Drool Baby Expo this Tuesday in Boston! Parent Talk discount too!

Here’s what you (and your friends) can look forward to next Tuesday night at the Drool Baby Expo:
· Meeting all of the biggest and best names in the baby industry
· Seeing the hottest baby products up close
· Taking advantage of many ONE NIGHT ONLY exclusive discounts and promotions
· Participating in a raffle with over $12,000 in prizes
· Noshing on yummy treats & mocktails provided by Magic Beans

Drool Baby Expo is being held on May 21 at the Westin Waterfront Hotel in Boston. Drool is an exclusive expo that lets you connect with all of the top baby brands and stock up on all of your baby needs in one place, with great deals and awesome freebies! At the event, you'll also get access to yummy refreshments, complimentary spa services and free entries to win over $10,000 in raffle prizes!

For any Parent Talk members who are interested in coming, you get $5 off of each ticket, by entering the promotional code ParentTalk5. More information, to purchase tickets, visit droolbabyexpo.com.

Here's a highlight of the 2012 Drool Baby Expo to give you and idea of what you will find at the event.

The Parent Talk Cookbook in action!

Written by Vidya Kagan, Cookbook Committee Chair 

What better way to sell the cookbook than to make some of the dishes and serve them to friends!  I recently hosted the PT Cookbook Committee for a potluck dinner.  Each of us made and brought different items, and the evening was “simply delicious!”  For starters, I made the Chipotle Dip and Chicken Salad Cups.  For dinner, we had Adam’s Favorite Salad (made by Lara) and the Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetable (made by me).  We ended the meal with MC’s famous Caramel Pecan Cookies.  What a treat!

These and other fabulous recipes are waiting for you, so please buy your copy of Simply Delicious:  The Parent Talk Cookbook today!

Get Kids Ready for Summer Camp (Giveaway!)

Written by Emily Roach

The weather is finally nice and our thoughts turn towards long summer days and family trips. The other exciting part of summer for many kids is camp! Your kids had lots of options to choose from at the 1st annual Parent Talk Summer Camp Fair, and it's almost time for them to enjoy a new adventure.  Here's a few ways to get ready for summer camp, plus we are partnering with Kiddo Tags to offer a $40 Gift Card to a lucky family to order labels for camp stuff.

Here are some of the things to plan to pack for day camp. Remember to start with a backpack the kids can manage themselves, but big enough to hold a swim towel if needed. 

image source

• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Hat
• Extra pair of clothes/underwear
• Antibacterial hand soap 
• Swimsuit/Swim Towel if needed
• Lunchbox (Here are some eco-friendly lunch box options.)

If you have big kids heading to sleep away camp, here are some additional items for your list.

• Clothing that is easy to coordinate
• Mini first aid kid
• Flashlight and batteries
• A little piece of home (photo, stuffed animal)
• Sneakers and water shoes

In order to ease the transition into camp for both big and little kids, it's helpful to talk through the schedule they will face at their camp. If there is a tour available for both parents and kids to attend, take advantage of it together. If swimming is involved, make sure they are not stressed in the water and have adequate skills to avoid poolside meltdowns. Even if you think they are prepared, be understanding when those meltdowns happen and you get a phone call. We went through that last year as my daughter wasn't used to having a male teacher. Kids can get funny about the strangest things so just be flexible, and help them get mentally prepared.

Getting your stuff labeled for camp is key. There's a lot of stuff floating around that often looks the same so having your kids name on it is handy for all those camp counselors.

If your kids have allergies, an labels and ID bracelets may be a lifesaver. Kiddo Tags offers both wristbands and labels for children with allergies or medical conditions. The design options are cute and you can get your child's input on customizing them. You can order yours now and get 20% off using the coupons code: awareness. (Expires June 30, 2013).

One lucky Parent Talk family will win a $40 Gift Card to Kiddo Tags to get their child ready for camp! Please enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Contest is open until May 22, 2013.

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About the Author
Emily Roach is the writer/owner of Random Recycling, a blog focused on healthy living for modern families. She lives in Needham with her husband, two children, and is expecting baby number three this summer. She loves to cook, garden and spend time at the beach.

Dislcosure: I was provided Kiddo Tags to help my kids get ready for camp this summer. The designs and color options are cute and the ordering process was very easy. All opinions shared here are my own. Parent Talk is not responsible for the fulfillment of this giveaway. 

Quick Trips with Little Ones Outside Boston

Written by Betsy Miller

Now that spring is here it’s time to begin exploring again.   What better way to enjoy the gorgeous weather and inspire joy than to take a little day or overnight trip?  Parent Talk members have mentioned New York City, Mystic, CT and Portland, ME as some of their favorites. These prove to be quick trips that promise amazing experiences to be had with a little planning and a few hours on the road.If your family is interested in an overnight stay, be sure to check out deals online like Groupon Getaways.  Many of the close-by packages include dinner and kids stay free.

