GoodyBlog

Good Deed Friday: Fight Hunger

Here's two ways you can fight hunger: First, tomorrow (Saturday May 10, 2008), the US Postal Service is sponsoring a Stamp Out Hunger food drive and it's ridiculously easy to participate. All you have to do is leave a bag of non-perishable food next to your mailbox, and your mailman will do all the heavy-lifting and transporting for you (found via YumSugar). Easy as canned pie! Second, pick up one of these really cool THIS SHIRT SAVED A LIFE tees and Tiny Revolutionary will donate $20.00 to Africa Aid, an organization that provides a nutritious daily lunch to 213 refugee children in the Buduburam Liberian Refugee Settlement in Ghana. The t-shirts come in baby, toddler, and adult sizes, so you can buy one for everyone in the family and fight hunger and spread awareness together.

Mother's Day Giveaways: Last Day to Enter

Today's your last day to enter our seriously amazing Mother's Day giveaways, so make sure you click here and leave a comment for the stuff you want (um, all of it right?) by 9 p.m. Goody Luck!

Spankin' New Headlines

When should you have babies? The widening gap between culture and biology. NPR

Some schools are implementing single-sex classes to help boys catch up. Boston Globe
 
Is your child addicted to video games? U.S. News & World Report

An Arkansas woman, Michelle Duggar, is pregnant with her 18th child! (She wrote an article for us back when she had only 14…) Yahoo! News

Facebook is making changes to protect its younger users. New York Times

Original photo via

Hiking Through the New York Subway System With an Alien

The June issue of Parents will be hitting the newsstands soon. And when you go and get a copy (you know want to), you'll see my wife and I, along with our pre-born child. (You'll also see an awful picture of our "office" before we started converting it into a nursery.)

When I told my family that we were going to be featured in Sally's editor's letter, they said that they wanted a copy. And then, they knew "someone" who needed a copy. And by the time they were done, I was given an order of approximately 25 copies. Well, the office copies are in, so it was time to deliver.

As it stands now, I use a hefty-sized backpack in order to get to and from work daily, which contains gym clothes, books, food containers, etc. I live in New Jersey, and mass transit is the only way to go. There was no way I was going to fit them in with everything else, and I didn't want to lug an additional two bags by hand.

Thankfully, I was given the perfect piece of equipment to test out: the Sherpani Rumba Superlight Baby Carrier. This was the perfect initial opportunity to try it out , as our daughter will be too small for a while to use it IRL.

More info about this awesome pack, along with my adventure underground can be found after the jump:

 

Friday Night Movies

This Week's Big-Screen Goody:

La, la, la...Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer, go! I wasn't a huge fan of the show growing up, but I still remember the theme song to this day because it was one of the few cartoons my older bully brother would let me watch. Truth be told, he was more into it than I ever was. Boys and their cars–I still don't get it. Now he has an 11-year-old son he can use as his excuse to see the new live-action version of Speed Racer (rated PG) out today. Personally, I still feel the theme song was the best part of the show. Come to think of it–lots of cartoons from the '80s and early '90s had really rocking openers. Special shout-out goes to ThunderCats. What was your favorite?

 

This Week's DVD Goody:

The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin: Mysteries of Hard to Find City

Avatar the Last Airbender: Book 3 Fire, Vol. 3

Barney: Hi! I'm Riff!

Doodlebops: Live in Concert 

Madeline: Next Stop, America

The Secret of the Sword
   
Speed Racer the Next Generation: The Beginning
 
Thomas & Friends: Mud Glorious Mud
   
Veggie Tales: Lessons from the Sock Drawer
            
           

TMI! Documentary of the Week
The Business of Being Born

 

The Put-Your-Kids-to-Bed-First Pick of the Week:
I'm Not There

 

Cute Throw Pillows for Kids

What do you get when modern kids décor meets function? A totally cool reversible throw pillow, that's what! These brand new designs from Boodalee could just be the answer to bedding boredom. Tired of the robot motif? Just flip the pillow over for a fresh look. Check out all of the styles here.

A Gold-Medal Lip Gloss

Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss has been my go-to gloss for over a year now. Let me count the reasons. First, I always get compliments when I wear it. This past weekend in fact, my friend asked if she could put some on when we were at another friend's bridal shower. Second, the gloss is infused with—get this—real gold. .2 percent of 24 carats to be exact. Those little gold flecks give lips a fullness and a certain...je ne sais quoi I just haven't found with other glosses. At $28 it's definitely a splurge, but trust me, the compliments that will ensue make it worth every penny. It's available in 13 shades. Golden Peony (#10) is my personal fave.

Mother's Day Is Sweet

On Mother's Day TCBY is giving away a free cup or cone of frozen yogurt to all moms, so make sure to stop by and get your free tasty treat to celebrate yet another great year of motherhood.

Shoe Fetish

Does it get any cuter than teeny tiny shoes? Here are a couple pairs that are sure to make all the other little piggies at the playground jealous.

