How to Get Brighter Whites

This post was sponsored by the Maker of OxiClean™ through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about their White Revive™ Laundry Stain Remover, all opinions are my own.

Last Monday, my two-year-old was happily eating a hot dog for dinner. He rushed over to me in excitement to relay his grand achievement of finishing the entire thing (which is a pretty big deal when you’re that little). Before I had time to wipe his hands and face, his tiny arms wrapped around my legs, which just so happened to be clothed in white jeans, and squeezed his ketchup-smeared cheeks and hands on my knees.

I know what you’re thinking. Oh, the horror of having your denim ruined! Why on earth are you wearing white as a mother of small children?!

Well, guess what? I used to be one of those people who thought white clothing and motherhood did not mix. That is until I started using OxiClean™ White Revive™ Stain Remover.

You may have read about my love for their Versatile Stain Remover to get crazy stains out of my toddler boys’ clothes, and I am happy to report their OxiClean™ White Revive™ Stain Remover is a miracle worker on whites. Truly. Not only did it get the ketchup out of my white denim, it gets rid of all the cooking and baking stains I collect from being in the kitchen 70% of the day, AND it revives the sad-looking, dingy whites.

Here’s all you have to do to remove stains and get brighter whites:

1. Mix ½ to 1 scoop of OxiClean™ per gallon of the warmest water recommended by the garment care label.Mix until completely dissolved. Submerge stained or dingy whites in solution.Use ½ scoop for typical stains or 1 scoop for dingy whites and extra tough jobs.

2. Soak for 1-6 hours. More soak time may be required depending on severity of stain or dingy whites. For best results soak for 6 hours.

3. Wash as normal with detergent and OxiClean™.

See how easy that is? It doesn’t have that gross chemical smell of chlorine bleach, and it’s also safe on colors. (I like to use it on colored tees that have murky white stripes­--brightens right up!)

I honestly recommend this product. I’ve been using OxiClean™ products for years, and love each new item I test. Keeps clothes fresh and new-looking. Happy laundering!

10 Valentine's Day Treats To Make With Your Kids

I'm 90% sure my favorite holiday after Christmas and Thanksgiving is Valentine's Day. And not for the commercial aspect where it is another lame excuse to spend money and buy cheesy gifts like those horribly awesome stuffed bears that sing Elvis Presley songs. And I definitely don't think we need a specific day to tell others we love them—we should do that every day!

BUT. I do love it for the colors, and fun activities for little kids. Pink and red is a color combination that makes me happy. And who doesn't like to splatter hearts on every surface? Okay, a lot of people, but this lady lives for it.

You know what else is awesome about Valentine's Day? The treats! Now, if you don't agree that it is the best holiday for baked goods, you are definitely off your rocker. Nothing is cuter than heart-shaped cookies. NOTHING.

Naturally, I wrote a blog post roundup of 10 Valentine's Day treats you can actually make with your kids. No overly complicated recipes and instructions in sight. And they are all guaranteed to be delicious. Check out the post here!

Also, add my food blog, The Butter Half, to your reading list for more Valentine's Day goodies ideas this month. I have a heart pie I am posting later today. It's adorable and I think you all should make one.

Bon appétit, mes amours!

Image from my Swig sugar cookie recipe on the Butter Half

How Do You Talk To Your Kids?

On Monday I took the boys to a new park as a reward for bravely enduring their annual flu shots. Such an ordeal deserves a prize as grandiose as a shiny new-to-us park, after all.

There we were. Or should I say there they were, zipping down the slides and flinging their army men off the edge of those death trap fire poles. (WHY do they put those in parks for toddlers and young children? Seriously. And would you consider yourself a "park mom"? I don't. I consider myself a "sit-on-the-benches-and-don't-bother-me-unless-you-are-bleeding-because-I-am-reading-a-great-book mom". It's called sanity, people.) I began hearing mom voices with their high-pitched vowels creeping up over the edge of the pages and weaseling their way into my ears.

"Sweetie, we have to wait our turn. No, no, noooo we don't push other people in line."

"Do you want to go on the swings with brother?!

"You turn around and go tell that little boy sorry. You gave him an owie."

"Would that make you happy if mommy played trucks with you?"

