Mama Merit Badges

Despite my countless warnings my son jumped on the couch this afternoon and wouldn't you know it, he ended up falling directly on his head. After his monkey blanket and I snuggled him out of his pain and I made sure he wasn't showing any signs of further trouble, my son looked at me and said, "Thank you for making me feel better, mom." Simply amazing! My heart sang.

But let's face it, an expression of gratitude such as that doesn't happen every day! Most days I wake up and am chef, chauffeur, maid and activities director to my three children all in exchange for nightly kiss and cuddle at bedtime. And only my mom friends fully know what a tiring job it is and why I deserved my last J.Crew purchase (the Campo Bag)! That is why I think I'm going to start gifting them with Mama Merit Badges!

Here's an example...requirements for earning the Eating Out badge:

If you have picked up pasta from a filthy floor, created a game with empty creamers, straws and sugar packets, drawn a pretty picture with the 2 blue crayons that the "too young to have kids" waitress gave you, or got your kids to eat something other than ketchup, you may wear this badge for rising to the occasion.

Yep, we've all been there and deserve this badge! I think I've met the requirements on at least five of the 11 this week alone...and know a few friends who deserve a few as well. I think I'll sew mine on the back of my denim jacket! And yes, they feel just like the Scouting patches you remember!

Excuse me while I visit mamameritbadges.com to place my order for my friends (and one or two for myself). Badges are $5.00 each or $50.00 for the full set.

PeaceLoveMom Giveaway

Have you entered the PeaceLoveMom Giveaway yet? If not, click here and you could win a comfy, stylish tee that retails for $42!

mocobabies

My oldest child, August, was a late talker. When he was about 15 months I began teaching him sign language to ease his frustrations...he took to it quickly and began speaking shortly after, although we continued signing. When he was two, my daughter Martha was born and we signed with her from the beginning. It was amazing to see a 7-month old communicating when she was hungry by signing milk. It blew me away, as well as many friends and family. And now, my daughter Hazel is starting to sign as well.

I learned sign language from various books and online resources which was a bit time consuming. I wish I had mocobabies products back then!

Mocobabies has created sign language flash cards full of all of the words you'd want your child to know in their first couple of years. They are durable for little hands and make learning fun! Couple those with the placemat at meal times (double-sided and full of feeding and food signs) and the stickers in appropriate places around you home and signing with your baby will be a piece of cake!

Having my daughter Hazel signing milk at 7 months when she's hungry takes the guess work out of deciphering her cries. She makes the sign and knows immediately that I'll be picking her up and taking her to the couch to nurse. She instantly relaxes and knows her needs will be met. And the benefits of signing has continued into toddlerhood and the preschool years with my older children. I'm able to communicate with them across a room at play dates and at story time when we need to be quiet.

Visit mocobabies.com to see more photos of their well-designed products and to purchase. Prices start at $8.99 for the placemat or purchase the full kit of flash cards, stickers and the placemat for $49.99 (a savings of over 15%). And once signing takes off, I highly suggest the Signing Time DVDs...such a great program for children to watch and reinforce signing while enjoy themselves! I love watching it with my children and picking up new signs as well. Before you know it, you and your children will be bilingual!

The Sea and Cake - Weekend

While my children are creating their own summer memories, I thought I'd share The Sea and Cake's video for Weekend which reminds me so much of my own summers as a kid...and probably will bring back some good feelings for you as well!

It's full of bike riding, lake swimming, wooded walks, Pop Rocks candy, and video games of course. It's relaxing and breathtaking...and I guarantee the summer vibe will lower your blood pressure! Enjoy!



Director: Tim Suton
Cinematographer: Chris Scarafile
Editor: Paul Snyder/lost planet

Like it? Check out other hits by The Sea and Cake...they're great!

Abe Jones

I love to find unique pieces to add to my children's wardrobes...things are not likely to be duplicated around town. Abe Jones is one of the designers that provides such items.

Abe Jones began with applique tees, which are still available and great for play time (their lounge sets are too). But the items that really first caught my eye were the bubble skirts and the leaf-print shirt shown here. I just fell in love! Even more so when tees and the leaf shirt arrived...they are all so soft and comfortable.