These Stride Rite sandals are just so yummy...

and Vincent prewalker slip-ons are about as happy as it gets.

But that's not all...we've got an entire page dedicated to our fav summer kicks in our June issue- on stands soon!

Cute Kid Thursday!

My name is: Taylor
I'm: 17-months-old
I hail from: Wilmington, N.C.
I can usually be found: Showing people my belly button or drawing...everywhere
Beloved Toy: My Gloworm and Taggie
Favorite Book: Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton
Pastimes: Playing at the pool and bathtime
Pet Peeve: Cleaning my face after eating
Catch Phrase: "Haaaaay!"

Hey, got a cute kid? Please email us a pic and bio and your little Mr. or Ms. Adorable could be featured on Cute Kid Thursday!

A Little Bit Country

Last year, the Rockabye Baby CDs were making the rounds here at the GoodyBlog office. Some of us loved them, and some of us didn't know what to make of them. To refresh your memory, the series features rock songs from classic and popular bands (Metallica, No Doubt, the Stones) turned into soothing lullabies. I thought it was a good idea, especially for all the rock-loving parents who are easily offended by bad kids' music (and trust me–there's plenty of it out there). Well, now the producers have released another series that won't assault your ears. Hushabye Baby includes lullaby versions of country's biggest hits, ranging from Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line" to the Dixie Chicks' "Cowboy Take Me Away" to Carrie Underwood's "So Small." And the cool thing is you don't have to be a die-hard country music fan to enjoy the familiar melodies. Yee-haw! Shhh!

Pigging Out

It's time to retire that antiquated slot-in-the-back piggy bank—there's a new hog in town. And this one moves. And oinks too.

Check this out—when you place a coin in the Hungry Bank's mouth, it's detected by a built-in motion sensor. The precious piglet begins to chew and swallow your cash into it's savings belly. And of course, it oinks and snorts while munching away. Wanna see the pig in action? Click here. This would no doubt encourage your kids to save their coins away for a rainy day.

The Hungry Bank is available for sale here. Thanks to This Next for the link!

Dads Getting into the A-C-T-I-O-N!

I know it's our big Mother's Day celebration this week, but I just had to post these really cute Fatherhood Involvement ad campaigns that I saw on BB-Blog. Very adorable! Plus, such a great message:

A majority of Americans have identified the absence of the father from the home as the most significant family or social problem facing America—this campaign demonstrates the critical role fathers play in their children’s lives, and provides information on becoming a better dad.

I know modern day dads are already super involved and wonderful parents, but I guess it's always nice to see the spotlight on their very important role in kids' lives. Plus, dads doing cheerleading will always make me smile!

Organization Inspiration

I haven't done any spring cleaning yet (I always find something more fun to do instead...imagine that!). But I'm getting inspired thanks to Pottery Barn Teen, of all places. They've got some surprisingly sophisticated and pretty organization tools, like these sunburst canvas bins. I'm loving their dry-erase bins too. They'd be perfect for helping little kids learn to clean up: It'll be easier for them to figure out where their things belong if you draw a picture of whatever type of toy is stored inside.

Sweet Silhouettes for Mom

I'm a huge fan of old-fashioned silhouette prints and this custom pendant necklace by Whitney Pippen puts a charming spin on the classic. Just email Craftsbury Kids a profile photo of your child and they'll make you a one-of-a-kind keepsake this Mother's Day!

Set Your DVR For This!

While we're in Mother's Day celebration mode, we have to tell you about a great show that's airing this Sunday called America's Favorite Mom. NBC got thousands of nominations from kids, husbands, and friends and they were able to narrow it down to 15 semifinalists. You can vote each day this week on your favorite mom in each category. Then this Sunday they'll name one mom the winner of $250,000 and tons of amazing prizes, and four finalists will each get $25,000 plus prizes. (Wow, right?) Our own editor-in-chief, Sally, was one of the judges and she was so impressed with the truly remarkable moms they found. Each one of them deserved to win, so this is going to be a tough call for America. We'll definitely be watching to see who wins!

Keep That Mouth Guard Clean!

If your kid is playing soccer, lacrosse or any other spring sport that requires a mouth guard, make sure to keep that baby clean, since mouth guards can become breeding grounds for bacteria that can harm the gums, according to a recent study. That means no tossing it into an equipment bag—your little athlete should scrub it with a toothbrush, then rinse it off and store it in a case.

P.S. For great info about getting the most out of team sports, check out this piece in the latest issue of Parents.

photo via

Parents on TV: Revamp Your Makeup Bag

Our beauty editor Tracy was on Better.tv recently to share some tips on how to revamp your makeup bag. Lots of great tips for spring and summer, so check it out:

Be in Parents!

Have a baby on the way? We're looking for parents who are planning to celebrate their child's birth with a cultural or religious ritual. Whether it's a baptism or a Korean dohl, we'd love for you to share your experience and be featured in Parents. If you're interested, email us and let us know when your baby is due, where you live, and what birth ritual you'll be celebrating.

image via

GoodyGossip: A Baby for Beyonce?

