Happy New Gear!

Check out these fun finds for local families (from cool tunes to gadgets and guides for mom), all designed to launch you back into the school routine with ease!

  junior jams
A new year calls for new tunes, and luckily cool kids’ music is just a click away. Here are a few sweet sites for finding new music the whole family can honestly enjoy, plus a couple of local picks. (Bonus: Last month some of the smartest ears in kids’ entertainment came out with top ten lists and faves from 2009, so look for those as you listen.)

• CoolMomPicks.com These moms are indeed cool, particularly smart and sassy reviewer Christina Refford. Definitely worth checking out.
• FidsandKamily.com Modeled on Pazz and Jop, the number of critics involved in this poll grows every year. Their top 10 list includes kindie rock's heavyweights.
• Zooglobble.com Frequent NPR contributor Stefan Shepherd serves up his favorites in a few different categories, plus radio stations worth a listen.
• MatthewClough.com Local musicians and entertainers Matthew Clough and The Cloud Nines make music that is equally delightful for grown-ups and kids.
• LisaPhenix.com A local mom, musician and teacher, Lisa Phenix serves up song samples and free downloads at her site. Also check out her We Feel music and movement games (a fun way to boost kids’ emotional intelligence).

“UNO!”
The iconic card game celebrates its 40^th anniversary this month (1-11-11) with limited-edition retro packs—available for just $1 starting on the 11th. Highly addictive and super-fun for bigger kids, it’s also a great way to reinforce little ones’ recognition of colors and numbers.  
$1 at game shops and stores nationwide, including your local Target

mama’s little helper
Room moms across the country share their favorite tips with Classroom Mom: A School Volunteer's Survival Kit. This 45-card deck has ideas for games, arts and crafts, teacher appreciation, and party activities—plus a mini booklet on the “Nuts & Bolts” that outlines everything you need to know to kick ass at fundraising and take names for the phone tree.
$16.99 at Borders bookstores or AccordPublishing.com