San Francisco Kids: Peekadoodle Kids Club

This is the look of a girl who is confident in the kitchen. 

WHY is Maggie so confident in the kitchen, you ask?

Peekadoodle Cooking Classes. 

I joked when I signed her up for her first class that I want to train my kids to be amazing chefs so that by age 10 they can do all the family cooking. She was 2, and it seemed like a great extracurricular. Before the session even ended, I signed her up for another class... then another. Many many bus rides and beautiful walks around Ghiradelli square later, I'm finally writing about it... and based on how much and how often Maggie wants to cook with me, I'm actually starting to think my jokes may come true! 

Let me tell you about this place...

Peekadoodle's location is IN Ghiradelli Square. Feels like a postcard. I love fresh air, and spent so much of my time during her classes taking walks around municipal pier, enjoying the waterfront and quiet foggy mornings in a peaceful neighborhood. I would buzz to get into Peekadoodle, drop Maggie with her adorable cooking teacher, then grab a cup of hot coffee in the Peekadoodle cafe... which I actually enjoyed HOT. What? I know. Normally my cups of coffee are lukewarm (or I just throw ice cubes in and embrace the cold coffee) because I'm chasing my kids and hustlin' around home or around the city. Peekadoodle gave me a moment every week to breathe and relax.

Tiny Jack!

Jack was tiny during Maggie's most recent session, so he sometimes would sleep and sometimes would look around and want to play in the section devoted to babies. Toddlers stayed on their side of the play structures, and babies safely can maneuver and scoot around their play area. Any tasted toys get put in a bucket and cleaned regularly, so we could be assured that babies are avoiding extra germs.

...Back to Peekadoodle cooking classes. I had all the perks of coffee and wifi and leisure, and calm times with Jack, but I promise-- Peekadoodle was more about Maggie. ;)

Maggie currently knows how to safely chop, how to mix without the mixtures flying out of the bowl, how to crack an egg (without any shells), and most importantly, she understands how delicious healthy recipes can be. All because of her classes.

The kids start class by washing their hands, putting their tiny adorable aprons on, and sitting down to prep their food. This is the bulk of the class time, but all the ingredients are prepped and ready for them, so it doesn't take longer than necessary. Watching the teachers work to teach groups of toddlers and pre-schoolers the basic cooking skills showed me that I can feel confident teaching my own children at home too. A huge aspect of not going totally crazy while doing so is PREP. Teachers have ingredients set aside but measured, and the kids can pour. As they get more experience they get to have more hands-on responsibility.  

When the food goes in the oven, the kids have story time and letter practice, and they get to run around (in butterfly wings if they want!) outside. 

Can I just tell you (in case the pictures don't speak for themselves): Maggie thrived in her class. She would leave full of chatter and excitement. When we'd go to the grocery store, she would ask me to buy the ingredients from the recipes she made in class to make them for Brian and Sophie too. She could rattle off all the ingredients, AND the order in which she mixed them into her recipe. It's honestly amazing what a 2-4 year old can really soak in, and I am SO glad we invested into this program. She just asked me this week if we can make pear tarts because she made them in class a couple months ago. Kids are like fabulous little sponges.

Peekadoodle's extracurriculars don't start and end with cooking. There is a full pre-school, as well as:

• baby and toddler music classes
• baby sign language  
• art labs
• build-it class
• drama-rama class
• imagination station
• and more! 

Maggie says you should sign your kids up too! Registration is open for summer camps! WORTH EVERY PENNY. :)

Thank you for YEARS of fun, Peekadoodle!

I'm so grateful to have had Maggie's most recent cooking class comped in exchange for becoming a Peekadoodle Ambassador. All opinions are my own, and I cannot rave enough about this program and this little school.  

Traveling with Kids 01: Monterey! <+giveaway>

We traveled to Monterey this weekend. I use the term "travel" loosely-- it's a quick 2 hour drive, and we broke the drive in half with a blissful visit to my aunt and uncle on our way-- but REAL summer travel is right around the corner, and I'm thrilled to cover all little doses of our travels on this blog this summer. I read about traveling with kids, therefore, I will write about traveling with kids.

With an infant, let me tell you: all plans have to be held relatively loosely. My suggestion is to make a plan, have options to go with said plan, and then be flexible if and when we need to redirect the plans slightly. 

Our grand scheme (we knew it was unlikely we would manage it all, but we wanted to have options in case we somehow could!) when we traveled to Monterey County was to:

• Spend the morning hours at Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Perhaps take the 17 mile drive and stop for picturesque beach time
• Drive slightly further down the coast to the gorgeous Bixby Bridge in Big Sur 

We managed #1. HA.

