We’ve covered BPA in breast pumps and bottles previously, and this Thursday (May 29) at 3pm, you can attend and/or testify at a public hearing to examine the health risks posed by BPA to Boston residents, and potential action the City of Boston may take. The hearing will be held in the Iannella Chamber of Boston City Hall. Among the expected presenters are Dr. Michael Shannon of Children’s Hospital, Mia Davis of Clean Water Fund, and Dr. Steven Hentges of the American Chemistry Council’s Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group. Click here for the public hearing notice.

For compact travel toys, I love the concept of magnetic or reusable sticker books, but we’ve repeatedly been disappointed by the mediocre magnetism or stick of several brands. That is, until we tried Mudpuppy’s vinyl sticker play scenes and magnetic figures. Offering beautifully illustrated themes for boys and girls, the generously appointed garden fairies play scene (which includes 6 fairies + costumes, critters, and tea party fare) and princess dress up doll tin have provided countless hours of entertainment. The princess tin, which now goes everywhere with us, offers a brilliant solution to weak cardboard-based magnet books. The hinged tin case serves as the stage (and convenient storage!) for two double sided scene cards, allowing the princess and her many outfits and accessories stable styling grounds.

Want to win a Mudpuppy sticker play scene + magnet set*? Here’s how:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Jennifer M.!
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Visit Mudpuppy’s vinyl sticker play scene OR magnetic figure collections, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Mudpuppy’ in the subject), and name a play scene or magnetic figure style your kid would love to own.

One entry permitted per person; US & Canada entrants only.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Tuesday, May 27, 2008.

*Winner will receive their choice combination of sticker play scene + magnet set, subject to availability.

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Coochicoos features Kimochi Dolls, designed to help children express their emotions. MomFinds is hosting a giveaway for a $100 shopping spree at Kobold Toys. One Chic Mama is offering up a Rakkiddo shoe rack for kids. Classy Mommy announces their Big Give for Breast Cancer winner. Clever Parents reports on Operation Shower, which recently showered 100 new moms and moms-to-be in Fort Bragg, NC. And Car & Caboodle highlights Jeannie Tate's Show from her minivan.

Today, Suz shares a favorite toy search tool:

“Searching for the perfect gift for a differently-abled child? The easy to use Toys R Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids allows you to search for products that help children focus on developing a specific skill - such as language, fine motor, or self-esteem - all through typical play. My toddler and self-taught toy expert, Evan, particularly loves the Little People: Animal Sounds Farm. What better way to practice speech and language than through Old MacDonald and moo’s and baa’s? An added plus is seeing the beautiful photographs of differently-abled models featured in the guide.”

If you’re looking to kick off the summer in high flying fashion, head to Wollaston Beach this Sunday (12-4pm) for the Friends of Wollaston Beach 2nd Annual Kite Festival. Families are invited to join in the fun (BYOK, or purchase one at the festival) with Kites Over New England and Sea Side Kites of Hull.

My best friend is getting married on Sunday.

My college roommates will be arriving soon. 

Four people are spending the night at my house on Friday.

We're grilling for somewhere from eight to ten people tomorrow night.

I'm meeting my parents an hour away to give them the little angel for the weekend (oh, and Blondie's seriously enormous, purchased-at-Home-Depot birthday gift) tomorrow morning.

A half-hour before I'm supposed to pick two friends up from the airport.

One of the people who is staying with me tomorrow night is allergic to cats.

Bella is going to the boarder's, but her dander must be banished as well as possible.

Bella is shedding all over the couch next to me as I type. (I'm working from home today.)

I'm working today.  I'm on a really important project.

We have found sponsors for book parties, and now I actually have to schedule them.

It's pouring.

I hope you have a fabulous Memorial Day weekend.  I've purchased copious amounts of alcohol, and soon as I address my horrifying to-do list, I'll be enjoying it with some of my very best friends in the whole world.  Enjoy the holiday.  See you Tuesday.

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Reviewing preservative-free spaghetti sauce at Surrender, Dorothy: Reviews.

While Laurel certainly has experienced her share of mommy or daddy-centric phases, these days she’s truly happiest when planted squarely between us. So it’s no surprise that she loves the clever Mom & Dad Butterfly Tee from Vera Plum. Offered in a variety of shirt shades for boys or girls, and also in onesie or tee format, the metallic silver graphic print is subtle yet sweetly representative. And given the way this design lovingly bridges the family unit, I also think it would be cool if Vera Plum eventually morphs this butterfly into Mom & Mom or Dad & Dad styles too.

Want to win a Vera Plum tee or onesie*? Here’s how:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Dawn G.!
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Visit Vera Plum, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Vera Plum’ in the subject), and name your favorite Vera Plum design.

One entry permitted per person; US entrants only.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Thursday, May 22, 2008.

*Winner will receive a tee or onesie of their choice, subject to availability.

In my opinion, you can never be proactive enough about exploring women’s health issues and options, and this Saturday, the American College of Nurse-Midwives is sponsoring a free Women’s Health Expo at the Hynes. Geared towards women of all ages, the event will offer women a relaxed means to gain information and interact with women's health experts. In addition to midwife oriented content (e.g., for aspiring midwives, or those interested in learning about midwifery care), also available will be free health screenings, product and service resources, goodies, and giveaways. Attendees are also welcome to donate new or gently used baby blankets, which will be distributed to Boston area women's charities.

So last night I woke up in the middle of the night to the most heinous odor of all time.  A skunk had sprayed right outside our house, and our bedroom window was open.  I started crashing around like a crazy person, earplugs in and glasses off, trying to find the window to MAKE IT GO AWAY.

I don't think Beloved smelled it then or heard me, but ten minutes later he was up, gasping and spraying smelly spray around the bedroom. Bella the cat had the good sense to stay downstairs, where the windows had been closed. 

We wondered later if our black-and-white cat had attracted the skunk, a la Pepe le Pew, and it had sprayed in frustration in being unable to reach Her Hotness. 

So now, no snoring, but waking up from a skunk. It took me an hour to fall back asleep.

And in that hour, I sat there thinking I KNOW HE THOUGHT IT WAS ME.