Despite the hurricane on Sunday (which didn't amount to more than heavy rain in our neighborhood), we headed out to a surprise birthday party for my friend Morra. And two things about that event turned me into a fan of Lakota Bakery. First were the goodies; the cakes -- one golden with raspberry buttercream, the other almond meringue with dark chocolate ganache and chocolate buttercream -- were spectacularly moist and delicious (yes, I had three pieces). The cookie platter was equally impressive and I realized after looking at Lakota's website that the reason the cookies looked so familiar was because I have eaten them before from Darwin's (most recently, while in the hospital following Violet's birth).

And the second thing is more emotional in nature: as we were all delighting in the sugary confections, Morra shared that when she was a few weeks postpartum, she was tasked to bring treats to her mommy meet up group. She headed to Lakota, picked out cookies, and pulled out her wallet -- at which point she was told that they didn't take credit cards, only cash. Amidst sleep deprivation and postpartum hormones (and who knows, perhaps an intensely visceral hunger for cookies...) Morra broke down in tears. The owner looked at Morra, the baby, and the cookies, then told her not to worry -- to come back and pay another time (which Morra did the following day).

Now, I know this is a hard thing for business owners to do...sometimes they might get burned for their kindness and hope for honorable follow up. I love that the owner of Lakota felt compassion for a new mom in need of cookies. And in my opinion, it's kind acts like these that make businesses great and will motivate me to buy from Lakota Bakery next time I need cookies or cake.

Image credit: Nicco Mele

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Food & Drink; Local
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It quickly became clear to me after leaving academia to start Boston Mamas (and my other writing, editing, design, and consulting endeavors) that the Boston area is replete with career changers, aspiring career changers, and awesomely creative women. I receive a lot of inquiries about how I got from point A to B in my career 180 so I'm thrilled to announce that I'm co-hosting an event -- Pivot -- with three amazing ladies to address just that topic. Join us October 4 to hear speakers (including yours truly) talk about how they rocked the career pivot, explore change and growing your career in the social media age, and network with fellow attendees. Admission is $10 (plus an Eventbrite administrative fee) and will be donated in entirety to the YWCA Boston. I hope to see you there!

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Local; Mama in the Workplace; Outreach
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I hope you all made it through the hurricane with minimal negative impact. We were sad to leave our vacation earlier than planned, but were grateful to have a few days away in the first place, make it home safely, and come out the other side of the storm perfectly fine. Meanwhile, this week is supposed to be perfection weather-wise. Enjoy my top event picks this week, which include some great end-of-summer deals (bowling, carousel rides, zoo visits, yoga, kite making!) and live entertainment picks. And here's a bonus back-to-school safety event for incoming kindergarten and first grade students.

Image credit: Michal Marcol / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 29 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local
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During the pushing phase of my 58 hours of labor with Violet (over five months ago...where does the time go?), I strained something in my left hip/glute area. When I received clearance 6 weeks postpartum and started working out again, I attempted to address this problem area via yoga. I also resumed running, and that, my friends, has been pretty torturous. I'm not a natural runner to begin with, and whatever was going on in my left hip/glute made for not so nimble runs followed by immense discomfort, including a searing pain that seemed buried deep in the bone on my left back side. So I slowed down on running and continued yoga, but felt pretty discouraged to feel no improvement over the course of a couple of months. I know these things take time, but still.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to see Heather at Isis Parenting for a repeat postnatal massage. My first massage with Heather a couple of months ago was lovely and relaxing (she's trained in both traditional massage and craniosacral therapy and has a very warm disposition). On my recent visit, I asked Heather if she could identify anything wonky in my left hip/glute area.

Now, I wasn't expecting a miracle, merely exploration. I had been trying for over three months to stretch things out on my own. When I told Heather about my problem, she suggested that we do traditional massage followed by a realignment technique she recently learned. I was totally game for anything.

