LilSugar

Six- and 7-Year-Old German Kids Set Out to Elope in Africa

LilSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:00:53 -0800

I'm pretty sure this surpasses the term puppy love. A couple of German children decided to skip doodling each other's names on their notebooks and set out to elope in Africa. And, they weren't about to skimp on any details. After devising a plan while their families celebrated New Year's Eve together, the kids packed all the marriage and honeymoon must haves - sunglasses, swimming trunks, a lilo, and a sibling!

One report said:

The pair identified as Mika and Anna-Lena "are very much in love and decided to get married in Africa where it is warm, taking with them as a witness Anna-Lena's little sister, aged five," police spokesman Holger Jureczko told AFP.

The tykes took off while their parents slept and boarded a nearby tram en route to a central station where the tots could connect with another train to the airport. There, a security guard got suspicious and contacted police, who alerted the lovebirds' parents.

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What Is the Appropriate Age For the First Kiss Conversation?

LilSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:59 -0700

While many moms and dads fret about having the birds and the bees conversation with their children, some never broach the topic of the first kiss. Kids' lips can meet in puppy love on the playground or years down the road for late bloomers. In last night's episode of Mad Men, Sally Draper planted a wet one on her friend, Ernie, while the two innocently pretended they were driving in a car as they sat in an empty bathtub. After hearing about the incident, Betty told her daughter, "You don’t kiss boys, boys kiss you. Your first kiss will be very special.” Since smooching happens early - even in preschool these days, when do you think it's the best time for parents to talk about a lip-lock to their tots?

If you have strong opinions on moms of the small screen like Betty Draper, mosey on over to the Television Moms group in the LilSugar Community to discuss topical issues from recent episodes of shows.

Who's in Charge of the Pets: Mom or Kids?

LilSugar — Sat, 02 May 2009 05:00:06 -0700

Just about every kid wants a pet during their childhood and begging and pleading generally play a role in acquiring animals. As a bargaining tool, children tend to promise to care for the furry friend - feeding, bathing and walking the newest family member.

First Lady Michelle Obama fell victim to such empty pledges from her two daughters, Sasha and Malia. She recently sold them out:

I got up at 5:15 a.m. in the morning to walk my puppy... Even though the kids are supposed to do a lot of the work, I'm still up at 5:15 a.m. taking my dog out. So for everyone who has a child asking for a puppy - you have to want the dog, as I do. I love my Bo.

Do your kids pull their weight with the furry friends?
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A Few of Lil's Favorite Things: February

LilSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:00:44 -0800

There are more clever ways to tell wee ones we love them than with conversation hearts! If you're in need of some Valentine's retail therapy, but don't want to resort to kid-friendly cards and chocolates, consider one of these fun items to show your affection!

Hanging Hearts Mobile - Lull your lil one to sleep with soft songs and this delicate heart mobile ($35).
Valentine's Day Letter Set - Wool envelopes, cards and postage ($25) are just what a child in puppy love needs.
Heart Nightgown - Visions of candy hearts will dance in your darling's head as she sleeps in this pink and red gown ($11).
Schoenhut 6-String Acoustic Guitar - Let your son, the budding musician, serenade his sweetheart with this shiny red instrument ($40).
Cunill Silver Ringed Heart Rattle - Treat the bundle of joy who stole your heart to a fancy lil rattle ($140).

Sugarbaby: Noah from NYC

babysugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 05:00:44 -0800

Our Sugarbaby this week hails from the Big Apple!

Noah, born February 15, 2006 in Manhattan, is quite a big boy these days and enjoys playing the guitar, romping around the playground, strutting along the balance beam at the gym, and dancing. He likes to shake his tiny tush to Little Maestros “Jump-In”, Justin Roberts “Meltdown”, and the Beatles “Ob li di, Ob la da”.

When he's not making music, he enjoys playing with fire trucks, cars, blocks, and his new kitchen set and grocery cart. His favorite stuffed animal is his Gund My First Puppy that he has slept with since he was one-day-old. To hear more about adorable Noah just read more.

This growing boy has quite an appetite. A New Yorker for sure, one of his favorite foods is chicken parmesan. He also loves fruit, noodles, omelettes, chicken hot dogs, meatballs, string cheese, and ice cream. And like a lil rascal, he dislikes all vegetables!

But his mom says he's a good boy and loves to read Dear Zoo, Snuggle Puppy, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, and Daddy Loves Me. Noah also indulges in a little Sesame Street where he watches his best furry friends, Cookie Monster and Elmo.