"YAAYYYY! Good job!"

"Ooopsy! It's okay. Ohhhh, it's okkaaaaayyy. Mommy's got youuuu."

Disclaimer: I am not making fun of moms. Okay, yes, I am making fun of moms. BUT! That includes myself. I guarantee I have uttered each of these statements approximately 3,462 times in my short career as a mother. Really, if anyone deserves a trophy in the world of mom voice, it's me! Gold medal, numero uno! Look at my kid in the picture above giving himself the face palm because of my mom voice!

Moving on.

I started silently laughing to myself, because a few weeks earlier I had just watched The BreakWomb video about what it would look like if moms talked to their friends the way they talk to their kids. It had never occurred to me how much we practically morph into another person when talking to kids. Specifically our own.

And it started me thinking. And observing.

Do I talk to my kids like that? Yes, we have already established that concept.

Do ALL moms talk to their kids like that? Are you THAT mom?

(Side story! I just was Googling why moms use baby talk and the science behind it, but look at which suggestions popped up based on popular search. Things like this give me both a sense of incredulity and faith in humanity. I'll tell you why moms hate Caillou. He's a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner of that magnitude. And he's too old to be doing the baby talk thing... wait a minute. I bet you Caillou's mom does the mom voice when nobody is looking! And moms kiss their babies because they smell like pink slices of cake from heaven. I would also like to point out that moms don't hate their sons, they just hate the decisions they are making. The rest of these make me sad and I don't want to talk about them. Moving on AGAIN...)

Alright, as you were, as you were. Apparently science tells us that the term I have so scholarly dubbed "mom voice" is more widely known as "motherese" or "parentese" and it is used for bonding and language development. Mothers naturally tend to do this so they can teach their kids how to connect on a more intimate level.

Now that we have learned it is a maternal instinct to "motherese" the cheeks right off our kids' faces, at what age do we stop? Do you find yourself speaking more directly to your kids and conversing with them in a normal, adult manner from an early age? Six months? One? Five? Personally, my own mom has never been one for the baby talk, and always spoke directly with us and still does with anyone age one and up—er, possibly even four months and up, but who's counting? I appreciate that and try to remind myself to tone it down with the, "Ohhhhh, my little bayyybeee!" Especially since Wes just turned two.

In turn, I have found myself paying more attention to how mothers speak with their children as well. It's incredibly fascinating, don't you think? On a scale of 1-10, how guilty are you of the mom voice?

Teaching Kids Life Skills

Ever since Luke was old enough to push a chair to the kitchen counter, he has been helping me in the kitchen—two years as my sous chef and apprentice baker! We started with the basics of letting him clank and pound the mixing cups and spoons. His next promotion was to the enviable position of cake batter mixer (even though he was extraordinarily messy and would only power through a couple of stirs before getting distracted.)

He is now fairly skilled in the kitchen and has climbed the ranks to egg cracker, master mixer, and assembly line manager. He gets paid in baked goods and his benefits package includes an annual library membership and 20 hours of Netflix vacation per month. (If you are interested in a position, please inquire within.)

This weekend his job was preparing our Pillsbury™ Grands! Cinnamon Rolls. Luke unrolled the package, took a spoon to the can and made it pop like a champ. (That's always the best part of making Pillsbury goods... POP! He thought it was hilarious.) Since he came dressed as a puppy, I gave him a pay raise of one extra spoonful of icing. (This kid is living large!) We also made bacon and eggs, and threw in some grapes on the side to make it a grand weekend brunch! And grand it certainly was!

I really do love Luke's curiosity and willingness to help. Even though it makes more of a mess and takes double the time, these are the moments where I am not only bonding with him, but teaching him life skills. He is learning the basics of measuring, working on his counting and numbers when setting the timer, and finessing those fine motor skills by opening containers or drizzling on the icing.

I like to envision him in the future as the kid in his freshman dorm who knows how to make a mean apple pie, or that he will sweep his future wife off her feet by preparing Julia Child's beef bourguignon—it will be our own version of The Princess and the Pea to see if she can appreciate the beauty of his cooking skills, but we will call it The Princess and the Beef instead.

