Come Fly With Me

When you are traveling with an infant lap child it's hard not to wonder about their safety if something were to happen or if you hit turbulence. B'Air Flight Vest® is a great way to ensure the safety of your infant without constraining them so much that they are uncomfortable. The vest attaches you to your baby by strapping it to your lap belt. You can find this product for $29.95 at www.familytravelgear.com

Back to School Gifts

Germany has a sweet tradition to celebrate a child's first day of school. Parents give their child a Schultüte, a giant paper cone filled with school supplies and small gifts-- and http://www.chasing-fireflies.com/ has reinvented that sweet tradition with these wonderful back to school cones. This is a sweet gift to give your child on that first day, which can be so nerve-wracking. They cost $65.00 and come in boy or girl colors.

Ride in Style

We are struggling with teaching our six year old how to ride a bike without training wheels. I wish I would have known about the strider bike a few years ago! This neat bike allows children to learn to ride initially by using their feet and then coasting on two wheels, when they get uncomfortable, they just put their feet down for balance. Eventually, they learn to ride on just two wheels. The great thing is that you can ride on any surface and they come in many colors! Made for ages 2-5, this is a definite win. You can find them at http://www.theportablebaby.com/ and they are priced around $95.00.

Clothing Marker

Summer is disssapearing and it is time for school once again. Last year at this time, I blogged about labels and this year I found another great way to mark your kids clothes. Check out this clothing marker from http://www.personalcreations.com/. It's a stamp that marks your clothes and the insignia wont wash or fall off. It cost 19.95

Polka Dot Designs

Last year for my daughter's birthday, I was in a bind. Work was hectic and there was no way I could drag myself to the invitation shop to order her party invites... lo and behold that is when I stumbled upon http://www.polkadotdesigns.com/. The invitation selections are outstanding (as is the stationary) PLUS, I saved on time and gas (totally eco friendly). Check them out, you wont be disappointed. And for those of you who like to procrastinate, they have super express service available.

Car Seat Covers

So, I had never purchased a car seat cover becuase I always felt they were more decorative than useful, until my hip hooligan got very sick in her seat. We tried to pull apart the seat to wash it but after frustrating hours, we never we able to get it disassembled. A that point, I heavily regretted no car seat cover. We ended up buying a new car seat altogether. And on top of that, I had just met the owner of Tatr Tots on a flight who had just told me about her company and great car seat covers. I took all of this as a sign from above- its time for a blog post. Anyhow, to save you buying a second car seat, check out http://www.tatrtots.com/ and look at the beautiful car seat covers. They run around $96.00-11.00 for infant or toddler seat covers and trust me, its worth it!

Color Your Bath

Having trouble getting your hip hooligans into the water for bath time? Well, Tinti helps you solve that by making bath time fun with tinted water! Tinti has created natural bath tablets without residue that will change your bathwater into several colors and make it fun and inviting for your little one. You can get these tablets from http://www.amazon.co.uk/ for under $5.00 for a pack of three. For more Tinti products, visit http://www.tinti.co.uk/.

The Nap Nanny...

I came across this innovative product for babies and wish I would have known about it when I had an infant. The Nap Nanny elevates your little one 30 degrees as most doctors recommend for babies with reflux, congestion and other health issues. When my son was young, we elevated one end of his mattress and he always just ended up just rolling down the crib, never staying elevated for any length of time. This product is a wonderful alternative that keeps the baby elevated and safely in place while sleeping. The product is available in many colors and can be ordered at http://www.napnanny.com/ $130

The Perfect Combination

Indulge in the confort food you and your hip hooligans crave! Oven and microwave safe, this soup and sandwich ceramic tray duo is perfect for lunch service at home. Everyone enjoys cute dishes and serving trays...$30 for 2 trays and 2 bowls at www.uncommongoods.com

