Today's Kool Idea: Magic School Bus Television Series

We were talking on the phone with our brother yesterday, when we somehow got on the topic of this year's Halloween costume ideas for the kids. Last we heard, our oldest son wanted a black Spiderman costume (easy), while our youngest chose to be Boots, the monkey from Dora (not quite as easy). Anyway, as we were having our conversation, our 8 year old suddenly said from the background that he now wanted to be Arnold from the Magic School Bus television show. We were shocked to find out that our brother, the brilliant pediatrician, had never even heard of this Scholastic series. How embarrassing for him, we teased in our typical smug sibling fashion. Then, much to our brother's glee, our four year old insisted that he now wanted to be Phoebe, the redheaded girl...yeah, like we'll ever hear the end of that one from big brother. Darn it...we hate it when he gets the upper hand!

The Magic School Bus television series features the antics of Ms. Frizzle (voiced by Lily Tomlin) and her class of eight children who have a unique way of learning about the world around them. The Frizz's ever-changing wardrobe hints at each clever episode's scientific concept to be explored, just before the class is whisked away on an exciting field trip aboard their magical school bus. Each adventure takes them literally behind the scenes, sometimes by shrinking them to the size of blood cells, other times turning them into bats (or salmon, or butterflies).

The Magic School Bus clearly demonstrates the creators' brilliant imagination and passion for science. We absolutely love the concept of this Discovery Kids series. There is so much color and activity packed into each episode that it may seem a bit frantic at times, but it keeps our kids mesmerized all the same. Plus, the theme index on the Scholastic website makes it easy to find shows that relate specifically to what our children are currently learning in school. Excellent!

It's easy to understand the popularity of the Magic School Bus television series with children, parents and educators alike (though, perhaps not pediatricians). It's humorous, suspenseful, educational and just downright fun...our kids are both completely addicted to it. We love how it encourages kids to "take chances, make mistakes and get messy." Plus, they don't even realize how much they are actually learning. There are so few television shows for kids that hit the mark like this one does. Field trip, everyone!

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Today's Kool Idea: Dog and Cat Staple-Free Staplers

Yesterday, The Daily Kool took a family trip to shop for school supplies. Trust us, that was not easy, even at Staples...no matter how often we pressed that darned button. Anyway, a whopping $80 later (no joke), we still had to go online to get a couple of things the stores didn't seem to carry. One was a staple-free stapler. Call us dopey (that's okay...many people have), but we didn't know that staple-free staplers even existed. Apparently, this requirement is just one of many "earth friendly" solutions that our son's Pre-K teacher is trying to bring awareness to. That's what we get for putting him in private school, we guess. Don't get us wrong...we are big supporters of going green. It would have been nice though, if we had been given a clue as to where to get a staple-free stapler...it's only Pre-K for goodness sake! So, naturally we went online to continue our search.

Okay, once we saw these adorable dog and cat staple-free staplers, can you blame us for getting them? Thank goodness our four year old son doesn't have a macho image to maintain. After we did some reading, staple-free stapling is actually a very interesting concept. Simply put, these dog and cat staple-free staplers cut out tiny strips of paper and use them to stitch and collate up to five pieces of paper together. Staples are a thing of the past, at least for the smaller jobs...we'll stick to our traditional Slimline for the big ones. For children, the dog and cat staple-free staplers are not only environmentally friendly, but safe as well.

The dog and cat staple-free staplers are not just for kids, though. What a great gift they'd make for any environmentally conscious pet lover! Our son is going to be the "koolest" kid in his Pre-K class when he brings in these whimsical little guys. Okay, now where's our Sharpie? We are definitely going to put his name on them in permanent ink.

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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: BusyBodyBook Personal and Family Organizer

School is just around the corner, and our lazy days of summer are coming to an end. Okay, who are we kidding? The Daily Kool family doesn't do lazy days. We have to admit though...our boys may have kept us on our toes this vacation, but it was pretty nice to have them all to ourselves for a change. In a couple of weeks, we are back to being overwhelmed with activities. School (one half-day, the other three towns over), homework, soccer, hip hop, basketball, karate, birthday parties (there are a ton) playdates...not to mention our own work, home and Pepper (our lovable pooch) responsibilities. Pretty exhausting, huh? As our boys get older, it's really becoming harder to keep track of it all...we need some serious organization!

We must have subconsciously sent out some kind of beacon, hinting at our desperation. A couple of weeks ago, our friends at BusyBodyBook sent us their personal and family organizer for the upcoming academic year. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We are the first ones to admit that we're a bit flaky when it comes to organization, but the BusyBodyBook has everything we need to truly simplify our lives. Our panel of eight busy mom testers were also quite impressed...back off ladies, this one's ours!

There are a lot of things to love about the BusyBodyBook personal and family organizer, but the key is it's award-winning, clever five grid format. The columns can be used to plan and track up to five projects, clients, school subjects, household members, personal goals, you name it...this is pretty versatile stuff! For example, our columns are currently divided into (1) personal, (2) boys, (3) work, (4) home and (5) Daily Kool posts. Even better, we can change our column headings from week to week, depending on our schedule.

