Winter Wonderland, Inside!

I’m crossing my fingers that the stripper phase will end soon.

Because it’s hard to stay winter wonderful when you’re debating how long it will take for their digits to freeze as they’re running around sans clothing. This time of year, I think seriously about scaling back on the thermostat, but that means foiling the child’s every attempt to avoid her clothing.

I shared my favorites for a winter wonderland outside when they’re on the move a few weeks back, but what about the inside-the-house secrets?

A temperature gauge made just for them will make the morning fights disappear. Wind and Weather’s wall-mountable My First Weather Station can be hung right next to their coat and gloves to let them check in on the temperature inside and out before they go. The little kid on the screen is decked out in the weather-appropriate outfit, letting the real life kids know what they need to wear to be ready for the day. Kid on screen wearing his scarf? It’s not Mom making the recommendation that they bundle up anymore – so they can have that “I can do it myself” moment without you fearing you’ll have a shorts-wearing kid walking out into the 32-degree day.

Dittany Baby has made school cool for little ones with their collegiate line of skid pants. Wrap ‘em round their little legs or little arms to keep them extra warm, and let them show off Mommy and Daddy’s alma mater while they’re at it. So far there’s 35 universities on the list, and it’s growing every day. Just added? My husband’s favorite team – so we’ll be ordering a set of Hokie skid pants to keep our little Virginia Tech fan warm as a little bug.

Take a walk down memory lane with MukLuks – remember them? – for the kids and you! Reliable of Milwaukee has brought back the seventies slipper socks that kept the cold out and made it under the tree every year. Now they’re made for kids too – with a boot-like design that will cover their calves with warm Fair-Isle sweaters and the soles of their feet with a sturdy PVC sole. They’re just $8.99 at Casual Living – a steal for the kids on your list. If you want to match them with a mom twist, check out the Mary Janes at Sears, a millennium version of a classic that’s reliable and respectable . . . oh yeah, and warm!

The mom blog world has been buzzing about Joobles of late, the cuddly little friends made of organic cotton in a fair trade environment. Coming straight from the folks at Fair Indigo, who ensure the makers of everything they sell are paid a fair wage and given fair working conditions, Joobles have won little hearts for not only being soft and cuddly but fitting just right under a little arm. What makes them a winter buy? A number of the Joobles are matched with sweaters made from the same soft organic cotton, with a little Jooble friend in the pocket. Letting them run around in their play clothes and keeping the heat at a level Mom and Dad can afford becomes a little easier when you throw an extra layer on them. And they’ll be more than willing when they realize the sweater (or the hat and mitten sets available) are made for cuddly with their favorite little friends.

Jeanne Sager is a freelance writer and mama (on the move) to Jillian. She lives in upstate New York, works as a newspaper reporter and let’s it all hang out all over the Web including the Mother of All Parenting Blogs, Babble’s own Strollerderby, at her site Inside Out, over at Burbia and of course here on PeekabooPicks. With Jillian in tow, she interviews Grammy nominees, big time authors and the farmer up the road - and she shares her juggling secrets every Monday here on Peekaboo Picks. To be featured in Mama on the Move, send an e-mail her way (mailto: jeannesager [at] gmail.com).

Jeans for Jeannes (and you too!)

I gave up after my daughter was born on the ban on pink and the refusal to buy into the power of the princess.

But there’s one place I refuse to budge. The pants.

On the go constantly, I’ve found that letting my girl get all “foofed” up just isn’t practical. Kids, by their nature, like to get dirty. They find the one puddle in the entire parking lot, and they jump in it. They don’t watch where they are going, and they trip and fall.

Striking a balance between letting them just be them and keeping the family on the go has made for a jeans-only rule in our house (in the winter, anyway). They’re durable. They dry quickly and protect little knees from scrapes. They’re warm. They don’t show dirt (or spilled yogurt drinks)

They’re one piece of clothing every kid needs plenty of.

