Learning the alphabet…what a fun stage that our kids go through (no, really…no sarcasm this time!).  These vintage alphabet flash cards from Cavallini make it even more fun.  Printed on 5×7″ heavy cardstock, they even come in their own vintage tin for storage.  Perfect!

$22.99 at Amazon

Kids are creative by nature and we’ve found a fun way to indulge and encourage that creativity.  Let them build their own drinking straws!  Each kit contains 24 non-toxic and dishwasher-safe straw pieces along with 20 flexible connectors.  Let your kids amaze you (just don’t let them catch you playing with them!).

$12.99 at Perpetual Kid

The universal parental goal:  a sleeping baby.  And thanks to the creative folks over at Cloud-b, a sleeping baby (and ergo, a sleeping parent) is now easier than ever to achieve.  If you have a baby and haven’t discovered the Sleep Sheep, you’re missing out on some serious zzzzzzzzzs.  The Sleep Sheep attaches to the crib bars, keeping your little one safe, and plays four different soft sounds from nature that lull a baby to sleep much faster than the tinny lullaby noise music produced by most mobiles and cribs.  The built-in timer plays the soothing sounds for 23 minutes before turning itself off and saving you batteries.  Parent tested product here, folks.  Great baby shower gift, as well.  Cloud-b also makes a great travel version for kidlets on-the-go.  Consider a Sleep Sheep an investment in YOUR sleep.

$23.00 at Amazon

Every baby needs to be swaddled, and doing so with a blanket or sack made of bamboo makes a lot of sense. Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, plus it regulates body temperature, so it wicks moisture away from the body. It’s also non-irritating which is perfect for a delicate new baby, and is a natural UV protectant. A great eco-friendly and sustainable material, it’s practical because it’s fully machine washable. And if you’ve never felt bamboo fabric, you will definitely be surprised by it’s softness. Beba Bean’s Organic Bamboo Jersey Baby Swaddling Blanket is an oversized, triangle-shaped blanket made of 100% organically-grown bamboo fiber. Swaddling instructions are sewn right into the blanket for easy reference, which I love.
($29.99 at Amazon.com)

Kiddopotamus makes their highly popular SwaddleMe blanket in a bamboo variety, too. This incorporates all the benefits of bamboo with their SwaddleMe design, which includes wings that provides a custom fit. This has been a popular product because the SwaddleMe, according to the manufacturer, “soothes infants and reduces symptoms of colic byrecreating the familiar, soothing snugness of the womb. It also reduces the incidence of the startle reflex, allowing babies to sleep for longer periods of time.” Plus it’s a timesaver, and helpful if you can’t wrap up your baby like a burrito in a traditional blanket - (it’s harder than you might think!). An excellent choice if you’re in the market for a baby shower or new baby gift - believe me, it will get a lot of use!
($14.99 at Amazon.com)

School is out for the summer and the kidlets are free to roam….and wear on your last nerve as they quickly become bored with their new-found freedom. So if you’re looking for cool projects to keep your kids occupied, here’s a great one. The Sunprint kit was designed by professors at UC-Berkeley and is a great way to generate your kidlet’s interest in science. Easy to use and offered at a price that won’t break the bank (just $7.50!)…now that’s my kind of project! Check it out at Kid O.