Manners Matter

Learning manners is so much fun if you learn with little piggies! Good Manners Flash Cards teachs your child the right thing to do and what to say uisng a funny pig family. The fun deck presents a situation on one side and the correct response on the other. How cute is that? Also check out Good Citizenship and Respect the Earth flash cards...too cute! Just under $12.00 at www.barnesandnoble.com

The Mod Potty

Check out this up-to-date potty chair that makes potty training easy. The chair's contemporary design of this potty makes it a potty chair you won't be ashamed of. This potty chair has an angled seat to catch any overspill, a built in toilet roll holder, enclosed side storage spaces for storing wipes and other supplies, a pull-out potty drawer for easy, sanitary clean-up and best of all you close the lid and it becomes a great stool for reaching the sink to wash little hands or a bench for when you are bathing your hip hooligan. You can find it at http://www.pottytrainingsolutions.com/ for $29.99.

Travel in Style

I bought my girls some Sigikid suitcases and I could be more happy. They are made of very high quality durable nylon and have adorable prints for both boys and girls. We have the smaller roller bags and because we travel so much, we wanted something that would last. You can find big and small suitcases and cases at http://www.moolka.com/. The larger case shown to the side ranges from $148.00 but you can downsize and spend less. The other great thing about Moolka is that each time I have ordered from there it arrives so fast, you think they hand delivered it to your door.

Home Made Food

Looking to make home-made food for your little one but want to make more than one serving at a time? Check out Beabe Babycook Mulit-Portions which you can find at http://www.bloommaternity.com/ for $19.95. This way, you can make a batch of fresh foods, freeze it and have many portions of fresh foods for days to come.

Daycare Days...

This darling notepad can keep you informed about your childs day while your out taking care of business. Daycare Notes for Toddlers and Daycare Notes for Baby will keep you informed about eating, sleeping, fun activities and everything else you should know while your away. I found these at http://www.uncommongoods.com/ and the notepads come with 50 pages for only $8.00

Sorry for the Inconvenience!

Sorry for the lack of postings recently, we have had issues accessing Hip Hooligan's to post. We hope to resolve this issue soon!

--Kate and Andrea

Two in One

Potty training is tough by any one's standards, and then you have to decide what kind of potty training seat or chair you are going to use. I saw this seat at a friend's house and loved it because it meant that you didn't need a special contraption you needed to place on the seat or a separate chair. I also liked the fact that it hides quickly and easily. You can find these at http://www.target.com/ for $29.99.

Easy as ABC

Every fridge in America with small children has ABC magnets stuck to it at one point or another and kids love them. How about updating the look of your ABCs with these new magnets from http://www.rompstore.com/ They go for $35.00 and come with their own storage tube. Great for you or as a gift

Crayon Roll

I checked out http://www.etsy.com/ and came across these adorable crayon rolls by RetroRugRats. For $19.00 you get an adorable handcrafted crayon roll that is personalized. You can chose from several designs and embroidered fonts. The best thing, is that they come wrapped in a cute package filled with your choice or regular or jumbo crayons.

We Will Rock You

Crayon's are a favorite among all kids, so why not purchase some that are out of the box, some that truly rock? These crayon rocks can be found at www.rompstore .com and are $8.00 for a box of 16. What better way to get your Hip Hooligan outside to enjoy Summer weather?

Trash Free

I try to wash my car once a week and clean out the inside, but after a week of hauling little ones all over, by the time I clean the car, it is covered with papers ranging from snack wrappers to school daily reports. I saw these car trash bags at http://www.etsy.com/ (under auto trash/ Alison Hill) and thought that they were a cute and stylish way to keep trash out of your car. They are $19.00 and fit a trash bag inside.

Teacher's Gifts

So, every year when it comes to giving our teachers gifts, I blank out and have no idea what to do. Well, this year I have found that http://www.etsy.com/ has categorized gifts for teachers! Etsy, is a web site made for people who hand make or have vintage items to sell (I have posted about it before). I was surprised to see when I checked it out again a category specifically for teacher's gifts. Finally, a place where you can find unique and one of a kind gifts for the people who mean the most to you.