Here’s a test of my favorites in different price ranges:

Appaman has been making thick-cotton denim for little legs for just five years now, but don’t let the funny monkey logo fool you. This is a company that’s serious about dressing kids. Available from one of my favorite kids boutiques, Cocotier Kids, the Appaman girls bootcut jeans and railroad carpenter jeans are on the higher end of the list at $64 apiece. But their worth fast becomes apparent when Junior first falls down. The thick denim won’t tear at the first stumble, and it offers an extra layer of protection from the winter chill. Throw them in the wash, and they soften but don’t break down even as you find yourself loosening that expandable waistband to keep up with a growing kid. Helping you feel like your wallet won’t be breaking down this year, Cocotier Kids is throwing in a discount on the Appaman line: use the code PEEK at checkout for an additional 10 percent off any Appaman product. She’s also offering as much as 15 percent off of orders over $200 with sales storewide, so take a peek!

Tea Collection started with a sweater, but the folks who make clothes for little citizens of the world have a denim wear line that will take them to the moon and back. The Sora Denim Slim Fit give little girls a look that’s as stylish as mom’s, in a pair of jeans that’s all girl. Whiskered washing atop the thighs give them a hint of sophistication. The adjustable waistband and longer length than other brands (in an equivalent sizing) make Tea Collection jeans that kids can grow into and keep on wearing. What’s more, Tea donates 40-50 percent of all sales from the assortment to The Global Fund for Children, making this a purchase that will help other little citizens of our world.

When my daughter started wandering into my realm of shopping, I realized I might have to start backing out. Roxy has been a standby for Moms like me who want to cling to youth without looking like they’re trying too hard. It’s Roxy’s kids line that’s caught my eye, with prices around $35 and below, and jeans that stand up to tough kids and even tougher mom standards. They look like something the big girls would wear, but they protect your little girl.

And since we’re talking protection, Comfy Crawlers from Gissy Bella are the jeans that keep little knees safe before they’re up and running. Made with patches to cover their delicate kneecaps, the Comfy Crawlers are matched with a shirt with little pads for their elbows to keep them safe on the go. For 20 percent off from Gissy Bella, enter code SFL2008 at checkout!

Protecting your pocketbook, Riders by the Makers of Lee (available at mass market retailers nationwide) keeps the costs well below $20 on every pair of pants you buy. But watch your kids walk, and you can’t tell the difference. With styles like the embroidered flare for little girls, the four-eyed flare for bigger girls and then those jeans for mom, you save yourself time and money shopping to outfit the family. With old Riders handed down (and still standing up to yet another kid) and new Riders in her closet, my daughter gets to just be a kid wherever we go.

Jeanne Sager is a freelance writer and mama (on the move) to Jillian. She lives in upstate New York, works as a newspaper reporter and let’s it all hang out all over the Web including the Mother of All Parenting Blogs, Babble’s own Strollerderby, at her site Inside Out, over at Burbia and of course here on PeekabooPicks. With Jillian in tow, she interviews Grammy nominees, big time authors and the farmer up the road - and she shares her juggling secrets every Monday here on Peekaboo Picks. To be featured in Mama on the Move, send an e-mail her way (mailto: jeannesager [at] gmail.com).

Christmas on the Go

Remember buying a present for your Mom because it was something you really, really, really wanted for yourself? Yes, you were probably 8 and using Dad’s money, but is that really an excuse.

If you nodded, keep reading. Because this Christmas, the Mama on the Move way to go is to pack the tree skirt with presents that will suit them while they’re with you.

It’s my version of having your cake and eating it too!

They’ll be ready to take to the friendly skies or hop on the bus Gus with airplane and bus backpacks from Zid Zid Kids at Global Home. Like most of the finds at this upstate New York shop with a new e-presence, the packs bring a piece of the globe into your home. Made of a durable vinyl and imported from Morocco, the packs are one part carry-all, two parts adventure toy.

