Tea Collection Spring 2013 and My Little Citizens

Quality children’s clothing that brings awareness to different cultures and parts of the world? Don’t mind if I do.
Tea Collection is a globally inspired children’s clothing for little citizens of the world. Little citizens like my little men – the ones I hope to raise with the similar morals and values that this one company stands for.

The new Spring/Summer 2013 line is inspired not only by South Africa, but also by the South African expression Ubuntu, which means, “I am what I am because of who we all are.” A philosophy about trust, respect, compassion and community.

A philosophy that instantly warmed my soul and touched my heart because, as a parent, it’s so relatable – even thousands of miles away. We teach and show our children all about trust, respect, compassion and community… And as a parent to a special needs child, it hits home like no other word has done before.

The rich indigos, bold colors, traditional African Dutch Waa Batik and Shwe Shwe fabrics, beautiful embroidery and beaded details translate throughout the new Spring 2013 collection for boys and girls. My boys were interested to hear that soccer, safari and surf were also key themes behind the clothing they were wearing.

These bright, colorful pieces are perfect for layering throughout the year – or, in our case, afternoon trips to play at the beach.

The lightweight, easy fit of the Knit Playwear Pants gives my little guy the freedom to move – and move he does! The slim fit doesn’t alter his ability to climb, the elastic waist makes it comfy (and easy for him to dress himself) and the articulated knee detail means no restriction and less stress/wear to the fabric.


I love the modern simplicity and wrap around design of the Zebra tee, too. It’s low profile enough to not distract from his adorable face, but bold enough to give him some mad style.

The Surplus Playwear Pants are heavy-duty, but without the added bulk. The lightweight cotton canvas allows movement without comprising the need for durability. And it’s thin enough to roll up – to keep them from getting completely soaked when running away from the ocean waves. My five year old is a skinny little guy, so the adjustable waist is an added bonus!


The African Elephant Hoodie is one of my favorites. The original screen-printing design is stunning – especially on the bold avocado green color of the hoodie. There’s something about 5-year-old’s and hoodies… because he loved bouncing around on the sand with it up and down. It also made for excellent pictures.

Twice a year, Tea packs their bags and travels the globe to explore and discover the beauty of different cultures and modern design. They arrive home with inspiration for new patterns, colors and designs that express their travels to these different parts of the world. I wonder where they will go next…

Disclosure: Tea outfitted my kids with some of their new collection pieces. All opinions are my own.

GoGo squeeZ: Healthy snacks at school and on the go!

I don’t know a parent alive that doesn’t love products (especially foods) that make life easier. As a busy mom of three (almost four) boys, I’m always looking for creative ways to incorporate healthy foods into their meals. But let’s be honest, my kids – like most kids – are picky and prefer to snack on things with little nutritional value. While they prefer these “empty snacks”, I do my best to educate them about the importance of eating healthy to grow big, strong and to build strong immune system. But there are times they don’t budge. Those are the times I call in my reinforcements – in this case, it’s GoGo squeeZ.

HEALTHY FOR ALL
We have food allergies and food sensitivities in our family, so while I’m used to buying multiple items to accommodate all my children, I much prefer to buy one thing that all my kids can eat and enjoy. GoGo squeeZ pouches are free from the eight common food allergens, contain no GMO’s and are packaged in BPA-free pouches. Even I can (and do) enjoy them!

We source our fruits from evolved farms and orchards that use the best ecological practices to grow and harvest fruits, keeping the use of any chemical agents to a bare minimum. By removing and recycling the peels on all the fruit we use, you get pure squeezable goodness with no hidden nonsense.

We source our fruits from the good ‘ole USA. We love being homegrown and are projecting to source over 90% of our fruits from evolved USA farms and orchards by the end of 2013. Prior to then? Our motherland… France, where the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

 

EASY TO TAKE ON THE GO
Because the GoGo squeeZ pouches are compact and don’t need to be refrigerated before opening, I have one less thing to worry about when it comes to spoiling or wasting foods. This is a legitimate concern of mine because I unintentionally waste food all the time by forgetting it in the car or in my diaper bag. I also like that the pouches can be resealed and saved for later – either in the diaper bag pocket for the next snack request 15 minutes later or in the refrigerator for another time.

