Recently in Toddlers Category

Frustrated by low-quality skin care products that didn't deliver what they promised, Tami Main recently created Taslie Skin Care Ltd., a line of natural skin care products that are truthfully advertised and safe for children.

"When my daughter was born, I was constantly on the lookout for natural products that actually did what the label stated," the Vancouver resident explains. "We went through many 'natural' bubble baths that didn't bubble and over-fragranced shampoos. I also discovered that many companies do not list all ingredients in addition to making untrue claims. I wanted to create products that are fabulous, did what the label stated, and--most importantly--that could be used on my own daughter."

"I am very keen on the environment, so the ingredients and packaging are of the upmost importance," Tami says. "All of our products use recyclable plastics, recycled paper stock, and labels. We are in the process of testing the recyclable plastics to incorporate an additive which will biodegrade within one to five years in a landfill."

"Our dispensing pumps are designed by Taplast and use sustainable dispensing pumps and closures that have no steel springs, which make them completely recyclable," she continues. "Our products contain no sodium laureth sulphates, lanolin, parabens and synthetic colors, or fragrances. You would be surprised to know that some of the 'natural' products available out there do actually contain fragrances and other undesirable ingredients. We do not."

Right now Taslie Skin Care offers Head to Toe Body Wash, Moisturizing Lotion, and Natural Goats Milk Soap. "We have two more products in production and more to come--a Natural Lip & Face Balm with an addition of SPF 15 and a Natural Bum Spray for cleansing and calming little bums after diaper changes," says Tami. "All of our packaging is environmentally friendly but are also designed so that they are fun and geared towards children."

All Taslie products are made in Canada and are not tested on animals. Visit www.taslie.com to view all products and get the detailed scoop on all of their ingredients.

BarefootMommies.com, run by Angela Roy and Krissy Carr, is a bright, friendly blog for mothers. The blog spotlights great finds in jewelry, toys, crafts, and more; it also sponsors regular giveaways for its readers.

"I made this blog (BarefootMommy at the time) in November 2008," explains Krissy. "I met Angela through Etsy; I was asking her if she'd like to do a giveaway on BarefootMommy. Of course she said yes, and our personalities just hit it off. Since then, she's been my partner in crime and I don't know where I'd be if I didn't have her. Sure wouldn't have a great blog, I know that. She is one of my best friends and I love her tons!"  

Angela adds, "Barefoot Mommies has grown from just the two of us to a whopping 12 reviewers and five guest speakers. We have worked with so many great companies on our run. We branched our social media into Facebook, Myspace,YouTube, and Twitter, and those were the best desicions we've made. Our reviewers are the hardest set of people i have ever met. We stay up all night writing back and forth about great products. Our reviewers are moms, single ladies, even some high schoolers. We believe that everyone has a point of view, and so should our reviewers."

"We mainly market to moms and women in general," she continues. "We understand they are the prime shoppers in the household, and making the majority of the shopping decisions. What Barefoot Mommies does not endorse are any items not family friendly, or are religious or political in nature. We prefer to stay away from subjects or products that would offend anyone or tarnish our name."

Check out BarefootMommies.com for the latest fun products and e-mail Media@BarefootMommies.com if you would like to be featured on the blog.

Since my last post on Busy Toddler Activities, readers have let me know how much they enjoy the activities. I thought I would share some more of them with you. 

This first activity is so much fun to create.  Even I like to play with glue, glitter and sequins!



Wave Bottle 

The supplies you will need are:

Clean, empty 16 oz. soda bottle with cap
Water
Food Coloring
Glitter, Sequins, or beads
Baby Oil
Quick Bonding Glue

Fill the clean soda bottle with water to about one-third full.  Add a few drops of food coloring and glitter, sequins, or beads (optional), then fill the rest of the bottle with baby oil.  Glue the cap securely onto the bottle by applying the glue to the inside of the cap and screwing it on.  Your child will enjoy gently shaking the bottle to produce beautiful waves.

Now this next activity is my favorite.  I use to make these when I was younger for Christmas and had so much fun.  I know you will love it just as much as your kids do, especially if you like play dough.

Homemade Dough Ornaments

Supplies you will need:

4 cups Plain Flour
1 cup salt
1 ½ cups hot water from tap
waxed or parchment paper
Non Toxic Acrylic Paint
Paint Brushes
Acrylic Sealer (adult supervision)

Pour hot water and salt into a large bowl and stir for 1 minute. Add flour and stir until the water is absorbed. Turn dough onto table and knead for a few minutes until pliable.
Store in a plastic Ziploc bag to keep it from drying out.

You are now ready to make dough ornaments.

Use the parchment paper to roll out dough and make your ornaments. When you are finished with them, place them on a baking sheet and bake them for 1-4 hours at 325 degrees.  Thinner projects take less time.   Once your ornaments are cooled, they are ready to paint and decorate as desired.

These really are a great way to keep your child's artwork for years.  My mom still has all of my sisters and mine.  20 years later she still hangs them on her Christmas tree every year.

If you use the dough art idea I would love to see your child's creations.  We may even post them here on our blog for all to see.

Just email them to me at carrie@chicgalleria.com

Being a first time Mom, these ideas have been a great tool in helping me encourage my daughter and create a special bond between the two of us, so I thought I would share them with you.  

Too often parents focus on the bad things children do, while letting the good go unnoticed.  Here is a simple way to reinforce and reward cooperation and kindness.

You will need:
A pack of plastic monkey links for this.

Hang a plastic monkey on the wall in a place where you can add more monkeys to make a chain.  When you catch your child being especially kind and cooperative (that is, playing quietly with siblings, helping out without being asked, picking up toys without being reminded, and so on), reward her with a monkey to add to the chain. When the last monkey is hung, treat the whole family to an ice-cream sundae, DVD rental or special afternoon of games.

People Blocks


I don't know any child who doesn't love building blocks.  My daughter is always building castles.  What better way than to use pictures of her family members to make it more interesting and fun.

You will need:
Pictures of family members
Clear contact paper
Rectangular wooden blocks or clean empty food cans

Use clear contact paper to attach photographs of your family to blocks or clean empty food cans.  Your child will love building structures with her people blocks.

Make snack time fun with Rudolf sandwiches.  I remember making these when I was in Kindergarten.  Fun to make and fun to eat!

You will need:
Sliced bread
Peanut butter
Pretzels
Raisins
Maraschino cherries

Cut a slice of bread into a triangle shape.  Spread the triangle with peanut butter (or use jam, honey, or cream cheese according to your child's preference). Add pretzels for antlers, raisins for eyes, and a bright red maraschino cherry for Rudolf's nose.

Have fun with your kids and make memories that last.  They grow up way too fast!

Photo Credit © Renata Osińska | Dreamstime.com