Dress up time!

It really doesn't have to be Halloween to nab a great costume! Dress up is a fun game ANY time of the year. My son is the typical boy and loves clothing with capes, funny boots, hats and anything else I can dream up to make him giggle. I got him the cutest Toy Story costume featuring the Woody character, you have ever seen!

I hope you have seen the movie because its adorable and so is Max in his cowboy costume. While he doesn't yet realize he is dressed up as "Woody" he does realize that he has a cool outfit and a funny hat to wear. I love the idea of playing dress up because it gives kids a chance to pretend play and be whatever they want to be! I was poking around the Costume Discounters website and see so many more I would love to add to our costume closet from holiday themed costumes to just about every superhero or tv character you can think of and all at great prices. I also love how they offer the accessories right there on the page so you don't have to go hunting around to make your costume complete. The Woody costume we got was of great quality and fit right as indicated. The hat is so cool and will be used long after the costume is outgrown. With Easter coming up you have to check out their bunny suits-- they had me cracking up (there are both kids ones and adults ones).

Sleep Better-- No prescription needed ( I like the sounds of this ) Review & Giveaway

Our house is very small or should I say cozy? Every little noise is heard in all rooms which means when Max is nappy we either don't move or tiptoe around the house. When I had the chance to review the Ultimate Sleep Sound Therapy System by Sound + Sleep I knew it was going to serve a couple of purposes in this house. Our Sound + Sleep machine is actually running right this instant on the ocean setting so Max is napping peacefully without hearing the tap, tap tap of me typing this right now! In addition to the soothing sound of ocean waves you can tune into city noises, rainfall, brook (love this one), meditation, white noise, waterfall, fireplace (another fave), meadow or even a train. While some of these don't sound very soothing you would be amazed at how well they are orchestrated and put into a lulling, smooth, constant sound to help you get to sleep and best of all-- stay asleep. Here is what the machine looks like:

Here you can also see its sleek, modern design from the top:

The Sound + Sleep website has a plethora of great sleeping information on it including my favorite section about baby sleep. They talk about the "circular sleep deprivation loop" and how to break it using caring and kind methods with your baby. I love that they promote natural sleep without using prescriptions to create a life of great sleeping habits. Our home is no stranger to white noise machines, we actually had one before this but what makes this one so much superior and unique is its vast array of various sounds, their adaptive sound difference-- the only machine to have this it adjusts to your environment and its design that fits in with the decor of my bedroom.

So you want your very own Sound + Sleep machine? Its not too late to add it to your Christmas list and right now they have some great promotions going or you can try your hand at winning one right here. Here is what you have to do: visit their site and tell me a great sleep fact, follow my blog, like me on facebook and then email me to let me know you did all this. You have until Sunday December 11th. Best of luck to you!

Happy riding!

I remember growing up and learning to ride my bike like it was yesterday. Why? It was traumatic! My dad thought that training wheels were a waste of time so he used a stick that he secured under my seat and would follow behind me as I rode. When he felt like I was going good he let go, taking the stick with him. Everytime this resulted in a crash-- don't get me wrong we still laugh about "the stick" to this day but there has to be a better way! I saw TykesBykes on the net while I was cruising looking for special christmas gift to pass onto you! I am ALL about having active children and getting them outdoors so I think classic presents like bikes are perfect gifts! TykesBykes makes "balance bikes" that teach children balancing skills which is key to riding a bike. By the bike being low to the ground, having no pedals and weighing under 10 pounds TykesBykes bikes are easy for your little ones to handle. Here is what they have to say:
"A balance bike is essentially learning 2 skills again, but this time it's balance and steering. Let's face it peadaling is the easy part and most kid's will have other pedal toys to get that concept and even when your child has lerant to ride a regular bike, they will still be having fun on a balance bike."

