Ode to the iPad: From One Toddler's Mom

For her first Birthday, the Bug and I got a joint present from her grandparents: an iPad. I'll admit it - - although I was ecstatic to have an iPad, I wondered how Lila would take to it. Thoughts of the 'screen time ruins kids' creativity' raced through my mind. And then there was the recurring nightmare of her tossing it down our stairs, cracking the screen and me having to explain to my in laws (who graciously gave us the gift!) what happened.

But two months later, my fears have subsided. I am a HUGE fan of the iPad. Here's why:

1. Durability is key. It's been flung, dropped, and sailed across the floor. And the thing still hums beautifully.
   
2. No keyboard = no key banging = no broken keys. {{insert zen-like 'aaaahhhh.'}} I have a nagging crammed-in comma key on my MacBook Pro that's driving me nuts, an unfortunate casualty of a raucous KneeBouncers game. No need to worry about key banging on the iPad. The Bug can get as zealous as she'd like with Peek-a-Bouncer.
3. Lila's favorite app is the iPad's video player. No, it's not to watch the latest Blues Clues episodes (although I have a few on there). She loves watching the iMovie we made for her first birthday party because it's chocked full of images of all her favorite people. She watches the images glide across the screen, points and giddily exclaims 'oohhhh' or tries to say the person's name.
4. It's the most portable storybook you can own. We are huge book lovers in our house. There is nothing like climbing into Pat's grandfather's leather barker lounger with the 3 bs: the bug, a blanket and a picture book. But have you ever tried to lug five to ten hardback books on a plane? Carrying that bag through the airport terminal could send anyone screaming to the chiropractor. The iPad lets me load up picture books in iBooks or buy a specific app that tells a story. There are GREAT Dr. Seuss and Sesame Street apps available that allow your child to choose to read the story themselves or have it read to them. When the story is read aloud by the app, the words light up to assist with letter/word recognition. Educational, practical and downright fun.
5. Mess-free coloring. Ok, I know. "Digital" coloring is NOT the same as real coloring or painting for that matter. And no, it doesn't develop the gross motor skills we should be working on right now. But it's not always practical or feasible to cover my porch with garbage bags in preparation for a painting activity like we did when we experimented with Bubble Art. Sometimes, the Kid Art app is exactly what I need. Plus, the Bug has not quite yet mastered the art of holding a crayon. Digital 'finger' painting lets her get creative without leaving pink and blue hand prints on my wall.
   

So, other iPad lovers out there, what's your favorite toddler app?

Photo credit: apple.com

Back to... schedule

Remember the excitement of beginning a new school year? Having to impatiently wait a week or two to sport the new (or new to you) "school" clothes? Fresh school supplies (no more half-ripped notebook or broken crayons)? And the hunt for the perfect back pack?

The temperature may still be pretty darn warm, but most students in our area are headed back to school today. Granted, our 14-month-old Bug is still too young to go to school (although I wish there was a great program for one year olds that she could go to two mornings a week -- you can see she's 'practicing!'). But even our family still feels a 'shift' in the air.

It's the coming of 'the schedule.'

I don't know about your house, but our schedule has gotten pretty lax over the summer. We're still pretty good about bedtime routine and such, but many mornings we'd wake up and think "what are we going to do today?" Even though I work full time, I have a flex work space and some flexibility with time. So we could opt to go to the library for an hour mid-morning, run around playground, or maybe meander though a museum. The great thing about city-life is that all of these activities are right at our fingertips. No long drives or need to plan full-day excursions (complete with car activities and a cooler of snacks).

Then there are all the summer trips. I don't think we've been home but a handful of weekends -- and those weekends were marathons of house-related projects and visiting 'local' friends. But the 'here today, gone tomorrow' made any kind of regular grocery shopping, meal planning or even lunch packing (yepp, we're a lunch packing kinda family) almost impossible. We were pretty much vacationing in our own home all summer during the week!

And it was fabulous.

But the coming of the fall means the coming of routine. Classes and programs are starting up and there is an air of routine setting into our house. Mondays are going to be morning yoga class days. Tuesdays we're thinking about an early evening intergenerational music class. Wednesday is Lila's day with Grandma and Grandpa. Thursdays are still up in the air and Fridays are for play dates.

Honestly - - and maybe this is the geek in me coming out - - I'm looking forward to a schedule. I've been designing a big 'family organization' center in my head. It's to keep us organized and start teaching Lila about the days of the week, weather, etc. Might be a project for next weekend. I'm actually salivating a bit over getting back to meal planning and making that five o'clock hour a little easier on all of us (the circular 'what do you want to eat?' discussion coupled with a ravenous toddler it not my idea of a great 'wind down' to the day).

And at the same time, I have this overwhelming desire to hang on to the permeability of summer life.

It's crazy to think of all the things we are going to need to fit in to our days come September -- not because we have to, but because we want to. The project manager in me has this incessant urge to plot out every day (seen those Mom agendas? If I gave into my true nature, mine would be the length of a novel). But who wants to live their life on paper? So I'm keeping my OCD in check and not over structuring. I'm thinking more along the lines of scaffold schedule. Best of summer with shape of fall.

Farewell lazy summer. Hello more-structured-but-still-flexible fall.

Birthdays are...

nature's way of telling us to eat more cake. And today is mine. :0)

So all of us are enjoying the day and will be back to blog tomorrow!

Photo credit: image from preapism.com.

Simple Pleasures: Scenes from OBX

Whenever you think life is becoming overwhelming, just remember what a simple, excellent adventure it was at 14 months... Enjoy.
Love the dress? It's a halabaloo violet voile sundress, purchased from M and Em's in Glen Ellyn, Illinois by a family friend. Just gorgeous. If you're in the Chicagoland area, I highly suggest to check out M and Em's for other fabulous toddler clothes!

Adventures of a Koodie at Broom's Bloom Dairy

Eli is 9 years old and going into the 4th grade at Oakleigh Elementary School in Parkville. He started a food blog, Adventures of a Koodie, and hopes to be a food critic when he grows up.

We LOVE Adventures of a Koodie and think you should add it to your 'must read' blog list, too. He recently reviewed Pitango - - the gelataria that scored big during our Ice Cream Giveaway. Here is Eli's take on a visit to Broom's Bloom Dairy in Bel Air.