The Gift of Learning

When our daughter was three, we started working on the Gifted and Talented workbooks by Susan Amerikaner with her simply because we liked how they made her use her imagination vs. some of the other workbooks that simply teach reading or math. These books made her think outside of the box and truly helped her once she entered kindergarten. Plus, she thought they were a blastI belive these books are for every child, not just those learing beyond their grade level. ! You can find them anywhere on the web including Amazon.

Eggcellent for You Baby's Health

Its truly amazing how many items have been invented in the past few years for babies and children. Check out this "Egg" which takes moisture out of the air to help those with allergies to mold and mildew. It actually dehumidifies the air and notifies you when it is full. You can just pop it in the microwave for a few minutes and empty it of moisture and start again.

Under Lock & Key...

When it comes to "childproofing" I automatically think of having to drill through beautiful wood cabinets & big plastic devices hanging from kitchen drawers. What I recently found, (actually my husband found) was the only no-drill magnetic cabinet locks. They are self-adhesive and invisable from the outside of doors and drawers. $19.95 includes 2 locks, key & key holder. We have them in our house and I love them!

Starfall

As they say, "the best things in life are free" and so they are. A great website for learning and fun is http://www.starfall.com/. It has been recommended to my by parents and teachers alike. My kids love it and best of all... its free! Kids can spend hours learning how to read and about phonetics with this wonderful website. Check it out!

Bigger Is Better...

When it comes to bath mats... bigger is better! Most bath mats I have seen in stores only cover a small surface area but this Ulti-Mat Bath Mat found at http://www.onestepahead.com/ is big enough to cover the entire area of a standard bathtub. In addition to size, it also has 200 suction cups to keep it in its place and has a soft cushiony surface. $19.95

Stop the Sizzle

While living in Arizona during the summer, I always had to hunt for shade to park underneath so that the seat belts and car seats for my baby wouldnt get too hot. I knew that when it was 108 degrees outside, the inside of my car was closer to 125 degrees- as hot as an oven. I just found this great seat cover that would have saved me the concern that my baby would get burned in her seat. For only $8.95, you can find this at http://www.leapsandbounds.com/.

Old School Is Cool

I know we all love photo birth announcements but I found a company that uses classic letterpress printing with super cute designes all on recycled-cotton paper.

You can find a variety of styles and fonts at www.oblationpapers.com

Splat Mats

When I first had an infant, I ordered a splat mat to keep the floors clean and now that I have two that are a bit older, they use the mat for art and a ton of activities. I have to admit, it was a great investment. I stumbled across these splat mats from http://www.landofnod.com/ for $49.00 and although they are a little more pricey, they are cheaper than damaged furniture or floors from an art project gone awry. Land of Nod has cute patterns and you can even get a matching apron.

Clean & Green

A quick and eco-friendly alternative to clothing detergent is the Ecozone Eco-Wash Balls. They are rubber balls filled with ionized pellets that atttract dirt. All you do is place three Ecoballs in your washing machine instead of detergent. They are reuseable for up to 1000 washes! Just imagine not having to haul around big boxes of detergent any more! Hypoallergenic so suitable for sensitive skin including babies and children. Ecoballs are also anti-bacterial. I found them on www.amazon.com $20.00 for 150 washes.

Cush Tush

A friend of mine told me about the Cushie Traveler which she uses for her little hip hooligan who is in the midst of potty training. What I love about it is how easy it is just to fold it up and bring it with you and then whip it out at that critical moment. It saves the toddler from having to hold themselves up on a dirty toilet seat. For someone who hates public restrooms, this is a must. You can find it at http://www.onestepahead.com/ for a mere $12.95

Here Comes the Sun...

