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Travel Toys We Love: Savvi Magic Paint Posters

Savvi Magic Paint Posters
cover an array of topics.  

Traveling with kids requires a certain amount of flexibility, creativity and patience – and an awesome set of toys and games to entertain the children along the way. It isn’t always easy to find a great assortment of items that meet the special circumstances that are inherent in travel, so we have compiled a list of items that our children (and we parents) love to take with us on our adventures.

Our latest find is Savvi’s Magic Paint Posters.  These posters come in packets of twelve in an assortment of topics that appeal to both boys and girls including bugs, pirates, furry friends, and butterflies as well as some holiday themes.  I found our original set at Dollar Tree, but this week at Michaels the booklets are only 50 cents each, so if you have a trip planned for Thanksgiving or Christmas, now is the time to start gathering the entertainment goods! (Note:  These are listed on Amazon for around $3 - so the Micahels deal is a pretty good one!)   

Each picture comes with six watercolor paint squares at the bottom of the page, which Savvi refers to as the “magic paint palette”.  Children just tear out the picture they want to paint, dip a cotton swab in water and they are set to go.  We used these on our last flight to California and they were very convenient to use.    

A Savvi Magic Paint Poster page
showing the "magic paint palette.

I took a handful of cotton swabs, two bottle caps, and the booklets in my carry-on bag.  (If you are traveling by car, it might be easier to use small cups in cup holders.) When the kids needed something to do, I just pulled out the booklets, let them choose a picture, filled the bottle caps with water and let the fun begin.  Our watercolor mantra is “water, paint, picture”, which helps remind the kids to clean the cotton swab before choosing the next color so colors don’t blend into something they don’t want.  Plus, I had enough cotton swabs to allow them to get a new one, if needed. 

The posters are about 6.5” by 8.5” and are lightweight, so they are easy to throw into a bag.  The other supplies (cotton swabs and bottle caps) are lightweight, expendable and easily replaceable so if they get lost it is no big deal - important characteristics when choosing toys for travel. 

    

Kids Travel Product Review: Orb Factory Ltd. Magnetic Mini Puzzles

Entertaining children while traveling is a challenge that many parents would rather not face. Some rely on electronic gadgets and the zombies they create, while others would rather stay home than subject their children to huge blocks of time parked in front of a screen.

Of course, finding the toys and games that can withstand the rigors of travel and still keep the kids happy isn't easy either.  And there is nothing worse than getting underway only to find that the stash of toys you have brought along has already been tossed aside and the "Are we there yet?" chorus has begun.

With that in mind, Tourist Baby has created a list of travel toys we love and a series of product reviews for toys and games that didn't make it into our carry-on bags more than once.

When our son was about two years old, I found a series of themed magnetic puzzles that I thought would occupy him while we traveled.  The back cover of the puzzles even stated in bold face type: Great for Travel!  So I purchased three puzzles - Diggers 'n' Dumpers; Bug andShell and took them along with us on our next trip.

Mini Magnetic Puzzles come in a series of interesting topics.

When my son saw his new puzzles, he was very excited.  The topics were all interesting to him and he had just started a love affair with all things "truck" soDiggers 'n' Dumpers became the instant favorite.

I opened the book and began to read about the different trucks, finding each corresponding puzzle piece and letting him play with it while I read the description.  Once we finished reading, we then used the magnetic page of the puzzle, which depicted a construction site, as a backdrop for our trucks to get down to business with my son making great truck noises as each vehicle did its job.  All in all, the book was pretty entertaining and I even managed to show him how all the pieces fit back together as a puzzle.

At 6.5" by 6.5" square, the mini-puzzles fit easily into carry-on baggage, although they do weigh more than a book of the same size would due to the use of magnets.  The main problem with this book, and its counterparts, is the nine small puzzle pieces are exceptionally easy to lose.  Not only because they are small and very thin, but also because the strength of the magnet is very weak and they don't stick to the page very solidly.  A good bump in a plane or car easily jolts the pieces right off the page.  Case in point - our book is now missing two pieces.

