Archive for Kids Stuff

Free Family Film Screening THE CROODS

Looking for a family friendly movie to watch with all the children? If you haven’t seen THE CROODS trailer yet I highly suggest you check it out! It looks like it is going to be hilariously funny and great for the whole family! It’s an animated 20th Century Fox feature film due out in theaters in March.

To participate in a FREE family film screening THE CROODS, check out the two free movie screenings happening in the Chicago area at the following theater locations:

February 23, 2013
At 11:00 AM 10:30 AM is the new time!
AMC South Barrington
175 Studio Dr.
South Barrington, IL
60010

March 2, 2013
At 11:00 AM
Kerasotes ICON
1011 South Delano Court East
Chicago, IL
60605

These free screenings are usually overbooked to ensure the theater is full and arriving early is highly recommended as seating is not guaranteed and is first-come, first-served.

If you and your family are interested visit the redemption website, GoFobo.com. Just create a free GoFobo account, and each account is allowed to redeem up to four passes to the THE CROODS screening. Maybe we’ll see you there! ;)

LINK for Barringtion: https://www.gofobo.com/rsvp/promotion/1ea8a9a8b319e9084fea78da06bbc212

Update! Link for Chicago: https://www.gofobo.com/rsvp/promotion/52d26be646344c8845c580c578de31af


 


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Melissa and Doug Outlet


Melissa & Doug Logo

My kiddo and I are HUGE Melissa and Doug fans.  They really understand what each age group of children need and want to play with.  From chunky puzzles to pretend play, MelissaAndDoug.com – Toys and Childrens Products! Click Here!They have it all.


Melissa & Doug-Leading Designer of Education Toys

Have you visited the Melissa and Doug Outlet online? You can save up to 50% off! Save Up To 50% On Selected Items Now At MelissaAndDoug.com! No Code Needed! Click Here!

Go and check it out!  Everything is while supplies last and believe me some go really fast!

Inside Melissa and Doug’s Outlet page you can find the Wacky Scratch Art Bundle for $4.99, which is half price!  Scratch art is a type of paper with a black backround when you use a wooden stylist to scratch the paper and color appears underneath.  Flip flops with Starfish or Octopus’ for $4.79!  The Outlet also has sand toys (summer is coming!), puzzles, drinking cups, games, stuff animals, play fruit and veggies.

The Easter Bunny is coming!!! **wink**

When you spend $50.00 or more use the code FREESHIPFIFTY for Free Shipping!

 

This post contains affiliate links which help support this blog.

 


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Pillow Racers by Little Tikes

Little Tikes

Looking for an Award Winning Riding Toy for your little one?  Well look no further than Little Tikes Pillow RacersPillow Racers are recommended for ages 1 1/2 to 3 years.   The Pillow Racers have caster wheels, a molded plastic easy grip handle, and the rest is made of soft material.  They can hold up to 50 pounds and the pillow is removable so, your child can use it as a pillow!  I love that the Pillow Racers by Little Tikes has 2 uses, you can’t find too many toys that can do a double duty!  Great fun and a great friend!

These highly rated racers come in 9 styles.

Your child’s imagination will help them save the day on the Firetruck, or flutter around the yard like a Ladybug. How about a ride back in time on a Dino. Maybe a slow ride on a Turtle is more your child’s thing.

Don’t forget Easter is coming! Imagine your child’s face when they wake up to a new ride on Bunny, Plane, Pink Unicorn, Purple Unicorn, or a Panda!

Lady Bug

The Pillow Racers are available at LittleTikes.com.

According to the Little Tikes site if you use the code FNKB8774 you can save 5%!

 

 

 


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Keep Children Healthy this Season ~ Avoid RSV in Young Children

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a very scary thing for new parents…or any parents for that matter. Premature infants are at greatest risk! My first child was a month early and weighed in under 5 pounds. My sister had premature twins that were only 3 pounds each at birth. We both had our scares with RSV…but were very fortunate not to contract the virus.

The treat of RSV is one of the reasons I chose to stay home with my children and quit teaching in the traditional classroom. Daycare was very scary for many reasons to this protective mama…and RSV was one of those scary things!

When my daughter entered school she had pneumonia 3 times in kindergarten and I cannot help but think to imagine what she could have picked up had she been in a daycare setting.

We have had a few friends who have had to deal with this disease and it can be devastating to a family. But remember since almost 100% of babies will contract RSV…we may have had it and not even known it!