New York City

Only a 3 hour drive or quick train ride away, some of the most exciting andfamily-friendly fun can be found in the Big Apple.Things to do and see include:

• Central Park: I'd highly recommend the CP Zoo and a night-time carriage ride.
• Staten Island Ferry – it’s free!
• Children’s Museum of Art in SoHo.
• Times Square: Toys R Us has an indoor Ferris wheel.  Also, if you are interested in seeing a show there is the TKS stand in Times Square (across from TRU) that sells cheap tickets the day of the show.  Be aware the Times Square can be very crowded, very loud and overwhelming to some children.
• Top of the Rock: Amazing views from the 70th floor of the
• Rockefeller Center, also home to NBC Studios.

Places to Eat:

• Serendipity: delicious frozen hot chocolate is always a hit with kids.
• Restaurant Row: tons of low-key, delicious Italian places on 9th Ave (my favorite is Becco on W. 46th between 8th and 9th)

Places to Stay:

• Le Parker Meridien on W. 56th. It was great, but it was a pull out sofa and not a full wall. It also had a free in-room breakfast, which was awesome and two entrees with one side fed all of us. Also has a great roof top pool and is walking distance to Times Square (thanks, Karin Dupuis for the suggestion!)
• Jumeirah Essex House on Central Park South.  Suites and very nice amenitites.  Perfect location right on Central Park and within walking distance of FAO and Times Square.
• Doubletree Suites and Marriot Courtyard also have suites.

Mystic, CT (thank you to Susan Orr and Jen Leonard-Schaffsteinfor the info!)

Mystic is a charming New England seaport town with activities both quietand exciting.

• Mystic Aquarium – one of the best aquariums in New England wit hands-on attractions like petting stingrays and beluga whales .
• Dinosaur Place – kid-sized amusement park includes trails to explore, a playground and splashpad.
• Near Mystic on the Connecticut College campus there is a really pretty arboretum- lots of walking in the woods and gardens... a great place to let the kids explore.

Places to Eat:

• Mystic Pizza (from the 80’s movie, of course!)
• Costello’s Clam Shack – about 10 minutes down the coast in the

Noank shipyard is this very casual place known for chowders and clam bakes.Be sure to visit the website for directions as it can be hard to find.Places to Stay:

• Hilton hotel with an indoor pool. It is very close to the aquarium.
• Foxwoods is close and has many dining and hotel options. Also has a spa for treating yourself after a long, action-packed day with the kids!

Portland, ME (info also provided by Susan)

Things to do:

• Willard Beach--very scenic, neighborhood-type beach in South Portland.  You can view the islands off the coast and a lighthouse. Within walking distance is a good bakery called Scratch for lunch or treats.
• Walking trails: there are something like 40 miles of walking trails in Portland. There is one called Back Cove.
• Boat rides and tours: take the boat to various islands off the mainland and explore-Peaks Island is the one with the most on it.

Places to Eat

• Lobster Shack at Two Lights--fried seafood and home baked desserts that you sit outside eating at picnic tables overlooking a lighthouse. And I think it is BYOB. (10 min from Portland in Cape Elizabeth)
• Flatbread pizza:  good kid-friendly restaurant.

Place to stay:

• Portland Harbor Hotel
• Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth is really nice. Suites are available which is good when traveling with small kids.

Where are some of your favorite places to take a trip with your little kids? Leave a note in the comment section below.

photo credit: Selbe B via photopin cc
photo credit: oefe via photopin cc

Get Your Kids Dirty! In the Garden of Course.

Written by Cheri Pugatch

It is so exciting that Spring is finally here!!   If you’re looking for something fun to do with your kids- it’s always fun to get them involved in gardening!!  My 3 ½ year old has been looking forward to starting our vegetable and flower gardens over the last few weeks.  She has been talking about how she remembers planting, watering, and getting vegetables from our garden last year.  This year her 1 ½ year old sister was just as excited to join in the fun.  The girls helped my husband plant the seeds in the seed trays which will later be planted in our gardens.  Both girls were able to help prep the dirt, sprinkle the seeds, cover the seeds back up, and water them.  The seeds are kept moist and they sit by a window which lets in a bunch of sunlight.  Once the seeds sprout the lid of the seed tray needs to be taken off.  In another couple weeks (once we are safe from any frosts) we will plant the mini plants that have grown from seeds outside in our gardens.

If you’re interested in getting your children involved in your family garden all you need to do is pop into your local garden store or a bigger store like Home Depot or Lowes to get your supplies to get started! 

 Supplies:

1.     Seeds: We have always had good luck with the following packets of seeds: cucumber, zucchini, basil, and jalapeno peppers.

