I am incredibly embarrassed to say that I received this book over two months ago and didn’t get a chance to even open the cover until my unplugged time last week. Once I finally did sit down with it, I couldn’t put it down. And that’s saying something for a mom of a newbie and a barely two-bie.

Somebody’s Daughter, by Marie Myung-Ok Lee, is about a young woman named Sarah who was born in Korea and adopted by a caucasian couple in the American midwest shortly thereafter. After a life of feeling like she never really fit, she dropped out of university and traveled to Korea to study the language and eventually began the search for her birth mother. Marie writes very eloquently and interweaves the story of Sarah and her birth mother Kyung-Sook in such a way that I felt that I stepped into each of their lives for the hours I was reading. How someone who wasn’t adopted herself can present both sides of the story in such a realistic way is beyond me. It takes incredible talent to write a book like Somebody’s Daughter and I’m so glad I found the time to read it. I’m tempted to give away how it ends, but you’ll just have to read it. It would be an amazing book club pick - it’s a book that almost anyone would love whether you’re looking for deep conversation or just an escape into the land of literature.

Win it! Marie is giving away a copy of Somebody’s Daughter to one reader. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before noon MST on July 30/08.

Get up to three additional entries into this contest!

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here. Leave a comment with the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate comment from your other entry).

AND/OR

2.Subscribe to our RSS feed. Leave an additional comment to let us know how you subscribe. (Bloglines? Another reader? Via email?)

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2Chix (previously reviewed here) has added some sizzling hot burnout tees to their already smokin’ collection. The thin, super-soft, weathered tees, which are all the rage this season whether you’re expecting or not, look equally fab paired with a skirt and strappy heels or designer jeans and your most comfortable flats. (Or, in my humble non-metro opinion, yoga capris and Birks…but whatever.)

This tee, which comes in both v-neck and crew neck, is form-fitting, long enough to cover a full-term belly, super-soft and generally just perfect for forty-two weeks of sexy comfort. If, like me, even your arms get pregnant, you’ll love the sleeves on this tee that accentuate the best and hide the rest. At $44, it’s a little more than the tee you’ll pick up at Old Navy but after the initial pinch you won’t regret it. These tees are incredibly comfy and aren’t so ‘maternity’ that you couldn’t get away with wearing them for a long time after that cute bebe is in your arms instead of your belly.

Save 10% on anything from 2Chix with the code TOP10 through September 30, 2008.

I am a gift bag convert, for enviro-reasons and also because I can’t wrap a gift to save my life. However, I often feel a little guilt at depriving people of the sheer joy of tearing in to a nicely wrapped gift. Hallmark recently introduced the first-of-its-kind Adhesive Gift Wrap so now I can give in to my wrapping desire a little more often without tying myself up in a roll of tape. It’s pretty much like using a sticky note — the sticky coating on the paper adheres to the present without leaving any residue and there’s no need to fumble around with tape, hold down edges, or any of the usual frustrations that abound when wrapping gifts.

Win it! We’re giving away four rolls of Hallmark Adhesive Gift Wrap, two rolls to each of two winners. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon MST on July 29/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

The world is your nannycam with Howsmynanny.com. Do you ever wonder how your care provider interacts with your children or reacts to situations while caring for your child? An online service offered by a mom from New York City can help you find the answers to those questions. Jill Starishevsky, a New York City prosecutor of child abuse and sex crimes, created the innovative website that enables anyone to communicate with parents to report problems they witness with your children’s caregiver. The service also allows people to report great things that your nanny is doing with your children by sending a praise report.

When you sign up with HowsMyNanny.com you are provided with a small license plate bearing the website information and a number unique to you. You simply attach the plate to your stroller with the cable ties provided and wait for the comments to come in. If people notice something good or concerning related to your childcare provider, they can log onto the howsmynanny site, enter your plate number and send a praise report or incident report. Howsmynanny will email you to notify you of a new comment. You then sign on to HowsMyNanny.com using your password to view the report. HowsMyNanny.com allows the person leaving the comment can do so anonymously or they can choose to leave contact information so that you can contact them to find out more details.

The service has an annual fee of $50 but you can receive an additional year of free membership if you refer three additional people to HowsMyNanny.com. I have already received feedback on my children’s nanny after only a month and a half with the plates on my stroller & despite living in a small city in Western Canada . I am very relieved to know that the nanny I chose has received nothing but praise from people who have witnessed her interacting with my toddlers and I will definitely be referring more of my friends to this great service. -by Cara - dedicated TOP reader and guest reviewer

Win it! Jill is giving FIVE randomly selected winners a license plate and a one year membership to HowsMyNanny.com valued at $50 each. To enter, just leave a comment on this post before noon MST on July 28, 2008.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

When I was learning to breastfeed my first baby, I wasn’t all that shocked (well, maybe that’s a lie) at the cracking, scabbing and as-bad-as-labour searing pain that came with it for the first few weeks. I was, however, shocked that as an experienced exclusive breastfeeder the same thing happened when I began to nurse my second child. Granted, it didn’t last quite as long and it wasn’t quite as bad but holy bajeebus did it ever hurt. Without a lot of air drying, a little relief-pumping and some great natural products, there would have been a lot more screaming heard from my house.

