Sunday Surf: Thanksgiving Edition

Since it's been a busy Thanksgiving weekend, my Sunday Surf this week is short and sweet.  I'm sure you've got more doorbuster sales to hit anyway, right?

• My very favoritest (it can be a word, yes?) post of the week comes from the blog Mama Birth.  The post Humbling Moment #547: Women With More Than One Child Are Not Actually Crazy is an absolute laugh-out-loud, must-read about the things we learn when our family keeps growing.  There are plenty of days when I'm absolutely convinced that my second kid is hell-bent on making me lose my mind completely, so it's nice to hear that other moms have trouble keeping their shit together, too.  
• The Healthy Food and Healthy Living blog by Dr. Ayala is always interesting, but her recent post On Happiness, and Being In the Moment was one that really resonated with me.  Our world is so busy and complicated and everyone always seems to be in a hurry and wanting to do and have more, more, more.  But a recent study shows that thinking less and living more in the moment might be the key to greater happiness.  I'm a big fan of simplifying my life, but I find it hard to live in the moment.  This post is a great reminder of why it is so important.
• In The Darker Side of Back Friday, Mom-101 calls out the retailers who have gone too far with Black Friday sales that are now starting on Thanksgiving Day.  Would you like a side of rampant commercialism and blatant consumerism with your turkey? 

I'm sure there was much more on the web that I missed this week, but I'm off to put up my Christmas tree.  Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Surfing!      

Sunday Surfing on Monday: Medication, McDonalds, And Other Things Moms Talk About

I had a Sunday Surf post all prepared, but was sidelined by some weird form of head cold/stomach flu/ poisoning by Theraflu.  Whatever it was that I had, I never made it to the computer.  So we're Sunday Surfing on Monday.  What difference does it make, really?

• Lisa Belkin, author of The New York Times Motherlode blog (and #1 on Babble's recent list of top mom bloggers) has an interesting post entitled Modern Mother's Little Helpers.  No, it isn't about the cute little toddlers who empty the silverware from the dishwasher and put the laundry into the dryer.  It's about the pills that so many moms pop in order to get through the day.  Belkin draws on a post from an anonymous blogger at The Elmo Wallpaper, who wonders what is going on when such large numbers of mothers are so overwhelmed and stressed out that they can't seem to function without the help of prescription meds. 
• San Francisco can ban Happy Meal toys all day long, but according to two eye-opening posts over at Spoonfed, there are far more serious issues when it comes to McDonalds.  Check out both Forget Happy Meal toys. Let's ban McEducation and the follow-up post More McDonald's Madness for some interesting and educational reading.  
• There was a beautiful post from Carrie at The Parenting Passageway about the times when breastfeeding doesn't work out.  She writes: "breastfeeding is wonderful, it provides an excellent start to infants and to families.  However, the way we connect to our children goes through all developmental stages, not just infancy, and not just through breastfeeding." 
• And last but definitely not least, the Cool Mom Picks Holiday Guide is here!!!  Cool Mom Picks is an awesome website run by awesome mom bloggers, and every year they scope out the coolest holiday gift ideas so that you don't have to.  I love that their stuff is unique, and that I can find  handmade items from Etsy mixed in among all their holiday picks. 

Happy Surfing!

STL Views and Reviews: Malcolm Terrace Park

I've lived in St. Louis for over twenty-five years, but until a good friend suggested that we meet for a playdate at Malcolm Terrace Park last week, I had never even heard of it. 

Boy, have I been missing out.

Personally, I always find it to be a bit of a struggle to find a really good park that the entire family can enjoy.  My elementary school-aged daughter likes playgrounds that challenge her physically and have "a lot to do," my toddler loves a park with lots of open space where he can run freely, and I love a place where they'll both be entertained and I can relax a bit and actually enjoy the fresh air and the scenery.

I also find that, as a mom to a toddler (who is rapidly evolving into a fearless and overly adventurous preschooler), I don't enjoy the sprawling playgrounds where your kids can disappear from your sight for what seems like hours on end, even if it's actually only about thirty seconds. 

Yes, I have helicopter-parent tendencies; I know this about myself and, quite frankly, I'm okay with it. 

