Our pick this weekend is to give back!

 

LLD CFO Brad Wallace was fortunate enough to spend Global Dignity Day (October 20) at a school in Paciencia, a favela (slum) outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Global Dignity is a worldwide initiative organized to empower youths and adults through Dignity.  Representatives from Global Dignity have spent months teaching students and faculty about the power of treating each other and themselves with Dignity.  And, on October 20th, students, teachers, volunteers and community leaders all gathered to celebrate the positive impact this program has had on the children of Paciencia and approximately 50 other countries around the world.  The day was marked with speeches by both faculty and students, success stories shared by members of the community, a musical performance and, in true Brazilian style, a performance by Hip e Hop, a student dance group.

"Not only were the children genuinely excited to participate in Global Dignity Day, but the emotion with which both faculty and students spoke really demonstrated the power of this program" Brad said after the day was complete.  "It was easy to tell that Global Dignity has a meaningful impact on these kids, many of whom live in constant threat of violence and drugs and in conditions unimaginable to those of us fortunate to have grown up in the United States." 

Global Dignity is the brainchild of three friends and concerned global citizens who met as Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum: HRH Crown Prince Haakon (Norway), Professor Pekka Himanen (Finland) and founder of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant (United States).  For more info click here.

A Lucky Lil' Adventure to Antarctica

Lucky Lil' Darlings CFO Brad Wallace just had an incredible experience with a 10-day trip to Antarctica!  The adventure featured everything from penguins, whales and seals to giant glaciers. A friend of Brad's he met in Antarctica captured this lil' penguin running across the snow.

Brad even went for a quick swim next to icebergs in the frigid Antarctic ocean.  "Antarctica was absolutely beautiful and truly the trip of a lifetime," Brad reported, "my favorite parts were being so close to all the animals, meeting the other passengers from places like China, Australia and the Netherlands and seeing one of the most breath-taking places on earth." 

If you want to ask Brad more about his trip email him at brad.wallace@luckylildarlings.com

What are the best toddler fun tips for holiday travel?

Keep these 10 tips in mind when travelling over the holidays and you can make sure your toddler is happy and well-behaved, and that you'll have the best vacation yet!

1.   Be Prepared! Whether you’re traveling by car, plane, train, bus or boat, you’re going to want to make sure you have all the basics: diapers, wipes, lotions, extra pacifiers and bottles if they’re age appropriate, favorite toy or blanket, and toys galore.

2.   Have lots of distractions… Toddlers have one of the shortest attention spans. So try to keep them constantly occupied with different toys and games, or switching from one thing to another. Just try and keep everything short and fun for them!

3.   Bring lots of snacks! Toddlers can get very grumpy if they’re not fed at their normal times, so try and keep lots of tasty and healthy snacks handy to keep them full and happy while you’re on the road. You don’t want a meltdown to happen while you’re stuck in traffic!

4.   Burn off some of that energy! We all know that toddlers are very very active youngsters, so try and get them to run around outside before getting in the car, or carry your suitcase through the airport. By giving them a little extra to do, they will be much less antsy and won’t be bouncing off the walls when you being your trip.

5.   Take lots of breaks… Whether or not you have the most toys, games, and snacks, toddlers little legs are going to be ready to run after two or three hours in the car. A short break at a rest stop where they can walk around or you can have a snack on a picnic table will help them be more relaxed throughout the car ride. Better safe than sorry!

6.   Bring familiar things from home. After a long day of travelling, kids can be overtired, cranky, and in need of some comforts from home. Make sure you pack some familiar items, like their favorite toy, blanket, or even pillow from their room. You can even bring their baby monitor, pictures from home, or their favorite night light to make them feel especially comfortable. These little touches will help them relax and fall asleep without feeling stressed out about being in an unfamiliar location.

7.   Keep the routine. Even though it’s hard to predict when you’ll make a rest stop for dinner or for the night, try to keep your toddler’s routine as normal as possible. Breakfast, lunch, dinner on time, as well as snack times and nap times in between. The more normal their routine, the happier they will be!

8.   Dress in layers… Toddlers can be very fussy if they’re uncomfortable in their clothes or car seat. If you make sure they have plenty of layers on you can take them off and put them on as they get hot and cold. An easy solution for a fussy toddler!

9.   Avoid long lay-overs, late connections, and generally travelling during peak hours. Being stuck in traffic with a toddler or having to wait in long lines at the airport is only going to add to their stress and the probability of a melt-down. Try leaving at a time where you can beat traffic or taking a flight that won’t be a jam-packed and as busy!

