I've Got Mail: Cardboard

How many times have we heard ourselves say, "He plays with the cardboard box more than the toy!"? Here's a cool kid product that actually is the box. Made from cardboard and imported from Germany, the Calafant brand offers more than 21 models of all sizes and shapes, from fire engines and dinosaurs to castles and teepees.

Each kit comes with markers, so kids can design it themselves. Then the cardboard assembly part was pretty easy – Jack (who's 4) was able to figure out most of it. Some of the large ones are even big enough for kids to crawl through, and the smaller ones are perfect for Barbie houses and rampaging dinosaurs (I should note here that they're pretty sturdy, too, in the event of a rampaging dinosaur).

Designed by well-known German cartoonist Boris Schimanski, the cardboard toys are even recyclable once the kids have gotten their enjoyment out of them.

Creative Toyshop, based in Pennsylvania, is the exclusive distributor in the U.S. Find them online or through specialty toy and museum stores. Small kits are $6.99, the medium line is $14.99 and the large ones are $24.99. I guarantee your kids will get your money's worth out of these boxes.

(Photos by Kate)

The Getaway That Gives Back

Escape to a cool San Francisco hotel for the weekend – and then reach out and help the needy while you're at it. The Hotel Adagio in Union Square is hopefully setting a new standard among high-end hotels by offering the Pursuit of Happiness Voluntourism Package. Guests have the option to volunteer at Glide Memorial, assisting with the facility's meals program that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to more than 3,000 people per day.

Located in the Tenderloin, Glide helps the less fortunate with meals, a medical clinic, youth job training and services at its renowned Glide Church. Guests are encouraged to attend services, which are well known for their music and inspirational message.

The Hotel Adagio has 171 guestrooms and rates starting at $189. Book the package online using the code GLIDE.

Then take a trip that might help both you – and someone in need – feel better.

Pet Project

We lost Bongo, our very favorite border collie, about two years ago. Courageous and loving to the very end, she quietly passed away in Steve's arms after 17 long years as our loyal and faithful furry friend. Without getting too sappy here, she left an irreplaceable hole in all of our hearts.

Growing up, I've always had a pet. Tiger (named for the Brady' Bunch pooch) was my first dog love, a fat and sassy cockapoo and my constant companion in my early elementary years. Fred the cat came along during that era, too.

But Bongo was different than any animal I'd ever had. Smart and sensitive, she'd shoot you look of gut-wrenching sadness if you even thought about leaving the house without her, regardless of the outing. She loved the UPS guy and the neighbors with equal fervor. That's one of the reasons it's been so difficult to even think about getting another dog. What four-legged creature could live up to Bongo?

But another reason? Diapers.

Jack was deep into potty training when Bongo passed away, and as the resident chief of poop and other icky substances, Steve was less than enthused about the idea of taking on a puppy and the cleanup that goes along with that. And while I've been the one pushing for getting another dog, even I've had to admit that I'm not all that eager to tackle the responsibility and challenges that come with adding a new family member.

But every dog park I've passed and every furry face I see grinning from a car window only makes me wistful for the feeling of a cold nose in the morning and the click of toenails on the hardwood floors.

I'm happy to report, however, that Steve and I are once again open to the idea of adding a dog for our family fold. And like our new president-elect, we're trying to decide where to go and what to get. A pure-bred pooch seems a bit extravagant in the these times, and I've always been a fan of the mutt. Bongo came from a shelter, so that's an option. Or maybe a rescue operation? 

Stay tuned as we begin the search ...

Pick Up the Stick

Did you know there was a National Toy Hall of Fame? Neither did I. It was established as part of the Strong National Museum of Play, based in Rochester, NY. And did you know that this year, the nominating committee selected the simple stick as one its inductees this year (along with the baby doll and the skateboard)? Yes, you read that correctly. The stick.

Once I thought about it, I realized that it often becomes a favorite toy in my household, too. Jack will carry around a stick all day, poking at the ground, poking at his sister (there's no governing board to monitor its safety), poking at his shoes. A good, fat stick often holds as much attention-holding power as his Hot Wheels or Thomas the Tank tracks.

And the best thing about a stick? If you have a Christmas tree this year, your shopping will be infinitely simple this year ...

Farm News

Sometimes we just don't know what's going to happen when he head out to shoot a cover for L.A. Parent. Cranky models, bizarre weather, fires that force us to make a last-minute location change. One time we even had a snake slither through a shoot.

But when we shot the November cover late last summer at Danny's Farm in Altadena, everything came together. Sure, a hungry goat kept trying to eat our props. And our cover model (and Shooting Stars Cover Kids Contest winner) Tommy John-Douglas Tucker had come down with a bug the night before. But the serenity and calm that presides over this little oasis tucked into a quiet neighborhood made it all worthwhile.

But this place isn't just a cute spot for a photo shoot. It's a refuge for both people and animals who might otherwise be having a bit of trouble finding their footing in the outside world. Amid the lazy cats lounging near the stables, the chickens perching and pecking about, the horse and the therapy dog and several other critters, owner Cathy Gott has created a safe haven where kids and adults with disabilities (or not) can feel accepted and loved unconditionally.

In short, everyone is welcome at Danny's Farm. Check out this short video about the farm from msnbc.com.