LeapFrog Rock n' Learn Party With Touch Magic Learning Bus & RockinGuitar

 Do you know that most child development experts agree that play is essential to high quality learning in small and preschool aged children?

 This is true for my 3 almost 4yr old son, and many other children. I have found that he especially tends to learn things when they are put into song, which is why I have been loving Leapfrog's new Touch Magic Learning Bus and Rockin Guitar.

 

          Touch Magic Little Touches Big Learning

 Touch Magic a new product line from LeapFrog, brings intuitive touch technology to preschool toys for the first time. Combining fun, learning and creativity, Touch Magic Learning Toys recognize every tap, touch and swipe to bring each product to life! The launch portfolio includes: Touch Magic Learning Bus, Touch Magic Rockin Guitar, and Touch Magic Counting Train.

 I was selected to host a Leapfrog Touch Magic Rock n' Learn Party with my son and some of his friends. Included in our party kit were:

• 2 Rockin Guitars: The Rockin Guitar brings musical fun and helps develop preschool skills with every little touch. Kids can choose to play solo without a backup or play along with a band or select electric or acoustic guitar to play 10 built in songs including: Rockin' Robin, Itsy Bitsy Spider, If Your Happy and You Know It, Pop Goes The Weasel, and more. Plus kids can customize their play experience with guitar riffs, silly sounds, and drums creating 100+ musical combinations to make every song unique.
• 1 Learning Bus: Learning ABC’s is one of the first steps in early childhood development. The Touch Magic Learning Bus takes children on a magical journey filled with educational discovery and games.  With a simple touch, preschoolers can use the six piano keys and two drum pads to play along with songs including Wheels on the Bus, ABC song, and original Rockin’ School Baby. The interactive surface features glossy, smooth graphics encouraging exploration and features over 40 touch points  that allow kids to play their way through core learning skills.
• LeapFrog branded Invites
• Product Fact Sheets
• Coupons
• Activity Sheets

 We just finished our party a few hours ago, and while we didn't have as many guests as was expected the kids that did come had a blast! They rocked out on the Guitars, and played along to with the guitars on the Learning Bus.  We made Rockin School Bus books, and sang along to the songs on the Rockin Guitar which include: The Alphabet Song, Pop Goes the Weasel, Your a Rockstar, and my personal favorite Rockin Robin. I love that the Touch Magic toys are easy for small children to use and learn.

 I did notice that after a while dirty little hands, cause the touch pads to stick. The great thing about Touch Magic toys is that they easily wipe clean, which is a must with small children.

My personal favorite of the toys included in the party kit is the Learning Bus. I have recently started to introduce letters and flash cards just aren't cutting it. They don't hold my son's attention. I can tell you that as I type this out my 3 year old is playing with the Touch Magic Learning Bus and not only repeating the letter's that he touches, but also repeating the sounds that each particular letter makes! It's fantastic! He's learning and he doesn't even know it.  These are really great learning toys and I'm thinking about using one of the coupons included to pick up the Magic Touch Counting Train.

 LeapFrog Touch Magic Toys can me purchased at Target and other major retailers.

Enter to win $500 during the Rockin' Guitar Contest! Here's how:

• Step 1: Submit Video Upload video of your kid jamming & learning with Touch MagicTM Rockin Guitar or your own play guitar.

• Step 2: Share Video Promote your video by sharing via Facebook and email with friends and family to view and vote.

• Step 3: Great Prizes Five videos with the highest votes and panel selections will have a chance to win $500 gift cards.

*I received free LeapFrog products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored Rock’n Learn Party and Mom Select. All my opinions are my own*

Hearts for Hearts Girls with Mommy Parties

 I joined a website called Mommy Parties several months back, and applied to host a Hearts for Hearts Girls Party. I got it, and I'm so glad I did. Not only are these dolls just beautiful and well made but they teach girls about the struggles of other girls all over the world. Hearts for Hearts Girls is all about empowering young girls and with two young god daughters I LOVE that. I want them to know their worth and their own strength.  

