Blog Archives

Tactical Dad Packs Are the Ultimate Dad Bag

8/31/2016

Tactical Dad Packs Are the Ultimate Dad BagBy: Brian

Tactical Dad Packs was founded by two new fathers, is expanding on its already-successful line of D.O.D.D. (Dad On Diaper Duty) Diaper Packs with a brand new project, launching through Kickstarter on August 24th, 2016. Though the initial backpack became available in 2014 and saw much success, founders Scott Bagala and Bryan Fikes felt something was missing. It wasn't long before the solution became clear: the system needed a simple, effective baby carrier. These bags are a perfect bag for dad to get for a gift and is a great present idea for any new dad!

Two prototypes have been tested and Tactical Dad is ready to move to the next step. The Kickstarter aims to meet a $30,000 dollar goal to fund the expedited finalization of the baby carrier and diaper pack combo prototype, ensure all child safety codes are met, begin mass production and distribution to backers, as well as bring the product to market.

"Our mission is to help fathers be prepared," co-founder Bagala says of the D.O.D.D. pack. "Right now we're in the second of five design phases. We're going to raise $30,000 to help us get to that fifth design phase so we can secure the proper buckles, fabrics, and liners so our front carrier pack is safe for your children and ours.”

The goal of Tactical Dad since its inception has been providing dads with a functional, cool alternative to the ultra-feminine diaper bags currently flooding the market. The D.O.D.D. backpack is not only organized and convenient, it also offers numerous features to ensure a parent is always prepared, including plenty of storage, padded shoulder straps, easy release chest clasp, a changing pad, bottle holder with insulated lining, and even pen slots, because your diaper bag should function beyond just carrying diapers. With the addition of the baby carrier option, the new pack will offer even better functionality for both new and experienced parents.

Check out their website by clicking here or Visit the Kickstarter campaign here.

Who's Next? and Step-by-Step Drawing Activity Pack Review

8/29/2016

Who's Next? and Step-by-Step Drawing Activity Pack Review
By: Molly

As the days cool at the beach and there are less beach friends my kids like to have something else to do there. Today we brought the Step-by-Step Drawing Activity Pack, paper and markers; my kids and the other 3 and 5 year olds had a great time drawing. We have also brought books to read including Who's Next which the kids all enjoyed.

Who's Next (https://w4728.myubam.com/p/5916/whos-next) is a great interactive book for kids 3-6 years old. The illustrations are vibrant and detailed. On each page a creature is introduced and then based on a piece of the next creature the child is asked to guess which one is next. Also each page spread asks which creature left. This book is great for working on observation skills and I would highly recommend it.

Step-by-Step Drawing Activity Pack (https://w4728.myubam.com/p/5034/step-by-step-drawing-activity-pack) Includes 4 books including Step-by-Step Drawing Book, Step-by-Step Drawing Animals, Step-by-Step Drawing People and My Drawing Book these books are great for kids age four through adult. Each of the first three books has step by step directions (no reading necessary) how to draw 12 things in each book including dragons, flowers, pirates, castles and cars plus a place to practice. The last book is blank for making your own pictures. Since getting these books my daughter's drawing skills have amazed me. At $14.99 this book set is an excellent deal.

What books do you like to take out with you?

Molly Hubner
Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant
I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit my website or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com. Plus follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/mollyhubnersusbornebooks/

4th Annual Cape Cod Food Truck Festival

8/25/2016

The 4th Annual Cape Cod Food Truck Festival
Rolls Back Into Falmouth on August 27th
Featuring Local Craft Brewers and a Wicked Etsy Market

The Cape Cod Food Truck Festival will return to the Cape Cod Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 27th from 12 pm-6 pm (VIP hour beginning at 12). The festival will feature over 20 of New England’s most popular food trucks serving up a variety of fan favorites, including local seafood, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, cupcakes, whoopie pies, and more.

