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

Clever Parents offers tips to help children cope with separation and divorce. Moms’ Buzz features a last minute family travel deal from Norwegian Cruise Line. We Covet loves the Pin Up Girls handmade clear resin bracelet. And you could win: a Playskool Rose Petal Cottage from Classy Mommy, Kids’ Cobian sandals at MomFinds, “Moms Rocks” tees from One Chic Mama, and gifts for daddy from The Nest Baby.

Posted 30 May 2008 in Art Supplies & Toys; Family Issues; Fashion; For Little Ones; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

For compact travel toys, I love the concept of magnetic or reusable sticker books, but we’ve repeatedly been disappointed by the mediocre magnetism or stick of several brands. That is, until we tried Mudpuppy’s vinyl sticker play scenes and magnetic figures. Offering beautifully illustrated themes for boys and girls, the generously appointed garden fairies play scene (which includes 6 fairies + costumes, critters, and tea party fare) and princess dress up doll tin have provided countless hours of entertainment. The princess tin, which now goes everywhere with us, offers a brilliant solution to weak cardboard-based magnet books. The hinged tin case serves as the stage (and convenient storage!) for two double sided scene cards, allowing the princess and her many outfits and accessories stable styling grounds.

Want to win a Mudpuppy sticker play scene + magnet set*? Here’s how:

Continue reading "Magnetic Appeal" »

Posted 27 May 2008 in Art Supplies & Toys; Travel | Permalink | Comments (14) | E-mail this link

Here’s a fun twist on the camping experience. Reader Maureen from Newton wrote in with this tip: “I wanted to share with you a vacation spot my family has enjoyed together [since 2003]. Medomak Camp (3 hours north of Boston) is a family camp in Maine. It’s similar to a traditional summer camp but the whole family attends. A chef prepares three meals a day, families stay in comfortably clean cabins, activities run from 9AM until the campfire is lit after dark, and adults have their own activities to chooses from (yoga, massage, rowing, sailing, archery, etc.).”

Posted 7 May 2008 in Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

My first visit to Florida was not a pleasant one. I was there against my will (the mere beginnings of my dysfunctional relationship with my postdoc advisor…), presenting data I barely understood for an otolaryngology conference (don’t try to say that 3 times fast). And I wasn’t alone in my suffering. I lured poor Jon to join me, with promises of calm beaches, nature excursions, and swimming with manatees. Little did we know that the hotel was simultaneously hosting Canadian Spring Break and Harley Davidson Week (hence the bargain hotel rates), and the manatees had long since swum off for cooler waters.

Continue reading "Lessons From Disney" »

Posted 24 Apr 2008 in Travel | Permalink | Comments (9) | E-mail this link

We’ve been on the go a lot these days, and waiting anywhere got a whole lot easier once I started toting Laurel’s Ultimate Wipe Off 123 book. I have given this and the ABC book as gifts to several of Laurel’s pals and they’re always a big hit. The books offer a fun way for kids to learn to draw and write letters and numbers, and an erasable marker is included so all you need is a napkin or tissue to reset the doodle dial.

Continue reading "Reset the Doodle Dial" »

Posted 29 Jan 2008 in Art Supplies & Toys; Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Compared to some of our other jet setting friends, it took us a long time to get around to flying with Laurel, and things went remarkably well. In part, I think this was related to traveling with a 3-year-old who can sink her teeth into an activity with relative independence, communicate needs, understand instructions, and not need as much gear. But we also made some planning decisions that made travel enormously easier; here I share them with you:

Continue reading "Travel Lifesavers" »

Posted 17 Jan 2008 in Travel | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

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

Clever Parents invites you to crunch the numbers with their 2008 Smart Spending Grocery Challenge. Healthy Bump charts where the rest of that non-baby baby weight goes. MomFinds features six simple products to babyproof your home. Moms’ Buzz features the seven new wonders of the world for family travel. Modern Mom is hosting a toddler trouble photo contest. And One Chic Mama has raves for the SoRa charm necklace.

Posted 11 Jan 2008 in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Home; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Solutions; Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Few things are easy when it comes to sorting out baby gear options; and adding insult to injury is the frustration/panic induced by figuring out how to install your infant and bigger baby car seats. The good news is, when you graduate to a booster, you can stand rewarded by the clek olli booster. We are crazy about this seat; the compact, lightweight structure and ridiculously easy install/release (the seat clicks in and out in mere seconds via two LATCH probes) makes transferring the seat between cars a cinch. And the ultra padded seat is easy on the tush and comes in a variety of chic neutral or eye popping fabrics. Your big kid won’t feel like a baby in this sweet ride.