The mini-puzzle's small pieces are easy to lose when traveling.

On a scale from 1 to 10, I rank the Orb Factory Ltd. Magnetic Mini Puzzles as a 3 for travel-related use and an 8 for general entertainment.  My son really loves these mini puzzles, but I am reluctant to take them out of the house, since we have already lost two of the trucks from the Diggers 'n' Dumpers puzzle.  A better option is to avoid any toys or games with small pieces that are integral to its function and look for small, light-weight activity books with stickers and coloring pages for entertaining children during travel.

Travel with Kids Product Review: SafeFit By My Side Harness with Backpack

Traveling with kids - especially toddlers - brings a whole new perspective on how to get from Point A to Point B.  Old standbys like baby carriers and strollers start to fall by the wayside as children begin to strengthen their walking skills.  But getting quickly from one place to another isn't a high priority for a toddler, nor is going a long distance.  So parents traveling with toddlers need to consider other options to keep everyone happy and safe while getting where they need to go.

One option that we considered was the By My Side Harness with Backpack from SafeFit (now called Brica).  I thought the harness would give my son some freedom, while still keeping him within a safe distance and would also give my tired arms a rest.   We used it for the first time at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeowhen he was about 15 months old.

When we arrived at the rodeo, we  gave our umbrella stroller one last longing look, before grabbing the backpack.  My son was very excited to wear his own special backpack and it was small enough that it wasn't bulky or bothersome to him.  The "leash" part of the backpack seemed to be an appropriate length for keeping him close enough to me to stay safe.  The side pockets for holding drinks or sippy cups weren't tall enough for the job, so I didn't use them for that purpose.  Note: There is a new model out that may have better side pockets.  Be sure to check them before purchasing to ensure that cups will fit securely.

We did end up carrying my son through the parking lot, to the Fannin South METRORail light rail station and he sat on my lap for the ride to Reliant Park.  I also decided to keep carrying him through the ticket lines and into the livestock buildings.  (So much for resting my tired arms!)  But once we were inside, I put him down and we began our experiment.

Here is where things became dicey.  First off, everyone looked at me as if I were demeaning my child by putting him on a leash.  Not one to let public opinion sway me, I shrugged it off in  hopes that the harness system would work for us.  However, things were even more of a sideshow as time went on.  Of course, my son had no compunction about walking in front of anyone and no self-regulation when it came to wrapping himself around poles or someone's legs.

Wearing the By My Side Harness System by SafeFit at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

I thought the harness system would give me a chance to view the livestock as well, but in the end I just spent my time untangling my son and apologizing to the massive crowd of folks that he managed to walk in front of or trip.  At least when he wasn't tied to me, he could walk away without disrupting the entire flow of traffic in a crowded place - and I could race after him without adding to the mess.  My shortsightedness contributed to our dilemma as well, I kept thinking I would be able to divide my attention between my son and the livestock, but in reality I had to pay more attention than usual since the leash gave him just enough distance from me to get into mischief while also impeding the walkway.  (The leash portion of the harness system measures 45.5" from the tip of the handle to the end of the clip).

On a scale from 1 to 10, I rate the  By My Side Harness with Backpack from SafeFit as a 4.  The backpack was small at 8" tall and 7" wide and comfortable for my son to wear.  There was room for a diaper and small pack of wipes, but the side pockets were not large enough to hold his sippy cups at only 2.5" tall.   Overall, the harness system itself was not functional in the crowded livestock show, so I can't see it working in other crowded settings either - and honestly, those seem like the places where a parent would want to use it, thus the poor rating.

I could see how a harness system might work for someone with multiples, but for one child it seemed to increase the need for vigilance instead of reducing it.  Holding hands was a better option for us and we never used the harness system again.

