The Little Mermaid Legacy Collection CD

I received the Little Mermaid Legacy Collection CD as a member of the Entertainment New Media Network.  No further compensation was received and all opinions are my own.  This post may also contain affiliate links.

All of a sudden I feel ridiculously old. This year The Little Mermaid is celebrating its 25th Anniversary! How is that even possible? I remember watching this movie when it first came out like it was yesterday! And you better believe I preordered my copy on blu-ray 6 months before it was released.

The CD cover and 20-page booklet include new artwork from Lorelay Bove, a visual development artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios who you may recognize from Tangled and Wreck-It Ralph. It really is beautiful! And if you can’t remember the words to some of your favorite songs, the lyrics are right there in the book.

Holiday Baking Must-Haves from Love Cooking Co

I received products in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

Baking up Christmas cookies has been a tradition for years, but I have to admit I’m one of those parents that just gets stressed out while Charlie is “helping”. Yes, I feel awful about it, but it is what it is and I try to cope. He adores helping Mommy bake and decorate, so I just deal and we get through it.

Love Cooking Company teamed up with Mrs. Fields and sent us some fun products to try. Now that Christmas baking is upon us, we made our first batch of sugar cookies this week. I just made them from a bag mix and hoped it would relieve some of the stress. After Charlie cracked smashed an egg on the table, I knew I made the right decision.

Once our sugar cookie batter was ready, I rolled it all out. I have never figured out how to roll out cookie batter correctly, so if you have some magic tips, please share!

Calm Nights with NightBuddies

I received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

Bedtime with Charlie can pretty much be a nightmare lately. He’s always looking for a reason to get up or saying that he’s scared (that’s new) so he wants someone to cuddle with him. We were sent two NightBuddies, one for each boy, and I know they’re going to love them!

NightBuddies are a plush night light that is made to comfort children during bedtime. What kiddo doesn’t like cuddling with something super soft to make them feel safe? They light up, but not the entire plush: just the eyes. The magical patented eye illumination creates a connection unlike any other plush!

Right now, there are 8 different NightBuddies to choose from: 4 vehicles and 4 sea life characters. Charlie will be getting Oliver the Orca and Owen, who loves anything that goes, will be getting WC Racecar.

KidOFit Shoes Offer Barefoot Comfort + Giveaway

We received product in exchange for this review, but all opinions are my own.

Our boys have both been early walkers and were running at their 1st birthday parties. Before they really start walking, it's all about cute shoes (if shoes at all)! Once they're on the move, we want to make sure they have a good shoe: one that is comfy, ergonomically designed and can really offer a long lasting fit. And if they're cute, that's even better!

We were recently introduced to KidOFit shoes and I fell in love! These shoes offer all of the necessities for kids that are constantly on-the-go: running, dancing and playing! Medical experts worldwide agree that barefoot walking is optimal for foot development and enhances good posture for growing kids. KidOFit uses unique soles, made of thin, flexible elastomer, which perfectly mimics the barefoot walking experience and promotes natural foot motion.

Kids Preferred for Baby’s 1st Christmas

We received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

I think Baby’s 1st Christmas is a big deal! We had this talk last year with a couple of friends that had babies born around the same time as Owen. Last year, Owen was less than 2 month old at Christmas, but it was still his 1st Christmas. I saw some friends saying they weren’t really getting anything for the baby because they wouldn’t remember it and they’re too little to play with anything. I don’t care how old you are, a 1st Christmas is a 1st Christmas. You don’t get that year back.

I was sent some awesome items from Kids Preferred that would be perfect for Baby’s 1st Christmas!

Personalized Books from I See Me!

This unique gift is brought especially to you by our friends at internationally award-winning publisher Chronicle Books. We received a free book, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

Charlie is a reader, just like Mommy, so his Christmas presents always include a few books! I am so excited for him to open his I See Me! personalized book!

Today at the grocery store, Charlie pointed and started saying excitedly “I see A, I see A”. There was an “A” in the word bakery above the deli/bakery. He’s at that stage where he’s all about the alphabet and loves finding his name and letters that he knows in our everyday travels.

