MumsTheWurdUnique finds for hip parents and cool kids

Have you noticed that we have another new Mum?  Jaymi, better known as FlipFlopMamma, has joined the awesomeness that is MumsTheWurd!  She is the bomb.  Welcome her!  Jaymi is another babywearing mamma of 3 cool kids that you’ll see from time to time on Mums.  

While we’re on the topic of babywearing, I have to tell you about the pouch from Rockin’ Baby Sling!  Well, first of all, they’re gorgeous!  Secondly, all the pouches and slings are named after songs, and really good songs, at that!  Check their huge selection of slings and pouches.  You are bound to find one that suits your style!  My issue with the pouch has always been that it seems to snug.  Not the Rockin’ Baby Pouch-these slings are generously sized.  My Medium/Large “I’ll Stop the World and Melt With You” fits me on the smallest setting for carrying Lennon, and on the biggest size for carrying Noel (it’s happened a couple times).  Like a sling, this pouch allows you to hold your baby in a variety of ways.  Find a way that is comfortable for both you, and your child, and start babywearing!  Want another reason to buy from these two Rockin’ Mamas?  They give 3% of their profits to Heifer International.

Do you enjoy babywearing, but find that it takes time away from doing certain things, like exercising (as if hauling around your baby isn’t exercise enough…)?  Well, the gals at Chicks-n-Chickens found a way to make it easy for you to get a little workout in while cuddling on your little bundle.  The Chicks Lullaby Exercises is a great way to get a little exercise for yourself, keep your baby close, and get them ready to nod off to dreamland.  I’ve done Lullaby Exercises with Lennon a few times, and it was pretty great.  It was a fun workout, without being too over the top.  I really enjoyed the sleep set, which was very relaxing, and did indeed put Lennon right to sleep!  Want to try it?  

Win it!

Enter here and tell us how you enjoy getting exercise with your kids! Winner will be selected randomly, and contacted via email. Contest ends October 26rd at 10pm (CST).

We are sad to announce that Fooey USA will be closing it’s virtual doors.  However, they are having a closeout sale that you won’t want to miss!  It’s all rad stuff, and it’s super cheap!  My mom got these shorts for Noel & Lennon (they won’t fit Noel next summer) for $8.99!  They are SOOOOO CUTE.  Fooey’s also got the best collection of shirts for kids and infants.  Some are as low as $3.99, people, but they won’t last!  Get over there, and say goodbye to one of the best stores out there.  Fooey, we are sorry to see you go!

On a sunnier note, Ashlee has come up with a new name for her store!  Nonny & Boo, formerly Nest Baby Sling, now offers even more great items, like wraps (that are the coolest EVER), hoodies, and plushies!  As usual, Ashlee’s wares are quite simply the coolest!  Pictured here, are Steph and Ivy in nonny & boo’s bamboo sling.  We have this sling, and Elliott and I share it.  We love it.  The fabric is light, but very strong, and it works well going out in the Texas heat.  We just heart the lady over at nonny & boo, and you will too.

If you’re on Twitter, you may already know Erin Ely.  Erin is a stay-at-home mom, teacher, and researcher, among other things, and she’s got a PASSION for organics.  That’s why she had dedicated herself to selling the some of the highest quality organic products on the market, Miessence.  Check out some of the ingredients: Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Avocado Oils…mmmm…doesn’t your skin already feel soft?  Miessence offers many different kinds of products.  For pregnant mums, there’s the Breast & Belly Balm, which is “completely safe to use during pregnancy, and beyond, to help your skin regain it’s suppleness.”  Their line of awesome baby products contains no perfumes, chemicals, essential oils, allergens, or nuts!  I received some Miessence Baby Cream Wash from Erin, and I must say, I love it!  It will last a long time, as you only need a small amount, and it’s made both of my boys’ skin sooooooo soft!  I also don’t have to worry about what I’m putting on their delicate skin-Miessence is completely safe for even the youngins’!

If you want your family to have products that are good for the soul, good for the environment, and good for you & your skin, visit Erin’s Miessence site and order some of the best organic products available!

