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$14.92 Day Pass At CoCo Key Indoor Waterpark

Cindy Richards — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:40:00 GMT

I didn't fall in love with the Coco Key Resort in Rockford when I visited last winter with my daughter and two of her friends in honor of her 12th birthday, but the girls had fun and, hey, a deal's a deal.

So here's the scoop: Coco Key is offering a $14.92 day pass rate at both the Rockford and Arlington Heights waterparks in honor of Columbus Day. The deal is only available if you buy the tickets online. The regular day rate is a much steeper $39.

The indoor waterpark is really great for little ones and had enough bigger slides to keep the bigger girls happy for several hours.

My problems with the place had more to do with the way we were nickel-and-dimed which, as regular readers know, always drives me crazy. If you have paid for the hotel/waterpark deal, which entitles you to visit the waterpark on the day you check in and again on the day you check out, I don't think they should stick you (twice) for locker rentals as well. But they do.

So plan to rent lockers unless you're bringing someone along who will sit with all your stuff while you and the kids splash around.

I Like Big Guts And I Cannot Lie ...

Maria Pilar Clark — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:59:00 GMT

... Particularly when said pudgy tummies belong to little gobblers just getting a taste for big helpings of milk and cereal.

My Rockstar Baby offers a funky, alternative fashion range of edgy onesies and tees made from 100% ringspun cotton that are perfect for showing off those baby and tot-sized Michelin rolls and buddha bellies with cool graphics printed across the front and corresponding cheekiness, like "Potty Like A Rockstar" (shown at top right, $22.95 - also available in pink) written on the bum.

While indoors, let baby rock and roll in Cosmotot fave, BabyLegs (shown at bottom right in Pop Heart, $12), since they not only keep chubby legs (and arms if you choose) toasty, but also protect little knees (and elbows) from hard surfaces.

They also make diaper changes a breeze without adding any additional draft in cold weather, and keep kids covered during potty training sessions.

Just Cinch It

Maria Pilar Clark — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:37:00 GMT

Forget the tummy tuck.

Post delivery, the last thing I want to think about is going under the knife. After all, parts of me have just been inside out and I feel like I've been hit by a mack truck.

However, fast forward about three months and the idea sounds kind of tempting in light of those saggy, baggy mid-sections. Except there's that thing called time and money, none of which most families with children have tons of on hand to spare for things like lifts, nips, tucks and tweaks.

So why not go the way of the infamous SNL Gap Girls, and "just cinch it" with help from Belly Bandit?

The Belly Bandit (shown at top left in Original, $39.95 - also available in Couture and Bamboo versions, $49.95-$59.95) wrap is a light weight, tagless abdominal compression binder (that kind of looks like a trendy weight lifter's belt) designed to help you get your body back to its former fabulousness post childbirth.

Not only does this nifty little wrap purportedly help reduce uncomfortable uterine swelling, but it also aids in decreasing bloating caused by water retention. And, best of all, it gives mommies' backs, shoulders and legs additional support, and helps with posture, which is a godsend during marathon feedings.

Hey, if it can actually shrink my tummy into anything near what it resembled pre-kids (which isn't anywhere bikini worthy, but definitely better than the stretch-marked middle I've got going on now), then I'm all for it. And even if it can't, it's worth the mood boost that comes with doing something good for yourself post baby.

Wired NEXT Fest

Amy Souza — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:27:00 GMT

When I was a little girl, I looked forward to the future, when I could finally live like the Jetsons. And here we are, 2008, and I am still waiting for that machine where at the push the button the meal of my choice will flash intact through a tube and onto the table, I'm still wondering when I'll be able to jet Daniel off to school via yet another tube (suddenly, I'm remembering how cool it was when drive-through banks used to magically zap money for mom out of seemingly nowhere and safety suckers for me through those then innovative tubes, perhaps inspired by the Jetsons?)...and Rosie -- wow I would still love a Rosie. The hairdo machine would be great too. George Jetson was still stuck in a dead-end job with Mr. Spacely for a boss, but Jane Jetson was a completely liberated woman.
Daniel and I headed over to Millennium Park last week to check out the WIRED NEXT FEST, a.k.a "premier showcase of the global innovations transforming our world." I knew he would enjoy it: Daniel is a LEGO fanatic and his most recent invention is a pair of bizarre space goggles that are now sitting on our coffee table. The NEXTFEST gave him the chance to chit-chat with M.I.T. professors working on the latest in robotics -- not Rosie but something close: a wandering information-desk type robot -- and test out new video games alongside their creators, among other things. I even enjoyed the petals blowing in the wind video game -- part of a new generation of 'meditative' video games -- and I hate video games.
We also watched a demo on the new Toyota I-REAL. This was one innovation that creeped me out. Supposedly we'll be driving these in the future: pod-like cars that seat one and will take us from doorstep to office without having to ever get up off our butts. In the demo, the man leaves his garage in River Forest and rides downtown to his office, parking finally right at his desk. The most pathetic part is when the man goes on a DATE and arrives at the cafe in his pod, parking himself at a table. Think the future according to WALL-E, where we'll all be a bunch of inflated soda-guzzlers permanently fixed to our pods by choice. Daniel and I both agreed on this one: Thanks but no thanks. I'll be the old lady riding the vintage bicycle contraption or taking part in that old-fashioned delight, walking.
And that's what we did afterwards, we transported ourselves the old-fashioned way -- walking -- over to the Oasis Cafe, which is truly an Oasis of Israeli delights hidden in the back of a jewelry store on Wabash, steps away from Millennium Park. We ate fresh falafel sandwiches, dipped pita into lemony hummus, and sipped San Pellegrino Limonata. For dessert, baklava. This hidden cafe is an affordable, delicious gem in the midst of diamonds, pearls, and Rolexes.

