Just like mom with LeapPad

I’ve mentioned LeapFrog often on my Blog. We are big fans of the brand in our house. Our love for LeapFrog toys continues this month with the LeapPad Learning Tablet.

The LeapPad Learning Tablet is a new device from LeapFrog. It functions very much like the LeapFrog Explorer but is a larger device. It has a built in camera, a large 5″ colour touch screen and is light and thin.

When we received our LeapPad Learning Tablet sample my daughter was jumping for joy. I unpacked it and passed it to her right away. She knew how to use it instantly. She explored the games included on the LeapPad and loved them. She also loved plugging in her Explorer games into the LeapPad.

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My daughter’s favourite feature of the LeapPad was the camera. For weeks she snapped pictures and took videos of the family. She then proceeded to edit them in the LeapPad. She loved stretching and adding stamps to some of her favourite shots.

Why I love the LeapPad:

• Simple to use
• Is compatible with all Explorer Games
• The educational games and books available for the device are top notch
• It’s portable and durable
• It includes 4 Apps (3 pre-determined, 1 of your choice)

The LeapPad Learning Tablet is available in numerous stores across Canada and the US for just over $100. It is also available on the LeapFrog website.

I truly believe that this is a great toddler and child product. If you’re in the market for an educational game system, look no further than the LeapPad Learning Tablet!

Disclosure: Leap Frog Canada provided a sample for my review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and no monetary compensation took place.

Sun Safety with Badger Sunscreen

My family and I just returned for a fun vacation in the sun. While on vacation, we were lucky enough to test out Badger Natural Sun Care.

We tested out the Baby Sunscreen on my 18 month old and on my friend’s 6 month old baby.

We tested the SPF 30 Sunscreen on the rest of the family.

At first I was a little worried that the sunscreens were only SPF 30. Once I started using them and didn’t burn I trusted the level of SPF.

What I like about Badger Sunscreen:

• They are 100% Natural
• They have a mild natural fragrance
• The Sunscreen is THICK, you know you’re not missing a spot
• The Sunscreen spreads out well
• Badger Sunscreen allows your skin to breathe

We used the Badger Sunscreens until they ran out. We were happy putting on a natural product on our children. I especially liked seeing beads of water repelling from our skin after it was applied. The scent of the product was a little strong at first but we got used to it quickly.

I highly recommend you pack some Badger Sunscreen for your next trip or stock up for summer.

You can purchase Badger Sunscreen online and in many specialty stores across Canada and the US.

Disclosure: Badger provided samples for my review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and no monetary compensation took place.

Enter below for your chance to WIN a Badger Gift Pack!

Prize includes a sunscreen tube, lip balm, and after sun balm. To enter, click below.

This contest is now closed.

Second trip for the Flite

We’ve recently come back from our second trip with our Bumbleride Flite. Can you guess where we were?

Uptown and RockBebe Winner!

Congrats to Erin from Victoria!

She won our Uptown and Rockbebe giveaway.

Erin’s little one will be sporting a styling Adidas track suit and Converse shoes this spring!

Rockbebe now on Uptown Boulevard

Victoria moms – have you heard? Rockbebe is now open in their temporary location on Uptown Boulevard! Their permanent home is currently being built across the Boulevard.

Their new location is a large, bright space and carries more great stuff than ever.

Rockbebe is known for surf, skate, urban and rock clothes, shoes and accessories! Rockbebe carries awesome brands including Bench, Addidas, EMU, Steve Madden, Roxy, DC, Quicksilver, Baby Phat, Etnies, Converse and more.  Sizes from newborn to youth 16.

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What I love most about Rockbebe is that the clothing and shoes they carry are original. I also love that I can get clothing for my kids there that I would like to wear myself.

To celebrate the Grand Opening of Rockbebe on Uptown Boulevard we’re giving away an awesome prize pack!

Enter to WIN a sweet Addidas track suit (Size 2T) and Converse shoes (Size 6) for your cool kid.

Head over to Uptown right now and check out the new Rockbebe Kids Boutique. You’ll love all the new Spring arrivals in store right now.

This contest is now closed.

Spring Travel Must-Haves!

Spring is just around the corner which means… SPRING BREAK!

Lots of families are packing up the kids this time of year and heading for a family holiday. Whether you are going by car, plane or train you need a few staples to make getting there fun and easy.

As a well traveled mama – here’s what I recommend bringing along!

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1 – An umbrella stroller. I highly recommend the Bumbleride Flite. It’s the perfect size, has a large SPF 45 canopy and maneuvers great in airports!

To learn more about the Bumbleride Flite click here.

2 – Educational video games. I don’t know what I would do without our LeapFrog Explorer. This handheld device has a number or great educational games that kids love. It’s very portable and durable.

To learn more about the LeapFrog Explorer click here.

3 - A good diaper bag! I recommend the Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Back Pack for travel. Its a large diaper bag that looks chic. It has pockets for just about everything and a built in change station. I fit all kinds of things in my Boxy Back Pack, including my laptop, books and tons of baby and kids snacks and diapers.

4 – Some new books and small toys! Kids love to be surprised with new books. I always pack some new books when going on a trip. For my little guy, it must be a book with lots of flaps to lift and stuff to touch. For my daughter, anything that has to do with princesses or fairies is always a hit.

Check out Chapters/Indigo for the latest and greatest in Children’s literature. I especially love that Chapters/Indigo ships orders of $25 and up for FREE!

