Babyccino Kids is updated daily with new craft projects, favourite recipes, interesting cultural topics and other kid-friendly ideas. We also dig up the coolest new products and must-have accessories (which are always personally tested beforehand to ensure they deserve our trusted approval)!
Babyccino Kids was started by four mums who originally all met in London shortly after the birth of their first children. In 2007 they all moved to different corners of Europe and then started Babyccino Kids as a way of staying in touch, exchanging stories, ideas and tips.
They have since added contributors from New York, Sydney, Melbourne, London and Los Angeles with high hopes of discovering more great products and becoming familiar with new cities around the world.
A SERIES OF HIP TRAVEL GUIDES BY LOCAL MUMS IN THE KNOW
With insider tips and reviews from each city we offer up the best of our cities’ family-friendly restaurants, shops and activities. We’ve assembled it all into a series of travel guides (currently London, Paris, Amsterdam and New York). Our aim is to go beyond the obvious, to provide kid-friendly guides which allow parents to visit our cities in style. Please visit the Babyccino Kids Guides for details.
Everyday I receive countless emails, flyers and the like devoted to nothing but things for kids to do in New York City. I have been to the cat circus, a bubble extravaganza, a number of “favorite tv character” come to life revues and anything within a ten mile radius that you can put a li’l in front of. All well intentioned, some entertaining, a few just plain out there. I realized that all this activity was a search to connect with my kids and maybe that was simpler than I realized. Our best moments always seemed borne of slowing down, of interaction, of noticing them.
Moomah was created to give parents, children and caregivers that opportunity. We wanted the space to be inviting and to nurture creative stimulation not over-stimulation. The color palette was inspired by nature and the seasons. You won’t find wacky clowns with oversized eyes and primary colors and you won’t be forced to listen to “kids music”. Moomah is a space where both parents and kids can bond over a great song, a fun project or new treat. A place where you can just be together.
It’s time, finally, to pause, slow down and lower the volume. And remember that in a quiet moment, a child can discover a world of delight. It’s in your smile, a word of praise, a quirky little rhyme, a silly song, their own personal fairy tale. At Moomah our serene space, the music we play, our games and classes, the food we prepare, indeed everything we do is designed to bring you and your child closer together. To encourage conversation, reflection, sharing and careful attention. And to understand that years from now, you will cherish this intimate moment.
Toys and craft kits, all informed by the palette of patterns, forms, hues and elements found in nature, will delight and intrigue them. Exploring earth-born objects – pebbles, feathers, seashells, wool, tree bark, sand – they’ll question the why and how and where did they come from, learning of an unbroken cycle that connects each object to them, to their place on the planet, to you and to everyone they meet. Puzzles and storybooks, filled with imagery of exotic menageries, farm and woodland animals, intriguing objects, and antique curiosities, help them to daydream and discover. They can take a safari deep into their imagination, or learn something new about a favorite pet.
Moomah serves it up yummy and wholesome, for kids and grown-ups. Delicious pastries, fair trade coffee and teas, savory meals, snacks, sweet treats and finger food, all made from the finest natural ingredients and sourced from local and organic farms, delight the senses and encourage little ones to taste something new. And we’ll even show them how proud we are of them for trying.
At Moomah, art materials and projects illuminate universal themes: the five senses, the seasons, the animal kingdom, the body, mythical creatures. Your child is given the freedom to explore, to trust their impulses and admire the beauty of their expression. You learn the full sum of how their feelings and thoughts were brought to shape, and brought to life in their artwork. In this way, their artwork becomes the story of their emerging self and development, a document of that particular moment, and a treasured keepsake. You and your child can create a world filled with promise and possibility.
161 Hudson Street
New York, New York
1 0 0 1 3
212 226 0345
www.Moomah.Com
Play has arisen from the idea of play and building a child’s imagination. Jesper K. Thomsen has re-interpreted the classic soapbox cart to create a series of quality children’s furniture. The expression is random and homemade, with oblique lines, compound angles and such humorous details as the green projections contrasting the clear yellow color.
Create delightful stories and adventures in the dark with these sturdy cardboard shadow puppets from France. There is a prince and a princess, the king and a witch, a good fairy, a donkey and a dragon, a castle and a forest-all the makings of a classic fairy tale. All you need to supply is the light and a neutral wall background-and of course your imagination! Nine pieces of varying sizes on wooden sticks. $18.00
The tradition continues celebrating its 13th season with holiday fun under the sun and stars DOWNTOWN ON ICE. La’s largest outdoor skating rink at the picturesque Pershing Square framed by towering skyscrapers and stunning historical landmarks.
