Something about these his and hers monkey bento accessories just makes me all happy inside. They’re made for packing mayo in bento lunches. Maybe they’d be a cute way to pack up some peanut butter and jelly for lunchtime spreading, so the bread wouldn’t get all soggy? Probably not very practical, since I just looked and they’re smaller than one square inch. Favors for a monkey-themed birthday party? Okay, I guess I’ll have to start packing mayo in my lunches just so I can bust out these cute little monkeys. Here’s what they look like opened up:

$2.50 at JBOX.com

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My dad gave this book to us when my son was almost 2 years old. It had been a favorite of his when he was a little boy. I know. It’s very impressive how much my dad remembers from his childhood. I went to the same summer camp he did when he was a kid, and he remembers WAY more about it than I do. He also knows all the words to Bozo Under the Sea, and can recite the full monologue of his role as “The Other Wise Man” in the Christmas pageant. I think he was 12.

Anyway, from the first time I read this to my son, he focused his attention completely on the 2 year old boy in the book. I think it’s because he could relate to the boy and his everyday activities of playing with his toys and friends, buying new shoes, eating his dinner, having a bath and such.

Plus it’s fun reading about life in the 1940s. There’s many a morning we could have used a milkman at our house instead of realizing we’re out after the cereal’s been poured. And where can I buy one of those little metal divided dinner trays?

My daughter will be 2 next month, and I just got this book off the shelf and started reading it to her. She was equally entranced from the first time I read it. Now she asks me to read it ‘gain every time.

$10 at dustjacket.ca

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If you’re looking for an earth-friendly paper plate alternative for your picnics and BBQs, take a look at these biodegradable Potato Paks. They’re made in New Zealand from the starch that comes from the water during the potato washing and cutting process, before the spuds are turned into french fries. That dried starch is then molded and “cooked” into all sorts of plates, trays and bowls. The company says there’s very little waste involved, and the waste that is produced goes to the local pig farmer. I just love a company who helps out the local pig farmer! They also make wooden cutlery sets, to complete your plastic-free picnic.

$7.50 for 25 Plain Narrow Trays at potatoplates.com

$4.00 for package of 5 cutlery sets at potatoplates.com

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I’m thinking these Office Basics magazine holders would be a fairly inexpensive way to add a nice splash of color on top of my newish desk. And Pottery Barn’s Bridget Rug would add even more pop to the room. And look how great they’d complement each other. A sign I’m mean to bring them together, no? Although I guess I just did!

Magazine Holders $9 at See Jane Work

Bridget Rug $99 - $599 at Pottery Barn

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I wrote about making ice cream in a bag not too long ago, and now I’ve learned that you can also make homemade slushies in a bag. Ah, sweet cold lemon goodness. It’s an activity, science project and snack all in one. Just fill a big ziploc with ice and 3 tablespoons or so of rock salt, and fill a small ziploc bag with your drink of choice. Then zip the small bag in the big one and shake for about 4 or 5 minutes. You might want to grab a dishtowel or some mittens because that bag gets COLD. We tried orange juice and lemonade. The lemonade slushie was the big refreshing delicious winner. Yum.

via Ramblings of a Crazy Woman (via The Crafty Crow)

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If you’ve been looking for a purse to match your Crocs - and by match, I mean look exactly like — then I’d say these Lubber Totes fit the bill. The bottom of the purse is even shaped like a shoe. Just make sure you don’t accidentally walk out of the house with your foot in your purse and your keys in your shoe!

$16.99 at lubberus.com

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I’m a real tea set lover, so it’s been hard deciding which one to get my daughter for her second birthday. I think I’ve decided on this one from Green Toys. Like all the company’s toys, it’s made from recycled plastic milk jugs. It contains no BPA or phthalates and is safe to eat and drink from. I had the chance to check out Green Toys’ Cookware and Dining Set this week at the Childrens Museum that opened in Phoenix last month. Great texture and color. I still love the Tea For Me Too set (which is now on sale for $29.99 at Sur La Table), but I think for a two year old, this one is bound to last longer than one made of porcelain. Cheers!

$25 at Barnes & Noble (free shipping)

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If you want to bring a coastal feel into your home but don’t feel like sifting through a gajillion color chips, Sunset Magazine and Kelly Moore Paints put together this palette of 20 seaside colors.

More beachy decorating tips at Sunset.com

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My sister just sent me an article about a study that says most sunscreens we’re using to protect our kids just don’t work. And the worst offenders are Coppertone, Banana Boat and Neutrogena. The Banana Boat Tear Free I’ve been using on my kids for years received a 9 out of 10 on the Hazard scale. And we live in Phoenix. To quote the subject line of my sister’s email… “Yikes.”

Environmental Working Group tested almost 1,000 sunscreens and found that “4 out of 5 offered inadequate protection from the sun or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns”. So where is the fun in this find, you ask? Fortunately, EWG has compiled a list of “products that offer very good sun protection”.

I plan to get some California Baby SPF 30 sunscreen and a California Baby Sunblock Stick. I may even have to get one of those full body swim uniforms that I have always shunned because they seemed so extreme. “Let the kid get some Vitamin D,” I’d think. But since we live under the harsh Arizona sun and spend hours in the pool every day, I need to take better precautions with my kids’ precious skin.

I also recommend the Sunday Afternoon hats I wrote about a while back. And Janie and Jack is having a huge online sale, including some very cute girls sunhats like the one shown above. You know, so we can shield our kids from the sun in style.

Update: Be sure to check out this printable “Top 10 Sunscreens” list from Environmental Working Group

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My son is just about to graduate from his toddler bed to a honest to goodness big boy bed. So now I’m trying to decide what’s best. A bunk bed that would be fun when he’s older and has friends sleep over? A trundle bed to store the extra sleeping space away when it’s not needed? Or maybe a full size bed to offer to guests when they come to visit. I keep coming back to this Hayden Bunk Bed from JCPenney, my new favorite furniture source.   I like the flexibility of being able to either stack the beds, or put them side by side. I can already hear it. “No more jumping down from up there, or I’m going to dismantle the bed!” If you’ve found a big boy (or big girl) bed you love, please share!

$399 at JCPenney.com

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