The playground at Malcolm Terrace Park is small enough that parents like me can actually see what their little ones are up to, without having to follow them around like a puppy.  Maybe I'm lazy, but sometimes half the pleasure of taking my kids to the park is being able to sit on a bench nearby and just sit.

Maybe  it's like my stay-at-home mom version of "time to myself," because at home I can't sit down without somebody needing me to get up and do something the minute my ass makes contact with a cushion. 

It's like kids have radar -- oops, moms about to sit down and breathe, we better keep her moving . . .

So Malcolm Terrace Park is nice for lazy mothers who want to go somewhere where they won't have to chase a busy toddler.  But it's also really nice for older kids too.  The playground isn't one of those brand new shiny things with plastic astro-turf underneath it; it's more of an old-school, back-to-basics, good old-fashioned fun type of place. 

It has two swings, two baby swings, a curvy slide, a tunnel slide, and a straight slide, a swaying, creaky bridge, and a tunnel, some monkey bars, and some poles to climb.  And mulch on the ground.  Nothing fancy, but plenty of scope for the imagination.

And did I mention the trees?  This, I think, is why I and probably a lot of other people like this park so much.  Nestled amidst homes off of Mosley Road in Creve Coeur, Malcolm Terrace Park is quiet, serene, beautiful, and shady!!! 

Mature, fully grown trees surround the play area, keeping the slides cool even on the sunniest of days.   There's plenty of grassy area for running around or playing catch or picnicing on a fall day, and there's also a sand volleyball court for anybody whose up for a game, or who wants to bring sand toys and pretend it's a day at the beach . . .  

Also very important for parents of small children, both parking and restrooms are located within walking distance of the playground.

The park also has a small path of trails to walk through that makes for a great nature hike for kids who love to pick up sticks and admire rocks, and apparently The Riverfront Times even listed it as the best park for birdwatching in St. Louis.  There is a small rock creek that kids will enjoy, and a shady area full of trees and plants known as Serenity Grove where everyone can relax.

If you would like to see pictures of Malcolm Terrace Park, there is a great stream of Flickr photos at http://www.malcolmterracepark.org/. 

Cleaning Out The Closets: 4 Great St. Louis Children's Resale Shops

With an economic crisis still looming over our heads, many families are living on a tight budget.  Often, this means shopping for back-to-school clothes at resale and consignment shops instead of buying everything new from the brand name stores at the mall.  These stores usually offer great deals on the same name brand items, and many of the clothes look practically new.

But resale shops are important for more than just a way to save some money on your purchases:  they are also a great way to actually put cash in your pocket.

By simply cleaning out your closets, you can simultaneously declutter your life and make a little extra money.  And here in St. Louis, we are lucky to have some great resale shops where we can do this!

1. Kangaroo Kids.  Kangaroo Kids is dear to my heart because it doubles as both a resale shop and a maternity and breastfeeding support center.  At the locally-owned store, which is conveniently located on Manchester Road in Glendale, you can take in both children's and maternity clothes, and you will be paid either cash or store credit (your choice) for the items they choose to purchase.  No appointment necessary!
2. Purple Cow Kids Resale.  I've never been to this store on Gravois Road in South County, but the name alone makes me want to go.  Like Kangaroo Kids, you get paid cash at Purple Cow for the items they choose to purchase.  It is also locally owned and operated by the daughter of the woman behind the Women's Closet Exchange, which is the #1 women's consignment shop in the country.  So I'm guessing these women know their stuff . . . 
3. Kids Again.  If you live in Florissant, you might like to visit Kids Again.  It's a small space, but it's packed with great deals.  They'll go through your stuff while you wait and even have a play area where your kids are sure to be entertained while you browse.
4. Once Upon A Child.  With several stores throughout the St. Louis area (and around the country), Once Upon A Child is a big name in children's resale.  All local stores are independently owned and operated, but they are also franchises within the larger system.  Which can be both good and bad.  I was frustrated a few years ago when I took some clothes from baby Gap (which were in excellent condition, and not out of style or season) into the Ballwin location and they didn't purchase them because they were more than two seasons old.  But they did take plenty of other stuff and I think I made about $60 bucks, so I can't complain.

