Free Mommy Cards at Kodak Gallery

Right now Kodak Gallery is offering a set of 50 Mommy Cards for free! What is a 'Mommy Card' you ask? Whether you're a stay-at-home parent or a working parent, Mommy Cards are unique business cards for the business of parenting. Regardless of what you call them, they are essentially a beautifully designed card with your name, your children's names and your contact information. There are so many ways you could use them:

• Give a new friend your info.
• Set up play-dates and communicate availability.
• At-a-glance reference for childcare, teacher, instructor or coach: list food allergies, nicknames, bedtime routines, medical info, emergency contact info and more.
• A handy resource in kids’ backpacks, just in case.
• Introduction to new neighbors.
• For existing friends….they’re just too cute not to share with everyone. 

I like the idea of listing food allergies – for teachers, babysitters or new friends. Most people forget after you tell them, and they have to ask again later. (Unfortunately, Rowan's list is so long, I don't think it would fit on a card!)

The designs are pretty boring, but hey, they're free! You only pay for shipping.

If you're looking for something a little more upscale and well-designed, visit Moca Paper or Tiny Prints.

Skip Hop Zoo Packs (again!)

Last July, I featured Zoo Packs from Skip Hop. I bought 2 for my nephews at Christmas (penguin and dog), and 2 for my girls (mouse and penguin). People always ask where we got them.

Skip Hop recently added 2 new designs to the collection - a bee and an owl. I think these are so freakin' cute! I want the owl for myself. Added bonus: they are all BPA-free, Phthalate-Free and PVC-Free. They also have lunch packs with the same cute designs.

Food Allergy Guidelines for Illinois Schools Now Available

Illinois lawmakers recently passed legislation regarding required guidelines for dealing with food allergies in all Illinois schools. The great news is that these guidelines are already available online.

Most schools in the various districts around the state will most likely adopt these policies and tailor them, if necessary, to their schools' needs.

Many people worked tirelessly to get this passed and also to create the food allergy guidelines documents. This is big progress!

If you don't live in Illinois and are having trouble getting food allergy guidelines in your state, send this link along to your state government reps as a model of how to implement these policies.

If you do live in Illinois and are having trouble with your school, please refer them to this new food allergy guidelines link for direction and help.

In Ohio, the board of education of each city, local and vocational school district, along with the governing authority of each charter school, will be establishing a written food allergy management policy. The provision states that the policy is to be developed in consultation with parents, school nurses, other school employees, school volunteers, students, and community members.

Illinois School Info courtesy of The Nut-Free Mom.

Food Allergies Take a Toll on Families and Finances

Just read an article in the NY Times that talks about food allergies and how it affects families. I can relate! I've never added up all of the extra money we spend on organic and specialty foods, Rowan's formula (EleCare), epi-pens, asthma inhalers, doctors visits, and trips to urgent care...but I know we spend a lot. And these are things we have to do. It's not a lifestyle choice. And while I wouldn't wish this on anyone, it's nice to know that there are other families out there dealing with these stresses.

Peanut allergies aren't the only ones that are life-threatening

Saw this post on The Food Allergy Mama. Like our girls, her son has a life threatening allergy to dairy, along with peanuts. How nice that her son's classroom celebrates birthdays in a food-free manner, and precautions are being taken to make his environment as safe as possible.

Severe food allergies are extremely stressful. I can't say this enough. I constantly have to be on guard, and there are so many challenging situations that make my heart race. Having a safe classroom would be such a relief. Rylie will be in kindergarten in the fall, and thankfully they don't have snacks. Elementary school will be a whole different story...with lunches, snacks and treats. How does your child's school handle food allergies?

Bring on the peas!

My friend Sarah found this awesome food face dinner plate at perpetual kid. It cracks me up!

Everybody remembers Dapper Dan The Magnetic Man - that bald little fellow with all the iron filings that you could drag into really bad hairdos!

Well we've given Dan a new home on our Food Face Dinner Plate, made from hotel-quality, food-safe, high-fire ceramics. So now you can play with your food and give Dan a whole new look. Bring on the mashed potatoes and peas... the possibilities are endless!

Boxed with lots of inspirational food art. Wouldn't YOU have loved this when you were a kid? Plate measures 8.5 inches in diameter. Ceramic.

One plate is $11.99

Cincinnati Reds respond to peanut-free request

The Reds responded to my inquiry regarding a peanut-free (or peanut-controlled) section during one of their games. They basically said no...but they did send the girls a really cool package! They were so excited when it came in the mail. It contained kid-sized Reds Snuggies, baseball cards, book covers, magnets, and stuffed monkeys with Reds and Chiquita banana logos. I really appreciated that they took the time to send us something.

Here is the response I received:

Ms. H,
As you already know, we do not have a peanut free zone at Great American Ball Park. We have previously looked into this idea, but even if we are able to create a peanut free suite, we cannot guarantee a peanut free path to the suite, nor could we guarantee that our ventilation system was free of any peanut dust. The same issues would arise if we established a seating area as peanut free. Even if we could guarantee a path into the ballpark, we could not keep a breeze from off the river from blowing peanut dust into the established peanut free zone. I know other teams have established “Peanut Free” areas, but in talking with some of these teams, I would consider them “peanut sensitive” areas. I would consider the Padres a “peanut sensitive” area.

It is unfortunate we are unable to accommodate those with a peanut allergy. I know that this can be a very sensitive allergy for many and we do not want to put anyone in harms way. If we do decide we are able to offer a peanut free or peanut sensitive zone in the future, I will keep your information on file and will be sure to contact you directly. I can assure you that you are not alone. If you could let me know your address, I would like to send your child a care package to keep him a Reds fan until we can find a solution to our peanut allergy dilemma.

Thanks,
Sean Brown - Director of Ballpark Operations

Sean and I have continued to exchange emails about this, and I hope we can eventually come up with a 'peanut-controlled' area for one or two games.