Keeping the two-in-one theme going, Nursery Rhyme Tease pack learning and style in one little bag. Designed by a teacher, the rhyme design on the shirt provide a tease to the magic inside the accompanying board book – proof positive that literacy is indeed cool.

MeGiant doubles the fun with their tees in tiny retro tin lunchboxes that serve up plenty of fun for kids who like to play dress up, restaurant and school. Imagination’s the name of the game with the line of shirts too – the Mama on the Move seal of approval has been stamped right on the Chirp Daddy line of confused critters. Is that a rooster mooing? A dog oinking? Crack your kids up, then send them off with their box to think up more silly adventures.

Are they dying to take the wheels on the road? Pick up the Cheeky Chick from Okiedog to keep things rolling. The toddling tots can grab hold of the handles for assurance that everything’s a go before taking off on their own two feet, while the older kids show off their cheek riding ‘round the block. When they’re done, just fold the chick down to half its size (a smooth process, mom’s honor) and slip it into the trunk until the next time.

When they’ve settled back into the car for the trip home, how about pulling out this stocking stuffer? Psychobaby has brought out the Museum of Modern Art’s Close Up card games so your kids can brush up on art appreciation in the middle of a game of Old Maid or Memory. Or help them get wild about Warhol and crazy about Calder with the Modern Artists Go Fish for Art games.

Jeanne Sager is a freelance writer and mama (on the move) to Jillian. She lives in upstate New York, works as a newspaper reporter and let’s it all hang out all over the Web including the Mother of All Parenting Blogs, Babble’s own Strollerderby, at her site Inside Out, over at Burbia and of course here on PeekabooPicks. With Jillian in tow, she interviews Grammy nominees, big time authors and the farmer up the road - and she shares her juggling secrets every Monday here on Peekaboo Picks. To be featured in Mama on the Move, send an e-mail her way (mailto: jeannesager [at] gmail.com).

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Baby, it’s getting cold out there.

But where I dreaded going outside the winter my daughter was a newborn, work, grocery shopping, her busy social life and just about everything else that makes me the “mama on the move” columnist here at Peekaboo has made hiding inside impossible.

I wish I’d had the BabbaCover by Jessica Kim when Jillian was still in that carry-all-over carseat. Forget the blankets that get kicked out, the overgrown snowsuit that makes it impossible to buckle them in. The BabbaCover fits over the whole kit and kaboodle, the snuggle fleece beep beep version keeping them warm as a baby in a bug. Flannel and airy cotton versions are available for the other seasons, but the snuggle fleece is just the right weight for winter. With a cinch around the bottom to lock in the warmth and a hole at the top for good grip on the handle, that’s a weight off your mind.

Once they’re on their own two feet, it’s hard to keep them from jumping in slush piles in the parking lot or running wily nily for the snow bank when you’re just trying to get them in the car in the morning. But nothing will make them crankier than a day of wet socks, so the boots on their feet are as important as the clothes on the rest of them. Warmbat boots offer up a variety of sturdy options with sheepskin lining for warmth and an outside that can stand up to spilled yogurt drinks the same way it keeps out the wet.

Did you ever get to leave the house without your coat when you were a kid? So why would you let yours leave without something that will keep them warm and dry? Orage’s line of ski parkas (available at REI.com or www.USOutdoor.com) are worth the investment thanks to a heavy duty outer lining that keeps the wet out and the warmth in. The days of wrapping your kid up like Randy from The Christmas Story to keep him (or her) warm are over – thank goodness – with lightweight materials that do double the work.

You can make it look like you did double the work – without lifting a finger (besides the one you need to move your computer mouse) when you surf over to Jaybird Designs. Owner Jennifer Cirka has managed to take crocheting for fun to the next level. Where you throw the blanket from your nana’s best friend over your baby to be nice, Jennifer’s tight stitches, eye for color and sense of whimsy make for blankets and clothing you’ll be pulling out because you want to show it off. Her cupcake hat and scarf set comes custom-made for your little girl, a sweet treat that will keep them from turning into a Popsicle!

