Well Beginnings

Diapers, Diapers, and more diapers.  It seems like it is all I do sometimes change diapers, buy diapers, and dispose of diapers.  At least until my little one is potty trained (which will be quite some time) it is nice to have a diaper that you can depend on.  Leaks or oozing messes are no fun so I was excited to try Walgreens new line of baby products, Well Beginnings.

Well Beginnings has a soft stretchable waist and side panels with an extra soft inner liner with natural botanicals, Vitamin E and hypoallergenic aloe.  The diapers have really cute characters for size 4 there is an adorable elephant.  One thing that I noticed when I took my first diaper out of the package is that it is really soft.  I used the entire pack of diapers on my little one to be sure I could test them on little jobs and big messes.  The diapers held up to my little ones soakings and it also handled the messy diapers well too.  For a store brand these diapers did the job.  I did have some leaking at night so I don't think they are great for overnight but for your average everyday use they did great.  They are priced well too and for a store brand I was overall impressed with these diapers.  They come in:

Newborn ( Up to 10 lbs)

Size 1 (8-14 lbs)

Size 2 (12-18 lbs)

Size 3 (16-28 lbs)

Size 4 (22-37 lbs)

Size 5 (27 lbs and over)

Size 6 (35 lbs and over)

I also tried the Well Beginnings wipes which I used the Fragrance free.  I love that they have texture to the wipe with cute little animals etched along the wipe.  They were easy to use and grip.  I found that they worked well on small messes and large messes.   Overall very comparable to big name wipes and I was very happy with their performance.  They are priced well too and these are a great wipes option.

One thing I really like about Well Beginnings is they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee so it nice that they stand behind their products.

***This is a sponsored review no compensation was received. I was provided product as a Mom's Ambassador for Mom's Meet.  All opinions are 100% my own

Kids Academy Games

My kids are obsessed with my phone with all the fun kids apps that are available and shows on demand make it an easy choice when waiting for a long appointment or distractions for unpleasant situations.  I am always on the lookout for exciting learning apps for my little ones.  I got the chance to try a few new apps from Kids Academy.

1.  Letters- Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Games Free ∙ ABC alphabet phonics, letters tracing & learn to read app. Montessori educational English language approach in reading (crosswords, sounds, song, spelling blocks, flash cards) for toddler by Kids Academyhttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/preschool-kindergarten-learning/id603393402?mt=8

There are many mini games for your child to experience with easy mazes, rhyming words and uppercase letters which is unlocked with the free version.  With cute characters and lots of vibrant color this app kept my 5 and 1/2 year olds attention.  This is great for preschool age with letter recognition and rhyming opportunities.  Cute music there were some bugs my oldest in the rhyming words section couldn't get the bone to move but with that fixed this is a great learning app.   

2.   Numbers-  Preschool and Kindergarten learning kids games for girls & boys ∙ Learn to read interactive ABC, alphabet tracing, phonics song with educational app based on Montessori match letter quiz & logical math puzzle games for toddler iPad free by Kids Academyhttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/preschool-kids-games-kid-puzzles/id543851593?mt=8

With multiple mini learning opportunities with tracing of numbers, letter recognition opportunities, and uppercase letter game which are unlockable with the free version.  Vibrant colors, engaging music, and great learning opportunities.  Both of my kids were engaged with all of the mini areas and it is a great learning app. Anything that can engage and help my kids to learn that I feel good about them playing is wonderful.  

3.  The Bingo Song- Kids Academy • Best Kids Songs : Bingo ABC alphabet phonics. Fun educational nursery rhymes app with Karaoke music. Baby, Pre-K, Toddlers, Preschool, Kindergarten children learn English language through play games: animal flash cards and Sing Along. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kids-academy-best-kids-songs/id675554527?mt=8

Cute characters with the infamous Bingo song which will get your kids singing and clapping.  Interactive animation with vibrant colors.  My kids enjoyed playing the song until it was interrupted with purchase.  There were 2 verses of the song included and if you pay for it there are other songs to unlock.  I understand that it is necessary to make money on apps but I think that a full song should be included and other additional songs could be paid for.   

If you are interested in trying any of these apps they are available on iTunes with the included link for free with of course additional purchases in each app available.  

*I received this review opportunity as a member of the sverve community but all of the opinions of these products are completely my own

Showcase of Citrus

Ready to go! The truck was HUGE!!

Last week we packed up the kids and headed out for an adventure to Showcase of Citrus. It is off the beaten path, in Clermont, about 10 minutes from Disney. They have lots of fun things to do for kids, including a playground, farm animals to feed, and the main attraction, monster truck rides! They also have you pick orange trees that are open seasonally.

But back to the reason we went, the monster trucks! The ride is not a quick 5 minute around the loop kind of thing, but an adventure! We were gone for about an hour and a half, driving through orange groves, swamps and beautiful country land. Our tour guide, Anthony, was awesome and made sure that every child had the opportunity to drive the truck for a bit, which I know was the highlight of my son's morning! Our tour guide promised to stop and try to catch any wildlife we saw along the way, including snakes, spiders, turtles and gators. The only thing we did see was a banana spider which he caught and brought on the truck for all to see before returning the spider to it's web. They also have some animals on the property, including a zebra, which we stopped and the kids had a chance to feed. Once back from the ride, they have a store with locally grown produce, honey and other fun things. They also have orange slushies which were a hit with the kids! 

Driving all on his own!

Feeding the animals!

Overall, I definitely recommend checking out Showcase of Citrus in Clermont. The kids had a blast and it was fun doing something different. They often have deals listed on Groupon or Amazon Local, so check those out before going! 

