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Seventh Birthday Gifts

R., who sometimes reads this blog over my shoulder, has been asking me every day when I am going to write a post about her birthday gifts, since I wrote about some of S's favorite 4th birthday gifts. So, even though it's over a month late, here are some of the presents that made her smile most as she turned 7.

Pink Pig Pillow Pet ($19.99). Apparently thousands of other 7-year-olds needed to have this immediately after seeing the TV commercial; they are sold out. Try Ebay instead. (Thanks, Aunt E.).

Shrinky Dinks Friends, Fashion & Fun ($12.10 at Amazon.com). This is one of those retro toys that you love to introduce to your kids because secretly you can't wait to play with it yourself. R. and I had so much fun coloring these together and then watching them curl up and "cook" in the oven. A great gift for the 7 and up crowd. (Thanks, Chavie!)

Alex Toys Slip 'Em On Decorate-Your-Own Sneakers ($16.99). R. must have 5 pairs of slippers at this point, but these are now her favorite. (Thanks, Mia!)

Spunky The Extra Large Pink Puppy Dog by Gund ($52.99 at ToyShelf.com). No matter how old my baby girl gets, she loves her stuffed animals, which I think is very sweet. She begged for this one last year during a visit to FAO Schwarz with Grandma and Grandpa, and they gave it to her for her birthday (Thanks, G & G!)

Who else has a child who turned 7 recently? What were his/her favorite gifts?

Toys "R" Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids

I've been meaning to write since August about Toys "R" Us's new 2010 edition of its Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, a user-friendly booklet that helps parents of children with special needs select toys that develop skills through different types of play. This year, actress and philanthropist (and parent of a child with autism) Holly Robinson Peete appears on the cover of the guide along with Tommy Austing, a 6-year-old boy from Los Angeles, CA. The guide is the largest edition ever (60 pages) and is available in both Spanish and English. It provides specific toy recommendations based on research that Toys "R" Us conducts in association with the National Lekotek Center to find out which toys provide the best play value during therapeutic play sessions for children with special needs. As a result, the guide can tell you, for example, that fine motor skills are honed through play with theMelissa & Doug Magnetic Number Maze ($16.99), or that tactile/sensory issues are addressed with Crayola Presto Dots ($9.99). These are just a sampling of some ideas that will be invaluable for teachers, parents, relatives, and friends of children with special needs. As a parent of children with special needs, I applaud Toys "R" Us for this effort. The guide is available in-store, and if you are shopping online you can access it through a dedicated website here, where you can also search by skill, price and age range.

Bargain Alert: Designer Watches at Totsy

Alert the media. I just bought myself my first new watch in ten years. And I got it for free (sort of). I bought it at a flash sale at Totsy, where I had earned enough referral credits to purchase this Invicta Wildflower Cystal Accent Two-Tone Watch (on sale at Totsy for $59, retails for $495) for absolutely nothing (well, just $7.95 shipping). How 'bout that? I can't do the math quickly, but that is, um, a huge discount. See, it pays to be an expert online shopper. I have very classic, simple taste when it comes to watches (most jewelry, in fact) so I am excited for my new watch- made of stainless steel with 18k gold-plated accents and white Austrian crystals- to arrive. The designer watch event actually ends today at Totsy so hurry over for more huge deals; if you aren't able to access Totsy through any of these links you probaby aren't a member yet; use this link for an instant invitation code to join and start shopping right away.

Presenting Tallulah

I make no guarantees about the quality of Tori Spelling's new children's book Presenting . . . Tallulah, because I haven't seen it yet. But, yes, I will be buying it (did you really think I wouldn't)? After all, Tori herself just sent me a handwritten note- yippee!!! More on that another time. For now, I can tell you that the just-released book- which is about a little girl who discovers what she is good at after being told all the things she is NOT supposed to do- can be purchased for just $9.93 at our affiliate Amazon.com. I eagerly await my own copy and will tell you what I think of it.

