Head Back To School in Style

With back to school season upon us, we are seeking out the best and most fun back to school items. Here are a few of our current favorites.

Do you have a child entering Pre-K or Kindergarten this year? Check out Bixbee.  These cute bags have animal faces, butterfly wings, rockets, and other great patterns and styles.  The size of the backpacks are also smaller for little kids.  For bigger kids, tamer color palettes and more typical styles of backpack are available.  Bixbee is that they comes in three sizes, so you can pick what best suits your child’s stature.  This will keep your child pain free in the back and shoulder area, since the size and fit will be right. It’s recommended that the backpack rest in the lower back, and no more then four inches below the waist to avoid causing chronic pain, which is important to Bixbee.  These backpacks are also sturdy, PVC, BPA, phthalate, and lead free, and have many pockets for your child’s ever growing menagerie of belongings.  Bixbee cares about kids- when you buy a backpack, they donate one to a child in need somewhere in the world.  You can get yours at http://www.bixbee.com

kids backpack

For tween girls, Toys R Us (exclusively) offers two different styles of Power Puff backpacks this year- Power Puff Girls Rock and Power Puff Girls All Over print.  With a new animated series on Cartoon Network, all the kids are loving the doe-eyed sisters more then ever.  Adjustable straps, and silky, sturdy materials make this backpack one that is both kid friendly, fun, and eye catching, as well as one mom will approve of. Matching lunchboxes are also available. Backpacks retail for about $16.99 each.

Don’t forget the lunchbox!

We recently discovered Bentology, a lunchbox that comes with it’s own compartmentalized tupperware-type container inside.  These insulated lunch bags come in a variety of colors and have thier own fork and spoon as well. If your child prefers lunches that don’t always consist of a sandwich, this is for you. These bento box sets let you use the portioned containers to pack your child’s favorite foods for lunch without a million little containers to wash later. Check out the website for cute lunch ideas and creative tips, as well.

lunch box

Bentology lunch bags come in seven different prints and styles and are equipped with multiple  compartments and a water bottle holder on the outside of the bag.  You can get thermos, cool packs, rice molds, and more to go with your kits and add to the cute and fun lunch experiance.  All Bentology products are available for purchase at Bentology.net, scsdirectinc.com, amazon.com and specialty retailers nationwide.

We also love  Dabbawalla bags. These adorable, easy to clean, and attractive lunchboxes and backpacks are specially designed for preschoolers and the young elementary students in mind.  The designs were meant to be free of commercial influence (cartoons or action figures, movie characters, etc) yet still colorful and fun for children.  They display bright and wholesome designs and images, such as puppies, apples, rocket ships, etc.  The Lunch Totes are really large, and have enough space to fit everything you need for a whole day at Pre-School, with no leftovers. You can also fit everything for a really big eater into it- it has a lot of room, which this mom loves.  It is really hard to find a bag that will do that. They are also easy to clean and machine washable, line dry- and they actually come clean.  This is a rarity.

If you have a big eater, a long day, or a messy kid, you will love Dabbawalla. Visit http://dabbawallabags.com/ and find your bag.

backpack cliips

Now, for the most important (to any kid) part- the backpack clips. The more, the merrier- these are a big deal right now.  My son’s current favorites are the new Emojiez and Whiffer Sniffers.

Whiffer Sniffers remind me of those markers we had in grade school, the ones where each color had a smell? We loved those. These scented plush characters are adorable, and really smell like they are supposed to.  My son’s cookie and doughnut Whiffer Sniffers have his room smelling sweet- and that’s not a joke. His room really smells like confections, and it’s been several weeks that he’s had them. Not overwhelming- but better then an average boy room, I’ll tell you that. There are several sizes and styles available for each character-  snuggley super size, a backpack clip, and scratch ‘n’ sniff stickers. You can also find exclusive characters only found inside specially marked mystery packs- but watch out, there are a LOT of blueberry in those packs as well. Ah, the fun is in the hunt, right? Grab yours at a toy store near you or at http://whiffersniffers.com/ .

poop toy

He is also loving Emijiez- especially, of course, the poop. What is with the poop? I guess we can only be thankful that these are NOT the scented toys.  He and all his friends are going crazy for Emojiez, and the poop is definitely the most coveted. These come in stuffed toy, blind packs, pencil toppers, erasers, backpack pals, and more. The Emojiez “Plushiez”, “Buddiez”, “Squishiez”, “SlapBandz”, “Eraserz” and “All Starz” (get the theme here?) characters are based on existing emoji’s that you use for text and PMs. Because if there’s not an app for that, certainly there is an Emoji.

