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Posted at August 27th, 2010 by Sheri
 I love to cook, but I take my sweet time in the kitchen. I follow recipes assiduously and require at least an hour or two to churn out a meal. Eli also loves to cook, but he’s like an over-caffeinated Rachel Ray. He can make an entire dinner in 30 minutes - including the trip to the grocery store.
When it comes to packing school lunches, his speed trumps my attention to detail and so he wakes early every morning and makes lunch (and also breakfast). He does the lion’s share of the work, but we’ve both learned a lot in five years — and counting — of brown-bagging. Here are our combined best tips for parents about to embark on the journey.
1.The ultimate objective is to pack things your kids will eat. They really need those calories to get through the school day. Always keep that in mind.
2. A healthy lunch has lots of colors. Kids naturally gravitate towards white foods like bread, cheese, pasta, potatoes and rice but make it a goal to have some greens (edamame!), reds (strawberries!), and oranges (carrots!) in the lunchbox every day.
3. Plan in advance. Sit down over the weekend and plan out the next week’s lunches, do your shopping and maybe even start some cooking or baking for the week. That head start will make all the difference.
4. Watch what comes back uneaten. That’s a signal to try something different next time.
5. Go beyond sandwiches. Insulated food containers, like the Foogo Leakproof Food Jar, can open up a whole new world of hot soups, stews, pasta dishes and more.
6. Solicit feedback from your kids - what did they especially like or dislike? What are their friends bringing for lunch? Would they like to try anything new? Bring them shopping every now and then. A little investment on their part will go a long way.
7. Don’t try completely new foods in the lunchbox without sending some extra snacks, just in case.
8. Cutting sandwiches into fun shapes is an easy way to add some whimsy to a meal, but it won’t necessarily convince your kid to eat something he doesn’t like. See #7.
9. Some schools provide napkins and utensils and some don’t. Either way, a wet-wipe and some hand-sanitizer in the lunchbox is always a good idea.
10. Pre-portioning saves time, whether you do it yourself or you buy it that way. Invest in lots of small, reusable containers.
11. A lot of people will tell you to freeze juice boxes and use them as ice packs. This is a great idea, but I have found, in an insulated lunch box, they sometimes don’t defrost in time for lunch. Oops.
12. There are no prizes for the most beautiful school lunch. Don’t drive yourself nuts. If you have the time and the ambition to be really creative, I salute you. Just don’t look askance at my kid’s foil-wrapped grilled-cheese sandwich.
Tags: feeding, lunch, tips
Posted in Tips & Tricks | 1 Comment »
Posted at August 20th, 2010 by Mikki
Back-to-school preparations always gave me the jitters, as the usual anxieties took hold. Would I make new friends? Would I like my teachers? Luckily, the process of getting my brand new pencils and sneakers provided some real comfort - it made me feel ready. It was also fun to have a few new things to start the year off in style.
Here at Magic Beans, we don’t carry the dozens upon dozens of required items on that “Back-to-School Shopping List.” But we do carry the best of the best when it comes to lunch bags, backpacks, and lots of neat add-ons that add a dash of color and fun to that scary first day.
So without further ado, here’s our list of the Top 10 must-have items for Back to School.
1) Goodbyn Original Lunch Box - Pack a better lunch, starting with the box. This ingenious, BPA-free container has little bento-style compartments to fit a sandwich and lots of snacks. Not only is it the most eco-friendly option, but it will save you tons of money on plastic baggies and will inspire healthier lunch options. Plus, kids really love the included stickers that let them custom-design their box with funky faces. Also available in a “Too Cool for Ears” variation for older kids.
 2) Itzy Ritzy Reusable Snack Bags - A great alternative to plastic bags, these zippered reusable bags are perfect for a bunch of grapes or handful of crackers. Made with a 100% cotton exterior, it’s soft to the touch and comes in lots of awesome patterns. The interior sports thick PVC-free lining that makes the pouch waterproof inside. Grab a few; there are so many ways to use these bags. Also available are the “Wet Happened?” Bags that are a godsend for potty-training pre-schoolers.
3) Smencils - These collectible pencils are actually made by covering a writing core with tightly compressed rolls of newspaper. They are then dipped in appealing scents like Cinnamon, Bubble Gum, and Tropical Blast. They come in a pack of ten — enough to share with some new friends.