This week the gossip blogs are on fire with talk that Beyonce's recent secret marriage to long-time boyfriend Jay-Z took place not only to celebrate their love, but also (ready for this?) so that their unborn child wouldn't be born out of wedlock. All eyes are on Beyonce, and some think they see the first signs of a pregnancy. (Either that or maybe she just really carbed out after she said her I do's?) We'll have to wait and see if there's any merit to this crush of baby whispers, but we're certainly intrigued.

Forbes recently named proud mommy, supermodel, and Project Runway co-host Heidi Klum the #2 highest-paid model in the world. The German-born mother of two three, and wife of singer Seal, reportedly pulled in $14 million last year with deals that included being the face of Jordache's new line of jeans. Still, that figure is less than half of the $35 million that Gisele, the highest-paid model in the world, earned last year. But, of course, Gisele isn't a working mom. We give Heidi extra props. [Pic via Jordache]

Reports have surfaced that teen mom Jamie Lynn Spears is having a girl, and is expected to give birth in late June. No word yet if there will be a wedding to boyfriend Casey Aldridge.

In other Spears news, big sis Britney seems to be getting her life back together under the watchful eye of her father, and reportedly Britney will spend Mother's Day with her two sons. Here's hoping that this is a big permanent step in the right direction for Brit Brit.

Last week we asked what you thought of the Miley Cyrus photos in Vanity Fair. 20% of you had no problem with the pictures, and another 26% didn't think the pictures were so bad, but still didn't want their kids to see them. 39% definitely didn't want their kids seeing the pictures, and hoped Miley would make better decisions in the future, while 15% thought the photos were totally trashy and said they might be having second thoughts about Miley Cyrus and her alter ego, Hannah Montana.

Plug of the Week: Home Improvment Made Easy

When Marni Jameson isn’t writing for Parents, she’s dishing out very practical and funny home-decorating advice in her syndicated column “At Home with Marni Jameson." Her new book, The House Always Wins, is about how you can create your dream home—but a real-world, budget-friendly dream home that actually works for a family, not a spartan, spotless showroom. And the book isn't all how-tos: Marni has two daughters, one of whom wants gorillas and elephants painted on her bedroom walls and a “furry phone,” so she’s also got great tips on finding a sane compromise when your kids make crazy decor requests. You can order a copy here or enter to win one by sending her your most horrific remodeling tale.

You didn't think we'd forget, did you? Mother's Day is like the GoodyBlog equivalent of the Superbowl! We have tons of amazing prizes for 38 lucky ladies. But not only will our readers score big, they'll also have a chance to give back: Each of the winners will also win the chance to nominate their favorite charity that benefits women and families. Then we'll pick one group* to get a $500 donation in the nominating winner's name! Nice, huh? Click on each image below to enter by midnight Friday. Happy Mother's Day!

         

         

       

*needs to be a 501(c)3 registered charity.

Mother's Day Giveaway: Win a Stationery Set

One lucky winner will score $265 worth of Paper & Ink Designs stationery from RedStamp.com. There are so many fresh, chic styles designs to pick from—none of that boring, old-fashioned stuff here! You'll get 72 personalized calling cards and 100 personalized correspondence cards. 

To enter to win, just post a comment on this post (click on "comments") by midnight ET on Friday May 9. We'll email the lucky winner on the following Monday.  Goody Luck!

Full rules here.

Mother's Day Giveaways: Win a $100 Blurb.com Gift Card

Blurb.com is the very coolest. You can take your blog, your photos, pretty much anything and turn it into a beautiful, coffe-table worthy book in a snap. It's perfect for finally doing something with all of those baby pics that are sitting on your computer, and a gorgeous Blurb book would be a fab belated Mother's Day (or early Father's Day) gift. (hint, hint.) FIVE lucky winners will each score a $100 gift certificate to make your own.

To enter to win, just post a comment on this post (click on "comments") by midnight ET on Friday May 9. We'll email the lucky winners on the following Monday. Goody Luck!

Full rules here.

 

Mother Day Giveaway: Charmed Jewelry by Cocoa Crayon

I love this prize for so many reasons...

   1. It's jewelry, and who doesn't love a little extra bling on Mother's Day?
   2. All of the charms are classic symbols of motherhood and childhood, all designed in a modern, yet vintage style.
   3. 25% of the proceeds from the sale of any Charmed by Cocoa Crayon products go to children's charities in the areas of health, wellness, and education.

Cocoa Crayon has generously offered up a $300 gift certificate to the winner—that'll get you a pretty souped up sterling silver charm necklace, or if you prefer the more delicate, then perhaps a single 14K gold charm on a chain is the way to go.

To enter to win, just post a comment on this post (click on "comments") by midnight ET on Friday May 9. We'll email the lucky winner on the following Monday. Goody Luck!

Full rules here.

PS...I gave the Jax charm to my sister for her birthday this year (we were jacks champs as kids), and you would have thought I'd given her a winning lottery ticket. She loved it!