Have you any doubt what I’m going to talk about after reading that title?

The Huggies marketing team is brilliant. Create a dance and a song that gets stuck in the heads of parents and children everywhere when they see it on commercials, put it on DVD so the kids can beg to watch it, then team up with Mom Central Canada for a blog tour and get mom’s around the country doing the dance with their children and their friends. I’m one of those moms, and I was given the opportunity to host a Potty Dance get together with some friends, which was great because we host playdates all the time and we got to have one with decorations and the food paid for by Huggies! We had a group of the kids’ friends over for our usual playdate (but with decorations! Pretty!) and somewhere in the middle we pulled out the potty dance mat and played the DVD for the kids (and mom, natch) to do the dance. It was hilarious, and since we always talk about poop anyway it was also quite appropriate.

Both of my children are potty trained, except when sleeping for the 2 year old, and both trained relatively easily, thank goodness for the state of my mind, but I can see how this would be extra helpful for a child who was struggle with learning to use the potty. With my son, being my first time, I started out by giving him a chocolate chip for peeing and two for pooping, making up a big sticker chart, and pretty much every silly little trick I’d ever heard of. Little did I know, not crapping your pants should really be enough reward in and of itself. When I stopped giving them to him, I just told him he didn’t need them anymore and he was fine with that. One thing he really did love was when I occasionally brought a washable marker in to the bathroom with me and I’d sit in front of him and write what he was doing all over his legs along with a bunch of doodles. “Fart!” “Poop!” “Pee!” All surrounded by pictures of flowers and puppies. We started with a potty timer, putting him on every 20 minutes. I recall one day when we were starting that he peed every single time. Eighteen pees in a day. Sheesh. We slowly increased the time between visits until he began to go on his own or tell us he had to go. With my daughter, we just told her when she turned two that she was old enough to not be in diapers anymore. There were a few accidents, but not many, and we put her on the potty at regular increments until she began to tell us when she needed to go. That’s it – that’s all. I was determined that it would be stress-free and child-led, and it was.

Don’t know what I’m talking about? Watch a couple of Canadian public figures do the potty dance here and here.

Music for Little People recently sent us a couple of discs to check out, and they made the cut for sharing here with you.

Pickin’ & Grinnin’: Great Folk Songs for Kids is full of spirited performances of some of the greatest American folk singers singing their favorite tunes especially for children.

Love & Peace is full of music that parents and children can enjoy together. It includes some of the most magical musical moments from Music for Little People’s rich musical history with unique performances such as Brian Johnson (AC/DC) performing “If I had a Hammer” with award winning kids singers, Faith Hill singing a heartfelt ballad to her daughter and Willie Nelson joining a bunch of friends to cover Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land”. It begins with a classic from my own childhood, “Baby Beluga” by Raffi, followed by one of my personal faves “On The Good Ship Lollipop” by Maria Muldaur. “The diversity and spirit in this historical tribute to the wonderful world of children’s music contribute to a musical experience that your family won’t want to miss!”

These are the first two of a selection of CD’s that will be released throughout 2010 to celebrate their 25th anniversary. They’re awesome, but you know what else is awesome? They’re only nine bucks right now!

Win them! Enter to win a copy of each of these fab CD’s with a comment on this post before noon mst on Friday, May 7, 2010.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to Funky Mama‘s new album, “Sing!” We reviewed her Moo Juice album (glowingly) a year and a half ago-ish, and this one is just as fantastic. Check out the title track on YouTube. I’ll wait.

See? Awesome, no?

Krista always gets my kids rockin’ – even when they’re strapped in to 5 point harnesses, which is saying something.

Take a little sneak listen to more of the CD here.

Win it! Enter to win a copy of Sing! by commenting on this post before noon mst on Friday, May 7, 2010.

This CD, Flute Sweet & Tickletoon in Green Golly & Her Golden Flute is truly like nothing I’ve shared with you before. It’s intended for ages 4-10, and is 57 minutes of awesome.