You likely remember the recent headline news about the nipple cream for nursing moms that contained potentially harmful ingredients (chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol) that could cause respiratory distress or vomiting and diarrhea in infants. This product was taken off the market, thank goodness, and we’ve got a great alternative for you.

Nipple Nurture Butter and Nipple Nurture Cleansing Pads from Bella B Natural Bodycare are 100% edible and are perfectly safe for newborns and moms.

Nipple Nurture Butter ($9.99 for 2 oz.) is a great lanolin-free alternative to other breastfeeding creams. Many people are unaware that lanolin comes from sheep’s wool. Nipple Nurture Butter is an excellent alternative for those that prefer a plant-based product. It contains only the very best natural ingredients including cocoa, shea and mango butter. All of the ingredients are food-grade and free of parabens (which, in case you didn’t know, are controversial but widely used artificial preservatives that are rapidly absorbed, have estrogenic activity and have been found in breast tumours).

Nipple Nurture Cleansing Pads ($9.99 for 80 pads) are a clean, natural solution to cleaning nipples before and after breastfeeding (which I had never done prior to discovering these pads and still don’t do reguarly, but it’s lovely and would be especially awesome in times of thrush.) They not only clean tender nipples but provide excellent soothing and healing properties. Fortified with aloe vera, the cleaning solution is healing and refreshing to sore, cracked nipples.

Win it! One randomly selected winner will win one of each of these great products, together valued at $19.98. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before noon MST on July 25/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

Living in one of the windier regions of Canada, I find I need to have several blankets on hand because they’re always blowing off and landing in the dirt.

For that reason and many more, I am loving my new Blanket Clipz from 3 Kids Designs. A simple but sturdy ribbon with clips at each end, Blanket Clipz keep my baby’s blanket on the stroller, car seat, swing, bouncy chair and shopping cart.

We’re all about multi-functional around here, and Blanket Clipz don’t disappoint. In addition to keeping blankets in place, they’re also great for clipping keys to my diaper bag so they won’t fall to the black hole, making a bib from any napkin or cloth and clipping a blanket to my shoulder for nursing privacy.

I’m sure there are more uses - I just haven’t discovered them yet!

Win it! We’ve got a pink camo set of Blanket Clips with your name on it. Well, maybe. If you win. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post by noon MST on July 24/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

We’re ba-ack! Sorry for the extended delay but…have you ever been unplugged for ten days? Once you get used to it, it’s fan-freaking-tastic! It’s been a long time since I held my baby for so long sans-sling, played for so many uninterrupted hours on end or just sat and enjoyed the silence instead of checking email. I highly recommend it.

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TOP Contributing Writer Rashmi has been reviewing the fabulous vegan faux-suede Isabooties pre-walker shoes. Check out her review below and read on for a giveaway.

The main reason soft-soled Isabooties shoes caught my eye was because they describe themselves as *eco-friendly*. When a business, especially one which deals with children’s products, makes a statement of that kind, I was naturally very curious in checking them out. I’m glad I did! Hip and stylish Isabooties, besides being made in the USA with fair labor and using fabrics that are animal-free are, more importantly, formaldehyde-free. It’s a little known fact that formaldehyde is one of the most common shoe allergens! In my book, that’s a BIG plus.

The Anchors-Away pair I got to try out were cute, comfortable and nicely flexible on my little one’s feet while being easy for me to slip on and more importantly, difficult for my son to pull off. My son has worn his “e-butty” as he insists on calling them, inside and out and they’ve held up well on a hot sidewalk and even inside, on a tile floor where they’ve have demonstrated their skid-proof abilities. Among their numerous plus points, the Ultrasuede material of Isabooties is also fade-resistant. My son’s have been through two washes (one necessary, one just for test purposes) and so far I can’t see any change, shape, color and quality-wise. They look as good as they did when they first arrived in their recycled packaging.

They have choices galore on their website and I particularly liked their 60-day return policy. In other words, Isabooties are something I’ll have no hesitation recommending to Moms everywhere.

Use the code TOP for 15% off your Isabooties through August 31, 2008

Win it! We’re giving away TWO pairs of Isabooties in your choice of size and style. Two winners will be drawn at random from all qualifying comments. To enter, simply visit the Isabooties site to choose your fave and leave a comment on this post by noon MST on July 23/08 letting us know the style and size you’d want if you’re selected. That’s it!

AND…

The lovely ladies at Isabooties would love for you to subscribe to their newsletter. It’s our policy never to share your information unless you’re a winner so if you’d like to subscribe please leave your email address in the body of your comment so that Libby and Laura can add you to their list and keep you informed about new styles and sales. Of course, you’ll be able to safely unsubscribe at any time.

(And since we’ve been away from giveaways for a week, shall I remind you that lazy comments can’t win? Visit the site, choose a pair, leave a comment. It takes but a moment and it’s the least you can do!)

