Little Passports Review

Are you looking for fun learning activities to keep your kids busy this summer? Look no further than Little Passports!

About Little Passports
Little Passports is a monthly Global Adventure kit! Each month your child receives an exciting package where they follow the characters Sofia and Sam on their adventures. Your child will begin to understand the world as they learn about a country's geography, history, culture and language.

The first month your child receives a Explorer Kit which includes:
• Fun travel suitcase with an introductory letter from Sofia and Sam
• World wall map
• Travel Passport
• Fun stickers
• Activity sheet
• Access to online games and activities with our boarding pass

Each following month thereafter, your child will receive a package from Sam and Sofia as they travel to a new country. Each package will include more fun souvenirs, activities, photos, a passport stamp, a map marker, a suitcase sticker a letter from Sam and Sofia and more!

Little Passports Review
Look what arrived in the mail! A suitcase! Big Brother could not have been more excited! I was sent the first months Explorer Kit to review and it didn't disappoint.

The suitcase was full of all sorts of fun activities! But it was the suitcase itself that made the most impact. Big Brother was proud to lock up his map and new collectibles and keep safe. What a fun way to introduce children to the world. Your kids will wait each month for the new package to arrive in the mail, not even realizing they are learning, because it is so fun!

Big Brother immediately put his suitcase stickers on and pulls out the map frequently. He is usually looking for our next camping location. Russia? Probably not. But he sure has fun!

And although we won't be going to Russia or any other worldly location anytime soon, our whole family gets to learn fun new interesting facts about all countries of the world. And so much more fun and interacting than a text book.

Little Passports offers four different affordable subscription packages to customize and fit your family.  This would make an excellent gift subscription as well. The recommended age range is 5-10 years old.

Make sure to check out Little Passports on Facebook! I did happen to notice they are giving away a free year of Little Passports!

You can also become a Little Passports agent and build your own business introducing Little Passports to your community! Find more information here!
Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I did not receive any compensation for this review. The opinions in my reviews are my own, and others’ opinions may vary. This post was written by me and not edited by anyone.

Summer Solstice Giveaway Hop (Sponsor Spotlight): Gabs & Eddy

I love cute kid stuff! And I love to have the chance to work with and support stay at home Mom's! This made my review of Gabs & Eddy so much fun! Gabs & Eddy. Such a cute little name and then when you see the amazingly cute little hats...oh my gosh. 

About Gabs & Eddy
Gabs & Eddy is named after owner Gillian Allen's children, Gabrielle and Edmond. What started out as a hobby soon turned into a thriving home based business. Gabs & Eddy, Very Cute Crocheted Hats makes a variety of high quality handmade crocheted hats and photo props. And I say cute little hats, but  they actually have hats ranging in size from newborn to adult.

Gabs & Eddy Review
When I spotted Gabs & Eddy online through another blog, I immediately was drawn to the cute little boy in the bucket hat.  And was so excited for the chance to review the hat with my boys as well.

When my package arrived I was so impressed. My precious little hat was vacuum sealed up and completely clean and safe, even though the packaging had shown some wear. Gillian does this to keep her shipping costs as low as possible. She understands the need for cute kids things, while keeping it affordable. Bonus your package arrives perfectly safe as well. All you have to do is snip the corner and the hat fluffs up to it's original shape.

Gillian also includes a Gabs & Eddy gift bag with each purchase in case your hat is being given as a gift. So very thoughtful.

The Bucket Hat is so cute. Perfect for any weather. Warm enough for a cool day, yet breathable for sunny warm days. And perfect with any outfit. High quality crocheting and just the cutest little logo tag. I was sent the 1-3 size and it fits both of my boys equally well as the crochet stretches. My youngest at 15 months and my oldest at almost 4.
       
         

Little Brother LOVES hats, so I can see this hat being well traveled. Now if only I had a newborn for some of her amazingly cute photo props....................! ( a few of my favorites - ok a lot of my favorites, I love them all)

     
   
Stay up to date with new designs, giveaways, updates & more via their Facebook page and of course Twitter as well.

