Tristin + Tyler ROCK the RUUM Runway at petitePARADE!

YAY for Tristin and Tyler on the runway! Each season we try to take part in petitePARADE Kids Fashion Week by doing something a little different. Yes, we love sitting in the audience and taking it all in, but whether we are hosting, modeling or covering the event for a magazine, we really enjoy doing something different each season - after all, it is one of the most anticipated fashion events of the year!

This season was no exception. Tris and Ty were asked to walk for one of their favorite brands, RUUM American Kid's Wear. You've seen the boys rock their RUUM Miami style here and share their Fall faves here, but on the runway this season, it was all about the holidays as Tristin rocked a velvet blazer, and Tyler looked super toasty in his sweater and layered tees. We also got a chance to chat with Ezra and Nina, two of the forces behind RUUM, in our video below! Check it out!

 

Off the runway, the boys rocked a ton of black with Loud Apparel shirts, Molo and Dillonger pants. What do you think? See you next season!

 

 

 

 

RUUM

 

 

 

What's Cool: petitePARADE Kids Fashion Week Fall 2014

We are so excited about the next season of petitePARADE Kids Fashion Week launching this weekend! It's one of the very few times kids shine on the runway in NYC and showcase the hottest fashion for kids. As you know, Tristin and Tyler have participated in some way for the last 4 seasons and each time they have brought something different to the event: they've reported for Time Out New York Kids, New York Family Magazine, and even hosted the shows for two seasons! This year the kiddos are reporting from behind-the-scenes and walking in the Ruum American Kids Wear show! The boys are super excited about the opportunity to strut their stuff! 

If you can't make it to the show, stay tuned for our recap video which will sum it all up for you in a nice petite, fashionable package! Of course, you can always follow along on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook for instant updates.  In the meantime, check out this fun video to celebrate the start of the parade! Happy Weekend! 

What's Cool: Stouffer's Mac + Cheese

Tristin is literally the macaroni and cheese king in my household. He knows how to make it himself, and he's working on making it from scratch with three cheeses. I'm pretty impressed with his love for cooking, but I have been looking for a way to make his favorite meal a little more healthy. Enter, Stouffers. Thanks to The Moms, we were invited to Make Meaning (one of our favorite places to craft) to check out the Stouffers food truck, try macaroni and cheese and learn tips for adding a twist to family favorites from Chef Donatella Arapia. I loved Donatella's tips for sneaking healthy ingredients into everyday meals so kids will eat them. Tyler literally devoured mushrooms in his mac + cheese, in ten seconds flat -- and he's never eaten mushrooms before! I've always been a fan of Stouffers frozen meals, but I never really thought of adding more to the box with different ingredients. Using Stouffers to start, I now I have a few new recipes to add to my weekly dinner routine. Do you have a meal that is a family favorite that you make each week? Do you ever try and spice up old recipes with a pinch of something new?

What's Cool: Marvel Universe LIVE!

I suprised the boys not one, but two times in one day when I picked them up from summer camp early so they could go to see Marvel Universe Live by Feld Entertainment AND picked up one of their best friends, Xavier, so he could come along. The three of them had NO idea what was going on until the cab driver asks the parking attendent "Which way to Marvel!" I was like UGH!!! There goes the surpise! Anyway the boys had a ball! From the pre-show VIP event where the boys got to meet the actors behind the masks, to becoming an agent with a special ID and taking combat lessons, the boyz were over the moon.  The special effects, high-flying super heros and acrobatic feats had us "ooh" and "ahhing" the entire time! Thanks to The Moms for the fun. You've GOTTA see the show before it's gone!! Visit here to find out dates! And keep up with the fun on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!

