Editorial
The CarandCaboodle Family Road Trip - Be Prepared!
When we arrived in Pacific City, Oregon we were ready to take on the largest sand dune in the USA, and to spend some time on the beach. What we were not expecting was the cold, foggy and windy weather that made it difficult to spend more than a few minutes on the beach, and the illness that was to sweep through our family like wildfire. Fortunately we were prepared for almost anything. From Pepto Bismol to First Aid Kits, Board Games to Windproof Baby Blankets, here are the things that kept us going when the going got tough...
September 3, 2008 in Editorial, Gear Reviews | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The CarandCaboodle Family Road Trip - Up The 101 in Oregon
Our second day of travel had us arriving in Crescent City just past nightfall. We had every intention of using our usual last minute lodging formula - a complex algorhythm involving the AAA diamond sytems , online travel reviews, a drive by assessment of the cars in the parking lot, and a whole lotta luck. But luck, this evening, was not on our side. Flashing signs on every hotel and motel shoo'ed us away. No Vacancy. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Read on to see how we made it through the night and next day...
September 2, 2008 in Car Accessories, Editorial, Luggage & Travel Accessories | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The CarandCaboodle Family Road Trip - We Might Be Giants
Day two of our trip was one of the most exciting. We left the rolling hills of Sonoma and entered Redwood country. The sky was a sparkling blue and our children thrilled at the sheer size of the mammoth trees. If you have never driven along the Avenue of the Giants, parallel to US 101, it is a magnificent stretch of road that is not to be missed. The two lane highway wanders in and out of the shadows of the ancient forest, twining around stands of old growth trees. Stops along the way allow you to get out and stretch your legs and explore (always an excellent idea when travelling with kids).
Once out of the car you will notice the silence of the forest. It's an eerie shadowfilled place, but peaceful. One almost expects to see magical creatures here - a unicorn in a small clearing or a fairy flitting amongst the ferns and trillium flowers. We spent a little time making up stories, aided by the creative story beginnings in the Dreamstarter Book by Jennifer Karin Sidford. This ingenious book ignites you kids (and your own) hidden creativity by giving you a jumping off place for story telling. There is also a card game version and will soon be a web version as well. Our cameras were ready. For the most part I shot pictures using the auto settings on my Sony Alpha Camera. I was grateful for the ability to take rapid succession shots of my kids as they nimbly climbed and scrambled over tree trunks that were 8 feet tall. Later in the day I was grateful for the information I gleaned from watching Me Ra Koh's digital camera instruction videos, prior to the trip. It gave me the courage to expiriment and get a few great shots including one of my own little wood nymphs scampering through the forest.
We chose to turn off the video games and DVD players for this entire portion of the trip, and revelled in nature. Never ones to miss out on a kitschy photo op however, we were sure to pull off the road and wait in line to drive through a "drive through tree". I insisted that the Honda Odyssey minivan would not fit. My husband insisted that it would. I won but the right side rearview mirror of the van lost... It was at this point in the trip that we declared Shamu (our pet name for our black Oddysey), "broken in". Note to fellow travellers: Your Honda Odyssey will not fit though!
Our car was a little worse for wear but our spirits were not. We stopped for a late lunch at a roadside diner that provided even more entertainment and another "interesting bathroom" photo for our kids' vacation memory books. Sophisticated travellers that they are...
The latter part of the day we sped past countless bikers and backpackers all caught up in the majesty of CA highway 101. We were a little jealous of their slow pace as there is so much to see along this route. Down toward the coastline we passed through Eureka where we made one last stop at the Bayshore Mall just off the 101. While we would not usually seek to stop at a mall on a road trip, this one was a perfect pitstop as it contained both an indoor playplace and a Borders bookstore. While the children let off a little more steam, I stocked up on travel reading - Wall E books for my four yr old, American Girl 5 minute Mysteries for my school aged daughters, and Twilight by Stephanie Meyer for myself and my husband.
