Shop $15 Dresses.

And for the boys? Shop $10 Tees.

Here are some of our favorites from the sale.

Agung Polo (reg. $30, now $10).

Barong Batik Layered Tee (reg. $30, now $10).

Floating Rice Field Dress (reg. $39, now $15).

Lotus Batik Knot Dress (reg. $35, now $15).

Get more wear out of the dresses and plan ahead for fall with coordinating $10 leggings.

Radiant Rice Leggings (reg. $25, now $10).

Happy shopping!

Click on each small scrolling image to see larger picture and name of bathing suit.

DownEast Basics Girl Crustacean Cutie Tankini

Lands' End V-Neck Side Tie Tankini

Snap Me Swimwear

Old Navy Rash Guard & Boy Short

Swim Zip Ruffle Me Pretty

Old Navy Butterfly Tankini

Gap Striped Tankini

Lands' End Tiered Top Tankini

Shop! Check out the links below to shop these styles.

• DownEast Basics Crustacean Cutie ($30)
• Lands’ End Shirred Ruffle V-neck Tankini Top ($25) & Gathered Side-tie SwimMini ($25)
• Snap Me Swimwear American Plaid ($29)
• Old Navy Rash Guard & Boy Short ($12)
• Swim Zip Ruffle Me Pretty ($30)
• Old Navy Butterfly Tankini ($15)
• Gap Striped Tankini ($14)
• Lands’ End Tiered Tankini Top ($29) & Plain Front Tankini Bottom ($17)

Sign up your school for the Pottery Barn Kids “Gear Up to Give Back” program* and as you make your back-to-school gear selections a percentage of purchase will be donated back to your school.** Once your school is enrolled, purchases from other parents at your school will be eligible as well.

As an added bonus, if you enroll your school now through June 14, you will be entered into the sweepstakes for a chance to win $2,500 for your school and $2,500 for yourself!

I was already eyeing a PBK backpack and lunch box for preschool girl’s first fall of “big kid school,” so I’m glad to know the purchase will also benefit her school. For the purposes of the program, duffle bags also count as “gear” and are eligible.

If you have older children, PBteen purchases are also eligible for the “give back” program.

Like any donation program and sweepstakes, there are lots of terms and conditions, one of which is that only U.S. schools and purchases are eligible.

* You will need your school’s tax ID number. If enrolling a private school, you will need an IRS Determination Letter or 501(c)(3) and 509(a) tax exempt certificate.
** Percentage varies with total dollar amount of purchases.

EWG Report Summary

The EWG says the safest sunscreens for kids have the following qualities:

• Mineral suncreen with zinc and titanium
• No oxybenzone – potentially hormone-disrupting
• No retinyl palmitate
• No Vitamin A – may be carcinogenic on sun-exposed skin
• No spray or powdered sunscreen
• Avoid sunscreens labeled with an SPF higher than 50

We noticed in this year’s list includes an increase in easier to apply “Stick” form sunscreens, such as Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Sunscreen Stick, and the addition of more affordable options like Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Lotion SPF 50 which is $14 for an 8 ounce bottle. Both are great news for moms. But, make sure to read labels carefully. For example, some Coppertone Water Babies products are on the recommended list and others are on the Hall of Shame.

