droolicious : Jeanne Sager

7 Days of Dad: Music to his Ears

JeanneSager — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:01:00 GMT

He ponied up for Mother's Day, so now it's time to get cracking on how to make Dad's day. Lucky for you, we were wondering too. So we're offering up seven days of what we'll be giving the guy who reads bedtime stories and changes stinky diapers.

For dads whose playlist can't handle one more "waaaah" or "why," we can help.

Help him get double duty out of his iPhone or iPod with the dexim docking station that hooks right into the TV for big-screen viewing and big sound listening of your downloaded podcasts and movies. One of the most affordable options out there at just $69.95, it was easy to set up and it's versatility means it will last (it works with most generations of the iPod or iPhone). With a wireless remote for easy control from his easy chair and a recharging option as part of the docking station, the dexim will let him share his favorites with his favorite little people.

Because sometimes, he just needs to block it all out, EarPollution headphones from iFrogz can help. He can design his own set (or you can plug his tastes into their site to make him a pair), but even better than the style is the sturdiness of these headphones. Made to be folded up and stowed in the bag, they can handle your toddler yanking them off of Dad's head to ask him a question or accidentally (we'll give them the benefit of the doubt) sitting on them. Loud enough to drown out the noise, with good quality sound and comfortable fit, iFrogz hops onto the list for Dad.

Check out more gifts for Dad this week on the 7 Days of Dad.

Our Four Best Picks for Kids' Packs

JeanneSager — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:01:00 GMT

Summer vacation is coming. Whether you'll be packing the kids up for a trip to grandma's or getting a vacation yourself, you can't go wrong with these picks for packing:

1. Little Passenger Sparky Junior Travel Backpack - They'll be so busy making their way through the adventures in this car-shaped backpack, they'll forget to ask "are we there yet?" seventeen times over. Stuffed with their own map and road atlas, plus travel-themed playcards and activity books, there's room to add a few more of their favorites into the bag before you hit the road.TIP FOR PARENTS: Use the accompanying dry erase markers to plot your road trip route in the map so they can follow along.

Sparky's see-through make-up also means they can spot their toys from the outside, leaving you to drive while they paw through their Little Passenger. Get it from CSN Stores for $23.50 with free shipping.

2. Ramblin' Kids Suitcase by the Piggy Story - Retro- and rover-licious, this hard case is made in the grand old traditions of overnight cases. And while it really is an overnight case with limited room for their goodies, I say that in the best sense of the word. Packed with a soft blanket and pillow, the Piggy Story case is covered in a fun doggy print that suits both girls and guys.

Take out the pillow and blankie to pack in an overnight outfit and a few of their favorite toys, or leave them in and send them off to granny's where she has doubles of their duds anyway. The case is small enough for them to carry, and sturdy enough that it will survive the trips. Get it from The Chocolate Cake Club for $54.

3. Dastardly Dragon Overnight Bag by Sassafras - Let them out of your castle for an overnight adventure with a small bag that packs a surprising amount of room. The cuddly dragon (didn't know that could happen, did you?) lets this bag double as a friend to squeeze when they're away from home at night, but it's the ample space inside the zippered body that makes this a must buy for parents. Well, that and the sparkly "fire-breathing" tongue? Get it from the Chocolate Cake Club too - for $26.95.

4. Duffel Bag, Little MissMatched - The last thing you want when you're five hundred miles from home, is to find out your daughter's sippy cup that he chucked onto the bag beside her has soaked through the bag into all of her clothes. Hello waterproof linings! It doesn't hurt that these are cute (and a little on the kooky side), but the Little MissMatched bags make it onto the list thanks to ample space for all of their clothes (I packed ten days worth in my daughter's duffel on a recent trip), handles for little kids to cart them or a strap for Mom and Dad, and a lining that helps them stand up to being dropped in mud puddles on the way into the hotel or left too close to the pool. Get one for $30 (check out the different designs).

Check Out More On the Go Goodies:

Five Finds for On-the-Go With Your Little Monkey

7 Days of Dad: Can You Picture This?

JeanneSager — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:01:00 GMT

Pictures of his little munchkins always make Dad's day, but do you think he really wants another t-shirt he'll have to shove to the back of the closet? Another coffee mug with their mug?

