GoodyBlog

Nick Tunes

Last week, I blogged about the new line of CDs from a series that turns hit songs into lullabies. Now Nickelodeon is getting in on the act. The popular kids' network just released Sleepytime Lullabies, which uses a full string ensemble to sooth your little Dora fan off to dreamland. The CD features instrumental versions of some songs made famous by the likes of The Beatles, The Mamas & the Papas, and James Taylor. Bonus: It also includes “One Magic Kiss,” an exclusive track recorded by Brandi Carlile.

Put Nighttime Battles to Rest

This cute, clever pillow set could be the perfect way to stop the "It's YOUR turn!" fights between you and your husband in the middle of the night (found via Ohdeedoh). Simply flip the pillows every night to remember who's "On Duty," and you won't have to argue about who gets the baby bottle or who has to check under the bed for monsters.

Cool Way to Create a Keepsake

Check out this awesome piece of personalized artwork from Sticks and Stones. Visit their site and choose from the library of letters to spell out a word or name and they'll mail you a matted and framed keepsake - a one of a kind gift for sure! (Fun Fact: All the photos were taken by the company's founders and their three young daughters when they started an ongoing project to find letters in nature and architecture.) So cool!

Planet-Friendly Diaper Bag

I don't have any need for a diaper bag right now, but this pretty minimalist one from Fleurville is making wish I did. And I don't love it just for its looks—it's also kind to the planet. That's because the fabric is actually made out of recycled plastic water bottles. This style prevents 10 of them from ending up in a landfill, where they take 1,000 years to break down (yikes). Recycling never looked so good!

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.

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 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!

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!