These are hot items, kids are going crazy for them.  You can get them in stores like Toys R Us, Amazon, and at http://www.emojiez.com/ .

Milestone Activity Cards- Must have for little ones

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are our own. For more information, see “I Disclose”.
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Finding amazing products for your children is one of my favorite things to do. I must say that all of the Activity Cards that are offered from Milestone are absolutely amazing and a definite must have.

About Milestone:

Milestone makes sets of photo cards to capture and remember special moments that make you smile. The idea came from Dutch mom Gemma Broekhuis who wanted to capture the first time her son Mikkel rolled over. She wrote a card, added the date, and took a picture of her son with it. She did the same when he slept through the night, crawled, ate his first solid food, etc.

Realizing how precious those pictures were and how easy it is to forget those key moments, she decided to turn her idea into a product: the Milestone Baby Cards.

The first sets of cards were ready in May 2012. Today they are sold in 19 languages in 37 countries with new parents enjoying them every day. Since then they have created the following products to compliment with Milestone family: Pregnancy Cards, Mini Cards and the special nijntje/Miffy editions. And per August 2015 also the newest releases: Baby Cards Twins and the Toddler/Junior Cards.

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About Milestone Baby Cards:

Baby’s First Year is the set that started it all. The award winning Baby Cards are 30 photo cards that you can use to capture your baby’s first year in the weeks, months, and memorable moments. Add a card to your baby pictures and you will never forget when your little one slept through the night, rolled over or said mama for the first time. Today the original Baby Cards are available in 11 languages in over 33 countries with new parents enjoying them every day.

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My Thoughts:

These cards are such an awesome product. I too struggled with trying out different ways to remember those milestones with my previous children. I am so excited to have these cards to help me remember each of these wonderful moments for this child. I love having all of these cards ready to grab and snap a picture in a moments notice.

I love that they have other types of cards for people to use as well because we do live in a world that we are going so fast. I hate to lose all the little moments of life. I think that these cards have a great way of helping us remember  all those wonderful moments.

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Purchase:

If you have a baby or pregnant friend in your life, head on over to the Milestone website and pick the set of cards that is perfect for you.

Big Red Rooster’s Sound Machine- Must Have for Baby

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are our own. For more information, see “I Disclose”.
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With a newborn in the house as well as a 4 and 6 year old a sound machine is an absolute must have. I have always put all of my kids to bed with a lullaby cd or the womb sound bear or a fan on or something so that they aren’t constantly listening to every other sound in the house and so that they don’t wake up extremely easily either. The Big Red Rooster Sound Machine has made this a little easier for me!

About Big Red Rooster:

Brian Johnson is the founder of Big Red Rooster Products. He has been successfully creating products for the world’s major retailers for over 15 years. He helped build a lighting company to $22 million in sales from a start-up. This company quickly became the leading supplier of battery operated LED lights to retailers throughout North America. In 2014, he decided to focus on creating innovative products that help people fall asleep or get out of bed in the morning.

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About the White Sound Machine:

This great machine packs a big punch with the offer of a restful sleep. Measuring just 2.6 inches in height, the curved machine measured 4.4″ x 4″ making it a perfect fit on a bureau, changing table or bookshelf. Choose one of the 6 sounds – heartbeat, lullaby, ocean, rock-a-bye, twinkle, white noise. Set the optional timer to 15, 30, or 60 minutes.

  • The soothing sounds mask background noises to create an ideal sleeping environment for your baby. Babies fall asleep easier, sleep better and wake-up refreshed.
  • Leave the sound on all night or use the optimal timer
  • Portable design, great for travel
  • Powered by an AC adaptor (included) or 3 AA batteries.

