We all have one in our kitchen and some of us have more than one. I tried to document my junk drawer but the shame was too great. I try to keep it organized but it is the "pre-filing" dumping ground for everything from convention photos from the early 90s to the latest pre-school hot lunch menu--not to mention all of the leftover (?) pieces from every assembly required Ikea product we own. I would like to say there are more recipes than take out menus, but my friends would easily call me on it. I found the solution in a beautifully designed and so well crafted organizer from momAgenda.

The Kitchen Folio features include:

*Clear plastic page protectors for class lists, school schedules, sports schedules, menus and more.
*Interchangeable tabs so you can categorize by child or by activity.
*A stain-resistant finish that holds up well in the messiest of drawers.
*Includes forms for Birthdays/Anniversaries, Babysitter's Info, Medical Info, Important Phone Numbers, and more.

momAgenda offers many more products with the same unique design and functionality. The planners are ingenious and you can take a test drive on the site.

Visit: momAgenda.com
 

You don't want your children in the medicine cabinet and you really shouldn't have their little toothbrushes exposed to the air in the bathroom. What do I do, you ask? Try a holder from Flipper. These cute little toothbrush holders grip the mirror with a sturdy suction cup and provide a sanitary resting place for any toothbrush. The unique design flips open for easy access and stays securely closed with the toothbrush when not in use. The fun styles fit any personality. We have the puppy, of course. Find your style (and razor holders!) here: myflipperusa.com

So we have decided to supplement with formula. I never did this with child #1, but every situation is different. Child #1 goes to well visits and that's about it. We've been in to the Doc with #2 more in the last two months than you want to even imagine. Forget the sleeping, we're working on the big A, asthma. That's another story. Back to formula. Did you know the first ingredient listed in some baby formula is Corn Syrup and one even had High Fructose Corn Syrup? Nutrients aside (and let's put the breastfeeding argument away momentarily) high fructose corn syrup is derived from corn starch and a complex process is used to make glucose into fructose. I will not get into the polysaccharides, enzymes, glucose molecules, refining, fermentation, glucoamylase etc used in the process but I think you get where I am going with this, right? The FDA regulates the manufacturers for safety, but do you really know what your giving your baby? Read the labels! Would love your opinion on the matter!

We have started a new advertising and sponsorship program here at Lilypad Place. We are partnering with some wonderful companies with great products so please take some time to visit their ads and sites. I want to assure you though, all the product reviews are strictly held to products that we test ourselves. We never accept payment for advertorial coverage. We take the time to test each and every product and service that we find or are introduced to by our friends and family as well as manufacturers, PR firms and our other neighbors here at Lilypad Place. We also search out the new hot items and services at stores, retail shows, trade shows and more. I guarantee we will continue to provide unbiased opinions. If you have submitted a product or service and have not seen a review, please be patient, we are doing our best to get to everything. We will provide either a positive review here on the site or constructive feedback directly to you. Our testers are honest and sincere and we love to try just about anything. Feel free to submit yourself or a friend to be included in our featured neighbor section.

Have a wonderful week and if you're interested in advertising here, please send us an email for our advertising rate card.

There is no immediate shortage of babies, that's for sure. This month alone we added three new babies to our little world around us. That also means we've been busy either planning or attending baby showers galore. Bliss! Weddings Market makes finding the perfect baby shower favor a breeze. This site offers a new huge selection of baby shower favors. We fell in love with this "World's Gratest Mom" cheese grater. It's simply adorable-the handle is the preggo belly. You can find other unique items like personalized tea, plantable wildflower cards, candles, cookie cutters and more. The prices are incredibly reasonable.

Since weddings don't seem to be slowing down either, the site is also a great resource to look for original and unique bridal shower favors. Shopping by theme is the way to go if you're looking for an eco-friendly (or Vegas) occasion. For the DIYers, the owners of the site also include some helpful how to videos. I got married prior to the internet explosion (what?) so I can only imagine how much time and effort would be saved with this one stop shopping experience.

See it all at blissweddingsmarket.com.