Many thanks to his parents, Cheryl and Jason Knauer, for facilitating Eli's guest post for us! Please note that Eli is nine - - and we did not edit for content or grammar. We wanted his voice to shine through.

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Today, me, my dad, brother and sister went to Broom's Bloom. It was the first time that I had ever been there. I didn't think it was that kid-friendly because it doesn't have a kids menu. But it was a farm with a restaurant, store, and they sell ice cream. I think that is why kids mostly go here, for their delicious ice cream! I'd give *** stars for kid-friendly.

Now for food. The food was great! I had quiche with broccoli, bacon and cheese. It was so tasty! The broccoli and cheese blended well together. I also had ice cream and it was great! I had the dirt ice cream witch was chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips and oreo cookies. Some of the other things that they had on the menu were pulled pork BBQ sandwich that my dad had, grilled cheese witch my brother Owen had, and other sandwiches. They also had lots of soups like Maryland crab soup and salad. Owen had thin mint ice cream and my dad shared peanut butter and chocolate ice cream with my sister. The ice cream had no air in it and was rich and creamy. I give ***** stars for food.

This is a place where I would want to go again especially for the ice cream. It is worth the long drive there. Well, gotta go. Bye!

Logistical Information:

Broom's Bloom Dairy
1700 S. Fountain Green Road
Bel Air, Maryland

Hours:
Tuesday - Thursday, 11 am - 8 pm
Friday and Saturday, 11 am - 9 pm
Sunday, 12 pm - 8 pm
Closed Monday


View Larger Map

Photo Credit: Eli's Dad, Jason Knauer

That little six letter magic word... please!

We've got our toes in the water (age-appropriate beverage in hand) at the Outer Banks this week and decided to give ourselves a little blog break, too. We've got some fabulous guests posting for us and we'll get a few in there, too. Today's guest poster? Julie Blacker, founder and director of EtiKids.

Julie is a modern-day Ms. Manners for the preschool set. The fun and forward-thinking Manhattanite create EtiKids as a means of teaching social skills and school skills to children in an entertaining and developmentally appropriate manner.

We love EtiKids' fantastic newsletter and blog - - both jam-packed with great ways to teach your tike the skills they'll need for life.

Julie's admits that her biggest pet peeve is when that little six-letter word is left off of sentences and out of requests. So for today's post, she's chattin' up how to get your little one to use the "magic" word and mean it. And about that whole thing called behavior modeling.

Thanks for sharing, Julie!
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I recently did a survey on my website, www.etikids.com. The question was “do you make children say please when you ask for something?” Out of the responses, 58.3% said they do “all of the time.” 16.7% said “not as often as I should,” and 25% had other answers, including, “I will when I have a child!” and “Yes- but they are not my children…” 0% of the people said never!

The word “please” is to be used when you want something: to ask rather than to demand. That “magic word,” as it is often referred to for children, changes the tone of the sentence. An ultimatum begins to resemble a request, and the demeanor between the involved parties relaxes. A person is more willing to get the job done (with far less under-the-breath muttering) should that word be included.

The results of this poll should show just how hard it is to enforce that 1 word into daily vocabulary. Although it is amazing that more than half of the pollers are diligent about regularly enforcing the use of the word please, the 16.7% were brutally honest in their “not as often as I should” answers.

From an article on Parents Connect, Nanny Stella gives great advice for teaching children to use the word please (and thank you) in 3 steps: “1) show by example, 2) praise the pleases, and 3) be a broken record.”

Children truly learn from behavior being modeled, meaning, they learn by watching those around them. Control the market by showing them the behaviors that you want them to exhibit in public. If you want a child to hand you the cup of water instead of spill it, you should say, “Please hand me the water.” When the child uses the language on his/her own, praise him/her repeatedly. Positive reinforcement, is a highly effective way to teach children behaviors that you wish for them to continue without negative repercussions. Finally, if the child doesn’t use the word please, do not provide them with what they want until the magic word is said. For children, their new language can become innate with a bit of consistent practice. They will get it.

Children love challenges, so provide them the opportunity to rise to the occasion. Count how many people said, “please” when they asked for something, whether in a restaurant, in a classroom, in a store. Let the kids listen for the magic word, and let them watch people’s reactions when it is and is not used. Children can learn from their own recognition skills: why politeness matters.

Please is the most basic of social etiquette; the politeness displayed by the courtesy will open doors with its usage. Teaching children this social skill at a young age will ensure mastery and give them the tools to succeed as grownups.

Note: This post originally appeared on the EtiKids blog, and was reposted in its entirety with permission from Julie Blacker.

Cultivating Creativity (NOTE TO SELF: Do NOT screw up)

I had a conversation today with an educational professional who was concerned about an alarming lack of imagination she sensed in America's youth (I not-so-secretly double as an educational technologist, remember?). A long-time accomplished radio professional, this person is working tirelessly to engage youth in the creation of stories, enriching their writing craft and developing a creative muse.

Made me wonder about the 14-month-old Bug I have at home, and my responsibility as a parent to help her cultivate imagination and creativity. And love of the story

Note to self: DON'T screw this up.

"In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf."

Pat and the Bug were snuggled into the pillow rocker for a post-bath, pre-bedtime book. We always let Lila choose the book, and tonight she picked my favorite childhood story: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. It was one of the first things we bought when we learned we were expecting. Actually, it was one of many literary treasures we picked up on a mega shopping excursion to Barnes and Noble.

The story is a simple one: the metamorphic tale of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. The colored tissue paper illustrations are a kaleidoscope of rainbow patterns on the page - - it's no wonder why this 1969 book continues to enchant children even 40 years later.

"One Sunday morning, the warm sun came up and - pop!- out of the egg came a tiny and very hungry caterpillar."

Actually, it was a Sunday night when Lila made her grand entrance. But just like that little caterpillar - - she's hungry. And into everything. Watching everyone. Her language skills are exploding right now, and she's always been a voracious book lover. I have photos of a 4-month-old Bug, propped up in a chair, flipping pages. It seems that this kid has an innate curiosity, and natural love of stories. If I'm honest, story time is a favorite activity for all of us - - and we've made it part of our daily routine since we brought the Bug home.

"He started to look for some food..."

