LilSugar

Trendtotting: Dirty Boys

LilSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:00:50 -0700

Boys love nothing more than to dig in the dirt. When it comes to their unearthing activities, what better way to dress the lil guys than with attire inspired by the real movers and shakers - construction tools and vehicles? While out shopping with my son, I spied these boyish finds at Crazy 8. Check out the dirty apparel for your wee worker.

View Slideshow ›

Toy Organization Goes Chic with Hable Bushel Basket

babysugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:00:12 -0700

Soon after I became pregnant every parent I know started sharing their secrets, namely: kids accumulate a lot of stuff!

Boy were they right. I immediately began collecting toy bins and baskets to make up for the lack of closet space in our house.

I'm a big fan of creative storage and convenient toy boxes, but recently fell in love with the Hable Construction Bushel Baskets, $260 to $275. They are on the pricey side, but offer a toy box in a beautiful, design conscious package.

Charcoal Checker Storage Bushel	Espresso Bead Storage Bushel
Lagoon Checker Storage Bushel	Lime Stripe Storage Bushel
Sweet Pea Bead Storage Bushel	Carrot Jonquil Storage Bushel	Rose Checker Storage Bushel

Tasty Treats For Halloween Bashes: Haunted Houses

LilSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:30:21 -0700

Who's afraid of the haunted house on the corner? Not your lil one if he helped create it! Take cookie decorating one step further when you offer wee ones the opportunity to create their own spooky houses filled with sweet treats.

Prior to your Halloween soiree, construct the house frames with graham crackers and thick icing. On the day of the party, set out a selection of colored buttercream frostings, candies and other items that will make the homes seem as frightful as possible, and let the little ghosts and goblins demonstrate their creativity as they decorate their houses in their own unique ways. When the mini-decorators are done, gather all of the homes together for a photo of this Halloween neighborhood.

Do you have a treat that your tots love? Share it with other lunch making mamas in The Children's Table group in the LilSugar community!

Wee Are the World: Room to Read Expands Global Literacy

LilSugar — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0700

We take reading to our children for granted. Many families have stacks of texts on their shelves and also take part in lending libraries. It's hard to imagine not being able to flip the pages of a book on a whim.

While hiking through Nepal, former Microsoft executive John Wood was upset by the lack of resources available to the students and teachers in the region. Knowing the importance of education and literacy in helping people improve their socioeconomic conditions, Wood left his corporate job and founded Room to Read. His intention of building libraries, creating local language children's literature, constructing schools, and providing education to girls in developing countries has come to fruition. In the past eight years, the organization has impacted the lives of more than 3.1 million children by constructing 765 schools and 7,040 libraries, publishing 327 new local language children's titles, and funding 6,817 long-term girls' scholarships in communities throughout Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Zambia, and Bangladesh.

Five Creative Ways to Celebrate a Burgeoning Belly

babysugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:00:07 -0700

While all the magic lies within the belly of an expectant lady, there are fun ways to outwardly celebrate the life growing in it. Mothers anxious to show off their bumps may find the "Under construction" temporary tattoo hilarious and midriff worthy while others might choose a more refined approach. Here are five fun things a pregnant lady can do to cherish her burgeoning belly.

Decorate the tummy with henna paints.
Paint the bump with decorative paints.
Hire a photographer to snap away at the womb.
Have the belly cast so mama can literally relive how it felt to carry the child.
Deck out the growing stomach in temporary pregnancy tattoos by Tummy Tatts.

View 5 Photos ›

Non Voyage: Bring New York's Bright Lights Home

LilSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:00:36 -0700

Get your walking shoes on and prepare to see the bright lights of some of our nation's biggest cities! Families looking to explore the culture and variety that urban centers offer can do so in the comfort of their own homes with projects and foods that celebrate the metropolitan destinations. Our week of big-city "Non Voyages" kicks off in the largest one of all – New York City.

Start the morning off with Eloise's favorite mealtime delight - room service. Kids will love seeing their breakfast served bedside.
Lady Liberty has long been a hot spot for families visiting the Big Apple and the just reopened crown provides great inspiration for tots. There are 354 steps from the base to the top of the statue. Have kids try to stack that many blocks to see the height. And, use construction paper to create your own crown hats.
The Museum of Natural History is known for its dinosaur exhibit so put together some 3D dinosaur puzzles and study the giants.
Even though it's not as bright as the lights of Times Square, check to see if there are any local theater productions that appeal to your tots. Introducing children to theater is wonderful even if you're way off Broadway! Or, prepare for a marathon of Disney movies including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Mary Poppins, all of which are currently playing in the Big Apple.
They say there's a great pizza shop on every corner of New York. Get down to business in the kitchen and create the ultimate thin-crust pie. Just be sure to eat it like a New Yorker – folded down the middle with the grease dripping off.
Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate is beloved by all visitors to the city. Re-create it at home and give your kids a new perspective on the treat.

Babymel x2 Diaper Bag Does Double Duty

babysugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:06 -0700

Just when I thought I'd seen the end-all-be-all of diaper bags, I was sent the Babymel x2 to review. Specifically designed for parents of twins, it's perfection for any mom on the go. The designers created a two-in-one satchel that easily detaches so mom can carry only what she needs.

This bag is ideal for the following mamas:

Mums of Twins: Mothers with twins can pack a separate bag for each tot. Instead of trying to decipher which bottle belongs to whom, they can easily reach into the babe's particular side leaving confusion and concern out of the equation.