Greet him on Father's Day morning with a giant canvas made from his favorite pic. The folks at Shutterfly take art-worthy shots to the next level of presentation with high quality prints wrapped around immense wooden canvases (my husband's only words? "wow, just wow" when he saw a pic I picked of our daughter remade as a 20 x 30 shot for our wall). They'll take dad's appreciation for art to another level too.

A few tips:- depending on what size canvas you're going for, pre-crop your images so you get exactly what you want. Remember: a lot of today's digital SLRs do not take a standard size photo, so you can leave it up to Shutterfly, but they will have to do some adjusting to make it fit the canvas. Also, key in on the focus in your pictures - at 20 x 30, mistakes show up big time! You want to pick a picture that reprepesents the best of your kids' scrapbook.

The canvas prints are on sale until June 16. At $50 off, now's the time to get one, so check them out at Shutterfly.

Want to save a little dough and still go the photo route? Shutterfly's 252-piece puzzles give him something to do WITH the kids. Their photo is superimposed on a sturdy cardboard sheet, then cut to make a game for the whole family. At $24.99, it's easy on the pocketbook and did we say it gives them something to do? That's priceless!

A few tips: choose a photo that's VERY colorful. Monochromatic photos or those with a lot of one color in the background make for a major puzzle challenge. The pieces are small, so this is for your older kids (age four at the minimum - although it depends on your child's puzzle skills).

Check out more gifts for Dad this week on the 7 Days of Dad.

Bug Your Gardening Kid

JeanneSager — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:32:00 GMT

If your thumbs are dyed a permanent black, but you're intent on raising a green girl or guy, we've got the set for you.

Drop this ladybug apron on their chest, and stick the little black gloves on their hands. From Sassafras, the Kids Ladybug Garden Set is packed with surprisingly heavy duty tools (the mini-rake - I think that's what it's called - has sharp points, so watch your kids like a hawk with this one).

OK, OK, with lack of gardening skills, I have to admit I'm just digging the cute red spotted handles on the tools. At least something in my garden looks good!

Get the whole set over at Chocolate Cake Club for $24.95.

Who Wouldn't Invest in Instant Gratification?

JeanneSager — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:25:00 GMT

If your kids are into instant gratification (and what kid isn't), why make them go through the whole pumping action in order to spray their buddies down this summer?

The Turbo Fill Blasters from Fisher-Price get their power from a pumping station that fills them up AND pressurizes them for maximum squirtage.

Good for kids who haven't gotten down that pump and squirt action, even better for parents who don't want to be filling up their kids' toys every five seconds, you can get it from Amazon for $34.99.

Might we suggest you invest in an umbrella too?

Etsy Alert: The Very Hungry Tee Shirt

JeanneSager — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:03:00 GMT

Hungry for literature that doesn't require repeated readings when you're ready for bed?

Let them wear their favorite story on their chests with this The Very Hungry Caterpillar tee from an Etsy shop for happy (and hungry) kids.

Speckled Sunshine's owner hand paints all her soft tees, and her recreation of the Eric Carle classic is spot on. Can I just say I'm jealous? So chew your way on over to Etsy to pick one up for just $12.50!

More Eric Carle Goodies:

Gwyneth Reads Eric Carle!

These Walls CAN Talk

JeanneSager — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:01:00 GMT

Ever wondered what the walls of your kids' bedroom would have to say if they could talk?

Let your kids scribble out any thought that pops into their head on the wallpaper thought bubble chalkboards from Scribble on Everything.

Putting them up takes some work (kudos for the detailed instructions), but once up, the thoughts can flow. A set sports five bubbles in varying sizes, so you can let their dresser talk, leave a mini bubble floating over the bed and put the big one near the door for family doodles. They are removable, but not repositionable, so make sure you're in serious like before you commit to putting them on their walls.

Get all five for $33.15 from Scribble on Everything.

Make Your Pencil Do the Robot

JeanneSager — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:01:00 GMT

The pencil may be the simplest tool there is, but it gets geeked out with this robot.