Lila flips through all books. It doesn't matter if they're 'age appropriate,' board books, picture books, or 400 page anthologies. I especially love when she nabs the book I'm currently reading from the night stand and puts it 'away' (away being wherever she thinks it belongs. Usually the bathroom cabinet). She's constantly grabbing books off our shelves or from her bin and paging through them. That said, she also continually comes back to her favorites: How Long Can a String Be?, Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots, and ANYTHING with flaps. So, she's definitely developing her own 'taste.' And like all of us, those 'tastes' are subject to change. It's the great thing about subjectivity.

"On Monday, he ate through one apple..."

Cultivating a young child's imagination is like introducing your baby to different foods: each day, you try different tastes and textures. Too much at one time can be sensory overload or cause an adverse allergy reaction. Kinda like when the caterpillar ODs on sweets and salami mid-book. Different means of creative stimulation (audio, video, visual, taste, smell) - - they are all equally important. But, like YOUR mother always said, everything in moderation.

"He built a small house, called a cocoon, around himself. He stayed inside for more than two weeks. Then he nibbled a hole in the cocoon, pushed his way out and..."

It's amazing to think of how everything your child experiences right now is shaping his or her world view. You, as the parent, have a significant role in shaping your child's "cocoon." (Eek?) Can you imagine what the world looks like from your toddler's perspective? Not only is everything bigger, but it's all an adventure, too. What role does story telling (or hearing) play into understanding and appreciating the world? If we nurture creativity at a young age, does that mean those creative silks are more intricately woven into our child's worldview? It's a mind-blowing thought...

"He was a beautiful butterfly."

Imagine the potential.

Pat closed the book, kissed the Bug on the cheek, and laid her in the crib. She pulled her blanket up, tight near her chin. Later, when we checked on her, she was smiling. Sweet dreams.


NOTE: The picture is from about a year ago -- but the scene described was from tonight. Literary quotes are from "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."

(hot) dish: FREE Photo Mini-Sessions with a side of on-site monogramming next week at Wee Chic

Wee Chic - A Baby Boutique just alerted their Facebook fans that they are hosting Laura Black of Laura Black Photography for two days of mini-sessions on August 26th and August 28th. You can use your free session to capture one child or your entire crew! Added bonus? Laura will gift each family 1 free 8x10 from the session. As always, their Facebook fans get dibs on the best appointments. So fire up your Facebook account, "like" wee chic, and get the details on how to set-up your appointment!

Wee Chic will also have in-store monogramming available on August 26th and 27th, courtesy of embroider-on-the-go Candace Marshall of Madeljacks. Yes, you can have your purchases and gifts monogrammed while you shop. Stay tuned for specials on one letter embroidery...

We have it on good authority that wee chic owner Bridget Quinn Stickline will be at the Best of Baltimore Party the night of August 26th... (they won best Kid Boutique, after all!). It's going to be a pretty jam-packed 24 hours for the Wee Chic crew! So maybe bring them some celebratory coffee when you stop by next Thursday or Friday?

Lunch Crunch (and what's up with Bento?)

We interrupt our typical Wednesday Farmer's Market Challenge for this breaking announcement.

Our family is in a lunch rut.

If I make one more PB&J, grilled cheese or ham/cheese swirl, I might scream. I very well may turn into that Edvard Munch painting, green wobbly face and all.

Did you know The Scream is part of a series in which Munch explores life, love, fear, death, melancholia and anxiety? Pretty much sums up my feelings about lunchtime right now.

Maybe melancholia is why so many hit the fast food drive through at lunch. Typically (at least in my professional opinion) melancholia has a disturbing negative effect on creativity.

So I'm on a hunt for toddler friendly lunch ideas that don't require an hour of cooking, grilling salmon in the middle of the day, or french fries. (Don't get me wrong - - I like french fries. But I don't necessarily thing they should be a lunchtime staple). They have to be Pat-friendly, too.

Parenting.com came out with 20 Easy, Healthy, and Gorgeous Bento Box lunches today, and delivered this creative gem right to my inbox this afternoon. Have you hopped on the Bento bandwagon? The concept appeals to me: no-cook, well-proportioned, healthy, fun, creative lunch that doesn't have to be chilled or warmed. It's also supposed to be easy-to-make and quick to assemble. Who wouldn't want their whip-it-up-in-5-minutes-perfect-at-room-temperature lunch molded into the shape of a bunny or rice cows? It seems like a brilliant way to entice a picky toddler to chow down on some veggies.

Building a bento lunch kinda intimidates the bejeezus outta me. My rice cow would probably look more like rice blubber.

I'm all for quick and easy. A quick survey of various sites kept bringing me back to things like Lunchables and PopTarts. I'm guessing that they didn't see MSNBC's story on the 20 Worst Foods to Feed Your Kids. The Maxed Out Cracker Combo Turkey and Cheddar contains half of a child's calories for the day.

Maybe there is a way to combine the healthy bento concept with the lunchable layout? Fun food in a small, divided tray (with cheese and ham but not molded into a giraffe and flowers)? Is it still toddler-appealing if it's not animal shaped?

I found lots of other helpful resources on my hunt today. Thought I'd share a few:

• I am in love with ZisBoomBah. Kinda wish Lila was old enough to appreciate this handy online tool where your kids can build their own antvatar (yepp, as in 'build an ant') and dinner by food group. When your child adds a food item to their plate, if gives them background information on the food as well as nutritional information. The creative chefs behind this fun, interactive site have a growing list of kid-friendly meals. Who wants a Basil Pesto Chicken Wrap? Bet the Bug is going to love that one.
  
  
• Annabel Karmel's website has suggestions for toddler friendly food. Annabel has written some great books about feeding kids, and I used her baby food cookbook every day when we were starting Lila on solids. Her creative suggestions include molding food - - but in a first-grade cute stick figure kinda way. Not nearly as artistically intimidating as Bento. The Funny-Face Chicken Pies make ME want to try them!
  
  
• Real Food for Healthy Kids is a blog written by the writers of the book by the same name. There are lots of recipes on the site. Their Huevos Rancheros might actually be a great idea for lunch... there is breakfast for dinner so why not breakfast for lunch?
  
  
• WholesomeToddlerFood.com has some interesting ideas for meals. While I think I'll skip the lead grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich, potato chowder might be a good choice.

Would love to be inspired by your lunchtime foodie masterpieces. What's your toddler/kid-friendly go-to lunch? Or what website is your online foodie muse?

Note: Images from Parenting.com, photographs by Anna Yamamoto

We're spilling the beans: A FABULOUS hidden gem of a playground...

