12 Days of Christmas with Teacher Peach @TeacherPeach123

December 18, 2015 by 8 Comments

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate this post.  All opinions are my own and honest.  For more information, please see “I Disclose”.

If you are looking for a great gift for teachers, look no further then Teacher Peach.  Visit the website http://www.teacherpeach.com/ and check out all the options they have for the teachers in your life- they have pre-made gift sets, bags, and ideas galore that are not only cute but also useful. Because, honestly, your teacher doesn’t need or want another mug, I promise.

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You can look at this link to all featured Holiday gifts and see what you like best for your teacher (or teachers).  There are also chances to win giveaways as well, so make sure you enter while you are browsing.  You never know!

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My son has several teachers we need to get gifts for, so this is a great site for us. It can be hard to figure out just what to get, because you don’t want to give something useless.  Like many classes, we contribute to a gift card for the main teacher, but we’d like to give her a little something as well, she is a real….well, I’d say doll, but in this case, let’s say she’s a peach, ha.  Not to mention the classroom aide, and his tutor.

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This would also be a good place to shop for any parent who is a home-schoooler.  Functional, useful, and to let them know they are appreciated for all the hard work they do as well.

From bags, to notebooks, to cute kits, even teddy bears and pet outfits (how fun is that?), there is something for every educator.  Check out http://www.teacherpeach.com/ and see what they have.  You can get all your teacher-related shopping done in one place, and even enter to win a fun contest.

Happy holidays from me and mine to you and yours!

Filed Under: education, gifts, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, review Tagged With: ,

Christmas with Teleflora and Peanuts #SendCheer

December 18, 2015 by 7 Comments

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

Every holiday season there are some things we expect, like the neighbor with too many lights on their house and the Christmas specials on TV. Some of them classics that we will watch year after year like A Charlie Brown Christmas”, others not so much. A Charlie Brown Christmas special was first aired in 1965 and this December marks the fifth anniversary of the special which has aired on ABC every year since. The general story we all know and love. Charlie Brown has the feeling that Christmas has lost its meaning and has the blues, Lucy suggests a Christmas play of which Chuck must find the all important Christmas tree. Instead of a big full tree he comes back with a scraggly stick of a tree with an ornament on it. The tree thrives on a little bit of love and with the help of Linus share the true meaning of he season.

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To celebrate the fun of Peanuts, Teleflora is releasing two special floral arrangements, each with a special gift included.

One features the famous Snoopy laying down on his doghouse decorated for the holidays. This piece also doubles as a cookie jar and is filled with a beautiful festival floral arrangement, perfect as a center piece or just a conversation piece during your holiday get togethers.

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The second piece features the ice skating Peanuts gang decorating a festive holiday mug. The mug also has Snoopy features Snoopy on its handle. This arrangement is also holiday themed and comes with bright reds and whites as well as lush greens and red ribbons.

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The Snoopy Cookie Jar arrangement by Telflora is available now on teleflora.com for $59.95 and the Peanuts Christmas Mug is also available on teleflora.com for $49.95.

This is the cutest gift to send to friends and relatives near or far, and a great hostess gift.  Not only is it a lovely floral arrangement, but also an adorable Christmas keepsake for years to come.  Check out the website and choose the arrangement that speaks to you!

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide 2015, holidays, home, review Tagged With:

Top Holiday Travel Tips for Dogs (and Win an Amazon Gift Card)

December 15, 2015 by 132 Comments

While the holidays are supposed to be full of peace, love, and fun, they can also be stressful, especially when traveling is involved at the busiest times of the year. It can be great to bring your dog along with you while traveling, but doing so also increases the things you must do and keep in mind to ensure a safe, happy trip. From packing a dog emergency kit to bringing along a DIY dog fence, there are many things you can consider ahead of time to help things go as smoothly as possible. Here are the top travel tips to keep in mind this holiday season with your dog.

