stroke of genius

Picasso famously said, “All children are artist. The problem is how to remain and artist once he grows up.” Kids are buzzing with creativity, filled with wonder, curiosity and fresh new ideas. Sadly for the first time, research shows that American creativity is declining. What went wrong and how can we fix it? Simple, limit the exposure to gadgets, TV aand hand them a paintbrush and easel instead.

Bath crayons. www.munchkin.com

Gelarti™ designer studio. Kids can create cool designs and stylish stickers to collect or give to their friends. www.toysrus.com

Color Kiwi Crate. Designed for hands-on learning and play, Kiwi Crate provides families with all the materials and inspiration needed to create, discover, and explore – right to the front door!  www.kiwicrate.com

Little one’s art easel, playful art set, finger paints, poster paints. www.pkolino.com

 

By Pixie Ibañez

BACK TO BASICS

Are those blinking battery-operated toys that promise to turn your kid into the next Albert Einstein truly better than other playthings? Well, I truly believe that electronic wonders can teach basic facts, like letters and numbers. But most of them don’t spur creativity. These gadgets usually require only a push of a button or touching a screen. More basic, no-tech toys allow kids to use them in various ways and encourage them to literally think outside the box. Good for their imagination, good for problem solving, good for fun! Here are a few toys that help kids get back to basics.

Early Lingo DVD Series, foreign language program. www.earlylingo.com | Flip Crayons, double-tipped colors. www.hwtears.com | Oregon Scientific SmartGlobe Star. www.hayneedle.com | Rory’s Story Cubes. www.thetoywall.com | Summer is around the corner! Looking for summer camp options for your kiddos? Get your hands on The Summer Book, the perfect camp guide. www.thesummerbook.com | Perplexu. www.thetoywall.com

By Pixie Ibañez

Traveling with children doesn’t have to be hellish. The most common causes of frayed nerves and stress are the boredom factor, kids refusing to walk through the airport, and missing luggage. Which means the key to a pleasant, stress-free journey is having good entertainment and adequate travel gear. Here are a few must-haves to make your trip a little more easy-breezy.

By Pixie Ibañez

 

 

dB Logic- EP-100 earphones with high- performance sound quality and distortion-free SPL2 technology. www.dBLogic.com • Mark-My-Time digital bookmark, reading timer and booklight. www.mark-my-time.com • iPad®, Nintendo® 3DS, Scrabble® Slam! card game, LeapPad® Tablet. www.target.com • Pack and Ride- Ride On Carry On is a children’s chair that instantly attaches to any wheeled carry-on luggage converting it into a travel stroller. It safely transports any child 8 months to 5 years. The headrest converts to a handy tray table for eating and playing. It folds flat on your luggage to go through security and stow without removing. www.rideoncarryon.com •  Confections by Shara’s Paperie- Personalized luggage tags. www.confectionsbysharaspaperie.com • PsiBands- Drug-free wristbands for nausea relief. www.psibands.com

 

When you have crazy adventurous kids, you have to be prepared for the veritable avalanche of strange, colorful things that will invade your home. Fluffy toys, loud things that spontaneously make noise in the middle of the night, and all kinds of small furniture in garishly bright primary colors. The situation isn’t entirely hopeless, though: Some designers are putting the fun back into kids’ furniture. These pieces are a delight not only for kids, but for their hip parents, too.

Coco plexistyle baby lounger www.geniusjones.com

Trioli yellow chair www.geniusjones.com

Mini chair Little Chester PU shiny silver www.jip-collection.com

Rocking scooter wood blue BOX32 design www.jip-collection.com

Eames Elephant www.geniusjones.com

Fatboy Junior www.geniusjones.com

SweetSeat booster in aqua with cherry red dots www.sweet-seat.com

 

 

nature aid

Organic goods are popping up in practically every store nowadays. From organic shoes to organic baby food, there doesn’t seem to be a product that hasn’t had a greener, healthier, organic makeover. Ignite a passion for organic goods within your children early on, and natural, healthy, eco-friendly alternatives will soon become second nature. Little people can also make a difference, and their contributions will hopefully help our sweet planet heal from a very nasty boo-boo.

