Welcome! A full-time mom of two little ones, I’m always on the lookout for new ideas for kid-friendly activities, along with money-saving tips and great deals.
This is a quick-turnaround giveaway for all the local (to the Philadelphia-area) readers!
I have 10 admit-two passes to attend a free advance screening of the new Hugh Jackman movie, Real Steel. The screening is this Monday, Sept. 26 in King of Prussia. The film opens Oct. 7.
Leave a comment below telling me your favorite Hugh Jackman movie before Sun. Sept. 25 at noon. I’ll be choosing winners at random and will e-mail you the tickets by Monday.
Please note: No purchase necessary. Winners will be chosen at random from all eligible entries. Employees of all sponsors are not eligible. Each winner will receive one (admit-two) pass. icket does not guarantee seating. This screening is overbooked to ensure a full house. You are encouraged to arrive early to reserve your seat. This film is rated PG-13.
We’ve been doing lots of dancing and singing around here lately. And rhyming. Lots and lots of rhyming.
Nursery Rhyme Singing Time with Mother Goose Club on DVD is the perfect blend of learning and fun. It’s a live-action series which features six colorful characters from Mother Goose’s world. These friendly characters not only share nursery rhymes, but also introduce children to other relevant concepts essential for early literacy, including characters, drama, simple story structure and new vocabulary words.
And let’s face it, they’re just a lot of fun.
My preschooler has had fun practicing his rhymes (and there was even a section of knock-knock jokes, which he loved. Perfect timing, as we’ve been entertained by a never-ending stream of the silliest knock-knock jokes in the last few weeks).
Even my daughter, who is not quite 2 years old, wiggles and giggles along. This is a girl who doesn’t watch TV yet… she won’t sit still long enough! So it was neat to see her dancing along and even comprehending and following along with what the characters were saying.
Tapping her toes along with the Mother Goose Club
During one song, for instance, the characters sing about tapping their toes. And sure enough, she stuck those little tootsies out and tapped right along with them.
The CDs are perfect expand the experience even further. Each CD has 30 tracks of fun-loving, toe-tapping, wiggling, giggling goodness. The kids really do request these often and I have fun singing along with the kids as we play.
Be sure to check out all the DVD and CDs at http://www.mothergooseclub.com. And take a look around at all the extras on their website, too. There are lots of free activities for the kids, including free printables, rhymes, videos and songs.
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Disclosure: I was sent a copy of the DVD, CDs and a coloring book to facilitate my review. Beyond that, I was not compensated for this post at all. As always, my words and opinions are my own.
I’m always looking for new kid-friendly apps to load up and keep us busy when we’re in waiting rooms or the longest of grocery trips. Total bonus if they promote learning.
Here’s a fun new one from BabyFirstTV: Peekaboo Goes Camping. You have an option of having the interactive book read to you or reading it yourself. And each screen allows lots of interaction. Your main goal is to track down that cute little blue guy, Peekaboo, of course. But there are other elements of interaction along the way. A turtle laughs, a hedgehog pops out of his hole.
Here’s the coolest feature, in my opinion: you actually have the option to record the story in your own voice and have it played back as the narration! I love that we can connect and I can read a story to him, even if my hands (or eyes) are otherwise occupied. So, so cool!
I really think his younger sister will enjoy the game as well — as soon as she’s old enough to learn how to gently handle Mommy’s iPhone, that is.
So what did my little hide-and-seek fan think of this new Peekaboo Goes Camping app? “It’s cool. He’s so cute,” he said. That — and the total silence that accompanied his concentration on this interactive hide-and-seek game — says it all.
Giveaway: Peekaboo Goes Camping app and BabyFirstTV DVDs
Want to win one of these sets yourself? BabyFirstTV is giving one reader a Peekaboo Goes Camping app and a set of 3 BabyFirstDVDs of your own! Just click on “Click to Continue” and fill out the (easy-entry) Rafflecopter form below and you’ll be entered!
This week I Don’t Know How She Does It opens in theaters. In the trailer, Sarah Jessica Parker’s character addresses why parents of young children don’t sleep through the night. Instead of sleeping, she goes over “The List”. Taking Emily to school, keeping her head above water at work. The list just doesn’t.stop.
Boy, does that sound familiar.