Heather gave me a traditional massage (which was awesome) and said that while my left side was tight, she didn't feel anything unusual. Then she had me get dressed and walk around the table a few times. I then stood in place and Heather sat behind me and put her hands on my hips. I breathed deeply and within a few minutes felt myself swaying then eventually regained my balance. Heather said that following injuries, our bodies accommodate to non-optimal movement patterns (like when you start bearing more weight on one leg if you injure the other). And that if you can get the body off its current track, it will settle into optimal alignment. She said she was asking my pelvic area to find a new way of movement.

I know this sounds rather woo-woo, but I'm totally on board with this kind of stuff so I just kept breathing deeply, welcoming the ask and hoping my body would be open to realignment. After Heather was done, she had me walk around the table again. I wasn't sure if I felt a difference. We agreed that I'd keep an eye on how my body was feeling and be in touch if there were issues.

Now, fast forward a couple of weeks. I've admittedly done very little exercise due mostly to some other life craziness (plus, my motivation hasn't been stellar due to said pain), but this past weekend, I went for a run. I decided to jump in where I left off on my Couch to 5K training. I ran for 23 minutes before taking cover from the downpour.

The next morning, I had the shocking revelation that I was free of the searing pain in my back area that typically followed a run. And that -- presumably because I was running with better alignment -- I also wasn't hurting massively in my knees and other places as has been the case since running postpartum. I went for another run yesterday -- this time 25 minutes -- and while my left side is definitely still tighter than my right (which, I should say, has always been the case), overall I still feel way better and I'm free of the excruciating left lower back pain. Hooray!

Now I know other variables could be at play... time, general healing, or what have you. But given that I had spent the last few months in the same (very, very uncomfortable) place before, during, and after fitness, this is a huge change for me. If you have a specific ailment or just need a relaxing hour to yourself (really, who doesn't?), I highly recommend booking a visit with Heather. I look forward to scheduling a follow up so I can thank her in person.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Local; Pre & Postnatal Services; Pregnancy & Postpartum
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Today, Jules shares a review of some eco-friendly fitness apparel from ActivewearUSA. Read on for her review, as well as to learn how to win a $50 gift certificate to ActivewearUSA:

Believe me, I'm well aware that it's easy to let fashion fall to the wayside as a mom. I love fashion, but I avoid wearing silk or cashmere around the kids. If I'm going out, I walk around in a towel until about 17 seconds before I'm going to leave the house to up my chances of walking out the door stain-free. And during the week, the reality is that as a mom, gym rat, and laundry/diaper aficionado, I live in my sweats. So I was thrilled to test out some organic fitness apparel from ActivewearUSA and find that they're chic, comfortable, and feel like they will last forever.

The second I tried on this GGO hoodie, I said to my husband, "You'll be seeing a lot of this hoodie..." It's comfortable, cozy, soft as can be, and you can wear it to the gym or even with some cute skinnies and gladiator sandals to a casual dinner. Also awesome? I feel good about wearing it because it's 100% bamboo.

The other two items I tested were just as comfortable and durable. I recently ran 17 miles in these Green Apple cropped leggings and couldn't believe how comfy they were. Given that I sweat through every inch of everything I wear when I run, these leggings were comfortable even though they were soaked through, and the combo of bamboo and organic cotton was way more comfortable than the spandex I typically wear. I also love the little pocket in front, perfect for emergency cash or your house key. Finally, I love Green Apple's off the shoulder sweatshirt. Faded in a chic way, this sweatshirt is cozy and comfy -- perfect for this new wave of cooler weather. And the kangaroo pocket is, admittedly, handy for stowing random items while I'm cleaning up after my kids.

My only comment is to be mindful of sizing when you order. I have a small upper body and typically wear a small, and the size S is snug on both of the tops I tried. However, otherwise, I'm thrilled with these pieces, and to now know about ActivewearUSA as a source for chic, eco-friendly sweats for my everyday "uniform."