     

What's Cool: Amazon's Creative Galaxy

Amazon Studios is on fire when it comes to children's programming! Earlier this week we were invited to the screening and craft event for the latest original series from one our favorite producers Angela Santomero called Creative Galaxy. Creative Galaxy, which features the celebrity voices of Jason Priestley and Cloris Leachman among others, is an animated pre-school series that follows the creative adventures of Artie, a super creative little alien. Whether drawing pictures to find his dog, or making his own constellations for a night under the starts, Artie uses art to solve problems. Being the super crafty mom that I am, I love that at the end of each episode two kids do the craft featured in the show. Two kids crafting, just like T&T have been doing since making bugs out of newspaper! After the screening, the kids were invited to craft and draw. The show really encouraged the kids to get creative and boy did they! Loved that. If you've got a little creative kiddo, THIS series is for you. Creative Galaxy launches on June 27th on Amazon Prime! Check. It. Out!

I was not compensated for this post. We were invited to the screening and received a gift bag. All opinions expressed are my own.

What's Cool: Amazon Studios "Tumble Leaf"

Now that kids are spending more time on tablets and other mobile devices, Amazon Studios is creating educational, thought provoking programming for kids that you can only find on Amazon Prime Instant Video - YAY! If you've been following Tristin + Tyler from day 1 - when the boys were about 6 years old - you know that educational content is where the boys got their start and we are big fans of kids media with a purpose. We believe in kids watching programming that inspires and educates. We're glad to report that Amazon Studios believes in these ideals as well. First up on their kids programming slate, Tumble Leaf  - a whimsical, stop-motion, pre-school adventure series about a blue fox learning important lessons through play. In each episode, you are invited to Tumble Leaf to follow Fig the blue fox and his friends Hedge, Stick and Maple learn science through play. Thanks to The Moms, we got a chance to watch 4 episodes of the series at a special screening event before it premieres on Amazon Prime Instant Video on May 23rd!

We also got to learn about the process of creating such a dynamic series directly from the creators of Tumble Leaf, meet Dr. Alice Wilder, who creates and develops educational products and programs for kids, and chat with our pal Angela Santomero, the creator of Blues Clues, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and another new Amazon kids series, Creative Galaxy. We are excited about Tumble Leaf and all of the other fun series Amazon plans to premiere over the summer! We will be watching for sure! Will you?

Make sure to check out the Tumble Leaf and let us know what you think! xx

Note: We were not compensated for this post. We were invited to the screening and recieved an Amazon Fire TV for our participation. All views expressed, as always, are my own.

HAPPY EARTH DAY: 5 Fun Green Activities for Kids

Happy Earth Day 2014 Everyone! This is one of our favorite "holidays" because it is one day where people who normally don't focus on the Earth or its resources, actually do. Here are a few fun activities from the Tristin + Tyler archives that you can do with your littles. Since most New York City public school kiddos don't have school, it's a great day to take on one (or more) of these projects before heading back to classes tomorrow! Enjoy!

1. Head to A Local Nature Center - Most towns and cities have local nature centers where kids can learn about the animals and plants that live in their parks. The boys had a ball when they went to the Inwood nature center here in NYC. They met Sunny the park ranger, and learned how to take care of trees with mulch and water. It was hard work, but they loved it! You can see the video below.

2. Head to a Gardening Class - There are so many fun ways for kids to learn about gardening and caring for plants and flowers. Look one up. They are usually pretty inexpensive depending on what area you are in. It's fun to watch kids as they grow life, they are so amazed! If you're a New Yorker, try here.

3. Reuse Something - If it's raining out, take the fun indoors. It's sooo easy to reuse stuff from around the house. And kids LOVE the idea of takng something ordinary and making it EXTRAordinary! We are big fans of toilet paper roll people, but what else can you make out of toilet paper rolls, a milk jug or coffee filters? The possibilities are endless!

4. Head to A Bookstore for Green Reading - If the weather just isn't right for trekking outdoors, head to bookstore for some green reading! One our fave books is Think Green also try reading about super hero vegetables from the Super Sprowtz! We were lucky to meet them and be a part of their website! :)

5. Take a Short Bike Trip - If you're lucky enough to have a safe bike trail around you, take a ride with the family today. So much to see and do when you're not pre-occupied with TV and/or video games.

Whatever you do, ENJOY IT!! :)