And how cool is this; clek loves our readers as much as we love their booster and they're offering Zebra print boosters to THREE WINNERS! Here’s how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Crazy About clek" »

Posted 3 Dec 2007 in Gear; Travel | Permalink | Comments (22) | E-mail this link

Raise your hand if you’ve ever dressed your kid in a fabulous holiday outfit that got covered in spills or spit up before you even got to grandma’s house.

As cute as fancy clothing is, for holiday travel, basic layers (and backups) are key. And in this vein, I was surprised to learn that there's more to Hanes than undies. In addition to parent resources, mom features (this month Travel Channel co-host Tracy Gallagher shares holiday travel survival tips), and kid activities, they’ve got a full line of comfy, inexpensive mix and match basics, including some impressively stylish tops. We especially dig the layered look tee collection for girls (shown, Hoot Parade) and the graphic octopus tee for boys.

And Hanes wants to hook one lucky winner up with comfy clothes! Here’s how to win a Hanes.com $50 gift certificate:

Continue reading "Beyond Undies" »

Posted 16 Nov 2007 in Fashion; For Little Ones; Travel | Permalink | Comments (12) | E-mail this link

Today, Sharon reports on safe driving techniques that families (especially those with new drivers) could benefit from:

“In late September I traveled via Boston Mamas to the GM Proving Grounds in Michigan to test out the GM 2008 lineup. This was a new trail blazed for this road warrior (who fancies sneakers over wheels), but I discovered parallels between the two transport modes; that a little knowledge goes a long way in taking advantage of safety features.

Continue reading "Re-Inventing the Wheel: Putting Safety First" »

Posted 5 Nov 2007 in Eco Living; Travel; Tweens & Teens | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

I know many parents whose babies have, at some point, hated extended car rides. Laurel responded similarly as an infant, and no wonder; it’s noisy and likely weird to be strapped into a car seat unable to see the parents. Back then we dreaded car trips since they typically involved unsuccessfully trying to console Laurel and thus driving with a screaming baby; our first Thanksgiving trip with Laurel fit this scenario and at one point I actually climbed into the backseat, uncomfortably wedged myself over the car seat, and nursed, hoping that Jon wouldn’t hit any sharp corners.

We’ve come a long way since that time, but our recent vacation’s 14 hour round trip drive still left room for intimidation. We decided to plan what we could but roll with the rest, and it worked out amazingly well. Consider these tips when readying for your next family road trip:

Continue reading "Car Travel with Kids" »

Posted 15 Jun 2007 in Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Typically, I am all about color, and am thrilled that Laurel’s favorite activity is painting, but the no mess factor of the Aquadoodle is pretty fantastic.

Laurel received the (award winning) Aquadoodle Travel Doodle ($14.99 at Toys R Us) for Christmas from her aunt and uncle and she loves it. Just add water to the pen capsule and your babe can draw on both canvas sides of the board. Doodles disappear in minutes.

Some Amazon users with extensive experience with other Aquadoodle products weren’t as happy with this new entry in the Aquadoodle line, but as newbies to Aquadoodle, we have no complaints. If traveling, we’d just suggest bringing a bottle of water along to keep the pen (and yourself) hydrated during the journey.

Posted 28 Dec 2006 in Art Supplies & Toys; Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

The complexity of vacation planning increases exponentially with little ones in tow. Luckily for you, WeJustGotBack.com is a travel site charged with the mission of easing planning woes so you actually can enjoy your vacation.

This just-for-families travel website offers detailed destination features, analyses of (allegedly) family friendly hotels and resorts, strategies for traveling with kids, and reader-generated tips. If you haven’t yet decided on your vacation spot, you can search featured destinations based on your child’s age. Now that’s forward thinking.

This summer WeJustGotBack.com launched an Insider Guide To Cape Cod and other content specific to the Cape. They are soon to unveil their Insider Guide to Boston, and welcome tips from Boston parents. Registration is required to access the in depth features, but it is well worth it. These vacation experts do their homework.

Posted 30 Nov 2006 in Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

One would think that with over a decade’s worth of collective graduate school years between us, Jon and I would have been able to figure out that the disparity between Laurel and our bedtimes – coupled with a single hotel room – would leave the adults hanging around in the dark. This is what happened during a vacation last year; we booked at a hotel that didn’t offer suites and by 7:30 pm Laurel was asleep, her crib rolled into the little passage en route to the bathroom, and Jon and I sat in the dark by the window, sipping wine out of plastic cups. Somehow whispering sweet nothings in the dark loses its punch when you have no choice but to whisper and sit in the dark.

