Review #94: Sage Spoonfuls Snackie & Munchie Bag Set

Sage Spoonfuls Snackie & Munchie Bag Set

We received this snackie & munchie reusable bag set to review and within the first 24 hours we were in love. My son loves carrying the snackie bag around with him & having his snacks with him wherever we go. We brought both pieces of the set with us to the beach over the weekend and it was wonderfully convenient. Super easy to wash after a day of use, quickly dried & my 7 year old daughter begged to take her school snack in the giraffe munchie bag today. 

Review #93: KAWO Backpack of Beach Toys

KAWO Backpack of Beach Toys

When looking for beach toys for my son I had two requirements. #1 They needed to include trucks. #2 He needed to be able to carry them. I was skeptical when I found KAWO Backpack of Beach Toys. For a very affordable price, it includes 11 toys and has a mesh drawstring bag to carry them. Three of the toys are trucks, 5 are sand shapers, a shovel, a rake and a pale. I was happily surprised upon opening this set & so was my son. They are sturdy enough that they should last us all summer, the trucks actually roll in the sand and the pale & shovel are both very very sturdy. A wonderful set that will be with us all summer!

Review #92: Strider Bike

Strider Bike

A few weeks ago we received this amazing strider balance bike in exchange for a review. My husband and I have been checking these bikes out for a while for PJ but he can be very picky about what toys he likes. The day it was delivered, I think I was happier than PJ. Its a bright orange and only took me about 5 minutes to assemble and all the tools were included! The next day, we went and bought a helmet & took PJ down to the local bike path to try his new bike. He loved it! Hes still getting the hang of using it, but he definitely loved playing with it. As he grows, the bike will grow with him! It fits children from 18 months until 5 years old. Both the seat and handlebars are an adjustable height which is very simple to adjust! Overall, this is one of the best products Ive reviewed. I cannot think of one negative thing to even possibly say about this awesome product!

Review #91: Crane Hippo Humidifier

Crane Hippo Humidifier

Humidifiers are something that I feel like we need in every single bedroom. It never ceases to amaze me that when one child gets sick, the entire family gets sick. I was excited to receive this adorable hippo humidifier to review. I saw these humidifiers at MommyCon in 2016 and after our last humidifier stopped working very well I was happy to give Crane a try. Not only is it super cute but it is super quiet, which is a requirement in our house! The size is perfect at only 12.75in high and 9in around. The tank holds 1 gallon and was easily filled in our bathroom sink(something our last humidifier could not do). There is a dial so you can choose the level that fits for your room. We only needed it turned about halfway up to effectively keep my son's small/medium sized room well humidified. Overall, Crane has won us over. We are happy to have this addition to our household and if any other humidifiers ever fail we know what brand we will be replacing them with!

Review #90: Sweetooth

Sweetooth

My son started teething very early at 4 months old. We went through many teethers before finding sweetooth. Its the perfect size for little hands, smells great and is the perfect silicone texture. Very easy to clean too! And I love how cute he looks using it.

Review #89: MAM Pacifiers

MAM Pacifiers

MAM Pacifiers were always my son's favorites. They are anatomically the best design for children to keep the mouth in the correct position. They come in multiple sizes to fit children of different ages and different designs to match different kid's preferences. They also come in glow in the dark colors to help little ones(and moms) find them in the middle of the night.  

Review #88: Little Goddess Creations Headbands & Hair Clips

Little Goddess Creations Headbands & Hair Clips

  

We have multiple headbands and hair clips from Little Goddess Creations and we love them all so much. They all feature a beautiful flower design made out of satin ribbon and have wonderful craftsmanship. This small business is run by Samantha, who handmakes every design herself. 

Review #87: Melissa & Doug Latches Wooden Activity Board

Melissa & Doug Latches Wooden Activity Board

We found this Melissa & Doug Latches Wooden Activity Board while visiting a local children's play place and my son loved it so much we ordered one immediately upon getting home. It has 6 different doors, each with a different type of latch to open the door. Each door is a different color with a number on the front. Inside there is a corresponding number of an animal. Not only does it help with fine motor skills, but also with counting! We have always been big fans of Melissa & Doug so I am not surprised that this is such an amazing product. 

Accepting the fate…. Kids really do grow up fast!

Accepting the fate…. 

Kids really do grow up fast!