 4) Ugly Doll Keychains - Ugly Dolls are truly a phenomenon. They started as an inside joke between graphic designers and became a bestselling collection of creatures, each with his own unique personality. The keychain sizes are perfect for dressing up a backpack (and making it easier to spot in a crowd). They are collectible, so they also make great incentive prizes for good behavior at school and finishing up veggies at dinner.
 5) Butterflies in My Stomach Book by Serge Bloch - In this gorgeously illustrated book, award-winning artist Serge Bloch tells the story of a boy facing his great fear — the first day of school. Whether your child is 6 or 16, the story’s whimsical mash-up of line drawings with photographs makes for an unforgettable book. The best part? At the end of the story, the butterflies are gone. They have flown away one by one with each great experience at school. It’s a perfect read to quell the back-to-school nerves.
6) Cleanwell Hand Sanitizer Pocket Sized - This all-natural sanitizer is made from non-toxic plant oils that kill 99.9% of germs. We love the gentle herbal scent and the easy spray bottle. Stash one in your kid’s lunch box (and your purse) for instant germ-killing.
7) Skip Hop Zoo Backpacks and Lunch Boxes - The Skip Hop collection of lunch bags and boxes feature your child’s favorite zoo animals. We love that it is free of all BPA, phthalates, and PVC — also, it comes with an insulated pocket for snacks. There is a write-on name tag inside, so be sure to use it.
 8 ) Teach Me Time Clock - Tired of getting woken up at 5 a.m. because your child just wants to say hi? Pick up a Teach Me Time Clock, one of our very favorite products for kids. This kid-friendly clock glows green when it’s time to wake up Mom and Dad and even teaches kids how to tell time using the clock’s interactive features. They also offer the OK to Wake! Alarm Clock that offers the same great features without the time teaching functions.
9) Clementine Art Supplies - When we found these at Toy Fair last year, we knew we had a winner. This line of all-natural art supplies includes ingredients like soy wax and rich mineral pigments. Their crayons and markers offer smooth and rich lines while the glue provides a chemical-free adhesive.
10) Uncle Goose Block Sets - These classic wooden blocks are updated with lovely embossed details, non-toxic inks, and a range of language options. Whether your toddler is embarking on Japanese or just practicing the ABCs, these special sets will make learning a lot more fun. They are also made here in the USA in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Posted at August 13th, 2010 by Sheri
This week on Facebook, we asked people what they wished they had known when they were expecting their first baby. We were amazed by the great tips you guys shared. I have compiled some of them into a list (with some editorial license). Enjoy!
- When it comes to baby gear, you usually do get what you pay for.
- Invest in a great stroller right from the start.
- Don’t buy too much before the baby comes - some things that are registry “standards” are actually of limited use for some parents (swings, wipes warmers and bottle warmers were all mentioned, though several moms were quick to defend the importance of a wipes warmer),
- When you can, try to borrow some of the shorter-lived items from friends and family.
- Cloth diapering isn’t as hard as you think.
- Breastfeeding is harder than it looks - be patient and have the number of a good lactation consultant, just in case.
- Get a great baby carrier (Ergo was mentioned more than once).
- Child-rearing is not a competition. Try not to compare your kid with your friends’ kids.
- Take time to read some sleep advice books before the baby comes and you’re too sleep deprived to read any books. “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” is frequently mentioned as a good one.
- Find and join a local moms email list. It’s a great way to meet other new moms.
- Layer a few sheets (with something waterproof in between each one) on your crib mattress to make late-night disasters much more manageable.
- Fill your registry with high quality products and include some natural and organic things - these are the things you’ll use again and again.
- Register for gift cards - it will give you ultimate flexibility.
What are we missing? What are your favorite tips to give your friends when they’re expecting their first babies? Comment below, or visit our Facebook page to see the original conversation. Thanks so much to everybody who contributed.
Tags: advice, lists
Posted in Baby, News and Information | 2 Comments »
Posted at August 12th, 2010 by Sheri
Let the shopping begin! This weekend Massachusetts is bringing back the Tax Free Holiday - a weekend with no sales tax on any item under $2500. This is good news for consumers looking to support local businesses and save some money at the same time. The 6.25% savings is a pretty nice gift from the Commonwealth.