I always have a fear that one of these many trips to Disneyland (season passes are must when you live this close) will include a trip to the "missing child" center. The crowds are so big and our oldest refuses to ride in a stroller. She rarely wanders very far, but you just never know. We are working on the telephone number, but we have three to memorize--a huge task for a 5 year old. These innovative tattoos recently hit my desk and I can't think of a more brilliant way to feel more secure while we're out of the home.

Tattoos With A Purpose now offers a simple and affordable solution. The temporary tattoos come in a variety of styles and can be easily applied. When the tattoo is dry, you simply write in the contact number. They last a few days but can be removed as well. Now if lost or injured the child simply needs to look for the tattoo.

I must admit, as a child my mom had to pin a note to my back that informed anyone to call if found. I had the propensity to wander off and I can't even imagine how much sleep she lost. These tattoos seem like a better answer to her problem. Ah, if we had a time machine.

For more information: Tattoos with a Purpose

We take our product testing here at Lilypad Place very seriously. I decided to give a new product Glowing, Pregnancy Mask Cream a try. This new product from Bella B Natural Bodycare (the makers of Tummy Honey) is a bleach-free lightening cream ideal for preventing and reducing the dark facial patches that often occur during pregnancy. It is supposed to work on sunspots and age spots as well. I also like that it is free of petroleum, lanolin, mineral oil, and parabens. I am not a fan of putting harsh chemicals on my on face, especially since I am nursing my little guy. I used this product as directed and not only found a difference in my overall skin tone, but also noticed a reduction of my lingering pregnancy mask. I have naturally dry skin so the consistency of the product got me hooked. They added a little SPF 25 in there too. It's available at several online retailers. To find out more about this product and their entire line of wonderful products: Mother's Intuition

How important is it to measure twice and cut once? Ask the guy who took a saw to the wrong end of my French door. I am sure he didn't want to make the call to his boss to tell him he needed to reorder an entire door! The incident made me think of how important it is to slow down and think twice. We, as a society, are moving too quickly, expecting things yesterday. When mistakes happen, it baffles us beyond belief. The world doesn't work perfectly for everyone all the time. Imagine how much time you would save if you took a few minutes to think about an action before doing it. It could be anything--in the car, at work, with your children. Stop to measure, whatever your "measure" may be, measure again and then cut. If you're shopping, your measure may be "do I need it?" or "will it change my life?" and if you can't answer yes to both, keep shopping no matter what the bargain may be. If you're dealing with your children your measure may be "will how I handle this be a teachable moment?" or "will my action cause damage?" and if you can't answer either of those questions, stop and think about it until you can. A pause in activity might diffuse the situation long enough to handle it effectively. In the car, ask yourself "will this call distract me from driving?" or "will this call change my life today?" If you can't decide to pull over to take the call or wait until you get home to answer the phone, stop and think about how important is to everyone on the road that you focus on driving.

It's the holiday season. Slow down and think about it your actions. It just may be the moment you need to make the right decision and save yourself more time for what's really important.

Every year I get anxious about more stuff coming into my home during the holidays. We want to give each other and our children a wonderful holiday, but the house gets smaller and smaller come January. This year, I thought it would be fun to give the people in my life a gift of an activity rather than an item. Here are some great ideas that don't require a gift box.

1. Ice skating lessons-a great gift for any age

2. Session with a trainer at the gym-start the New Year right

3. Sushi making class-fun for anyone looking to branch out from the average cooking class

4. Dance lessons-a great gift for newlyweds

5. Spa Treatment-who doesn't love the gift of relaxation

6. Home made coupon for babysitting-any length of time you can commit to

7. Wine tasting class-anyone can be a budding enophile

8. A session at the Batting Cages-great for all ages

9. Credit at the driving range-any golfer would love the practice

10. Sitting fee for a photo session-even the family pet needs a portrait 

Think outside the box this year! Remember online gift certificates are a fun paper less way to spread the joy. Enjoy the countdown and get creative at the same time.  

