At Step2, safety is our number one priority; so we’ve devised some tips for getting your outdoor Step2 products ready for summer fun.

Wagons & Ride-Ons

• Review assembly instructions [available on all product pages (example)] to verify products meet all safety requirements as installed
• Check seat belts on wagons and ride-ons to insure that they are secure, the buckles function and the fabric is not weathered or damaged
• Look for signs of excess wear on wagon and ride on wheels
• Check for bent axles or casters
• Look for cracking on any handles

Swings & Climbing Equipment

• Review assembly instructions to verify products meet all safety requirements as installed
• Check for obstacles around home playground equipment  (there should be a minimum of 6 ½ feet clearance around the perimeter of the equipment)
• Check all hardware on climbing & swing set equipment to make sure they are tight and make sure anchors are in place and beneath surface level
• Check swing ropes on climber/swing sets to insure they are in good condition with no signs of fraying or rotting from sun/weather exposure. If you see signs of wear, please call Step2 at 1-800-347-8372 to order a swing replacement kit.

Sand & Water Products

• Make sure sandbox lids are intact to keep sand clean and critters out
• Check umbrellas for proper installation, function and fit.  Check umbrellas for exposed metal tips or torn fabric.  Remove damaged umbrella from use.
• Check all sand & water product plugs for wear and make sure they are inserted all the way to prevent leakage

Additional Outdoor Toys

• Review assembly instructions to verify products meet all safety requirements as installed
• Check to see if basketball/football bases are properly weighted with sand or water
• Check for cracks in any plastic toy before use
• Products can be washed with a mild soap & water
• Use Armor All®* to shine up your Step2 mailbox or playhouse after washing (not recommended for use on climbing/swing equipment for safety reasons)

Replacement parts & decals to spruce up your products (with exception to some discontinued products) are available at reasonable prices by calling us toll free at 1-800-347.8372 Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM ET.

*Armor All® is a registered trademark of Armor All Group

While I personally deem myself a mother already, even though my little peanut has not yet exited my womb, I didn’t expect others to acknowledge me as a mother until my baby girl arrives (yes, we recently found out it’s a girl and we are overjoyed!).

So I was brought to tears yesterday as my first “unofficial” Mother’s Day began. While in the back of my mind I had hoped my husband would recognize the “holiday,” I was not expecting the onslaught of Mother’s Day wishes that were headed my way.

Text messages from old friends, my cousins, my boss, coworkers, my husband’s guy friends (which I still cannot believe!), Facebook wall posts, and gifts from my husband and my mother. It felt like my birthday (if this is what Mother’s Day is like every year, I am pretty pumped!).

After having a rough night sleep on Saturday, between the baby having hiccups just about every 2 hours (I like to think it was her way of saying “Happy Mother’s Day Mom!”) and a few bouts of leg spasms, my husband greeted me in the morning with my first “Happy Mother’s Day.”

As the day went on, we celebrated with our families and my mom gave me a beautiful figurine that reminded me of her mother, my grandmother, that will reside in the baby’s nursery.

While the physical gifts are great and very much appreciated, I look forward to the day where my baby girl will look into my eyes and call me “mom.” That will be the greatest gift of all.

Just a few more months until I meet my little princess and, to me, that will be my first real “Mother’s Day.”

About Ashley

Ashley is expecting her first child in early September 2012 with her high-school sweetheart turned husband 3 years ago. Together they have a lab named Peak whom they adopted during a ski trip in Denver. She loves all things fashion and cannot wait to start shopping for her little one’s wardrobe. She is the Social Media Manager at Step2 and you may have recently communicated with her if you’ve chatted with Step2 on Facebook or Twitter.

The new section is on the mezzanine level, and stretches from right field toward first base. It replaces the KidsLand area. This area will also replace previous seasons’ pregame activities geared toward children held in Gateway Plaza, between Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena.

“Fan feedback drove our decision to create the Kids Clubhouse,” said Indians president Mark Shapiro. “Fans have stressed the importance of sharing memorable experiences with their families at Progressive Field, so we have built an area that can be enjoyed by fans from all generations — especially our youngest fans.”

I personally don’t know any other parents my age in my situation, but I’m sure there are a few out there. All my friends that I graduated with are experiencing “empty nest syndrome.” But with 4 children, ranging from teens to 30′s, I on the other hand, have not had the opportunity to experience this syndrome quite yet.

