lil gear

One of my earliest memories is stacking up buildings with wooden blocks. A cinch to construct and even easier to tear down, they were and still are some of the best entertainment for tots. The only thing that could improve them is a carry–all to store them in.

Simple: For a bargain $8, you can have your blocks and wheel cart, too! IKEA offers the Mula wagon with 24 colorful blocks in tow.
Swank: Add $7 more and you get the Melissa and Doug unit block on wheels with 36 bright blocks.

Which one is the block wagon of your dreams?

Mosquitoes and bugs have a hard time making a life for themselves here in my chilly city by the bay, but having grown up in Houston, I know what it is like to be swarmed by the blood sucking insects that inflict itchy pain. As I plan a trip back to Texas, I am plotting how my babe will brave the pesty buggers.

My first line of defense is a mosquito net from Hedvig Bourbon. Practical without being an eyesore, the $28 pest blocker has bright butterflies and dragonflies adorning the elastic hemmed polyester netting. Claiming to fit most strollers, prams, carriers and car seats with canopies, I am sold.

It can't guarantee that I'll walk away without welts, but Hedvig Bourbon will help my wee one stay that way.

Traveling with tots doesn't have to be difficult. The SafeGuard Go Hybrid booster seat ($199) has created a carseat that makes traveling much easier and keeps your child safe.

Classified as a combination carseat, the SafeGuard Go has a five point harness that can be used on a child up to 60 pounds and then converts to a regular booster seat for a child up to 100 pounds. These weight standards far exceed any other combination carseats on the market.

The craftily designed carseat also has a soft back and padded headrest that fits into a convenient lightweight travel carrier case once it's been folded down. Installation is simple and easy, something that comes in handy when you find yourself at a rental car agency at midnight.

An important point: The Safeguard Go, when in five point harness mode, does require the LATCH top tether, which can be found on all 2003 or newer vehicles, so do make sure your rental car has the LATCH system before traveling.