WIN IT: Not only are Gabs & Eddy hats so stinkin' cute, but Gillian is extremely generous as well. She is offering a $30 credit to her online store (and will include shipping) for the winner of my Summer Solstice Giveaway Hop starting on June 18th! This will cover nearly all of her hats, so you can find your child a new fun hat or something special for yourself! So make sure and come back to enter to win this and other fantastic prizes! ENTER HERE!
Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I did not receive any compensation for this review. The opinions in my reviews are my own, and others’ opinions may vary. This post was written by me and not edited by anyone.

Summer Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop ( Sponsor Spotlight:) Wooly Rounds

What is a wool dryer ball? And what exactly will it do for my laundry? Those were the questions I had been wondering since I started cloth diapering and hearing people talk about them.

I know that fabric softener and dryer sheets are not so great for my family or our clothes. But could a wool ball really compare and keep our laundry fresh and static free?

Well I was excited to finally have the chance to find out when Wooly Rounds gave me the opportunity to review a set!

About Wooly Rounds
Wooly Rounds was created by Cyndi, whom after deciding to cloth diaper her son realized she would have to give up using dryer sheets. She discovered wool dryer balls and purchased some online. She loved the results and the benefits they offered but the quality fell short when they would unravel in just a few months. With her creative background she attempted to make her own, and in the end came up with a solid finished product. She always knew she wanted to start her own business, and in October of 2010 she launched Wooly Rounds!

What is a wool dryer ball?
A wool dryer ball is a felted ball of wool. You use it in your clothes dryer to separate your clothes. Using several in your dryer will create a constant motion which in turn allows more air to circulate around your laundry so they will dry faster. The more dryer balls used, the less time it will take to dry a load and you can reduce your dry time by 10-25%!

Facts
• All Woolies are made individually by hand using 100% local, lanolin-rich wool.

• Hand crafted in midcoast Maine

• Safe, durable, high-quality
• Ideal for all laundry, especially cloth diapers and baby clothes
• Approximately the size of a tennis ball, 9 inches in circumference and weighs 2oz.
• Help reduce static - wool fibers can absorb static cling
• Naturally soften clothes - friction of the balls against the fabric
• Makes clothes fresher and smell cleaner - wool has the ability to absorb toxins and odors

Wooly Rounds Review
I had the opportunity to review a set of 4 dark gray Wooly Rounds. They come in a cute little linen draw string bag with a cute tag. I noticed when I opened my little bag it smelled like fresh sheep. Nothing fake or manufactured here!

It took me a few days to get them to my dryer, as both of my boys thought they were the best new toy. And Mom thought the were pretty cool as they were soft enough they didn't cause any damage or bruising! So not only are you investing in your laundry but a fun safe toy too!

So once they made it to the dryer I first started just using them with my cloth diaper laundry. I still had a small amount of liquid fabric softener left and wanted to finish that up. I now use them exclusively for all my laundry. I have an older dryer and my diapers and towels especially would take a long time to dry. I have noticed a shorter dryer time, but the best thing is I haven't missed anything about the fabric softer. My clothes are still static free, my towels are still soft and I'm using less energy and zero chemicals!

I mean do you really know what is in fabric softener? Once you start reading about it, it is hard to imagine you actually add that to your clothes each time. YUCK! Makes you feel dirty in clean clothes. You can learn a little about the chemicals here, but if you actually Google it you would be amazed the stuff you find out.

Another great thing is the savings! Wooly Rounds will last a very long time! Cyndi has been using hers for over 3 years, for each load and you can barely see a change in the ball from brand new. Think of how many bottles of fabric softener or boxes of fabric sheets you would buy in that time. I've only been using mine for about 3 weeks, but the only difference I can see is that small lint balls have formed on them.

After 3 weeks of use

Wooly Rounds come as a 5 pack, 3 pack or you can buy them individually. They come in a few different fun colors or the dark gray!

The only downfall to the Wooly Rounds I can find is searching for them in the dry laundry or around the house when my boys sneak them from the basket! They are really cool and I love that they are natural, safe and eco-friendly! Try them, if nothing else you gained a new toy. But I guarantee you'll love them and order more!

Follow them on Facebook for updates, coupons and all sorts of other good information!

