A Visit to @GoApeUSA #BloggersGoApe

A Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course is an outdoor experience that provides participants 2-3 hours of outdoor fun and exercise. The course allows participants to explore the park from an otherwise unobtainable vantage point while navigating through the treetops using zip lines, obstacles and tarzan swings.

20150809_110616Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets to facilitate this review. All opinions and experiences are my own.

We visited the Go Ape location in Williamsburg, VA (Freedom Park) and its Treetop Junior course. Once we got harnessed up, we walked along wooden boards and metal wires 20 feet above the ground before zipping back down to the ground.

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Go Ape Treetop Adventure opened in Williamsburg’s Freedom Park in April 2012. Treetop Junior is the first Go Ape course in the United States designed and built for those young adventurers in your tribe to enjoy.
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The course utilizes an easy to use safety system that will keep your youngster safe no matter the obstacles or challenge they come across.  Made up of 20 obstacles and 2 zip lines, Treetop Junior will provide a 1 to 1.5 hr experience that no chimp, baboon, or gorilla will soon forget!

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Go Ape features two Treetop Junior courses: moderate and extreme. My five year old daughter and I enjoyed Course 1 (moderate), which featured about a dozen lines of varying level of challenge and configuration. My 12 year old son took Course 2 (extreme), which was a little more challenging, as it didn’t have a cable line that you could constantly hold on to. On both courses the safety systems are designed so that participants stay attached the whole time they are in the trees.

We were there on a hot Sunday morning, but the course is within the forest, so there was plenty of shade. Go Ape even has a water cooler by the start of the course so that you can easily re-hydrate yourself.

Overall, we had a great time. It took me out of my comfort zone, but was right up my 12 year old son’s alley, and gave my 5 year old daughter and I some much needed bonding time. The instructors were awesome and made us feel very confident and secure every step of the way.
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Go Ape Prices:

Treetop Adventure:

Gorillas (Age 18+) $57
Orangutans (Age 16-17) $57
Baboon (Age 10-15) $37

Treetop Junior:
All Ages $27

Book Online: https://goape.com/booking

Park Facilities:

  • Food & Drink
  • Dogs Welcome
  • Cycle Trails
  • Walking Routes

Follow Go Ape on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoApeUSA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoApeUSA

Instagram: http://instagram.com/GoApeUSA

Potty Training with Pampers Easy Ups #PampersEasyUps #ad

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate this review. Pampers has sponsored this post. All opinions are my own and honest.

Potty training can be both an exciting and nerve racking experience.  For some it is a breeze- for others like our little guy, not so much.  It’s one of those things we all need to do, and of course worth it to have the little squirt go ‘squirt’ in a toilet.  Everyone seems to have some trick or tip to make potty training easy.  My trick- just keep at it.

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Here are are few thoughts from L Jana MD.

  1. Promote potty learning. Instead of referring to your child’s transition from wearing diapers to using the potty as “potty training,” consider calling it “potty learning.” After all, mastering this eagerly anticipated milestone of childhood takes time, teaching, and plenty of practice and patience!
  1. Take a teamwork approach. From the outset, I find it helps to keep in mind that potty training is a team sport. If you simply remind yourself that you are (and always will be) on the same team as your child, it can really help you stay calm in the face of potty accidents and be a much more positive and effective potty training coach.
  1. Stock your deck. Part of the secret to your child’s potty success will involve being well equipped and removing any obstacles that stand between your child and potty success. Sure, this typically includes a fun trip out to purchase a brand new first set of coveted “big-boy” or “big-girl” underwear. But it also means having on hand other practical supplies that can help foster your child’s interest and independence – from a step stool (to improve access to the toilet) or potty seat to training pants. That’s why I’m happy to partner with Pampers, whose Easy Ups training pants are designed to help the diaper-to-underwear transition by allowing potty-training toddlers to set aside their diapers and wear something with more of an underwear-like look and feel that still helps contain accidental messes no matter whether they happen at home, on-the-go or overnight.
  1. Embrace success. As with any learning experience, young children can learn a lot from both their potty successes and their failures. While potty accidents are an inevitable (and admittedly inconvenient) aspect of potty learning, they shouldn’t dominate your day-to-day discussions. Instead, simply help your child learn to cope with (and clean up) any messes and focus your attention on celebrating your child’s successes with plenty of hugs and words of encouragement.
  1. Watch for the signs. There are several characteristic signs and developmental abilities you can watch for that suggest children are ready to potty train. These signs of potty training readiness typically include the ability to use their words to express themselves, toddle their own way to the bathroom, pull down their own pants, and to be aware of the sensation of peeing or pooping (characteristically noticeable when young children suddenly stop what they’re doing as they feel themselves start to pee. Or when they start hiding behind the sofa or standing in a corner to poop. It is also helpful (and increases the likelihood of potty training interest) when children start to be bothered by their poopy and/or wet diapers, as that can serve as a good motivation for using the potty instead!
  1. Start making connections. There’s a lot that you can do to help your child be well-prepared to use the potty successfully long before he actually starts to. Reading fun and engaging children’s books about potty training, such as You and Me Against the Pee! (which I co-authored) can go a long way towards making the idea of potty training a family and eagerly anticipated one. You can take this familiarity a step further by letting your toddler accompany you in to the bathroom when you need to go so that he both becomes familiar with the routine and comfortable with the idea of using the toilet, rather than being afraid of or intimidated by it!