 

 

Ok busy people, you have 10 minutes of free time. It might be your only 10 minutes of free time in the entire day. I know this story all too well now. Fight the Holiday 15 (similar to the Freshman 15 only it happens in one month instead of the entire year and it's much harder to avoid) with this DVD Boot Camp 2. Fitness expert, Lindsay Brin, created this Boot Camp style workout with the busy mom in mind. You can choose from 6 different 10 minute workouts that burn fat or 6 progressive 5 minute core workouts. The interactive menu offers 300 unique workout combinations. It's impossible to not find something you can fit into your schedule. Happy workout! For more information: MomsIntoFitness.com.

With the holidays right around the corner, now is a great time to start talking about manners. It's never too early to start teaching graciousness in giving and accepting gifts. It's obvious that email is replacing letters and cards but for a special gift at the holidays, an email (unless you have an arrangement with your friends and family) is not a formal thank you card. While you never know what a child is going to say when opening a present, you can help them say thank you in a sincere manner. Whether helping a very young child to write a note or guiding an older child in penning his or her own, take care in the wording of the note. You certainly don't have to have a degree in creative writing, but these tips should help the creative process.

1. Start with addressing the person who gave the gift-without it, it seems generic. If the gift was from a family with a child (i.e., cousin or friend), always include the entire family in the thank you note. Unless you have it on fact that Jr. got on his big wheel, went to the store, picked out the toy, bought it and wrapped it all by himself, leaving out the person or people involved in the process can be insensitive.

2. Thank the gift giver for being able to visit during the holidays. If the gift was mailed, acknowledging the thoughtfulness of remembering the recipient is always appreciated.

3. Thank the gift giver for the gift. Stating what the gift is helps acknowledge that you received the correct item (especially if mailed) or that the gift wasn't lost in the shuffle. This is the section to share something special about the gift as well.

4. The closing-signing with a term of endearment or another thank you before the name is just plain nice in anyone's book.

Teaching young children the proper way to say thank you is an invaluable tool to have all year round and certainly one that will come in handy throughout life.

The holidays are quickly approaching. It’s time to plan ahead for the trip to Grandma’s. If your trip calls for airline travel, here are some helpful hints to make the flight as painless as possible for everyone involved.

1. Try to schedule the flight early in the morning. The flights are less likely to be delayed and toddlers or preschoolers who fall apart at the end of the day will start the day off on a more positive light.
2. If you are flying with an infant and you think you can pull off the “lap child” option, here’s a test to see if it’s right for you. Grab your dinning room chair and try holding your child in your lap for at least three hours. If you’re falling apart emotionally and your arms turn to jelly in a mere 20 minutes, purchase a separate seat. Infants are also safest during flight if they are strapped in their own infant seat.
3. Pack along enough snacks for the entire trip. Most airlines have discontinued all in-flight meals and the snacks are in short supply. Planning ahead with individual bags of treats and water (or milk) will not only make the flight more bearable but may be your saving grace during any flight delays whether on the plane or in the airport.
4. Remember to pack a change of clothing for everyone in a small carryon. You never know when you will all need a fresh outfit. Disposable bibs and individual hand wipes are a must.
5. Bring along a bag of “goodies” that are age appropriate for each tiny traveler. If you take the extra time by “gift wrapping” each of these items, you will extend the interest and add more distraction time in the unwrapping of the items. Try to find small games, cards, travel art projects, books and let the imagination take over.
6. Not every budget allows for this, but the best (and most fun if you limit this at home) way to pass the time is a movie. DVD players are getting less and less expensive and bringing along a player and a few short and long playing DVD movies or collection of age appropriate television shows will save the day.
7. Discuss the rules of travel with your children. It is never too early to practice good manners.

Tailor these tips for each age. Remember, taking the time to plan ahead will help make the trip easier for the entire family as well as your neighbors in the sky.

