I absolutely love these shirts from Fat Tie, a Los Angeles based boys’ organic shirt company. It’s not often that you can find cute clothes just for boys and I love that these are totally functional. Fun, hip and smart too, these organic shirts come decked out with their very own tie. Not only will my little boy be able to play in comfort in this super soft short-sleeved shirt, but he will also look ready for any business deal that might come his way.

The Old School Simon, pictured above, is a navy blue shirt complete with pocket and buttons with a vintage tie with blue, green, red and white stripes. The shirt has been prewashed and preshrunk. We have a wedding to go to this summer and I think this might be the perfect solution. The store also carries other designs, including long-sleeved shirts with other classic ties. These are popular with celebrity boys, including the Federline boys and Brian Austin Green’s son Kassius.  This is surely a shirt that will get the grandmother’s approval. The shirts are available in sizes 2T and up. This and other Fat Tie shirts are available to purchase at shop-fat-tie.com for $29.00.

As the long, hot, summer days approach I have been starting to think about ways of entertaining our two year old outside. We have decided a sandbox might be a great way of keeping him happy in the yard. I love the unique beach time design of this bright red Crabbie Sandbox by Step 2, claws, eyes and all. It has a convenient molded shell lid to keep the sand dry and away from any pets and the claw legs double as seats. It is really sturdy looking too and with the lid on this will probably make a great climbing/sliding place for our son too.

As the parent of a child who insists that I join him in most games he plays, I think this would be quite comfortable and spacious enough for me too, as it is 48” H X 46.5” W X 10” D. It can hold up to 300lbs of sand. It is slightly more expensive than some of the other sandboxes available but for size and entertainment value I think this one would be well worth it and hopefully will be useful for a few years to come. You can purchase your very own Crabbie Sandbox at allchildrensfurniture.com for $59.99

As much as I tried to get my son to wear other shoes last year, he practically lived in his Crocs. Being a big Mickey Mouse fan he’s going to love these Disney Kids Caymans too, with Mickey’s silhouette as the holes. Last summer, when he was still a bit wobbly on his feet, Crocs definitely helped him feel a bit more stable while walking, with their slip-resistant soles. They are perfect kid-friendly shoes, easy for kids to put on and take off themselves.

The best thing about these shoes is that they are anti-microbial, odor resistant, and easy to just wash off when they get dirty. They are extremely comfortable and have great toe ventilation so kids’ feet don’t get too hot. They also weigh practically nothing so they’re great for packing for a trip to the beach. I was also happy to find out that they are recycled through Soles United, a footwear donation program established by Crocs who last year contributed 2 million pairs of much-needed footwear to children domestically and around the globe.

These Disney Mickey Mouse Crocs can be purchased at their outlet store at crocs.com. They come in various color combinations. Sizes vary but most are available in toddler sizes 4/5, 6/7, 8/9. They are currently on sale for $14.99 (down from $29.99).

Last weekend I went for a walk with my 2 year old and didn’t even think about putting bug spray on. Needless to say, we both got a few bites. Here in South Carolina we’re already entering the season of needing bug spray. Ever since the birth of my son, I have been on the hunt for a safe, environmentally friendly bug repellent, but could never could find anything that worked on the whole family.  I was really happy to finally find this product by All Terrain, well known as a leader in natural insect repellents.

What I love most about Herbal Armor Insect Repellent is that it uses all natural ingredients and contains no Deet or petrochemicals. It’s water and sweat resistant, too. It works really well for up to 4 hours thanks to the new “time release” protection, so it’s perfect for an entire afternoon of fun outside. I found that most bug sprays have a really terrible strong smell, but this has a gentle geranium and citronella scent from the essential oils it contains. This 2oz bottle uses a pump spray and is biodegradable, so it is also environmentally friendly. This fits perfectly in a diaper bag, but it is recommended that your child be at least 12 months old before they use it. You can buy it at greenfeet.com for $4.95 a bottle.

There is something so lovely about anything personalized, especially with a child’s name or initials. I love to give gifts with a person’s name or initials on as it truly is such a unique present. I especially love these heart appliqué pillows from the etsy boutique SouthernSassyPants. It has soft and velvety minky dot material with a bright pink heart, green initial and matching pom poms and polka dots too. It not only looks extremely well made, but soft and comfortable too.  There are lots of color choices and fabrics to choose from at this online boutique, for both girls and boys. You can pick the letter of your choice monogrammed onto the pillow. As my son’s name is a little on the long side we stick to his first initial, so he would love one of these in boy colors.