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

Back soon, people. I promise.

Hope you’re all well and happy and all that.

Want to spend money? Go here. Why would you ever pay full price?

Again with the promising…

Com back later!

Putumayo World Music has released Cafe Cubano as the latest in their cafe series.

I’m a huge fan of cafe music any time, but having spent time teaching fitness classes at a resort in Cuba surrounded by their music and dance-rich culture, I love the idea of Cuban tunes, cafe style. It’s the kind of music that gets your hips moving no matter how hard you try to stop them, but it’s totally unobtrusive enough to enjoy over a Cuban coffee in an outdoor lounge while still focusing on the conversation.

Order it here, and pour yourself a mojito to accompany your first listen. You’ll be glad you did.

This is a guest post by Lisa Friedman, owner of SomeoneSpoilMe.com and an expert in giving and getting fabulous gifts. If you haven’t browsed her site yet, trust me when I say you want to. You really, really want to. And you also want to email the link to your husband, mother in law and best friend. Now.

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Baby season is here!

Since summer months = baby months, we thought we would share some helpful advice on fabulous gifts to give the new mom. Yes, in addition to a gift for the baby, it’s also nice to give a gift to the new mom (and for Dads, this is not optional). Here are some of SomeoneSpoilMe.com’s top gifts for the new mom.

Charm Necklaces: Ease postpartum pain and help her look fashionable with the Helen Ficalora Charm Necklace. A perfect gift for the new mom is the “MOM” charm and the child’s initial. Now she will always have her child close to her heart (without the extra 30 pounds).

Brag Books: Mom’s may have different hair color, personality, and traits, but one thing they have in common is that they LOVE to brag. Why not give the new mom an easy way to brag with the Aimee J brag books. Pick a color and personalize this luxurious album.

Photo Stones: While she may have bought a ton of décor for the nursery, she probably did not have time to buy any for her room. A thoughtful and personalized gift is the Keepsake 8×8 photo stones. The toughest decision you will be faced with is deciding which photo to send in.

Momager Cards: Being a mom is a lot to juggle and a lot of responsibility. Help the new mom do it all with these adorable Momager cards. List her baby’s name, her cell and her email. Playdates and carpool arrangements will become so easy.

For more gift advice check out our friends at SomeoneSpoilMe.com.

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SomeoneSpoilMe.com is THE trusted source for giving and getting fabulous gifts. From timeless classics to the latest and greatest must-have items, Someone Spoil Me has expert recommendations sure to “WOW” even the toughest critic. (Your hard to please mother-in law included!) Since it is impossible to buy for friends without spoiling yourself, you can create your very own Wish List by adding items from the Spoil Me Gift Guide or any site on the web. Share your Wish Lists with friends, get the gifts you have been dying to have, and see what your friends want. Gift giving AND spoiling yourself has just become fun, fast and hassle-free!

Putumayo has joined in the 400th Anniversary celebration of one of the world’s most fascinating and beautiful cities with the new release Québec. Featuring an array of Québécois songs ranging from traditional folk to contemporary, this CD is a great way to expose your family to music that’s not very well known to people outside of the province. Designated as a World Heritage City, Québec City has a proud musical tradition that deserves to be shared.

Québec follows the Putumayo line of successful French-language albums including French Café, Paris, French Playground and French Caribbean.

Buy it or listen here.

Putumayo has recently released several additions to their great collection. They go around the world searching for the amazing sounds on their CD’s and have never failed us yet.

We’ll be presenting mini-features of a few of their new selections this week.

Eurogroove is the 11th release in the -groove series, following such titles as Arabic Groove, Asian Groove, Gypsy Groove and Latin Groove. The series has sold more than 1.5 million CD’s around the world and that many kids can’t be wrong.

Artists from Hungary, Germany, France, Spain and more are featured on this unique CD, playing a diverse selection of R&B, jazz, Latin and pop. It’s a great mix of Euro-tunes that my kids dig, and the appearance of Chumbawamba (of “Tubthumping” fame) singing “Jacob’s Ladder” had me sold.

Listen and buy it here.

Welcome to the week sans giveaways! (I know, that’s not exciting for you. For me, however, it means I don’t need to moderate 6000 comments when I have regular internet access again.)

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Want to see some cute vintage cartoons from around the world? Then visit Bunny Ears!

Bunny Ears is a new Web TV station for young children aged 3+ that brings you an assortment of vintage and contemporary cartoons from all around the world.

Each cartoon is fairly short, about 5 minutes each, and are filled with simple animation and adorable stories! While there isn’t a huge selection up yet, they are planning to bring hundreds of cartoons, that are hard to find elsewhere, right to your computer screen!

Run out of Toronto, Ontario by mom Judy Blumstock, Bunny Ears is advertising free and free to watch. She founded it for her own daughter and now it’s available for everyone’s children.

While you may recognize some characters, such as Chapi and Chapo, there are many others that you and your children will quickly fall in love with!

I can’t help but to love Chapi and Chapo the most, but a close runner up is sweet little Bedtime Bear! Perfect for helping your preschooler with his or her bedtime routine!