The truth is, like a lot of parents, I always have to-do lists growing (and growing). And most days it’s a challenge to get just a fraction crossed off the list by the time my head reaches the pillow.
On my best days, I battle the checklist by adding one more thing to it. Sounds counter-intuitive, but it’s not. Not in this case. On my best days, I run away… er, I go for a run, that is.
Once I put those earbuds in and crank the music, I have 30 to 60 glorious minutes to think about tackling all those to-dos… or to think about nothing at all. That run gets my blood moving and, when I can keep up with it, helps me sleep a little better at night.
The truth is, I don’t know how she does it, either (or her… or her). But every once in a while, I know how I do it. And it most definitely involves putting one foot in front of the other. Preferably to music.
So tell me… how do *you* do it all?
The giveaway
Eversave recently surveyed over 700 moms and 35% said they find time for themselves once a month and their preferred way to spend that time is pampering themselves with manicures, pedicures, facials and other spa treatments.
And lucky for us, Eversave is helping one lucky winner get a little extra pampering! They’re offering one winner $20 in Save Rewards to be used on anything you choose. (Rewards will expire 60 days after being deposited into your account.)
Here’s one idea:
Get $12 to spend at Fabulous Nails for just $6 (or if you’re new to Eversave, you’ll get a $3 credit, making this just $3 for a $12 voucher!) Plus it includes FREE shipping!
On a recent trip, our longtime luggage didn’t make it. A wheel was slashed. A zipper busted. And all of a sudden… we were in the market for new luggage again.
One thing was clear. I wanted luggage that would last. Luggage that would stand the test of time (and heavy tossing about at the airport).
This brand is completely new to me. Admittedly, I don’t do a ton of luggage shopping, so I’m not familiar with a ton of other brands, either. So I was happy to learn more about Briggs & Riley.
Since the new BRX line is billed as outdoor luggage and travel gear, I thought I’d first try an outdoor retailer, like REI. The REI location near me has a large luggage section and a variety of brands, so I was a little surprised they didn’t carry the Briggs & Riley brand.
Having no luck, I then moved on to a local luggage store, Bag and Baggage, in Wilmington, Del. I wasn’t sure they’d carry the BRX line, since I hadn’t seen that particular line on their website. They did have Briggs & Riley pieces on their website, just none from the BRX line. I’m glad I called, though, because sure enough, they said they did have a few of the BRX pieces in the store.
When we walked in, the Briggs & Riley bags were displayed right at the front of the store. After talking a few moments with the salesperson, it was clear why. He couldn’t say enough in his recommendations for the Briggs & Riley brand. He even told us that *this* was the brand that couldn’t be beat, in his mind.
We spent a bit of time looking at all the different styles available. And oh boy, was it a tough decision for us.
My husband especially likes all the features in the Exchange 26″ Duffle. There is so much space there, it would be perfect for a long weekend trip for two. It would be especially great for hiking and other outdoor adventures, since it also doubles as a backpack.
But since our largest piece of luggage just recently passed, we were specifically looking for a replacement for that larger, family-size bag.
And while the Exchange Duffle is certainly large, the Expedition Rolling Duffle is slightly larger *and* since it’s on wheels, it doesn’t pose a problem if I’m traveling alone with the kids and need to carry a baby on my back in a carrier. It happens. Often.
As tempting as all the other bags in the BRX line are… we made the right decision for us, for right now. This bag is amazing. Truly. Amazing.
We also picked up the matching toiletry bag, which is a great addition. My husband and I are now able to use the same toiletry bag (with separate compartments), rather than using two entirely separate bags. Plus it’s large enough to fit full-size toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, etc., without having to do any special maneuvering. And since it rolls up into a cylinder, it also could double as a neck roll. Very cool!
We will most definitely return to Bag & Baggage to purchase our next piece. The salesperson was so knowledgeable and helpful. It’s so important to have someone who knows what they’re talking about when you’re purchasing something that will be traveling with you for decades to come.
What sold me?
1. Their Simple as That™ Lifetime Guarantee. Simply put: “If your Briggs & Riley bag is ever broken or damaged, even if the damage was caused by an airline baggage handler, we will repair it free of charge – Simple as that!” A lifetime guarantee on our luggage? Absolutely.
2. The external buckle system. The entire BRX outdoor luggage line works together to make our lives easier. They all have an external buckle system that allows you to attach two bags together to become one checkable piece of luggage (ahem… total money-saver!) or an even easier carry-on.
