Ain't No Mom Jeans

Hello, Friday. We're (Barely) Surviving The Chill.

Mamas, I apologize for the light week.  I had intended to post the promised hair article, but man.  I'm wiped out.  Mike has been gone (since Sun!!) on a business trip, and in his absence, I've broken one coffee cup and two plates, lost the car keys six times, left Pax's winter coat somewhere in Easton, PA (Crayola "Experience" - LAME), and have had to deal with snotty noses and freezing weather ALL WEEK.  Ugh.  (To make matters worse, Mike's trip took him to freakin' HAWAII, so my week has been peppered with super annoying texts like, "Aloha Baby!" and pictures of the big waves on the North Shore.  Awesome, but GAH!!!)

During weeks like these, our Kiwi Crates (full review here) are worth their weight in gold.  If you haven't checked them out in a while...they currently have a charming limited edition crate for Valentine's Day.  It comes with enough (pop-up!) Valentine's for an entire class and is nicely gender-neutral.  But be warned:  unless your little one is pretty dexterous, gluing on the pop-ups is a challenge.  R did exactly one, loved it, and then went about just making his own (non-pop-up) cards.  (Kiwi Crate, if you see this, we'd love more regular cards next year.  And more gem stickers.)  I ended up supplementing with plain folded cards (aka cut-up paper, LOL), and am planning to pick up a few sheets of gem stickers to continue the fun.  

I've been perusing through Laura Barr's list of Games That Make Children (and their parents) Smarter.  Raines is just starting to get into games (the old-school board game kind) and if this cold front keeps up, I may be making a large Amazon game purchase.  (R keeps asking for a chess set after playing a bit at the Art Museum.  How awesome is that??)

Also?  I'm feeling fat and old.  Fat, because my body is no longer making all of those holiday goodies magically disappear (GET WITH THE PROGRAM, aging metabolism!!) and old, because next week is my thirty*cough*somehighnumber*cough* birthday.  WOO. HOO.  To invigorate said metabolism, I signed up for Barre3's 28-to-great program...however, I have only managed to work out THREE times since the beginning of Jan.  Therefore, in order to complete my "goal", I must workout 25 more times before Feb 1.  Right.  Shouldn't be a problem.  

And thank you to Refinery 29 for these tips on how to eat healthy in the dead of winter.  Soup, here I come.

In the midst of one of my (many) pity parties this week, I bought myself a cute, cozy sweater.  (With hearts on it.  For $30.)  It's now sold out, but SheInside is my new favorite place for cute & cheap.  This might be my next purchase.  Of course, their things sell out in roughly 10 minutes, so.....

I also can't stop thinking about these Keds snow boots.  They have a super cool 70's vibe, and would be a fun change-up for anyone sick of their serious snowboots.  Did I mention they are on sale for $30?

Lastly, the highlight of our week was Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  If any of you follow me on instagram (@shanachristine) you'll know that I brought the boys to the art museum to see EB Lewis read from his latest book, Each Kindness.  Well.  Add this one to the List of Books That Make Me Cry.  In this very amazing book, the main character frequently rebuffs the attempts of the "new girl" to be friends.  In the end, the new girl moves away, and the main character realizes too late how she had not chosen the path of kindness.  The book ends with, "I watched the water ripple as the sun set through the maples and the chance of a kindness with Maya became more and more forever gone."  Heavy, right?  But I think it was good for Raines to hear that sometimes, when you make bad choices, you can't always fix it. Since then, we've been talking a lot about kindness, what it means to be kind, and how very small acts of kindness, when added together, really can change the world.  During Mr. Lewis' reading, he mentioned that the concept of kindness is so important that he wished we focused on it for longer than just a day.  I couldn't agree more.  So.  I've decided to act like the time between Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Valentine's Day is Kindness Month.  (I know it's not really a month, but still.)  I've been brainstorming ideas with the boys, and we're trying to do something kind everyday.  I'd love for you to join in - it's always so nice to get inspiration from others.  I'll be posting what we do to Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #kindnesscounts.  

Happy Weekend, Mamas!!  I can't wait for the love of my life to get back home...and I know he picked up some dried mango at the ABC store.  Yay!

xoxo

S

 

 

 

Wonder Box and Kiwi Crate Review: Which One Is Best For You?

