Enjoying the Great Outdoors with Coghlan Binoculars

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Since moving to the suburbs, our outdoor play has changed significantly.  Not only has the scenery drastically changed, but the kid’s curiosity level has amped up to a brand new level.  Funny enough, he even has a “jungle hat” to wear for all of these brand new adventures.

Now that it’s officially fall, the leaves are starting to change, fallen acorns are dotting our decks and the crisp air greets us every time we go outside.  They’re all perfect reasons to get out even more and take in the new sights of our new neighborhood.  And luckily, to go along with the jungle hat, we’ve had a cool gadget to gain an even bigger perspective of what’s around us.
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NKT Fave: The Electric Company

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Music, ultimately, is one of the kid’s favorite things.  He loves to beatbox (thanks, Biz Markie) and like many preschoolers, he turns any conversation into a song.  He plays his guitars to any song or show; anything and everything is a drumset; he has a quirky fondness for banjos and plays his harmonica even before eating breakfast. And along with his love for music, we’re big on educational shows, especially ones with awesome musical segments.

One show in particular, The Electric Company, is one that we watch together almost non-stop.  I loved the show growing up, and so, this is definitely a show that I hoped the kid would love just as well.  I just didn’t expect him to fall in love with this show at DSCF5494just two years old.  But, understandably, much of that has to do with our meet and greet with The Electric Company last year.  (more on that later!)

Geared to school-aged kids, The Electric Company, was originally produced by Children’s Television Workshop (now called Sesame Workshop,) back in the 1970s.  The show ceased production in the late 1970s, but I remember watching reruns as a kid in the early 80s.  In 2009, the Sesame Workshop revived the series with a cast of fresh faces, complete with a modern and funky edge to it.  For the school aged set, the Electric Company’s website is one worth checking out.  It’s really no surprise that their site, like the show, has garnered several awards.

 

As I mentioned, the kid loves The Electric Company.  Perhaps he doesn’t know about punctuation or prefixes yet, but he does, however, have a little crush that keeps him watching.  One of the main characters of the show, Priscilla Diaz, known as Jessica on the show, is a super-talented singer, rapper and actress that’s caught the eye of my little guy.  The kid is smitten. Priscilla Diaz, aka Jessica from the Electric Company
His favorite episode has a cute segment where a variety of characters are pushing muffins on Jessica.  A catchy line from the episode, “Have a Muffin, Jessica,” is echoed in our home at least 10 times a day.  And speaking of catchy, if you knew the show back in the 70s and 80s, then you’ll be glad to know that the popular catchphrase, “Heyyyyy yooooooou guyyyyysssss!” is still alive and well in the new(er) Electric Company.

Just as The Electric Company was wrapping their third season of taping the other week, a few bloggers and members of the media were invited to the set to sit in on a taping of a music video with the band Good Charlotte.  The song they recorded was funny and memorable, one that I’m sure that bigger kids would appreciate.  We had a great time watching Joel and Benji Madden record their video, and even had a chance to ask Benji a few questions!

Joel and Benji Madded, Electric Company video taping

We’re on our way to a different event at Sesame Workshop today, but I wanted to share a teaser about the kid’s love for the Electric Company.  Stay tuned for the interview and a video of the video!  In the meantime, check out my photostream from the event!

Party On with Perfect Piggies

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s a sunny Monday in our part of the world; what a great start to another week.  This week marks the kid’s last week as a two-year old, and so in the week leading up to his birthday, I will be spotlighting his favorite things à la Oprah.  Unlike Oprah, I won’t be giving away a bazillion and one things to all NKT readers, but I will be hosting some exciting giveaways and downloads—fun toys and goodies that have made our lives a little sunnier.

One of the kid’s favorite authors, Sandra Boynton recently released a fun new book, Perfect Piggies.  If you love Boynton’s books as much as we do, then I’m sure you’re familiar with classics like Moo, Baa, La La La and Barnyard Dance.  Many of her books have a sing-song appeal that’s catchy and memorable, just like this instant classic.

“We are all perfect piggies and we know what we need.  It’s really very simple, very simple indeed: a troughful of food, a place in the sun, and a little bit of comfort when the day is done.”

Perfect Piggies, a simple celebration of being unique, echoes the same, fun rhythm and rhyme that Boynton on Board books are well known for, but better yet, this one has a downloadable song that goes along with it.

The Perfect Piggies song is sung in a cappella, and has a sweet swing to it.  It’s catchy enough to induce some toe-tapping, finger-snapping and definitely kid-dancing.  The song reminds me so much of one of my favorite groups, Straight No Chaser, an a cappella group that’s been known to make people laugh and swoon with their fabulous performances.  And no doubt, the Perfect Piggies song and book make us swoon just as much, if not more.