We have a tendency to throw stuff around a lot, so durability is a must-have for us. Each BusyBodyBook has a sturdy, yet fashionable cover with an extra plastic layer for added protection. We love the separate section for recording important birthdays and anniversaries...we prefer to just take one trip to the card store each month, if we can help it. The "6 months at once" page offers a great overview to help plan for holidays, vacations and other events. We're a brown-bagging bunch, so we don't personally have much use for the restaurant/take-out information page, but there is a page for contacts like doctors, coaches, playgroup posse members, etc. The removable shopping lists are truly inspired! We are always making mental notes on stuff we need to buy and banging our heads together to try and remember what they were five minutes later. The pockets on the inside front and back covers are nice to hold receipts and coupons, but keep in mind that you will likely have to fold any important papers to fit them in there...this was really the only complaint from our testers. Add a bookmark and several note pages, and we're all set!

We were really quite impressed with how many organizational tools are packed into the BusyBodyBook. Plus, it's priced less than $25 (including shipping), making it a terrific value. Every mom on our tester panel was anxious to get her own...it's not often that we get such an overwhelming positive response. The BusyBodyBook personal and family organizer is definitely a convenient and portable way to help stay "kool" under the pressure of our everyday hectic lives.

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Today's Kool Idea: No Stress Chess

Our four year old loves to play chess. Yes, you heard us right...four. Is he some kind of prodigy? Nope. Don't get us wrong...our son is definitely very bright, and we claim our bragging rights as often as we can (doesn't every parent?). But, we don't think that Mensa is quite ready to extend an invitation to him yet. We do, however, give the folks at Winning Moves complete credit for our son's love of the classic strategic game with their wonderful edition of No Stress Chess.

Researchers have been studying the benefits of chess on children's reading, math and general cognitive skills for the past 30+ years. Children who play chess consistently outperform others in critical thinking, memory retention and verbal reasoning. In fact, the benefits are so significant, nearly 30 countries (such as Russia and Iceland) incorporate chess as part of public school curricula. We at The Daily Kool certainly think it should be a requirement (not a mere enrichment) here in America. When we were searching for a chess program for our older son a year ago (his school didn't offer it), we had difficulty finding one that was convenient and affordable. So, we decided to try to teach him at home...enter the No Stress Chess game.


The 52 action cards make No Stress Chess a unique approach to an often intimidating game. These cards provide instruction to help players learn the pieces and how they move...a perfect way to help a beginner get comfortable with the powers of each piece. Players are required to move their pieces based upon which card they draw...this really changes the game, and winning is mostly about luck...at least at the first level. The next card playing variation has each player drawing three cards at a time, so they can begin incorporating more strategy into their game. After these two levels are mastered, you can create even more, increasing the number of cards drawn for each (we went as high as seven)...until, your children are ready to take on regular play. The illustrated two-sided board that comes with the No Stress Chess game is another great feature. The starter side instructs players on piece placement, while the other is a traditional board. The pieces are pretty sturdy...the fact that they have survived our children so far says a lot.

There are so many great things to say about No Stress Chess, and for the $15 price tag, it is definitely worth the purchase. The innovative approach to a traditional favorite has been able to hold our children's interest in this classic game more than we ever would have expected. We were amazed at how quickly both of our children were able to graduate to regular play...now, chess has become a staple in The Daily Kool household, and No Stress Chess a popular birthday gift idea for our children's friends.

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Today's Kool Idea: Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer

Every Saturday, we take our youngest child to a gymnastics class with a group of five friends that he's been with since his four-month old Mommy and Me class. This past weekend, three of them canceled because of influenza concerns, particularly the swine flu. Sure, a children's gymnasium is indeed a breeding ground for germs...after all, we are constantly telling our own children to keep their hands out of their mouths and nose (picky, picky). But unless you are willing to put your child in a bubble, he or she is undoubtedly going to be exposed to germs. As parents, the best thing we can do regarding the swine flu and other influenzas is to make sure that we take reasonable precautions to prevent infection, and call our pediatrician at the first signs of illness.

The primary modes of transmission of infection are the mouth, nose and eyes. Therefore, parents should constantly enforce good personal hygiene habits in their children...particularly frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially after being out in public. Who are we kidding, though? There are many, MANY times that hand washing with soap and water is just not feasible. In these cases, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is an extremely effective alternative. Major health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty. CDC recommends that children in school may use alcohol-based hand rubs as an alternative to hand washing.

Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer is the one The Daily Kool family uses. It is also the hand sanitizer of choice at our kids' schools. With its unique formulation of 65% alcohol (anything lower than 60% isn't enough, according to clinical studies), Purell breaks down the germs' cell walls, causing them to die. Though we always recommend supervising children when using the Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer, it's also nice to know that according to the APIC, "alcohols applied to the skin are among the safest known antiseptics."

