by Christina Refford | Family Travel
My husband and I are taking our first real vacation since our honeymoon without any of our three children! I’m in desperate need of some new luggage and I’m wondering if you have any recommendations. Thanks, Rhonda First, congratulations on your upcoming...
by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media
The next person who simpers that kids’ music is just too watered down to really rock is getting locked inside my minivan with the Candy Band’s new CD — cranked up to 11 until they cry uncle. Because there is nothing wishy washy about these four...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
There’s nothing like finally taking that summer vacation and then getting stuck in the hotel while the skies rain down on your plans. To save us from extreme hotel ennui, I make sure we take along a few easy-to-pack games to help us pass the time until the sun...
by Christina Refford | Baby
Words I never thought I’d hear come out of my husband’s mouth as he strolled by our living room: Whoa, that’s some cool-looking pack-and-play.While I’ve never thought of a portable crib as particularly cool, I do admit this is one that would...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
My nieces and nephews from Israel are on their way visit grandparents. My 2 year old son will probably not have a chance to visit but would like to send something to them while they are here. Any ideas for a gift to help entertain the 2 to 11 year-olds? Thanks...
by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media
Super storyteller/singer Randy Kaplan is no ordinary kids’ music performer. Oh, sure, he may sing about monkeys, bears and queen bees, but on his latest CD he also has my kids asking me to explain Freud, the definition of Hebrew terms, and even why someone might...
by Christina Refford | Cool Tech
My children would give just about anything to apparate inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort. The early reviews (and word from CMP Editor Liz who worked with Universal early on in the development) make it look so cool, it almost makes...
by Christina Refford | Doing Good
I’ve read to my kids since they were wee little things and have never felt like they were lacking in books. Especially since birthdays, holidays and frequent trips to the book store insure they always have new titles to enjoy. But, then again, I’ve...
by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media
When Seattle’s The Not-Its! blasted onto the kids music scene last year with their debut We Are The Not-Its!, I took a lot of notice. It wasn’t just that the songs were great indie rock tunes. It was that their sound was so tight and authentic, they...
by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of super-fun kids’ musicians The Okee Dokee Brothers: I gave their debut CD Kids with Beards a gushing review, and it’s still one of my kids’ most-played CDs two years later. And now they have a...