Rainy Days Get Less Gloomy

Here in New York City where you walk your kids to school, there's nothing trickier than navigating a morning downpour while your four-year-old fiddles with a broken umbrella and complains that his/her boots are leaking. I've had a lot of success in the raingear department, though, with our affiliate Hatley, where I've bought my kids raincoats, boots, and umbrellas for the past two years. What first attracted me to Hatley was that their kids' raincoats are all PVC-free (while I like the cute Kidorable froggy designs and such, I don't know why they refuse to switch over to PVC-free). And I happen to like Hatley designs better for slightly older kids. Since S. outgrew last year's coat and boots, I just bought him one of Hatley's brand new designs for boys, this Rescue Animals Boys' Raincoat ($48.99, size 3T-7) along with coordinating Rescue Animals Kids' Rain Boots ($34.99, up to size 12) and Rescue Animals Kids' Umbrella ($19.99). Yes, it's a bit more than I usually spend, but it's well worth it. This is high-quality apparel; the rain jackets are lined and machine washable, the boots don't leak, and the umbrellas don't break like the latest Disney one (though, of course, you'll feel compelled to buy a new one if you change designs). Browse around the new fall designs at Hatley, and order fast if you see something you like- the popular sizes sell out quickly (also, a buying tip- if in doubt about boot sizes, go down a size; they tend to run big). It's a beautiful 80 degree here in NY today, but before you know it, the chilly fall days (and rain) will be upon us!

Psst! I have two ways for you to save money on your Hatley order. First, ALL orders of $50 or more automatically get free shipping (no code needed). Second, use code "RMN20" to get $20 taken off your order of $85 or more now through September 30th (thanks to RetailMeNot.com for this one).

Best Boy Wall Art

This personalized tricycle wall art by Hip Kid Art has been one of my favorite decor items for boys ever since I posted it at this blog over 3 years ago. So I was excited to spot it on sale at Zulily (a site I check every morning) in 2 sizes- 24 x 18 (on sale for $89.99; originally $125) or 12 x 12 (on sale for $49.99; originally $75). Each giclee-printed heavyweight canvas is gallery wrapped around a wooden frame, and ready to hang on the wall. And the light blue/navy/red color combo is one of my absolute favorites for little boys. Can't go wrong with these either for yourself or as an extra-special baby gift or birthday gift.

Having trouble clicking on the Zulily links because you're not a member yet? Click here for an invitation to join. It's an awesome site and I am somewhat obsessed with it, to say the least.

Introducing the Leapster Explorer

I was lucky to receive a sample Leapster Explorer Learning Game System recently for my young "product testers" to review. Since 7-year-old R. recently got a DS for her birthday (another story for another time), 4-year-old S. got to try out the new Leapster Explorer, which is designed for children ages 4-9. I wasn't sure how he'd take to it. These products promise the moon...the company calls the new Explorer an "extraordinary new learning experience that encourages children to discover something new every day with endless ways to play and learn." Supposedly there are 40+ games and activities including a camera/video recorder (we haven't quite figured that one out yet). We *have* figured out some of the basic included games (of course, the extra games you have to purchase cost a fortune and I am terrible at figuring out how to download the online games). And the thing seems to eat up batteries fairly quickly. Those are the downsides. The upside? My kid loves it. He is happy and triumphant when he succesfully completes a game ("I winned!!!"). While I wouldn't go so far as to call it an "extraordinary new learning experience," I do think he is actually is getting something out of the phonics and numbers games. And, he has something to play while his sister plugs away at her new DS. So if you are already desensitized to the concept (and high cost) of these handheld video games, then go ahead and check out the new Leapster Explorer ($64.99 at Amazon). Just buy some spare batteries while you're at it, and a few extra games. Have fun!

I received a product sample for this review, but the views expressed are entirely my own (and my children's!)

Bargain Alert: Amazon Mom

I've sung the praises of my Amazon Prime membership here many times before (a $79 yearly membership gives you unlimited free 2-day shipping on thousands of items), but I think the new Amazon Mom membership program may be an even better deal, particularly if your kids are still in diapers. Basically, Amazon Mom is a free 3-month trial of Amazon Prime (well-timed for holiday shopping), aimed at families with babies and toddlers (you don't actually have to be a mom to join). If you join the program (remember, it's free), you'll get free two-day shipping and up to 30% off diapers and wipes, which if I remember correctly are the most frequent and costly purchase during those first few years. So that will add up to lots of savings over three months. And if free two-day shipping isn't fast enough for you, you can upgrade to one-day shipping for $3.99 a purchase. Amazon Mom members will also get exclusive discounts tailored to their family if they choose to provide their child's name, gender and birthday, though this is entirely optional. And what happens when those 3 free months are up? Well, for each $25 you've spent within a single order from Amazon's Baby Store, you'll get an additional month Amazon Prime shipping benefits for up to one year. It's as pretty good deal. Interested? Sign up for a free Amazon Mom membership here; you can cancel or opt-out at any time. If you sign up, let me know how it goes.

