Snack Pick of the Week: Peter Rabbit Organics

Peter Rabbit organic fruit snacks are an awesome on the go snack for babies 6 months and up. Even my 21 month old toddler loves them! They are all natural fruit snacks with no added sugars or preservatives, just pure fruit! There are three great flavors: Mango, Banana and Orange...Apple and Grape...Strawberry and Banana. The best part about this snack is not what's inside but what's outside. This fruit puree snack is in a convieninet pouch. Yes! I said it...a pouch. That means no spoon, no spills, no mess. My son is the messiest eater ever. Every spoonful of applesauce seems to reach his shirt and never his mouth. But this snack has a small opening where the smooth sauce is easily sucked up without a splash or spill. The pouches are BPA free, but the lids are a little small. They can be tightened back on, but make sure you throw it away if you don't plan on using the lid again because it's a perfect size to get lodged in the throat. These smooth fruit treats are great for the long car rides, or just out and about at the park. The only place I have ever seen them though is Starbucks. They carry the Orange Mango Banana and the Apple Grape. So when you're on the run, grab your latte and your child's healthy mess-free snack at the same time!



www.peterrabbitorganics.com/fruit-snacks

www.amazon.com/Peter-Rabbit-Organics-Strawberry-3-5-Ounce/dp/B0026KP4GC

Elevator Anxiety

I've always wondered why on earth the emergency button on the elevator panel was all the way at the bottom. It usually sits next to the alarm button or call button. The emergency button varies in design. Sometimes it looks just like the other buttons but has a red trim and a small red center. Sometimes it's pushed out farther than the others, and in that case it is always big and red. Other times it's a pull/push lever or button. Meaning push to stop, pull to run.

In almost EVERY elevator I have been in, these buttons are at the bottom of the panel directly finger pushing level to a toddler. Obviously, whoever designs elevators lives at home with cats and not a rabid 20 month old toddler boy with enough energy to even wear Richard Simmons out. I've been working on Tyler in public places. Teaching him to stay with my in crowded places. How to keep his hands to himself. But come on! You stick a two and a half foot tasmanian devil in a confined space with a big bright red button that is exactly eye level and you expect them not to push it? It screams PUSH ME! Set off the alarm! Get the big loud firetruck to come!

Luckily, (knock on wood)We have not had the pleasure of Tyler actually going through with it, but we have had some extremely close calls. It just blows my mind sometimes when I think of how this world is evidently not baby friendly in any way shape or form. Or maybe this has nothing to do with the kids and everything to do with the guy in the camera watching all the mothers inside the four foot circumference running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to block that tiny little finger from pushing the button from hell.

Of course another country invented this...

Travel Town

Where: 5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles (only a couple miles from the zoo)
When: Monday-Friday: 10am-4pm
Sat & Sun: 10am-6pm
Price: FREE!

Website: http://www.traveltown.org/index.shtml

This is one of Tyler's favorite places! Not only is it close and convienient, but it costs nothing and during the week it is EMPTY. This is not an all day trip, so if you are driving out of your way to come to Travel Town, squeeze in a couple of the following with it: LA ZOO, Observatory, Gene Autry Museum, or the Pony Rides.

Don't come empty handed even though admission is free. Donations are always appreciated, and the cute little train ride that encompases the whole area twice is three dollars per person. Children under 19 months are free. A cute little old man dressed in a conducter's suit takes the train around every fifteen minutes so you can't miss it! There is also a penny press machine by the train ride if you're a collector as well. There are four coins to collect, and a penny album is sold at the gift shop.






The gift shop is very small but heavily packed with 90% of it's items being Thomas the train and VERY expensive. I usually go for the simple items: small toy train or a snow globe. You can never go wrong with a snow globe.

There are about six large trains still on the tracks that can be looked at and climbed on. Some are only open for tour dates, but they are just as beautiful to look at from the outside. There is a children's warehouse which isn't all that fun but does have some other locomotive and automobiles's placed inside. There's a train table and padded floor to tumble around on i guess, but Tyler never seems to be interested in it. The highlight of travel town really is fun little train ride and climbing up into the big trains.





There is also a large grass area to have a picnic. If you are plannning on staying long, bring food because there is nothing offered there except a drink vending machine. Travel Town is also great for birthday parties. My nephew had one of his parties here and it was a big hit! The grass area is great for the kids to run around on and there is nothing bad that kids can get into. There are available tables and shade. I'm not sure on the cost but if your child loves trains, this might be a good optiond instead of the park.