It was still light when we left Eureka and we decided to push on to Crescent City where we hoped to find a motel to spend the night. Unfortunately when we got there, this was not to happen. The town was booked solid, it was coming up on ten pm, and there was at least 15 miles of nothing before we entered the next town. Our kids were exhausted and so were we. We faced our first travel dillemma. Where would we be able to stop for the night?!
August 27, 2008 in Editorial, Gear Reviews | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (1)
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The CarandCaboodle Family Road Trip - Day One "Packed"
We weren't actually planning to take a road trip this summer. We'd booked a house in coastal Oregon for a week of rest and relaxation, planning to fly our family of six to Portland and rent a car. But the cost of airfare and the lure of the road, as well as the chance to break in our new Honda Odyssey Minivan, led to a change of plans. Here is our adventure, including the places we went, the gear that saved us and the planning tips that helped us avoid common travel pitfalls!
Our journey began at 4am. "Captain Daddy" got a new Road Trip Hat (as is our family tradition). The car was well packed the day before. Packing for a family of six is no small endeavor. Fortunately we had some sound advice (pack for four to five days and do laundry!) and some specialized gear and equipment that made our jobs easier and our loads lighter:
Mountain Smith’s ModularHauler 3 System Deluxe took on our three oldest kids' gear and came out the winner. In the past we would have packed each child’s clothing in a separate bag, and stuffed the randomly shaped containers into the back of the car. Silly us. We had no idea such a clever modular system existed. Using the system we assigned each child a differently colored cube. They hold much more than you’d think. We packed multiple outfits, sweaters and swim gear for five days, plus three pairs of shoes for each child. Once packed the cubes line up in the larger container. This container is rubber bottomed (fear not rain or rugged campsite terrain) and did double duty at our destination as an impromptu laundry hamper. I don’t know why it makes me so happy to see all our stuff packed into such a neat, compact little cube, it just does. 
Mountainsmith also makes a fabulous Cooler (with a fold out drink holder) that fits into the same container, interchanging with one of the bags. We used this in the main compartment of the car to keep our drinks and snacks cool. It fit perfectly between the front seats of our Oddysey minivan. Check out the Mountainsmith site for more modular systems perfect for organizing any travelers.
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Inside the car we packed a weeks worth of games, puzzles, books and activities into Linda Hecht's “One Hecht of an Organizer”. This amazing and multipocketed blue bin had a space for everything from hand sanitizer and mini flashlights to crayons and more. Pockets galore! The long carrying straps made it easy to belt into place in the center seat (no shifting) and amazingly the kids kept everything in the case all week long, even when we stopped at the beach house. I’ll be using this bin for organizing my carpooling self when school starts. It comes with a handy file sorter (permission slips, grocery lists, work papers...) and suggestions on how to make it the perfect in car organizer for moms. More much needed suggestions for making your life less hectic and more organized can be found on the HechtofanOrganizer website.
Also inside the car we saved space by packing Zoobie pets from Little D. Baby. These great pets served quad duty as a comfort item, travel blankie, travel pillow, and loveable stuffed pal. All in one perfect package as opposed to the ten stuffies, special woobie and bed pillow that we might otherwise load ourselves down with. Little D. graciously provided us with a parent version as well - the Travelers Blanket. This small packable blanket and pillow stuffed easily into the minivan's side door pocket and provided instant cozy comfort to the “shotgun” rider.
Finally Little D helped to lighten our load with their Coverplay Portable Crib Covers. Normally I would pack a portable crib as I am squeamish about borrowing germs along with a hotel crib. But these ingenious covers are the perfect solution for the ick factor of borrowed portacribs on the road. When you use one of these easy to pack washable slipcovers you can always be sure that your baby is surrounded by clean bedding. And you can leave the bulky crib at home.