Want to try them risk free? Wooly Rounds has generously offered a set of 3 to one of my lucky winners of the upcoming Summer Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop! The giveaway will run from June 21-30! So make sure to come back and enter to win this and other great cloth diaper related prizes!
Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I did not receive any compensation for this review. The opinions in my reviews are my own, and others’ opinions may vary. This post was written by me and not edited by anyone.

Strawberry Pie Recipe

The strawberries are finally ready here in Oregon and they don't last long. One of the best things other than having an abundance of fresh fruit for the kiddos, is fresh Strawberry Pie!

This Strawberry Pie is almost a meal in itself and has been on occasion over the years. Tonight was our first pie of the season and was oh so delicious! I thought I would take a quick minute to share with you and hope you can try one very soon!

Strawberry Pie Recipe
Crust: 2 Cups Flour
           1/4 cup sugar
           2/3 cup oil
           1/4 cup milk

Sauce: 1 cup mashed berries
            1 cup sugar
            1/2 cup water
            4 tablespoons corn starch

Strawberries: Cut desired amount of berries in a large bowl.

Directions:
Crust: Mix the flour and the sugar together. Mix the oil and the milk together. Add the oil mixture to the flour mixture and mix with a fork until crumbly. Press into pie plate or baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees until the edges start turning brown. (Aprrox. 10-15 minutes) (Note: Press out thin for crispy crust, make thicker for chewy crust)

Sauce: Mix all ingredients in the pan and stir on medium heat constantly until thick and jelly like.

Mix desired amount of strawberries with a little bit of the sauce mixture at a time until you get the desired amount of sweetness. We usually keep our berries and crust separate that way it doesn't get soggy. We then just break off the crust and top with berries when ready to eat. The same goes with the berries. We mix only the amount of berries and sauce that will be eaten at that time. Then the leftovers will be ready to mix and serve the next day too! Top with Cool Whip or topping of choice!

You will most likely have leftover sauce for another pie unless you like your berries really sweet and gooey!

Happy Summer! Enjoy!

BooginHead SippiGrip Review & Giveaway

Almost everyday I come across a product that is so simple, yet so smart. I always wonder why the heck I couldn't come up with something like that. The SippiGrip from BooginHead is one of those products. It is basically a leash for your child's sippy cup, toy, bottle or any other item you can think of that will fit in the Velcro loop.

About BooginHead

BooginHead is a term that the family of Sari, the founder and CEO of Booginhead came up with. It is when someone does something they shouldn't, but they do it regardless and it makes you laugh. Like when her then 1 year old son would throw his sippy cup to the floor over and over again just to watch her pick it up. He was being such a BooginHead!

I know we all have a little (or big) BooginHead in our lives, thankfully BooginHead is committed to bringing products to us parents to help solve those BooginHead moments and make our lives easier!

About SippiGrip

Award Winning, Mom-invented product. A great "on the go" and germ protection product!

SIPPIGRIP FEATURES:

• Unique grip material for a strong hold.
• Washable, durable and non-toxic for little mouths.
• Adjustable in length.
• Attaches to high chairs, strollers, car seats and more!
• Meets ASTM standards.
• Passed all safety testing for ANY harmful components.
• Available in a variety of patterns and colors.

BooginHead SippiGrip Review

Like I said above, this is such a simple product, yet it works! No more toys or cups or whatever lost or dirty as your out for a walk or at the mall. And perfect for the high chair when your little one thinks it is so funny to throw the sippy cup over and make a huge mess each time! I also can see this being used for other non kid related products, as long as the strap will fit around it. Think cell phones, camera's and other items you would hate to see hit the ground while your out with your family!

I was lucky to get to review the bright orange SippiGrip. We walk everyday so this is a welcome item in our house. So easy to use. You simply place the strap with the black rubber grip sewn inside around the item you want to keep safe and clean, then secure the other end of the strap to someplace on the stroller, high chair, etc to keep it from falling. The strap is also adjustable depending on what item you are securing and how long of a strap length you need.

We recently went on a trail run on a camping trip and this was great. No water bottle lost in the dust! No germs, no yuck! Now if only they had something for shoes and hats too :o)

The SippiGrip is extremely affordable at just $7.50 and comes in 17 different patterns and colors.

