Mommies With Style

When Middle recently asked what an Earthquake is, Big ran off. Saturday night, he asked that question himself and, unbeknownst to us, grabbed his resources, researching the information himself.

When he was only two, my mom gifted him My First Encyclopedia. I found it a silly, unnecessary gift back then, what 2 year old needed an encyclopedia? In the future he’d have a computer with internet access to answer his questions. And us. We could always answer questions.

But in the past 4 years that encyclopedia has seen much use and much love. It sits out on his dresser and he refers to it for questions about health, food, weather and, most recently, Earthquakes.

The writing style is basic, intended for a grade-school aged student. The book simply explains science and history to children. Its vivid images further explain each area of interest.

For Christmas this year, Santa added to our collection of research books with Scholastic’s My First Dictionary. Another wonderful resource written for young minds, we first found use for this book when Big asked “what’s a dynasty?” It was the first time we, as parents, could say “look it up.” In 3 weeks we’ve looked up dozens of words.

We’re teaching the kids one of the basic ways to get ahead in life: Ask questions; Find the Answers.

I could not be more excited about an upcoming trip my family has planned to Walt Disney World in Orlando.  My parents live in Florida, so we get a lot of opportunities to get to the parks for a day here and there but rarely plan the big week-long trip.  This year we decided to go for it, as we are able to combine it with my attendance at the Social Media Moms Celebration.

Over the following weeks, no doubt I’ll have many reviews in relation to our trip.  But I wanted to start at the beginning, which is where I am now – in the planning stage.

Two resources that are providing invaluable to me are:
Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers - the author, Lisa Battista, sent me a copy of her book a few weeks back before I even knew we were going.  As I have a 6 year old and a 3 year old, I knew this book was perfect for us as soon as we booked the trip. 

It’s been a wonderful resource and easy read for tips on good things to do with young kids while at the parks.

And I signed myself back up for Tour Guide Mike – an informational website that gives subscribed users valuable information on the parks from a seasoned Disney veteran.  The last time we visited Disney in February of 2008, I used and reviewed this service. 

The insight I received on this site two years ago saved us hours of lines and hassle.  There was no doubt in my mind that I would be doing it again.  I’m basing my entire itinerary on his recommendation for this trip as well.

Sign up for a year subscription and you pay $21.95 a year.  Such a little price to pay to avoid long lines and serious irritation!

One of my major New Year’s resolutions is to really get organized with my photos and scrapbooking. And one of the major tools to help me do this is Rag & Bone Bindery and their amazing, gorgeous, handmade albums.

Rag & Bone offers a full range of sophisticated products, from baby books, photo albums, address books, and day planners, to wedding and shower albums, guestbooks, binders, growth charts, and more. There are countless stylish cover options from whimsical designs to classic to sweet and simple looks.

One of their newest products is the 4×6 slip-in photo frame album. The cream colored paper pages are 100% acid-free and lay flat when opened. Photos may be removed & rearranged by simply sliding them out of the frame pages. These albums hold twenty 4 x 6 standard sized photos and make great brag-books or coffee-table books featuring your favorite holiday pictures or pictures from 2009.

Rag & Bone albums, made in Rhode Island, are made extremely well by skilled artisans. They are archival quality and are not only well constructed throughout, but are simply beautiful. You will definitely enjoy preserving your family’s memories in one of these classic albums!

Want a chance to win a 12×12 Paper page Album in Dogwood design (value: $98.00) and a Photo Frame album (value: $29.00)? Please comment and tell us your scrapbooking/photo goal for 2010 and you will be entered to win! Winner will be drawn on January 14th and will have 24 hours to respond to claim this special Rag & Bone prize.

Thanks to Rag & Bone Bindery for a sample of their new 4×6 frame album for this review.

When my younger son Jonah was born, the first thing the nurse said was “We have a redhead!” I didn’t believe her, and when I saw my little baby with flaming orange hair, I couldn’t get over it.

Two and a half years later, you could say I am still shocked that I have a redhead with blue eyes (both my husband and I are brunette with dark eyes, as well as our older son), and every day I enjoy the fun comments and feedback that we get on my son’s hair. I realized that my son (and I, as his mom) are now part of this exclusive “club” of redheads. When we see one another, we smile. We love to chat about our kids and their unique features. It’s really fun!

So when I learned about a new book written by a mom with a similar story to mine, I had to check it out. Little Redheads Across America, written by Nicole Giladi, is a fabulous book for special redheaded children and their families. It features tons of beautiful pictures of redheaded children from all over the country with all different shades of redheaded hair. Also peppered throughout the book are fun facts about redheads, like “Which Shade of Red Are You?”, “How did you get your red hair?”, “Myths and Superstitions,” and more, including information on sunburns and skin care, freckles, teasing and name calling.