Flute Sweet & Tickletoon introduces kids to the wonder of classical music using an embellishment of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel called “Green Golly & Her Golden Flute.” It’s in two parts – the first a narrative graced with flute and flute-guitar renditions of several classical selections, and the second flute recital by Barbara Siesel accompanied by pianist Jessica Krash which allows children to enjoy in greater depth the selections performed during the narration.

This CD will be release on May 11, but you can win it sooner!

Win it! Comment by noon on Friday, May 7, 2010 to enter.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED

Another newcomer to the fabulous Putumayo Kids Playground series, Jazz Playground is a collection of international jazz songs for children. “From bebop and swing to Latin and African jazz, this multicultural CD celebrates the vibrant diversity and global influence of jazz and will get the whole family grooving!”

I am a big jazz lover (with absolutely no knowledge…just a simple love of listening) so I was thrilled to share this with my own children and more thrilled to see how much they loved it. Check out a couple of videos with your kids…and then buy it!

or…Win it! Comment here before noon on Friday, May 7, 2010 to be entered to win a copy.

NYC-based singer/songwriter Joanie Leeds’ new CD, I’m a Rock Star, was released just a month ago and it’s already entered “van rotation.” Joanie has a voice that is very appealing to adults.

According to her publicist, “Joanie’s soulful, “rock solid” voice – plus a remarkable ability to connect with kids through her songwriting – won her a 2008 Parents’ Choice Award for her debut children’s album, City Kid. Parents’ Choice reviewer Lynne Heffley praised Joanie’s “vivacious soprano and gentle rock ‘n roll approach.” Joanie’s music dances across a constellation of musical genres, ranging from indie & classic rock to hip-hop, from folk to jazz, from R & B to cartoon.”

“I’m a Rock Star” has catchy lyrics and songs that are short enough to keep even my 2 year old interested until the end. Joanie’s voice is awesome – not what many people expect from a children’s performer.

Win it! Comment here before noon on Friday, May 7, 2010 to be entered to win a copy.

Gray Matter Matters. Trust me on that one.

Parents’ Choice® Gold winning kids’ musician Roger Day’s “brainy” new CD, Why Does Gray Matter? … And Other Brainy Songs for Kids! is one of the newest albums in what we lovingly refer to as “van rotation” right now. If a CD leaves the kids’ rooms and makes it to the van, it’s good. It’s about the wonders and mysteries of the human brain, and is geared to kids ages 5 – 11.

As I’ve mentioned many times, I am not a music reviewer and don’t consider myself necessarily very good at it, but I am certainly opinionated, as are my children. I feel qualified to tell you that this is a great CD that my kids love. The music PR people in my virtual life are much better at actually writing about the tunes. So let’s let them do it, right?

In the spirit of Schoolhouse Rock and Bill Nye, the Science Guy, Why Does Gray Matter? includes “Brain Food – Eat it Up!” which uses omega 3, lypocene and green tea in a B-52s inspired rocker about the best foods for brain health. The “Left Brain/Right Brain” song illustrates the different functions of each side of the brain: the left brain is a Bach-inspired baroque string quartet and the right brain – naturally – is a bad British punk rock band. Roger Day co-wrote “The Brain Train” with Dr. John Paul Bouffard, Chief Neuropathologist at Overlook Hospital in New Jersey; the song takes a peek inside Ringo Starr’s brain during that nanosecond from Ringo’s first thought about playing the drums to showtime at Shea Stadium. Roger says, “I’m confident this is the first – and probably last — children’s song that uses words like ‘corpus callosum’ and ‘deep basal ganglia’ in the lyrics.”

There wasn’t a song on this CD that I didn’t like. My son has actually learned a lot about the brain by listening to it and it’s spurred some awesome discussions & teachable moments. My daughter just boogies along as we chat because the music is as good as the content. It’s good stuff – particularly if you’re a science buff.

Win it! Comment here before noon on Friday, May 7, 2010 to be entered to win a copy.