When: November 18, 2010 - January 17, 2011
Where: Pershing Square, 532 South Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Cost: Rates are $6.00 for 1 hour skate session, plus $2 skate rental.
Parking: Discounted underground parking is available under the park with validation.
W Hotel’s “Chill”
Bundle up and take a spin on “CHILL”, The W Hotel in Westwood pool deck has been transformed into a winter playground featuring a hybrid ice skating rink called “CHILL”. For the 2nd year in a row, join in as they bring the magic of the holidays to life. Surprises are in store including lessons and performances every Saturday by BH Skating Park’s Cabaret Ice Theater and Gingerbread house decorating. The Curveball: I mentioned the “ice,” but the rink is actually made of so-called “hybrid ice,” a synthetic material approximating a high-tech plastic. Sort of a bummer, given that one of the joys of ice skating is the brisk temperatures that necessitate a chunky sweater. But at least the skates are real, and the rink doesn’t require power for refrigeration, so you’re doing our Southern California environment a favor.
When: November 19, 2010 - January 24, 2011.
Where: W Hotel 930 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles.
Hours: 3:00 p.m.to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Cost: $10 per hour. (The rental skates are included)
Parking: Parking in Westwood is tricky—but we’re not telling you anything you don’t already know. To save a little cash, hunt for a two-hour meter, many of which are free after either 6 or 8 p.m. There are additional public lots a block south of the hotel, too. Otherwise, you’re stuck with hotel valet, which runs $10 for the first hour and $4 for each hour after that.
Santa Monica’s “ICE”
ICE at Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica’s premiere outdoor skating rink, returns for its third year as a part of Winterlit. Thousands of sparkling lights set the stage for festive cheer that will last throughout the holiday season. ICE at Santa Monica boasts 8000-square-feet of real ice and this year, brings the addition of a 400-square-foot for children aged six and under. ICE is the perfect choice for a family outing or memorable night out. Also both arenas offer skating lessons, season passes and special event options for birthday or holiday parties.
When: October 30, 2009 - January 18, 2010.
Where: Located less than two blocks from the Third Street Promenade at Arizona and 5th Street in the heart of Santa Monica
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Including Halloween, Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Cost: $10 admission (Includes Skates)
Parking: Public Parking Structure or Street Meters
Orange County Performing Arts Center plays host to a unique event – a spectacular new production of J M Barrie’s classic story direct from London. Conceived by an award winning creative team and featuring 22 actors, puppets, music, dazzling flying sequences and the world’s first 360-degree CGI theater set on the tent walls at three times the size of Imax screens, this production of Peter Pan is not to miss! I was literally blown away by their use creativity to make the entire play come to life in the most magical way!
Performed in a state-of-the-art theatre production, Peter Pan is an extraordinary experience for the whole family. Generally, this show is not recommended for children under age five. Tickets range in price from $30 to $85. A $20 discount for children 12 and under is available for select performances. Tickets can be purchased online at peterpantheshow.com Also Soon coming to Atlanta and Chicago in 2011.
Orange County Performing Arts Center
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Call for Tickets: 714-556-2787
Tue–Fri at 7pm
Sat at 1pm & 6pm
Sun at 12:30pm & 6pm
1. Make your child eats dinner before setting out.
2. Make sure children use the bathroom before leaving home.
3. Plan your route ahead of time.
Flash Lights :
1. Make sure your child carries a flashlight or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.
2. Carry a flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths. Check or replace batteries before you leave the house.
3. Glow Sticks can be used in the dark along with flashlights.
Costumes:
1. Try on costumes before Halloween to allow time for altering.
2. Make sure your costumes are hemmed so they don’t drag on the ground.
3. Wear comfortable walking shoes, that fit properly. Make sure shoe laces are tied tight.
4. Make-up should be hypoallergenic and non-toxic.
Safety Rules:
1. Try to go trick or treating during daylight hours
2. Always walk, do not run.
3. Stay on the Sidewalks. If their is no sidewalks, Then walk on the left side of the road, Single file, Facing traffic.
4. Obey all local traffic signals. Cross only at corners holding hands.
5. Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into a stranger’s car.
6. Report any suspicious or criminal activity to an adult or the police.
Homes:
1.Visit houses that have lights on, especially houses with Halloween decorations.
