Tag: school age

Lego my…MP3 player

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The world of Legos is getting all techy! Digital Blue and Lego are teaming up to launch a Lego-inspired line of electronic gear. This Lego branded line channels the classic toy’s bold colored building block in the form of fully functional digital cameras, MP3 players, walkie talkies and USB drives.
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The line is scheduled for release this summer at price points ranging from $19.99 to $59.99. The Lego MP3 Player mirrors the look of an actual Lego brick, and you can even mount the MP3 Player on other Legos on the top/bottom.  The camera, set for release this fall, will have kid-friendly functions, including an LCD Display, 3MP and 128MB internal memory.

I am so adding these to my wishlist!

Retro Tees from Sandbox Threads

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

With temps hoovering in the high 80s today, I can’t help but look around for some summer duds for the boy.  We’re your typical t-shirt, shorts and flip flops kind of family in terms of summer attire.  We have several t-shirts with catchy sayings and ones with our favorite surf shops logos, but I always love a few retro tees thrown in the mix.  So, when I came across this expansive collection of cool logos, I was immediately drawn to Sandbox Thread’s Joystick design.  How appropriate!
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Sandbox Threads specializes in original toddler t-shirts and baby onesies, and also offers organic options, as well as a variety of big kid and adult sizes, too.  Sinceimg_9812 Sandbox Threads is literally a pop operation, each shirt is unique and handmade.  It doesn’t get any better than that.  Whether you’re on the market for a funky shirt or retro cool onesie for your babe or as a gift, be sure to check out Sandbox Threads’ spectrum of cool designs.

If you’re not into geeky retro like me, how about some Lloyd Dobler or Molly love?

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s no big secret that we’re big robot fans.  So, I was pretty smitten when I came across House of Mongrel’s Robot Hoodie, just one of the many cool sweatshirts from the company’s line of organic kid’s clothes. The line, which launched August 2008, features 100% organic cotton t-shirts, bodysuits, hooded sweatshirts, caps, and more.
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The colors and vintage-inspired designs stood out when I approached their booth at the Go Green Expo.  And, it was no surprise that the products were super soft and well made.  Not only are their products stylish and unique, but they’re also green.  The products are rendered in water-based screen-printing inks, on vividly colorful, low-impact dyed fabrics.   House of Mongrel products, including the Robot Hoodie, can be found at various retailers, as well as online at stores like Kitsel.

It’s time to Shell-abrate!

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The Tribeca Film Festival is set to kickoff this weekend in NYC, with all kinds of kid-friendly activities to boot.
But one highlight caught my attention: Tribeca Film Festival will screen the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film to celebrate…wait for it….25 years of Turtle Power.
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In addition to tonight’s screening, the Turtles’ year long celebration began when they flipped the switch this morning atop the Empire State Building. The Empire State Building’s lights will go green in honor of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo.wallpaper_b_tb

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), directed by Steve Barron, was selected as the Drive-in movie feature at the Tribeca Film Festival. The outdoor screening is scheduled for tonight at 8:15 PM at the World Financial Center Plaza (200 Vesey Street). Open to the public, pre-activities starting at 5:00 PM include a pizza party, face-painting, photo opportunities with the Turtles, dancing, and martial arts demonstrations with the TMNT and The American Taekwondo Association. And of course, The Turtles’ pal, April O’Neil, will join in the fun.

25 years, really? I officially feel old.

Landmarks to Power Down for Earth Day

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

empireNew York City’s Empire State Building, Chicago’s Sears Tower and Seattle’s Space Needle will show solidarity with kids across the country by “turning off their lights” tonight for Earth Day at 9 p.m. local time– as kids simultaneously do the same in their homes, as a symbol of environmental consciousness.

“Powering Down” the Empire State Building’s tower lights, the Sears Tower’s antenna and the Space Needle’s exterior lights is part of Nickelodeon’s ongoing The Big Green Help initiative, which is designed to empower kids to take action on the environment and connect them to energy saving and earth-friendly activities in their everyday lives.

Nickelodeon’s The Big Green Help is a multiplatform campaign that provides information and tools to help explain climate change to kids through on-air messaging, grassroots activity, and online gaming. To-date, more than 2 million kids have pledged to participate in The Big Green Help.

I’m a Rocket Man…

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Cardboard rocketshipAt any given time, whenever there’s a box within reach, the “real” toys lose all of its lustre.  The box always wins as the best toy ever.  It’s the same for all kids though, right?


When I first saw this super cool cardboard rocketship on the interwebs awhile back, I immediately became a fan.  And so, when we saw the_rocket at the Go Green Expo in person, I almost wanted to unstrap the kid from his stroller and see if we could both fit.  kids_rocket_3

The_rocket from Cardboard Design, can be customized by the littlest artists with their medium of choice!  Cardboard Designs has a cool selection of cardboard furniture among other products, but the kids products are quite imaginative.  What’s cool about the cardboard products is that after the rocketship has reached its destination, it can be packed away in its own flat box.

We have enough boxes to keep us entertained for the time being, but still, what a cool, sustainable concept and an excellent alternative to plastic.

