A few of my favorite things: children’s books

I must confess, I am not an avid reader. I am super envious of those people that can juggle everything; working, raising a family, dinner, laundry, chores, and finishing novel after novel after novel. Those people love to chit chat about their most recent “page-turner”, the “keep you up all night” suspense-filled crime drama, or their seventh “how to get rich and do everything perfectly” book in a row. They even read the same book multiple times!

Whenever I even attempt to read a book at night, I stumble through a few pages and then my eyes say “no way, not tonight” and shut down. Enter the board book! Board books are so fulfilling and you can usually finish at least a few a night. They are typically characterized with bright picture-filled pages, large rhyming words, melodic, sing-songy rhythms, and clock in at around 6-10 pages. You will definitely read the same one multiple times until you can recite the book from memory ANYWHERE. You may even find yourself reciting stanzas on your drive to work or during an important meeting. That’s okay! There are some really great board books out there, and here are my top three…


I Love You Stinky Face
Author: Lisa McCourt
Illustrator: Cyd Moore

I loved this book from the start because when Robby was born he would make a mean face without even crying and we used to call it the stink face or stink eye. What makes this book awesome is that if you’re really in the spirit, you can play different roles. For example, the little boy is talking to his mother and asking her if she’d still love him if he were a “skunk that smelled so bad that his name was Stinky Face?”, or a “swamp creature” or a “meat-eating dinosaur”, etc. You can use your little kid voice for that part, and then when the mother comes in you can switch it up. In all honesty, the illustrations are beautiful, the story is endearing, and the message of unconditional love is wonderful for any child to hear.
This book retails for $5.99 and is sold on Amazon and probably at any local book store. There are a few more Stinky Face books like Merry Christmas Stinky Face, I Miss You Stinky Face, and It’s Time For School Stinky Face. I haven’t read the others yet, but I’m sure they’re just as witty and cute.

Ten Little Babies
Author/Illustrator: Gyo Fujikawa

A cute counting book with brilliant illustrations of babies doing all sorts of cool things; eating marmalade, riding on cars, climbing frozen trees, going to the beach and many more scenarios. Ten babies start out, but they lose a baby each page until there’s only one left, a sort of ‘survival of the fittest’ tale. Fujikawa is a wonderful illustrator and his books are timeless. So much so, that I have a few from when I was a baby.

Pick up Ten Little Babies online for $5.95 at Barnes & Noble

I Love You Because You’re You
Author: Liza Baker
Illustrator: David McPhail

A sweet and endearing book, “I Love You Because You’re You” is a quick read with great illustrations. The premise is simple; anything the child does, no matter what his mood, emotional state, circumstance or other, she will still love him unconditionally. “I love you when you’re happy, and grinning ear to ear. I love you when you’re sleepy, and want to snuggle near,” you get the point. McPhail’s illustrations are sweet depicting a mother fox’s love for her little fox son. A fox has never looked so friendly before! This is a great bedtime or anytime story. Robby loves the rhythm of the text and the bright and cheerful graphics.
Buy the hardcover book online for just $6.29 at the Scholastic store.

Adirondack living

A good friend of ours owns a beautiful home a few blocks from the Saratoga Racetrack. Her front porch is a prime spot to hang out, have some drinks, and enjoy the evening. She even has a little Adirondack chair that fits Robby perfectly.

It’s ironic that I found an Adirondack chair made by Little Colorado, but this chair, like all LC stuff is made in the USA and not outrageously expensive. To me, an Adirondack chair made in Colorado is still WAY better than one made in China. This one is reasonably priced at $69.95 plus $10 shipping.

The Little Colorado website, while not very user-friendly has some great items for kids. Step stools, play kitchens, toy boxes, personalized peg racks and much more. Check it out!

I just love this peg rack or a nursery or child’s room. Boys, this comes in primary colors too. It costs $34.95 plus $7 shipping for up to nine letters.

A few of my favorite things - bath & body

Earth Mama Angel Baby: Angel Baby Shampoo and Body Wash

It dispenses easily (with one hand!), lathers nicely, rinses clean, makes skin feel so soft, and smells almost good enough to eat. Oh, did I mention that it contains no petrochemical or synthetic surfactants or foaming agents like sodium laureth sulfate or cocoamidylpropyl betaine? If that means nothing to you, just know that this product is made with only pure and safe ingredients that the average person can actually pronounce, like organic coconut oil.

I’ve been using this shampoo on Robby since day 1 and have loved it ever since. Despite using it on an almost daily basis, I am still surprised sometimes at how good it smells. Another added bonus, you don’t need to use a ton of this product, so it lasts a super long time. Friends, this product is worth it in every way. You can purchase a three pack on Amazon or the directly from the EMAB website.


Carol’s Daughter: Shea Souffle in Mango Melange

Believe it or not, my dad was the first to buy me this product. That sounds really weird, so let me explain. My dad takes an annual trip to Las Vegas with several other guy friends to watch the Superbowl. There’s obviously a little guilt associated with this trip, so he makes a redemptive visit to Sephora to pick up gifts for his girls. While there, he heavily relies on the store clerks to guide his product purchase and one year they suggested this Carol’s Daughter shea butter. Fantastic score for me! This stuff is super thick and emollient, smells amazingly good, and makes skin feel like silk. What I really love about this product is that is so penetrating that the smell stays with you almost all day, eliminating the need for perfumes. It is paraben, mineral oil, and artificial color free.

At $30 for a 16oz. tub this is definitely not a cheap thrill. Despite the hefty price tag, this product is damn good and one that I highly recommend.