Hitting the road at 4 am turned out to be a great idea. Our kids snoozed peacefully and we had some nice quiet adult time as we cruised through a traffic-less downtown LA. When does that ever happen? We watched the sun rise over the San Joaquin valley as we came down from the mountain passes. By breakfast time we made it to the Harris Ranch, one of our favorite places to stop when driving up the long stretch of 1-5 that makes up the central valley. Fortunately we also packed our kid's Pepto Bismol, as the rich and huge meal did not agree with everyone in the party! Little did we know how handy our Pepto was to become, later in the trip. By early afternoon we were in San Francisco and it was time to start testing some of the tech gear we brought along…
August 25, 2008 in Editorial | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Safety Tuesday: Shop and Plan Ahead for Child Safety
No one wants to plan for an emergency, but a little bit of planning goes a long way towards making the most of your vacation days and can help prevent a tragedy. Worth the effort!
If you are planning a trip then you will want to check out some of the offerrings at the Chicks and Cubs website. Some picks to consider:
1. Physical IDs for children to have all the information they need, ON them, to get back to parents quickly if they become lost. ID bracelets, Shoe Stickers, Shoe Tags, Dog Tags, Temporary Tattoos, Electronic Child Locator ($8.00-$30.00)
2. Wallet IDs These are great for putting all the important information in one place. Parents carry the card and hand it over to authorities if you child is lost. Also great for giving to other caregivers (child care on a cruise, playdates,...). This can also be a physical ID for tweens/teens - since they don't have a drivers license yet. ($10.00 for 5 cards)
3. Parking Pal Magnet This is a magnet that you put on your car. It gives children something to do while you get babies and/or other gear out of the car so they don't dart out into traffic in a parking lot. (set of 2 magnets for $16.00)
4. Information for before you go on a trip (to busy, crowded places!!). Kid Escape! from Child Abductors DVD - teaches kids physical moves to try there very best to ESCAPE from an abductor. ($12.00)
5. Mini First Aid Kit This first aid kit is great for little scrapes. Great size for diaper bag, camera bag, purse. ($6.00)
August 4, 2008 in Editorial, Safety, Trip Planning & Family Travel Tips | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Dashboard Confessions Giveaway: "Would You Rather" Edition
If there's one game my kids enjoy playing on the road, it's "Would You Rather?". Unfortunately, they are not all that creative with the questions so when they make up their own it usually goes like this:
Kid One: "Hey Mom, would you rather walk down the street naked or eat dog poop?" (naked)
Kid Two: "Hey Mom, would you rather eat cat poop or walk down the street naked?" (still naked!)
Thankfully the folks at Zobmondo are pretty good at coming up with clever conundrums that do not all involve public nudity or animal poo, and that my kids still find immensely amusing. As do I. Such as:
"Would You Rather... Rip a garment while trying it on and swear you found it that way or… be given too much change and not tell the cashier?"
Zobmondo's version of this travel game ensures that you are never out of amusingly tricky choices and that you will enjoy much laughter and lively conversation as the miles fly by. Sans electronics!
We're hitting the road in a week's time, and we'll be bringing the travel version of Zobmondo's "Would You Rather..." game along with us. We love it so much that we decided we'd rather share it with you than keep it a secret. So we are giving away two travel sets of the classic game to two lucky winners. Here's how to enter:
In the Comments Field Below:
1. Answer the Question "Would You Rather... travel 5 hours by plane or 5 hrs by car with your children in tow?"
2. Hit us with your best original "Would You Rather" question, and keep the game going!
Two winners will be chosen at 11pm on Friday Aug 8th. Winners will have 72 hrs to respond to email before we draw another do please do check your inbox!
August 1, 2008 in Dashboard Confessions, Editorial, Giveaways,Coupons & Deals | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (77)
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Hitting the Road With Car and Caboodle
In a little under two weeks time, I will be leaving on a roadtrip with my husband, four children, and all of you! We'll be blogging and vlogging from the road, reviewing travel gear and kids' products, as well as ideas for family travel. I can't wait to go, and hope we'll all have a great time. As we prepare, I could a little help from you. We'd love to hear
1. What products/services you'd like to see road tested, or would like to recommend
2. Your best travel tips for travel with kids aged 5 months to 11 yrs
3. Must see attractions between Southern California and Pacific City, Oregon
Leave us a comment below. If we use your suggestions, we'll be sure to credit you!
