Beyond bonnets
Easter bonnets are hard to find these days. So are Easter parades for that matter (as the Irving Berlin song mentions).
Finding cute children's Easter outfits, on the other hand, is no problem at all.
Among the many stores carrying springy Easter dresses this month is Burlington Coat Factory.
Their reasonably priced line of dresses for girls and suits for boys up to age 12 are sure to make adults say "Awww."
Frilly white girls dresses are priced as low as $18.99, and the boys suits, in either navy or white with pinstripes, max out at $34.99.
They don't sell bonnets, though.
Overnight bag
Going out of town for Easter or spring break? Kushies "My Bag" is a great new overnight bag for kids. It includes an insulated bag for snacks or medicine, separate compartments for clean and dirty clothes, a pillow and a blanket. Available in a bright pink cupcake motif for girls, or brown and blue for boys. ($79, www.kushiesonline.com)
More travel gear
• Since infants have 16 years to wait until they can get their own vanity license plates, Babyplates makes custom license plates for strollers. ($39.95-$49.95, www.babieplates.com)
• Why carry your photo album in your bag when you can have it on your bag. Braggables is a tote with clear outside pockets for your favorite photos. Ten percent of the proceeds are donated for pediatric cardiology research. ($28-$56, www.braggables.com)
• If your little kids need some road trip music, there are six new children's CDs to check out.
The Wiggles are releasing "Pop Goes the Wiggles," and Sesame Street has four new CDs, some of which have duets with characters and stars like Steven Tyler, Gloria Estefan, and Celine Dion.
Then there's Thaddeus Rex, the PBS children's folk musician described as "part Monty Python, part Dr. Seuss," whose new "Shakin' in Chicago" CD will be out April 1.
If you like his music, you can attend his CD release party April 19 at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest. See www.thaddeusrex.com/calendar.html for details.
New for babies
• Not into teddy bears and butterflies? Babesta's Kid Ink onesies are among the hippest baby clothes I've ever seen. Their pop culture, hip-hop and ink designs are only for those babies who literally rock the cradle. ($36-$48, www.babesta.com)
• Moms are gushing about the new Johnson's Bedtime Easy-Grip Toddler Sudzing Bars. They're easy-to-grip bars of soap made with Johnson's famous No More Tears formula. (3 bars for $3.49, at chain stores)
Spa for moms
The Lincoln Park Massage Spa, 630 W. Webster, Chicago, will host a "Pickles and Ice Cream Party" for new moms and moms-to-be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 26.
Any pregnant woman or new mom who schedules an appointment will receive a 30-minute prenatal massage or postnatal stretch mark therapy treatment followed by a 15-minute reflexology treatment using Susan Brown's Baby skincare products.
For an appointment, call (773) 296-6300.