Now, want to win a $50 gift certificate to ActivewearUSA? Here's how:

Rules:

Raise your hand if you also can't believe we're two weeks out from Labor Day weekend. (My disbelief stems from both the freakishly fast evaporation of summer and the fact that Laurel is soon to turn seven years old...sniff!) And then go on and relish what we've got left of summer by enjoying my top event picks this week, which include entertaining ways to celebrate dance (both shaking it and watching others do so), the great outdoors, music, and other family fun. Enjoy!

Image credit: Salsa in the Park

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Hello everyone! I'm going off the grid for a few days so I leave you with an early weekend roundup (also see this column for a couple of picks for tomorrow and Friday).

1. The humble frog deserves props. Celebrate and learn about frogs at Frog Appreciation Day (which I keep calling Frogapalooza in my head) at Frog Pond.

2. Get your green on tomorrow through Saturday at Boston GreenFest at City Hall Plaza.

3. This year's theme for the West End Children's Festival is international flavor. Yum.

4. In my opinion, it's never too late to try dance. Springstep Summerfest looks like a super fun opportunity to experiment with different styles.

5. I think it's awesome that the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival raises money to support music education programs on the North Shore.

6. If you participate in the watermelon contest at the August Moon Festival in Quincy, please post photos to the Boston Mamas Facebook page!

7. For further Asian celebration, enjoy food, crafts, performances, and boat races at the Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival.

8. The Gloucester Waterfront Festival will feature over 175 juried crafters. And lots of lobster.

9. Every year our CSA demonstrates that locally sourced tomatoes are a completely different animal than tomatoes that have been sitting on a truck in transit for several days. Go get yourself some fresh tomatoes at the Wilson Farm Tomato Festival.

10. Games, yoga, and photography lessons at Sunday Fun in the Park sounds perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

Image credit: Frog Appreciation Day

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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My friend Amy recently sent me a teething toy that perfectly marries Violet's insatiable oral fixation with our love for simple, eco-friendly toys and musical merriment. Handmade of locally sourced hardwood and crafted with a smooth, sweet silhouette, Little Alouette's wee guitar teething toy is perfectly constructed for little hands and busy mouths. And when Jon, Laurel, and I are rocking out together on guitar, mandolin, and keyboard (Laurel is teaching herself Beatles songs!), Violet really seems like part of the action while munching on her wee guitar. There's so much cute stuff at Little Alouette; definitely check out the collection when you're next gifting expecting loved ones.

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Eco Living
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Rain, rain, go away -- there's too much good stuff to enjoy outdoors this week (though I am grateful that the rain is watering the plants...)! Check out my top event picks this week via my FamilyFinds column, which includes fun ideas for those who love food, cultural celebrations, puppets, frogs, and more. Given the weather, the good news is that picks #1 and #2 (the first of which I'm enjoying this evening with girlfriends...yay!) are indoors.

Image credit: Puppets on the Common

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local
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Today, Kate shares an oldie that, nearly 40 years later, remains a (sociologically oriented) goodie:

If you grew up in the 1970s, as I did, chances are that you owned (and loved) the album Free to Be You & Me. Conceived and produced by Marlo Thomas, the album -- and eventual book and television special -- grew out of a project of the Ms. Foundation and was an effort to provide children with positive messages about gender roles.

Thomas recruited her friends -- many of the top entertainment names of the era -- to contribute their talents to the album, which was released in 1972 and features songs with stereotype-busting titles such as 'It's All Right to Cry,' 'William's Doll,' and 'Girl Land.' And while the project could have turned out dull and hectoring, it's sweetness and sense of humor instead made it an instant classic. The songs are catchy and smart, and infused with an innocence and joy that makes them irresistible.

I recently revisited Free to be You and Me with my daughter, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the vast majority of the songs and ideas have held up well, despite the passage of years. And the songs that feel dated -- those about princesses opting not to marry their prince, and about mothers liking to work -- serve to remind us of how far we have progressed toward something closer to gender equality. My daughter now loves the album just as much as I did, and I'm happy to know that a new generation is benefiting from the wonderful work of Thomas and the Ms. Foundation.