July 30, 2008 in Editorial | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Sweet Treats for Western Travellers
In a world where schools no longer allow cupcakes in the classroom for birthday celebrations, sweets have been getting a bum rap. And yet, the more we marginalize our treats, the more we long for the simple pleasures we remember from our childhood - the penny candy, the bubblegum cigarettes, the technicolor gummy worms. It's so bad. But so good.
Forbidden fruit tastes all the sweeter and throw in a little nostalgia and you've got sugar shock in a good way. Powell's Sweet Shoppes turn everyone into the proverbial kid in a candy shop, serving up sweets, toys and novelties for just about every age and gender.
Got a hankering for an obscure, novelty, foreign or oldtime sweet? Chances are you will find things here that noone else has. Zotz, Flying saucers, Mary Janes, Aero Bars, Violet scented gum, Flicks, Crows, Pez and hundreds of others took us on a stroll down memory lane. Meanwhile our kids delighted on newer novelties like Grilz and browsed the gummy bins for everything from gummy letters to gummy fried eggs. With scenes from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory playing on a wide screen tv at the back of the shop and a custom candy themed soundtrack piped through the aisles, we knew we'd entered a magical place.
Not a candy person, I enjoyed the fresh gelato at the newly opened Powell's in Laguna Niguel, California. We were delighted to discover that this shop also stocks a grand assortment of boutique and old fashioned sodas and a very impressive collection of sugar free confections that just about anyone can enjoy. Even if none of the edibles tempt you, the collection of retro lunchboxes and old timey toys and games will win you over.
If you are travelling out west, make one of these shops a destination and your kids will remember this as the best trip ever. It's definitely worth going out of your way. For a complete listing of all the locations, see the Powells Website.
And don't forget to say "Thanks for the Memories!"
July 25, 2008 in Editorial, Snack Attack, Trip Planning & Family Travel Tips | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Dashboard Confessions: Grabby Hands & the Automobile
You know those plastic handles on the roof of the car? The one's you grab onto when your designated driver makes a sharp left turn and your beverage of choice goes flying onto the dashboard? The ones your grandma never ever lets go of? We've heard them called everything from "Oh (expletive)" grips to "Terror Handles". The car manufacturers say they are to facillitate entry and exit from the vehicle but those of us with spouses who like to drive, know better.
Well there is finally a use for these handles that does not have to do with whether the light was actually yellow or red.
This clever product from Kicky Pants is sure to keep babies and toddlers busy, as well as toys off the floor, meaning a much quieter ride and less reason to be afraid! Very easy to install, you just stretch the Auto Mobile from door to door in the back seat, velcro-ing the strap around the aforementioned ceiling handles.
They come with 3 rings (but, you can add more with Linkadoos, if you wish) that you can hang your child's favorite toys from to create stimulating back seat scenery. The traveling mobiles I had with my kids were always kind of cheesy, I love the idea of creating my own with whatever the child is most interested in at the time.
The Auto Mobile will help you to create perfect back seat entertainment for newborns and toddlers. Kicky Pants is also an an eco-friendly clothing company that has a fabulous selection of bamboo fiber clothing that is high quality, stylish, and very, very soft.
And now for your confession and a chance to win it - we are giving away one Auto Mobile in Blue with Brown Dots!
Tell us in the comments:
1.What do you call your car handles?
2. What favorite toy your child won't leave the house with out?
One lucky winner will be chosen on Friday July 25, at 11pm.
July 18, 2008 in Dashboard Confessions, Editorial | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (49)
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The Minivan Wars: My Odyssey
In my last two installments of this series, I tried to bring you both sides of the Minivan Wars and introduce you to real moms who loved their minivans and moms who wouldn't drive a minivan if they could at all avoid it. I learned a lot from these moms but I was still torn as to what car to buy for my family of six.
