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Tanya is the mother of 2 boys, and a writer for several publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle. Danielle also has 2 boys and is a partner and designer in the SF based design studio — the Vega Project.
Every week we will be sharing things we've learned, giving tips on parenting and life, recommending products we love, interviews with successful moms, and more.
We’re always interested in new ideas, so let us know what you think — and please come back for more.I have always had a soft spot for robots. Their geometric expressions melt my heart, and they are a great decorating theme. Ferm Living has a super cute robot set out. Organic Pillows, bedding, and wall stickers. Add some fun Robots magnets on a magnet board, and some lovely robot prints.
pillows, bedding & wall stickers - ferm living; robot magnets - pottery barn; robot alphabet print, space ship print, and combo print - etsy.
Comment below to enter to win a free set of Monster Patrol wall stickers and an MP iron on so your child can be part of the MP team.
Entries will close on March 30th, 2010.
My son Cash and I sit down together every year to make our own Valentine's Day cards for his class. I'd like to say that we come up with the ideas on our own but we usually take them from one of the parenting magazines I get, like Family Fun or Parenting or Parents.
This year we made mini rockets.The ones that we saw in a magazine said something like "You Blast Me Away" but Cash didn't like that. It made him nervous, thinking that he would blast off into space, so we brainstormed and came up with "U Rock It!"
The craft called for wrapping colored paper around a roll of Lifesavers but Walgreens didn't have any rolls so I got little packages of candy bracelets. While they weren't exactly round, they worked fine. Cash cut out the paper to go around each one for the 19 kids in his class and his teachers. The rockets are supposed to have flames coming out the back, so Cash cut out little hearts with pointy peaks and we taped them to the bottom. I flattened out the top of each and we used a glue gun to fasten Hershey kisses for the rocket tip. They came out great and were fun to make. So if you need a last minute idea, we made these during one quarter of the Super Bowl!
I once blogged about doing this for my son's preschool class and attracted a ton of hateful comments from parents who said that I should just go out and buy Valentine's Day cardsbecause I was setting the bar too high for other parents. I don't fault parents who don't have the time or inclination to make Valentines with their kids but my son and I love to do crafts together. Although I do often come off as the uber mom, it isn't out of some competition, it is because I love doing stuff like this. Yes, my kid's birthday parties are over the top but I love the event planning side of it and the obsessive attention to details. So I'm not trying to make you look bad!
Many kids are afraid of the dark, and their imaginations go wild. Monster Patrol wall stickers are designed to help give your kids the extra boost they need to get over their fear of monsters, or whatever else might be lurking once you close that door.
Each pack comes with four adorable super heros, each with his own powers.
Henri’s monster pops make monsters disappear in an instant. Radar’s Monster Blamo Spray wards off monsters and other scary things. Buzzy’s super fireflies help him see monsters in the dark and keep scary monsters away. Jett flies around the room keeping a protective eye out from above. They also come with a cute little radio sticker, where your kids can call on the MP's when any trouble starts.
Have fun with your child while putting these around the room. Let your he/she identify "scary spots" in the room and place the appropriate hero or anti-monster device to help keep the bad things away. Going through the experience of putting these out in the room and having a chance to talk it through, is a great way to work on the fears with your child — as well as putting control in their hands.
These wall stickers are also removable and reusable. So when they change their minds on where they go, you can move them and re-stick without any damage to your walls.
If night time fears are no longer an issue, the super heros are a cute decor item, especially in a vintage inspired room.
Monster Patrol retails for $28 and is available for purchase on the WallCandy Arts website, and are designed and illustrated by myself and the Vega Project.
- Danielle
If you ever look into the mirror and see dark circles and puffiness around your eyes, you probably remark to yourself how tired you look — sometimes looking more tired than you feel. Of course the main cause is often lack of sleep and fatigue but other causes can included stress, not drinking enough water, anemia, iron deficiency, allergies and sun exposure.
What to do?
Some home remedies really do help so they are work a try. The most tried and true are placing cold compressess of black tea bags, crushed cucumber, or potato water over your eyes for about 10 minutes. Also increase your water intake and Vitamin C. Reduce salt in your diet — which increases puffiness.