10.  Plan to visit a family-friendly location. Whether it’s a beach resort, a cabin in the mountains, or just a visit to the city, make sure your hotel, condo, or villa is child friendly. Pick places that have lots of fun museums, parks, shows, and kid-geared activities to keep your kids occupied while on vacation. You also don’t want to bother other guests, so picking somewhere that is used to kids and has many activities to offer for them is going to make your vacation and your toddlers that much better!

BabbaBox's are way cool

Last week we highlighted a few great gifts for 2 year olds. This week, we found a unique gift for the 3-6 year old in your life!

Have you heard of the BabbaBox?

I learned about it in one of babybites recent newsletters. The BabbaBox is a topic-based activity box for kids delivered to doorsteps filled with activities, knowledge, and experiences that encompass all the ways kids love to learn!

A subscription box is delivered monthly with ALL the physical materials plus know-how content to really engage with your kids. Each month features a new theme-based box perfect for 3 – 6 year olds, right?  And better yet everything in the box is gender neutral.

So what's Inside the BabbaBox? Four major components are included to inspire your child: Create. Explore. Story tell and Connect.

If your order is placed before the 15th of the month, your first BabbaBox gift will arrive between the 15th & the 20th of the same month. If your order is placed after the 15th, your first BabbaBox gift will arrive around the 15th of the following month. Your BabbaBox gift will arrive around the 15th of each month after that (up to 3 months total). For more info click here

Looking for a fun activity this Sunday?

Check out the New Amsterdam Market in lower Manhattan this Sunday between 11am and 4pm. New Amsterdam Market will be hosting a family friendly activity open to the public where parents and their children are invited to make a one-of-kind, miniature book made out of recycled materials. Families can then document their experience at the market through a variety of artistic mediums.  Also be sure to check out their selection of holiday pre-orders if you are still looking for that last minute gift idea! For more information visit http://www.newamsterdammarket.org/events.html

What is Sage Spoonfuls?

LLD is proud to introduce our families to our new friend Sage Spoonfuls founder Liza Huber. You may know the busy mother of three from the NBC daytime drama Passions. She also had the honor of being Miss Golden Globe in the year 2000. Her mother is Emmy-Award winning Susan Lucci of "All My Children". I invite you to get to know Liza-she’s great!

Liza and her family

It is always so interesting to hear everyone’s story on how they got started. What inspired you?

My children were, and continue to be, my inspiration for Sage Spoonfuls.  I first had the idea 5 years ago when my oldest was born and I started making his baby food.  There were no products on the market that made it easy for moms.  Then, when my second son came 2 months early and spent 6 weeks in the NICU, I knew I wouldn’t go back to work in the traditional sense for a while so I could be home with him.  That was when I decided to pursue and develop my idea for Sage Spoonfuls, because I could work from home.  When I was pregnant with our third baby, our daughter Hayden, I was on bed rest for the second half of my pregnancy.  That is when I finished my book and pulled it all together.  Royce was the initial inspiration, Brendan was the decision to pursue it and Hayden was the catalyst to get it all pulled together! 

What is your favorite simple recipe that you recommend to busy moms?

As a mom, my motto is “Sanity lies in preparation”.  That is the idea behind Sage Spoonfuls.  All baby food recipes are simple, but the key to making it easy is by preparing the foods in bulk and storing in Sage Spoonfuls jars in the freezer.  This way, you always have a stock of fresh, delicious and healthy baby food available.  All you need is 1 hour every 2 weeks, minimal effort for maximum benefit!

Tell us about your book!

I had so much fun writing my book and I am really excited about the finished product.  Sage Spoonfuls – Simple Recipes, Healthy Meals, Happy Babies is full of recipes, information and ideas from one busy, on-the-go mom to another!  My book includes everything you need to know about introducing and feeding your baby solids, including bonus family favorite recipes the entire family, babies and toddlers included, can enjoy together!  Moms will also find the most up-to-date information on food allergies, nutrition, foods to avoid, infant CPR, organics, finger foods, and much more!  There is even a journal section after each age group to keep track of your baby’s favorite foods.  My book is pediatrician recommended and filled with delicious, simple recipes and hundreds of yummy combinations to fit every baby’s needs.   Plus, it is full of fun commentary and beautiful photos to keep you excited about giving your baby the healthiest start to life!

If moms are looking for a last minute gift for their parent friends, what do you recommend?

Sage Spoonfuls of course! Click here to shop now!