Ultimately my crew made the decision for me.They were fed up with the status quo and it was either a minivan or a big old Partridge Family bus, for us. I went quietly, no fight left. Four months of driving an Acura MDX with my four children, and groceries on everyone's laps (no room for groceries when the double stroller is in the back) had taken the fight out of me. We worked with an excellent broker and placed an order for our very own minivan. We got the Honda Odyssey Touring in black, with the black interior. It looks either sleek, goth, or like Shamu sans white stripe, depending on your perspective.
I will say this, since driving a minivan my life has gotten considerably easier. Cushy almost. I could get used to this! Some of my favorite features thus far:
- The Doors and Liftgate. It's hot here and I worried about a black on black vehicle. It's never been a problem, partly because of the ability to open up the car from a hundred yards away.
- The Space: No more "Quit touching/crowding me!" screams from the back seat. I have all four kids sitting with noone next to them. The double stroller is still in the back of the car. Along with the groceries. There's room for it all.
- The Versatility: My husband has removed the seats twice now. All that stuff in the garage waiting to go to storage? Gone. The mountain of things for Goodwill? Spreading cheer to those in need as we speak. These things tended to pile up and knowing it would take two or three trips in the MDX was enough to put it off till next weekend.
- The DVD system we have not used: I'm glad it's there but I am also glad that my kids have not asked to watch it yet. In the crowded MDX tv was like a sedative, dosed out at every trip in order to keep the masses silent. In the Odyssey we actually listen to (XM) radio. And converse. How novel!
Do I love my minivan? Well despite the convenience, I can't say I love it - yet. It's getting there but a part of me misses driving a vehicle with major horsepower and a complete disregard for where to put a sippy cup. Which is why I already have my sights on something else in place of the MDX. I
If I had not had a fourth child, I doubt I would have taken the plunge. I would have stuck to an SUV or more eco friendly car for transporting the family. But now that I have it, I have to admit, there's worse things in the world than being a Minivan Driving Mom!
July 14, 2008 in Editorial, Mommy/Daddy Driver | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (1)
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The Minivan Wars: Moms Who Love Their Minivans Speak Up
Yesterday we brought you to the front lines of a battle raging in our school drop off lanes and mall parking lots. The Minivan Wars. We met with the rebel front - moms who told us about why they would rather drive pretty much anything besides a minivan. Their arguments were compelling.
Today we hear from minivan loving moms who have drunk the Soccer Snack Kool-Aid, and lived to tell the tale. They answered my query in overwhelming numbers. They also sported such a consistant story line, that I initially felt they were either members of a bizarre cult, or truly on to something .
While the Anti-Minivan Moms had a real knack for poking fun at the van drivers, the Pro-Minivan Moms seemed to take this in stride and had no problem poking fun at themselves. They were nothing if not good sports. Their message to moms everywhere?
Time to Get Over Ourselves
When it comes to moms who love their minivans, the politics are still at play, but priorities have shifted. For most of these women, it was a shock to find themselves at the wheel of their minivan. How did they get there?
July 9, 2008 in Editorial | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: Choosing Car, Family Car, Love, Minivan Wars, Minivans, Moms, SUVs
The Minivan Wars: Moms Against Minivans
I originally began to research this article because I was in the market for a new car. As a mom of four kids, I was being advised to buy a minivan. With so much fervor that I found myself bristling. I decided to speak to some other moms of multiple kids about their car choices, what drives them, and how they felt about the minivan. Did I ever get an earful! My quest led me to the discovery that there was a underground battle going on in the Mom Community. I call it "The Minivan Wars".
In this installment of our three part series, I headed out to the resistance front. I found myself entrenched with some friendly rebels. Their flag flies high with regard to this war, and it says:
Over My Dead Body
My sampled group of mini-van averse moms were rather vehement. You would not catch them cruising the mall parking lot at the wheel of a mini van. Ever. Not even if hell froze over or they had a fourth kid. All of them seemed to share the sentiment that minivans were the harbinger of the beginning of the end. The flat shoe-ed, sweatpanted, three inch rooted equivalent of "letting yourself go".