Hop on over to Bunny Ears, cuddle up with your preschooler, and settle in for a sweet and funny story! -Gina

New Orleans-based singer/songwriter Johnette Downing’s new album, Dixieland Jazz for Children, featuring Jimmy LaRocca and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band is, as far as I can tell, the very first Dixieland jazz CD for kids. If you’re a fan of Louisiana’s musical stylings, you and your kids will get a real kick out of this unique CD full of New Orleans inspired “can’t sit still” music.

Johnette Downing, dubbed “the Pied Piper for Louisiana music traditions,” has won 18 national awards for her recordings and children’s books. You can hear her passion for the art of Dixieland Jazz as she plays, and neither you or the children you spend your time with will be able to resist dancing.

Being that I have no idea what Dixieland dancing is supposed to look like, this is one time I’m very glad we don’t have a flip video camera.

Win it! We’ve got a Dixieland Jazz for Children up for grabs. To enter, just leave a comment on this post by noon MST on Sunday, July 6/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

Frances England’s newest release, Family Tree, is a welcome addition to the saturated genre of children’s tunes.

The folksy sound is reminiscent of a small town Lilith Fair, with a definite Sarah McLachlan influence and a few little voices interspersed throughout.

Our playgroup kidlets loved the simple lyrics that they could jam to even the first time it played through. I know my son would hop on the Fast Train to Grandma’s if he could, and we’ll certainly be doing our part to help our animal friends.

Since that wonderful morning that he spent dancing with his friends, my son has asked for “da new guitar cd” over and over again. Thankfully, Family Tree is enjoyable enough that I’m happy to oblige.

Win it! We’ve got a copy of Family Tree up for grabs, autographed and written to your child! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before noon MST on Saturday, July 5/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Do you get enough fiber? Do your kids? (A quick way to find out…look in the toilet. If your poop doesn’t float, you need more fiber.) How about calcium? Do you know for sure you’re not contributing to your own and possibly your children’s future osteoporosis?

The (US) National Fiber Council reports that 95 percent of people do not get the recommended daily amount of fiber. The same can be said for calcium, as the Journal of the American College of Nutrition states that 80 percent of Americans do not meet the recommended calcium intake either.

To help address the nutritional needs of adults and children, Snacktrition, a new line of great-tasting nut and dried fruit snacks with added calcium and fiber, are now available to provide you with a simple, nutrient-rich cure for the common snack.

Snacktrition offers a tasty way to get you on the right nutritional track for daily fiber and calcium intake. Depending on the Snacktrition item, you will get 12 percent of your recommended daily fiber needs and approximately 10 percent of your daily calcium needs. Compare that to the stash in your cupboard right now and you will find that they provide approximately two times more calcium and three times more fiber per serving. Snacktrition dried fruit and nut snacks are “Health Baked” through a proprietary oven roasting process that adds valuable nutrients such as fiber and calcium, and they come in five delicious varieties - Sea Salt Cashews with Fiber, Sea Salt Almonds with Calcium, Salt & Pepper Cashews with Fiber (Oh my God AMAZING), Smoked Almonds with Calcium, and Fruit & Nut Mix with Fiber and Calcium (which my 2 year old and my husband barely let me taste because it was so delicious.) Snacktrition snacks are available in 3oz Bags ($2.99 each) or 8.5oz Tubs ($6.99 each). I recommend the tubs because the bags, though a better option for a low calorie and portion controlled snack for parents, will be gone in seconds. Spring for the tubs, which are reusable and dishwasher/microwave safe.

I love finding healthy kid snacks that all of us can eat. I’ll be seeking out Snacktrition snackies regularly from now on. Obviously, if you have nut allergies in your family you’ll want to take a pass on this one.

Win it! We’re giving away an 8.5oz tub of Snacktrition smoked almonds with calcium. To enter, just leave a comment on this post before noon MST on Saturday, July 5, 2008.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

We’re taking the day off tomorrow to enjoy Canada Day with our families. In honour of Canada’s birthday we’re featuring a fantastic Canadian business from which you can acquire the wares of many others. Enjoy, and HAPPY CANADA DAY!

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You know when you read repeatedly of a shop but don’t take the time to click through and explore? Well, I did that and feel like a moron for not knowing about Apples n’ Oranges sooner.

Owned by Ottawa moms Lara and Vicky, Apples n’ Oranges carries only Canadian brands. I am ashamed to say that I had no idea we Canucks had such amazing style. The selection is fabulous. With 33 brands to choose from, and growing, there’s no need to pay customs fees anymore. My wallet thanks you, ladies!

Apples n’ Oranges is the exclusive online retailer for my newest love, Vancouver based Peekaboo Beans - a functional and fashionable line of playwear that’s perilously close to being too nice to be playwear.

