$1200 Alphabet Noodle Soup

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on April 30, 2012

$1 for Alphabet Noodles
$2 for organic carrots
$1.50 for organic celery
$3 for cute vegetable cutters
$1 for organic chicken stock
$4 for organic cooked chicken

DO bring ingredients together on stove top.  DO NOT sit your MacBook next to the stove top where chicken stock can magically jump from the box over the pot on to the most expensive piece of electronics in your house.  That night you will turn your computer off and find out that it is never going to come back on.  Good-bye $1200.  Hello to the most expensive soup I have ever eaten. The kids loved it though.  Thing 1 even asked for seconds.

Forty Days Unplugged

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on April 10, 2012

The title is an exaggeration.  I can’t entirely unplug my computer.  I do need email, skype and everything else to stay connected me to family in the USA.  I did however cut out the tv, the ipad, facebook, and my internet surfing habits.  This social experiment involved not just myself but my children and occasionally my husband.

Let me be clear that this is my own experience.  The results my family achieved while we unplugged were dramatic and very rewarding but I can make no promises for other families.  I love TV.  I love the internet.  I become half zombie while staring at screens.  Thing 1 has the same affliction.  We become annoyed if disturbed while we are engrossed in our favorite screen.  After our move to Germany I experimented with allowing the children to enjoy their screen time without limits.  They were allowed to watch tv as much as they liked from morning to bedtime.  There was no set limit for time on the iPad either but it was unavailable occasionally since the adults in the house also liked to enjoy its glory.

The experiment did not go as well as I had liked.  I was hoping that the tv would become less important.  That Thing 1 would no longer obsess about it.  That he could wake up without asking for a movie or go to bed without requesting what movie he would like the next day.  The experiment did not curb the addiction.  We just ended up watching movies all day long for months on end.  Barely pausing to do anything else.  I stuck with it hoping he would get over the tv binge and move into a phase where screens were no big deal.  It never happened.  Six months later and he was just as in love with the iPad and movies as ever.  It was time for a new extreme.

I blame myself.  Its my genes.  As I said I love tv and I love the internet.  I can’t get enough.  I have to make rules for myself to stay away from screens or I will use them all day long.  I can easily self diagnose that I am addicted and Thing 1 is too.  Thankfully Thing 2 appears to have her father’s genes and can take it or leave it when it comes to screens.  She’s more interested in sword fighting and dolls but she is not entirely immune from getting sucked into her brother’s movies from time to time.

As Lent approached I decided I had the opportunity to change our lifestyle dramatically.  It was time for us to give up screens and find out what we had all been missing.  I unplugged the tv.  Moved the computer upstairs where it could only be used after the children went to bed.  The results were immediate.  I had patience again and a lot of it.  I no longer felt like someone was interrupting me which is how I felt even if the task at hand was as silly as making a facebook post.  Problems weren’t as severe because I could intervene earlier before they escalated.  I am a naturally calm person so yelling has never been a big problem for me but I found I wasn’t yelling at all anymore.  I am still not saintly enough to be interested in toddler games for 8 hours a day though.  I have to find other things to do like reading a book, cooking, baking or even coloring.  None of these tasks disengaged me like a computer did though.  I didn’t feel interrupted if the kids misbehaved (okay maybe a bit if I was cooking).

Life improved for Thing 1 as well.  He suddenly had more time in his day and started volunteering to help mom in the kitchen (for better or worse).  He played more with Thing 2.  Their games became creatively more complicated and were lasting significantly longer.  All of his activities were lasting longer.  He could build with his Legos or Magformers for a full hour and even remember to clean them up when he was done.

Thing 2 was unchanged.  No noticeable differences of any kind other than getting her big brother back.  Thing 2 is the reason that I know this experiment is not for every family.  There are children like Thing 2 who will never need limits on their screen time.  Who naturally want to get up and play after one Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  If only all kids could be as self regulated as Thing 2.

Easter has come and gone.  TV, movies and iPad are open for service again.  I need your help though Ladies (and gents).  If you have a screen addicted child what limits have you set to maintain the balance in your homes.