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Keep Your Dog Safe in the Car

If you’re taking a road trip, you want to make sure your dog is as safe in the car as everyone else in your family. It’s a great idea to invest in a dog seat belt, which will keep your dog restrained in the car. If you don’t, at least place your dog in their crate during the ride. Not only is this safer for your dog, it prevents your dog from getting into the front seat and causing an accident by distracting the driver. Never allow your dog to stick their head out of the window of a moving car.

Contain Your Dog Wherever You Are

One of the worst nightmares you could experience would be to lose your dog while on a holiday trip. To avoid this, make sure your dog is contained at all times. While outside, if they are not in a fenced-in yard, they need to be on a leash. Of course, never leave your dog tied up unattended. If your dog is trained on an invisible dog fence, you can bring a portable version with you. It’s an excellent tool for containing your dog at rest areas, campgrounds, or in the yards of loved ones who don’t have a fence. However, it’s a good idea to supervise even the most well-trained dogs when in unfamiliar territory, even when using a wireless dog fence.

Pack Dog Emergency Essentials

If you have the extra money, it’s convenient to purchase a dog first aid kit to keep in the trunk of your car or bring with you on trips. If not, create your own. You essentially need to pack the same things as a regular first aid kit, but with some extra paw-sized bandages. Your car emergency kit should also include extra dog food, extra water, extra bowls, an extra collar and leash set, and an extra blanket for the furry member of your family. Also bring along a copy of your dog’s vaccination record and any necessary medical information, including medications.

Ensure Your Destination is Dog-Proof

Wherever you are staying with your dog, do some thorough dog-proofing before you relax and let your dog roam, especially if your loved ones don’t have a dog of their own. Make sure things like medications, cleaning supplies, candy bowls, and lit candles are out-of-reach. There are several types of common holiday plants that are toxic to dogs, too. Mistletoe, pointsettia, and holly should be moved to an area your dog cannot access, so you don’t even run the risk of your dog ingesting fallen leaves. Pine needles are also toxic, and the water from the tree stand can be, too. If there is a Christmas tree that your dog won’t stay away from, keep them in a separate room or position your electronic dog fence around the tree as a safety barrier.

Ask Others to Follow Safety Guidelines

Make sure whoever you are staying with is aware of certain safety concerns for your dog. For example, ask your loved ones not to feed your dog any table scraps unless you approve, and caution them not to leave their plates or drinks unattended. Alcohol, chocolate, and xylitol can be fatal to dogs, and other foods such as onions, raisins, grapes, nuts, bones, fatty foods, coffee, and tea can cause dogs to get seriously ill. If you are using an e-collar or electric dog fence, make sure others are aware. Also remind children that dogs don’t like hugs or kisses.

While traveling, remember to watch your dog closely for signs of stress. Signs of stress in dogs include pacing, panting, growling, freezing, staring, cowering, and hiding. Any behavior that’s unusual for your dog could be a sign they are overwhelmed, so try to give them a quiet, dark place that they can rest alone with plenty of water to drink. If your dog gets sick or injured, be sure to call your vet’s office or emergency number as soon as possible.

These holiday travel safety tips come to us thanks to the ongoing educational efforts of www.dogfencediy.com; Dog Fence DIY provides dog owners with an affordable alternative to pricey and complex dog containment solutions.
One of you can win a $25 Amazon gift card- use the RC form below to see how to enter.
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Filed Under: animals, giveaway, holidays, review Tagged With: , ,

Win $100 Kohl’s gift card with Elf On The Shelf !

December 15, 2015 by 129 Comments

My son loves his elf.  He looks forward to coming down in the morning and seeing where his elf is, and what he has been up to.  I like that he elf watches what he is up to, and reports back to Santa.  Nothing better then a straight line to the big man himself.

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So much to choose from!

My son named his new elf Tom, and since we like to travel, Tom does as well. Tom has proven to be a hardy fellow, handling suitcases, backpacks, car rides, and even plane travel with relative ease.   I suppose when you are used to flying around to and from the North Pole, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico aren’t that big of a deal.

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Tinsel, Tom, and Amy take a trip with us to Great Wolf Lodge. Bob the Reindeer stayed home to guard the house.

