Products for older kids

So there's lots of info floating around about products that you need when you are having a baby.  You can buy books about it, there are tons of lists on any website that sells baby/kid products, and you can ask anyone that has a child and get more information than you would ever want to know.

There is not so much about products that you will need when your children are not babies or toddlers anymore.  In an effort to remedy that, I will now give you the first couple things I could think of plus a bonus "don't throw that away" baby products you'll want to keep.

1. The Potette portable potty seat.  This sucker is awesome, especially when you are in the throes of potty training, but we still have ours for emergencies.  It's literally a little plastic ring with legs that fold up that you can set up on the ground or in the back of the car (if you use a plastic bag) and you've got a potty.  It's like $10-$12 dollars.  And they still sell them, I saw it for sale in BuyBuy Baby last week. You won't be disappointed.

2. A massaging shower head.  It's not so much about the massage features as it is about the fact that you can bring the shower head down and use it to hose off little bodies.  It is especially awesome if you have a little girl with lots of hair.  Much easier to rinse.

3.  A decent step stool.  I did not invest properly in this area and still regret it.  Don't get the cheap plastic ones.  Go ahead and get the wood one that has two steps.  Finally broke down and bought the expensive one about 2 years ago and we still use it.

4. The sport bottle/stepped up sippy cup.  Thermos and Nalgene make good ones.  They are a step up from sippy cups, but don't look so baby and usually hold more liquid.

5. A ream of paper.  My kids have kind of outgrown coloring books.  Sometimes they still like to color in them (usually on car trips), but for the most part a blank piece of paper is all they need.  Two Christmases ago, I bought a ream and wrapped it for Garrett as a present and he loved having his own paper that he didn't have to ask me if he could use.  This year, both kids got reams.  It's like $3 of happiness.

And now for 2 baby things you shouldn't throw away:
1. Baby spoons.  These things are fabulous to scoop avocado out of it's peel.  The kids now eat with real silverware, but I find that I use the baby spoons still for random little things around the kitchen.  To scoop or to taste something.  Just hang on to a couple.

2. The bottle brush-and make sure you have one that has a nipple brush as well.  You'd be surprised how many things you can clean with those two brushes.  They can get into tight spots. Vases, pitchers, humidifiers.  Worth hanging on to it for sure.

**Update to my post from Thursday.  The new North Point Live album will likely be out in the late fall/early winter.  For sure by Christmas.  But you should not worry about buying it if you are related to me and share my name because chances are an elf is going to be getting you one for Christmas.
Also, we are politely not commenting on the fact that I missed posting yesterday.  It was a long day and I was too tired last night.