A few weeks ago my first born turned eight. My husband thought this would be a good time to let emotional momma know that she is half way to driving age. That hit me like a ton of bricks. Then while hanging out with one of her friends, the mom says, “Don’t you think it’s crazy that they are now the big kids at school” Wait, slow down, and let me cry for a minute. 8 years old. Third grade. Time for me to accept the fact that she’s growing up. 

Gone are the days when she needed me to feed her or wanted me to hold her hand in the store. Gone are the days where she would rather swing with mom than play with kids on the playground. Gone are the days of buckling her seatbelt, carrying her to bed, and keeping her within sight at all times. 

Now we are faced with all new parenting battles. Where did this teenage sized attitude come from? Is she going to have a teacher that meshes with her personality? Are the bullies going to pick on her again? And of course, the things she constantly asks like “When can I get a phone?” “When can I stay home alone?” and “Why isn’t my bedtime later?"

And once in a while, like this morning, I get a glimpse back to my precious little baby when she climbs in bed with me early in the morning, or when she snuggles me on the couch. And some days are even better when she quietly brings me coffee in bed, sneaks in to be the first to see her little brother in the morning or asks to do my hair. 

So, I will continue to stock pile the school pictures, the artwork and the notes with friends in the big Tupperware bin in the attic, next to the bins of her baby blankets & gear I can’t come to part with. I’ve had a quilt made of her baby clothes and a teddy bear of her first fleece sleeper so I can always have a part of that baby girl while the yearly soccer magnet collection keeps growing me, forever reminding me that she is growing up.

With every day & every smile I see her growing up it reminds me to cherish the moments as much as possible with my second and to not rush the days. Cherish every moment, day, week. Cherish every smile, laugh and tear. Cherish all of it, because it moves so fast.  

Review #85: FairyTales Rosemary Repel Conditioning Spray

FairyTales Rosemary Repel Conditioning Spray

After my daughter got lice I discovered this amazing product. She will never go to school, practice, sports games, rehearsals, birthday parties, etc ever again without me spraying her hair with FairyTales Rosemary Repel Conditioning Spray again. This conditioning and detangling spray is free of sulfates, harsh chemicals and toxins making it safe for children of all ages!

Review #86: Kinsa Smart Thermometer

Kinsa Smart Thermometer

My son had been feeling under the weather for a few days so I was ecstatic to receive this Kinsa smart thermometer today to review for Guidance Guide! 

Not only does it take oral, underarm and rectal temps but it also can track medication, symptoms, diagnosis, photos & notes. While waiting for the temperature to load it has a pop the bubble game that the child can play to entertain themselves! 

Personal profiles are able to be set up for every member of the family and can even choose Sesame Street avatars. This is going to be such a game changer for middle of the night sicknesses and keeping the kids entertained while taking their temp!

Anchorage at the lake

Anchorage at the Lake

This week my mother, my 8 year old daughter, Dawn, my 2 year old son, PJ, my 12 year old niece, Leah, and myself took a vacation to New Hampshire and planned it around our stay at the Anchorage at the Lake in Tilton NH. When planning this summer's vacation my mother & I were sure we wanted somewhere laid back with a activities for the kids as well as waterfront.

The Anchorage at the Lake is an awesome place for families. There are 3 private beaches, a playground, water activities, kayak and canoes, boat rentals, trails to hike, a game room, sundeck and all families rent their own private little cottage. Each cottage has a kitchen, screen room, picnic table, grill and private bath. On Friday and Saturday nights they even have a bonfire on the large lawn.

 We arrived Saturday afternoon & checked in to our cottage. After unpacking we were able to play at the playground for a while before we went out to the Tilt'n Diner for dinner. When staying in Tilton you must stop by this restaurant. They serve all day breakfast, the service was great, atmosphere was fun and the food was amazing! We then went grocery shopping before my mom went to the bonfire with the girls while I helped PJ fall asleep.

Sunday morning the girls were adamant it was time to go out to the slide and trampoline on the lake. While they had fun out on the lake PJ had fun alternating between playing on the beach and going to the playground. At lunch time I snuck away with Dawn for a while to go a few miles down the road to the Tanger Outlets for some back to school shopping. With lots of awesome outlets including Justice, Childrens Place, Gap & Old Navy it was an awesome trip with some amazing deals.