  • GoGo squeeZ pouches are the perfect size for school lunches, the side storage area of a purse or in diaper bag pockets.
  • There’s less of a mess because kids can drink it straight from the pouch – and I don’t have to remember a spoon!
  • They are the perfect size for little hands – my 3-year-old loves that he can hold the pouch all on his own!
  • Great options for after school sports and team mom snacks because they are convenient, less of a mess and healthy.

 

YUMMY FLAVORS
GoGo squeeZ pouches are available in an assortment of flavors (some even organic) to appeal to every kid – and parent. And new flavors are popping up all the time!

  • Apple
  • Apple/Cherry
  • Apple/Strawberry
  • Apple/Banana
  • Apple/Peach
  • Apple/Mango
  • Apple/Cinnamon
  • Apple/Berry
  • Apple/Peach/Passion Fruit
  • Apple/Mango/Pineapple/Banana
  • Apple/Raspberry/Cranberry

 

 Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and GoGo squeeZ sent us product to review. Like always, all opinions are my own.

Nuna Leaf Baby and Child Seat Review

The Nuna Leaf is one of the newest baby items to hit the shelves. Gone are the busy prints and complicated features – with the Leaf, the minimalistic and modern design appeals to almost all parents and the soft side-to-side swaying motion helps to calm baby. This innovative seat is quiet like a mouse, but has the roar of a lion when it comes to the design and details.

Designed from a baby’s point of view, the Leaf features a motor-free motion that lasts unassisted for two to three minutes with one simple and gentle push. Quiet a newborn, offer a sturdy spot for a toddler to sit or let a preschooler sit, wiggle and play – while keeping the house free from extra, unwanted sounds! The Leaf has no batteries, no cords and no noise. Children make enough noise; your baby gear shouldn’t always have to add to it. Trust me, I know first hand.

 

NUNA LEAF SEAT AND FABRICS

  • The 3-point soft, padded, adjustable harness has a strong Velcro closure on both sides. I love the thickness, stability and security (hello, metal buckles) of the harness… But I do wish it wasn’t Velcro. With that being said, I have been able to carefully slide a baby in and out of the fastened harness when the baby is sleeping or quiet. My advice? Keep the harness in the open position (or one side in the open position) when not in use. This allows you to place baby in the seat quietly. The Velcro doesn’t make noise when you fasten it… only when you unfasten it.
  • Love the cushioned seat fabric with mesh back for maximum breathability and comfort.
  • The 100% Organic cotton seat insert is super soft for baby and provides an extra layer of cushion for comfort, but it also makes the Leaf super easy to clean – as you can use the Leaf without the insert (think of all the times you will have to wash it with a new baby around).
  • Both pieces of the seat are removable and washable.
  • All fabrics are Oeko-Tex certified, which means they are made with a skin friendly pH and free from harmful substances and pesticides.
  • The seat bask on the Leaf is not adjustable, but is the perfect angle for both sleeping and eating.
  • The gentle motion of the seat is inspired by the carefree float of a leaf in the breeze.
  • The Nuna Leaf is available in three colors: Bisque, Navy and Twilight

NUNA LEAF BASE

  • The base has a simple – and somewhat discrete – lock that allows the seat’s motion to lock easily for safe feeding or during playtime. The lock is very easy to operate and because it’s discrete, it’s not clearly visible for curious older siblings.
  • The ball bearing device that creates the swift movement is fully contained inside the base, which prevents obstructions and curious fingers from getting in the way – or even pinched. My 3-year-old spent quite a bit of time playing around (inspecting) the movement, base and ability to hold 32 pounds – in motion.
  • The sturdy base evenly distributes the weight of the child and prevents the Leaf from tipping. Most of the weight of the Leaf is concentrated in the base.
  • The base can pop out of the seat bottom to allow for easy transport and storage. I’ve found it just as easy to lock the base and then carry it around the house or pop it in the trunk for quick trips.

NUNA LEAF DETAILS

  • Dimensions: 17.7 inches high, 28 inches wide and 28.3 inches deep
  • Total weight: 10.5 pounds
  • I love the modern and serene design – it’s sure to fit in almost any home decor and is a great spot for playtime, lunchtime and mama’s chore time.
  • The Leaf evolves with your child from birth all the way through childhood. The Leaf has been safety tested to 130 pounds, which gives parents a greater peace of mind – especially when the Leaf is used for a newborn or infant, but the family has a curious older toddler that likes to test out the seat as well.

