Twirl

My daughter is the kind of girl who will change outfits three times a day if she has the chance, and will choose a skirt or a dress every time. (No, she didn't get this from me!) 

So when a friend raved about the reversible dresses from Twirly Girl, I knew I had found the perfect gift for the grandparents to give Bea for Christmas.  The construction is impeccable and the colors are outrageous. We're going to have to peel it off of her. 

(And I have to admit, it looks awfully fun to have such a swishy skirt. Wonder if they make adult sizes??)

Because airplane seats are so close together that you can't pick things up off the floor

These markers are brilliant -- the caps stay attached, so there's no chasing them down when you're traveling. And they're six to a pack, an ideal number for a trip. Oh, and washable of course! They're definitely more expensive, but worth it to have a pack or two around, I think.

They're Crayola Flip-Top Markers, and I bought them at TRU.

For General Audiences

As most of us parents know, it's hard to judge a movie by its cover. Just because it's animated doesn't mean it's appropriate or fun for little ones. And I've found that my memory is not necessarily accurate. (Somehow I have no memory of the drunken sidekick and child selling ring in Pete's Dragon. Oops.) 

Since my son seems particularly sensitive to movies,  Common Sense Media has been a huge help. I've found their age ratings to be spot-on for him. And they rate chapter books as well as movies. Now when he's interested in seeing or reading something new, he tells me to go look it up, and we both accept what Common Sense recommends. It's a win-win for our family.

Thanks to Greg Robbins on Flickr for the use of this Creative Commons photo.

A Million Words

Photographer Anita Maya. Love her. She's amazing. Isn't my one-year-old son just dreamy?

Thwack!

As a former high school soccer player, I love the feel of the Oball. It's easy to juggle, and then there's the satisfying sound it makes as it hits the garage door again and again. Lightweight, colorful, and good for all ages. I just saw them at Target, although they only had the smaller size (4.5" diameter) and not the larger (7.5" diameter). Happy thwacking!

Happy walls

On a whim this weekend, we finally started putting up these wall decals we bought for Ronan's room almost a year ago. They look fantastic! I'm so thrilled with how easy they were to apply (well, and also thrilled because my husband actually did the applying). We used the regular ones, so you can remove them easily, but not re-stick them.

They really look like they're painted on, and I love the sense of color and whimsy they add to the room. We also put some on his closet doors.

And yes, that's a Delta frequent flyer card JP is using to smooth them on. It was issued to Ronan when he was one. We declined the American Express card, however!

Bilibo!

As an adult, you're probably asking, what is a Bilibo, and what the heck would you do with this thing? Have no fear -- your kids will know what to do!

Watch the movie here if you're still not convinced.

Available from many online retailers, including Fat Brain Toys.

A most excellent stroller

The Phil and Ted's E3 is a single jogging-type stroller, but you can hook a second seat on. The maneuverability is unbelievable; there's never a worry about whether you'll fit through the door. The combined weight limit for the two seats is 88 lbs., but luckily the air-filled rubber tires make pushing fairly effortless.

The downsides: price (although I imagine the resale value is pretty good), lack of storage space (we sprung for the panniers, which you can see in the photo), and the possibility that the kid in the back will want to touch the spinning tires of death. People often comment that Beatrix, seated in the back, can't see anything, but she has plenty to see out the sides. At any rate, she's never complained!

In addition, if your kids are really close in age, I probably wouldn't recommend the E3. I'd check out the Mountain Buggy Urban Double, or something similar. The beauty of the E3 for us is that it's a great single, with the capacity to be a pretty amazing double.

An all-purpose essential

Before Christmas, I was lucky enough to get into a toy co-op that included a gorgeous German brand: Grimm's Spiel and Holz. I think my favorite item so far is the beautiful wooden nesting boxes. They're big, and they just have so many possibilities: little houses, garages, towers, pots for cooking.

S&H puzzles are also drool-worthy. Not all of their items are readily available in the U.S., unfortunately, but Three Sisters Toys carries some (check the Stacking & Nesting and Games & Puzzles links for the selection).

Lovey?

To the left you'll see a pile of rejected lovies. I don't know why I've always wanted my kids to adopt a special comfort item. I think I'm probably projecting my own desire -- how lovely to have one special, cozy, snuggly item that makes you feel better!

On the flip side, you have the risk of loss or damage. I still remember the family vacation when my younger brother's yellow quilted blanket was lost forever.