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids; For Grownups
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Today, Sheri concludes our Curbing the Summer Slump series with fun ideas to engage your kids in everyday science:

Science is one of the subjects that children get the most excited about and summer is a great time to dive into easy science investigations in your kitchen, backyard, garden, or at the beach (though of course any time of year is great for scientific exploration!). Since science focuses on the hypothesis, experiment, and conclusions drawn, ask the following questions and let your child do the thinking, problem solving, exploring:

1. What do you think will happen? (hypothesis/prediction)
2. Why do you think it will happen? (analysis)
3. How could we make it different? (variables)

Here are some fun ideas for inspiring scientific exploration in your kitchen or backyard:

FAVORITE KITCHEN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

Easy to do, messy (all the more fun!), and loaded with scientific thinking and possibilities, the kitchen is full of opportunities to explore science using common household ingredients.

Oobleck (properties of matter-solid/liquid)
Slowly stir ¼ cup water (and food coloring if you wish) into a ½ cup of cornstarch. The mixture will be hard to stir but should become consistent. What your child will discover is that when they pick it up and squeeze it, they can make a solid shape. Within seconds the shape will melt into a liquid again. Kids love Oobleck and the fun of turning a liquid into a solid and vice versa. This is messy and best explored outside where the garden hose can wash away the mess.

Mini Rockets (chemical reaction)
Put 2 tsp of baking soda or ½ an antacid tablet in a film canister with a snap on lid. Quickly pour 2 tsp vinegar in and snap the lid onto the container placing it cap side down. Back away and wait. Within a minute the container cap will pop, sending the container shooting up in the air. School age children love this experiment. You can even design the container by adding wings to see if it changes the results. Note: wear goggles or sunglasses for eye protection!

Homemade Bubbles
Nothing is more fun than creating bubbles during the warm summer days. Making your own solution is fun and easy -- simply mix a ½ cup of dishwashing liquid (Dawn or Joy work best), 2 cups of water, and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Try experimenting with pipe cleaners and straws to create your own wand shapes. See how big a bubble you can make or how changing the solution changes the life of the bubbles you make. It is all about experimenting, hypothesizing, and having fun!

BACKYARD SCIENCE

The garden and backyard provide lots of opportunities for science discussions. Here are some sample activities:

Assuming you're going to do something other than stimulate the economy via the impending tax-free weekend (thank you all, for your couch shopping suggestions via Facebook!), here are 7 fun weekend picks to consider:

1. I recently taught Laurel to knit. I have a feeling she would love the Fiber Revival at Spencer Peirce Little Farm.

2. Textile enthusiasts will also dig the Lowell Quilt Festival, which runs today through Saturday. (And on Saturday the Merrimack Valley Jazz Festival will include family friendly entertainment.)

3. Hooray for the Bard! Enjoy family friendly literary entertainment at the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Family Day on Boston Common.

4. Explore Indian culture via the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB)'s annual India Day.

5. If you head to August Moon Festival in Chinatown don't forget to stop for cake roll at Eldo Cake House.

6. If agriculture is your thing, there's the Rehoboth Fair and the Bolton Fair (both start today). Moo.

7. If you adore acoustic music, consider the Rockport Acoustic Music Festival.

Image credit: Fiber Revival

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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I've known about Tea Collection for a while (I still regret that I never got around to purchasing from their Korea collection a while back), but it wasn't until recently that I had a chance to see their products. And while the clothes are really lovely out of the box, they move to the realm of tremendously awesome once placed on real little bodies. I recently had the opportunity to style some pieces from Tea's fall collection and was struck not only by the quality and design, but by the ability to create really cute coordinated (but not overly matchy match) sibling outfits (read: perfect for family photos or general everyday cuteness). Read on to check out the coordinated outfits I assembled, as well as to learn how to be one of three winners to receive a $100 Tea gift certificate!