Oasis Cafe
http://www.oasiscafe1.com/
12 N Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 443-9534

WIRED NextFest
Experience the Future
September 27 - October 12, 2008Millennium Park, ChicagoWIRED NextFest is FREE and Open to the Public.
HOURS:Monday ClosedTuesday - Wednesday 11-7
Thursday 12-8Friday - Sunday 11-7

Potty Talk

Maria Pilar Clark — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:27:00 GMT

Poop and pee-pee.

Who knew that once we became parents, conversations about politics and global warming would take a backseat to topics surrounding more basic bodily functions?

I sure didn't. But once Wills was born, I talked more about the color, shape and size of his daily deposits than anything else. And now that he's two, it hasn't exactly tapered off. Just changed and branched out into the idea of potty training.

He's excited. He's into the idea of the potty. He knows what's supposed to go in it. He thinks flushing is super cool.

But alas and alack, the actual event - sitting and going - escapes him yet.

That's ok though. In the meantime, we're having a blast reading "Wills and the Potty Dance" (shown at top left, $39.95) courtesy of award-winning Flattenme Books, purveyor of personalized tales for tots. Not only does it stress the idea of commode-use, but intertwines an offbeat adventure with themes from around the world, which appeals to a globetrotter like me.

Featured everywhere from Good Morning America to the Today Show to The View, Flattenme allows parents to create high-quality hardcover 8x10 personalized storybooks in about five minutes with their child acting as the star in 6 different titles featuring everything from pirates to fairies to monsters for ages 2-4 and 4-7. Each book is even available in a range of languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Finnish, Italian and Dutch, providing extra enrichment opportunities for parents looking to work the family heritage angle into their daily routines.

All you need is a digital photo of your little one looking directly into the camera - Flattenme can work with any skin color and hair length - and you've got gift-giving gold at the click of a mouse.

Cosmomama says there's more in the details:
I can't say I'm a huge fan of the new-agey, trippy art in the Potty Dance book. That being said, the odd mish-mash of places from around the world is somehow fascinating and fun at the same time. Same thing for its rhyme format. Some of the rhymes work, but others are just too forced. The photo shop effect of your child is pretty good, too, but for some of the poses, Wills head looks unnaturally discombobulated.

In the end, I guess all that matters is that Wills asked me to read it over and over again ten times in a row.

And, an added bonus: Flattenme donates a portion of its profits to First Book, a top-notch literacy non-profit organization. Every book sold means a child in need in an underserved area will receive 5 new books. You can't beat that.

Trick Or Treat, Smell My Feet

Maria Pilar Clark — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:13:00 GMT

Well, maybe you don't have to smell them, but your candy-seeking costumed cutie is sure rock the block with some sweet feet when stepping out in Vans brand Lil Ghost slip on shoes (shown at top left, ~~$28~~, now $15.95) from Little Ruler.

The California-based (of course) skate-themed e-tailer specializes in helping tots find their inner cool with trendy yet laid-back and casual footwear, apparel, outerwear, headwear and accessories that'll have pint-sized punks looking skater chic short of getting a fauxhawk or nose ring a la Maddox Jolie Pitt.

Founded by 80's skateboard legend Jeff Kendall and his wife Maureen (parents to cool kids Cole and Parker), who wanted clothing that appealed to their love of the sport, quickly found out that they weren't the only parents looking for ensembles with a little edge.

Not that Little Ruler appeals solely to skaters and skate enthusiasts. Its skater-punk styles have graced the pages of varied publications from parenting magazines to entertainment magazines, and have of course, landed in the posh wardrobes of kid rockers like Gwen Stefani's Kingston and Zuma, Britney Spears, Jennifer Garner, Jason Lee, and of course, the aforementioned Jolie-Pitt clan.

Take along your tunes

Product Test — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:23:00 GMT

With what looks to be a lovely weather weekend ahead, it should be the perfect time to get outside with your kids to enjoy the warm temperatures before fall really sets in. If you’re like me and have a little one who can still be transported via stroller, you can add some music to your walk with the Stroll-a-Tune from Active Tunes. It’s basically a portable speaker that you can connect to your MP3 player, AM/FM radio or portable satellite receiver. Just attach the speaker to the stroller handle and plug in your chosen music device and hit “play.”

Although I’m a bit behind the times with my music device (I still have an iPod mini, although it’s on its last legs), I had no trouble using it with the Stroll-a-Tune. The mounting bracket adjusted with little trouble to my Graco stroller (according to the Web site it fits most strollers except umbrella and Bugaboo strollers) and I was walking to music in no time. The included pouch also attached to my stroller with no problem and easily fit my iPod. My little guy seemed to enjoy the tunes as well.