What should our new house policy be?

Crispy Green: Our new favorite go to snack

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on February 6, 2012

Anyone else have kids who act as if they haven’t been fed for days but dinner is still a solid 30 minutes away? Its a tough situation because I understand that kids can’t control their hunger but I don’t want them to spoil their dinner with snacks.  When I am on top of my game I can offer some fresh veggies but let’s face it most days I am not.  I need something quick, small, and hopefully healthy.

My new favorite go to pre-dinner snacks are made by Crispy Green.  They make delicious freeze-dried fruit crisps with no added sugar.  Some unique fruit choices are available like Cantaloupe and Mango!  They have the classics too though like Apple, Pear, Pineapple and my kid’s absolute favorite: Banana!  I love these snacks because they are 100% fruit and each bag contains only one ingredient.

Try this tasty treat for less.  Amazon offers a 15% discount when you use subscribe and save.  Right now they also have a coupon for an extra 15% off.  That brings the price down to 93 cents a pack or as I like to think of it 93 cents for an extra 30 minutes of peace and quiet.  Totally worth it!

My Very Own House Cottage: A playhouse for winter!

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on January 4, 2012

Like most kids Thing 1 and Thing 2 love playhouses.  It doesn’t matter if they are two sizes too small, or even if they are smelly or dirty.  They love them.  We didn’t have one.  I was hoping to snag a used one this summer but it never happened.  This fall I came across My Very Own House Cottage.  A playhouse made out of cardboard.  Better yet it can be folded up and put away when not in use.  I took the leap of faith and decided it would be the “big” gift this Christmas.  It was a huge hit!

The house comes as one piece with instructions on how to unfold and piece together.  It was fairly simple and ready to go in less then 10 minutes.  The house can also fold back up which can be done by following the directions backwards.  The directions are printed right on the house (in a hidden area) so they are always at hand.  The house can easily be stored in a closet when not in use.  I wouldn’t plan on folding and unfolding the house everyday but it is simple enough.

My Very Own House Cottage also comes with 8 jumbo washable markers to color and decorate with.  The cardboard is heavy gauge and has taken crayons and pencils just as wonderfully as the markers.  Thing 1 is rough on his playthings and that’s putting it mildly.  My Very Own House Cottage has held up to the abuse with flying colors.  The size of the house is very generous.  I can fit inside of the house with both Thing 1 and Thing 2.  I was hoping I could leave it up in our playroom full time but its much too large for our small space.  Thank goodness it can be folded down and stored away every once in awhile.

If I could give one suggestion to the makers of My Very Own House Cottage I would ask for a sky window.  Its a bit dark inside of the house.  Thing 1 doesn’t mind though since he also received a new flashlight this Christmas.

Update: Goldilocks and the hair brush showdown

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on January 3, 2012

A couple of months ago I described our search for a painless hair brush for Thing 2.  We tried out the tangle teezer and the knot genie.  I promised I would try out thewet brush and I am glad to say we finally have.  For those that missed our first post I will recap by saying that Thing 2 has very fine but super straight hair.  She is frequently referred to as Einstein and its not because of her brilliant math skills.

I have to admit that we do prefer the new wet brush for several reasons.  One of the biggest flaws of the previously tested brushes were the lack of a traditional handle.  The wet brush does have the standard hair brush look, handle and all.  I love the traditional style.  It’s easier to use both on Thing 2 and on myself.

The bristles are different on the wet brush.  Again they are more traditional.  The tangle teezer and the knot genie feature bristles of various lengths.  The wet brush‘s bristles are all the same length.  However they are different from traditional brushes due to how soft and flexible they are.  It really does a great job detangling wet or dry hair without pulling.  Thing 2 doesn’t say OUCH which is remarkable since it is the word I hear more then any other these days.

Lastly the wet brush is inexpensive.  It is less then half the price of the other brushes.  The wet brush is our go to brush these days.  The others still get used when the wet brush goes missing.  The handle and the super soft bristles really make this brush a winner.

