v 4 issue 10: Preschool Musical

This issue is packed with everything musical. Fun items as well as an article that will be sure to get you excited about taking your little one to the Theatre.


Cover by Julie Cruz







1 Get your groove on with Funky Mama. "Moo Juice" is the fantastically fun rock 'n roll creation that keeps the kids movin'. "Freeze Dance", "My Dad Rocks", and "Hot Time in the Old Town" are our personal favorites-but we, basically, just love the whole album!

2 Stir up the musical creativity with the Kids Grand Piano. Musical notes decorate this wooden grand piano and matching seat from Melissa & Doug. Big keys and a color coded songbook make it easy to use and very kid-friendly.

3 Watch and roll! Strawberry Shortcake and her fine friends bring great songs and dance moves to the little screen in Rockaberry Roll The only thing that's missing is that sweet strawberry smell.

4 Universal Music compiles the great songs of the past and future to create CDs kids and parents will love! Even better, the CDs are age graded for worry free selection. Jazz, Motown, 80's greats....you can find them all at ilovethatsong.com

5 Heavy duty organizational skills keep this monkey rockin'. This Metal Mania Wall Hook is cut from 10 gauge solid steel. It's polished and painted to perfection and is sure to stand the test of time. Available at cribrockcouture.com

6 Sing it loud - sing it proud, your a Rock Star! Hubby Buddy knows how to Rock! and they are saying it loud and clear with this warm longsleeve tee. The quality of this fabric makes it not only fun but comfortable too.<

7 This six string beauty from Rock N Sprouts is perfect for preschoolers lookin' to rock out. Colorful, wooden, and just the right size to strum out a tune or two. Rock on kiddies!
Enter code: TTW10 for 10% off your total order!

8 "Makin' Waves" is the new CD from Leonardo. Great beats, guitars, and ukuleles bring the fun lyrics of these songs to life. If you like the beach, swimming, surfing...Leonardo has 15 new songs to keep you satisfied.


This weeks mom tips:
Organizing Tip:
Store your child's outgrown clothes in large plastic bins and affix labels such as "0 to 3 months", "6 to 9 months", "9 to 12 months", and so on. Once your child has grown out of a size, you can easily store the clothes, loan them to a friend, or take them to a consignment shop.


Cleaning Tip:
Jewelry Cleaning
Don't have a jewelry cleaner and not sure how to clean your jewelry? The best thing to clean any of your jewelry whether real or not is simple. Grab a 'soft' bristle toothbrush and your favorite toothpaste and a little water. Brushing your jewelry with toothpaste will leave your jewelry shiny and bright with no worries on harming diamonds or gold. Rinse and wipe with a soft cloth to dry.

Green Tip:
Opening your curtains when the sun is shining will utilize solar heat and daylight, reducing your heating and electricity bills (and help reduce energy needs, thus helping mother earth). Closing the shades at night will help keep heat inside.

Time Saving Tip:
Sign up for a weekly menu sent by email and a grocery list, categorized by aisle, sent to your inbox from a menu planning service like Saving Dinner or Dine Without Whine. If you're short on time, get meals delivered to your home from FamilyChef or Artiko. There also are businesses offering freezer-ready meals you can make or just pick up. Try Entrees Made Easy or Dream Dinners.


Taking Children To The Theatre
Taking children to the theatre is marvelous fun. Their eyes light up with amazement when the lights go down. The actors walk on stage and your child’s imagination ignites.

To experience the joy of taking your children to the theatre there are of course a few strategies for success and mistakes to avoid.

Choosing the right show. Don’t think your 4 year old can sit still through a 4 hour show? You might be surprised. The key is to choose an age appropriate show. The Lion King is a sure winner as the actors sing, dance, and move throughout the crowd. It’s captivating. West Side Story and even Fiddler on the Roof are fine choices for slightly older children. Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland and even the Wizard of OZ are all fun and familiar stories that children can relate to and will enjoy seeing on stage.

Be prepared. The wiggles infect even the oldest of children, and many adults. Expect your child to get antsy. Be ready with quiet snacks in your purse – lifesavers are great because they quiet their little mouths and keep their throats moist to prevent coughing. Make sure everyone uses the bathroom before the show.