The Stroll-a-Tune retails for $29.99. For more information and a list of compatible stroller brands, visit stroll-a-tune.com. Click here to go to our discussion board for a chance to win a Stroll-a-Tune of your own.

Are you suffering from GAD? Read here and find out!

Meredith Sinclair — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:34:00 GMT

I had the most enlightening little chat outside of my son’s elementary school this morning. Just after the bell rang I stumbled upon a small huddle of mom friends having a quick pow-wow before running off to their next assignments. I stood there quietly for a minute listening to everyone’s fragmented plans. Play group, grocery store, naptime, errands, dinner, carpool, laundry, carpool, school forms, house stuff, carpool, sex?

The conversation then turned to talk of insomnia, anxiety, absentmindedness, stress and worry. It seemed all of them were relating to these unpleasant symptoms. I too have been finding myself wide-eyed and twisted stomached every night this week, making more to-do lists than Martha Stewart and listening begrudgingly to the heavy breathing coming from my husband on the pillow next to me as I pray to just fall asleep already.

So, naturally I jump into the conversation and announce what I’d been going through too. And one of the moms of three girls under 7 says she calls my ailment GAD. General Anxiety Disorder. Yeah that sounds about right. I’m not sure if this is a real medical condition, but I’m claiming it as my own-for now. And apparently I’m not alone. Why do I lie awake at night with the weight of my children and my role as full-time mom on my whole body?

Why do we feel like it is completely normal and expected of us to be in-shape, well read, gourmet cookin’, PTA volunteering, completely organized, creative, nurturing and attentive mothers and sexy wives… all at the time? Oh, and if you work and bring home the bacon, or even some bacon bits, you get extra bonus points.

We ended up all laughing hysterically at the crazy stuff we do, and think, and several moms walking by wondered what we'd put in our coffee that morning. Then, as quickly as we'd begun our little group therapy session, we all turned in different directions and sprinted off toward the next tasks at hand.

No wonder GAD is so pervasive.

Are any of you out there suffering from GAD too?

Tell me your story and how you handle the stress of it all...

There's a first time for everything

Product Test — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:50:00 GMT

When it’s time to offer baby his first taste of juice, many parents end up watering down the fruity beverage to make it easier to digest (and less sugary). With First Juice, all you have to do is open the container. Both the Apple+Carrot and Banana+Carrot varieties are roughly half organic juice, half water, leaving a light juice taste that your kids will love. And don’t worry about the “carrot” part—the carrot taste is minimal and shouldn’t deter most toddlers.

Although the juice is available in a 32-ounce jug, we love the 8-ounce spill-proof containers. The BPA-free bottles are ready-to-use sippy cups that don’t leak (we tried, and failed, to make them drip by turning them upside-down) and can be reused (visit the company’s Web site for complete instructions on cleaning). Could it get any easier?

First Juice retails for $1.99-$2.79 for each 8-ounce bottle, $3.49-$4.49 for the 32-ounce bottle and is available at Whole Foods Market, Wild Oats, Babies “R” Us and Toys “R” Us. For more information visit firstjuice.com.

Not So Desperate Housewife

Maria Pilar Clark — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:47:00 GMT

Once you get your pretty little mitts on the lightweight, Teflon treated (for water repellent action), satin nylon-lined Bedford Nylon Kate Bag (shown at top left, $390) from MZ Wallace, you'll feel just as put together as any of those perfectly manicured, perfectly coiffed characters from Wisteria Lane.

With pockets galore, including 4 exterior pockets, 2 side pockets and 10 interior pockets - 1 large zipper pocket with two hidden pockets inside; 6 accessory pockets each wide enough to accommodate a Blackberry, Treo, iPhone, baby bottle, diapers, etc.; 1 business card pocket and a changing pad - it's like having a home away from home at your fingertips, and its large size makes for carry-all convenience.

It even comes with an additional, attachable shoulder strap and features luxe Italian leather and custom hardware - the ultimate guilty pleasure (and maybe one better saved for that holiday wishlist).

Oh, and let's not forget the detachable market purse that becomes a trendy attachment strap key ring clip combo.

Eat your heart out, Gabrielle.

Hair's The Scoop

Maria Pilar Clark — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:03:00 GMT

No gal likes having her hair brushed, combed, pulled, tweaked and twisted into pigtails and pony tails, especially feisty little ladies belonging to the pre-school going set who have playtime not plait-time on their minds.

Cue Ribbies Clippies (shown at top left, $6 a pair), the modern alternative to ginormous floppy bows and pinchy, pointy barrettes. With cool names like ashton blocks, ava argyle and sophie grapefruit diagonal, just to name a fabulous few, each grosgrain-covered, patterned hair clip (solids available, too) is designed without embellishments to be simple (no magnets or clasps) yet functional while maintaining an air of trendiness and cuteness without being precious.

Better yet, each clip helps to highlight - not hide - baby's face pinning uneven bangs in place with a color-coordinated foam grip that easily stay in no matter what the hair type - thick curls to super fine locks get the same sweet result.

