Elephant layette hat. www.jjcolecollections.com

Zen T-shirt, sun protective clothing. www.kjsunprotectiveclothing.com

Peacock sling, Sausalito Moses basket and Nordic booties. www.serenaandlily.com

Spring has sprung and so have our offspring. Lucky us, the dark days of winter and record-breaking low temperatures are just a memory we’d rather forget. Left in their place are trees bursting with buds, birds chirping, flowers bursting with color and the renewed buzz of exhilaration and excitement that only spring can bring. Spring is the season of awakening and new beginnings and a perfect time for you and your kids to “spring” into action with activities that are sure to please. Super-cute models Emi and Paolo show us how an Easter egg hunt can be a totally enchanting ritual that sparks kids’ imaginations and allows families to have fun and celebrate together. So, don’t be shy, leave parenting formalities aside, kick off your shoes and do the happy dance with your kiddos! They’ll get a big kick out of seeing you in such a joyous state. Betcha anything you’ll enjoy it too!

Happy, fun, exciting emotions are usually associated with bright, highly saturated hues. So it is no surprise that most children’s products today are bursting with color. No matter what the items are, as long as they are vivid and happy-looking, your child will instantly fall in love with them. Don’t underestimate the power of color! Give your kids something to smile about.

1. J.I.P, Junior in Progress wood rocking bench. www.jip-collection.com

2. Gummy Earbuds, scented earphones. www.sakar.com

3. I’M OK! Mini first aid kit. www.kabalab.com

4. Tool Set, handmade natural foam toys. www.rubbabu.com

5. Bilibo, a toy with endless functionalities. www.bilibo.com

6. Lollacup, BPA-free sippy cup with weighted straw. www.lollacup.com

7. Playsam, Classic Roadster Saab. www.playsam.com

By Pixie Ibañez

I hope your Valentine’s Day is great.

I hope it’s quite a treat.

I hope you have a happy day

Filled with things so sweet.

By Joanna Fuchs

1. Olivia, Zoobies 3-in-1 Pet. www.Zoobies.com | 2. “I Share Everything But My Music” T-shirt by illustrator Stephan Britt. www.shareshirts.com | 3. Mr. & Mrs. LovieBot 100% cashmere blanket by La Lovie. www.lalovie.com | 4. Red heart slipper socks. www.Target.com | 5. Pio Pio Brown Suede shoes by Livie and Luca. www.livieandluca.com | 6. PVC and phthalate free bib by JJ Cole Collections. www.jjcolecollections.com | 7. I Love Mommy onesie. www.Target.com | 8. Bull Dog kids cup. www.Target.com | 9. Bug (butterfly), dolls with feelings by Kimochis. Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, 713.386.1700 | 10. Red Shoe Bunny Black Polka handmade doll, www.lalovie.com

Luckily for your little ones we have become a more eco-conscious generation and it’s now easier than ever to adopt a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Eco-friendly, green products are not only a healthier choice for your bambinos; they also have a positive impact on the environment. What’s more, the costs of organic and eco-friendly products are decreasing as more people are jumping on the green bandwagon. Here are a few really cool and yummy products to get you started!

1. Rich Frog’s original rubber duck, Jason kids organic toothpaste, My Dentist’s Choice organic tooth tissues, Cocoon Baby organic wash and conditioner, Burt’s Baby Bee buttermilk bath soak, Lifefactory glass and silicone sleeve baby bottle, Bambu Bamdino Collection veneerware and utensils, Little g Pants diapers.

Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, 713.386.1700

2. Kid O Memory Match 16 wooden connection game, Eeboo Gathering A Garden eco-friendly board game, Tegu Discovery Set natural magnetic wooden building blocks, Miller Goodman PlayShapes bird and flower, Skip Hop’s Stay-Put mat and plate, Zoo Care Elephant by Koko.

Kuhl-Linscomb, 2424 W. Alabama 713.526.6000

3. Long-Sleeved Life Spud 100% Organic Cotton Onesies- “My Life is My Message”

and “With our thoughts we make the world.” www.sweetspud.com

4 . Ella’s Kitchen organic baby Food, Sprout organic baby food.

Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, 713.386.1700

It’s Halloween! It’s Halloween!
The moon is full and bright
And we shall see what can’t be seen
On any other night.

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,
Grinning goblins fighting duels,
Werewolves rising from their tombs,
Witches on their magic brooms.

In masks and gowns
We haunt the street
And knock on doors
For trick or treat.

Tonight we are
The king and queen,
For oh tonight
It’s Halloween!

~Jack Prelutsky~

1. My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck– Scholastic.com

2. Ninja Batty Shogun by Ugly Dolls– The Villager Store

3. I’m Alive toddler t-shirt– target.com

4. Paul Frank Scurvy Booster Seat– Clekinc.com

5. Girly skull burnout t-shirt (white with pink bow), black rib cage one piece– Punkbabyclothes.net

6. Assortment of Halloween treats– Dylan’s Candy Bar-

7. Baby Hawk Mei Tai Black Calaveras Skulls Carrier– Babyhawk.com

8. Grooving Mummy – target.com

9. 3 one pieces: white skull, purple skulls and roses and “zombie slayer”– Punkbabyclothes.net | trick or treat tote @ Dylan’s Candy Bar

10. Bat costume and bat treat bag– Potterybarnkids.com

11. Classic shoe Lil Dipper– Softstarshoes.com

Pottery Barn Kids launches iPhone Halloween App! Snap a photo and then sneak a peek at how your child will look in their costume. It’s a way for them to virtually try on the costumes and pick their favorite. It’s so much fun!

Who does not love cool stuff? These days with the social media overload, kids are so trend savvy and avant-garde that you should at least try to attain the title of “Cool Parent”! Here are some pretty cool things I’ve been hording all summer to try and help you attain the status. Now it might not work, but just remember, what is so cool, wicked, bad or whatever it is kids are saying now will pass. You’ll get it right eventually!

Em Tanner – Love Tats Girl (wing) Tee, Me 2 a Tee! Placemat, Skully Plate (Tate), Me 2 a Tee! Plate (Andy and Ellie), Lollipop Girl Plate (Isabel), Funky Cereal Bowl (Isabel), Me 2 a Tee! Water Bottle (Noah). www.emtannerdesigns.com

Livity Outernational – Kids Fireball Fedora. www.livity.org

Boon Inc. – Fluid Toddler Cup. www.booninc.com

Target – Fire Fighter Umar Rain boots. www.target.com

Candlewick Press – Pirateology Guide Book, Show Off Book. www.candlewick.com

Livie & Luca – Emilio Red Shoes, Haru Girl Shoes. www.livieandluca.com

Rock A Bib baby – Motley Hue Bib. www.rockabibbaby.com

Fat Brain Toys – Sturdy Birdy Game, Dado Planks. www.fatbraintoys.com

By Pixie Ibañez | Photography by Sophia van der Dys

Summer has been fun, but by the time August rolls around most kids have only one thing in mind – GOING BACK TO SCHOOL! After almost three months of fun in the sun and sleeping in, kids are not only eager to reconnect with old friends, they are also looking forward to shopping for their new school supplies. Do you remember how exciting that was? It was so important to have the coolest backpack, the latest scented markers, the Hello Kitty pencil case, the metal TV-themed lunch box and the ever-so-popular Trapper Keeper. It’s funny how some things never change! Here are some of the latest back-to-school must-haves so your kiddos can be cool at school.

GAP.COM – Printed Messenger Bag (boy), Bright Printed Lunchbox (girl) • EM TANNER – Scalloped Circle Backpack, N is for Name Waterbottle, Me 2 a TEE! Waterbottle, Simple Stripes lunchbox • TARGET.COM – Paul Frank Notebook, Hello Kitty Pencil Pouch and Glue Stick, Mead Five Star Pencil Case, Trapper Keeper Binder, Harajuku Lovers Composition Book and Binder.

By Pixie Ibañez

Photography by Gabriella Nissen