Participating trucks include:

Anzio’s Brick Oven Pizza
Bon Me
Cape Cod Cannolis
Compliments Food Co.
Curbside Capriotti’s
Gotta Q BBQ
Jamaican Mi Hungry
Mediterranean Home Cooking
Plouf Plouf Gastronomie
Riceburg
Seaside Johnny’s
Salt Block Food Truck
Shuck Food Truck
Stoked Wood Fired Pizza
Teri-Yummy
The Roving Lunchbox
The Whoo(pie) Wagon
Trolley Dogs
Yumm Bai
Zinneken’s
Local Scoop

Participating Craft Brews

Alltech Brewing
Bad Martha
Boston Beer
Brooklyn Brewery
Cisco Brewers
Downeast Cider
Farmer Willie
Hidden Cove Brewing
Lagunitas
Oskar Blues
Peak Brewing
Saint Killian Importing
Shiner Bock
Sierra Nevada
Sixpoint
Southern Tier
Troegs
Von Trapp Brewery
Wachusett
Woodstock Brewing
Yuengling

TICKETS

To help ensure a comfortable customer experience (shorter lines), tickets will be limited to this event. Attendees are urged to purchase tickets online at ftfa.eventbrite.com
for one of two options:

General Admission: $5
VIP Hour: $20

VIP Hour
For those foodies that want a little more out of their festival experience, the VIP hour is for you! Taking place from Noon- 1:00 PM, the VIP Hour provides:

early access to the festival
no lines (limited tickets are sold for VIP Hour)
one free dessert
a koozie from Food Truck Festivals of America

Wicked Etsy Market

This year’s Cape Cod Food Truck Festival will feature the 2016 Wicked Etsy Market. Wicked Etsy is a group of New England-based artisans who run their own individual shops on Etsy.com. Taking part in Wicked Etsy 2016 are over 60 local and regional artists.

Ticket Information

For more information please visit www.foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com . To purchase VIP or General Admission tickets, visit ftfa.eventbrite.com.

The Cape Cod Fairgrounds are located at 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway in East Falmouth. Parking is available on-site.

The Cape Cod Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is supported by Cape Cod Broadcasting radio stations including WQRC-FM (99.9 the Q), WOCN-FM (Ocean 104.7) and WKPE-FM
(Cape Country 104).

For the very latest news please follow @FTFofAmerica on twitter and “like” us on https://www.facebook.com/FTFNE.

A Judgemental Culture

8/24/2016

Submitted by a local mom

"When you see a kid act out in public don't just assume because they look 'normal' they must be spoiled entitled kids or that the parents are lazy bad parents. You don't know what that family's struggle is. The child may be autistic or have ADHD (yes it's real), SPD (sensory processing disorder) or some other non-obvious condition. Have some compassion for one another. Offer an encouraging smile because believe me it goes a long way. It may have taken them all day to do one simple task that 'normal' people take for granted. The parent may be taking everything they have within them to keep it together long enough to get in and get out."

Note from the editor: We have seen this happen on many occasions in our local community and we have also seen tremendous acts of kindness from strangers who try to support that parent who is struggling. We live in an extremely judgmental culture, which has only been getting worse in the recent years. Remember we are all in this struggle together. We need to support one another instead of being judgmental and offering criticism. Children will model what they see, so let us be the good role models they need us to be.

The Lego Dilemma

8/22/2016

The Lego Dilemma
By: Molly

My three and five year old kids love Legos. I actually love Legos too but not when they are all over the floor. Stepping on Lego can be very painful. We live in a small space so Legos are good because when cleaned up don’t take up much space but it also means we don’t have a space that can be used just for Lego play out of the way… Today I hit a breaking point with my son’s Legos being everywhere and him not cleaning them up (over the last several weeks we have talked, modeled and given ideas how to making cleaning up easier) so he has lost most of his Legos until he can show me he can take care of them. While he needs to really work on being a better listener and cleaner I need to find a better system for organizing his Legos.
Here is what I have now:

A set of drawers in the hall to keep Lego people and pieces.

A bookshelf in the hall to keep bigger Buckets of built Legos and really big
built sets right on top.

