We're about to head on one of our annual summer road trips , which means packing plenty of toys for the car. We try to avoid the DVD--and generally succeed if we've planned ahead. Here, some of my favorite toys for the car for toddlers a…
Love fairy tales and classic family movies but not interested in the commercial studio posters for your kids' rooms? We've found just the answer. These gorgeously atmospheric and evocative posters from artist Christian Jackson are a beau…
Pairing food and wine is an art. Pairing food and music is a new trend. Pairing food with a good food book: It's one of the best ways to get kids excited about eating--even foods that they're not normally excited about eating. In honor o…
The very first word my son ever spelled was S-T-O-P, which is not surprising given how many hours he spent accompanying his older sisters to their many activities. If you also have a little road warrior who's more interested in street si…
Girls' birthday party ideas can still be girlie, even if you want to avoid the same old princess theme. Which is why I instantly fell in love with the downloadable, customizable party kits at Creative Little Stars, based around classic s…
Want to know why we're in love with The Secret World of Arrietty ? Family Movie Night in our house usually means the kids pick an animated-to-the-gills cartoon that tries to make itself relevant to "all ages" with lots of double-entendre…
I love the look on kids' faces when they open a book and see their names in the pages of the story. So in celebration of the biggest day of all---their birthday!---here are a couple beautifully illustrated books that will make the birthd…
As much as my kids and I love Japanese Kokeshi dolls, I can't bring myself to let another collection into the house, what with all the stuffed animals and favorite rocks already displayed around my girls' room. But, I've found a way to c…
Live your life. Live your life. Live your life. That quote is from Maurice Sendak's last interview on NPR. We're so sad that the great curmudgeon, writer, and artist has passed away, but his books will live on in our hearts--and bookshel…
London designer Orla Kiely has had me under her spell for a few years now. I have always found her patterns and designs bursting with life, color, energy and a wonderful sense of playfulness. Orla has shown her love to mommies before wit…
From the moment they could successfully maneuver a crayon, my kids have loved open-ended coloring books like Taro Gomi's finish-the-picture Scribbles book. So, it's no surprise that they adore a new rules-free coloring book with an inter…
I'd prefer one dozen versions of the " where do babies come from " talk with my kids before I'd sign up for even one "and this is how money works" discussions. I can cheerfully rattle off twenty-seven slang terms for body parts, but ask …
We get a lot of requests for books for kids about to welcome a new sibling into the family. Some of the better known titles are pretty sappy, which isn't such a bad thing, but I never really liked the stories about how perfect it is to h…
Good news, bibliophiles! Your toddlers can now enjoy Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre, and not just as teething toys. Thanks to gorgeous illustrations and clever literary touches, you might enjoy this collection of amazing board books a…
In case you might have missed them, here are some of our favorite Cool Mom Tech picks from the last week. 1. Picnik who? When it comes to free photo editing, we're all about PicMonkey now. 2. Accio Harry Potter on our e-readers! It's lik…
Of all the children's books we have amassed on our collective bookshelves over the years, there are several Dr. Seuss books that my would be in the short stack of our kids' favorite titles. We suspect the same would be true for many of u…
A little bit Shel Silverstein, a little bit Mo Willems, a little bit Seuss, a little bit Lemony Snicket, and a little bit Taro Gomi. If those names--especially together--sound like your idea of heaven on paper, then you're going to love …
Black History Month is rolling to a close, but it's never to late to share new learning resources with your kids. Along with some great books, movies and music picks that honor African American culture and history, I have recently come u…
Every February our communities focus on a very important part of our nation's past during Black History Month. So I'm taking a cue from our schools and continuing the discussion about civil rights at home. Our pick to get the conversatio…
After seeing Joyce Wan's board book, We Belong Together I am so in love with her. So of course I had to check out You Are My Cupcake , in the same series. Let's just say it's absolutely delicious and I want to eat it up in a major way. E…
We're in awe at how far technology has come, even in just the past year. Our favorite picks from the past week are so 2012. And that's a really awesome thing. 1. Check the home thermostat from work? Turn on the fan from carpool? With the…
Sometimes it's hard for my kids to talk about their feelings. In the heat of the moment, they find it a lot easier to cry (or let's face it, whine) than to confront their emotions. As the child of a child psychologist, I am always on the…
If you're looking for a ridiculously adorable Valentine for your baby too young for sweets, we've got just the thing. And it's not edible. But that doesn't mean your baby won't try to eat it. Created by Joyce Wan, the artist behind Kiwi …
Happy Chinese New Year, mamas, or as my Chinese relatives say: Kung Hei Fat Choi . I'm doing a little extra celebrating this year because it's the Year of the Dragon, which just so happens to be my own Zodiac sign. For those of you with …