Getting Ready For Summer with Babyganics

Did you know that May is skin-cancer awareness month? I think it’s perfect timing since summer is here and everyone is spending every moment outside.  Skin cancer is something that I honestly never really thought about until the past  few years. I have naturally tanned skin and dark hair so when it comes to sun burns I never really worried much. My husband; however, is pale skinned with red hair. It’s the complete opposite for him. Even if he is outside for an hour he has to have sunblock on or he will come in looking like a tomato. Having four kids, half of whom have inherited my dark hair, but a lighter skin complication like my husband, has made me more aware of skin cancer and of making sure their skin is protected from all outside elements. Babyganics has every product that I need to make sure they are protected from the summer elements, and can continue to have fun! This post is a sponsored post, but all opinions, stories, and my experience are all personal and true (like always)!

About babyganics:

Sunscreen Essentials

  • ​All mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) & a combo of mineral & chemical sunscreens (zinc oxide, octisalate and titanium dioxide)
  • SPF formulas provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and range from 30SPF – 50+SPF
  • Glides on smooth- effortless application
  • Non-allergenic and tear free
  • Also contain Neo-Nourish and all are fragrance free

​Swim Diapers

  • ​The only swim diapers with sun sensing scenery
  • Provides UPF+ protection for covered areas
  • Won’t swell in water
  • Water resistant soft cover
  • Pull-on design and comfy fit
  • Tear-away sides for easy removal

​Natural Insect Repellent Spray & Wipes

  • ​Formulated with: essential oils—Citronella, Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemongrass & Geranium
  • Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial fragrances or dyes
  • Plant and essential oils help keep mosquitoes away
  • A DEET Free Choice
  • Non-greasy formula

My Thoughts:

A family pass to the city pool is only $50, and for a family of six this is a great deal. I plan to spend a lot of time at the pool with the kids this summer. It’s fun, away from technology, great family time, and budget friendly. Their diapers have to be my favorite swim diapers. They went on easy, didn’t swell up, kept him and the pool protected while we were swimming.

Having a good sunscreen that isn’t harsh on their skin is important to me, so when I was given a chance to try babyganics I was excited. These products are awesome. They do not have that greasy feel that some do and they go on smooth. The sunscreen left my little ones’ skin feeling soft with a pleasant scent.  The sunscreen is bottled in many ways that make it easy for me to get it on the kids. I loved the stick for my littlest, the spray for my youngest daughter, and the lotion for my older two. The various forms of these great products allowed for the quickest and easiest way to apply based on the needs of my children. I reapplied after two hours of being at the pool and all four of my kids walked away with zero sunburn.

Lastly but not least, their insect repellent is a must have! We like  to swim until we physically can no longer swim and bugs can be an issue sometimes. Most repellents have a smell that can be harsh alone.  This is not the case; however, with babyganics.  Oh, and I must mention again the pleasant scent!

 

Overall, I love that Babyganics products are organic and safe for my little ones. Most of my kids have sensitive skin and some products tend to break them out. Babyganics did not break them out,  protected their skin, kept them safe, and all products were easy to use.  This mommy has found a winning line of products to protect my little ones and I highly recommend all mommies to use Babyganics too!

 

 

The Little Girl With the Big Voice

An inspiring story about overcoming bullying and achieving dreams

 

No one wants their child to experience the torment of bullying. If they do encounter this behavior, are they prepared to handle the situation? Knowing how to cope with bullying is a much needed life skill our children must learn to successfully navigate conflict.

The Little Girl with the Big Voice, written by Wė (pronounced Way) McDonald, is a book your child can relate to and may be helpful in starting conversations regarding bullying. The book teaches valuable lessons such as how to overcome adversity, and building self confidence. Written in Wė’s own words, the book is a powerful story about a girl who courageously embraces her uniqueness and finds her voice.

The book was engaging and illustrations well-done. My niece was completely attentive and asked questions as Wė’s experiences unfolded.  The Little Girl with the Big Voice is fresh and timely. However, I believe the book could have given just a little bit more strategy on conflict resolution. The book’s focus shifted from bullying to Wė being a contestant on the television program, The Voice. Definitely two books in one, which may be good thing for some parents.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Donna Andrews

Super aunt of a 7-year-old girl

Neema’s Reason to Smile

A heart-warming story about a child’s desire to go to school

 The kids are little older now and the novelty of going to school has wane. I have always shared with my nieces and nephews that they should not take education for granted … that going to school should not be a chore as there are many children in this world who would love the opportunity to learn how to read, write, and fuel their imaginations. However, they are unable to attend school because they cannot afford clothing, supplies, and books.

Neema’s Reason to Smile, written by Patricia Newman, is a vibrant and lyrical tale of a young Kenyan girl, named Neema, who dreams of going to school. We learn about Neema’s young life and how she must work selling fruit instead of receiving an education. She saves her coins in hopes of one day having enough money to pay for school, but it is one step forward two steps back for young Neema. One day Neema spots a little girl heading to school and follows her.  She ends up at a school and witnesses a learning environment she had only dreamed of. School was everything she thought it would, but alas, it was not meant to be for Neema; so she thought. For young readers, I believe this book is about responsibility to family, kindness and reciprocity. Although this story is considered fiction, the story is based on the real-life students at Jambo Jipy School in Kenya.

The book was engaging and illustrations well-done. My niece and nephew were attentive (with an occasional distraction as the family dog passed by). They asked questions about Africa, and found it sad that there are kids too poor to go to school.  My niece and nephew cheered when a teacher invited Neema to attend her class.  So, this little book was a reality check for them.

A couple of drawbacks I noticed included a few too many high-level words and harsh description of the “beggar”.

 

Rating: 4/5 stars

Donna Andrews

Super aunt of a 7-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy

 

 

Happy Birthday Thomas & Friends!

The end of the school year is here, and there is no better way to celebrate than with a wholesome party for the kids featuring everyone’s favorite train, Thomas! We had the chance to throw a one of a kind Thomas party for the kids and a few friends, and it was so much fun! We were literally chugging away towards making memories to last for a long time! This post is a sponsored post, but all opinions, stories, and my experience are all personal and true (like always)!

All we needed was some fun themed supplies, like these cute cups and napkins, and a few boxes of crayons to accompany the great coloring sheets. With some snacks and drinks, toys to explore and Thomas in the background, everyone had a lot of fun. It was a welcome chance for everyone to blow off a little steam after the end of the year rush!

We weren’t just celebrating the end of the year, Did you know that on May 12th Thomas had a special birthday? For more than 73 years Thomas has been delighting kids and inspiring a love of learning as well as a good set of values to carry them through life!

Sometimes it can be hard to find television shows for children that are mommy approved, but I never have to worry about that with Thomas the Train! All four of my little ones enjoy watching Thomas. Thomas teaches and reinforces valuable life lessons while entertaining them at the same time, so this mommy definitely approves of Thomas! With May being his birthday month, we have had the chance to focus on the joy Thomas has brought to our family over the years. From building Thomas creations with legos to coloring to watching him on TV, we have had a great time celebrating with Thomas!

 

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Must have Kids toys from Moluk & Kid O Toys

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

I am always on the lookout for some fun toys that are different than the regular toys. I must say that these toys did not disappoint in anyway. These great toys from Moluk are definitely must haves.

About Moluk:

Moluk strives to create innovative, sustainable products that don’t just entertain kids on a superficial level, but invite real interaction. In a world where everything is getting more virtual, MOLUK offers toys that are totally manual, toys that get children to move and explore, toys that stimulate their senses and minds. There are no ON and OFF switches, batteries or complicated instructuions – MOLUK toys are powered simply by a child’s imagination.

MOLUK only collaborates with trusted manufacturing partners who share our values and deliver excellent, safe and long lasting products which are sold through a growing network of reliable and dedicated distribution partners around the world.

MOLUK is a family business founded in 2011 by Alex Hochstrasser, the designer and inventor of Bilibo, and his sister Doris Hochstrasser, an architect.

About Plui:

Plui is a rain cloud that helps to illustrate the cycle of water and magically turns kids into rainmakers. This great toy is sure ti inspire wonderful stories. No fears though parents, there is a hidden mechanism allowing parents to open the Cloud for cleaning.

About oogi:

Oogi is an irresistibly tactile and wonderfully expressive new figure toy. With suction cup head, hands and feet, and long stretchy arms, it connects to any smooth surface. Oogis happily live on a Bilibo but they have also been spottend playing in the bathtub, on fridges or mirrors.

Oogis are very social beings: They love to touch, embrace, form chains and do crazy acrobatic tricks. Their favorite hobbies are Oogi Yoga, extreme climbin or darting onto windows and other targets. Oogis are at home in any genre from cliffhanger to slapstick comedy and suitable for all ages.

I myself have had a great day of fun playing with these :).

About

About Myland Car:

Take a relaxing road trip while learning early STEM concepts. Soft driving sounds and car lights are triggered by different play patterns. Children discover that by color matching the characters, the boy and girl transform into on/off switches, while the car movements control the sounds and lights.

About Jumbo Glow-in-the-Dark Magnatab:

The limited edition magnatab gets glowing reviews from children and adults alike! The jumbo glow-in-the-dark board and stylus brings an exciting new dimension to nighttime play. Erases with the tip of your finger, or by swiping across the beads with the side of the stylus.

My Thoughts:

How much fun were each of these toys. I must say that since my children received them, they have been playing with them non stop. I love how they are simple fun, not lots of sound and lights. I would definitely recommend these to anyone!