My son (to the right) loves looking through the book, seeing other kids like him and looking at their pictures. And I love learning more about redheads, something I never thought about before my son came along.

If you have a redheaded child or know one, this unique, beautiful, hard-covered book makes a perfect (and very special and thoughtful) gift! Check out the book’s website with fun facts, pictures, games, and an online store, where you can order the book.

I fondly remember having this amazing book read to me that was personalized with a few facts about me when I was a child. I thought the book was the neatest thing! So when I was sent a book called, “The First Adventures of Incredible You,” for my son, it brought back memories of my favorite childhood book (which I think I have laying around somewhere)! I adore reading The First Adventures of Incredible You to my son and he loves listening to it. The book is fabulous! My son really enjoys hearing about his favorite park, zoo, friends, sports team and more! He gets so excited when we start to read it and proclaims, “my book”!

The First Adventures of Incredible You is a extraordinary hardcover book full of whimsical, full-color illustrations and rhyming text with personalized details about your child. This marvelous keepsake children’s book follows your child from the day they arrived on Earth through the exciting first adventures in life. The book becomes a completely personalized storybook with just a little input from you regarding the people and places that are special to your child. With over 20 places to seamlessly incorporate details about a child and his/her family, friends and family traditions into the text of the award-winning book (even including a special page to incorporate a favorite family dish)! In the front of the book is a dedication page so your child never forgets who gave them this unique keepsake adventure.

This artistic, award-winning personalized storybook is a memorable and super unique gift for new parents! Great for gift giving, if you do not know how the child’s family would fill in the personalized information, there are easy standard options available to choose from or you may order a book gift certificate so that the recipient family may fill in the information themselves! (What a great idea!) Save 15% off your order until December 5, 2009 by entering code mws15 at checkout.

Since the week before I even knew I was pregnant, I’ve been hungry.  I’ll never forget begging my mom to take me to a diner the day before I took my pregnancy test.  After inhaling my meal and part of hers, she was convinced that I was “with child”.  She was right…and I haven’t stopped eating since.

For someone who has always had a small appetite, I’ve had a lot of fun eating while pregnant.  However, it has been a challenge to answer my cravings while simutaneously fulfilling all the nutritional requirements of growing a baby.

Recently, I was sent a free copy of Feed the Belly: The Pregnant Mom’s Healthy Eating Guide, and man…I wish someone had handed me this book months ago!  Frances Largeman-Roth, RD – a dietician, mom, and Health magazine editor – wrote the book so that it was completely understandable, totally skim-able, and well worth the read.  It covers everything from what nutrients a pregnant woman needs to how to combat a caffeine addiction.  The book discusses the best diet for morning sickness and the healthiest options for dining out.  The guide also includes:

• a 7-day tear-out eating plan
• stay-fit secrets with yoga poses
• pointers on when to choose organic
• advice on the safest seafood selections
• how to pick foods to get the nutrients you need most

My favorite part of the book is the last section – 65 mouthwatering recipes organized by the cravings a typcial pregnant woman has: Sweet, Meaty, Salty/Savory, Spicy, and Thirst-Quenching.

My tastebuds have been screaming for “sweet” since the end of the first month.  So, the first recipe on my list to try was Chunky Monkey Muffins.  They certainly did not disappoint!  How could you go wrong with a chocolately banana and peanut butter muffin?  As an added bonus, the muffins are loaded with protein, fiber, and also pack in some omega-3’s.  The Peach and Blackberry Crumble is next up in my kitchen.

If you’ve got a bun in the oven, Feed the Belly is the only healthy eating guidebook that you may need.  It would also be a great read for any dad who enjoys cooking…or better yet, enjoys having a happy wife.

When I think of cookbooks, they fall into 2 categories: those for gourmet or professional cooks and those for non-cooks or beginners. But authors Max & Eli Sussman merged the two categories in their  new cookbook: Freshman in the Kitchen. Recipes are created to instruct ”from Clueless Cook to Creative Chef.” They don’t just tell you to boil the egg, they teach you to do it.

This cookbook has everything I look for in a cookbook: pictures, simple instructions, and binding that stays open easily. Its also printed on a glossier stock so that it wipes clean easily from spills and splashes. And I love that they give you tips to alter your recipes. Because I always alter my recipes.

The introduction helps readers set up their kitchen and pantry and teaches you how to grocery shop and save money. It also introduces you to the authors, brothers who learned to cook from scratch in the kitchen with their mother and now cook professionally.

