Ain't No Mom Jeans

Review: Action-Packed Eco-Friendly Sprig Toys

My attempt at green parenting has been a precipitously slippery slope.  I started out with cloth diapers, a natural rubber mattress, all organic clothing, homemade organic baby food and exclusively non-plastic toys.  But what I've ended up with is 7th Generation disposables/part-time (like, when the mood strikes me) cloth diapering, a mix of pricey organic cotton and $2.97 Target specials (made, probably, by kids only slightly older than mine), frozen "all natural" chicken tenders & Whole Market taquitos, and more plastic toys than I can shake a stick at.  So much for my lofty green ideals. 

What happened between then and now?!  Well, lots of things, like gag-inducing encounters with the diaper sprayer, the sheer economics of dressing a rapidly growing kid in $30 shirts, picky eating, and, of course, my kiddo's preferences in toys.

We recently had a green toy coups, however, when I discovered Sprig Toys, a Colorado-based eco-friendly toy line.  For Huck's big 0-2, I purchased the Dolphin Explorer Boat (because anything to do with water is an instant win with the boy wonder) for $29.99, the dump truck and the loader, both $14.99 at Real Baby in Denver.  All three toys are paint-free and made of Sprig's proprietary SprigWood, a delightfully satisfying-to-the-touch bio-composite material made of reclaimed wood and recycled plastic.  If your little one isn't a classic dump truck/loader enthusiast, check out DuneBug's Sand Truck, which includes an adorable DuneBug character and wild flower seeds.  
 

The little man especially adores the Dolphin Explorer set, spending nearly an hour at a go on his step ladder at the sink and in the tub with his boat, captain and dolphins, and we're looking forward to spending warmer spring days at the playground digging and dumping sand.  For my part--and considering kids are spending record-breaking time in passive play with battery operated toys and electronic media--I adore how active he is in his play with these items--Sprig Toys are, as a rule, "kid-[not battery-]powered," which is just what this pseudo-green mama wanted.

Next Sprig Toys acquisition: The Discover Rig.  Lights, motor sounds and songs are powered not by batteries, but by a generator triggered when your kid moves it.  Also of interest, Sprig's Storybuilders: four classic story books with block-and-panel sets that allow kids to build and re-enact classic storylines.  If I had a little gal, I might even do Princess Penny's Story Building Palace.  I wish it weren't so. . . pink. . . but it would be a blast to build a little castle (as long as she can build skyscrapers out of normal blocks, too!) and hey, who doesn't like a pointy princess hat on a cute little faceless figurine?

Going as green as I can,
- M        

 

What We’re Reading This Week: What Sisters Do Best/What Brothers Do Best

When my brother and I were growing up together, it was him and me, against the world.  We were a team, and although we invariably drove each other bananas at some point on any given day, we were sister and brother, through thick and thin.  That’s all there was to it.  No discussion.  Together we felt bigger, stronger, more secure, and, best-of-all, we always had a friend through cross-town moves, new schools, every-other-weekend visits with our father and on family vacations.  So. . . as a sister and newly-minted mom-of-two, I’m always looking for ways to reinforce the importance of the sibling relationship because I know what a life line it can be. 

Right now, with two-year-old and 5-month-old boys, that motherly prodding comes in the form of obsessively pointing out and exulting images of happy brothers in magazines, songs, pictures and books.  Me: WOW!  Look at those brothers!  They are having sooo much fun!  He's too little now, but soon you'll be having a blast with your little brother!  Which is why my new favorite sibling book is What Sisters Do Best/What Brothers Do Best, by Laura Numeroff with illustrations by Lynn Munsinger.  This is a flip-over book that has the story of what sisters do best and illustrations of sister/sister and sister/brother pairs on one side and identical text with different illustrations of what brothers do best on the other.  

This isn't a book on par with childrens' classics like Seuss, Goodnight Moon, or even The Going to Bed  Book, but it is a simple, straightforward and illustrative jumping-off point to talk to the apples of your eye about the perks of siblinghood and all the things they can do together one day. I think it helps my big boy, when he's looking with total bewilderment (see right) at this little attention sponge who, though adorable, only rolls over when he's angry, to know that some day they'll be able to do lots of things together, like climb trees, ski and help each other out.  And, should a little chic come along some day, we'll be all set with the flip side about sisters. 

- M

Father's Day Read: Daddy Loves Me!

This is one my favorite books and it makes a lovely gift for Father's Day from your little one.  Daddy Loves Me , by Karen Moore, is about this super cool Dad who does all kinds of fun (and even helpful) activities with his kiddo.  From buying "special treats" at the fruit stand (amazing . . . not cookies or candy) to popping the bubbles while WASHING the dishes, this dad and kiddo duo do it all!  Told from the little one's perspective, it really emphasizes how special that time is with dad.  Not to mention, it has a few good activities that dads might not think of on their own!  I am telling you mommas, check this one out!         --j

What We're Reading Now: The Tushy Book!

No matter which your preferred term of endearment is: buttocks, nates, arse, butt, backside, bum, buns, can, fundament, hindquarters, hind end, keister, posterior, prat, rear, rear end, rump, stern, seat, tail, tail end, tush, bottom, behind, derriere, fanny, (or, one of the many "R" rated synonyms), one thing is for sure, moms everywhere are obsessed with tushies (either their baby's or their own)!  So join in to honor all kinds of tushies with The Tushy Book.  In this adorable story, by Fran Manuskin, we are all reminded what an important role tushies play: "Sitting down would not be cushy if you didn't have your tushy!"  B & N said it best: "A celebration of the body part some of us love, some of us hate, but we all use every single day—the TUSH!"  So, grab a copy, and laugh with your little one as you enjoy the only book I have ever seen that focuses on this body part!     

--j

A Scratch & Sniff Easter Read: Little Bunny Follows His Nose!

 

Roses, strawberry jam, pickles . . . who can resist!  This scratch and sniff book by Katherine Howard has it all!  Just in time for Easter, this adorable story is about a bunny who lets his nose lead him on an adventure through fields of flowers, a strawberry patch, a forest, a garden and more. Available at bookstores everywhere and, of course at Amazon.  And how is this for value, my vintage 1970's copy still smells!  A real must have for scratch and sniff enthusiasts of all ages!  

--j