The Coolest Dr. Kits…EVER!

I have been on the hunt for a great Dr. Kit for my kids for a very long time and I’ve never found one that I like. I think the standard plastic Fisher Price ones are cheesy. Mikayla had one for awhile and I just found it to be annoying. Well, my friends daughter received a handmade Dr. Kit this summer from her Aunt with a few real things in it and from that moment on I knew I had to make one for my kids. So I expounded on her idea and made Dr. Kits for Mikayla and Camden for Christmas. I have been spending months scouring the Internet for inexpensive but real items that they could have in their kits. Everything in the kits actually works. I am so in love with these Dr. Kits and I’m still patting myself on the back for this. I think it is one of the coolest presents ever and hopefully the kids will think so too. I made each of the girls drawstring doctor bags (wasn’t able to find any cool black doctor lookingish bags at thrift stores) to put all of their stuff in. I also bought enough matching fabric to make them some scrubs to wear as soon as I figure out how to sew something that extravagant. The bags were my first sewing attempt.

I’m still on the hunt for some neck braces, knee braces or reusable bandages. I’d also like to find some clipboards, notepads/prescription pads and I want to print out some mock “take down” sheets for the patient information. Oh, and we still need to get each of the girls a box of Band-aids.

Next year I’m planning on putting these together and selling them on either Etsy or Hyena Cart. I’ve still gotta calculate how much they cost in materials.

So, here are the pictures. I have put captions underneath to explain what everything is.

The Draw String Dr. Bags – still need to add the cords to them

Inside of Reversible Bag – Hoping to find another cute coordinating print for future bags

Mikayla’s and Camden’s Dr. Kits

Left to Right:

Face mask (there are tons of these), Syringe (without needle of course), Red Tweezers,

Gauze pads, Reusable tongue depressor, Knee Hammer, Medicine Cups, two different medicine droppers

Left to Right:

Cotton Balls, Stethoscope, Reusable Bandage, Digital Thermometer

Daily medicine/vitamin cases, Ear & Nose monitor with attachments, Pediatric Blood Pressure Cuff

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Michiko Baby – Chalkbook

Portable Chalkbook

Michiko Kids is a division of Michiko Baby that sells fun childrens products like crayon and marker rolls, childrens backsacks and child sized baby carriers. All of the items are made by Kim who owns and operates Michiko Baby. We tested out Michiko’s Chalkbook. A compact and portable and oh so adorable, perfect for the stocking (or anytime) gift!

The Scoop

Chalkbook in the “folded up and ready to go” position

The Michiko Kids chalkbook is one of six different Michiko Kids products.It is an ingenious self storing and compact chalkboard that folds up and snaps together for easy portability. It includes 2 pieces of chalk and a matching “eraser” wipe. When folded it easily stores in a purse or diaper bag.

When open it has a chalkboard on the left and the chalk and “eraser” wipe on the right.

The Crunchville Experience

We were able to test out the chalkbook for the Michiko Kids line and were super excited to get it and use it for our move across the state so Camden would have something new and fun to do on the car trip. As luck would have it our postal service went crazy and our mail forwarding got messed up and after hours on the phone with various postal workers we FINALLY got our mail at the end of November.

Nevertheless, we were still very excited to see it arrive. Camden wanted to use it right away and so I brought it along on a lunch we had with my parents at a local Thai restaurant. Here is Camden passing time with her chalkbook before the meal.

Camden also enjoyed using her book in the car. Since it wasn’t safe for me to actually get a picture of her using it while driving I snapped a pic of her with it before we took off.

We both loved how cute and portable this item was. It fit easily into the diaper bag without taking up too much space or becoming a nuisance. It would also easily fit into a purse. I also love how it is simple to fold up and snap together and that my 3 year old is able to do it herself.

Camden particularly enjoys the novelty of her chalkbook. It is much more exciting to her than the ziploc bag of crayons and a piece of scratch paper that I usually dig out of the diaper bag. She enjoyed it so much, in fact, that she shook it with glee and a piece of chalk popped out. Whoops. The design is helpful because the chalk is positioned in a way that when folded the chalk is not likely to fall out. However, with persistent shaking (thanks Camden) it is possible.

