LilSugar

Simple or Swank: The Obama Girls' New Swing Set

LilSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:00:36 -0800

Swing sets have come a long way from the old tire hanging from a tree branch. Yesterday, Malia and Sasha Obama came home from school to see just how far they have come. While not necessarily the most extravagant swing set, their parents surprised them with a deluxe addition that would leave most tots jumping for joy!
Simple: The Rainbow All-American Double Decker ($1,700) is made expressly for Costco and includes two forts, three swings, a picnic table, sandbox, rock wall, ship's wheel, telescope, and climbing rope. Made of all-American timber, the set is sure to last for many years of outdoor play.

Swank: While you might not be able to buy an exact replica of the Obama girls' new play structure (it is etched with the names of all 44 presidents and has a plaque stating, "Malia and Sasha's castle handcrafted with pride in the heartland of America . . . God bless America"), the Rainbow Castle Package 4 ($3,500) is made from cedar and North American Redwood and comes with a tire swing, four swings, monkey bars, trapeze rings, a slide, fort, climbing wall, rope ladder, picnic table, and climbing ropes.

Which one do you prefer?

Photo courtesy of AP

Toy Box: The Swing Set of Dreams

babysugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 04:00:45 -0700

I was flipping through a magazine recently and flipped out when I saw this fabulous swing set.

Made by CedarWorks, a 27-year-old company based in Rockport, Maine, the set is made from 100 percent northern white cedar, which is known to be splinter-free. To see its only drawback, read more.

The swank set is part of the company’s Serendipity Series and includes gazebo-like play stations, multiple slides, a variety of swings, a sky bridge, a steering wheel, a spyglass, a rope ladder, and whimsically cut-out walls and roofs.

The only downside is the price - a whopping $21,850! It's nice to fantasize. Maybe I'll buy it if I win the lottery.

If money were no object, would you invest in this lux item for your lil ones?

Baby Shower Gifts That Will Wow the Crowd

LilSugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0800

I love the element of surprise! That's probably why I didn't find out the sex of my children while pregnant or set up a baby registry. When invited to a shower, I like to give an unexpected gift and leave the swing, bouncer and crib sheet offerings to other guests. Here are a few of my favorite recent finds. Source: Flickr User clevercupcakes

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Five Tips For Remaining Playground Safe

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:00:48 -0700

Keep monkeying around on the playground – but do so safely! Neighborhood playgrounds filled with jungle gyms, slides and fireman poles that keep lil ones occupied throughout the day also pose potential hazards that can thwart an otherwise fun afternoon. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 200,000 children visit the emergency room each year for playground injuries. Before packing up the snacks and sporting equipment, check out our top five tips for keeping lil hands, heads and legs free from injury.

Don't ride on slides with your tots. According to a new study, placing a child on your lap to ride down a slide can significantly increase the possibility of fracturing their legs. When a child's leg gets stuck against the side of a slide, the pressure from a parent behind them can cause it to bend in ways that force it to break.
Keep swinging on the swing set, not from mama's arms. Though swinging from mommy's arms may be fun, the pressure from doing so can cause lil elbow bones to be pulled partially out of joint, leading to a condition called Nursemaid Elbow that can be very painful for tots.

To see the rest of the helpful reminders,

Kids Can Get Into the Wii Action With Pet Rescue!

babysugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:00:55 -0700

When Nintendo branded its latest video game technology, the Wii, it must have had families in mind. Moms can do yoga, dads can practice golf swings, teens can bounce to Rock Band, and now the wee ones can get involved with games like Knowledge Adventure's JumpStart's Pet Rescue ($40). Preschool-age tots who are awestruck by their older siblings slinging the remote around the living room can do the same as they search for lost pets in an adventurous learning environment. And while it may be geared towards a younger crowd, it hasn't stopped the more mature sisters from sneaking on to enjoy the animal exposition.

To see what we liked about it and what left us wondering, read more.

Like any other Wii game, youngsters can explore their imagination as they create a unique avatar and accompanying pets. Once the character is set in motion, players experience a jaunt to the virtual library and down a water slide all whilst improving memory, listening and motor skills. During their journey, they will also unknowingly practice pre-reading skills. Give a kid a workbook or a video game that both have the same goal and I'd bet the lass will choose the latter. Possibly the best feature of the game is that children get to keep and care for their rescued pets, which entails feeding, grooming, training and playing with them. It is a valuable life lesson and it may keep the lil guys from begging for a real dog. Hallelujah! That's music to many a mom's ears. The only tough part of the game is getting an early stage preschooler to manage the remote. Though it is targeted for tots age 3 to 6, in my control group, it was the 5 and 7-year-old who enjoyed it most.