Cosmomama says there's more in the details:
Be the belle of the baby shower when you show up with a Ribbies Clippies gift set ($14) that includes five clips with varied patterns in the same color family.

Knick Knack Pak Nak ....

Maria Pilar Clark — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:49:00 GMT

Instead of giving a dog a bone, why not spruce up your kiddie's still relatively brand newish backpack before it gets all cruddy from rides on the school bus with friendly, furry-faced Ralph (shown at top left, $3.99) from Pak Nak?

Pak Naks, otherwise known as the company's rubbery, 3-D, interchangeable (thanks to Velcro) namesake charms are the product of two energetic, majorly creative moms getting together over two cups of tea, involving two husbands, their three children, two cats, one dog and one dream to start a business of making simple kid's accessories like backpacks and lunches tons of fun with an array of cool and cuddly characters like William the Starfish, Manfred the Snail, Boo the Ghost (shown at bottom right, $3.99), Claire the Cat (named after one founder's daughter who is infatuated with felines), Mike the Monster (he loves eating marshmallows), and Tabby the Penguin to name a few, who have their own personality, complete with a list of favorite foods, best friends, favorite activities, and where they call home.

They even come with trading cards!

Each charm is easy to attach to an array of surfaces since the self-adhesive, flexible, weatherproof designs stand up to tough kids and tough play. Better yet, they don't involve much time, hassle or work from mom and dad, which makes everyone happy, right?

Cosmomama says there's more in the details:
Like what you see?

Good, because there's tons more to do on Pak Nak's web site including downloading the entire Pak Nak character coloring book and getting addicted to the Nak-Land Game.

It gets better!

Enter discount code DE15 for 15% off your total purchase.

SUPER COOL COSMOTOT GIVEAWAY!
One reader drawn at random will get 2 sets of 5 Pak Naks (your choice!). Just email mamascosmotot@yahoo.com by midnight tomorrow (October 7th) with PAK NAK in the subject line and tell me what Kyla James likes to eat.

Congratulations to Maritza R., our super cool winner!

Say Cheese!

Maria Pilar Clark — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:58:00 GMT

Dust off those cameras, download all those pictures from last year from your memory cards, and start snapping away. Learning Curve is partnering with Waterfront Media (publisher of every mom's personal baby Bible, What to Expect When You're Expecting and author Heidi Murkoff's other What to Expect titles) to launch a national search for the cutest baby ever through an online photo contest. This of course means your darling little offspring or offspring-ette.

The resulting Baby Star Photo Contest will run now through October 27 on WhatToExpect.com. To enter, visit the site, submit a non-professional photo of your cutie (who must be between 4 weeks and 10.5 months of age at the time of entry). Each image will be judged and voted on by the site's daily visitors, and daily winners will get prize packages filled with tons of loot - aka Learning Curve's award-winning infant and toddler products.

The 28 finalists will then compete in the Grand Prize round and a winner will be chosen based on his or her ability to giggle, coo and otherwise promote Learning Curve's image while showing off their fabulously playful, fun and cheerful personality.

A runner-up will be chosen to receive a True Fit Convertible Car Seat along with an assortment of Learning Curve products valued at $300. The Grand Prize winner will get a Learning Curve prize package valued at $350 along with a trip to Chicago, with baby and guest for 2 days for a fancy-schmancy professional photo shoot.

The winning baby will be announced in November. Maybe it'll be your dimpled diaper wearer!

Not your ordinary M&M

Product Test — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:23:00 GMT

Believe it or not, we’re already in the month of October with Halloween just a few weeks away. To celebrate the candy and costume holiday a little early, we tried out the new M&M’s Premiums, available in Raspberry Almond, Mocha, Mint Chocolate, Chocolate Almond and Triple Chocolate varieties. As you can probably tell from the flavors, these aren’t your regular milk chocolate M&M’s. Each comes in a stand-up box with a resealable (always a plus) bag inside. The Mars press release calls the candies “shimmering chocolate gems,” and that’s really an accurate way to describe them. Each M&M looks like it has been hand-painted a range of shades of one particular color from deep red to emerald green to majestic purple. They really are a pretty candy.

Of course, looks only go so far. Thankfully, these M&Ms taste as good as they look. Favorites in our office were the Raspberry Almond (raspberry-flavored white chocolate and almond with a layer of dark chocolate) and Mint Chocolate (white chocolate mint with dark chocolate), but everyone enjoyed every variety. They don’t have the candy crunch of regular M&M’s, but we certainly didn’t miss the candy coating. Although these might be a little too fancy to hand out for trick-or-treating, they’re a great special treat for home and, looking a little further ahead, would look lovely in holiday candy dishes.

M&M’s Premiums have a suggested retail price of $3.99 per six-ounce box. For more information visit mms.com.

Bullying, Part 2: Cyberbullying 101

Jennifer DuBose — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:07:00 GMT

My kids think I’m a ninny. If you ask Noah and Holly, I’ve missed the boat and the last big wave, and definitely am not as cool as so-and-so’s Mom. After all, she lets her children have internet access in their bedrooms and I don’t. Well, phooey, I’ll just have to deal with being un-cool. I may be not be as tech-savvy as some parents, but one thing I do know for sure is that bad things can happen to good kids – even on-line.