Trillium Organics: Organic Body Polish

I purchased this on a whim based on the claim from Trillium Organics’ website that this body polish “moisturizes more than a lotion, cleanses more profoundly than any soap, and promotes healthy skin in balance with nature, and in balance with the body it protects”. Slight pause…add to cart, SOLD. Upon the arrival of my Clementine/Clove body polish, I was pleasantly surprised by its clever packaging and wonderful aroma. I couldn’t wait to shower with this little miracle and become a believer. I’ve fallen for my fair share of As-Seen-On-TV gems, and while this one doesn’t fall into that category, my hopes were as high as Tony Little (see left).

My first shower with the body polish and I probably don’t need to continue as this post is called “A few of my favorite things”, but this stuff rocks for real! My skin felt like it had been wrapped in a satin sheet. For a minute in my bathroom I actually starred in my own Caress body wash commercial! While I would hesitate to call anything a miracle product unless I was getting paid to endorse it, this product comes pretty damn close to its lofty claims.

You can purchase this on the Trillium Organics website.

Nature Boy

Rarely am I inspired to do any type of physical activity. I do enjoy taking Robby out for a little run in the park after work, but all it takes is one miniscule hang up and my running dreams are dashed. I’m talking really little things like: last time I took Robby running he got two bug bites on his face. Or, I have to be home in time to make dinner and get him to bed by the time Megan Wants a Millionaire starts. Or, I got a paper cut at work which may impede my stroller handling ability. On those rare occasions when the stars are aligned, I do take Robby running and we really enjoy ourselves. Or rather, he enjoys throwing his sippy cup overboard and watching me struggle to bend down and pick it up while maintaining my little-faster-than-a-walk pace.

A few weeks ago Jude and I took Robby hiking on the trails of Moreau State Park. The smile plastered on his face for nearly the whole hike is inspiring me to get outside and hit the trails again! Granted he may have been smiling at my renditions of Wheels on the Bus and Old MacDonald, but it seemed that he truly enjoyed himself.

Living close to the Adirondacks is something we often take for granted. Having grown up in Brooklyn, my husband Jude is certainly no Eagle Scout. He can’t really swim, hadn’t mowed a lawn until age 30, has never been camping, and can barely start a bonfire in our yard! He’s quickly developed an appreciation for the outdoors and has even climbed several high peaks during the past few years. I’d like Robby to have an appreciation for nature too, which means I need to suck it up a little and get him out.

I’m not going to let a few bug bites stop me, Jude and Robby from enjoying nature in our own backyard and beyond.

What would Einstein do? (wwed)

Now that Robby’s a year old, I have an itch to learn everything about how to raise a perfect child; how to properly discipline, keep him happy and engaged, teach him, nurture him, and I need to learn all of this stuff yesterday.

I’ve been busy surfing the internet reading reviews on the best books out there to tame my appetite for child-rearing perfection before the ship leaves and I’m standing on the shore with a screaming toddler throwing toys at my face.

Are tantrums inevitable? Is it possible to say ‘no’ too much? How many times do I have to take that sharp metal object away from Robby until he learns? Is he sticking his hand in the garbage to spite me? When will he stop laughing at me when I try to be firm with him?

Clearly my mind is swimming with questions. I asked my mom about books and she recommended a book from a doctor by the name of Fitzhugh Dodson. The book is mad old but I trust a guy with a name like Fitzhugh. That’s a no nonsense guy.

Another book that was recommended to me is called Einstein Never Used Flashcards. It gets great Amazon reviews, which typically is a good sign.

I am currently trying to make it through Dr. Fitzhugh Dodson’s 1970’s classic and then I’ll choose a more modern selection to round it out. Once I acheive child-rearing perfection, I'll let you all know the secrets. In the meantime, I'll do the best I can with my limited knowledge and hope that motherly instinct will kick in and take over!

I kind of liked flashcards as a child... granted I'm no Einstein!

Toys rule!

As promised, here are a few more birthday party shots of Robby showing off some of his new toys.

Veronika and Jermaine got Robby this great Green Toys Sand Play Set. Here's Robby modeling the rake.

I've admired Green Toys as a toy company for a long time. They have a strong commitment to the environment, their toys are all BPA-free and made in the USA to boot!

Check out their site for more info.

Another cool toy that Robby got from our friends Seth, Sara, and baby Grady was a four-wheeled Kawasaki ride-on thing. (I'm sure it has a more proper name than that. He totally digs it and I think he looks pretty damn cute riding it.

Because a little boy can't have enough ride-on cars, Grandma and Grandpa got him this cool Push Around Buggy by Step 2.

Robby loves going for rides in this and has this goofy perma-grin on his face the whole time while holding super tight to the steering wheel.

Mean mommy took some of Robby's new toys and put them away for a little while so we can focus on a few new things at a time, and then appreciate the rest later. I used the savings bond philosophy. It sucks to get a gift that you can't use right away, but you'll appreciate it even more later. Thanks to all who made Robby's birthday special and awesome.

Yummy cake

I’ve been so bad, and haven’t posted in ages.

Robby’s first birthday was celebrated in a major way on Sunday, July 5th, 2009. We had a Luau party at our house and over 50 of our closest friends and relatives were there to celebrate with us. Poor Robby had just woken from a long nap and was ushered downstairs in a Hawaiian print shirt to find his home invaded. He was a great sport through the whole party. Here’s Robby enjoying his cake.

I’ll post more very soon, I promise!