Mamas, have you heard of these things?  These by-mail subscription packages where a box of kid-friendly projects (for ages 3-7) is delivered to your house?  

They. Are. Awesome.  And perfect if you (like me) are dreading the after-Christmas influx of crappy toys.  (Really, we don't have the room.)  Instead of _____ (fill in the blank with annoying toy), how 'bout the relatives get your littles something that is not only super-crazy-fun but also helps to keep you sane during the dark days of winter?  A win-win if ever there was one, Mamas. 

I had the opportunity to try two of them:  Wonder Box and Kiwi Crate.  Which one is best for you?  Here are my thoughts on each...

 

Review: The YBike's Pewi Ride-On Toy and Walking Buddy (aka...Pax's BIKE)

Mamas, add this to the top of your lists:  The Pewi Ybike Ride On Toy and Walking Buddy is one of the best things to happen to almost-walkers in a long, long time. 

 

We bought it for Pax a year ago, a month or so before his first birthday.  He wasn't quite walking...it was more like...squat stepping.

The Pewi bike was awesome.  Pax could push it around, and when he got going too fast...

 

The bike was stable enough that Pax could pull himself up.  Even with all of his...uh...girth.  (R calls it "chub".)  Before long, Pax was trying to climb on/off, and riding it himself....sort of.

Only one foot could touch the ground at a time.  But he was loving it.  And, as promised, this bike is fantastic both indoors and out.  Both boys, actually, have burned off huge amounts of energy on rainy days careening the Pewi around our sharp-cornered dining room table.  Awesome.

Now.  Here's the crazy-good part...a year later, it is STILL one of Pax's favorite toys.  Yup.  He now calls it his "bike".  

Which, considering his latest trick....is a good name.  Bikes, you see, require helmets.  His trick? Crusing down our neighbor's driveway...backwards.

 

It's his lean that worries me.  Leaning implies speed (Raines taught me that).  But I get it.  He wants to keep up with the big boys.  "Don't worry, Mum" Raines started to inform me.  "Pax turns around."  WHA?? 

But he did.  Right before the bottom of the hill.  Legs up, max speed, he spun around at the last second all WHAT MUM?  CHILL.

 

Since I'm someone who walks on the mild side and therefore rarely gets hurt (I am the world's slowest skateboarder), I often can't see it coming.  So instead of immediately insisting on a helmet, I videotaped him to show my mom.  

Of course, right in the middle of taping, Mike walked up behind me, "Babe!  That's what he's doing?  The kid needs a helmet!"  Oh. Uh...right.  Of course.  But before I could turn the thing off, Pax came careening down, the front wheels hit a small crack and CRASH.  omgit'sallmyfault  But Pax was fine.  Really.  He cried for roughly 6 seconds then wanted to get back on his "bike".  Which he did, clad in a helmet.  I would share the video with you, but am slightly worried someone will call child services or something.  Burn the tape!  Burn it! Burn it!

So there is our story of the Pewi bike.  We have thoroughly, exhaustively tested this thing. To it's limits.  Which are, evidently, an almost 30 lb baby careening full speed down a small hill onto a sidewalk full of cracks.  So uh...don't do that. 

But in all seriousness, this is one of those shockingly well-designed, well thought-out toys that will provide your little one with hours of fun.  For a really long time.

You can read more about The Pewi on Ybike's website.  It typically retails for $64, but is currently going for about $50 on Amazon .

xo,

S

 

 

 

 

Enjoy Your Last July Weekend...

 

Oh Mamas.  We have been having so much fun.  There's just something ah-mazing about summer.  Perhaps it's the lack of responsibility, or just the sense that these unscheduled days are fleeting...but we've been thoroughly enjoying our days.  The downside?  Bedtime is 11PM.  11PM!!!  IknowIknowIknow!  In my defense, we're so far north (U.P. what-what) that the sun doesn't set until after 10PM.  Thankfully, both boys are rolling with it for the most part, so I've decided not to stress too much (even while I try to inch it back to something less crazytown).  

My sister gets married next weekend, so things will start to get crazy for us.  Happily, Mike will fly in again for the wedding.  We have MISSED him.  The next time you hear from me, I'll hopefully have some adorable pics to share (R is the ringbearer....think bow-tie, suspenders and a fedora.  Yessssss.)

