We've been looking at new products recently, and exploring areas outside the diaper bag.  Here's some examples of what we liked:

Love the classic appeal of this.  Wish there were more toys this classic!

This is basically my husband.  Almost.

Wish there were more neutral high chairs.  Ours is bright orange!

And every girl needs an iphone.  Even the little ones!

 

 Check out our boards on pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/funktionmoms/designer-baby-gear/

My favorite is designer baby gear.  Some diaper bag accessories included - even some funktion images you might not have seen before.   Other great travel stuff in there as well.  

 Here's a great selection of stylish baby and kid clothes from coolmompicks!  Love the elf onesie in particular.

http://www.coolmompicks.com/2012/09/favorite_fall_baby_clothes_from_zutano.php#more

When it comes to carrying a fashionable diaper bag, you need the right accessories.  We're not talking about dinosaurs, stripes, or polka dots.  If that was fashionable, you'd see non-moms carrying these patterns as well.  And, frankly, you don't.  

(not awesome)

So with funktion we are trying to start a revolution.  Baby stuff, your style.  New parents shouldn't be caught in a neon sea of bad taste just because they need a travel wipes case, baby bottle holder, grab bag, or paci purse.  Let's fight back one stylish mom at a time!

Interesting article we read the other day about unschooling kids - very thought provoking.  I like the socialization that school provides, and our kids will not be unschooled.  But, it does make you think!  Here's our favorite image:

Now, we've got a lot of teacher friends so we're treading lightly here.  But I will say I hope our kids find a loving and exciting learning environment.  And school for me wasn't always as engaging as I hoped.  While there's certainly a need for structure...I do hope we can find a more engaging way for our kids to learn!!

Here's the article from James Altucher:

 http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2012/07/how-i-would-unschool-my-kids/

A quick update on our giving back partner - the Minneapolis Market.  As a reminder, this is a low cost food club that works like a food pantry (free food for low income families).  The twist is that people here get to shop with dignity - because they have monthly points (they BUY) and also get to choose what they want their families to eat.  It's a really cool idea that we love to support.  We also office at the Market, which is a great reminder of a few things.  Here's the two that come to mind:  

• Serve a higher purpose - there are needy people all around us.
• Things aren't that hard - we shop at target and drive to work.

The chick in charge and I realized this weekend our 3 year old has started saying "elephant" correctly...which is devastating.  Her baby is a pink "ephelant" - at least it has been for her whole life.  Now, she says it correctly (out of nowhere), and it makes us very sad.  I immediately realized she's going away to college and getting married and forgetting all about us (OK, we have 15 years and she can't even read yet so college is no gimme, but you know what I mean).  

 Peeps,

We're starting to think about new products here at funktion (not new colors of our current product, though we are thinking of that as well).  Here's the basics - our brand is about baby stuff with mom style.  So my thought process is basically to think of all the baby stuff we have and pick my least favorites.  Let me start with a few:

• The activity mat - why does this neon blue thing sit in my family room day after day?  I spend all this time worrying about what my house looks like, and a baby comes and I have a neon blue ocean mat on my floor now.  No good.

• Snack mug - it goes in a diaper bag, which we like because it's similar to our current products.  And I don't think it's been done well at this point.  The best for us is the munchie mug, but again that's painted with fish and neon.  

• Dad bag - even the latest scout line from petunia picklebottom is still not what I need.  I'd like a sling backpack so I can free both hands and spin it around for quick access to the front when necessary.  Because dads often have their hands full:

 She went to bed.  But got up at 3 and for good at 6:45.  Anyone remember what a full night's sleep felt like?  Oh well...we've got things to do.  Time to plan our summer sale and giveaway for next week.  Hope y'all are ready for some shopping...

In the midst of a couple tough weeks of bedtime battles, I thought I'd get a little comic relief and focus on some funny things we all do.  Or maybe things only I do...

When I'm under severe stress - I admit to the following poor parenting behaviors with my 3 year old:

1. Parenting by movie.
2. The old "let's go outside" trick, and hope there are other kids to distract her!
3. Making threats that I could never go through with - and immediately being called on it by the 3 year old.  These include - I'm going to take away (fill in something critical for me like TV), I'm going to lock your door (no means of doing that), or anything else I think of in my furious state.
4. Yelling like a small child at my small child.
5. Being embarrassed when my child talks to her toys and I can hear my voice.  "Baby, you are being naughty and I'm going to give you a spank!"  Can't believe I sound like that.
6. Tying a bungee chord around her door handle to keep her in!
7. Lying constantly - the TV is broken.  We're out of fruit snacks.  It's way past your bedtime.  I'll snuggle you once you fall asleep.  The park is closed.  Wow, I just thought of all that in one minute (guilty silence).
8. Drinking to cope with the stress of bedtime. A sober parent is a stressed parent!
9. Drinking to deal with the stress of nap time.  Usually this is confined to weekends...
10. More lies to get her to eat - Daddy's going to eat your food.  The kitchen is closed.  There are no snacks at bedtime.  You need to eat your veggies or you'll get sick.  We're out of mac n' cheese.  Just taste it and you'll like it.  

 OK, this time we're really going to do this.