Kiwi Crate offers a Cabin Fever Cure

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on November 28, 2011

Kiwi Crate is a new innovative company that provides inspiration and hands-on projects for your favorite preschoolers.  They offer monthly boxes which can make creative play easy for busy parents.  We do a lot of art and building here but sometimes I feel a bit lost about what to do next.  I have a long list of blogs offering up inspiration but a box shipped to my front door that promises both the ideas and the supplies sounds dreamy.

In Every Crate:

• Every month you’ll receive all the materials and inspiration for projects related to a theme such as safari, space or colors.
• Projects may include arts and crafts, science activities, imaginative play and more.
• We’ve hand selected and kid tested projects that are open ended and encourage curiosity, exploration and creativity!

Cyber Monday Deal!  I have been wanting to try out Kiwi Crate for sometime and with their latest Cyber Monday deal I will get a chance soon.  Use HOLIDAY75 to receive 75% off your first month’s crate.  Even after adding an extra sibling’s share to my subscription my first box will only cost $6.97.  That will include two preschool friendly projects that will hopefully entertain Thing 1 and Thing 2 for hours.

Kiwi Crate can make a great gift too!  Use code HOLIDAY15 for $15 off gift subscriptions.  They offer 3, 6, or 12 month subscriptions.  I couldn’t resist sending out a few as gifts.  They provide two ways to deliver your gifts.  You can provide their address and the boxes will ship out mid-month or you can provide the parent’s email and a gift card will arrive in their inbox to be redeemed by them online.

I’ll be back to report on how the kiwi crate performed in this house soon.

Hung by the chimney with care

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on November 13, 2011

Growing up my mom painstakingly took the time to cross stitch some beautiful stockings.  She even made my husband one when we got married.  I love them and really, really, really want to uphold the tradition in my family but Thing 1 is 4.5 and still doesn’t have a stocking.  I refuse to give up the dream that I will one day cross stitch stockings just like my mom did but I am going to admit it will not happen this year and probably not next year either.  This all means its time to do some shopping and share my great finds with you.  Here are my absolute favorites.

These  Fairisle Stockings from PotteryBarnKids are adorable.  I love the cozy warm feeling the sweater design can give a room on a cold Christmas morning.  Comes in sizes 7″ x 18″ or 7″ x 27″.  Add a name for $7.

If you have some extra money laying around this Christmas season then the Garnet Hill stockings may just be for you.  As implied these stockings are a bit more then the others featured here but are considerably less if you order two and monogramming is included.  These stockings are 8″ x 27.5″.

In an effort to stay close to my family’s traditions I wanted to own handmade stockings even if they weren’t from my own hands.  I found the most adorable patterns from this etsy shop: bebesniklefritz.  These stockings are 5″ x 20″ and feature a 5″ minky cuff.  As with most etsy products the stockings are customizable.  You can choose the pattern, the cuff color, the embroidery color and even add some fringe if you like.

I can’t write a stocking post without giving a shout out to all the other cross stitch lovers out there!  My favorite designs are the ones from Dimensions.  The stocking above is a 14 count and would recommend that novice cross-stitchers like me avoid the higher count designs available.  The price for a kit is a third of the above stockings but the time investment is significant.  You can find a nice selection of dimension kits at Joann Fabrics or your favorite craft store.

Goldilocks and the hair brush showdown!

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on November 11, 2011

Thing 2 is approaching 2.5 and does not like getting her hair brushed.  Up to this point it hasn’t been much of an issue since its barely past her ears and she has never had a haircut.  I like to avoid using excess products which is just about all products.  We wash my daughter’s hair with water most nights.  The only time we breakout the shampoo is for when it truly gets dirty with some foreign substance.  Her hair is thin and soft but after naptime she channels albert einstein’s famous look.  It’s soft enough to hand comb but it takes longer for obvious reasons.  It was time for me to turn to my good friend, Amazon.

I narrowed my focus to two similar products: the Tangle Teezer and the Knot Genie.  I couldn’t decide which to buy so I thought it was best to buy both and have a showdown.  Here is the breakdown.

Tangle Teezer

• $14 at the time of my order
• Comes with hair tie holder and base
• Smaller then the knot genie
• Soft bristles
• Well constructed, solid build.

