Playground Chatter: Family Traditions 04/28/2011

One of the best parts about being a family is getting to create and pass on unique family traditions. As adults, we often look back fondly on these special bonding experiences shared with relatives. We recently asked some of our fans what traditions are unique to their own families and whether they plan to pass them on to their little ones. Here’s what they had to say:

Melina’s family used to read a story together after dinner, and she plans on doing the same.

Rosaura’s family played “Loteria” every Sunday at her grandmother’s house.

Karo’s family practices a tradition of becoming their childrens’ friends and allies, which she will definitely continue.

During the first snowfall of every winter, Hannah and her siblings always wanted to be outside so her father would let them eat supper in the snow. She thinks she’ll keep the tradition alive with her own family.

Erika’s family plays a game called “Crackity Crack” where everyone taled their favorite Easter egg and lines up, holding their eggs out. They then take turns going down the line, tapping their egg on each person’s down the line. If your egg cracks, you’re out! The game continues until one egg is left standing.

Shay has an Easter tradition of her own. Her family makes and eats a “bunny cake” every year. Other traditions include staying up late and watching old movies on the first night of summer vacation, and looking at their baby books on their birthdays every year, adding what they have learned that year.

Angela’s Aunt Rose used to make her family Chocolate Gravy every year. Though it may sound unappetizing, it was delicious on biscuits. She made it for her own children, and they now make it for their own.

Mallory plans to pass on her family’s annual traditions of going to camp in the summer and visiting the apple orchard in the fall.

Charlene and her daughter Alicia used to sit for hours reading, with Alicia on one end of the couch and Charlene on the other. When Alicia started getting sleepy, she’d crawl to her Mother’s side to snuggle and they would take a nap together. Now Charlene and Alicia both read to Lilly, who just turned one.

When Heather was younger, her family would play a game at dinnertime in which they would share something fun that they did that day, in order to keep the conversation positive and fill their family members in on what happened that day. She hopes to continue that tradition with her son when he gets older.

Tasha’s family would begin cooking breakfast at 10PM on New Year’s Eve so that at midnight they could sit around the TV and watch the ball drop while eating a big breakfast together . . . meaning they wouldn’t be hungry for the following year!

Thanks to all those who shared their family traditions with us! If you have a neat tradition of your own, add it in the comments section!

Guest Blogger Spotlight: Capturing Baby’s First Steps by First Time Mommy 04/21/2011

When my oldest son came into this world at 10lbs he seemed much older than he really was.  Because of this and the fact that I had somehow forgotten everything I had ever learned about babies, I believed he could accomplish things much sooner than most. Of course now I realize being a new Mom I was a little overly ambitious about what he was capable of achieving. Because of this overly-ambitious attitude I almost always had my camera right by my side, ready and waiting to capture my son’s every first.

Soon enough I got an opportunity when at only 2 1/2 weeks my son decided to roll over. Had it not been for my camera, no one would have ever believed me! Having the camera on hand also came in handy at 4 months when he was eating his first foods and uttered the words “num nums,” or at 5 months when I took him outside to play in the grass for the first time and discovered he could sit up all by himself.

It was the images that were captured at 9 months though that I will always cherish, because you see, I wasn’t there for a very special first. I was serving jury duty and it was my first time away from my son. Grandma was babysitting for me and just happened to have her video camera. The video she took that day will always be close to my heart: my son’s first steps. Yep, he walked for the very first time when I wasn’t home! Proof that time and babies stand still for no one.My son, who is now 3 years old, had an incredibly special first only 7 short months ago: saying hello to his new baby brother. Now they create memories and firsts together. There and ready to capture it all? My camera.

I often look back on those memories and smile. They are moments in time that I can never have back but that I can always remember and share with those that weren’t fortunate enough to be there.

Over these past 3 years I have learned some very valuable lessons. All babies move and grow at their own pace. My youngest son is nothing like my first and I never know when he’s going to do something amazing. It’s just impossible to tell sometimes when a special moment is about to happen. All you can do is make sure you’re prepared when they come along. Keep your camera handy and always be ready to make memories to share with those you love and to look back on all the wonderful firsts your children will go through.

Guest blogger Monica is a mother of two boys, ages 3 and 7 months.  When she’s not busy keeping up with her little ones, she enjoys photography and digital artwork. You can learn more about her at her blog, First Time Mommy.

Playground Chatter: Family Travel Tips 04/13/2011

At Baby Einstein, we know that traveling with baby can be difficult and stressful for both parents and baby. Fortunately, moms and dads have come up with lots of great solutions to make trips go smoothly. We recently asked our fans and followers for their tried and true travel tips and received some wonderful suggestions we’d like to share with you. Check out these clever ideas for smooth sailing on your next family vacation:

Frequent flyers Katie and Amanda book flights either early in the morning or late at night because baby is more apt to sleep at those times and flights are less crowded. Amanda also suggests giving baby a bottle to help with ear pressure during takeoff and landing.

Tonya suggests taking plenty of snacks and stopping often to let baby stretch.

For long drives, Laura suggests taking turns driving so that one parent can focus on the baby, whether it’s playing peek-a-boo or just doling out toys and snacks.

Cheryl, Brittany, Nicole and Lauren pack lots of toys, snacks and CDs!

A few of our fans said they always take Baby Einstein CDs and DVDs along for trips. Yay! Thanks Tressa and Cheryl!

Sharmon, Erica and Angela plan to travel while the kids are asleep – good thinking!!

Be sure to share with fellow parents, and don’t forget to add your own tips in the comments section! 

Baby Einstein Discovery Day with Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford 04/11/2011

On March 25th Gossip Girl actress and NYC’s favorite Upper East Side mom, Kelly Rutherford, hosted a Baby Einstein play date at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. Kelly and her adorable daughter Helena joined about 30 New York City parents and their kids for a wonderful morning full of discovery. The play date included three different areas dedicated to the Discovery Kit’s three levels: Experience, Explore and Expression. Kids and parents alike enjoyed playing the life size piano mat in the experience section, joining the safari with the giant stuffed animals in the explore area and coloring in the expression part of the room.

Kelly was thrilled to host the event and said, “I’m just happy to be here, it’s fun. My kids love Baby Einstein so I’m just honored to be here.” She also added, “I have been a huge fan of Baby Einstein for a long time, my son is 4 and a half and my daughter is almost 2 and it’s just really saved me.”

The focus and highlight of the event was our Discovery Kits, which were a big hit among all of the guests, especially Kelly. She loves how the kits, “…integrate art, animals, nature and music. It’s just such a wonderful experience.” Our guests seemed to agree, and many shared their enthusiasm about the kits on Twitter:

ArieRich Love the different levels Baby Einstein’s Discovery Kits has to offer #BabyEinNYC

jessienuez @babyeinstein there is such level of interaction with each level – it’s awesome #babyeinnyc 

The Discovery Day event was a big success and we were so excited that Kelly and our guests could join us for a day of fun! For more pictures of the event, visit our Facebook album.

Kelly was also gracious enough to sign some Discovery Kits, and we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be hosting a special contest/giveaway in the near future! Stay tuned to our blog, Facebook & Twitter pages for details on how you can enter for a chance to win a Discovery Kit signed by Kelly!