Once Tom came to our house, it was time to get him ready for Christmas.  Thankfully, we have a Kohl’s nearby, and they have everything an elf could want for the holiday season. Have you seen the new Claus Couture Collection?  Perhaps your elf wants to doll up on occasion, not just wear his or her same old red elf outfit day in and day out.  There are quite a few outfits to choose from. Perhaps your elf wants a friend, a reindeer to fly back to the North Pole at night with.  (The new pet reindeer come with their own charm and cute story book as well.)  Maybe your child and elf want a friend in common- an elf friend that can snuggle up at night, that doesn’t need to fly back to the North Pole at all, but stays at home with you.  So many options to choose from!

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Tinsel and Tom, dressed in holiday finery, waiting in the tree in our hotel room after flying back to Santa one night.

Then there are pajamas for your child (perfect for Christmas and the whole winter season), and flatware, take along cups, games, and more.  There is so much to choose from, and all to help you get your “Elf on the Shelf” on.

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Some of the “extras” my son chose- a pet reindeer, an outfit for him, and a snuggly Elf on the Shelf he named Amy.

My son has really enjoyed the new items and his new elf.  He had a great time choosing new items, new friends, and reading all about them.  His favorite thing, however, has been all the adventures they have taken together.

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It’s Elf on the Shelf time! Getting his new elf and reindeer out of the boxes and asking mommy to read the books.

As Christmas Eve approaches, he knows his new buddies will soon be going home until next year. (Well, except Amy- she gets to stay and help make “Welcome Back!” cookies when they arrive.)  While he will be sad to see them go, he can send them letters and get updates from them throughout the year, and we can’t wait to see them again when they return.

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Bob the Reindeer and his book that explains all about him and his travels.

If you haven’t gotten your Elf On The Shelf yet, there is still time!  If you have your elf, you can grab these fun “extras” as well, just head to Kohl’s – let your child help choose, it really thrills them.

Happy Holidays from me and mine to you and yours.

One of you can win a $100 Kohl’s Gift Card.  Feel free to enter by using the RC form below.  Good luck!  Ends Dec. 31, 2015.
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Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide 2015, holidays, kids, review Tagged With: , , , ,

Great Holiday Gifts for Kids

December 14, 2015 by 1 Comment

Looking for the perfect gift for the little ones in your life?  Check out some of these hot new toys, and grab them before they are snapped up.

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Have you ever heard of Wubble?  The nifty ball/bubble/balloons that are part bubble, part ball, part wiggly fun.  Wubble is now not only in the form of the regular Wubble which can inflate up to 3 feet, but now includes the WubbleX and Glo Wubble.

he Wubble X is very similar to the original Wubble but inflates to a portion of its size with the included helium can.  The addition of helium instead of air or CO2 makes a big difference.  Now your Wubble floats around the room, sticking to ceilings and overturned hands as if by magic.  The Glo Wubble brings the familiar Wubble to night time play – the big, bouncy bubble now glows as it floats around.  These are great fun at night or in a play room with the lights out.  Wubble balls retail for $19.99 each and the original and Glo Wubble include a pump while the Wubble X retails for $7.99 and the helium can retails for $7.99.

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If you are looking to help your youngster get ahead in school, take a look at the Kurio Smart™ tablet, the first Windows kids’ tablet available.  Is is a child-appropriate 2-in-1 tablet/computer that comes with a “detachable keyboard, one-year of Microsoft Office and anti-virus protection, plus $200 worth of additional content” (as per packaging), has parental tools to keep kids safe, and retails for $199.99.  The attractive price as well as the functionality of the Kurio Smart makes it a great first computer. It can be used as a tablet if removed from the keyboard, so it’s still good for entertainment purposes as well. Grab yours at http://www.kurioworld.com/ , there are a few other options available as well- see what’s right for your child.

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Peanuts Happy Dance Snoopy is not only adorable, but timely.  With the new movie out about a month ago, kids are falling in love with this happy hound all over again (and so are adults of all ages).  Just Play has just released an adorable plush Happy Dance Snoopy, who dances to the “Peanuts” theme song (aka “Linus and Lucy”) when you squeeze his paw.  He kisses, too- just smooch him, and he will give one back (or a laugh, howl- even a burp).  He’s a dog, after all.  Snoopy is a lot of fun- I like him as much as my son does, if we are being honest. He retails for $29.99 at stores like Target and Amazon.