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Pampers Easy Ups are another great way to potty train your little ones.  They feature an “easy up” underpants type design, while also providing 25% more absorbent then other brands.  Easy Ups also feature fun designs including Thomas the Tank Engine for boys and Dora the Explorer for girls.  If the Easy Ups get wet, the design fades to show your little ones when its time to hit the potty.  They feel more like underwear, so children will be that much more inclined to act like a “big kid” and head to the potty instead of using the diaper.

Product Features

  • An absorbent core that holds 25% more than the other leading training pant (Huggies® Pull-Ups® Learning Designs®) and ensures little ones remain dry
  • Pampers Easy Ups® have fewer leaks than the other leading training pant (Huggies® Pull-Ups® Learning Designs®)
  • Fun Thomas & Friends® designs for boys and Dora the Explorer® designs for girls
  • A more underwear-like design for growing toddlers
  • Graphics that fade when wet to help little ones learn
  • Super-stretchy sides to make them easy to pull up and down when using the potty
  • Available for Boys and Girls sizes 2T/3T through 4T/5T

They are available everywhere diapers are sold, so why not try them out?  See how they work for your little one.  Let them pick out the design they like best- they won’t want to get their new “big boy” or girl Pampers EASY UPS wet!

Learn More

Visit the Pampers Website

Submit a review on Pampers.com to earn Rewards points

Follow Pampers on Twitter and Facebook

#PampersEasyUps

Nature’s Time Watches #TIME4CHANGE

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What’s wood and steel with Japanese Quartz movement?  The answer is the new lines of watches from Nature’s Time.  Nature’s Time is currently running an IndieGoGo trying to reach their goal of $100,000 in funding, to further expand their line to include the gorgeous women’s watch.  I was given the opportunity to try out the women’s watch prototype and it is very nice. The wood finish grain is accentuated by the shiny steel and makes for an elegant contrast and eye grabbing style.
The company behind the the watches is built on three core foundations they are : strength, beauty, and compassion.  This is a great watch for both business wear and everyday life.

Natures Time is not only beautiful, but makes a difference in the life of others by assisting bullying victims. As someone who has been a victim of bullying throughout his entire childhood, Christian Panaligan, Natures Time founder, is well aware of the struggles and wants bullying victims to realize that they are not alone. In an effort to lend a helping hand, Christian founded Nature‘s Time. Every watch purchase helps 6 bullying victims. They partnered with Free2Luv as they fight bullying through community outreach, awareness campaigns, and events.
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The New York Baby Show

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photo credit- MomTrends

 

This past weekend, there was a huge baby event for parents or parents to be at all stages of baby raising.  This even was The New York Baby Show.  The show was in New York City, as the name suggests, and filled Pier 92 to the brim with everything baby.  From clothes, to carriages, to bedding, snacks, drinks, music lessons, schooling, even an area to try out strollers and exhibitors educating moms and dads on finances as well.   Some of the exhibitors showcased were Canon, Babies R Us, Bitybean, Britax, and Haba.  Everyone at the show had baby related items.  Some had contests and raffles to give attendees as added incentive to check out their table.  Exhibitors also had a ton of freebies including baby formula, snacks, drinks, key chains, candy, and reusable shopping bags.

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Cannon also had a set up that let you try out some cameras, and they would take one of you and your family as well.  We took one just of my son, who was covered in all the snacks he ate.  I swear, he was cleaner when he WAS a baby, lol.