Oregon Ridge Playground may be one the best-kept secrets around.

Oops. We just spilled it!

This quiet getaway in the Cockeysville/Hunt Valley area has a completely rubber play surface. Not rubber mulch, but rubber surface. (So no, no worries about the rubber mulch controversy here... we're not weighing in, just alerting you that there is one). The Bug literally bounced when she fell off her feet. And then bounced right back up.

The playground space itself is expansive. Towers. Bridges. Rock climbing. Slides. LOTS of slides. Swings. Cars. Monkey bars. One of those playgrounds you wish was in your background!

Even better? The climbing equipment is adult friendly. You can run all over with your toddler and not worry about squeezing through any toddler-sized tunnels.

A few sturdy, covered picnic tables surround one side of the playground. Perfect for snacks or catching up with a friend over coffee while your tikes get some exercise.

The playground is located on the Oregon Ridge complex next to the Lodge (think Oregon Ridge Dinner Theater). Tons of trails and open space. Kickball, anyone?

There is one negative: I didn't see a restroom anywhere. I'm sure there is one close by, but I have no idea where it is. So keep that in mind if you're planning an outing.

Oregon Ridge also has a nature center and beach (small fee for beach access) for sand exploration and swimming. We haven't tried that out yet - - but would LOVE to hear about your experiences!

Nature Play with Your Little Babe

Today's guest post is from Monica Weidel-Lubinski, manager of children and art programs at Irvine Nature Center. Monica's post was inspired by her work at Irvine, and her adorable son Ethan. We're THRILLED to announce Monica will be guest posting for us once a month. Look for more fabulous nature-inspired-parent-child material from this simply savvy momma soon!
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Your baby is watching your every move and picking up cues based on how you interact with nature. If your aim is to instill respect and love for all things wild, try these simple activities with babies ages three months to two years old:

• Let baby crinkle dry leaves on the ground. Crunch the leaves with baby as he enjoys the sound.

  
  
• Visit shrubs and trees to allow baby to touch and grab at the green leaves. Smell the leaves with baby.

  
  
• Invite baby to grab and feel soil with hands and toes.

  
  
• Quietly watch birds fly overhead and squirrels pitter patter.

  
  
• Listen to bird sounds and mimic them for baby: “teacher-teacher-teacher”, “peter-peter-peter," or “caw caw”!

  
  
• Visit nearby flowers. Gently touch and smell the flowers. Say color names to baby and describe how the petals or leaves feel.

  
  
• Pick up twigs and seeds for baby to manipulate. Try tossing helicopter seeds to watch them spin.

  
  
• Blow bubbles in the wind. Listen to the sounds of the bubbles pop on blades of grass.

  
  
• Make sounds with what you find outside. Try tapping acorns, walnuts, or twigs together and invite baby to join in.

  
  
• Touch tree bark and describe how it feels to baby (rough, smooth, bumpy, scratchy).

  
  
• Pick up a worm, cricket, or ant and show baby how it moves in your hand. If baby is welcoming, let the tiny animal crawl in baby’s hand.

  
  
• Stand your barefoot baby on soft grass or moss. Encourage baby to touch the grass or moss with fingers, too.

  
  
• Play in a puddle. Stir up water with twigs, dip fingers or toes in, or float leaves in the water.

Your curious cub will develop positive feelings about nature through happy, sensory associations of nature play with you. As you explore together, you are making more than memories; you are nurturing baby’s lifelong love of nature!



Have an older child? Interested in a nature-based pre-school program? Check out (cool) progeny's article on Irvine's new preschool aged program.

Common Sense Notes about Nature Play

Always supervise your baby! Never leave baby unattended outdoors and watch closely whenever she is holding small objects. Never allow baby to taste any leaves, and do not allow baby to play in soil or grass where pesticides or other chemicals may have been applied.

If you ask a Mom to Dinner...

If you ask a Mom to dinner, she'll probably look at you with surprise. "Without the kid?" she'll ask.

"Of course," you'll say. "Just the two of us."

She'll grab her planner, iPhone, crackberry or other SmartPhone and start paging through possible babysitter choices. Her best friend will volunteer to come over for the night. You'll smile, because a friend's generosity means a little more cash in your pocket. And less worry about the kid. Dessert perhaps?

Then she'll head into the closet, toddler in tow, and play dress up. Skirts, dresses, shoes, belts, handbags and silk blouses will fly out of the closet. The two of them will create a giant fortress of rejected clothes on the bed. Your toddler will squeal with delight as she pulls mommy's blouse over her head and waddles down the hallway to show you what a big girl she is - just like mommy.

Nothing will do. The just-post-pregnancy clothes are too big. The pre-pregnancy clothes are just a little snug. She needs something that fits just right.

After all, it's not every night she gets to go out. Just the two of you.

There goes the extra cash.

She'll grab the diaper bag, stock up on some extra crunchies and organic fruit snacks, and head out to the closest clothing store.

The salesperson will track her around the store like a hunter. Distracted mommies must emit 'commission' scent. The salesperson isn't quite off - - but she's shopping for something special, not in bulk today. New styles in various sizes and colors are tossed on top of the stroller.

In the dressing room, she tries mixing and matching. But your toddler insists on playing peek-a-boo under the stalls of other fashionistas. The store manager is not amused. So she grabs the first thing that meets approval (ironically a new flirty top, funky belt and dressy jeans; after all, let's be practical. She doesn't get to go out much and she'll get a ton more use out of the jeans!), and heads to the cash register.

It's on sale. She has a coupon. Mommies have to be fiscally savvy as well and fashionable. But no, she'll decline the new Mastercard. That would be excessive.

The two of them will head home where you great them at the door. You've already showered and shaved. You knew she'd need some time to de-mom herself for the night.

While she's primping and polishing, her best friend arrives. You entertain her, explain the bedtime routine and give your toddler some sustenance - grilled cheese. Quick. Easy. And always a sell.

"Don't forget to brush her teeth," you say. And "she has the funny habit of climbing on the couch and trying to jump off." You want to forewarn the best friend - - don't want your night cut short by an emergency room visit.

The two of you leave and head downtown. She calls the restaurant to let them know you'll be a few minutes late. The two of you have never been on time ever - - not once in your collective life together. Why change now?

At the restaurant, you'll order appetizers and two glasses of wine. You used to order a bottle. But one glass now makes her a little tipsy.