July 8, 2008 in Editorial | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: Choosing Car, Family Car, Minivan Wars, Minivans, Moms, SUVs
To Minivan or Not? Moms Sound Off in "The Minivan Wars"
"I don't care how much my SUV costs me, you'll never catch me in a minivan!"
"The sliding doors, the space, I don't know what I would do without it."
"I wouldn't be caught dead..."
"My elderly parents and kids matter to me more than looking cool."
If you want to start a heated debate amongst moms, forget about politics. Ask them about their cars. Then ask them if they would ever consider driving a minivan. Now put on your safety goggles and buckle up because the conversation could get very bumpy.
I recently polled a large group of moms, asking them for their candid car stories and reasons why they loved or hated their vans. It wasn't just for fun. I'm currently in the market for a new car. As the mom of four kids, size is really an issue for us. We have two young stroller-aged kids in carseats and two older ones that frequently bring along their nearly adult-sized friends and piles of school and sports gear. Thus there are days when I have wondered if I'd be better off with a maxivan. Something akin to the airport shuttle. Especially if they'd drop me by the terminal and let me gate check myself for the next flight to Tahiti.
When you have three or more kids, everyone knowingly advises you to get a minivan. It's practically a given. A given that makes many moms bristle - like you've questioned their right to vote.
While every vehicle option seems to come with strings (be they social, environmental, or other) no vehicle stirs up strong emotions amongst moms quite like a minivan. It's the old station wagon on steriods and as a social icon, it's fully loaded with more than a DVD player and leather seats.
When I set out to write this piece I hoped to set aside my own emotions and learn from the insights of others. And in my quest for automobile enlightenment I came across some fine tales.
Stay tuned over the course of the next few days. We're bringing you both sides of the argument and we welcome comments from readers as well. I already know what I am buying. Perhaps this discussion will help another mom (or dad) make up their mind as well.
In the meantime, here's an episode of "Mom my Ride" for you. It's an oldie, but a goodie!
Part 2: The Minivan Wars: Moms Against Minivans
Part 3: The Minivan Wars: Moms Who Love Their Minivans Speak Up
July 7, 2008 in Car Reviews, Editorial | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: minivan, Moms
Dashboard Confessions: Easier Now to Win a Bugaboo Frog!
Strollers. They are an indispensible part of parenthood, and to those with young babies and toddlers, going anywhere without them seems like sheer madness. But wait, what's that you got in there? Is that your child or your laundry?
This week Dashboard Confessions leaves the motor behind in an awesome giveaway sponsored by the Stroller Gurus at LetsGoStrolling.com. One lucky winner will be pushing their kid or whatever else pleases them in a posh Bugaboo Frog!
Whether you use your stroller as a shopping cart at the grocery store, a swag wagon at the mall or a picnic basket at the soccer field, we'd like to hear all about it. Tell us the most funny, outrageous or inventive use you have found for your stroller, and you will be entered to win a Bugaboo Frog from Car and Caboodle and Lets Go Strolling.
Here's how to enter:
1. Go to LetsGoStrolling.com and window shop for your favorite diaper bag or stroller.
2. Go to the comments field below and use it to tell us the wacky ways you have used your past and present strollers.
3. Also tell us which of the strollers or bags on the Lets Go Strolling site caught your fancy.
4. Hit submit!
Please note: Entries that do not meet the above requirements, will be disqualified. One lucky winner will win a Bugaboo Frog Stroller (retail value $759)! Winner will be chosen at random from all entries received before 11:00 PM Friday July 4th Friday July 11th.
Editors Note: We have extended the deadline on this contest and changed the requirements for entry (no video required now, but if you have one to share, please do!). We know you are busy and don't want you to miss out on this awesome contest!
June 27, 2008 in Dashboard Confessions, Editorial, Giveaways, Giveaways,Coupons & Deals | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (217)
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Top 5 Places For Families in Queens, New York
Shopping: We love Trader Joe's on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills. We love their fresh, mostly organic products that won't break the bank. My toddler loves to grab a snack at the demo station. While I wish that they carried some mainstream brands (no Hellman's Mayo here), but we love their salad dressings, frozen foods (samosas anyone?) and fresh, mostly organic produce. Their reusable shopping bags are reasonable (we stocked up) and now use them for all of our grocery shopping.
