If you happen to have a boy, you already know that building toys are a big hit. We find that often when we finishing reading a story or come home from an event, our son rushes into his room and pulls out the TinkerToys to recreate something that stuck in his mind. I guess that’s just one way boys process and make sense of what they have seen.

And so, I often find elaborate machines, cars and weapons constructed of TinkerToys, bits of string or elastic, tape and rubber bands scattered around the house. We never seem to have enough of those wooden pieces.

Almost 100 years old, this is one of those retro toys that both parents and children can enjoy. No batteries required.

Holiday and birthday lists usually include, “another tub of TinkerToys” and we find this is, surprisingly a great present- since so few parents seem to remember how much fun they had playing with them when they were children.

I’ve recently been encouraging parents I meet to pick some up or stop by my house to view the elaborate creations my son has made. I can see their eyes light up when they realize just how much peace and quiet that requires.

One of my colleagues at PriceGrabber brought this book, Safe Baby Handling Tips, to my attention. A light hearted look at life with a new baby it features a hilarious list of dos and don’ts for life with baby, complete with illustrations.

Though it looks like it perhaps dates from the 1950’s, this book is actually a recent addition to the, it seems, thousands of new books devoted to parenting. I’ve been reading over the reviews and am struck by the enthusiasm readers have about this book. Now, I want to get one or at least bring one to the next baby shower I attend.

This is one of those books that are met with such enthusiasm by readers that word of mouth spreads its fame from parent to parent and leads to a surprise reprinting. Buyers talk of laughing out loud in the store at line drawings of baby dos and don’ts – a picture of a baby placed safely in shopping cart – the do, followed by a baby stuffed on the shelf under the cart with a pile of groceries.

This sounds like my kind of shower present! So, rather than adding to the pile of organic baby clothes, baby wash and slings new moms receive…maybe I’ll bring a little humor, for levity during those 2:00AM nursing sessions.

One of the joys of childhood is opening the mailbox and finding something actually addressed to me! (Compare this to one of the joys of adulthood – finding something in the mailbox that’s not a bill!)

For kids, mail generally consists of invitations to birthday parties, thanks-you notes and cards from far flung relatives, but the occasional toy catalog usually generates an undo amount of excitement. Which is why I started looking for a magazine for my child to enjoy- since eagerly leafing through a magazine tends to be somewhat less expensive than leafing through a toy catalog – you see my rationale?

There are plenty of magazines available for kids, but too many seem to feature hoards of advertisements for a variety of goods I’d rather not buy and/or rather my child not own. That’s one of the reasons Kids Discover magazine is so cool – no ads.

Each monthly issue covers a different science or history topic and explains the subject in a fun and interesting way…for both adults and children. This month is Tornadoes. A few months ago we received Egypt. Before that it was Space Exploration. Loaded with photos and lots of little factoids, puzzles and projects, it keeps us busy.

Since there is so much information, we archive the issues and pull them out when a topic comes up in school. You can also backorder issues if your child shows interest in a specific topic.

Bunny printed diaper bags and utilitarian brightly color-ed plastic are oh so 20^th century! Today’s parent can forgo the cutesy baby prints for a stylish looking diaper bag that expresses the wearer’s personality not her demographic group.

I was reading an article today that suggested Moms forgo using a diaper bag and instead just drop the various baby accessories needed for an excursion in a smartly printed, oversize purse. That person has obviously never traveled with a 6 month old!

Between diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, baby food, bottles, breast milk and ice pack, lotions and emergency toys…and the ensuing spit-up stained clothes and dirty diapers…one needs a diaper bag…one especially designed for the job.

The beauty of diaper bags is not only their multiple compartments but also their multiple PLASTIC pockets for those offending results of a day with a baby and those bottles prone to spilling. There are so many cute options out today there, no reason not to get one…even if you don’t have a baby!

I really like this cute OiOi Pink Floral Diaper Messenger Diaper Bag for summer. Lots of compartments for baby gear, as well as, wallet, sunscreen and lipstick make this one a great choice for a day in the park. For more formal occasions, at which more and more babies are welcome, this Kensington Diaper Bag from Safety First is so elegant it makes Mom feel like well…more than just a Mom.

I just can’t give up my California Baby! I’m addicted to the stuff!

One of the first things you learn as a new mother is that that babies seem to be prone to all sorts of weird skin afflictions and rashes…on various parts of their bodies. So, it makes sense to use the gentlest products possible on their sensitive skin. I’m a big fan of organic and natural baby washes.

Organic ingredients found in California Baby and Nature’s Gate Baby Wash ensure that there are no nasty added chemicals and preservatives that could accidentally irritate baby’s skin. Other things I look for in a baby wash are extra moisturizing, since babies tend toward dry skin and a neutral ph. Both of these products boast these features and a few more that I find reassuring.

Both are made with calming botanicals, usually lavender, which activates sensory receptors in the brain to produce a calming effect…especially helpful if bath time precedes bedtime. Both do a good job getting baby clean and naturally sweet smelling. And, as a bonus, are good for both hair and body, though I admit, my son had little of the aforementioned hair until well past two.

And I like organic baby wash too. I’ve been known to sneak a bath of in it from time to time and always skip taking my own expensive body wash when we travel. Babying me with baby wash after a long day of travel is one of life’s little indulgences!