Lunch Box Ideas with Wet Ones #WishIHadAWetOnes #ad

September 2, 2015 by 2 Comments

School time is coming up fast, and it is time to think about getting creative with lunches. Instead of simply filling a lunch box with juice, a sandwich, and a fruit snack, why not make them guess whats coming each day?  A great way to do this is with a varied amount of foods, and switching it up often.

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First up, lets discuss snacks.  Classically the fruit snacks are used, especially with the younger kids, but there are tons of kinds and varieties of those as well.  Visit an international market, that is always fun.  Try giving the kids soup and gold fish crackers or cottage cheese and pretzel sticks, things like that.  You don’t have to be “that mom” spending 400 hours making an adorable bento box they aren’t going to eat anyway- just fill up their lunchbox with foods they like, and a variety of them. Soup, pasta, salad, even pizza with the proper containers could work.

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Any kind of drink can be packed, but the best thing for them is water.  You can give them sun tea or flavored water to keep their sugar intake down or for a surprise.  It can be cute to get your kids a bento box, and fill it with an odd assortment of fun stuff, with each compartment having a new surprise lunch treat.  Maybe think about leaving a note, small drawing, sticker, or just a special chocolate treat- that will make your child’s day.  The smallest of sentiments go a long way.

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Don’t forget the clean up.  Make sure to pack a Wet Ones so your little ones can keep germ free and clean after (and before!) lunchtime. America’s #1 Hand Wipe, they are perfect to clean messy hands and kill 99.99% of germs. They have an Aloe formula, so they won’t dry or irritate your skin like hand sanitizers can. And, they’re hypoallergenic- what more can a mom ask for in a wipe?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wet Ones®. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Wet Ones Singles At Target

August 24, 2015 by 3 Comments

Disclosure- This post is part of the paid relationship with Wet Ones. All opinions are my own.

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School time is upon us, and of course, with that comes packing up lunches for your little ones each day. What this means for most children is the same boring sandwich day in and day out, be it cheese and ham or peanut butter and jelly- after enough of it, you want to scream. In our house, the little guy has already revolted against sandwiches millennia ago, and his lunches consist of fresh fruit and veggies,  yogurt, soup, crackers, pastas, and of course the snacks. The most difficult part of giving him all these odd food combinations is the messes he makes with them.

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You’d think a squeeze yogurt and some fruit pieces can only make so much mess, but he is a master of the mess and so often, the yogurt gets all over everything. One way to limit the mess is to include Wet Ones wipes with the little ones’ lunches. This will not only lead to less germs (because Wet Ones clean messy hands and kills 99.99% of germs) but also less mess.  You can also get Wet Ones Aloe formula, which won’t dry or irritate skin like hand sanitizers can. And yes, they’re hypoallergenic.

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So for our last couple of Back to School shopping trips, we had to grab some Wet Ones from Target. We knew Target had the items we needed, and also accepted our cool coupon (and be sure to print and use it soon as they do expire).  Target is also competitively priced, and with the coupon as icing on the cake, its a no brainier that Wet Ones should be picked up ASAP.

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Keep in mind Wet Ones are also America’s #1 Hand Wipe (#1 claim based on scan data for 52 weeks ending 5/12/15) so quality is a given.  Don’t forget to grab yours for Back to School this year!

Disclosure- This post is part of the paid relationship with Wet Ones. All opinions are my own.
School time is upon us, and of course, with that comes packing up lunches for your little ones each day. What this means for most children is the same boring sandwich day in and day out, be it cheese and ham or peanut butter and jelly- after enough of it, you want to scream. In our house, the little guy has already revolted against sandwiches millennia ago, and his lunches consist of fresh fruit and veggies, yogurt, soup, crackers, pastas, and of course the snacks. The most difficult part of giving him all these odd food combinations is the messes he makes with them.