I See Me! offers all kinds of unique personalized gifts: Lunchboxes / Puzzles /Coloring Books/ Placemats / Stickers  and Growth Charts! Something for everyone and every occasion! For Charlie, we chose a personalized book: M is for Me!

Crazy Cups for the Coffee Lover

I received product to write this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

In full disclosure, I’m not a coffee drinker, but Tom is. However, he doesn’t really care for flavored coffee. He prefers regular coffee tasting coffee.

When the Crazy Cups Sampler Box came in, it was so pretty!

Every Man Jack for the Men in Your Life

I received product to write this post, but all opinions are our own. Affiliate links may be included.

Tom, like most men I’m sure, just uses whatever is in the bathroom. I try to get neutral smelling things, but sometimes they come out fruity or a little flowery. Every Man Jack makes simple, affordable, high-quality grooming stuff just for guys.

They say that it’s “Everything he’ll need, and nothing he won’t” because all of their products contain no parabens, no sodium lauryl sulfate, no phthalates, no aluminum, no dyes, and no animal byproducts. How awesome is that?

VTech InnoTab Learning Cartridges

I received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. The VTech product, gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by VTech. This post may contain affiliate links.

Do your kids have a VTech InnoTab Learning Tablet? If they do, put these two games on your list for your 2-6 year olds! If you don’t already have an InnoTab, check out our review of the new VTech InnoTab MAX.

These are perfect for us and they’re already put away for Charlie for Christmas! We’re concentrating on letters and writing a lot this year and games always make learning fun!

 

Learning Fun with LeapTV from LeapFrog

We received product through MommyParties and LeapFrog, but all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

When I first saw LeapFrog’s new gaming system, LeapTV, I was a bit hesitant. I’ve always been a bit of a gamer and Tom is as well. We have a couple of game systems already that have the power to let you interact by movement via camera.

I’m really glad we gave this a shot!

The LeapTV is listed on all of the hot lists for the holidays this year. It’s the cool new game system for kids that teaches letters, numbers, shapes, math, colors, reading and so much more. If you have other LeapFrog products, you know they put out some awesome educational toys. This is right up there with the rest of them.

Buck Denver Asks… Why Do We Call It Christmas?

I received a free copy to facilitate this post, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Charlie is at that “WHY?” stage and has been for some time. I don’t really see an end to it actually. This movie from the creator of VeggieTales answers a lot of whys in Buck Denver Asks… Why Do We Call It Christmas? 

 

ALEX BRANDS: Something For Everyone

We received product to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

Have you heard of ALEX BRANDS? ALEX BRANDS is a family of brands that includes some of the most iconic names in the toy industry. Their brands include: including ALEX TOYS^®, POOF^®, SLINKY^®, SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER^®, IDEAL^®, ZOOB^® and BACKYARD SAFARI™, ZILLIONZ™ and CITIBLOCS™.  From classic, timeless toys and games to open-ended activities that emphasize children’s developmental needs. ALEX BRANDS™ lends itself to a lifestyle of creative and active play.

Tommee Tippee Explora Truly Spill Proof Straw Cup

I received product to facilitate this review, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

We’re just starting to give Owen some water in a sippy cup and occasionally some milk (mommy or other) if I’m not around and he needs nursed. This past week Tom pulled out our mountains of sippy cups from Charlie. We have a ton of them that we saved, but in all honesty- we should have tossed half of them after the first use. If you have already been through the sippy cup stage, you know how spill proof most of those “spill proof” cups are!

When we were offered to review the Tommee Tippee sippy cups, I jumped at the chance!

VTech’s InnoTab MAX Learning Tablet

I received product to facilitate this review, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links included.

I have a Kindle Fire and an iPad mini, but Charlie (like most children I’m sure) seems to think that all of our tablets belong to him. VTech’s newest learning tablet, the InnoTab MAX, allows him to have a tablet just like Mommy!