5 – Label your stuff! Sure, airlines provide those free paper address labels but its so much more fun being prepared ahead of time! Head over to Mabels Labels and get some labels made for your kids back packs and rolling suitcases. The best part? Mabel’s Labels ships all Canadian orders for FREE!

6 - A good carrier. We always bring a good soft carrier along with us. I especially love the Boba carrier. It has been a lifesaver so many times! We always bring it with us and pop our baby in it when our toddler needs a break and jumps in the umbrella stroller.

To learn more about the Boba carrier click here.

6 – Don’t forget to pack the blankies, extra sleepers, special toys (quiet ones if you’re taking a plane) and your patience!

Traveling with kids can sometimes be stressful. Make sure you pack a few treats for yourself and have a plan if things don’t go exactly as expected. Remember to have fun from the moment you leave to the moment you come home. Every traveling moment is as special as you make it.

Bumbleride Flite winner feedback

Last January the MyBabyStuff.ca held a very exciting contest on the MamaBlog. We gave away a fabulous Bumbleride Flite stroller.

Our lucky winner Jackie has been happily using and LOVING her stroller. Here’s what Jackie has to say about her Bumbleride Flite.

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“The Bumbleride Flite has been amazing! I’ve put away my full sized stroller as I no longer see a need for it. I would have never considered the Flite to be an “umbrella stroller” – its so durable and well built – like any full sized stroller I’ve seen. As soon as I got it in the mail, I put it together in less than 5 minutes and out we went (It was as easy as 1-2-3). Ever since then, my daughter and I have been going on daily walks!

My daughter fits in the stroller comfortably with her snowsuit on. I love that I am able to adjust my 4 month old to a slight incline and am able to recline the seat one-handed. I live right outside of Boston and this winter has been particularly windy. I love that the canopy is sturdy and can handle the winds and that the lining will protect her during the hot summer days.

Even though the Flite has a small basket, I have been able to fit my smaller diaper bag beneath so that all baby ‘essentials’ are with me on our walks. I have also been able to venture into the city with this stroller where I wouldn’t have dared with my previous bulky, heavy, full sized stroller! Not only does the stroller easily maneuver around people, aisles, etc. but its lightweight frame has made it an ease to travel up and down sidewalks/curbs! The Flite’s light weight has also made it easy to load/unload from my car and the carseat adaptor has made quick trips to the mall a breeze! I also love that it will grow with my child – the adjustable footrest and straps make it so I know that this stroller will be used for years down the road.

Thank you! Thank you! again for choosing me! This is a great way to start 2012!”

I’m so happy to hear that Jackie loves her Flite so much!

You can get your Bumbleride Flite at Bumbleride.com and in specialty store across Canada and the USA.

Put the fun in chores + more!

My husband and I have been trying to find a fun way to get our daughter more involved in helping out around the house.

A creative friend gave me a great idea of how to make choosing a chore fun. I decided to try it out. Here’s what I did.

1 – Brainstorm a list of age appropriate chores for your little one. My 4 year old can only do so much tidying or cleaning so we decided to add a few activities to the list. Our list comprised of things like “help set the table” and “read a book”.

2 – Head over to your local dollar store and buy some colourful popsicle sticks and a glass jar.

3 – Write the chores and activities on the sticks.

4 – Add them inside the jar.

Your child can choose one or more tasks to do everyday.

We are tallying all the chores our daughter is doing. After 20 chores she gets to pick out a new book. (Please note: we aren’t giving points for fun activities – those are a bonus)

So far my daughter is loving this system! She completed todays chores with excitement and NO complaints.

Lets hope it keeps up. I’d love to keep this system going until my son can help out around the house!

Fun with Spark Your Imagination

I love hearing about new products that challenge my daughter, bring out her creativity and are fun to use. I was so excited when given the opportunity to try out Spark Story Starters and Story Starters DRAW from a Canadian company called Spark Your Imagination.

As soon as I opened the package my mom side was super excited and my teacher side was even more excited. These products looked great and could be used with my kids at home AND in the classroom. WOW!

The Spark Story Starters are a series of cards that get kids thinking and talking about fun topics. I loved hearing my 4 year old’s response to some of the story starters. The Spark Story Starters are very portable. We took them with us on a trip, they were fun to use on the plane.

Spark story starters just won a PTPA award!

The Story Starters DRAW have been my daughters favourite product out of the bunch. She just loved the huge sheets of paper. When we play with the Story Starters DRAW we lay them on the floor and all pick a side to draw from. Its a very interactive activity. The large sheets make it easy to get creative and silly.

Things I love about Spark Your Imagination products:

• Spark Story Starters are easy to bring with you anywhere – restaurant, trips, grandma’s house
• Spark Story Starters get great conversation going
• Story Starters DRAW are a great family activity
• I love the big size of the Story Starters DRAW pages.

You can get Spark Story Starters and Story Starters DRAW products on the Spark Your Imagination website. All products are priced right (from only $11.99).

I think these products are great for any family. I really believe they make great gifts too!

Get yours today and see what they’re all about.

WINNER – Bumbleride Flite

The Bumbleride Flite contest was amazing.

Thank you to everyone for the wonderful comments and feedback about the Flite and Bumbleride.

I’m happy to announce that our winner is Jackie from Medford, MA.

Congrats Jackie! We can’t wait to hear what you think about your new Bumbleride Flite.