Washing & Care

Obviously you shouldn’t put the chalkbook in the washing machine. You’ll have to spot treat any tidbits of food or other globs of childhood goodyness that happens to find its way to the chalkbook. To clean the chalkboard part you can wipe with water. I used my Miraclean cleaner. Here are pictures from before and after cleaning.

-Other Products Offered by Michiko Baby-

Michiko Baby and more specifically Michiko Kids has a lot of fun products to offer. Here are some pictures of a few of their other products. All of the products have customizable fabrics.

Pint Size Duo Baby Carrier

Crayon Roll

Marker Roll

Color on the Go

Backsack

Kim also has gift sets with matching items available on hyenacart at “Tied Up With Strings”. Currently she has a custom Christmas slot, a children’s gift set and also a stocking stuffer set.

You can also see the available fabrics for Michiko Kids at this link:

http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg212/michikoshop/Kids%20Instock%20Fabrics/

Wrapping It Up

-Suggestions, Observations & Wishes-

-I would love to see a flap of some sort, maybe secured with velcro or a snap, that goes over the chalk so little monkeys like my daughter can not shake the chalk out of their chalkbooks.

-Overall-

I think simple innovations like the chalkbook are fabulous. For me it is a “why didn’t I think of that” type of product. I love how compact it is and what a simple joy it provides for keeping little hands busy during tedious waiting periods. We were able to utilize ours in a long line at the post office as well (sorry no pic). It is moments like these that having something like the chalkbook becomes priceless.

-The Basics-

Company Name: Michiko Kids

Product Name: Chalkbook

Price: $18.00

Where to Buy: www.michikobaby.com

Where to find gift sets: http://hyenacart.com/TiedUpWithStrings/

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2008 China Recall List: Lead and Magnet Recalls

Here is a master list of the 2008 lead and magnet based recalls from children’s products coming from China. For a list of the 2007 recalls, see HERE.

To view websites that offer toys Made in America see HERE.

To view other recalls you can also click on the category tab on the right sidebar and choose the category recalls.

2008 Recalls

September 2008

9/30/08 – Toy Boats by Buzz’s Boatyard (lead)

9/25/08 – Toy Police Cars by TCB Imports (lead)

9/23/08 – Harry Potter Book Ends (lead)

9/3/08 – Pendants and Candle Charms (lead)

August 2008

8/29/08 – Bonne Bell Children’s Cosmetics (lead)

8/12/08 – Skirts by Chelsea & Scott LTD (lead)

July 2008

7/24/08 – Pacific Science Supply Magnets (lead)

7/24/08 – Horse Shoe Magnets by Dowling Magnets (lead)

7/10/08 – Lip Gloss and Jewelry Sets sold at Walmart (lead)

7/10/08 – Shoelace and Necklace Children’s Charms (lead)

7/10/08 – Parragon Books Children’s Necklaces (lead)

7/3/08 – Bead Bazaar Children’s Jewelry (lead)

June 2008

6/19/08 – Walmart Charm Key Chains (lead)

6/10/08 – The Children’s Place Camouflage Pajamas (lead)

6/3/08 – Daiso Children’s Jewelry (lead)

May 2008

5/29/08 – QuinCrafts Children’s Jewelry (lead)

5/27/08 – Batting Helmets by Rawlings Sporting Goods (lead)

5/22/08 – Floppy Friends Horse Toys (lead)

5/22/08 – American Scientific Magnets (lead)

5/22/08 – Sure Grip Paint Brushes (lead)

5/22/08 – Disney Tinkerbell Wands (lead)

5/22/08 – West Music Shaker Guiro Musical Instruments (lead)

5/22/08 – United Scientific Magnets (lead)

5/22/08 – Disney Pirate of the Caribbean Sleeping Bags (lead)

5/20/08 – Little Rider Toys by Master Toys & Novelties (lead)