Dining: Dani's House of Pizza right in the heart of Kew Gardens, NY, is a family-owned Italian joint that serves delicious pizza in the front part, and even more wonderful Italian classics in their small dining room. Bring your own booster seat (sorry, no highchairs) and stash your stroller in your trunk (it's really a tiny place). The prices are a steal and we've never gone home unsatisfied! The waitresses are sweet and treat you like family. My son has his first taste of red sauce here.
Play: We love going to Forest Park - the third largest park in Queens. We can hit the playground, through a ball around on the grass, walk a trail, or even go horseback riding (we're going to wait until my toddler is much older though!). The shady park makes it an ideal destination on a really sunny day (and you can find lots of parking on the street). Now that ther weather's better in NYC, the frog sprinklers are on!
Educational: We absolutely adore the NY Hall of Science. The toddler play area is a great place to let your little ones run around safely. They have new exhibits constantly, plus a fantastic new outside playground. We are members and take full advantage of this museum. On Sundays they have a Farmer's Market in the parking lot.
Entertaining Out of Towners: Since we usually entertain our friends with babies, we like to head back to Manhattan and hit either the Museum of Natural History or the fun Baby Loves Disco party.
June 25, 2008 in Editorial, Everywhere We Go, Quick Picks | by Nancy Horn | Permalink | Comments (0)
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5 Typical Family Outings in the O.C.
Shopping: We go to Target at least twice a week. There are three of them within five miles!
Dining: Does the Starbucks drive through count?
Play: With such great weather, there is no end of places to play - but in summer my kids love to cool off and splash at the Ladera Ranch Waterpark.
Educational: We love to visit the Pacific Marine Mammal rescue center in Laguna Beach. We love animals and it's a perfect place for kids to learn about how they can help care for the environment and help our flippered friends.
Entertaining Out of Towners: With Disney, Legoland and Seaworld in striking distance, it's not hard to come up with suggestions. But our favorite way to share our surroundings with visitors is to take them to Crystal Cove State Park Beach for a leisurely stroll and lunch,dinner, or drinks on the beachfront patio at the Beachcomber restaurant. They even give you a blanket to stay warm when it gets chilly.
June 9, 2008 in Editorial, Everywhere We Go | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Ask the Stroller Gurus: Who Needs Air Tires on a Stroller?
Buying a stroller can be expensive and confusing. You want to make a good investment but it can be hard to find good advice about what your really need. We've asked Stroller Gurus Melissa and Jo of Let's Go Strolling to help us answer your questions.
Stroller Question: Why would I need a stroller with air tires if I don’t jog?
Stroller Gurus' Answer: This is one of the number one questions we hear from customers when we recommend any all-terrain stroller, whether a single or a double, that have large 12” air tires. Since it’s such a good question – we thought it was time to address it in writing.
Air tired strollers usually have two big advantages for most stroller users: 1)
- The air in the tires provides a natural level of suspension so that the ride, even over bumps, is smoother for both the rider and the pusher and
- Air tires are usually larger tires (10' or 12”) and bigger tires go over bumps better whether it is broken urban sidewalks and curbs or more off-road obstacles.
Many stroller users are looking for a full-featured stroller that they can push easily whether walking around their neighborhood, cruising the local mall, or on outdoor adventures (e.g., the Zoo, local parks). Oftentimes an all-terrain stroller can provide this full functionality and flexibility for parents who prefer to have one main stroller that takes them smoothly wherever their life does. The added benefit of course, is that if Mom or Dad does decide they want to do some light exercise with baby – the same stroller can stand up the rigors of power walking or light jogging. Of course if you expect to do more than light jogging with your stroller you might want to check out the BOB Revolution stroller which has 16” rear tires so your stroller will glide effortlessly during faster paced runs.