Scholastic’s Storybook Treasures is a collection of DVDs that will make you feel slightly less guilty about using the TV for a babysitter. All kidding aside, these DVDs are the closest thing you’ll find to reading aloud. The narration is slow and steady and purposeful, which is very useful to try and coax kids into reading along if you happen to have the book that it is based upon. Luckily, the titles available in Scholastic’s Storybook Treasures series are all tried and true classics. In fact, the laid-back pacing of these adaptations reminds me of the old classroom filmstrips from my youth, the ones that required you to hang on every word until the beep told you to advance the frame. Such a difference from the frenetic style of today’s action-packed cartoons!

We recently received Make Way for Ducklings…and more delightful duck stories. Robert McCloskey’s sweet story of nesting ducks always makes me smile. And Jasper especially likes this DVD since “duck” is one of the words he can say understandably. Lucky for my little duck lover, this extra-long (76 minutes!) disc also features The Story of Ping, The Ugly Duckling, and Angus and the Ducks, as well as two stories that have non-duck birds in central roles.

If you have a dog lover, Harry the Dirty Dog…and more playful puppy stories may be more your style. There are six canine-centric tales on this 73 minute DVD. Roo loves the one about Harry trying to lose his new sweater from grandma.

The Storybook Treasures DVD I enjoyed most was Where the Wild Things Are…and 5 more stories. I have long been a Maurice Sendak fan and the title story is one of my all-time favorite childrens books. There is also an adaptation of In the Night Kitchen, and I am pleased to report that Mickey’s nethers are unretouched here. (I can’t believe that some libraries censor or remove this book for full frontal nudity… geez, it’s called a penis and half the world has ‘em, right?) The other fantastic thing about this collection is the inclusion of the Nutshell Library. I love reading these to Roo and Jasper, but I must admit that the Carole King versions pretty much blow me away. Duh. I vaguely remember these songs from my youth; they were part of the Really Rosie LP. I wish I still had that! 

WIN IT!

Where the Wild Things Are…and 5 more stories (four winners!)

Click HERE to enter and tell us which childhood literary classic you would like to see turned into a Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD. Contest ends Saturday, October 18th at 10 PM CST. Winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email. Good Luck!!

We now bring you the first in our new series of posts geared toward the Dads, brought to you by the spouses of The Mums.  Here’s one by The Father of the Year!

I have, for the most part, loathed shaving ever since I felt required to do it.  It just always seemed like a thankless & repetitive job.  There was nothing there that I could rally behind.  Add razor-burn to that, and I have looked like an unshaven slacker for my entire adult life. 

I have shaved every day for the last week.  I have looked forward to it.  I have even enjoyed it.  What?

Enter the Retro Razor and the world of wet shaving with a double-edged razor.  This is, most likely, how your grandfather shaved.  It is cheaper.  It is more earth-friendly.  It obliterates razor burn.  Interested?  I certainly was. 

Chadd Bennett, proprietor of Retro Razor, was kind enough to send me a starter kit to review, as well as answer a lot of questions:

• Will I cut myself to pieces? 
• Is it hard to find this stuff?
• How long does one blade last?
• Do I need special soap or shaving cream?
• Will this really help with razor-burn?

After a week of shaving with the Retro, I have some answers:

• The first few times I got a few nicks - nothing more than usual.  By the end of the week, I was only getting 1 nick at the most.  The trick is to not press down very much with the razor.  The blade is sharp - let it do it’s thing.
• It is easy to find stuff on the internet - check out the Retro Razor Store for razors and accoutrements.
• One blade seems to last for 3 shaves - you can get a 5 pack of blades for around $2.  Do the math - this is MUCH cheaper than buying those insanely expensive cartridge blades at the grocery store. 
• You can use regular shaving cream, but why not try something new?  There are a lot of soaps and creams out there that are a lot better for your face.  Why not have a little fun with this?
• The coup de grace?  No razor-burn.  Period. 