Some good stuff:

Love this mom & daughter pic that the Sartorialist captured.  

The Style Bakery has recommendations for the best strapless bras for full busts.

You know those ugly plastic cars for kids?  They are usually bright red and yellow, and work like Flinstone cars?  Yes?  The Rookie Moms have a solution to make them cooler.  It's hysterical.  Yet brilliant.

Still looking for a swimsuit?  Girl's Gone Child covered some awesome post-partum friendly suits...and ANMJ favorite Sirens Swimwear has just restocked their fab line of retro suits and bikinis.

This post on Design Mom inspired me to set up a Pinterest board on the best pjs and loungewear.  This Mamas luuvs her jammies.  Let me know if you find anything gorgeous. 

Carrie from the Parenting Passageway wrote an article that brought tears to my eyes: I Hate The Mother that I Am.  Once I became a mother of two (and/or once R turned three - they happened simultaneously) being a mum became so much harder.  There have certainly been times I've watched myself handle situations with my boys and thought WTH?  Who am I?  FOR SHAME.  Carrie speaks from such a place of love and encouragement that I find myself buoyed by her words.  Certainly worth a read on those darker days of motherhood.

Are you getting Olympic fever?  Me too.  I'm loving Gap's vintage Olympic tees.  The women's version is surprisingly drapey and flattering (and Paris ahhhhh)...but I'm also loving the ones for little boys. Tokyo is my fav.

 Go USA!

xo,

S

Ten Tips For Flying Alone With Kids (Including What to Wear & Carry On)

Gang, I (mostly) stay at home while my husband works.  And we live far, far from family.  This may not be a forever arrangement (both the staying at home or living far from family...) so I'm taking advantage of it while I can.  So Raines and I?  We flew.  Lots. And now that Pax is here...we three fly.  Lots. 

In preparation for our first few flights, I did a ton of research online about flying with kids - what to bring, how to get through the gate, etc.  Most articles were a bit overwhelming and...scary, actually.  I felt as though I was embarking on a fool's mission.  Something only a cah-razy-person would attempt.

Thankfully, I am a crazy-person.

But honestly?  It's not that hard.  I mean YES - kids will poop, tears will flow, flights will be missed...but IT'S NOT THAT DIFFERENT FROM YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE.

My philosophy?  Focus on the fun.

Here are my favorite tips for flying with kids...especially flying solo with kids:

S Gets Crafty For Easter (Prepare to Be Jealous)

Mamas, it's all about the children.  I sacrifice and I sacrifice and I sacrifice for the children.  Those precious, precious children.

As proof-positive of said sacrifice and of my worth as a mother (do they not go hand-in-hand?), I give you this, my latest ridonkulous creation my masterpiece:

 

I've titled it:  "Smug Mummy's Easter Basket."

Do you not see the calligraphied "R"?  The "R" for Raines?  Such that on our Easter morn I can don a pastel hairbow and inquire of my precious boy, "Raines?  Can you find the R?  Can you find the R, Raines?"  And lots of rejoicing will follow all of this natural learning - even on Easter morning, Mamas.  We learn.  

Do you not see the glass?  It's non-toxic, even when heated.  And the organic soil?  And the real, growing grass?  Plastic?  Pshaw!!  Never would I let those tiny, gentle hands touch something so base as plastic.  And on Easter?  Horror.

Go ahead.  You can Pin it.  I know you want to.  

But in all seriousness Mamas, I SO wanted to have real Easter grass for Easter this year.  But when I concocted this idea in my "big stwrong brain" (as R would say) it looked more like this:

 

Ahhhh....now I see!  I'm just missing a bow.

Crazy Awesome: Coloraturo Blocks (and a Giveaway!)

****Giveaway is closed! Congrats to Jane Little, our winner!***

I'm always delighted to support companies that are all about promoting open-ended and creative play.  Especially companies who are also well-versed in the benefits of Reggio Emelia (my hands-down, current favorite early childhood education philosophy).  So when I was contacted by the folks over at the Learning Materials Workshop to see if we wanted to test out their new set of blocks, I jumped at the chance.

You know we love our blocks.  A lot.

Learning Materials Workshop creates highly colored, very unique sets of blocks.  At first glance, they don't look like anything exciting.  Here's the Coloraturo:

 

Um.  Ok.