Most importantly, I hope someday (when he is a famous chef at a Michelin star restaurant) he looks fondly on memories of cooking and baking with me in the kitchen, knowing it was the place where his love and knowledge of food was instilled. I know it sure is making my days and memories more sweet.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by General Mills through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Pillsbury™ Grands! Cinnamon Rolls, all opinions are my own.

Cute And Colorful Summer Outfit Ideas For Little Boys

Three years ago when we found out we were having our first boy, some of the initial fears and concerns that played through my mind were, Boy clothes are ugly! What in the crap do I dress him in?! There are, like, only three things boys can wear. 

I am kind of rolling my eyes as I write this, but it was true. I am a girl, therefore I was only familiar with girl clothing and fashion. (Give me all the pink, ruffles and florals!) And I honestly think that is part of the million reasons it is fun being a mother to little ladies. Although, I can give you a billion reasons why being a mom to boys is even better ;)

Anyway, it turns out that boy clothes aren't just dinosaurs, trucks and cars. Imagine that! There are plenty of adorable places to shop for man child clothes. (See this hilarious meme—I'm sorry, but I started crying from laughing so hard when I saw it for the first time. I also just spent the last 10 minutes searching for it. You're welcome).

My favorite places to shop for Luke and Wesley's clothes are Gap, H&M, Old Navy, Target and Zara. They are actually the only places I shop and I hit the jackpot every time without breaking the bank.

These three cute and colorful summer outfits for a little boy above are all from Zara. They are high-quality and survive the beatings boy clothes go through—and they make great hand-me-downs, which we believe in. Now that I have two boys, I have realized the little fellas really don't need that many clothes either. Really. Boys are simple, and boys are messy, and it's easier to dress them if there aren't too many options to choose from.

Here are the basics of what you need for a little boy summer wardrobe:

• A few tee shirts. It's good to have some printed and graphic ones, as well as a couple of plain basics.
• A couple pairs of shorts. Again, one solid and one with a fun print, or overalls.
• Basic pair of pants or denim. Gray denim pants are my favorite. They go with everything.
• A light sweatshirt or jacket. I've found that picking a vibrant color can actually pair well with most things.
• A pair of sandals, a pair of sneakers (red is also a color that looks awesome with most things), and a pair of docksiders for dressier occasions.

And there you have it! Maybe get them a cute baseball cap or some shades to accessorize and you have a stylish little dude on your hands.

Giraffe Tee | Overalls | Sandals

Sweatshirt | Shorts | Docksiders

Happy Boy Tee | Gray Denim | Sneakers

5 Important Sun Safety Tips For Little Ones

We live near the beach in Southern California, meaning we spend A LOT of time outside and at the beach. Meaning we use A LOT of sunscreen and take every precaution to keep our skin protected. Come to think of it, we've always lived in the sun since having babies. That's definitely over 10,000 hours of soaking up those vitamin-filled rays, which technically makes me a professional. ;)


But seriously, we have our set rules for sun safety and I want to share them with you! I remember freaking out and being completely overwhelmed about sun exposure when Luke was first born and these are my tips if you are clueless (or need a reminder) like I once was.

1. Always use a long sleeve swim shirt or full cover suit and hat on your infant until they are at least 12 months. I would even say do this until they are two years old, but that can get tricky. Wes refuses to keep a hat on, and he has figured out how to pull off the ones with the strap under the chin. If you are spending a full day at the pool or beach, I would even recommend keeping a full coverage swim shirt or suit on toddlers and little ones up to four years. Wes is one and a half and always wears one, and Luke is three and usually wears a rash guard at the beach, especially when we are there at peak hours between 11 am-2pm.



2. Apply sunscreen to your little ones every morning during the sunny months. (Or year round if you live in a warm climate like we do.) It is best to simply work it into your morning routine so it becomes a habit. I always apply an additional coat right before we leave for the pool or the beach so it has time to settle in, and we don't get sand and gunk all over the cap. (That is the worst!) I personally recommend using a heavy sunscreen cream for little ones. It should be SPF 50+ and reapplied every few hours. (I don't like the sprays—makes me feel like I am breathing in toxic air!) We have recently been using the sunscreen from Mustela, which you can get on Diapers.com. It is 100% mineral based, so it is made from natural ingredients and isn't full of synthetic garbage that can be harmful and harsh on sensitive skin. My pediatricians have always advised me to not use sunscreen until six months. I feel like that is the old general rule of thumb, but those recommendations are changing. My personal opinion? Use a safe, natural-based on an infant anytime you are in the sun. Which leads me to my next thing...