Working Together For Change
It’s an undeniable fact that girls in many countries struggle against a lack of education, medical care, decent housing, and clean water and food. But when these basic needs are met, those girls achieve amazing things for themselves and their families. Sometimes, all they need is a little help.
The Hearts For Hearts Girls™ mission is to empower girls to become agents of change in their communities, their countries, and around the world. We want to change the world one heart at a time, and you can be a part of that dream!
It all starts with our dolls. Right now, there are six Hearts For Hearts Girls dolls: Lilian (Belarus), Rahel (Ethiopia), Nahji (India), Tipi (Laos), Consuelo (Mexico), and Dell (United States). Each of them has an important story to tell about life in her country, inspired by real girls who are strong, smart, courageous, and determined to rise above challenging circumstances.
When you buy a doll, Hearts For Hearts Girls donates part of the purchase price through our charitable partner, World Vision, to programs that support girls in that country. Whether it’s malaria nets in Africa, schoolbooks in Asia, or food supplies in the US, these programs help girls to thrive and succeed.  

  In our party kit we received:

·         2 Hearts for Hearts Girls Dolls/ Consuela and Lauryce One to keep and one to give away at our party

·      20  Hearts for Hearts Girls Bracelets enough for each party guest to get one bracelet and have one to giveaway to a girl who isn’t at the party

·      Hearts for Hearts Coupons to purchase your own Hearts for Hearts Dolls and start giving back!

·       Hearts for Hearts Girls Passports

Also included are menu ideas from each dolls country as well as games from each dolls country. We had a blast. I chose to make the Mexican Corn and Bean Soup, and the Ethiopian Party Punch. I made an attempt at French Beignets to represent Lauryce from New Orleans, they turned out more like Funnel Cakes but were still delicious.

We Played Shyla a game that originated in Belarus, as well as a crazy Mexican Hat Relay.

We all had a fantastic time, and I really hope that the girls have gone away with a new understanding of all the different hardships of others around the world and how they all can do their parts in their own ways to help out.  Rather than raffling off the extra doll included I chose to give the Consuelo Doll to two little girls on our street that often play with my son. He has told me that they don’t have any toys, and I have witnessed their excitement at viewing my sons play room. These two little girls happen to be children of Mexican Immigrants that came to the US to give their children more opportunities. I could not think of anyone better or another girl that I know that would appreciate that doll more. Their mother has told me that they cherish their Consuelo doll. Let me tell you it felt amazing to see the excitement in those little girls faces to receive a beautiful doll such as Consuelo, and that is what Hearts for Heart Girls is all about.  Giving back.

To Purchase your own Heart for Hearts Girls Doll or to find out more, head to their website:  www.hearts4heartsgirls.com, or the Hearts for Hearts Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/HeartsForHeartsGirls. 

To Join Mommy Parties, and host fun parties with your mommy friends, and their children head to their website: www.mommyparties.com, or their Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MommyParties.

*The products featured in this blog post were sent to me free for the purpose's of hosting a party and this blog post. I was not paid for this post or to host the Hearts for Hearts Girls party. All opinions are my own and 100% honest*

Wholesale Children's Costumes from WholesaleHalloweenCostumes.com Review

It’s about that time, we are quickly approaching fall and it’s time to start thinking about what our kids are going to be for Halloween. I love Halloween, no scratch that. I love fall, I love everything about it. The weather, the leaves, the smells, the pumpkins. So it is not uncommon for me to anxiously await its arrival, along with my favorite holiday, Halloween.  

 I love Halloween and my favorite part has always been dressing up. Now as a mother, it’s even more fun to watch my child’s excitement at the Holiday. I appreciate a good selection of costumes to choose from, and a lot of local stores just don’t offer the greatest selection. WholesaleHalloweenCostumes.com has an awesome selection of costumes; there are hundreds to choose from. Anything you can possibly dream up to dress up as WholesaleHalloweenCostumes.com has it and if they don’t the have everything you need to put it together yourself. They even have pet costumes, props, and decorations.  On top of their selection their prices are unbeatable.  

  After looking around the website for Halloween Costumes for Kids with my 3 year old son, we narrowed it down to about 4 costumes and then decided on The Toddler Make a Wish Costume. We both love it. It looks just like a regular race car driver’s jumpsuit. It comes with the jumpsuit, the hat, a gold winner’s medal, a checkered flag, a plastic race track mat, 5 little racecars and an activity book! All for only $21.90.  Not only is it a great costume but he can wear it long after Halloween for dress up, and imaginary play and of course he will get a lot of use out of the racetrack mat and the racecars. 