 

After returning, we all got ready and headed a few miles away to Weirs Beach. Weirs Beach has a wonderful little boardwalk on Lake Winnipesaukee with restaurants, souvenir shops, pizza parlors and arcades. We had Sal's Pizza for dinner while sitting by the water and then we went to the arcade. It was an old fashion arcade with a great mix of new and old games. The cherry on top was that the prizes were actually attainable ticket amounts.

 

Monday was our "Beach Day." After breakfast I took PJ to the playground and game room while mom took the girls Kayaking on the lake. We then packed up the stroller and headed to Lonely Beach. It was secluded and amazing, we hardly saw anyone the entire day other than 10 ducks that decided to hang around with us. PJ was in heaven with the ducks everywhere so much that after lunch he snuggled up in his stroller and took a good 2 hour nap while we all relaxed. Monday night my mom took the girls out shopping while I relaxed and PJ went to bed.

Our last full day was Tuesday. Our only real plan was to make sure that each of the girls got a special photoshoot in the orchard. Dawn had her photoshoot in the morning, then we all headed to the game room and playground until it started to rain a bit. After a rainy afternoon where we left the Anchorage to go out to lunch, the sun started shining and we went back to deep beach so the girls could head back to the trampoline and slide. We stayed until almost 6pm when we headed back and I snuck away with Leah for her photoshoot before dinner. After dinner the girls were happy to make smores after playing at the playground until sunset.

Wednesday morning we woke up & packed up the cottage. The staff at the Anchorage were nice enough to give us a 10:30am check out and let us hang around even later to play at the beach. Overall this location was everything we wanted. It wasn't a 5 star resort, but that is not what we were looking for. It was a great, relaxing, rustic trip and all 3 kids had the time of their lives.

 

Review #84: FairyTales Rosemary Repel Lice Prevention Shampoo

FairyTales Rosemary Repel Lice Prevention Shampoo

Everyone dreads getting that note from school stating there has been multiple accounts of lice in their child's class. However, Fairytales has developed a line of products to help keep those little bugs away & they have become our go-to when we get that lice notice. The Rosemary Repel Lice Prevention Shampoo uses organic rosemary, citronella, tea tree, anise, lavender and geranium oils to prevent the lice from being attracted to the child's hair. It is also a very great smell!

Make your own travel Babyproofing Kit

After years and years of traveling with kids I realized something that should have been very obvious. Hotels have the same dangers as your house. So I started traveling with a DIY babyproofing kit made out of extra items we had hanging around the house.

What our kit consists of:
#1 A good bag. We have found the BabyGreeters Diaper Clutch is a perfect size to hold everything we need!
#2 Socket plugs. All those electrical outlets that hotels install for all our electronics are dangerous. Plug them up safely!
#3 Painters tape. This one was a long time coming. Painters tape is strong but not too strong. A quick strip across the closed door or a drawer will help keep it closed & the tape will not destroy the paint or the furniture.
#4 Knob covers Use them for bathroom doors or possibly even closets. Sometimes we need them sometimes we dont, thats okay.
#5 Hair ties There are so many uses for hair ties! Shorten cords. Tie up blind strings. Whatever you may need them for
#6 Cabinet latches  We have used these for dresser drawers and closet doors. Little ones can rarely open two drawers at once & its a great help.

Each family will need different things based on their child and where they are going. Overall, remember to think ahead, what dangers what be waiting for you?

Review #83: FairyTales Lice Goodbye

FairyTales Lice Goodbye

Fairytales Lice goodbye is one of the few natural, pesticide free, non-toxic lice treatments on the market. Not only does that mean it is safer for children, but it means you can continue to treat daily(as opposed to the highly medicated treatments that only allow use once a week) to help beat lice as soon as possible. This simple leave in foam even smells good!

Review #82: Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder

Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder

We rarely use baby powder for actual diaper needs. Around our family, we use it for beach trips. This baby powder is perfect for helping remove sand from skin. Simply sprinkle baby powder over the sand & gently wipe it all away. It will leave the skin super soft and all the sand will be gone. It is perfect for diaper changes before a nap on the beach, or when getting ready to leave at the end of the day. 

Review #81: ThinkBaby Sunscreen

ThinkBaby Sunscreen

 

We started using ThinkBaby screen when PJ was 8 weeks old at the recommendation of our doctor when we went on our first beach trip. ThinkBaby came highly recommended as it passed the whole foods premium care requirements which is also made without any harmful chemicals such as avobenzone, oxybenzone and uv chemical absorbers.