If your problem is dark circles, use a peach or yellow tone concealer to cancel out blue tones and stay away from maube or pink toned eyeshadows. Play up your eyes with great shaped brows, upper lash mascara and peachy shadow. Eye creams keep getting better and better. Look for ones that contain peptides to reduce dark circles and puffiness. Vitamin K is another ingredient that is useful. My favorite cream is AGE Eye Complex by SkinCeuticals as it addresses all the problems and is a lovely texture to use. AGE contains optical diffusers to improve radiance, flavanoids and peptides to reduce dark circles and puffiness. It costs around $85 — but worth the splurge. I found it on Amazon recently for $65.
- Susan
Hey readers....our guest blogger, Susan Perry, has offered to answer our beauty questions — so bring em on. Comment below and she'll answer as many as she can.
Looking for a modern way to decorate your next cake, or valentines treats? Want to turn your home baked cake easily into a more professional looking dessert? Check out ticings. They are decorative, edible sheets of icing that you peel and press onto your own buttercream frosted baked goods. They are gluten-free and kosher certified.
Our kids are big Lego and block builders. For the past 6 months it has been their #1 choice for play. But the unfortunate part is that they want to save the creations, then slowly "lego erosion" takes place, and the little pieces wind up all over the floor and the masterpiece is broken. Or we end up with a tower of blocks in the living room which I inevitably trip over and knock down, ending in a finale of tears (not mine).
To resolve this issue, I've started taking photographs of my boys creations. This way we can document what they've made, and are not upset when it's time to disassemble them. I also think it will be fun for them to look back in a year and see what they made. I think this method can work with artwork, clay, or any other creations. The main point is the process and the fun of it, but a keepsake is also important, and the reality is — we can't keep it all.
Parents TV had a great feature with Lisa Drayer, the author of The Beauty Diet: looking great has never been so delicious. She talks how to feed our bodies to help with aging and beauty — from the inside out.
A few great points from the video:
1. Berries, such as black, blue and strawberry are antioxidant rich which help protect the suns affects of aging. Blueberries in particular help keep the collagen in our skin intact. (+ low in calories and high in fiber).
2. Vitamin C rich foods like kiwi and oranges keep your skin moist and therefore less noticeable wrinkles.
3. Protein and Omega 3 rich foods helps keep hair and nails strong and shiny. Try peanut butter, fish, walnuts, yogurt.
4. Mango, dried apricots and nuts cantaloupe are rich in beta keratine smooth skin and bright eyes.
5. Watermelon and pink grapefruit are rich in lycopene which is a natural sunscreen and antioxidant.
Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/parentstv#p/u/52/mbci0jCdVVM
- Danielle
There has been a new trend in the last year of exclusive online sample sales. If you haven't discovered these yet, check them out. The MiniSocial is a favorite of mine. Other great ones include One Kings Lane, Gilt Groupe, and the new site by Daily Candy — Swirl.
My game obsessed 6-year-old Cash and I were driving down the seedier part of Mission Street in San Francisco recently when he spotted a sign for an arcade and yelled, "Stop the car!!" I obviously wouldn't have stopped anyway but I made the mistake of explaining to him that it is an "adult arcade," not one like the arcade at Pier 39 where we had been the day before. The multiple XXX's did not deter him.
"What kind of games does an adult arcade have," he asked.
"Naked ones," I said. At a loss to go any further, he filled the silence. "Like 'Take Your Clothes off Wii?"
At that point, after I stopped laughing, I was forced to change the subject because I had no idea how to proceed. What would you have done?
I didn't make all my own baby food. It seemed a great effort. But once I got the hang of it, I realized it was quite easy, especially when whipping foods we were eating for dinner already. Check out this great post today on how to make your own baby food from HonestFare.com.
Found on Ohdeedoh.
I'm sorry we've been away so long. Between the two of us... sickness, a thrown back, travel and work craziness - we just needed to take a break. I've sincerely missed posting and am excited to be back.