I haven't tried it myself yet, but sharpening pencils apparently winds the Walking Robot up (although the key winds him too, so you can have your fun when the pencils are done). Best of all, your kids will never be caught putting off homework because they don't have a sharpened pencil again!

Get it for $8.99 from Boys to Men Gifts.

More Robot fun:

Robotcha? You Betcha

Birthday Tee To Wear All Year Long

JeanneSager — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:06:00 GMT

There's no reason to be dressing your kid in a "birthday girl" tee six months after her birthday just to get your money's worth.

Bring out the cupcakes every day with this onesie or tee from Ambajam. The polka dots make this a party - whether there's an anniversary to mark or not!

The downfall? It's only available up to size 24 months! But you can get it in short sleeves for $32 or long sleeves for $34.

Driving Summer Into Town With One Sweet Top

JeanneSager — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:01:00 GMT

Childhood obesity may have stolen some of the ice cream truck's thunder, but there's no need to worry about sticky hands or stuck out bellies with this sweet tee.

A retro top made from soft cotton that's lightweight enough for ice cream-friendly days, it's part of Appaman's new line for summer. The truck will drive over in onesie form only online, but you can load up on toppings for bigger cones, er, kids in stores (locate one by zip code here).

Afraid the wait will make you melt? Get the onesie from Black Wagon for $28.

A Summer Seat for Daddy and Me

JeanneSager — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:01:00 GMT

Who wouldn't want to be just like Dad if it meant perching in the summer sun in total comfort? Send your tot and her pop off for some summertime lounging with matching canopy lawn chairs.

From Kelsyus, who's long made the collapsible chairs for adults, there are now foldable seats for little campers with a canopy to keep them safe from the sun. Even better, the canopy folds around the chair and snaps up to form a backpack - so Dad can stow his on his back and still hold hands with junior for the trek back to the car.

Easy to fold and easy to carry, I wouldn't recommend them on a windy day (the air catches under the canopy and knocks them over), but they're definitely worth adding to your list for Daddy and Me for Father's Day.

Get the kids' version from Amazon for $35, and the adult-sized seat for $40.99.

Robotcha? You Betcha

JeanneSager — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:31:00 GMT

In a household where Yo Gabba Gabba's Plex reigns supreme, it's been a tough row to hoe with the slim pickings for female robot fans out there.

Hello Robotcha, a company conceived under the direction of its owners' three-year-old son. It's a place where robots and ice cream are omnipresent, and we've finally found robots for every kid's futuristic fantasy. Switch the nameplate on your front door to the Jetsons, because the future is here and if it strikes your fancy, it comes in pink, light green and even ruffles.

The company with "shirts for kids who like robots" - because what kid doesn't? - Robotcha sports boxy designs that come from a whole new box. Robots with ice cream cones, green bots planting flowers (the GrowBot), and friendly automatons waving howdy. Suddenly, we don't even care if it will clean our bathroom for us; at least these robots turn out our kids looking good.

Get a hoodie for her, a tee for him and throw one in the pile for Dad (Father's Day is coming, hint, hint) straight from Robotcha.

Why French Cooking Kids Don't Get Fat

JeanneSager — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:01:00 GMT

One whiff of freshly baked French bread, and my hips grow two sizes. But I'm getting the feeling it will all work in the reverse with the new French Cooking Set from the Playful Chef.

So what's the secret?

Made for kids five and up, the latest in the line of cooking utensils made for kids but food grade for use in real kitchens, the French Cooking Set lets you cook up Parisienne cuisine with your kids. And if you've ever tried ANY project with your kids, you'll know you get more than your fair share of exercise chasing after them.

With their own toque, French rolling pin, measuring cups spons and baking pan, plus recipes for five "French" foods thrown in (French fries just doesn't sound as authentic as pommes frites!), your little gourmet will be galloping into the kitchen. Maybe you'l have a day to sit around and eat bon bons yet.

Get it from the Chocolate Cake Club for $28.95.

A Big Day Calls for a Big Chain

JeanneSager — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:02:00 GMT

Remember marking the big black X’s to the calendar in the birthday countdown when you were a kid?