2. Don’t trample through grass, flower beds and gardens.
3. Respect other people and their property.
Candy:
1. Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.
2. Throw away candy that has loose wrappings, is unwrapped, has puncture holes, or is homemade.
3. Small children should not be allowed hard candy they may choke on.
4. Always carry a spare Halloween bag just in case yours breaks.
Manners:
Always be polite. And don’t forget to say “Thank You”.
Parents with Older Kids:
1. Make sure that your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves.
2. Plan a safe route so parents know where their older kids will be at all times and Set a time for their return home.
3. If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
4. Let them know that they should stay together as a group if going out to Trick or Treat without an adult.
5. Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. Make sure they know to stay in populated places and don’t go off the beaten track. Stay in well lighted areas
6. They should only Stop at familiar houses in your own neighborhood
Home Owners:
1. Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
2. Pets get frightened on Halloween. Lock them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater.
3. Battery powered jack O’lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
4. If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
5. Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle.
6. Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later. ( Make sure all treats handed out are sealed shut by a plastic wrapping)
Always charming and quaint, Larchmont Village, near Hancock Park will be hosting a “Family Fair,” complete with talent and costume contests, as well as rides, games, and food suitable for the kiddies. The Larchmont Family Fair takes place on Sunday, October 24th from noon to 5 p.m. and is free, with all proceeds going to various local non-profits. Be sure to visit the pumpkin carving station and grilled corn with all the fixin’s. See you there!
Documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim explores the tragic ways in which the American public education system is failing our nation’s children, and explores the roles that charter schools and education reformers could play in offering hope for the future. We see the statistics every day — students dropping out, science and math scores falling, and schools closing due to lack of funding. What we don’t see are the names and faces of the children whose entire futures are at stake due to our own inability to enact change. There was a time when the American public education system was a model admired by the entire world. Today other countries are surpassing us in every respect, and the slogan “No Child Left Behind” has become a cynical punch line. The Film Documents Bianca, Emily, Anthony, Daisy, and Francisco who are five students who deserve better. By investigating how the current system is actually obstructing their education instead of bolstering it, Guggenheim opens the door to considering possible options for transformation and improvement. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
For More Information or to Make a Pledge Please Visit:www.WaitingForSuperman.ComIn Theaters September 24th
A kid-friendly lunch doesn’t have to mean a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Not only can dishes such as fruit kabobs, pizza quesadillas and noodle bowls be just as easy to make as a sandwich, you may be surprised to discover how popular and kid-friendly such healthy choices are.
Ideas for spreading the lunch love:
Give kids something they can assemble themselves. They love dipping, stacking and rolling up their food into fun treats.
For kids, anything “mini” equals fun. Serve them things like mini whole grain bagels, potstickers or cheese cubes.
Make food into fun shapes. Colorful or interestingly shaped pasta, sandwiches cut into shapes with cookie cutters, or fruit cut into triangles, circles, etc.
Try to expose your children to at least one new flavor each week. This could be an item they’ve never eaten before or one they haven’t had in awhile.
Include a fun container, special note, napkin, cartoon or joke in the lunchbox.
BUILDING THE IDEAL LUNCHBOX
Like the ideal breakfast, lunch should have lots of fiber and whole grains, some protein and healthy fat, a veggie and just a bit of natural sugar, like a piece of fresh fruit.
To give kids a sense of control and a vested interest in eating their lunches, involve them in the prep-work and the decision-making process about what goes in the bag. Best to do this on the weekend or the night before to avoid morning meltdowns.
Tips for building a kid-friendly lunch:
Involve them in the prep-work.
Include a protein.
Choose whole grains, whole grain breads, crackers and pasta for fiber.
Choose one fruit and at least one veggie per lunch.
INSPIRED LUNCHES
Stuck in a peanut butter and jelly rut? Try these ideas for a little something different:
Whole wheat tortillas spread with peanut butter sprinkled with raisins or dried cherries, rolled up and cut in two.
Pizza quesadilla or a tomato cheddar soup and cold antipasti spread including tortellini, meats, cheeses and green beans served with grapes any other fresh, bite-size fruit.
Hummus and spinach wrap, cherry tomatoes with string cheese, and yogurt.
Baked corn chips, black beans, cheese wedges and fresh pico de gallo with jicama sticks.