Birding - Accidentally on Purpose

Earlier this year, my husband allowed me to cash-in last year's Christmas present of a "me" weekend.  My gift certificate allowed me to leave Friday night and return Sunday afternoon, while he took care of the kids.  A small asterisk beside the "me" weekend offer noted  that I had to stay within 100 miles of home, quickly reigning in my imagination - but I was still happy to have some time to myself.

Of course, as I tried to schedule everything I wanted to do into one weekend, I quickly realized that I would have to narrow my list down significantly.  I decided to make Saturday a bit of a spa day, while reserving Sunday for some much overdue bird-watching.  What an exciting thought - to go birdwatching on purpose!

So Sunday morning, I woke up late - contrary to popular birding techniques - stopped at Starbucks and headed to Bay Area Park and the incessant drizzle that was to be the weather for the day.  Not a great start, but I was going to see some birds, come hell or high water.

Needless to say, when I arrived at the park, I had it all to myself.  So I grabbed my binoculars, tucked my bird book under my jacket and walked onto the boardwalk over the lake.  The lone Northern Mockingbird sitting in the bush about 20 yards away was truly mocking me.  I mean, who goes out of their way to see a mockingbird?  But, I stuck to my guns and continued to wander back and forth between the viewing shelters trying to spot something a little more unusual than what I typically see in my back yard.

Eventually I did see a few interesting birds including an Osprey, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Ruby-crowned Kinglet along with the usuals like Black Vultures, Mallards, Snowy Egrets, Great-tail Grackles, and Blue jays.  And just as I was about to leave, I turned and saw a Helmeted Guineafowl walking across the park path toward the water.  I almost fell down, thinking this must be some sort of joke.  I looked around to see who might have kicked this bird out of the farm truck, but I still had the park to myself.  As I quickly scribbled down a complete description, I thought there must be a petting zoo whose exotic birds had flown the coop.  (I later learned that hunters often release these game birds into the wild to establish feral populations.)

Although the day didn't go exactly as I planned and the meagre list of ten birds wasn't much of a sighting adventure, I had found another place where I can sneak in some birding with my kids. The park itself is filled with a variety of play structures, the restrooms are clean, and the path to the viewing shelters is a short walk from the parking lot.  It won't be difficult to convince the kids to spend a few minutes watching for birds, when they know that the swings and playhouses are just steps away.

Travel with Kids Product Reviews: Travel Pillows

As airlines continue to cut corners to stay solvent, travelers are finding air travel to be less and less comfortable.  Charges for checking bags have resulted in cabins packed to the gills with luggage and a race to get a spot in the overhead compartments.  Since airlines have been charging for food, which was apparently supposed to reduce the amount of food carried on each flight,  we have seen passengers on an 8-hour flight stuck with nothing but chips or cookies when the sandwiches were all sold before the cart reached the back of the plane.  And when my husband asked for a blanket and the flight attendant said the "Comfort Pack" was $8, we realized there was no going back.  Some airlines have taken it a step further by doing away with pillows altogether so even those in first class feel lucky to get a blanket.

In conditions such as these, when even adults can be hard pressed to keep their cool, families traveling with small children need to carefully consider how to pack for the flight.  For us, blankets and pillows have become a no brainer, even though they can be bulky.  The comfort they provide, particularly on longer flights, is worth the hassle.

Cheap travel pillows are a wise choice when traveling with children.

We purchased a travel pillow for my daughter just because it was small and seemed safe to use in her crib.  But when my son saw it and demanded to have one of his own, we realized that our kids' tendency to love all things small could work in our favor.  So we purchased a second travel pillow and began to take them with us whenever we went somewhere.  Since the kids sleep with them every night, they provide a slice of home no matter where we are, in addition to the comfort they provide when the kids need a nap while we are on-the-go.

Travel pillows are essential gear for kids on-the-go.

Our travel pillows are distributed by Wolf Manufacturing Company in Waco, TX and consist of a zippered pouch filled with polyester fibers which is about 9"x14" and 4.5" thick.  The pillows come with a pillow case and are machine washable.  We purchased our pillows at Walgreens for $1.50 on sale.  They are regularly $3.99 at Walgreens and sell for $4.95 plus shipping on the Wolf Mfg., Co. website.