I like that ifwhen we buy another Briggs & Riley piece to round out our luggage collection, they’ll clip together with the greatest of ease and we won’t have to spend time adjusting bags that are slipping every which way as we wheel them through the airport.
3. Their weight – or lack thereof. The bags, while sturdy and durable, are so lightweight. This is so important to me, because when you’re carrying a baby, a car seat, a diaper bag, a purse through an expansive airport, the last thing you’re in the mood for is some additional heavy lifting. Well done, Briggs & Riley, well done.
A video review
Check out my video to see how we’re able to pack for a family of four for a 4- to 5-day trip.
(After our original travel plans were foiled by Hurricane Irene, we were still able to sneak in a short drive to the beach. And our rolling duffle handled the uneven boardwalk slats like a pro.)
Next it’ll be headed to the Midwest with my husband for his annual football weekend, where it’s sure to experience the ultimate outdoor adventure: tailgating!
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This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’ll be honest. My husband and I are just as excited to play with this one as my son is.
The GeoSafari Talking Electron Microscope (for ages 8 to 12) has already kept my son engaged for hours. And hours. And this is a kid who’s not even yet in the target age range yet.
My son is only 4, but he and my husband have had a blast learning new facts about animals. We especially like being able to show our son a close-up of the brown recluse spiders that we lived in fear of during our couple years in Kansas before the kids were born. My son is more fascinated with the grasshopper head. Eh, I don’t blame him.
We’ve also had fun looking at the colorful patterns in the plants section and seeing parts of the human body up close. SUPER close. The viruses and bacteria give us a good jumping-off point to explain to him why he always needs to remember to cover those coughs and catch those sneezes in his elbow. (Remember, he *is* only 4).
The GeoSafari Talking Electron Microscope is recommended for ages 8 to 12, but my 4-year-old does well with it. This is one that we generally use together, though, just in case. It gives us an opportunity to help him talk through what he’s seeing in the microscope and then we look together at the guide or look for more photos online of what the image in question is.
Without a doubt, this is one learning tool that my son will really be able to grow with. There are two modes: Fact or Quiz. Right now we’re pretty solidly in the “Facts” zone. He’s soaking up all those tidbits like a little sponge.
But as he starts retaining those facts, we’ll be able to jump into “Quiz” mode and see how much he’s learned over the years. I’m so pleased to have a product that will really go the distance. And here the microscope actually helps you out with hints, if needed, zooming and focusing where needed to allow kids to answer the questions.
Here’s another bonus: no slides. No pieces to lose. No glass to potentially break. Nothing to clean up. Just all those wonderful specimens completely contained. How can you not love that?
There are a couple other features that, as a mom, I really appreciate as well. It powers down on its own, if it’s left on too long. Not that any little guys around here would ever forget to turn something off when he leaves the room, of course. I also appreciate that the volume control is easy to operate (and the max volume was never overly loud, which I worry about sometimes).
The full-color guide is a nice bonus, too. Even little sister E. is able to really study those specimens!
GeoSafari Talking Electron Microscope: A Giveaway
How would you like to start out the school year on the right foot with this GeoSafari Talking Electronic Microscope? Just click on the “Click to Continue” link below and fill out the Rafflecopter form.
My son (age 4) will be starting his second year of preschool next week. But that doesn’t mean we’re not doing our share of teaching and learning at home. We’re always looking for ways to keep learning fresh and fun for the kids around here.
The Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School set has been one of our favorite activities this summer. Trust me: This is not the same set of flash cards you used as a child.
No, this educational game features Ace – the Talking, Teaching Dog™ – an interactive talking pen to help guide your child through the different activities. Ace is the king of sound effects and is never harsh in his corrections. My son definitely giggled his way through a few of the cards. If only Ace were around when I was a kid!
The set (for ages 4 to 6) includes 80 colorful, double-sided activity cards which focus on colors, shapes, patterns, numbers, letters and more.
I love that the Hot Dots Jr. set allows for multiple levels of learning. For instance, my son (who has already been working on letter recognition and other pre-reading skills) was able to use the first cards in each stack to really reinforce those previous lessons. Then as he moved through to the middle and end of each stack, he encountered concepts that were gradually more challenging (i.e. identifying patterns, etc.) It’s great that it’s a game that not only can he enjoy now, but it also will grow with him as he learns new concepts this year in school.