 

Disclosure: Nuna sent us a Leaf to review. All opinions are my own.

 

Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers

As soon as my oldest turned six years old, Captain Underpants became a household name. All of his friends would rave about the “laffs”, the “action” and skip down the street while yelling, “tra-la-la!!!” (Six-year-old boys don’t sing, they yell). It was the talk of the carpools and the most anticipated part of every evening for my son. He would get home from school, complete his homework and then dive into his current Captain Underpants book.
My husband and I love having these books on the bookshelves because they are “lighter” – and fun - and encourage a positive reading connection. For special occasions, and as gifts, we bought him the Captain Underpants Book O’ Fun collection and the Super Diaper baby books – once he finished the Captain Underpants series. Or should I say, the epic novels. Basically we have the complete collection to pass on to the younger brothers, as they get older.

Scholastic knew of my son’s history with the Captain Underpants novels and recently sent us the newest novel,
Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers
.

Like every book before, the title immediate caught my son’s attention – and induced a case of the uncontrollable giggles. He knew to expect the fun comics, the interactive Flip-O-Rama sections and an action packed story with two of his favorite childhood characters, George and Harold. Two characters he’s come to know and love from the time he began reading chapter books. It had been over a year since he read his last Captain Underpants book, but when this novel arrived, he was just as excited as every time before. Although now that he’s 10, he did finish it a lot faster than the previous nine, but that’s because he has grown to enjoy books.

In the last novel, George and Harold were turned into Zombie Nerds, which left us with quite the cliffhanger. As you can see from our video, we were excited to wear our Official Zombie Nerd glasses after reading the book. Well, Hunter read the book and then we read it together – and I must say, reading it together brought back so many great memories from when he was learning to read. Spending that time with him, while watching him giggle and laugh at the clever names and word choices, reminded me of how far he’s come and how much he has grown as he read each novel over the past four years.

 

A WORLD WITHOUT CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS?!

When we last saw our heroes, George and Harold, they had been turned into evil zombie nerds doomed to roam a devastated, postapocalyptic planet for all eternity. But why, you might ask, didn’t the amazing Captain Underpants save the boys from this frightening fate? Because Tippy Tinkletrousers and his time-traveling hijinks prevented George and Harold from creating Captain Underpants in the first place! Now, having changed the course of human history forever, they’ll have to figure out a way to CHANGE IT BACK.

Could this be the end for Captain Underpants?!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dav Pilkey created his first stories as comic books while he was in elementary school. Since then, in addition to the Captain Underpants series, his Scholastic books include numerous popular, award-winning books for children, such as Dog Breath, winner of the California Young Reader Medal; The Paperboy, a Caldecott Honor Book; The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, which debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list; and the Dumb Bunnies series. He is also the author of the New York Times bestselling The Adventures of Ook & Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future. Learn more about the author at Pilkey.com.

Captain Underpants and the Revolting Revenge of the Radioactive Robo-Boxers is in stores now and is age-appropriate for kids 7 – 10 year old. More information can be found at Scholastic.com and a full Grownup Guide is a helpful tool and resource for parents and educators. You can also download the new The Adventures of Captain Underpants iTunes App for reading fun on the go!

 

Disclosure: Scholastic sent us a copy of the book to review and sponsored this post and video. I only approve sponsored posts if they are relevant to our family, Mommy Loves Coffee content and if it is something I would talk about regardless.

The Stokke Scoot Stroller Review

For years, Stokke has been well known for their flagship stroller, the Xplory. Stokke is also well known for understanding and promoting the parent-child connection. It’s evident in all of their products that they know what babies and parents like… Higher is better!

The brand new Stokke Scoot is one of the two new strollers for Stokke in 2013. The Scoot is a lightweight stroller with excellent maneuverability and an intuitive one handed compact fold. You can easily carry this stroller with one hand – saving the other hand to carry baby – while on the go! The Scoot is a great lightweight option for travel, navigating busy streets, for use with public transit or for everyday use and simple errands. The sky’s the limit with the Scoot – for baby and parents!

