Handy Manny is a hot show among the pre-school crowd.  Probably because Handy Manny is just the kind of guy you'd like to be pals with.  He's friendly, his neighborhood is great, and he can fix anything (hence his name).  Do your little ones like to pretend they are repairing things right along with Manny when they watch?

Guess what?  Handy Manny has an all new show coming up: "Handy Manny Big Race" this Saturday, March 20th, at 7PM/6C on The Disney Channel.

Click to read more ...

Math has Amber's favorite subject in school.  It's the highlight of here school day (really!).  She has always excelled at math, and I am so glad, because I struggled with that subject in school.

Media can be a great learning tool and Leap Frog is always introducing new toys and products on the market to help make your child's learning fun.  Their newest DVD Math Adventure to the Moon is one such product.

Click to read more ...

Episencial  is actively healthy skincare that focuses on providing products with green values in mind, free from all the bad stuff, meaning  no synthetic chemicals. They have seven products in their line, ranging from foaming wash to sunscreen.

When it comes to skin, many are wanting to keep the chemicals to a minimum, so it is reassuring to know that Kim Walls the CEO of Episencial is also a skin care clinician.  Plus, she's a mom who is "proud to be able to offer honestly effective and green products at a reasonable price that can be found at stores she shops in all the time".  

Click to read more ...

Last week, Ian's Natural Foods sent me some samples of their newest snacks to try out.  We got to try their Mix2Go varieties and the FruitaBits.

Click to read more ...

Big Idea EntertainmentThe characters in this DVD are familiar to most; an Italian toymaker Gelato (Larry the Cucumber) and his assistant Cricket (Khalil the Caterpillar).  Gelato has no family (with the exception of some ducklings) to call his own and after receiving a piece of pistachio wood, carves himself a son; Pistachio (Junior Asparagus).

Little Pistachio however, does not want to listen to Gelato his father and gets himself entangled into a whole lot of trouble.

Combining the classic tale of Pinocchio and the parable of The Lost Sheep from the Bible, Pistachio is a lesson filled DVD about the importance of listening to your parents.

Click to read more ...

The Big Green Alligator CD by La-La-Lisa (Lisa Weyerhaeuser) features 18 vivid, inspiring songs, suitable for young kids.  It's a perfect addition to your CD collection, for church Sunday Schools, nurseries and moms that provide childcare in their home.

The lyrics of the songs on Big Green Alligator capture the essence of God the Creator, who loves and cares for His children.

Click to read more ...

Oral care is a very important topic to me.  I am not a big fan of the dentist and so anything that makes those twice a year visits easier on me and my family has my attention.  With Amber having braces there is that much more concern for the teeth to be as clean as possible too.

I recently learned about EvoraKids - the first pro-biotic oral care system for children ages 3-10.  A chewable tablet, taken twice a day after brushing, helps to keep bacteria from dental plaque at bay.

Click to read more ...

By all the book reviews you see on my site, I'm sure you figured out I love reading.  I also think reading is important. 

Amber has always been a reluctant reader, but I know how important reading is, especially for young brains that are developing.  I've always made her read even when she has not wanted to, and by finding books that interest her, have made it a somewhat (I hope) enjoyable experience.

Click to read more ...

Image via WikipediaVacations are primarily taken to "un-plug" but that's harder and harder to do these days what with cell phones, portable dvd players, game consoles and iPods.  So what can you do to make a family vacation fun while leaving the distractions behind?  Here are some ideas:

If you're planning to get to your destination by car:

Click to read more ...

Kids carry backpacks and school books everywhere.  They end up on desks, bathroom floors, school bus seats and who knows where else.  Do you remember high school biology?  Then you can only imagine what sort of microscopic germs your child is carrying with them all day long.

Click to read more ...

Did you know more than 55% of American teens have volunteered for public service projects? (information from Corporation for National & Community Service)  That is more than double the rate of adults.

The Huggable Heroes® program is Build-A-Bear Workshop®'s way of recognizing the efforts of the young people who help others in need.  Build-A-Bear Workshop recognizes, honors and 'cele-bear-ates' these heroes who provide extraordinary service in their communities and across the globe.

Click to read more ...

I can hardly wait for our Disney Magic Transatlantic Cruise this April.  Usually we tack on a few days at Disney World when we cruise, but because this one is a two week cruise as it is, we have to forego visiting the parks this time around.

Our first trip to Disney World as a family was when Amber was 2 1/2, and I wish I would have had Lisa Battista's "Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers" at the time.

Click to read more ...

Had you heard about the recent lawsuit between Mead Johnson and PBM?  Perhaps if you don't have an infant in your home right now it may have been off your grid.  See, Mead Johnson produces baby formula, a well know brand, Enfamil LIPIL and PBM sued them for false advertising.

I formula fed Amber, and I did it by choice.  I never felt guilty about it, and never felt I was doing either of us a disservice by choosing formula over breast feeding.  Truth be told, I used the store-brand formula too!  Gasp!  However, that's what this lawsuit is all about.

PBM claimed that Mead Johnson's advertis

Click to read more ...

Bakugan: Battle Brawlers is the first video game based on the smash hit Bakugan toys, card game and anime show.  Released October 20, 2009, this has been a raving hit among tweens who play video games.  While this game likely appeals to boys more than girls, Amber my 13 year old daughter (who is decidedly very ungirly), got a chance to review this on the Nintendo DS platform and this is what she said about it:

Click to read more ...

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour  book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

and the book:

Dinosaurs for Kids

Click to read more ...