Cool Baby

There always seem to be more babies being born. And more baby showers to attend. While that ultra-luxe baby wipe warmer seems like a good idea, I have a better one.

Try this CityShade stroller sun blocker out for size. All infants need plenty of airing (actually, maybe it's the new moms who really need the airing, but baby has to come along), but the babes don't need the nasty sun in their eyes, or cold wind in the face. This ingenious CityShade fits on top of most of those new mommy mega-strollers, and works perfectly to keep them snoozing comfortably. They're pediatrician recommended, so those safety fuss pots will be satisfied. And they come in a variety of colors (although, as gothy as The Toad can be, she does not recommend the black one since it'll really retain heat).

Check out the CityShades at www.citymum.com. And keep baby a cool customer and away from the chemical sunscreen.

No Paas for Easter

Ah, Easter. How The Toad loves the chocolate, bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and egg dyeing parties. And your kids love them, too.

But here's a thought: what exactly is in those Paas Easter Egg dying kits that make those eggs so brilliantly colored (and dye your kid's hands for days as well)? I'm pretty sure it's nothing good for a body. That's why the eco-brand Eco-Kids has come up with its Eco-Egg Dyeing Kit. Working in a similar fashion to the dreck you pick up in your market's Easter aisle, these color pellets are created from shades found on Mother Earth. Using organic dyes from produce like red cabbage, blueberries, potatoes and more, those eggs will be beautiful and FDA-color-number-whatever FREE. It's enough to make a bunny hop around in rhapsody.

Celebrate Spring organically at www.eco-kidsusa.com. And give a pass to the Paas.

Sugar High

So the term "sugar high" is not really something most parents advocate; it implies kids bouncing off the walls and multiple dental visits (although there's really no scientific evidence for the former). But Toad begs of you to make an exception for this cookbook.

First off, teaching kids the proper way around a kitchen is a great thing, a skill they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives (you're teaching them to feed themselves, after all). And what better way to pique interest than with dessert? Children are little sugar cravers, and a bit now and then, for the purpose of kitchen knowledge, is permitted. This cookbook is amazing, chock full of really yummy recipes that kids will want to make and parents won't mind eating, either. The recipe for the New York, New York Crumbcake alone is reason enough to gift this book to a deserving child (this cake will blow your diet and blood sugar sky high, but it's soooo worth it).

Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey Desserts for Kids really does deliver for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Get ready to watch the flour fly and your waistband expand. Find it at www.chroniclebooks.com. And keep the goo flowing.

Thinking Out of The Box

Parents are desperate. There, I've said it. They are desperate for stuff to occupy their children so that they might have a somewhat civilized lunch or dinner out, or converse with a non-child owning friend.

The problem is, of course, that parents end up toting the world around with them in order to care for and entertain their kinder. This might be good for the super-sized tote companies, but it's bad for backs and convenience. Why not think outside the box? Like this Matchbox Theater by Leafcutter Designs. Each Matchbox Theater comes complete with tiny puppets fashioned from non-operational matches, an explanation of the characters, and a script. It's ideal if you have older children, who can direct as the younger kids demonstrate their puppet chops.

There are many rather intellectual and quirky productions to choose from, or you can design your own. Order one today at www.leafcutterdesigns.com, and carry an entire theater in your pocket.

An Earful

If you've ever had to deal with a kid suffering from an earache, you know the true meaning of the term "powerless." There really is nothing sadder than a small child caught in the painful throes of ear pain, tears a-rolling, asking "Mommy, make it go away."

It made me quake inside. Then I stopped being a bad mommy and a ninny in general and got down to business. One of the best home remedies for an earache, it turns out, is hot, moist heat. And that means a hot water bottle in some incarnation. While most hot water bottles are too big and smelly (the scent of warm rubber doesn't really improve anything), this little travel one, covered in what the website terms "minky" is the ideal size for placing on a small child's ear. And boy, does it work. They stop crying fast, you can get some Advil down them, and then you and yours get a reprieve until the doctor visit in the morning. The little hot water bottle is a life saver.

Find this "minky" version, in gender appropriate pink or blue, at www.fashionhot.com. And be the super mom who makes the hurt go away.

A Whale of a Time

Do you know a kid who's bored with Legos, who's done with construction, and who's longing for a meaningful imaginative play gift? No? Well, you might want to consider this fabulous set anyway.

This whole shebang is like living "Free Willy." Or, "Rescue Willy," if you will. The Whale Rescue Mission puts a powerful Killer Whale in danger, and only the child, equipped with a boat, a helicopter, a rig, and a crew, can save him from disaster. The whale's jaw moves, so it can articulate its thanks as it's hauled from the hazardous sea, presumably to be deposited in calmer waters (and NOT imprisoned in some Shamu concentration camp, please). There's many lessons to be learned while playing with this toy, and most of them can be taught during bath time. Most excellent.

If the Whale Rescue doesn't float his or her boat, check out the Mummy Set or the Everglades set (shrink-wrapped bodies and gators, respectively). They're all about 50 bucks for hours of fun. At www.constplay.com.

Self-Cleaning Hip Hop

The thing many kids ask for during the holidays is a pet. Normally, this is frowned upon, since puppies and kittens can truly get caught in the holiday shuffle. But what about something far less demanding? What about... frogs?

This Frog-O-Sphere from Brookstone is a pretty nifty idea. They call it a "miniature community" consisting of a little aquarium, rocks, something called "Living Gravel", a plant, a cleaning tool and TWO African Dwarf frogs (I guess two makes a community. Maybe a calling them a couple is just too personal?). Anyway, this little ecosphere is pretty self-contained, requiring you and yours to do not much more than feed the happy hoppers (they're actually swimmers) twice a week with handy pellets. I myself have had these frogs in the past, and I must say that they're pretty cute and fun to watch.

Did I mention that the entire set up is just $40? And they supply a year's worth of food? Check it out at www.brookstone.com. It's hip hop you'll want your kids to play.