Currently many of the reversible seat strollers that are popular on the market (think Quinny Buzz and Valco RAD) also have two rear air tires but rubber front tires. These strollers provide many of the same benefits of the all-terrain strollers mentioned above but are better suited to urban terrain instead of rougher off-road territory since the front tires do not have air suspension and are smaller.
Many people searching for a double are also reluctant to take on the extra weight that accompanies double all-terrain strollers in the marketplace today. While it is valid concern for parents who do not want to be lifting a heavy double stroller, it is also important to understand the trade-offs involved. Many lightweight double strollers, when loaded down with the 60 pounds or more combined weight of two children, simply do not push well over bumps. The problem being that when you load a 20 lb stroller frame with triple its weight in children, it is no longer the stroller pushing the weight but the pusher who is bearing the brunt of pushing these children along. A high quality 35 pound all-terrain stroller however, while admittedly harder to lift, will glide effortlessly along even the roughest urban terrain loaded with the weight of two toddlers.
So in summary:
Air Tire advantages:
• Smoother push
• Better suspension
• Handles rougher terrain
• Is flexible enough for exercise/light jogging
Air Tire Disadvantages:
• Adds more weight to the stroller
• Air tires require regular maintenance to stay properly inflated and leak-free
Only you know how you intend to use your new ride and what trade-offs truly make sense for you. Understanding the wonderful attributes of a high-quality all-terrain stroller, however, might help you pick your perfect stroller as you determine which option is right for your family and lifestyle.
Got a question for our stroller gurus? Email StrollerGurus@CarandCaboodle.com
June 4, 2008 in Editorial, Gear Reviews, Quick Picks, Strollers | by Melissa | Permalink | Comments (1)
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How One Dad Makes His Minivan Cool
For dads who feel like their minivan needs some manly personality, check out how Gear Dad from DadLabs adds some spice to his family minivan.
June 3, 2008 in Editorial, Mommy/Daddy Driver | by Robert | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: dadlabs, minivan
Five Family Outings in Los Angeles
Ever wonder what a family outing looks like for other people? We asked Car and Caboodle writer Candice K. to tell us about her family's favorite places to visit in LA.
Shopping: The Farmer's Market on 3rd and Fairfax. There is something for everyone at this famous LA landmark marketplace.
Dining: Canter'sDeli. Don't ask me why but my kids love love love this place!
Play: On days when we cannot go to our local park, we hit the play area in the Westside Pavillion Mall.
Educational: We're looking forward to taking the boys to the Peterson Automotive Museum
Entertaining Out of Towners: La Brea Tar Pits (you don't have to even go in the museum if you don't want to).
May 31, 2008 in Editorial, Everywhere We Go, Quick Picks | by Candice Kahn | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: los angeles, travel
The 2008 Acura RDX Does Not Serve Chicken Soup
My car, a well travelled Acura MDX, is in the shop today, getting new brake pads. So today I have a loaner car; a smaller, springier, and sportier Acura RDX.
For about the first seven miles I spent with the loaner, I felt freed. Like I'd just stripped off a fat suit. Maybe it's all the minivan test driving I have been doing lately but when I accellerated? Woo Hoo! I did not mind for even a minute that I could not drive carpool today for lack of seating.
And then something strange happened. A light flashed on the dashboard. Telling me that it was high time for check up. And then another. Check tire pressure already! Mere moments later a voice boomed over the car's sound system admonishing me to buckle my seatbelt, and as message after message flashed urgently at me, jarring me, I started feeling a little bit less like I was having fun and a little bit more like the spirit of my dear departed and overprotective Grandma, was inhabiting this vehicle.
I'm all for safety. My kids might even say that I am a lot like dear Granny. But there has to be a limit here if I am going to enjoy driving and not be startled into crashing for fear of missing the 10k check up.
Plus if any car is going to nag at me like that, it had better make me great chicken soup and send me $10 checks in a heartfelt card on my birthday.
May 28, 2008 in Car Reviews, Editorial, Quick Picks | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: acura
