Posts filed under 'family'
Fresh off a Sharpie high, after labeling all of my preschooler’s clothing and gear, these landed in my inbox. Label Daddy peel-and-stick stickers would have saved me a little chunk of time, and a little aggravation … maybe it’s just me, but it’s pretty hard to write neat little names, let alone initials, on some of those teeny tiny, shiny, slippery tags.
Two California dads who’ve been through the process came up with this brainstorm. They’ve created a variety of sticker types, which can be personalized with your child’s name. The allergy notes boldy declare your child’s triggers. Shirt tag labels fit those tiny labels I mentioned above, and the shoe labels come laminated for extra durability; in fact, all labels can be laminated to repel dirt, sunscreen, etc. Sport labels are UV resistant.
As an extra cool measure, you can further personalize all your labels with different fonts, icons and colors. And, you can even go the photo route: use an image of your child, instead of name or initials. The labels and stickers safe in the microwave, dishwasher and laundry.
Other labels in the company’s arsenal will help keep you organized, from garbage bin, return address, and spice labels, to small- and medium-sized all-purpose labels.
I think these snazzy little things will help me keep tabs on my kids things — and mine — in the school years ahead.
— Mama Kate
January 27th, 2009
One of the hit gifts this holiday was a Blabla doll that my daughter received. Irresistibly adorable, unique in design and ever-so-cuddly—my daughter and I are in love!
Designed by a mom who is an artist and handmade by artisans in Peru, these dolls carry such an amazing character around with them. They are beautiful to look at, range from girly looking to wonderful boyish or unisex designs and—-they are WASHABLE. Those of you who have seen a favorite cuddly dragged through dirt or sleet will greatly appreciate that these dolls can be easily cleaned and not become irrecognizable.
The company also has these differently designed hand knit dolls called boogaloos that are full of childish whimsy. They also carry fabulous clothing options, finger puppets, backpacks and amazing rattles such as the little bird pictured above!
Wonderful!!
Mama Jen
January 5th, 2009
Happy Holidays
Last Chance to Save Before the Holidays
If you are looking for something for someone small in your life and also want to support a small business, Funky Monkey Baby Boutique is offering a special holiday deal for you…Check out the uber-snuggly Baby Legs and the amazing clothing from the ever-so-hip Tea Collection, and the wonderful Automoblox that allow the little one in your life to build a very hip looking vehicle!!
From December 1st until December 15th:
Shop online:
Coupon Code: HOLIDAY2008 and SAVE 20%
on all your purchases (Some restrictions apply. See website for details.)
December 10th, 2008
Since retiring from the Mom Appeal blog last year, Jessica has been working to grow the Virtual Assistance practice that she started in 2005. Virtual assistance is a administrative assistance business model where the Virtual Assistant (VA) works with clients remotely from a home based office. She said she loves working from home and doing work she LOVES!
Jessica will be teaching a minicourse at the UW this February and April called “Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant” where she will explain the ins and outs of the business, demonstrate various technology commonly used to work remotely and offer tips for taking steps toward starting your own Virtual Assistance practice. Information about the class can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/5eexh9
Jessica also writes a weekly newsletter called “The VA Courier” which is geared toward informing people about the Virtual Assistance industry and hopefully sparking an interest with readers to consider the career for themselves. You can sign up to receive the free newsletter at Jessica’s web site: www.jessicamaes.com
Way to go Jessica!!
Mama Jen
December 1st, 2008
The debate over the safety of BPA continues to rage on. As parents — and consumers in general — we are concerned. My husband and I recently cut out our family’s favorite beverage — Klarbrunn sparkling water, in the can — because the cans have an epoxy liner that contains BPA, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. (Klarbrunn’s plastic bottles are make of PET, according to the same spokesperson, and do not contain BPA.)
Anyone concerned about the subject should read the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s compelling investigative special reports and editorials on BPA, published this fall, including one estimating amountsof BPA a child could ingest daily due to leaching from conatiners.
Here’s other food for thought to entice you to read up on the subject. According a November 17, 2008, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article by Meg Kissinger:
“BPA, used to make baby bottles and the lining of metal food cans, including those containing infant formula, is tied to reproductive failures, breast cancer risk, diabetes and heart disease. A study last month found that it interferes with chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.”
“In addition to Congress, 13 states have proposed bans on BPA. Wisconsin is not one of them. But State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) said Monday that she is preparing legislation to ban BPA from children’s products in Wisconsin.”
Hooray.
Please read the articles for more details.
— Mama Kate
November 20th, 2008
Huge sale at GagaGoods that has brought you wonderful, mom-made and mom-approved designs by Madison mom Kathryn Adler. This wonderful company that donates 5% of your purchases to a children’s charity is full of wonderful gifts and items that you and your kids will love. This companies goodies were noted in Life & Style Weeklyas having the perfect tee for Suri Cruise when she was born—the Fairy Princess Snuggly. Info below:
What’s the deal? 50% off EVERYTHINGon GagaGoods.com!