As a mom, I love that the balance bike is much safer. With having their feet on the ground or easily put down they will avoid a lot of tips and spills. The bike arrived to us in just a few pieces and assembly was a snap, they even walk you through step by step on their website if need be. We loved how light the frame was, how heavy duty the tires were and just the high quality in general. There are videos on their website as well if you want to see the bike in action. I also love that TykesBykes is a family run business "committed to raising happy, healthy and active children" (they also happen to love bikes). So if you are looking for the perfect gift for the little one in your life check out TykesBykes. The concept is really cool and you will help keeps kids healthy by getting them outdoors and moving all while having fun. You can also visit them on their facebook page where they put out fun stuff and also giveaway bikes! There is also free shipping if you act soon.

Umbrellas, gloves, slippers-- oh my!

I am a long time fan of the Totes-Isotoner brand, in fact I am wearing Isotoner balerina slippers as I type this. When I was browsing around their website I could not believe all the items they actually have that you don't see in store. Extended sizes, every fabric imaginable, even wedding slippers! Not to mention shoes, hats, scarves, rainwear and more! I was really into their umbrellas-- they have super cool ones that you can find to fit just about any personality. I chose one for Max of course that is so stinkin' cute:

It is the Totes Frog Kids Critters Animal Faces umbrella. This umbrella opens easily and safely for little hands, when I opened it Max was giggling at the frog face with the pop up ears. The details are so cute on this umbrella and it even has a matching handle. This one will last a long time because its high quality just like you would expect from Totes. The other one we chose was from their golf line (told you there was a huge selection):

This one is their cool Chicago Bears Golf umbrella. It features a vented canopy and provides rain protection while you are out on the course. It has an automatic open and is giant so it could have so many other uses like the beach, going to the game etc... Plus the combo of golf and a favorite team is sure to be a great gift! Totes is giving away an umbrella of the winners choice-- here is what you have to do: visit their site and tell me which umbrella you would pick, follow my blog, like me on facebook and then email me to let me know you did all this. You have until Sunday December 4th. Best of luck to you!

You can buy "green" everything!

Ever since having Max we are trying to be more and more mindful of what we put in our home and bodies so we have been buying "green" as much as possible. We are lovin' the Buy Green site where there is an amazing selection of green home and fun items for your whole family including your furry friends. Buy Green literally has you covered from clothing and personal care to your work space. We were especially excited about the environmentally safe and non-toxic toy section they have featuring great green brands. The item that Max will be pushing around is the Dump Truck by Green Toys.

Green Toys brand is also Made in the USA! YEAH! How cute is this truck? Max loves pushing it around and loves that the back goes p and down. I put a few of his blocks in the rear dump area and he was very annoyed tossing them out each time! We are having so much fun playing with our truck! I love that this toy has passed so many safety standards and is primarily made of recycled milk containers-- how cool! Poke around on their site and let me know what you see!

FUN Review & Giveaway--Original King Carousel gumball machine

I am loving doing this review and giveaway! Right now we are furiously working on renovating our basement just in time for Max's birthday party so there is a little wiggle room for all of our guests. Once it is finished I can not wait to display our new Original King Carousel gumball machine! This one looks just like the old fashioned original gumball machines except this one is brand new but filled with authentic details.

This gumball machine is VERY reasonably priced for what you get. When it arrived I did not expect such high quality parts to the machine. The globe is glass and the gumball machine is heavy made with a real working coin mechanism (will accept any coin denomination). You can also make adjustments to your machine like the amount of candy dispensed or turning it into a free play machine. We had so much fun assembling this and marveling at all the details-- we were so impressed with our new machine and can not wait to show it off! What a great addition to our new playroom/ office area! When Max is older he will love the novelty of this machine and all the proceeds will go directly to his piggy bank. We were also sent delicious gumballs to stock our machine-- all brightly colored and delicious, just like the originals. You can now win your very own Original King Carousel gumball machine and gumballs to fill it up with! Here is what you have to do-- tell me where you would love to proudly display your gumball machine, check out the gumball.com website and tell me something else cool you saw, make sure you follow my blog and also like me on facebook-- then email me to let me know you qualify and keep your fingers crossed because you just may be the winner. You have until Tuesday the 29th to get your entry in. Good luck!

You can't be too young OR too old for BLOCKS!