Want to check out the song for your crew?  Download the Perfect Piggies song for free here.  Oooh, and there’s more, since we’re in party mode, have your own Perfect Piggies themed party, too!  Download some activity and craft sheets, a party poster and even the song sheet, and throw yourselves a party that’s perfect for all piggies and kids alike.

 

Download me!

 

Perfect Piggies is published by Workman Publishing and retails for $6.95.  The song can be downloaded for free online, and the book is available in bookstores now.

Star Wars: Clone Wars Season 3 Premieres Tonight

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The third season of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars is set to premiere tonight on the Cartoon Network.  Be sure to catch the premiere tonight to catch the latest adventures.

 

Jedi Master Shaak Ti surveys the troops in ”Clone Cadets,” an all-new episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premiering at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT Friday, September 17 on Cartoon Network.

 

The war wears on, and the Republic is pushed to its breaking point. Support for the Jedi Knights and their noble cause comes in the form of valiant clone troopers – steadfast defenders of peace and justice, even as the Jedi falter and the mighty Republic begins to crumble. Joined by familiar faces and confronted with deadly new threats, these everyman heroes lead the charge into a transformative new season of Clone Wars adventures – where alliances will be tested, truths will be questioned and galaxy-changing secrets will be uncovered to shake the very foundations of the Star Wars universe.

In light of the Clone Wars’ premiere, there’s been a variety of Star Wars-related events and launches, which I’ll be sure to share about soon.

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Balloon Time Put a Face on Fun Contest is Underway

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

We’re in party-planning mode over here; well, actually, it’s more like mini-party-planning mode since we’re still in the middle of home renovation.  But nevertheless, my guy turns three next week.  THREE!?  I can hardly believe it.

 

While I’ve been scouring the web for easy DIY party ideas, I couldn’t not mention Balloon Time.  In essence, Balloon Time offers helium balloon kits that are available at a variety of stores.  There are a number of kids available for DIY balloon creation, including: Balloon Time 30 Helium Balloon Kit, Balloon Time 50 Helium Balloon Kit, Balloon Time A La Carte helium tank and Balloon Time Party Create-A-Face Sticker Kit.   I love the idea of having a kit at home to decorate for a party, but I do worry about balloons as choking hazards for little kids, as well as the hazards the stems of balloons might pose on the environment.  With these valid concerns in mind, since we’re having a small party with plenty of adults around, I’m thinking Balloon Time might be right up our alley for our mini-celebration.

 

Check it

Have some funny faces you want to show off?  The fourth annual “Put A Face On Fun” contest is now open, and the grand prize sounds pretty sweet.  In addition to participating in a professional photo shoot and being featured on Balloon Time’s packaging for the following year, the grand-prize winner will receive a Disney Cruise Line family vacation for four (subject to availability). Fifty first-prize winners will receive a Balloon Time 30 Helium Balloon Kit.

To enter this year’s contest, parents can upload their child’s photograph at www.PutAFaceOnFun.com. Uploaded photographs must be in GIF (.gif) or JPEG (.jpg) format and may not exceed a file size larger than 200 KB. Professional photographs will be disqualified.

Children ages 3 to 11 are eligible for the contest, and entries will be accepted through Nov. 14, 2010, noon ET. Each photograph will be scored by a panel of judges based on the following criteria: smile, age appropriateness, expression of fun and suitability for appearing on packaging.  And guess what, yours truly is one of the judges!

 

And that’s not all, taking a page from all those televised talent shows, parents and friends of the Put a Face on Fun participants are encouraged to join in;  a portion of the final tally will be determined by America’s vote.

If you’ve got some funny faces, be sure to enter before November 14th!  I want to see an NKT reader take home the grand prize.  Now, that would be fun!

 

Disclosure:  I am a guest judge for the Put a Face on Fun contest.  I am not being compensated, but will receive product for review.  As always, all opinions expressed on NKT are my own.

Wisk: Then and Now

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Ring around the collar! *gasp*

Remember that catchphrase that the Wisk commercials made popular way back when?  Good times.

Times, how they’ve changed.  Thankfully, we haven’t had too many travesties involving ring around the collar (thank goodness for our dry cleaner.)  Stains, however,  yeah, we have our fair share of those.  While renovating this house, we’ve painted, sanded, shoveled, cleaned and polyurethaned endlessly.  And expectedly, we’ve got the stains to show for it.

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Paul Frank Adds Color to Back to School Accessories

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The kids might be back in school, but somehow, there’s always a few lingering school supplies or, ahem, cool accessories that they might be missing.  Paul Frank, an NKT fave, has an eye-catching lineup of cool school gear that’s worth checking out.

Do the kids need to supplement their homework-filled backpacks with some color?  Paul Frank and Julius the Monkey can help with their funky notebooks and folders.   The notebooks can be found at Office Depot for $2.49 and the folders run for $.99 at Office Max.

