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Archive for November, 2008

Feeling Thankful

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Sometimes, the mere fact that I have happy, energetic, healthy children keeps me up at night. Fearful of jinxing myself, I hate to even see myself type words like “I have healthy children,” knowing that so many parents are dealing with issues that I can’t even begin to imagine. It’s not that my life or my children are perfect; but knowing what could happen can be downright paralyzing at times.

But rather than dwell on the horrible possibilities, I’ve decided that a more positive approach is to be thankful and grateful. As we sit down to turkey with our friends and family, I will quietly and calmly just offer a simple “thanks” to the universe for the sweet and talkative cotton-top little boy and that beautiful and brilliant daughter of mine.

The other thing I can do is try to get the word out about amazing organizations and people and businesses and charities that are doing incredible things to make the world a better place, especially for kids and families. That’s why when I got a press release about St. Jude’s Research Hospital launching its Thanks and Giving campaign, I wanted to spread the word.

Just shop wherever you see the green magnifying glass (Radio Shack, Target, and Gymboree, among several others), and that will help raise funds and awareness for St. Jude’s. Check out the Web site for a complete list of partners and to see the specialty merchandise created to support the campaign. Or you can donate directly online at the Web site. And here’s why I had to pause and give thanks.

From the press release:

Liz Smith is no stranger to hardship. In 1999, she lost her 2-year-old son to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in 2004, lost her husband when he tragically committed suicide. Then she rescued her brother’s three children from foster care and legally adopted them. She was hit especially hard when her 6-year-old niece, Amber Hardin, was delivered with a diagnosis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue, during a doctor’s visit.

After seeing St. Jude TV commercials, Liz immediately decided to take Amber to the hospital for treatment. The hospital meant hope for Liz and her family. Amber began a new St. Jude treatment protocol that alternates chemotherapy with targeted radiation. Liz and Amber live at Target House, and Amber’s treatment is due to continue until February. Meanwhile, back home in Indiana Liz’s two older daughters put their dreams on hold to stay home and help take care of their younger siblings.

Thank you.

Posted in Health Stuff | No Comments »

For the Bookish

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Like so many other students out there, Kate, my third grader, is required as part of her homework to read at least 20 minutes per day. But tracking that time can be a real challenge for a young reader, who might get sucked into a book for an hour or only have time for a short literary break.

I can recommend this cool product to help: Mark-My-Time digital bookmark, which helps track reading time. Kate figured out how to set it pretty quickly and now keeps it stuffed into the pages of her current book or slides it into her backpack. No more hunting down a timer or watching the clock. And best of all, it’s quelled my nagging: “Did you read 20 minutes? I don’t think that was long enough!”

The bookmark can be set to count down or track cumulative time and is made from durable plastic. It comes in neon blue, green or purple and retails for $8.95 at various bookstores and at the Mark-My-Time Web site.

Posted in Education, Nifty Products, Tips | No Comments »

L.A. Parent Cooks!

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

We have a winner! L.A. Parent’s Associate Editor Ronna Mandel trekked over to the Whole Foods Market Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena yesterday to check out the press launch of Personal Trainer: Cooking, a new interactive cooking coach for Nintendo DS that comes out on Nov. 24.

Ronna, like me, is a bit of a stranger to a skillet, so she was somewhat tentative when she found out there would be a competition similar to the TV game show Supermarket Sweep followed by some kitchen time. Media folks were to be divided into teams, after which they received their recipes, and, using the new “cooking coach,” raced through the Whole Foods Market.

Imagine Ronna’s surprise when she and her teammate won!

For her hard work, Ronna brought home a huge copper trophy, a Whole Foods gift certificate, a copy of the game and, of course, the honor of having represented L.A. Parent so well by simply serving up lentil soup. Congratulations, Ronna!

Despite all the hulabaloo surrounding the press event, Ronna says the game is actually a great tool for nonchefs and could be a huge help to tweens and teens trying to find their way in the kitchen. Potential chefs can choose from more than 245 recipes, which include pictures (also helpful, Ronna says), shopping lists and other useful features. Overall, the title offers a unique and helpful way to use an electronic device that is primarily for gaming.

