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When it comes to Toys R Us' Learn & Groove Musical Table by LeapFrog (shown at top left, $39.99), the typical table etiquette can happily go out the window, since its meant to engage, entertain and otherwise amuse tots and tikes ages 6 months and up with tons of interactive features. There's no need to worry about grabby hands and wayward ...

When it comes to wrangling the wee ones into bed, I think that most parents have a similar evening routine in common: bath, books, bed. That's how ours goes, but in recent months as my hub has been taking over for me as the sun goes down and my belly grows out, I can tell that being the sole storyteller night after night, while gingerly leafing ...

Around the holidays, mail boxes, mantles and family room walls are festooned and otherwise filled to the brim with cheery notes and fancy cards from friends, family, teachers, neighbors and even some folks we're not quite sure we know. It's hard to make your own personal sentiments stand out in a sea of similar greetings, which is why Ruvacards ...

Instead of analyzing baby's inner sole, focus on her outer soles with help from Cosmotot fave, Robeez. Their special, limited-edition launch of Holiday 2008 soft-soled shoes pairs rich colors like rose pink with penguins (Skating Penguins shown at top left, $27.95) and choclate brown teddy bears with warm shades of taupe and tan and are only ...

... Running, stomping, trudging and otherwise frolicking in the snow. Meet friendly-faced kids' Character Snow Flurry Boots (shown at top left in Bear, $29.50 - also available in Penguin, Reindeer, Bunny and Polar Bear) from Cosmotot fave, Land's End's brand new 2008 Outerwear Collection. Aside from protecting pint-sized feet from freezing, the ...

Ok, so today might not be the most ideal for thinking about warm blankets, but I'm sure the temps will drop before you have a chance to sneak your kiddies' stash of fun sized candy bars. When the weather does get chilly, Babies R Us has partnered with seasoned designer, Amy Coe, to launch an exclusive collection of edgy rocker gear, bold bedding ...

That might be your sentiment when trying to seek out durably cozy yet comfy winter wardrobe staples with plenty of kid appeal and coming up empty handed. More often than not, novelty trumps quality in the kiddie clothing department, leaving moms and dads scrambling to cover-up their little ones in cold weather. Well, forget the typical shopping ...

There comes a time when every girl needs a little beauty call to make it through the week. However, when said girl is close to being nine months pregnant, that beauty call better be close by (hint, hint for the upcoming holiday season). Fortunately for me, Chicagoland's premiere 3D|4D Ultrasound and Maternity Spa, Stork Snapshots, is just a ...

And local yokel One Step Ahead (a Cosmotot fave) has all the costumes, clothing and accessories to make your little ghoul or goblin the cutest character on the block. Little ones who still do their trick-or-treating from the sidelines can still get in on the ghostly fun with the company's whimsical dragonfly costume (shown at top left, $34.95), ...

At least around the holidays anyway. With family members traveling far and wide to get holly and jolly with the rest of their extended brood, it can seem like a whirlwind blur of pictures, people and parties. But best of all is the sense of togetherness that comes along with the whole mixed bag, and oftentimes, the matching wardrobe. Instead of ...