As we can tell from the pictures, he's one trendy tot! Mommy likes to deck him out in Janie and Jack and Polo. His favorite words are khaki and Daddy. Sounds like Sugarbaby Noah needs to meet Ralph Lauren!

Check out the video of Noah dancing like a maniac below.

View 12 Photos ›

The Gifted Child: Toys for 6-Month Olds

babysugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:00:52 -0700

Going to your local toy store and asking the sales help for advice on a gift for a six-month-old can provide you with more opinions and deep explanations than you bargained for, never mind the fact that half the items are never in stock. Rather than risk disappointing the child’s parents, and wasting your time, stick with one of these items that is sure to make everyone happy (plus, you can just order them online and be done with your shopping!).

The colors and variety of activities on the LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table ($40) encourage kids to pull themselves into the standing position. Once they are standing they can groove to the different musical instruments, turn the pages of the book and hum along to the songs.

The adorable Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Learning Puppy ($22) lights up as he sings familiar songs and encourages your child to hug him and play along. You'll hear "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and "Patty Cake," as well as a funny little sneeze that to this day keeps my son laughing.

To see more gifts for six-month-olds just read more.

From the lights to the fun Caribbean-style music, the iPlay Flash Beat Drum ($22) gets your child to start banging the drum, or rolling it across the floor, with music that you won’t tire of either.

The entire Fisher Price Peek-a-Blocks ($32) collection is fun for little ones who like the colorful animals that are hidden in the blocks. The Sing and Sounds Farm model ($30) plays the familiar "Old McDonald’s Farm," which every child seems to love.

The lights and music from the Little Tikes Discover Sounds Boombox ($13) will mesmerize your little one and help you teach him or her how to push and spin. As your child becomes more mobile, it is an easy toy for them to tote around with them like a real "boombox."

I have always been a believer in buying gifts up to one age group up from a child's age. Either the parents can put them away for a later date, or they can help the child start to learn how to use the toy. The Playskool: Busy Basics - Busy Ball Popper ($20) is one of those toys that a six-month-old will definitely grow into. While a bit noisy, the sound of the balls popping out of the machine and the chaos they create will keep your little one mesmerized for hours.

Texts and Tunes: Sandra Boynton

babysugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:00:42 -0800

I can't get enough of Sandra Boynton. In addition to her books being silly and insanely creative, they are great bait to get your babe hooked on reading. She may not learn the ABCs from Snuggle Puppy, but she will learn to love the ritual of reading it with you, which is a first step to reading.

Each board book is short and sweet - easy enough to read five of them before bedtime. Once you read one, you'll want to run out and buy the rest. And before you know it, you'll have the whole Boynton collection memorized. It's amazing how many of my father friends can, and will, sing parts of Snuggle Puppy on demand. "Ooooh Sandra Boyton of mine, every book by you is especially fine!"

Belly Button Book ($7)	Snuggle Puppy ($7)
Moo Baa La La La ($6)	But Not the Hippopotamus ($6)
The Going-To-Bed Book ($6)	Barnyard Dance! ($7)
Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! ($7)	Hippos Go Berserk ($8)	Pajama Time! ($7)

Playground Patrol: Nanny Stops Teens From Having Sex

LilSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:00:43 -0700

I used to think that broken bottles were the most offensive thing found near the swings, but now it seems like everyone uses the park as their playground. It is as if anything goes from foul language to fooling around.

My husband took our kids to their favorite playground yesterday. Hidden from the street and frequented by families, the locale is ideal.

Well, until two tweens got frisky in the grass yesterday. While no one would have given a stolen kiss or sly copped feel a second notice, the couple's interaction became less "puppy love" and more "intro to Internet porn" as they got excited. To see what happened, read more.

Regulars at the playground were horrified, until one nanny had enough and politely approached the tweens and let them know their behavior was inappropriate.

Taking your tots on an outing is clearly no longer just a walk in the park. Have you ever encountered something crazy?
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Lil Find: Zooni Hats

LilSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:02:21 -0800

If you've got a wee wallflower, Zooni's hand knit hats are not meant for them. The mop hat collection is for attention getting boys and girls who aren't afraid to strut their stuff in the sandbox.

These fluffy lids are available in a variety of styles - Panda Monium, Puppy Love, Firecracker and Hipster - are just the way to turn heads. And, they are easy on the environment since 70 percent of Zooni's packaging comes from recycled, bio-degradable materials. Priced between $30 - $36, the caps will keep your baby warm and very visible.