On a scale from 1 to 10, I rate these travel pillows as an 8.  They are small and lightweight, easy to pack and keep clean, and are very affordable.  At this point in time, they work better for our kids than neck pillows would since they still prefer to lie down when trying to sleep and this shape can still be used at home and in a hotel giving them some measure of comfort in strange surroundings.  The low price is an important factor as well, since the risk of losing them or ruining them in some way is rather high when kids are involved.   An added bonus is that my husband can use them for lumbar support during the flight - at least he can when he is able to sneak them away from the kids.

Random Things We Can't Travel Without: Oral Dosing Syringe

Okay - I know!  What a weird thing to include on a packing list!  But aside from the standard uses, an oral dosing syringe can be an invaluable tool on a flight.

Anyone with an infant can relate to the fact that giving medicine to a squirming, crying, sick baby is not fun and can often result in a lot of spilled medicine.  Our pharmacist tended to give us the calibrated oral medicine droppers with any liquid medicine my children had to take. 

Our infant ear protector - an oral dosing syringe! 

As a nervous mother, who really didn't want to make a mess or lose any medicine, the droppers were just a disaster waiting to happen.  I can't count the number of times I squirted too early or too late and spilled medicine everywhere!  At one point I was so frustrated, I asked for another option and the pharmacist suggested a calibrated medicine spoon, but the open end was just as problematic as the bulb on the dropper.  So I just said no.  Then they offered me a oral dosing syringe!  The stress in my life (at the time) just seemed to melt away and administering medication was never a problem again.  Of course, anytime we went on a trip, I made sure to pack the acetominephen and ibuprofen drops, along with one of the oral dosing syringes, which I kept in my carry-on bag.

Neither of my children were pacifier users, and for the most part, they both wanted to eat 24 hours a day.  But somehow, each time we began our descent on a flight, neither one of them would have anything to do with drinking from a bottle.  Maybe they were too excited to lay down and miss any of the action, I don't really know.

But it worried me - A LOT - because I just knew their ears were not clearing as we descended back toward Earth!  So, as a frantic attempt to make them swallow, I took the syringe and filled it with water or formula and gave them little sips every few minutes.  Luckily it worked like a charm because they could sit up and people-watch, and I knew they were swallowing regularly.

Now that they are older, the syringe is still part of the packing list, but now it is relegated to its planned purpose.  Now gum is their ear popper of choice.

Travel Toys We Love: Foam Puzzles

Travel toys keep kids entertained
on a flight, but need to be exciting
 enough to work at the hotel too. 

 Traveling with kids means finding travel-friendly toys to keep the transit boredom at bay. But keeping children entertained on long trips can be challenging, even with toys and games purported to be especially for travel.  When we have a family trip planned, I make a special effort to create a travel-pack of reasonably priced toys and activities that will keep the kids happy while we are on the go.  While I am shopping, I keep in mind that the items I choose need to work not only for the plane or car ride, but also need to be exciting enough to keep the kids happy at the hotel.

These dollar store foam puzzles
are great travel toys.   

Small foam puzzles are a great option.  They are decorated with a number of popular characters including those from Disney Cars and Toy Story and the Disney Princesses.  I have also seen Winnie-the-Pooh, Mickey Mouse, and Tinkerbell.  They are light-weight, and can be easily disassembled to fit in any suitcase or carry-on.  Plus they are widely available at dollar stores, toy stores and variety stores.

The great thing about these foam puzzles is their versatility.  The characters are fun, the puzzles are easy to do, each piece is numbered so the kids can work on counting skills, and they can be put together in different shapes.  The flat puzzle is the obvious form, but kids can create cubes that can be used like houses for dolls or garages for cars.  The cubes can be stacked like blocks or tossed back and forth like a ball.  We have created bridges and roads for toy cars and magic paths for the kids to walk along.  The possibilities are endless - and so is the entertainment.  Just the ticket for a pleasant family trip.     





