What I've Learned...

I am all about saving money and I try not to get scared by hype that will make me spend lots of money when the generic or ordinary will do. Well, I just got scared. I found this site: http://cosmeticdatabase.com/, and learned about the scary stuff they put in children's products. So, now I'm trying to figure out what to do - go the cost conscience way and not worry about carcinogens, or go the more organic way and get safer products for my babies.

Here's my dilemma and a little research I've done on prices:
Ratings from the cosmetic database = 0-2 low hazard, 3-6 moderate hazard, 7-10 high hazard

Baby Wipes
Kirkland Signature currently using ($0.022/wipe @Costco) = Rating 5
7th Generation Baby Wipes ($0.041/wipe @Amazon; $0.047 with dispenser @BabiesRUs) = Rating 2
Tushies Baby Wipes with Aloe Vera, Unscented ($0.054/wipe @Drugstore.com) = Rating 1

We tried out the Tushies Baby Wipes and they are awful. They are small and thin and don't wipe well. So, you have to use more. The thinness makes it so you are likely to punch a hole through them with your finger which is gross.

Diaper Rash Ointment
Desitin currently using ($1.74/oz @Amazon) = Rating 5
Triple Paste Medicated Ointment ($1.54/oz @Drugstore.com) = Rating 1

Shampoo and Body Wash
Johnson and Johnson Head-to-Toe Body Wash currently using ($0.255/oz @Amazon.com) = Rating 5
Seaside Naturals Baby Wash ($1.31/oz @Amazon.com) = Rating 0

Tried Seaside Naturals Baby Wash and it seems nice. Nice smell and gets the baby clean.

Now, I need to look at what other things we use for the babies, look up their ratings and decide what to do.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Summer Camps

Even though I'm my kids aren't ready for summer camps and we have full-time day care with an Au Pair, I'm starting to collect ideas for what I can do with my kids in the summers while I'm working.

Summer Adventures Day Camp

(Note for me: As of 2009, the price for 2 kids is just slightly more than what we pay for an Au Pair for the first 3 weeks and about the same for weeks after that.)
Can sign up for individual weeks
Takes kids ages 5 - 16
Kids go on field trips every day: activities include things like bowling, movies, going to the zoo, scavenger hunts

Redmond Parks & Rec

I just received the Redmond Parks & Rec guide for Spring/Summer 2009.
They have a "Boredom Busters" program that features a different focus each week. They also have a bunch of other camps listed including ones at Farrel-McWhirter and themed based camps.

Boredom Busters description from the Guide (pg 6):

Keep your kids happy, entertained and physically active this summer! With a convenient location in downtown Redmond, this program is a great option for working and nonworking parents and all school-aged children. Camp hours are from 9am - 4pm, with the option of FREE before care at 7:30am and FREE after care until 6pm. You must REGISTER for Before and After care - see schedule below. Each week will offer age appropriate
activities based on weekly themes, one field trip and one visit to Idylwood Beach Park for swimming. Dress for the weather. Bring two snacks and lunch each day.
Fee: $188/week for Redmond residents in 2009

YMCA Summer Activities

Sambica (Christian camp and there are daily bible studies)

Does summer camps and before & after school care
More expensive than Summer Adventures Day Camp
On Lake Sammamish, so lots of water activities - very active camp
Even though a Christian camp, parents don't see the bible studies as overbearing.
Lots of recommendations for this one!

Camp River Ranch

Girl Scouts, Carnation area. Girls only!

Camp Orkila (overnight camp)

YMCA, Orcas Island.
Girls and boys, amazing location, lots of special activities like ropes course, sea kayaking, etc.
YMCA is a Christian organization, but it is not a bible camp.
Overnight camp, so nearly twice as much $$$ as day camps

------------------------------

List of tons of camps in Puget Sound (from parentmap.com)

Others that were recommended, but I haven't looked up yet:

Boys & Girls Clubs camps
Girl Scout camps (I'm assuming there are Boy Scout camps as well)
Community Cetners
ProClub
SkyHawks - sports
Sports Camps (e.g. Arena Sports soccer)
Science Camps (e.g. MadScience.org)
Woodland Park Zoo - Zoo camp
Pacific Science Center - Science camp
Martial Arts Schools

Friday, March 13, 2009

Pre-schools

When my twins turn 3, I'm planning to have them go to pre-school a couple of times a week. I'm starting to put together a list of pre-schools I find and ones that others recommend through other discussion lists of which I am a part. I know there are a ton of choices, so knowing what's out there will help us not be quite as overwhelmed when it's time to enroll. Or, at least that's the plan!

Farrel-McWhirter Preschool (425-556-2324)
School year programs, September to June, 3 classes
Creative Play for 3 year olds, Tues-Thurs, 9-11:30; $177 in 2009 for Sept - May
Preschool Adventures for 3 1/2 to 5 year olds, Mon-Wed-Fri, 9-11:30
Pre-K Discoveries for 4 to 5 year olds, Mon-Wed-Fri, 12:30-3:30
Child must meet age requirement as of August 31 before school year begins.

