Make A Plate Kit

I know that in our house we are always looking for fun projects to do. Especially on rainy days when we can't get outside and burn off some energy. So I like to try and keep a few fun projects on hand. MakIt's Make A Plate kit is one of the best projects I have tried with my daughter because it provides a fun activity that ends with a really cool keepsake.

The kit comes with 25 templates, so you can have lots of fun trying all different designs and pictures. Then you pick your favorite and send it away in your prepaid envelope. Then within 15 days you will receive your special picture on a really cool plate that is non-toxic (BPA Free) and dishwasher safe. 

This project was really exciting for my daughter. We spent quite a bit of time practicing on our templates and then picking the favorite one. She is anxious for the finished product arrive in the mail. Now she will have a treasured piece of art work that she can use everyday as her plate.

The plate is a nice size.... 10 inches in diameter. It's very sturdy and made of break-resistant melamine. This is important if you want to let your child use it... haha!

I would highly recommend you check out MakIt and their Make A Plate Kits. These are fun for the kids and make great keepsakes. Perfect for Father's Day or gifts for the grandparents. You can combine fun and function with this unique project. And all products are proudly made in the USA!

* I received a kit for review purposes. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Quest for the Crystal Mickey

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Quest for the Crystal Mickey

Available on DVD Now!

Join Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and all their pals in the newest Clubhouse crusade. When the legendary Mickey goes missing, Mickey and friends go on an adventure to save the Clubhouse from losing its magic. Grab your hat, buckle your seat belt, and get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure in "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Quest for the Crystal Mickey!"

There's not time to lose after greedy Plunderin' Pete snatches the legendary Crystal Mickey statue from the Clubhouse. Without this sparkly statue's magic, the Clubhouse will disappear forever!

Can the world's most extraordinary hero "Kansas City Mickey," get the magical statue back in time? Only with help from viewers at home...and the right Mouseketools can Mickey journey across the Sandy Dessert, brave the Rushing River and make his way through the hidden Jungle. But watch out for Pete's trickiest traps!

My Thoughts:
We are big fans of Mickey and the gang in this house. When we discovered Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Jr. my daughter quickly became part of the adventurous gang. Now both my kids love spending some time with these famous and fabulous characters.

What I love most about the show is that they kids are engaged throughout. They manage to make the show entertaining, educational and full of great lessons. Each adventure that the Clubhouse gang goes on involves some sort of educational skills... such as solving puzzles, completing patterns, identifying numbers and shapes. And the viewers at home are asked to participate and help throughout the show. I love hearing my daughter shouting out the answers or getting up to jump over things. And the gang is always demonstrating teamwork and ways to be a good friend.

This latest DVD was especially exciting because it took us away from the usual Clubhouse setting and we went on an exciting adventure. It reminded me of Indiana Jones. We pulled out our adventure activity map that came with the DVD and heading for adventure, excitement, teamwork and friendship!

The DVD also has 4 more episodes on the disc for even more fun!

This DVD has an approximate run time of 120 minutes and has a suggested retail price of $19.99.

*I received a copy of this DVD for review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Kids Party World

Planning birthday parties for my kids is one of my favorite things to do! I think that birthdays are such special and important days, so I like to put a lot of thought into making them personal and all about them.

Kids Party World is definitely the place to go for party supplies. They have every theme you could imagine! My daughter is now at the age where she wants to pick her own party theme... and this can be tricky with a 3 year old because she changes her mind every 3o seconds. So I sat down with my daughter and pulled up Kids Party World on my computer. We made a list of themes she thought she would like and then we looked at each one. Seeing what the plates and napkins would look like really helped her decide what them she wanted.

She ultimately decided to have a Little Mermaid party. Awesome! I knew there was so much I could do with an under the sea theme. Kids Party World then sent me a party kit that had me well on my way to the ultimate 4th birthday for my little princess!