Things used to be simpler. It used to be that wiping away the tears when something went bump in the night, or even intervening when a playground bully needed a talkin’ to about covered it. These days, though, not only do we have to keep internet pedophiles at bay, for Pete’s sake, but we must warn our kids about those faceless bullies that many kids encounter on-line or via text-messages: cyberbullies.

It’s enough to make this Mom just wanna pull up the covers and pull the plug on all of this ‘progress.’

My own kids haven’t experienced cyberbullying yet, but if statistics bear out it’s only a matter of time before they do. Did you know that 42% of kids in grades 4-8 report being bullied on-line and 58% never tell (source: I-Safe.org)? October marks the second anniversary of thirteen-year-old Megan Meier’s tragic suicide following a period of cyberbullying, perpetrated by an adult who posed as a teenaged boy on-line. As in Meier’s case, cyberbullies usually know their targets, but because they can hide behind anonymous cyber-ID’s on-line (which creates a sense of the “faceless bully”), their bullying behavior can be experienced as harsher than a playground taunt. Because there is greater ‘distance’ between these bullies and their targets their inhibitions are diminished. Cyberbullying can also be more damaging because it can be so far-reaching: rumors and personal information can quickly be broadcast to many others with one swift click.

Another feature of this type of harassment is that the victim’s home feels less like a safe haven. Cyberbullies can reach their targets there, and virtually anywhere, with text-messages to cell phones.

Is your child already the target of a cyberbully? Loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, school avoidance or declining grades, diminished interest in friends or activities, or a dramatic increase or decrease in time spent on-line or in cell phone bills are all potential warning signs, which can also be signs of depression, a potential side-effect of bullying. Counseling should be sought if these symptoms persist. Tragedies like Meier’s can be averted.

So what’s a parent to do?

If you do nothing else, by golly, at least keep internet access in a public place (never in your child’s bedroom) and supervise internet use. WiFi wireless cards for laptops can make this a challenge, so bear this in mind when considering them. Discuss internet safety with your kids. Expect a lot of eye-rolling and sarcastic comments. “You’re a worrywart, Mom,” and “You think I’m an idiot, Dad. Thanks a lot,” are two of Noah’s standbys. Teach children that internet use is a privilege, and remember: you’re not likely to hand over the keys to the car without a few driving lessons, and the same is true for cruising the internet. There are lots of beautiful and exciting destinations on-line, but it’s easy to get lost and hazards are just one click away. Teach your children to never reveal passwords or identifying information (teach them what identifying information is) and tell them to not share personal information or to write anything in e-mails or text messages they wouldn’t want their whole class to read. Teach them that their messages can be edited and forwarded to others, and that their passwords can be used to send nasty or otherwise unflattering e-mails from their accounts. Kids often don’t tell anyone about cyberbullying because they fear their parents will revoke their internet privileges, so make sure your children understand that bullying of any kind isn’t their fault.

Don’t forget to share information and tips with other parents, especially those in whose homes your kids spend time. Encourage your children to develop positive friendships and to befriend kids who are bullied, as bullies tend not to pick on kids with strong social supports. My favorite advice? Ramp up the rapport with your kids. Express curiosity about their interests and make one-on-one time a priority if it’s now freakishly rare. Then, they’ll be more likely to wave the white flag when they hit speed bumps along the information superhighway.

Tips for Parents:

1) Tell kids to save and print evidence of cyberbullying, and to

2) tell you or another responsible adult.

3) Block cyberbullies’ messages and e-mails.

4) Report cyberbullying to your internet service provider.

5) Alert the police about any threats of harm.

For more about bullying in general read my 9/1/08 post, "Bullying, Part 1"

–Jennifer DuBose, M.S., C.A.S., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Batavia. She has been a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) since 1995.

The Chat In The Hat

Maria Pilar Clark — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:35:00 GMT

Although in this case, it's the chat (French for "cat") on the shirt that's really stirring things up.

Enter Blabla, a perennial Cosmotot fave, and irreverently nifty purveyor of tops, bottoms, sweaters, pillows, dolls, rattles, blankets, mobiles, backpacks, and other endearingly offbeat accessories for kids handmade, hand-knitted and otherwise hand-crafted by skilled Peruvian artisans.

Blabla's leading team of designers is forever experimenting with the nonsensical to make it approachable, and the end result is a delightful one of whimsical proportions manifested in a new line made-to-match tees (shown at top left in Bubbles (chat), $16 - also available in other characters) that pair divinely with Blabla's existing line of super-soft, cheery-faced bestselling Classic Dolls (Bubbles the Cat mini shown at top left, $34+).

Not to be missed either are the newly hatched Boogaloo Dolls (Aqua-Lee shown at bottom right, $38 - other characters and colors available), who aside from being fun to name (try saying Boogaloo three times fast without inspiring giggles), are equally as fun to squish, hug, tote around or otherwise become your wee beastie's latest snuggly love.

The crib-bound crowd will go loco for Blabla's new line of easy-to-grab Bird Rattles particularly since each knitted character comes sans choking hazards like googly eyes or loose parts.