Knot Genie

•  $16.50 at the time of my order
• Large surface area
• Flexible bristles but not as soft as Tangle Teezer
• Feels cheap and I fear the colored top will fall off

The brush design from these products are extremely similar and both can brush through my toddler’s trestles with ease.  The winner is clearly the Tangle Teezer though for a few reasons.  It’s softer and gentler to Thing 2′s scalp.  The smaller design may at first seem like a disadvantage but its actually easier to hold for both myself and Thing 2.  Lastly its a few dollars cheaper and comes with a place to store some hair clips.

The Tangle Teezer is great and really working for us but I wish it had a handle.  The next contender in the hair brush showdown is the Wet Brush.  It’s half the price and comes in your standard brush shape.  I can’t wait to try it out and see if it works as well as the two above.

DIY Light Table

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on September 15, 2011

Ever since reading the blog: Play At Home Mom I have been obsessed with obtaining a light table.  I also decided I wanted to go big since the table could become a multifunctional craft/train table for us.  Unfortunately going big meant forking out over $500 for this table at constructiveplaythings.com.  Even if I somehow rationalized this purchase they won’t ship something this large to APO addresses which means I am out of luck.

I decided to put my engineering degree to work and build one.  Turns out it doesn’t require an engineering degree because it was rather easy.

You will need:

• A drill
• A saw of some type.  We used a jigsaw.
• L brackets
• 2 – 1×2 large pieces of pine
• opal plexiglass
• rope light clips
• rope light.  We used a 10m long light but a shorter one would work out fine.
• small nails or screws to secure the rope light clips to your pine.
• screws of appropriate length depending on your pine and table thickness
• Coffee table larger then your plexiglass.  Preferably hardwood.  We found a used ikea table.

1. Center the plexiglass on the table and outline.  Use jigsaw and cut along your outline.  Once done check to make sure your plexiglass fits in the cut out.
2. Next step is to make a frame for your plexiglass.  First start by framing out the sides of the outline.  Secure your pine frame directly to the table if the table thickness allows.  If not you can use L brackets.  Its important to measure out the thickness of your plexiglass and allow enough space above your frame for a seamless table top.
3. We included an extra support piece in the center of the table to give the plexiglass maximum support.  This also does a nice job of splitting the light table into two sides which will work out nicely when siblings want their ‘own’ space to work.
4. Attach your rope light clips to the bottom of your frame.
5. Attach rope light to the clips.  We chose a serpentine pattern along the length of the table but any pattern should work
6. Lay plexiglass on top of frame.  There is no need to secure it with anything, gravity should do all the work.
7. Plug your rope light in.

I have already purchased numerous new toys to use on our light table.  Seen here are the Pattern Blocks and Crystal Connectors.  Light table toy reviews will be coming soon after my testers, affectionately known as Thing 1 and Thing 2 have sufficiently used and abused them.  Also in attempt to reduce waste I am hoping to use the table top that we cut out to make a new table.  I figure I just need some legs and some trim or panels to cover the cut sides.

Ich liebe meine Kinderpack!

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on August 19, 2011

When Thing 2 reached 18 months and 25 lbs I thought my days of babywearing were over.  I thought that’s it she is too heavy even for the back carry.  Then I found out I would be moving to Europe otherwise known as the land of stairs.  I knew strollers could no longer be my go to mode of transportation.  I had to find a carrier that could fit a growing toddler.  I scoured the internet and came upon my miracle: the Kinderpack!  I love it so much I wrote a poem:

Toddlers are heavy
Babies are too
Get yourself a Kinderpack
and soon you will want two!

Okay my poem is terrible but I promise the Kinderpack is good.  There are wonderful carriers on the market for babies but very few for toddlers.  For a good toddler carrier you need to find the hard working mothers slaving away in the garages turning fabric and thread into pure gold.  Kindercarry is run by one of these very mothers.  Despite the carrier’s name and the title of this post these carriers are made in the USA.  The kinderpacks they produce are so wonderful that I will not be able to do them justice in my description here.  So I won’t.  She does a great job of describing what makes her carriers different from the rest on her website.