The high quality clothes are made here in the United States are are available in sizes 3 months through 10...it's one-stop shopping for all of your children, which is always convenient!

Visit abejones.com to see all of their offerings for your son or daughter!

PeaceLoveMom

PeaceLoveMom was started by three mothers, each with their own perspective but one common goal: celebrate motherhood. And as a result, they have created some wonderful apparel items for mothers, babies and toddlers.

I'm loving their summer tees and feel like a super mom when I wear mine! My Lucky Mom shirt reminds me throughout the day not to sweat the small stuff, and with that in mind, my focus is more on enjoying my time and little experiences during the day.

PeaceLoveMom's online store is full of great designs including Happy Mom, Grateful Mom, Rock and Roll Mom, and Green Mom...there is a wide variety of styles and graphics. I must say, however, that their burnout shirts are the best...so soft, comfortable and stylish. They arrive looking like you've been loving them for years...an amazing vintage feel and look!

Visit peacelovemom.com where Ugga Mugga readers receive FREE SHIPPING on orders over $25.00 with coupon code UGGA09.

PeaceLoveMom Giveaway

PeaceLoveMom is giving away a Truly Mom burnout tee (the one shown here...a $42.00 value) to one lucky reader!

To enter, click here to provide your contact information and answer a few questions (if you haven't entered an Ugga Mugga giveaway in the past). Deadline for entry is the end of day Sunday, July 12. The lucky winner will be announced Monday morning, July 13 and alerted via email.

Happy Independence Day!

Today is a day for celebrating the red, white and blue with parades, picnics, fireworks, and American pride...and thanksgiving for all of our freedoms: Freedom to express ourselves and worship what we believe...and the freedom to raise our children how we believe is best. We are very fortunate...and I'm very proud of that fortune!

If you haven't done so already, today is a great day to start teaching your children the words and lyrics to The Pledge of Allegiance, The Star Spangled Banner, and America the Beautiful...and Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Happy Independence Day!

Safety Town

Last week my son completed our city's Safety Town course for children entering kindergarten. And while I enjoyed seeing my friends daily at drop-off and pick-up, I realized at his graduation that it was much more than a social activity (although I truly enjoyed coffee with my girlfriends and the adult interaction each morning). I was truly impressed with all of the knowledge he acquired during his 10 days.

Here are a few of the lessons I thought were worth passing along to you:

1. Practice a fire drill with your children...and have a meeting spot outside of your house where they know to go if there is a fire. And if they are unable to get out of the house, tell them to stay near a window and keep yelling, "I'm here, I'm here!" It helps them to have a plan and to run through it so that they can keep calm in the event of a real fire.
   
2. Have a codeword that only you, your child, and anyone who may have your permission to pick them up know. Have a conversation with your children and explain that if another adult ever says, "Your mom/dad told me to pick you up," that they should ask them what the codeword is. If the adult doesn't know, your child doesn't go!
3. Have the uncomfortable conversation with your child about appropriate vs. inappropriate touching. Make sure you stress that they could never tell you something that would make you upset with them or stop loving them (tactics predators use).
   
4. If a dog becomes aggressive, tell your child to become a tree (arms in, tall and still). If your child gets knocked down by a dog, tell them to become a log (arms in and still).
5. Discuss car safety...why we wear seat belts, what the colors of the traffic lights mean, what to do at a stop sigh, how to respect pedestrians, and that drivers need to concentrate...perhaps you'll have some peace in the car!

I know as a parent you don't like to imagine any of the above scenarios needing to be discussed, but preparing children and empowering them with safety knowledge is the best thing you can do to ensure they stay safe!

Hudson Threads Winner

Please join me in congratulating the winner of the Hudson Threads Giveaway, Ann F. from Minnesota. Congratulations Ann, you should hear from Hudson Threads shortly with details of your winnings!

Jonathan Wright & Company

Yesterday was my birthday and my children each gave me a Medallion from Jonathan Wright & Company. Each ribbon is made from hand-folded Italian paper, a hand-letterpressed insignia in the center, and a heavy grosgrain ribbon (three of my very favorite things). On the back are stick pins to fasten to your clothing...or a shadow box (they're that breathtaking).