In fact the fact that my daughter had pneumonia 3 times in kindergarten could partially be because of the RSV virus. Luckily we were able to treat or and not have any further complications. However, sometimes if not treated or prevented RSV can be deadly.

I have 3 children and the only one who ever showed signs of RSV or its negative effects (pneumonia) was my oldest daughter. She was a preemie and I took all of the precautions of dealing with RSV and other sicknesses she could contract. I mean she had no other siblings, I did not work (so no daycare), we limited visitors to the house, we practice good hygiene and hand washing….yet somehow we still had our bout with illness.

My other 2 children were always relatively healthy and never showed signs of illness aside from the common cold. Even when having school age siblings…did I do anything different? NO, in fact I was probably more “loose” with the next two …taking them out more often, etc. But they STILL might have had the disease and been carriers and I would never know it.

PLEASE take the time to educate your self on RSV as it could have long term and devastating effects on your family or others with whom you come in contact.

RSV Infographic

Please read the information below to learn more about the threat of RSV

The Threat of RSV in Child Care and School Settings

It is estimated that 82% of U.S. children aged six weeks to six years old, spend some amount of time in child care. Whether it’s five or 50 hours a week, the risks of spending time in a daycare or pre-school setting are the same — increased exposure to contagious germs and viruses.

Children’s inborn behavioral habits such as a need for close interpersonal
contact and lack of good personal hygiene, combined with an environment that promotes and rewards sharing, make daycare settings an environment for infection spreading. Because their immune systems are not yet fully developed, this is especially worrisome for very pre-term babies in daycare, or with school-aged siblings who bring germs into the home.

Premature infants are very susceptible to infection in the early weeks of their lives, so contracting something as small as the common cold can present danger. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common, seasonal virus that affects two-thirds of all infants by age one and almost 100% of babies by age two, because it’s highly contagious. RSV can live on surfaces (doorknobs, countertops, toys, bedding) for several hours and is often spread through touching, hugging and kissing.
Daycare increases this risk of RSV spreading as children are constantly sharing toys, tables and high chairs as well as eating and napping in close quarters.
RSV typically causes mild to moderate cold-like symptoms, but in some babies it results in a serious respiratory infection.
Those most at risk for severe RSV include premature infants, as their lungs aren’t fully developed and they have fewer infection-fighting antibodies than full-term babies.
The RSV season typically runs from November through March, so during the winter months parents should be especially
careful to watch for signs of RSV.

Below are symptoms of severe RSV infection that require immediate medical care:
· Coughing or wheezing that does not stop
· Fast or troubled breathing
· Spread-out nostrils and/or a caved-in chest when trying to breathe
· Bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
· Fever (especially if it is over 100.4°F in infants under 3 months of age)

If a child has milder symptoms of RSV, the virus will likely run its course without any cause for parental alarm. It is important; however, for these parents to remember that even a mild case of RSV can be spread to other children, some of whom may be at high-risk for developing a serious infection from the virus. For this reason, it’s always best to keep a sick child home when possible, to prevent the spread of germs and viruses.
Once contracted, there is no treatment for RSV, so working together to prevent the risk of RSV is critical. All parents should take steps to prevent the spread of the virus, including always washing their hands and child’s hands, and asking others to do the same. It’s also important to remember to keep toys, clothes, blankets, and sheets clean and avoid crowds and other sick children during RSV season.
Prevention is especially important for babies at increased risk of becoming ill from RSV. Parents of preemies should be informed of the dangers of RSV, as well as the risks that certain child care settings can present. If possible, parents of highrisk babies may want to consider alternate options, such as nannies or in-home daycare centers, where exposure to dangerous germs can be minimized. Regardless of child care settings, it’s important for parents who believe their child may be at high-risk for RSV to speak with a doctor about prevention.

A few facts about RSV that all parents, caregivers and loved ones should know:
· Almost every baby will contract RSV by age 2, but only 1/3 of moms say they’ve heard of the virus.
· Serious RSV infection is the leading cause of infant hospitalization, responsible for more than 125,000
hospitalizations and up to 500 infant deaths each year.
· RSV occurs in epidemics each fall through spring. The CDC has defined “RSV season” as beginning in November
and lasting through March for most parts of North America.
· Certain babies are at an increased risk of developing serious RSV infection, so it’s important to speak with a
pediatrician to determine if a baby may be at high risk for RSV, and discuss preventive measures.
· Symptoms of serious RSV infection include: persistent coughing or wheezing; rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths;
blue color on the lips, mouth, or under the fingernails; high fever; extreme fatigue; and difficulty feeding. Parents
should contact a medical professional immediately upon signs of these symptoms.
· There is no treatment for RSV, so it’s important for parents to take preventive steps to help protect their child (wash
hands, toys, bedding frequently; avoid crowds and cigarette smoke).