I have tried several soft structured carriers that were advertised to work from infancy to toddlerhood and they do technically work.  However I knew there had to be something better.  The picture on the left shows a Beco Butterfly 2 which is a devine carrier for newborns to about a year maybe 18 months.  The Boba 2G is also pictured which is a great carrier for kids from about 1 to 2.  The upper right carrier is a Kinderpack in standard with solarveil.  You can tell the standard is larger then the Beco but similar to the Boba.  What you can’t see so well is that the boba and Beco lay completely flat where as both Kinderpacks can’t leaving a lot more room for baby’s bottom.  The bottom right photo is a kinderpack in toddler size and is significantly larger then Boba.  The size and structure of the carrier makes a huge difference in how a child actually sits in the carrier.  The kinderpacks are superior in this regard.

When strollers don't work...

I can describe to you my own experience.  I have carried both my 28 lb 2 year old and my 38 lb 4 year old.  When using thekinderpack Thing 1 and 2 are weightless on my back and shoulders.  That’s not to say I don’t feel the weight.  Its distributed on my hips and I can feel a serious burn in my legs after a long hike.  Now that should be enough but they don’t stop there.  These carriers are some of the most gorgeous I have seen.  The prints are adorable and the straps are always in a perfect corresponding color.  The stuffable hoody is unlike any other I have seen and only adds to the cuteness.

Kindercarry sells their carriers in pre-order fashion.  This means she begins to make a large number of carriers and puts these up for sale.  Unfortunately I am not the only one who loves these carriers so they tend to go FAST!  If you have quick fingers and are lucky enough to win the carrier of your choice you can expect to get your carrier in 4-6 weeks which is why its called a PRE-order.  Some listings go out quicker then others and the descriptions are always very accurate in their delivery times.

Kinderpacks with solarveil are a very hot commodity.  Solarveil is a wonderful addition to these carriers.  An SV (solarveil) carrier is significantly cooler and more comfortable in the summer for both baby and Mommy.  If you need a summer carrier then you need an SV Kinderpack.  Get those fast fingers ready because SV carriers go even faster then the rest.  Solarveil is no longer produced soKinderpacks with SV are very limited.

A new pre-order is going live on Friday at noon CST and has a large selection of solarveil carriers.   The sale can be found at kindercarry.bigcartel.com.  An item will remain in your cart for 30 minutes.  No returns or cancellations are accepted so its important to think before clicking buy.  Warning: kinderpacks are addictive.  I only found out about their existence 4 months ago and I already own 2 and am on the hunt for my third.  Its normal to want one in every size, right?  Here are just a few of the great designs that will be up in this pre-order:

Organic Ready, Set, Go Carrier

Kinderpack with white solarveil

Kinderpack with yellow solarveil

Kinderpack with mint solarveil

Kinderpack with white solarveil

Milk storage made easy

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on July 18, 2011

Breastfeeding didn’t work out for me with Thing 1.  I was lucky enough to stay home full time though so I made the decision to pump.  Breastfeeding is worlds easier then pumping but one plus to pumping is I had plenty of excess milk.  This made me a bit of an expert on milk storage by the time I finished my 10 months of exclusively pumping.

Milk Storage Bags

Pros

• With the use of some tape (sometimes included) you can pump directly into the bag preventing any loss of milk.
• No extra steps in storing.  Pump into bag.  Seal bag.  Mark Date. Throw in Freezer. Done.
• No bottles to clean.

Cons

• Some bags don’t stack in the freezer well.
• Some bags can leak during thawing if the bag was punctured or too much milk was in the bag.
• Stores in 5-6 oz which may be inconvenient when thawing if you baby eats smaller or larger amounts.
• Pricey if you need a lot (like I did).

Favorites

Lansinoh Storage Bags: These bags are thin but just as durable as the thicker Medela bags.  They lay flater and store better.  They also have a double seal to prevent leaks.  These bags can hold a good 6 oz.

Trays

Pros

• Easy to use amounts.  Usually 1 or 2 oz which makes thawing the right amount easy.
• Easy to store.