Whole wheat or buckwheat noodles with peanut sauce, sugar snap peas, a pear, almonds and a fortune cookie.
Tuna salad with grated carrots, served with crackers or in a pita.
Cheese triangles served with pepperoni and whole wheat crackers for stacking.
Crostini (toasted French/Italian bread slices) served with chopped olive salad, roasted turkey and hard-boiled eggs.
Vegetarian brown rice sushi rolls with soy or ponzu sauce.
Smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumbers on mini bagels.
Shumai dumplings/potstickers packed cold with ponzu sauce or peanut sauce.
Vegetable fried rice (make the night before or use dinner leftovers).
Chocolate almond butter with graham crackers.
Fruit kabobs made from assorted colors of melon balls and other fruits on a bamboo skewer, served with yogurt for dipping.
Kids will love to help you make this healthy snack since it’s fun to spread the nut butter and sprinkle the chocolate chips. No corer in the kitchen drawer? Slice the apples into rounds first then use a small cookie cutter to remove the core from the center of each slice. Wrap sandwiches tightly and tuck them into lunchboxes, if you like.
Ingredients
2 small apples, cored and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick rounds
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
3 tablespoons peanut or almond butter
2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons granola
Method
If you won’t be eating these tasty treats right away, start by brushing the apples slices with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
Spread one side of half of the apple slices with peanut or almond butter then sprinkle with chocolate chips and granola. Top with remaining apple slices, pressing down gently to make the sandwiches. Transfer to napkins or plates and serve.
Nutrition
Per serving (about 7oz/192g-wt.): 300 calories (150 from fat), 16g total fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 36g total carbohydrate (6g dietary fiber, 25g sugar), 8g protein - WholeFoodsMarket.Com
Whole Foods Market is participating with Chef Ann Cooper to provide healthy salad bars to schools across the country. We are jump starting the movement by raising money for a salad bar in at least one school in the communities surrounding each of our stores in the U.S. That’s almost 300 schools! You can help us reach this goal by donating to your local Whole Foods store and also by helping a school of your choice to apply for a grant.
A healthy salad bar in every school across America so all school kids may have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins, every school day.
The time is ripe for 31 million schoolchildren. We need a solution and we need it now to deal with these unhealthy facts:
According to The Center for Disease Control, children born in the year 2000, one‐third will contract diabetes. And, these children will be the first in our country’s history to die at a younger age than their parents.
70.1 percent of Americans are overweight; 4.3 million children ages 10 – 14 will become overweight or obese in the next 24 months.
Rates of childhood obesity are soaring. About 12 percent of children ages 2 to 5 are obese compared with 17 percent of kids 6 to 11, and 18 percent of kids ages 12 to 19.
“The number one thing any school can do to improve their school food is to add a healthy salad bar and allow children to make their own choices.” – Chef Ann Cooper, AKA The Renegade Lunch Lady and co founder of The Lunch Box Project and Food, Family, Farming Foundation.
I’ve donate to this very worth cause every time I shop for groceries, So next time you find yourself in Whole Foods add your donation to you bill or Click below to find out more information. - Taryn Cox for The Wife.
Parents will love using this mini note set to create quick personal notes to tuck inside a child’s lunch. Includes 105 colorful cards for writing messages and 100 silly stickers for brightening up lunch sacks and sandwich baggies. Use them on days when your child has a test, when they need a pick-me-up, and just to say I love you. Mini Lunch Box Notes, $9.95.
This set of No. 2 pencils from Paper Pastries is printed with a half dozen factoids that every good student should know: from “I before E except after C” and “Largest Mammal- Blue Whale”, Etc. Know it all Pencil Set, $10.00
I always see these fun colorful pom poms hanging over charming tables at bridal showers, baby showers or like shown below to decorate a child’s bedroom. I assumed you had to spend grueling hours constructing each little pom from scratch until I discovered the company PomLove or as they like to call it “Happy Floating Paper.” Each Pom is available in an assortment of rainbow colors. Ranging from $5.00 each, 7 Poms for $30.00, or a 20 Poms for $75.00. - THE WIFE
For years, we’ve known about the epidemic of childhood obesity in America. We’ve heard the statistics—how one third of all kids in this country are either overweight or obese. We’ve seen the effects on how our kids feel, and how they feel about themselves. And we know the risks to their health and to our economy—the billions of dollars we spend each year treating obesity-related conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
But we also know that it wasn’t always like this. Back when many of us were growing up, we led lives that kept most of us at a pretty healthy weight. We walked to school every day, ran around at recess and gym and for hours before dinner, and ate home-cooked meals that always seemed to have a vegetable on the plate.