She'll ask the waiter for an appetizer recommendation. She always takes the recommendation because she likes to try something new. But before she orders, she'll ask what you're having so she can sneak a bite of your 'safe' dish.

After she sneaks a bite, she'll probably ask you about your work week. It's her effort not to talk about the toddler. You'll ask about the new huge project that landed on her desk. But inevitably, the conversation comes back to the toddler.

During the main course, she'll order a second glass of wine. A little tipsy never hurt anyone. She's not conventional when it comes to wine-food pairings. You cringe a little bit because you can't understand how she drinks a sweet Reisling with a sirloin steak. Oh well. You watch her visibly relax, brain unwinding from the tangled web of schedules and to-dos. You'll abstain from a second glass. You're the driver. And neither one of you have really done the cocktail or bar scene since you found out two of you were becoming three.

The conversation will drift back to pre-baby. The trips you took. The ones you still want to take. What are your thoughts about getting the toddler a passport? A two year old in Italy? Surely you're both not crazy for thinking that.

You'll linger over dessert. Although you claim not to like it, you eat half of her chocolate pretzel cake with oatmeal ice cream. Delicious is an understatement. She'll ask for a cup of cappuccino. Decaf. The baby will be up at 6:00 AM and you're already out past your 10:00 PM bedtime.

At the end of the night, as you climb the stairs to the front door, she'll turn and thank you for a wonderful evening.

And chances are, if she thanks you, she's going to ask you to take her to dinner again.

saturday coffee break: lila takes on "wee-chic"

Part of Heather and Lila Bug's Excellent Tax Free Shopping Adventure. Think she liked the Tea Collection at Wee-Chic? (She then decided to sweep up by army crawling around on the floor. You're welcome for the free cleaning, Bridget! :)) And many thanks to the wonderful Wee Chic staff who were incredibly patient as the Bug tried on many styles of her 'outdoor voice.'

parents in the know: Amie Voith

Amie Christine Voith knows how to juggle. As Special Assistant to the Vice President for Administration and Finance and CFO at Towson University, Amie is no stranger to keeping multiple balls up in the air. This self-proclaimed deal seeker and expectant mommy has a penchant for scouring the internet for bargains. She turned that mild obsession into a great new resource site for Baltimore area parents: Daily Baltimore Deals for Moms, Babies and Kids!

This Facebook-based blog provides the inside scoop on deals for chic yet thrifty moms raising little ones in Baltimore. After the great response she's gotten on Facebook, plans are in the works to expand the web presence.

Amie was a little bit nervous about being interviewed for (cool) progeny's "Parent in the Know" series since she and her boyfriend, Todd (a productivity training consultant), are expecting their first in January. She wasn't sure if "expecting" qualified her as a parent. Our response? Did you swap cocktails for mocktails? Did you stock up on healthy food? Have your sleeping patterns taken a hit? Then you are DEFINITELY a parent!

And c'mon. Amie is most definitely in the know!

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What's the story behind Daily Baltimore Deals for Moms, Kids, and Babies? How did it come to be?
I've always been a deal seeker. On any given day, 95% of my outfit was bought on sale. If it wasn't, I received it as a gift! The same goes for the furniture and decorations in my house, as well as what I do in my free time. And this doesn't translate into shopping exclusively at Walmart or sitting around at home all weekend! So it was natural to me when I got pregnant to extend this shopping philosophy to motherhood. There are so many amazing deals available in Baltimore and online that I thought, why not spread the love? My idea is to share deals with moms so that they and their families can live vibrant, modern lifestyles without breaking the bank. I truly believe you can be chic, stylish, and have fun all while being budget-conscious. Hence, Daily Baltimore Deals for Moms, Kids, and Babies was born! As we grow, our future focus will be on local mom and pop and green businesses.

How do you go about searching for the deals?
Internet searches, word of mouth, local print publications, recommendations from moms. We're in the process of forging partnerships with local businesses to offer deals EXCLUSIVELY available only to fans of Daily Baltimore Deals. Fans are welcome to email me at bmorefamilydeals@gmail.com with tip-offs on great deals or requests for what they'd like to see featured in the future.

Congrats on your pending new arrival!! What's surprised you the most about preparing for your little one's debut?
The sheer amount of STUFF that has to be purchased! From strollers, to nursing bras, to monitors and everything in between, it can get a bit overwhelming! But hopefully when I'm searching for the best value for my money for all of these products, I'll come across some tips and deals to share with other moms along the way. This perfectly translates to Daily Baltimore Deals.

What three items would be on your dream baby registry list?
Right now the Taga bike that converts into a stroller is at the top of my wish list. It's European-designed and just starting to catch on in the U.S. I love to get out and about the Taga would be a great way for me to stay active with a little one. I'm also coveting Nest's Mercer diaper bag. The combination of suede and patent leather will be chic this winter when my baby's due. Of course both of these items come with hefty price tags, so I won't be purchasing them unless they go on sale! A final dream item, and a more sentimental one, is a handcrafted piece for the baby made by my late grandfather--perhaps a bookshelf or cradle. Pop Pop, who was an architect, passed away last year and more than anything I wish he would be around to meet his first great-grandchild!

I'm a huge believer in mocktails or mommytails. Virgin mojitos got me through my pregnancy! (Must have been the ginger and fizz!) What's your fav mocktail?
My favorite drink for a night on the town is a simple one: club soda with lime. The trick for me to making it feel special is asking for it in a nice stemware or rocks glass. This gives me the illusion of sipping a cocktail, while following doctor's orders and saving some major calories!

What's the weirdest thing you've craved during your pregnancy?
During my first trimester, there was one week where I ate a caesar salad for lunch every day, and then some days went home and also had a side caesar with my dinner.

What post-pregnancy clothing store are you hitting up come February?
As I mentioned before, my philosophy for kid/baby shopping holds true when shopping for myself . . . buy quality, designer items but only buy them if they're on sale or offered through a special deal. Pair these items with cheap apparel from stores like Old Navy to stay stylish without breaking the bank. I'm probably keeping flash sale sites like Gilt Groupe, Hautelook, and Ideeli in business! These three are my favorite.

And in that same vein - - what maternity clothing store should you have bought stock in because you've bought so much there? What clothing item is your fav?
I'm just now starting to show, so I haven't made too many maternity purchases yet. Today I'm wearing a jersey dress from Pea in the Pod that was on clearance and then I took advantage of an extra 15% off coupon. I think it ended up being only $15!