My son was lucky enough to get a 160 piece Fun With Friends set from Back to Blocks.

When I say my son, I should say my whole family. The bucket arrived and let me say first off I was so impressed at them being in such a nice container. A big sturdy bucket with a lid that we can tote around from room to room and stays neat. But we took the lid off and inside was a huge array of smooth wooden blocks of all shapes and sizes-- Small Basic Blocks, Large Basic Blocks, Arches, Triangles, Small and Large Wedges, Columns, Square Posts and Windows. The perfect set to let your childs imagination run wild!

Mind you my son is only a year old but he was ever so fascinated by his new blocks-- turning them over to examine, stacking, knocking down and watching us create as well as a little taste testing. He goes straight for the blocks when he sees the bucket and knows just how to lift that lid to get right in there. We love showing him how things can be built and how the columns fit into the other pieces because we can see his mind just working away!

I know there are tons of blocks on the market so why choose Back to Blocks? You will be getting a quality product made of high quality materials-- so much so that they guarantee their blocks and will replace any block that cracks or splinters. Also, you really get a ton of blocks for your money. They really are a good investment anyways because every child loves creating and playing with blocks-- boy or girl. Their blocks are also safe-- made with no paints, dyes or stains. Need I say more? We are thrilled with our Fun With friends set and can not wait to see all the awesome structures that Max can dream up! I had to show these pics too-- I swear these blocks must be super yummy:

Want your own set to put under the tree this year?  Their website offers quite a few options for your block shopping pleasure or you can try your hand at winning some of these! Here are the details: Make sure you follow my blog, like me on facebook, then hop on over to the Back to Blocks website and tell me what you would love to create with your child if you were to win the set. You have until Sunday November 27th! GOOD LUCK!

Your Party Starts Here!

So as everyone knows, Max's 1st birthday is approaching QUICK! I have over 30 people on my guest list and get panicked moments just thinking of everything that has to be done-- food, cake, gift bags, supplies etc... Based on his favorite characters we chose Mickey Mouse Clubhouse because Mickey make him smile and because Mikey is SO classic! Lucky for me there are some great party supplies out there for a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse birthday party and I found just what I was looking for at Discount Party Supplies. For starters I ordered the Mickeys Clubhouse Standard Party Pack:

Which includes:
1 x Mickey's Clubhouse Mickey Dinner Plates (8 Pack)+$0.00
1 x Mickey's Clubhouse Mickey Lunch Napkins (16 Pack)+$0.00
1 x Mickey's Clubhouse Mickey 9oz Cups (8 Pack)+$0.00
1 x Mickey’s Clubhouse Mickey Invitations (8 Pack)+$0.00
1 x Sunflower Yellow Assorted Cutlery (24 Pack)+$0.00
1 x Blue Streamers, 81 (ft), (Each)+$0.00
1 x Red Streamers, 81 (ft), (Each)+$0.00
1 x Royal Blue Balloons (15 pack)+$0.00
1 x Red Balloons (15 pack)+$0.00
1 x Red Plastic Tablecover, 54" x 108" (Each)+$0.00
1 x Spiral Birthday Candles (24 Pack)+$0.00
I will surely need much more when it comes to plates, napkins, cups and cutlery but it gave me a great base to start from at a GREAT price of only 18.99-- I could never buy this piece by piece for this price. I was so happy with each of my items-- all of very high quality and the Mickey prints of all very high resolution. The streamers, balloons, tablecover and cutlery that they chose perfectly accented the Mickey theme and print. It seems like Discount Party Supplies would have you covered no matter what theme you were going with including birthdays, holidays, graduations, showers, anniversaries-- you name it, any reason you can find to PARTY! They have some great deals running too like free shipping on orders over 65.00 and 50% off tablewear. They boast over 400 unique party themes and now make custom invites and banners.