Bixby Bridge will have to wait, and we've already done the 17 mile drive, so we just ate up everything "Monterey" this time, and were thoroughly satisfied with that choice.

Monterey has so much to offer, and there's a long list of fun family activities HERE. SUCH a good resource.

We started with our top choice: The Monterey Bay Aquarium. 

Kids and maps. My girls can never pass a free map without helping themselves, and then poring over every picture and attraction. 

We spent about three hours at the aquarium. There is so much to see, and I honestly think my older two could have spent six hours gazing everything. Brian and I kept things moving, because obviously babies only have so much patience, and we wanted to see as much as possible. ;)

Maggie's highlight was the Splash Zone. Kids can get hands on with the water and play and get some energy out. It's especially nice for ages 5 and under. There's also this little tunnel nearby and the girls were big fans... The water would crash over the tunnel every couple minutes and the girls would shriek and laugh hysterically. 

Sophie and Brian loved the Open Sea... I did too, but we visited late in the game, and Jack needed to keep moving. The Open Sea has the enormous fish, sea turtles, & hammerhead sharks in a 90 ft window... and it's an incredibly dramatically large and beautiful. Mesmerizing, really.

I'm a huge fan of the jellyfish. They're so picturesque and every detail is so beautiful. I'd hate to be near them without the glass between us (memories of being stung by their jelly cousins, the Portuguese man-of-wars when I was 10), but they are gorgeous in this totally safe setting. 

OKAY. Jack was done after the Open Seas, and we were all hungry. Like, VERY hungry. Sometimes I get cranky when I'm hungry. We had game-planned with a few options nearby beforehand, thankfully. While I'm sure the cafeteria at the aquarium would have gotten the job done, we really wanted to walk around a bit and get some fresh air on and around Cannery Row...

Now, before we headed to lunch, we needed candy...we would have had some regrets if we had forgotten. ;)

Yes, I have a sweet tooth, and no I hardly say no to a mom & pop style candy shop. My children are grateful for that quality of mine. Seriously though, rock candy sticks??? I love them so much. Side note: have you see smaller versions served with coffee? Brilliant. So brilliant. 

Oh and heyyy, here's that classic shot you've been waiting for. I have one of Jack and me under the Disneyland version of Cannery Row. Regretting not getting another pic under the real version... next time. ;)

As I was saying, we were hungry. You know how it can happen that you're in a place surrounded by restaurants and you really just don't quite know what to do about food? Crowds aren't good with hungry kids (ahh, okay, with ME. I'm the one who can't handle missing a meal), and our first choice option had a 30 minute wait... and it was actually in a MALL nearby, which just didn't appeal. Yelp users didn't mention that when they rated it #1 for the area (or maybe they did and I just didn't read enough reviews)! Anyway, #3 on my prepped-in-advance-list became number two when I realized it was only two blocks from the top rated one. 

Here I am looking up the directions to the next spot on our list... I was smiling, but mostly thinking about food and thinking- wait, he's taking a picture of me in this state of hungry?

I'm SO glad we found Vivolo's Chowder House. It's just 2 or 3 blocks from the aquarium and the food was perfect. No wait to get a table!! Here are my tips: the portions are generous. The kids' fish and chips was probably more than I could eat by myself, so I cannot imagine what an adult portion would be. Order less than you think you'll need and then add more food if you are still hungry. I strongly recommend the clam chowder-- SO GOOD-- and clams appetizer. My husband and children love ordering steamed clams, and I'm so totally adverse to it-- I'm not a picky eater, but I'm definitely not a clam fan even though I love clam chowder with all my taste buds. So why, you ask, do I recommend them? Ohhh the garlic buttery broth that came with the clams. I dipped all the fluffy bread in there. I couldn't stop. So good. 

For foodies out there, HERE is where you find only the best options in Monterey County. Another big tip for traveling with kids or without: plan those restaurants before you get to your destination. The last thing you want is to spend hard earned cash on an overpriced meal that had only one star, but you didn't do your homework and everyone is too anxious to find reviews and make the right choice... you know? (been there done that, lesson learned!).

Kids were exhausted after lunch (and it was 2pm, so that makes sense!), so we headed to our car to drive home... but then.

It's not every day you see giant swans floating on a lake.

As much fun as I had had all day, I had really gone into the day assuming we would get some quality time outdoors with fresh air before heading back home. Monterey has so many fantastic outdoor family activities to offer, and we were about to get in the car without taking advantage of any... until we passed the swans.

Ten minutes later, WE were floating on a lake.

(I'm thinking you saw where I was going with that)

We did not rent a swan because the ever-so-kind employees of the boating house told us they are way more work to maneuver (and it's not like we can really make the kids pedal us around the lake!). They're also $15 more, and technically fit five adults, whereas the rowboats only fit FOUR (or four + a baby). We rented a sparkly turquoise row boat for 30 minutes and $20 and miles of smiles.  