      

Fun for Kids on California's Central Coast: Nojoqui Falls Park

Nojoqui Falls Park is a good location for
young kids to get outside and into nature.

Nojoqui Falls Park, located near Buellton on California's central coast, features a kid-friendly hike to a delightful waterfall.  My family visited on Mother's Day and we were pleasantly surprised to be one of only a few families visiting the park that day, despite the gorgeous weather.  The kids (ages 3 and 1) had a ball ambling up the easy, quarter-mile, path leading up to the waterfall, although my daughter needed some help ascending the stairs we encountered along the way.  My son felt like quite the explorer, finding interesting rocks, leaves and sticks on the banks of the small creek flowing from the falls.

Although we didn't take advantage of it, the picnic area is shaded by large oak trees and is near the ball fields and play structures making it a wonderful spot for lunch with the kids.  There are barbecue grills available and restrooms nearby.  Next time we will be sure to bring a small bottle of wine from one of the great local wineries and a picnic lunch from Nielsen's Market that we can enjoy while the kids burn some energy exploring this part of the park.    

Although the falls can be just a trickle during
dry spells, the hike is still great fun for kids.

The park is also a well-known birding site locally and even casual observers will spot the Acorn Woodpecker granaries in the oaks near the picnic tables.  Some other interesting avian inhabitants include Purple Martins, Yellow-billed Magpies, and Spotted Towhees. 

The peaceful setting and lush vegetation make this park seem like it is miles from civilization, making a perfect counterpoint to the bustling kitsch of Solvang.  Nojoqui Falls Park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset and entry and parking are free.   

  

Tour of Texas with Kids: Sea Center Texas

The kids get a kick out of the
animals in the touch tank. 

If you are traveling with kids near Lake Jackson, or don't mind a bit of a drive from Houston, an intriguing place to visit is Sea Center Texas.  The facility is a free nature center, marine aquarium and fish hatchery operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that really is worth the drive.  When we visit with our Moms Club, we get a special story time in addition to the touch tanks and aquariums, providing the kids with some great entertainment for the day.  For families visiting on their own, there are scheduled story times every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and the third Friday of the month at 10 a.m. 
On our recent trip, staff read A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle and we immediately went to the touch tanks following the story, allowing the kids to make the connection between the real hermit crabs in the tank and the one in the story.  It was also timely because our visit occurred in August right before school started, and the message in the story is that trying something for the first time can be scary, but it gets easier each time. A great reminder for those kids just starting school or even changing grades. The Sea Center has aquariums dedicated to the aquatic ecosystems of Texas including salt marsh, jetty, reef and open Gulf.  My favorite part of the tour is completing the Visitor Center Scavenger Hunt, which gives the kids something specific to look for and a series of questions to answer so they don't just whiz by the tanks and miss something interesting.  If possible, plan your trip around feeding time on Wednesdays or Fridays at 10:30, since watching the frenzy is popular with the kids.  (If you make it on the third Friday of the month, you can catch story time and the feeding.)   

Watching the frenzy at feeding
time is fascinating to see.  

Another great feature of Sea Center Texas is its outdoor Wetlands Walkway.  It reminds me of the boardwalk on Oso Flaco Lake in central California.  And, of course, I showed up without binoculars or a bird book for another day of birding by accident, but they have a great checklist of birds, butterflies, damselflies, dragonflies, reptiles and amphibians and they also have binoculars for visitors to use!  Another plus is the Wetlands Exhibit Scavenger Hunt, which can keep the kids occupied while adults add to their bird list or learn how to attract their favorites in the Demonstration Garden. 

Sea Center Texas is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.  They are closed Mondays and most major holidays.  Special events are scheduled throughout the year, so be sure to check their calendar for information.    

Travel Toys We Love: Modeling Dough

A nice set of modeling dough
found at Barnes & Noble.  