Read this: Into the Trees

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

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At the Go Green Expo, we discovered so many great companies and products, but one company that’s definitely worth mentioning is Greensender.com. This was actually the first booth we visited, but definitely one of the most memorable. Besides all of the great green gift ideas, Greensender.com also has Into the Trees, a wonderful book that’s filled with vibrant graphics about Mini G’s adventures with an Earth-loving message to match.

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Into the Trees, written by Mike Aaron and illustrated by Baby Einstein artist Nadeem Zaidi, explores natural beauty and the hidden secrets of the outdoors—messages completely relevant for year-round eco-consciousness and for readers of all ages.

Into the Trees is $12.95 and can be bought online at Greensender.com

While you’re there, be sure to check out the super cute Mini G gift package—what a great green baby shower gift idea!

Why choose organic cotton for babies and kids?

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Of all the materials out there, organic cotton has to be one of my favorites.  On laundry day, in a sea of freshly laundered t-shirts, without even looking, I know exactly when I’ve pulled out my favorite organic cotton Quicksilver t-shirt to be folded—there’s that much difference in softness!  But besides the super soft texture, many companies and manufacturers are adding and increasing organic cotton options to their existing lines. In some cases, new companies are emerging altogether because of this trend that’s here to stay.

cottonSo, what’s with organic cotton anyway?  What makes it so special and oh so soft?
Organic cotton is the version of its conventional counterpart grown without pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers or any other chemicals, making it an ideal textile for baby and children’s products.  Conventional cotton is one of the most chemically-dependent crops, sucking up 10 percent of all agricultural chemicals and 25 percent of insecticides on 3 percent of our arable land; that’s more than any other crop per unit. That adds up to 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for a t-shirt, and 3/4 of a pound for a pair of jeans.  Organic cotton on the other hand, uses agricultural methods designed to help sustain the land it grows on, the people who grow and harvest it, and the planet in general.  (via Treehugger)

Once again, like with other greener alternatives, organic cotton products tend to cost a bit more—for now.  As the demand for organic cotton products continue to increase–and organic products in general–prices will begin to balance out.  In 2006, organic fiber linens and clothing sales in the United States grew by 26 percent over the previous year, to reach $203 million, according to the Organic Trade Association’s 2007 Manufacturer Survey.

Because of its healthier composition and sustainable aspects, organic cotton is a great option for baby and kids’ products.  It certainly helps that organic cotton goodies are super soft and always hard to pass up.

To read more about organic cotton and its benefits check out these resources
Gaim on organic cotton
Cleaner cotton
The difference of organic cotton
The case for organic cotton
Organic cotton fact sheet

Spotlight: Regal Lager, gr8x, Diaper Dékor

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Regal Lager is a distributor of great baby and children’s products, many that we all know and love. The Georgia-based family run company distributes brands that offer practical, stylish, well-designed, and safe products, including Diaper Dékor, gr8x and Lascal Buggy Boards, among others.

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to attend the Big City Mom’s Biggest Baby Shower event. Clearly, I’m not pregnant, but instead, I went for this baby, this new blog here. I have never seen so many pregnant women together in one location, but better yet, it was the biggest collection of awesome baby and kid gear. It was total chaos, what with wall to wall shopping fanatics, enthusiastic city moms, food and mocktails. But, it was pretty cool to learn about so many new products, including those from Regal Lager. Coming home with bags of swag isn’t too bad either (much of which I’m giving away here on NKT!)

But one of the few items that I’m keeping deserves a review: the gr8x messenger diaper bag . You see the same brand of diaper bags hung on strollers around here, but the gr8x messenger bag diaper bag is one that I’d never seen or even heard about.

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On first impression, I knew this bag was meant to be mine—it was black, durable vinyl, didn’t look too diaper bag-ish and had pockets galore. I mean, all the pockets and compartments a girl could ever want. In one of those many pockets, on the side, we discovered an insulated bottle pocket, or in our case, sippy cup holder. In addition to all the handy dandy pockets, we found that it included a waterproof changing pad in its own pouch. It also has its own adorable detachable pacifier pouch. gr8x didn’t miss a beat on this one!
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SafeSippy, how do I love thee? review+giveaway

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Have you ever bought a product that you and your kid love so much that you can’t stop telling others about it?  Yeah, me too.  And that’s part of the reason why I felt so compelled to start this blog.  Times have changed; we moms and dads are heavily influenced by each other more than ever.  This sippy cup is my prime example…

In the fall, as Jack transitioned to a cup full time, I was in search of a sippy cup that was durable and an alternative to plastic.  We’d been using a great BPA-free plastic sippy cup, but after several weeks of usage, I noticed the wear and tear.  At the baby store, amidst the wall of plastic cups, I set sight on this gleaming stainless steel sippy cup.  Hello, SafeSippy!  Modern looking, clean design and practical–my first impression was, this sippy cup completely met our needs.

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Apart from its aesthetics, this cup, inside and out, is well-designed.  It features a narrow spout, a contrast to many other sippy cups’ flat drink spouts.  Research has shown that wide, flat drink spouts can cause developmental and speech problems in young mouths.  The cup boasts a removable handle that can be removed once your kid can grasp the cup.  My kid, though old enough to hold a sippy cup without handles, likes this specific cup’s handle, which makes it better to “crank” and chug.  Don’t ask…
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