What's the best thing about your job?
The best thing about working at Towson is the family-like atmosphere. I've received so much support from my co-workers and boss on the impending arrival of my baby. We also have wonderful benefits which will give me lots of flexibility in caring for the baby in the future.

The best thing about writing Daily Baltimore Deals is providing moms with unique budget-conscious experiences and opportunities that allow them to live vibrant, modern lives. Baltimore has so much to offer, and you don't have to spend a lot of money to take advantage of that--or for you and your kids to look good doing it!

How do you and your partner plan to balance parenting responsibilities?
We are fortunate in that Todd works from home, so he likely will care for the baby at least a couple days a week when I return to work. I also have family nearby, and my parents have already graciously offered to give us nights out on the town (and mornings to sleep in!) after the baby's arrival. I'm thankful for all of the support I have.

What place can you NOT WAIT to take your tot to when s/he is old enough?
There's so many places! But one thing that stands out is Todd and I pretty regularly envision what it will be like to visit the Maryland Zoo on a beautiful spring day with toddler in tow. There's nothing better than seeing the awe in children's eyes as they discover something new for the first time. I'm excited to be reawakened to all of the magic in the world. (Definitely check out our post on picnicking with the giraffes at the Maryland Zoo!)

What children's book is on your nursery room bookshelf?
I have fond memories of my mom and grandmother reading to me as a child. Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman was always one of my favorites, and I plan to share this with my child, as well.

Speaking of nurseries, describe yours! Theme? Color scheme? Best accessory?
We're keeping it gender-neutral with crisp, modern colors like celery green accented with periwinkle blue and white. We have a beautiful sleigh style crib in dark wood that my aunt is passing down to us. I just bought an awesome wall applique on Hautelook (at 50% off!) of a tree with birds that will be the focal point of the room, arching over the crib.

What are you most looking forward to as a new mom?
It's nothing spectacular, but I can't wait to have my little bundle fall asleep, safe and content, in my arms.

If a movie was made about your life TODAY, what would be the lead song on the soundtrack?
"The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades!"

Thanks for sharing, Amie! Be sure to check out Daily Baltimore Deals for Moms, Kids and Babies on Facebook! Don't forget to tell Amie that (cool) progeny sent you.

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so flattered that Kid Wonderful featured us

We had no idea what to expect when we started to kick the tires with this whole blogging adventure. What started as a bit of a hobby has quickly exploded into a fabulous network of contacts and friends - - just two months and 70 posts later! We are so grateful for all of our simply savvy readers, and this little slice of the internet we now call home.

Pat, the Lila Bug and I couldn't have been more flattered that Kid Wonderful selected (cool) progeny as their featured Friday blog!

Kid Wonderful is a fantastic resource that provides news, product reviews, parenting tips and kid-friendly entertainment ideas. The collective of parent writers behind it live all over the US. Check out their website, fan them on facebook and follow them on Twitter. Don't forget to tell them (cool) progeny sent you!

Thank you, Kid Wonderful. And many many thanks to all of you who virtually swing by and say hello each day.

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(cool) picks for the weekend: week 6

Pony Rides at Green Spring Station
Need a relaxing - - but fun- - Saturday afternoon? Head over to the Green Spring Station Farmers Market, open from 2 PM - 5 PM. They'll have pony rides this weekend from 2:00 - 4:00 PM for just $5 each! Bring the kids, grab some fresh fruits, veggies and, top off the afternoon with a delicious ice cream from The Nut Farm and Creamery. Don't forget to stop by Wee Chic - - Saturday is the last day for tax free shopping.

Ravens Rookies Movie Night
This Friday (the 13th!) from 6 PM - 9 PM, head to M&T Bank Stadium for a family-friendly showing of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Bring your picnic blanket - - cause you'll be nabbing a coveted spot on the field. Imagine the joy on your mini-fan's face when they hear they could be sitting on the 50 yard line! Cost is $6 per person.


Backyard Science Days at the Maryland Science Center
Science can happen in a lab, science can happen in space and science can happen in your own back yard! Visit Maryland Science Center this weekend for a look at science you can do right outside your back door and meet the many creatures who live in your neighborhood. Live animal encounters! Stomp on stomp rockets, race vegetables, make art using everyday objects and the power of the Sun, and take home your very own recycled bird feeder! Get your taste buds ready for a feast of things in your backyard with live cooking demonstrations. All activities are free with paid admission. Events run from 12:00 noon - 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Cat Fish Derby at the Catoctin Mountain Zoo
Take your lil explorer on a fishing adventure at the Catoctin Mountain Wildlife Preserve and Zoo this Saturday from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM! Fish for catfish from their ponds with your own gear and bait, or borrow a cane pole from them and buy bait there. You may catch and release OR take home any catfish you catch. (This helps us with population control.) Bring your own stringers or buckets. Prizes for the kids 5-12. Open to all ages. Regular admission, plus fishing fee of $2/person.

Enchanted Forest 55th Birthday Celebration
Come celebrate the 55th birthday of the beloved Enchanted Forest from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Saturday at Clark's Elioak Farm! Fairy tale characters, story times, face painting and princess dress-up. $5 admission covers all activities.


Storytime at Irvine Nature Center
Get a little vitamin D at this outdoor nature storytime on Sunday! It's FREE and runs from 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM. All ages welcome!


Children's Gardening: Tea Party
Head to the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center in Harford County for an hour long childrens gardening program and tea party! Have fun growing food and flowers here and at home. Enjoy crafts, games, and science disguised as fun, as you learn about seeds, life cycles, and growing food and flowers in a watershed-friendly way. $5 fee; designed for kids ages 5-10.

Littles Day! Insect MANIA!
Designed for tiny tikes aged 1-5, Littles Day at Port Discovery is fun for the whole family! Little ones can enjoy a performance by The Kindersinger, insect crafts, magic and balloon sculpting with Bubbles the Clown, a moon bounce, and a visit from Pets on Wheels. From 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Saturday. Free with paid admission.

Drop in Art: People and Portraits
Strike a pose! This month The Walters Art Gallery is exploring the expressions, symbols, and stories behind hundreds of years of portraiture. Put a spin on self portraits when you make a mirror of yourself, paint a story about yourself sprinkled with secret clues, and create a silly sculpture of someone who is important to you! Designed for ages 3 and up. FREE!