3. If you are going to be in a sunny place and you have a baby under the age of 12 months, bring an umbrella or find a shady place to sit. And that is in addition to all of the sun-protecting clothes. This may seem like common sense, but I see tiny babies out in the sun at the beach all the time without an umbrella or tent to shade them and it gives me a slight case of mom anxiety. Their skin is so sensitive and needs the utmost care and guard from the sun. Even with Wes being 18 months old, I still refuse to go to the beach without an umbrella. Yes, I will literally return and go home if I don't have it. He obviously walks around and plays now, but I only let him play for about 30-50 minutes at a time before having him take a break in the shade for a little while.

4. Make sure your kids are drinking plenty of water and fluids on the days they spend an adequate amount of time in the sun. The last thing anyone needs is for a case of heat stroke to strike. That is incredibly dangerous for a little child, and good hydration and regular breaks from the sun are key to preventing it. The recommended fluid intake for a toddler is about four cups per day.


5. Use a hydrating spray and body lotion after bathtime on the days you have spent in the sun. This helps keep the skin moisturized and smooth. Even after all of the above precautions are taken, certain areas of the skin were still exposed, which means skin damage occurred. That is what a tan is after all. It is inevitable, so it is best to put good sun safety tips for your little one into practice from the beginning.


To celebrate Mother’s Day, Mustela wants to hear from real moms like you! Head on over to their Facebook page to enter into their Mustela Moms Know Best contest to win a bundle of products (over a $100 value!). There are two winners every day, so be sure to enter into the contest daily with your tips, tricks and advice.

Hope the days ahead of you are full of sunshine!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Mustela through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about Mustela, all opinions are my own. Also, I am not certified health professional or dermatologist. I compiled this list based on my own experiences, which have worked with my two babies, and with information given to me by our pediatrician. 

9 Of The Most Beautiful Illustrated Children's Books Every Kid Should Have

Books are a big deal to us. There is nothing quite like cozying up with a kid in your lap and going on adventures in stories. I obviously love color and art and paint, so I am always looking for beautiful illustrated children's book that take my breath away and have me eating up all the details and colors. This list could go on for quite a long while, but I decided for now to narrow it down to these nine amazing illustrated books every kid should have.

1. Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers. I like how messy and whimsical his drawings and illustrations are, and it is a spin on learning the alphabet in an engaging, new way with each letter going on their own adventure.

2. Alexander Girard Colors. The legendary designer made this book for kid's to learn colors in 1972, and it obviously possesses that flawless design which he was so famous for. This one is eye candy for kids and the design obsessed parent!

3. What Do People Do All Day? by Richard Scarry. If I had a dollar for every time Luke asks me about what EVERY SINGLE PERSON is doing, I would be a millionaire. Obviously, this book is the answer to all of the questions AND you it should be an absolute staple in your kid's library. His characters and illustrations are some of my most favorites with all of their details and bright colors.

4. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. I was watching East of Eden a few days ago, and went on a mad history search of James Dean's short but passionate life. One of the many facts I learned was that this book was his favorite as a child. Anyway, it is a classic every little boy should have in his possession and this pop up version makes it even more special.

5. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelans. This is one of the great classics we have all read and most likely own, so naturally it needed to be included in this roundup.

6. The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant by Jean de Brunhoff. The story of how Babar came to life is equally as fascinating to me as the actual story itself. You should read about it sometime. Also, elephants are one of my favorite animals and there are so many lessons to be gleaned from this story!

7. Henri's Walk to Paris by Leonore Klein and illustrated by Saul Bass. If you like vibrant colors and funky prints, this book is for you and your little one! This book is one visual explosion after another.

8. A Coloring Book: Drawings by Andy Warhol. So, I am not how certain this illustrated book is for children more than it is for parents, and I am not sure it is a must have, but either way it is cool and I couldn't help but include it. Your kids (or you) can bring ole' Andy's drawings to life with their own colors and imaginations. Also, this thing is teeny tiny which I think is adorable because mini things are just that way.

