Mommy FTW

The iPhone App Peekaboo Barn was first recommended to me by a mom friend.  It took me awhile to get around to downloading it, mostly because I usually go for Free iPhone apps, and this one costs $.99  Well, when I was on the train ride home coming from DC with Cameron I downloaded it in desperation – and it saved me!  And it has continued to entertain Cameron through many sticky and boring situations.  Let me tell you, the $.99 price tag is well worth it.

The app is fairly simple: A barn appears and shakes, enticing the child to tap it.  Once tapped, the barn doors open an an animal appears.  Tap again a child says the name of the animal (in Spanish, if you like!).  Another tap closes the doors and the game starts over with a new animal.  The one main failure for me with this App (and every App) is that Cameron eventually just presses the button on the phone, exiting himself out of the game.  Hopefully he will soon realizes that brings the fun to an end!

Peekaboo Barn - Hours of Baby Fun

What is your little one’s favorite app? Leave a comment and share with everyone! Just click “Write Comment” at the top of the post.

Gowalla is a really interesting App for the iPhone that can help you meet up with other moms (or friends!) and it’s free.  Often used in conjunction with facebook, or twitter, but great just on it’s own, Gowalla encourages you to “Check in” places that you visit.  When you do this, it lets your friends who also have the Gowalla App know.  A message gets sent to their phone (like a text message – but not counting as one, for those of you who don’t have unlimited texting, like me!).  I think this has some pretty cool possibilities!

Tell your friends where you are...

...have an inpromptu lunch!

If you were at the Library the Playground, or out for a bite, you could check in at that location (create the location if it’s not already listed).  You can even add a description of what you are doing.  Your message would go out to your friends, and if they were near by, they could stop in.  It’s fun – and free, and might get you some unexpected playdates.  Gowalla works on the iPhone, Android, and Blackberry.  FYI, if you have heard of foursquare – this is pretty similar, but I think it has a few features that make it better.

I was over at another mom’s house recently and she was telling me about a great website that her daughter loves, which is also educational.  It’s called Starfall.com – I checked it out with Cameron, and he really enjoys it.  The site has different levels of reading and phonics help for different aged children – we stuck with the A B C’s for now!

Pick a letter, any letter!

All the letters of the alphabet are laid out, clicking on each one brings up a small interactive display about each letter – what it sounds like, what it looks like (upper and lower case,) some words starting with and containing each letter, with some pictures or animation, and in some cases a small game.  There is also a section on sign language.

A is for....

B is for... GRR!

C is for... Cameron's favorite. He loves Cats!

The displays are easy to navigate, and although Cameron isn’t using the mouse yet, I think given his expertise with the iPhone, it won’t be long before he won’t need my help at all.  So check out Starfall.com with your little learner!

Thanks to the help of my hubby, Mommy For the Win now has a fan page on facebook.

So, become a fan!  And tell your friends!

As I have mentioned, Cameron and I were in DC this week visiting the grandparents, going swimming, and having a great time!  I had decided that instead of driving we would try taking Amtrak from Penn Station.

I did some research both on Parents Around the Hill and via the Fort Greene Babies yahoo group before the trip.  The neighborhood moms left me fairly assured that it wouldn’t be too bad when I got to the station.  I was still nervous!  I took the Q from Dekalb Ave to 34th Street Herald Square for the sake of elevators, and then made my way towards Penn Station on foot above ground.

The entrance to Penn Station that has the down escalator is at 31st St and 8th Ave.  I thought the diagram of the building posted on the wall said there was an elevator here, but I didn’t see it, so I went down they short escalator with Cam.  (Yes, I know, you’re not supposed to do this).

Once we got down to the main area I started looking around for a red cap, who I had been told would be able to help me out.  I didn’t see anyone, so I walked over to the Amtrak Customer Service desk (not the ticket counters) and a friendly man told me what track my train would be leaving from and that there was an elevator over by the police desk.  Indeed there was.

I got in – the choices were a little confusing.  I went down to “TL” – Track Level, I figured.  When when the doors opened I found that I was stuck in between the tracks, and not at the right number.  Apparently I was supposed to go to “LL” where you can move to any of the tracks and then take a different elevator down.  I went back up to “LL,” found my track, then took another elevator down to “TL.”

Cameron relaxes in his PJ's

Since I had gotten to the train early there were plenty of places to sit.  I found Cameron and I a section of 4 seats (2 and 2 facing each other).  It was perfect – there was lots of room for him, and for all our stuff.  Overall, getting to the train was pretty easy!  Stay tuned for more updates on the trip to DC, and the train trip back to New York.

Earth’s Best certainly isn’t the cheapest baby food on the block, but the quality is good, and their food is organic, so I try and buy it for Cameron when I can.  I found that on their website they have several coupons you can print to save yourself a few bucks.  Here’s a few of the offers:

Check the Earth’s Best site for more coupons and offers!

A week ago I took Cameron on a trip to Fairway, and tragedy struck – we lost his super cute Car hat I had bought from Etsy.  Sad as I am, the upside is that now I get to go hunting for a new winter hat for my little one.  The other Etsy posts I’ve done have been so popular, so I decided to share some of the new cute baby hats that I found while on my quest to replace Cameron’s lost hat.  Click on the image to view the page in Etsy.

This monster hat is made by the same person who made Cam's Car hat. Great quality, and super cute!

I just love the delicate flowers on this baby girl hat

This one is sure to make people smile

I'm a sucker for anything involving kitty cats!

I think this one is so adorable - and fleece lined!

Keeping your little girl's ears nice and warm.... and adorable too, of course

By the way, one of the great things about shopping on Etsy is that the items are hand made.  Often I find that the sellers are willing to work with you regarding small changes and sizing so you can be sure to get the perfect item for your baby.  Happy shopping!

Today I was excited when I got my email from the Mini Social saying there was another Plan toy sale going on! Clearly, I am not the only excited shopper out there, because it seems like these toys are selling out fast. Here’s a small sample:

Plan Bus

Plan Train

There is also an amazing doll house which is normally 120$ which is only 60$ – half price.  Not too shabby!  So if your little one didn’t get enough goodies for the holiday…. check out the Plan Sale!

If you haven’t signed up to the Mini Social yet, please put in my email address

I can get 10$ if I refer you. Happy Shopping!

We’re off for a few days to visit my family.  I might post, if I have time… but in case I don’t, I wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays!!

That’s the holiday card we ended up getting from Etsy.  It was a big hit!

I can’t wait until Cameron is splashing around in puddles on rainy day.  In anticipation of this event, I was pleased to see this cute rain gear from Western Chief on sale at the Mini Social.  They have stuff for boys and girls – be sure to check it out!

Rubber ducky, you're the one!

It's raining cherries - and cuteness.

If you aren’t a member of the Mini Social yet, sign up and add me as your referer. Thanks in advance!!