v 4 issue 40: Under the Sea

Marine life comes alive with this fun novelty fashion that will show off their love for sea life. PLUS: Water Safety Tips for a Fun and Safe Summer.


Cover by Vanessa M. Lam









1 The leather keeps them strong and spotless, magnets make them adjustable and easy to find (on the fridge!), & the designs make them irresistible. Cast a line to mallybibs.com to catch this fish in action. Enter code: TOTTRENDS for free standard shipping to the USA and Canada. Exp. 5/25/09.

2 Is it the bold colors or the big kissable lips that make this hooded fish towel to die for? What ever it is, we find this bathroom accessory a necessity! cupcakesandcaterpillars.com.

3 A fun little crab makes this outfit fun in or out of the water. Scoop up one of these Beach Buddies swim sets at Bambini Bliss before it gets away. Enter code: TTW for 20% off your purchases over $100

4 A bucket full of ocean goodies! One colorful ocean explorer baby bucket is decked out with Baby Einstein toys, bath books, CDs, DVDs, and more. Check out the details @ babyandmegifts.com.

5 Right up there with dipping your toes in the ocean is the comfort of these lobster crib shoes from Bibi & Mimi. Soft leather and suede cover little feet in a snap and hold on tight.

6 Tentacles, but without the slime... is the tee from barley & birch that brings the octopus out of the ocean to give us a glimpse of him on a shirt. Organic and sweat shop free, this tee is everything but slippery. 15% off your purchase. Redeem by email at hey@barleyandbirch.com.

7 Maisey Mae saved Larry the Lobster! He's out of the pot and gracing the burp cloth with his presence. Next to some clambake inspired ribbons, Larry's lookin' pretty tasty. Enter code: LARRY for 15% off. Exp. 5/31/09 - Redeem by email at maisey@maine.rr.com.

8 Ariel, the princess of the ocean, comes dressed in the details and sparkle of the ocean for sea-tacular fun. Never alone, she is accompanied by her loyal friends Sebastian and Flounder...and a sparkly brush! disneyshopping.com


This weeks mom tips:
Financial Tip:
Make saving money a priority! A great way to save more is to simply make it automatic. Set up a direct deposit from your checking account into a savings account. Once you take the plunge to automatic savings, you'll be able to adjust to having less in your checking account. PLUS: Watching your saving grow becomes an addiction.

Green Tip:
Garages often contain combustion byproducts (including carbon monoxide) from car engines, as well as pesticides, paints and other hazardous household products. Make sure the door from the house to the garage has a high-quality seal around the entire perimeter, including the threshold.

Organizing Tip:
Laundry. Label 4 totes or baskets~~White, Colored, Dark, Towels & Sheets. When the basket or tote is full throw in the load of laundry. (Great job for kids.)

Time Saving Tip:
Forget about addressing your party invitations by hand. Go to the United States Postal Service website to create party invitations that can be shipped to addresses you upload to the site. Or, have your own photo printed onto a postcard invitation at Snapfish and they'll stamp the cards and mail them for you.


Water Safety Tips for a Fun and Safe Summer


With summer coming up, your children will want to get into the water. Water play can be a very fun summer activity. However, it can also be very dangerous. Make sure that you follow all precautions when letting your children play in the water.




Water Safety Tips:
1. An adult should always supervise children who are playing in the water.
2. Instruct your child never to play in someone's pool unless adults are present-poolside.
3. Instruct your child never to sneak into someone else's pool.
4. Forbid your kids to run around the pool perimeter. Controlled walking is mandatory. Slip-and-falls can result in a fractured face or broken arm.
5. Never give the responsibly of younger children to siblings. Make sure that babysitter can swim if they plan to take your children to the water.
6. Never leave toys visible in an empty pool. Toys can draw children to the water. Children reaching for toys can fall in the water. Toys should be put away after each swim.
7. Never leave complete responsibility of your child's supervision to public lifeguards. Lifeguards are not babysitters.
8. If a caregiver or summer camp instructor will be taking your child swimming, make sure that they are aware of your child’s swimming capabilities.
9. Children that do not know how to swim should have certified flotation devices at all times.
10. Sign your kids up for swimming lessons. Lessons develop respect for the water, not to mention increased fitness and self-confidence.

When is the best time to start swimming lessons? As young as 5 days old. Babies are used to being surrounded by water and will take to swimming easier than a child who is older. The older kids get the more they develop fears and inhibitions. Sometimes these fears can already have taken hold by ten to fifteen months of age. Swimming lessons promotes confidence. The look on a child's face when they learn a swimming skill is priceless.

Be sure to find instructors who are "Red Cross Certified." You can ask around in your community for referrals.

Have fun, be safe, and remember sunscreen!