Lunch Fun

Are your kids getting tired of the same 'ole PB&J in their lunchboxes? Parents.com gave us some great tips on how to spice up the sandwich routine. Try these are let us know what you think!

The Laughing Cow light spreadable cheese with ham and grated carrot

Whipped cream cheese and fresh blueberries

Apple butter and fresh apple slices

Hummus and chopped peppers

Almond butter with slivered almonds and dried cranberries

Tuna salad and a sliced tomato

Veggie cream cheese and cucumber


Let us know which ones are a hit!

Best TV for Kids

With spring just around the corner, there's bound to be a few rainy days where you're going to need some indoor entertainment. Timeout New York compiled a list of the best TV shows for kids, helping us to feel a little less guilty about them watching.

Our first choice is It's Hip Hop Baby! Pop in one of our DVDs and get your kids moving, learning, AND entertained all in one.


Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends

Based on stories written by British clergyman Wilbert Awdry, about a group of talking engines who aspire to be “Really Useful” to the railway manager, Thomas & Friends (as it’s also known) shows kids what we mean when we talk about emotions like doubt, worry, excitement and caring.

Yo Gabba Gabba!

Now in its second season, this show has already cornered the market on cool guest stars (Elijah Wood, the Shins), offbeat lessons (it has taught viewers how to play the therein) and danceable music (Of Montreal has provided tunes). It’s a new-new classic for the post-post-punk generation.


iCarly

Boob tube, meet the podcast. Resolved to ponder but never to pander, the series addresses such of-today concepts as instant celebrity, technoliteracy (teen Carly Shay produces her own Web show) and even the hardships of military families (her dad is stationed overseas). Look for Miranda Cosgrove to become a crossover star come adulthood.

Other Top Picks:

Barney & Friends
Boohbah


Let us know what your kid's favorite shows are!

Moms-to-be

For all the moms-to-be out there, Parents Magazine just posted a great little article about creative ways to let everyone know you're expecting!

Here's a few of our favorites:

Hot-Rod Grandma

We all ride motorcycles in my family, so I sent my mom a book entitled Grandma Rides a Harley when I found out I was pregnant. She called me the second she got it. I could tell she was very excited, but was trying to keep calm until she got clarification.
-Dawn S., Burlington, Connecticut

We were going to my parents' house for dinner and wanted to surprise them by telling them we were pregnant. We told them we would bring the dessert, so we picked up an ice cream cake and had "We're Pregnant" written on it. It was hard to keep quiet all through dinner, but boy were we excited for dessert. Seven months later we played hangman to revel the name we had chosen for our little Ella Rose.
-- Celine V., Phoenix, Arizona

We told our parents by taking each of them out to lunch and giving our mothers "just a little something we saw and thought they would like." The gift was a wrapped bib that said "I Love Grandma." It took a few seconds for them to realize what the bib meant and their reactions were shock then complete happiness and tears. An amazing moment!
-- Lisa D.A., Warwick, Rhode Island

Do you have a great story like one of these to share? We'd love to hear!

Out & About: Chicago

If you're going to venture out of your own kitchen this weekend, mix it up by going for brunch instead of dinner. Time Out Chicago has some great kid-friendly suggestions that we just had to share - dig in!


Shaw’s Crab House (21 E Hubbard St, 312-527-2722)
You won’t be able to pull your kids away from the waffle bar and mounds of maple-smoked bacon at this Sunday buffet—where 12-and-unders eat free with a paying adult—until they get a load of the sweets table, stacked with housemade desserts, lollipops and poufs of cotton candy.


Angel Food Bakery (1636 W Montrose Ave, 773-728-1512)
Maybe dishes like smoked trout focaccia and creamed wild mushrooms sound a little adult for a kid-friendly brunch. But don’t worry—this retro café also makes awesome egg-in-a-hole entrees and housemade “airstreams” (its take on Twinkies) to balance it all out.


Nana (3267 S Halsted St, 312-929-2486)
The fact that much of the food here is organic is one good reason to visit. The spiced apple crêpes, corn-oat waffles and baked chilaquiles are three others.

If you try one, let us know what you think!

Get all the scoop.