he explores the moon, Nicholas's thoughts drift to his family, far below on the green and blue ball of the earth. The surface of the moon reminds him of the beach, and he thinks about helping his baby sister take her first steps in the sand. Nicholas remembers sitting on his front porch, observing the moon -- the very moon he now stands on -- in the sky. The universe feels welcoming, benevolent, and not at all scary.

When Nicholas touches down in his back yard, he walks back into his house, whose noises are all those of quiet and nighttime. He feels affection as he sees his baby sister and his dog sleeping, and as he overhears the quiet murmuring of his parents talking to each other. Calmly, happily, he goes to bed.

Space Boy is a simple but adventurous tale that speaks to children of all ages. Additionally, its illustrations are beautiful -- simple and classic, bright and colorful. This book is a pleasure to read and both of my children clamor for it over and over again.

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids

I love supporting the businesses of friends and family, so last year, when I learned that my high school pal Ashley was an Arbonne consultant, I started purchasing my FC5 skin care products from her. And when Ashley found out I was pregnant, she sent me Arbonne's Baby Care Set. Not only was I touched by this kind gift, but since Violet's birth, I've been happy to discover that I dig these products for Violet (save the body oil, which I haven't yet had occasion to use) just as much as I do the FC5 collection for myself.

As I wrote about earlier, I love FC5 for its light (yet effective) composition and delicious (yet not overpowering) smell, and the same goes for the baby care line. The hair + body wash produces a gentle lather that gets Violet clean (oh, those milk encrusted baby rolls...) while still leaving her smelling deliciously like a baby, and the body lotion is similarly gentle yet softens any chappy bits.

However, the two major winners in this collection for me are the diaper rash cream and sunscreen. We haven't had a lot of diaper rash to contend with, but when we do, this is my go-to cream. I find many diaper creams thick and difficult to spread -- I understand wanting to create a barrier, but thick pastes also make for friction inducing multi-wipe cleanups. In contrast, the Arbonne diaper rash cream is light in composition (more lotion-like in thickness), which makes it quick to apply -- a handy thing when you have a squirmy baby or are trying to work quickly to avoid mid-diaper change emissions -- and quick to clean up. I've also found the cream excellent at clearing up Violet's diaper rash quickly.

I haven't used the SPF 30+ sunscreen on Violet yet, but I've used it on Laurel (now having two kids, I'm thrilled when one product works for both...yay for less bottles to tote around!) and, like the diaper cream, love that the sunscreen isn't thick and pasty. It's easy to work in quickly, thankfully absent of bizarre and overpowering tropical scents, and doesn't result in greasy residue.

My only constructive criticism is that I'd like Arbonne to redesign the bottle shapes in this collection a bit. The diaper rash cream comes in a traditional tapered squeeze tube that works great, but the shape and stiffness of the other bottles in the collection offer a bit less finesse when squeezing out the contents. It's not a huge deal -- if I squeeze out too much sunscreen I can unscrew the top and put the rest back in, but a little tweak in the bottle design would make usage perfect.

So if you're looking for a gentle, effective, and safe baby care system to use or gift to an expecting mama, I recommend checking out Arbonne's Baby Care Set (and I recommend connecting with Ashley -- she's a really nice person and is an RN with a deep knowledge about and passion for Arbonne). A little product goes a long way so these products will last. Also, Arbonne doesn't label all of their products explicitly in this way, but Ashley confirmed for me that as a company, Arbonne is paraben and phthalate free (in addition to other nasties such as mineral oil and petrolatum byproducts, chemical dyes and fragrances, etc.), so you'll feel peace of mind, whether you're using these products on your kids or yourself.

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Eco Living

A couple of months ago I discovered how remarkably easy it is to make éclairs. Today, Kate shares the how-to on the éclair's petit cousin, the profiterole:

Profiteroles are one of those show-off, special-occasion dishes that restaurants include on their menus as a way to both wow diners and remind them that restaurant cooking is different -- better, fancier, more complex -- than at-home cooking. I've always loved profiteroles, loved the production of having them served to me, loved the waterfall of chocolate sauce, and loved the perfect combo of cold ice cream and hot pastry shell (word to chefs everywhere: never, ever serve profiteroles with cold pastry shells).

