EDITOR’S PICKS

Whizizzle Phonics

This summer, we’re ramping up to be able to maximize our daughter’s pre-K education, which commences in September. Pre-K, aka the new nursery school. What happened to nursery school? I am not one of those building-a-better-child parents (well, not totally), but I do think that if your kid shows an interest in something, anything, you need to foster that desire. My daughter has been slowly learning to read in school but, lately, has grown progressively more and more enthralled by it.

We’re doing the Your Baby Can Read program (which I’ve written about before). She’s been asking to do it for a while and is reminded of it every time she walks into my office and sees the box on my shelves. I’ve been putting it off for months because I just haven’t had the time—or thought I didn’t have the time. I realized that I’d be a total, mega loser if I didn’t get out of my own way and help this eager child learn to read. So, just like anything else worthwhile in life, the program works if you commit to it—which reminds me that I need to get back to the gym, drink more water, cut out the sugar, stop eating bread, think more positively…

But I digress.

Umm…where was I? Me, me, me, thinking about me. Commitment. Reading. Oh, yes, my daughter. Yes! So, I got out of my own narrow head space and tried parenting for a hot minute. It’s working. I am thrilled. I also include a cool game called Whizizzle Phonics in her daily learn-to-read regimen. Designed by a dad (but not Snoop Doggy Dog, despite the name) and perfected by teachers, the fun and fast-paced flash card game for kids ages 4 and up teaches kids how to read via sight, sound and color. Available in two sets (sold separately) with six games in total, Whizizzle is fo’ shizzle a smart way to get your kidizzles into loving themselves some reading. Word up, G.

($12.95, www.wiggitybang.com)

Jantsen’s Gift: A True Story of Grief, Rescue, and Grace

Our July Charity of the Month was Touch a Life Foundation. The story behind the foundation is remarkable: Pam Cope loses her son, suddenly, to an undetected heart condition. On a whim, and to attempt to get as far away as possible from her life and anything that recalled her grief, she accepts an invitation to go to Vietnam. While there, she is overcome by the horrors of the rampant child abuse and slavery she sees and thusly embarks on a journey to channel her pain into becoming a child advocate and saving children worldwide. You must read our interview with Pam called “Touched by an Angel.” I also highly suggest picking up a copy of her book, Jantsen’s Gift: A True Story of Grief, Rescue, and Grace. It’s really, truly a stirring read that reminds us that we are more than the things that happen to us, we have more to give than what’s taken from us and we truly can make a difference.

($16.49, www.amazon.com)

Lululemon Groove Pants

When I lost all of the baby weight, Amy, TFG’s trusty publisher extraordinaire, bought me a pair of Lululemon pants. She discovered the brand last summer while in the Hamptons and had been raving about them ever since. They are our stock mom-iform. We both try to fit in our workouts as often as we can, so dressing for the day in a pair of super-hip, form-flattering workout pants from this fabulous (read: faaab-u-lous) line of lifestyle workout ware works for us. I wear them like they’re going out of style. Paired with a tank, T-shirt, sweater or top, they always look appropriate—and probably more importantly, they make you feel good and remind me, because they are snug, that, in fact, I do not have to eat the leftover mac and cheese from my kids’ plates or mindlessly shove a cookie in my mouth at 4 o’ clock when my sugar levels have dropped and stress has soared. The whole line is just too cool. I drool for it. I bet you will, too.

($96, Groove Pant*T, www.lululemon.com)