 

I have to tell this story from my friend because I cannot speak from experience. My first refused the pacifier and now the second is doing the same. My friend Jennie recently had to hold her young son's hand through the letting-go-of-the-binky process and this is how she did it. She talked to him about the existence of the "Binky Fairy" and what the binky fairy does in this world. She told him that it was her job to collect all the binkies and distribute them to the new babies that were on the way. They took little baggies and wrote notes to the new babies and placed each binky in the individual baggies. He put them on the dresser so the Binky Fairy could easily find them and by the next morning POOF! they were gone. Now, he did give up his afternoon nap for a few days, but it's been a week now and there has been no fussing for the binky. Very creative. You might want to give this one a try.

Since the holidays are coming, get in the spirit and dress your little one accordingly. My Pacifier is the mommy-invented product that helps avoid the spread of germs from pacifier swapping. Available in a variety of colors MyPacifier^tm Personalized Pacifiers are made of the finest quality materials and can be personalized to fit your imagination! Check them out here: MyPacifier.com

We recently added a new little guy to our lives and home. We all know how to sleep soundly all night and have been doing so for years. If only we could get this one to follow the game plan. We have been working non-stop to get a good night's rest. We rely heavily on our video baby monitor. We use the Summer Infant Day and Night Monitor. This is our second time around with the product (the video went out on the first after 4 years, which is not bad). This one came with wall mount tools so we can position it safely above the crib. Our friends told us about it years ago. They were having trouble "checking" in on their daughter. She would be rustling and snorting in her sleep so when friend/dad would check on her, her eyes would pop open and story over. The monitor changed everything for them and now us. Now you can hear the rustling and fussing but you can simply hit the button to see what baby is doing without opening any doors and starting a mid-night party. I do have to say, it also comes in handy with older babies. If the fussing and negotiating turns to a crying session, you can watch and know they are safely throwing a fit. Speaking from experience, of course. The downside is the price ($99) but we got 4 years out of our first monitor. Also, in my opinion, the lowest volume setting could stand to be even lower. Check it out for yourself here: babiesrus.com

You would never believe how many years I have tried to plan our family dinner menu a week in advance. It's been a dream of mine to be so organized. I picture myself going to the store just once to gather all of my items to flawlessly prepare meals each night of the week. Of course, it never happens that way. My dear friend shares my dream but she found a solution and passed it along to me. She signed me up for six months of "The Six O'Clock Scramble" weekly email newsletters. What a brilliant idea. Each week I get five step by step recipes and a number-coded shopping list. It doesn't get any easier. These simple to follow recipes usually take less than 30 minutes to prepare and they offer a nice variety and simple variations. Each newsletter also contains bits of advice and helpful hints—well worth the price. Learn all about this innovative and inspired idea from a busy mom. thescramble.com

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. There are so many ways to support the cause and help educate yourself on the importance of an early detection plan. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, when breast cancer is found early, the five year survival rate is 96%. Mammograms are the most effective early detection tests, yet so few woman receive them. You can help women receive free mammograms by supporting this great site. TheBreastCancerSite.com. Click to visit the sponsors who support this great program.

Another way to support the cause AND help the environment is with the purchase of this pink water bottle. Cut down the amount of plastic bottles in your life! The screw-on lid is leak-proof and this pink polycarbonate bottle is virtually indestructible and dishwasher-safe, and holds 28 oz. The $9.95 price can't be beat. (Buy some for your friends and start training a group to walk for the cure.) There are hundreds of over products to choose from. Add some pink to your life and help others.

October 7th through the 13th is officially Fire Prevention Week. This year's theme, "Practice Your Escape Plan," highlights the importance of creating a fire escape plan and knowing the routes to quickly exit a burning building. Fires injure or kill thousands of people each year. You can help reduce the devastating effects of fires with careful planning and by installing smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. By taking special precautions, lives can be saved. Take the time to go over this list with your family this week.

1. Make A Plan—a schematic of your home, even a hand drawing, will help everyone understand the exact escape plan. Make sure you account for your pets!
2. Practice the Plan—do your own fire drill and practice getting out of the house.
   
