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Go Outside & Explore Are your kids getting that summer restlessness? Are they bored and starting to bug you? Turn the tables and “bug” them instead! The Bug Book & Bug Bottle from Workman Publishing zeros in on kids’ natural curiosity of all things wiggly. Inside the future bug home container find a kid-sized book filled with information about bugs and how to find and identify them. Budding entomologists will enjoy checking their finds off on a big bug checklist poster, recording important information in their bug journal and examining the many legged critters with the magnifying glass that is provided. $13.95. For the kid who needs to know more, try the Bugs Fandex Family Field Guide, also from Workman. Filled with interesting tidbits, lots of information and giant depictions of insects – from hard-working ants to exotic scorpions, this neat compendium is fun to use and loaded with fascinating facts. $10.95 Buzzin’ Bees Serving as a toy and book all in one, Clackers Bee by Luana Rinaldo, is the insect installment in the Clackers board book series. With simple shaking, the pages of these small format books give a satisfying clacking sound that is sure to be appealing to little ones. In this version, the engaging story follows the adventures of Bee and the many sounds she comes upon on her way home. The colorful illustrations and fun sound-making, plus of course, clacking, make this a baby favorite. $5.99 from Robin Corey Books. The Great Outdoors If you are the parent of a pre-teen you know that the small child’s drive to get outside starts to fade as computers, video games and long phone chats take over. In her book, Let’s Go Outside: Outdoor Activities and Projects to Get You and Your Kids Closer to Nature, Jennifer Ward takes on the challenge of propelling tweens back out into the world of nature with marvelous ideas and how-to instructions for games, projects, explorations and adventures designed to appeal to kids ages 8-12. She also includes numerous tips and resources for parents. $14 from Trumpeter Books.
A Million Dollar Smile? Well, maybe a $500 smile! Company Kids Catalog, a leading online retailer, is looking for their next top models. Parents can enter their kids (ages 3 to 6), by submitting two photos at CompanyKids.com. Submissions will be accepted through August 31. Two grand prize winners will be featured in the spring 2010 catalog and will receive a six night trip to New York City with their parents and a $500 Company Kids Gift card. Check the web site for complete rules and prizes. World’s Most Darling Baby Monitor Taking a cue from world cultures, these expandable, 925 sterling silver baby anklets are not only beautiful accessories, but the tiny bells on them allow you to hear whenever baby is on the move. Bumble Bells are the original baby tracking device! Three sizes span newborn to age nine, with an average price tag of $45. See the complete line at www.bumblebells.com. Parents will also be glad to know that a portion of each sale is donated to the Head Start program. Breastfeeding Bonus One of the earliest and most personal decisions a new mom must make is the question of whether or not to breastfeed. The American Academy of Pediatrics, among others, has voiced strong support for breastfeeding, citing the many health benefits to babies. While the focus in the debate has generally been on the impact on the growing infant, other studies have indicated that breastfeeding also has strong health benefits for the mother - a reduced risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and postpartum depression. Now, according to a study of almost 140,000 women, published this spring in Obstetrics and Gynecology, additional long-term benefits come with an increased duration of breastfeeding. The longer a woman breastfeeds, (for most factors the study defined this as 12 or more months) the lower her risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Food for thought. www.usbreastfeeding.org. Como Without the Chaos This summer you can enjoy Como Zoo & Conservatory without the parking hassle that is frequently an issue at the popular destination. Every Saturday and Sunday, through September (except Fourth of July weekend), visitors can hop aboard a free shuttle bus originating from parking lots at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds or the St Paul Public School District Service Facility (both just west of the zoo on Como Avenue) from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Buses run about every 10 minutes and are wheelchair accessible. For more info call 651-487-8200 or visit www.comozooconservatory.org
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