I'll warm up again with a quick post about French Hot Dogs. Once in a while my youngest, Dillon, and I get sneak away for a date with just the two of us. We like to go down to the new La Boulange bakery on our street and have a latte (his is warm soy milk), and a pick a treat. Last week Dillon chose a "french hot dog", which was a hot dog wrapped in pastry dough. He then sweetly asked if he I would make them for his lunch.
I made mine with Chicken Apple Sausage and some croissant dough from the grocery store (they were out of pastry dough). I grilled the sausage and then wrapped the little doggie in the croissant dough, and tossed in the oven following the croissant packaging instructions. Voila!
Ok, I know mine are not nearly as pretty, (honestly I didn't even try), but he didn't mind. I got a big thank you hug when he came home from lunch the next day. This year I'm trying a few new things in their lunches and this one is a win. We also took a few of the leftover dough triangles, rolled in a few dark chocolate chips and baked. Topped 'em with powdered sugar when they were out of the oven... a quick and easy treat.
— Danielle
The "Pfefferkuchen" have arrived from Germany and the fight is on in my family.
My aunts (and my grandmother when she was alive) have made these special cookies every year of my life for Christmas and their arrival is eagerly anticipated. We bring out three boxes and very carefully divide the cookies evenly. You aren't even allowed to eat them during the division or it counts against your final bounty. It sounds crazy, but for me it isn't just about the cookies, but the family tradition. We only get these once a year and even the good-natured fighting over the cookies is part of what brings us closer.
Family traditions are important to me and I am trying to pass them on to my sons. My mother made apple Santa men with me every year and I do it with my sons to give out to teachers and friends. I love when I see other families and their traditions.
Continue reading "Family Traditions Will Be Remembered More than Presents" »
We have a lunch box that often does not make it home. When that happens, the next day usually means a bag lunch. I draw on my kids lunch bags all the time, but if that's not your cup of tea, check these adorable screen printed bags from beethings @ etsy. $15 get's you a 10 pack. These would also be fantastic for favors at a party or an alternative to gift bags.
Like a lot of little boys and girls, my 1-year-old loves the garbage and recycling trucks. We run outside when they rumble up our street and stop to watch whenever we see them on our outings. I had a hard time finding a play truck for him that did not have a warning about choking hazards but finally when I was at Target, I found this adorable recycling truck that is also a MEGA Bloks set.
My friend Christine also sent him a board book called I am a Garbage Truck that is in the shape of a truck. It walks the reader through the garbage man's job, picking up trash and recycling.
Together they would make a great gift for the holidays.
My kid is the Christmas Scrooge. Last summer during a BBQ at our house, he came running up to me and said, "I think it is time Ava knew." "Knew what?" I asked. "That Santa doesn't exist!" he said. Yikes!!
Yup, my kid is the one who will ruin it for the rest of you -- thanks to my mom. She told him last year when he was 5 years old that there was no Santa, "because he asked," she said. Ok, how about a little creative thinking here. You don't have to just outright say he's a farce, a big fat lie, an illusion. She could have asked what he thought and go from there. Santa exists -- in our hearts so you can still say it with a straight face.
en.wikipedia.org/
But now that he knows, he feels like it is his duty to set the record straight for the rest of the world. He talks about it constantly. He even asked me if he could tell his friends if he got the go-ahead from their parents first. Envisioning him yelling out to my friend Sophia, "Can I tell Ava that Santa doesn't exist?" I put the kibosh on that too.
I don't actually remember when I stopped believing in Santa but I'm pretty sure it was later than five. I guess I didn't ask! And once that cat is out of the bag, it opens the floodgates to all sorts of doubts about the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny. They're all out of the closet too in our house.
I know someone whose teenage girls still believe in Santa because their uncle dresses up as the big guy every year and puts the presents under the tree, sneaking out the back door just as the girls are brought around the corner by their parents to see him slip out. That might be taking it a little far and I could imagine Cash getting his butt kicked on the playground if he had still been a believer at age 12. But five was a little young to take the magic out of Christmas. Although it has made buying presents a little easier. It is easy to say that "Santa can't afford that motorized car you want" when your kid knows you are Santa. Show him the checkbook.
Do your kids still believe? Share your tales of Santa with us.