When traveling with children, taking the time to find fun travel toys and games can mean the difference between a relaxing journey or an endless one.  But keeping kids entertained on long trips can be challenging even with toys and games purported to be especially for travel.  Small pieces that slip between seat cushions or magnets that aren't strong enough to hold pieces in place during turbulence in the air or when hitting bumps in the car can bring on a temper tantrum.  So each time we have a trip planned, I take a tour of our local dollar store looking for travel-friendly items that the kids will enjoy.

Modeling dough comes in a rainbow
of colors that spark the imagination.

I have found a number of great options that work for long trips, no matter what mode of travel is involved, most of which aren't explicitly made with travel in mind.  My most recent find was Faber-Castell Modeling Dough, although many other types have seemingly sprung up everywhere recently.  I have tried taking the mini tubs of Play-doh that my children get in treat bags from school and birthday parties, but the colors just mix together causing the kids a lot of frustration.  The modeling dough, on the other hand, is meant for creating multi-colored items that can be disassembled and used again and again or dried and painted.

On this particular trip, I created some puppies for my kids, taking special care to choose colors that were favorites of each child.  To my amazement, these less than realistic animals captivated my kids and kept them busy long enough that I could actually do the crossword  puzzle in the airline magazine.  My creations were rather delicate and had to be repaired a few times, but they played happily for at least 45 minutes.  I knew I had hit the jackpot when the next question was whether or not I would make them each another puppy and not, "Are we there yet?"
    

This puppy kept my child's attention
for at least 45 minutes of our flight. 

Rudimentary clay animals are quick
and easy to make.  

Fun for Kids on California's Central Coast: Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum

The Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum in Santa Maria is a small, interactive play place for children ages 2 to 8.  Exhibits include the Mission to Mars Climbing Wall, Pets & Vets discovery area, the Pirate Ship, Tar Pits, Barnyard, Shark Tank and Discovery Cove, among others.  Children get hands-on experiences that teach them about marine life, birds, insects and reptiles as well as information about storm water pollution prevention, gardening and pet care.

Digging for treasure near the pirate ship! 

My family spent about two hours exploring the museum, with lots of time spent digging in the "sand" (recycled plastic pieces) near the Pirate Ship, checking out the Shark Tank and jumping on the giant piano keys.  My son loved the opportunity to sit in the driver's seat of the tractor and USS Discovery and he really enjoyed the lesson on bird poop aboard this boat.  Both of my kids were fascinated by the reptiles on display and we managed to catch part of a presentation for a school group about snakes.    

Insects are big fun at the Discovery Museum. 

The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with special hours on Thursday (until 7 p.m.) and the last Sunday of the month (12 noon to 4 p.m.).  Admission prices are $8 per person with children under 2 getting in free, but discount coupons can occasionally be found in the free weekly entertainment guide New Times, which is distributed on Thursdays to local hotels, motels and retail stores, as well as in the area's daily newspaper Santa Maria Times.  We had discount coupons for our visit, which allowed a parent in free with a paid child admission, allowing four of us to get in for $16 which was a reasonable price for the entertainment value of the museum.  

  

Tour of Texas with Kids: Bayou Wildlife Park

Earlier this summer, the kids and I spent an enjoyable morning at Bayou Wildlife Park in Alvin, Texas with a group from our Moms Club.  The fun here centers around a tram ride, which winds through the 80-acre park, allowing visitors an up close view of the menagerie that the owner has collected over the years. Brave children (and their parents) can feed ostriches, camels, deer and a variety of other species with buckets of food provided by staff, while the guide provides an interesting narration about the park and its inhabitants.  

Hold on tight to that bucket!

In addition to the tram, there is a petting zoo (mostly pigs and goats) and pony rides, as well as free-roaming deer that the children can interact with while waiting their turn for the tram.  There are several picnic benches under an awning for picnics although you must bring your own lunch and snacks and there are only two, single stall bathrooms, one for women, one for men.  Beyond that, there are a few enclosures near the picnic area with other animals to watch and a Stand-In/Cut Out mural for some fun photo opportunities.              