Cons

• Multiple steps needed for storage.  Pump into bottle.  Pour into trays.  Empty trays into freezer bags.  Mark date on freezer bag.

Favorites

Sensible Lines Milk Trays: These trays freeze your milk into 1 oz pieces.  They have a long and thin shape so they can fit into bottles more easily while thawing.  They are a bit pricey but you can invest in just 1 or 2 trays.  Let milk freeze overnight and transfer to freezer bags in the morning.  Don’t forget to mark the date range on your freezer bag.

Bottles/Liners

Pros

• Pump directly into the bottle so no milk is lost during pumping or thawing.
• Less clean-up since no other supplies are needed for storage
• Best for fridge storage if milk will be used within the week.

Cons

• Pricey for freezer storage if you need a lot.

Favorites

Playtex Drop-In System: I loved this system.  After months and months of pumping and cleaning and pumping and cleaning this system became a blessing.  It does add to your cost since you need to continually buy liners but it cuts down on supplies that need to be cleaned considerably.  Adapters are included so you can pump directly into the liners.  The liners are then placed into rings with lids that can be stored in the fridge or freezer.  At feeding time just drop the liner into a Playtex bottle and you are ready.

Tips for other full timers

• If you don’t feel like cleaning your pump materials after every cleaning you can buy multiple sets.  A cheaper option is to rince off the pump supplies and place in a ziplock bag, then put the bag into the fridge.  This reduces your cleaning to just once at the end of the night.
• Get yourself a hands free device.  Its a life saver to have your hands back but don’t expect to be able to do any real chores during this time.

Roofbag Review

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on July 18, 2011

Our family made a big move this spring.  The USAF has moved us to Germany which I believe makes me the blog’s unofficial European correspondent.  The move required us to ship our ‘big’ car and use our ‘little’ car for 3 months.  During this time we would be living mostly in hotels and would have to drive 3200 miles to different training locations.  Our little car was a Chevy Cavalier.  Imagine fitting 3 months of essentials into the trunk of a Chevy Cavalier!

Enter Roofbag!  The Roofbag is a pretty amazing product.  It’s not earth shattering in its design but its well constructed, durable and best of all it works as advertised.  A roof rack is not necessary which is good because the Cav certainly does not have a roof rack.  The price of a Roofbag can’t be beat.  We bought the smaller 11 cu ft. bag with protective mat for $80 and shipping was free!  A much more agreeable price then the hard top alternatives.  The Roofbag can also fold up when not in use so finding storage space when not in use won’t be a problem.

The Roofbag is waterproof and we tested this out ourselves while traveling the interstate.  The bag is absolutely waterproof.  Not even one drop of water ever got into our things.  The bag can also fit a whole lot of goods.  We fit a double AT stroller, an extra large duffle bag and about 2 dozen other small items such as diapers, toys, blankets, etc.  After we stuffed the Roofbag full (at the manufacturer’s recommendations) our trunk was almost empty.

Straps are included with the bag and are easy to install.  The included directions were clear and easy to follow.  The straps when installed snug but not over-tight are completely silent even at the highest of speeds.  With the aerodynamical shape of the Roofbag we didn’t notice a difference in our mileage either.

We also bought the protective rubber mat for under the bag.  While the mat did its job it sometimes would fold up underneath the bag because of the shape of the car’s roof.  It didn’t affect the performance of the bag but it was a bit annoying.  Eventually I just folded it under the heaviest part of the bag and the problem was solved.

If you need extra storage on a road trip this summer the Roofbag won’t disappoint.  We love the thick, durable material.  We love that we can drive through rain confidently.  Finally we love that the installation couldn’t be easier.

Making anywhere your home away from home.

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on July 5, 2011

In the past 12 months I have spent 7 months away from home.  Some time was spent driving, some on vacation, some visiting friends and relatives and a LOT of time in hotel rooms.  These new experiences have given me some insight on how to survive on the road with two toddlers! 