2.     Seed Trays or Pots:  We have used empty trays in the past and added soil that we have bought.  We have also planted seeds in pots.  This year we bought the seed tray that you just add a little water to the soil pellet and this was really fun for the kids to see the soil rise up and much less messy than in the past.  All the options above have proven successful J

If you decide to start a family vegetable and/or flower garden I wish you lot of gardening fun with your little ones!  

Just 5 more days till the big SALE!

Mommies and Daddies, Grandmas and Grandpas, Aunts and Uncles: it’s the weekend we’ve all been waiting for!  The amazing biannual extravaganza, The Parent Talk Sale!  I moved to Needham almost four and a half years ago.  I was very pregnant with my first child and I was strolling down Rosemary Street one Saturday morning when I came across an amazing sight-  strollers, changing tables, cradles, baby swings…. I wandered in, checked out some of the price tags, and felt a decidedly excited kick inside my stomach!

As all parents know, the miracle of every stage of development is only matched by how quickly our children move out of that stage and onto the next.  As a mommy/friend once told me, “an exersaucer is absolutely necessary for a very short period of time.”  That being said, I feel the need to give a shout out to the whole concept of the Parent Talk Sale.  In Needham and the surrounding Boston suburbs, what feels like the young child capitol of the world at times, there seem to be equal numbers of people dying to clean out their garages and attics by finding homes for outgrown clothes and equipment and parents looking to stock up for all stages of early childhood and not break the bank in the process.  It’s nothing short of brilliant in its simplicity.

Now that I’ve given my two cents on the whole idea of the Parent Talk Sale, I have breaking news: I have had a sneak peek into the Parent Talk Sale storage pod!  I know, I know- it’s exciting.  And I’m going to give you a sneak peek too.  The pod boasts incredible finds for all stages of development.  There is an almost new glider in there, several copies of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” and some super cute maternity dresses.  There are changing tables, high chairs, boppys, and lots of adorable clothes.  Some of the outfits are new or barely used!  There is a mini-playground for toddlers with a small swing and slide.  There are Sesame Street toys, including a great Elmo guitar.  There are scooters, trucks, books, and puzzles.  There is a see-saw that would make an amazing addition to any home play area!  (I know- we have one and the kids use it all the time.) The donations will keep rolling in until Friday night, so there will be awesome finds that aren’t even on our radar yet.  If you are a parent, or a soon-to-be parent, and your child is growing at an unbelievable rate (that’s all of us!), this is the sale for you.  And- this is particularly juicy inside information for those of you new to the sale- if you volunteer, you get to shop a day early, and you get first dibs on all the amazing stuff. I know for a fact that the 1-3pm shift on Saturday still has some openings. So come to the Parent Talk Sale this Saturday, May 4^th!  As Fancy Nancy would say, you will be absolutely ecstatic that you did.

Written by Kara Veley

Why we volunteer for the Sale

Written by Kathy Fritz

There are so many reasons that I volunteer at the Parent Talk Sale. I get to shop early, have some time away from my kids, master the tagging gun, but my favorite part of volunteering is meeting people. 

Whether I’m tagging toys or clothes, I love settling down into the shift, finding out the other volunteers’ names, and going through “the list.” You know the one I mean: how many kids do you have? How old are they? Where do you live? What do you do for work outside of the home? How much sleep are you getting these days? What are you doing about the terrible 2s (or 3s or 4s)? I’m always pleasantly surprised at the number of “Me too!” moments these simple questions produce. After tagging for two hours, the five of us are all friends on Facebook, planning on finding that great Pinterest pin Shelley raved about, and excited to go home to try that parenting technique Monique said worked great for her.

Most volunteers are mothers, but not all. I love chatting with the dads who are there for the heavy lifting. They are so earnest (and probably a little proud) about using their muscles to help. In between moving things, Sean chats about Skylar’s recent funny phrase, and I find out Dave is married to Sophie, and she and I were in Great Beginnings at Isis together. I enjoy making connections with someone’s other half.

If you’ve volunteered for the Sale before, you already know the neat connections you can make with other volunteers. If you’ve never taken the plunge, sign up for a shift, and ready yourself for a lovely two hours away from your children when you get to shop early, but most importantly, when you’ll make some wonderful and maybe lifelong connections. I hope to see you Sale weekend!

Want to get involved? Here are some shifts still opening for Sale weekend:

Friday, May 3rd: 3 pm to 5 pm (2 available shifts)

Saturday, May 4th: 9 am to 11 am (7 available shifts)

11 am to 1 pm (5 available shifts)

12 pm to 2 pm (8 available shifts)

1 pm to 3:30 pm (10 available shifts)

If you would like to register for a 2-hour shift, please check out the Volunteer Sign-Up Genius.

We look forward to volunteering, shopping, and seeing you at the Sale on Saturday, May 4th. Thank you!