Ciao Baby. Cool Baby Kid’s Final Post.

The Cool Baby Kid story dates back to pre-blogging when I created a website for my classroom using Netscape. No teacher I knew managed a website, and I had limited knowledge of creating one. After finding out my first child was coming into our family July 2006, my focus online became a site for the new baby. Shopping habits turned quickly from the latest lipgloss to finding the ultimate stroller. With some time off of work, all of the above converged as I turned my wiki of cool baby finds into a blog while somewhat unsure of exactly what blogging was all about. Cool Baby Kid was born in 2007 and has seen at least four major re-designs all with a singular focus…brining cool picks and tips to families. From baby products to educational ones, naturally over the years CBK evolved with my own interests. For instance, always a Disney lover, in 2011 when our family joined Disney Vacation Club (DVC), I began to infuse the site with weekly doses of the mouse.

 

Along the way, as with all bloggers who have been in the business of sharing their thoughts online, life happened. In 2009 I met Bridgette (Experimental Mommy) at BlogHer and together we realized bloggers who balance other life tasks–motherhood, careers, fitness–were truly Double Duty Divas.  A network of women bloggers to support each other, eventually adding post opportunities as it grew to over 1,000 members, the Divas became a springboard to Reviewers Retreat, the first blog conference geared 100% to blog/brand relationships.

 

Needless to say, double became triple duty and while relinquishing my blog was once unfathomable, the time came to streamline so many tasks and so, with a heavy heart but an excited one too, I leave Cool Bavy Kid begins to managing the Double Duty Diva blog. Together with the Diva team including Angie at My Four Monkeys and Jena from Ramblings of a Healthy Chic, I can now be found in my new Diva home.

 

Ironically this final CBK post is being finished on the morning of BlogHer12. Three years ago at BlogHer09 the new chapter of my blogging career was set in motion when I walked the streets of Chicago in slippers with two fabulous ladies from New Orleans that I hardly knew, Bridgette and Renee from What Mommies Need. Now, they’ve become close friends, business partners and an integral reason while I’m completely comfortable moving on from Cool Baby Kid to my new role. I will miss cool picks and tips but hope you’ll join me at DoubleDutyDivas.com.blog. The Divas can also be found on Facebook and Twitter although I will be blogging and tweeting as Cool Baby Kid keeping my CBK Twitter handle.
Ciao Cool Baby.

Kia Sorento Test Drive Passes with Flying Colors

With an opportunity to test drive a Kia Sorento for a week earlier this month, I can summarize by saying…I want one. Although I purchased an SUV for myself and my family earlier this year, a quick test drive around the block did not prepare me for how dirty black interior becomes with kids. More importantly, I never installed the car seat on the test drive. The fact that the seat belts are located so deep into the seat that I physically have to move them every time I put the kids in the car makes me want to run back to the dealership kicking and screaming. When Kia Motors sponsored Reviewer’s Retreat in June, I got a glimpse of the Sorento and liked what I saw. An SUV with 3rd row seating, which I now miss about my current car, it looked sharp, but would it withstand the ultimate test?

On our first evening with the 2013 Kia Sorento we headed to How to Train Your Dragon Live and the kids were excited about the “new car.” Initially, I was elated to be able to easily buckle the seat belt with booster seat. Hitting the road the bells and whistles were fun too–BLUETOOTH meant my phone synced in an instant, for instance. While this particular car was equipped with Navigation with built-in Sirius XM replaced UVO technology, they both function similarly by allowing owners to use voice control and a color touch screen to play music, answer the phone and more. I LOVE this and was more than a little sad to get back into my own car, scrolling through navigation the old-fashioned way.

A few days later on a road trip with three other mom friends, everyone had an opinion (and wanted their own Kia Sorento). Some of our favorite features included:

  • Rear camera display
  • Back up warning system
  • Air conditioned driver’s seat
  • Roomy back seat
  • Easily folding 3rd row seat
  • Power folding side view mirrors
  • Panoramic sunroof for passengers
  • Remote Keyless Entry

Having recently purchased a vechicle, it may not be feasible for me to make the switch. However, as soon as I’m able to do so, I’m sold. I never expected to miss 3rd row seating with two children…but I do. The Kia Sorento is is a sharp looking, practical family vehicle getting a lot of buzz for good reason.

