Posts filed under 'kids'
Tot rock hits the High Noon Saloon this weekend!
Little Miss Ann and her Chicago band make their Madison debut. She’s 5’2″ (hence the name) and tall on fun. My kids are groupies — they love her latest CD, “Clap for Love.” Her style: overall fun and engaging, a little bit folk infused with some lilting melodies, rocking-out songs, world tunes, and even indie aspects, too, for parents to love. You can listen to some of her tunes on Land of Nod’s web site. To learn more about Little Miss Ann, check out our September 2009 blog (or search for Little Miss Ann). Or visit Little Miss Ann’s web site.
The cool thing about these daytime shows at the High Noon is that:
A) Thus, because it’s really a kid gig, you don’t need a babysitter,
B) We parents actually feel like we’re hitting the town, in part because
C) The gig is at a bar, and the bar is open — hello Bloody Marys!
D) It’s a blast to watch a whole gaggle of kids get down to some great music.
Showtime is 11 am. Cover: $10 grownups, $5 kids.
See you there!
— Mama Kate
May 18th, 2010
Hot off the griddle!
I just nabbed a copy of Bean Appétit: Hip and Healthy Ways to Have Fun with Food, and can’t wait to put it to work in the kitchen with my kiddos.
Dynamic duo Shannon Payette Seip and Kelly Parthen—co-owners of Bean Sprouts Cafe and Cooking School, a kid friendly restaurant serving healthy fare to Madison, WI, families—have filled their book with fun, fun, fun. What grown-up cookbook has instructions that tell you to spin in a circle three times before beginning or to waddle like a penguin around the table or shake your hips while the blender’s a whirling?
The book’s design is bright and colorful, filled with a mix of illustration and engaging “food as art” photography kids will love perusing. The recipe instructions are easy for families to follow together, and feature ingredients lists that are reasonable in length and with easily attainable items. Though they run the gamut from breakfast to snacks to outdoor eats and sweet bites, recipes are organized in clever new ways—food fun for a wintry day, book-themed eats, making music and munchies.
The book’s overriding philosophy: Encourage kids to “play” with their food, and you’ll instill a lifelong interest in preparing delicious healthy foods. It’s good for kid giggles, and frustrated parents. Because they’re engaged in the process and having so much fun prepping food in the kitchen, that should translate to fun at the table for mom and dad, as the kids gobble up the new yummy recipes they’ve helped make—perhaps out of foods their tastebuds had previously rejected. Amen to that.
I also dig the cookbook’s fun extras: questions to inspire table talk, games, crafts, and factoids, like favorite pizza toppings, birthday treats, and table manners from around the world. It’s also got handy conversion charts and tips, on top of its just plain good ideas.
So, get cookin’ with your kids. Pick up your copy at a bookstore near you, or order online.
Our Mom Appeal kudos go out to these two busy and creative mompreneurs, who have got the mojo thing going on! Successful cafe and cooking classes, now the fab cookbook, and also a cooking show that’s in the works! Whew! I don’t know how they do it!
—Mama Kate
March 3rd, 2010
Families!
Get your taste buds out and get ready for some good eats—and play a little game in the process. Bean Sprouts Cafe is looking for VIPea Taste Testers to test out the online recipes that with the cafe’s Bean-GO game!
This healthy twist on Bingo is a great way to get kids to try to new taste (read: fruits and veggies). To play, get out your Bean-go card and let the kids pick a food to try. Together with your kids, follow the provided recipe to make the delicious eats. Cross off each new food after your kids try it, until they get five in a row. Or, play “blackout,” in which each square must get crossed off. Winner gets a reward! (Perfect reward: Make an entire meal or snack of their favorite tastes or recipes! I think my kids will get an extra few Ring-a-Bing-Bing Cherry + Chocolate Chip Cookies washed down with a double-sized Super Star Fruit Smoothie!)
A Bean-go card activated with a recipe for each taste is available on the Bean Sprouts web site. Be sure to rate the recipes—you and your bitty bakers can pass along your expert taste bud and prep chef advice for Bean Sprouts’ new book “Bean Appetit: Hip & Healthy Ways to Have Fun With Food.”
Food IS fun!
—Mama Kate
February 10th, 2010
French company Peau-Ethique beautifully offers the trifecta in responsible clothing. Handmade–check. Fair trade–check. Organic–check.