Step 1:  Packing light (enough to be able to carry all your bags) means going DISPOSABLE 
I have always used these Take n Toss utensils but I fell in love with them in the hotels.  They are easy to clean even in a bathroom sink but once your extended stay is over they are cheap enough to just recycle and be done with leaving room in your suitcase for the real necessities.  The Take n Toss straw cups are my absolute favorite cups and they are the cheapest too.  They are not spill proof but they are spill resistant and Thing 2 doesn’t need the power of a hoover to get the liquid out.

Step 2: Liquid and powder free detergents
Detergent isn’t cheap enough for me to throw it away unused so you need a detergent that can be packed up but not take up valuable real estate in your luggage.  Here are my favorites: 

Purex 3 in 1 sheets: I love that with these sheets I didn’t have to worry about getting dryer sheets.  They also take up almost no space at all while packing.  Please be aware of some pretty nasty amazon reviews alleging this detergent to have caused spots on button down shirts.  I didn’t have any problems but I have only used these while away from home.

Dropps Laundry Pacs: These take up just a tad more space then the Purex sheets and require seperate dryer sheets but if you want to avoid the potential problems other Purex users have reported these are a great option.

Step 3: Everyday toys that can travel small
Unfortunately most hotels are rarely situated within walking distance of great playgrounds and parks.  This means you will be providing your own entertainment for the children except this entertainment needs to fit in your bags with all of your other essential belongings.  I managed to pack these toys along with 10 days worth of clothes for everyone in the family.

Animalz: A simple but small collection of these toys make for great playmates.

Cars: This is a classic toy for a reason.  Its small, its quiet and can entertain just about any child for hours.

Gears:  This toy takes up the most space in the bag but also had the most attention in the hotel room.  These gears do come in their own convenient tool box which makes life just a tiny bit easier in the hotel.  If your child is a future science or mechanic geek then this toy is for them.

Playdoh: This one requires constant supervision.  I thought it was one that would actually give me some time to shower in peace but I came out to find purple playdoh shoved into the hotel carpet.  Sorry Hilton!  Thing 1 was gracious enough to do it behind the couch though so I don’t think any future patrons will ever even notice.

Sticker Book: What kid doesn’t love stickers?  These reusable stickers are genius.  Thing 1 can not get enough of his sticker books.  They are a great toy for quietly distracting older siblings while trying to lay down younger ones for nap time. 

When all else fails a TV with Disney Junior almost always works!

Step 4: A do it all stroller!
I have always been well prepared in the stroller department which is a nice way of saying I own a lot of strollers.  Even expensive well built strollers are disasters if used on the wrong occasion.  So what do you bring for an extended vacation?  Will you be driving or walking to do errands?  Will you live on the first floor or are climbing stairs required?  Will there be space for the stroller in the hotel or do you need to have space in the car’s trunk?

For one trip I knew I would be in a large room with ample space for a stroller meaning that the fold was not important.  I also knew I would be able to walk to accomplish errands so a large basket and a second seat for my occasional walker would be crucial.  Finally we were driving so air travel restrictions would not be an issue.  For this trip my all terrain double was a dream and worked out perfectly.

The next trip required air travel.  We also ended up in a room on the third floor with no elevator.  Nothing was in walking distance so driving would be required for all errands.  In this instance a full featured single with Valco Hitchhiker was perfect.  The single fit great in the trunk of our sedan rental with plenty of room to spare for groceries.  The stroller had enough features to make a long day at the zoo comfortable and the Hitchhiker option gave Thing 1 a much needed rest.

A double jogger would have been a nightmare in scenario 2 and a full featured single would not have been as convenient in scenario 1.  Think carefully before deciding what stroller deserves to make the big trip.

How to survive AA flights… part 2

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on June 5, 2011

Our readers are so awesome and have even more excellent ideas on how to make it from the car to the gate in one piece with all your children in tow.

This suggestion comes from Sarah:

Sit N Stroll Car Seat: A car seat that has pop out wheels.  There are 5 ways to use the Sit N Stroll: rear facing car seat, forward facing car seat, stroller, dining booster chair, or faa certified seat.  Very cool, Thanks Sarah!