Every year my parents gave me an advent calendar, and I'd count down the days until Christmas (while eating chocolate). Sometimes I could barely keep myself from peeking at the day ahead to see what goodie was inside. I tried this with my kids last year, and frankly, they are too young to have chocolate every day. Or maybe I'm too old. Anyways, I did a little search on advents... here are a few favorites I found — with, and without treats.
Brooklyn, Mini French Bags (stuff em' with your own treats), Candy Cottage, Tree Mobile Calendar, Lego City Advent Calendar, Eric Carle Pop Up Calendar
Over the holiday weekend, we took our two boys to the ODC ballet production of The Velveteen Rabbit. I was concerned they would not be able to sit still, especially Dillon who is 3 — but there were completely captivated. Dillon was even singing the songs.
I had forgotten about this classic fairy tale which I loved as a child. The book, the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams will be on my gift list this year. There are several different illustrated versions to choose from...
From left to right: The original written by Margery Williams, illustrated by William Nicholson; illustrated by Robyn Officer; illustrated by Michael Hague; board book illustrated by Thea Kliros; illustrated by Elizabeth Miles (comes with CD); adapted version by Steve Johnson & illustrated by Lou Fancher
Pair the book with the super soft JellyCat Bunny for a sweet holiday gift.
I'm passing my copy of "Baby Wise" to a friend and I'm feeling nostalgic about it. It may be controversial but I'm standing by it.
The book, "On Becoming Baby Wise," which advocates placing newborns on a schedule in the first few weeks, is a lightning rod for controversy. A nurse practically hit the Code Blue button after a friend of mine mentioned she was planning to use the book's techniques with her newborn. A team of lactation specialists rushed in and warned her that it is a dangerous book.
Maybe they are assuming parents are morons. The book is careful to caution that you should always feed a hungry baby, it just assures parents that babies cry for other reasons than hunger, and helps you get through the first months without going insane.
I am a huge proponent of the book and I send it to all my friends who are having babies. Not only did both my children sleep through the night at around 10 weeks, we never had to do the cry-it-out technique to get them sleeping basically 10-12 hours straight nightly. I have friends who ignored the book who either finally turned to the cry-it-out technique, often with the help of expensive sleep consultants, or who just threw up their hands and slept with their children for what seems like well into the elementary school years. But everyone I know who used the book, has happy, well-rested babies -- and are able to get sleep themselves.
Parting with the book is a concrete reminder that my last baby is no longer an infant, that he is growing up. Catcher just turned one and he is sleeping like, well like a baby. Like a baby trained through Baby Wise, that is.
With both our children, people looked at us with amazement and jealousy when we said that our babies were sleeping through the night at 10 weeks (and the long stretches of six to eight hours started much earlier). It wasn't luck. It was the book.
The technique is very simple. You put your infant on a three-hour feeding schedule. With my older son, we waited probably as long as two weeks to start that. But Catcher basically put himself on that schedule from the start. The important part is not to nurse the baby to sleep. So you feed baby and then "play" with him for at least 20 minutes before putting him down for a nap. At first it seems like a struggle to keep the baby awake and there is no reason to torture him if he really wants to sleep. Even keeping the baby awake for a few minutes by changing his diaper can work at the beginning. The main point is to teach the baby to fall asleep on his own without having to be soothed to sleep every time. That way, when he wakes up in the middle of the night, he can fall back asleep on his own.
Teddy Bear Tights from the Gap, Banjo from Plan Toys, Strawberry Chew Toy from Under the Nile, Traffic T from Glug Baby, Vintage Owl Bank, Dump Truck from Green Toys, Manhattan Toy Red Sports Car, Lego Radio, This Is For You by paper cut artist Rob Ryan, Platform Shoes from Anthropologie, Fuelco Manchester Cycle tee for dad
Milk & Cookie Love Tee Shirt, Vintage Tool Box on Etsy, Cement Mixer from Bruder, Turquoise Earrings, Black Bird Camera from Flight 001, Noahs Ark Print on Etsy, Knit Dress from Mini Boden, Fleece Lined Jeans from Old Navy, Stitch Kit from Egg Press, Duck! Rabbit!, Tea Party Game by Eboo, Lined Wellie Boots from Lands End