Summer is here and our babies need protection from the sun! I found an ad in a magazine about Pure & Free sunblock by Neutrogena and went right out to get some. Pure & Free has 100% naturally-sourced sunscreen ingredients. Unlike most sunblocks out there, this one goes on smooth, not chalky and contains no irritating chemicals, dyes, oils, or fragrances, is hypoallergenic and won't run and sting eyes. It comes in a tube or you can get it in a stick (ideal for face and ears). It runs about $9.00 and can be purchased at www.drugstore.com or any local drug store.

Write On

Anything that helps my life become more organized is a good thing, so I was thrilled when I came across these dry erase bins at http://www.pbteen.com/. Just throw items in the bin and write the contents on the outside with the dry erase marker and erase the label when you need to. They actually are on sale now for $25.00-$55.00 depending on the size and they come all different colors.

Milk Madness...

Here is a product I wish I would have known about when I had my hip hooligan...a test for breastmilk that lets you know if you have too much alcohol in your system to breastfeed.

Milkscreen was created to help extend the life of breastfeeding. Maternal self-confidence is critical to maintaining breastfeeding so milkscreen was created to help give mom the peace of mind that her breast milk does not contain a level of alcohol that may negatively impact Baby. The test kit is $10 at www.drugstore.com

Stay Put

I love the idea of this stay put plate, utensils, and place mat. If your child loves to decorate your floor with food or fling their plate at mealtimes, this is for you! It also keep utensils where they belong. Plus when you remove the plate to clean it, underneath is a little smiley face. You can find this at http://www.moolka.com/ for$19.99

BamDino for your Bambino

Introduce your hip hooligan to sustainability with all natural bamboo dinosaur head utensils. www.branchhome.com says...

"They're made from organically-grown bamboo with no bleaches or dyes. And measuring at 5.5" long, they're designed for small hands and mouths.They're durable, lightweight, and a great alternative to plastic utensils, either at home or on the go."

I love the look and the purpose behind these...too cute! $9.00 for the set of 3. There is also a spoon and fork for older kids!

The Gift of You

Since Mother's Day is just around the corner, I tried to think of a great gift to give. Then I realized there is a great gift we can give our own Hip Hooligans, the gift of who we are as people, not just moms and dads. I found this book called "Picture of Me: Who I Am in 221 Questions " by Kate Marshall and it is basically a diary that prompts you to write about who you are based on your answers to questions. You can find it almost anywhere on line for as little as $8.50. Just Google it and see what you find. What a special gift to give your children when they are older, the gift of you...

It's time for a drink!

Here is an innovative product for kids and adults...stainless steel drinking straws. Kids love using straws and Hip Hooligan parents hate adding to land fills. A 4 pack is $8.99 at www.alwaysbrilliant.com Buy these once and never throw away another straw again. They made with polished stainless steel and are dishwasher safe.

Permission Pad

Once your kids head off to school or day care, they may start heading home with someone other than yourself. Instead of taking the time to write out all the details, how about using a permission pad? This pad, does most of the writing for you, leaving you to only fill in the details. It is a time saver and a great way to stay organized. You can find it at http://www.tickletickle.com/ for $5.95

Ding Dong

It never fails...you finally get your child to sleep and then the dreaded "DING DONG"! It's happened to all of us but now there is a solution...the Bell Blocker! It's simply a doorbell cover with a small sliding door that either gives visitors access to the doorbell or covers it up with with a message of "Please Knock Thank You".

This little contraption will save you so much frustration

and it's only 6 bucks at http://www.babiesrus.com/

Sprout Baby

While in the grocery store today, I noticed this novel new way to package baby food. Sprout has taken their organic baby food and placed it in a pouch which makes it extraordinarily convenient for travel or when you are simply on-the-go. No more bulky glass containers. The Sprout packages are made with eco-friendly materials that are safe for baby. The food is organic and comes in different stages for your child. Check it out and find your supplier at http://www.sproutbabyfood.com/

Wet-N-Wild

This is a great way for your hip hooligans to beat the heat this summer. It's a big beach ball sprinkler! It's only $29.00 at http://www.potterybarnkids.com/ and this item has no shipping fees!