We are having 6 little girls over for our under the sea bash, so a party kit for 8 kids was perfect for us. We received a table cloth, napkins, cups and plates. We also got crowns for each little girl, party favors, goodie bags, stickers, and an Ariel candle. It couldn't have been any easier or more perfect.

Everything coordinates perfectly and the napkins, plates, and cups are high quality. That is important to me when you are feeding little kids. You don't want their pizza falling off a weak plate. I am so pleased with the selection and quality of products that Kids Party World supplied me with. I can't wait to see the look on my princess's face when she see her Little Mermaid party all set up for her at the end of the month. I'll be sure to share pictures of the big event.

*UPDATE*
The party planning took all my focus and I didn't get this post up before the party! So here are some pictures from the big day....

I would highly recommend you check out Kids Party World and their incredible selection of themes and packages. You can truly find everything you need and more for any occasion.

*I received a party pack from Kids Party World for review purposed. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Pound Puppies - Mission: Adoption

Pound Puppies - Mission: Adoption

Own it on DVD May 21, 2013

From Shout! Factory Kids

Join Lucky, Cookie, Niblet, Strudel and Squirt - the Pound Puppies - as they continue their quest to find a pup for every person and a person for every pup! That's the motto for this team of loyal canines and they won't rest until they've succeeded. But is it too hard a mission to accomplish? Not for the Pound Puppies! So sit back and have fun as your favorite pets launch Mission: Adoption!

On May 21, 2013, Shout! Factory Kids, in collaboration with Hasbro Studios, will release Pound Puppies: Mission Adoption on DVD. The DVD set features five exciting Pound Puppies adventures and also contains all-new bonus features, including a printable adoption certificate.

My Thoughts:

This is a great show for young kids! This crew is all about team work and getting things done. I love how they look out for one another and have each other's backs. The DVD is filled with 5 great episodes that all focus on friendship and working together. 

My daughter and I had a lot of fun watching this DVD together. She thinks the puppies are so funny because they talk. Lucky is her favorite, but she also really likes Cookie. I love that we can talk throughout the show about the important lessons the pups teach us. She also likes to predict what will happen next. It's a great show!

Joovy Noodle

This is a big year for my little girl... she is turning 4 at the end of the month! For her birthday this year her grandparents got her a new bike. And with the excitement of learning to ride a bike comes the extremely important accessory... the helmet.

I remember complaining as a child that I didn't want to wear a helmet, but now that I can fully realize the importance of wearing one we have instated the helmet rule. Whenever we ride our bikes we MUST wear our helmets. Lucky for my daughter she has an incredibly stylish, cool, and safe helmet to sport!

The Joovy Noodle is a much cooler helmet then I ever had. It comes in 5 cool colors (black, red, pink, greenie, blueberry) and is intended for children age 1-4. Joovy believes in creating good safety habits from a young age and I couldn't agree more!

Joovy has children's safety as it's first priority, so their Noodle is created with 14 air vents, integrated big mesh in the front vents, extended visor for maximum protection, nylon straps, pinch guard chin strap, and an adjustable fit dial. It also meets CPSC standards.

While safety is my first concern my daughter was most excited about the awesome color and sleek design. She thinks her helmet is super cool and wears it with pride. Win-win!

We are pleased all around with our new Noodle. My husband and I love the fit of the helmet and my daughter loves to wear it. We are looking forward to a summer filled with biking!

You can find the Noodle (retails for only $29.99) and other great Joovy products at Joovy.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and twitter for all the latest news. 

*Joovy provided me with a Noodle for review purposed. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup

Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup

Now Available on Disney DVD!

The Doc is in at our house! Doc McStuffins is a favorite with my daughter. Ever since she arrived on Disney Junior, she and her stuffed pals have found a place in our home and our bedtime routine. Every night we settle down at 7:30 to unwind and catch up with Doc, Chilly, Stuffy, Lambie, and Hallie. And now we can have her on standby with the all new DVD.

