The Digital Planner is a simple orgnizer for the younger set with some game features rolled right in. The play mode is, of course, the favorite amongst my kids. They get their own electronic pet to play with, take care of, and dress.

Using an adorable little LPS stylus pen that looks like a lollipop with a little pet as the dongle (did I just use that word?), the kids can customize their pets room, feed their pet (which is very cute), and clean up after their pet after they eat (too realistic maybe? but still cute. ) Periodically the pet will let you know what it needs, be it a grooming, something to eat, playtime, or something to wear. If it is playtime, your child get to take their virtual pet to the park and play one of fourteen different games. These games are a bit hard to navigate but my daughter enjoyed them nonetheless.

As far as dressing up goes, you press the present box icon to head to the store. Here your pet can pick out an outfit, snap a picture and save it to be displayed in the pet’s room on the screen.

Now back to the “organizer” part of the Littlest Pet Shop Digital Organizer. This toy includes an address book, calendar, and calculator. Input is relatively easy when tapping the keypad with the stylus. The address book is a basic version that has space for names, phone numbers, and birthdates. You can even attach a picture to the entry - but not a real picture - just the face of a little electronic animal. The calendar and calculator are similarly simple - just perfect for a child who is getting their first taste of organizing their own schedule.

If I had to have a complaint - it would be the screen resolution. The monochrome, backlit screen, is ages behind the technology that is available. Of course, the simpleness keeps the price right. And it let the kids be kids when using this toy and not having to handle it too gently, with kid gloves.

Overall, I like this new LPS toy. If you are a big Blackberry or Apple PDA user - then this toy will be your child’s version of mommy or daddy’s phone. The games keep it interesting for the younger set and if they are already LittlestPetShop.com fans then this is a great addition to their collections.

• The Five Newest LITTLEST PET SHOP VIP’S
• LittlestPetShop.com - VIP’s are here!
• More on LITTLEST PET SHOP
• Littlest Pet Shop Digital Pen
• Littlest Pet Shop VIP’s have Arrived in New York City

I figured she wasn’t the only one that would be looking for Britax booster seats at a good price. So when I came across this sale to today I decided to share it here (instead of on my coupon codes and sales site - I Love A Good Sale):

Huge Britax Sale!!! Hot Prices - Limited Time Only!

This sale is at Baby Age and runs from today through Saturday September 21, 2008 or while supplies last.

Be sure and report back with any good deals and steals that you find there.

• Britax On Sale
• A Black Friday Lesson
• Children’s Place Coupons
• Graco Car Seats
• Parenting Tip for Toddler

No pressure there, though.

But apparently I am not the only parent with such designs.

Over at Hip Mama’s Place, I saw the most adorable scrubs for kids. For wee little ones.

They look like THE most comfortable duds around.

Hop over and check them out - if only for the cuteness factor!

• Limited Too Coupons
• Parenting Tips for Holiday Traditions
• Evernote for Recipes
• Limited Too Coupon for Fall
• Free Carvel Ice Cream

A good summer pasta salad is a staple of summertime barbecues.

I recently had the chance to try two of Suddenly Salad’s Pasta Salad varieties by Betty Crocker. And just in time, too. Last week was a picnic filled week for our family. The last day of school finally arrived and there were celebrations galore (maybe too many). I took the opportunity to whip up my boxes of Suddenly Salad and see what the consensus was.

Suddenly Salad comes in six flavors:

• Suddenly Salad Classic
• Suddenly Salad Ranch & Bacon
• Suddenly Salad Caesar
• Suddenly Salad Creamy Parmesan
• Suddenly Salad Creamy Italian
• Suddenly Salad Chipotle Ranch

I opted for the Classic and Chipotle Ranch.

On the day of the picnic I set out to prepare the cold pasta salad recipes early in the day, so they would have ample time to refrigerate and cool down before the evening. The box says that you can serve immediately, but who likes lukewarm pasta salad? And refrigerating allows the flavors time to “sink in”, resulting in a better tasting pasta salad.

I figured making the Suddenly Salad wouldn’t take very long - after all the word “suddenly”, in my mind, implies instantaneous. I figured all the ingredients to make these pasta salad recipes would be in the box. So, I was somewhat surprised when upon reading the directions I discovered that I would need to add oil and water to the Classic variety, and mayonnaise and milk to the Chipotle Ranch variety. Luckily, I had everything I needed on hand.

Preparing the pasta salad was a straightforward process. Each box contained a packet of noodles and dehydrated vegetables combined together and a seasoning packet. You add the pasta and vegetables to boiling water and cook for the time specified. I stuck to the package directions and the pasta cooked to a perfect consistency. While the pasta is cooking, you combine the seasoning packet with the ingredients specified (like the oil and water, or mayonnaise and milk).

When the pasta is finished cooking, you drain it, rinse it with cold water, and mix it with the prepared seasoning mix.

Easy. Refrigerate if you like and serve.

Everyone at the picnic enjoyed the pasta salad. The kids seemed to prefer the Classic variety - which was a mix of tri-colored pasta spirals and Italian type seasonings. I thought it was a little too sour, kind of lemony, and a bit salty.

And the adults overall preferred the Chipotle Ranch, which had a little kick to it but not too spicy.

Suddenly Pasta Salad Giveaway

If you would like to try your own box of Suddenly Salad for free, leave a comment on this post. I have five coupons to give away, each winner will receive one coupon that is good for one free box of Suddenly Pasta Salad. I will choose five winners at random. Please leave your comment by midnight on Sunday June 29, 2008.

This contest is subject to my contest rules which you can read here.