 

Speaking of backpacks, in addition to their selection of great backpacks, Paul Frank offers a variety of the ever-versatile tote bags. I was sent an adorable tote bag for review, and I absolutely love it.  The quality is great; the size isn’t too big or too small and it’s a colorful change of pace for toting around books.  And score: most canvas totes are under $20.

 

Paul Frank always has great stuff for boys, too.  If Julius isn’t their thing, boys of all ages would probably be a fan of Skurvy.  I’m digging this simple, yet edgy black Skurvy tee.

 

And if your teens (tweens?) are like my nieces and nephews, perhaps your kids have a laptop or netbook of their own?  Paul Frank has the MacBook and iPhone cases covered as well.  I’d love this awesome orange sleeve-style case for myself!  The laptop cases retail for $49.95, while the iphone cases go for $34.95.  Both are available at PaulFrank.com.

 

Giveaway

Are you and the kids fans of Paul Frank?  Win an awesome prize pack for yourselves!  The winner of the prize pack will receive a  sampling of several Paul Frank products, including a Paul Frank iPod Touch skin, a folder, and a bag.

To enter, please comment below and tell me your favorite Paul Frank product.

Want extra entries?

 

This giveaway will end September 21, 2010 at midnight.  As with all NKT giveaways, winners are chosen via Random.org and will be notified by email.

 

Wake Up Clarinet! is a Fun, Fresh Family CD

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

I love starting my Mondays reviewing music for Music Mondays, so much so that when we fall in love with a soon-to-be released cd, it plays all day long on repeat.  And that’s exactly the case for Oran Etkin’s newest cd, “Wake Up Clarinet!”

Jazz artist and composer, Oran Etkin, who has a penchant for making jazz music accessible and engaging for families, is set to release Wake Up Clarinet tomorrow, September 14.  His first family release, spotlights his Timbalooloo Method which is described as “conveying sophisticated concepts in a fun musical language that all kids can understand.”  There’s much to be said about introducing young kids to jazz music and the soothing sounds of woodwinds and much more.

While Etkin is the lead vocalist and plays the clarinet and sax, the band adds an flavorful background.  The band features Jason Marsalis on drums, soulful vocals from Charenee Wade, Fabian Almazan on piano, Curtis Fowlkes on trombone and Garth Stevenson.

In the title track, Wake Up Clarinet, Etkin cleverly personifies the clarinet, starting with a soft, soothing intro that crescendos to “Clara’s” awakening.  As his clarinet then sings and echos the rhythmic patterns of his lyrics, it further demonstrates his Timbalooloo method.  With a musically-obsessed kid, I absolutely love the idea of his method, not to mention the super cute story behind the origin of the word.

Over the spring, our family had a chance to check out Etkin at a show at the Scholastic Soho, which promoted his inclusion as one of the featured artists on the Putumayo Kids Jazz Playground cd.  There’s nothing quite like sitting in an auditorium full of kids screaming for soulful sounds and singing along to songs such as “Eh Las Bas,” which is also track six on the Wake Up Clarinet! Many of the kids in the audience knew many of Etkin’s songs because of his popular NYC music classes which are said to be endorsed by celebs such as Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber (whom we saw at the aforementioned show.)

What’s so unique about Etkin’s new cd is that it’s a departure from the blaring sugary kiddie pop music reflected on infomercials and the like.  “Wake Up Clarinet!” has a fresh, fun vibe, complete with soulful vocals and jam worthy songs that can also tastefully reside on mom and dad’s playlist.

The nine-track cd,”Wake Up Clarinet!” from Oran Etkin, debuts on September 14 and features a bonus music video.  Want to hear the new cd? Check it out here.

IIHS Rates Best and Worst Booster Seats

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released its latest reports on children’s booster seat evaluations.  With safety in mind, IIHS, a non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, carries out research and produces ratings for passenger vehicles, as well as for certain consumer products like booster seats.  In reading the report, it’s not just the seat that’s important, it’s how the seat and seatbealt fit the child.  Most booster seats, unlike carseats, utilize a vehicle’s seatbelt.  Carseat.org (link to an informational PDF) says booster seats are typically used by children 4 until 10.

According to IIHS, it’s important to note that the Institute doesn’t conduct vehicle crash tests to evaluate boosters because boosters don’t do the restraining in a crash. It’s the fit of the belt that’s important.  A good booster routes the lap belt across a child’s upper thighs and positions the shoulder belt at midshoulder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IIHS says that this year’s top-rated boosters outnumber ones that they don’t recommend.  Brands such as Britax, Chicco, Clek, among others make the list.  Read more to find out which seats make IIHS’ list.

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Exclusive: Nickelodeon Mega Music Fest Full of Fun Energy

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Nickelodeon is set to air the much-hyped Mega Music Fest tonight at 8pm—and what a mega fest it is!  Back in May, NKT was onhand at the Brooklyn Academy of music for the taping of the powerhouse kiddie music show which brought the likes of The Roots, Colbie Calliat and Wyclef Jean onstage for a variety of musical performances.

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