This suggestion comes from Kristen:

Pacback: Kristen sent in this suggestion for children who are already walking through the airport on their own but are still traveling with the car seat.  Looks much more comfortable then the alternative.  Thanks Kristen!

This suggestion comes from Tamara:

Trunki: This looks like a great idea for 3 and 4 year olds.  A small trunk for some carry-on must haves and it works as a fun ride to the gate.  Thanks so much Tamara!

How to survive American Airlines new rules!

Originally Posted on The Baby Gizmo Co. on June 2, 2011

Hollie has already informed everyone of American Airlines’ new rules about strollers weighing more then 20 lbs.  This rule is a shock to most parents who are traveling with young children.  Many families travel with double strollers and all double strollers weigh more then 20 lbs when you add the wheels and canopies (which is how most strollers are used in my experience).  American Airlines urges parents to use umbrella strollers but what is their view on double umbrella strollers?

I made a call to American to find out if an umbrella double would be allowed despite its weight.  I was put on hold for a short while and unfortunately was told that the 20 lb limit would still be enforced despite using an umbrella stroller.  I asked how American Airlines planned to enforce such a rule since I usually don’t approach the ticket counter.  The agent was unsure.  She tried to claim TSA would weigh it but then I pointed out that other airlines don’t have a stroller policy like American’s.  She seemed surprised to hear this which revealed her level of ignorance on the issue.  It seems to me that you could make it to the gate with a heavy stroller (just as some oversized carry-ons do) but if deemed too heavy by the gate agents it will be moved to the checked luggage.  With this strategy you at least made it through one airport with your stroller but you will have a struggle on your hands when you reach your arrival gate.

I have traveled with Thing 1 & 2 alone at least half a dozen times.  I have actually never used a double stroller to accomplish this task.  The only double stroller I have ever owned is the Bumbleride Indie Twin and we all know as lovely as the Bumbleride is it would not do well for airline travel.  I could have bought a second more travel friendly double stroller but I never felt the need.  Admittedly, Thing 1 & 2 are not a runners so that helps when embarking on air travel with two toddlers.  However I still feel air travel is possible even for families with little runners.  Here are some products that can make your trip easier:

GoGo Kidz Travelmate: The Travelmate is a breeze to use with convertible car seats.  The wheels are rubbery scooter-type wheels and they glide over all smooth services including not so nice parking lots and sidewalks.  The Travelmate is easy to install and just as easy to uninstall at the gate or even on the airplane.  The Travelmate folds up small enough to fit in overhead compartments or can be gate checked for ultimate convenience.  Now they just need to come out with some double options for parents with multiples.

Traveling Toddler: Similar idea to the GoGo Kidz Travelmate but cheaper and makes traveling with luggage easier.  This product is new to me the but the Amazon reviews seem very positive.

Prince Lionheart Stroller Connectors: For anyone who already owns two similar single umbrella strollers this will be your most cost effective solution.  At only $12.95 this connector set can turn most single umbrella strollers into a double.  The connectors can be removed and stored easily so each single weighs under 20 lbs and would pass American’s new rules but you still get to push a double through the airport.  The bigger question is can it be pushed one-handed?

Safefit Backpack with Harness:  I know harnesses can be a bit controversial but for travel inside busy airports with ‘runners’ I think we can leave all our judgments aside.  I actually own the Eddie Bauer Harness Buddy and while its very cute I like this harness because it’s an actual backpack albeit a very small one.  The bag can hold some cars or a small notepad and some crayons.  I also appreciate that harness attachment is low on the bag to prevent any unwanted wrapping around the child’s neck.

Soft Structured Carrier: A baby carrier like the Boba 2G (as pictured above) can comfortably accommodate a young toddler.   A good carrier can be comfortably be worn with a toddler of any size.  If willing to make an investment – I highly recommend checking out the Bloo Kangaroo Kanga or Kindercarry’s Kinderpacks both of which have become my new favorites and each are worth every penny.  Before anyone says, “oh but my little one is already 30 lbs”  I can attest that I have used all 3 of these carriers on my 38 lb 4 year old and when worn correctly feels weightless on my back.  Now the workout on my legs is a different story.