v 5 issue 24: Winter Wonderland

Cooler days are here with more on the way and we have found products that make it easy to keep your little one warm. Plus: Some ideas for having fun in the winter air.


Cover by Joy Kaminski










1 Meet Rufus, an espresso brown quilted twill hat from the Short Hat Company. Each Rufus comes complete with a coolmax headband, thermolite lining, and berber earflaps...and it's only one of the many fabulous melon warmers available for this season.

2 Hats and mittens from the Re Sa Collection are handknit from fine yarns to create a feel which is super soft, indeed. Blends of colors are available for boys, girls, and every baby. Available at libraknits.com. Enter code: TOTTRENDS for 15% off thru 1/17.

3 A pink patchwork hat with ornate stitching is boosted into the extraordinary when two over-sized pompoms are added to each side. The colors are spectacular, and the pom-poms are unique. No doubt, you will be able to spot your little one in a crowd when she is sporting the Madcap Andalucia Hat from Lilly Anna Kids.

4 Add a little bling to baby's winter wardrobe with Okkies Reversible Hoodie. The jacket can be switched between a shiny black diamond quilt pattern and a grey/black diamond design on the reverse. Find this and other great fashion at lilswanky.com. Enter code: ttw20 for 20% off.

5 Bundle baby in the furry warmth of this Morado Designs Modern Pinwheel Baby Blanket. A silky plush fabric of chocolate brown is sweetened with the bursts of green, blue, and brown on it's reverse side. Generously sized, this snugly blanket keeps the chill from interfering with naps &/or stroller excursions.

6 Contrasts of leather and lace disguise the reinforced toes and sturdy soles of the Brown Butterfly Boot. Embellished with a beaded leather butterfly for added frill, the boots provide a great alternative to traditional winter boots. Available at Yunginz.

7 With an adorable illustration drawn by 6 year old Ellie, Retse Designs helps fund the Foundation for Seminole County Schools by contributing $1.- from each t-shirt sold. Help a school by purchasing an "S is for Snowman" tee on Sale for only $10! Enter code: WINTER for an additional 10% off thru 1/31.

8 The Snuggle Bug Bagz is made specifically for babies of 0-16 months. Each zip blanket bag is lined with organic sateen or minky fabric and is available in a multitude of colors and styles. Designed with a cut out for a three point seat belt harness, so baby can stay covered up while in the stroller, car seat, baby swing. Enter code: tottrends for 35% off all snuggle bagz!


This weeks mom tips:
Green Tips:
Save an average of $90 a year by shutting down a home computer every night. Also, shut it down if you don't expect to use it for the next two hours. Turn off the monitor if the lag is going to be at least 20 minutes.

Generating enough electricity to cook for an hour in a standard electric oven creates 2.7 pounds of carbon dioxide. Here's a list of what can do it for less: toaster oven, 1.3 pounds over 50 minutes; slow cooker, 0.9 pounds over seven hours; and microwave, 0.5 pounds over 15 minutes.

Programming your thermostat to reduce your home’s temperature by 5 degrees when you are asleep or away will reduce your heating bill and your impact on global warming. Wearing a sweater and turning down the heat while you are home will save even more energy. In fact, each degree below 68 will reduce the home heating bill by about 3 percent.


Organizing Tips:
Constantly evaluate your children’s clothing by setting aside a pile of clothing that is too small for donation you will keep their closets more organized and help a family in need.

Set a cleanup time in the evening when everyone picks up their space. Show your kids exactly how you want their room picked up…label bins with photos so that your kids know what should go in them (or words for older kids who can read).


Cleaning Tip:
Found a sticker on the wall? Remove as much of the sticker as possible then remove the rest with a little bit of Ben Gay ointment and a blow dryer (on low heat setting). Other ways to remove stickers include WD-40, Oops brand latex paint remover, De-Solve, fingernail polish remover, and rubbing alcohol.

One day a week, you and the family finish up the rest of the housecleaning that didn't get done during the week, or any larger jobs. Keep track during the week of areas that need more work during your clean-for-all. Assign tasks to all members of the family. Again, set a time budget and use your timer to stick to that budget. Anything that doesn't get done this week will get done next.


Fun in the Winter Air
Who says that the cold weather means you stay indoors? There is no reason why the winter can’t be a fun time for family just like the summer. Here are some ideas for having fun in the winter air.

1. Go sledding. The big hill could be in your back yard or somewhere else in the neighborhood. Grab the sleds and head for the top. Sledding is one thing that adults can do and still feel like a kid. Everyone loves the feeling of their heart in their throat as they go speeding off towards the bottom of the hill. Hardware stores sell out of sleds so get yours early.

2. Have a snowball fight. But, don’t just hide behind a tree. Take the time to build a snow fort. The family can divide into teams and each take an hour or two to construct the snow place of safety. Once the forts are finished and the flags are flying, let the snow fly!

3. Make snow angels. Wear a warm coat, gloves, and hat before attempting this wonderful winter artwork. Find a clear clean place in the snow and allow yourself to fall backwards. The snow will break your fall. Once you’re down there start flapping those arms and legs.

4. That walkway isn’t going to get clean all by itself. Each person can take a shovel or a bucket and work together to get it cleared. Why pay someone else to do it when the family can get some physical activity together? Afterward, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa together and warm up.

5. Try a new sport. The winter brings a new set of exercises to enjoy. Take up snowshoeing. snowboarding, skiing, or ice skating. The point is not to become an expert but to have fun with your family.

6. Catch a snowflake on your tongue. This is an activity that has to wait until the snow is actually falling but when you live far up north that could be an everyday occurrence. Stand out on the front lawn and throw your head back. After catching a few, take a break. No one wants to get a sore throat. Besides, the neighbors will wonder what is going on when they see everyone sticking their tongue out.

7. Build a snowman. By this time, you’ve tried everything else so a snowman is the last best thing to do in the snow. It’ll take everyone’s help to roll a really big base and lift the other body parts on top of each other. A sturdy snowman will take longer to melt in the sun.

Don’t sit in the house longing for warmer weather. Get out and enjoy the possibilities of the winter season...together.