If you’re trying to get organized in advance, we are gladly accepting pre-orders in our stores, over the phone and online. Simply call or come in today or tomorrow, let us know what you’d like to buy and we’ll take it from there. If you want to order online, use the coupon code “TAXFREE” - but keep in mind your order won’t ship until Monday at the earliest.
We’re also running a really fun promotion - if you shop with us during the Tax Free holiday (preorders included), you can be entered to win your entire purchase for free. That’s even better than tax-free. Ask in the stores for details on that one.
What else are you shopping for this weekend?
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Posted at August 12th, 2010 by Sheri
Oh, press. Why is it no good deed goes unpunished?
On Tuesday, in the middle of a totally crazy day, a reporter reached out to talk to me about my feelings on the maternity leave ruling that happened on Monday in MA. I gathered my thoughts, dropped everything and spoke to the reporter, hoping that I was able to clearly communicate my dual perspective on the issue. She sent a photographer, and I was happy to help with that, too, swallowing my self-conscious anxieties that I think are typical in these sorts of situations.
Now today, there I am in the Globe, and at first I’m just worried about the hint of my belly in the picture, still soft from three kids no matter how many crunches I inflict on it. And then I realize that one big detail is missing from a key quote.
Here’s the quote:
“It’s my dream that someday Magic Beans is big enough and secure enough that anyone who works for us would get three months maternity leave, but that’s just not an economic reality right now,”
Here’s what I actually said:
“It’s my dream that someday Magic Beans is big enough and secure enough that anyone who works for us would get three months fully paid maternity leave, but that’s just not an economic reality right now,’
That’s a big difference.
In fact, as I told her in the beginning of our conversation, Magic Beans has enough employees that we are subject to the FMLA, not the Massachusetts state law. We would never consider anything less than 12 weeks time off for our employees. I told her that from the perspective of most working mothers, 8 weeks is nowhere near enough time.
When I had my second child, I was just starting Magic Beans. I came home from the hospital and got right back to work. The store opened a little more than 3 months after my daughter was born, and there was so much that needed to be done. I was the only “employee” at that point. It was crazy, it was exhausting and it was certainly not ideal.
Four years later, when I had my son, I still had work to do here and there after he was born, but with a bigger company, I was able to take off the time I needed. It made a huge difference.
I told her that story. I also told her that I sympathize with small business owners, who are sometimes just scraping by in this economic environment. Every employee is so important and it can be hard to lose someone for 8 OR 12 weeks. That’s a reality of small business. But it doesn’t change the fact that women need to take time to recover and get into a groove after their babies arrive.
Those early months are incredibly challenging, precious and wonderful, and I wish more than anything else that this country had better infrastructure in place to make sure that all women could be home for as long as they wanted without fear of losing their jobs or missing a paycheck.
I also think, that the point is not really whether Eli and I get a paycheck every month (the reporter sounded surprised by this, but no small business owner I’ve ever met has experienced anything different). We’re really lucky to have incredibly supportive families who have helped us make our Magic Beans dream a reality and who have enabled us to quit our jobs and go down the complicated path of retail start-up. We’ve been able to help so many mothers along the way, and I’m incredibly grateful for that every single day.
I fear, with the omission from my quote, this article gives the impression we aren’t completely supportive working mothers, which is ludicrous and couldn’t be farther from the truth. We support working mothers, we support stay-at-home mothers and we support fathers, too, by the way, but we weren’t talking about that.
The maternity leave system in the USA is broken, along with a lot of other really complex things that come along with running a big, huge country. Most of the other nations have figured it out - the US is one of the only countries in the world that doesn’t guarantee some sort of paid leave to new mothers. It’s a shame, and it needs to be addressed in a way that will not create huge burdens for small companies who are trying to get their businesses established or are struggling in a not-so-hot economy.
Tags: boston globe, local, maternity leave
Posted in General | 14 Comments »
Posted at August 7th, 2010 by Theo
 Hi, Theo here. I’m the Toy Guru at our Brookline store. This is my first blog post, and I’m so excited to share some of my favorite toys and games with you.