9. The Bear's Song by Benjamin Chaud. I clearly have a thing for the French in regard to their illustrated children's books. Dare I say they just have a certain je nais se quoi? ;) They really do it so well, though (along with every other aspect of life). Anyway, this book had me smiling and pouring over the pictures the first time I read it to Luke and Wes. He also recently came out with another book called The Bear's Sea Escape that is equally as wonderful.

I would like to leave an honorable mention about Vivaldi by Helge Torvund and illustrated by Mari Kanstad Johnsen. My mouth dropped open as I scrolled through all of the illustrations. It is only available for purchase in Norway from my quick search, but I really wish I could buy it. (Or that it will someday be translated into English and sold in the US.) If any of you live in Norway, feel free to send a copy my way! ;)

Hope you enjoy these beautifully illustrated children's books. And please share with me your favorites so we don't miss out on any good ones!

Painted Easter Egg Balloons

We made painted easter egg balloons for tot school yesterday. It is an incredibly easy and pocket-friendly kids craft (inspired by this post), and these balloons are perfect for playing the balloon pop game during your Easter egg hunt! Do you remember that game from the birthday parties of your childhood? It usually ends in tears for some and bruised ankles and shins for others, but it is a classic!



To make these adorable painted easter egg balloons and to play the balloon pop game you will need:

-Balloons in the color of your choice
-Paint and brushes
-Markers
-Washi tape
-String (about 2 feet for each kid)

Directions:

1. Blow up two balloons per kid, or however many you would like. Paint your balloons in any patterns or colors, doodle all over the surface with markers, or get creative with the washi tape.

2. Allow the painted balloons to dry for an hour or two. You can accelerate the drying time by using a hair dryer on the cool setting if you so desire.

3. Tie a foot of string to each balloon end and securely tie around your child's ankles.

4. Line everyone up and count to three. Let the kids run like crazy animals and attempt to pop the other balloons while keeping their balloons intact. The child with the last balloons standing wins!

I would like to note that I think this game is appropriate for kids ages 3 and up. I also feel like this game isn't only for kids. I could actually see this balloon pop game being more fun for the adults at an Easter egg hunt, or anytime for that matter! 

If you need more ideas on how to ramp up your Easter egg hunt, be sure to check out this list of creative ways to supercharge your hunt this year! 

Happy painting and popping!

P.S. This is what the painted balloons look like after they have been popped. I think they are so cool! Also, please be sure to keep a close watch if you have little ones playing around the balloons. They can be a joking hazard and should be removed if they try to bite the balloons or put them in their mouth.

What Naptime Looks Like When Kids Share A Bedroom

"Wes will go down easily in his crib, and Luke will lay quietly in his bed until I shut the door. Then all hell breaks lose. Toys are flying through the air, crashing like bombs in a war zone; cars and blocks are scattered so violently you'd think the toy box contracted a nasty case of food poisoning."

A few months ago I wrote a post for What to Expect about the battle called naptime when kids share a room. It seems as if the sleeping gods are against you and are purposely trying to drive you to the looney bin—I know, I hear ya!

Naturally, I wrote an ode of sorts about the very real struggle of this nappy situation, so come on over and read the entire post here!

Also, stay tuned for a little bedroom tour coming soon!

Bright And Colorful Bedroom Ideas For Kids

Childhood is lively and colorful, so I think kid bedrooms should reflect that. Since I am always feverishly pinning any bright and colorful bedroom for kids, I thought I should share my favorite ones with you should you be looking for some inspiration and color for your own little ones!