Comfortable clothing is a must – yes it’s fun to dress up for the theater but choking neckties and itchy lace are sure to induce a case of the wiggles. If possible, go during a matinee show so your child doesn’t have to struggle with being sleepy.

Talk to your children before the show so they know what to expect. Tell them how long the show is, what it’s about, and the behavior you expect from them and why. For example, if you expect them to not talk during when the actors are on stage let them know it’s because the actors and other people watching the show can hear them and it’s inconsiderate.

Harness your expectations. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Your child may be having a bad day, the show may be uninteresting, or they may be uncomfortable. While it isn’t fun to have to leave a show early, sometimes it’s just not worth making them sit through a show. If you have more than one child, it helps to have more than one adult as one child may be enjoying the show while the other is on the verge of having a breakdown – it happens.

Make it an event. It’s fun to get dressed up for a night, or afternoon, at the theater. Going out to eat before or after is a great way to add an extra special and ‘grown up’ touch to the day. During intermission get up and walk around. Explore the theatre, let them use the bathroom and get snacks.

The more enjoyable and relaxed a trip to the theater is, the more likely they’ll be excited and even eager to go again. Taking your children to the theatre opens them up to a whole new world of imagination, culture, and entertainment.

v 4 issue 9: Baby On Board

Do you have a baby on board? Along with the changes in your body, you will have many needs to take you through the nine months and beyond. We are sharing some of our favorites from clothing to keepsakes. Ever wonder what expectant Dad's are thinking? Read our interview with Troy Jones and find out.


Cover by Alexi Killmer






1 Have no fear Moms, you no longer need to expose your big belly to the world. Cover up, wear your maternity clothes longer, and hide the swollen belly after birth too. Looks just like you're layering your clothes. Great! Head to Mom4Life for this must have.

2 Join host Kara Korhonen, registered dietitian and Mom, as she helps you dive into the mysteries of prenatal nutrition. Definitely answers all the questions you might have. Certainly throws in extra tidbits-at no extra charge! Surely leaves you educated, but not hungry for more. bitesizevideo.com

3 A bundle of savvy styles for expecting Moms in one great shop! Younique to You selects only top quality designers, so this is the place to go when you need fashion and function. The chocolate maternity pants shown here are just one great example of the many staple wardrobe items to choose from.

4 A delightfully adorable keepsake journal to jot down all the memories of little ones before and after pregnancy. Comes covered in a soft suede-like fabric with 105 pages. Some pages have prompted fill-ins and some have scrapbook cut-outs to embellish as you'd like. Word to the wise: don't wait to fill it in! Baby Oliver Boutique
Enter code: Tot10 for 10% off your total order!

5 A gorgeous gift idea for the Mom-to-be. A circular pendant, the size of a penny, is stamped with the month of baby's due date. Crystals reflecting the birthstone are added for a special touch. And, it all comes on a 16 or 18 inch sterling silver fine ball chain.vAvailable at circleofsentiments.com
Enter code: TTW10 for 10% off your total order!

6 Laugh and Learn with Sheri Bayles, certified Lamaze Instructor and Lactation Consultant. From the comfort of your own home, learn all the basics (and some great extras!) of childbirth through Sheri's truly humorous presentation. You can also get filled in on the basics of newborn care and breastfeeding without leaving the house too!

7 Sweater wraps and cozy covers from Moody Mamas let the breeze in, but keep the chill out. We love the easy on & off style of these wraps and cover ups which adjust to the moods of Moms when the hot flashes come to town.

8 In about 30 minutes, you could have yourself one of the coolest pregnancy keepsakes around. The Original Belly Works kit includes all you'll need to make a casting of baby's pre-world home. Super project to decorate with big brothers and sisters to be...check out the site for ideas!


This weeks Mom tips:
This weeks Mom tips are dedicated to our expectant Mom's

Tips to prepare your child for their new baby sibling:

If you plan to move your child to a new bed and/or bedroom, do so well before the baby arrives, so your older child doesn’t feel displaced by the baby. This also goes for any other major changes, like weaning, toilet training, and starting preschool or child care.