They carry lovely soft lingerie and pajamas which you can peruse for yourself…They have also added a knit collection for babies that will have your little one singing “La Vie en Rose!” These Peruvian knit outfits are absolutely gorgeous and perfect for baby…The entire Peau-Ethique site is full of beautiful items that are good for the planet and for the people who make them.
Mama Jen
November 20th, 2009
The fabulous designer at Amuse Me that makes those great nursing covers with ribbons inside for your baby to play with, has launched adorable Mommy and Toddler aprons in some gorgeous fabrics.
These aprons are totally reversible, chic and whimsical! What little girl doesn’t want everything that mommy has? And what mommy doesn’t want to rock some serious style while in the kitchen or garden?
I absolutely adore these aprons and so does my daughter! You’ll want these aprons hanging in a prominent place in your kitchen. They are a decoration in themselves…
Mama Jen
September 3rd, 2009
Not sure what to do this weekend? Problem solved. Head to Madison this Sunday, August 30, 8am – 2pm, for Ride the Drive, a family-friendly event celebrating the city’s commitment to healthy living. A 6-mile loop from John Nolan Drive to East Washington will wrap around Capitol Square, and you can hop in at any point—on foot, bike, or skates—on the “car-free care free city streets.” Along the way you’ll find great events: kids’ bike rodeo, bike/stroller decorating and parade, art cart and obstacle course; adult group exercise classes; tunes in the tunnel underneath Monona Terrace; a block-long picnic; demonstrations; bike tune-ups; workshops with Suzy Favor Hamilton—and too much more to list here. Check out the Ride the Drive site for complete details.
— Mama Kate
August 26th, 2009
Do you find your little girls attracted to body products that smell of candy and youth but are loaded with synthetics that are harmful for their skin?
Sparklehearts bridges the gap between the amount of all natural baby products you can find and the all natural beauty products for women. Somewhere in there, natural based companies seem to have forgotten about the needs of young girls. They need youthful qualities in their products—smell, packaging, maybe a sparkle or two…and please can it also be healthy???
Sparklehearts says “”No way,” to the icky chemicals and toxins that make up the majority of make-up, bath and beauty products, and say, “Yes” to all natural, all safe, practically edible, but seriously glamorous.” You’ve got to love that!!
And—the lotion SPARKLES–with wonderful all natural mica!! Not only does it feel fabulous ( I got to feel it after I had to pry it from my daughter’s hands!!) it has subtle youthful sparkles…not ala Halloween…very hip and subtle! It also smells like dessert which is a bonus!
Sparklehearts currently carries a fun line of hair and body products that are priced right, “rocking some serious style in 100% recycled packaging,” and are made in the USA by two moms!
Thank you Sparklehearts, for recognizing such an important product consumer who also deserves all the health and glam that natural products can bring!!
I posted on this a few weeks ago and for some reason, it has disappeared, so if you feel like you are having deja vu…that’s why 
Mama Jen
June 8th, 2009
Tiffanie Kinder, the brains behind Wisconsin based Nanny Connections and Babysitter Connections has done it again! She has found new and innovative ways to help working parents, parents who need a break, and parents who are re-entering the workforce.
Nanny Connections itself is based on you, the parent, being able to select from a pool of experienced and qualified pre-screened Nannies that can help you with your children. Just to clarify, this is absolutely not limited to someone who essentially lives with you ala Sound of Music — although you can do that. It can also be that you need a particular time covered here and there . Nanny Connections absolutely helps the family that needs part time help as well!
Babysitter Connections is part of Nanny Connections and is more for the parent that wants someone on call to cover the occasional things that come up in our lives–work, deadlines, fun with a friend, date night— but doesn’t need someone with all of the experience of a Nanny.
Right now, Nanny Connections has two new offerings that really help you get everything covered! “Sick and Emergency Back Up Childcare” and “Oncall Services” from their hand selected pool of qualified Nannies.
First off is “Sick and Emergency Back up Childcare.” This is a fantastic way for companies to help their employees when work needs to be done, but usual childcare plans fall through due to an illness or scheduling conflict. If you own a company or work for a company that you think this may be a useful benefit for, Nanny Connections can help you! Nanny Connections would completely run this aspect of the corporate benefit. The employee utilising the service would pay a small fee while the corporation would cover the rest. Talk about a benefit that goes both ways!