Each piece meets a “no fuss dressing” mission and is easy for children to get on and off when potty training or learning to dress themselves. Every piece mixes, matches and layers with the others and they’re more versatile than any line I’ve seen before - pants become capris, tunics become tanks and skirts become dresses to lengthen their lifespan. They’re also reversible for the inevitable spills while on the go. Made with high quality materials and super comfortable fabrics, there’s extra strength and durability built into the construction and the pieces are pre-washed. The pants feature a wide, flat waistband for comfort and all pieces use flat, seamless stitching for itch free wearing. The shirts are A-shaped and are a longer length than standard to accommodate those adorable kid-bellies. Added safety features are included, such as reflective piping, chin guards, and ironed in personal identification labels.

Peekaboo Beans is everything you want in a kids clothing line - perfect for playdate, playground and playtime…but you’ll want to make time for an impromptu photo shoot before you leave the house. This stuff is just that nice.

Save 20% on your first purchase with the code firsttop.

Win it! Apples n’ Oranges is giving away a Peekaboo Beans top AND bottom of the winner’s choice. To enter, leave a comment on this post with your choice of outfit should you be the lucky winner. (Be specific. As always, you can’t win if you’re too lazy to click through to this awesome shop. It’s bad karma.) Contest closes at noon MST on July 5/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

I am such a blanket snob since having children. I will admit that I’ve given many brand new blankets gifted to us to the local charity simply because there are better ones out there and why should my child snuggle with anything but the best? (I know, I’m horrible.)

My daughter sleeps under one of the great quilted fleece blankets from Designs by Mimi and Lola that was personalized for her and it surpasses even my blanket snob standards.

Made by a mother and daughter team, the non-pilling double layer premium polar fleece is the plushest of plush and the crafts(wo)manship is second to none. You know when you pick up an item and you can’t help but moan a little? A Mimi and Lola blanket just might make you moan twice.

They’re available in three sizes - baby (27″ x 36″), toddler (38″ x 49″) and kids (51″ x 59″) and they range from a very reasonable $43-$98. They’re machine wash & dry and my daughter’s blanket has yet to show even the slightest sign of wear. To order, see their order page. Matching pillows are also available for just $20-$25.

Save 10% on your order simply by mentioning that you’re a reader of The Opinionated Parent!

Win it! We’ve got a baby size blanket up for grabs, personalized with your child’s name and valued at $48. To enter, leave a comment on this post with your choice of either the awesome pre-designed blankets in their collection or the three colours you’d choose from the palette at the bottom of the collection page. Contest closes at noon MST on July 4/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

With all of the toys and clothes out there posing as child-appropriate, [Bratz...ahem], it’s refreshing to find items that are really, truly childish.

If there’s one thing that’s really reserved just for little girls, it’s butt ruffles.

Parentrepreneur Amber Schaub created Rufflebutts to bring back the ruffled diaper cover of her own childhood. They’re fun, they’re frilly, and there’s no way you’d ever see a prostitute wearing one. (What does it say about our society that my criteria for appropriate children’s clothing has become so low?)

In addition to the most adorable diaper cover, Amber has designed an entire clothing line of 100% cotton tops, pants & dresses that are all priced under $50 and are all absolutely to-die-for cute. Just looking at the images of the Rufflebutts creations makes me smile. If you’re buying for my daughter, she’ll have this one because I just don’t think it gets any cuter.

Check out the Rufflebutts Spring 2008 slideshow here.

Win it! A bloomer in the size and colour of the winner’s choice is up for grabs. To enter, leave a comment on this post with the product colour & size you’d like to arrive in the mail if you’re the winner. Contest closes at noon MST on July 3/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

You’ve likely read in the news, a parenting mag or any number of other places over the last decade that family dinners are on the decrease and, conversely, that regular family dinners contribute to academic success, decrease the risk of our children becoming crack heads and keep families connected in ways that are very necessary. As crazy as they are, I love family dinners.

If you’ve ever sat at a table in silence and wondered how to get the conversation started, you’re not alone. You won’t have to hear “Nothing…Nowhere…Nobody…” from your child anymore with the addition of the new card game, Family Talk, to your dinner table. The concept behind Around the Table Games is simple brilliance. These games should not be necessary, but with the state of family dinners in our society today they really, really are. Available in three versions, Family Talk, Family Talk 2 and Grandparent Talk are inexpensive, portable cards games on carribiners (or available in cool jars) that encourage conversations between parents, children and relatives of all ages.

Around the Table Games aren’t just for dinner at your dining room table. “Our games are like taking the dinner time conversation with you, wherever you go,” explains Around the Table Games founder Beth Daniels, herself a working mom. “Because our games are made to be portable, the proverbial table discussions can now be held at the airport, during carpool, waiting in a long line or wherever people gather in the same place at the same time.” You can clip them to a backpack or purse and use them anywhere you might have a few minutes to chat.

Grandparent Talk would make a fantastic gift for your childrens’ grandparents, and it’s just as much a gift for your own childrens. Allowing them and encouraging them to really know their grandparents is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Connecting young people to their family and to their heritage is just one of the things that’s missing from many families today and I, for one, am going to do my damnedest to make sure that my family talks - really talks - and Around the Table Games will sure help!