Cool Tip

See what others are saying by following #Sorento on Twitter and find special offers on the Sorento in your area.

Introducing Elmo’s Musical Masterpiece for Wii & DS

Finding age-appropriate DS and Wii games isn’t always easy as the selection is less than extensive.  While “E” for everyone is technically appropriate,  we purchase mainly “EC” for Early Childhood (for our 4 and 5 year old) which tends to be more educational and attainable for our target age group. Sesame Street characters have proved the most trustworthy of this category, and I don’t hesitate to try out each new title that hits the market. ALl new “Sesame Street: Elmo’s Musical Masterpiece” is no exception.

Here’s a sample of the new game on DS:

Sesame Street” Elmo’s Musical Masterpiece retails for $19.99 and is available for DS, Wii and Nintendo DS. As you can see from the above clip, my four year old son is obsessed with catching falling instruments. Exploring music in various forms and even touching on the more academic side of music, both the Wii and DS games are age-appropriate and educational–my two prerequisites for gaming at this age.

As a teacher, I’ve often asked about limiting gaming and hoe much time we allow. The choice is individual for each family, but we actually utilize technology as a part of learning time. This is the main reason we focus on EC ratings and limit non-educational apps on the iPad, for instance. While a few minutes of Where’s My Water is fine, if kids are going to be connected personally I like there to be a value to it, especially at this young age. Sesame Street knows how to make entertainment and education not mutually exclusive which is one reason they’re easy to advocate!

Cool Tip

You can purchase both games on the Sesame Street Store.

Disney/Pixar’s Brave Playtime {Mattel Giveaway}

If your family hasn’t yet seen Brave, what can you possibly be waiting for? It’s fantastic in every way, and we plan to head to the theater to see it again soon on the big screen. Brining the character’s home, Mattel has a few new Brave toys up their belts and have given us two for Cool Baby Kid readers to check out for themselves in a cool new giveaway.

My five year old tested both and especially loves the Castle & Forest Playset. We re-created Merida’s dash into the forest with the playset having two distinct play areas. The mini-Merida or “small doll” rides her trusty horse Angus and can be expanded with the Disney/Pixar Brave Small Doll Playset. My daughter loves these size dolls and carries them with her just about everywhere. And the Disney/Pixar Brave Gem Styling Merida Doll (complete with reversible cape and bow/arrow) fits right in with the other Disney Princesses. This is she and her friends about to color with my daughter.

Product Details

Brave Gem Styling Merida doll gives girls the chance to decorate Merida’s signature blue gown or red hair with “gems.” They can even flip her reversible cape to reveal a beautiful sparkly print. $20.99, Age: 3+

Brave Castle & Forest Playset brings Merida’s magical world comes to life. When closed the play set is outdoor “forest” where Merida can venture with Angus. Open the play set to play out Merida’s life within the kingdom. $26.99, Age: 3+

Product samples were provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% my own.

Cool Giveaway

Enter to win both products featured by commenting on this post. For extra entries (leave a seperate comment for each):

Determine to win? Check out even more entry possibilities. Contest ends 7/29/12.

Tea Collection 10th Anniversary Collection

For 10 years, Tea Collection has brought worldwide cultures and modern design to children’s fashion. To celebrate their decade of global inspiration, Tea has created a Tenth Anniversary Collection from their favorite pieces. Browse collections inspired from Japan, Brazil, Korea, Turkey, & West Africa! These adorable pieces are a must-have for back-to-school. Let your children travel the world with Tea Collection. Happy Shopping!

Top 5 New Disney iPhone/iPad Apps {Giveaway}

Disney's Brave Storybook Deluxe

For $6.99 this iPhone, iPad and iPod touch compatible app is aimed at children 5 and up. As with all storybook deluxe apps, it includes read along and recordable story options plus games, puzzles and more. A cross between film and book, Merida comes to life, and the archer game is addictive!