Though we realize that alcohol is a safe antiseptic, we still feel better knowing that once hands are rubbed dry, the alcohol in the Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer evaporates completely in seconds, leaving no harmful residue. Our kids love using it, particularly the foam formula, so there is never an argument when we take it out. They have several handy versions, including these cute, portable ones. Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer works great, smells decent and doesn't dry out our hands. We also like the way our hands feel after using it...Purell really leaves them clean and refreshed.

While nothing beats washing with soap and water (get them to wash through an entire rendition of the ABCs or Happy Birthday), Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer is a very convenient and inexpensive alternative when a sink isn't available. Hey, check out the Purell sanitizing hand wipes also...they are a particular favorite of ours, especially at restaurants or the park...hands down (no pun intended) the best wipes around! With so many wonderful products, Purell is definitely a "kool" way to help prevent infection from the swine flu and other influenza viruses.

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Today's Kool Idea: Dixon Ticonderoga Renew Green Pencil

When our eldest son started in his new school, we were given a list of required supplies to purchase. On the list were four boxes of pencils...not just any pencils, mind you. The school specifically requested Dixon Ticonderoga #2 pencils. Well, la dee da. In our ignorance, we assumed that for a second-grader, any (okay, we mean cheap) yellow #2 pencil would do...after all, who really thinks about which brand of pencil they use?

Apparently, many people do. Dixon Ticonderoga is considered the world's best pencil, and is certainly the best selling one. We have to admit that after switching to these pencils in our home, we have officially become avid members of the Dixon Ticonderoga fan club. These cedar pencils are sturdy and comfortable to use, and they produce bold, rich marks that are easy see and even easier to erase. Wow...who knew?

What's even more amazing is how the company is improving upon the perfection of their product. Pencil it in, folks (okay, that was lame)...Dixon is going green in May with their new innovation, the Ticonderoga Renew. Instead of cedar, the casing is made up of a compound that is 30% recycled, pulverized tires. The all black Ticonderoga Renew pencil may feel a bit rubbery, but Dixon assures its customers that it will sharpen as beautifully as cedar. The pencil is enhanced with recycled paper packaging, a latex-free eraser and a black graphite core of the same exceptional quality we have come to expect from Dixon. The only unfortunate aspect (especially in today's economy) of the Dixon Ticonderoga Renew is the cost, which at about $4 for a package of 10, is even more expensive than the company's already premium-priced pencils.

The Dixon Ticonderoga Renew green (well, black) pencil may be just the product to end the wood pencil, and is a big step towards preserving Earth's shrinking supply of suitable lumber. With a production of nearly a half a billion pencils a year, imagine the impact if Dixon made the shift to exclusively manufacturing the Ticonderoga Renew. We know, we know...we're discussing a pencil for goodness sake...but still, it's pretty exciting stuff. Hopefully, the Dixon Ticonderoga Renew green pencil will live up to the company's strict standards, and take its predecessor's place as the most recognized and revered pencil throughout the world. Now that would be "kool."

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Today's Kool Idea: Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) DVD

Ah, man...nothing says Saturday mornings like Schoolhouse Rock! We admit it, okay? We originally bought this DVD more for ourselves than for our children. Cartoons are just not the same without these Emmy award-winning 3-minute films playing between them.

What? You never heard of Schoolhouse Rock!?? It was only the most amazing series of animated musical education in the 70's and 80's. Schoolhouse Rock was a pop-culture sensation that literally taught millions of children the basics of math, grammar, science, American history and money with its clever and catchy tunes. The Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) is a comprehensive 2-disc set, which includes 46 song classics like "Conjunction Junction," "Three is a Magic Number," "I'm Just A Bill" and "Electricity, Electricity." The DVD also features an all-new song about the Electoral College, "I'm Gonna Send Your Vote To College" written by the show's original creators.

Oh, dear...have we just dated ourselves? It doesn't matter...the Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) has allowed us to relive our youth through the eyes of our children. With all of the disappointing children's television out there today, it is truly a pleasure to share these wonderful and educational videos with our kids. Schoolhouse Rock has captivated everyone in our home...our kids are absolutely addicted to it! Favorites in our household include "Interjections!", "Telegraph Line" (teaches the nervous system) and "The Body Machine" (about nutrition). When our second-grader was studying the separation of powers in school, "The Three Ring Government" became the new preference.

Nope, they just don't make educational videos like these anymore. Oh, wait a minute...actually they do! According to our friends at EarthPromise.com, Schoolhouse Rock is now going green with eleven new songs for a new generation of fans. Read what EarthPromise has to say about it here.

We at The Daily Kool are so passionate about this series, we have made the Schoolhouse Rock! (Special 30th Anniversary Edition) DVD our official birthday present for all of our children's friends. This is without a doubt, the "koolest" gift you can give to your family. We can't wait for Schoolhouse Rock: Earth to come out...we will definitely be checking it out. Thanks for the heads-up, EarthPromise.com! And thank you, Schoolhouse Rock for the timeless memories.