What Benefits Make Work Life Balance a Reality?

LilSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:00:45 -0700

Working parents know that there are choices and sacrifices that must be made when juggling their home and office commitments. Our own Commander-in-Chief recently lamented the events and milestones he missed while on the campaign trail or attending meetings, but whether or not those choices define success in the business world is still up for debate.

As the number of dual-income families continues to rise, many employers are trying to help mom and dad maintain some sort of work-life balance with programs and tools designed to reduce their levels of stress. The White House has given aides with tots priority in receiving laptops and has offered for aides' children to use the newly installed swing set and swimming pool in hopes that parents will see their offspring more. Many private companies offer flex hours to allow parents to work from home or finish up work once the kids have been tucked into bed. What benefits would be most helpful to you as a working parent?

Celebrate Pops With Picture Perfect Presents

babysugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:00:05 -0700

Though 71 percent of you say Mother's Day gets more hoopla around your house, surely everyone agrees dad should still be celebrated this Sunday. Fathers can be tough to shop for - ties, boxers and golf balls always seem to do the trick at my house, but they get boring year after year.

This time around, treat pop to rotating pictures with a digital frame and a sweet Nikon CoolPix camera to capture those moments. Baseball fanatics can dress up their penguin suits and show off their team pride with a pair of cuff links tailored to their mascots. The golf enthusiast will have one up on Sir Charles Barkley with the Golf Launchpad™ Tour Swing Simulator Plug & Play Game. Dads who love to grill but don't have time set up will salivate over the indoor hot dog cooker. Beware, other dad friends may be knocking on the door to test their swings and grab brats. And if gifts are out of the question, check out our Father's Day on a budget ideas.

Mommy Dearest: I Forbid My Son From the Sandbox

LilSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:00:26 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

I live in NYC where the neighborhood playground is part of my family's daily routine. I've gotten over my fear of germs on the jungle gym and swing equipment, but the sandbox is a whole other story. Convinced that rodents and insects visit the sandbox during the night and leave their excrement behind, I've forbidden my three-year-old son from playing in it. His father, grandparents and nanny know my fears, but the other day his caretaker allowed him to play in it with his friends. When I stopped by for a visit and told him to get out, it caused a big scene. How should I handle this situation without the daily fuss?

- No Sandbox for My Son

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

No Sandbox for My Son,

Every mother has the right to make choices and set rules when it comes to her child's well-being. And, those wishes should be respected by your son's caretakers. Young kids are very tactile in their learning so the sandbox, especially when it is filled with one's friends, may be very tempting. Since your boy has so many years at the park in front of him, you need to decide if your fear of filthy sentiment is worth the daily battles.

- Mommy Dearest

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

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

Five More Rude Things Mothers Do

LilSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:00:00 -0700

The other day I wrote about the five rude things mothers do - most of which are unintentional and come with having kids and very hectic lives. Our readers commented with some of their own mama pet peeves, but many were inconsiderate things all people do. So I've compiled one more list of mum-specific offenses.

Shouting Out in Public: Hitting the mall for a shopping stroll changes when tots are in tow. Mums who never said boo before baby suddenly find themselves frantically shouting safety precautions, "Joey, do NOT step on that escalator - you will fall!" or "OMG! Where's Hannah? She was just right next to me. HANNAH? HANNAH?"
The Stroller Rollover: Size does matter when it comes to strollers, and since stores have aisles that barely accommodate them, it's impossible for a mama to see every foot or knee cap that is in the way when she swings the buggy around to make an exit. Unfortunately and unintentionally, a stranger's toe occasionally falls victim to the rubber wheel.

To see the rest, read more.

Talk, Talk, Talk About Their Tots: Once a woman has kids, they inevitably become the topic of chit chat. What can possibly top having created human beings?
Hold Up the Line: Whether mom's in the bathroom stall or the dressing room, peeing and slipping into clothes with an entourage takes a bit longer - especially when the kiddos expect to be entertained.
Are Tardy: Getting out the door suddenly takes a little or a lot longer. Last-minute diaper blowouts, spit-up stains, and tot tantrums can set mamas back no matter how much time they've allotted.

Source