The VTech InnoTab MAX has it all: games, a camera, music, videos, and more!

VTech is known for their awesome products for kids and the InnoTab MAX fits that bill! Geared to kids ages 3-9, it’s a tablet that kids can really grow with. Like our tablets, this one can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi. The internet is a scary place for kids, but VTech has pre-screened sites that are safe for my munchkin.

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Fun

I received a Media Pass for free access to select attractions in Myrtle Beach.

I can’t believe our kid-free trip to Myrtle Beach was almost a month ago! While we were there, we spent an afternoon at the Boardwalk. Although we’ve been to the boardwalk with the kids, this time was very different!

Happy Family Toddler Nutrition + Giveaway

I received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

Now that Owen is 1, I guess it’s safe to say we have a toddler. How do you really decide when they’re a toddler and not a baby anymore? Owen walks, climbs, babbles, and tries to play with everything big brother does.

He is still nursing about 3 times a day: in the morning, mid-day, and before bed. Now that nursing has slowed down, we find ourselves wondering if he is getting enough of what he needs.

Happy Tot Grow & Shine Toddler Milk is formulated to support toddler’s extensive physical and cognitive development and ensure toddlers receive the essential nutrients necessary for their continued growth.

Laugh with the Hide ‘n Spin Monkey

I received product in exchange for this review. This post may contain affiliate links.

I’m sure we all know that the best sound in the whole world is a baby’s laugh. This Hide ‘n Spin Monkey from Bright Start’s Having a Ball Collection is sure to get your little one laughing.

Owen just turned 1 on the 29th. This is the perfect gift for him! The Hide ‘n Spin Monkey plays silly monkey sounds, songs, and lights up! What toddler or baby wouldn’t love that? If you’re baby is not yet standing, they can still play because they’re able to sit or stand. To play, you just drop the balls into the monkey’s hat. He’ll count the balls and then spit them out. The leaves on the chutes can open up to let the balls roll around for chasing fun.

Werther’s Original Unwrap the Magic Sweepstakes

I received free product and a gift card in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

When I was offered the chance to share about Werther’s Original, I must say I did a little happy dance at the computer. I have always loved Werther’s Original hard candies and was eager to try out their other products.

Oh, so you noticed the title of this post has the word sweepstakes in it? Well, that’s because you can enter the Unwrap the Magic Sweepstakes for a chance to win the Grand Prize: the winner and up to three guests will embark on a grand culinary adventure into a food and wine lover’s paradise at the 2015 Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival. Weekly winners will also be selected to receive a prize package that includes Werther’s® Original® products as well as a $25 ©Disney gift card.

If you’re like me, I know you can always use a trip away! Here’s how you can enter: www.werthersmagic.com.

Making Our Own Food Pouches with Infantino

I received free product to produce this post, but all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.

When Owen first arrived, I thought about making our own baby food. Plenty of people do, so I figured I’d give it a go. Well… we didn’t end up doing that, and now at a year old, he’s pretty much done with “baby” food. However, Charlie (at 3.5) still loves pouches! When we were given the chance to try out Infantino’s Fresh Squeezed line, I thought this was the perfect time to make our own.

I set everything up the night before. When I opened the Squeeze Station box I was surprised at how simple it was! All I had to do to set it up was wash the parts and put it back together. To put your station together, you just need to slide the pouches into slots and screw on the tube. How easy is that?

Making Baths Fun with BathBlocks

I received a free BathBlocks set in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

I don’t know about you, but bath time at our house is hit or miss. We recently got the chance to test out BathBlocks. What kid doesn’t like blocks? BathBlocks are the perfect tub toy. You can build and create waterslides, ball runs, floating towns, castles, and more!

Charlie’s 3.5 and has a little trouble getting them to stick to the tub, but so do Tom and I. It says to use soap suds to increase cling to the wall, but we still had a hard time. I think it’ll just take time to get it down. Either way, Charlie thinks they’re fantastic and will easily play with them in the tub for half an hour.