The kids love to interact
with the animals.

Prices are steep for individuals and small groups at $18 for adults and $9 for children ages 2 through 11, but if you can find 15 people to go with you, the group rates are stellar at $6 per person (plus tax) for visitors ages 1 and up, reservation required.  Either way, be sure to call ahead to find out how many groups are visiting that day since lines for park entry and the tram can get long and parking is limited.  The park is open year-round, so it is best to visit when the weather is a little more tolerable (October through May) so the heat and dust doesn't drive you out of the park before you have had your fill.  

Houston's Drought - Saving Water at Home

In my past life on California’s Central Coast, drought was a constant specter on the horizon.  Our daily habits revolved around conserving water in small ways, and major purchases always took water efficiency into account.  Even today, when we visit my friends and family back there, we easily transition into wise water use mode.  We are also very careful to behave similarly in places that we visit that have water supply issues. 

Since Houston’s average annual rainfall is about 51” (compared to 18” in Santa Barbara), and drenching rain rather than drought is typical, we tend to be a little more lax here at home. However, with Houston’s drought predicted to continue until September and cities asking for volunteer rationing, we have reverted to our California lifestyle in an effort to do our part to preserve local water supplies.

Food coloring can help
detect toilet leaks.

The kids have had a great time looking for ways we could save water around the house and they enjoy coming up with new schemes for reusing water when they can.  Their current favorite is to take a bath and then use the water for our indoor and outdoor plants.  And our floors are cleaner than ever, since I get to mop each time we practice this particular water saving activity.  

Here are some of our other favorite water saving tips for at home and around the globe:

• Reduce the amount of time you spend in the shower.
• Check your toilet for leaks.  (Put a few drops of food coloring or toilet tablets in the tank and wait for 15 minutes. If the water in the bowl changes color, then you have a leak) 
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
• Reuse bath and beach towels to reduce the need for laundry.



Reusing towels at home and in
hotels helps conserve water.

• Keep a bucket or plastic tub in sinks, the tub and shower to reuse the water that runs through the faucet while you are waiting for hot water.  

For a full list of water-saving tips, visit Water Saver Home. 

Tour of Texas with Kids: Palm Beach at Moody Gardens

Hanging in the toddler area.

For Summer 2011, we purchased season passes for Moody Gardens in Galveston for my son and I with my daughter getting in free through the "Under 3 Free" admission policy.  Our season passes include access to Palm Beach Water Park, which has been a heavenly place to visit this summer because of the drought conditions and extreme heat of the Houston area.

The splash pad helps to beat the heat. 

The kids enjoy every aspect of the park, except that they can't go on the biggest slide until they are 54" tall.   Beyond that, they stay entertained, since it is specifically suited to very young children.  There is a toddler play area with a splash pad, two small water slides, and a dumping bucket, with attached water guns for a fun way to douse friends and family.  We always manage to find lounge chairs and umbrellas near this area so the kids can play in the water, then take a break and play in the sand.  The rest of the park consists of the Tower Slide, a small wave pool with jet ski statues to sit on and a Lazy River.

Love that Florida sand. 

Palm Beach is open June 4th through August 21st, August 27th and 28th and September 3rd - 5th from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Admission prices are $18.95 for adults, $15.95 for children, and free for children under 3.  Inside the park, visitors can rent cabanas, lockers, and purchase snacks and lunch at the concession stand or from the ice cream vendor.  Life jackets and tubes are free and visitors may bring one water bottle per person (not in a cooler) into the park.  


Trip Tip:  If season passes aren't an option, most area McDonald's have a $2 off admission coupon for Palm Beach and coolers are allowed  as long as they are left just outside the entry gate.  Again, this park is best for families with small children or those who want to get wet, but may be afraid of the water.  Nearby Schlitterbahn is better for older children or younger ones that are confident swimmers.  