I first must say that I utterly adore Tea's use of vivid, rich colors. To date, Laurel has worn a lot of classic pink and purple, and while cute, seeing her (and Violet) in deeper hues is just so delicious. And the clothes are beautifully (and sturdily) constructed -- they'll definitely stand up to repeated wear both in the now and as hand me downs. Here are three coordinated looks I put together for the girls:

1. Still Feels Like Summer Dresses

I loved the look of these dresses together, even though they're not the same colorways. Laurel's Bird of Paradise dress dress is light, airy, and striking in pattern and color. This dress is cute for everyday wear but also is easily fancied up with costume jewelry, such as the multi-strand faux pearl necklace that was passed down to Laurel from her great-grandmother. For baby clothes, I much prefer comfy, stretchy jersey knits over stiff cottons, and Violet's Marimba Mini dress is the perfect weight and snuggliness -- both for rolling around on the floor and, well, absorbing baby slobber.

2. Back to School Cool

As I was laying out these looks, I kept saying to myself, "I wish I had this in grownup size!" In particular, I adore Laurel's comfy and stylish Skinny French Terry cargoes. They're like leggings in that they're pull-on with no zippers or buttons, but they're a more substantial weight -- perfect for fall. The cargoes look really cute paired with the vividness of the Mexican inspired secret garden top. This top looked really big out of the package but hung beautifully; the embroidery is so pretty and Laurel loved the girliness of the flutter sleeves. For contrast, we added an inexpensive necklace we found at a consignment store in Somerville. Violet is wearing the Hacienda Stripe dress. Like the Marimba Mini, the material is cozy and comfortable and I love that the indigo matches Laurel's pants while the pink pocket liners match Laurel's shirt. Also, this baby dress comes with bloomers. Cuteness.

3. We Love Leggings

For grownups or kids, leggings and a comfy top/dress are an easy, stylish, and comfortable go-to. Here Laurel is wearing the Courtyard Tile Dress (which again, looked really big out of the package but hung beautifully) and the Skinny Stretch Leggings in radish + a chunky colorful necklace we picked up for $5 from a street vendor in New York; both pieces added a nice color pop against the dress. Violet is wearing her own Gap leggings + this adorable Mistica parajito tee. I love the graphic and the ruffle details and the weight is soft and comfortable. I can't wait until it comes out of the wash (again)!

4. Bonus Pick

There are many swoon-worthy items at Tea (including clothing for boys and women), but I wanted to shout out one of Laurel's favorites: the Jardin Azul Maxi Dress. She'll get a lot of wear out of it in the remaining weeks of summer and I suspect into fall as well, paired with a cardigan and leggings once the temperature drops.

Aren't these clothes gorgeous? I'm in love and can't wait to shop when the girls grow a size (or maybe I'll just troll the sale section and stock up for the future)! Now, on to the the giveaway. The folks at Tea Collection have generously offered three lucky winners each a $100 Tea gift certificate. Awesome, no? Check out the rules below and enter to win!

Rules:

Growing up in a large family, salon haircuts were not in the budget. Fortunately, my mom had a steady hand, and it wasn't until I went away to college that I stepped into a salon for the first time, paying for the haircut myself. Subsequently, Hair Cuttery's Share a Haircut program really resonated with me. Until August 15, for every child that gets a haircut at any Hair Cuttery (there are over 750 locations in 16 states), a haircut will be donated to a child in need in the community. If you've been planning on back-to-school haircuts for your kids, I hope you will consider supporting this program.

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Good Deeds; Local
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Given that we're still happily clinging to summer in our house (task I have not missed the least bit = packing school lunches), it's been amazing to already see friends updating about their kids heading back to school. And whether or not you're off this week with your kids, hopefully you can enjoy some of this week's picks via my FamilyFinds column. Also, below is one bonus event: a practical outing for expecting parents.