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Moose Toys has created Qixels, a fun craft aimed at boys who were left out of the bead and water trend until recently.  The Qixels Turbo Dryer is a fun new activity set where kids can use their imagination or follow directions to make predetermined patterns with cubes that fuse together water. When they “set”, they make an 8-bit looking creation that games like Minecraft have made popular once again. Make monsters, ninjas, zombies- whatever your heart desires.  Qixels alone can air dry, but with the The Turbo Dryer, they dry in half the time (because we all know kids don’t love waiting). You can pick yours up for $19.99 in stores like Toys R Us.  I’d give this to elementary age or up, and with supervision for younger kids due to small pieces.

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Kids are loving the tech pets craze right now, and one of the cutest is Little Live Pets CleverKeet. This sweetie pie just flew into the Little Live Pets™ pet shop and would love to be adopted by your family this holiday season.  Name your pretty bird, and he or she will remember it.   You will receive an included adoption certificate to make your new pet officially yours.  He likes to dance in front of the mirror, just like a real bird.  He knows all sorts of words and will answer your questions (in often silly ways), and he sings as well, of course.  CleverKeet comes with one CleverKeet bird, one playground (he loves to swing!), one cart, one instruction booklet and adoption certificate, for $59.99.

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide 2015, holidays, kids, review, toys Tagged With: ,

Must Have Kids Clothes from Rockin’ Baby

December 13, 2015 by 1 Comment

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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You know that my girls love clothes, and most days they love to match. I was so excited to see these adorable clothing items from Rockin’ Baby as well as learn the great story behind the company.

About Rockin’ Baby:

This company has a great heart for charity behind them. They like to give and to help and if you are purchasing some of their slings, pouches, or clothing items, they know you do too.

Every sling, pouch, or clothing item you buy they will donate an item to mothers in desperate need in Haiti or Kenya. They will do this through well managed, non profit organizations who are committed to helping these mothers living in terrible conditions. They call this their “Mother to Mother” mission.

When they started “Mother to Mother” in 2011 they wanted to make a real difference in the world and with your help, they really have.

Rockin’ Baby used to just be a company known as the the sling and pouch company that donates a new sling to every mother in need for every sling purchased, and they just launched their first children’s apparel collection that is also a one-for-one concept: You buy. We give. One-for-one.

For every item of clothing sold across all designs from the new Rockin’ Baby collection, an item from the Hero range will be gifted to an Ebola orphan, providing vital clothing for a child in need. The project is known as Child to Child and it will be carried out in partnership with Child Fund International.

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Judy Sweat and Print Dress:

For cooler days, dress your little one in this fantastic and rather funky sweater dress.

With a soft georgette fabric smarter skirt bottom and cotton sweatshirt style top, this dress is so versatile, and can be worn during the day time, and into the night.

It’s practically 2 items for the price of one and an easy go-to on rushed mornings.

This dress is available 18-24 months all the way up to 10 years.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this dress. I thought that it was adorable. The girls have warn it on warm days, just as well as on cool days and have loved it every time that they wore it. The dress is very soft and comfortable for the girls and not to mention absolutely adorable. The dress is too cute! Great fit and style for any little girl on your list this holiday season.

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MARGO Stripe Bubble Dress:

This lovely striped jersey bubble dress is a great classic piece that follows season to season.

This gorgeous bubble dress has embroidery to match back to the tee and chambray items in the collection.

This dress can be worn alone, but also great with some leggings and their smart wool coat or faux fur vest.

This adorable dress is available in sizes 18-24 Months to 10 yrs.

My Thoughts:

Wow, absolutely adorable. I’m sure that you agree with me. This dress is so cute. Right now it has been much to cold for my girls to be able to wear this dress without leggings, but it is so cute. They have gotten several compliments everytime that they put this adorable dress on.