It’s music week again here at T.O.P. and each day we’ll be featuring a new CD we’ve been sent to review that has made it into regular rotation in our homes and vehicles. Each one will be accompanied by the usual giveaway, with all of them closing at noon mst on Friday.

Enjoy, and happy dancing!

Let me tell you about some hippos.

Some very Hip Hippos.

The Hip Hippos in the pictured book and their friends the Sad Mad Glad Hippos and the One Hippo (who) Hops and some of my children’s favourite animals. We’ve had these books for a while now and though they’re nothing exciting for my husband and I, both of our children LOVE them – even the one who is way above their reading level.

Seriously, I don’t even know what it is. It’s obvious these books weren’t written for educated women in their mid-thirties, but are perfect for babies, toddlers & preschoolers. They’re sturdy board books that babies can chew on and they’ll still be solid & in one piece when the preschooler gets home to actually read them.

I’d seen Majesta paper products before on the shelves at several local stores. Having never heard of the brand, I assumed it was just some crappy no-name product that would be scratchy and cheap feeling. Boy, was I wrong – and on so many levels.

They make toilet paper, facial tissue & paper towel, all of which I was sent (by Mom Central Canada) to test out. To be honest, there’s very little difference between Majesta products and the higher priced ones that I usually use. In feeling anyway – we did the cheek test (the cheeks on our faces!) and the Majesta toilet paper may have even been a tad softer than the luxury one I buy.

We were provided with a sample of Charmin and two water bottles to do a “shake test” and it was the neatest thing. When shaken in water, the Charmin stayed whole and the Majesta disintegrated – it’s biodegradable and even safe for R.Vs! I’m going to switch Majesta in to be next big grocery shop and see if my family even notices. I’m thinking they won’t.

Majesta has created a new movement – it’s the movement to plant more trees. Tree.spon.si.ble™, which is “the act of responsibly caring for today’s forests while planting trees for the future” is noble indeed. In 2010, Majesta hopes to plant 1 MILLION Trees and you can help by purchasing Majesta products (Three trees are planted for every one that is used to produce the products), attending Majesta tree planting events or visiting majesta.com and dedicate a tree through the Trees by the Shore program. How appropriate for Earth Day.

As part of the celebration of the Treesponsible™ movement, Majesta is hosting a fantastic giveaway. This Spring you can enter for the chance to win $15,000 towards a Green Makeover for your home. The prize can go towards any ‘green’ home project, for example, landscaping, new energy efficient appliances or simply replacing those leaky faucets. The promotion is open until June 27th and you may enter daily and receive additional ballots by letting your friends know about the promotion. Check it out – that’s a LOT of money!

We recently received some samples of a new drink-ish concoction called Minichill – the latest in the ever expanding market of energy drinks, elixirs, potions and whatever other liquid alchemy is hitting the shelves these days. I’ve never tried Red Bull or anything like it, and honestly didn’t really want to sample Minichill either. It’s pegged as “the two-ounce anti-energy shot – the only doctor-formulated, clinically proven relaxation shot on the market.” They say it doesn’t cause drowsiness so can be consumed at any time of the day or night. But – it’s got “Relarian” in it – their name for their patented blend of herbs including Valerian root, which is what I took in university to get to sleep and it knocked me right out. And it also has Sucralose in it – an artificial sweetener. One of our family policies, for lack of a better term, is that we don’t eat fake food. I have to admit that I was too chicken to even taste a Minichill, but I did give it to several friends to try who aren’t as opposed to consuming chemicals as we are. Their response was that it may have relaxed them a little bit but it tastes “strange.” The strangeness likely comes from the Sucralose – fake food tastes funny.

This product was marketed to us as something that would be great for stressed out parents who need some relaxation. While I’m sure that’s just because it’s very obvious that we’re parents, I feel I need to warn you that if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding you should NOT consume this or anything else with medicinal herbs, artificial sweeteners or “fake foods” in it.

My advice? If you’re stressed, go for a walk, run or bike ride and then come home and crack open a nice bottle of red wine.

Don’t forget to sign up & join us Thursday night for a free parenting webinar.