I remember going to the toy store when I was little, determined not to leave empty handed. With only a little allowance change jingling in my pocket, the only option would often be a little red egg filled with Silly Putty. Popping open that plastic egg and stretching the pink putty as far as my arms could reach was a simple pleasure, no batteries required.
Last week, I twisted the top off a round metal tin and discovered my putty had grown up with me. Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty comes with 3.2oz of nostalgia. That’s a lot of putty - almost seven times as much as you’ll find in one of those red eggs. Go ahead and sink your fingers into it. You will have a large handful to stretch, twist, sculpt, tear or bounce. And Thinking Putty comes in several entertaining varieties that go far beyond classic coral pink.
Hypercolor putty is heat sensitive and can change color from the warmth of your hands, or even from the coolness of a fridge. For some real quick color changing try using two bowls of water for dipping. One hot (but not too hot), and one cold.
Charge up the Glow in the Dark putty in some direct light and turn off the lights for a glow that can last for hours. For some real fun use it in front of a black light or tear it apart in the dark and watch it spark!
The Illusion putty shifts colors depending on the way light hits it. For example the scarab putty will look different shades of blue and purple when you play with it. The Illusion putty works best when in direct sunlight, but if this is not available any light should do the trick.
The one that really caught my attention was the Strange Attractor putty (which I ended up purchasing for myself). It reacts to magnets in fascinating ways. Watch it slowly envelop the small magnet it comes with or stretch out little tendrils and use the magnet to make them dance.
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking putty makes a great gift for kids, friends, family, or co-workers. And it’s a good thing you get so much in each tin because everyone you show it to will want to get their hands on it.
Tags: manipulatives, putty, Toys
Posted in Toys | 2 Comments »
Posted at August 6th, 2010 by Brad
 A great new travel crib has just arrived in our stores. The Go Crib, made by Guava Family, is an excellent alternative to the other great portable cribs you can find at Magic Beans. Perfect for day trips to Grandma’s or the beach, The Go Crib collapses into a compact, convenient backpack-style package that can be worn and taken anywhere you might need a nap or play space. But how exactly does this newcomer compare to our old travel crib veterans?
The first benefit of the Go Crib is its ease of setup. The entire process should take no more than a minute thanks to the dual-action manual air pump included with the crib which fills the inflatable structure quickly. The air mattress doesn’t add any time or energy to setup because, miraculously, it self-inflates. Basically, all you have to do is plug in the pump hoses, blow up one side with just a couple pumps, and repeat for the other side. Having such a simple process is a great advantage over some of the other travel cribs like the phil&ted’s Traveller and most pack-and-plays.
The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light is sort of the gold standard around here: it’s compact, lightweight, and easy to set up. The Go Crib is actually 10.6 lbs, beating the Baby Bjorn’s 11.8 lb weigh-in. Even more important, Guava Family has managed to make their crib easier to carry with two simple additions: backpack straps which leave both hands free for the countless other attention-grabbers on your trip and a cinching mechanism that will squeeze the deflated crib back into it’s original shape.
With a lot of the travel cribs on the market, parents have to pack them back up in a very specific way, and even with years of practice, the package never fits the same way that it did when it first came home. That frustrating experience will be gone for good with the Go Crib. In fact, I present an open challenge to actually repack it incorrectly. No matter how haphazardly it’s stuffed back into the bag, you can still tighten it down to a tote-able size.
If you’re taking this bad boy to the beach, I would suggest bringing an extra blanket for sun cover. The crib makes it easy to access your children by including zipped openings on the sides. You can leave the flaps open during less structured play time and they’ll be able to come and go as they please.
Is it the perfect travel crib for every family? Not necessarily. The competition is strong. The Baby Bjorn is easy and durable, the phil&teds Traveller is light but spacious, and the Pea Pod offers an incredibly small package. Priced at $249.99 (right between the P&T Traveller and Baby Bjorn) the Go Crib, provides an alternative to the travel cribs we carry at Magic Beans. It is lighter than the Baby Bjorn, easier to set up than the phil&teds, and larger than the Pea Pod.
Well designed baby products are really important to us at Magic Beans and the Go Crib is giving us something new to be excited about.
Tags: crib, guava family, travel
Posted in Baby, Modern Nursery | No Comments »
Posted at August 5th, 2010 by Sheri
 Two years ago today you made your entrance, free of drama (thankfully) but full of presence from the start.