Brave Interactive Comic

At just $1.99 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch this app geared toward slightly older children (7-12) is as interactive as it gets. Watch and listen to the Brave story with budding artists getting drawing lessons and more. For youngsters it's a great alternative way to learn Merida's story.

Disney Classics App: The Jungle Book

Available for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch and geared toward ages 3-7, we not only love singing along to "Bare Necessities" but creating songs on the drums and of course reading along with the "Jungle Book" story. We've "rediscovered" the film thanks to this cool app!

Learn Chinese: Toy Story 3

Disney Language Learning bring you an iPad app ($4.99) designed to help youngsters ages 7-adult master 100 new words, making "learning time" fun. While we haven't tested this out just yet, it's on our radar and looks like a winner.

The Aristocats: Disney Classics

For iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, this classics app includes everything we've come to expect from Disney apps including read alongs, puzzles and games. Tap a song on the piano and re-discover Duchess and her three kittens with this cool new Disney app.
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Cool Tip/Giveaway

Use these direct links to purchase each of the apps listed above on iTunes:

Enter to win the Disney app of your choice by commenting on this post. Leave a separate comment for each:

Determine to win? Check out even more entry possibilities. Contest ends 7/10/12.

Pampers and Eli Manning Honor “Most Valuable Dads”

Once again the Pampers team made myself as well as the other Pampers Baby Board members feel like family when they included us on a neat opportunity to meet 2-time Superbowl MVP, Quarterback Eli Manning on Sunday at the Mets games as a part of their “Most Valuable Dad” campaign. In the above video Eli explains his Pampers partnership as 14-month old daughter Mia wears “the best” equipment just like her athlete dad.

While we used Pampers for over 5 years straight with two children (and continue to use Pampers wipes every day), it was only until partnering with them on the Baby Board did our family get to know and love them even more. Respectful of bloggers and the time and effort that goes into a site like Cool Baby Kid, understanding of how each little one is a miracle and everyone wants the best for their babies and inventive in ways to share their community–from Most Valuable Dads and other programs, Gifts to Grow Rewards and a new interactive website–Pampers GETS IT. Which is why we dig them so much.

And though Father’s Day is over, Pampers isn’t finished pampering dads. Just visit www.pampers.com or their Facebook page for a chance to win exciting prizes for dads and their little sluggers.

My family would like to personally thank Pampers for the opportunity to meet Eli Manning and spend a unique Father’s Day at the Mets game, although my son has taken to saying “Let’s Go Mets” which is slightly distressing since he’s supposed to be a Yankees fan. Disclaimer: Pampers provided us the trip, and I am a member of the Pampers Baby Board.

Discover Boating: A Smart Boater’s Resource

Lake Wallenpaupack, PA

When my parents bought a boat last summer, we were introduced to the world of “boating” and love that our kids relish this time already. In just one season we learned the ropes–docking, safety, fishing spot, storage–and even navigated a “sinking” incident. (While the boat did not actually sick, it was taking on water and needed to be towed for repairs.)

When given the opportunity to check out Disvoer Boating and navigate the site a bit, we jumped at the chance to learn more about the whole new world. Here are just a few facts we found.

Myth: I cant afford a boat.
Fact: You can finance a boat, just like a car— in fact, you can own a new boat for as little as $250 month! !* In 2008, the average retail price of an outboard boat was $18,513. The average retail price of an outboard boast package (boat, engine and trailer) was $28,388.

Myth: I don’t have access to water.
Fact: Did you know that nearly ninety percent of Americans live less than an hour from a navigable body of water? This means that water access…

Sections of the site include information from those interested in boating to resources for experienced boating families.

For those considering a boat the site also includes interactive tools such as the Boat Selector Tool with ways to understand the different types and sizes of boats available and Try Before You Buy with research on ways to get out on the water without owning. Since we didn’t buy the boat ourselves, this is an area we’re not as familiar with, but any reader interested in learning more such definitely check out the site or feel free to ask questions; it’s a lifestyle and activity we highly recommend if your family can find a way to make it possible.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Discover Boating and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Cool Tip

Want to learn more about boating? Order this free Get Started in Boating DVD packed with information.

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