STOKKE SCOOT DETAILS

  • One of the new strollers for Stokke in 2013 is the Scoot. The Scoot is Stokke’s lightweight connection stroller, but without compromising essential features, comfort and bonding for both baby and parents.
  • The Scoot weighs only 22 pounds
  • Grows with your child from birth to 55 pounds
  • Durable yet lightweight frame
  • Available in seven amazing colors – Brown, Red, Dark Navy, Purple, Beige, Light Green and Black Melange.
  • Retails for $699.99
  • Currently available for pre-orders at BuyBuyBaby
  • Available for purchase at BuyBuyBaby nationwide on February 15, 2013

STOKKE SCOOT SEAT

  • The higher seat brings child up closer to the parent to help stimulate bonding, allows the child a better view of his world around him and can be used as a high chair substitute while dining out at restaurants.
  •  The superior seat ergonomics make the Scoot a must-have in the lightweight stroller category.
  • The fully adjustable 5-point harness is easy for parents to use, but cannot be unbuckled by a toddler. My super strong 3-year-old is not able to unbuckle this buckle – Trust me, I use him as the ultimate tester for all buckles and stroller harnesses.
  • The 5-point harness comes with removable pads. But in order to remove the pads, you must remove the harness straps from the back of the seat.
  • To remove or adjust the harness straps, you must unzip the fabric at the back of the seat bottom to adjust the height positions (there are three of them) or to remove the straps for spot cleaning. Adjusting the straps is easy to do.
  • The seat bottom (at the center/widest point) measures 10 inches deep. The seat back measures 21 inches from seat bottom to seat top and 24 inches from seat bottom to the highest point of the sun canopy (with the canopy fully extended and in use).
  • The Stokke seat has a built in ventilation system to add to the comfort and safety of the child. While not visible, the inside of the seat has circular holes to properly ventilate the seat for your child.
  • Easily reverse the Scoot seat (*without the child inside the seat) by squeezing both white levels at each side of the seat – at the same time. The seat then glides back onto the frame with ease in either direction.

  • There are two seat positions – rest and active. The rest position is nearly flat and is suitable from birth. The rest/reclined position is also a great option to have for napping while on the go. The fully enclosed seat back keeps baby safe and prevents unwanted breezes or lights from disturbing a sleeping child. My 32-inch, 3-year-old can recline in the rest position comfortably with plenty of room to grow.
  • The active position sits the child at an ergonomic upright angle.

  • To go from the active to rest/reclined position, pinch both sides of both clips on the top, back of the seat (see above).
  • To go from the rest to active position, reinsert the clips together. I was able to do this with an extreme amount of ease with an infant in the seat, but it got a little harder to do with my 28-pound toddler. I can do it with him sitting back in the seat, but he’s also old enough – and eager enough – to sit upright while I snap the stroller seat back into the active position.

 

STOKKE SCOOT FOOTREST

  • There are two footrests on the Stokke Scoot. The main footrest is built-in to the frame for the forward-facing seat position (for the older and/or taller child) and it is sturdy enough for a child to use as a step stool while getting into the stroller seat.
  • The second footrest can be adjusted in multiple positions and moved to the forward-facing or parent-facing position with the stroller seat. In the forward-facing position, the adjustable footrest has one location and is then removed when the child is tall enough to use the built-in footrest. In the parent-facing position, the adjustable footrest has two positions to accommodate a growing child. Adjusting, removing and installing the second footrest is really easy to do.
  • The second adjustable footrest can be easily removed, and stored, when it is no longer needed or while using the Scoot with an infant car seat or infant in the stroller seat.
  • Because the seat is positioned higher, the adjustable footrest provides multiple options and prevents dangling legs and feet, which makes riding in the Scoot more comfortable for a growing child.

STOKKE SCOOT CANOPY

  • The large canopy on the Scoot provides ample amount of sun coverage for baby and offers multiple options for use.
  • The pop out sun visor adds extra protection, but can be removed with a simple unzip of a zipper.
  • There is a snap at the top of the canopy to shorten the canopy distance, which makes it look more streamlined while in use.
  • The breathable mesh panel can be accessed with a fairly quiet zipper to open a large section of the canopy (the opening is from side to side, not just a small peek-a-boo window at the top or back of the canopy). This allows for excellent breathability, comfort for the child or for parents to see baby while he’s in the forward-facing position.
  • While it’s not clearly stated in the instructions, I’ve found that the Stokke Scoot canopy can actually be a follow the sun canopy. The zipper that aids in removing the canopy (for canopy cleaning purposes) can be unzipped, which then allows the canopy to move in a more forward position – to follow the sun. This little feature is extremely helpful to have in a pinch in order to shield the child from the sun when the child is in the rest/recline position – depending on the location of the sun, of course.