For the edification of us all, Mark Bittman has demonstrated that profiteroles can, in fact, be made at home with minimal trouble, and can be just as delicious and special as those served in restaurants. I tried them out and can attest to the fact that the recipe really works. Trust me, and give them a try for your next special occasion.

Mark Bittman's Profiteroles
Makes 12-15

I love this city. With the good weather comes many opportunities to help others in need. Some of these events (such as the March for Babies and Walk for Hunger) have already passed, but this week you can participate in the following family friendly philanthropic events: June 11 is the Four Seasons Run of Hope (5K run/2K walk) to benefit pediatric cancer care and research at the Mass. General Hospital for Children and MGH Cancer Center. June 12 is NSTAR's Walk for Children's Hospital Boston and the New Balance Heart Break Hill 5K to benefit Franciscan Hospital for Children. And starting tomorrow (through June 9) all you need to do is eat ice cream at the Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl to help raise funds for cancer research and care. So easy, no?

Image credit: Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Good Deeds; Local

Oh, this awesome weather. It serves as the perfect backdrop for, well, everything! There's no shortage of fun stuff going on this weekend in and around the city (including Jon and my first date night -- to celebrate our anniversary -- since Violet was born...yay!). Here are 11 events that caught my eye (it was a strange coincidence to have back to back posts referencing the number 11, btw):

1. I felt super happy when I saw the colorful jewelry on the landing page of the Coolidge Corner Arts Festival. And the artist roster suggests that there will be plenty of other covet-worthy items to browse.

2. And north of the city, there's more artistic awesomeness to be had at the Salem Arts Festival.

3. I imagine it will be impossible to resist yelling "Opa!" at the Arlington Greek Festival.

4. The Fabulous Food Truck Festival immediately made me think of my days on the MIT campus. Except less Matlab coding and more family friendly.

5. Just the other day my friend Sheila was talking about how her kids go bonkers over the Cambridge River Festival.

6. As a former semi-pro violinist, I love that organizations such as the Chameleon Arts Ensemble offer free family concerts.

7. Laurel recently got a tea set so we've been playing a lot of tea party. I imagine a fancy tea party (and the treats from Upstairs on the Square) such as that at the Boston Center for Adult Education Mind Your Manners Tea Party would go over well.

8. I recently learned from my friend Morra that boys go utterly berserk over Touch-A-Truck events (these are the things I miss, raising girls...) such as the Charlestown Mother's Association Touch-A-Truck Day.

9. I heart the Audubon. And the owls at the Audubon Nature Festival are sure to be pretty cute.

10. If you can't make the Chameleon Arts performance, you can celebrate music at the New School of Music family music festival. (Fun fact: I learned how to read music notation at the NSM!)

11. There's always something cool going on in Somerville. This weekend it's the Carnaval @ SomerStreets.

Happy weekend everyone!

Image credit: Coolidge Corner Arts Festival

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local

In the last couple of years I have taken towards reflecting here on Jon and my anniversary -- about lessons I've learned and intentions to carry forward. Since I've spent a lot of time expressing gratitude for the little things in life (over at my personal blog), this year I wanted to focus on 11 little things -- tweaks we have made and things I have discovered -- that have served to strengthen Jon and my marriage and also our functionality as parents. I hope you find some of these things helpful as you navigate your relationships.

1. Small acts of kindness matter. I recently noticed that my half caff lattes taste so much better when Jon makes them for me. Seriously! I'm always touched when Jon takes the time to make me one. And it reminds me to look around and find nice, small acts of kindness to do for him. These gestures go a long way.