Kudzoom-- We Grow With You

Check out this great daily deal site-- Kudzoom-- I am realy excited about it because it has a lot of great perks and is pretty unique in its set up. First off, just sign up and you get an automatic 5.00 added to your account without any strings attached and no links to go through, free shipping on orders over 50.00, loyalty programs and more! What makes Kudzoom unique is that it is focused on all stages from babies, tots, kids, tweens and even moms-to-be. I checked out today's great deals at Kudzoom and found tons of stuff at great prices for Max. Look at this cute top:

Only 9.00! This may not be there when you go to look as the deals change daily but they had tons of cute clothes, accessories and even toys to choose from at great prices.

So go ahead, join and browse around-- let me know what you find. Oh and did I mention that Kudzoom is throwing in a 25 dollar credit giveaway? One very lucky reader will get 25.00 to spend on whatever they choose at Kudzoom's store. Here is how you can be that lucky someone-- email me and let me know that you signed up for your own Kudzoom membership then just let me know a little something you learned while on the website. (You must follow my blog to win) Thats it! Hurry as this giveaway ends Wednesday, November 9th. Good luck!

Rock It!

Its like Christmas around here with all the great giveaways! And this one is sure to top your kiddo's list this year so read on... I was given the amazing opportunity of reviewing and personally testing out the "Original" Rockboard Scooter. WOW!

So did I plan on taking this puppy for a ride myself? Not at all but once we took it out of the box (it came fully assembled which was a huge plus) and got the full scope of everything it was capable of, I was game. So I don't exactly do well on two wheels but amazingly I was able to get the Rockboard Scooter going and off I went! What a great ride-- this scooter can move and with very little effort on my part. Your "rocking" motion sets this scooter on fire and will reach up to speeds of 10 mph. The "Original" scooter (designed for ages 8+ but capable of holding up to 200 pounds so great for adults too) can go into three modes:

Rockboard Mode-- where the board of the scooter is at an angle, Kick Mode-- allowing you to have a flat board and Folded in which it folds very compactly for easy storage. They have simply thought of everything with this scooter. They also have a "Mini" for your little kids to enjoy as well. I am not sure who would not want this under their tree so I am sure the competition is going to be fierce for this giveaway but here we go. To enter send me an email telling me who you would love to give this scooter to (or yourself of course) and make sure you follow my blog. Thats it! The winner will be chosen at random on Sunday night, the 30th, so act quick!

Hank Player USA Review & Giveaway!

I have posted a few times on here how I love finding cool clothes for Max that are not coated in puppy dogs and teddy bears. Its just precious seeing him in a trendy little pair of jeans and matching top. That is why I was so excited to have come across Hank Player USA. You see, Hank Player has the hippest tees and gifts for babies, infants, little boys and even some for the grown up boys. I was more than happy to review one of their vintage graphic tees for Max. They have quite the selection to choose from so lucky for me the folks over there were nice enough to do the choosing, it would have taken me a while. So here is my Max in his tee-- keep in mind I ordered big for next summer. He looks stinkin' adorable in this:

I tried 8 buzillion times to flip this picture so sorry if you have to turn your computer a bit. I am having all around technical problems! But back the shirt-- it is oh so soft and has that vintage look with a washed out brown color on a high quality tee with great priting. He has the "Rock Paper Scissors" one on. So you want to get you paws on your own Hank Player shirts? Well you can hop onto their website and order them up- they have a free shipping deal posted on the first page or you can try your luck at my giveaway. HP is generously offering up the winner 2 tees in their choice of size. All you have to do is sign up for their newsletter (one entry) found on the bottom of their homepage, you can also get additional entries by liking them on facebook and following them on twitter. Simply send me an email and let me know how many entries you are eligible for and you will be in the drawing set to end this Sunday the 30th. GOOD LUCK!

PlasmaCar Review AND Giveaway!