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My Thoughts:

I got these adorable baby outfits as well, that will come in handy when my next little one arrives, and they are absolutely adorable and made very well.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing some adorable clothes, or even a sling, head on over to the Rockin’ Baby website and find the perfect item for the kids in your life.

Filed Under: baby, charity/notforprofit, clothes and shoes, Holiday Gift Guide, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, kids, review Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Logo Loops Holiday Headbands

December 12, 2015 by 3 Comments

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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You all know by now how girly my girls truly can be. They absolutely love to dress up and do anything they can to accessorize themselves. They were so excited to receive these adorable headbands from Logo Loops for the holidays.

About Logo Loops:

Logo Loops, LLC produces a custom embroidered cotton/lycra stretch headband as well as “ready made” styles. Each of their headbands is a quality product manufactured and embroidered in their own workshops. The “loops” can be worn as a fashion statement, sports accessory, or team/school/camp spirit-building product.

Each headband is made of 90% cotton/10%Lycra stretch. The headbands are all machine washable and can be tumbled dry. Logo Loops ensures that each band maintains it’s “memory” and is non slip for girls who are always on the go. These stretchy accessories wont’ cause a headache unlike stiff wire or plastic headbands. They run 2 1/4″ wide, the perfect one-size-fits-all.

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My Thoughts:

As you can see my girls absolutely loved the looks and sayings of these adorable headbands that they received. With the weather getting warmer they are happy to wear these adorable, comfy headbands to fit in with the season.

Just in time for the holiday season, they came out with several new adorable headbands.

  • Ho Ho Ho
  • I Love Snow Days
  • Snowman Face
  • I Believe
  • Santa Whale
  • I Love Cocoa
  • Peace Love Santa
  • I Love Santa
  • Santa’s Helper
  • Fa La La La

After I found out about this great company Logo Loops I was so happy to see that they have adorable headbands other than just holiday. They have great headbands that can be worn year round for all those days when you need something extra for yourself, and even for those days when you need to just throw your hair in a ponytail.

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Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing these adorable headbands, head on over to the Logo Loops Website and find something perfect for the girl in your life.

Filed Under: fashion, Holiday Gift Guide, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, kids, review Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Must Have Newborn Items

December 11, 2015 by 1 Comment

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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I have two little girls and we are all about the humidifiers at our house. I’m not sure if it is just our older house or what, but we have to have humidifers on throughout the entire winter.

Ultrasonic 360 Humidifier:

The Ultrasonic 360 Humidifier helps you keep your baby or child healthy and comfortable. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and raise the level of indoor humidity, helping to ease cold symptoms and reduce dry skin or itchy eyes. The Ultrasonic 360 Humidifier supports baby year round, by putting you in control of humidity levels. Easily adjust the variable mist control for the moisture level that’s right for your family. The large tank provides your nursery with up to 36 hours hours of cool, soothing mist. This humidifier includes 2 fully rotating mist outlets, letting you also control the direction of the mist and giving you the ability to soothe two children in different beds at once. This humidifier is designed for ultimate convenience, the ultrasonic technology allows the humidifier to operate quietly and without filters. The humidifier features auto shut off and lights up to let you know it’s time to refill the tank.

My Thoughts:

I was incredibly impressed at how well this humidifier worked in my daughters’ room. They noticed a huge difference the huge night and were so happy to have it in their room. I have used other humidifiers in the past that did not have a filter and noticed a residue over most of my house. I was very happy to see that I did not have that problem with this humidifier. This is a great humidifier and I know that I will definitely use it in our new baby’s room.

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About the Grow With Me Medicine Set:

You can now ensure that you’re prepared for your child’s sickness with the Safety 1st Grow-With-Me Medicine Set. Featuring a medicine dropper with spill guard, medicine syringe with bottle adapter, and medicine spoon, this set will have you ready for any type of medicine that will help get your child back to health.

My Thoughts:

I was incredibly excited to see this awesome product. I wish that I would have had something like this with my 2 daughters when they were younger, and know that I will get a great deal of use out of it with the baby that is on the way. Great product to get for expectant parents.

Filed Under: baby, kids, review Tagged With: , , , , , ,