With the purchase of each Greenzy, a donation is made to The Arbor Day Foundation which goes towards planting trees in our nation’s forests.

1- Mini Bobble designed by Karim Rashid. www.waterbobble.com
2- Glob paint kit, natural botanical paints. www.globiton.com
3- Leakey Collection beads for learning natural material beads. www.leakeycollection.com
4- Greenzy Peat doll. www.greenzys.com
5- Kiss My Face obsessively natural kids toothpaste. www.kissmyface.com
6- Miracle-Gro kids 3-in-1 gardening set from Peachtree Playthings. www.toysrus.com
7- Aussan Natural baby care products. www.aussannatural.com
8- Kamik 100% recycled sweet pea rain boots. www.kamik.com

cook, spill, eat… be merry!

Kids have little hands and big imaginations. They love to explore and try new things – especially in the kitchen. But for many parents, kiddos in the kitchen is a no-no. The key is having the proper kid-friendly kitchen tools and setting boundaries as to what they can and can’t do. Cooking is the perfect family activity: It requires focused attention – which is just what most children crave these days; it teaches them valuable skills; boosts their self-esteem; and improves their chances of becoming healthy adults. But perhaps more importantly, it creates memories of time together that last a lifetime. These holidays, why not take the time, make a mess and have some fun with your kids in the kitchen. Long term they’ll be healthier, food savvy and a sure hit with friends. Plus you might get some nights off!

• Mixing Bowl• Ollie whisk • Floura measuring cup • Sunny spatula. www.headchefs.com
• Kuhn Rikon Swiss peeler • Fred Babushka measuring cups • Le Creuset revolution silicone brush • Smiley face flex turner • Fashionbrands StirStik • Red silicone mini mitt. www.surletable.com
By Pixie Ibañez
Photography by Gabriella Nissen

Shot on location at Cáceres Luxury Townhomes
Model: Devion Raye Pitts

Baby food is going green, and that’s no strained peas! A rapidly expanding selection of organic foods and eco-friendly products are taking Babytropolis by storm, but only a few rise above the rest. Instead of opening a jar, explore your options. Packing some fresh snacks is also a great idea; just find a cool and handy container and voila! Provide your baby with only the best, just like Mother Nature intended.

Thinkbaby Complete BPA Free Feeding Set. www.thinkbabybottles.com

BabyBjörn Soft Bib www.babybjorn.com

Peter Rabbit Organics Fruit Family Pack. www.peterrabbitorganics.com

LunchBots Duo Stainless Steel Container. www.lunchbots.com

Beaba Babypote Sorbet, Formula & Milk Container. www.beabausa.com

NurturMe Scrumptious Squash, Dry Baby Food Pouches. www.nurturme.com

NurturMe is truly a revolutionary offering for our babies! This new concept in baby food is space-saving, lightweight, minimal eco-friendly packaging, tasty and nutritious. All of the ingredients found in the NurturMe line of premium baby food are farmed organically in the USA! The powder-like mixture is quick-dried from 100 percent organic veggies and fruit (think rice cereal). Just add water or breast milk, stir and serve. No clanking jars! The quick-dry process doesn’t cook off vitamins and minerals, so each portion is packed with the maximum amount of nutrition.