Save 20% when you buy direct with the code TOPFMT

Win it! One TOP reader will win your choice of the three Around The Table Games! To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon MST on July 2/08 with your choice of the three versions of the game and either a suggested question for a future game or a tip for the rest of us to keep our families connected.

Get up to three additional entries into this contest! (Today you get the expanded version…just in case you need a refresher.)

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here. Leave a comment with the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate comment from your other entry).

AND/OR
2.

Enter your email address:

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Leave an additional comment to let us know that you did this for your extra entry. Be sure to leave a valid email address so we can confirm your subscription. Current subscriptions count too! Just let us know how you subscribe…Bloglines? Another reader? Email? They all work!

AND/OR

3. Place our button in your sidebar or add us to your blogroll. Leave an additional comment to let us know that you did this for your extra entry. Be sure to leave a valid url so we can confirm the addition. If we’ve been there all along, that counts too!

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Maximum four entries total per person.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED - Congratulations Jennifer!

Since having children I, like many parents, have drastically reduced my usage of chemicals of all kinds. For me, that includes sunscreen. I do use it on every family member but I prefer to limit the amount of skin it’s on whenever I can and bathe or shower it off as soon as possible once we’re out of the sun’s rays.

Unprotected exposure to the sun in the first 15 years of life more than doubles the chances of getting skin cancer as an adult. Thanks to some fantastic products we’ve been using from Protect-A-Bub, we’ve been able to protect our little people from the risks of sun exposure a lot more naturally this year.

My two year old is perpetually outside (screaming wildly in his “outside boice,” but that’s beside the point) and is often sporting his UPF 50+ swim suit and hat. At less than $30, the Protect-A-Bub suits are comfortable and breathable and have the highest rating available for sun protection products. Available in sizes from 5 months to 5T and in a wide variety of one and two colour designs, there’s something there for everyone. The coordinating hat isn’t just a fashion statement. It looks adorable with the suit and alone and protects the vulnerable skin of the scalp to the same high degree that the suit does.

One often neglected area of little (and big) bodies are the lips. Our usual facial sunscreen applications do nothing for our vulnerable lip skin and non-SPF lip-stuff simply absorbs the sun and makes the problem worse. Now that my son is sporting his SPF 15 Lip Moisturizer we are a little more lenient about the time spent playing with the sun. It comes in three flavours and is only $2.25.

In addition to our enthusiastic un-sun-kissed two year old we’ve also got an amazing little five month old who is never left behind on our outdoor adventures. Being too young to wear any sunscreen at all, she can usually be found under one of the Protect-A-Bub sunshades. We absolutely love the inexpensive compact shade, but rarely use it on our stroller. (Though when we have, it works great as an extension of the canopy that’s already there.) We use the convenient ties to attach it to her bouncy chair on our deck and in our back yard every day. The shade rests on the toy bar and the ties keep it taut - it’s perfect and allows her to join us outside even in the hottest hours of the day.

With the increased awareness of both skin cancer and chemical exposure on the part of (we hope) all parents nowadays, we’re sure that Protect-A-Bub will be a welcome and awesome resource for parents who, you know, want to leave the house this summer.

Win it! Protect-A-Bub is giving away a compact stroller sunshade just like the one we love so much. To enter, visit the Protect-A-Bub site and browse their great selection. Come back and leave a comment on this post mentioning a product you think would be useful in your life before noon MST on July 1/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED - Congrats Lori!

I reviewed Ira Marlowe’s first two CD’s last winter and am pleased to announce that he has released a new CD featuring 11 brand new songs.

Dream Time features the same Molly The Moose as his first CD’s but this time she travels to Mars and displays an aptitude for science never before seen in such a large land mammal. My two year old and his buddies love to dance to this CD and are often found doing the crab walk or acting like dogs along with “Don’t Let the Dog Dig.” My favourite? Soap Opera. It’s a musical hygiene lesson that got the kids washing like I never could.

When I first heard the title Dream Time, I envisioned a lullaby CD but I wasn’t even close. As with all of Ira’s CD’s your child’s imagination will soar as they listen, sing and dance along. Listen and check out the lyrics here.

Dream Time is available for $15 from the Brainy Tunes site.

Win it! We’ve got a copy of Dream Time for one reader. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before noon MST on June 30/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

I have one of those babies who is barefoot 90% of the time, both because I love seeing baby feet and because she kicks off anything I put on her feet within minutes.

Or, she did. Until I discovered Buskins™ shoes.

When I am silly enough to cover those gorgeous little toes of hers, her Buskins actually stay on!

Outfitted with a stay-put Velcro closure around the ankle, genuine leather soft-soled Buskins shoes hail from Australia where they are handcrafted. With the strategic placement of the Velcro closure, Buskins are easy to get on and they stay on comfortably without the common rough elastic around the ankles of many shoes that can chafe or be too tight on chubby little ankles. They’re available in six sizes from newborn to 24 months and they retail for $28. There are 40+ styles for both boys and girls, many of which I’d love to add to the collections of my shoe-addicted children. (Oh wait, that’s me isn’t it?)