If I ever have a girl, you better believe those walls are going to be plastered with pink! In fact, I wouldn't mind MY bedroom looking like this. I love everything about these colors and patterns! (image source)

I think black and white walls are such a great place to start for a boys room, and then it's fun to throw in all the pops of colors with pillows, wall art and toys. Makes me want to paint another chalkboard wall in Luke and Wesley's room like we did in our last place. Also, I am very seriously considering that we build house bedframes for their beds... except for the fact that we don't own any power tools... And don't know how to use power tools. Looks like this is the year of becoming a handywoman! (image source)

How fun would it be to build in a swing or a set of gymnastic rings into a bedroom? I can see Wesley's future as an Olympic gymnast already! ;) And again, those pops of color and natural light are perfect. (image source)

This yellow half wall with the pinks and mints make such a sweet color combination. And would you get a load of those nesting dolls? Too good! (image source)

Now it looks like I am going to need two baby girls so one can have this room, and the other one can have the room above! I really like the creative way this wall was painted, which could work for a boy or girl bedroom. (image source)

Alright, guys. Now the bright and colorful cuteness overload is getting out of control. In fact, I think this might be the mecca for bright and colorful bedrooms for kids. Right?! (image source)

And last, but not least, behold this amazing collection of colorful accessories. That shelf! Those pillows! Color explosion! I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up. (image source)

Encouraging Creativity In Toddlers

The worry that I am not encouraging creativity within my boys to its full potential is a constant one. Are they playing with the wrong toys? Do they spend too much time watching mindless television? Do they get outside enough and use their imagination to invent their own fun? It's one thought missile after another of doubts and fears.

But, that is silly mind talk. I shouldn't listen to that anxious parenting voice inside my head. You know, the one that says you aren't doing an adequate job or that your kids are going to be irreversibly screwed up and in therapy for not getting the chocolate cake for dessert. Or in therapy because they did get the chocolate cake. Anyway, the point is that that voice is ridiculous and sometimes it is best to get our of your own head, and just do what feels right.


I think a lot about that concept in regard to my overall parenting style, and that includes encouraging Luke and Wesley's creativity. We obviously live in a world where tablets and smartphones and gadgets are the new norm for learning, and I want to teach them how to responsibly use technology to further their knowledge and education. But, I also want them to learn how to entertain themselves in the good, old-fashioned way using simple toys and objects around them, or the sheer power of imagination. We have been working on all those forms lately, and I just wanted to share what we are doing.

Luke thinks farms and animals are ALL the rage lately. It's barn this, and cow that, and cluck-cluck here and a moo-moo there. He has a set of basic farm animals, a fence, a truck and a small barn. It has been absolutely fascinating and fun to watch him and Wes play. They teach each other animal sounds and the hay bales go on grand adventures. Yesterday the spotted cow provided play dough milk for all the other farm animals and the farm truck tried its hand at racing the tractor. It is all silly and simple, but they are learning about animals and work and putting their imaginations to good use.



As far as apps go, we always mainly to educational ones (with the exception of Star Wars Angry Birds). We are enormous Disney fans, and are doing our Disneyland annual passholder duties by getting Disney apps. We just downloaded Mickey's Magical Arts World from Disney Imagicademy and Luke is obsessed. It's an interactive, curriculum-driven type of experience which incorporates the characters he knows and loves so dearly. Luke is learning more about shapes, colors, textures and music through it. His favorite is painting this little cat in orange cheese and sprinkles and making car tracks over it. He gets this deep belly laugh every time it comes to life. They have an Imagicademy Parents app too, which allows you to monitor your kid's progress on their projects activities. I love taking a look at what Luke makes. Mickey's Magical Arts World is designed for kids ages 3-8 and is exclusively available for the iPad, which you can download here. I highly recommend it!


Luke just started getting into imaginary play. Just last night he and Matt were pretending our bed was an island and that the ground was covered in lava and sharks. They had to sprint and dodge to grab "food" without getting eaten. I felt like I was overhearing an Indiana Jones adventure between all of the drama and action of the forbidden fires and depths of the oceans. Then suddenly Luke decided they were puddles. His cute, little voice said, "Hmmm... Dare are puddows! We gotta jump in them!" And then the thumps and booms of his jumping onto the floors echoed through the hall.


I love witnessing all of these playful moments and feel immensely blessed that I am able to be present. Inventing imaginary planets and landscapes, coming up with goofy stories, learning about horse poop according to a three-year-old, and seeing Luke's creations (both on paper and on the iPad) are the moments I live for. All of these little things are what excite me as soon as a I open my eyes in the morning, and what I reminisce about at night before I drift off to sleep.



Creativity is power and gives life, and I hope I am encouraging it in my boys as much as possible—they deserve all the best this world has to give.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Thanks for supporting our sponsors!