But it only took Raines about 2.3 seconds to see the myriad of possibilities in this little set.

He made houses....

Your Very Own School of Rock: Which Instruments are Best For Young Kids, and How To Keep the Family Jamming

Mamas, I'm so excited, I barely know where to begin.

Some background: I was lucky enough, while living in Denver, to have found (and attended) the Music Train's music classes for kids. R and I had tried out several other music classes (Music Together, etc), but had never found ones that we loved. R, for example, draws a line at "shaking his sillies out" (even at age 2) and I could only handle so many renditions of "wheels on the bus" before wanting to throw myself under the bus.

Enter Anya Jane and the Music Train.

From the first class, we both knew we had found something special. Anya brings a certain magic to all of her classes: each class starts with two loud blasts of a train whistle, then BAM!! Hold on, baby, it's a wild ride. She and her guitar bring an energy (and, honestly, a cool factor) to music classes that is simply unparalleled in the world of kid's music classes. Each of her music sessions are themed (we're talking serious music genres like rock, jazz 'n blues, latin, irish folk, etc.) and she uses a mix of regular adult songs that also appeal to kids (thank you for that, Anya)...as well as kid's classics, re-done. I no longer daydream about playing in traffic when listening to her rendition of Wheels On the Bus done to a rock beat and (I think?) electric guitar.

If that wasn't enough, the first and third Saturday of each month Anya holds a Family Concert Series.  Think family-friendly dance parties with live, local bands whose music appeals to all ages. And it's good music. The kind you'd want to listen to, even without the kiddos.

If it's not clear by now, I have a total crush on Anya Jane. The chick rocks. And is amazing with kids, and music. Soooo....you can imagine my excitement. Because Anya has written for us music-loving, rock-star wannabe mamas....THE primer on introducing your kiddos to music. Not only does she identify which instruments are best for each age...but she gives tips on how to introduce each one, and how to keep the whole family jammin'.

The Tiger Mom can have her Suzuki...for pre-school and under, we're sticking with Anya Jane.  Keep reading for her tips....

Favorite Blocks/Building Sets For Kiddos Under 5

We are a block-centric family here.  Partially because I was block-building obsessed as a kid, Raines is (now) block obsessed (yay!)...and partially because we've been totally committed to staying far, far away from licensed character anything and crappy, plastic toys that light up/make sounds/etc.

But I don't mean to sound smug - a large reason we have to be so careful about the kind of toys we have is because we are severely space-challenged.  We are small apartment dwellers, so any toy we buy (or allow to stay in the house) has to be multi-purpose and open-ended.  Hello, blocks.

According to the educators behind Childhood 101 (one of my fav blogs), blocks and other types of construction/building materials can help promote problem solving skills, basic science concepts (form a hypothesis/guess and then test the concept), perseverance, and good collaboration skills - all key lifelong skills any little boy (or girl!!) will need.  Read Childhood 101's full article on the topic of Constructing here.  

You certainly don't need any fancy toys to promote constructive play (Childhood 101 has a wealth of low-cost construction activities on their website - here's a few examples)...but it is the holiday season, and sometimes it's just fun to buy toys.  So if you are looking for some gift ideas, ones that will last for years and years (really!!) here are our well-tested favorites, as well as a few that underwhelmed, and a few that we have high hopes for. 

Hate Throwing Your Kid In Front of the TV? Here's a DVD Collection You Will Love

There's all sorts of warnings about kids and TV exposure.  Too much TV may inhibit babies' language development.  And toddlers?  To summarize another recent study, too much TV makes toddlers fat and dumb.  Whoa.  Think I'm exaggerating?  Dr. Linda S. Pagani, the lead author of this study, says (much more eloquently than I do): 

We found every additional hour of TV exposure among toddlers corresponded to a future decrease in classroom engagement and success at math, increased victimization by classmates, have a more sedentary lifestyle, higher consumption of junk food and, ultimately, higher body mass index.

Bad enough, right?  But it doesn't end there.  Even in teenagers, there seems to be a link between too much TV and depression.  However, experts aren't sure if this link (or any of these links, really) are because of the programming itself, the commercials, or the fact that TV time takes away from other, healthier activities.

I don't know about you mammas, but this mamma has a serious case of guilt everytime I use the TV to
"parent".