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.

Kiwi Crate: An Easy Way to Craft with Kids

Admission…I am as non-crafty as they come. When I was on sabbatical from work last year I walked around AC Moore and Michael’s somewhat aimlessly, usually ending up with foam figures and more crayons. COntacted by Kiwi Crate, a unqiue “all in one” kids’ craft crate delivered directly to your doorstep, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to engage in crafts with the kids. We created a comet, fairy wand and “people” as they now call their new kids crafts.

For $19.95 a month you can join or gift Kiwi Crate (geared toward kids ages 3-7) and receive a crate each month designed by a team of parents with an advisory board that includes experts in science, art, education and child development. See sample crates such as the “Fairy Princess” we received or the “Dinosaur Crate” featured. For gifts or every birthday parties (party packs include mini-projects like the dolls my kids created), Kiwi Crate in a fun, original way to craft with kids saving people like myself aimless trips to the craft store!

Watch “Opening Kiwi Crate Projects”

Cool Tip

Join Kiwi Crate per month or save money on an annual subscription.

Zooligans: Fun Kids’ “Animal” Shoes {Giveaway}

I know my kids well enough to have very specific criteria for shoes. That they are easy to get on and off, have a little room to grow without being big, and of course, that they are cute.

All new Zooligans is a cool pick that meets all criteria and then some. The “Paw Flex” flexible soles not only looks like paw but allows for added flexibility for both comfort and foot protection. Above all though, they are so stinkin’ adorable I wish we owned every pair. Designed for both boys and girls–from bunnies and bears to monkeys and alligators–these unique kids’ shoes comes in sizes 4-12. In addition to various retailers, Zooligans can be purchased on ShoeBuy.com and Amazon.

A great gift, the box even transforms into a pet carrier! Read more about the benefits and how Zooligans are engineered for kids’ feet and check out our cool giveaway of the winner’s choice of shoes below.

A product sample was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% my own.

Cool Giveaway

Enter to win winner’s choice of Zooligans shoes by commenting on this post. For extra entries (leave a separate comment for each):

Determine to win? Check out even more entry possibilities. Contest ends 7/5/12.

 

Summer Learning Time #BeatSummerSlide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The teacher in me feels compelled to integrate “Learning Time” into each day of summer vacation. Follow #BeatSummerSlide on Twitter to follow our progress, get new preschool learning resources and share ideas. This particular workbook is Sylvan Learning “Grade K.”

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As a Language Arts teacher, I can testify to the dreaded “summer slide” though currently in our district only 8th graders heading to honors classes have summer reading requirements. From preschoolers to high schoolers, all students would benefit from a program to stay sharp and continue the skills they’ve begun to build on during the school year.

With a four and five year old at home and the older one heading to Kindergarten in the fall, I will turn into “homeschool mom” this summer, designating a “Learning Time” each day to work on reading, writing and more. Making it easier for me to stay structured,  the experts at PBS KIDS and Scholastic with their Summer Reading Challenge will send daily emails with literacy-building tips and activities. In addition, you’ll also receive book suggestions and discounts, free downloads of PBS KIDS shows and a daily chance to win $1,000 and other great prizes.

Last evening we kicked off our own Summer Reading program during a Reading Party complete with Super Why notebooks, “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick” from Scholastic Publishing, Word Girl stickers, bookmarks and more. And while I’m a pro with 8th graders, teaching little ones is still new territory to me, so it’s great to know our Summer Reading Challenge coach is none other than Angela Santomero, Creator, Executive Producer and Head Writer of SUPER WHY!

Join our family this summer and share your progress by using hashtag #summerslide on Twitter where I’ll be chronicling our daily Learning Time and hopefully getting ideas from readers as well.

Disclaimer: We received sample products for review purposes; all opinions are 100% our own.

Cool Resources

Summer Fun Sprinklers with Little Kids {Giveaway}

It’s finally started to heat up in PA after an unusually chilly Spring. Last weekend for Memorial Day we were treated to a beautiful sunny and HOT few days taking us a bit by surprise for this time of year. With our pool not open and ready to go just yet, it was the perfect time to get out our new Soak N’ Splash™ Water Limbo Sprinkler.  Shooting water out to create a limbo stick, I spent some time explaining limbo and even though they ducked under the water facing forward, I gave my preschool-aged kiddos a little leeway.

The tiki head plays music making it a true limbo experience. Tons of fun and using water in a whole new way, they got a kick out of the fact mom got all wet when it was her turn! Check out the Soak n’ Splash in action:

 Dora Water Sprinkler

Also from Little Kids, the brand that brought us brilliant No Spill Bubbles, we then set up a second sprinkler that I knew would be a hit. Simply press the Dora Water Sprinkler into the ground and watch the kids go crazy! We made a game out of touching Dora’s head which, of course, had everyone giggling like crazy since they got soaked every time. Often with a pool I forget how simple yet pleasurable sprinklers are for the kids. Once it’s open I’ll be sure to keep both handy for a change of pace and alternative way to both cool down and have a blast outdoors this summer.

Cool Tip

Buy a Dora Water Sprinkleror Little Kids Soak n Splash Water Limbo Sprinkler from our Amazon affiliate shop.

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

Cool Giveaway

Enter to win a Little Kids Soak n’ Splash by commenting on this post about your favorite summertime activity. For extra entries:

Determine to win? Check out even more entry possibilities. Contest ends 6/15/12.

Ultimate Guide to Princesses at Walt Disney World Resort

*Photo Credits, WDWNews

Dining

  • Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom includes multiple princesses for either breakfast, lunch or dinner but booked quickly so call 407-WDW-DINE exactly 180 days before your reservation. (Cost: $36-$59.99)
  • Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway Pavillon, Epcot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. (Cost: $36-$59.99)
  • Try Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner in  1900Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is hosted by Disney princess Cinderella, Prince Charming and their Storybook Friends. (Cost: $36-$59.99)
  • Kids age 4-12 can join Disney friends from Wonderland, like Alice and the Mad Hatter, for a Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. (Cost: $36-$59.99)
  • Perfectly Princess Tea Party is the ultimate princess experience! A Sleeping Beauty meet and greet with kids age 3-11 who receive their own “My Disney Girl” doll, princess bracelet, scrapbook page, “best friend” certificate, fresh rose and ribbon tiara. ICost: $175.88 child, $89.68 adult)

Accomodations

Character Greetings & Sightings

Shows

Special Experiences

Cool Tip

Opening in phases beginning March 2012, the new Fantasyland will include all sorts of princess experiences including Fantasyland Forest inspired by The Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast, plus castles, Belle’s library, Gaston’s Tavern, Seven Dwarfs Mine train and more.

FREE Disney Apps Including Jake’s Never Land Pirate School

Cool Tips

In addition to gearing up for another  ”Yo Ho, Let’s Go Summer!” with new games, activities and more on DisneyJunior.com. Just as exciting, they released two new FREE apps including “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally Appisode” and “Jake’s Never Land Pirate School” for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch available in the iTunes app store.

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