Safest Sunscreens for Kids 2012

• Adorable Baby Sunscreen Stick (1.6 oz, $11)
• Adorable Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen(6.4 oz, $22)
• Alba Botanica Sun: Mineral Kids SPF 30 (pack of 2 4 oz, $18)
• All Terrain Sunblock Kidsport SPF 30 (pack of 2 3 oz, $16)
• Aubrey Organics Children’s Unscented Sensitive Skin Lotion (4 oz, $12.50)
• Aveeno Sun Natural Protection Mineral Block Baby SPF 50 Stick (.5 oz, $10.99)
• BabyGanics Cover Up Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 (2 oz, $4.20)
• BabyGanics Cover Up Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 (.47 oz, $8)
• BabyGanics Cover up Baby Sunscreen for Face & Body SPF 50(6 oz, $13)
• BabyUV/KidsUV Natural Sunscreen Blue or Pink
• Badger Baby Sunscreen SPF 30 (2.9 oz, $15.49)
• Beyond Coastal Kids Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen (4 oz, $11.59)
• Blue Lizard Baby Australian Suncream SPF 30+ (8.75 oz, $27)
• BurnOut KIDS Physical Sunscreen(4.8 oz, $18)
• Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Sunscreen Stick(0.7 ounce, $9)
• California Baby No Fragrance Sunscreen Lotion, No Fragrance Sunblock Stick, Everyday/Year-Round Sunscreen Lotion, Summer Blend Sunscreen Lotion, Everyday/Year-Round Sunblock Stick, No Fragrance Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion, Everyday/Year-Round Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion (sizes and prices vary)
• Carribean Solutions Sol Kid Kare SPF 25 Sunscreen (6 oz, $12)
• Color Me Pink Natural Sunscreen
• Coola MineralBaby Moisturizer Suncare, SPF 45 (3 oz, $36)
• Coppertone Kids Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion, 50 SPF (8 oz, $14)
• Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Lotion SPF 50 (8 oz, $14)
• Dr. Robin for Kids All Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+ (5.6 oz, $19)
• Earth’s Best Sunblock: Mineral Based, SPF 30+ (4 oz, $14)
• ECO logical All Natural Baby Sunscreen SPF 30 (4 oz, $17)
• Elemental Herbs Sunscreen Kids SPF 20 (3 oz, $16)
• Goddess Garden Baby Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30 (3.5, $13.50)
• Goddess Garden Kids Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30 (6 oz, $19)
• Kiss My Face Kids Mineral Sun Stick SPF 30, Pink, Blue or White (3.2 oz, $11)
• Kiss My Face Kids Natural Mineral Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 (4 oz, $15)
• Little Forest Sunscreen Lotion for Babies & Kids (4 oz, $17)
• Marie Veronique Organics Kid Safe Screen, SPF 25 (4 oz, $19)
• Mustela High Protection Sun Lotion SPF 50 (1.67 oz, $15)
• Seventh Generation Baby SPF 30 Sunscreen (3.2 oz, $14)
• Smart Kids Who Play SPF 30+ Face Stick (.56 oz, $12)
• Star Naturals Baby Natural Sunscreen Stick
• Sunbow Dora the Explorer Sunscreen SPF 30 ($10.39)
• Sunbow SpongeBob Squarepants Childrens Sunscreen SPF 30 (5 oz, $16)
• Sunology Natural Sunblock Lotion for Kids SPF 50 (3 oz, $20)
• Suntegrity Baby Natural Mineral Sunscreen (4 oz, $24)
• Sunumbra Sunkids SPF 40
• Sweetsation Therapy Sun’n'Fun Organic Baby Sunscreen SPF 30 (5.6 oz, $22)
• The Honest Company Sunscreen
• thinkbaby sunscreen SPF30+ benefiting LIVESTRONG (3 oz, $22)
• thinksport Kids Sunscreen Benefitting Livestrong SPF 50 (6.1 oz, $16)
• Trubaby Water & Play Mineral Sunscreen
• Trubaby Everyday Play Sunscreen
• trukids: New Sunny Days Mineral All Natural Sunscreen, Sunny Days SPORT Unscented, Sunny Days Mineral Face & Body Stick, Sunny Days Face & Body Stick Sunscreen (sizes and prices vary)
• UV Natural Sunscreen for Baby, SPF 30+ (5.29 oz, $30)
• VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Baby 50+ (1.76 oz, $55)

***

See our 2011 safest sunscreens for kids and 2010 post on the safest sunscreens for kids for some of our top picks stylish sun protection for kids.

That’s right, summer is here or rapidly approaching for all students and parents. I’ve been researching summer activities for preschool girl for a little over a month and am excited to add the Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge to our list of activities.

Now through Wednesday, August 22, we’ll read all twelve award-winning books on the challenge list and track our progress using the PBK Progress Tracker Poster. We frequent our local public library, so I will make every attempt to get a copy of these books through them; however, all twelve books are available for purchase at Pottery Barn Kids. As for the tracking poster, I love it because it allows preschool girl to record her own progress by coloring in a book each time we complete one.

Once we complete the books on the challenge list, we’ll visit the closest Pottery Barn Kids store to receive a FREE BOOK. Since visiting the nearest store is a bit of a trek for us, we’ll probably combine it with an “all-day Atlanta” excursion and do lots of browsing in lots of stores. We’re going to read “fast” though, because the free books are limited one (1) per customer and available only while supplies last.

Your child is too young for Jumangi? You can still participate in the Summer Reading Challenge with the Early Reader Book List.

