As you read this we are en route to Disney! Or packing up the Subaru, possibly. We might actually still be in the house because I’m not sure as I’m typing this what time our flight is. (I’m relying heavily on Brian to be on top of things this week because I don’t really have any idea what’s going on. We could land at the Grand Canyon and I’d be like, “Oh was this our plan?”)

In any event…..

The Friday Five!

I’ll admit it, I’ve neglected The Friday Five for quite some time. I don’t have a real reason for this except that sometimes I lose the plot on things. But, this week I’m back with more “hot recommendations from a luke-warm mom.” (If you want to follow an actual hot mom’s recommendations I suggest you start following my new best friend Gwyneth Paltrow over at Goop).

And now, here’s what’s got me all excited this week (aside from pancakes in that crazy diner story).

1. Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table

This item may save our summer. I’m only kind of exaggerating there. Nolan runs around like a maniac anytime we’re outside nowadays. You know when he doesn’t? When this water table is in front of him. I’m telling you, it’s like moths to a flame. It’s quick and easy to fill up. It comes with little balls that go down the spiral and into the “lazy river” (I feel like Little Tikes is taking some liberties by calling this a “lazy river,” but I digress). Nolan and his buddies played with this contentedly for an hour +, and we’ve had similar results every time. Winner winner chicken dinner.

2. Healthier
Healthier is a free service connecting you to pediatric experts who can answer health/medical questions about your child. Guys, this thing is great! I’ve already been using it for Nolan (with questions about sunscreen strength for toddlers, and what to do when your child doesn’t want to drink milk), and it’s been fast, efficient, and helpful. And I’m super psyched because now you can access it from a widget at the top left of my blog!

Why is this service useful? Because parents often table their questions until well child visits, or they ask questions in online forums (which would be great except for the whole “nobody has any real idea what they’re talking about” thing on forums). Enter Healthier.

You simply type your health/wellness/non-emergency medical question and you’ll get a response from a pediatric expert via text. You can then communicate directly via text whenever you have additional questions, or you can ask questions straight from this blog’s homepage. Healthier also sends you periodic information about your child’s development.

Test it out! If you’re on desktop/laptop you’ll see the widget at the top lefthand corner of the page. If you’re on mobile you won’t see it, but you can ask your question by texting it to 781-819-5437.

If you use the widget in the next 48 hours you’re eligible to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! If you text your question directly you’re also eligible to win, just make sure you say you came via A Mothership Down.

3. Thomas the Tank Pop Up Tent

If you’re a fan of home decor as I am, obviously you’re going to want this giant monstrosity in your home! I know you guys, it’s not aesthetically charming. However. HOWEVER. My toddler loves this so much it’s worth the assault to my design senses. It folds up super fast (and 100% flat) so I just tuck it under the couch when we’re done with it.

Nolan can’t even believe how stealthy he is when this thing is in play. He “hides” and then I “find him” and the entire time he is shrieking in delight. Literally. It is that exciting. He also brings his toys inside and uses it as a little fort. It’s like the precursor to your teenage boy holing up in the basement playing Mortal Combat. Way cuter though.

4. MamaLove

These portraits are so well done, and the artist behind them is a new mom just like many of us. Check out Mallory Myer’s work! Mallory does custom portraits of mothers with their children, and they are gorgeous. I can’t even draw a basic stick figure, so this impresses me to no end.  Although maybe I’m like Picasso, who was underrated in his lifetime as well (*I have no idea if that’s historically accurate. It’s quite possible Picasso was considered a genius in his lifetime. I don’t have time for fact checking, Nolan will be awake in like 4 minutes).

5. Janod Family Portraits Square Stacking Pyramid

Do you want some toys that look kind of adorable and make it seem like you have a classy child? Me too! But do these toys still need to be fun and something your toddler will want to build and then destroy on a mind-numbing “repeat” cycle? I thought so!

Nolan loves these, they’re basically like any building blocks but better looking and not plastic. He makes towers with them and then also stacks them one inside the other like boxy Russian dolls.

Disclaimer: This is my work. I stacked these boxes myself. I don’t mean to brag but I’m way faster at this than Nolan.

Are you wondering what these blocks look like when they’re not stacked up nicely? STILL ADORABLE!

Here’s the deal: your house is filled with plastic crap. It’s a fact. (If you’re in the 1% minority for whom this is not true, congratulations!). For the rest of us and our plastic-crap houses, this is a nice alternative.

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End Note:

As many of you know I’ve been following the great pancake/screaming toddler viral story with enthusiasm. So many questions to be answered! Just how big were those pancakes? And just how loud was that child? We’ll never know.

Here’s how I like to imagine things went down:

“What Do You Think This Is, A Diner?”

Thank you Joanna Awoniyi for the video idea!

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