My hands were so coated in magic marker by the time the big day hit my mom had to hold my hands under water and scrub to the bone so I’d look presentable for my party. Except markers? Are not allowed in my house since the office wall incident of 2008.

So we’re counting down to four this year with Big Day Chains’ Birthday Chains Kit.

Packed with perforated strips of 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled paper printed with soy ink for linking up a 30-day chain, it’s all topped off with a card for the birthday kid (a.k.a., already completed scrapbook page for this always-thinking mom). The chains win points for letting Mom fake our Martha moment – the kits come with everything but the crayons – and points from my birthday girl-to-be for the black-and-white pictures just waiting to be coated in color. Glue it all together with the non-toxic dots (no George Costanza and his fiancée crisis for us, thank you very much), and get ripping.

Get one for $14.95 from Big Day Chains (and pick up a countdown till baby for your parents-to-be pals).

A Shirt For Little Mischief Makers

JeanneSager — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:06:00 GMT

So it's been really quiet in the other room, and you know your kid must be up to something. Throw this t-shirt on them and the whole world will know your kid has spunk with a capital "S."

From the hilarious Ex Boyfriend Collection, the "Now Accepting Henchman Applications" tee is made for mini mischief makers in sizes extra small to extra large. Mommies and Daddies need not apply.

Get it from the Ex Boyfriend Collection in your little imp's favorite color for $24.99.

Get a 'Peace' of This Puppy

JeanneSager — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:30:00 GMT

I've seen some kooky recreations of the peace symbol, but this canine critter takes the cake.

The Peace Puppy tee from Buddhi Wear will center your little pup for some serious downward dog.

Made of organic cotton, the youth tees come in peaceful sky blue or natural, or you can stretch your way over to pick up a Peace Kitty tee.

The tees are $28.50, and for every purchase, Buddhi Wear plants a tree! We give this tee . . . and the tree . . . two woofs up.

Check out more peaceful tees for tots:
The Best Woodstock Tees for The Fortieth Anniversary

We're Cuckoo for Kokopax

JeanneSager — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:30:00 GMT

It helps that the Kokopax logo feeds right into my monkey obsession, but the real reason I'm bananas for their new line of totes? They look like something I would have carried around town before the kid came along!

Makers of the hot new tot carriers, Kokopax's line of totes come in canvas designs to match. But they stand on their own as gorgeous carriers for everything besides the baby.

With a slot for a bottle (theirs or yours) just inside, a generously-sized zippered compartment, three more sectioned-off mesh compartments and an extra removable zippered pouch, there's room to spare for everything you need when you're on the go. Or you can leave the baby and their gear at home, and tote this bag for a day out on the town, just you.

The totes are $79.99 apiece, but we've got a special discount for Babble readers. Enter bbbllee at checkout to receive 10 percent off anything from Kokopax.

Check Out More Monkey Business:

Five Finds for On-the-Go With Your Little Monkey

Make Their Own Book - in a Box

JeanneSager — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

If you're begging your little egghead to put down the book and come up for air, maybe this will convince them: a book they can make themselves.

Eye Can Art's Book in a Box kits are easy peasy (even for the non-Martha moms and dads among us), and come stocked with everything you need to make four different books, all with their distinctive style. So take the summer reading list and make it part art project, part show and tell this summer.

The resealable kits come with scissors, paper, boxes, colored pencils and just about everything else you need (kitchen sink not included and not required). Get one from Eye Can Art for $24 and start reading!

Harry Potter Meets James Herriot

JeanneSager — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:29:00 GMT

His tales of being a country veterinarian were the animal legends we grew up on. Now James Herriot's Treasury for Children is back for our kids, and we can take it on the go.

Jim Dale, the English actor who's won multiple Grammy's for recreating Hogwarts with his voice (146 different characters in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows alone!) has finished up work on the audiobook version of Herriot's classics. Like Goldilocks, Dale's got it just right.

Older (he was born in the 30s) and, of course, English, he sounds the part of a simple country vet making the rounds of the village's animals and delighting in their antics. The two CD set is available from St. Martin's Press now, so stock up for all your summer trips on the road.

Maybe your kids will put off begging for that puppy for an extra day or two.