Each Rattle has its own personality, too be it via a jaunty beret, somber kercheif or perky sailor's beanie, with names like Octavio (shown at top right, $29 - other characters and colors available), Musette, Ukelele, and Tambour that will delight little learners' ears.

Everything must go!

Product Test — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:24:00 GMT

We here at Chicago Parent love the Disney Store for its cute toys and adorable clothes and costumes, but in these tough economic times, it can be a bit pricey. That's why we wanted to pass along word of a big sale going on through Oct. 7 at Disney Stores nationwide. Thousands of items, including back-to-school apparel, toys and tween merchandise, are at least 50 percent off. Plus all Halloween costumes and accessories are 25 to 40 percent off. So whether your kids need some additional clothes for school or your trick-or-treater is just dying to be a Disney princess or pirate, you can make them happy and save some money, too. To find the Disney Store closest to you, call (800) 757-5933 or visit disneystore.com and click on "Store Locator."

From Topham to Bottom ...

Maria Pilar Clark — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:04:00 GMT

... Local yokel company, Learning Curve, has everything the little train lover in your life could possibly want, need or dream of for the holidays in its award-winning Thomas & Friends Deluxe Sights & Sounds Set (shown at top left, $480+ - varies by retailer).

The impressive 86-piece wooden set is fully loaded and will keep track-minded tots entranced for hours comes Christmas morning (a bonus for parents who have been assembling toys until the wee hours of the morning), and includes a ton of trains, tracks and accessories like Thomas (of course), vain James, drama queen Henry, offbeat Annie and Clarabel, competitive Bertie the bus and Sir Topham Hatt, the railway bigwig, along with interactive architectural pieces from the TV show like the Knapford Covered Bridge, Windmill, Stop and Go Station, Deluxe Roundhouse, Deluxe Cranky, Sodor Scrub & Shine and Mountain Overpass to name a few.

Best of all, everything fits conveniently and easily inside the included storage bench that's fully decorated with Thomas, Percy, James and Harold. Safety features like locking caster wheels and removeable seat cushions prevent little fingers from getting pinched or poked, and the bench itself is sturdy enough for parents to perch upon.

Cosmomama says there's more in the details:
Parents will be happy to know that assembly time is quick - it only took Wills' dad about 20 minutes to put the bench together, and that was only because Wills kept nabbing his electric screwdriver to play Handy Manny.

The trains are securely packaged ornament-style - not in individual plastic packaging like their single counterparts, so there's no need to worry about nicks and chips, and as for track configurations and set-ups - leave that up to the cute little conductor whose eyes are about as big as saucers while unwrapping this behemoth.

A Star Is Reborn

Maria Pilar Clark — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:32:00 GMT

Not to mention replenished, renewed and refreshed, courtesy of the Red Carpet Recovery Kit (shown at top left, $60) from wholesomely organic lotion- and potion-touting company, Woodsprite Soap.

But don't let the hippie-esque name fool you. Woodsprite Soap is dedicated to crafting and selling only 100% natural, world-class organic bath and body products of uncompromised quality that just smell plain yummy.

Each luxuriously named product from their olive oil soaps to soy aromatherapy candles and scrubs begin with pure botanical ingredients. Only the finest whole or organic herbs and herbal extracts are used in every line-up of products, in addition to distilled pure essential oils and cold-pressed exotic organic fruit and nut oils and butters.

The Red Carpet Recovery Kit offers every diva (or just well-deserving mommy who doesn't have the time or energy to visit a spa this holiday season) amenity sizes of best-sellers like the Dead Sea Mud Organic Spa Soap and Masque, Seaweed Organic Spa Soap, Grapefruit-Mint Sea Salt Glow, Vanilla Creme Organic Sugar Polish, a 16-hour Clarity Aromatherapy Soy Votive, Muscle Mender Massage Balm, Overnight Sensation Organic Shea Foot Butter, Feel Better Spa Salts, Cool Your Heels Soothing Spa Foot Soak and tons of other goodies better than any celebrity swag bag could promise.

Cosmomama says there's more in the details:
Every product is lovingly made from scratch in small batches, too, which means the ultimate in quality control. Ingredient lists are available for every item available in the e-store, and promise to tantalize your senses with descriptions of infusions and tonics that'll have you skipping like a wood nymph - and looking like one, too, in no time.

Believe it or not, Woodsprite Soap doesn't even do that much marketing and advertising, relying instead, on customer satisfaction to spread the word.

Chak Your System

Maria Pilar Clark — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:36:00 GMT

I'm sure every mommy has a "momtra" - be it waking up and aligning chakras, getting bendy during a yoga-rific sun salutation (Wills joins me with his own personal, Babar-inspired style) or even simply just uttering a soothing, calming "ommmmm" accompanied by deep, even sips of that steaming mocha latte no matter how much those cute little munchkins pounce and bounce all over.

MamaOm mommy and me e-boutique channels all of that serenity into its funky yet fashionable clothing, swimwear (be warned: it's skimpy - I'd need two bikini tops to cover just one of my own jumblies) and accessories for girly infants, toddlers and their hot mamas that promote trendy style with a planet-friendly conscience.

