Toddler

My kids love free-style coloring with crayons, but my four-year-old son was especially excited when I told him he could finally use markers. (Of course, they have to be washable!) He was over-the-moon pumped when I showed him these amazing fuzzy posters from Rose Art. The ...read more

Imma just come right out with it... My kids think farting is hilarious. We call it "tooting," around these parts, so it definitely ups the kiddie-cuteness factor, but, let's be honest, there's nothing all that adorable about beeping the horn, booty belching, butt sneezing, ...read more

(5:45 AM means "breakfast" bars, preferably educational TV, and blurry everything...) My kids wake up early… Like, before-the-sun early. It’s rough, and I can’t always say I’m at my brightest and most bushy-tailed. Yeah, no mommy awards for me before the crack of dawn, but I ...read more

We've been reading to both our little ones since before they were even born. We read to them in the womb and we still read to them: board books, picture books, and, now, chapter books. We make the silly voices, we read them the same book a thousand times, and we read to them ...read more

We're going "classic" with today's Toy Tuesday post... Not that we don't love screens and techie toys and all sorts of fancy gadgets and gizmos here at The Shopping Mama. But, sometimes, it's the good old-fashioned fun finds that keep us coming back for more and more, again ...read more

We have a new bedtime routine in our house... and it involves a game! That's right, we're playin' our way to snoozeville—and, yes, it means my son actually asks to go to go up to bed every night. (Hashtag Winning--in more ways than one!) Busy Town is part puzzle, part game, ...read more

My parents actually got my son his first car on his third birthday. Incidentally, they also got him his own [backyard play] house and a personal [baby] pool for "his" backyard. (Yeah, this kid livin' the American dream!) (And to think, they refused to get ME a pink Barbie Power ...read more

In case you've been living under a rock these last few weeks, allow me to inform you: it's still National Ice Cream Month. We've been celebrating since the first of July with peachy-keen homemade ice-cream recipes and adorably easy DIY projects. (We also have a ridiculously ...read more

As a photographer, my kids see me take a lot of photos - for work and fun. I like to capture the little moments, especially when we're doing fun things together as a family. Summer brings lots of awesome things: vacations, day trips and activities. I got my little photographer ...read more

I remember when the beach was a relaxing place to be. When all you had to bring was your tanning oil (tsk-tsk), your towel, your thermos of cold wine, and a stack of magazines and chick lit. Those were the glory days. Alas, now, going to the beach looks very different. When ...read more

Spring around here has meant a lot of time outdoors. We've been gardening with our kids making this cool DIY raised garden and we decided we needed some cute, kid friendly garden markers. I found these cute safari animals for only $1 each and I thought they would make cute ...read more

Since 1969 Sesame Street has been teaching kids their ABC's and 123's. The quirky and lovable Sesame Street characters and monsters quickly became a beloved part of many childhoods and are now iconic and synonymous with learning and fun. For Spring 2016, PUMA has partnered ...read more

Kids are naturally curious so why not engage their curiosity and encourage them to be involved in the kitchen. We know that putting a meal on the table for a family can be challenging and the last thing you want to do is take the time to have your kids help out in the kitchen. ...read more

The weather is getting cooler and we're starting to shop for hip and modern toddler styles for boys over here. I'm very picky when it comes to my kids' clothes. They need to be stylish, but functional and, of course, affordable. I'm loving these new fall fashions from Kardashian ...read more

It’s like I blinked and he’s off to nursery school… My eager three-year-old big boy. (Excuse me while I go get the tissue box!) My first born’s first day of the much-anticipated “three’s” program is next week, and we’re getting prepared with new supplies, gear, sneakers, and ...read more

There is nothing quite like the bond between a brother and sister. Yes, they may know how to push your buttons and annoy you from time to time, especially as kids. But deep down you know there is nobody that loves you like your brother or sister does. Today's holiday is all ...read more

My toddler has been fascinated by his big sister's scooter since she got it for Christmas this past December. Now that it's summer and we've been spending more and more time outdoors we decided maybe it was time he got his own scooter. Little Tikes has a Lean to Turn scooter ...read more

Summertime is the perfect time to have your little one's birthday theme be strawberries. With delicious berries abundant in stores, there are plenty of opportunities to use the fruit in creative ways. This cake platter from Flying Tiger serves as a tray for our strawberry and ...read more

Like most energetic toddlers, my almost three year old is obsessed with "the playground." And it doesn't seem to matter if we're talking about an amazing fully tricked out "adventure land" or one measly tire swing and a mini slide... My guy doesn't discriminate. A playground is a ...read more

All aboard! Amtrak will celebrate its 8th National Train Day on May 9th, 2015. Amtrak will kick off a summer of train inspired travel starting in Chicago but they won't stop there. Train Days will hit the rails, traveling across the country and stopping in several communities ...read more

Rubens Barn offers handmade happiness to any boy or girl who owns one of these sweet dolls. Handmade in Sweden, Rubens Barn Dolls come in a variety of styles, sizes and prices. The newest members of the Rubens Barn collection are the Rubens Cuties. My 18 month old son has ...read more

Misti Kenison is a new mom and a graphic designer. She is a big believer in literacy at a young age. Inspired by her little one and her love of graphic design she created this new adventurous line of toddler board books that will engage young readers as well as foster a love for ...read more