And now, in exchange for you reading every single word of this lengthy blog post... 

See Monterey is giving away five pair of tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Entering is simple! Visit the See Monterey site and leave a comment here letting me know one thing you'd like to do if you go on a trip to Monterey County!

I'll tell you what plan I'm making for next time: a night in a bed & breakfast, a beach walk on 17 mile drive, and a drive down to Big Sur for a glimpse of Bixby Bridge. :) Yes, please!

Good Hair Days || SoCozy at CVS

Post is sponsored by SoCozy. All opinions are my own.

My girls inherited my childhood hair texture. Straight with a slight wave, fine hair that resists hair clips and headbands. I discovered hair products when I was a teenager, and it did wonders, but as a child, it was tricky to tame my wispy locks. 

Thankfully, my kids have amazing products. I love them so much-- I've written about SoCozy before, and when my complimentary products ran out, I was happy to replace them with my own dollars. They're hands-down my top choice for kids' hair. The products are so incredibly good and effective. 

SoCozy has a few things that set the brand above others: 

• The products are non-toxic with no harsh chemicals. I try to be sure anything I put on my children's scalp is free from harsh chemicals, and it fits the bill. There are also no traces of nuts, and knowing how sensitive some children are to nuts, this is definitely notable.
• The scents are natural and fruity and my favorite. 
• The products work! The de-tangler actually detangles! The styling products actually tame those fly-aways that persist and insist on covering my girls' blue eyes.
• Preventing the dreaded lice. I cannot even handle all the normal day-to-day tasks, so the idea of trying to rid our home of lice sounds absolutely dreadful! I spray my girls' heads every day with lice spray and so far so good. 

Maggie is a particularly big fan of pampering herself. She's been known on occasion to spend her fair share of time in front of a mirror brushing and "styling" her hair. It cracks me up so much. I sometimes just let her get after the styling products... I mean, you're only four once. I can feel good about the ingredients as she slathers her hair thoroughly with "Behave" cream, and sprays her locks with the "Cinch" De-tangler.

The products are so accessible now that they're being sold at CVS too! Believe me-- your kids will thank you! 

Purchase your SoCozy products at any neighborhood CVS! Simple!

Wearing & Giving: Tea Collection

My kids wear Tea Collection clothing more than anything, and it's time I tell you why we love it so much (and offer some Tea for you to win!).

The brand is San Francisco-based (big points right there ;). Tea pulls its inspiration from new destinations every year, and creates clothing for children inspired by travels. The summer line is inspired by Italy's Almafi coast... the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, florals and fruit, ceramic tiles, and bright striped umbrellas. Here's the kicker: their inspiration is created by Tea staff actually traveling to the destinations, and experiencing the culture first-hand.

Tea catalogs read like magazine editorials, with real families wearing new Tea pieces in the cities that inspired the line. The catalogs are beautiful, and the projects are clearly created with heart and passion behind them. They tell stories of introducing their own children to family they have never met who are living across the world, and enjoying family meals together and experiencing life in homes and communities of grandparents and aunts and uncles. This heart behind the brand, and their investment into appreciating cultures across the globe is what truly sets Tea apart from the others. They also give back with their buy one give one program.

Now, all of this is great, but a key question: how cute are the actual clothes? Do I actually even want to buy them? You can put all your heart into projects and have terrible products, BUT!! Good news here! That is NOT the case. 

The clothes deliver. They are gorgeous. Every season, there are beautiful and wearable play clothes lines in prints of all colors. I also noticed that every season, Tea also manages to create "that dress." The dress which will inevitably become a "most worn" piece in my daughters' closets. It's a piece that can be worn over and over but is somehow more loved and better than the rest. Example below: Maggie's every-day wardrobe of 2015. Seriously, she attempted to wear her white dress with flowers at some point every single day last year. She outgrew it and I nearly cried when we gave it away. Thankfully, our friend Jennifer at Sophie and Lili actually created a doll AND portrait {amazing, right!?} that Maggie can keep forever of her wearing this Tea dress!!! It's that special.

That was last year.

I'm happy to tell you, there are plenty of amazing options again this year. Here are my absolute favorite summer dresses for 2016:

One . Two . Three . Four . Five . Six . Seven . Eight . Nine

The fun isn't all for the girls, either. Jack's wardrobe is nearly all Tea tees and Tea pajamas right now! Everything holds up beautifully to his impressively fast army crawls across our floors, and washes beautifully in spite of his messy eating habits! 

