How to Help Oklahoma #HelpMoore
by Nancy Johnson Horn, Editor
This is a trend that I like seeing — when there’s a crisis or tragedy, people pulling together. Just like we did with Hurricane Sandy (which happened in my area), we are going to post resources on how to help the people of Oklahoma.
Charity Navigator Posted this list of organizations and their ratings: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=1567. Before you donate, you should be aware of how much of your dollars are going to the actual disaster recovery effort, not just to the organization, and how much goes towards expenses, fundraising, admin.. This is one of the reasons why I don’t automatically just donate to the Red Cross anymore. I recommend Convoy of Hope, as I spoke to them during Hurricane Sandy and they helped get a donation I had set up to the ground in Staten Island.
Here’s a giant list of resources. Thank you to Carol Cain of GirlGoneTravel for sharing this from Oklahoma Women Bloggers. (Read More after the jump)
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Svan Lyft Feeding Booster Seat Review
Ah toddlers; they don’t want to be in a high chair, but they’re too small to sit on a regular chair. So a feeding booster seat is your answer, but then you have to pick one? We’re digging the Svan Lyft Feeding Booster Seat (MSRP $80).
Check out our video review:
Features:
- Compact and lightweight for travel and storage
- Storage bag included
- Adjustable telescoping arms and legs
- Safety straps attach to back and bottom of chair
- 3-point adjustable safety harness
- Anti-slip feet ensure stability and protect chair
- Ergonomically designed to provide back support
- No assembly required
Pros: It’s really simple to set up (literally unfold it, like a tiny folding chair). Also, my toddler loved sitting high up. We loved that this came with it’s own travel bag, because it’s perfect for road trips (and folds up flat).
Cons: Make sure the top loops fit over your chair. You may need to use a different chair. Because this is a 3-point harness, not a 5-point harness; I would recommend this for toddlers over the age of 18 months. My son was 2 1/2 when we started testing this and the Lyft was perfect for him.
Buy Svan Lyft Booster Seat – Natural (for 18 months to 5 years)
Thank you to Svan for sending a sample of the Lyft Booster Seat. As always, all opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link.
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Fruit 2O Review and the Dial It Back Movement
By Nancy Johnson Horn, Editor
Disclosure: I received free product and compensation as part of a promotional program with Fruit2O and MomSelect.
Looking for a refreshing, non-soda alternative? Fruit2O has zero sugar, zero calories, zero carbs and zero artificial flavors, It’s a water beverage with just a bit of natural fruit flavor.
I recently tried out several flavors: Cucumber Lemon, Watermelon, Strawberry, and Grape. Wondering what my favorite was? Check out my video to find out — and to find out what the Dial It Back Movement is!
Want to check out your own profile and see if you need to “Dial It Back?” Visit www.dialitback.com to get started. To find out more about Fruit2O, go to Fruit2O.com.
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Customize Your Child’s Shoes with Bailey Berry Shoes
by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman
My daughter, at six, has a very distinct fashion sense. I try to let her pick out her clothes as much as possible and offer only a little “guidance” when she mixes and matches clothes for school. But when it comes to shoes, I try to steer her clear from colors that are too crazy or won’t match anything she has. Can you imagine my (and her) excitement when we found out about Bailey Berry shoes? Finally, a shoe that let’s her make some fashion decisions. (Read more after the jump)
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THOMAS & FRIENDS Joins PBS Kids’ Weekday Schedule This October
We are HUGE Thomas & Friends fans and while I was down at PBS’ Annual Meeting,it was announced that THOMAS & FRIENDS will move to its daily schedule starting on October 7, 2013 (just check local listings). This is a big deal because it moves THOMAS & FRIENDS from weekend syndication to a national distribution. Which means you will see lots more episodes airing (which will make my family of THOMAS fans very happy — we probably own every train). THOMAS & FRIENDS is produced by HIT Entertainment, in association with THIRTEEN for WNET. (Read More after the jump).