You’d think a squeeze yogurt and some fruit pieces can only make so much mess, but he is a master of the mess and so often, the yogurt gets all over everything. One way to limit the mess is to include Wet Ones wipes with the little ones’ lunches. This will not only lead to less germs (because Wet Ones clean messy hands and kills 99.99% of germs) but also less mess. You can also get Wet Ones Aloe formula, which won’t dry or irritate skin like hand sanitizers can. And yes, they’re hypoallergenic.

So for our last couple of Back to School shopping trips, we had to grab some Wet Ones from Target. We knew Target had the items we needed, and also accepted our cool coupon (and be sure to print and use it soon as they do expire). Target is also competitively priced, and with the coupon as icing on the cake, its a no brainier that Wet Ones should be picked up ASAP.

Keep in mind Wet Ones are also America’s #1 Hand Wipe (#1 claim based on scan data for 52 weeks ending 5/12/15) so quality is a given. Don’t forget to grab yours for Back to School this year!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wet Ones®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Filed Under: review Tagged With:

Back to School Backpacks

August 24, 2015 by 5 Comments

Back to school is a crazy time of year- and not many parents relish back to school shopping.  No matter what your kids need for school this year, they are sure to need a backpack to carry all their “stuff” to and from classes, home, and back again.  Here are some fun and functional choices for your students-

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Got a little one entering Pre-K or Kindergarten this year?  He or she will love Bixbee, and so will you.  These are just the cutest bags with great patterns and styles.  Some have wings, some have animal faces and ears- heck, even shark fins.  For bigger kids, they have tamer color palettes and more typical styles of backpack.  The cool thing about Bixbee is that they come in three sizes, so they will fit your child’s stature.  Some backpacks only come in certain sizes, or only one or two options, but you will be able to find one that fits your child’s style and size.  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 belongings.  Bixbee cares about kids- when you buy a backpack, they donate one to a child in need somewhere in the world.  What else can you ask for in a backpack?  Comfort, style, and caring. You can get yours at http://www.bixbee.com

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Wildkin backpacks and lunch bags are great for kids who like all their things to match, or parents who find it easier to grab everything when it all looks the same.  Not only are backpacks and lunchboxes available, but nap mats, sports bags, pencil cases, and more.  The material is not at tough as some of the bags out there, so if you have a child that is tough on his or her gear, these might not last as long as others.  The patterns are delightful- I have purchased several things for my child in one of them, including his very first “big boy” bedding set.  There are many different types of packs, bags, and duffels- check out the site and get what you need for the upcoming year at http://www.wildkin.com

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When it comes to school gear, you want to choose wisely, and you don’t want to have to buy the same items over and over because they were flimsy or poorly made.  Introducing Chooze Bags and coordinating lunch boxes.  Not only are they durable (and I personally took this one for a few days as well as my son’s own use of it), but they also have the added and somewhat unusual bonus of  being able to turn it inside out for a whole new look if you get tired of one version. They are totally reversible, with two fully functional sides, giving kids the ability to swap prints and styles without swapping backpacks.  I really like this backpack- it has tough side bags for water bottles and whatnot, many pockets, pouches, and places to keep your items, and zippers that don’t catch or pull. The straps are also padded, which is great- you know how heavy those backpacks can get.  Tons of options to chooze from (see what I did there? So clever….)- get yours now at http://www.choozeshoes.com/collections/backpacks

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If you are looking for something delicious to stick into lunchboxes this year, try Noosa Yoghurt.   The tastes and flavor combinations, along with the fact that it is made in small batches on a small family farm, make this unlike any other yogurt on the market today.  Made with all natural whole milk, fresh fruit purees, and honey, one bite will keep you coming back for more.  My husband is now an addict. It’s also  all natural, gluten-free, and probiotic, so it’s good for the whole family.  It comes in a variety of sizes- some just perfect for lunchboxes (some bigger for the husbands who want more). With flavors like Cranberry Apple, Pumpkin, Honey, Strawberry Rhubarb, and more, you can find both fun and unusual flavors or favorites like Vanilla and Blueberry.   Find a store that sells Noosa near you at http://www.noosayoghurt.com/

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WIN Back to School Customized Items from Zoey’s Attic

July 24, 2015 by 30 Comments

Disclosure: The customized shirt and cup from Zoey’s Attic, was provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.
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Who doesn’t love customized items? I know that with school starting just around the corner everyone seems to be getting everything ready. What better way to ring in the new school year than with customized items from Zoey’s Attic!