Buskins President and CEO Winnie Liu (also the owner of Jazzy Toes) took over the company in 2007 and has focused on not only great styles and designs but also on the packaging, which is perfect for gift giving.

Win it! Buskins is giving away a pair of their great shoes to one randomly selected winner. To enter, simply visit the Buskins site to choose your fave and leave a comment on this post letting us know the style and size you’d want if you win. Contest closes at noon MST on Friday, June 27/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

I am often asked what inspired me to start The Opinionated Parent (mostly by people who don’t know what a blog is) and here’s the answer:

I am opinionated. Very, very opinionated. I always have been. When my firstborn arrived, I realized that I also had strong opinions about all of the “stuff” that comes along with parenthood. When I received the nursing pillow to end all nursing pillows (after having tried every one that’s available in local stores, so I do know what I’m talking about) I told everyone who would listen about how great it was. When I couldn’t find anyone else to listen, I started a blog.

And there you have it.

If you won’t listen, somebody else will. I will be heard.

(And I’m always right. Just ask my husband.)

My first ever post at the site now known as The Opinionated Parent was about The Baby Buddy Nursing Pillow. I encourage you to go back and read this post about just how fantastic it is and all of the reasons why I love it. Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, holding a baby, are pregnant (in my second pregnancy my Baby Buddy was a lifesaver and the only reason I was comfortable enough to sleep many nights!) or are simply cuddled up with a good book, I have no doubt that you will love The Baby Buddy too.

TOP readers always save 10% on their orders from TheBabyBuddy.ca with the code top10.

Win it! As the newest addition to our premium sponsors in the right sidebar and an exclusive “TOP Pick” of The Opinionated Parent, The Baby Buddy Nursing Pillow is giving away one of these great pillows with the flannel or cotton pillowcase of the winner’s choice! To enter, visit TheBabyBuddy.ca to choose your favourite pillowcase fabric. Then come back and leave a comment on this post letting us know which one you’d choose if you’re the lucky winner. Contest closes at noon MST on June 26/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

It seems there’s always something out there that is going to hurt the health of our babies. All the additives in foods, BPA in bottles, pesticides in our veggies, and even formula or sweet liquids will cause damage. Baby tooth decay is a common problem that can be prevented, but as a parent I understand how difficult it is to always follow “what’s best.” By that I mean that I don’t always brush my baby’s gums or my son’s teeth after eating or drinking. Why? Well, they don’t particularly like me coming at them with the tooth brush.

Tooth Tissues may very well be the best idea since sliced bread. They’re simply little disposable tissues that you can use to wipe your young one’s teeth or gums to keep them healthy! The simplicity of it makes it easy to carry in your diaper bag, in the vehicle, picnic basket, over night bag, or really anywhere! All you do is wrap the wipe around your finger and rub your baby’s gums or teeth, and if they’ve fallen asleep with a bottle or boob in their mouth it makes it way easier to soak up the left over liquid. Good luck trying to brush in babies’ mouths while they’re sleeping, but with Tooth Tissues there is hope!

Aside from the initial intention for Tooth Tissues, I’m pretty sure they’d be great for adults too! I don’t carry a toothbrush around with me so I can brush after meals while on the go, but I would carry Tooth Tissues. Just wipe and toss. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

Created by a couple that are dentists as well as parents, the priorities of both the medical world and the family world were addressed with the invention of Tooth Tissues. The tissues are 99% natural (check out their website to find out why they’re not 100%) and available in stores and online for a very reasonable price. What a great find. Buy yours online for just $6.99/pack or $4.00 for a dozen single packets.

Win it! We’re giving away a package of tooth tissues and a couple of single packets to one randomly selected reader. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before noon MST on June 25/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

My two and a bit year old son is an incredible risk taker. Since he learned to log roll repeatedly and quickly at the way-too-early age of four months, much of my time has been spent keeping him from harm. Harm that he is inexplicably attracted to. Now that he is feeling the urge to be more than arms-length from me, it’s becoming more important to teach him listening skills, boundaries and to start a healthy fear of danger.

The Safety Tots software gift pack ($32) from Tick-A-Too is a great help in our quest to teach him what’s safe and what’s not. It’s intended for children 3-8 but my son is old enough to enjoy it with a lot of guidance. He knows the meaning of the words “danger” and “safe” and that’s really all he needs to begin the learning process. In this program, the cute little SafetyTots invite your child to join them as they learn how to safely react to situations that they may encounter. With the help of their “guardian angel”, Betsy The Butterfly, will squeal with delight as they explore the 35 scenarios which are fun and completely non-threatening. The software addresses many safety issues such as drowning prevention, poison control, stranger awareness, firearms safety, drug and alcohol prevention and fire prevention. Though I don’t want my children to go through life afraid, I think a healthy dose of safety education and a guidance toward listening to their conscience can only be good.