Reusable Sandwich Bags

Once you start packing lunch and snacks for your little hip hooligan, you go through hundreds of plastic baggies a year. Why not go for a more eco friendly route? At http://www.snacktaxi.com/, you can find reusable sandwich and snack bags made of adorable materials all for about $8.00. The inside of the snack taxi is made from waterproof materials to protect the food and the cute bag.

Rock On

If you love listening to your i pod while you walk or jog, this innovative product is for you....and your hip hooligan! For less than $30.00 you can listen to your favorite music on speakers that attach to your stroller. Why not share the music with your little one? The Stroll -A -Tune also comes with a carrier for your
i pod/MP3 I found it at www.buy.com for $24.95---Rock on!

Can It

Ok- so who ever thought that Crayon, Inc would make a drink and that it would be good for kids? I often drink out of cans and my kids always want a sip which is a big no-no in my household at their age. Most of the novelty comes from drinking from cans, so I was really happy to find these drinks. The girls love them and I don't feel guilty about the contents. Below is the manufacturer's description of what's inside:

At Crayons, our refreshing beverages are made with 33% fewer sugar grams while retaining a nice sweetness level that kids love today. Crayons® Fruit Drinks also combine the world’s first SugarGuard™ Protection System to help control the rate of sugar absorption within the body. Combine these benefits with no high fructose corn syrup, only 90 calories per serving, 30% real fruit juice and 25% RDI of Vitamins A, D and E, 100% RDI of Vitamin C, 12% RDI of Fiber and 10% RDI of Calcium, you have a real winner. Crayons® comes in five bold flavors: Outrageous Orange Mango™, Tickled Pink Lemonade™, Wild Watermelon & Berries™, Redder-Than-Ever Fruit Punch™ and Kiwi Strawberry.

Check out the website www.drinkcrayons.com to find out where the drinks are sold.

Make a Wish-o-saurus

What a way to add some spark to a birthday cake! This Wishosaurus is only $6.00 at www.amazon.com and is too cute for a little boy or someone who is as old as a dino!

Potty Caddy

If you are looking for something to inspire your child to use the potty, check out the "Potty Caddy". This caddy comes with a toilet paper roll, magazines for reading on the potty including "Vanity Fairy" and "BQ" Babies Quarterly as well as targets and everything your child needs to take this important step. Written by an M.D. for a child's perspective, the caddy also has materials that answer your child's important potty questions and makes it a process they can understand. You can find it at http://www.target.com/ for around $10.00

Do It Up!

My Hip Hooligan Sports Spikey Do's So Little Sprout Hair Products Totally Excite Me!
These Styling Aids Are Made For All Hair Types... Products Contain Organic Rosemary to Help Repel Lice & Insects, They Are Made With Natural & Organic Ingredients, Are Free of Fragrance & Soy & Just When You Think It Can't Get Any Better...The Company Does Not Test On Animals! Products Vary In Price & Can Be Found At www.originalsprout.com

Rookie Moms

I just stumbed across the book "The Rookie Mom's Handbook: 250 Activities to Do with (and Without!) Your Baby" and I wish I would have had it when I had my first newborn. There are simple tools and things to do that can help you through the tough transition of raising a newborn. You can find the book at a great website http://www.rookiemoms.com/ for under $10.00. The book is also a great gift for babyshowers.

Pull 'em Into Town

Who thinks of these things? No, it's not a toy...it's luggage! This piece of luggage has a hard exterior, 4 wheels and a multipurpose strap that can be used to pull ’riders’ or for parents to shoulder carry. I don't know about you but I think this product solves the problem of little legs in big airports. This hip gear can be found at www.luggagepoint.com for just under $50.00