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.

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Yet Another Reason to Steer Clear of Plastics

babysugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:30:31 -0800

The last thing mommy wants to do is add another worry to her already fret-worthy list, but this one may be worth noting. We all know that plastics can contain BPA and other harmful toxins, but we don't always know why they are hazardous. Fortunately, scientists are doing the dirty work for us and informing us of yet another reason to steer clear of items containing phthalates. In a recent study, British researchers found that certain phthalates were not only affecting male genitalia, but their behavior, too. Boys who were exposed to higher amounts of the chemical were less interested in the stereotypical car toys and less apt to play in a rough and tumble manner. Elizabeth Salter-Green, director of the chemicals campaign group CHEM Trust said:

We now know that phthalates, to which we are all constantly exposed, are extremely worrying from a health perspective, leading to disruption of male reproduction health and, it appears, male behavior too... This feminizing capacity of phthalates makes them true 'gender benders'.

While the EU banned such toxins from toys years ago, the US has yet to make such dramatic (and in my opinion, necessary) moves. This is just another good reminder why us moms should speak up and let our voices be known. Join the Million Baby Crawl and speak your mama mind!

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Dude Ranch and Dress Up" Episode

LilSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Last night's episode of Jon and Kate Plus 8 was all about the boys getting down and dirty with Kate on the dude ranch and Jon keeping the home fires burning with his five lil ladies. Test your skills and see how closely you watched the show by taking this quiz! And, check out these adorable pics of our favorite Gosselin guys!

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Source: TLC

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Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to Camp We Go!

babysugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:00:00 -0700

After spending a weekend in camp country, I got nostalgic about the old beat up camp trunk I took on my childhood trips. Camps usually send a list to parents to help them prepare their kiddos for the weeks away from home, but it helps to have a second checklist to cross-reference so mama feels good about putting her sweet babe on the bus. Print this roster out and get to folding!

The Basics:

Towels
Sheets
Sneakers
Swim shoes

To see the rest, read more.

Flip-flops
Hat
Shorts
T-shirts
Jeans
Sweatshirt or fleece for chilly nights
Sweatpants
Underwear
Pajamas
Raincoat
Socks
Swimsuit
Swim coverup
Dresses or clothes for camp dances

Toiletries:

Shampoo and conditioner
Soap
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Dental floss
Deodorant
Hairbrush
Hair clips, headbands, rubberbands, etc.
Hair dryer
Laundry bag to place all dirty clothes
Q-tips and cotton balls
Nail clippers
Sunscreen
Bug repellent

Personal Miscellaneous Items:

Camera and film
Batteries
Water bottle
Sleeping bag
Flashlight
Cards, books and other games
Music player with headphones
Band-aids
Sports gear - tennis racket, baseball glove, helmets or knee pads if the camp doesn't provide them
A protective cup for sporty boys
Stationery, pens and stamps so they can write home!

Source

Texts and Tunes: Iggy Peck Architect

babysugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:31 -0800

If there's one thing that most tots do well, it's building things up and tearing them down. Aside from giving them the literal building blocks to make their imaginations come alive, the quirky and delightful book Iggy Peck Architect ($11) will help them to see the positive side of being eccentric, creative, and persistent.

Appealing to elementary-age children, author Andrea Beaty tells a tale of a young boy who has always delighted in building creative structures - even a tower of dirty diapers! His biggest cheerleaders, his parents encourage his passion though his second-grade teacher hinders it. Quelling his constructive activities, Miss Greer won't allow Iggy to deploy his building antics in the classroom until . . . she and the class desperately need them on a field trip. From then on, Iggy is a local hero and applauded for his creative mind.

Mommy Dearest: Distressed By Diners' Dirty Looks

LilSugar — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 06:00:00 -0800

Mommy Dearest,

My husband and I have always loved trying new restaurants and nothing has changed since we've had our sons who are 3-year-old and one.

For the most part, our boys are well mannered and sit still at the table. We are careful to dine early and bring goodies to occupy them.

Thus far, we've never had a big outburst. What I find bothersome is the looks that diners give us when we walk into a restaurant. Like they are just waiting for our kids to act up. It's so rude! Is there a good way to handle the glares?

-Distressed By Dirty Looks

To see Mommy Dearest's response, read more.

Distressed By Dirty Looks,

I usually chalk up mean glares to unhappy people. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to create a great environment for your sons as well as fellow restaurant patrons. And, as paying customers your well behaved lil ones have just as much right to be there as anyone else.

I've experienced ill intended looks a time or two myself and though it's hard, I just try not to let it unnerve me. The best revenge is when someone comes up to compliment your kids and the diner who gave them the dirty looks is in earshot.