Check with your hospital about sibling preparation classes and hospital tours. Bring your child to prenatal visits so they can meet your birth attendant.

Give them a realistic idea of what to expect when the baby first arrives. You will be tired, and the baby will take lots of your time. The baby will not be able to do much at first, except eat, sleep, poop, pee and cry. The baby will not be a playmate for a while.

Read books about pregnancy, birth, newborns, and baby siblings with your child (see below for some suggestions). Give them a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, and vent feelings inspired by the books.

Tell them about their birth and what they were like as a baby. Tell them how excited you were when they were born, and how everyone wanted to see them and hold them.

Have your child practice holding a doll and supporting the head. Teach them how to touch and hold a baby very gently.

Let them participate in preparations in any way possible. Give them choices, such as choosing the baby’s coming home outfit from two acceptable options.

Source: University of Michigan Health System

Our interview with Troy Jones (Being Dad)

We recently interviewed Troy Jones, one of the film creators of the Filmography "Being Dad".

Being Dad is the film that answers the question what should men expect when they're expecting? It supplies inspiration and information for Dad's to be.

What inspired you to make this documentary?
Necessity! There are a lot of books out there for women during pregnancy, and a couple of books for guys. I think the big problem for me (and the VAST majority of guys) is that I was in denial about the pregnancy actually ever ending and me really becoming a dad. I was barely able to look after myself... How could I look after someone else?? Denial was the easy answer. So reading a book about pregnancy and birth seemed like a lot of hard work. I had a mountain of books (mysteriously) stacking up on my bed side table – and eventually got myself accidentally caught up in a conversation with a few buddies about what they had been through supporting their wives through labor. To everyone’s surprise, it was an amazing bonding experience, hilarious, brutally honest and great fun. It appeared to us all that we’d never had a chance to talk about the stuff before. I own a film company – I joined the dots, and away we went.

What did it take to get this film up and running?
The hardest part is getting diverse dads to come along to the shoots. Aside from the free beer and dinner, it’s not necessarily the most appealing idea – come along to a film shoot with 6 other guys that you don’t know and talk openly about your feelings and how you coped with one of the biggest experiences of your life, becoming a dad. Once they arrive (across 7 cities around the nation) the hard part was over. Once these 40 or so regular Joe’s got started, the mono-syllabic grunts made way for hilarious stories, brilliant advice, and heart wrenching tales of fear, love, loss, adversity and triumph.

Did you have a clear plan for the film? Was it scripted or did it take on a life of its own once started?
Its totally unscripted... I would say even unguided. The film follows me and my wife and our journey to the birth, has about 40 dads in groups of 6 around the country, 4 experts jumping in with thoughts and advice – and we just let the cameras roll. What ensued was honest, moving and surprised even us – especially the secrets these guys imparted, and how much detail these guys recall. Its something I do for fun these days – if you meet a dad, ask him if he can remember the day his first baby was born. Watch him light up as he tells you the story.
The main thing we wanted was to show that no 2 births are the same. That was our major problem with the books. It was almost always form someone’s personal experience. That’s the idea behind the variety of guys. The other thing was there were no women involved in the shoots at all. It really allowed the guys to tell their side of the story. That was a great move.

What was your fondest memory of Stacie's pregnancy?
Stacey’s was a tough pregnancy, full of some pretty tough morning sickness. Seeing the look of (exhausted) achievement and overwhelming happiness on her face when Matilda lay on her chest was prize enough for me. That and hearing Matilda cry out for the first time. The amazing feeling of relief was too much. I slinked out the room a few minutes later and cried my eyes out – I think from sheer relief.

What is your best advice for expecting Dad's?
Buy her a dress that is one size too small with cup size one (or two) sizes too big. Worked for me. That and also make sure you try to project your mind past the birth. As a worrying kind of guy, I was relieved when my baby was born – seemingly healthy, breathing, all ten fingers and toes, but it dawned on me, how do I know if there was something less obvious wrong with her? I asked the OBGYN, and he said Troy, this isn’t the end of worrying. This is the START of the worrying. This is someone you will worry about for the rest of your life.

