Product Raves

I just wanted to make a note of a couple of things that have become invaluable in our house since Turtle started on table foods. There is so much crap out there that it's nice to find some practical things that you feel good about having spent your money on. Also, I am a person that just can't get over aesthetics, so I get excited when I find things that aren't ugly. It's hard with a boy- every damn thing is MVP this or trucks'n'tractors that. Simplicity is nice sometimes...





Mimi The Sardine Splash Mat

http://http//www.mimithesardine.com/SPLASHMATS/Splashmat.html

This is wonderful. In our house, it currently goes under the highchair for feeding time (but can also be used as a table cloth for crafts). The company takes fabric and coats it with some kind of environmentally-friendly-who-knows-what that makes it water proof. You can throw it in your washing machine if needed, but I also found it rinses quite well in the sink. We got ours at Right Start and I give it 5 stars.


Bumkins Super Bibs

http://www.rightstart.com/global/store/product~item~6957.html

These are the best feeding bibs out there. Made of poly with no pvc or vinyl, they are soft (like fabric vs hard like plastic), water proof, pretty much stain proof and machine washable. Again, they rinse off well in the sink and dry long before the next meal time. The velcro is strong enough to handle a tugging toddler and the prints are fun. We are not much for cartoon characters in this house, but the Dr Seuss patterns are a definite fave.


Phil&Ted's Me, Too

http://www.travelingwithkids.com/proddetail.php?prod=700&cat=407

There are a lot of clip on chairs out there, but there is no way this one isn't the best. Phil&Ted's is all about innovation and the chair shows it! Weighing something like 3 lbs, you can take it anywhere. It folds completely flat (where it definitely beats out the others on the market) and even fits in the front zipper pocket of a suitcase. This was actually great for Turtle before he could sit in a real restaurant highchair b/c it kinds of acts as a hammock. He was able to kind of hang there and be at the table vs in his carrier. He really enjoyed that and I think it was great to get him started at the table early. Some friends took it to Europe and said it was perfect for eating places that didn't necessarily cater to kiddos. We don't use it as much now, but we keep it in the trunk and it is always available in a pinch. Well worth the cost!


Putamayo World Music Kids CDs

http://www.putumayo.com/en/putumayo_kids.htm

I grabbed one of these at a local toy store on a whim and they have become an obsession. The Dreamland CDs are so great for bedtime and the Playground ones, well, perfect for play. The music is so fun and upbeat. I even find myself trying to sing along with the songs that are in a language I don't speak. Ha! This is great kids music that adults can enjoy listening to. Our all time favorites have to be New Orleans Playground, Reggae Playground and Dreamland. I could listen to this music daily and never get tired of it (but I would miss the They Might Be Giants kid Cds http://www.giantkid.net/ )



Happy Shopping!



Obligatory Turtle Pic