Pictured below (from left) are David Ruprecht of the Supermarket Sweep game show, Ronna, David Young of Nintendo of America and Ronna’s teammate, Ada Chan, of Pasadena.

Posted in L.A. Parent Events, Mom Stuff, Nifty Products | 1 Comment »

Baby Boogie

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

For parents out there who miss their old night-club days, it’s time to grab your sequined diaper bag and hit the dance floor with Baby Loves Disco, a parent-hosted dance party that’s become quite a hit in the Southland.

Last weekend L.A. Parent’s graphic designer Terresa Burgess took her 14-month-old daughter Teagan to an event, which was held at Cinespace in Hollywood, a restaurant and club normally reserved for the young and usually childless crowd of L.A. hipsters.

While toddlers find their groove, grownups can enjoy adult beverages and relive a little of their ’80s dancing days. The little ones like the bubble machine and hula-hoops, and there’s also a play area and snacks. A real DJ spins the hits (decibel levels are made for young ears, although Terresa thought the volume might’ve been a little loud, especially after being there for a while). Parents can raise concerns about volume or other issues to their parent hosts, which are stationed at every event.

The baby dance craze was born out of the Baby Loves Music indie label, which makes music CDs, books and other products geared for toddling music lovers. Events are held throughout the U.S. and even in the United Kingdom. Tickets are $15; stayed tuned to the Baby Loves Disco site for future L.A.-area dates.

Here’s Teagan rocking out solo, with her dad Sean and mom Terresa:

Posted in Cool Thing to Do, Tips | 1 Comment »

Bolt for Breakfast

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

I guess I just have dogs on the brain these days (see Pet Project), but this looks like a fun outing: Catch a family screening of the new Disney dog movie Bolt and have breakfast, too.

The Bolt and breakfast event is for the 10:30 a.m. screening this Saturday, Nov. 22 only, at the ArcLight Sherman Oaks. Tickets cost $21.50 for adults and $17.50 for kids 12 and younger. Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, French toast and a morning beverage (just keep the kids away from the coffee or you’ll be calling them “Bolt”).

Posted in Cool Thing to Do, Tips | No Comments »

I’ve Got Mail: Cardboard

Monday, November 17th, 2008

How many times have we heard ourselves say, “He plays with the cardboard box more than the toy!”? Here’s a cool kid product that actually is the box. Made from cardboard and imported from Germany, the Calafant brand offers more than 21 models of all sizes and shapes, from fire engines and dinosaurs to castles and teepees.

Each kit comes with markers, so kids can design it themselves. Then the cardboard assembly part was pretty easy – Jack (who’s 4) was able to figure out most of it. Some of the large ones are even big enough for kids to crawl through, and the smaller ones are perfect for Barbie houses and rampaging dinosaurs (I should note here that they’re pretty sturdy, too, in the event of a rampaging dinosaur).

Designed by well-known German cartoonist Boris Schimanski, the cardboard toys are even recyclable once the kids have gotten their enjoyment out of them.

Creative Toyshop, based in Pennsylvania, is the exclusive distributor in the U.S. Find them online or through specialty toy and museum stores. Small kits are $6.99, the medium line is $14.99 and the large ones are $24.99. I guarantee your kids will get your money’s worth out of these boxes.

(Photos by Kate)

Posted in Mail Box, Nifty Products, Uncategorized | No Comments »

The Getaway That Gives Back

Friday, November 14th, 2008

Escape to a cool San Francisco hotel for the weekend – and then reach out and help the needy while you’re at it. The Hotel Adagio in Union Square is hopefully setting a new standard among high-end hotels by offering the Pursuit of Happiness Voluntourism Package. Guests have the option to volunteer at Glide Memorial, assisting with the facility’s meals program that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to more than 3,000 people per day.