Mama, It's Cold Outside

It's starting to get a little chilly, and if past winters are any indication, by Thanksgiving my children will be fully outfitted in new winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves, while I will be shivering in an old jacket and mismatched mittens from the drugstore. But I've taken a step towards taking care of myself, too, by purchasing some winter accessories from Zulily today, where there's a super sale of women's winter gear by San Diego Hat Company (I hadn't heard of them either). These cute knit beanies, berets, and scarves add a punch of color to your winter wardrobe, and ensure that your kids aren't the only ones staying warm in style. Shown above: the Multi-color red pom-pom beanie ($9.99; retails for $25). I'm pairing it with the Berry Knit Scarf ($11.99; retails for $30). Maybe for once, my daughter will wish something of mine comes in her size. Check out the San Diego Hat Company sale for moms at Zulily.

Haven't joined members-only Zulily yet? Don't worry- you can click on this link for an invitation and start scooping up their killer sales right away. Plus, you'll get a $10 credit for each friend you refer who makes a purchase. Win-win for everyone!

Halloween Costumes, Part 1: Cool for Big Kids

Somehow I am writing about Halloween costumes earlier every year. I noticed that some of the ones I wanted to tell you about were already starting to sell out, which is why I'm posting these suggestions in mid-September! Here are some for "big kids", by which I mean children who can already stand up on their own (I'll write a separate post about all those cute bunting-type costumes for babes-in-arms who are forced into multiple peapod costumes and the like for their first Halloweens...)

Girls' "Best Friends" Halloween Costumes ($22.50) at Old Navy. Perfect for your 'tween who is inseparable from her BFF.

Pizza Slice Costume ($34.98, sizes 7-10) from Lillian Vernon. Giant food costumes always crack people up. Guaranteed.

Gnome on a Mushroom ($78, sizes 2-8) at Chasing Fireflies. Nothing like a sight gag for some fun. At a decent price for this site, too.

Hamburger Costume ($22.50, sizes up to 5T, limited quantities) by Old Navy. It's a knock-off of S's beloved Pottery Barn cheeseburger costume from Halloween 2008, but not a bad one at that.

Michael Jackson Costume Essentials ($7.98-$39.98, up to sizes 8-10) by Lillian Vernon. It had to happen, right? Moonwalk instructions not included.

Personalized Astronaut ($60, sizes 18mos-8/10) at Chasing Fireflies. For a personalized costume, this is a pretty good deal and is a great dress-up costume for a boy year-round.

Indian Maharani Princess ($78, 4-14) at Chasing Fireflies. A gorgeous costume I haven't seen before.

Bargain Alert: Halloween at Totsy

We don't start decorating our apartment till October 1st, but I just bought some cute new Halloween stuff courtesy of a store credit at Totsy. I've mentioned Totsy to you before- it's a popular members-only "deal of the day" site geared towards moms who love to shop (which is probably 99% of you reading this). If you're not already a Totsy member, you can join via this link. Totsy's newly revamped site offers up to 70% off products for kids ages newborn to age 7, including toys, travel accessories, clothing, and decor. So far, it's the only site of its kind already offering Halloween sales. Here's what I scooped up:

Cat Dancer and Skeleton Dancer Decorations by Party Partners ($2.00 each; originally $4.95). These will look fun hanging from the living room ceiling.

Lion Wrap N Ride by Aeromax ($12.48; originally $24.95). I'm starting to realize I should've bought two of these. I anticipate the kids fighting over it.

My Little Night Owl Snuggle Sack by Baby Aspen ($22, originally $39.99). OK, I didn't buy this one, but I love, love, love baby bunting Halloween costumes. If I had a newborn this would be a top choice for me.

Yep, it's only September. But before you turn around, the days will be getting shorter, the leaves will be falling, and costumes will be selling out. Get a head start on some Halloween shopping at Totsy. And I'll be posting plenty more Halloween finds in the days and weeks to come.