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My Thoughts:

I was a huge fan of this awesome product. I have always used the womb sound bear in my kids bed as babies and then turn on a lullaby cd when I put them to bed now that the older two are older. I am so happy to have a nice compact little device that I can use for all 3 of my girls. I love that it can be plugged in or ran off of batteries if you need to. The sound of the machine are great and can be used all night or just until your kiddo falls asleep.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing this wonderful sound machine you can purchase it from the Red Rooster website or from Amazon.

WIN a Mickey Mouse Helping Hands Feeding & Activity Seat

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are our own. For more information, see “I Disclose”.
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Having a place for your child to stay entertained while you are preparing supper and then to sit while you eat as a family is important. I must say that Mickey Mouse Helping Hands Feeding & Activity Seat is going to be a perfect solution to that problem for you 🙂

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About Mickey Mouse Helping Hands Feeding & Activity Seat:

This adjustable Mickey Mouse Helping Hands Feeding & Activity Seat promises mealtime fun and a nice distraction for your little one. The hands are designed to hold a cup or the included roller ball, while the spring hand delivers jiggly, giggly action. The adjustable play and feeding tray offers 3 positions, and the 3-point harness ensures Baby stays put even at her wriggliest. The seat attaches to most chairs and height is adjustable for perfect placement at the table so the whole family can enjoy a meal together. Plus, there is storage in the back for quick and easy access to bibs and wipes.

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Some great perks:

  • Toys help with motor skill development
  • Store bibs and wipes in back of seat
  • adjustable height for the perfect fit
  • Three-position, dishwasher-safe tray
  • Chair straps attach to most adult chairs
  • Comes with 3 toys: roller ball, rattle head, and spring hand

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My Thoughts:

I am so incredibly excited about this awesome chair. I have 3 daughters and as you can see this is my middle and she definitely is old enough that she doesn’t really need a high chair or booster seat. However my youngest is getting closer and closer to sitting up each day and I know as soon as she sits up this chair is going to come in handy on a daily basis. This chair not only is perfect to attach to any chair anywhere that you are, but it is also wonderful to have toys that are on it so that your child can easily be entertained while you finish up supper or get the table set. We are big about having a family supper time in our house. All of us sit down together and eat on most evenings. I love that this chair makes it possible and easy for our little ones to be a part of that evening routine as well.

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Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing this wonderful chair, head on over to BabiesRUs and order one for the little one in your life!

Giveaway:

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Must Have Shopping with Babies Accessory – Binxy Baby

Disclosure- We received the below in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are our own. For more information, see “I Disclose”.

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I’m sure that there are many of you that have been shopping with a baby before!  It can be so hard to shop with a baby before they are actually able to sit up. That problem happens no more thanks to Binxy Baby.

History of Binxy Baby:

As a busy mom of three, Lisan Pinnell was doing her big “stock-up” shopping with a toddler and newborn a few years ago, and realized she had a problem. She needed to fill her cart with a week’s worth of groceries, but could not, for the life of her figure out a safe way to contain two kids while doing so. She tried everything: A sling, a stroller, even two carts. She tried putting the entire infant car seat down in the grocery cart but had to cut her trip short when she couldn’t find the baby under the piles of bread and coffee.

Lisa was determined to figure out a solution to her problem. The end result was a fun, easy, convenient, and most importantly, simple way to safely hold a baby plus a basket full of groceries.

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About Binxy Baby Shopping Cart Hammock:

The comfy Binxy Baby shopping cart hammock in full floral bloom Mums in Chocolate print quickly and easily clips onto most carts, hangs elevated so you have plenty of room for groceries, then simply rolls up to fit in your purse or diaper bag when finished. Most infant car seats sit snugly inside the Shopping Cart Hammock and can be secured using the included safety strap.

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  • Meets or exceeds all applicable safety standards
  • Can be used from birth until a child can sit upright unassisted, up to 50 pounds.
  • Always fasten child securely.
  • Never leave child unattended
  • For use on standard size, metal and plastic shopping carts 20-24 inches wide.

