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?

Battle of the Baby Weight: Working Out With Your Kids!

LilSugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:00:06 -0800

Work it out! This week Fit challenged us to journal our fitness routine and was kind enough to hook me up with some of her awesome workout downloads. I was excited to hit the gym and test them for my vlog when a couple of mom emergencies interfered. Due to scheduling conflicts and a sick child, I didn't get to work out. But life with kids is always go, go, go, so I've decided to share some tips on keeping active with your little ones rather than feel guilty for not getting to the gym.

On your mark, get set, go! Play tag with the kids. It takes a lot of running to exhaust a child, and you'll burn calories trying.
Let them ride! Strap on their helmets and let the kids roll down the open road on their bikes. Put a little pep in your step and keep their pace on foot.
Use your offspring as weights. This concept is popular in mommy and me classes, and as your kiddos get bigger so will your biceps.
Tone your arms while pushing your children on swings at the park.

It's a new year, and I want my old body back! Inspired by FitSugar's health challenge, I'll spend the next 10 months hitting the gym to burn the baby fat. If you're a mom who wants to bid your postpartum baggage goodbye too, set a goal and join the Get Fit For 2010 community group for support! Check out my updates here each week.

Get Organized For 2010: What to Store and What to Throw Away

LilSugar — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:00:41 -0800

It's so hard to part with your baby's first socks, the onesie they wore home from the hospital or their first pair of shoes, but it's even tougher to live with bags of their keepsakes stored in every nook and cranny of your place. As you embrace 2010 and start making New Year's resolutions for yourself and your family take some time to organize your children's old clothes, toys and books. You may have the urge to keep every washcloth, burper and pair of ballet slippers, but you have to let go of some things or risk running out of space to let your children run.

Here are a few purging tips that I use to help me choose what to lose.

Stow heirloom gifts and handmade items. Things that people took the time to make should be cherished.
Stow short-term items that you will need for another baby - receiving blankets, onesies, snapsuits.
Stow big ticket item toys like your swing, papasan chair, baby carrier and jumper.
Stow timeless, classic outfits that can be worn by siblings and/or future generations.

To see what else to stow and what to throw, read more.

Stow a handful of sentimental items - the stuffed animal your child slept with, the first barrette that held her hair, the lil suit from his first photo shoot.
Stow books - kids love to read the same stories over and over.
Stow wooden toys - they are timeless.
Throw trendy clothing
Throw child specific clothing. If your daughter loved all things ladybugs, it doesn't mean your next lil girl will.
Throw multiples - if you have three identical toy boats, share the wealth with those in need.
Throw battery operated and talking toys that sporadically turn on while in storage.
Throw bedding if you plan on buying a different motif for each baby.

If you decide to let go of big ticket items consider setting up a swap event with friends, donating to charity, selling on Craigslist or unloading your items on a site like Googooswap. What do you store and what do you throw out the door?

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

View Slideshow ›

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.