Step Up From Staples

Considering that I write a shopping blog about kids' products, I'm a little embarrassed that I bought my daughter the plainest folders imaginable at Staples less than 24 hours before school started. But, hey, we had already spent (gulp) $60 on everything on her 2nd grade school supply list and with SIXTEEN folders still left to go (16 folders for 2nd grade!) I am glad that we were at Staples where we got them all for just over $2. That being said, had I planned ahead more (and had a larger budget), I would have loved to have ordered her at least a few of these much groovier Personalized School Folders from our affiliate Frecklebox. At $4.95 apiece, they ain't cheap (at least compared to Staples), but for a special back-to-school treat, I think one or two are perfectly reasonable. And I like that Frecklebox has widened its range of designs (click here to see just a few)- the new "Tweety Peety", "Purple People Eater", and "Cars" are some of my favorites. So if you haven't crossed folders off that supply list yet, consider taking a look at Frecklebox.

What a 4-Year-Old Boy Loves

I've learned that having kids whose birthdays are twelve days apart doesn't leave much breathing room (or time for thank-you notes, which I always like to send out punctually, but send out later and later each year). Now both kids' birthdays have passed, but I am still finishing up thank you notes for both. Here were some of S's favorite gifts (in addition to the Fisher Price Imaginext DC Batcave), which I think all are good recommendations for little boys under age 5:

International Playthings Lift-off Rocket ($34.95 at Genius Babies). S. and R. fight over whose turn it is to play the "liftoff sequence." My sister gave this to S. paired with Byron Barton's I Want to Be an Astronaut ($6.99 at Amazon.com). (Thanks, E.!)

Tomy Pop-Up Pirate Game($11.99 at Amazon.com). S. squeals just as much each time the pirate pops up- even for the 1000th time. (Thanks, Jonah!)

Automoblox T9 Truck ($34.99 at Target.com). S. adores his blue Automoblox car, so I was touched when R. asked if she could buy him a green one, too, for his birthday. Now he plays with his "blue guys" and "green guys" (the little peg people) together. (Thanks, R.!)

Mega Bloks Yo Gabba Gabba Plex's Tour Buggy ($25.99 at Amazon.com). A perfect gift for the boy who had a YGG-themed 4th birthday party. (Thanks, Ronnie & Michael!)

Do you have a son aged 4 (or thereabouts)? What are some of his favorite toys?

Playtime New York Roundup: Part 2

I'm back from vacation and busy catching up. Thanks for bearing with me while I finish up my posts about Playtime New York and BlogHer '10. Here are some more of my top kids' finds from the former (and check back later today for a giveaway from the latter):

I was so excited to meet the team behind Soft Clothing (also one of our new affiliates). Remember I mentioned this company earlier this summer when they had a sale at Totsy? I had heard about Soft Clothing several months ago from one of my son's Early Intervention therapists; she told me that some women had created this fantastic new clothing line specifically to meet the needs of children with sensory problems (such as children who have "tactile defensiveness" in which the feel of clothing tags may be unbearable to them). The clothing is all tagless, flat-seamed, and, yes, very soft. Plus it goes up to size 7/8- since sensory difficulties may not always have disappeared by that age/size. Take a look at some of their products, including cute graphic tees and color block dresses. (p.s. I may be working with this brand some more...a trunk show, perhaps? Stay tuned).

Next is Kit and Lili, a brand which I first met at the indie Bubble trade show a few years ago. It has soared to success since then; you may recognize their clothing and accessories from other shops and catalogs such as Chasing Fireflies. Their bold, modern Marimekko-inspired designs are winners with both moms and kids. And, we may have a giveaway with them soon. See, lots of good news when I disappear on vacation for a little while!

Ready for unbelievable cuteness? Check out Little Mave, which bills itself as "vintage inspired pretties for babies and girls." If you've got a little girl to spoil, you must check out these beautiful hand-made ruffled diaper covers ($28, up to size 24 months) and bloomers ($36, up to size 6).

It is always a pleasure running into the folks at 3 Sprouts, another designer I met early on who has now enjoyed success with retaukers like Giggle and The Company Store. New this season: organic hanging wall organizers, and eco-friendly art smocks (please note the prices in the photos are wholesale; the smock costs $24 at Giggle).

Playtime was a debut trade show for SoYoung Mother, a company that makes eco-friendly "lifestyle" bags for moms & kids, including diaper bags and lunch bags. (Apologies- from this point on I accidentally deleted the photos I took, so I grabbed the remaining photos from the designers' own sites)

Feast your eyes on these gorgeous handmade goodies for kids by clemence g., a designer who hails from, bien sur, Paris. You can buy their lovelies stateside from time to time at Comptoir D'en France.