While my daughter is still a little young to play along, I love that there’s the option to purchase an additional pen (separately) for the set, so more kids could work on the activity cards together. This would especially come in handy with siblings who are closer in age or even in a classroom setting.
*This will also be a wonderful addition to our travel bag, for those overnight trips or long drives in the car. And Ace is quiet (yet engaging) enough to keep him busy in the waiting room at the doctor’s office, too!
Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set: A Giveaway
We’re trying something new here with this giveaway. We’ll be using the Rafflecopter form (below) to administer our giveaway (and crossing our fingers you find it an easy entry!) Good luck!
The rules: Contest ends Sept. 17. Winner will be e-mailed and will have 48 hours to confirm. If winner does not confirm, a new winner will be chosen. Open to U.S. and Canada only.
Disclosure: Educational Insights provided us with a Hot Dots Jr. set to facilitate our review. Thoughts and opinions, as always, are all mine.
They were in the The Big Toy Book Sweet Suite at BlogHer this year and I was one of a lucky handful to score one of these absolutely adorable dolls for a review. You have no idea how happy my baby girl is with her new baby!
To give you a little background, my baby girl has lots of little boys in her life. She’s one of the only girls in a sea of boy cousins. As a result, she’s happier playing with her brother’s animals and trains than she is with anything “girly” we set in front of her. Apparently pink is not really her color.
Until now.
Here she is cuddling her new Adora playtime baby. This was a quiet moment, but she brings that baby all over the house with her.
Here she is helping her baby learn to suck her thumb (and, as an added bonus, working on her fine motor skills at the same time!). I love that the Adora Playtime doll sucks her thumb.
As an aside, I grew up with a stuffed monkey that sucked his thumb. He traveled with me everywhere and that thumb had to be sewn on more times than I can count, but it’s the one toy that still sticks out as my very favorite childhood toy. I’m excited to think this might be the toy she looks back on as one of her very favorites!
Please excuse the blurriest photo ever, but I couldn't help but include that kiss.
There are many reasons the Adora playtime baby sticks out in my mind, though. It has that new baby (baby powder) scent. Love that. The doll is ever-so-slightly weighted, so when you’re holding her, it feels closer to what a real baby feels like than other dolls my daughter has. The baby’s darn cute (I know, goes without saying, right? But honestly… you *know* there are some dolls out there that veer a little more toward creepy than you‘d like.) Adora dolls? Not at all. Just little bundles of cuteness.
But I haven’t even shared the best part yet. (Really? Even the baby powder scent? Surprising, I know, but that’s not the best part.)
Drum roll, please…
She’s fully machine washable!
Cue angels singing.
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Adora Dolls have several collections to choose from ranging in recommended age from 12 months and up (the Playtime baby shown here) all the way up to collector dolls for teens and adults. They even have Wizard of Oz special edition dolls!
Pssst… is there a little one in your life who would love an Adora doll of their very own? Adora Dolls is running a giveaway on their blog through the end of August, so be sure to check it out! Good luck!
My son B. has been all about bugs the last few weeks. Even more so than normal. Why the sudden interest? I blame the beetles. More specifically, a recent Bug Fest: Beetlemania event at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Yep, they’re not just all dinosaurs all the time (and neither is B.)
They had some amazing displays for the kids and the best part was, they’re so interactive. That’s always welcome when you a have a 4-year-old who doesn’t always remember to keep his hands at his sides when he’s excited about something!
B checking out the bug displays
There were a ton of bugs on display and plenty of entomologists on hand to answer any questions that were bugging him. Ahem.
Making bug vacuums
The kids were able to recycle plastic bottles to make handy-dandy bug vacuums. A very neat souvenir for the day, especially for this kid who goes bug-hunting in the backyard several times each week.
Even little sister E. got in on the fun
Little sister E. is not one to stand to the side. Nope, she wants right in on all the action. Even bugs. That’s my girl.
Chocolate chip "chirp" cookies
There were even chocolate chip “chirp” cookies, made with you guessed it, real insects (crickets, I think? I honestly can’t remember. I was kinda turning my head.) And my kid tried it. The same picky preschooler who’d rather not eat a carrot that’s touched his mashed potatoes. Ate. Insects.