Visit www.RSVProtection.com and follow #RSVProtection on Twitter for more information.

 

 

“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

www.momcentralconsulting.com

 


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TOY DOZER Review

A CHORE NO MORE!

THE TOY DOZER MAKES TOY CLEAN UP FAST, EASY, AND FUN FOR EVERYONE!

 logo150

 

January is National Organization month so what a better way to celebrate but with a product to clean up toys! Our house is overloaded with toys…especially with Christmas just past…we are busting at the seems! This product gives an innovative way to clean up toys with a “scoop” of the wrist! More importantly this is a toy that teaches…by involving children in clean up time, children learn the importance of responsibility. I know that responsibility is a value I am trying to instill in my children…so I am very happy that a “toy” can assist in that venue!

6.2

The Toy Dozer is a great product that helps parents and kids clean up all of the toys that we can find overwhelming and exhausting to clean up…just a little more fun! Check out the product in use in the video below:

What exactly is the Toy Dozer? It is a simple yet GENIUS invention! The product is similar to a dustpan … but instead of a broom to “sweep” in messes you have a handy little scooper. The one thing I like about this is the “scooper” Velcro’s inside the dustbin portion of the dozer. This is great… since I would hate to loose part of the product. Do you know how many times I have just wanted to use a broom to sweep up the toys my children have strewn all over the floor? But really…who want s to use an icky broom to clean up messes? The Toy Dozer created a clean way to get at those big toy messes!

4.2

My children are HUGE Lego fans! My son builds legos almost everyday…and my girls just got into the Lego friends series of Legos so our house was constantly strewn with the little parts. I was constantly picking up pieces and putting them on building plates or in Baggies. WELL… with the toy dozer pick up just got easier. I have to say that this is a great invention for these little pieces. All I have to do is use the scooper and sweep them all into the receptacle container and I easily have cleaned up a huge mess and then can bag the Legos as needed in seconds! This is a time saver for moms and dads! The kids love the product too! Usually the fuss about having to pick up ALL the Legos…but now the chore is fun and fast!

I do have to say that I also think this product has worked will in our house for beading crafts! My daughters received some bead kids for Christmas and after we were all done with the craft we were able to use the Toy Dozer to effectively clean up the beads in one swoop! I think this will be a great addition to craft days in our house as well…. Since it picks up those little pieces that I am forever using a plate or piece of paper to clean up messes.

We have used this product so many different ways… I do not think you will be disappointed. I have to honestly say that at first I thought it would be a Lego picker-upper only…but we have used it for many other things, including Barbie accessory, crayon, and Doll clothes clean up. I hate to say this but my girls’ room often looks like a tornado went through it (I know I am not alone) …but the Toy Dozer has sincerely made clean up easier!

Overall, I am thrilled with this product! It has made a difference in our “Lego” world! What a blessing to have been able to review this product!

The Toy Dozer comes in a variety of colors: Blue, Red, Purple, and Yellow.

Toy Dozer is also MADE IN THE USA!

To find more out about the Toy Dozer please visit: http://www.toydozer.com/

 

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.


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The Official LEGO® Channel #LEGOChannel

Do your kids like watching videos? Do you use videos to keep your child entertained so you can get housework or other work done? Yeah, I admit I do too. Not matter how much I try to limit my use of it, I still find myself turning to it in times when I desperately need peace and quiet or just to occupy them for a couple of uninterrupted hours of work. For the most part our children are really good at keeping themselves busy, it’s the quiet that is elusive. Maybe you can relate.
Lego Logo LEGO® is a popular kids toy and can keep children busy building and creating for hours. We have a couple of smaller kits and our boys have asked for more. Playing with a LEGO® set is a fun activity for the whole family. Just as watching TV or videos is something our family enjoys.

The Official LEGO® Channel is another way to entertain and keep you and your child busy. There are over 500 videos and more are being added each day. You can watch LEGO® Star Wars™, LEGO® Hero Factory, LEGO® The Hobbit™, LEGO® DC Universe™ Super Hereos and so many more favorite LEGO® characters. There are also videos that take you behind the scenes.

These LEGO® videos can be added to a LEGO® playlist and be accessed anywhere when you are at home, on the go, in the car etc. to keep your child(ren) entertained and inspired for the next time they play with their LEGO® toys.