--

SO. Good news: I'm giving away an outfit set from Tea Collection to two different winners! You can take a look at the outfit sets: Girls // Boys // Baby Girls // Baby Boys (my favorite is this one) and enter!!

This giveaway will last until Friday 5/13/16, and you can enter three ways:

1. Leave a comment here telling me which set you would choose. 
2. Follow Tea Collection and StyleSmaller on Instagram. 
3. Tag up to two friends on the Instagram post for two additional entries.

If you're not into giveaways, but you ARE into shopping with discounts, Tea is so kindly offering my readers 15% off of your shopping with code STYLESMALLER15, valid until 6/1/2016. (*Code is not valid with other promotions, or on third party merchandise). 

Good luck and happy shopping! xx

Shop the Post:

Product we Love: Prynt!

I received my first camera at 10 years old. It was a pink rectangle with a removable flash that affixed to the top. I'd take photos of my family and my kitten. When my roll was full, I removed it, refilled, and took that film directly to the neighborhood Walgreens to get it developed. Holding pictures in my hands, hanging on my bulletin board, and taping them into books made me so happy. 

Now, let's fast forward to now:

• I have 30k+ pictures on my computer.
• I have fewer than 100 printed pictures from the past five years. 
• I have no clue where to even begin sorting and printing.

Disproportional to say the least. 

A couple weeks ago, a company called Prynt reached out to me. "Would you like to know about a way that you can print family memories in the moment they happen directly from your phone?"

YES. The answer is yes. It was a quick no-brainer. I can collect photos of true moments as they happen! Brian and I looked at the website together and talked about how completely brilliant Prynt is. Allow me to tell you about it how simple it is:

• Attach your phone to the case and open the app to take your photo. 
• Snap your photo, and the case begins filming a quick video of the action around your photo.
• Push the print button and watch your photo print immediately!
• Keep that photo for yourself, hang it on the wall, or hand it to a friend to keep forever! :) 

I've been using the Prynt case wherever I go. We had a family get-together the other day... I took shots of cousins and kids and all the fun, printed the pics, and passed them around. There's something so great about snapping a photo, printing it right out, then keeping it and sticking it on my walls or fridge like I did in 1992. It's tangible and feels like an authentic slice of life right now.

Some extra fun things to note: 

• The paper has adhesive, and can be stuck anywhere without any extra tape.
• The ink comes from the paper itself, so I don't have to worry about replacing cartridges.
• It works with several phones- you just have to order the proper case for your phone, and then adjust with an adaptor if you exchange your phone for a new one.

In case you're a visual person and want to see me give you a play by play tutorial, feel free to watch this basic video we made for it! :) 

Prynt from Kate Brightbill on Vimeo.

xoxo

A Prynt case was sent to me for review. All opinions are my own. Thank you for your support!

Brands We Love: FabKids

Sophie's Outfit

When Sophie was three, she had her first photo shoot with a brand called FabKids. It was a new shop at the time, and her three-year-old heart loved the clothes so much that she wanted to wear the outfits home. ;) We ordered a few outfits over the next couple months, and she wore them to pieces. 

FabKids isn't just another shop to order clothing-- it's actually a subscription service for a cute outfit to arrive monthly for your kids. For those who find shopping for their children's clothing more of a headache than a fun adventure, this is a perfect solution. When you sign up for membership, there is a style quiz that your child can take to really narrow down the type of clothes they enjoy wearing. Each month, FabKids will mail a new outfit. If your kids aren't in need of anything when the time comes for it to be mailed, you can easily log right in and skip a month (or multiple months if you so choose!). 

Sophie and Maggie each picked some favorites this month, and FabKids mailed them right out to us. The fit was perfect for both of them, and the fabrics soft and comfortable. It's always good to have clothing that is truly wearable, and these outfits are just that. They received their first choices, but here were some other options they loved:

(You can click on the images to see the outfits on FabKids) 

SO cute! The outfits are not too serious, playful, and perfect for having the kids looking put-together while getting messy at a park. Truly comfortable clothing is always best. There's also something appealing about the outfits together in one box so there is less thought in the mornings... "here, wear this outfit to school!" When there's a time crunch, I love having quick and easy options (BUT, if you prefer, you can also purchase products a la carte on their site). 

I'm always curious about how sizing runs, and this was pretty simple-- Sophie and Maggie both generally wear size 4-5 on the bottom (in basic brands like Gap & Old Navy), so they fit size Small leggings. For the tops, Maggie went small and Sophie's dress is a medium. 

Also, for throwback purposes (it is Throwback Thursday, after all, haha!) teeny tiny Sophie for FabKids, 2012 line: 

Happy Shopping!!

xx.

Products provided for review. All opinions are my own.