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Luckily enough, bloggers were able to go to an exclusive lounge which not only glammed up by Glam Squad mom and dad bloggers, but also had some food and drinks and a nice place to relax during the event.  If you wanted to, while you walked around visiting tables, your kids were able to be dropped off with the Nanny League, who help match families and nannies and all sorts of childcare.  Speaking of Nannies- we won a gift from Net Nanny, number one rated parental control software!  This was pretty cool for me, I never win anything, haha. We are excited to try it out, and see what it can do.  It’s supposed to protect kids from sites you don’t want them on, as well as “adult” sites and cyber-bullying.

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It was very nice to have all the baby related exhibitors all in one place and even more interesting to see all the interesting inventions and gadgets meant to make a parents like easier with baby (as well as baby’s life more fun and educational).  The crowd at the show was quite diverse too, from pregnant women, couples, and people looking to get pregnant and doing their research.

Keep an eye out for it and make sure you stop by when next it rolls around for all your baby needs.

 

 

Take the Kids to Coney Island

Coney Island has been a go to spot for generations, each season changing slightly, adding more rides, keeping new and fresh while still appealing to the crowds of New York.

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This season is no different, with a new ride open now (The Thunderbolt) and more on the way including a new roller coaster the fun keeps coming.

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Coney Island is made up of something for everyone.  Just steps from the boardwalk, there is a beach with a clean shore and big open ocean.  For the animal lovers, there is the New York Aquarium just a little ways down, which also has a wonderful seal show that should not be missed.  For the adventurous types, there are big thrill rides at Luna Park which include 7 roller coasters like the classic wooden Coney Island Cyclone.  For the littler park goers, there are tons of attractions and rides at Luna Park like the Happy Swing and Magic Bikes.  For everyone, there is Deno’s Wonder Wheel, one of the biggest and most complex Ferris Wheels around.
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Boiling Springs Savings Bank Kid Savings Program #teachkidtosave @BSSBankNJ

Disclosure- The below is a paid post but all opinions are my own.

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This coming April is National Kids Savings Month, and to celebrate, Boiling Springs Savings Bank would like to bring to our attention the Bucks Program. The Bucks Program was developed to bring savings into children’s minds at an early age. By providing children a special savings account, Boiling Springs is bringing quality banking to little customers.

Some of the best parts of the Youth Savings Account are:

-A savings account designed especially for young depositors
-Account available to youths under the age of 18
-Statement savings account with statements mailed quarterly to the account holder
-Interest earned monthly on all account balances
-Minimum opening deposit of $1.00
-$10 bonus is deposited into account if account is opened with $10 or more

Kids age 12 and under must open a Custodial Account. At age 18, the account converts to a regular Statement Savings Account. Service fees may apply to the regular Statement Savings Account and fees could reduce earnings.
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What to do with Your Kids in London

Taking kids anywhere can be difficult. Will they enjoy it or will they shout and scream and cause a fuss? All parents want to keep their children entertained, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. It’s important to tailor your day trips and adventures to your own child’s interests and personality. It’s no use trying to force them into doing something they hate because 99% of the time, you won’t win the battle! Luckily, there are endless options for fun days out in London, whether you live there or are planning a visit. Here are some of the best.

Museum of Childhood

Where better to take a child than to the Museum of Childhood? It’s  run by the V&A so you know it’s going to be good too. Kids love toys, and this place is dedicated to them. It’s fun for both adults and children because even if you’re not a child anymore, you were once upon a time. The museum tracks the history of childhood, going back more than a hundred years. Your children can learn about the history of Britain via childhood.

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Tate Modern
Art galleries might not seem like great places to take your kids, but some galleries, like the Tate Modern, are very family friendly. Modern art can be the best place to start teaching kids about the value of art. And they’ll find it interesting. There are some truly fascinating visual spectacles to be found inside the Tate Modern.
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Kirby and the Rainbow Curse Video Game

Disclosure- we received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.

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My son and his friend, trying the game out in the Nintendo store.

Nintendo has a quite a few classic characters but few are as fun as their pink fluffy one, Kirby. Kirby is the pink, round guy with a vacuum mouth, for those who don’t know. There is a new Kirby game by Nintendo, which is available now. The game is called Kirby and the Rainbow Curse and brings Kirby into a new style of game play, clay. The clay style is really neat, and must be seen in action. The animation smooth and seamless. It is like playing a cartoon of years ago like Gumby in game version. However, this cartoon stars our favorite little pink guy- Kirby.
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