About Zoey’s Attic Personalized Gifts: 

Zoey’s Attic officially launched in November 2006 by creator and owner , Erin Delanty. She got the inspiration shortly after having her first child. She had the problem finding out of the ordinary newborn baby tees as well as had friends that were having a hard time finding unique big brother/big sister gear.

Erin has a background as a graphic designer, as well as a web developer. She decided to use that background to design her own line of products.

The initial idea of the store was to create a web-based shop where new parents and parents-to-be could involve all members of the family in exciting “baby news” by offering a variety of pregnancy or baby announcements and hard-to-find big brother/sister tees.

They now offer many products that the whole family can share in.

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Where did the name come from?

Zoey was the name of one of her daughters early favorite toys when she was young. The toy was given to her by Erin’s mother and she thought it was a great way to connect three generations. ….and everyone knows that there are wonderful, unexpected treasures to find in an attic.

20150724_154432About Back to School Customized Kindergarten Shirt:

If you are looking for a trendy t-shirt for your little one to wear on the first day of kindergarten or any day for that matter, this colorful front only design “peace, love, kindergarten” t-shirt is just what you need! It is perfect for the first day of kindergarten and even others – first grade, second, third, fourth, fifth, and on and on. They can customize this to any grade. It is super for back to school gifts and more .

 

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About Monogram Sparkly Acrylic Mason Jar Tumbler:

If you are looking for a unique gift for someone who loves the bling, then this trendy oversized glittery/sparkly silver or gold acrylic mason jar tumbler with monogram will not disappoint! You can personalize with favorite colors and whatever monogram/name/text you’d like. Makes a great gift for birthdays, Christmas, or Mother’s Day. This is a perfect gift for a teacher too!

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My Thoughts:

I was a huge fan of both of the items that I was able to review. My daughter absolutely loves her shirt and can’t wait to wear her new shirt on her first day of Kindergarten. The shirt fits great with room enough to grow and wear it all year long. On top of that, The shirt is made incredibly. It is going to hold up and last all year long for sure, which is great for this big girl.

I could not love my tumbler anymore. I am a big fan of sparkle and am ready to start out my new school year with the perfect cup. I always take a cup of water with me everyday and I am happy to have a new cup that is adorable as well as a great size to keep me hydrated as I go about my day.

I have been very impressed with each of the items that I have received from Zoey’s Attic. I always look to them first for anything that I want personalized.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing this or any other great products, please go to Zoey’s Attic to find the perfect item for your family.

Giveaway:

One Lucky Winner will receive a gift certificate for $35.00 off the total order of their purchase. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Also, PLEASE READ- because Google thinks short comments are spam, please copy and paste these short lines, or add your own sentences to your answer- “Thanks for the giveaway! I am excited. I hope I win the prize. ”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The migratory patterns of kids’ gear

September 27, 2014 by 1 Comment

Kids' gear without a SwaggerTagCaribou, Atlantic Salmon and Monarch Butterflies tend to migrate predictably. Kids’ gear, however, can often be spotted in surprising and seemingly random locations. How does a pair of running shoes find its way up telephone wires? Do scooters & bikes wheel themselves miles away from home? How can that SmartPhone be forgotten on the subway when you can’t even get your kid to part from it at the dinner table?

