totmama

When my son came home from a play date in the park, and asked me why we didn’t have pets, I was quick to say that we indeed do. We have fish! He wasn’t that impressed. Fish are good pets, and they are always interesting to watch. After a bit more prodding, he asked if we ever had a REAL pet. (Sigh!) Well, we had a cat when he was a baby that used to play with his toys. That was a better answer. Where was the cat now? (Er, kitty went to a better place!) Rather than tell him that kitty got sick, and explaining about kitty heaven, I just asked what he wanted to know about pets. He simply said “Mom, I want a dog. Can I have a dog?” He was not even 2 years old. I couldn’t bring myself to say that I don’t really like dogs that much, when he just needed hope. I said, “Okay, let’s get you one!” I picked up this cute Corgi MOGU dog as an upcoming holiday gift for him, and decided to give it to him early. While I am sure it wasn’t quite what he wanted, our new friend Woofie gave me time to stall. He could take care of Woofie, and I could pass that cringing mommy test (at least for the moment). He’s going to be 4 this summer, and while we’ve added to our doggie friends, so far we’re REAL doggie pet free. Phew!

If you’re anything like me, you have quite a mad dash each morning to get the kids fed, dressed and out the door before the school drop off time ends and you get fined $5. In the chaos that is created, inevitably you end up going “Oh crap (or whatever your choice of colorful words), where are my keys!” Mad search for said keys can bring smiles every time with this very cool Keytar Key Cover by Gama Go. Six hip key covers and a handy guitar pic shaped key chain could change your outlook on life. Unfortunately they don’t come with Lo-jack, but I bet if you looked once more in that black hole of an infant car seat…

Ok, I know that by now you are thinking “what is the deal with all of these frilly things on a modern kids blog?” But, fear not good friends! Here is yet another thing that skirts the line of girly feminine and cheeky modern for your pleasure. Is that possible? Yes! Check out the 3-D Chandelier at Urban Outfitters! It seems that everywhere I look, people are going overboard with frilly brocade and crystal for their daughter’s nursery. This is my dig at all that stuff, while keeping things fun and affordable. It’s a brilliant hanging pendant lamp made of very simple painted wood, laser cut in the shape of one of those gaudy crystal drenched chandeliers. Simple, elegant, and of course modern. Enjoy!

Just checked out my local Target, looking to see if the Boon Squirt feeding spoon was on the shelves yet. (It wasn’t!) Not a total loss though, because my wandering discovered Method Kid & Baby. I happen to love Method spray cleaners, liquid hand soaps and hand sanitizer, and can’t seem to ever have enough Wood for Good in my supply cabinet. Now the cleaver folks have created yummy GREEN products for our little minis. Of course, I HAD to scoop these cute little containers up. They have a Squeeky Green Baby Bubble Bath, Baby Body Lotion, Diaper Cream, and a Squeeky Green Hair & Body wash. I am truly a sucker for scent, and this one is a very light rice and mallow. Very light, and very baby! After trying them out, I love the diaper cream. It has a very easy to use dispenser that doesn’t cause you to end up COVERED in that yucky white stuff that never comes off. The Bubble Bath is in the cutest animal shaped container, and the Body Bath comes with a cup to rinse baby with (very handy!). Though I still would splurge on the Mustela Baby line, this naturally green Method Baby line really is a nice departure from the smell and mess of the traditional icky A&D ointments of the day. If it ever comes in a nice, refreshing citrus or lavender scent… I’m there.

(Guess what! There is a Squeeky Green Kids Crisp Apple scented body wash and 3-in-1 shampoo! Yum!)

Saw this on Modern Mom, and I just about busted something laughing. It’s an action figure, (really!) that you can customize! Super Mom goes from calm to frazzled, work heels to tennys, and has a super duper, mother of all, jumbo, To-Do list. Can’t say much more than, I MUST HAVE THIS! Some days are just fine, and you have it all together (somewhat!). Others, you have to deal with your very own little monster while cleaning spit-up, making a phone call, changing a pull-up and restocking your diaper bag for a trip to the megastore. This could be your inspiration to take a breath and scream into a pillow!

Haven’t heard about Smoy yet? I discovered them in a parenting mag a while ago, and now I am realizing it was 3 years ago! Smoy Photo Cuffs are cool leather or vegan leather wrist cuffs, with one or more cut out picture frames on them. The frames can hold photos, tiny art works, to do lists, goals, you name it! They’re great gifts, especially for the grandparents! What’s truly amazing is that they have created even more cleaver things in the past 3 years, from a kid’s flower shaped photo cuff, to an ipod cover and a super glam Brooklyn photo belt! These cuffs have many uses; I have used mine as luggage tags on road trips, putting photos of who’s bag was who’s in the mini frame. They’re really cool, and one of those indie finds that are a combination of good design, affordablility, and fun. Check them out here: SMOY.NET