Added bonus - these blades are 100% recyclable, as opposed to cartridge blades.  Even the razor is recyclable, as it is only metal - no batteries, lights, plastic, etc. 

Check out this starter kit, with everything you need to get going. 

No sexism here - women use them too!  

I can’t believe that I read this book TEN years ago. Seems like a lifetime! I was only 22 when I first read Harry Potter. My husband actually recommended it to me. I was hooked! I don’t care if it makes me a dork. Harry Potter is COOL. And once again, I find myself a decade older, celebrating that Harry Potter is turning 10! If any of you out there are Potter geeks like me, you will be psyched about this contest!!! Yes, I said psyched.

WIN IT!

One (1) Grand Prize

• Complete Box Set Books #1 - #7
• Copy of the 10^th Anniversary Edition of ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’
• Collectible Harry Potter Gold Pin
• valued at $195

Four (4) Runners Up

• Copy of the 10^th Anniversary Edition of ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’
• Collectible Harry Potter Gold Pin
• Each copy valued at $30

Contest Starts today, 9/12, and will end on October 13th at 11:59 CST.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER, and tell us what your favorite Harry Potter book is.  Winners will be chosen randomly and notified via email.

This beautiful collectible edition has been produced in celebration of the 10th anniversary of HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE, in stores September 23rd.  It features the following:

• New Jacket artwork by Mary GrandPré
• Additional four-color frontispiece artwork from Mary GrandPré
• Two pages of special content from J.K. Rowling
• Full cloth case with gold stamping

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE

The wickedly funny debut novel from master storyteller J.K. Rowling tells the story of Harry Potter who, having endured 11 miserable years with his hideous aunt and uncle, is invited on his 11th birthday to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  There he learns of his distinguished wizard pedigree—and his frightening destiny.

Thanks to Big Honcho Media and Scholastic for hosting this great giveaway!  Go enter!

I’d like to thank my mom for guest posting!  She’s the recepient of this awesome, magnificant messenger bag.  I told her she was getting it before I got it in the mail.  When I saw it, I had an eeny, weeney ounce of regret, because this bag looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!  I’m going to ask her to take a picture of it, but I don’t think a picture will do it justice.  My mom is NOT a purse carrier, so I knew this would be great for her, and it’s been a HUGE hit, with her & her pals!  Snaptotes offers a classic collection, leather collection, and a mens collection.  If you feel like it, give a shoutout to Noel & Lennon’s grandmum (also known as Neena) in the comments!  

If you mention a child (or a grandchild) a pet or a vacation, people always ask, “Do you have any pictures?”  Show ‘em your Snaptote!

My handy messenger bag has a cushioning case for a laptop, pockets for pens and business cards, and a large flap that displays your favorite pictures.

Best of all, the reproduction quality of the photographs is beyond expectation.  The messenger bag I have is a higher end purchase, but they have so many choices on their website of more moderately-priced items – everything from wallets and dopp kits (so men can carry their treasured photos, too) to purses and pouches.   

My friends at work want one for themselves or friends.  They are so impressed with the quality of the pictures and the features of the bag as a practical carryall.   

Take a look for yourself.  Snaptotes have lots of choices that are sure to please even the pickiest person!

GET A 10 % DISCOUNT ON SNAPTOTES or at PICSTREET WITH THE COUPON CODE “mums08″!!!

This review has been brought to you by our resident Stay At Home Dad & Father of the Year, Elliott…Read more by Elliott at Father of the Year Award, on Tumblr, and see what he’s got going on at his eBay store, Umbrella Shoppe Collectibles.  He also Twitter’s here.

I was immediately interested in the Bill Harley: Yes to Running DVD, the day it arrived in our mailbox.  (A side note: our mailbox is usually very hot, as it is perpetually 300 degrees in Texas.)  Bill Harley, when he’s not being  a regular commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered,writing books or winning Grammy awards, tours the country telling funny stores and singing funny songs to kids and their parents.  He has a natural wit that is the backbone of his songs and stories.  He also has that gift for being instantly appealing to children and their parents.  This is not The Wiggles. 