No more nagging, reminding, yelling…Awesome stuff!

Go here to sign up!

Got a preschooler in the house?

Check out the Skip Hop zoo pack which is twenty bucks well spent. They are just the cutest things. They’re BPA, pthalate and PVC free, natch, and have the cutest little whimsical details. The monkey backpack, the newest addition to the line, has bananas for zipper pulls. These packs are just the perfect size for the 2-6 year old set, hold a Laptop Lunch container and some extra goodies perfectly, and each one has a front pocket the perfect size for a few toys or a small book.

A great preschool backpack is hard to find. Or, at least it used to be.

Rockabye Baby is a record label that has released a line of CDs which turn popular rock bands into lullaby music for babies and parents. They have lullaby renditions of 25 artists including The Beatles, Nirvana and a new release of Lullaby Renditions of Aerosmith which features liner notes by Steven Tyler. Most recently they’re launched a Journey album, which is just as awesome as every Journey album is, but totally safe for the nursery. They also have a new download card available which is a super cool baby gift for someone whose musical tastes you’re unsure of.

You can hear clips, find more info and purchase at Rockabye Baby

Save 20% until 5/9/10 with the code MOMDAY2010

Win it! Want to win a download card? Comment on this post before noon mst on April 26, 2010.

Next week = Music week!

Adriana Berlanga, owner and president of Bersica Futurewear – a new high-tech children’s clothing line – sent my daughter one of their polo shirts to try out. They sell for under twenty bucks and make some pretty fantastic claims.

Bersica Futurewear is the first line of high-performance children’s clothing that redefines the meaning of “future” by combining the two things that will give us a better tomorrow—conservation and innovation. They use Swiss Schoeller fabric manufactured with NanoSphere® textile technology to create stylish, fun clothes for children that contain no harmful chemicals or dyes; are very soft and fully breathable; extremely liquid, stain, oil and dirt repellent; abrasion resistant; highly durable; quick-drying; self-cleaning; and environmentally friendly while also protecting children from harmful UV rays.

One important thing to note about Bersica Futurewear items are the washing instructions, which you must follow. They are machine washable in warm/cold water with mild liquid detergent with no fabric softeners or bleach. Tumble or hang dry and use a low heat dry iron (no steam) to smooth out wrinkles if necessary. Easy – that’s how I was all of my clothes.

The shirt is soft and my daughter says it’s comfortable, and it’s pink – which is the only colour she’ll currently wear, so that’s a bonus – but I wanted to put the features to the test. It’s easy to spill in our house – it takes no effort at all, in fact, since we come by it honestly. The first try gave us bright red spaghetti sauce, a big slop of yogurt and some milk. The milk literally rolled off the shirt with NO sign it had ever been there. The yogurt blobs and spaghetti sauce looked like they’d be more challenging. I took her shirt off, rinsed it under water and it looked, quite literally, just like new. Nothing left. At all. I was amazed!

I don’t really know what nano-technology is, but I like it.

The Day That is a company out of the United Kingdom that has just launched here in North America. They offer a very unique gifting opportunity – their photographers rise at dawn each day and capture an image of the dawn skies over the Chesapeakes, and the image is crafted into a work of authenticated art; mounted framed and hand-inscribed as a permanent reminder of a memorable day. A birth, christening, wedding…the list of possibilities is endless.

Being that we’re opinionated “parents” specifically, I am loving this as a baby gift. Their images go back to 2005 so it would also make an awesome birthday gift for the child who has everything (and who is five or under). The mat is inscribed with a personal message from the photographer saying whatever you like. “Juliette’s first day ~ May 1, 2010″

The images are beautiful and the gift captures all the emotions and significance of a truly special day. Being a practical mama, I was especially impressed with the beautiful, archival quality frame and the packaging/shipping. It arrived in just a few days, and was packed so securely that it would have taken a bomb to damage it.

Win it!The Day That is giving a T.O.P. reader one of their wonderful & unique framed images. To enter, simply comment on this post before noon mst on April 21, 2010.

CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED