Three Haute Mamas

How sweet it is, Valetines gifts with meaning

Happy Hump Day Mamas! Kimberly is on her way to Boston to meet with the always amazing leaders at Room to Grow who make everyday a sweet one for some very special moms and expecting moms in Boston.  I am at home giving Kimberly a hand with a project on one of her other jobs, like children, she can't just have one.  Or three.  Or four;) We should all be blessed with that much energy!!!! How do you do it all Kim?? Or is that another post? Anyhooo..back to the matter at hand, Valentines Day.  Sweet Valentines Day. 

 

print available here

When my oldest was a baby we listened to James Taylor every night  while I rocked her to sleep.  Everytime I hear his Greatest Hits volume one I get teary eyed-she's now 9, and no longer rock-able. Try as I might.   But still sweet as pie. 

Sometimes the sweetest Valentines gifts are those with hidden meanings that only you and the recipient understand.  

Relive your travels as a couple with a customized subway scroll.  Even if  you haven't left your state, you can certainly include local cities or streets.   

 

Met at a friends wedding in California? Vintage California bracelet available here

I strongly believe in showing young daughters how much they are loved every day, but Valentines is a truly special time for Dad or Mom to step up to the plate and really hit it out of the park.  Let them know they will always be your little princess and give them something so they remember this everyday.

Married to a francophile? This petite original watercolor of the Eiffel Tower is tres jolie.  

Music! For those pesky teens that eat all your food and leave dirty laundry everywhere.  Fill their iPods with all those songs you grew up singing together.  They say they hate them but they totally don't.  Kate Spade iPod cases help. 

Still dreaming of that luxurious trip you took, or your honeymoon to where ever but can't afford to go back?  Did you know most hotels sell those blankets they call "bathrobes", just call the concierge and ask.  And then start saving for your return trip.  

 

  And then start saving for your return trip.  

 

 

Santas little sick ward

Oh the joys of motherhood.  Two days before Christmas, and my oldest has the stomache bug, my youngest has pnemonia and hub is currently undergoing knee surgery.  It's the hap-happiest season of all..... 

People always make fun of me for having my shopping and wrapping done the weekend after Thanksgiving, but as the mother of three asthmatics, it's a crapshoot as to the health and well being of our holidays.  Should the need arise for last minute gifts and I am housebound, I turn to the magic of the internet, and handiness of American Express. 

~Heifer International online donations and e-cards:  A lovely contribution to an organization that provides families with hope and an end to hunger.  

With gifts of livestock and training, we help families improve their nutrition and generate income in sustainable ways. We refer to the animals as "living loans" because in exchange for their livestock and training, families agree to give one of its animal's offspring to another family in need. It's called Passing on the Gift – a cornerstone of our mission that creates an ever-expanding network of hope and peace.

Imagine the look on your mother in laws face when you tell her that you purchased her a cow!

~MYO Cd's  (make your own CD's): Spread the holiday cheer by burning your favorite Christmas tunes to a CD.  You can easily download them from iTunes and/or Amazon and upload to a CD.  Create a cute CD sleeve from your childs artwork, and voila! Santa's little rockstar! 

~Memberships: For the families in your life think museums, zoos, sports parks, etc.  Our Christmas Eve Day tradition (until this year apparently) has always been to hit the Boston Children's Museum.  We arrive super early, and the children have the place to themselves.  I don't think my kids know they can go any other day of the year.  Most memberships like this can be purchased, and printed up online.  

 

~Tickets! Who doesn't love attending an event or show? Last year Santa brought my girls tickets to Finding Nemo on Ice which they adored.  Santa did not have the tickets ready Christmas eve, so he wrote a note letting us know when and where we would be attending.  Kudos Santa! Ticketmaster has lots of future shows to peruse for all ages, or check your local venues.  

*Dear Santa, Nemo-schmemo.  It's all Kenny this year.  

~And finally, consider a charitable contribution to your local childrens hospital.  We have spent far too much time in the past years at our Childrens Hospital in Boston, but not as much time as we could have due to the  wonderful care received.  I am thankful that we have such a top notch hospital in the area, and even more thankful when we leave;) 

Things may not be perfect at our house, but I know things could be a lot worse, and regardless it still is the hap-happiest season of allllllll.......and the holiday music, much to the annoyance of the ill and infirmed, will continue to play 24/7 until this nurse says so. 

 

 

On the 20th day of the holiday, Mr. UPS gave to me...

The Balloon iPod speaker.  

 This tiny sponge-like "balloon" is actually a speaker that can be used with your iPod, cell phone or anything that has a 35mm jack.  For those who like to share their music old school, this tiny 2" in diameter speaker is the key to your listening pleasure.  Available in Pink, Black, Red and Light Green and comes in a branded gift box.  

I hereby dub pink the official 3rd color of Christmas.  

 

Haute apps for the back to school

What parent's phone isn't covered in jam and Pirate's Booty dust these days?  Thank Apple and their Apps. A blessing and a curse I say, for nary a minute goes by that I'm not negotiating the return of my phone from my kids. Yet, it does allow me the convenience of spending more than 6.2 minutes in Target so there is a plus side.  So mamas, in light of the return of school (and a full 6 hours of uninterrupted Mommy phone usage), I bring you the best of back to school apps* for the haute kids in your life.  May this buy you 5 minutes of peace in the Starbucks order lane.   

For the parent who want to help their little monkey learn to read, an app from the worlds favorite monkey

Any physics geeks out there? Thought so.  Draw shapes with the crayon that come to life and interact with the wheel causing it to move according to physical laws. When it reaches the stars the level is complete. Hello son..This is Harvard is calling. 

 

iLive Math Oceans.  Not a whole lot of info on iTunes, but the two reviews were very positive and I like the concept. Especially because let's be frank, can we.. math is really hard. 

 

"Word problems can be a challenge to many kids.  All word problems in this app are about ocean life and they are accompanied by stunning pictures and great sounds.  The child can also seek out more information about the animals by reading about them in Wiki pages in the app"

Who remembers the Constitution?  Declaration of Independence? Don't even bother trying.... Famous Speeches does the work for you.  oops..I mean..Children, for reference and reading enjoyment only, I give you..Famous Speeches . 

 

Sight words made fun from Learning Sight Words.  If one teacher has to teach 20 kids 100 sight words that's....Where's the math app again? 

I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.

~Winston Churchill

Clearly the man was never handed an iPhone loaded with apps.  

xo, Kate

*Please note I've not used any of these apps firsthand.  My children won't give me my phone back.