The small table/corner where my son is suppose to keep the his Legos
contained in when playing.

I would love something like this:

(http://theownerbuildernetwork.co/easy-diy-projects/folding-lego-table/)

How do you keep your kids Legos under control and get them to clean them up? Any suggestions or ideas for my space?

Molly Hubner
Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant
I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit my website or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com. Plus follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/mollyhubnersusbornebooks/

The Children's Art Auction Gala Event

8/21/2016

The Steve Lyons Gallery Presents: The Children's Art Auction Gala Event.

Saturday, October 8th from 3pm - 6pm.

Proceeds benefit The Family Pantry of Cape Cod,
that provides food and clothing to families in need throughout Cape Cod.

Children ages 6-12 donate their original artwork. Size of artwork not to exceed 11' x 14' canvas. Space is limited to the first 70 who register, so please register today by emailing: thegivingkids@gmail.com.

Drop off art or deliver to: The Steve Lyons Gallery, 463 Main Street in
Chatham, MA by September 24th.

Family and friends of the artist are welcome and refreshments will be served.
For more information please visit www.thegivingkids.com

A Tale of Two Important Hobbies

8/18/2016

A Tale of Two Important Hobbies
By: Britt

When I was a childless, unmarried lass, I lived with my handsome boyfriend in a one bedroom apartment with our dog.
We had time, money, and excessive public displays of affection.

(Examine how naive and well rest these childless humans are.)

These days we have so much more.

“Yet with great awesomeness comes great responsibilty” I think Abraham Lincoln said that. Having two small children, two full time jobs, being homeowners, pet owners, flower waterers, trash taker outers, family members, and friends to others leaves a person stretched in a
million directions.

It’s beautiful and it’s exhausting. Almost everything about being a parent is a paradox. You don’t want to go back to your old life, you are so thankful for your family, yet you currently just want to go hide from your family and lay face down in your bed.

Now when we were dating I went to Bikram yoga 4-5 times per week. My man friend would head out to the sea to soothe his soul. He is a fisherman. It’s in his blood, it’s part of who he is. His grandfather owned the bait shop on Russells corner in downtown Sandwich. This picture hangs in our kitchen and every morning the boys say “Oooo Daddy’s papa. Big fishy!”

Looks like their Dad got some of the fishing skills handed down to him.

Now he doesn’t get to go fishing half as much as he would like to, but he still goes. I see that it’s important to him. It definitely makes him a happier person. It is how he relaxes.

Now for me as the Mom, I had two children and then rewrote the oldest story in the book. I was taking care of everyone else and neglecting myself. Slowly, I stopped going to yoga. Just “too busy” or when I would have the opportunity to go, i’d lay in my bed alone instead. Knowing it would be the only solid two hours that week of alone time.

Eventually you always hit a wall. You can’t take care of everyone else if you don’t reflill your own cup. I had practiced Bikram yoga for years and had benefited greatly physically. I was strong and energetic. But the mental benefits were even greater. Such stress relief. Teaching your body to effectively calm down. It’s a 90 minute open eyed meditation. The teacher talks and you move your body. You get to take time out of your crazy life to just focus on yourself in the mirror.

Therefore when Bikram Yoga Cape Cod sent out an email saying that they would be doing the first Teacher training in New England at my happy place, I knew what I had to do. Fine, if I can’t make it my hobby, i’ll make it my job. My own health and wellness is that important to me. I had always wanted to go to the 9 week teacher training in LA, but at the same point in my life, I also really wanted to start a family.

Yet, here it was right down the street from me. So when opportunity strikes, you must jump on it. Yes, I have a 3&2 year old. Yes, I have a husband. Yes, I have a job.It would be the most amount of time I would spend away from my kiddos since I laid eyes on them. I knew they would support me though. All I'm doing is try to build the happy life that they deserve.

So I packed my lunch box and headed to yoga camp, 3 week immersion program. 9 am- 11pm every day. Sundays off to rest and hug my kids all day long.