Yes To Running! is Harley’s first live DVD.  This should not be his last, if there is any justice in the world.  It appeals on different levels.  My son, who is 2, loved the guitar playing and the music.  He didn’t have a clue when it came to the stories, but older kids will get the stories and jokes.  Parents will enjoy the pop culture references and nostalgia about music from their era.  They will also appreciate the fact that Harley does not dumb down his language for the kids.  He gives them the benefit of the doubt, and it just comes off with warmth and sincerity.

The set includes:

I Like to Sing
Grownups are Strange
Mom and the Radio
The Great Sled Race
Mrs. Ammons and the Boys’ Room
Is Not Is Too
The Ballad of Dirty Joe
The Teachers’ Lounge
You’re in Trouble
Echo

WIN IT!

We have TWO of these DVDs to give away to TWO LUCKY WINNERS!

Email us to enter: mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with the subject line: Bill Harley & tell us your favorite children’s singer/storyteller.  Contest ends Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 10 PM CST. Winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email. Good Luck!!

No, we’re not having babies, right now, anyway…but we have added two rockin’ women to our little MumsTheWurd! family. These ladies share our passion for bringing you the best for children & parents. Be sure to give them a warm welcome!

Naomi grew up in Hawaii and lived in Texas, Washington and Tennessee before landing smack dab in the middle of Wichita, Kansas where she resides with her artist husband Bob. She is a stay-at-home mom to Roo and Jasper and six cats. She collects bakelite jewelry, mid century modern furniture and thrift store paintings (big eyes and oriental ladies), among other things. Typography and baking rank high on her list of cool. She put out the first Spoon 45 on her record label, Fluffer, and was once featured in Kutie magazine, but that was a million years ago. She blogs about covetable stuff at superdumb supervillain and is waiting for her kids to start a band.

Lisa is originally from San Antonio but now lives in Austin with her husband, Joe, their new twin daughters, Franny and Zooey and of course their furry children, Penny and Basil. She works full-time as a high school Athletic Trainer and when not playing with the girls she is usually glued to her iPhone and laptop.

Naomi & Lisa, we are SO HAPPY to have you. Welcome!!!

There are really so many “community” based sites out there geared toward women that it becomes hard to pick and choose one that could really be considered a favorite.

I have been lurking around Capessa.com and I think…I have found my favorite. I’m not looking to score brownie points here, believe me (and yes, there is a contest going on right now if you blog about Capessa). I have been out here, online, voicing my thoughts, opinions and embarrassing moments for a few years now. I have joined community sites and attempted to participate but quite honestly, I never became “hooked”. There was never anything there that really lured me back in. I knew what I was looking for. I was looking for real people, fresh content and something that would put a smile on my face.

I have browsed through all of the different sections on Capessa.com. In my opinion, the site is laid out quite nicely. It’s manageable and not too clustered. It has just enough bait to keep me coming back. What really piqued my interest is Capessa’s video content. Seeing and hearing real women talking about everyday average stuff. The “seeing” and “hearing” parts are really what did it for me.

A team of Capessa editors travel around the country, conducting interviews with the average Jane at parks, stores, homes, etc. There is content for all women out there and I like that. I’m really into parenting but hey, sometimes I like to hear others options on sex and relationships too. Maybe I’d even like to comment on these opinions. Capessa is like snippets of reality t.v., on the internet.

You have the ability to register at Capessa.com and use the site like you would any other social networking community site; by starting a blog, uploading pictures, adding favorites, making friends, etc. I merely enjoy reading the articles, like Alison Drury’s 10 Pound Challenge and watching video clips like adorable engagement stories (ie: If you have just over nine minutes to spare - are you laughing at me?) watch the second one down on THIS page. It had me smiling from ear-to-ear and made me want to hit my husband for not proposing to me in a cute, creative way.

So, I hope when you have a spare moment (are you laughing at me again?) that you will check out Capessa.com. Hopefully you will feel inspired to express yourself like I do after you spend some time there.