 

STOKKE SCOOT HANDLE

  • The parent handle bar on the Stokke Scoot can be adjusted from 39 inches at the lowest point to 42 inches at the highest point.
  • The handle bar can be placed in the lowest position for folding, storing and while the stroller is pushed up against a table for mealtime on the go.
  • To adjust the handle bar height, there are two small white clips on the inside of the handle bar. At the same time, push each clip down while raising or lowering the telescoping handle bar to the desired height.
  • The adjustability of the handle bar, along with the curved lower bar/frame between the two rear wheels, make it less likely that you will kick the stroller while walking. I’m 5′ 5″ and have yet to kick the stroller and I don’t think I ever will!
  • The foam padding on the handle bar offers parents added comfort and the center has a spot for the (included, but not pictured) parent cup holder.

STOKKE SCOOT UNDER BASKET

  • One of my favorite parts about this stroller is the under basket. It’s a roomy basket that is extremely accessible from all sides – even with a child in the seat. I am able to fit a large (packed) diaper bag in the under basket with no problem at all.

STOKKE SCOOT WHEELS

  • The Scoot has an engineered suspension for a smooth ride on almost any terrain. We’ve tested it on gravel, a dirt path, a bumpy road, sidewalks and pavement and it handled with extreme ease. The more weight the stroller had in it, the smoother the ride, which goes to show you just how well this stroller grows with your child.
  • The span of the front and back wheels make it easy to go up and down standard-sized stairs, which is a must-have feature for city parents.
  • The front wheels are swivel wheels to make this stroller extremely easy to maneuver, but they can be locked straight to get through rougher terrain.
  • The easy on/off brake can be done with bare feet and does a great job of keeping the stroller in place while in use or folded.

STOKKE SCOOT FOLD AND UNFOLD

  • The fold on the Scoot is simple and can easily be done with one hand – and while carrying a toddler! Make sure the handle bar is in the lowest position (although I’ve folded it just fine with the handlebar in my ideal height position – it’s just not as compact as it can be when the handle bar is extended), the foot brake is engaged and then fold the seat bottom up and locate the white lever. Slide the lever to the side with your thumb while squeezing it down towards the frame of the stroller. The stroller will quickly and easily fold in half.
  • If you have placed the handle bar in the lowest position before folding, the stroller will have a standing fold.
  • A huge plus with this stroller is that it can be folded with the seat attached in either the forward-facing or parent-facing position and carried easily with one hand – the same hand that folded the stroller, so it’s one swift movement (the fold to the carry).
  • The unfold for the Scoot is one-handed and easy to do. There is no manual or automatic locking mechanism to keep the stroller in the folded position, but the stroller can be carrier by the frame (keeping it in the folded position) and it stays put while laying on either side – stored in a vehicle trunk.
  • To unfold the Scoot, simply lift the stroller by the handle bar then push the seat bottom into the lowered position. Double check each side to make sure the frame is in the locked position and the safety indicator shows green – not red.
  • If the seat has been removed or reversed, double check each side to make sure the seat is in the locked position and the safety indicator shows green – not red.

STOKKE SCOOT COMPARED TO THE STOKKE XPLORY

We’ve spent some time getting familiar with both the Scoot (the new lightweight stroller) and the Xplory (Stokke’s full-sized, elite stroller). There are many benefits to both strollers, but each stroller can accommodate a child from birth. The Xplory has the option to adapt a Bassinet, while the Scoot does not – yet, at least. But both have optional car seat adapters for use with newborns and infants.

STOKKE SCOOT ACCESSORIES

  • The Scoot comes complete with a Phthalate-free PVC rain cover, bug net and parent cup holder.
  • The optional Stokke Diaper Bag (sold separately) can be connected to two lower anchors at the back of the seat, which keeps the weight near the bottom of the stroller to help properly stabilize and distribute the weight.
  • There is an open spot on the one side of the stroller seat, which makes me think/hope there will eventually be a child cup holder accessory…
  • In March 2013, the Stokke Scoot infant car seat adapters will be available (sold separately) for the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio infant car seat and the Maxi Cosi Prezi or Maxi Cosi Mico.

My 3-year-old in the Stokke Scoot stroller.

SEE THE SCOOT IN ACTION

Disclosure: Stokke sent us the Scoot and Xplory to review. All opinions are my own.


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