The Being Dad DVD is formatted in a documentary style with an entertaining often humorous and emotional slant. The concept was developed by three first-time dads: Sam Holt, Troy Jones and Tom Hastwell. They saw a gap in the market for parenting products in a digital medium, specifically for men.

Reserve your copy of Being Dad at Amazon.com. Available October 7, 2008

v 4 issue 8: Good Sport

We have a great way to introduce a love of sports to young ones. In this issue you will find some of our favorite cool sports items as well as a guide to finding the right sport for you little sports enthusiast.


Cover by Tonya Dailey









1 Babypro offers a unique viewing experience for children of ages 9 months to 4 years. Working to encourage a lifetime of physical activity and healthy living, these videos help children visually explore the natural progression of sports through different ages. A great way to introduce a love of sports to young ones.

2 Chart your superstar's height through the ages and stages of childhood with this fabulously boyish All Star Growth Chart. Top notch artistic effects and superior quality help this chart stand up to the test of time. Find it at Ashley Taylor Home.

3 'Tis the season to show off your love of the game. This is the sweetest way to do it. The Jock Lollitop by Clothesline Candy is the cutest little embroidered tee wrapped up in a tasty little package. What a great gift! Available at Rocknsprouts.com
Enter code: TTW10 for 10% off your total order!

4 The Mini Mitt Chair is a small sized lounger upholstered in plush, easy to clean fabric. The perfect size for catching toddler and kid sized tooshies. Available in a variety of shades, it's the grand slam of finishing touches for any sports themed room.

5 A super duper soccer backpack specially designed to easily carry a size 5 soccer ball. Includes a large main compartment, a secret spot for headphones and music players, and extra side compartments on the outside for whatever else you might need. Pack it once and you'll be ready for soccer practice in a snap.

6 Just like Dad... Your little man will look so grown up in his first pair of boxers. We adore these little Skivvies adorned with sports motif, they are stinkin cute! One size fits little tooshies up to 25 lbs. Available at Bambini Bliss
Enter code: TTW for 20% off your total order over $100!

7 No Sunday is complete without this adorable hat found at Bebecakes Boutique. A toasty brown top knot hat appliqued with a good ole football Dad (or Mom) can be proud of. Grows with baby to fit through the whole pigskin season. Only 18 smackeroos!
Enter code: TOTTRENDS for 15% off your total order!

8 Score your child a winner of a quilt. A brilliant blue handmade quilt decorated with soccer balls of equally brilliant colors. Garnet Hill has it in sizes to fit cribs, twin, and double/queen sized beds.


This weeks mom tips:
Time Saving Tip:
I take return address labels around in my purse and when I take the kids to the doctors office I just stick one on the sign in sheet instead of having to write all the info out and watch the kids at the time. It's a GREAT time saver for me!
-submitted by Kristin, (Mommy of 3)

For quick baby food I purchase frozen squash and frozen sweet potatoes that are cut into bite sized pieces or peas and corn and put them into a baby food jar (I save them because I also cook and puree food and these are great to freeze the food in to avoid plastics) and heat them up in a baby food warmer.
-submitted by Andrea

Cleaning Tip:
Use cotton balls dipped in bleach to remove mildew from the corners of the tub. Just let them sit and when you are finished cleaning the bathroom, remove the cotton and rinse.

Sanity Saving Tip:
Let calls go to voice mail! Phone interruptions cause you to become distracted from your to do list or spending quality time with your kids. By returning phone calls at your convenience you can get your list done and cut down on chatter time.

Financial Tip:
Protect Your Home

If you haven't carefully read your homeowner's insurance policy in the past year or so, you could be seriously jeopardizing your biggest investment.

Even before the massive losses caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, insurers were scaling back policies to make it harder for homeowners to receive payouts that would cover their true rebuild costs in the event of a total home loss.

You should have an extended replacement coverage policy, where your payout can be more than the current value of your home. Find out what it would actually cost you to rebuild your home today. If your policy doesn't cover that amount, raise your current level of insurance.


How to find the right sport for your child



Children thrive with physical activity. They love to run, jump, climb, skip, throw and catch – it is part of their wiring and there’s a good reason for it.