With these great resale options, it should be easy to get that summer stuff moved out of your closets in time to make room for winter coats and sweaters.  And if you end up with items that none of the resale shops want to buy, you can always try to sell them yourself through craigslist or by having a garage sale.  Or consider donating the items to Goodwill or a local shelter.  Even if you don't get the cash, you'll still enjoy all that emtpty space in your closets!  

Ask Dr. Sears

There's nothing like becoming a parent to make you realize how much you don't know.  It's no wonder that the old cliche about how kids should come with a manual is appreciated by so many new and seasoned moms and dads.  Just when you think you're starting to figure things out, something new comes along and you're left with a feeling that can only be expressed adequately by a WTF!!!

That is where the Sears come in.  Pediatrician William Sears and his wife Martha, an RN, have raised 8 children together and co-authored more than 25 books on just about every topic related to parenting.  The Baby Book, one of their most popular, is a comprehensive guide to just about everything new parents might need to know. 

Other popular books include The Birth Book, The Breastfeeding Book, The Family Nutrition Book, The Fussy Baby Book, and The Attachment Parenting Book, as well as several others. 

Two of the Sears' sons are pediatricians as well; you may recognize Dr. Jim Sears from the hit show The Doctors, and his brother Robert Sears is the author of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child (Sears Parenting Library),which was released in 2007.

Helping families seems to be the family business.

So the Sears clearly have some credentials.  And that's one of the reasons why I love their website http://www.askdrsears.com/.  I'm also a fan because of their attachment parenting values and the fact that they value practices like babywearing, co-sleeping, and extended breastfeeding as a normal part of parenting babies and toddlers.  Sadly, some pediatricians aren't supportive of these practices, so it's always nice to find one who is.

Yes, even if my relationship with him only exists in cyberspace.  

But even if you're more mainstream and these things aren't for you, you'll still find lots of good information on this site.  You can look in Dr. Sears Medicine Cabinet for information about a variety of over-the-counter medications, and what they might be used for and what the proper dosage for your child would be.  Look in the Childhood Illnesses section when your little one is acting sick and you want to find out what his symptoms mean, or if a phone call to your own doctor is really needed.  Or use the Family Nutrition section when you're looking for answers about how to improve your child's diet.  The website also includes information about sleep, fussy babies, breastfeeding, bottlefeeding, vaccines, and much, much more 

So go explore the website. 

Bookmark it. 

When you face your next parenting crisis, it's a resource you'll be glad to have around.        

 

Cool Mom Picks for Every Occasion

If you look over there to the left of what you're reading right now, you'll see a Cool Mom Picks button.  Usually, I'm not a big fan of other moms telling me what kinds of things I should be buying.  I like to make up my own mind, and I've found that my obstinate streak seems to make me want to do the exact opposite of what other people tell me to do.

But I also hate everything generic.  I hate that so many kids are wearing the exact same outfit from the Gap.  I hate that most people register for their baby shower at Babies R' Us.  I hate that it's so damn hard to find and support the really cool local businesses or the moms working out of their homes to produce products that really mean something to them. 

That's why I love Cool Mom Picks (well, that and the fact that I've discovered that Liz who writes the Mom-101 blog that I'm absolutely in love with is one of the website's co-creators, along with Kristen from Motherhood Uncensored).  Liz and Kristen are two moms who "track down cool stuff," and have a self-described "soft spot for non-mainstream products and services, particularly those from indie or emerging designers and mom/women run companies."

What's not to love about that?

Okay, it's not a place to find local St. Louis products and mom-run businesses, but Cool Mom Picks features products from all corners of the country and the web.  The website is updated several times a day with their latest discoveries and information on where to purchase them, and also has a database of tons of categories for you to browse through.  A lot of their picks are things that they find on Etsy, where the products are handmade and nothing is mass-produced.  

Cool Mom Picks also publishes a Safer Toy Guide, in an effort to help parents choose safe, handcrafted alternatives to the plastic, chemically-ridden toys that are so readily available in the aisles of most toy stores.  And they offer a Baby Shower Guide -- no more generic baby gifts, hooray -- and annually updated Mother's Day and Father's Day Guides.

