Real Parties: Curious George 1st Birthday

Birthday Boy ready to party!

Curious George was an obvious choice for KJ's parents when deciding a theme for their soon-to-be one year old.  The party was enjoyed by all, especially the birthday boy.

Are you curious too? Read & see more after the jump!

Plan Ahead! Marathon Monday (April 18th)

Its that time of year again - celebrate Boston Strong!

The energy in Boston is palpable and the bright yellow finish line is freshly painted across Boylston Street.  Yes, the Boston Marathon takes place Monday, April 18th.  The Boston Marathon is not just to be celebrated by the runners, Beacon Street Baby suggests you turn it into a great family friendly day!

Breakfast:  Its not often that we get a bonafide excuse to indulge in a carbohydrate laden meal.  Sure, we're not running in the marathon, but in the spirit of the marathon, why not start your day with a Carbo-load Breakfast Burrito!  Tortilla, eggs and potatoes - totally delicious and sure to give you energy throughout the day.

Storytime: The First Marathon: The Legend of Pheidippides, by Susan Reynolds.  Marathons existed long before they came to Boston 120 years ago.  The marathon tradition is rooted in ancient Greek society.  This illustrated children's book provides the story of Pheidippides, the original marathon runner, in a manner that children will understand and enjoy.

Playdate: Heartbreak Hill Helpers.  The road race of the Boston Marathon consists of 26.2 grueling miles, and the most infamous segment is Heartbreak Hill.  This is the perfect spot to help the runners by cheering them on.  Help your little ones make signs to root on the runners, put on your best marathon gear, and cheer on the runners.  Your support will help them conquer Heartbreak Hill, and your kids will love being part of the action.  If you can't make it to Heartbreak Hill, consult the Spectator Guide and find a space & time that will work for you and your family.

Dinner: A delicious meal that can be made ahead of time is the perfect answer after a long day of marathon celebrations.  Pastitsio is best described as a Greek Lasagna, and this version is delicious and nutritious with spinach and chard.

Late-Night Cap:  Boston-based Sam Adams has an annual tradition of releasing a special edition brew for the marathon - 26.2 Boston Brew.  Its a light German beer called a Gose, and its the perfect ending to a perfect marathon day!

Throwback Thursday (#TBT)! Photo Shoot, 2012 Marathon Print

We at Beacon Street Baby love a good Throwback Thursday (#TBT)!

Check out below for our very first Marathon print back in 2012 -- my how time flies!

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Beacon Street Baby had a successful photo shoot today for our 2012 Marathon print!

The beautiful spring weather made White Stadium in Boston's Franklin Park the perfect background for this track & field shoot.  Here's a glimpse at some of the photographs:

But alas, not all pictures made the cut. We hope you enjoy these out takes as much as we do - sometimes even a fussy baby can be cute!

Plan Ahead! National Walk to Work Day is April 1st

With a little planning ahead, the whole family can enjoy National Walk to Work Day!

First, have your favorite to-go mug ready for your morning cup o'joe.
Personally, we are loving this cold brew recipe and have gone as far as brewing a special batch just for the ice cubes so there's no watered-down taste! 

Have an activity that requires the car after work?
Have your hubby pick you up after work or see about leaving the office a bit early to head home and grab the car!

Afraid you'll work up a sweat on the way in?

Wear layers and carry a backpack for the extras (we love to use these carabiners on the backpack because they are perfect for looping through coats/sweaters/and even some shoes).

Need to drop the kids off on the way to work and don't want to be stuck with an empty stroller for the day? Ask your daycare if you leave your stroller there until pick-up (ours doesn't mind)!
   
If walking with the kids, don't forget to sing their favorite walking song!

Walking walking. Walking walking.

Hop hop hop. Hop hop hop.

Running running running. Running running running.

Now let's stop. Now let's stop.

Love This: Custom Baby Quilt

Boston Baby Quilt, by Haptic Lab

When left to choose between flowery pastels and football graphics choosing baby bedding can be underwhelming for parents who like a modern house, not Mickey Mouse.

 Don't fret, Beacon Street Baby has the answer - Haptic Lab.  Not only are the designs crisp, linear and colorful - but yes, they are maps!

Beacon Street Baby loves the Boston Baby Quilt (pictured above), but many other cities and regions are available.  And it gets better - Haptic Labs will customize the quilts with your little one's name, birth date and even mark 3 personalized locations on the map.

How great is that - Love This!

Grow, Garden, Grow!

It's officially Spring!  

That means it's time to get those little ones out in the garden!  This could be starting a few pots of herbs on your windowsill, getting to work on the community plot down the street, or getting started on a garden all of your own!