BooginHead also has other products that are helpful and fun and will make your life a tad bit easier. The PaciGrip, the PaciBed, SplatMat, PaciPouch and BPA Free Pacifiers. Check them out here!

Make sure you also check out BooginHead on Facebook and on YouTube!

WIN IT! And now best of all! ENTER HERE to have a chance to win your very own SippiGrip in the blue/green stripe color and other fantastic prizes, courtesy of the Sunsational Summer Giveaway Hop!

Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I did not receive any compensation for this review. The opinions in my reviews are my own, and others’ opinions may vary. This post was written by me and not edited by anyone.

Itzy Ritzy (Snack Happened Mini) Review & Giveaway

I've been eyeing those reusable snack bags for some time now. But never made the plunge to buy them. I guess we were comfortable with our plastic sandwich bags and didn't know what to expect with the reusable ones and cleaning them etc.

I love my wet bags made for cloth diapers. I use them for everything. So I figured if the snack bags were as cool as wet bags, well then it was a no brainer. So I was excited when Itzy Ritzy agreed to let me review their new Snack Happened Mini Bags.

Itzy Ritzy is a company that believes you don't have to lose your style and coolness factor just because you are now a parent. Itzy Ritzy offers exceptional and hip baby, toddler and adult products all designed with beauty, style, sophistication, function and fun in mind.

About Itzy Ritzy Snack Happened Mini Bags

• FDA approved & BPA Free! Unlike the others!
• Ideal for little hands, snacks, fruit, picnics, school lunches, mini first aid kits, cell phones, car & plane trips, crayons, travel-size toiletries, iPods, cameras, keys, hiking, camping, travel, beach gear & other small items!
• Lead free YKK zipper top keeps crumbs, drips & contents securely inside - Zipper not Velcro for SILENT Snacking!
• 100% cotton designer fabric exterior with thick and lush PVC-Free waterproof lining interior - No cheap nylon here!
• Reusable + Washable + Eco-friendly + Fashionable
• 7 inches x 3½ inches
• Sold in 2-pack of the same fabric
• Machine washable
• CPSIA tested and compliant
• Made in the USA & Patent Pending

Snack Happened Mini Bag Review
The Snack Happened Minis are just that, mini. They are 7 inches by 3.5 inches. They will fit all your smaller snacks. Crackers, cereal, fruit, cheeses, etc. They come in really cute fun patterns such as the Playground Superheroes pattern, which I was lucky enough to review.

My favorite part of the Mini Bags is that they are made in the USA, they are FDA approved and have no BPA or PVC! So not only are you going green by reusing your snack bags, you can be sure you aren't tainting your kids snacks with unknown junk.

I also love that they come in a pack of two. And each bag has a cute little tag on it where you can write your child's name. Which means no more fighting over snacks! YAY!

They are very high quality. I was very impressed with the very thick waterproof interior. It is easy to wipe down or rinse. Just flip them inside out or of course you can throw them in the washing machine. I put a small ice pack in mine with a couple of string cheeses for our train ride and felt confident that it wouldn't leak. And it didn't. It was much smaller and more convenient to pack than a bigger cooler for just a couple small items.

The Snack Happened Mini Bags would also be great for any small items you want to throw in your bag safely. Cell phones, crayons, ipods, hand sanitizer, toiletries, etc. Think anything you don't want to leak all over your purse or diaper bag, or anything you want to keep safe from other leaks and scratches. And did I mention they are cute and stylish so you won't mind using them for everyday use.

Itzy Ritzy also offers the sandwich size Snack Happened bags, Wet Happened? bags (wet bag size) and so many other fantastic products for kids and Mom's too! They also won a 2012 Cribsie Award! Congrats Itzy Ritzy!

Make sure to keep up with Itzy Ritzy on Facebook! They post new fabric choices, contest, coupons and more.

I love the Snack Happened bags and I'm sure you will too! So make sure to ENTER HERE for a chance to win a set of your very own in my Sunsational Summer Giveaway Hop!

Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I did not receive any compensation for this review. The opinions in my reviews are my own, and others’ opinions may vary. This post was written by me and not edited by anyone.