Moms of Varied Ages: Often times, moms of two have to double check sizes of diapers before putting them on their youngsters. A tiny infant wouldn't do well in a size five diaper and a 30 pound toddler would look ridiculous in a nappy that's too tight. Keep their goodies isolated by divvying up the loot. And, if mum has to drop one child off at daycare, she can release the bag with two simple clicks and take the other with her.

To see uses for this bag, read more.

Traveling Mommies: Flying with junior is always a challenge. Typically mamas pack a bag of entertainment goodies, snacks, books, and crayons. Always armed for diaper duty, she's usually got another bag full of creams, wipes and pampers. The Babymel x2 relieves some of her stress by carrying it all in one. Mama can relax until she gets to her seat at which point she can stow the toy portion of the bag under the seat in front of her and tuck the parcel full of diapers in the overhead to be retrieved during times of need.

Any Mom: When less is more, mom can unsnap one of the totes and leave the house with whichever color fits her fancy. When mummy is heading somewhere for an extended period of time and she needs more space, she can easily fasten the other side to the hooks to be doubly equipped.

A unique concept, the construction of the bag is well thought out and executed. The Babymel x2 has secretive zippered pouches on each side allowing baby bottles and sippy cups stability and insulation. Inside the zip style totes are two changing pads and plenty of pouches for rattles and the like.

Babymel X2 Diaper Bag - Black/Red - $99.99	Babymel X2 Diaper Bag - Army/Sand - $99.99
Babymel X2 Diaper Bag - Black - $99.99

Yellow Tea Bus: Cost-Conscience End of Year Teacher Gift

LilSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 08:00:16 -0700

We all know the drill - the bell rings on the last day of school and students line their teachers' desks with boxes of candy, coffee gift cards and glass apples. But when economic times are tough and families need to stick to budgets, a creative thank-you is a nice concept that will evoke the year's memories.

Inspired by Maum's school bus tea bags, we asked our favorite lil ones to help make a yellow bus filled with tea bags adorned with each member of the class's picture. It costs just dollars to create and will invite the teacher to kick back and relax with a soothing cup once the last kiddo has cleared out his desk.

To see how to create the moving tea box, read more.

Supplies for Project:

Small box of tea bags
Scissors
Yellow construction paper
Glue
Crayons
Photos of child's classmates
Cardboard box

Directions:

Cut little "people" out of the cardboard, ensuring their "arms" are the length of the width of the box and that their "bodies" are narrower.
Closely cut out the faces of your child's classmates and attach them to the "head" of the cardboard bodies with some glue.
Cover the box in yellow construction paper and decorate it to look like a school bus - get as fancy as you wish even calling the bus line "Ms. Bruin's First Grade Class."
Cut slits in the top of the box.
Drop the "bodies" into the slits, ensuring that the "arms" stay on top of the bus, which the bodies drop down.
Attach tea bags to the bodies.
Close the box.

View 6 Photos ›

Kidoodle: Flag Your Love

babysugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:27:04 -0700

Buying a present for a one-year-old always seems a tad impersonal since the tot hardly acknowledges the gift. Give him something made with love that he can save throughout the years. It will keep mama from having to make a tough choice at the toy shop while keeping a few dollars in her pocket.

To see how to make this simple sign to hang in the nursery or play room, read more.

Supplies for the project:

Old cereal boxes or manila folders
Glue
Ribbon
Hole puncher
Pencil or pen
Glitter
Ruler or straight edge
Newspaper
A traceable circular object like a can
Bright construction paper

Directions

Use a ruler to draw a few flags on the back of the cereal boxes.
Cut some newspaper in the same shape but about an inch bigger all the way around.
Glue the newspaper to one side of the flag. Fold the edges over and glue them to the back for the triangle.
Trace circles on the bright colored construction paper and cut them out.
Glue the circle onto the newspaper side of the flag.
Draw a letter on the circle and fill it with glue.
Sprinkle the glitter on the glue, shake it off and allow it to dry.
Once dry, punch two holes in the top of the flags.
Run the ribbon through the tops of the flags.
Put it in a cute package and give it to the birthday boy!

View 12 Photos ›

Affordable Father's Day Affairs

babysugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:00:17 -0700

Most fathers I know use the same cop out every Father's Day, "I don't need anything. Just a card. Maybe some new socks or golf balls." While he may be telling the truth, there are some practical yet fun ways to celebrate dear old dad this year.

Instead of spending $58 on a box of Pro V1 balls, treat the old man to some of these price conscious goodies:

Take a hike! No, really, pack a picnic and head to the hills for a warm jaunt with Mr. Perfect. Pack sandwiches, drinks, snacks, and some special cookies for the afternoon activity.
Get the gang together for a fun softball tournament. Round up a crew of families and head to the local park for a day in the sun and rounding bases.
If daddy is a movie buff, check out a library's worth of his preferred titles - Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Caddy Shack, Blues Brothers, Animal House, or any 007 movies and set him up with popcorn, candy and a comfy chair without any disruptions.

To see more ideas on how to celebrate dad on a budget, read more.

Head to the beach for sand and surf. Building sand castles and burying papa from head to toe will make for a laughable afternoon.
Lots of pops like making something out of nothing. Dream up a project for the kids and the old man to do together - painting an old chair or constructing a swing set for the kids. The wee ones and daddy will be overjoyed with excitement when the finale is unveiled!
Order a coffee mug with a picture of the rascals on it for his office.
Let the king of the grill relax for the day. While most men tend to the barbecue, mom and the kids can fix up a feast for pop so he can kick back and enjoy a beer with his lil buds.

More than any of the above activities, dad is sure to love a homemade card sealed with a kiss and a bear hug.
Source