I have two teenagers at home – ages 14 and 16.   My oldest daughter, age 34, is married and has a 3 yr old son, my grandson, who calls me “Nonna.”  They live about 2 ½ hours away, a term they lovingly refer to as the “buffer zone.” My oldest son who is 20 just moved out 3 months ago, I sometimes wonder if he’ll be back.

Statistics show 85% of college grads move back home, aka boomerang kids.  I don’t know if he’ll return, as he seems pretty happy living on his own.  After all he doesn’t need to answer to mom or hear me nag him about cleaning his room, taking out the garbage, feeding the dogs, etc. I’m in the process of re-doing his room into a guest bedroom. I’ve always wanted a guest bedroom.

There have been many changes from the mid 70′s when my first was born to the late 90’s when my youngest was born.  Here are a few:

• 70′s – When I gave birth via c-section to my first born, I was in the hospital for 7 days (that was the norm). Five of those consisted of a liquid diet only.  Believe me when they brought that tray of Jello, broth, & hot tea on the fifth day, I started crying……I was sooo hungry.  The good news was once I left the hospital I fit back into my pre-maternity jeans.
• 90′s – My doctor encouraged me to have my next three children by regular birth, which I did. I  was in the hospital a total of 3 days, if even that.   I chose my meals from a menu.  It took months to fit Into my pre-maternity jeans again.

• 70′s-Right after I had my oldest, the nurses whisked her away and I didn’t get to see her for about 12 hrs.   Back then they had a nursery where you and other members of the family could view the babies from a large window. The nurses took care of the babies for the most part.  They feed, changed and bathed them. The mothers concentrated on getting better and relaxing.
• 90′s – The baby stayed with you the whole time. You had to feed them, change them and get up     in the middle of the night when they cried.  That was a rude awakening. I kept wondering when that nurse was coming to take the baby so I could get some rest!

• 70′s – Fathers were confined to the waiting room until after the child was born and then they could view their newborn child from the nursery window.
• 90′s – Fathers were expected to be with the mother from the time you entered the hospital and stay to coach the mother through her labor and hold the baby as soon as it’s born.

• 70’s- Breastfeeding was something only the “hippies” did.  I breast fed which meant they brought my baby to me for feedings only and then she was whisked away again.  I had to either go down to the nursery to see her or ring the nurse to bring her to me.
• 90’s – Breast feeding was encouraged and strongly suggested.

In the 70′s I had never heard of ultrasounds, amniocentesis, birthing rooms, water births or hypno births. We were not required by law to have our children in a car seat.  When I brought my oldest home I held her in my arms, heck I don’t think I was even wearing a seat belt. As my daughter got a little older, 3 or 4 she sat in the front seat and the seat belt was my arm going across her chest if I had to make a sudden stop.  There were times when she was standing up in the front seat. Now that I think back of that it scares me to death.

Today the law requires all children to be in a car seat/booster until they are 4ft. 9 in. Due to my Italian genes and my husband whose family is not what you would call on the tall side either, my youngest was barely 4 feet tall in the first grade! I remember taking him to soccer practice when he was seven, one of his friends came running up to the car to meet him and when he saw my son was sitting in a booster seat his friend looked a little puzzled and asked “Why are you sitting in a baby seat?”  I went home, took the booster seat out of my car, put in on the garage shelf and never put it back in my minivan again.

One thing that never changes is I still worry about my children and would like to be able to keep them safe and happy whether they are 14 or 34. I will say having children later in life keeps you active and young at heart!

Playing in the sand is also popular with toddlers and preschoolers, and playing with sand and water together can open up whole new worlds to young children who can use these simple materials as a means to fuel their imagination and explore their world.

Traditionally, small children have been introduced to sand and water play through sandboxes. Many parents may even remember playing in the sandbox themselves, but sitting in the sand, especially with other children still in diapers may not be the most hygienic choice for playing in the sand.

Instead, children can play at a sand and water table and get all the benefits older generations had in the sandbox without the increased risk of bladder infections or other health issues. While some precautions can be taken, standing at a sand and water table is a healthier choice and just as much fun.

Sand and water tables come in a variety of different styles with different levels of functionality. A sand and water table can be simply elevated sandbox, or full-fledged activity center toy. Children can use features such as a waterwheel, shovels, buckets, spoons, and molds for hours of fun.

Sand and water play can help develop both fine and large motor skills, a sense of balance, and help build social skills. It’s also been shown to have a calming effect on preschoolers- something any caregiver can appreciate from time to time.

