Today's Kool Idea: TykeLight Portable GloMate by Mobi

When our youngest son turned three, he suddenly developed a huge fear of the dark. And we mean huge! He was nervous driving in a dark car at night, insisted on being carried at night (the moon was scary, also), and refused to go into any room that didn't already have a light on. He has always shared a room with his big brother...this helped him feel a bit more secure at bedtime, at least. Unfortunately, if he had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, he would become hysterical crying when big brother refused to wake up to take him (our oldest is a very sound sleeper). Our poor son was having a very difficult time maintaining his typical independence and we had to find some way to help him.

Much of our son's fear of the dark (yes, he still has it) is a result of his overactive imagination. We didn't have this challenge with the first child..he's very "black and white" by nature. But our youngest one has always been more creative, telling us fanciful stories of magical creatures and faraway places almost from the time he started speaking. He sees unicorns and dragons in the shapes of the clouds...our oldest tends to envision the state of Missouri (go figure). So, it's not hard to understand that our little boy sees all sorts of scary stuff lurking in the shadows of the dark.

The TykeLight Portable GloMate from Mobi has become a lifesaver for us and our now four year old son. They don't come much cuter than this little guy! This portable nightlight is a cuddly plaything with a friendly, silky feel that he can snuggle up with on a dark night. Mobi has really done a great job with this one...our son hardly ever puts it down, even during the day. The kid-friendly, grab-'n-go design make it really easy. The different color options have actually made our TykeLight Portable GloMate a four-in-one toy for our son. "Greenie" checks hallways and dark rooms to make sure they're safe to enter. "Tiki" (she's a girl, and the solid red mode) loves to play with stuffed animals, often disciplining them when they deserve a time out. "Bud" (blue mode) likes to hang out and watch TV, while "Mobi" stays on the nightstand to cycle through the rainbow of colors to help him fall asleep at night. Seriously, folks...we have to be the only family that has a GloMate with a split personality!

Future psychological bills aside, the TykeLight Portable GloMate nightlight has really helped our son overcome his fears. It stays on the charger base, where he can take it off whenever he wants to play with it. We love that it doesn't need batteries or power cords...plus, the safe and efficient LED's keep it completely cool to the touch. It gives off just enough light to keep the monsters away, but not so much that keeps him awake at bedtime. Our only complaint is that the 15 minute timer only works with the solid blue mode...we would have liked that options with all of the colors (particularly the rainbow one). Regardless, the adorable TykeLight Portable GloMate is kid-tough, works great and is perfectly safe for even young ones. What a great gift idea for a baby shower or anyone with smaller children. Ours is definitely a welcome addition to The Daily Kool family.

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Today's Kool Idea: Kooky Klickers Pens

The Daily Kool is always on the lookout for things to help us lighten up. No, we're not talking about our weight here (though, we could probably use something for that also). We have a thing for fads that are just too cute to resist...yep, we are suckers for a smile. Let's face it, life is not always easy. Sometimes we just need to take a time out and appreciate the little things in life...a child's laugh, a sunny morning, extra sleep on a special morning, a Kooky Klickers pen.

Kooky Klickers pens? You've got to admit, they are pretty hard to resist. In case you haven't noticed them (we can't imagine how though), Kooky Klickers are a collection of fun, colorful pens that have unique faces and crazy hair. Each has his/her own name and is a member of a Krew, which is kind of like a little family. Kids use them to write with and also collect and trade with their friends. Our boys clip them on their backpacks.

Kids? Yeah, right. We've seen almost as many adults with Kooky Klickers pens as kids. We have certainly horded a few for ourselves. Nope, we just can't resist these cute, albeit ridiculous faces with the fuzzy koosh ball top. We like to keep one on our keychain...hey, you never know when you might need a pen to write with. There's a running joke in our house that our Kooky Klickers pen of the day reflects what kind of mood we're in. Our DaVinci Kooky is our "go to pen" for happy days, but when the kids see Digby, they know we'll be short on patience. It's amazing how angelic our boys suddenly become when they see Digby...hmmm, we think we'll be taking him out a lot more often.

Whether you prefer adorable, silly or just plain weird, there's a Kooky Klickers pen to fit everyone's personality (and mood). These little guys have become quite the collectible item. We even gave them out as party favors for our son's birthday last year. If we're going to write with a pen, why not use one with style and flair? Kooky Klickers pens are a whimsical way to escape from the mundane...plus, they're just plain fun! Let's face it...being kooky is pretty "kool".

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Today's Kool Idea: Comfy Cozy

When a friend asked us to give a recommendation for an extra-special newborn gift, we at The Daily Kool knew a product review was on its way. Check out the very first (and still the best) cuddly friend our oldest child received...the Comfy Cozy Lamb. Shhh...don't tell anyone...but he's now seven and still sneaks it for comfort sometimes when he thinks no one else is looking. Our younger son likes to teas his big brother about it...while holding his own "Doggie" Comfy Cozy of course...he's four.

Baby Gund is a 106-year-old company known worldwide for its award-winning, top quality, soft and huggable plush designs. They definitely don't disappoint with this wonderful product. The Comfy Cozy features fabulous textures and satin paws that babies love to rub. So incredibly soft, yet amazingly sturdy. They claim to be surface washable, but who are we kidding? If your children are as attached to them as ours are, you will definitely have to put them into a washing machine (delicate cycle) at some point. We have, several times, and all of our Comfy Cozies (we own five of them) have held up remarkably well. These items are a bit expensive, but you are definitely getting value for your money.

Although our children have their preferences, there are several different animals to choose from, each more adorable than the next. All of our Comfy Cozies are about 24", just the perfect size for little ones to carry around with them. Some places will offer personalization options, if you prefer. We at The Daily Kool never recommend putting a child's name on anything that may leave the home for safety reasons, but it is available. This product is such a beautiful nursery accent and a great item for the crib, rocker or bed. You definitely "Gotta Getta Gund!"