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My Thoughts:

I am absolutely in love with this amazing product. I was looking forward to using this product a great deal and was so happy to try it out. My daughter absolutely loves it as you can see in her photo. I was worried about putting it on the cart and holding a squirming baby by myself. I decided for the first time to use it I would just park close to a cart rack in the parking lot and grab a cart and get it situated before I got her out of the carseat. That worked wonderfully, but I must admit that it was not hard to get it put on and I now can do it while holding that squirming baby :).

I love how it safely sits on the cart and it is perfectly comfortable for my daughter. I can do all the shopping I need to and not have to worry about no room to put stuff because the carseat was sitting down in the cart. I always had read that you were not supposed to put your carseat on the cart like so many people do. I am a big rule follower so I never set it on the top of the cart. I love that you can also put your carseat in the holder safely as well if you want to carry the carseat in.

I am going to be recommending this amazing item to everyone I know that has a young child or is currently expecting.

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Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing this amazing product, head on over to the website and you can pick the style that is just right for you.

DockATot- Must Have Baby Product

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate this post.  All opinions are my own and honest.  Please see “I disclose” for more information.
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As most of you have realized or noticed by now, I have had another baby :). Over the next few weeks you can be lucky enough to look forward to finding out about some of the greatest baby products that are on the market today. I want to share with you some of my favorites that I can not live without! The first one to share with you is the DockATot Deluxe.

About DockATot:

The DockATot is a multi-functional lounging, playing, chilling, resting and snuggling dock you can take anywhere. This was created with love in Sweden with a strict emphasis on design and comfort, there is simply nothing else like it on the market that allows mothers to feed, soothe, and bond with baby.

The Difference: The differences are in the sheer innovation; love and luxury that have been exhaustively thought out in the design process, with their own children in mind. Every material and detail is carefully micro-managaed to ensure the highest quality of breathability, non-toxicity, comfort, and convenience.

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The Convenience: Sure it’s stylish, but that’s only the beginning. DockATot travels easily form place-to-place and features a plush cocoon- like design for optimal protection and durability. The 100% cotton fashion sheets are machine washable, allowing for easy changes for life’s messy moments.

The Philosophy: Babies need a nurturing and cozy surrounding and feel calmer being in a smaller environment, which mimicks the mother’s womb. DockATot creates a soft and tender surrounding for little ones to lie in and feel snug and comforted.

The Collection: With two sizes ranging from 0-36 months, the Grand and Deluxe DockATot are the only products that will transition with your child through every stage.

The Promise: The DockATot has been rigorously tested and is fully compliant with both federal law and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision proposed standards, setting a new standard for baby lounger design and comfort.

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DockATot is both a luxury and a necessity for any parent who wants their little one’s earliest years to be nestled in a happy and healthy cocoon of comfiness.

20160622_202743About DockATot Deluxe:

The Deluxe Dock is the ultimate docking station for your baby ages 0-8 months old. Multifunctional and multitasking, the DockATot Deluxe offers a safe and comfy spot that lets baby rest, lounge, play, cuddle, do tummy time and get diaper changes. Deluxe docks are lightweight and portable, allowing for easy travel. Additional covers are available for purchase to match your mood, room, and style.

Measurement:

18 inches wide x 29-34 inches long (29 inches with clasps closed and 34 inches with clasps open).

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My Thoughts:

I absolutely love the DockATot Deluxe. It is for sure one of my favorite products that I have ever used with a newborn. It is a great place for her to hang if I need to set her down on the floor, but out of the way of our dog and my other children. I also think that it is an amazing spot for her to take naps when we aren’t always at home and her bed isn’t necessarily available. We are getting ready to go on a vacation in a few weeks, I am definitely planning on taking this amazing product with us to use for her to sleep in! I would recommend this great product to anyone that is having a baby. I am hoping to get the DockATot Grand when she outgrows this one as well!

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Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing this great product for that sweet baby in your life, head on over to their website and order the one that matches your lifestyle.

Kidz Bop 32 – Great Way to Enjoy Summer

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate this post.  All opinions are my own and honest.  Please see “I disclose” for more information.
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As I’m sure all of you remember by now, I am an absolute huge fan of Kidz Bop Cd’s. I can promise you that Kidz Bop 32 did not disappoint in any way at all!