GeoSafari Jr. Bugnoculars: A Review
Oh yes, there are definitely bugs on the brain here at home. So it was perfect timing when we received these GeoSafari Jr. Bugnoculars from Educational Insights to review!
This little watertight case holds the bugs (or whatever else you’re studying) inside, complete with air holes on top so the bug can stay safe as we study him. This is very important to us, by the way. My husband, who did actually want to become an entomologist when he was young and had quite an extensive bug collection, only collected already-dead bugs. Even at a young age, he was very concerned for the well-being of the insect world. I love that man. But I digress. Back to the Bugnoculars, which have magnifiers built right in to the top, so the kids really see even the finest details on what they’re finding.
The GeoSafari Jr. Bugnoculars are completely crystal clear, so we’re able to really examine the bug from all sides. This is especially handy when you have two little scientists trying to get a good look!
I love that the case is sturdy enough for my son to carry around on his bug hunts. I’m not going to lie. I especially love that the case can be shut completely, so the little guys stay where they need to be until we release them back into the “wild” at the park or the backyard.
The description says it’s recommended for grades 3 and up, but my 4-year-old does perfectly well with it. It might not stand up to all his rough-and-tumble tendencies, though, so this is one that we generally use together, just in case. That said, it feels pretty darn sturdy overall. This is the perfect addition to our weekly bug hunts!
GeoSafari Jr. Bugnoculars: A Giveaway
Would your budding entomologists love these Bugnoculars for their very own bug hunts? Just leave a comment below for each entry you complete (up to 7 entries total).
Mandatory entry:
Would you ever try chocolate chip “chirp” cookies?
Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each):
3. Subscribe to our daily e-mail (just once a day, I promise), so you don’t miss out on any giveaways or other money-saving content.
4. Follow us via Google Friend Connect (see sidebar).
The rules: Contest ends Sept. 8 at 9 p.m. EST and will be chosen via random.org. Winner will be e-mailed and will have 24 hours to confirm. If winner does not confirm, a new winner will be chosen. Open to U.S. and Canada only.
Disclaimer:This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook.
Disclosure: Educational Insights provided us with a pair of Bugnoculars to facilitate our review. Thoughts and opinions, as always, are all mine.
See that guy? He has allergies like you wouldn’t believe. Which means using a ton of tissues. A. ton.
As in… we not only carry a box of Kleenex in the car, but we carry a full-on box in the stroller, too.
But let’s face it. Toting around a full box of tissues isn’t always the most convenient option. So I’m excited to share that Kleenex has come out with a few new products to help keep his nose dry and our diaper bag a little lighter. Always a good thing!
Take a peek at their new products:
The wallet pack. It’s thin and sleek, so you can always keep a tissue on hand. I love that the packaging is more fun than the standard pocket-pack. And it’ll be especially nice to throw in a clutch for date night, when there’s not quite as much real estate to work with.
The auto pack. It fits perfectly in the car door or glove compartment – no need to lug around a box of tissue or fumble in a purse for a tissue while driving. This will be a perfect replacement for the full box we currently have sliding around the passenger floor. So much more convenient… now I can just reach down into the car door. Or even better – he can keep it right near his car seat!
The new and improved pocket pack. A long-time favorite has been improved to feature three-ply tissue. Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Did I mention the kid has allergies like you wouldn’t believe… and is blowing his nose constantly? How nice to know that his Kleenex can stand up to the challenge. (And ours happened to come with Cars characters on the outside of the pack, so… super bonus for him!)
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Plus just in time for the 2011 – 2012 school year, Kleenex brand facial tissues is committing $500,000 to help schools across America keep field trips as a part of the educational curriculum.
Right now, you can enter the Kleenex brand Back to School sweepstakes to help your school win a share of the cash to help fund school field trips. Here’s how:
Click on the “Field Trips” tab at the top of the page
Vote for your favorite participating school -or-
Register the school of your choice by clicking the “Add a School” box and filling out the digital registration form
The top 100 U.S. schools that finish with the most votes on the Kleenex brand Facebook page will receive a $5,000 award from the Kleenex brand.
Voting ends on September 14 • Visit Facebook.com/Kleenex for complete entry requirements and to learn how you and your friends and family can help win field trips for your child’s school.
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Disclosure: I received a few Kleenex products through my affiliation with Mom Bloggers Club. All opinions are my own.