• Parenting Tips Giveaway Winners
• Suddenly Salad Giveaway!
• Parenting Tip for Toddler
• Baby Gizmo Buying Guide Winner
• Parenting Course

Dreamtime Baby: 15% off ALL Graco Items (ends 6.30)

Graco car seats and strollers are very popular items for baby amongst new moms. After all, Graco is known for both reliability and afford ability. In my opinion Graco products are just plain smart.

I see people spend hundreds of dollars more on the “Gucci” version of baby products. But the reality is that if you are on a tight budget but you want a quality baby product - then you should take a look at Graco.

I have tried out a lot of strollers, having four kids, and my favorite was a Graco. It was lightweight, folded easily, and had a huge storage basket that was easily accessible even with the seat in a reclining postion (one very important but often overlooked factor).

When it comes to baby equipment I know that personal preference plays a big factor. But the best parenting advice that I can give you is to buy something durable enough for your needs - make sure it has the features that you desire. Then find an item that meets your needs that is within your budget. You will be surprised at how fast baby grows out of that must have item.

If you are looking for Graco baby products use the above link. Right now Dreamtime Baby is offering 15 percent off of all Graco Items. If you combine that with their free shipping offer on orders over $49 then you’ve got yourself a pretty sweet deal.

Update: I also notice that Baby Universe is also running the same offer. Here is the link:
BabyUniverse: 15% off ALL Graco Items (ends 6.30)

• Britax Car Seats on Sale
• Parenting Help
• Parenting Tips: Naptime
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
• Keeping a Baby Food Journal

An Apple computer just NEEDS an iPod to go with it. Like Oreos and milk - you can’t have one without the other. And if your student buys a Mac computer between now and September 15, he/she will receive a free 8 GB iPod Touch or 8 GB iPod Nano.

This is a fabulous deal - you all know that I use my iPod Touch as PDA. I just can’t believe that Apple is giving one of these away a free iPod Touch with a computer purchase! The iPod Touch goes beyond just an entertainment device. It is so useful for organizing schedules, contacts and making notes. With built in wi-fi capabilities it is a virtual pocket computer.

Here is the link that will save you a bundle:
Buy a Mac for college and get a free iPod touch. Order online and get free shipping.

Buy Mac computers get free iPods. Good Deal.

• iPod Touch as PDA
• iPod Touch Unveiled
• Apple PDA
• iPod Touch as PDA
• No Calendar Input on iPod Touch

I recently had the opportunity to try out a My Flipper USA toothbrush holder and we think it’s awesome. Basically, if you look at the picture, this toothbrush holder suctions to any smooth surface like a mirror, tile backsplash, or even shower door.

The front of the toothbrush holder flips open with a twist of the toothbrush and and the toothbrush hangs inside when not in use. This little device provides sanitary and fun storage of toothbrushes. Air vents in the side of the My Flipper toothbrush holder allow the toothbrush to dry completely between uses and the My Flipper is also easily washed in warm soapy water.

All moms know that the bathroom is a haven for germs and this toothbrush holder gave me a level of comfort that my kids were reducing their exposure to “yucky stuff” by storing their brush properly.

The true measure of a products effectiveness is the kid test and the My Flipper passed with flying colors. The My Flipper comes in a variety of designs ranging from fun animals (perfect for little ones) to more mature colored designs (that even adults will like). Derrick at My Flipper USA sent me the pink hippo which I knew would be a hit with my four year old daughter who loves anything pink. However, I did not anticipate that my three boys would covet this toothbrush holder to the point that they were bribing their sister to let them have it. Boys fighting for pink hippos - you know this product is a hit.

MyFlipperUSA has also introduced a My Puppy product line that is perfect for all dog lover’s out there. Here is a picture of the line:

In addition to the toothbrush holders the My Flipper USA line includes a holder for shaving razors - perfect for mom or dad.

Take a look and let me know what you think!

• Darth Vader Toothbrush Star Wars
• Creative Parenting Tips
• Funny Parenting Tips
• Child Won’t Sleep
• Parenting Course

Perhaps because I live in a house full of Star Wars fans, including my daughter. They all would think this toothbrush is the best thing since sliced bread and probably brush a little longer as a result. Which I guess is what every mom is after.

I’m not sure how long I could stand the music before it drove me a bit batty, though. Since I am not familiar with this brand, it leaves me wondering what other catchy songs Tooth Tunes have paired with toothbrushes. Stay tuned for my next post about toothbrush holders - a nice way to store that Star Wars toothbrush.

• Toothbrush Holders
• Creative Parenting Tips
• Funny Parenting Tips
• Child Won’t Sleep
• Parenting Course

My children have not yet ventured into the world of instant messaging and internet chatrooms. And I intend to keep it that way for as long as possible. But the oldest one has been asking because, I quote “all my friends” are instant messaging. I guess I’m from the old fashioned school where if you need to talk to someone - just pick up the phone or see them in class tomorrow.

I also want to trust my children when they are on the computer and not look over their shoulder at all times. But curiosity has gotten the best of all of us. It is human nature, after all.

I walked away from this morning’s presentation with a few more ideas and a long to-do list.

• First, there is no substitue for parental involvement. As I previously posted the location of the computer is KEY. It should be in a common area where you can always monitor what the kids are doing.
• Second, open communication is critical. Should you punish the kids if they come across offensive content? The answer is no. You should appreciate the fact that they were upfront with you. But, at the same time you need to work together to avoid a repeat.
• Third, I could use a little help from a software program - perhaps to restrict the time allowed on the internet or the sites visited.Clearly I have some homework to do.

  The following sites provide some tools and food for thought: www.isafe.org, www.netsmartz.org, and www.teenangels.org.

  This is a software program that provides parental controls on Windows based computers. Read more about it at www.mysafekeeper.com.

• Webkinz
• Youtube and kids
• MyLot.com
• INTERNET SAFETY for Kids: 20 Steps
• Geography Made Fun