Too often we forget the sun’s powerful rays are just as harmful during the winter as the summer months. If you’re on the go and spending time outdoors with the kids, they’re at risk for a sunburn or – even worse – building up the sun’s effects that could lead to skin cancer down the road. It’s the same exact risk they’re facing in the summer. So top off their winter wear with a hat from Wallaroo Hats, which sport UPF protection of 50 plus! The Hearts and Stars for the littlest heads is a soft stretchy fleece with ties that will keep them from yanking and chucking when you’re out and about. It also covers the tips of those little ears – one of the spots where sun exposure can be the harshest.

Now that they’re kitted out from head to toe, it’s time for Mom to get dressed! But that’s another column, another day. Gotta go!

Jeanne Sager is a freelance writer and mama (on the move) to Jillian. She lives in upstate New York, works as a newspaper reporter and let’s it all hang out all over the Web including the Mother of All Parenting Blogs, Babble’s own Strollerderby, at her site Inside Out, over at Burbia and of course here on PeekabooPicks. With Jillian in tow, she interviews Grammy nominees, big time authors and the farmer up the road - and she shares her juggling secrets every Monday here on Peekaboo Picks. To be featured in Mama on the Move, send an e-mail her way (mailto: jeannesager [at] gmail.com).

Get Organized Before Thanksgiving

It’s starting. The next few weeks will be a mad dash to get things ready for the holidays. If you thought Black Friday and beyond were bad, you have no idea.

Part of becoming a parent means suddenly traveling is harder, and you’re now a family unit . . . the family unit who becomes part of the Thanksgiving rotation. And when everyone comes piling into your house for that meal, not only will they expect heavenly smells wafting from the kitchen but places to sit in your house that are free of toys, Danimal spills and the remaining detritus of parenting.

It’s time to get organized.

If you think that’s easier said than done with a kid around the house, I’ve got a secret.

It’s called hidden clutter.

My daughter’s playroom has taken on a new life thanks minimal investment in the Joey and Jane Kids Toy Boxes from KangaRoom Storage. The sturdy canvas boxes are foldable, wipe-off-able and able to withstand a 3-year-old’s tantrums or a spilled sippy. Trust me, there’s not much out there that can do all that.

The Joey and Jane Toy Boxes feature a flip-lid made of thick, firm canvas, so there’s never a worry that little fingers will be pinched. Box after box can be stacked to maximize space, and small handles on either side make for easy pick-up and hide in the closet when someone’s coming.

Kangaroom’s Corky Wall Organizer can be hidden on the backside of a closet door, but with sleeves across the top for your favorite snapshots, it can just as easily double as an art installation on the wall. Made of similar canvas, KangaRoom’s Corky is the organizer that keeps track of all those “always go missing items.” Pockets are embroidered with pictures of a key, glasses, cell phone and MP3 player because it’s the little things that count – and you can never find.

For things you don’t want anyone to find (think dust bunnies), there’s a new vacuum that won’t require dragging around the house. The Vroom Solo installs right inside a cabinet – all you drag out is the hose. And that will reach just about anywhere . . . anywhere kids shove their crumbs we mean. One of those lucky ducks who has a central vac system in the house already? Don’t rub it in. But keep reading – because the Vroom Central will work with those too.

We always wish we could be better at something. But there’s no use crying over spilled sippy when you have the Couldah Bin and Shouldah Bin from The Organized Parent.

The cubes require no assembly (if you can zip a zipper, you’re fine), and they’re just as easy to break back down when you’re low on junk. Lined with a funky black and white pattern or a basket weave, the material is water-resistant and wipes clean of jam hands and muddy paw prints. The difference between Couldah and Shouldah is merely the size – but you’ll have to pick one up to see what your house could look like with one less pile of magazines precariously perched on the edge of the table.

