Whether it is because they have an innate sense that the food that nourishes their bodies comes from somewhere other than the supermarket or that they see farms on a regular basis, children enjoy acting out the farming life with their playthings.

(Via NovaNatural.Com)

   

When you book a flight to New York City and you are planning to have the kids in tow, consider how you are going to get the family and the whole “kit” (all that luggage and so forth) from the airport to your final destination whether it is family in Brooklyn or a hotel in Mid-town. Locals know to call ahead for a car service so they’ll be there waiting for you.

Sure you can hail a cab but the car services are a better solution when traveling with the kids. A lot of the area car services have a number of different kinds of vehicles in their fleet, so if you are used to a mini-van or require a passenger van, you can request one up front.

Yes, you may spend an extra buck or two, but my feeling is it will be well worth it. The key thing when traveling with the kids is to call ahead for the reservation so there is a smooth transition from leaving the plane, to gathering your luggage right to the car - at least that’s the goal. There are many car services to choose from whether you need one from Newark, JFK or LGA car service; dare I say hundreds to choose from. One company that springs to mind is Dial 7 they have a decent website with pictures of their fleet, rates and reservation page.

   

Now here’s a feeding set that truly deserves its name! Suitable for kids of all ages, the Table Fun series is made of a durable, dishwasher-safe melamine, decorated with illustrator Eleanor Grosch’s playful designs.

(Via Gnr8.Com)

   

The thing I am trying to do this Mother’s Day is get away from buying at all the big franchise stores and try to support the small local retailer who are either making unique and beautiful stuff.

Now that I am a full fledged dad with a couple kids and another on the way, it has me thinking of keepsakes. I never really thought about them before but the thought of have a few cherished heirlooms to add to the family tree, sounds - well it sounds nice.

A piece that I’ve been drawn too was recently highlighted in Life & Style Magazine on the original Material Girl, Madonna. It’s the Nashelle Cherished Engraved Necklace from an Indie Jewelry retailer, Penelope Poet. This piece is designed by Heather Beeson, the creative mind behind Nashelle Jewelry. From her studio on the gorgeous Oregon Coast, Heather and her team of talented artists create exceptional jewelry by hand. Penelope Poet makes an effort to support female artists and moms. So I guess if you buy from them you’re building positive karma points, too.

I recently got it for my wife (don’t tell her) with the two boys names engraved on it and with the third on the way, I was assured I can call in a few months or a few years and add more charms to it. What more can you ask for - a keepsake that grows with the family.

(Via Penelope Poet)

   

It’s a highchair for babies, a booster for tots, a student chair for teens — and it’s the only one that offers a compatible feeding tray! This sleek hardwood chair delivers greater value than others, because it’s sturdy enough to support an adult.

We are very happy with ours. It allows us to have baby eat at the table (with or without the feeding tray) with us rather than off to the side with the conventional highchairs. And they have made it very easy to raise or lower the seat and step with a tongue and groove slat design.

It comes in a natural or dark cherry finish.

(Via OneStepAhead.Com)

   

A collection of cute tea sets and dishes that are fit for any Alice in Wonderland.

(Via Schmancy.Com)

   

TinyTotBoutique.Com has this Three Little Ziglets Making Tracks table with a set of built in trundle storage drawers for all of the kids toys and bits. It’s a nice little design for rooms with limited storage.

(Via TinyTotBoutique.Com)

   

Looking for some refreshingly guilt-free toy shopping? Consider Plan Toys (Palo Alto, California), the next time your looking for a gift for the little one.

Their manufacturing process has a very refreshing transparency to it. Meaning, it is clearly stated what they use when assembling this simple but beautiful toys -

• Organic Rubberwood,
• E-Zero (Non-Formaldehyde Glue),
• Water Based Dye, Recycle
• Recyclable Material, and
• Soy Ink & Water based Ink

They are available at a number of online outlets, but you should really check out their site, it is very informative and has their entire catalog of stuff - really nice stuff at that. The different places to buy their good is listed under FAQ’s (oddly enough).

Sit Walk Pup Pull Toy (pictured above) listed for $18.99

(Plan Toys Vis a Vis Moolka.Com)

   

My sister Cheryl is the best family baker, hands down. To this day I talk very excitedly about some of her specialties, her Whoopie Pies top the list. Like all old school deserts there is absolutely no redeeming nutritional value to them. They are made with buttermilk, chocolate, and lots of butter and sugar. Needless to say, they’re not low-calorie, high fiber or all-natural so if you’re looking for that perfect desert crammed with minced beets, flax seed or spinach - move on…

Unfortunately, I am not obliged to hand out family recipes (that would be blasphemy) but Jennifer Tolley at JustBaking.Com has served up a damn good recipe for these little handful of heaven. If you aren’t impressed or you happen to stumble upon another recipe, let me explain something - if it has a whip cream filling it is not a Whoopie Pie!

So to all the dads out there interested in building a little family tradition with the kids, grab a recipe you think you can handle and master it with the kids. Your building lasting memories for them and training an army to make your favorite desert - you win, they win.

(Photo Via JustBaking.Net)

   

Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking is about to release his first children’s book, George’s Secret Key to the Universe. The first book in a planned trilogy, explains the workings of the Solar System, asteroids, black holes – one of Hawking’s favourite topics – and other celestial bodies with the help of a set of young heroes.

(Via Cosmos.Com)