The gift pack also comes with 30 colourful accompanying flash cards that are an ideal visual aid for this or any safety related program. Perfect for at home or in the classroom, they depict potentially challenging situations for the SafetyTots (as seen in the software but there’s no need to have used the game to use the cards.) On the back of each card are questions for the adult to ask to help stimulate further discussion about the issue addressed, and like the software there are a wide variety of safety topics covered.

Tick-A-Too is a mom-run shop that guarantees the lowest total price. (Wow!) If you find an item cheaper elsewhere, just let Molly know and she’ll match or beat the price. She also offers free shipping or cheap shipping, which is a huge bonus for me!

Win it! Tick-A-Too is giving away a Safety Tots gift pack including the software and cards to one reader. To enter, visit the Tick-A-Too site and then come back and leave a comment on this post indicating what other items you think are cool. Contest closes at noon MST on June 24/08.

Get up to three additional entries into this contest!

1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here. Leave a comment with the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate comment from your other entry).

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CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED (Congrats Melanie!)

I’ve got to be honest here - I had never heard of Locallectual until they bought one of T.O.P’s premier ad spaces over there. See it? The nice big highrise ad on the right? Yeah, that’s it. You’re going to want to click that.

How did I not know about this site? It’s such a fantastic idea!

A little bit about Locallectual from their site:

Are you a smart consumer? Think before you answer… the definition is changing! It used to be about buying the highest quality products at the lowest price, and many have mastered this skill. However, many savvy consumers now think about the social and ecological impact of their purchases; the cost of manufacturing on the environment as well as the social effects on the workers and community who produce consumer goods. These are all factors that many responsible consumers consider while making a purchase. Whether a person is buying fruit, a t-shirt, or a toy… how it was made and how it made its way to you are some things to consider. Sounds like a lot to think about, right? It is, but to make it all easier, now there is Locallectual.

The idea behind Locallectual is to offer a personalized shopping experience based on your preferences. Shop for what you want, made where you want. You can shop by category, country of origin, state of origin, or search for goods made within a designated mile radius of your zip code! This saves you, as a consumer, precious time while leaving you with the peace of mind of knowing exactly where your purchase was produced. This site also gives you information about the manner in which various products are made and by whom. Locallectual doesn’t stop there; other features allow you to:

* Contribute! Locallectual is a wiki-type site, so if you know of a producer in your area that is not listed, click on “Add Entry ” to add them to the database!

* Create a user profile allowing you to specify your purchase preferences - choose your geographic regions of interest, what items you are interested in, and receive recommendations based on what you choose.

* Network with other Locallectuals in your area or in an area you intend to visit, or network with those with similar interests and hobbies.

* Learn more about manufacturing practices as well as why its important to support your local producers.

* Learn where to buy and eat local no matter where you are with our soon-to-be-live “Local Lowdown” city pages.

* Be Green! Locate eco-friendly companies by searching within our “environmentally friendly” category.

* Benefit from the knowledge and experiences of other consumers through the ratings and reviews feature. And of course, share your knowledge and experiences in the same way.

Doesn’t that sound fabulous? The only problem I can find with Locallectual is that it doesn’t include Canada…yet. Let’s get on that!

Edited to add: Apparently I didn’t dig deeply enough. Here’s the link to search by country! (Thanks Karen!)

Life is defined by distinct moments pieced together to create a collage of memories. With my son’s first birthday rapidly approaching, my husband and I have reflected on how we want to commemorate the joy he has brought to us over the last year. Even before those closest to us arrive at the historic railroad car where we’ll celebrate, they’ll get a glimpse of how our little boy has developed over the last year thanks to Myra at Moon and Back Studios. She custom designed our son’s birthday invitations, and to say I’m impressed is an understatement. Her flair for the elegant and modern is prominent in her stylish designs.

From trendy to classic, hip to retro, you’ll find a motif to match your every mood at Moon and Back Studios. Myra’s attention to detail and style is evident every step of the way. We chose the “silly animals riding a birthday train” design for our son’s birthday invitations. They were printed on UV gloss card stock (which I highly suggest!). With this option your design is continued on the back and you have the freedom to include additional pictures. What made our son’s invitations so special was a personal note we included on the back highlighting our son’s first year. The finished product is truly a high-quality, artistic, professional piece that we will archive in our son’s scrapbook.

front

back

Of note, Myra’s custom photo enhancement process sets her apart from other design companies. She will digitally enhance, crop, and even change the color schematic on your photograph. The best part is that it is included in your package. Check out what she did with our son’s photo.

Prices vary and depend on your choice of paper for printing. You’ll receive a gift-boxed set of 25 announcements, invitations, or holiday cards for $45 - $57. Ordering is easy and usually takes about 2-3 days for a proof and 4-6 days to print and arrive in hand. How do you share your most memorable moments? Check out Moon and Back Studios for distinct, inspired creations! -Caryn

Win it! Myra is giving one lucky TOP reader a set of UV coated (premium) photo cards valued at $57. To enter, visit Moon and Back Studios to choose your favourite(s) and let us know what you’d order if you win. Closes June 23/08.

Additional entries available - up to four per person. See contest entry information and rules.

CONTEST CLOSED - WINNER EMAILED