Stephanie at the Organized Parent is helping Peekaboo readers get organized in time for the holidays! Enter the Code PEEK25 at checkout and save 25 percent off of your entire order!

And about all those spilled sippies . . . maybe you need to try a new one? Playskool’s baby care line is now available at any CVS! They’ve got some new flip top goodies that hold juice like nobody’s business. And their cottony cloths . . . oh, the luxury for these baby butts . . .

But that’s another column (coming soon to Peekaboo, I promise!) So leave the holiday stress to me and just get ready!

Jeanne Sager is a freelance writer and mama (on the move) to Jillian. She lives in upstate New York, works as a newspaper reporter and let’s it all hang out all over the Web including the Mother of All Parenting Blogs, Babble’s own Strollerderby, at her site Inside Out, over at Burbia and of course here on PeekabooPicks. With Jillian in tow, she interviews Grammy nominees, big time authors and the farmer up the road - and she shares her juggling secrets every Monday here on Peekaboo Picks. To be featured in Mama on the Move, send an e-mail her way (mailto: jeannesager [at] gmail.com).

Crafting on the Go

I wish I could say I was the Martha mom. Crafting is all over the Internet, even here at Peekaboo, but I have the black thumb of the scrapbooking world. Not to mention a pure lack of time.

The best of intentions has resulted in a massive pile of photos of my daughter in the living room bookcase, a birthday present for my friend that I promised I’d frame still under the guest room bed (her birthday is next month – I’ve had it since the last birthday) and a box full of “supplies” for projects I will one day, maybe, possibly, sort of do with my daughter.

So what’s a mom to do? Fake it? Ok, not quite. But close!

I’ve found everything mamas on the move need to cheat the system so we look like Martha without ever having to be, well, Martha.

The Handprint Canvas from Red Envelope is a four-part-art project in one box. Four canvases in bright colors come pre-stretched and pre-stapled on their wooden frame, already packed with bottles of paint. Now what? It’s up to you. Pour the paint in a bowl, and let them make handprints. Hand them the pre-packed brush and let out their inner Van Gogh. Grab one for yourself, hand one to your spouse. Let ‘em dry, then hang them up – they’re already ready to go.

If the name Chicken Socks sounds goofy, the burst of imagination they bring on is something to behold. The series of books for younger kids from Klutz, the “how-to-book” experts, provides complete projects so you don’t have to go rooting around the craft store for just that certain piece of yarn. Put it all together and what have you got? A new game or toy for them to play with.

Personal fave Chicken Socks from Klutz Fun With Felt brings the library felt story home with an envelope full of felt and page after page of feltboard. Have them recreate the designs on the alternate pages or let them make their own felt creatures.

Chicken Socks’ Mermaid’s Place unfolds right into a world under the sea, but they still have to make the mermaids. Get ready for Ariel their way.

Sarah’s Silks Play Silks from Magic Cabin are nothing and everything all at once. The long strips of silk can be tied as a cape ‘round the neck, wrapped ‘round the hips for a skirt, pulled sky high to capture the wind or turned into the key component of your child’s next big adventure. And it takes no work from you. Just let them be kids, and the play silks take over.

Sarah’s Silks has plenty of “real” dress up items too. Magic Cabin stocks the gorgeous Princess gown and hat that can make you look like you know how to outfit their dress-up trunk with elegance.

Jeanne Sager is a freelance writer and mama (on the move) to Jillian. She lives in upstate New York, works as a newspaper reporter and let’s it all hang out all over the Web including the Mother of All Parenting Blogs, Babble’s own Strollerderby, at her site Inside Out, over at Burbia and of course here on PeekabooPicks. With Jillian in tow, she interviews Grammy nominees, big time authors and the farmer up the road - and she shares her juggling secrets every Monday here on Peekaboo Picks. To be featured in Mama on the Move, send an e-mail her way (mailto: jeannesager [at] gmail.com).

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