Doc McStuffins is the kind of show that I am happy my daughter enjoys. Doc is a great role model for young children because she is kind and patient. When Doc's magic stethoscope brings her stuffed friends to life you never know what kind of adventures they will find. Ultimately every adventure ends with a toy in trouble. Lucky for the toys Doc always knows just what to do! She is great at fixing toys.

My daughter has learned a lot from Doc. She used her doctor kit to fix up her animals. But what I love the most is that she talks to her animals with a kind and loving tone. She tells them not to be scared and everything will be alright. She has learned to be nurturing and caring and I think Doc and her friends have helped. 

This DVD is filled with 5 episodes and has a run time of approximately 120 minutes. This is a great DVD that is fun to have on hand for rainy days!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

CampusBookRentals.com

Summer is upon us and that means that in just a couple of short months all the college kids will be packing up and heading back to school. Going back to college was always such an exciting time for me. A new dorm, new classes... and of course.... new books. Buying books was always my least favorite part. I would stand on line at the bookstore for hours with my syllabuses in hand. Then I would search the shelved for a used copy hoping to save a few pennies. Sometimes I would luck out and sometimes I wouldn't. But no matter what... I knew that when I checked out I was facing a BIG bill.

CampusBookRentals.com is a great place to go to help save on those expensive textbooks. You can save 40%-90% off bookstore prices. That's some huge savings! The books ship free both ways. So when you are done with them all you have to do is send them back. You can even highlight in the textbooks... so you treat them as your own. That's pretty awesome and important for studying. And they offer flexible renting periods so you can have the books when you need them. And they have a 30 day risk free return... just in case you drop a class or don't need the book anymore.

Every time you rent a book from CampusBookRentals.com a donation is made to Operation Smile. That's a huge win-win! You get the books you need at a cheaper price then buying them and you help children with cleft lips get the surgeries they need to smile even brighter!

CampusBookRentals.com also has a new program, RentBack. This programs allows students who did buy their textbooks to rent them to other students. This is a great way to make back some of the money you spent on them... or even more!

I remember what it was like to be in college. Money is tight and anything that could help me save a buck was awesome. So I am so excited to be able to share these great opportunities with all you college-goers! Good luck in the fall!

*This is a paid post - however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Truck Stop - Book Tour and Giveaway!

Truck Stop

By Anne Rockwell

Illustrations By Melissa Iwai

This is a very cute book about a family that runs a truck stop. This family has a little boy who know every truck and every driver that comes through their truck stop on a daily basis. He knows them so well that he knows just what they like to eat and drink... and just who is missing.

I originally flipped through this book and then put it in the closet to save it for my son when he gets a little bigger. But then I changed my mind and took it out for a bedtime story with my daughter. She thought it was great! She loved to learn the names of some new trucks and now she asks me when we are driving what the different trucks are. And she thought the illustrations were fun and colorful. I loved that some of the illustrations were full page... so fun!

What I loved most about this story was how loving and caring the little boy is. He is so happy to see everyone and is eager to help when one of the trucks is in trouble. What a great message to share with your kids! And he is also very helpful to his parents with running the truck stop... what more could you ask for?!?

Check out Melissa Iwai's website for some fun activities, including a coloring sheet for kids. You can also visit Anne Rockwell's website to learn more about her and the books she has written.

Be sure to check out the next blog on this great book tour, There's A Book. 

GIVEAWAY!

You can win a copy of this great book. Simply comment below and tell me who you would like to win this book for and why. This is open to US only and be sure to leave an e-mail address. Good luck!

This Giveaway will end on June 3rd. Winner will  be chosen at random and notifid by e-mail.

Wummel Box

I recently had the awesome opportunity to check out something I had never hear of before... a WummelBox craft kit. This unique craft kit comes with everything you need for a fun and educational experience. Each kit comes loaded with everything you need (and I do mean everything! from scissors to paints to paintbrushes) to complete 3-4 themed-based projects.