In fact, the 2010 Father's Day Guide has just been released (hint, hint - Father's Day is on June 20th this year). 

And if you're looking for something with a little more, um, sizzle for Dad, you can also check out the racier Mominatrix version that Kristen has put together.  If you're helping your kid's pick out gifts, you probably want to avoid that particular one, though.

Unless of course you feel comfortable sharing your plans to "tickle his pickle" with your offspring . . . 

Personally, I'm thinking I'll go with the Cool Mom Pick's suggestion of James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin as a gift for my husband.  They estimate it will only cost about $5 million.

He's a pretty good dad.  I think he's worth it.

See, they promote handmade toys and mom-run businesses and they have a sense of humor. 

Seriously, they're worth checking out!

St. Louis With Kids: Top Ten Can't Miss Destinations

St. Louis is home to wonderful attractions for families and kids of all ages to enjoy.  Some, like our many playgrounds, ice rinks, water parks, and shopping centers, are much like those found in cities across the country.  But others are truly unique, one-of-a-kind destinations that you won't find anywhere else.  They're the places that make St. Louis special, and make it such a great place for families to visit and live.

1. The St. Louis Zoo.  Sure, other cities have zoos, but only the St. Louis Zoo combines a world-class animal experience with free admission.  It's nearly impossible to see all the animals on one visit, but that's no big deal.  It's free, you can always come back tomorrow!    

2.  The St. Louis Science Center.  Rated as one of the top five science centers in the country, The St. Louis Science Center is home to more than seven hundred hands-on exhibits, as well as the Omnimax Theatre and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium.  It isn't my personal favorite, but then I don't really like science . . .

3.  The Magic House.  One of my favorite places, The Magic House is a great place for kids to play and explore.  You'll find tons of hands-on activities geared to every age group; even babies and toddlers can join the fun!

4.  Grant's Farm.  In my opinion, Grant's Farm is a St. Louis must.  At the historic farm, which was once owned by Ulysses S. Grant, you'll  take a tram ride alongside animals like bison, deer, and buffalo.  And, according to the website, they still offer complimentary samples of Anheuser-Busch products.  (Translation:  free beer.  Need a better reason to visit?)

5.  The City Museum.  The City Museum is, well, unique.  It's a self-described "eclectic mixture of children's playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel" that you just have to see to believe!

6.  Anheuser-Busch Brewery.  Obviously, kids under twenty-one aren't going to get to sample the beer.  But Anheuser-Busch is a St. Louis institution, and tours of their brewery offer a fascinating learning experience.  Plus, you can stop by the stables and see the infamous Budweiser Clydesdales.

7.  The Muny.  Nothing says St. Louis more than the Muny.  The nation's oldest and largest outdoor theatre is a summer tradition for young and old alike.  This summer, you can enjoy classic musicals like Cats and The Sound of Music, as well as the Muny premiere of Titanic: The Musical.

8.  Missouri Botanical Garden.  The Missouri Botanical Garden is home to a variety of beautiful plants and flowers, and is also considered "one of the world's top botanical and conservation institutions."  One of it's biggest draws for families is The Children's Garden, which opened in 2006, and offers over two acres of outdoor exploration and fun for the garden's littlest visitors.

9.  The Butterfly House.  Located in Faust Park, The Butterfly House offers visitors the opportunity to walk through an entire garden of freely flying butterflies.  And as an added bonus, if your kids aren't interested in the butterflies, Faust Park has a great playground and is home to The St. Louis Carousel. 

10.  The Gateway Arch.  No other city can boast anything close to the Arch.  Where else can you ride six hundred and thirty feet into the air to see a breathtaking view of the Mississippi Riverfront below?  Okay, full disclosure, I've never actually done this and don't ever intend to lock myself in a tiny box and ride that far away from the ground, but I've heard that, if you don't have claustrophobic and slightly paranoid tendencies, this is pretty cool.

Next time your kids are bored and you're looking for somewhere interesting to go, you don't have to look too far.  Just remember what amazing places we have right in our own backyard!