If you do not know how to create a playlist, it’s easy to do. After you sign into your YouTube account and find The Official LEGO® Channel. Browse the videos and when you find one you or your child really likes simply click the “Add to” button beneath the video. There will be a blank space to create a new playlist and you can name it “LEGO® Videos” or whatever you like. The videos will be saved there and accessible again the next time you log onto your account.

Gotta love fun at your fingertips, especially on a cold winter day like today! Brrrr……it’s only 10 degrees here in Chicagoland!

There is a lot of content on web; creating a playlist on the Official LEGO® Channel is a great way to ensure your kids are entertained and watching videos you can feel good about.

Visit the Official LEGO® Channel to build your own playlist to watch with your kids and then reply below for a chance to win one (1) $1,000 gift card to buy your family’s favorite LEGO® products!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of LEGO. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.


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Littlest Pet Shop: Little Pets, Big Adventures DVD Review

We have reviewed the Littlest Pet Shop Cartoon before…when it premiered on the HUB network … we are pleased to announce that Littlest Pet Shop has launched its first DVD Collection!

The DVD is entitled “Littlest Pet Shop: Little Pets, Big Adventures” and it is based on Hasbro’s popular Littlest Pet Shop brand and animated TV series. The DVD contains FIVE fun-filled episodes and captivating entertainment the whole family can enjoy. The DVD also features bonus content including coloring sheets, a “look behind the pet shop doors” featurette, and an offer for a virtual Collectible Pet on the Littlest Pet Shop App.

For those of you who have not seen the series … basically, Littlest Pet Shop is an animated half-hour comedy series that follows Blythe Baxter and her father as they move into a Big City apartment above the Littlest Pet Shop store (an amazing day-camp for pets of all kinds including a doggie diva, dancing gecko, a sweet adorable panda, and others. Her real adventure begins when she discovers that she alone can miraculously understand and talk to all of the pets. Blithe joins them on fantastical adventured that include uproarious songs-and-dance sequences featuring all-new original music by Daytime Emmy Award nominee Daniel Ingram and the vocal talent of Ashley Ball, Tabitha St. Germain, Nicole Oliver, and Peter New.

The Littlest Pet Shop Cartoon premiered on NOV 10th on the HUB TV Network … but now the FUN is available on DVD for your enjoyment!

Episodes on DVD include:

  • Blythe’s Big Adventure ~ Parts 1 &2
  • Bad Hair Day
  • Gailbreak!
  • Penny For Your Laughs

DVD Bonus Content

  • “A Look Behind The Pet Shop Doors” featurette
  • Coloring Sheets

 

The DVD is available in Stores and online NOW ~ JANUARY 15th!

 

Our Review:

My children absolutely ADORE Hasbro’s Littlest Pet Shop Products and Toys. So of course they were thrilled when the HUB TV network aired the cartoon series. Now they are overjoyed with a DVD that they can watch anytime they wish! As a mom I have to say that this is a great cartoon series. The characters are engaging and suitable for children…there are some cartoons out there that are inappropriate that I will not let my children watch …but this is NOT one of them! This is a delightful series about a young girl and pets. What I like is that even after the cartoon is over I find my children reenacting the episodes and imagining new adventures with their Littlest Pet Shop Toys and figures. I have three children, 2 girls ages 8 & 4 and a boy age 6…they ALL enjoy the series and the toys. Although honestly I have to say that my girls are more “into” Littlest Pet Shop than my son…but he will play along with them or watch the series and have just as much fun!

The thing we found exciting was that the DVD comes with a PET COLLECTOR Token. You just scan the token into the Littlest Pet Shop APP and collect a Virtual Pet. This is a very NEAT thing! My daughter just got a new tablet for Christmas and is ecstatic with her new Virtual Pet! The Littlest Pet Shop APP is free, but the Virtual Pets cost approximately 14.97… but remember you get a free one with the purchase of the DVD! The APP is available for both Apple and Android users.

You can find more out about the APP and download a copy here: http://www.hasbro.com/littlestpetshop/en_US/discover/news/lps_app.cfm
 

One other exciting thing is that on some of the DVD copies you may find a SAVE $5 coupon offer. The coupon states that you can save $5 when you buy any Hasbro Littlest Pet Shop toy and the DVD (coupon must be presented when purchase is made). This is a BONUS! I find that this is a great deal since Easter is just around the corner! What a great gift to give … a Littlest Pet Shop character to go along with the DVD!

