The Best for Your Vacay

Heading to the lake? Shore? Pack a few of these bubble blasters {they light up!} and head outside at night to watch the bubbles soar. The best!

Pop Goes the Calendar

Here's the sitch. Like many of you, I secretly blend healthy ingredients into my kids' meals. But look at this! Your little peeps will learn ~ secretly ~ with this can't-take-your-hands-off calendar. Each day you pop a bubble! I HEART HEART HEART this. So fab!

Sweetest Dreams for Parents

Whether you are armchair traveling, or hitting the tarmac with the kids, Chaa Creek deep in the rainforest in Belize is just so dreamy. (And family-friendly, too!)

Parent Alert: ICE is Cool

Thanks to my brother-in-law, Bill, for reminding me of this fabulous idea!

Be sure to program into your cell phone the phone number for a person that should be contacted in case you are in an emergency.

Then, label the entry ICE -- which stands for "In Case of Emergency."

That way police, paramedics, hospitals or an concerned person who is helping you may contact your loved ones. Somebody is always looking out for you!

Parent Alert: Too Much Information!

I know we like to have fun around here, but I've received two emails in the past two days I need to share.

Thanks to my friend, Cheryl, who notified me of this:

PROBLEM:
Type your phone number or address into Google. Your name and address may come up along with a map to your home. Scary!

SOLUTION:

You can remove your name from this list, so try it! { My number is restricted, so I didn't have a problem. }

Bring in the New Year: I Scream!

Oh my.
Oh my.

While you and your fabulous friends are sipping sake, the wee ones can delight in their own ice cream -- I mean, GELATO -- bar. Hello!

Jealous? Make them share the Zabaione, Strawberry, and Lemon Curd from Ciao Bella. Or just keep the Pomegranate Champagne sorbetto to yourselves!

Fun with the Family: Japanese Couture

Prepare to be dazzled by the irresistibly sleek lines and restrained luxuriousness of the dresses at the Asian, on exhibit right now through Jan. 6. (Your husband and sons may want to skip this one out -- but your daughters will love it!)

Holiday Dreams: Cassandra C. Jones

Aren't these just so very? Looks like child's play as Cassandra C. Jones creates kaleidescopic tongue-in-cheekiness glam. Hilariously indulgent.

Holiday Dreams: Melinda Hackett

Before I sign off for the next few days, I wanted to leave you with a little holiday gift of fine art to appreciate with the entire fam. (Check them out on the web. Ask your wee ones to name colors and shapes, and to imagine themselves swimming in these paintings.) These underwater works, by NY artist Melinda Hackett, are so organic luxe. So fab!

Best Book about Being Flat

Here's the original vintage version of Flat Stanley! A perfect read after making gingerbread men together.

Best Snack: Heavenly and Healthy

Not all health bars are alike. Actually, most make my kids bounce off walls (too much sugar) or taste like tree bark (too little flavor). Can't you relate? Good lord, these are my saving grace. Dr. Melina (love her!!!) has created something truly healthy and delicious. (You can find them at Elephant Pharmacy and online, too, at Amazon.)