Begin playing sports as young as 3? Absolutely! Sports play an integral role in the development of young children. Physical activity develops both gross and fine motor skills. A delay in developing these skills has a lasting effect on a child’s growth and development.

The development of gross motor skills like running, balancing and catching is directly connected with the development of fine motor skills like writing, using utensils and brushing their teeth.

Sports are a great way to not only develop gross motor skills, it also helps a child gain confidence, learn social skills, and create healthy habits to last a lifetime. Here’s how to introduce sports to your young child for maximum benefit.

Step One: Explore what is available in your community. The options are often overwhelming from gymnastics to tee ball, soccer to tennis, horseback riding and martial arts – there are sports for every personality, skill level, and interest.
Look for age appropriate activities. For example, a typical 4-5 year old will be just beginning to grasp many gross motor skills like running, jumping, bouncing, kicking, and walking a straight line. Depending on your child’s development tumbling, swimming, or soccer may be great choices.
As children move beyond kindergarten and are in their early elementary years their gross motor skills really take off and the opportunities for sports expand.

Step Two: Present your child with a couple of options based on what is available in your community and what matches their interests and personality. Many children will want to try everything while others will be reluctant to get involved. Where does your child fall in the spectrum? Keeping their personality and talents in mind consider giving them a couple of options to choose from.

Step Three: Look for programs which are focused on fun not competition. Yes winning can be fun however the point of sports is to learn about ourselves, grow both physically and mentally, and to enjoy the results of trying our best – winning is simply a bonus. A program which is focused only on winning short changes the child of the many benefits of sports. They learn that their efforts only matter when they win.

Step Four: Be an involved, but not too involved, parent. We’ve all been to games where 5 year olds are running down the field and the parents are yelling at the children about their on field performance – yikes! It’s important for your child to know that you support them to do their best, cheer them and their teammates on instead of coaching from the sidelines. If their skills could use a little improving, and really whose couldn’t? Then practice with them at home – make it fun!

Step Five: Be a good role model. Show your child that physical activity is an important part of life, not just by signing them up for sports but through your own actions. Get involved in physical activity yourself. Become involved by bringing snacks, practicing with them, and helping out where you can.

Physical activity plays an integral role in the overall development of a strong and healthy child. Keeping your child’s personality and strengths in mind, support them to find sports which focus on skill building and fun. Follow through and support them to grow and develop their strengths. They’ll be more confident and skilled adults - they’ll thank you for it in the long run.

v 4 issue 7: Birthday Bonanza

Celebrate your little one's birthday with some big-time fun. We have selected some wonderful keepsake birthday items to share with you as well as a birthday party planner.


Cover by Jodie Goodison









1 The birthday box from bloomers baby is a three piece set all neatly tucked into a fabulous ready-to-give gift box. Included in the three piece set is a top knot adjustable hat, a long sleeve lap tee (accented with a tiny footprint design and plush details), and a matching plush diaper cover. A birthday present any new Mom would be delighted to receive for a newborn child.

2 Another great decorative birthday idea is this printed birthday banner from Lisa Frost Kids. Made of medium weight canvas, and embellished with fringe and a silky ribbon, this gorgeous wall hanging can be used year after year for birthday festivities. So pretty, you may even want to bring it out early to create excitement for the upcoming celebration.

3 Get this t-shirt from EM Tanner Designs for a bit of good luck so, hopefully, you won't have to get that pinch to grow and inch. Comes in short or long sleeve to suit any time of the year. Sweet, simple, and fabulous for getting a little recognition on the big b-day.
Enter code: TTW for 20% off your total order!

4 No matter what types of tunes your little dude digs, this Jimmy Ray shirt from dmo baby is sure to get the ladies squealing. A snazzy cream print on the outside is partnered up with brightly tuned guitars in the collar, sleeves, and hiding under the buttons. Definitely the most stylin' birthday duds around! Can also be found at littlestepschildrensshop.com

5 Even the most humble of hearts deserve to be royalty on a birthday. Swing on over to the Spunky Monkey for this cute crown clip to show you are queen for the day. Lots of other great choices to add a little razzle dazzle to any birthday outfit-guaranteed. We are certain you will love these creativeclipsbycolleen as much as we do.

