Cool Baby Kid’s *Top Picks* all have one thing in common… everyone and their brother and sister won’t have the exact same one. Unique is the word of the day, and Little Lamb Design doesn’t disappoint in that department. The personalization factor in their mini-Valentine’s Day cards ensure they are one-of-a-kind. We were given the Pirate Valentine’s Cards to check out which are signed by Captain and First Mate with our children’s names.
Printed front and back, Little Lamb Designs, who also have an extensive inventory of invitations, announcements, stationary, photo cards and even novelty items such as luggage tags and waterproof labels Originally created by a mother, the team at Little Lamb Designs has grown to include an array of personalized Valentine’s Day cards for kids with top quality designs.
Cool Giveaway: Enter to win one set of Little Lamb Design cards (12) with envelops and shipping included by commenting on this post about your favorite Valentine’s Day theme. Contest ends 2/3/10.
Extra Entries: Find out how to earn an unlimited number of entries and read the contest rules and disclaimer.
Cool Code: Enter coupon code “CoolBabyKid” to receive 20% off any order on the website. Expires 2/28/10.
I first heard about SafetyTat at the BlogHer conference this summer. Recently we had the opportunity to actually try them out; what a neat child safety product! The original SafetyTat is placed on your child’s arm like a temporary tattoo. When ordering you can customize for boy or girl with your name and mobile cell phone number. Though we hope it never happens, in reality a child wandering away from their parent in a public place can occur in seconds. Luckily we just tested the tattoo itself, which is to easy apply and removes with rubbing alchol or baby oil but is waterproof, in the safety of our home. But I can only imagine the absolute panic upon not finding my son or daughter even for a moment. I plan to use SafetyTats on our trip to the zoo in a few weeks and definitely when our family visits Disneyworld next summer. They also offer the Quick Stick Write-On! “tattoo” sticker which does not require water. Just stick it on and write your information with the pen provided. With SafetyTats for allergy, medical and special needs, as well as the all new Tat Kisses (small round hand tats with “Kisses from Mommy” or “Kisses from Daddy” messages) this is really one cool company.
Cool Giveaway: Enter to win one of three Quick Stick Write-On! SafetyTat sample packs (boy or girl) by visiting their website and commenting back here with one fact about SafetyTat not already mentioned.Ends 9/18/09.Contest Rules Extra Entries: In addition to the standard extra entry possibilities, you can become a Facebook fan of SafetyTat for special promotions and another contest entry.
Because SafetyTat is unique, indispensable and an overall great product, they receive a Cool Baby Kid *Top Pick* designation.
As I head back to school this week to teach Language Arts to 8th graders, I’m excited to re-connect with Putumayo Kids, a Cool Baby Kid all-time favorite. While their new CD, Picnic Playground, is a perfect companion to daily dance parties with our 1.5 and 3 year old children, the Putumayo Kids teacher tools remind me of resources I can incorporate into the classroom as well. According to their site, “Putumayo Kids produces music that entertains, educates and inspires cultural curiosity,” and I could not agree more. Since discovering Putumayo Kids, it has become an almost daily part of our lives since we love to dance! Picnic Playground doesn’t disappoint. Taking us around the world, from the USA to Europe and beyond, songs like our favorites Ice Creamby Asheba (Trinidad) and Pomodoroby Bomba (Australia) offers upbeat tunes for dancing while expanding our cultural horizons at the same time.
Originally intended as designated pool music for the kids, we we ended up listening to Caribbean Playground, a CD celebrating Caribbean culture, at our “adult” pool parties too beacuse of its unique ability to appeal simultaneously to kids and parents alike. One of the only companies to be listed as a “What We Love Right Now” in addition to being a CBK *Top Pick* as well as an “Editor’s Top 10 Favorites.” Do we lovePutumayo Kids? You bet.
Smart Tip: For a fun island sound listen to Jamaica Farewell (Jamaica) by Desmond Dekke fun island sound and Tambou Dan TcheNou(Martinique)by Kali for a fast, hip shaking dance tune. Preview Putumayo Kids children’s music on their website.