For many kids today, those walks to school have been replaced by car and bus rides. Afternoons playing outside have been replaced with afternoons inside with TV, videogames, and the Internet. And with many parents working longer hours, or multiple jobs, they don’t have time for family meals around the table anymore.
It’s now clear that between the pressures of today’s economy and the breakneck pace of modern life, the well-being of our kids has too often gotten lost in the shuffle.
And let’s be honest with ourselves: our kids didn’t do this to themselves. Our kids don’t decide what’s served in the school cafeteria or whether there’s time for gym class or recess. Our kids don’t choose to make food products with tons of sugar and sodium in supersize portions, and then have those products marketed to them everywhere they turn. And no matter how much they beg for fast food and candy, our kids shouldn’t be the ones calling the shots at dinnertime. We’re in charge. We make these decisions.
That’s actually the good news—that we can decide to solve this problem. That’s why we started Let’s Move, a nationwide campaign with a single goal: to solve the problem of childhood obesity in a generation, so that children born today can reach adulthood at a healthy weight.
Let’s Move is not about trying to turn back the clock to when we were kids, or cooking five-course meals from scratch every night. No one has time for that. And it’s not about saying no to everything either. There’s a place for cookies and ice cream, burgers and fries—that’s part of the fun of childhood.
Instead, Let’s Move is about families making manageable changes that fit with their schedules, their budgets, and their needs and tastes. It’s about giving parents the tools they need to keep their families healthy and fit, and getting more nutritious food—more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less sugar, fat, and salt—into our nation’s schools. It’s about helping grocery stores serve communities that don’t have access to fresh foods, and finding new ways to help our kids stay physically active in school and at home.
Achieving all this won’t be easy. This isn’t something we can fix with a bill in Congress or an executive order from the president. I’ve spoken with many experts about this issue, and not a single one has said that the solution to childhood obesity is to have the government tell people what to do.
Instead, it’s about what all of us can do to help our kids lead active, healthy lives: parents making healthier choices for their families; mayors and governors doing their part to build healthier cities and states; and the private sector doing its part as well—from food manufacturers offering healthier options to retailers understanding that what’s good for kids and families can be good for businesses too.
That’s why I’ve been traveling the country, speaking to groups ranging from PTAs to food manufacturers, to elected officials, to school food-service employees, asking all of them to be a part of Let’s Move. And since this campaign began, several major school suppliers have already agreed to improve the quality of their food, doubling the amount of fresh produce they serve to our children. The nation’s largest beverage companies have agreed to provide clearly visible information about calories on the front of their products, as well as on vending machines and soda fountains. The American Academy of Pediatrics has begun urging its members to screen children for obesity and to actually write out prescriptions for parents detailing how to address it. And we’ve started a Web site—LetsMove.gov—with tips on eating well and staying fit.
Changes like these are only the beginning—and we’ve got a long way to go to reach our goals. But I’m confident that if we each do our part, and all work together, we can ensure that our kids have not just the opportunities they need to succeed, but the strength and endurance to seize those opportunities: to excel in school, pursue the careers of their dreams, keep up with their own kids, and live to see their grandkids grow up—maybe even their great-grandkids too. That is the goal of Let’s Move, and that is my mission as first lady. - Newsweek
Here is the Music Player. You need to installl flash player to show this cool thing!
THE WIFE
"THE WIFE" is for the timeless wife or elegant wife to be. Whether THE WIFE favors a career working in the corporate world or has dedicated her time and efforts as a housewife, She always maintains a happy and healthy family. THE WIFE is an astounding women and amazing mother, who proudly makes time for her husband and children. THE WIFE loves to cook, has a passion for party planning, a fondness for etiquette, adores decorating and keeping a beautiful home and of course dressing the part. THE WIFE cares about being "green" and takes the time to make her home environmentally friendly. Finally THE WIFE dedicates her spare time to charitable causes and giving back to her community. Women who might inspire THE WIFE would be: Jacqueline Kennedy, Michelle Obama, Grace Kelly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jenna lyons and Carolina Herrera.
Grammar Warning: I am clearly aware that my grammar is sub par. Please excuse any typos or misspelt words you may come across when reading this blog. There is not need to write or notify me. Thank You Kindly.