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Review: Scanimalz Scantastic Pets
Scanimalz Scantastic Pets are cute plush characters with QR codes on their bellies. This is a cuddly toy combines technology and playing games on a compatible smartphone or tablet (that has a camera). (Read more after the jump).
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NYC Show Review: a Special Night with the Millionaires’ Magician
by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman
I’m the kind of person that always tries to figure out how things work so if I’m watching a magic show – even though I enjoy the tricks – I like to try and figure them out. Last Friday I attended Chamber Magic, an exclusive parlor magic show performed by Steve Cohen, a.k.a. the Millionaire’s Magician, and tried to figure out the how his tricks work but was left baffled and impressed. Most of the tricks were like nothing I’ve seen before! (Read more after the jump)
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Mid-May Madness Sale on all Disney Publishing Storybook Apps
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PBS Annual Meeting Recap: Sesame Street’s New Character and New Show – Peg+Cat
By Nancy Johnson Horn, Editor
Disclosure: I am a PBS Kids VIP Ambassador and I attended their annual meeting down in Miami this past few days. I was not compensated for this, but my travel and hotel stay was covered.
I’m just coming back from my second PBS Annual Meeting, where I had the good fortune to get some scoop on what’s coming from PBSKids. I’ve watched PBS since I was a very little kid, it was the only thing we were allowed to watch when we are little and I am a HUGE Sesame Street fan.
©2013 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.
Sesame Street is debuting a new character called Armando (nicknamed “Mando”). Played by Ismael Cruz Cordova, Mando hails from Puerto Rico (and is utterly charming). They found him in an open casting call (and he does have several acting credits under his belt, “The Good Wife” being one.
Sesame Street EP Carol Lynn Parente, Rosita (Carmen Osbahr), Armando (Ismael Cruz Cordova)
We got to speak to him and Rosita and were utterly charmed.
This year, in Sesame Street’s 44th year, it’s major theme will be Executive Function. Not sure what it means? According to mykidsupport.com, “Executive Function (EF) refers to the set of skills we use to plan, organize, initiate, and complete activities. These skills help us to sustain our attention and persist in the face of frustration. People with strong EF skills can manage their emotions, self-monitor to work efficiently, and find effective ways to problem solve. Success in school depends on reasonably intact EF skills, particularly as a student advances into higher grades.”
Also look for a multicultural focus and some funny Sesame Street parodies from shows like “Homeland” and “Sons of Anarchy”. And Pssst.. Cookie Monster spoofs James Bond!
This fall, Peg+Cat joins the PBSKids lineup. Pronounced Peg PLUS Cat, this adorable animated show, features a female lead (Peg) and her fun sidekick Cat who have fabulous adventures and learn math concepts and skills. Created by Jennifer Oxley (who you may remember from her work on The Wonder Pets and Little Bill) and Billy Aronson (Rent, Postcards from Buster) have teamed up with The Fred Rogers Company. The show takes a transmedia approach and besides episodes airing on PBSKids, there will be interactive games, episode streaming online and mobile apps. In each episode Peg and Cat will encounter a problem that requires them to use math and problem solving skills. We saw part of the first episode and really enjoyed it. 
100 chickens were involved and the chickens got to our breakfast before we did.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Rabulan-Bertram of NextKidThing.com
Look for Peg+Cat next fall.
We also had a fun moment with Mr. Steve of SteveSongs.
He composed an original tune that mentioned all of our blog names. Thank you to Thien-Kim Lam of imnotthenanny.com for providing her youtube video of it (my new iphone5 case muted all my sound).
Thank you to PBS Kids for providing travel to and from the annual meeting and covering my hotel stay and some of my meals. No other compensation was received. As always, all opinions are my own.
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Get Ready for Summer with Coolibar Sun Protective Clothing
by Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman
Summer is just around the corner which means the sun will be even stronger and we have to do everything we can to protect our kids from its harmful rays. Coolibar has everything you need to be prepared to hit the beach, pool, park or back yard party. (Read more after the jump)