Came across this when I was looking at what summer activities were offered by Redmond Parks and Rec during the summer.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Toddler Activities on the Eastside

I'm looking for ideas for my kids to have more activities then just playing at home. Our Au Pair would take them to any classes, and that would help her with ideas for what to do with them during the day. Because we're already paying for child care though, I need to find something that will give me a lot of bang for the buck. All of my calculations are for twins going to these classes. I've taken the class amount and added in the registration fees. I've then broken it down by amount per class for twins so I could more easily compare. All of the rates were what I could find in March 2009.

6-12 Month old Classes

My Gym (Bellevue, WA)

TINY TYKES 6 - 12 Months (1 hour classes)
Babies are now mobile and have gained hand, arm and trunk control. Tiny Tykes and their parents are led through a variety of beginning stretches, exercises and introductory tumbling. Our Tykes are also entertained through songs, dances and fun adventures. This class is designed to help babies discover their natural abilities.
Lifetime membership fee: $75 enrollment + $10/sibling
Class fee/month: $75/child
Multiples discount (10%? I'm not sure what it is)
$227.50/month or $57/class for twins (assuming only going one month ever and a 10% multiples discount on the class)

Kindermusik (45 minute classes):

In Parks and Rec guide: $80 materials fee + $155/Resident (x2 kids) for 16 weeks = $97.5/month or $24/class

Gymboree (Redmond)

Music I for 6-12 month olds, $79/child/month (I don't know if there's a multiples discount)
Membership Pricing: Basic Member $234.50 every 12 weeks for a once a week class.
Total for twins in one class (assuming Membership is per family and no multiples discount per class): $236/month or $59/class

Redmond Parks & Rec

6-12 month olds
Great Play: Beginning Motor Skill Development (50 minute classes)
In this parent supported class, children enjoy physical exploration
and develop key foundation motor skills at the right time. By tapping
into key age-specific developmental windows, Great Play programs
are specifically designed to help your child achieve their full physical
potential. Activities include tumbling, balancing, rhythm, climbing,
swinging, kicking games, interactive throwing, obstacle courses, sensory
integration and lots of fun! There are two to three coaches in every class
with at 5:1 ratio and no two classes are alike.
Great Play classes: $149/Resident (x2 kids) + $49 Family registration = $173.50/month or $43.37/class

12 Month+ Classes

Lake Washington Toddler Group

Parents of twins pay $180 per quarter for both children.
$16/class
"We provide parents and toddlers with a semi-structured classroom environment to experience social and creative activities together."

Redmond Toddler Group

Parents of twins pay $212 per quarter for both children.
$19/class

Woodinville Toddler Group

Parents of twins pay $132 per quarter for both children.
$70 yearly enrollment fee
$155/quarter or $14/class

Redmond Parks & Rec

Lots of classes for 12 month +
Kindermusik and Great Play classes listed (are they cheaper than going direct with these places?) See prices above for general idea of cost.

Free form play (not free):

Tot Spot Cafe: 2 kid prices: 1 hour = $10, 2 hours = $15, all day = $18; Special Twin rates

Baby Play is designed for new moms and infants needing a place for "Belly Time". This area is surrounded by comfy chairs for nursing and is stocked with infant discovery toys.
Crawl and Climb is designed for kids just about to walk on their own. There are plenty of toys to crawl on and practice cruising. Set up like your living room at home (but with a lot more toys!), you'll find comfy chairs and tables, but we're sure you'll be crawling around, too.
Mission Play is designed for established walkers and experienced players and is stocked with interactive toys and games to stimulate your child's creativity and imagination. Our Playroom Attendant will monitor your child while you casually sip a latte, read a magazine or have lunch with a friend. Our unique setup allows you to always keep your child in sight, and you are always welcome into the playroom!

Community Centers

Others?

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Maternity Clothes

If you're pregnant, and have gone into maternity clothing stores, you know that they are outrageously priced. I wore my maternity clothes for a little less than a year (before and after the babies were born). Knowing that I would only wear the clothes for a year, it's hard to pay those prices.

If you do need to buy maternity clothes new, I found a few places that were reasonable.

Old Navy
Target
Kohl's

Second hand Maternity Clothes

If you don't have a lot of friends to pass along their maternity clothes, you can buy some second hand. The Mothers of Multiples sales that I've been to have maternity clothes. They are generally quite inexpensive. You have to guess your size because there's no way to try to them on, but generally cheap enough to roll the dice on whether or not it will look good on you. I went to the retail stores first and tried on clothes so I would generally know my size and then shopped at the multiples sales. It's generally been noted that maternity clothes don't sell well at these sales. I have a couple of theories on this - the first is the size and not being able to try it on, the second is that pregnant women don't know about or think about these sales as options for buying clothes. The good news is, if you do know about it, then you'll have lots of choices and not much competition for buying a particular item. The other good news is that sellers have to price low because no one is going to pay a lot for something they can't try on.

You can also look on Craigslist. I found a lot of people selling maternity clothes for a few dollars an item, or a bunch of items for one low price there.

What I've Learned...

About Me

Table of Contents

Categories

Friday, June 26, 2009

Toddler Activities

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Recommended Books

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Scary stuff in baby products