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Will it sink? Will it fly? Irvine Nature Center launches a new inquiry-based program for preschoolers

Kids ask questions. LOTS of questions. They're curious. It's part of their nature. So imagine an entire preschool-aged education program based on just that - - questions and nature.

A student-centered, artistic program stemming from a love, understanding and appreciation of nature has been the two year dream of Monica Weidel-Lubinski and other educators at the Irvine Nature Center. The center offers a wealth of one day, six week, semester and event-based programming - -but felt a desire to do something on a more sustainable basis.

Introducing... The Nature Place at Irvine! Daily classes of nature-based curriculum for students ages 3-5.

Stemming from the Center's popular Doodlebugs Nature and Art offering, this new pre-school aged program debuts this fall! It will run from September to May, and parents have the option of sending their child two to five days per week. Your child must be 3 years of age by September 1, 2010 and you can elect to enroll them in a morning or afternoon program. Personally, I love the idea that you can select when to send them - - if your child is a late sleeper and no napper, afternoon is perfect!

A preschooler's typical day in the Irvine program? It starts with self-directed exploration centers. These might be felt board or a thumbing through a book. When everyone arrives, it's time for Circle Time. During this group activity, Irvine teachers will set a framework for the days' exploration. It might include songs or stories, group sharing, charting, participating in a puppet show, and more.

Did we mention the live animal encounter? Yep. They have animals. How (cool) would it be for your 4 year old to share circle time with an owl?

Then it's time to go outside. Depending on the weather, your child could be exploring the great outdoor spaces at Irvine for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Be sure to dress them for the weather!

And they really will be exploring. They'll have an opportunity to ask questions about an object and to test those theories. They'll be sweep netting. (You don't know what sweep netting is either, huh? It's commonly incorrectly called a 'butterfly net.'). They'll be examining insects. Counting. Measuring. And asking all those kid-type questions.

Will it sink? Will it fly? Will it float? WHY?

Like any good scientist, the explorers will need time to reflect. What better way to reflect than through art? Each day provides students with materials and space to artistically reinforce the concepts they've learned. Language, literacy and writing activities are integrated into the classroom setting. Sessions are wrapped with snack and time to explore nature-based imagination stations. (What can you build with sticks or how do you dig for tree cookies?)

I love that the program is action-based. Rather than talking about things like environmental stewardship, students will engage daily in environmentally-friendly practices. Snacks will be served on washable plates and with laundered napkins. Unconsumed food will be composted. Everything that can be will be recycled.

Community building is a hallmark of this new program. Monica said that parents and siblings are integral part of what will ensure success. Families will be invited to attend special campfires (roasted marshmallows included!), art shows, holiday gift making events and more.

I know. The question that's literally burning a hole in your pocket: how much does it cost?

Guess what? It's really affordable. Tuition ranges from $200/month (2 days a week) to $450/month for 5 days a week. If you are electing to send your child to Lunch Bunch, you'll pay an additional $25 per number of days a week per month. So, an extra $50 if your child attends twice a week. Both morning and afternoon students can attend Lunch Bunch!

So if you're looking for a unique preschool-aged program, consider The Nature Place at Irvine. Kindergarten preparedness activities, dirt, trails, life skills, animals, literacy, science and art all wrapped up into one fantastic learning experience!

Want to see the program in action? Attend the Open House on August 22nd or September 19th from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM!

If your child isn't quite three yet - - or is already in kindergarten - - there are still a wealth of activities you can take advantage of at Irvine. Just check out their daily calendar of events! Note to foodies: their Thursday Farmers Market is 100% organic and showcases cooking demos!

(cool) progeny is thrilled to announce that Monica will be writing a monthly nature-themed post for us. Stay tuned for her first article, Exploring Nature with Your Infant, on Monday!

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Weely Exciting Wee-cycle Mart Giveaway!

Our friends at Wee-cycle Mart just let us know that they have FREE 3-Day Sale passes to their fall sales - - and wondered if (cool) progeny could help them get rid of them?

We had to think about it. Pondered it for a full 3 seconds. Of course! We are always happy to help our savvy readers save some green!

Very excited to introduce our second contest: The WEELY exciting Wee-cycle Mart Giveaway!

If you haven't been to one of these regional childrens' consignment sales, you need to grab your iPhone, Blackberry, laptop, or that paper thing you carry around called a calendar and pencil the date in (there are four sales this fall!). Check out what we wrote about Wee-cycle Mart and peruse their website. And THEN you need to let us know what new or like-new item you're hoping to nab at the sale by leaving a comment on this post. (Just click "Post a Comment" under the text). Be sure to put your email address on the comment so we know how to get in touch with you.

We'll be using random.org to select 5 winners! Winners will receive a four-pack of a 3-day passes that can be used at ANY Wee-cycle Mart this fall. You have until August 19, 2010 at 9:00 AM ET to enter!

Want an extra entry? Become a fan of (cool) progeny or Wee-cycle Mart on Facebook, or follow either of us on Twitter (@coolprogeny or @weecylemart). Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know that you did! (One comment per 'fanning' or 'follow'). That's a total of 5 chances to win!

Pretty (cool), huh? Can't wait to see what items you're hoping to score!

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Farmer's Market Challenge: Green Beans

We had trouble deciding on this week's Farmer's Market Challenge food. We scored AMAZING items at the Baltimore's Farmer's Market this past Sunday and were excited cook all of them. A fav find? We picked up Dimitri Extra Virgin Olive Oil and had a chance to chat with founder Dimitri Giannakos. A real sweetheart! And he was great with Lila. She just loved his garlic olive oil (or dipping the bread in it, couldn't tell). Dimitri's oil products originate from their family olive farm in Greece, but Dimitri himself lives in Northeast Baltimore.

Although the oil is really quite amazing, we just couldn't imagine what an olive oil cooking challenge would look like...

The rest of our produce loot? We nabbed some fresh sugar melon (looks like watermelon, but is sweeter and yellow), just-picked corn, phenomenal tomatoes, white potatoes and green beans.

While we were debating which food item we should tackle, my sister-in-law sent me this fantastic recipe for Cooking Light's Green and Yellow Bean Salad with Chunky Tomato Dressing and Feta Cheese. Yeah. That solved it. Green Beans it is!