Overall, we cannot say enough about the release of the DVD…my household is enjoying the product and will for years to come…

For more information about the Hasbro brand please visit: www.hasbro.com

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

 

 

 


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Pink Taffy Designs – Trendy Baby Apparel

If you are anything like me, you are always trying to find the latest styles that look great and are comfortable for your children. Look no further. Pink Taffy Designs has some of the most adorable, trendiest styles of baby clothing you can only hope to find in high end boutiques. From newborn to kids sizes, from tops and leggings to shoes and accessories, Pink Taffy Designs carries it all. The high quality of the apparel is far beyond what you find in the usual baby stores. Gotta love trendy baby apparel!

Lollipop Moon

Check out this eye-stopping tutu set, which is part of their Baby LOVE Collection. It is available in 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 12-18 months with the option of a baby tee or baby creeper. I love that the entire outfit is machine washable and unbelievably soft! The silky tutu skirt has an adjustable waist with two layers of tulle giving it just the right amount of poof. The tulle material is ultra soft, not scratchy like some lines of clothing. The matching baby creeper has a rosette heart with splashes of sparkle. The whole set is absolutely adorable!

Pink Taffy Designs only stocks items that “wow” them from creative and trendy designers. Their items are one of a kind and the gift registry makes it easy for anyone to pick out the items they love. These outfits would be great for milestone birthdays, holidays, photo sessions, or everyday. Pink Taffy Designs is “the” place to shop for your child!

http://www.pinktaffydesigns

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.


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Baby Product Ingredients

Reading baby product ingredients or any product ingredient lists for that matter are very important in our family. That’s why I want to share an opportunity for your to give your feedback on the ingredients used in personal care products for children of all ages. The Motherhood is conducting a survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R3QHRFF

Baby Product Ingredients

What they are looking for is if you you trust the ingredients in traditional baby/child care products, if you read labels the same way you read food ingredient labels, plus a few other topics of interest and importance.

At the end of the survey there is an option to submit your email, again it’s optional, but anyone who does submit their email after completing the survey will be entered to win one of 10 VISA gift cards worth $25. Your email will only be used to contact gift card winners and will not be sold or shared with others.

Please feel free to pass this opportunity on to other parents. Huge thanks to any and all who help!


This is a compensated post by The Motherhood.


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The Rhyme Bible Storybook Review

 

Reading time at home will be even more fun with the arrival of Linda Sattgast’s freshly updated version of The Rhyme Bible Storybook!

Twelve years since the first edition captured parents’ hearts, Sattgast teams with artist Laurence Cleyet-Merle to illuminate key passages from the Bible, making the most important lessons easy to understand.

Sattgast’s rhyming text helps beginning readers remember each Bible story and comprehend their basic lessons. For instance, the story of David and Goliath becomes a read-aloud lyrical song similar to a nursery rhyme. In addition, the story of Jonah and the big fish detailed in the book is a delightful bedtime story.

With Cleyet-Merle’s vivid illustrations, readers will experience 35 classic bible stories as they have never before been presented ~ with adorable pictured and Sattgast’s rhyming text.

For any parent who wants to teach the Word of God, THE RHYMING BIBLE STORYBOOK is the perfect choice for engaging little ones. Together, Sattgast and Cleyet-Merle breathe new life into the traditional storybook Bible, making this new edition a keepsake for all ages.

Our Review:

I absolutely LOVE this book…perhaps it is because I LOVE songs and rhyming…but it is amazing! This book really hits home with our family because it is an easy way to learn classic bible stories in an easy and fun way! My children LOVE the verse and the illustrations. I cannot say enough about the author and illustrators who have brought the bible stories to life in this text! WONDERFUL!

I liked this book so much that I brought it to my Sunday school class…of 6th graders… yes I said it 6th graders. Now, do not get me wrong I am not saying that I taught out of a rhyming book to older children… BUT since we are studying the Old Testament… I used it as a teaching tool! I chose a few stories that we had studied and read the rhyming version aloud to the students. Then I asked my students to take their favorite story we have studied and try to make up their own rhyming version of a story or part of a story.  The older kids were very engaged in this activity! We had so much fun! I Loved being able to use this bible with my little ones at home and as a teaching tool in the classroom! Hats off to Zondervan and their talented authors!

This book is available through Zondervan. You can find more information about this and other Zondervan products at: http://zondervan.com/

You can purchase the book here: http://zondervan.com/9780310726029

The book is also available through Amazon and other retailers.

Here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Rhyme-Bible-Storybook-Linda-Sattgast/dp/0310726026/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357382333&sr=8-2&keywords=the+rhyme+storybook+bible

 

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

 


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