Well, this year we finally smartened up. When we booked our Thanksgiving lodging we compromised and opted to book at a midrange hotel and shorten our stay so we wouldn’t feel bad about requesting two adjoining rooms. Not only did Laurel love running between the two rooms, but once we put her to bed we could still hang out in the adjoining room until we were ready to hit the lights.

Tip: The adjoining room doors only have doorknobs on one side; we wedged the hotel’s information folio in the door so it wouldn’t accidentally close and lock Laurel in on the other side.

Posted 27 Nov 2006 in Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

We all likely could stand to incorporate more stretching in our day, particularly what with all the time spent sitting at the computer or hauling hefty babies around. Stretching will serve especially well this week, whether it is to ease tension from travel or holiday preparations, or gear you up for the dessert course.

Here’s some content to check out; print your favorites for easy reference: 1) morning stretches you can do in bed; 2) eight simple stretches that incorporate modified yoga poses (includes pictures); 3) a full body set of stretches for women (includes diagrams).

Be sure to follow the instructions so you stretch safely, and enjoy your moments of peaceful self-care.

Posted 22 Nov 2006 in Bath, Beauty & Health; Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

With holiday travel comes cumbersome physical (and sometimes emotional) baggage. You at least can take charge of reducing your physical baggage with the Munchkin Duck Bathtub ($9.99 at Target). Recommended by a mama reader from Italy (whose 20-month-old has enjoyed this tub all across Europe), this inflatable tub stows compactly and is suitable for ages 6-24 months, has a heat safety feature, and a non-slip surface to keep baby in place.

Posted 28 Oct 2006 in Gear; Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Aside from the general chaos factor, having a second baby presents a transport issue, particularly if your first still requires periodic strolling.

A mama friend gives major kudos to the Valco Runabout Tri Mode stroller ($425 at BabyCenter shipping is free, a rain/wind shield is included). Cool looking and compact, the Valco three-wheel all-terrain stroller offers full recline for infants, and toddlers will love the royal perspective from the toddler attachment seat ($40). If you like the look of a pram, a bassinet attachment ($150) also is available.

The height-adjustable handles make this stroller a good find for couples with a substantial height differential. Open dimensions: 36"L x 26"W x 40"H; folded: 32"L x 26"W x 16"H; weight: 25 lbs. Suitable from birth to 50 lbs.

Posted 1 Sep 2006 in Gear; Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Some might say that babes don’t earn their keep, what with their relentless consumption of Cheerios and diapers, but this week my peanut got me out of a traffic ticket. We were en route from day care and, eager to get home, I tried to catch the right turn light and basically ended up blowing through the red. As soon as I cleared the corner I got pulled over. Busted mommy.

Well, our babe loves emergency vehicles; she apparently couldn’t believe our good fortune that the flashing blues were right behind and for us. When the officer peered into the backseat Laurel said “policeman!” and offered him her red shovel (still in the car from our beach adventures last weekend). The officer asked about the shovel and Laurel proceeded to tell him about going to the beach, visiting Grandma and Grandpa, and the fact that there was too much water in the ocean. He was incredibly kind and patient in the face of all of this chatter.

I’d like to think that my clean driving record was my ticket to redemption, but really, the babe’s cuteness (documented here with her flower fingers) likely was the decisive factor in my only receiving a warning. I am truly grateful that the officer showed compassion towards the frazzled mom behind the wheel, and he still did his job even without issuing the ticket; I’ve been careful and law abiding ever since. Now I just have to figure out how to get the babe to stop saying, “Mommy ran the red light!”

Posted 18 Aug 2006 in Development & Behavior; Travel | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

Traveling with a babe isn’t exactly relaxing, but the right toys (and, if you are lucky, temperament) can make a trip enormously easier.

We just returned from a long weekend involving 8 hours roundtrip car/boat travel. We planned our timing carefully, scheduling the longest car leg over mid-day nap. Based on previous travel experiences, the options were: 1) use naptime to travel; 2) spend 2 hours twisted uncomfortably picking up dropped books and toys; or 3) try ineffectively to placate squirmy, screechy babe.

Our well-laid plans of course went out the window. In one direction we hit traffic that woke the babe up for the remainder of the drive; on the way back she didn’t sleep at all because she had fallen asleep during the earlier 45-minute ride to the ferry. We thought we were doomed, but: 1) the babe was in terrific spirits (i.e., she enjoyed babbling to herself and singing songs); and 2) we were armed with the Anatex Shape ‘n Color Coaster.

Continue reading "Flower Fingers" »

Posted 15 Aug 2006 in Art Supplies & Toys; Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link