Of course, we didn't have Yellow Wax Beans or Feta Cheese. So I improvised, and came up with my own Mediterranean Style Green Bean Salad with Chunky Tomato Salsa.Used the Dimitri EVOO, too!

The verdict? Delicious. Bug-approved. Although she skirted around the tomato salsa a bit, she loved eating the green beans like french fries.

Pat ate his green veggies, too.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs. fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
• 2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Sliver of sliced butter
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
  
• 1/2 tsp. celery salt
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder (or minced garlic)
• Fresh ground pepper, to taste
  
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced basil
• 1/2 cup of crumbled Chevre
  

Directions:

• Fill a large pot with water. Add slab of butter and sea salt. Bring to boil.
  
  
• While you're waiting for the water to boil, combine tomatoes, celery salt, garlic powder, olive oil, basil and vinegar in a bowl.
  
  
• When water is rapidly boiling, add green beans. Cook about 5 minutes - - so that they are tender, but still firm.
  
  
• Divide green beans among plates. Add salsa. Top with Chevre.

Enjoy! And link up your fabulous green bean recipe here! (Remember, sharing is caring!)

(cool) tip: If you purchase Dimitri Olive Oil at the Baltimore's Farmer's Market ($10), you can bring the bottle back for an $8 refill! If you can't make it to the Baltimore Market, catch Dimitri at the 32nd Street Market, Museum of Industry's Market, or Bel Air Markets! Be sure to become their Facebook fan and check out this recent Dining@Large blog post about his EVOO!



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Sponsor Spotlight: Wee-cycle Mart

We are thrilled to announce our new savvy savings sponsor: Wee-cycle Mart! This mom-inspired organization offers semi-annual consignment sales all around Maryland featuring more than 30,000 new and like-new kids' clothing items, toys, games, puzzles, baby equipment, furniture, books, movies, DVDs, craft supplies and sports gear. Each three day sale runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What are we most excited for? The deals? The steals? No... the pampering! The Saturday of each weekend sale incorporates a Mom Fest featuring vendors and services that cater to the busy mom! Mom Fests feature FREE samples, makeovers, spa services, tastings, and - - wait for it - - CHILDCARE. Yes, there is free childcare for your potty-trained child over the age of 3. A little child-free indulgence and "deal" shopping? I could get on board with that!

Not only can you save a little cash at a Wee-cycle Mart, you can make a little cash too. Consignors earn a minimum 50% commission on their items. If you volunteer for one hour, you make 55%. Have more time? Volunteer for two hours and make 60%. In addition, consignors make 2% more in commission for every friend their refer to the sale. Referred friends must consign a minimum of 20 items. Did you do the math? If you volunteer 2 hours and refer 20 friends, you make 100% commission!

Another phenomenal feature of the Wee-cycle Mart is their fundraising program. Moms groups, school groups, scouts, churches, and all other non-profit organizations can promote the Wee Cycle Sale and raise funds for their organization! Want to put in a little more effort and make even more? Have your organization consign at the sale. Just collect donations from your members, tag them with your organizational code, and make 60% of the consigning price on each item.

The Teens and Tweens racks are a fast-growing trend of the Wee-cycle Mart. These racks feature new (with tags) or like-new items from Abercrombie, Gap, Aeropostale, Banana Republic, Hollister, Limited, Express, Old Navy, etc. as well as prom gowns, and junior formal dresses. Homecoming dress shopping, anyone?

We love that the sale organizers cater to brand new or like-new families! New Moms can purchase a $5 New Mom sale pass and shop the preview sale on Thursday night. There are 100 passes available for each New Mom sale. (New Moms can bring along a guest to the sale - - a porter maybe to carry all of the goodies that Mom really shouldn't be?)

Wee-cycle Mart has a lot of sales coming up! Here's the fall line-up:

• Baltimore Sale
  August 20-22, 2010
  Old Scan Store on York Road
  1830 York Road
  Timonium, MD 21093
  
  
• Harford County/Cecil County
  September 17-19, 2010
  Perryville Outlet Center
  85 Heather Lane
  Perryville MD 21903
  
  
• Carroll County
  October 8-10, 2010
  Carroll County AG Center
  Westminster, MD
  
  
• Anne Arundel
  October 22-24, 2010
  Ft. Meade Pavillion
  Just inside the Llewellyn Gate off 175
  

Admission to each sale costs $2 or $1 with a food bank donation in-hand.Visa, Mastercard and Discover are accepted at all sales.

Be sure to stay up-to-date with Wee-cycle Mart news by joining their mailing list, subscribing to their blog and becoming a Facebook fan!

(cool) tip: Wee-cycle Mart offers online gift certificates! A great idea for a new family!

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Vote for KneeBouncers in the SheKnows Parenting Awards!

We have a soft spot for Kneebouncers. The online website and iPhone apps have been a sanity-saver and phenomenal edutainment for our 13 month old. The free learning apps are amazing. Lila loves playing them on our iMac, iPhone or iPad. (Yes, we are the iParents).

And we're THRILLED they've been nominated for a SheKnows Parenting Award for Best Entertainment Website for Kids! But they need your help to win.

We don't care if you're a democrat, republican, tea party, independent, locavore, carnivore, vegan, environmentalist, or whatever. If you have a passion for great learning opportunities and the companies that create them, VOTE. Just head over to SheKnows, register (all you need is an email address - - and there is no verification email process to worry about), and VOTE.

Kneebouncers, a love-sweat-tears-donation run enterprise developed by Jim Robinson and Kurt Dommermuth (the creative forces behind Punch), is nominated amongst well-funded edutainment industry heavy hitters: NeoPets, Webkinz, Sprout Online, and 50 Simple Kids.

Although we frequent the other websites too, we're definitely routing for a David-meets-Goliath-type upset!

What is SheKnows? A multi-million dollar enterprise that receives more than 18 million unique visitors each month across its family of websites. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, the company has grown to include a bustling, professional staff of 45+ employees and well over 100 freelancers and contractors worldwide. From their website: "The SheKnows community -- including their content contributors, bloggers and message board members -- is a rich tapestry of lives, experiences and personalities. Many among us are credentialed professionals, recognized experts and published authors. Others are simply the credible, wise voices of hard-earned experience."

Pretty (cool). Congrats, Kneebouncers! We're routing (and voting!) for you.

Vote early. Vote often.

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