Located in the Tenderloin, Glide helps the less fortunate with meals, a medical clinic, youth job training and services at its renowned Glide Church. Guests are encouraged to attend services, which are well known for their music and inspirational message.

The Hotel Adagio has 171 guestrooms and rates starting at $189. Book the package online using the code GLIDE.

Then take a trip that might help both you – and someone in need – feel better.

Posted in Cool Thing to Do, Travel | No Comments »

Pet Project

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

We lost Bongo, our very favorite border collie, about two years ago. Courageous and loving to the very end, she quietly passed away in Steve’s arms after 17 long years as our loyal and faithful furry friend. Without getting too sappy here, she left an irreplaceable hole in all of our hearts.

Growing up, I’ve always had a pet. Tiger (named for the Brady’ Bunch pooch) was my first dog love, a fat and sassy cockapoo and my constant companion in my early elementary years. Fred the cat came along during that era, too.

But Bongo was different than any animal I’d ever had. Smart and sensitive, she’d shoot you look of gut-wrenching sadness if you even thought about leaving the house without her, regardless of the outing. She loved the UPS guy and the neighbors with equal fervor. That’s one of the reasons it’s been so difficult to even think about getting another dog. What four-legged creature could live up to Bongo?

But another reason? Diapers.

Jack was deep into potty training when Bongo passed away, and as the resident chief of poop and other icky substances, Steve was less than enthused about the idea of taking on a puppy and the cleanup that goes along with that. And while I’ve been the one pushing for getting another dog, even I’ve had to admit that I’m not all that eager to tackle the responsibility and challenges that come with adding a new family member.

But every dog park I’ve passed and every furry face I see grinning from a car window only makes me wistful for the feeling of a cold nose in the morning and the click of toenails on the hardwood floors.

I’m happy to report, however, that Steve and I are once again open to the idea of adding a dog for our family fold. And like our new president-elect, we’re trying to decide where to go and what to get. A pure-bred pooch seems a bit extravagant in the these times, and I’ve always been a fan of the mutt. Bongo came from a shelter, so that’s an option. Or maybe a rescue operation?

Stay tuned as we begin the search …

Posted in Pets | 4 Comments »

Pick Up the Stick

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

Did you know there was a National Toy Hall of Fame? Neither did I. It was established as part of the Strong National Museum of Play, based in Rochester, NY. And did you know that this year, the nominating committee selected the simple stick as one its inductees this year (along with the baby doll and the skateboard)? Yes, you read that correctly. The stick.

Once I thought about it, I realized that it often becomes a favorite toy in my household, too. Jack will carry around a stick all day, poking at the ground, poking at his sister (there’s no governing board to monitor its safety), poking at his shoes. A good, fat stick often holds as much attention-holding power as his Hot Wheels or Thomas the Tank tracks.

And the best thing about a stick? If you have a Christmas tree this year, your shopping will be infinitely simple this year …

Posted in Mom Stuff, Nifty Products | No Comments »

Farm News

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Sometimes we just don’t know what’s going to happen when he head out to shoot a cover for L.A. Parent. Cranky models, bizarre weather, fires that force us to make a last-minute location change. One time we even had a snake slither through a shoot.

But when we shot the November cover late last summer at Danny’s Farm in Altadena, everything came together. Sure, a hungry goat kept trying to eat our props. And our cover model (and Shooting Stars Cover Kids Contest winner) Tommy John-Douglas Tucker had come down with a bug the night before. But the serenity and calm that presides over this little oasis tucked into a quiet neighborhood made it all worthwhile.

But this place isn’t just a cute spot for a photo shoot. It’s a refuge for both people and animals who might otherwise be having a bit of trouble finding their footing in the outside world. Amid the lazy cats lounging near the stables, the chickens perching and pecking about, the horse and the therapy dog and several other critters, owner Cathy Gott has created a safe haven where kids and adults with disabilities (or not) can feel accepted and loved unconditionally.

In short, everyone is welcome at Danny’s Farm. Check out this short video about the farm from msnbc.com.

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