My how you’ve grown.
You can run and jump. You sing songs and tell jokes. You love books. You know the difference between a square and a triangle.
You like the slide and the swings but most of all the woodchips on the ground.
You like to cook imaginary food and serve me imaginary bagels.
You love lollipops and rainbow sprinkles.
You’re a night owl and an early riser. You fall asleep best when I’m dozing in your chair.
You say you “want to ‘nuggle” and I melt.
If we don’t come right away when you cry during the night, you pretend to vomit. Or poop.
You’re a die-hard fan of Yo Gabba Gabba and Thomas the Tank Engine, but no one makes you laugh like Grover.
You’re a little bit obsessed with Beyonce.
You always want the pink one. You love to play trucks.
You sometimes steal my toothbrush (probably because it’s pink).
You might never stop breastfeeding, if that decision were up to you alone.
You hug your sisters when they cry. You’ll take any excuse to laugh.
You have opinions. You start conversations. And in just a few weeks, you start school.
How did that happen?
Happy 2nd birthday, Zev.
Tags: personal
Posted in General | 4 Comments »
Posted at July 31st, 2010 by Sheri
 Last year, we gave away a Playmobil Pyramid at the end of the 31 Days of Giveaways, and that item went on to be one of the most in-demand products of the 2009 holiday season. We’re curious if history will repeat itself with the Furnished School Building.
Playmobil has certainly upped their game with this beautifully detailed play set. The school building itself is big - almost 3 feet wide - and there are tons of furnishings and interactive accessories to add to the fun - including a working bell!
If you have a kid getting ready for the first day of school, this is an amazing way to inspire some role play and help alleviate anxiety.
The Furnished School Building is new and hasn’t yet arrived in our warehouse, though we expect it to come within the next couple of weeks. The winner will get his/her prize as soon as we receive our first shipment.
And with this giveaway, we close out our 2010 31 Days of Giveaways celebration. We hope you had as much fun as we did. I want to send a special shout-out to all the people in the Magic Beans universe who worked so hard all month long - you guys are all amazing (especially Dustin). We’ll see you next July with a whole new crop of amazing giveaways, and keep an eye on our Facebook page, because we’ll be continuing our Facebook Friday giveaways on an ongoing basis.
Tags: 31 days, playmobil
Posted in Giveaways, Toys | 3 Comments »
Posted at July 30th, 2010 by Allie
 We’re big cupcake fans here at Magic Beans. But then who isn’t? Earlier this month Treat Cupcake Bar opened in Needham, right down the road from our Wellesley location. We welcomed them with open arms. On our birthday they made beautiful cupcake creations that were almost too pretty to eat - almost.
David LaLiberte, the owner of Treat, lives in Needham. He noticed the town was filling up with banks, bagel shops and coffee shops and there weren’t many fun places for him to take his kids. So he scouted out an amazing baker, Adie Sprague, and together they came up with a fresh concept for a boutique-style bakery.
The genius of the Treat concept is their Make-Your-Own Cupcake Bar. Think about how much your kids (and you) love ice cream sundae bars. There’s something so empowering about having all those toppings - the candy and nuts and whipped cream and chocolate syrup - at your fingertips, just waiting to be placed atop your ice cream in the proportion you and only you can exact. Now - replace ice cream with a freshly baked cupcake (your choice of flavors) and add the toppings - frosting, candy and cookies. If it sounds like fun, that’s because it is.
Treat offers a menu of everyday favorites including Red Velvet, Peanut Butter Overload, Funky chunky Oreo, Neeham Creampie, and more. They also have a range of specialty seasonal cupcake flavors including Almond Joy, Creamsicle, Mint-o-Green, Caramel Swirl and Pumpkin Pie.
If you have some sort of allergy, Treat even has you covered with gluten-free and vegan flavors. Their private party room will host the most delicious kids’ birthday parties in town, and their decorating classes will be a great way to learn along with your kids.
In short, we wish there were a Treat Cupcake Bar in Coolidge Corner (though our waistlines are thankful they’re in Needham). For more information visit www.treatcupcakebar.com!
Posted in Local: Boston | 1 Comment »
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