3. Talk About Fire Safety—teach the "stop, drop and roll" technique and talk about fire dangers in and around the house.
4. Check Your House—use this time to test and/or replace all your alarm batteries and extinguishers.
   
5. Clean Up Your Act—rid your home of hazardous materials like trash, old mattresses, flammable materials and both household and gardening debris. You might want to have your heating vents checked and cleaned prior to the cold winter weather.
   

Have a fun and safe week!

As an online retailer, I get this question quite often. This is my best explanation and I am sure my answer will apply to most companies across the board. Shipping rates are settled upon by more than just the cost of postage. There are many factors that make up a fee for sending a purchase or gift through a private carrier or the US postal system. The first factor is based on the cost of postage and I am sure you've noticed the rate increase recently. (As high as they are, the US has some of the least expensive rates worldwide. The next eight postal systems in the world collectively equal 1/2 the US mail volume and have postage rates that double and frequently triple the cost of our .41 stamp.) The second thing to consider is the packaging. Your items need to be shipped in something that protects them from the elements and from the riggers of the trip that it will take to your home. Most packages include a protective wrap, some cushion and a sturdy mailing envelope, not to mention a packing slip and shipping label. The third thing to consider is the time used by the person that physically handles your package from the packing of the inventory to the drop off to the carrier. This includes billable work hours and sometimes gas and mileage for that person to deposit your package into the carrier's hands.

Why should you have to foot the bill for these charges? Simple. Convenience. The only thing required on your end was an internet connection and the time it took to choose your purchase and process the order with your payment. The time and energy saved includes the drive time to and from the store and the compliance to business hours. The ability to shop in your jammies is a bonus. Worth the price? That's your call. If that hard to find item took two to three stores, what is that time worth to you? If you need to send a gift across the country, calculate the time it takes to drive to the store, choose the gift, find a card, sign the card, wrap the gift, package it for mailing and drive it to the post office. Is your time worth the shipping cost?

P.A.C.K. Week: Pack Assorted Colors for Kids Week, September 24-28, 2007, is a new national healthy-eating initiative to encourage kids to eat more fruits and vegetables while at school. Brought to you by Welch's, this fun and educational program is in support of Fruits & Veggies-More Matters™ Month. The focus of P.A.C.K. Week is on eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, as each has its own nutritional benefits.

Each day of P.A.C.K. Week has been assigned a different color, and parents/guardians will be encouraged to send their children to school with a fruit or vegetable for lunch or snack from the designated color group each day. If your children don’t typically pack a lunch, encourage them to make a colorful fruit or vegetable choice in the cafeteria each day.

The colors for each day of P.A.C.K. Week are:
Monday, September 24: Pack Purple Day
Tuesday, September 25: Pack White Day
Wednesday, September 26: Pack Red Day
Thursday, September 27: Pack Yellow/Orange Day
Friday, September 28: Pack Green Day

Get involved, get motivated and get educated! Find out more information here:  www.welchs.com

Until Halloween! That means you can't walk through a major retail store without ghosts, witches, skeletons and ghouls coming at you at every direction. It also means, if you shop with a toddler or preschooler, your children are being exposed to some pretty scary images. Our local outlet even has a dark, spooky village with a floor to ceiling haunted house playing creepy music (although I am pretty sure I heard it playing Christmas carols, but that's just my paranoia).

Now that your imaginative kids have efficient enough evidence that the creepy crawlers actually exist, prepare yourself for major nighttime trauma complete with nightmares and refusals to sleep in their own beds. We found a spray that just might do the trick—invented by a mother of three children with their own active imaginations. They were afraid of the "monsters" under their beds. This crafty mother developed a "monster spray" for her kids to spray to guarantee the monsters would be held at bay once the spray was used. Of course, the fragrance is so pleasant, what monster would want to hang around?

We have used it all over the house and I must admit, the combination of lavender oils and vanilla fragrance is helping us all even sleep a little better. Bonus? It's made with all natural ingredients and won't stain. I have given you enough time to get your own before Halloween. Find the I'm Not Afraid Monster Spray here: monsterspray.com