Village Green!

Well, it wasn't as warm and sunny as last year, but we still had fun this year at Village Green. The theme of our booth this year was BUGS!

We had four super fun games for kids to play:

Game #1: Name that bug!

We had eight kinds of bugs for kids to name; the most tricky ones were the preying mantis and the scorpion. A lot of kids thought the scorpion was a lobster. I suppose that's because we don't often see scorpions around here, but we see lobsters all the time!

Game #2: Ladybug Life Cycle Stages

This game was a challenge for both the children and their parents! Most people did not even know that ladybugs go through metamorphosis like butterflies. The common mistake was to put the pupa second (in third spot above), and the larvae third (in second spot above).

We had all stages of the ladybug life cycle on display for everyone to check out in our

Ladybug Land by Insect Lore.

Game #3: Draw what you see!

Take a look in our Creature Peeper by Insect Lore and draw your observations of ladybugs. I really liked the artistic touch that this child had.

Game #4: Butterfly Life Cycle Stages

Use the Life Cycle Stages Stamps by Insect Lore to put the stages of a butterfly in the correct order.

Stage 1: eggs, Stage 2: caterpillar, Stage 3: pupa or chrysalis, Stage 4: adult butterfly

PRIZES!!!

After all the games have been played, each kid gets to take home a Little Bug Locket by Insect Lore with ladybugs inside!

You can find more photos on our facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=280155&id=101309500963&l=b429330833

 

Math Gear Fast Facts!

Okay, I admit it, I personally love math. I have, on occasion, been called 'a human calculator'.

These super cool self-checking flashcard books from innovative KIDS make math fun for everyone, I promise!

The books come in four versions; Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division.

Each book starts and finishes with 'Fun Facts'.

The book I am using for demonstration purposes is the Multiplication book, the 'Fun Facts' that it includes are:

Multiplication is just another way to write addition;

3 x 4 is the same as 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 or 4 + 4 + 4.

The numbers in the two-digit products of the 9 times table, all add up to 9:

9 x 2 = 18...1 + 8 = 9,

9 x 3 = 27...2 + 7 = 9,

and so on.

To multiply any number by 10, just add a zero to the end of it! For example:

3 x 10 = 30

12 x 10 = 120

137 x 10 = 1370

To multiply a number (up to 9) by 11, just write the number twice! For example:

3 x 11 = 33

7 x 11 = 77

The genius part about these books are the slide wheels. You simply turn the wheel clockwise to create the desired equation.

What's the answer? Think you have it? Check under the ? flap.

When you flip through the book from 'front to back' you get the equations for odd numbers 1 through 11, and when you flip through the book 'back to front' you get the equations for even numbers 2 through 12.

These books are great to use with your kids as an alternative to flash cards. Kids can use them with your help or even by themselves.

Since they are bound in a book format, there are no cards to lose!

New Recommendations for Car Seat Safety

New car seat recommendations were released yesterday, March 21, 2011, from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Here is a brief overview of the current recommendations:

Birth - 12 months

Type of seat: Infant car seats and rear-facing convertible car seats

All infants under 12 months should always ride in a rear facing car seat. Infant-only car seats can only be used rear-facing, convertible car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for rear-facing position, allowing your child to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat- Fuego

1 - 3 Years

Type of seat:

Convertible car seats and forward-facing car seats with harnesses

Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible. Your child should remain rear-facing until at least age 2, or until he or she reaches the highest height or weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer, whichever occurs last.

Recaro ProRIDE Convertable Car Seat - Envy

4 - 7 Years

Type of seat: Booster seats

Your child should ride in a forward-facing car seat with harness until he or she has reached the top height and weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer.

Recaro Vivo Booster - Crimson

                                                      8 to 12 Years

Type of seat: Booster seats and vehicle seats with a seat belt

Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seatbelt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the chest and not on the neck or face. Most children will need a booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years old. Children should ride in the backseat of the vehicle until they are 13 years old.

Clek Olli Booster - Red Skurvy

Helpful links for more information:

AAP UPDATES RECOMMENDATION ON CAR SEATS

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/carseat2011.htm

NHTSA RELEASES NEW CHILD SEAT GUIDELINES

http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2011/NHTSA+Releases+New+Child+Seat+Guidelines

CAR SEAT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHILDREN

http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/4StepsFlyer.pdf

CAR SAFETY SEATS: INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES FOR 2011

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token

Kyle's Big Day!

We were so glad to participate in Kyle's Make-A-Wish VIP day at U Village!

Kelsey and Kelly waiting for Kyle to walk the red carpet.

We arrived at the red carpet early and got a great spot right at the front. We made signs a few days before, but his buddies arrived with an even BIGGER sign!

Soon after Kyle's friends and neighbors started lining the red carpet waiting for him to come out of the Apple store. The entire staff of The Ram came out to welcome him to lunch! We were all clapping and cheering when he finally emerged, holding his new MacBook Pro.

While Kyle was eating lunch we hurried back to Kids Club to prepare the dressing room for his arrival. We chose five outfits, eight hats, and six pairs of shoes from Sole Food for him to choose from.

"Cool!"

He was super excited. He started flipping through the outfits right away, picked out his favorite and put it on.

Thumbs up! This was his first pair of skinny jeans, "They are really comfortable!"

Top to bottom: Madness Hat by Quicksilver (see last photo), Hangin Ape Short Sleeve Tee by Billabong, Backbone Zip Hoodie by Quicksilver, Everglory Twill Jacket by Quicksilver, Young Gun III Jean by Quicksilver, Kids' Hiker Street Socks by Smartwool, and B La Cripta Dos Mid Shoe by Vans.