Check out this cool ride-on toy made exclusively by PlasmaCar:

Not only has this "car" won numerous awards from great sources like disneyfamily.com, Learning Express, Fat Brain Toys and on and on its now an award winner in our house! Why? This fun "kid powered" car does not require the constant use of expensive batteries and provides endless play time simply by turning the steering wheel back and forth-- zoom off you go! As a mom, I love that the ride is low to the ground and stable in my opinion all while being FUN at the same time! Easily assembled (did it myself), inexpensive and kid approved this would make an awesome present under the tree! The PlasmaCar comes in an array of vibrant colors sure to attract your little one and made of high quality durable plastic for a long lasting toy staple. So you want to try to win your own PlasmaCar? Great! You are eligible for two entries-- like them on facebook and follow them on twitter. Email me and let me know you did these things and you will be in the drawing, its that simple. Make sure you do this quick-- the giveaway will be ending Friday, October 28th. Good luck!

Brainy Toys

What mother does not want to watch their child having a great time playing with their toys but also know that they are learning and developing from all the fun they are having? I honestly put thought into every toy that I get for Max. I know what he will and won't like but beyond that try and give him educational fun. Mindware has educational (and fun) toys for kids of all ages from the amateur player to 12+ years. Max falls into the beginner range but he sure loves his toys. I spotted this cool "Click Clack Caterpillar" for ages 1 and up -- it is a sights and sounds caterpillar that teaches little ones cause and effect as well as hand/eye coordination all while entertaining them with colorful balls and cars, melodies, funny sounds and lights.

Max simply loves this fun caterpillar! He shoots the balls right down the tracks and laughs as the lights come on and the sounds and music play. It also comes with roller type cars that he will learn to use as he gets a bit older, the balls are perfect for his little hands right now. I love that it is a toy that he will grow into and can use now so its worth every penny at an affordable 59.95. The product is sturdy and generously sized, the balls flow smoothly down the tracks and it is uniquely fun. I see SO many things on Mindware that I would love to get Max. They make it super easy for you to shop by allowing you to select by age range or categories like books, building toys, games, science, history and MANY more. Personally I spotted things on the site that I would like for myself haha! I would love to play this LineUp Board Game or do the All Natural Day Spa. Kids of ALL ages will love Mindware!

Simply Colors Birthday Tee

As my little Max's first birthday approaches (sigh) we are trying to put together the details of his upcoming birthday bash. From picking the date, theme, cake and even what he is wearing-- its all a big deal for his special day. I really want him to have a personalized birthday shirt and also one that we can hold onto as a keepsake from his first birthday. So we found a really cool t-shirt company that makes custom kids shirts in just about any fashion you can dream up.

Its called Simply Colors and here is how it works:

• First choose from their-- t-shirt, onesie, polo shirt, rugby shirt, hoodie, dress, tank tops, underwear, pants, sweat pants, pants, baby hats and sleep sacks
• Then choose your color/size
• The fun begins! Do you want just text? Just an illustration? Or a little of both?
• Once you have that down you can personalize to your hearts desire choosing from great clip art and your wording with a huge variety of fonts and colors to print on to your shirt. They even have rhinestones and silveir lettering-- very cool possiblities!

I got Max a blue tee with the birthday cake illustration and his full name underneath. It turned out so stinkin' cute! And the tee was of extremely high quality, nice and thick with a great baby blue color and very professional printing-- it looks perfect. The pricing varies on what you choose but is very reasonable.

PJ's that glow in the dark!

I just love when I get the chance to review something for my little guy! This review came just in time as its already starting to get super cold here in the midwest and long sleeve pajamas are a must. The Pajama Company has a HUGE selection of great pajamas for everyone from your little guys to us grown-ups. They have tons of categories easily laid out on their website for easy shopping like matching family sets, footed pajamas for both kids and adults-- even dog pj's! I chose to get the kiddo a cool set called "Glow in the Dark PJ Rex" by Hatley Nature Kids, just one of the many great brands featured on The Pajama Company website. Max will just love these jammies because not only do they feature a cool dino applique top but also an all-over dino print on the bottoms-- the best part is that they GLOW IN THE DARK!

Yep-- its true, these pj's are so cool they will be a favorite in this house. I loved that they set is made of high quality 100% combed cotton featuring a snug, safe fit and cuffed ankles/sleeves it is also so original with its glow in the dark dinosaur theme. Make sure to check out The Pajama Company for your family and also pajamas are always great presents! Like them on facebook while you are at it!