Green Kid Crafts Review & Giveaway

Big Brother always asks me, "Mom, do you have a project for me?" and other than some kid chores that he is very well bored of by now, I usually don't have a project lined up for him. I want to be that Mom that has it all together and an organized craft bin overflowing with odds and ends of crafting doo dads. You know a little of this, a little of that and we can just make up a fun new project. Nope. Not me. Good intentions does not make for a fun kid project.

This is where Green Kid Crafts comes in. I'm so thankful I found them, and even more thankful I got the opportunity to review their monthly craft box. No more will I come up empty when Big Brother needs a project. And what a perfect thing to have on hand to beat the Summer boredom days.

About Green Kid Crafts

Green Kid Crafts is a monthly subscription box suitable for kids ages 3-8, each box comes with three projects. They were founded in 2010 and are mom-owned, green and offer natural, sustainable, and responsible choices for all their craft projects. 

Green Kid Crafts is unique in that they are the only carbon neutral, craft subscription service in the entire nation! They offset 100% of the carbon dioxide generated by business activities and help fund the development of renewable energy projects across the United States. 

About their Environmental Commitment:

Leftovers after 2 projects - ALL recyclable

• We use recycled content wherever we can.
• We work to make sure all craft supplies can be recycled.
• We avoid craft foams and plastics.
• We minimize packaging and printing, and we print double-sided.
• We use recycled labels and paper envelopes for shipping.
• We use plant-based sustainable and compostable clear packaging.
• We offset 100% of the carbon dioxide generated by our business and help fund the development of renewable energy projects across the United States.
• We integrate eco-awareness into our craft themes wherever possible.

Green Kid Craft Review

I was most excited about this review because I knew it would be a fun project for Big Brother and I to do together. I like to wait until Little Brother naps and this gives us a little quiet one on one time, plus some of the crafting supplies are not meant for little ones. I was sent a box for review, however I had also purchased my own subscription too. So one box came addressed to Big Brother and one to me. This made Big Brother so excited to have mail specifically for him and with his name on it. A special little feature not overlooked by Green Kids.

Green Kid Crafts comes in a cute little environmentally friendly, 100% recycled box, yet don't let the size fool you. It is packed full of 3 different craft projects. All individually packaged and organized with supplies and instructions. Our June box came with a wind chime project, a pirate loot project and a scrapbook project. It also comes with a welcome letter, an idea sheet for more creative projects you can make from home and a sneak peak at the next months box. I told you, a lot in a small little box.

Big Brother couldn't wait to do his projects. We started with the wind chime and then moved directly on to the pirate loot. We haven't done the scrapbook project yet as I want to get some pictures printed out for him so he can really make it fun. Big Brother is almost 4 and could easily work on these projects. He needed some help with the cutting but he's a pro at using the glue stick. 

Here is the wind chime project. It came with the following sustainable materials: Wooden wind chime, wooden mosaic squares, foil spangles and sequins.

And here is the pirate loot project. It came with the following sustainable materials: Recycled paper, bones patch, recycled felt and foil, wool yarn, cruelty-free feathers and chalk.

The Personal Scrapbook came with the following sustainable materials: Paper mache accordion book, recycled and salvaged ribbon, fabric squares, allergen free stickers, recycled paper and recycled collage shapes.

So if your like me and don't have it all together when it comes to craft projects, or even if you do and want to spend more time with your kids, rather than gathering crafting supplies. Green Kids Crafts is perfect for you. Plus you can be certain that all items are green and safe for your kiddos! And at only $19.95 a month, I think this is a steal! Plus you can also get a gift subscription for three, six, or twelve months. What a perfect idea to tell a family member to get for your kids for their Birthdays or Christmas. This is a gift that will get used and last the whole year!

Make sure to keep up to date with Green Kid Crafts on Facebook. Where you'll get all their latest news, contests, promotions and ideas. Also sign up for their newsletter to get weekly crafting ideas!

ENTER HERE for a chance to win a box of your very own and other fantastic prizes in my Sunsational Summer Giveaway Hop! I can guarantee you will want to receive one of these fun boxes each month too!

Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I did not receive any compensation for this review. The opinions in my reviews are my own, and others’ opinions may vary. This post was written by me and not edited by anyone.