Friday, August 12 (11am - 2pm): If you need a little help or reassurance before bringing your bundle home, AAA and Dorel are hosting a free car seat safety event (at the Stop & Shop/ Martha Elliot Heath Center Parking Lot, 301 Center Street, Jamaica Plain), during which certified technicians will help families install car seats and also provide vehicle childproofing tips. There's no event website, but details will be on the Dorel Safety 1st Facebook page this week.

Image credit: DeCordova Sculpture Park & Museum

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local
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Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Renee via e-mail:

Dear Boston Mamas: Hello! I'm hoping to get some input/advice. I'm a mom to a 19 month old girl and I'm pregnant with twins. We do not yet know the genders. Several people have suggested to me that I should have a shower. I always thought of a shower for your 2nd+ kids as greedy and poor etiquette. However, given that we are expecting twins, there are quite a few things that we will need, especially if one or more of the babies is a boy. Do you think there is an exception to the etiquette if you are having twins?

Dear Renee,

First, congratulations on your pregnancy -- I hope you are feeling well!

Now, I used to agree with your opinion that showers (whether for weddings or babies) are a one-time thing. But as the years have passed and I have seen loved ones go through complicated life matters, it's clear to me that things aren't always black and white. For example, if I had a friend who went through a bad marriage and divorce and then found her soul mate, would I want to throw or attend a second wedding shower? Absolutely! Same goes for baby showers, and I think the "appropriateness" depends on the circumstances -- also perhaps quantified as the need. For example, in my case, after three years of what seemed like secondary infertility, I became resolved with the idea of us being a three-person family and gave away almost all of my baby things. And then of course learned I was pregnant three months later. I was touched that my girlfriend Heidi offered to host a shower for me, and it was very welcome, given that I needed a lot of basics.

In your case, having twins following a singleton is a big deal! You may have all of your gear from your 19-month-old, but now you will need doubles of certain things (e.g., carseat) or different items altogether (e.g., double stroller).

Here are my thoughts on baby shower etiquette, depending on different scenarios:

1. I do think it's questionable to host your own shower. Maybe I'm a little old fashioned but personally, I wouldn't go there.

2. If a loved one offers to host a shower for you, graciously accept. And make a note to do something nice for that person as a thank you! (I purchased a gift certificate to Bella Sante for Heidi, which -- not surprisingly -- was a hit!)

3. If you haven't had a direct hosting offer, ask one of the people who suggested you have a shower (whoever you feel closest to) whether they would feel comfortable hosting. Offer to help (hopefully they will say of course they'd love to host and of course you don't need to help, but it's good to put it out there!), and also express that it's OK if they don't want to take on the responsibility (because the reality is, hosting a shower takes time and expense).

4. If you find yourself in scenario #3 but are not comfortable making the ask, then I would simply start emailing your friends with kids and ask about borrowing things. Part of the impetus for my secondhand baby shower was that many of my friends were done with the baby stage and were eager to pass along items to me. I suspect you will probably be able to procure a lot of clothes and gear from friends.

5. If a shower doesn't pan out and you still have a lot of needs after canvassing your friends, check out local consignment stores, Craigslist, and your town parent list (if there is one; check out my local resources page for leads).

I hope these ideas are helpful. Let me know if you have other questions and I'm wishing you a smooth pregnancy!

Image credit: ialbert via etsy

Have a question for Christine? Drop her a line! And of course feel free to comment in if you have recommendations beyond those made above.

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Dear Boston Mamas; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Web (Admin)
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Doesn't it feel fantastic to get to Friday? Here are 5 fun picks to consider this weekend:

1. I'm all about supporting local, so hooray for the New England farmers, specialty food producers, and artisans who will be showing at the Massachusetts Marketplace Festival at the Gardens at Elm Bank in Wellesley.

2. Get your groove on at the Boston Urban Music Fest.

3. Celebrate all things sea-oriented at the Salem Maritime Festival.

4. One of these days I want to learn to make a sand castle out of something other than upside-down buckets. If you want to pick up pointers, check out the Crane Beach Sandblast.