Get the audiobook of Treasury for Children from Amazon for $10.17.

And Check Out Another Audio Fave:

Gwyneth Reads Eric Carle!

Not Potpourri, POO-Pourri

JeanneSager — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Ah, potpourri, pretty scented bits to stick in the back of your drawers to keep your clothes smelling oh so good. Right?

Well, not exactly. How about Poo-Pourri, pretty (well, lemony) scented spray to keep away the eau du diaper?

From the company that makes Poo-Pourri for spraying in the toilet after a big well, you know what, comes a bottle for spraying in the diaper after an equally big you know what.

Poo-Pourri actually smells pretty good, based on bergamot, lemongrass and grapefruit. We're past the diaper stage in my house, so I can't say how well it works on them, but we still have the occasional pile of stinky wipes around, and it managed to leave our garbage can smelling fruity!

So what do you think parents? Willing to give it a try to kiss the diaper pail smell goodbye? Get a small bottle of Poo-Pourri Jr. from Poo-Pourri for $12.95 (that's about 200 uses per bottle, depending on how liberally you spray).

Freebie of the Week: Foxy Book Label

JeanneSager — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:35:00 GMT

We're big fans of the public library, but the "friends" library is just as loaded. Ready to pile up some of your favorites to take along on a playdate? Don't go anywhere without these labels.

Designed by Helen Dardik, they're up for free at her blog, Orange You Lucky, with the foxy little girl and a tiger-ific tot for boys. Yes, I said free! The retro labels are available in high resolution over at Orange, where you can download and print. If you're having trouble, she's even got her e-mail address for troubleshooting.

Their favorite tomes will never roam too far from home again.

Keep Things Swinging from the Car Top

JeanneSager — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Tell me if this story sounds familiar:

You're driving along, and the baby starts crying in the backseat. That stuffed elephant you carefully tucked in their carseat? Yeah, it's on the floor. AGAIN.

Not anymore.

The Kicky Pants Auto Mobile keeps all toys within reach at all times, but it also keeps them locked in place. The stretchy fabric cord runs across the inside of the roof of your car. Plastic rings come as part of the package, and allow you to hook their toys to the Auto Mobile. So the toys wobble, but they don't fall down.

Ah, who knew you'd ever drive an uninterrupted drive again?

Get it from the Itsy Bitsy Baby Boutique for $19.95.

Introducing the Bagless Diaper Bag

JeanneSager — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:04:00 GMT

The worst part of the diaper bag was always the hefty, bulky back-breaking bag. So what if you could get all the best parts of the diaper bag without the actual bag?

The Quick Change Kit from Kalencom seems to do the trick. A foldable pad to lay out for a diaper change anywhere, it's stocked with a plastic wipes container and space to stow the diapers. An extra zippered pocket on the outside gives you space for your keys, cash and other necessities. But that's it.

Folded up and buckled, it's only a foot wide and about half as tall. So not heft. No bulk, and you've got all you need for the on the go?

Now all you need to know is where to get it (and in more than a dozen funky designs). That would be straight from Kalencom for $24. You can thank us later.

When She's Sweet as Guava Jelly

JeanneSager — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:23:00 GMT

She may be made of sugar and spice, but you want your girl to stand out, don't you? So skip the sweet as pie tees and go for this twist on an old favorite.

Thanks to Surf Shack Baby, you can tell the world your girl's "Sweet as Guava Jelly."

The new line of wear for moms, dads, girls and boys who like to ride the waves offers up one hundred percent cotton softness and a little bit of sass.

Get the Sweet as Guava Jelly in 2T to 7 for $22 (with free shipping), and check out Surf Shack Baby's tees for her brother too.

S is for a Shakespeare Shirt for Little Sonnet Writers

JeanneSager — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:27:00 GMT

They might still be on fairy tales, but who better than the bard to start them off on a life-long love of literature?

This Alpha Buddies tee is perfect for a summer's day - one lovely and temperate of course - as it's made from one hundred percent cotton. S may be for Shakespeare, but it's all for Stocking in the kids' closet.

Get it in baby to toddler sizes (up to 6) from Alpha Buddies. Prices vary by style and size, but they're all around the $20 mark.