Tech To Bring Music to Your Ears and Light Up Your Life

As we spend more time outdoors, we look for ways to bring some creature comforts with us.  Check out some of the gear that makes outside a little more modern.

Do you love a good run? Maybe hike, kayak, or even just some time in the gym. Finding good earphones that can deal with sweat is not always the easiest task, but most of us like to bring music (or some form of audio) with us for our workouts. The new PaMu TWS wireless earphones are easy to wear, truly have no wires (really, Pinocchio) until you have to charge them, of course, and are sweat-proof and water resistant. They have some must have features, including Hi-Fi Sound, Auto-connects,Touch Control, Auto Pairing that lets you make calls and listen to music while your phone is in your pocket (or beyond), an In-Ear Mic, they come with a portable Charging Pod that neatly fits your buds and doubles as a travel case, and more. They are reasonably comfortable for ear buds. To me, while wearing them, they reminded me of a Dr. Who episode of Cybermen- that’s how it all started. Giant ear buds, then you become a Robot working for your new alien overlords. Ah, maybe not- but it makes me laugh. You can grab yours before they even hit shelves on indiegogo.

Always on the go?  AdventureJumpStart is a great option for those of us who are constantly on the move- it can not only recharge your tablets and smartphones, but it also has the ability to jump start most cars, trucks, boats and ATVS. Really. And? It’s small. Best. Gift. Ever.

It comes with everything you need- the charger, recharge cable, Detachable Jumper Cables, and Quick Start Guide. It has the smallest and lightest powerbank with the highest lever of safety, as well as keeping it’s battery life from one charge up to one full year if not used. It also charges incredibly quickly, which we all know is a huge plus. That’s pretty amazing stuff right there- great for people to have on hand for a roadside emergency.  This is one you will want to have for innumerable reasons. Pick yours up for $100 at https://mycharge.com/collections/adventure-series/products/adventurejumpstart

If you need a smaller charger, one for your pocket, there is always the Flip 30 RechargerThis mini charger is about the size of a pack of gum, but can charge your phone up to three times per full charge of it’s own (or a tablet once) making it an easy way to keep your electronics ready to go while you are on the go.  It fits easily in most purses or pockets. Several color options are available, this rechargers costs $49.95 athttps://www.goalzero.com/shop/flip-family/flip-30-recharger/ .

Like to camp? Or maybe you just hate being caught in the dark. The Lighthouse Micro Flash is perfect to keep in the car, a drawer, or in your purse for emergencies. No need for batteries, it is rechargable by USB and has a dimmable lantern as well as a built-in 120-lumen flashlight. If on it’s lowest setting, it can run for up to 170 hours. It is tiny, about the size of a finger, and weighs just over 2 ounces but is not light on power. Get yours for $24.99 at https://www.goalzero.com/shop/lanterns/lighthouse-micro-flash-lantern/ .

Are you an aspiring musician and like to make your own music or be creative with your beats? Then this Beat Machine might be just what you’re looking for and the perfect fit for you. It’s not only easy to use but it’s also a machine that truly sounds human. It’s not only great to use if you play the guitar but you can give it a try with many other musical instruments as well. It’s a piece of tech that’s guaranteed to bring new and fresh music to your ears and it will certainly light up your life.

ZITS! The New Obsession for Kids and Disgust for Moms.

“We love picking. Make no mistake about it. We love that disgusting little habit nobody likes to talk about. Yup, it is our unique obsession.” – Billy and Summer Pierce

Billy and Summer have designed a product specifically for your family’s popping pleasure. Our family loves them, and we think you will too. Providing you with plenty of pimple popping fun, ZITS are flesh-like toys that are filled with fake pus that spews out when you successfully pop the fake ZIT. These have become quite a hit and have been selling rapidly online.

ZITS

Popping pimples is a habit for some and just silly fun for others. This bizarre, but brilliant idea is designed to mimic the unique obsession of popping pimples. With all the entertainment the pimple poppers provide, it is easy to see why it has become such a hot product.

The company has gone above and beyond to make a product that is used with all-natural ingredients. Made of silicone, it’s filled with refillable pus that feels like the real deal. It’s so gross – but SO AWESOME!

Their low price of $19.99 gives you a 4-pack of pimples, and for $6 more you can order a bottle of Pimple Pus refills. This is cheap fun that will give have your family giggling for hours. Even better, a portion of their sales is donated to anti-bullying charities.

ZITS

Pierce states, “You see, one day, my wife and I were driving down the road. She said: ‘How awesome would it be if we could make a pimple that felt real and the pop was huge, just like those videos we watch?’ I thought: “You might be on to something Dear.” For the next year, he worked to create a product everyone would love.

Thanks to Billy and Summer, you can now order your ZITS online. Expect to wait a few weeks to receive your pimples though, as they were in such high demand when they were released. It’s worth the wait. Order yours now!

Happy popping!