Ruby's Studio DVDs: The ABCs of raising a good human

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I've told you about some of the great finds from my trip to Blogher but this DVD and the company behind its creation is probably my favorite.  In this crazy mixed up world we live in, so much focus is placed on academics and how well kids do on school testing.  The Mother Company knows that it is more important to raise good humans.  But how do we, as parents, do that? 

This first video of Ruby's Studio, in what I hope is a very long list, focuses on feelings.  Through Ruby's guidance, the kids learn about feelings in a variety of ways.  From art projects, discussion, animated stories and music, the kids are taught not only what different emotions are but also ways to express them.  When I showed my kids this video package and said we were going to watch it, they were not interested.  I mean, where were the trucks and legos?  I put it in to watch by myself, but after just a minute or two, both of my boys came over to watch.  Both boys were quiet.  As the show played on, I laid down my youngest to change his diaper, much to his dismay.  He looked right up at me and said, "I'm frustrated."  HA!  I wasn't sure, at 2 1/2 years old, how much he would pick up.  But obviously he was getting the message.  A few minutes later as I sat on the couch with my oldest son, I turned toward him to see if he was enjoying the DVD.  As if in answer to the unspoken question, he said, "I'm happy."  I thought the DVD and calm pace would not interest him (he's a rocker through and through) but it absolutely did.  

Watch the trailer!!

Cute! Right?!  What caught my eye initially at their Blogher booth was their design aesthetic.  Clean, modern but with whimsical touches, it was something that I was glad to share with my kids.  There is no need to sacrifice good design just because it is a kid's show. And they certainly haven't. 

The 45 minute DVD is made up of small segments.  From group discussions (none of the kids are scripted to ensure honest answers) to animated music segments the message is reinforced throughout.  I especially loved the 'Garden Theater' with this adorable family of snail puppets.  The shot above is from my TV screen.  The words on the bottom are from the 'Pop Up Parenting' option.  With that feature on, corresponding information for the parents pops up to further explain the emotional development of the child and other tidbits that might help us to make better parenting decisions.  It is awesome.  

And how freaking cute is Ruby, played by Kelsey Collins???  Does she remind anyone else of the adorable Emily Henderson?  As a host she is sweet, caring and likable.  And her hip, vintagey style is child appropriate and fashionable at the same time.  Similarly, the overall design of the set is pretty awesome.  The set is kind of like a big loft with exposed brick and vintage touches.  An alcove with a ceiling covered with all white, different sized paper lanterns is totally whimsical and cool.  A discussion area is amazing with bright colored designer chairs.  And the music is totally kid friendly without being too cutesy.  This is very important to me.  I feel like children's music should not be dumbed down for the kids and this is not.  Job well done.   

I really liked this DVD, available for purchase through their website or at Whole Foods.  The Mother Company also has an amazing newsletter and website full of helpful parenting information.  Be sure to check it out.  I'm so glad that I got a chance to meet this great team at Blogher.  I wish them huge success!   

And also look for more DVDs to come out later this year!  

Sharon

Last 2 pictures are mine, all others from The Mother Company

My first Blogher Party: The Big Toy Book's Sweet Suite {Blogher 2011}

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If you don't know anything else about the Blogher conference, you should know that the parties are both super exciting and at the same time cause a ridiculous amount of anxiety.  It turns all junior high and for the parties that aren't open to every paying attendee of the conference there is a list.  How you get on said list varies but even being on a list doesn't mean you won't feel like the last kid picked for kickball.  Thursday night, Amy, Chris and I decided to check out one of the parties.  The Big Toy Books Sweet Suite (sponsored by The Big Toy Book and KidzVuz) was held at the Hard Rock Hotel and it was pretty cool.  It felt clubby and there were sweet treats and drinks.  What mom doesn't want to sip champagne whilst checking out the new, hottest toys?

We spent about an hour at the party - some of which may have included me and Chris chatting together animatedly while Amy was stuck talking to a toy manufacturer...sorry, Amy!  At most of the parties you are given a gift bag on departure.  This one was no different and it was already the second swag bag we'd gotten related to the conference - remember we have only been in town for about 4 hours at this point...  We lugged them back to the hotel room.  It was so efficiently packed with toys that I knew I would not be able to get them back in again if I took them out.  I let the kids tear in to it when I got home and here are our favorites from the event and gift bag.
 

We love these Fruitominoes by BananaGrams.  We have played them several times now and although my older son is really good with his numbers, the fact that these use fruit, makes it really easy to play.  My younger son got a little distracted and just pretended to eat all the fruit but I know if I gave him less sugar, he might have been able to focus long enough to match up like fruit to like fruit. 

If you have boys, you probably already have HexBugs.  My boys are surprised that I will let these in the house considering my aversion to all things buggy.  Some editions glow in the dark and the new multi-level "habitats" that they shared at the party were amazingly cool.  Although we have a few of the "bugs" these habitat kits are going to be on the Christmas lists for sure.

My son is a lego maniac.  He has a ton of sets and themes and will talk with anyone about legos, at length.  But he's not a snob.  He'll play with a faux lego set - no problem.  Anything that is a building brick but not an actual Lego is deemed a "lego not lego."  I knew he was going to love this Hasbro Kre-o set of "lego not legos" especially because they are Transformers themed.  Like the Lego Creationary sets, from one box of bricks you can create a few figures and they are similarly priced.  He really liked them and even told me "they have a lot of good details."  He's 5.  And totally my son. 

Leap Frog has a few cool new things out (or coming out).  This Leap Pad resembles an Ipad and the graphics are really good!  So much better than some of the other Leap Frog handheld devices.  Not only can you play fun and learning games, you can also take photos and edit them.  I think they said it would retail for about $99 and is available August 15, 2011.   I will be buying one.  The marketing info says ages 4-9 but my 2.5 year old would be all over it.  And how rad is this book to go along with the tag system?!  My 5 year old is a rocker through and through so anything with guitars and having to do with music interests him.  These graphics are cute and I just wish all the Leap Frog tag books could be this cute.  I'm pretty sure learning to read does not require a dorky character to teach it, so update the early reading series, would ya?! 

This last item is from Shoulder Buddies.  The silver disc contains a magnet that you put under the shoulder of your shirt to get the little troll/ducky looking guy to sit on and stay put.  My oldest son loves this thing and likes to dazzle people with its "magic."  I think you can tell by the face of my younger son in the photo above that he is a little unsure of this thing.  Do you hear, "I always feel like, somebody's watchin' me-ee" as you look at that picture?  Luckily I had a fast shutter speed.  Super fun stocking stuffer or package topper. 

Sharon

all photos are mine

I was not paid by any of the companies mentioned above to talk about their products.  I received a sample of the Fruitominoes, the Kreo, the HexBug and the Shoulder Buddies but all opinions are mine.