Last but not least, I was introduced to Bequita, a children's clothing designer with products for ages 6 months to 6 years. The designer, Rebecca Bardes, was inspired by time she spent volunteering in China and uses signature details such as hand-drawn fabric prints, Chinese knot closures, and mandarin collars. So pretty, and made with certified 100% organic cotton, too.

Missed Part 1 of my Playtime New York Roundup? You can read it here.

Back-to-School at Layla Grayce

Our affiliate Layla Grayce is running a special on all of its Back to School products (see coupon code below). This includes Skip Hop's popular new "Owl" design for its toddler backpack, which I've spotted in a bunch of fall magazines. Love this one. The toddler packs are the perfect size for preschoolers (10 x 11.5") and are completely BPA-Free, Phthalate-free, and PVC Free. There's a matching lunchpack, too, if you can stand the cuteness. Order one for $20 at Layla Grayce.

Enjoy a 10% discount on all back-to-school items at Layla Grayce with code "BACK4FALL" now through August 31st.

Bargain Alert: The Baby Bunch Boys' Gift Set

I'm always on the lookout for bargain baby gifts at Amazon.com's baby outlet, and I just found a really good one: The Baby Bunch Large Bucket (Blue): 0 to 6 Months. A baby gift that is both beautifully presented and supremely practical, this gift set contains a bib, t-shirt, hat, leggings, onesie, and two pairs of socks, all made of soft 100% cotton and styled for a baby boy in various shades of blue and white. The clothes are all generously sized for infants up to six months (or 16 lbs, whichever comes first). What new mom wouldn't love this? And, the regular retail price is $54.95, but it's on sale at Amazon for just $27 (a savings of 51%). So you'll be giving a very nice gift without spending a fortune. Buy one (or two) now at Amazon.com for the next baby boy you'll need to spoil with a special gift.

New York State of Mind

I moved to New York City sixteen years ago today, August 18, 1994. My first apartment had a Jennifer convertible sofabed, a card table, a mattress, an empty refrigerator, and a clunky princess phone. No computer, no e-mail, no cell phone (just a roll of quarters for the pay phone downstairs). That year in New York City, Rudy Guiliani was the (relatively new) mayor, a quick cab ride cost only $3, and there were no Metrocards (tokens only, please). I was two months into my first post-college job as a curatorial assistant at the Whitney Museum, and I slowly built a new social life while my college boyfriend and I were "on a break." I was 21 years old. It is hard to believe that I felt "old" at the time. Ha!

That first year out of college is a special one no matter which city you're in, I'm sure, but personally I think it is even more exquisitely experienced in New York City, where, like it or not, you're going to "live a little" in every possibly way. New York bombards you with people, places, experiences, sights, sounds, and smells 24/7. It's overwhelming at first, but it gives you a lot of fun stuff to recall later on. I look back at that time in my life with sweet nostalgia.

If you're a New Yorker and know what I mean, you should check out this book My First New York: Early Adventures in the Big City (As Remembered by Actors, Artists, Athletes, Chefs, Comedians, Filmmakers, Mayors, Models, Moguls, Porn Stars, Rockers, Writers, and Others). I flipped through it in a bookstore several months ago and I loved it. There is something so wonderful (and, to use a cliche, "so New York") about recognizing the same feelings experienced by contributors including Amy Sedaris, Andy Samberg, Chloe Sevigny, Kara Walker, and Parker Posey. The trepidation, the panic, and eventually the love affair that (often) sets in between you and this great big town.

My fellow New York City readers, how long have you lived here?

Must These Really Be Pink?

I've asked before whether you can have too much pink baby gear and toys. I've noticed over the past year that lots of toys which used to just be in primary or neutral colors are being "feminized" in pink versions. Which seems to be a marketing ploy because, honestly, when these popular toys only came in primary colors, my then-toddler daughter and her girl friends played with them just fine. What do you think? Would you specifically buy the products above in their pink versions versus their originals? I personally wouldn't have done so for my firstborn daughter, since I figured I might have a son later on. I even bought her some unisex pajamas to wear at night so that I'd have at least a few hand-me-downs for that hypothetical boy. I realize other moms might not be as thrift-minded!

Take a look at these:

Fisher-Price Little People Spin 'N Fly Airplane - Pink

Playskool Busy Ball Popper - Pink

Little People - Little Movers Pink School Bus

LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table - Pink

We had all of these in their original colors. Would you buy these for a daughter?