-Mommy Dearest

Sumbit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

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Mommy Dearest: Overwhelmed by Laundry

LilSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:00:57 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

My family of five creates mountains of laundry. As soon as I finish getting a few loads folded, there's a pile of dirty clothes waiting to be laundered.

Any tips on how I can get ahead?

- Overloaded By Laundry

To see Mommy Dearest's response, read more.

Overloaded By Laundry,

I have the same problem. Our family of four also has an endless stream of washables. And, considering that at times I have three or four loads waiting to be folded, I haven't found the answer.

But I recently heard wonder woman Kate Gosselin talk about her trick on Jon and Kate Plus 8.

The mother of eight has laundry baskets for different groups - one for the little boys, one for the little girls, one for the twins and another for the parents.

That way once a wash load comes out of the dryer, it doesn't need to be sorted before it is folded and returned to the bedroom it came from.

As someone who spends a good deal of time sorting, I think investing in a wash bin for each member of my family seems like a logical way to eliminate that portion of the task. Perhaps, you'll try it too.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.
Source

Sugarbaby: Brooks Jordan

LilSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:00:34 -0700

Scrub a dub dub, Sugarbaby Brooks Jordan loves the tub!

Watch out Hollywood this golden haired, glassy eyed California boy looks like he's destined for the big screen with his million dollar smile.

But, the Los Angeles based babe is more focused on trying to walk, getting dirty and speed crawling through the grass than breaking into Tinseltown just yet.

After the tot works up a hardy appetite playing, he likes to satisfy his hunger with apples and penne washed down with milk. And, the lil lad loves rooting for UCLA and palling around with Pickles, his one-eyed pug.

Remember to join the Sugarbabies group so you can share pictures and information about your favorite Sugarbabies!

To see more pics of this cutie, read more.

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The Gifted Girl Cousin

babysugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:00:32 -0800

In my family, we have ten cousins. Girls outweigh the boys nine to three. So when it comes to gifts for female cousins, I hope you will consider me somewhat of an expert.

Since few of us live in the same city, we rely on jet planes to see each other at the holidays. And since it seems like nine out of ten suitcases are black rollers, it's a good idea to personalize yours so Joe Schmo doesn't walk out with your loot. Dish out these sassy luggage tags ($10) to your peeps. With sayings like, "I'm pretty sure this isn't your bag" and "open with caution: dirty clothes inside," you can bet nobody will want to mess with your bag, or you!

Who doesn't love cute pajamas that make you feel festive? J. Crew has some ($45) that are so cute you could almost wear them with a skirt and a sweater for a fashion forward look. Though I'd play it safe and stay cozy in the house.

If you have a cousin who prefers watching movies on Saturday night, surprise her with a year subscription to Netflix ($60). Start with the basic plan and if she likes it, she can up the plan for just a few dollars a month.

For that cousin you introduce as your sister, not your cousin, spoil her rotten with the Canon Digital Elph ($172). You may live 2,000 miles apart but you can stay in touch by emailing pictures of each other back and forth.

The Container Store Luggage Tags ($10)	J. Crew Striped PJ Bottoms ($45)
Netflix Gift Purchase ($60)	Canon PowerShot Digital Elph Camera ($173)

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Yiddish Baby Tees

LilSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:00:37 -0800

Whether your lil guy is a "Mini Mensch" or a "Pisher," Rabbi's Daughters has a great Hanukkah gift for him. Their trendy 100 percent cotton tot tops and "tush" pants are the perfect way to promote pint-sized personalities and Jewish pride.

And if you're looking for something even sassier for your sweatheart, Hebrew Hearts has stylish shirts for her from - "Yenta in Training" to
"I Drive Boys Meshuggenah," this Yiddish line proves that "Nobody Puts Bubeleh In The Corner." The pink tee that pays tribute to the movie, Dirty Dancing is my personal favorite.

Available in sizes to fit infants and young children, all these items are less than $30 so stock up!

Hebrew Hearts Nobody Puts Bubeleh In The Corner Baby Girl ($27)	Hebrew Hearts I Drive Girls Meshuggenah Baby Boy T-Shirt ($27)
Hebrew Hearts Yenta In Training Baby Girl T-Shirt ($27)	Rabbi's Daughters Pisher Baby Boy T-Shirt ($22)
Rabbi's Daughters Mini Mensch Baby Boy T-Shirt ($22)	Hebrew Hearts I Drive Boys Meshuggenah Baby Girl T-Shirt ($27)	Rabbi's Daughters Shayna Punim Baby Girl T-Shirt ($22)