New York City’s Transit (MTA) reports that its Lost & Found has a rotating inventory of over 160,000 items. And while kids & teens leave behind the bulk of gear, there are plenty of adults who contribute, too. Items range from a library of E-Readers & other electronics, a schoolyard of backpacks, a menagerie of stuffed animals, an orchestra of musical instruments, a hospital’s worth of medical aids and an alarming number of pairs of underwear(!?!)

Like most lost & found offices, the MTA does its best to reunite people with their lost articles, even creating an online database that’s updated hourly.

As parents, we know how easy it is for a distracted child or teen to loose track of their gear (hey, we’ve been know to be guilty of it ourselves!). And despite our warnings, threats & pleas, it happens. Sometimes we get lucky: we’re able to quickly backtrack and claim our personal effects. Other times, it doesn’t work out that way…and then everyone’s upset.
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WIN! Back To School With Alex Toys and Crafts

September 3, 2014 by 66 Comments

With back to school upon us, we want our kids to be as ready as they can be.  We also want them to have as much fun as they can both in and out of school.  Learning can be fun, and is easily incorporated into play.  Having mom and dad around to share learning time and help and encourage children grow will let your children thrive and feel confidant as they had back to school this year.

ALEX toys, favorites of ours, make going back to school fun and easy.  Check out some of the awesome items they have for your little ones!

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ALEX TOYS Ready, Set, Write by ALEX BRANDS

We love this!  We took it with us on a recent road trip to Maine and Canada, and my son used it in the car and in restaurants.  “Learn to write A,B,C’s and numbers with ease! This spiral-bound pad contains 19 pages of numbers and letters that wipe away for lots of practicing.”  It is perfect for practicing your letters and getting to know them, or for older children like my son, getting better with handwriting (which, like his mother, is usually a mess).

Ready, Set, Write costs $13.95 on the ALEX site, and is well worth it.  It can be used over and over again, as well as passed on to younger siblings. It is aimed at kids aged 3 and up, but can be used by younger if they can grip the pen.  The one thing I would watch for is that the pen does stain both hands and clothing if you are not careful.

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ALEX TOYS Ready, Set, Tell Time by ALEX BRANDS

My son is not the best at telling time on any sort of clock or watch- it is a skill we are working on.  This kit is aimed at children 4 and up, but again can be used with younger children as well as older. I would have for sure used it for circle time when I was teaching Pre-K, and my son is getting use out of it as well.  It sells for $18.95 on the ALEX website, and comes with more then just a clock face.
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Kohl’s for Back-to-School

August 20, 2013 by 2 Comments

Back to School season is upon us, and like many parents, there is so much I needed to pick up for my fella before he goes back.  One of my favorite places to shop is Kohl’s.  They carry a huge selection in my local store, and what I can’t find in store, I can easily find online (or just skip it and online shop if I am feeling lazy, LOL).  Sometimes, I just don’t feel like bringing him with me to the store.  And the allure of 2 am shopping is always a draw to me….

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My little dude needs to wear khaki pants to school this year, so that was one of the first things we were looking at.  An easy choice were the Chaps Flat-Front Twill School Uniform Pants, which were originally $30 and are now on sale, a bonus  🙂 They look and feel good, and are sturdy (I hate buying new everything in December because it wears out, UGH).
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Kohl’s Cares for Kids for Back to School

August 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Kohl’s Cares for Kids program has teamed up with everyone’s favorite monkey- Curious George!  George and his friends are available in plush, book, and backpack form for just $5.  The money earned goes to a variety of good causes.

Kohl’s Cares merchandise program featuring Curious George books and plush toys for just $5 each. This delightful program is a hit with both kids and their parents, as Kohl’s donates 100 percent of the net profit to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

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In addition to the merchandise program, Kohl’s Cares features a scholarship program, which recognizes more than 2,300 young volunteers each year with scholarships and prizes.  Examples are- The Associates in Action program, which encourages associate volunteerism and has donated more than $63 million to youth-focused nonprofit organizations to date; a hospital partner program that supports more than 160 partners nationwide; and fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving nonprofit organizations.
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