5/1/08 – Lowes Children’s Storage Bins (lead)

April 2008

4/29/08 – Nintendo Lapel Pins (lead)

4/18/08 – Walmart Charm Keychains (lead)

4/16/08 – Push Toys by Santa’s Toy Group (lead)

4/10/08 – Seasonal Writing Pens from Michaels (lead)

4/10/08 – Funtastic Fake Teeth (lead)

4/9/08 – Toy Robots by OKK Trading (lead)

4/8/08 – Magnetic Dart Boards (magnets)

March 2008

3/26/08 – Educational Insights Ring Toss Game (lead)

3/25/08 – Downeast Concepts Water Bottles (lead)

3/21/08 – Hobby Lobby Easter Egg Containers and Spinning Egg Tops (lead)

3/20/08 – QVC Toy Puzzle Vehicle Sets (lead)

3/18/08 – Galison/Mudpuppy Wirebound Journals/notebooks (lead)

3/17/08 – Mega Brands Matastik and Magnetix Jr Magnetic Toys (magnets)

3/17/08 – Mega Brands Magnaman Magnetic Action Figures (magnets)

3/13/08 – Battat Magnetic Construction Sets (magnets)

3/12/08 – Dollar Stores Toy Airplanes, Cars and Motorcycles (lead)

February 2008

2/22/08 – Pecoware Children’s Metal Necklaces (lead)

2/22/08 – Riverside Publishing Children’s Memory Testing Cards (lead)

2/14/08 – Mission City Girls’ Bracelet Sets (lead)

2/8/08 – Netshops Wooden Children’s Table and Chair Sets (lead)

2/7/08 – Korea Recall: Pendants and Candle Charms (lead)

2/6/08 – Children’s Sketchbooks (lead)

2/5/08 Downeast Concepts Toy Gardening Rake (lead)

January 2008

1/31/08 RR Donnelley Classroom Reading and Math Aides (lead)

1/24/08 Wooden Block and Train Sets (lead)

1/24/08 RR Donnelley Educational Assessment Blocks (lead)

1/23/08 OKK Trading Toy Racing Cars (lead)

1/17/08 Cranium Cadoo Board Games (lead)

1/16/08 The Gift Wrap Company Picture Frames (lead)

1/16/08 Discount School Supply Play Mats (lead)

1/15/08 AA of America Toy Wrestler Figures (lead)

1/10/08 Kash N’ Gold Tinkerbell Lamp (lead)

1/10/08 TJ Promotions Coin Banks (lead)

1/3/08 Tricam Industries Toy Wagons (lead)

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Fishing Game & Horseshoe Magnets Recalled for Lead

Two new recalls were announced today for lead paint violations. Interesting to note, is that one of the recalls is from India (horseshoe magnets), the other is from China.

Toy Fishing Game Recall (lead) 12/12/07: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08130.html

Horseshoe Magnets – India Recall (lead) 12/12/07: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08128.html

For a list of all lead based recalls go Here.

For a list of toys made in America go Here.

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Many New Recalls – Lead Based Toys & Aqua Dots

Well, apparently, the lead testers were quite the busy bees while I have been out of order. I had lots of recalls to catch up on. The Aqua Dots is the most disturbing recall to me. Please make sure you get rid of these if you have them.

Here are the recalls:

Children’s Sunglasses (lead) 11/8 – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08080.html

Curious George Doll (lead) 11/8 – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08079.html

Aqua Dots (chemical that reacts like date rape drug) 11/7 – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08074.html

Toy Cars from the Dollar Store (lead) 11/7 – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08068.html

Toy Robot from Schylling (lead) 11/7 – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08072.html

Duck Music Box from Schylling (lead) 11/7 – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08071.html

Spinning Tops (lead) 11/7 – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08070.html

Duck Family Toys (lead) 11/7 – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08069.html

Toy Dragstar and Cars (lead) 11/7 – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08067.html

Wagon (lead) 11/7 – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08066.html

For a complete list of lead and magnet based recalls go HERE.

For a list of toys made in America go HERE.

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