6 Every day can be a birthday party with the Daisy Tea Time Set from Djeco. This adorable wooden set features the colors of green and yellow delicately adorned with daisies for an extra touch. Comes with all you need for your tea party...even the teabags, birthday candles, and sugar cubes.You can find these great set at Oompa.com

7 This personalized birthday plate from teacups and tadpoles is a keeper. The custom made plate can be specialized for girls or boys with color choices of pink/green or blue/green polka dots...and playing a bit with the message is an option, too. However you do it, we are positive the kids with be tickled with joy to see this plate come out year after year.
Enter code: ttw15 for 15% off your total order!


Your funny kids

Kids say the funniest things, don't they? You sent us your funny kids' sayings and we had to share!

My Little girl Isabella (6 years old) came to me upset. She said “I’m missing my cutie". "You’re what" I said. “My cutie on my fingernail. I need my cuties for when we paint my fingernails, but some of them are gone!" (Cuticles).
-submitted by Britta

My daughter when she was four, ever so loudly asked a rather large lady, “Have you called Jenny, yet!” To make the situation worse, we were in the grocery store in the baking aisle no less! Though Addison wasn’t aware of what she was repeating, the lady took offense to it and I being spent for words, looked down grabbed my daughter and quickly pushed the buggy toward another aisle. I tried to ignore the whole horribly humiliating situation.
-submitted by Leigh Ann

When I tell my 3 year old he and his 20 month old brother were in my tummy, Matthew says, "Yeah, I came out and Andy went in."
-submitted by Tanya

When I was giving my four year old son David a hug today...I told him "I love you so much" He looked at me and said "Mom, I think were falling in love" I laughed so hard and I wanted to cry at the same time.
-submitted by Jen Schilling

My little stinker is absolutely adorable!! As I was getting ready today I thought I would get crazy and wear a hat. My daughter says to me: "What is that hat?" To which I say, "It’s a black hat." then she asks: "Are you the manager?"
-submitted by Frank and Carol

We love hearing about and seeing your funny kids...submit your kid's comment or photo to contact@tottrendsweekly.com

Planning a child's birthday
Children of all ages love birthday parties! As a parent, you probably know that planning a birthday party that all the guests will enjoy depends on using your imagination to come up with some great party ideas.

Keep It Small: Toddlers can be overwhelmed by a crowd of guests and remember that a number of parents will likely stay for the duration of the party.

Time It Right: Avoid naptime and peak meltdown times, such as late afternoon.

Choose a theme: Go with something your child will recognize. Think about your child's interests. If they have a favorite character or something they are interested in (like sports or ponies) then that would be a great idea for a theme. Try to choose a theme that will be easy to work with. Avoid something that will require a large amount of work. Choose decorations and party supplies that match your theme.

Invitations: For all those who have spare time and want to do some creative work, you can make homemade birthday invitations or we suggest these fantastic card companies for that special birthday keepsake invitation.

Tiny Prints Enter TT2008 to receive 10% off your total order.
In A Baby Carraige Enter TTW to receive 10% off your total order.

Favors: When choosing party favors, use your creativity. Include birthday favors that go well with a theme. For example, have eye patches for a pirate party or tiara feather pens for a princess party. All kids love art! Choose a rainbow of markers, tubs of brightly colored Play-Doh, a glitter glue stick. Try to keep sugar treats to a minimum.

Games: Choose simple activities that will require little help, so you do not need an adult to help every child. If you decide to plan activities that could be messy be sure you have aprons or smocks for each child to wear so they do not dirty their clothing. Kids love to dance and Freeze Dance is always fun! How about a fun edible project like stringing round cereal into necklaces? Keep your activities age appropriate and have FUN!

Get Help: Consider hiring a teenager or two to assist you with the party. They can corral kids into games and activities, pour juice, and help with cleanup when the guests have all gone home.

The basic ingredients for a successful toddler party are cute and fun decorations an attractive cake and a few easy games that everyone can play. Keep your party time frame to two hours or less and you'll have a party that everyone can enjoy, including the parents.