About Kidz Bop:

Kidz Bop records kid-friendly versions of today’s biggest pop music hits. They release two major numbered albums each year. They also release a themed album in the spring.

Who sings on the Kidz Bop albums?

The Kidz Bop kids sing on the kidz bop albums. For four consecutive years (2010-2013), Billboard magazine has named the Kidz Bop Kids the “#1 Kids Artists” in the U.S. !

Who are the Kidz Bop Kids and how does Kidz Bop cast the group?

Meet the new Kidz Bop kids – Ashlynn, Bredia, Grant, Jayna, and Matt! Kidz Bop recently held a nationwide casting call to find a new group of talented young performers to sing on the Kidz Bop albums, star in TV commercials & music videos and travel North America as part of the Kidz Bop Kids live tour. Thousands of kids across the country try out and only 5 are picked.

The Kidz Bop Kids perform more than 25 live shows each year.

About Kidz Bop 32:

  1. Cake By The Ocean
  2. No
  3. My House
  4. Love Yourself
  5. Don’t Let Me Down
  6. Work
  7. Never Forget You
  8. Out Of The Woods
  9. Hide Away
  10. One Call Away
  11. Just Like Fire
  12. Stressed Out
  13. 7 Years
  14. One Dance
  15. Life of the Party (Bonus Track)

My Thoughts:

I have been a huge fan of Kidz Bop CD’s since I became a teacher and a mom. Kids in my classroom as well as my own children love to listen to popular great music, but as we all know the music that is popular these days truthfully isn’t really all that appropriate for children to listen to.

I love that Kidz Bop takes popular songs and changes the words just a bit so that they are appropriate for children to listen to.

I can promise you that this new CD is just as amazing as all the other great ones that Kidz Bop has created.

I asked my girls to tell me their favorite song on the cd, but they were unable to pick just one favorite. They wanted me to let you all know that they liked each and every song on the cd.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing this great CD, head on over to the website and get your copy ordered today.

Why it’s Important to Get Your Kids to Eat Right

You need to make the right decisions now that your kids are in their formative years. It’s important to ensure that you influence them in the right way. And one of the ways to do this is to get them eating right as soon as you can.

Sets a Good Example

As the parent, it is important to set a good example to your children. They learn from you, and you don’t want them to pick up bad habits. Consider what your kids are going to learn and pick up at home. They will be influenced by things like bad language and the attitude you have toward things. But, they will also be influenced by eating habits. Junk food and unhealthy snacks set a bad example for the kids and could lead to them becoming unfit and obese. Healthy eating will promote a positive example, and they will naturally adopt more healthy eating habits.

Helps Them Work Towards Positive Body Image

You have to understand how important it is for your children to be comfortable with who they are. They need to develop a positive body image from a young age. This is going to help them with self-esteem and confidence. It will make them feel good about themselves and make good decisions when they become older. Developing a healthy body image is something that can be nurtured through positive eating habits. The healthier they are eating, the more likely they are to stay fit and healthy. This promotes the benefits and positivity of fitness. And they will take this into later life and develop a positive body image.

It’s Healthy for Them

The best thing about wasting right is that it’s good for you. It’s going to be great for your children, and their health, to get them eating the right things. You need to look at companies that are producing healthier food alternatives. For instance, you might decide to learn about Hampton Creek on Instagram. They are a company that produces eggless mayonnaise, among other things. These healthy alternatives are a great way to keep kids excited about the prospect of going healthy with their eating habits.

Leads to Other Positive Steps

The good think about healthy eating is that it encourages the kids to make other positive steps. They will understand the importance of looking after themselves, and this will lead on to other steps such as fitness and rest. You need to set these positive benchmarked for your children when they are developing. And you have to equip them with the necessary tools involved to take other positive steps at points in their life. That’s why you have to make sure you encourage healthy eating in the home as much as you possibly can.

As a parent, it is crucial to try to make sure your kids are following the advice you give them. It’s up to you to try to set good examples for them at a young age. These can help to shape their experiences and decisions they make as adults. So, you need to make sure you get them eating right as soon as you can.