The Orb Factory Toy Review

The Orb Factory has quite a few fun, educational and unique sets just for kids! We were lucky enough to get to try out one of their "first sticky mosaics". I was not quite sure what to expect but inside the box are tons of sticky foam pieces, 5 designs (ours is vehicle themed) and 5 little hangers. This is what it looks like:

You then follow the color patterns on the sheets and use the foam stickies to make the pictures come to life. So creative and a great way to have fun with your kids.

Before                 After        

Its labeled for 3+ but I can see kids younger enjoying this with a parent and older kids would have a blast as well. There are tons of creative toys and sets on their website for a variety of ages. I have to say the products are all very reasonably priced so would make great gifts as well. You can follow them on facebook, twitter, blog or visit their website!  

Genius!

I LOVE when a new product comes out that makes me wonder WHY didn't I think of that? Around my house I am the handwashing police and think it is the key to good health. So I really want Max to understand the importance of washing his hands and also HOW to wash his hands. Some people merely squirt a bit of soap, rub for a second and rinse off- that's not good enough. SquidSoap has come out with a product that helps teach kids healthy hand washing habits in a fun way! So how does it work?
"SquidSoap works by applying a small ink mark on a person's hand when they press the pump to dispense the soap. The ink is designed to wash off after the hands are washed for about15-20 seconds, which is the time recommended by most doctors. SquidSoap is lots of fun for kids, since they love to get marked. It makes handwashing more like a game. Also, the very stretchable squid toy is a blast to play with and will provide hours of entertainment."
Seriously, why didn't I think of this? Not only is it one of the best healthy habits to learn it is also fun, the squid and ink is clever. The soap also smells deliciously fresh so its great for kids and adults alike. If nothing else it will be a great conversation piece in your bathroom!

Want to win your very own bottle of squid soap? I am doing a quick giveaway-- email me tonight and tell me a great handwashing fact, I will randomly pick a winner tomorrow morning. Good luck!

All Natural Body Care for Kids

If you have been following me at all in the last 9 months you know that I am borderline obsessed with what goes into Max and also what I use on him. I want only the best for him and to me that is using all natural products. I was so impressed to learn that Tru Kid is an all natural line but also has the best kids safety rating possible, I LOVE this. Not only does Tru Kid make it their mission to be safe for kids but they are also concerned about the environment. I recently got the SPORT TruKid Sunny Days Sunscreen and love that it is non-toxic and is made of ingredients like aloe, green tea oil, pomegranite juice and still is water resistant and offers UVA/UVB protection at a rating of SPF 30.

They have tons of other products (not just for kids) like their baby line, grownup line, bathwash, detanglers-- you name it. But my favorite has to be the Silly Shampoo! The shampoo is a mild one that is perfect for super sensitive skin that washes away surface oils but keeps the natural oils. It has a great citrus-ey scent probably due to the coconut, orange and grapefruit. Check it out for your little ones!

Pit Stop!

Check out the cool looking "Pit Stop" themed lunch box that my son got from Go Green Lunch Box:

"Each Go Green Lunch Box set comes with an insulated fabric carrier, a five-compartment food container, and a bottle that will hold eight ounces of water or your child’s favorite drink – all leach- and lead-free. Turn 'n lock technology ensures your child's lunch stays fresh."

Not only do these lunch boxes have fun designs that will make your children excited to carry them but they are innovative with their unique design features that I have not seen anywhere else.

They have a whiteboard to write notes (this might be my favorite part of all), 5 compartments including a stainless drink bottle, silicone banding on each compartment to seal from leaks, turn and lock technology to keep in freshness and is an affordable alternative to purchasing each item individually-- look at the cost analysis here. (They also have replacement parts so if anything happens you are not purchasing a whole new set). Even though Max is not in school we will use the Go Green Lunch Box on picnics, running errands, car trips and any other time I want to keep his food fresh on the go. I love getting the chance to review and showcase these types of products that will make life easier! Oh and these are not just for kids-- I would have loved one of these when I was working to tote my lunch back and forth, they have cool adult designs as well.