Kids’ Travel Gear from Oompa Toys

Oompa Toys is one of those feel-good companies I feel good about recommending to TravelingMamas’ readers.

Founded by mom Milanie Cleere in 2004, this online, specialty-toy retailer offers literally hundreds of well-made, environmentally friendly products — from dolls, musical instruments, and art supplies to stuffed animals, puzzles and finger puppets. Milanie (whom I feel like I know after watching her fun video blogs) scours the planet for high-quality items that are created by adults only (no child labor!) in humane working environments.

Here’s the travel tie-in: Oompa sells some darling children’s bags, backpacks and lunchboxes that can transition seamlessly from school to airplane.

Messenger BagMy six-year-old son has tested the Cool Kids Messenger Bag by Allerhand ($45) over the past couple weeks. He likes it because it is indeed, “cool.” (He had been coveting my messenger-style, Timbuk2 laptop bag, and was crushed when I told him he couldn’t borrow it for school use.)

In fact, Oompa’s Allerhand kids’ bag isn’t quite big enough for a first-grader to bring to school — its 12×12x3.5-inch dimensions don’t allow for his insulated lunch bag, mini-umbrella, sweatshirt, sunglasses and assorted papers/projects to fit without closing fuly. (A preschooler’s gear might fit just fine.)

But my son has stuck pajamas, T-shirt, shorts, underwear, a toothbrush and stuffed animal in it to bring to Grandma’s for an overnight. I like the included insulated hot/cold bottle holder and the extra strap that helps keep the bag securely slung over one shoulder.

My eight-year-old daughter brings her Ice Blue Lunch Bag from Skip Hop ($28) to school daily. It comes with a removable strap, so she could easily carry the bag over her shoulder. Or the strap can be thread through loops to turn it into a backpack — very versatile for active field trips or day hikes!

Lunch BagI love how the bag has a silver, NASA-like, high-tech interior, made of Thinsulate material. I typically make the kids’ lunches at night, store their bags in the fridge, and throw in an ice pack in the morning. After school, when I compare the condition of each child’s ice packs, my daughter’s is still ice cold (with a little condensation), where the one that was in my son’s LL Bean lunch bag is much warmer (with a lot of condensation).

As I’m writing this, I’m thinking that I don’t even need to bother tossing in an ice pack into the Skip Hop bag, since the manufacturer says it should keep her lunch items cold for up to four hours on its own. That might also prevent the wetness from the melting ice pack from discoloring the outside of the bag (or maybe the wet spots are from my daughter’s lunchtime water spills). The user information recommends not submerging in water; so, it could be, too, that the light blue color shows watermarks more than a darker color. If you do purchase this product, I’d recommend the Cherry Red or Jet Black.

Some of the other cute Oompa products for on-the-go include:

Eco-friendly Mouse Lunch Bag from Mimi the Sardine ($20)
Roll-along Florentine Luggage from Sigkid ($93)
Spaceship Shuttle Pencil Case from Haba ($16)
Polka Dot Coloring Purse (with crayons and colored pencils) from Tatiri ($20)

Have fun browsing the Oompa website; if you happen to live in Madison, Wisconsin, the company is scheduled to open a brick-and-mortar retail store soon.

I recognize that once again, I’ve highlighted some pricey products, but keep in mind that the holidays are coming up and sometimes family members ask what they can get the kids. Oompa sells quality items that do make great gifts. And, as I’ve mentioned more than once here, you typically get what you pay for!

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September 30, 2008 | Filed Under Travel Gear | 2 Comments 

Don’t Be a Sasquatch in a Swimsuit

Swimsuit season may be over and many of you will be growing your winter coat, but what if you get that last minute chance to go to Hawaii or the Bahamas? What are you going to do? You certainly don’t want to look like a Sasquatch in your swimsuit.

Hair removal isn’t exactly an issue that comes up in conversation with our own mothers and many in their generation are a little uncomfortable talking about this. So, TravelingMamas.com polled a few readers on hair removal for that delicate area to help you make the best decision the next time you have to go out in public in a bathing suit.

Shaving– Can we just go ahead and say it? Who the heck wants razor rash THERE? For some this may be the quickest and cheapest option. Just remember to open up those follicles with a hot soak or a warm rag on the area in question. Lather with moisturizing shave gel or cream. Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it. After shaving, close the hair follicles with a cold rag or bath and use a moisturizer for sensitive skin. Be sure to keep an eye out for ingrown hairs. We sure don’t want an infection in that area!

Waxing– Ouch! If you are one of those who enjoy inflicting pain on your nether regions, then go for it. Find a salon or spa that specializes in a bikini wax and let ‘er rip. Your hair off that is. There are various styles of waxing: American, French, and Brazilian. Full Brazilian refers to EVERYTHING removed around the va-jay-jay, but actually in Brazil this form of waxing is uncommon.