Cool Giveaway: Enter to win one of two copies of Putumayo Kid’s Picnic Playground by visiting their site and commenting back here after previewing any song from the Picnic Playground CD.Click here to read the contest rules and find out how to increase your chances of winning. Ends 9/15/09.
I was first introduced to Jump Start when reviewing their interactive, educational website on Smart Baby Kid. And since “the kids” received a Wii for Christmas, we were able to try out the new Jump Start Rescue Wii game. Rated “Early Childhood” and designed for pre-schoolers, it is the first game our 3 year old could play herself. And while I did navigate for her at times, she pressed the buttons and helped make choices about what to wear, which roof to put on her house and other interactive decisions as we move through various worlds in search of lost pets. Bottom line? We love it! Earning storybooks which are read aloud, your character can ride on a submarine, slide down a water slide (her favorite activity) or care for their rescued pets. Videos of favorite songs such as “If You’re Happy and You Know It” are incorporated into the game making it truly interactive. You can see how this educational Wii game for preschoolers works by clicking on the play button on the Jump Start website.
For example, in one screen users can decorate their own house, choosing the fence, windows and doors (pictured). In the jungle scene the kids love traversing the zipline as well as canoeing and kayaking. Jump Start Pet Rescue is a new favorite interactive and education activity in our house earning it a *Top Pick* designation!
As we say goodbye for now to the Sherpani Flite laptop case, there’s a new love in town for us by Evenflo, the BabyGo Travel Highchair. If you’re not a regular reader (subscribe!) check out the “What We Love Right Now” feature on the left sidebar reserved for a product the editors of Cool Baby Kid love and are using themselves. I’ve personally taken the BabyGo High Chair, which actually does open and close in less than a minute as advertised, to a friends’ house for dinner, Nonnie’s house and even camping. It’s light (less than 10 lbs.) and slim enough when closed to easily slip into the trunk of your car. We keep it in the house as an extra high chair in case my older daughter decides to walk around on the “big girl”chairs. But for my 17 month old son, the Evenflo BabyGo Travel Highchair has been a staple for our on the go travels in the past few months. Because I can’t imagine a better travel high chair, we’ve also designated it a *Top Pick* too!
Enter to win a BabyGo Travel High Chair by visiting Evenflo and commenting back here with one other feature of the chair not mentioned in this review. Click here to read the contest rules and find out how to increase your chances of winning. Ends 9/4/09.
Thomas the Train: Hop on Board Songs and Stories DVD/CD
Thomas the Train DVD and CD set is fabulous. The DVD is a collection of stories with the songs playing throughout the DVD. My son danced, and cheered to each song and enjoyed the stories. He asks for it by name and learns colors and numbers throughout the DVD. The DVD is great but you also get a Thomas the Train CD. This made car rides enjoyable for my 18 month old son as well as my husband and myself. We wouldn’t be able to take long car rides without it. I strongly recommend this product which is why we’re giving it *Top Pick* status!
I wanted to review a Barney DVD for one reason…neither my kids nor I have even watched Barney. Shocking as it may seem, I associate Barney with my little sister (now in law school) who was a Barney fanatic when she was little. “I love you, you love me” was stuck in my head for more years than I cared to remember. Fast forward 15 years. We popped in the “Sign & Dance with Barney” DVD and my daughter already knew some of the some from the sitter. She and my son (15 months) couldn’t get enough. Grudingly I realized why Barney has been a hit for so long; the songs were fun and catchy and now “You Can Count on Me” is one of our favorite songs to sing. With renditions of classics like “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and some originals too, this is actually a perfect DVD and music CD for any kid (and parent too) who likes to sign and dance as we do nearly every day.