Parents and caregivers can get in on the fun too, as they help toddlers pour water throughout the water wheel or dig rivers in the sand. However, after very little guidance, children are likely to take over with their own ideas on how to get the most fun out of their activity center toy.

Whether they are using this as a backyard toy or it as part of a daycare environment children will love playing at their sand and water table. It provides the right blend of imagination and structure to help children develop important skills, while at the same time they are simply enjoying themselves. And isn’t that what childhood is all about?

My 6 year old son, Alex, will tell you he wants to be Batman when he grows up.  He will state this matter of factly, clearly, without humor or apology.  For him, he is presently Batman-in-training.  He is logical, practical and realizes that a 6 year old cannot be Batman.  This makes me the future Batmom I suppose.  The fact that Batman’s parents met an untimely demise, has not escaped me.  But, as a friend told me, it took that tragedy to make Batman who he is.   “Your son,” she wisely said, “has already stated he is Batman (at least in training).  So, no worries.”

My Batman is not armed with grappling hook, batarangs or a utility belt full of tools.  My Batman is armed with his wit and disarming smile.  A smile that, until recently, was cavity free.

I’ve been taking Alex to the dentist since he was just a little Batman, perhaps two or three.  Every visit has been stellar and I’ve walked away feeling the pride that only a cavity free visit can bring.  I, Batmom, have successfully supervised tooth brushing and flossing.  The reward, no cavities.

This most recent visit started off as usual.  Alex behaved like a champ and the hygienist did her thing.  I smiled.

The dentist came in, looked at Alex’s teeth and nodded.  My smile brightened.  I gathered my belongings ready to exit with another successful visit under my belt.

Then, the bottom began to drop out.  “Well,” the dentist commented “he has a hole in his tooth.”  “See here?”  She said pointing to a spot on his x-ray.

I felt my smile begin to falter.  “A hole?”  I commented slowly.  My mind was spinning with the thought of a hole in a tooth.  What did it mean?  What was wrong with my son?  What had he done to get a hole in his tooth?

And then the dreaded word popped into my head.  Cavity.  Was she talking about a cavity?  She couldn’t be.  Surely she would have said cavity.

I swallowed hard and casually asked, “A hole?  Do you mean a cavity?”  I waited for her to say “No.”  I waited for her to laugh at my ridiculousness.   Without skipping a beat she brightly said, “Yes.  A cavity.  We will need to put a cap on his tooth.  We don’t fill baby teeth.”

My smile fell away.  A cavity?  A cap?  There would be no hiding a cap.  A filling could go undetected by other mothers (yes, I really did think that).  But a cap?  No way.

“Oh.”  I stated as my mind frantically searched for other solutions so that I could hide this growing horror.  And then the solution popped into my head.  “Well, you can make the cap the same color as his other teeth.”  I stated as if this were fact.

“Nope.”  She stated matter-of-factly as she prepared to exit the room.  “The caps are silver for baby teeth.”  She then told me to stop by the front desk to schedule the visit and that she would see me soon.  She waved happily to Alex and exited.

“I’m getting a cap!”  Alex proclaimed as I smiled weakly and ushered him toward the reception area to schedule his visit.  “A silver cap!”

I later shared this story with a good friend.  “I’m pretty sure Batman doesn’t have any caps!”  I lamented miserably.  She smiled and stated, “Well, he does now!”  And we both started to giggle.

About Tiffany

Tiffany is the mother of a curly haired six year old boy who wants to be Batman when he grows up! When she is not engaged in an intense light saber battle, watching Transformers (cartoons and movies), asking her child not to jump from the top step or being told, “you’re playing action figures the wrong way, mom” she contemplates how wonderful it would be if her child were a twin or triplet.  Tiffany is the Human Resources Manager for Step2.

I have found that setting up a comfortable table that is full of different designs and colors entices my children to play and stimulates their imaginations. As the kids color books or draw, they improve their hand-eye coordination and enhance their motor skills. While they build impressive building block structures or assemble dominoes, they are nurturing skills like problem-solving and creative thinking. The child activity table is also a great place for my kids to interact with friends. They love showing off their artwork, and I love watching them build social skills.

Most child activity tables are also low maintenance. I find it very easy to clean up spills, wipe off marker and fold it up for easy storage. I would definitely recommend that any parent or grandparent set one up. It is a great tool for fostering ingenuity and helps keep the childhood years free from boredom.

How lucky are we as moms and grandmas to be living in this amazing age of technology? We can tweet, facebook, email, or, my favorite, Skype. With children fleeing the nest, and often times moving out of state, we can now stay connected with technology literally at our fingertips.