As soon as I opened the cookbook, I knew I wanted to make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie, which I found to be a great, simple snack. This week I’ll be making eggplant parmesan, from scratch. I love that throughout the book cooking terms are defined and tips, like “leftover tips” and “Sophisticated Crowd-Pleaser Tip” (as found on the page for Eggplant Parmesan), teach you as you cook. Plus there are friendly little notes about the foods from the authors.

I’m planning to gift Freshman in the Kitchen to a few members of the family. Especially the one who calls, like I did in the past, for instructions on boiling an egg and for a definition of braising. Its all in the book.

Freshman in the Kitchen was provided as a sample for review on MWS.

I love to scrapbook, create photo albums, preserve birthday memories, and more. But sometimes I take on more than I can chew and I am left with lots to do, and not a lot of time to do it.

So when I got to check out Mom Agenda’s latest product, School Years, I was extremely excited! This great book preserves and stores all of the important information from each year of school, from pre-K through 12th grade, in an easy, concise manner.

A 2-sided 7″ x 9″ folder represents each year of your child’s schooling. Each folder allows you to place a photo, record the school name, teacher, date of the first day of school, age, height, weight, friends, activities, sports, special achievements, and a place for your child to sign. Inside of the folder, store report cards, class photos, artwork samples, writing samples, or anything you choose! You can get your child’s book in aqua, sage, or rose, and have the option of getting your child’s name embossed on the cover as well.

What a great concept to store and capture these special times for your children… and in such an easy way! Just one book for your child’s entire school career. It’s a relief!

Pick up one for each of your children, or as a gift for a recent pre-school grad! Use code STYLEMOM to receive 15% off your total purchase in their online store (good from 7/14-8/15)

Plus, want a chance to win one of your own? Leave us a comment with your favorite color and why you would love to have one of these great keepsake books and we will pick a winner on July 17th.

I’ve asked myself this question time and again… with the answer, clearly, no, not yet. So it was really fun to ask my 3-year-old this same question today. I asked it when I read to him the new book by Barney Saltzberg, Cornelius P. Mud, Are you Ready for Baby? Together we talked about Cornelius, the adorable little pig who in the first illustration is sitting with his pregnant mom, reading a baby name book. By the next page, Mom brings home a little piglet.

The illustrations are cute, vibrant, preschool friendly; the text, very simple. On each page Cornelius asks if baby can do different things, like eat and play. And on each page, Mom answers “no, not yet.” With the answer to the “what can baby do?” being the very funny line “He can sleep, drink, pee, poop and cry.”  Cornelius also shows some insecurity asking “Do you love him more than you love me?” and Mama reassuringly replies “I have enough love for both of you.”

The brief story opens up so many windows of opportunity for discussion and relating with a preschooler about to become a big brother, it was quick to become a new favorite. It only arrived in the mail Monday and he’s already “read” Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Baby? several times (as in his chosen book for the past 3 naps and 3 bedtimes): loving the story and the discussions each time.

My kids love cooking with me in the kitchen! We’ve been having so much fun recently with the Handstand Kids Chinese Cookbook, trying out all sorts of recipes together. This cookbook comes packaged in a large takeout box kit with child-friendly chopsticks.

It is so adorable and my kids love it! The Chinese Cookbook Kit introduces kid chefs, ages 3 to 12, to delicious and healthy Chinese recipes. Recipes like Spring-a-licious Spring Rolls, Kung Pow! Chicken and Year of the Monkey Smoothies take your little chef around the world through your own kitchen.

All of the utensils and ingredients are translated into Mandarin so you can speak the language of China as you cook! The recipes are leveled from 1 to 4 chopsticks to determine the recipe’s level of difficulty. Our favorites so far have been the Banana-rama Spring Rolls and the Great Wall of Chicken Lettuce Wraps! We’ve been having a blast cooking while trying to pronounce the different ingredients. They also love practicing with the chopsticks on all sorts of foods!

In addition to the Chinese Cookbook are the Mexican and Italian Cookbook Kits. Each cookbook in the series introduces kid chefs to a new country and culture through tasty, healthy and fun recipes. Each recipe also offers alternatives that allow for dietary flexibility and creativity in the kitchen.

Handstand Kids also carries aprons, chef hats, oven mitts and all-purpose mats that can be used as place mats, cutting boards or work stations. Ours includes a fabulous map of China and a listing of all of the different ingredients in the cookbook in both English and Mandarin. My kids are always practicing!

Enter code MWS on the order page in the coupon box located at the top of the page before checking out to save 20% off of your purchase!