Participants must be 10 years of age or younger and present the Award-Winning or Early Reader book list to a participating PBK store to receive a free book while supplies last. Offer ends August 31, 2012.

Regardless of the warnings, manufacturers continue to make crib bumpers, stores continue to sell them and parents continue to use them. I’ll admit Max’s Stokke Sleepi Mini has the corresponding bumper in it but when he moves to the full size Sleepi he’ll have custom bumper-less sheets similar to the Skip Hop Complete Sheet.

Where does the safety concern end? Should companies stop selling baby blankets because we know it’s unsafe for a baby to sleep with a loose blanket? Is this a situation where doctors and experts need to do their best to educate parents who can decide for themselves what to use? Maybe time will tell and safety concerns will prevail and our kids will laugh when we tell them we used crib bumpers the same way we’re shocked when our parents tell us they didn’t use car seats.

What’s your take? Should companies stop making crib bumpers? Should stores stop selling them? Or is this a decision best left to parents to decide?

Here’s the Rossen Report from this morning. Check it out and tell us your thoughts in the comments.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Boba Mini

My daughter loves to do all things just like mommy and babywearing is no exception. She has a flimsy little pink thing that is nothing like a real baby carrier, though, so I love the idea of giving her an upgrade to the Boba Mini ($29.95). Made for carrying dolls and animals, the Boba Mini matches the Boba Carrier 3G Classic Collection and is made with 100% cotton.

Teething Pads

Teething Pads ($20) are clearly created with babies in mind. As you know, they chew on everything in sight. These pads are 100% cotton and cover the shoulder straps of the Boba Baby Carrier. Baby will gnaw on 100% organic cotton free of dyes or chemicals and your pretty carrier will be protected from baby slobber. Win-win.

Carrier Stuff Sack

The Carrier Stuff Sack ($15) is designed to hold and protect your Boba Baby Carrier when not in use. Roll up your carrier, place it in the sack and toss it in the car or place it near the door so it’s always ready to go. The Stuff Sacks match the Boba patterns and are a super practical storage for your Carrier.

Shop! Visit BobaFamily.com to shop these accessories and Boba Wraps and Boba Baby Carriers.

Go ahead. Watch it. I’ll wait…

So cute, right?

It makes me want to strap bike helmets on the whole fam and go for a ride. As you know I’m trying (trying!) to get in shape with a couch to 5k program, but that has turned into a solo activity. And on the occasions when the whole family does go for a run (or walk), the kids ride in a stroller so they don’t get any activity themselves. I love the idea of all of us riding bikes together – we’d get to enjoy one another, get fresh air AND everyone would get some much needed exercise. Even young kids can get in on the action with training wheels. And as my mom proved by recently buying herself a bike: you’re never too old to enjoy a bike ride. (No offense, mom.) Truth be told, I’m jealous. I’d love some new wheels. Hmmm, maybe I just thought of a good Mother’s Day gift!

Shop! Find your bike. 

This post is sponsored by Schwinn.

Celebrate Children’s Book Week

• Buy a book from BetterWorldBooks.com.  With every book purchased, they donate a book to someone who needs it.  The vast majority of donations goes to Books for Africa and Feed the Children. Check out their selection of new and used Children’s Books.
• Pick out one of your (or one of your parents’) favorite books from childhood and introduce it to your kid at bedtime.
• Spend some time at your local library.  Even a few minutes here and there in our busy schedule will help instill a lifelong love of books.
• Pen your own children’s book to read to your kids.  Have them also write their own to read to you, too!
• Pick out 5 books, either from your own collection or from a book store, to donate to literacy campaigns throughout the world (Better World Books is a great example of one such outlet.)

Shop! Looking for new children’s books to introduce to your children? Check out The Shopping Mama’s “Books We Love Right Now” Store.

GapKids Cabana Collection

Here are some of our favorite pieces that will bring color and joy to little wardrobes this summer.

Children’s Cabana Cha Cha

To celebrate the spirit of the collection Gap partnered with Debbie Allen, an award-winning actress, dancer, choreographer, director and producer, to create an energetic dance called the “Cabana Cha Cha.” The children are dressed in clothes from the Cabana collection and they are as cute (and talented) as can be. Make sure you watch and share the video because Gap will donate $1 to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy for every time the video is shared via Facebook or Twitter!

Shop! The Cabana Collection is available at Gap stores and online at Gap.com - check out the boys collection and the girls collection. Prices in the collection range from $14.95 – $39.95.