Travel with Kids Product Review: Similac® Insulated Bottle Carrier

This bottle carrier was the perfect size to fit in
our diaper bag.  

Of all the baby gear we have used in our travels, the Similac® Insulated Bottle Carrier receives top honors. It proved to be invaluable many times over.

My son was a hungry baby.  And he did not believe in schedules.  This made it very difficult to do much of anything without sustenance of some sort immediately available.  So, we began carting his filled bottles around so we were ready at any time.

We soon learned that not just any carrier would do.  We started with our insulated diaper bag, but found that the bottles would tip over and leak - leaving very little for our hungry boy - and resulting in some ugly episodes in public.  (There is nothing worse than a new mommy crying over spilt breast milk!)  

In my sleep-deprived stupor, I had completely forgotten about the free bottle carrier we received at the hospital as part of the Welcome Addition program from Similac® (now called Strong Moms).   It came with its own freezer pack and was the perfect size to hold two bottles and fit into the diaper bag securely enough that it wouldn't tip over and spill.  It continued to be work great even when my son moved on to sippy cups and regular milk so we toted our carrier around the globe for several years.

The carrier came with two ice-packs that fit in a
separate pocket from the bottles.  

I have seen the Similac® Insulated Bottle Carrier on Ebay for about $8 and also in thrift stores, but it isn't widely available.  JL Childress makes a similar Tall TwoCool 2 Bottle Cooler.

On a scale from 1 to 10, I rate the Similac® Insulated Bottle Carrier as a 10++.  Of course free is always wonderful, but the carrier was perfectly sized, easy to transport and came with two freezer packs so one could be left in the hotel to freeze while we were out for the day using the other.  The carrier let us travel with confidence knowing that no matter how far we were from our house or hotel room, we had something at hand to feed our starving boy!

Travel with Kids Product Review: Playtex™ Hip Hammock

I purchased a Playtex™ Hip Hammock® Child Carrier to use when my infant son was around 6 months old.  He was off the growth charts at around 3 months - exceeding the 95th percentile for weight - and I was struggling to carry him around without breaking my arm.  He had outgrown his other carriers and I was hopeful that we would find a suitable replacement.

The Directions for the Use of the Hip Hammock
are straightforward and easy to understand.    

So I went to Babies R Us and found the Playtex™ Hip Hammock® , which I promptly purchased and brought home.  One evening, while I was going from room to room straightening the house, my son tried to crawl after me crying, wanting to be held so he didn't get left behind.  I decided to give the Hip Hammock® a try.  I put it on, adjusting the belts as necessary, picked up my son and put the shoulder strap in place.  I continued my cleaning efforts with my son tagging along.  


I would love to say that this was the perfect solution, but I quickly found that it wasn't.  Although the Hip Hammock® did alleviate some of the strain of carrying a heavy child around, it made him lean forward at a very awkward angle.  I kept trying to help him lean back, adjusting the carrier and position of the straps, but nothing really worked.  Beyond that, sharp pains shot through my neck and my collarbone felt like it might break in two the longer I carried him around.  


Strangely, when I attempted to use the Hip Hammock® with my 2-year-old daughter it went much better.  I assume it worked because she was more able to hold herself upright than my son could at 6 months.  However, the neck and shoulder pain still occurred and we don't really use the carrier for her either.     

The Hip Hammock is a simple contraption designed
to use the hip and shoulder as anchors for the child's weight.   

It is interesting to note that as of this review, the Hip Hammock® is now only available through Amazon.com and not at major retailers like Target or Babies R Us.  There are obviously better choices out there.  For anyone who shops at consignment stores or on Ebay, my recommendation is to be sure there is a return policy, just in case.  It is also important to note that there was a recall in 2005 for model numbers 05300, 05301 and 05302.  

On a scale from 1 to 10, I would rate the Hip Hammock® a 4.  It was easy to use and adjust, it was lightweight and did free up my hands.  However, it held my son in an awkward position and caused pain in my neck and collarbone after a short period of use.