Founder MariaFernanda and Nena made their most recent launch of totally cool, conservation-minded 100% organic cotton tees totally diggable, since they're printed with water based inks, which she likes to call the environmental alternative to screenprinting.

The fact that they bear super cute sayings and styles doesn't hurt either. Cosmotot's pick is the endearing "Mom Rocks My World .... And I'm Pretty Sure I Rock Hers Too," (shown at top left, $24).

And, while you're all into celebrating motherhood and chanting "Namaste", why not pick up a pair of super cool, lightweight kid kicks, courtesy of MamaOm's extensive Victoria brand line - imported fresh from Spain - to complete the look.

The eco-friendly shoes (Flower Mary Jane in Orange shown at bottom right, $37 - also available in Pistachio and other colors/styles) are made from 100% cotton, contain no synthetic fabrics, and boast rubber soles made from all natural materials - that means no petroleum or PVCs.

Makes you want to get into the lotus flower position just to take it all in, doesn't it?

Cosmomama says there's more in the details:
MamaOm is committed to giving back with 5% of profits going to organizations that take care of the planet and the people who live in it.

Better still is that all of MamaOm's pieces are inspected by the founding mommies, which means they take the time to make sure only the best materials are being used.

The gals also support Fair Labor Trade and make sure their wares are produced in a proper working environment - that means absolutely no sweatshops or child labor promotion.

Getting them organized…where to find the cool stuff from my CBS2 segment.

Meredith Sinclair — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:23:00 GMT

I visited the folks at CBS2 Chicago on Saturday and shared some easy ways to get you and your kids more organized this fall. Here’s a little re-cap, and some information on where to find the cool products I shared.

1. The Ultimate Family Organizer and the Mom Essentials One Stop Organizer. These are two really useful and fun tools to help you keep track of all the stuff you have to do, people you have to see, and papers you have to keep.

2. Keep the stairways clear of clutter by using small, step-sized baskets for all the stuff that needs to be taken back upstairs. The ones I showed are the medium sized storage baskets from Pottery Barn Kids, and they fit perfectly on a step. They also come with cool chalkboard tags so you can label them...one for each kid.

3. Help your kids start to take some ownership of their own laundry with these cool collapsible laundry bags from The Container Store. Each kid gets their own, and sorts their clothes into it from the main laundry basket. Depending on the age of your kids, they can be responsible for folding or just putting away the stuff you’ve folded for them. Either way, when the bag is empty, they smash it down and get it back to you for the next fill-up.

4. If you don’t have built-in shoe cubbies for your kids, here's an easy system to create some for yourself. I found this great, very inexpensive cubby system at Bed Bath and Beyond that comes with four individual cubbies and two bins. And the best part is that they are completely washable and are as easy as pie to put together.

5. If your kids' dressers and nightstands are loaded with their little treasures like super balls, trading cards, rubber bands, and fast food toys, this idea is for you. Select a special “treasure box” in which only these little trinkets will be placed. I chose one that looked like a pirate treasure chest from Michaels craft store. The trick is that when the lid to the box no longer closes, it’s their signal that it's time to clean it out. Help your child decide what is garbage, what is a keeper, and what could be donated to the Trick-or-treaters this Halloween.

Click here to view the video on CBS2.

Monitoring the situation

Product Test — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:18:00 GMT

When it came time to register for baby items, my techie husband was all for the video monitors our local baby emporium offered. I thought it was a little creepy—having a video camera watching over your baby all the time. Plus I thought it was unnecessary, so we went with a traditional audio monitor. When the opportunity came to try the Portable Color LCD Digital Wireless Monitoring System from Lorex Technology Inc., though, I thought it couldn’t hurt to try a video monitor. Plus I knew my husband would love playing with it.

As predicted, my husband loved the monitor and surprisingly, I did too. Being able to see if a noise from our little one was just a quick cry while still asleep or the beginning of a full-on fuss because he had lost his pacifier was really helpful. It meant that we didn’t wake him unnecessarily by walking into his room since we still haven’t gotten to the point where we can let him cry for too long without checking him. Although the screen on the handheld receiver is small, the picture quality is wonderful and the night vision, while a little creepy with its green tint, is crystal clear in total darkness. If you want a slightly bigger screen, you can easily hook up the receiver to a TV or computer monitor, making the picture bigger without losing any quality (see the photo of our little guy sleeping peacefully in his crib below). The included camera is small and easy to adjust and you can even order additional cameras to monitor several rooms at once (or just have them available for whichever room baby happens to be in at the time). Both the camera and the receiver can be operated wirelessly up to 450 feet, just keep the batteries charged.

The one downside was the sound—the speaker on the receiver isn’t great and the sound turns off when all is quiet, kicking back on when baby makes a noise. Not being able to hear anything for spans of time might be disconcerting to parents used to audio-only monitors (I know I missed the reassuring hum that let me know the sound was on but baby was sleeping soundly), but the main feature is the video after all.

Overall, I definitely changed my mind about video monitors after using one, even if this one isn’t necessarily marketed as just a baby monitor (the packaging shows uses for older kids and for security purposes). Once your kid is in school, though, it might be time to afford him some privacy.