Our kit had a Time Travel theme. So we had to start by building our time machine. Everything we needed was bundled together and came with detailed instructions. Once we built our time machine we were able to travel back in time and learn all about the stone age. We made cave paintings and created a Hunter and Gatherer game where we used animal tracks to find the hidden mammoth. Fun for the entire family!

It's really hard to put into words just how cool this kit is. There are so many neat aspects of it. From the fact that everything comes neatly bundled - making set up very easy! To the fact that everything you make can then be used over and over. The crafts are really high quality so they can immediately be put to use as toys. But perhaps the best part is that there is so much education built into these crafts. I love that there is a theme, so you can keep learning all week long as you complete your projects. And then you can use them to continue learning through imaginative play.

My daughter is still using her time machine to travel back to the stone age. She sets up a big cave with blankets and tells stories about her cave paintings. And now she is traveling to new places and times. The fun and learning is endless and continues long after the project is done.

The WummelBox kits are designed for kids age 3-8. The encourage creativity and imagination while supporting developmental skills. But most of all... they are fun! The kits are priced at $34.95, or you can subscribe for a 3 month or 12 month subscription and save. Each month a box full of fun could be delivered to your door! Check out Wummelbox.com or visit them on Facebook to learn more!

*  I received a WummelBox free of charge for review purposes. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Soft Scrub Mold and Mildew Stain Remover

While keeping my bathroom clean is a top priority in my house I have two challenges.... time and protecting my baby from harsh fumes and chemicals. Both of these pose big challenges when trying to scrub down a shower that is covered in mildew. And for some reason my shower seems to grow mildew at record speeds!

Soft Scrub Mold and Mildew Stain Remover is just what I need. It has the cleaning power that I need to fight my mildew while not having any harsh fumes or overspray. This spray gel clings to stains and helps you to easily clean tile, grout, tubs and showers. Cleaning the shower is not a fun job... so finding a cleaner that helps make it a little easier and quicker is tops on my list!

I love that this is a gel. I can see exaclty where I am putting it and use it where I need it. I have a glassed in stand up shower that I have to trap myself in in order to clean it. So when I spray things that are very fumey it can get hard to breath in there. So this product helps me get rid of mildew without the string fumes.

I've used this product several times now and I have been very happy. The first couple of uses it really helped me get the stubborn mildew off. Now I can more easily maintain that fresh and clean look for my tile and grout.  This is one of my top household cleaning products!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


* A sample of Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Mildew Stain Remover was provided for review purposes. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope all you mommies have a fabulous (and relaxing) Mother's Day! 

When We Go Walking

When We Go Walking

By Cari Best 

Illustrated By Krysten Brooker

Wendy and her exuberant family of walkers discovers new things on Rambling Road every day in all kinds of weather. No one keeps the things they find except for Wendy: numbers and letters, ribbon and string, a bucket, a ball, a wheel from a wagon. But what will she do with all this stuff. One snowy day when no one can go walking, Wendy uses her treasure trove of found objects to create her own special version of Rambling Road for her family to share and celebrate. Full of surprises on every page, this is a book that will inspire young children to walk, discover, and create on their own.

My Thoughts:

This is a fabulous book! I loved sharing this story with my daughter because of all the wonderful things it encourages. Our family loves to take walks in the spring. And now that my daughter is a little older we like to look at things and for things as we walk. We point out animals and flowers. And sometimes we stop to pick up a cool rock or look at a work wriggling on the sidewalk. 

I love that Wendy and her family spend that special time together. But when the weather changes we often find ourselves spending family time on the couch rather then out walking. Now Wendy has inspired us to get creative! Wendy and her family get to continue their adventures on their very own Rambling Road... so why can't we? This spring we will look for fun things to collect and then rediscover this winter when we are trapped inside. 

This is a fun book to read with your family and use as inspiration to get out and explore! 

Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care

Ok, confession time..... I did not realize just how hard it would be to have two kids. When we had my daughter life was pretty easy! She was a great sleeper... a happy baby... a breeze! Now I have two and I feel like I am barely keeping my head above water on a daily basis. My son isn't a difficult baby.... he is a little more demanding then my daughter was. But it's the combination of a newborn and toddler that has thrown me for a loop. So, to say my housekeeping has suffered would be an understatement!

While I am a firm believer in putting aside most of the chores in order to spend time with my kids there are two areas of my house that I insist be kept clean.... the kitchen and the bathroom. I have to stay on top of those germs! So I was thrilled to be able to try the Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care because it sounded like just what I needed..... something to save me time and help me keep my toilets clean.

This product is simpler... it hangs on your toilet bowl with a rim hanger in such a way that the water activates it every time you flush. It helps keep your toilet clean, prevent buildup and fight toilet ring. And the best part is that I can put it on and not worry about it for FOUR WEEKS! That's a huge help when trying to keep up with the cleaning.

So we have been using this in our most frequently used toilet for the last couple of weeks. I have been very pleased with it so far. I have noticed that there hasn't been an build up of toilet ring and I can smell the fresh scent each time I go in. It has a nice clean smell without being overwhelming or too chemically. I am a fan!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



* I received a sample of Soft Scrub 4-in-1 for review purposes. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Because I'm Your Dad - Disney Publishing

Because I'm Your Dad

by Ahmet Zappa

Illustrated by Dan Santat

In Ahemt Zappa's first picture book for children, Because I'm Your Dad, a dad like no other promises to give his kid a childhood like no other. Whimsical monster characters bring the silly and sweet scenes to life and keep the book universal. The book's ending, a moving tribute to the author's father, guarantees intergenerational appeal: "Because I'm your dad, I will do all of these things for you and more... because that's what my dad did for me."

Both a tribute to his happy childhood and promise to his daughter, Halo, for a one-of-a-kind relationship, "I wrote this book for anyone who is a father, has a father, or hopes to someday be a father," says Zappa.

A perfect book to read on Father's Day, or any day.

My Thoughts:

This book puts "love" into the most relatable, real examples possible. This book takes you into the personal world of a father paying tribute to his dad by recognizing the amazing small things he did that left a big impact... and making the effort to do those same things. From sharing tickles to being there for sporting events, those things matter.

I read this book with my daughter and I not only thought about my husband and his relationship with my daughter... I also thought about my own dad and my relationship with him. I love watching my husband interact with my daughter and do so many of the same things his dad did for him. But I also love watching my dad with her and seeing the same things he did for me. It has opened my eyes to the importance of family and the amazing things we are carrying down through the generations. 

I am holding onto this book for my husband to read to my kids on Father's Day... and then lots of days after that.

* I received a copy of this book for review purposes. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Like Bug Juice On A Burger - Book Review

Like Bug Juice On A Burger

By Julie Sternberg

In LIKE BUG JUICE ON A BURGER, the school year is almost over and Eleanor will soon be off to her first summer camp. She excited about carrying on the family tradition at Camp Wallumwahpuck, but when she gets there, she finds icky bugs, terrible food, and worst of all.... swim class, where she just can't seem to keep her head above water. This adorable book will show kids that even if life is full of belly flops, you just might make a new friend along the way. (Grades 2-4)

My Thoughts:

I love that this book is so relatable for kids. We have all experienced that feeling of being so excited for something new... almost romanticizing what it's going to be like... only to find ourselves disappointed. For Eleanor it's the fact that she doesn't love summer camp. As much as she wants to... she just doesn't.

This book is silly and fun. Two things that will keep kids reading. It's a story that kids can relate to and learn from. I love that the book doesn't portray that Eleanor ends up loving camp. Instead, it's takes the realistic approach that we can find the good in things. We can make our own fun and new friends. Even if we never want to go back to camp again... we can make the best of a situation and end up having fun!

This is a great book for kids to read this summer! And you can click HERE for some fun activities to go along with this book.