Gardening is a wonderful way for kiddies to learn all about our planet, where our food comes from and gives them a chance to explore nature.  Who's in the Garden is a classic peek-a-boo book designed to introduce children to all of the creatures they can expect to see in the garden!  Flowers, bunnies and ladybugs - oh my!

The publisher of this book is a New England favorite.  Check out Barefoot Books for more books that encourage creativity, explore cultures across our planet, promote sustainability and stretch the imagination!  Better yet - if you're in the Boston area, treat your family to a trip to Barefoot's community center and shop in Concord, MA.

Feelin' Hot Hot Hot!

Here comes a heatwave!  In Boston that means one thing - SPRAYGROUNDS!  For wet fun in the sun, check out this list of free spraygrounds throughout Boston & all of Massachusetts.

To be the cutest thing at the sprayground, we suggest you dress your little girl in one of these vintage inspired bathing suits by Dagmar Daley:

Now, the sad truth is there just isn't the same selection of over the top cuteness when it comes to baby boy swimsuits - but these little European style swim trunks from Zara will set your guys apart from the crowd.

Too Good Not to Share: I'm Your Fan!

How about we spend these rainy days preparing for the sun!

Those hot, humid, sticky Boston summer days are just around the corner.  So lets use these gloomy days for some fun indoor crafts.

Check out these fun & free printable fans offered by Mr. Printable. They are easy to assemble, and your kids will be enjoying the final products within minutes.   Make them now, so come August when your little guys need to cool off in the Tot Lot, you'll be prepared!

Fun Inspiration: Rubber Ducky, You're the One

What would you do if you could?

Why not take a GIGANTIC inflatable rubber ducky and float it down a river...

Well, artist Florentin Hofman has done just that! 

Beacon Street Baby would love to see this guy floating down the Charles!

Thank You Boston Marathon Supporters!

Thank you to all who supported Beacon Street Baby at the Boston Marathon Expo! 

Remember to submit photos of your little one in their Marathon gear - if its selected for the Beacon Street Baby website you'll receive a free item from our newest collection.

Best of luck to all the runners & cheers to all the spectators!

Join Beacon Street Baby to Celebrate the Boston Marathon!

Saturday April 14, 2012 we will be selling 3 unique collections,
including a limited edition 2012 Marathon print.

Come see us at B Street and Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA!

Countdown to Beacon Street Baby Launch!

Join Beacon Street Baby to Celebrate the 2012 Boston Marathon! 
Saturday April 14, 2012 we will be selling 3 unique collections,
including a limited edition 2012 Marathon print.
Come see us at B Street and Seaport Blvd in Boston, MA!

To Do List: Easter & Passover

Will you be in the Boston area this Saturday, April 7, 2012?
Here are some free activities for your little ones to celebrate both Easter and Passover. 

10:00 AM
Roslindale Egg Hunt
Adams Park in Roslindale Sq, Boston, MA
Join Mayor Menino & Mr. Bunny in finding over 5,000 eggs "hidden" throughout Rosi Square, fun activities for the whole family.

10:00AM
Egg-stravaganza
Cambridge Common Park, Cambridge, MA
Second annual Easter egg hunt, games and prizes.

11:00AM - 12:00 
Passover Stories & Crafts for ages 2 - 6
Harvard Coop
1400 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA

To Do List: World Water Day (March 22nd)

Did you know that March 22nd is World Water Day?  World Water Day was created by the United Nations to bring attention to the issues relating to clean water supply throughout the world.  World Water Day is a great opportunity to educate your children on the environment and the importance of clean water.

Breakfast: Starting out the day with a Sailboat Ham & Egg Sandwich is sure to put your child in the spirit.  Turning a sandwich into a sailboat is about as easy as it can get, and sure to entertain the little ones.

Storytime:  Clean Water for Elirose, by Ariah Fine is a great way to communicate to children issues related to water availability and what some people have to do to get clean drinkable water.  The author has generously set it up so that you can read the whole book for free online.  While you're there, you can order your own copy at whatever price you can afford.

Playdate:  Its important for children to understand the role they can play in ensuring our water supply is clean.  Grab your rain boots, rubber gloves, and trash bags and head down to a local river, pond or beach to collect litter.  As always, adults should be involved in the playdate, you will not only set a great example for your children but you can also ensure that they aren't picking up and hazardous materials. If you're in the Boston area, Beacon Street Baby suggests the following locations: the Esplanade, Jamaica Plain Pond, and Spy Pond.

Dinner:  What more perfect way to end a day celebrating water then Fish Sticks and Seaweed Salad.  Seaweed Salad can be bought in most supermarkets, check the fish section or the sushi station area.

Late-Nightcap:  After a long day sloshing around in rain boots and scrubbing pond dirt off the little ones, mama needs a beverage.  Shake up a Fox River Cocktail for a perfect after dinner drink.