Sweet Dreams

Stash this one away for the holidays! It's the Nightmare Snatcher Journal from the company Spiderbite. These aborable, furry monsters are journals in disguise. They have a lovely poem on the first page to reassure the child, and the rest are blank pages for your little dreamer to write their thoughts, dreams, and even nightmares. Does the child need to be able to read and write to enjoy this? I don't think so. My four old loves to write in notebooks and journals, and this in an activity she often does in bed as she drifts off to sleep. You can purchase these on Etsy
for $20.oo.

Returns for Sale: Baby Gear Cheap

It's no secret that I am a bargain shopper. I think it's fun to go check out the Scratch and Dent on Broadway "just to see" what they happen to have in the mix that day. It's chaotic, but, I always manage to find some cool toys, strollers and car seats. I do love to share the news of a good deal, since I can't bring them all home myself. And now, it looks like I have found the equivalent of an online Scratch and Dent called Returns for Sale.








Returns for Sale sells closeouts, open box items, and returns. So, if you can live with a little flaw (they have a grading system for the products and price accordingly), you can get a pretty good deal on some normally hefty priced tagged gear. I am not making any guarantees, but, merely suggesting you check it out if you are in a bargain hunting mood. I only wish I would stumble upon a Mountain Buggy while out at the Scratch and Dent!

Dining with Kids in the City

Every week we are going to feature a restaurant or two where you can get a lovely, nutritious meal and bring your children along. If you have any suggestions, leave a comment here or email baltimoremama@gmail.com

Read on for a sneak peak of what's to come, with Liz's review of a Highlandtown favorite!

DiPasquale's Italian Market

Depending on where you grew up in Baltimore, you'll have associations to a specific Italian deli. If you patronize Trinacria, then that's where you'll keep going. If your family grew up with Mastellone's, that's where you go. Even if you have to drive across town. Even if the DiPasquale's now own it. It's a very interesting phenomenon. There are some good delis in town - don't get me wrong. But depending on who you talk to... the allegiance can be... impassioned.

So for those of you in SE Baltimore, Di Pasquale's is a no-brainer. It's close, it's the neighborhood deli, even if it is a gourmet deli: great eats and brick oven pizza. For those of you not from the area - it's worth a stop. in my not-so-humble opinion.

It's family-friendly. Not in the Chuck-E-Cheese vein, but in the we're-Italian-and-family-is-everything way. It's a family-run business, and after school hours or on weekends, you might see one of the kids stocking shelves, working behind the deli counter, working the register, or you might see their youngest playing at a table with one of his sisters. I remember eating there once (before i had my son) when one of the kids brought me a book and asked me to read it to her while i ate lunch. i loved it.

My husband and son have a standing Saturday date for a brick oven pizza at Di Pasquale's. The pizza they usually order is now on the menu as the "Costantino" - my son's name in Italian. It was a way for me to get more iron (probably, the perception of more iron) into his diet - the addition of spinach and chicken to the typico tomato and cheese pizza made me feel better when i couldn't otherwise get him to eat the rusty stuff. Yes, i know that calcium inhibits the absorption of iron, but a change of pace and not having to think about one meal a week is a real treat for me, and at least worth a shot. They used to order and hang out, but since my kid's reached toddlerhood and he derives great entertainment from hiding behind the counter and disrobing, they call ahead so that the pizza's ready when they get there.

Don't forget when you order a cappuccino to ask for some steamed milk for the kid - mine likes his in an espresso cup and calls it his coffee.

Di Pasquale's Italian Marketplace
3700 Gough Street in the heart of Highlandtown
Phone: 410.276.6787
FAX: 410.276.0161

Hours:
Monday thru Friday: 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm

Perfect party Favors and More

Over the summer I was searching for party favors for my daughter's birthday party that would be useful and not more plastic clutter for the parents to cart home. I was even tempted to do candy, just because it's edible and will not linger on forever. Luckily, I found Robinostites on Etsy. Her basket of colorful soaps, all different numbers would make a good gift on it's own. But, separated for each individual guest corresponding with their age is a not only useful, but, an affordable and completely adorable party favor. I quickly email Robin to see if she would be able to whip up the numbers I needed for our guests because time was of the essence. She was and the package arrived just in time.

Check out her shop (where is she is definitely getting ready for Halloween with more then her fun soaps) and receive a 10% refund on your order when you enter the word "fall" in the comments section when checking out.

While you're there, check out this bear, it would make a perfect stocking stuffer!

We Have A Winner!

Congratulations, Linsey Knerl! This lucky mama won the first Baltimore Mama give-away, a Blush Topless Undershirt! Enjoy!
Our next contest starts on Monday, so stay tuned!

Weber's Cider Mill Farm

There are plenty of other farms you could visit in rural Maryland for apple picking, pumpkins, hayrides, etc. However, if you're a city dwelling family and don't have the time or energy for a longer road trip, visit Weber's Farm, which is just barely outside the beltway in the direction of northeast Baltimore. This "farm" is oddly enough located in what appears to be a suburban subdivision. You might think you're going the wrong way, the first time you head there, but lo and behold, you will run into the pumpkins before you've barely had time to scratch your head. There are lots of things to do at Weber's Farm in the fall. For more information, visit the Weber's Farm web site.