By Pixie Ibañez

 

Stuck in The Middle… (school)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your child is headed to middle school. Don’t panic! For many youngsters the transition from elementary to middle school can be a bit daunting; after all, going from top dog on the block to new puppy can be pretty intimidating. The key to a less stressful transition is chatting openly with them about the changes and challenges they will have to endure. But most importantly, to teach them that change also brings opportunity for new beginnings and new experiences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanessa:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gap Twist stripe t-shirt, Belted tulle skirt.  www.gapkids.com

 

 

 

Xhilaration denim vest.  www.target.com

 

 

 

Dawn & Deepa Stolen Hearts Necklace in Strawberry Ice.  www.dawndeepa.com

 

 

 

JanSport zebra stripe backpack.  www.officedepot.com

 

 

 

Sip n’Go reusable water bottles blue/pink.  www.buysipngo.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alan:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gap convertible plaid shirt.  www.gapkids.com

 

 

 

Aéropostale athletic rolloutt-shirt, blue/white puka necklace.  www.aeropostale.com

 

 

 

Sprigs red banjees wrist wallet.  www.springville.com

 

 

 

David & Goliath watch.   www.davidandgoliathwatches.com

 

 

 

iSafe blue/grey backpack.  www.isafebags.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Styled by Pixie Ibañez | Photography by Sofia van der Dys | Models: Alan & Vanessa Sneider

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vernor Panton Junior chair in light blue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ebulobo Crazy Cuddly Wolf at www.Growsup.com

 

 

 

The Yolk chair by Little Nest

 

 

 

Splendid blue denim, button-down short sleeve shirt TOMS Tiny Toms Navy elephants shoes

 

 

 

Oiva Toikka’s Dodo rocking bird chair indoor/outdoor in yellow

 

 

 

George wears Ralph Lauren colorful plaid button-down shirt • GUND Aaaah Dinosaurs- Tristen

 

 

 

Giggle Moon sun dress · Lelli Kelly glitter butterfly shoes

 

 

 

Phoebe wears Mimi & Maggie mountain flower tank · Twirl & Co. Pink tutu · Juicy Couture apple blossom striped hooded cardigan ·

 

 

 

Fore! Axel & Hudson fedora hat · Polo by Ralph Lauren t-shirt

 

 

 

Reema princess headband Hunter Kids First fuchsia rain boot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furniture from Kuhl-Linscomb: www.kuhl-linscomb.com

 

 

 

Clothing and shoes from Neiman Marcus Galleria: www.neimanmarcus.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Models: Phoebe and George Ghabriel | Hair by Rowayda’s Hair Studio 832.877.1764

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Styled by Pixie Ibañez

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photography by Phoebe Rourke-Ghabriel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUNSATIONAL

 

Ahh, summer is finally here! For our kiddos that means no homework, no tests, no worries… simply fun in the sun. To escape the scorching temperatures our kids will spend endless hours in pools, rivers or lakes, splashing to their hearts’ content or until their skin shrivels and the last ray of the sun is gone (oh, those were the days!). Unfortunately, along with the good times come the possibility of scary mishaps and inevitable sunburns.To make water safety fun, buy them a cool and reliable life jacket they’ll be eager to wear and can even incorporate while at play. They’ll love it so much they won’t want to take it off! As for the sun, we all know it’s healthy to get some rays, but not to be overexposed, so make sure you slather some sunblock and apply it more than once, even if the product is waterproof. Hip, hop, hooray for the hot summer days!

 

Zippies ID Tags. www.zippiesfun.comFabric Cooler Bag with insulated lining, Assorted water bottles. www.target.com

Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go! andSpongeBob Squarepants sunscreen by Sunbow.www.sunbowsunscreen.com

Playtime Hoodie by Olive Juice. www.olivejuicekids.com

Towel Backpacks. www.dpoppen.com  Also available at the Houstonian Hotel.

Crocband Flipswitch Kids flip-flops by Croc. www.crocs.com

Sea Squirts Killa Whale Swim Assist Vest.www.opacove.com

SUMMER TIP

Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death among U.S. children ages 1-9. Parents should use multiple layers of protection, such as supervising children, enrolling them in swimming lessons, learning CPR and ­installing fences, an alarm and cover, to ensure a fun yet safe time for everyone.

By Pixie IbañezPhotography by Gabriella NissenModel: Enrique Torres