After picking out a snazzy new outfit, Kyle was treated to a Kids Club shopping spree: Anything he wanted from the store. He picked out a Lego set and Yahtzee!

One last photo and he was on his way to The Confectionery, where the phrase "Like a kid in a candy store," will become a dream come true!

Come back and visit us!

Everyone at Kids Club hopes to see you again really soon, Kyle!

It takes a U Village!

Okay, so you've heard the old adage 'It takes a village to raise a child,' but I say it takes a U Village!

There are so many great kid-friendly shops, restaurants, and activities in U Village! You just can't get this experience anywhere else.



Of course, I have to mention Kids Club and The Salon at Kids Club! Your one-stop-shop for everything you need.



I really like this well-worded description of Kids Club by Jane Keller Watson, NWsource Editor:

'If you're a parent, this small independent toy store/children's boutique/kids' hair salon in the heart of University Village could become your home away from home. The store carries a well-edited and high-quality selection of baby gear, toys, games, puzzles and books as well as fashionable clothing, shoes and accessories for infants through the tween years. The experienced sales staff is knowledgeable and helpful, and the kid-focused hair salon at the back of the store makes getting a haircut a fun experience, even for squirmy little ones. Nursing moms will appreciate the sitting area and restroom near the back of the store, and little Thomas the Tank Engine devotees won't be able to tear themselves away from the train table -- no matter how many times Mom says it's time to go.'



If you need some new kicks you must head over to Sole Food for the best selection of children's shoes, not to mention all of the great ones for mom's and dad's too! Sole Food is locally owned and operated by the same owner as Kids Club. They have knowledgeable long-time employees that are dedicated to helping you find the right pair of shoes for your little one. Every shoe is thoughtfully ordered with specific attention to durability and cool factor. Some great brands you can find at Sole Food are See Kai Run, Camper, Keen, and Kickers, just to mention a few.



Like painting with the little ones, but not the mess you have to clean up afterwards? Make lovely painted ceramics at Paint the Town, and best of all, the take care of the mess! Paint the Town is a do-it-yourself ceramics painting studio that is super kid-friendly. There are hundreds of ceramic items to choose from, ready for your child's artistic touch. They will even host your next birthday party! Bring your little one in to make a hand-painted mug for a mother's day or father's day gift for your spouse.




Cook with your kids! Have you seen the show on the Food Network, Worst Cooks in America? I'm certain that as children, their parents were not in the kitchen cooking with them. Teach your kids simple age-appropriate skills that will stay with them for their whole lives. Mrs. Cooks carries a great selection of supplies, like adorable little aprons and kids spatulas, that will make cooking with your little one lots of fun!



Village Playdays is a weekly event at U Village hosted at a different store or restaurant every Tuesday from 10:00am to 11:00am, that offers a free activity to entertain your little one. Past Village Playdays at Kids Club have included face painting, a puppet show, crafts, a Caspar Babypants concert, and lots more! Check often for the schedule of Playday events on the U Village webpage: http://www.uvillage.com/village-playdays/

Back to the basics!

Here is a sneak preview of some great new toys

arriving soon at Kids Club!

Mama K's Play Clay is not your average dough! Molding dough is great for kids because it encourages imagination, boosts motor skills, and improves dexterity. We love Mama K's dough because in addition to great play it's 100% natural, gluten free, naturally tinted, scented with essential oils, and it's made locally! You can't get much better than that! Using essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and bergamot give this play clay soothing and tension-easing powers. Use this to your advantage the next time your little one is feeling a little crabby, give them a lump of clay and let them pound it out.

Playing dress-up is a time honored childhood tradition. My nephew can completely loose himself in self-created character. He enjoys acting out everything from a superhero, to a dinosaur with really sharp spikes on his head (his words), to a pirate on a ship. What makes a great dress up chest? Variety and Durability! 2 Big Kids has got you covered on both! We will soon have in the 2 piece pirate set, which includes a hat andeye patch, magic wands fit for any princess or fairy, 2 piece gnome set, with head garland and a mushroom pouch, my personal favorite 3 piece crown and cuffs set for a most adorable little queen, and for your little letter carrier, a mail box full of mail. All of the costume items are made from durable wool felt, handmade in Nepal, and fairly traded. The mail box is hand crafted in the same great wool felt in the USA.

There are millions of fantastic new children's books on the market, but we can't forget the good old classics! Laughing Elephant is reproducing childhood favorites in their original vintage charm. They thoughtfully select the best versions of classic children's story books. The Mother Goose book of rhymes is a facsimile of a 1917 edition with beautiful illustrations to accompany all of the original rhymes. Stock your book shelves with some or all of these great books!

My favorite holiday line in the store this year is a whimsical line of hand blown glass ornaments from Italy. Sofferia de carlini is a small family owned business that has been making these ornaments since 1947. Each ornament is hand painted as well. I picked up a few in New York years ago and have wanted them for the store ever since. We were finally able to get the line for the store this year. My favorites are the storybook characters...Peter Pan, Dorothy, the tin man, lion and of course scarecrow. Little Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland are also fun.

Every year when I pull Aladdin and his lamp or Little Miss Muffet out of my ornament box, it brings a smile to my face. They were gifts for my children over the years and one day in the not so distant future, I know they will come to claim them. I look forward to seeing these ornaments move on as part of a family tradition to their homes.

Visit the store today and look for other ideas to help create new family traditions. Elf on the Shelf has been a hit with kids and parents. The clever story by Carol Aebersold tells of the elves that Santa sends out as scouts to see who is naughty and who is nice.

Don't forget we always have complimentary gift wrap....there is just a bit of wait this time of year. You can do you other shopping while we get them tree ready for you.

We look forward to seeing you soon.