LilSugar

Do You Take Your Kids to the Circus?

LilSugar — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 04:00:07 -0700

The circus is a place for slushies, spinning flashlights and animal acts, but over the years as reports have surfaced about elephants and tigers being mistreated to put on the greatest show on earth, many moms and dads are against taking their kids to witness what goes on under the big top. What's your opinion?
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Website Lil Loves: The Seventh Generation Million Baby Crawl

babysugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:50 -0700

What's up with the babies hauling it through a crosswalk on all fours? They're heading to Washington to speak up, er, babble, for their rights! Many moms agree that the best gift we can give our children is a better, greener, healthier Earth. As the green movement continues to grow, so do the eco-friendly options available to mums. The baby line Seventh Generation churns out environmentally conscience products for wee ones but they are also active in changing legislation to demand higher protection for our lil guys. In an effort to raise awareness for toxic chemical policy reform, they are sponsoring the Seventh Generation Million Baby Crawl.

Mommies who want to sign their baby up for the "crawl" can do so with a few simple clicks. The animated babe can be personalized with skin color and a pastel onesie. Friends, families and total strangers can come onto the site and click on the lil movers to support their cause. The goal is to get one million crawlers onto the grassy screen. So join the troops and get those booties, er, diapers shakin'! Just say "no" to toxic chemicals in the home.

All Aboard! Disney's Christmas Carol Train Tour

babysugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:03 -0700

All aboard the Christmas Carol Express! To promote their upcoming movie, A Christmas Carol, Disney has created a real-life locomotive experience for families that showcases graphic artwork, actor interviews, motion development, historical artifacts, and computer-generated characters from the motion picture.

Last Friday, I took my children out to see the moving exhibit, which stopped in Northern California. The train will make its way to New York before the film opens. A fan of locomotives, my daughter was fired up to set foot on the real deal. To set the mood, Disney provided fake snow flurries in July, which actually felt right for a Bay Area Summer morning. We gave the ticket handler our stubs and embarked on the stationary adventure that caters to kids.

To see what we found, read more.

As if in a museum, we were surrounded by beautiful art and items worthy of glass cases. Straight from the Charles Dickens Museum of London, the author's manuscripts and musical sheets sat untouched for curious eyes to purvey. Flat-screen televisions in gold-colored frames repeatedly played conversations with the film's creator Robert Zemeckis and stars Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, and Colin Firth. As Scrooge, Jim Carrey won't disappoint and the 3D graphics will have audiences cheering. In the next car, we discovered a dummy with motion sensors that explains to viewers how human motion translates into animation. A tad too mature for my daughter's brain, older kids (and adults) will find it fascinating. Along with the texts and illustrations, guests can pour over the costumes adorning busts throughout the railroad experience. Before the exit, kids can entertain themselves by turning their own face into one of the character's by stepping into an HP TouchSmart PC screen and capturing a self-portrait. After a simple click of a button, the tot evolves into Scrooge or Tiny Tim. Not to be forgotten, wee ones can see it again as mom and pop can have the image emailed straight to themselves.

Due out just before Christmas, this train is chugging across the country to provide tots a lil holiday spirit. If the Christmas Carol express is headed in your direction, it's worth the time to check it out. Get there early to avoid waiting in line! Check out the scheduled tour dates.

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Pack Your Bags: Luggage For Lil Travelers

LilSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Get your motor running . . . for many families it's time to pack the car and set out on the open road for a little Summer fun. Whether traveling by plane, train or automobile, tots will feel like seasoned adventurers if they can pack their own bags.

Before panicking that your lil one will fill her suitcase with stuffed animals and snacks, consider providing her with a piece of pint-sized baggage that can be used for books, toys and carry-on items to keep her entertained on the journey. Make your child responsible for her bag during the trip, ensuring all of its contents are properly stowed away at the right times. Check out some of our favorite luggage below.

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Toy Box: Baby Sling For Your Lil Copycat

LilSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:00:18 -0800

Monkey see, monkey do, right? You can be sure your older darling will want to take care of her baby dolls the same way you do her baby sister. Hotslings, the baby carrier company known for its pouch-style slings that come in a variety of beautiful, stylish fabrics, has created miniature versions of its bestsellers just for your lil copycat. Kidslings ($20) come in a dozen fabrics for both boys and girls and are perfectly sized for toddlers and preschoolers looking to tote stuffed animals, favorite trucks, and precious dolls throughout the day. I wonder if toys benefit as much from attachment parenting as their owners do?

Lil Find: Hamusuta

babysugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:00:55 -0700

Like man, every child needs a best friend. But right now having a pet dog isn't an option in my home. And, before I go out and buy my daughter an animal of appropriate size, I'm thinking about spending $12 for a Hamusuta.

Hamusuta the Happy Hamster runs inside (or outside) his exercise ball with a realistic rodent scurry. I can hardly wait to get one to see my wee one's reaction. And there's no food or poop scooping required - just three AAA batteries! I think Hamusuta might become my best friend.

Does anyone else have an "alternative" pet?

Lil Find: Taro Gomi Drawing Books

babysugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:32 -0700

When your tot grows tired of the yellow lined legal pad, treat him to a super special Taro Gomi drawing book.

Since there are four different books to choose from, there's one for every lil artist.

If your honey needs a little direction, Scribbles ($14) or Doodles ($14) might be the right choice as they gives wee ones an image to build on for every page.

To see what else there is to choose from, read more.

If your kid is into paints and drawing, he can expand his imagination and talents on the plentiful illustrations in Squiggles ($14). And if you're trying to teach your babe a thing or two about the seasons, check out Doodle All Year ($12) where springtime animals, Summer fruit, Fall foods and Winter weather are all topics of doodling discussion.

One thing is certain, your sweetheart will be a busy bee with all of those pages and crayons. You can put "Mommy are we there yet?" to rest with a lil help from Taro Gomi.

Doodles by Taro Gomi ($14)	Squiggles by Taro Gomi ($14)
Scribbles by Taro Gomi ($14)	Doodle All Year by Taro Gomi ($12)

Mom-Me Time: Flash Cards Lend Mama a Hand

babysugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:00:42 -0800

If you're in need of a break, but your kid is running around - I've got a game for you. I play it with my babe when I am wiped out. It keeps her interested and both of us interacting. To see my trick, read more.

Before you can use the game for a lil rest and relaxation, you have to spend some time getting your child familiar with flash cards. I have a few different sets that I switch up, but my girl loves the alphabet set from Right Start ($6) and the Eric Carle ($15) animal/alphabet set.

Before I prop my legs up and take a break on the couch, I lay the cards out on the carpet. Then I'll say to her, "Can you bring me the hippo?" and she hurriedly walks over to the blue hippo card, picks it up and delivers it to me so I can place it in my pile. She gets giddy as I cheer her for her accomplishments while I revive.

Fashion Week: And Then There Was Jake

LilSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:00:43 -0800

If you're looking for a slice of Americana, the adorable sweaters created by "and then there was Jake" are sure to put a smile on your lil one's face. The hand-loomed cuties tend to feature embroidered animals and designs that keep your child looking like one.

This spring, the company is going patriotic with summer-weight sweaters featuring stars and clambakes and matching linen shorts and pants. The sweaters above will hit finer baby boutiques in mid-February and run from $60 for the stars and dog to $62 for the lobster hoodie. To see more sweaters for your sweetie, read more

"And then there was Jake’s" sister company, "Sam’s Friend" is showing some of the sweetest Easter sweaters and dresses that you have ever seen. Pictured at right are the bunny sweater ($62) and springfest dress ($60).