Because I have four kids and a car that only seats six people I am rarely invited to participate in the elementary school carpool. But last year I did start carpooling with another mom whose son was in the same preschool as George and it worked really well because I already had an extra booster seat I could easily throw in the car. This year, though, George’s friend started attending a pre-K class and we ended up switching schools, so we started a new carpool with two neighborhood girls (yes, he loves the boy-to-girl ratio already).

Though all of us moms were okay with the lack of a third booster seat since the school was merely a mile or two down the road (and yes, the kids were tightly buckled), I was super excited when Harmony Juvenile sent me their new LiteRider Booster Seat to review. I would now have three booster seats, the newest one being pink–a big hit with George’s little girlfriends. Before I tell you my thoughts on Harmony Juvenile’s LiteRider, here’s a little info about these booster seats:

• exceeds the most stringent safety impact testing in the world
• is exceptionally comfortable and easy-to-use
• fits children from 30 to 100 lbs.
• uses ultra-plush, durable fabrics made with comfort foam throughout seat
• offers a full-wrap premium seat pad is removable for machine washing
• utilizes a seat-saver design
• visually pronounced belt guides promote correct installment of the seat belt
• belt path design prevents child from sliding under the lap belt on impact

That’s pretty impressive for such a small seat! I immediately noticed its light weight and sleek design. Compared to our other back-free booster, the LiteRider seemed to fit better against the seat and definitely offered more padding and a comfier fit for little legs. The seat belt also had a more snug fit, and not just because I finally learned what that belt guide is for. Those little armrest looking things on the side make it a bit more difficult to secure the belt but also make for a safer fit. I’m happy to spend an extra thirty seconds buckling in my child if it means he’ll be kept safer in an accident. Oh, and did I mention the pink fabric looks super cute against gray interior? (Don’t mind the lack of smile on George’s friend’s face–she’s not one for early morning preschool!)

The LiteRider Booster Seat also comes in beige, and did I mention the LiteRider booster seat is only $13? All those features for such a great price!

Even though our new LiteRider (kind of makes you think of Knight Rider, doesn’t it?) is pink it will be our main booster of choice as we relegate our previous ones to second and third positions. I don’t think George will have an issue with a pink booster; ever since he wore his sister’s hand-me-down hot pink snow pants he’s been good with pink! –Emily

While my current set of children’s plates are plastic, I can’t say that they’re earth-friendly or 100% recyclable. They might be but I highly doubt it. I am aware there is a greater selection of BPA- and phthalate-free children’s tableware but nothing really caught my eye until I saw the collection from smiling planet.

smiling planet’s children’s plates are made from 100% recycled, high-grade plastic, made in the USA and are also 100% recyclable. It’s kind of like the ever-popular circle of life thing, which I thought was pretty cool eve before The Lion King. smiling planet has also made sure their plates are free of BPA, lead, phthalates, toxic inks; they are also safe and sustainable and dishwasher safe. Okay, so that’s a pretty impressive list, but are the plates as child-friendly when it comes to design as they are safety? Most definitely yes!

The collection includes 15 plates featuring words and/or graphics from the company’s self-titled book. George received the whale plate and smiling planet book; we read that book every night for about a week straight! And it was one of those I enjoyed just as much as he did. The illustrations are whimsical yet “deep” and the story is one we should all memorize and take to heart. Of course George loved his plate more than his book, but what do you expect? He gets his own special plate at mealtime–that’s so cool! I love that it’s safe but also that it has high sides so food stays on the plate rather than all over the counter.

smiling planet also has a wonderful selection of placemats, t-shirts, cards and posters, all at “friendly” prices. This is one earth-friendly children’s company whose products you can afford, and that will definitely make you–and our earth–smile! –Emily

Coming Soon!!! January 27, 2009.

Boutique Designers from eBay and Etsy join forces for “One Last Hoorah” due to the ridiculous CPSIA regulations coming into effect that will put countless boutiquers, crafters, WAHM’s and sellers of children’s products out of business. These regulations do not take into account small business and will wipe out our community as well as your choices as consumers.

Please mark your calendars and tell your friends. As our items we make with our loving hands will suddenly be illegal on 2-10-2009!

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