My son chose the Courage & Strength medallion, although probably due to there being a castle on it. My daughter Martha gave me the Love & Romance one, most likely because it's all pink. And little baby Hazel helped daddy pick out the Good Fortune one shown here...I'm Irish and love color so it couldn't be more perfect!

I wore the pink one yesterday and received a TON of compliments on it. I plan on wearing the red, white and blue castle one from my son on the 4th of July and expect the same! And the shamrock one will adorn many a coat and sweater in the future.

If you're looking for a little something special for a friend, parent or family member, I'm sure that one of the eight medallions are perfect for expressing your recipient's traits...such as Kindness & Compassion. Each paper ribbon comes in a nice gift box with a to and from card on the back...your thoughtfulness couldn't be easier to express!

Available for $14 each at jonathanwright.com.

Zid Zid Winners

Please join me in congratulating the lucky winners of the Zid Zid Giveaway:

Tiffany R. from North Carolina won the Folktale Doll, and
Brenda N. from Kansas won the Very Special Tote Bag!

Congratulations ladies!

Soak

My family and I ventured to the pool this weekend when it was 87 degrees (which seems like a dream considering today's high is 66!) and when we came home, the last thing I wanted to do was hand-wash our bathing suits! But I remembered that I had recently received some Soak, a rinse-free cleanser for delicate items.

And so, I unpacked our pool bags and added our bathing suits to the sink with some Soak...swished them around in the lovely scented water, rung them out a bit, and then draped them over our tub to dry. Couldn't have been easier!

This morning, my daughter Martha and I are going to give her lovie a bath in the sink with Soak. There will be no need to rinse, making the stuffed animal safe for her to snuggle up close to tonight in bed!

Soak would also be great for lingerie, baby clothes or hand-sewn craft projects you don't want to get ruffled! And isn't the packaging lovely?

Available at soakwash.com in a variety of lovely scents, along with scentless!

Pink! Pink! Pink!

My daughter Martha has developed a deep, passionate love for all things pink. And two of her favorite things are her I Heart Pink shirt from Pluto, and her Pinkalicious book by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann.

I've written about Pluto shirts before...about how soft and stylish I feel their big and little sibling shirts are. But recently I found the I Heart Pink shirt shown here and knew immediately my daughter would heart it! And I was right!

Both my daughter and I love that this pink-themed shirt is anything but all girly. The guitar and tricycle give it a bit more edge and make the shirt more sophisticated than your run-of-the-mill cheesy pink princess shirt! And as with the sibling shirts, this shirt is super soft, making me wish Pluto made adult sizes.

The pink cupcake on the shirt pairs wonderfully with the book Pinkalicious and together would make the sweetest birthday gift for any little girl with an appreciation for the color pink!

Pinkalicious is a story about a girl whose mother asks her one rainy day which color she would like to make their cupcakes. "Pink!" she replies, "Pink, pink pink!" She ends up eating so many pink cupcakes that she wakes up the next morning with pink skin and hair. "My face was pink, my hands were pink, and my belly was the color of a sunset."

Her pediatrician diagnoses her with Pinkititis and tells her to eat green food to get better. But she sneaks one more cupcake and finds that she's turned red! After returning to her normal color, she finds that her brother was green with envy and has eaten his own share of pink cupcakes...he appears on the last page saying, "Pink-a-boo!" Very cute!

The I Heart Pink tee from Pluto is available for purchase in their Etsy store at plutokids.etsy.com for $25. There is also a wonderful selection of shirts for brothers and siblings...the quality can't be beat!

Pinkalicious is available at amazon.com for $11.46 where it qualifies for FREE SHIPPING on any order $25 or more...which you'll qualify for if you purchase with Purplicious and Goldilicious!

Boden Summer Sale!

The Boden Summer Sale starts today! Prices are up to 50% off!

Now is the time to stock up on items for next summer or to finish up this summer, into fall with their great sweatshirts, sailing trousers, and sneakers!

Happy shopping at bodenusa.com!