Sugaring– This is a less painful choice than waxing as the sugary paste is applied at room temperature and doesn’t breed bacteria, which is a leading cause of infection. It also acts as an exfoliation. This is the oldest and most natural form of hair removal dating back to 1900 BC Egyptian practices.

Electrolysis– This is the most expensive and time consuming of all epilators. The average treatment occurs over a two year period where the hair follicles are damaged by a small electrical current throughout a number of treatment sessions. This process slows the growth of hair over time and for many users can result in no growth after years of use, but is not guaranteed.

Depilatory (creams)– This is a chemical compound that causes the hair to weaken at the follicle, allowing the user to easily scrape or wipe the hair off. This is an inexpensive and fast option available over the counter. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, you should test the depilatory on a small area before your first use. The chemicals can cause irritation and a rash if left on for too long.

No matter what option you choose for hair removal, we hope this mini-guide will assist you in making a decision on a subject our mothers wouldn’t tell us about. Don’t be a Sasquatch in a swimsuit and share this with your own daughters when the time comes. Feel free to leave any tips or comments to help other traveling mamas in their hair removal decision.

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September 29, 2008 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear, Travel News | 13 Comments 

Cheeca Lodge Video

Here’s a relaxing video to go along with the Family Friendly Florida Keys Resort and Family Fun in the Florida Keys posts:

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September 28, 2008 | Filed Under Destinations, Flying High, Luxury Travel, The Cookie Jar, Videos | 2 Comments 

Funny Hotel Commercial

I saw this funny hotel commercial and had to share.

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September 26, 2008 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar, Travel News | 3 Comments 

On The Move Approved: Spot Me ID

TattoosIf you have ever lost a child in public, raise your hand.

Yes, my hand is raised and I can tell you now, having a lost child was one of my most horrific motherhood moments. When I am out in public with my children I rarely enjoy myself. My eyes are constantly on them and, as many of you know, I have had to resort back to the double stroller when I am by myself because I have not one but two “runners” who will bolt from my hand the moment the slightest thing piques their interest - and if they do get lost they’re not old enough to carry their own phone or know my cell phone number.

What is a parent to do?

After all, over 2,000 kids get “lost” every day and they’re not all “runners” like mine.

Sure, I’ve seen kids with a “My Name Is” sticker on their back and their parent’s cell phone number written on it, but I’ve also seen those same stickers stuck on bathroom floors and on the bottom of amusement park-goers shoes. Aside from stuffing my business cards in my kids’ pockets, which I normally do, I knew there had to be another answer - and there is.

When I heard about Spot Me ID I became completely enthralled - “the answer” has arrived!

logo

Spot Me ID offers a variety of children’s IDs with five “series” of themed lanyards and bracelets: Everyday, Zoo, Football, Amusement Park and Water Park. The lanyard’s hook-on card and adjustable bracelet allow you to write your name, number and any other information you deem important for temporary care of your child, such as allergies or “please ask for parent’s id.”

For those parents with little ones who refuse to “wear” anything, the third item is genius - it’s called Safety ID Temporary Tattoo. Simply use the application wipe to apply the temporary tattoo, let it dry, then with the included travel size marker write your emergency contact number.

These ID’s are perfect for airports, ski slopes, amusement parks, shopping malls, beaches and even massive family reunions where family is just meeting for the first time. The best part for our family is that the kids love them, too. I still watch my kids like a hawk when we’re out but I feel better knowing that if we get separated my cell number is with my children.

Therefore, today Spot Me ID receives our Traveling Mamas’ On The Move Approved Seal.

Do you know of another cool travel product? Let us know!

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September 26, 2008 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear | 8 Comments 

Interview with a Traveling Mama - Kim Allen-Niesen

KimNot all the interviewed traveling mamas here are also travel writers. I’d like to introduce the world to Kim Allen-Niesen. She used to be a super high-powered lawyer, but (a familiar tale) found that her demanding 24/7 career path didn’t mesh at all with the demands of parenthood. Since stepping off that treadmill, however, she’s put her energy into use at a new blog that combines her love of travel with her love of independent bookstores. BookStorePeople supports independent bookstores Kim has discovered during family vacations. She’s traveled with her children quite a bit, and puts those experiences to good use as well.

How do you decide where to go with your family?

When we were younger, Keith (my husband) and I decided we would travel internationally until our children were born, and then we would travel domestically, which we did for a while. Now we narrow our vacation choices down by what the kids are studying at school - ancient history in 6th grade meant Greece, American government meant DC, expansion to the West meant following Lewis and Clark by hiking and canoeing. In 3rd grade the kids visit every continent in their school studies, so we visited different parts of Los Angeles and ate at ethnic restaurants. American history led us to Williamsburg, California history to a week up north. This year Kyle (a freshman) and Kelsey (6th grade) study ancient history so we’re planning to visit Italy (and hoping also that the dollar gets stronger against the euro).