But still I persist. Here's the latest attempt. Baby Jayne's is owned by an acquaintance of mine, and this blanket is scrumptious. If Bea ends up discarding it, it's destined to become my lovey!

Why I love Hanna

Andersson, that is. This photo shows my son wearing his new deck pants in May 2006. He also wore them today, and it's late November 2007. They're above his knees now, but still fit.

HA uses a lot of organic cotton, and their styles are colorful and classic. Also, I've found that stains are much more likely to come out than in other brands.

Hanna can be expensive, but if you get on their email list for sales, you can catch good deals. And even if you don't live near one of their outlet stores, you can call them. Tell them you're looking for deck pants or playdresses or whatever, and they'll tell you what colors they have in stock and ship them to you.

I covet this

While I usually post only about things I own, I had to make an exception for this scrumptious twirly skirt. It's fun, retro and whimsical; some of my favorite adjectives! Check it out at this Etsy shop.

Thanks to my friend Bridget for sending me the link. (And I'm coveting it for my daughter, not me! Although I could probably get into the patchwork thing, too....)

I'm keeping this for the grandkids

This lockbox from TAG Toys is fabulous. The first one we purchased for Ronan's second Christmas was half the price. As I was taking it out of the shipping box, the handle fell off. So back it went, and we invested in this one.

As you've probably noticed, I'm a big fan of open-ended toys, and this one fits the bill. Two of my favorite ways my son has used this toy: As a receptacle for play-doh bricks on a construction site (why they have to store so many bricks, I don't know!), and as a party house for small plastic animals. So, the lion, say, will decide to throw a party in one of the compartments, and then all the other animals have to knock on one of the doors until the lion decides they're worthy to come in. He's a tough doorman!

I've not purchased anything else from TAG Toys, but I love the look of the Stake Truck and this ball ramp. Oh, and they make everything in the U.S.

D. All of the above

What can you use playsilks for?
A. Impromptu capes, scarves or skirts
B. Raucous games of peek-a-boo
C. Roofs/doors for your couch forts

Playsilks really are floaty, soft silk. They fold up into tiny squares and then unfurl to be lakes, slings or flags. Plus, they're machine washable: a practical parent's dream!

I got mine at A Toy Garden (click on "creative play"). If you're crafty and/or brave, you can buy them really inexpensively from Dharma Trading and then dye them with Koolaid and vinegar. I haven't tried it, but there seem to be good directions on this blog.

I think I'm going to get some large ones for the kiddos. Ronan insists that his favorite color is black (because it's the "spookiest"), so if I can find a large black one, that'll be in his stocking!

For the two-year-old in your life

These Crocodile Creek puzzles are my favorite present for two-year-olds. Big, durable pieces, great graphics, and the adorable carrying case make these a wonderful gift. Although he needed help at first, by 2-1/2 Ronan was able to complete these independently. He's now four and will still do these puzzles. Soon his little sister will be able to take them over.

These are available at many online retailers, and at least one of my local, independent toy stores. (Swains, for those of you in my neighborhood.)

If you're going to have a drum in the house...

...it may as well be one that sounds really nice. Remo is a real drum company, but they have a line for kids. This floor tom has such a satisfying weight and feel. Adults (like, say, me) enjoy playing this as much as the little ones.

And if you're in L.A., check out Remo's Kids Rhythm Club. You go to their community center in North Hollywood (usually on Saturday mornings at 11, but check their website) and they have loads of drums to choose from. A facilitator leads the kids in a fun drum circle. It's free, loud and fantastic!

She's only one, and she's getting a pony for Christmas!

One of my favorite haunts, Kid Surplus, is offering free shipping now through October 25th. You must spend at least $75, and the code is FREESHIP1. They have a wide selection and good prices on brands including Playmobil, Haba, Selecta and others. My daughter's getting one of these Rody ponies for Christmas. Shhh....don't tell!

Mousie

Mousie was purchased for my daughter's first Christmas. She was seven months old. Who knew that my three-year-old son would completely claim this as his own? Mousie is solid, which is a good thing, because he's had to endure countless crashes, rescues, and meetings with Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen. His car emits a pleasing squeak when you push it up and down, and a bell on the front twirls as Mousie races along.

Even the under-one set can get Mousie in and out of his vehicle. Made in Germany, I purchased this from Oompa.