5. If crafting isn't your forte, you can glean ideas on how to turn trash into puppet treasure at Junk Puppets!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Image credit: Massachusetts Horticultural Society

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local; Retail
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Today, Sheri continues our Curbing the Summer Slump series with ideas to engage your kids in writing:

Writing goes hand in hand with reading opportunities, and summer is a great time to engage in unique written experiences that will also enrich your child's reading. Through writing experiences, kids expand their vocabulary, open a creative outlet that doesn't involve batteries and noise producing buttons, and expand their understanding of how language works when communicating with others. Here are some fun ideas to encourage writing (and writing muscles for little ones who aren't yet putting pencil to paper):

For the very young (pre-writing experiences)

Occupational therapists will tell any parent that one of the best things you can do for your child prior to learning to write is tactile play. Tactile play involves letting your child's fingers strengthen in preparation for pencil grip holding. Warning: Some tactile play ideas are quite messy, but that is part of what makes them so fun!

Since Violet's birth, I've developed a bad habit of waiting until the last minute to restock on disposable diapers. So I've been thrilled with Diapers.com, which I've ordered from twice so far. The site offers many things other than diapers, but I've used them to replenish my Seventh Generation diapers and wipes. And since I'm keen on garnering online shopping discounts and free shipping: 1) via Retail Me Not I found a coupon code (FIVEAFF) for $10 off my first order; 2) Diapers.com has a loyalty program offering $5 off every case of diapers purchased; and 3) if you spend over $49 (not hard with diapers and wipes), shipping is free, which brings the SG diapers to a very competitive 25 cents/diaper. Both times I've ordered, the diapers have arrived the next day -- perfect for this procrastinator!

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Diapers & Potty; Eco Living
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Today, Kate shares a sweet book that captures the sidekick dynamic:

When my daughter was born, she was gifted with a matching pair of plush toys, a yellow duck and a green hippo. She's never paid much attention to the hippo, but -- about the time she turned two -- she bonded with the duck with a love both passionate and lasting. The duck (now known as Duckie and occasionally Mr. The Duck) has long since turned a gray/green, and has traveled by her side throughout her adventures and experiences of the past three years. It has been fascinating to watch my daughter act out her own growth and evolution through her relationship with Duckie: he is her foil as she learns to navigate the world around her. He is her classmate as she plays school, her fellow student as she teaches him how to swim, and her baby as she swaddles him and gives him a bottle.

Harriet Ziefert's charming picture book Bunny's Lessons captures this dynamic perfectly, told from the point of view of the stuffed animal. Bunny is the faithful companion of Charlie, and Bunny withstands the slings and arrows of such a role: the paint that Charlie spills on him, the prods as Charlie pretends to be his pediatrician, and the loneliness when Charlie has a playdate with a little girl. But Bunny also learns about love, pure and faithful, as Charlie always returns to him for hugs. For anyone who has watched their child with a favorite stuffed animal, or had one themselves -- in other words, all of us -- Bunny's Lessons will ring true and sweet.

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids
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Here's another strange example of how the universe works: I've been thinking for some time that it would be helpful to share weekday event roundups. And then some folks who completed the Boston Mamas 5th Birthday Survey asked for weekday event recommendations (I still need to fully look at the survey responses, so feel free to chime in!). And then FamilyFinds asked me to write a weekly column doing just this! So starting this week, I'll share 7 picks to enjoy through the week over at FamilyFinds and also share the posts here (+ any other interesting picks that come across my radar), which will serve as a nice bridge to my weekend roundups. Here are this week's picks, plus a bonus one below. Enjoy!

Thursday, August 4: the new Pinkberry in Wellesley will be having their opening party, swirling free yogurt for guests from 6-9pm. If you want to head to the event, drop a line to RSVP@CBHCommunications.com. Yum!

Image credit: Arvind Balaraman via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 Aug 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local
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