I repeated, “we can do anything for 3 weeks.” to my husband over and over. Even though I think I was just saying it to myself.

With the help of my Dad who would drive two hours here every Monday to hang with the homies, a school they love, supportive in-laws, and better friends than I deserve, I did it. If you want to read more about my training experience you can check it out here.

The Yoga Sport

I just decided one day, that if you get so caught up in being an adult that you stop taking time to do the things you love, what’s the point? Do want your children to see the picture you have painted of adulthood as go to work, eat dinner, bitch about work, watch TV, sleep.

No, that’s just not for us. I want my boys to grow up in a world where they know the joy of catching a big fish or how fun it is to throw seaweed at Dad when we are clamming. I want my boys to grow up around the yoga studio. To see how happy people can be when they take care of themselves. How good it feels to be strong and run your body it’s full potential. How easy it is to have the energy to take care of others, when you continue to take care of
yourself as well.

Finding balance, isn't that the name of the game?

Britt is a Beach bum, Mom, Wife, Sister, Friend, Coach, Wanna be Photographer, Special needs advocate, Library enthusiast, Yogi, Mom blogger. Britt lives in a barn on Cape Cod with her husband, two toddlers, and stinky black lab. You can read more of her adventures at You're Somebody's MOTHER. Or if you have a short attention span, follow her on Instagram @somebodys_mother

Cottage Street Bakery Review

8/15/2016

Cottage Street Bakery Review
By: Molly

As promised I finally made it to Cottage Street Bakery this morning (plus another place checkoff the bucket list). Cottage Street Bakery is located at 5 Cottage St. Orleans across the parking lot from Ice Cream Cafe. It is open year round starting at 7am. We first found Cottage Street Bakery in 2010 from a NY Times writeup about about the Dirt Bombs which don't disappoint!

This morning my two kids and I arrived a little after 8am and they were already sold out of almond croissants (I use to love the generous amount of marzipan like filling but have not been in time to get one in about two years so not sure how they are now). Cottage Street offers an array of pastries including French Donut Puff (the original Dirt Bomb), muffins, croissant, scones and danishes, cookies, cakes, pies and sandwiches as well as wedding goodies. I order a Dirt Bomb and coffee and the kids got a Dirt Bomb and Lemon Poppyseed muffin to split. Unfortunately the batch of poppy muffins had not cooked properly so we exchanged it for a third Dirt Bomb with no problems and the employee apologies for the issue. The Dirt Bomb a buttery muffin of delicious dough cinnamon and nutmeg sugar didn't disappoint and was enjoyed by all of us. The sumatra coffee from Beanstock that I was looking forward to was disappointing; this morning it lacked its robust taste and tasted watery and flat next time I will save the $2 and disappointment and make my own coffee. I would definitely recommend making the trip to Cottage Street for the Dirt Bomb (call ahead and have them put aside as they do sell out)!

Have you had a Dirt Bomb before?

Molly Hubner
Usborne Books & More Independent Educational Consultant
I am always looking for people to join my Usborne team, host parties (Facebook or home), or just share these wonderful books! For more information visit my website or contact me at mollyhubner@gmail.com. Plus follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/mollyhubnersusbornebooks/

YMCA Cape Cod & WIC Hosts World Breastfeeding Week Event

8/11/2016

WHEN: August 14, 2016 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
WHERE: YMCA Cape Cod
2245 Iyannough Rd
West Barnstable, MA 02668
COST: Free
CONTACT: Denise Graham-ReardonEmail

Looking for support and information on breastfeeding come visit us and bring your family. Face painting, children’s crafts, raffles, and much more!

Cape Cod Moms Night Out: Color Between the Wines

8/11/2016

Cape Cod Moms Night Out!
When: Saturday, August 27th at 7pm
Where: Molly's house in S. Orleans
Registration: $10 includes coloring book, wine and snacks
Important Info: Join me for a fun evening of coloring, LuLaRoe clothing, books and wine! To register email me mollyhubner@gmail.com (must register by 8/18).
Facebook Link

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.