I have to admit something. When I first found out I was pregnant I was obsessed with finding the perfect stroller. There was just so many to choose from and so many choices. They seemed to range from a few dollars to well over a thousand and looked so different with many different options. I didn’t know where to start which led to my husband and me spending our Saturday afternoons in baby stores trying them out, comparing them and even asking strangers on the street what they were using I read books and blogs and FINALLY found one that seemed to have it all. In fact, when I took it out of the box my husband’s first words were “Now that’s a stroller.” The Bumbleride Flyer was exactly what we were looking for. It reclined fully, had a reversible handle so I could either have my baby face me or the rest of the world, it has a bumper bar, is easy to fold up and is one of the best looking strollers I’ve seen without the price tag usually associated with a stroller like this.
We decided we wanted something bright but gender neutral and went with the color spice which we weren’t disappointed with. This stroller lived up to every expectation we had and we’re so happy all of our research paid off. Additionally, the company thought of everything when coming up with the accessories. There is a cover for your car seat to match the stroller, a matching diaper bag, a foot muff, and my favorite, the snack pack. This is actually going to be my next purchase. We receive compliments on this stroller every time we use it and I can’t recommend it enough. That’s why the Bumbleride Flyer makes it into one of our top picks for both mom and baby.
Editor’s Note: Want to see Bumbleride in action? Check out the videos on their site or email me for Adrienne’s address and you can visit her to see it in person!
As mom’s we always want to do what is best for our little ones. That is why I decided to breastfeed both of my children. When I went back to work with my daughter, who is now 19 months, I would pump on the floor of a closet. I would sit there for at least 15 minutes holding the shields on with nothing to do but stare at the wall. If I would have known about Pumpin’ Pal hands free pumping line with my daughter it would have made my pumping experience that much nicer and more comfortable. Pumpin’ Pal offers a variety of products for woman who are nursing their children and pumping. They recognizes that every woman’s breast is different and therefore offers the Super Shield in a variety of sizes. They come in medium, large or extra large for those gifted women like myself.
I was always looking for a way to pump and still be able to do something with my hands. My prayers have been answered. With the Pumpin’ Pal Hands-Free Strap I sit and pump while channel surfing, reading a book, eating a snack or reading a book to my daughter which also keeps me from pulling my hair out since she gets into everything when my hands are tied up. I wish I had the Hands-Free Strap when I was pumping with my daughter because I may have nursed her longer. Now with my son I need all of the extra hands I can get and Pumpin’ Pal Hands-Free Strap allows me that availability.
Pumpin’ Pal also offers a Pocket Guide to Breastfeeding and an Air-Dry Accessory Bag. The Pocket Guide to Breastfeeding offers all of the information that a nursing mom would need from choosing a breast pump to tips to returning to work. The Air-Dry Accessory Bag allows your freshly washed pumping parts to dry and it is a great place to store them. As a mother of two beautiful children it was always my goal to give them the best possible start to life outside of the womb that I protected them in for 9 months. I always knew I wanted to nurse but pumping was less then desirable because of how restrictive it was. Pumpin’ Pal has finally given me the freedom I was looking for.
Reviewed by Karen, Baby Kid Contributor
*Editor’s note: I also wish I knew about Pumpin Pals while breastfeeding at work; it would have made things much easier! Also, because Karen loved Pumpin Pal so much, we’re adding them to Cool Baby Kid’s list of *Top Picks*.
Enter to win the All In One Kit which has all three sizes of Super Shields plus all of the accessories you need for more comfortable and effective breast pumping. To enter, visit their site and comment back here with one thing you learned about the company. Click here to read the contest rules and find out how to increase your chances of winning. Ends 8/10/09.
Cool Giveaway: Enter to win one set of Little Lamb Design cards (12) with envelops and shipping included by commenting on this post about your favorite Valentine’s Day theme. Contest ends 2/3/10.
Extra Entries: Find out how to earn an unlimited number of entries and read the contest rules and disclaimer.
Cool Code: Enter coupon code “CoolBabyKid” to receive 20% off any order on the website. Expires 2/28/10. 
