We all know how tots go bananas over bubbles, but it just isn't that fun when the bubbles are made without some effort involved. Bubble machines kind of kill the joy. But then I don't really want to hyperventilate from blowing bubbles for an hour. This Bubble Rocket get tots to make bubbles themselves with the most fun they will ever have. No exaggeration. The rocket sits in a bath of bubble solution and is launched by jumping on an air bladder. The air shoots the rocket into the air and blows, not quite a gazillion, but a lot of bubbles in the air. This is the perfect activity for a long weekend at home when you desperately need something to tire them out. Plus, for the 4th of July, it is patriotic, kind of. Rocket's red glare? OK, I'm grasping but it is tons of fun. Trust me, you'll be caught saying, "Hey, it's my turn!". At Gazillion Bubble Rocket is $32.95.

This books just makes me laugh because it is so endearing and true. A little girl goes shopping with dad and chaos ensues but Dad smooths things over and saves the day with his calm and logic. The funniest part is the shopping list mom sends him with, it includes things like Weatherbread, Dangerjam, and Octopus Underpants - I mean, my husband is always so baffled by my shopping list of things like cilantro, pinenuts and good parmigiano reggiano (he comes home complaining, "It took me 20 minutes to find pinenuts, I had to ask 3 different people for help"). There are also a lot of lessons that can be learned about blame and pointing fingers. My daughter was very inquisitive about the situations in the book and it was a great opportunity to teach her important interpersonal skills. One of my favorite books! Shopping with Dad at Amazon for $11.55.

Lincoln Logs are fantastic, I love them. But why not expand your tot's architectural inclinations with a pyramid building set? This 3-D building block set also develops their spacial understanding. Besides, it is just so cool. They get a full view of the interior chambers as they learn the techniques the Egyptians used to build the actual pyramids. There are small parts, for tots 3 and up. At Lollipop Rascals for $39.95.

I got this "Nite Lite" a couple of months ago and it has slowly become a nice little Mommy's helper. Tots have a hard time with the concept of time, and teaching them to tell time and understand what that means is still a few years down the road for me. They do understand that when the sun is up, it is morning and when it is dark out, it is nighttime. But now that it is summer, the sun doesn't go down until 9pm and it is confusing my 4 year old. I tell her it is bedtime at 8pm and she tells me it is still light out so it is morning and 'NOT nighttime". The Good Nite Lite can be programmed to have the night setting come on (moon and Z's) at whatever time you deem it to be "nighttime" so your tot will have a reference and an authority declaring it so. Once that goes on, no matter how light or dark it actually is, it is time to get ready to go to bed. Toddlers like routine and rules so she actually abides by it. There's still some bickering and whining, but at least I have something to point to and throw up my arms as if it really isn't up to me.

The other setting might actually be more useful for the early risers. You also program the "sun" setting to come up at whatever time you want, so no matter what it looks like outside, you tell your tot to stay in bed until the Good Nite Lite's sun comes up. It does take a few weeks to get this concept through to them, but with a reference point, they feel in control and are more incline to comply. Each setting stays on for 2 hours. You plug it in the wall like a regular night light. I keep mine in the living room because I need to enforce sleep time, but for those who need to regulate the waking, you put this in their room. I had a bit of hard time with the programming and had to change the tiny battery for the LED display (battery not needed for regular operation), after that it worked fine. Good Nite Lite is $34.99.

$34.99

These are the coolest tot chairs I've ever seen! They are scratch resistant and stackable to suit your practical needs but uber stylish for the true snob in you. The polycarbonate is easy to clean which means they can be used outside (and at mealtime). Even though it is a modern design, you can include it in your traditional shabby chic room for that designer look straight out of a home design magazine. If you have a truly eclectic room, this will fit right in like a glove. At Barneys New York for $133, available in clear, blue or pink.

Boys love yucky mud and they really love worms, so you know they will go bonkers over this very special treat of mud, dirt and squiggly worms all served up in a planter pot! Just don't tell them it is actually chocolate pudding, cookie crumbs and gummy worms. They do a version of this at American Girl Place, their special dessert is a flower pot with chocolate pudding, cookie crumbs and a daisy. It was surprisingly realistic and a bit hard to eat at first! You can easily do this at home without the kit, just get a couple of little flower pots, pudding, crumbled up oreo cookies (just the outside) and gummy worms (or daisies for the girls!). But the Sassafras Kids Uck Yuck Worms in Muck Pudding Kit is only $11.60 at Amazon, just to get you started.

Sometimes, simplicity is best. Especially when it comes to boys, the last thing they have time to fuss over is shoes. For ease comfort and style, it is really hard to beat these slip on Pepe nubuck shoes. They are handcrafted in Italy with exceptional quality, the elastic band on top allows quick on and off and the rubber sole is safe for running around and climbing. At Aggie Hill for $86.

For parents on the go and mommies with nice bags =) This zip up bottle cooler keeps milk fresh and messes contained. The case has a gel pack that keeps milk nice and cold, great for breast milk! It is nice and compact so it's not like you are carrying a cooler around with you. It fits short and tall bottles up to 2" wide. Easy to clean, just run the entire thing under the faucet. Ju Ju Be Bottle Rocket at Amazon for $14.99.

This might be a bit much but it is so much fun! And with tots, there is no such thing as over the top or too "themed". I would probably only get this as a gift but can you imagine the hero I would be if I got this as a birthday present? Hmm, I do have a birthday gift I need to buy =) The Royal Princess Carriage Rocker ($147) with a bench seat is perfect for younger tots who haven't grasped the concept of grasping. For your precious boys, the
Prince Rocking Horse ($169.95) will really make him feel like he rules the house. Like I said, these are things that are fun to encourage in kids other than your own =) Other designs available at Rosenberry Rooms.

Little baby crib shoes are the cutest things ever. Seriously, nothing compares to the cuteness. But you usually just enjoy them on the shelve or on the floor because they never stay on. Pediped has a good chance of staying with the velcro strap and molded design but other than that, it is hard to find something that really stays on. Well, let me tell you, these stay on. The straps hold the shoe around the ankles for a nice fit and the big bow is super adorable. But once they have control of their tiny fingers, they will surely pull apart the bow and once again, cute shoes will be ooh-ed and ahh-ed from the floor. At Bergdorf Goodman for 113.