by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media
More predictable kids’ music CD’s throw in a few songs about cuddly toys, naptime and making friends. Kindie-rock darling Uncle Rock croons instead about his friend Bigfoot, staying up the night the lights went out, and a big garbage barge on his new...
by Christina Refford | Living
No matter how I fare in the annual rite of Tax Reporting, on April 16 I cannot wait to get rid of all the papers and receipts and do-dads I’ve had to hold on to for a year. A bonfire would be nice, but I’m not that rebellious, so instead I’ll just be...
by Christina Refford | Doing Good
My kids are outgrowing more than their clothes: We now have dozens of DVDs that are considered too “babyish” for my precocious offspring. Instead of just leaving them in an ever-growing pile in my basement, I’m sending my stack to Kidflicks.org who...
by Christina Refford | Art + Decor
Growing up, we had a big framed photo of my family that was a Mother’s Day gift for my mom. How I hated that photo only five years later, with our embarrassing clothing, my poofy hair style, the cheesy backdrop. It isn’t something I plan to repeat with my...
by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media
As Cool Mom Picks’ de facto kids’ music reviewer, I’m as big a fan of indie, family-friendly music as even the fans who are oh, 30-35 years younger than I am. But, that’s not going to stop me from pogoing around the Kindiefest Festival on...
by Christina Refford | Doing Good
I’m trying to find a good elementary school fundraiser for my daughter’s school to change things up a bit in the coming school year. I’d love to do one that doesn’t involve that ubiquitous cookie dough or wrapping paper….and would be...
by Christina Refford | Books for Kids
Even though I homeschool, I’m more than okay with farming out some subjects. Especially if my kids will do them happily on their own, instead of fighting with me for an hour. So, when Headsprout asked if my five year-old beginner reader would like to test out...
by Christina Refford | Food + Recipes
Any ideas where I can find allergen-free Easter candy? Nearly everything I see is processed in a plant with peanuts so I’m looking for egg-free and peanut-free goodies. -Mary As the mom of a daughter allergic to milk, I share your concern since so much of the...
by Christina Refford | Entertainment + Media
I get to the movie theater about once a year, so it’s no surprise I totally missed Ponyo when it first came out. But ever since I heard the buzz around this animated film by Japan’s Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli, I’ve been waiting...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings
I’m starting to see the signs of spring everywhere: Robins on the front lawn, crocus buds poking through the soil, and the kids lugging out the big jug of bubble juice so that they can blow bubbles outdoors to their hearts’ content. They are right on cue,...