 I’m impressed with the quality of the costume as well.  The material isn’t really thick but it will definitely hold up to wear from a toddler. I don’t mind that it’s not a thick material as in the California Valley where we live, it’s still pretty warm come Halloween, and if you live in an area that tends to be cold around Halloween you can easily layer clothes under the costume. Usually when I purchase costumes they almost always have loose strings hanging as well as the loose seams that come along with that.  This costume had none of that poor stitching and this is why I’m confident it will hold up well after Halloween for playtime.  My son wears a size 5T or 4, and since I wanted him to get more use out of the costume after Halloween, I chose a bigger size and got him the Large which says it fits a size 4-6 and it is already a little high in the legs. So it’s safe to say that this particular costume runs a little small. (Wholesalecostumes.com offers returns and exchanges, if you make they return or exchange within 10 days of receiving it return shipping is on them). 

No matter what time of year it may be, if you’re in the market for a costume I highly recommend Wholesalehalloweencostumes.com.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers

Mombo Nursing Pillow from Comfort and Harmony Review

"Comfort & Harmony's mombo is everything you'll need in a nursing pillow and much more! The Firm2SoftTM, 2-Sided construction, is uniquely designed to offer distinct benefits on each side. The firm side offers enhanced back support during nursing and just the right elevation for baby. the soft side creates the perfect environment for lounging. The optional vibration helps soothe baby. Use the vibration anytime throughout the day."

 When I was nursing my newborn son 3 years ago, I found positioning him into the correct positions for feeding was really difficult. He was a big baby and I struggled a lot with positioning during feedings. I wish that the Mombo from Comfort and Harmony would have been around. It would have been a great help and I would have probably continued to breast feed rather than switching to formula.When I was offered a review for the Mombo I was really excited because I knew someone whom was about to have a baby and was really wanting a nursing pillow. So what does she think of the Mombo?

 She loves it. She brought it to the hospital to start using it right away. The firm side helps position baby for comfortable feedings, and she says that Baby seems to be very comfortable in the Mombo as well. Baby is only 3 1/2 weeks so she hasn't yet gotten to using the softer side for lounging and tummy time yet.  Here only complaint is that as a plus size woman the Mombo doesn't fit around her in the way that it should.The Slipcover makes washing it a breeze and of course there are several slipcovers to choose from that suit any style.

Interested in purchasing the Mombo Nursing Pillow? Mombo is $25.49 and sold exclusively at BabiesRus and ToysRus. Slipcovers are sold separately and vary in price from $11 to $22.

*I was sent a sample Mombo for the purposes of this review. I was not paid for this review. All opinions are my own and 100% honest*

Wittlebee Review

  

In my obsessive search for the newest monthly beauty subscription boxes, I came across one for children on Youtube. It’s called Wittlebee and it is a monthly subscription of clothing for infants and small children sized Newborn to 5T.  I knew I had to try it. I’ve never seen a service catered to children and I generally spend about $30-$40 in odds and ins of clothing for my son every month so this is perfect.  Here is what Wittlebee say’s about their service:

“Wittlebee is a monthly membership service that automatically ships you a box full of your kid's clothing essentials. Our service is meant to supplement your existing clothes supply and ensure you're always well stocked with the basics (onesies, t-shirts, leggings, socks and more).  As your child grows so do the sizes of clothes you receive each month. Every box contains clothes worth over $100 in retail value.”

        So how does it work?

• Select your child’s gender, name and age
• Select clothing size
• Fill out your style profile, choosing between: Princess, Diva, Hipster, Sporty, Geek Girl, Preppy, Casual and Mix and Match.
• Select up to two graphics that best fits your child’s style
• Choose up to 3 favorite colors
• What articles of clothing your child most needs right now (shirts, long sleeve, shorts, pants, onesies)  
• Type of climate you currently need clothes for.
• You have the option to consult with a stylist over the phone or through email. Or you can add your own notes.  
•   Pay $39.99
•  Wait for your shipment!

I chose the casual style, with stripes and cars as our graphics and I couldn’t be happier with the items we received. My son loved the clothes he got so much that he wanted to wear his new clothes right away. Of course he had to wait for them to be washed. All the clothes were brands that I recognized and would consider name brand. We got American Apparel, Carter’s, Kenneth Cole, ESprit, Hanna Barbera, K. Kauf-Man, and Paul Frank. I looked up the value of each item and our box had an approximate value of $102.99! Great value for only $39.99, you get more than double what you paid for the box. I’m loving Wittlebee.  