The “On-call Service” is equally fantastic and such a stress reliever for those of us who know what it can be like to have all the pieces fall just right so that you can have childcare coverage when you need it. Buy a membership to Nanny Connections for a year for access to a pre-screened pool of babysitters –then—whammo!— whenever you need a babysitter, Nanny Connections does all the legwork for you. You call and tell them what time-frame(s) you need covered etc and that’s it!! Their skilled coordinators will do the rest! Never again have to wait to accept that all important interview to see if you can find childcare, not be sure if you can make a business dinner or a fun night that has come up! The Yearly Membership Fee: $150.00. Each time you need a nanny, you pay $15.00. You can also forgoe the $150 membership fee and pay $25 each time you need a nanny. Nannies are paid the same day in cash ranging from $10-12 per hour. How fantastic is that? What a lifesaver ! There are so many childcare needs that don’t always come with a lot of time for planning and coordinating to get the time covered!!
Have a Sitter/Nanny? Check.
Mama Jen
April 29th, 2009
Tattling. Nose picking. Noncompliance. Back talk. That’s what’s going on in my house these days. And, well, if I’ve had enough sleep the night before, none of these are too big a deal. But, I’ve also run out of ideas for handling them. Yes, my 2-1/2— and 4-year-old have outwitted me again.
Frankly, sometimes I don’t get why they do what they do. The tattling, for instance. Do you really need to report on every little thing or possible almost-gonna-happen transgression your little brother is doing? Yes, she does. Betsy Brown Braun, author of “Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents,” has filled me in: My daughter needs to make clear to me that she knows the rules, even if her little bro doesn’t. My new response — in lieu of the lengthy explanations I am known to dole out (another Braun tip: Get to the point): “Oh. That’s not something I need to know. I only need to know about emergencies, which are X, Y and Z.”
Braun has just the right amount of humor to stir in with her guide to handling those perplexing moments our kids throw at us. She’s got some good experience to bolster her advice: mom to triplets (!), teacher, preschool director, child development specialist. So, she’s seen it all in terms of kid behavior. Braun broaches other bigger topics, too: Sex, babies, death, divorce, and disasters. But, most simply, the book is reinforcement of the things you always knew, and is just a good reminder for those of us who are taxed and tired, but too weary to look at situations from a new perspective or in need of new techniques for the day-to-day situations and issues. Don’t give in to whining. Don’t argue with them. Tolerate but don’t indulge tantrums (or, as friends of mine like to say, “Don’t negotiate with a terrorist.”). Different ages, different limits. Diversionary tactics.
I also appreciate her suggestions instilling a sense of their own accomplishment into your child — instead of always seeking someone else’s approval; remembering that discipline is about teaching the limits that lead to self-discipline; I also like (need!) the “end of discussion” techniques — I never knew a 4 year old could belabor something so long and attack it from so many angles just get her way — and the compliance without counting techniques.
My husband rolls his eyes at these kinds of reads. And truly, you should take from any parenting book only what works for your family or fits with your philosophies. But, after being home with the kids all day, I often feel I’ve run the gauntlet of my techniques. This book is the breath of fresh air that will keep my from having mommy moments.
— Mama Kate
April 19th, 2009
I have never felt like I wanted to spend a lot on a stroller, but in the search for a stroller that would allow my tall husband to push comfortably , I have been led to the Maclaren Techno XT and Techno XLR. Two fantastic strollers that have handles that are adjustable in height. They move wonderfully, are well made, hold resale value should you want to sell it when finished, and they are fab looking!
I also stumbled upon the slick Grand Tour promo from Maclaren and wow!!!! They refer to it as a “crossover” stroller…they also refer to it’s “chassis” and “dashboard.” A real baby vehicle and I can’t help but think of Ralphy in “A Christmas Story”since it also has “this thing that tells time.” When I watch this I do feel like Ralphy probably felt when he laid his eyes on the famous Red Ryder B B gun for the first time. Looks like an amazingly fabulous stroller!
You certainly can tell how these strollers began in the mind of a former aeronautical engineer who became a grandfather and wanted his grandchildren and their parents to have a functional, safe, durable and well designed strollers.
Okay—I am going to go wipe the drool off of my face…
Mama Jen
April 15th, 2009
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