These would make a wonderful gift for a child’s room or nursery and you can pick out whatever colors fit best. The pillow itself is 12” X 12” and sells for $39.50. This seller has a number of similar style personalized pillows so make sure you visit the store at etsy.com.

This is a great way of updating your current stroller, or protecting a brand new one. If you have had the same stroller for a while and just want to change the look of it, then My Monkey Moo Stroller pads are perfect, not to mention much cheaper than buying a new stroller! I think I might have to get one of these just to hide all the stains that my son has managed to accumulate with all the snacking he seems to do on our walks. These stroller pads are also reversible so you can have a great variety of looks, as well as being machine washable for when you run out of sides to use and have to clean it. They are 100% cotton and come in some really great styles and patterns.

I particularly like this urban looking one that has a plush side on reverse. These also can be used as changing pads for when you’re out and about and need to do a quick diaper change. They adapt to most strollers and look really comfortable and padded as well. They are priced at $69.00 on mymonkeymoo.com.

I cannot say enough great things about this Maclaren. Although we don’t have the 2009 version, which is probably even better, it has proven to be one of the most useful items that we ever purchased.  I got it last year when my son was traveling with me to Europe and I needed something light that I could easily put up and down and carry through airports – it has a handy carry strap. The 2009 version is only 8.5 lbs and folds and unfolds incredibly easily, with just one hand – I didn’t think it was possible but it really is! It isn’t our main stroller but we keep it in the back of the car for those times where we might need it. I love that it has a breathable mesh seat as well as a sun hood and rain canopy. It also has a great mesh basket too that seems to hold a huge amount of things. What amazes me is that it is so incredibly light and yet when you unfold it you can feel how really sturdy it is with its strong aluminum frame.

This can hold a child from 6 months up to when they reach 55lbs, which means we’ll get more use from this one than our main stroller. I also love this bright and happy yellow color too. You can purchase one from giggle.com for $130.00.

I was horrified this morning when I saw the state of the inside of my car. It looked as if I had multiple children along with all their belongings stacked into my medium sized car, rather than just the one untidy toddler that I do have. We are planning a couple of long car trips this summer, and my son has a habit of throwing everything on the floor, so we’ve been looking for something to hold more than the backseat organizers.

The Family Car Organizer by Tuffo is the perfect product for keeping all the necessities packed away tidily. It is made of rugged vinyl so it can easily be wiped clean after use and the carry strap means you can take it in the house after use without any hassle. It consists of two drinks holders, eight side pockets, as well as removable and adjustable dividers to hold anything from toys, snacks, books, diapers, wipes, DVDs etc. It is also insulated to keep any drinks or food cool and fresh. The organizer anchors to a seatbelt so will safely stay in place during any journey.

One of the things I love most about this product (and yet it doesn’t show this in any of the pictures online) is the reinforced lid that you can use as a tabletop. It has raised sides so it would be perfect for any activity on the road. I have seen cheaper products on the market but this one really does seem to be worth the price and I’m hoping it will help keep my car more organized in the future. You can purchase one at LeapsAndBounds.com for $34.95.

We were given one of these Cedar Adirondack Chairs for my son when he was about 10 months old and it is still his favorite place to sit, inside and out. Despite having much more comfortable chairs to lounge in, he always goes back to this one. A friend painted a green frog on the front, so it has become even more appealing for him. It is lightweight enough for him to carry from room to room on his own, and yet really sturdy too. This has a weight capacity of 70 lbs, so we have a while to go yet.

You do have to assemble this yourself, but it is well worth the difference in price. They also have a rocking chair version. This would be great to have in your backyard to help your child feel a part of the family gathering in his own big boy chair. These chairs come in a variety of colors, including pink, blue, green, yellow and red and being made of cedar they are great quality. You can find one at Overstock.com for $44.99.

I’ve seen a lot of mommy pendants online, in stores, and in magazines, but this one could quite possibly be my favorite. This sterling silver pendant by Mommy Jewelry, which is approximately the size of a quarter, looks really elegant and the personalization is very subtle. This would make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift or present for a new mommy. It can be personalized with wording of your choice. One example on the website is to have your child’s name, date of birth and birth weight inscribed onto it. Your wording rotates around the circle and names or dates can be separated using a dot or a heart.  This pendant is not bulky at all so it could be worn all the time.