Spongebob Invitation

My oldest, a year ago, declared that his 6th birthday was going to be a Spongebob Birthday.  Your average kid would change their mind after so much time has passed but my boy like his mom is a planner.  He hasn't waivered in his decision for his party or where he wants to have it (local putt putt).  So I, being the planner that I am, decided to get ideas together asap and looking around I found lots of inspiration for DIY projects for his upcoming birthday.

So if you have a Spongebob party coming up, there are lots of projects coming up leading up to my boy's party.

So I saw some cute invitation ideas online about using a yellow sponge to make a spongebob invitation.  So using these ideas as inspiration.  I went in search of yellow sponges-this sounds like a simple task but no bueno.  So I went online determined to order some yellow sponges.  I looked at the sizes and ordered them and received 100 sponges the size of 3 inches tall!!!  Who uses 3 inch tall sponges???  Doll people???  Epic ebay ordering fail.  Unfortunately, this isn't my first ebay fail and it won't be my last.  So on to what I wound up doing for a spongebob invite.  Using my ordering fail.

SpongeBob Invitation

Items needed
Yellow Sponges

• Item Size: Approx. 5 x 3.5 x 0.15cm (L*W*H)

Blue (water colored) Card stock

Yellow Card stock 

Green Card stock
Brown Card stock
Black Card stock
Glue Stick
Hot Glue Gun

I drew a pineapple with pencil and cut it out this is going to be your template.

Then I cut apart the leaves from the pineapple bottom

Using the leaves template I traced them onto a green sheet of card stock and cut them out.

Using the bottom part of the pineapple template I traced these on yellow card stock and cut them out.

This is the leaves and the bottom of the pineapple

Then I cut out a piece of blue card stock roughly 5x9.  Depending on the size of your pineapple you will need to adjust the size of your blue card stock

Using a glue stick I attached my bottom half of my pineapple on the blue card stock

Then with glue stick I attached the leaves onto the top of the pineapple and blue card stock

Then I took the sponge (remember those impossibly small yellow sponges) and using an image from online at http://www.wallpapershdi.com/wallpaper-original/wallpapers/spongebob-faces-663.jpg  I cut out the faces for my sponges. They were all different and made each invitation unique.  Using my hot glue glue I glued the face onto the sponge

Then I attached with the glue gun spongebob next to his pineapple under the sea

I then used my computer to put in the party details and attached it onto the pineapple with a glue stick Then I added a brown door with a handle I made from my hole puncher and black card stock

Here is a sample of the party invite text I used:

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

Who is ready to party with me?

A party with golfing will be lots of fun

You are invited we hope you can come

(Child's Name) is turning (age)

A golfing party is his wish 

Date/Time

Location

Address

RSVP Info

Of course we are having a putt putt party so replace golfing.  Hope you enjoy making these.  My idea evolved into something simple but my boy loved his invitation and was very excited.  

Vacation

I love a good vacation- the time away, fun activities, relaxation.  Vacations before having children consisted of lots of relaxation time, sleeping in, and activities. This all sounds amazing. This is another instance of fun amnesia (* when you forget about the last time you did something and how exhausting, frustrating, upsetting, challenging it was the last time you did it and swearing you will never do it again)  Vacations are a little different for me now.  I normally need a vacation after returning from vacation.  Late nights and a little one who is ready to go bright and early regardless of all long he has slept, makes for a cranky baby (and a cranky mama). Most of my vacation is spent trying to keep my boys entertained and letting my husband rest in the hotel after working at night. It is nice to get away and do something different - just glad it is only for a week at a time :)

Non Verbal Grunter

My youngest has always taken time when accomplishing things.  He took a little longer to crawl and walk.  Being the 2nd born I had an older boy to compare his progress to and in the process drove myself a little crazy with worry.  I would take out the baby book for my oldest and look at the dates and wonder why my youngest wasn't doing this or that.  It took a little longer for him to accomplish some milestones but when he started he did it like he had been doing it forever.  I think the books and info on the internet can be helpful but for a worrier, paranoid mommy like me it can be both a blessing and a curse.

Then it came time for talking.  He has always been a grunter and pointer to get his point across.  He also was not a repeater.  A lot of kids just repeat what mom and dad says.  My stubborn one would never and has never done talking when requested or on command.  Then I would occasionally get a word here and there never consistently.  So I started to worry, there were days where he rarely said anything.  I have tried the don't give them what they want until they say it and this occasionally is effective but hysterical crying ensues and traumatic feelings for a good hour following.  In all of the books and charts it says that my little almost 2 year old should be speaking at least in 2 word phrases and even sentences for some.  Some days he will surprise me with a word he hasn't said before but then I don't hear it for awhile.  As a mom it totally freaks me out-is there something wrong?  He understands and does everything I say so it isn't a hearing issue.   It has gotten better everyday so he is progressing but my impatience makes me feel like there is a problem.

I know it will all come in time but as moms I think we drive ourselves crazy with whether or not our little ones are meeting all the milestones for their age.  I have just had to remind myself that all children are different and learn in different ways and to not compare his progress to someone else.  This is hard to remember.  Have you experienced delays in speech with your little one and how did you deal with it?

Getting Into Everything

It has been awhile since I have had a toddler in the house.  At least 3 years to be exact.  My youngest is almost 2 and every time I turn around he is pulling something apart, down, or ripping something.  Even things I think are not accessible I find in his hands.  He has been getting into the snacks in the pantry and dumping them out all over the floor.  Pens unattended from my oldest have become fodder for his art projects on tables and chairs.  Toddlers are curious and boy is he...

My oldest thankfully helps me to monitor him a bit.  Every once in awhile I hear mommy he is pulling something out etc.  It is a huge help.  My oldest is learning the importance of putting away his small legos and keeping his art work projects away from his little brother.

How many of you are in the midst of toddlerhood and what are your tips for getting things done with your curious tornado of a toddler?