Here’s your chance to snap up some great HALF PRICE gifts for the holidays — or any day! We have a lot of fun games by eeBoo, cute puzzles by Crocodile Creek and Mudpuppy, plush items by Rich Frog, board books by Simon & Schuster and Chronicle, and more. There’s a few fun Mom gifts left too, like notepads, stationery, books, and a couple mugs by Our Name Is Mud.
Don’t forget about our wonderful Gaga Goods clothing line too! Our onesies, tees and bibs are made in the USA from super soft 100% combed cotton and celebrate the new arrival, big brother or sister, birthday kid, and more. Our sizes range from 0-6 and are a great deal starting at just $7!
Why are we doing this? After five years of love and energy focused on GagaGoods.com, I’m ready to move on to new horizons. That means EVERYTHING must go! Please help me clear my storage shelves — and score a great deal for yourself! If anyone is interested in taking over as the new Chief Smile Spreader, let me know that too. I can forward you a business prospectus.
How long do you have? Even though summer is over, our coupon code: summersmiles will still give you 50% off EVERYTHING on our website while supplies last. Any orders totalling over $40 after discount will also receive a free set of Nifty Gifty Notecards too! But remember, when the goods are gone, they’re gone, baby!
October 28th, 2008
A lot of us feel like Alexander these days, and with all of us focusing on the economy lately, you may find your kids asking what all this money talk is anyway. They learned from an early age that it is needed to obtain objects of desire etc, but how can you get them to learn the concept of value and beginning money management?
There are a number of books on the market that might help: The Go Around Dollar which helps explain paper money, Alexander Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday which explains how money-management can play a role in how much or how little money you have, and Lemonade For Sale which helps explain the concept of earning.
To help your kids learn the importance of helping others, there is a slick website called MarkMakers, where, after you purchase a gift card for your child (or have them buy one) to use, he/she can go “shopping” for what causes he/she would like to donate towards. The site is interactive so that the concept is a little more “tactile” for learning minds. You move about to different areas of concern and decide how you would like to help. This site is so amazing, and really will help your child learn about people or causes in need of their help. You absolutely must check this out for yourself!
Another opportunity to learn about giving back is through www.volunteermatch.org . Find a charity and find out if you are welcome to bring your child along with you. Some organizations don’t allow you to bring your children while volunteering (mostly for insurance purposes) but I believe Meals on Wheels does. This would be a way to help your child learn empowerment and how they themselves offer value to others…
Cha-ching!
Mama Jen
October 22nd, 2008
Sometimes in the fall/winter, as the temperature drops, I find it harder to be inspired to go outside, but the book “I Love Dirt” is full of inspiring thoughts to keep you and your children in awe of nature.
The book isn’t activity driven, yet is full of questions to help you and your children get curious about the world around them. The book is divided into seasons, so you can find seasonal ideas for exploring the world around you.
If you want an activity-specific book, you should check out Nature in a Nutshell for Kids which will get your 2nd thru 4th grader involved in phenomenal activities that help them learn about nature and how it works…
Happy playing in the dirt!!!
Mama Jen
October 16th, 2008
Ahhhh…it is indeed that time of year again, and if I wasn’t wallowing in my own puke-fest last week, I might not have noticed. I have news that there are at least two alternatives to sitting in long congested waiting rooms for a routine strep throat culture, or an awful ear infection. Shopko and Walgreens are opening clinics to help you quickly, and conveniently combat germs that have a hold of you. Wait—with nonexistent to minimal wait!!!
In Madison, Shopkowill open Meriter FastCare clinics this October–one at Shopko West on Moneral Point Rd, and the other at Shopko East on Zeier Rd.
Currently, Walgreens in Madison has two Take Care Clinics—one on S. Fish Hatchery Rd and the other on E. Washington Rd.
These clinics do take most types of insurance, but if you happen to be uninsured, the costs for being seen is generally between $50 and $80 for most things…wonderful!
Wow…this all sounds so fantastic! I, like you have probably waited in an urgent-type-care-situation that wasn’t life threatening, for a very long time….melting into the waiting room chair with a 103 degree temperature, not being able to walk or see straight….in fact, waiting until I felt I became life threatening (if only I could move my ill body). Maybe this will ease the massive pressures on existing emergency and non-emergency hospitals and clinics which would be great for everyone!
This sure will be a welcome resource to try once I find myself or my family with a really bad sore throat, sinus infection, bug bite, rash, etc!
These clinics also offer the flu shot if that is something you like to get this time of year…
Mama Jen
October 8th, 2008
At my daughter’s preschool open house, I encountered an interesting substance called PlayFoam. I couldn’t keep my hands off of this stuff and grilled the teachers for where to get it…I found it at a local store here called JT Puffins where you can also purchase it online.
Absolutely incredible—and from what I found online, is superior to a product called Floam.
It is sticky, yet no stick remains on your fingers, truly able to be molded easily, and just plain fun!
I have heard not to try to mix the colors since the playfoam will end up gray, but other than that, my daughter and I will pass a lot of cold days with this stuff—-hard to admit, but I am addicted to PlayFoam and you may join me in my boat!
By the way, for those of you looking for a gluten-free alternative to Play-doh, this is absolutely it!
Mama Jen
September 19th, 2008
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