The Portable Color LCD Digital Wireless Monitoring System retails for $269.95. For more information or to order visit lorexcctv.com.

Testing this tube

Product Test — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Combine the Tamagotchi of the past (although apparently they are still around, according to a quick Google search) and the Webkinz of today and you get My Meebas from Mattel. On the front of the colored plastic tube is a little sliding LCD screen (reminiscent of the Tamagotchi) where you play games and activities with your Meebas. It starts out looking slightly like a tadpole and as you play more games (and earn more hearts), the bigger it gets. Slide the screen up and down the tube to make the Meebas travel through its “world” to find more games and things to do.

Each of the seven different levels (you get to each level by earning a certain number of hearts that you then “redeem” to get to the next level) has different games, with bowling and memory consistent through all the levels and a third rotating game that includes basketball, dropping seeds into pots and a shell game. You can do other activities with your Meebas at each level, too, from riding a roller coaster to getting a facial. At the end of the seventh level, the top of the tube pops open, revealing a small plush Meeba that you can carry around and collect.

Getting through all seven levels took us quite awhile, and even though kids might have a little more time to play than adults, getting through a couple of level still took at least an hour of consistent playing. For kids who don’t mind waiting for the ultimate payoff of the plush Meebas, this can be a great toy, especially for car trips. The main downside—the sound level and price. There is no volume control and the constant sound effects are fairly loud. As for the price, for one toy it’s reasonable, but My Meebas is marketed as a “collect them all” kind of toy, with four categories (intelligence, love, friendship and happiness) currently available with 10 different Meebas in each one (plus two more categories coming out this winter). If you can convince your kids that they can’t actually “collect them all,” then this toy is definitely worth checking out.

My Meebas retail for $19.99. To see all the different available Meebas, check out mymeebas.com.

The Wonder of Galena

Cindy Richards — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 23:21:00 GMT

Driving across the northern part of Illinois is a study in determination--will you be bored to sleep before reaching your destination? Then, as a cosmic reward for your endurance, you enter Jo Daviess County and are transported to another world.

In this world, the trees form a canopy over the road, the crickets sing you to sleep at night and the hills roll gently toward the horizon.

I made the trip Friday afternoon and arrived in The Galena Territory to find the first hint of fall touching the tips of a handful of trees. Another two weeks and this place will be ablaze with the red, orange and yellow of autumn.

I'm staying at the Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa just outside the historic town of Galena. It's a sprawling resort encompassing almost 11 square miles of land. The accommodations range from your standard hotel room at the inn to a huge, eight-bedroom house a couple of miles away from the registration desk. My spot is a cozy two-bedroom unit with full kitchen overlooking Lake Geneva. I'm on the screened-in porch, the golden sunset serving as my muse. The only downside for me: You really need a car here since everything is so far away.

We spent the morning on a horseback ride, one of the best beginner trail rides I have experienced. The horses walked nose to tail, but we trekked up and down hills, around bends and through the woods, so it was far more interesting than your basic ride on the flatlands around Chicago. To join the trail ride, kids must be at least four feet tall and weigh at least 65 pounds. Younger, smaller kids can do pony rides.

We headed into Galena for the afternoon. It's a quaint town overrun with kitschy shops and filled with history. Since I'm not much of a shopper, I hopped on the one-hour Tri-State Trolley tour of town. Ron McIntyre, a Galena resident and history buff, drives the trolley and shares his wealth of knowledge about the town, its historic houses and its most famous resident, Civil War General and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. The one kid on our tour was a little bored, but I loved it.

We headed back to Eagle Ridge and spent an hour tooling around the lake on a pontoon boat ($50 for one hour but the boat can accommodate 10 people.) This was a much more popular choice for the kids, who took a turn at the wheel. As we headed back into the dock, we watched two hot air balloons rise over the trees. It's one of those things I'll do one day on a very special occasion, since the price is very steep.

Made The Old-Fashioned Way

Maria Pilar Clark — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:42:00 GMT

That's what we tell the newly instated big-sibs (well, sort of), so why not spread the word to other inquiring minds with super soft, fun and funky fashions like the clever "Homemade" onesie (shown at top left in white, $18 - also available in blue and pink) from Zoe & Sprout?

The snarky, stylish e-tailer strives to make folks smile, laugh or occasionally blush with infant and toddler tees and tops bearing messages like "Best Swimmer" (because only the strongest survive of course) and "Hello. My Name is No. No." (if you have a toddler, then that one needs no explanation - shown at bottom right, $20), and is also socially conscious, offering parents a 100% organic line in addition to its regular collections.

Zoe & Sprout even hopes to be completely organic by 2009 - a New Year's resolution we all can applaud.

Best of all, their sturdy yet silky 100% cotton interlock pieces are perfect for those poppin' fresh-baked family members, and even those who have been out of the oven for a while, especially since they're sweatshop free and American made.

Probably just like your little one.

Cosmomama says there's more in the details:
Stock up on these staples (Zoe & Sprout carries cute Halloween and Holiday lines) since every order $35+ qualifies for free shipping - no promotional code required.