2. Be explicit. I have a habit of starting a conversation thread in my head and then drawing Jon in mid-thought. Which usually leaves him confused, and both of us frustrated. I have taken to reminding myself that Jon is not a mind reader and I'm now more explicit with whatever I'm talking about. That little communicative shift has made a world of difference.

3. State instead of ask. I didn't realize until recently that I tend towards passive behavior when it comes to requesting help. It's better to make a statement when you want help, instead of shifting the decision onus to your partner (e.g., "Please change this diaper" instead of "Would you like to change this diaper?").

4. Take care of yourself and remember that you're a team. Since Violet's birth I have had a few days where I've pushed myself to the point of illness. This benefits no one and the team functions best when you're not a man down, as it were.

5. Enjoy each other's strengths... I hate to sound so 1950's but I'm really glad that Jon isn't scared of disposing of things, such as the squirrel who decided to take its last breaths and die in our backyard this past weekend [shudder].

6. ...But don't grow completely complacent. Since I enjoy cooking, I've become the default meal prep person. I don't mind doing it but it also means that it's a lovely treat when Jon prepares a meal for the family. Similarly, I try to remind myself to do things that I typically leave up to him (e.g., taking out the garbage and recycling), and he's always similarly surprised and happy about a respite from typical chores.

7. Take the baggage elsewhere. Since these days Jon and I have less time for chatting (we used to enjoy our couple/catch up time in the window between Laurel and our bedtimes, but now Violet is usually up during that time), I often don't want to clog that time with frustrating things (that don't relate to our family). Not to say that I never go there, but I've found it useful to engage professionals (i.e., my therapist) for periodic tune ups when necessary.

8. Don't assume. Jon and I recently discovered that I sometimes assume his reaction to certain topics and make choices based on that (and then sometimes feel grumpy about it). I recently declined on a couple of traveling events because I assumed he would bristle (my travel has been a point of contention at times). When I did get around to talking to him about them, he was enormously supportive. From now on, if there are opportunities that really resonate with me, we've agreed that I should bring them to the table instead of assuming that he won't be on board.

9. Allow each other mindfulness. Our culture is one that hurries. And Jon and I have found that there's such comfort and value in encouraging one another to take time instead of hurrying, whether it's when doing errands or going to a café for some solo time.

10. If you've got village people, show them you care. We're far from having a village, but we are well aware that my mom's weekly involvement in our lives is a huge gift. It feels so good to do nice things for her as a gesture of our thanks (such as when I sent her the gift of household cleaners this week...she loved it!) and I want to get in the habit of doing that more regularly, not just around landmark dates.

11. Be grateful every day. Over the years I've met and read about many parents who face so many challenges and quandaries. I know I'm enormously lucky to be in a supportive, loving relationship and to be the mom of two healthy and happy girls. Even on the most challenging days, I look for gratitude.

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Jun 2011 | Permalink | Comments (10) | Filed in Family Issues

Over the holiday weekend we had friends over for our first grilling and chilling of the season and as I was flipping through American Bistro for inspiration, I decided to try Diane Rossen Worthington's herbed garlic cheese bread. Even though I didn't have all the ingredients (Whole Foods was out of thyme and oregano) and messed up the assembly a bit (chalk it up to long weekend brain haze), the bread was spectacular -- a hit with kids and grownups alike. Below is the annotated recipe -- enjoy!

Herbed Garlic Cheese Bread

After getting the green light from my midwife at my 6 week postpartum visit, I was happy -- and found it surprisingly comfortable -- to get back in the running groove. And whether you're a new runner or are returning to the sport (in either case, I recommend the Couch to 5K plan), how cool is it that as part of my Giveaway Goodness series, the kind folks at SKECHERS want to gift one of you fabulous readers with their new technical running shoe -- the ProSpeed -- in honor of National Running Day? I have yet to try out the ProSpeed, but if they can accommodate my pesky bunions, I'm all over a shoe whose design simulates barefoot running and might encourage this moderate paced runner to be a tad speedier. Awesome, right? Check out the rules below to enter to win:

Rules: