Filtering by Category: Babysitter in A Box

Welcoming June

Wanted to wish you all a (belated) happy June! Hope your first June weekend was fabulous!! (You can see Freida is sure summer-lovin!)

Not quite (officially) summer yet, but not too far off either; the beginning of June always seems the opportune time to kick-start the summer planning. Nobody likes to feel like something went by without feeling accomplished about it (a long weekend, winter break, spring etc.), and summertime is no different. It's great to start thinking about all the things you'd like to do, try, and experience before September sneaks up on you. I'm not talking about sending the kids to camp, traveling etc. (hopefully you've planned that all out way before June 1st!), I mean all the extras! I just started writing my "Summer Bucket List" - a list of all my aspirations for the warm-months-to-come (some for me and my husband, some for me and Freida, and lots for those Sundays all together). It's great to get it all down on one paper now, and it's so nice to strike-out each one as we happily make our way through this marvelous, magical season!

For those of you with older kids, I recently read about a mom who makes a list with the kids and cuts out each one, putting all the strips of paper into a bucket. At the beginning of each week, the kids get to pull out a few randomly and add them to the weekly calendar.

Here's a few ideas (for you and the kids) to jump-start your list of summer-fun:

- strawberry picking

- sunset on the beach

- lemonade stand

- a camping trip (even just one night?)

- outdoor nighttime movie screening

- a real picnic

- yoga in the park

- homemade ice cream bars

Basically, think of all the things you'd like to do (even in theory), and watch and see how many you actually get done if you put yourself up for the challenge! Then you can stop wondering at the end of August  what you did all summer!! : )

Fast and Slow

Observing the toddlers at play this weekend, I couldn't help but notice the drastic diference in their personalities! My little nephew is super-smart, super-fast, and all over the place! Freida is a stark opposite, walking slowly, stopping every few feet to (literally!) smell the flowers, look at leaves, attempt to eat a potato bug etc... She kept looking up with a bit of envy at her cousin running up the block at mach speed, and he continuously found her leisure curiosity amusing. Reminded me of this song from (the amazing) Laurie Berkner. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZgHeJ6yO1c]

Isn't this video charming?? The costumes, the artwork as backdrop - incredible!!

Check our other favorite songs from her: Rocketship Run, Family, Victor Vido, and I'm Gonna Catch You.

Believe it or not, she also did the vocals for one Weeds theme song "Little Boxes" (a bit out of character for a children's song-writer, but great nonetheless). : )

Yooooo Gabba Gabba!!

Have you ever sat and watched the shows your toddler is watching?? I mean, actually watched them. Sure I know what Baby Einstein is, I previewed it once before letting her in the zone... I hear the Wiggles playing in the back-round as I pack up snacks to take to the park, and I definitely have Hand in Hand songs stuck in my head through the bath-time and bed-time routine - but there's only one that I can't seem to break away from. Seriously. I watch each Yo Gabba Gabba episode with her, gleefully glued to the screen, enchanted by the animations, entranced by the music, and enticed by the screenplay! The retro/indie thing totally got me hooked, and the lineup of featured guests is just ridiculous (MGMT, Tony Hawk, Weezer, Jack Black, the Salteens etc. etc). The producers are genius (and clearly high on drugs), and I'd hereby like to make a shout-out to the most hip and happenin' childrens show out there!  You simply can't beat a great kids show + your favorite rock bands - TV time just doesn't get any better than that! And yes, I'm obsessed... : ) Check this out, featuring the Shins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNUCckyv0Ws

Babysitter in a Box - In Flight

On Sunday we'll be making the voyage to Chicago Ohare Airport (via JetBlue, yay!). Been thinking about travel by air in general, and talking with lots of friends who are traveling with tots in toe this week as well. Here's a little roundup to help with the in-flight entertainment department, and aid in keeping our sanity at 30,000 ft.

1. Pop Up Airplane Bingo $7.99

Keep the kids busy searching their board for a "flight attendant" or a "pair of headphones".

2. CARES 5-Point Harness Belt

Mom's swear by this -aside from the safety-  for keeping toddlers calm and collected in their seats.

3. Crayon Rocks $6.95

Break out a rainbow of fun with these rockin' crayons, and a simple stack of coloring/activity books.

4. Djeco Origami Set $15.95

Keep any chatterbox (i.e girl) quiet and entertained with this set of beautiful foldable paper and stickers.

5. Smith's Rosebud Salve $6.00

My favorite staple! Keeps lips lucious, doubles as a moisturizer, and triples as a diaper balm!

6. Wikki Stix $3.25

Part modeling clay + part pipe cleaner = heaps of clean-up-free fun!

7. Mary's Gone Crackers Sticks & Twigs (you can get single bags @ Whole Foods)

Airplane pretzel healthy alternative!

8. Baekgaard's Luggage Tags (& Passport Cover) $36.00

The plane ride was long enough - find your bags in a snap!

9. Nordstrom's Cashmere Pashmina $38.90 (!!)

Blanket, scarf, sweater... airplane neccessity!!!

Happy travels, Mommies! Enjoy the Holidays!

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