What has been your favorite travel experience?

Which has been the best family trip is the hardest question for me. We either have a good time of a good story to tell, and both have value. What appeals to me, and most of my family, is something that gives us a new experience, challenges us, and gives us time to explore. We’re not resort people or destination people. We loved Peru and trekking through the Andes, we loved going to England, the train ride to Scotland and the Edinburgh Festival. Our big annual family vacation is usually 16 days long and we come back exhausted, but in a refreshing way. Yellowstone is one of our favorites because of everything we learned with the rangers (I’m a park ranger groupie), the beautiful hikes and the incredible nature all around us. Canoeing down the Missouri was incredible - our only previous canoe experience was around Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland. We camped, we hiked, we learned about the area and our country’s history.

Do you have any advice regarding traveling with children and young teens?

I could write a book about this - but here are some bullet points:
a. Read about the area beforehand. When the kids were younger, I read novels to them out loud. Now I find books for them to read (usually fiction) while we’re there and before we go.
b. Make the education fun through games, events with park rangers, guides, or local kids’ programs.
c. Start teaching your kids how to travel, put them in charge of researching a location (my son helped helped plan our trip to Greece), researching an item of their choice at a museum you will visit, or even just planning for a meal once we arrive at a destination.
d. Don’t limit yourself to only things that are geared towards children; you are on vacation too, and they can learn how to act through an activity that isn’t their favorite. But, also make sure that everyone has at least one special activity that they will love.

Tell us about travel destinations and bookstores.

For years, I’ve looked at independent bookstores whenever I travel. They are such a great way of getting aBookstorefeel for the community, plus it’s easy for me to talk about books with anyone. After talking to a clerk I feel like less of a visitor voyeur of a city, and more connected to the place. In the last few years I’ve started researching the stores before I leave home and plan the sightseeing around the independent bookstores. I walk in a bookstore and immediately relax, so it’s a good break wherever I am.

Supporting independent bookstores is an important part of keeping cities and small towns interesting. The unique vibes at family-run businesses add personality and color to places in the US, vacation destinations or not. Check Kim out at BookStorePeople, watch the site grow and learn about independent bookstores.

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September 25, 2008 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Mama Interviews, The Cookie Jar, Travel News | 5 Comments 

Best Travel Socks

Keen SoxMy husband works in the outdoor industry and he typically attends a bi-annual trade show, at which he picks up all sorts of free schwag or deeply discounted gear — from water bottles, coffee mugs and sunscreen samples to sporty tank tops, sunglasses and stickers for the kids. (Trust me, when he gets home from one of these events, I’m as bad as our children: “What’d you bring us? What’d I get?!”)

I’ve never written about any of these fun freebie treasures… until now.

Last week, with cooler temperatures here in the Colorado Rockies, I slipped on the pair of Keen Hybrid Concord Crew Lite Sox that hubby had brought home in August. I. Love. These. Socks. For so many reasons:

1. They’re darling. The stripes make me smile. So do the little “L” and “R” on the inside of the big toes.

2. They’re functional. They’re made of quick-drying materials (Merino wool, Lycra, nylon, recycled polyester), so they wick away sweat.

3. They’re comfy. The footbeds are made of cushy wool and provide arch support.

I can totally envision wearing these thin socks on urban sightseeing treks (I’ve got a family trip to New York City coming up; for a bohemian look, I’ll pair with my El Naturalista Mary Janes). And I’ll wear them on hikes in my Colorado backyard. Versatility at its finest!

Of course, comfort and fashion come with a price. The cheapest I’ve found is on Altrec.com for $17 a pair (order $45 worth and get free shipping). I’m thinking I’ll put these on my Christmas list and hope that Santa is good to me!

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September 24, 2008 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear | 3 Comments 

Win American Airlines Miles

American AirlinesLike the rest of the traveling public, Christine over at Almost Fearless is fed up with the airline industry’s nickel-and-diming. In particular, American Airlines has really ticked her off.

She’s hosting the “American Airlines Can Bite Me” contest, and she’s giving away 25, 000 miles from her AAdvantage Account. She’s prostesting American’s increasing the number of frequent-flyer miles you need to book a free ticket, as of October 1. Plus, the airline is tacking on all sorts of redemption fees, so that free ticket isn’t so free anymore.

All you have to do to win the miles is subscribe to Almost Fearless by RSS feed or by email. Soon, she says, she’ll announce a winner — but you must be a subscriber. Winner will also get $100 credit for a stay at a Hostelworld.com property and the opportunity to blog about your trip on Almost Fearless.