The pendant is $36.00 at MommyJewelry.com. You can purchase a chain too, which vary from $18.00 - $24.00. They also have a $5.00 coupon you can use at checkout.  I think this is a lovely sentimental piece and who knows, maybe my husband will get the hint?

I love these preppy boys’ patchwork shorts from Gap Kids. They are having a big Spring Sale where selected items online are up to 40% off.  Match with a polo shirt, and you have yourself a really smart outfit, not to mention the great colors in the shorts. They have an elastic waistband at the back and a button and zipper combo at the front. What’s also great about these shorts is the adjustable waist band, which makes it easier to fit all the varying sizes of waists.  They are 100% cotton and just perfect for the summer months.  They are available in sizes 0-24 months and are on sale for $24.99 at Gap.com.

I find the very idea of having reversible clothing for children as inspired. Who could argue with two outfits in one? And this Reversible Dress by Right Bank Babies is such an adorable design, with retro-style birds on one side and abstract eggs on the other. This would make a perfect little dress for Easter. We had the romper suit version for our son when he was about 6 months old and we loved it. Anytime he got food or spit up on him, I would just wipe clean and reverse sides until it could go in the laundry, a wonderful quick fix if you’re out and about.

This is a beautifully made 100% cotton A-line summer dress, with overlapping panels at the back and mirrored buttons. Made in the USA, the “Annie” dress by Right Bank Babies is on sale for 30% off for $33.60 (was $48.00) at modernmoppet.com. The sale sizes for this style are from 12-18 months and 3T-5T. There are other designs available on sale too so visit their website to see what they have available.

I’ve been really pleased with this potty chair by Baby Bjorn so far. We purchased it just before my son’s second birthday when he showed signs of independence regarding potty training. I had researched which chairs parents had the best experience with, and this was by far the most popular. I definitely would have to agree. I love the simplicity of its design as well as the contoured shape that seems to fit our son so well. It allows for lots of leg room and also has a very handy splashguard. I had looked at other potty chairs but they all seemed to have too many gizmos like music, toilet paper holder or a lid.  I have found that keeping it simple has given us the best results.  

 I really like that this potty chair is low to the ground, making it really easy for baby to sit himself down. Also, it is just two pieces, with the inner seat removable to make for easy cleaning. It has a great shape that gives the child back support. This potty chair must be extremely comfortable as my son is quite happy to sit in it and read stories for quite a while.

As with all the Baby Björn products we own, this potty chair is so brilliantly designed, with the comfort and security of children in mind. We are still in the midst of our potty training but this chair has made the transition much smoother. It is available in pink, white, green, yellow, and red or blue. You can purchase one for $27.99 at Target.com.

I looked for one of these tubs when my son was first born, with no luck. My mother used to bathe my sister and me in this type of bath as newborns. This European Style Baby Tub is something that is still quite popular back home in England. It might look quite uncomfortable at first but most babies adore this position for bath time. I found that in our regular baby bath the water would get cold really quickly, making my son fussy, and holding him in a prone position to clean him was very awkward.

I would definitely rather have used this tub. It cradles the baby in a very natural womb-like position and the water stays warmer for a lot longer. As the baby is submerged up to his neck in the water it does have a more calming effect on them and a friend that uses one of these swears by it for helping stop her baby’s colic.

The Spa Baby Tub is non-toxic, recyclable, energy efficient and also BPA and PVC free. You can purchase one for $44.99 (shipping included) from spababytubs.com.
 

This is the perfect solution if you need to check the temperature of the nursery without waking your sleeping baby. You can tell just by sight if the room is within the recommended range. Doctors suggest that a baby’s room be kept within 61° and 67° Fahrenheit, especially to reduce the risk of SIDS. The Grobag Egg Room Thermometer will glow blue if the room is too cold, red if it is too hot and yellow if it falls within the comfortable range. It also makes a great nightlight for baby with its gentle glow. Please note that it does not take batteries and needs to be plugged into the wall.

I love the idea of this product. My son’s room is in a part of the house that is always much colder (or warmer, depending on the season) than I originally thought and this is a great way of quickly checking if his bedding needs to be adjusted, or the thermostat changed.  Made by Keen Distribution, it is available from babology.com for $29.99 and is well worth the peace of mind. It would also and make a perfect baby shower gift.