 If you’re not happy with anything you received Wittlebee will do their best to replace it with something that is more your style. Superb customer service!

Want to sign up for Wittlebee? Head here: Wittlebee.com receive a $10 Discount when you use my link.  To learn about giveaways and other Wittlebee happenings “Like” Wittlebee's Facebook Page. 

Currently Wittlebee is having a giveaway on their blog. The prize is a Blooming Bath and a Wittlebee Box! Check it out and enter here: blog.wittlebee.com

* I was sent a sample of Wittlebee for review purposes. I was not paid for this review. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. This blog post contains affiliate links*  

Lakeshore Learning Store Review & Giveaway!

 It’s that time! The Holiday’s are upon us.  If you’re like me and love finding your kids toys that are both fun and educational, I have the perfect place. It’s Lakeshore Learning Store. All their toys are educational and fun. If you live near one of their stores I hear that they are great. I don’t live near one of their stores, so I did my shopping online. Which was great, easy and fast. Ok, maybe it wasn’t so fast. I spent a great deal of time deciding what I wanted to order for my 3 yr old. There are so many great educational toys to choose from. It’s like a virtual utopia of educational toys.

 With the knowledge that the cold and rainy season is approaching I decided on two toys that are perfect for long days in the house. I chose the Lakeshore Hop Along Balls. Perfect for expending energy and building muscle. Our Lakeshore shipment couldn’t have arrived faster or at a better time, as the rain followed. My son has been bouncing around the house with is Hop along constantly. It has replaced his favorite push car as his favorite mode of transportation. He loves it, and I love it for the peace it brings and the energy it expends. The Lakeshore Hop Along Retails for $14.95 and is worth every penny! 

 Next up, I chose the Don’t Let the Bugs Fall! Game. It’s like Jenga for little ones. Not only did my 3 year old have a great time playing this game but so did the adults. We all sat down at the table and played several games. This game is great at teaching colors, and building eye hand coordination. It was also a great lesson for my son in learning to wait his turn. The Don’t Let the Bugs Fall! Game normally retails for $16.95 but it is currently on sale for $9.95. 

                                         

 Lakeshore Learning Store is currently having a great sale. It’s the perfect time to get your Holiday shopping done. Sale ends Dec. 24^th. To help you with your Holiday shopping Lakeshore Learning is giving 1 Kristy’s Place Reviews & Giveaways reader a $25 Gift Card!  
*Products in this review were sent free for review purposes. All opinions are my own and 100% honest. I was not paid for this review*

Howard B. Wigglebottom Children's Book Review

 Finally a Children's review! My son and myself both enjoy a good book, so I was very excited to have the opportunity to review a Children's book and do a review that my 2 almost 3 yr old son could be a part of. We chose to review the book Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Power of Giving: A Chirstmas Story. I decided that this was the book for Chase not just because Christmas is coming but because as an only child my son has not yet learned to share. The Howard B. Wigglebottom books are recommended for children 4-8 and while my son doesn't fit this recommendation quite yet, I could tell that he was indeed taking in the lesson in the story. Little Howard B. Wigglebottom learned through the temporary loss of his family and meeting some homeless birds that sharing and giving are much more rewarding than getting. Not only did my son enjoy this book but I did as well. Along with the Howard B. Wigglebottom books their are animated books, games, lessons and Posters. My little guy has had quite a time watching the animated books, so much so that I think the Howard B. Wigglebottom animated books should have their own place on PBS. The Wigglebottom series of books and animated books aren't just children's entertainment but wonderful lessons presented in a way that small children can understand. With lessons about, bullying, anger management, moderation, divorce, paying attention, belonging, peer pressure, sportsmanship and so much more.

Autographed by Author Howard Binkow

 The Howard B. Wigglebottom books and animated books are from the Not for Profit Foundation The We Do Listen Foundation and they can be purchased at a 50-66%  publisher direct discount. Not only was one of the author's Howard Binkow kind enough to send Chase and I an autographed book but he will be giving away an autographed book of choice to one lucky Kristy's Place Reviews & Giveaways reader! Enter Below for your chance to win. You can view the Howard B. Wigglebottom books lesson and animations herehttp://www.wedolisten.org/.

*The book in this review was given to me for consideration. I was not paid for this review. All views are my own, honest opinions.*