I’ve gotten to know Christine on a travel-writers’ forum and I can vouch that she’s the real deal. (Not to mention a brilliant marketer; what a great way to lasso some new readers AND make a statement about the lame state of the airline industry.) I’m following along as Christine (a former Fortune 500 company manager) travels the world — and you should, too! After all, American Airlines’ dumb new policies are going to be someone else’s gain, in the form of a free round-trip plane ticket. Not a bad deal!

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September 23, 2008 | Filed Under Flying High, The Cookie Jar | Leave a Comment 

Baby and Toddler Travel Product Contest Giveaway - For Easier Family Vacations

Secure2MeTraveling with young children isn’t easy; anyone who has taken their tots on vacation with them can attest to this. I have older, travel-friendly kids now, but I used to lose sleep the night before a trip - Would I be the mother of the screaming baby on the plane? (Yes, it turns out.) Would I forget the special cuddle toy or blanket? What if the hotel had one of those outdated, dangerous cribs? I can’t help you with a crying baby mid-flight, but this Traveling Mamas Contest Giveaway can help with the latter two concerns.

We have two products for babies and toddlers to send to one lucky winner. The first is the Traveling Mama On the Move Approved Secure2Me blanket. This soft and cuddly blanket attaches to strollers, car seats, and other travel systems. Secure2Me blankets come in several patterns and colors; the contest giveaway one is unisex white and lime green. It’s guaranteed to clip on and stay on travel gear, so that you don’t have to worry about losing or forgetting it. As recently noted, these blankets make for great baby shower gifts (if the contest winner has older children).

Secure2MeThe second prize in this Traveling Mamas contest giveaway eliminates the need for those metal bedrails on vacation. Bedbugz are inflatable bedrails that attach to hotel beds’ mattresses. They deflate easily in the morning, too, and nice to have in case the hotels don’t always supply child-safe beds or cribs. By the way, I grew up (in part) with a copper bedrail, on the top bunk of a bunkbed. I can attest to the annoyance of rolling into a cold metal bar in the middle of the night - sometimes, it even hurt. This inflatable bedrail is a comfortable and safe alternative.

To enter this contest giveaway, please leave a comment below. We’d love to hear about a trip you took as a toddler, a trip you took with your toddler, or a vacation you would like to take with your children if you could. A winner will be randomly chosen; no relatives of Traveling Mamas eligible, and US residents only, please. This contest giveaway is open until midnight on Tuesday September 30, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday October 1. Good luck, and safe travels!

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September 22, 2008 | Filed Under Budget Travel, Family Travel, Flying High, The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear | 53 Comments 

Mamas on the Move: BlogWorldExpo 08

TravelingMamas at BlogWorldExpoI’m sitting here at the Las Vegas airport reflecting on my weekend with DesertMama at #BWE08. What is BWE? It is Blog World Expo, an annual forum where traditional and new media gather together with tech companies to exchange ideas, sample new products, and network.

I’m the big dork of the tech world and just found out about this event last week. For some reason, I felt like I just HAD to attend. I’m so glad I did. I tried to get Mr. CajunMama to come along, but running off last minute just isn’t in his personality anymore. Luckily, I convinced DesertMama to jump the Mommy Ship for the weekend and run off to Vegas.

We were excited for this Girlfriend Getaway and booked a one bedroom suite at The Signature at MGM. I was able to find a decent deal through Travelocity that included a few comped drinks and some resort credit.

The Signature at MGM Grand Bathroom

The room was super swanky with a full kitchen, living and dining rooms, two bathrooms, and a SUPER HUMONGOUS bathtub. Everything was great with the place and what one would expect for paying the big money for a stay at this property. The only thing I could find to gripe about was the lack of hooks for the bathrobe in the bathroom. That irked me, but other than that, the hotel stay was uneventful.

Now for the good stuff – BWE08 was fantastic. My head is still spinning from all the info I learned about social media, online marketing, and meeting fellow Tweeters from Twitter. The tag line for the weekend was – What happens in Vegas gets Twittered. So, if you were following the TravelingMamas Twitter feed, you were sure to see a few pics of Desert and CajunMama enjoying the weekend. We really missed Mudslide and MountainMamas, but we did our best to push on through the pain.

We enjoyed a few parties, but we also spent a good amount of time chatting with social media gurus and philosophizing about mommyhood and blogosphere. We were excited to meet our friends from AllTop (hi, Neenz) and many others. Many bloggers were walking around with Flip Ultras in hand. I know that for me, searching the net and reading fellow bloggers is an escape from housewife drudgery and incessant nagging from the kids. So in the near future, watch for a few subtle changes on TravelingMamas that will enhance your experience reading our blog and hopefully make your lives just a smidgen easier.

Las Vegas Airport Slot Machines

Well, I’m off to catch my flight, but before I do, those darn slots are calling my name again.

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September 21, 2008 | Filed Under Destinations, Flying High, Girlfriend Getaways, Luxury Travel, The Cookie Jar, Travel Gear, Travel News | 5 Comments 

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