Since my one and only grandchild lives nearly 2500 miles away, the anticipation and excitement awaiting our weekly Skype appointment gives me much to look forward to. We have been Skyping since she was just a couple of months old (with the accompaniment of her dad, my son, of course). I get to see her grow and witness all the changes from infant to toddler (to include diaper changes, as she gets excited when we Skype). We’ve even enjoyed many virtual games of Pat-a- Cake and Hide and Seek.

On top of that, it’s been great for her to recognize her grandma’s face and voice, although two-dimensional, with us being so far apart. Of course I can’t help but wonder how her little brain perceives seeing a flat grandma on a screen and then seeing three-dimensional grandma in person. I’m guessing she will figure that out as she gets older.

Her parents have chosen not to expose her to television until she’s about three so I guess you could say I’m her cartoons, Sesame Street and Teletubbies all rolled into one. I do try my best to be entertaining.

To say that I’m grateful to be living in an age of today’s technology that keeps my granddaughter and I close would be an understatement. With that said – gotta run – Monday is Skype night!

About Sharon

Sharon became a first time grandma in February of 2011 and had the pleasure of celebrating her granddaughter’s first birthday in San Francisco where she lives with her oldest son and his wife.  Sharon welcomes the opportunity to spoil her granddaughter after having raised two boys.  Sharon is an avid lover of the arts and has dabbled with oil painting and enjoys interior decorating as a hobby.  She is the Customer Service Manager for Step2.

Climber Toys

Climber toys offer kids ages two and older a chance to explore without the danger of extreme heights and weak branches. These sturdy outdoor play area toys are made of durable plastic and are designed with stairs and slides and places to tunnel, among other features. Your child will get plenty of opportunity to be an outdoor explorer with a climber.

Celebrating Earth Day Everyday

Climber and slide toys are also a good way to make your child aware of the environment and to learn to enjoy spending time outdoors. With childhood obesity a growing problem in the United States, finding enjoyable ways to be active are important. As the climbers are designed in earth tones to resemble trees and shrubs,  you can also use these toys as a segue to teaching your children about real live trees and how the many ways they help the environment.

When my second son was born, the weight of raising two boys into responsible, loving, righteous men was very overwhelming. I grew up with aunts, sisters, girl friends – what did I know about little boys, teenage boys and down the line parenting grown men?  I was so sure I was meant to parent girls that I spent 40 weeks convinced my first born was a girl.

Now, my two boys are one and four so I have time to learn; but those are the thoughts that pop into a mother’s head from time to time.  Sometimes I see a tall teenage boy with curly hair and light eyes and am fast forwarded 15 years, jolted into thinking of how my oldest son Ryan will look, who he is friends with, what kind of car he drives, all sorts of fast forward thinking.  I have not caught myself doing this for my youngest son, Brady (a.k.a. Grizz) yet. Maybe it’s because his hair hasn’t even come in yet and I don’t have a sense of what he will look like. I’m still filled with wonder on his future adult traits.

Ryan was a surprise honeymoon baby. He was ready to be born – that’s for sure. He was ready to be the oldest sibling, ready to hit the ground running when he was born.  By the time Ryan was 14 months old he was saying almost 70 words. It was hysterical watching this bald baby say three word sentences.  I discovered that being his Mom was fun and a delight.

Brady, on the other hand was strategically planned to be exactly three years younger than Ryan. He was  born at a whopping 9 lbs 3 oz and did not cry for the first 3 weeks after his arrival, thus creating a perfect nickname for the huge, quiet giant that he was – he was to be called Grizzly Bear or “Grizz” for short. To add even more flair that his name – he is known in our household as any of the following:  King Grizz, The Grizzard, Professor Grizzinski, Grizzy, Grizzy the Lizzy and my personal favorite “Grizzington.”

I wonder if on his varsity jersey they will inscribe “Grizz.”  At the very least I think that will give him an edge one the field.

My husband and I discover everyday how fun it is to be the parents of these two little angel boys that were placed in our care. They keep us laughing everyday and remind us to see the world a little brighter.

About Sara S.

Sara is an on the go – down to earth Momma, married to a Marine and the mother of two get dirty wild and crazy, play in the mud boys.   She loves Michael Jackson, dancing and spending time with her family. She is honored to be able to teach her little guys about the world around them, about kindness love and the human spirit. For fun, she loves to make jewelry, shop, ski and spend time outdoors getting dirty with her boys. Sara is a Sr. Product Manager at Step2.