My son is obsessed with Legos and he's crazy for anything Star Wars so this watch could be just the thing to finally interest him in learning to tell time (the real way, not digital numbers). It's sad that we have to bribe our kids to do what we were expected to do without rewards, like, you know-- tell time!?! At least this is not that expensive and he does have a birthday coming up so I'm definitely getting this for him. The lego inspired strap is just too cute for words and it's water resistant to 165 feet so he can wear this to swim, too! I have no idea where he learned about Star Wars though. I know nothing about Star Wars but he knows everything about it and explained to me recently that Princess Leia is not married to Luke Skywalker as I had though cuz it turns out they are siblings?!?!?! Go figure.
LEGO Kids' 2907STWDM Star Wars Darth Maul Watch
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Full size strollers take up a lot of room in your garage and if you don't have a garage, it is an even bigger headache. The specially designed Buggup stroller hook mounts to your wall and gets the stroller off the floor to free up walkways and hallways. The back has rubber pads to protect your walls from getting scraped up. This does not take care of the seat for the Bugaboo though, so if that's what you have you will still have that propped up against the wall but at least you'll get some relief. At Giggle.com for $40.
My tot has already broken one camera. But they LOVE taking pictures so I continue to allow them to use the new one. Well, with the summer vacation happening next week, I am going to make sure they can still express themselves as well as give us the opportunity to see the world from their eyes with a camera made just for them. The case is made for impact (but I wouldn't push it, I think it's just good enough for dropping, not throwing!) and allows for up to 200 photos. There is a slot to add your own SD card for more memory which also ensure pictures are saved in the event anything happens to the camera. Comes with cables to hook right up to your TV which is always fun for everyone. There are 3 preschool games built right in so when they have nothing to take pictures of they can still keep busy (although they are just as happy taking pictures of feet and walls). At Amazon
The questions is, What can't you put in thgis? The Butterfly Packin' Smart is perfect for formula, snacks, serving bowl or pacifier holder. Use this in your cupboard for spices and herbs, or crafts organizer for small beads, buttons, pins, etc. The material is stain, shatter and odor resistant, each compartment has its own removable funnel lid for easy dispensing. Dishwasher safe. At Pure and Honest Kids for $19.99
It's always now now now. Well, not that you should give in to that but sometimes you just didn't plan ahead. Like make your own Popsicles before the playdate! This Zoku pop maker freezes any liquid you put in there in just 7 minutes. Well, of course, you need to keep the base in the freezer ahead of time but as long as you store it in the freezer at all times, you can make and eat healthy-ish iced treats in no time at all. Each freeze can make 3 sets of pops, so that's 9 total. If you use fruit, it is recommended that you freeze those ahead of time, or you can just use frozen fruit. There is a quick release to make sure you get them out of the mold without struggling. Exclusively at Williams Sonoma for $49.95.
Bumper rails don't fit on all beds, I found out the hard way. They are complicated and make changing sheets a bigger drag that it already is and worst of all, they are an eye sore. These Go Bed Bug bumpers are wedges that go right under the sheets and are super versatile. You can take these with you to grandma's and easily switch beds when you need to. If I had known about this, I would have kept the queen bed in my tots' room and had them share a bed - all I had to do to avoid them kicking each other was using these as dividers. I know you can probably find something similar at stores that sell back relieving supplies, but these are so well priced, you can avoid the hassle and guess work by just ordering these that are specifically designed as a bed guard. The one 42 inch piece is $12.95, two 27 inch pieces are $15.95 and the combo 42 inch piece + 21 inch piece are $19.50. At Go Bed Bug.
Crib bumpers are out, but these Wonder Bumpers are definitely in! Instead of surrounding your crib with traditional bumpers (which not only act as a step stool for toddlers to escape, they also pose a danger for SIDS), these wrap the individual rails to protect soft heads from bumping against them. It is natural for tots to scoot themselves until their heads run up against something, it gives them a sense of security to know where their boundaries are. These Wonder Bumpers add a wonderful element of decor to your crib without hazard. There are many designs to choose from, the Blue Bird is a great vintage look with ruffles and frills fit for a real Princess. Each bumper has zippers, which are harder to pull on and off, but that's exactly the point, velcro would be way too easy for your tot to figure out. Prices vary depending on the number of rails you have, the Blue Bird 38 Pack is $179 at Go Mama Go Designs.
A multi-purpose mat that self inflates for playtime, naps, picnics and the beach. This mat allows you to go anywhere and still have the freedom to do everything a tot wants to do, at any stage of development - infant tummy time, diaper changes, padded surface for beginning crawlers, safe area for wobbly early sitters, toddler tumbling mat and cushiony surface for grown ups (I hate sitting on the hard floor!). It rolls up in a convenient storage bag and is lightweight enough to take anywhere. It is a little too big to carry around so you need to be traveling by car to take it. The self inflating valve does all the work for you, just open the valve and it will inflate to the optimal point. All the work is in the deflating, you do need to squeeze all the air out but if you do it as you roll it up, it's not that difficult. At BabbaCo for $70.
This year marks the historical high of infant hot car deaths. It's easier for us assume this only happens to negligent parents but statistically that is not the case. These accidents usually occur when the parent's routine is altered and their brain goes on auto pilot mode of their regular routine, which does not involve transporting a tot in the car. For example, a parent normally does not drop off the tot at childcare but due to circumstances must do so on a particular day. The parent gets in the car and the habit forming part of the brain, which is stronger, takes over and drives them directly to work. Since they've never had to remove a tot from the car at the place of work, the brain naturally blocks out all cues and inclinations of doing so.
As with everything involving safety, it is better to be safe than sorry. We have monitors and safety measures for everything, but why not an alarm that reminds us to take our tot out of the car? There are 2 products that do just that. The Cars-N-Kids turns on automatically with the weight of the child and plays a lullaby every time the car stops. It is only $29.95. But because it plays a lullaby every time the car stops (including stop lights), I prefer the Child Minder, which has a device attached to your car keys and the alarm will go off if you are more than 15 feet from the car when the child is in the car. The Child Minder has a chest clip that replaces the current chest clip of your car seat, so when it is clipped, the system is turned on. This product is $69.95 and you can get additional key rings for additional caregivers for $28.95.
Parenting Magazine has an article with other precautions to take to avoid this from happening to you.
Fun baby shower activity? Or cruel and unusual punishment? If you are the type to have naked pregnancy photos taken, then you'll probably be all over this. This belly cast kit allows you to capture your belly in all it's glory in only 30 minutes, you can get the whole family involved - whether you like it or not because it does require some assistance. The only question is, where do you display this? In the nursery or perhaps over the mantel? At Proud Body for $25 regular cast and $61.25 for deluxe cast.
