DM Finds: Stomp Rocket

OK, folks, here is the hottest summer toy that both you and your kids will love: the Stomp Rocket. This one is actually the Stomp Rocket Jr. with glow-in-the-dark rockets.

I was browsing on Amazon for a birthday gift for Hazel's friend, and was seduced by the rave reviews and perfect price tag ($10.50) this little set offered. So we got one for her friend. And another set for us.

It is the BEST summer toy, and here's why:

• Kid-powered (no batteries)
• Requires turn-taking but turns are very quick
• Fun for all ages (Poppy can put the rocket on by herself and we help her jump or sit on the stomper to send it flying - gratuitous giggles ensue)
  
• Can play alone or with others (it's fun to try to catch the rocket when you're waiting for your turn)
• Inherent but unmeasurable competition
• Active!

Cons, though I don't think any of them are a big deal:

• Babies like to chew on the rockets (so what else is new)
• The stand sometimes comes apart if it gets knocked or jumped on - an adult has to put it back together
• The rockets sometimes get stuck in nearby trees, but that offers its own fun trying to get it down (Dads love to get involved in this manly challenge)
• Babies crawling too close to the stomper may get knocked down by heaven-gazers trying to catch the rockets (whoops)
  

We were out in our common area/courtyard the other night doing the rocket and a family who recently moved in came out when they heard the giggles. They have a newly adopted 3-year-old son from Eritrea who is shy and speaks little English. It was fun to see him warm up and smile when his Dad, and later he, stomped the rocket into space.

So if you've got a space for stomping, I'd say go get you one. Unless your kid has a summer birthday and will be inviting my kid to the party...because I'm pretty sure this is our new favorite gift.

And here's a cute picture of Ginger climbing the tree the HOA says we're not allowed to climb. I am training them early to defy authority.

DiscoMom Finds: Japanese Baby Pants

I am completely nutso for Japanese baby pants, sometimes also called monkey pants. I first saw some on a toddler at the library in Brooklyn, NY. I asked her mom where on earth such cuteness could be found, and, you guessed it: Japan (they were from there.) I considered setting up a playdate so I could ingratiate myself enough to get hooked up on their next trip. This was about three years ago. I went home and Googled my heart out trying to find something like them, with one success: Sckoon.

Could you die? There is something beyond adorable about the cut and style of these soft, room-for-diapers pants. I got Ginger a red-and-white striped pair, and now Poppy is wearing them. I have always loved a good diaper butt, and these pants were made to accent them!

More recently, I came across some similar pants/leggings on a site called Olliebollen. Did I mention I cannot get over them? I've been drooling for a few months, trying to decide whether to drop the cash or not, splurging on the baby who has enough clothes for all practical purposes. There are the leggings. And then there are the shorts and the skeggings! How can a person resist such temptation?

So I broke down and got Poppy one thing. Or two. A kid needs birthday presents! And. The best part is I searched for "Japan baby pants" or similar on ebay, and would you believe there were a couple of sellers selling multiple styles and sizes of the same Dobutsu pants they have on Olliebollen. So I got one in the size I think she is (they say they run small) and one in the next size, for $6 each plus nominal shipping. I cannot wait to try them on!

Also. I don't have a boy but occasionally find myself buying for one. I am extremely picky about boy clothing but would definitely buy a pair of these pants (look at the website - they have good masculine ones) or anything from Sckoon. Especially this. And this.

*I have a long list of cool things I like or find that I want to post. I don't like the old series name I used to use, "The Good Stuff", but I am having a hard time coming up with the right series title - I thought perhaps "Gaga" but you know, there's Lady Gaga and she kinda changed the meaning. So for now it's "DiscoMom Finds" but I am open to suggestions.

Back(pack) to School

I just thought this was cool.

Today I got the Lands' End Kids "Back to School" catalog. If you're not familiar with Lands' End, it sells high-quality, reasonably-priced basic and fairly conservative clothes and winter gear for the whole family. It's your place for solid and striped T's, jeans and khakis that won't show your crack, and fleeces galore. I'm oversimplifying - they have more than that - but you get the idea. GREAT place for swimsuits that cover and support. And their Overstocks is the place for out-of-season deals.

So I was flipping through the catalog. It's got the basic jersey dresses and leggings, turtlenecks and tights, etc. Then I came to this guide-to-backpacks page and was so impressed I had to post it. My kids are not school age yet and don't really need backpacks. But I've got friends with kids starting kindergarten this year - they must have a backpack big enough to hold a folder and a lunch. Other friends have older kids who have to bring home folders, books for homework, lunch and maybe a change of shoes for P.E. How do you know it will all fit?Look what they did. Lands' End took each backpack they sell and figured out what you can fit in it, plus the cubic inches if you need to do your own figuring. Awesome. So, for example, if I have a kindergartener, instead of flipping through all the backpack pages, I can see that the first one, the ClassMate TinyTake, is probably the one for me. Here, I zoomed it for you (I'm technologically savvy like that):
You can kind of see the same thing online here.

And of course don't forget the coordinating lunchboxes, which clip onto the backpacks via a D-ring designed for that purpose! Plus everything is personalizable with a name, initials, number, embroidery symbol or heat transfer patch (similar to the little pictures you could pick out for your class ring...I know mine's around here somewhere...)

Fyi, the current promo is $5 off selected backpacks and lunchboxes, free shipping through August 18 (code HOODIE, pin 1723), and a free "pack pal" (caribeener or similar clip-on decoration) with backpack purchase through August 22.

It's just good design and good marketing. Excellent marketing.

I'd buy one.