The Kids love to accessorize; glasses, capes, tutus, hats, you name it.
When I found Amy's Etsy Shop, I knew that we had to add some of her handmade creations to our collection.
Not only because they're animal related, functional, and adorable but because they're...
The Kids are really fortunate.
Both sides of their grandparents spoil them whenever they can.
While I try and keep their gift giving within reason (and fail miserably), there are definitely some items that they can use such as...
Max and Artemis have many "uniforms" from the Children's Place like these "piranha shorts" that Max wears on a daily basis. Okay, we have to pry them off him at night he loves them so much.
Artemis also has a bunch of adorable shorts, pants and t-shirts. What I've found (and it makes my life easier) is that you can wear the individual items as a set or mix-and-match.
Speaking of uniforms, while The Kids won't be headed to school for a couple of years, it's still fun to look nice and you can never be too dressed up (if you ask me).
If you're in the market for some uniforms, check out just two of the great pairings that they have for boys and girls. What boy doesn't look handsome in a vest and tie? And their coats and shoes are absolutely adorable and comfortable (just ask my three year old).
FYI, there's a Monster Sale going on right. Receive up to 70% off clearance items and 25% off school uniforms!
The Children's Place makes no secret about the fact that their products are Made in Bangladesh. They take their sense of Social Responsibility very seriously and are members of the "Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety". Read their website for more information on their Policy & Standards for Factories and Suppliers.
Connect with The Children's Place via their Website, Facebook and Twitter.
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| Prize: | Children's Place Gift Card. Approximate prize value is $500USD. |
| Eligibility: | USA and Canada. Void in Quebec and Hawaii. Age 18+ |
| Duration: | The contest will run from Monday, July 15 until Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 10pm EST. |
| Shipping: | Included in the prize. |
| Entry Method: | Giveaway Tools. |
| Disclosure: | This giveaway has been sponsored by Children's Place and hosted by Kimsumers. Journeys of The Zoo did not receive any compensation in exchange for posting this giveaway. |
As of Tuesday, Max decided that he was done with diapers.
Not only during the day but at night too.
Eck!
While I support him in this major milestone, I also want to minimize laundry and the need to change his bed. Especially at night.
That's why, the package from Baby Bug Shop couldn't have come at a better time.
Coupled with the fact that they're not napping, I'm missing that extra sleep and so are they.
I'm tired of being tired.
When a friend mentioned there was a product that could help, I was excited to learn more.
The Gro Company are the creators of this fabulous product and in Canada, it's distributed by Oyaco. A bit about this Canadian company with a diverse range of products.
Oyaco is a Canadian distributor of innovative, safe and high quality baby, maternity and children's products. OYACO is based in Calgary, Alberta and ships its 30 product lines to over 600 retail and online stores across the country.
We take a great deal of pride in the brands we represent. Sourced from countries around the world, the brands ultimately found in our portfolio have been carefully selected, tested and evaluated by a panel of peers and moms. All our products meet safety standards and governmental regulations.
Before I even saw the product, I was impressed. All the information on the outside of the box was clearly printed in English, French and Spanish! That's the first time that I can remember seeing a kids product with all three languages.
When I saw the long and practical list of functionality, I just knew that my mornings of sleeping in were going to come true. Here are some of the key features;
The first night, we incorporated the bedtime book that accompanies the clock into our bedtime routine. The book helped the kids understand the concept and they really enjoyed being involved in picking the spot for the clock. I liked that the cord was 75" long, because I had so many choices of where to put it. I put it up high and tied off the cord so that it's not a chocking hazard.
The instructions were very detailed and I had to refer to them a few times. At the beginning, I couldn't figure out how to return back to the main menu so I just unplugged it. Luckily, it doesn't reset the clock or alarm times unless left unplugged for over three minutes. Convenient if you have to move it from one spot to another.
Funny thing, Max, herein referred to as the "Clock Setter" figured things out with only a few presses and no instructions. Hmmph.
The kids usually get up at 7am but play in their room until 8am. At which time, I get up for the day. Lately, it's as if the kids knew that this clock was on it's way because they've been getting up at 6:30am.
The clock was set for 8am. Here's what happened...
You'll need to turn it up because I was whispering the whole time!?Now that we're on Day 4 of using the clock, The Kids get it! They're waiting for "The sun to come up" and then knocking on the door. They proudly tell me that the sun is awake and it's time to get up.
While the kids are still learning to recognize their numbers, I love that this product can grow with them as the digital clock can be displayed or not.
The one thing that I would have changed about this product is that it doesn't run on battery back-up. We live out in the country and have fairly frequent power outages as well, go camping every summer so it would have been convenient to use the clock in our daily routine.
Connect with Oyaco to find out about more great Gro Products and via their Website, Facebook and Twitter.
Tweet Let your Friends Get More Sleep with Gro Clock.
Note that a giveaway for a Gro Clock was previously associated with this post. Jennifer S. was the confirmed winner.
Spring is finally here.
Which is a good thing considering it's almost Summer.
No matter, we're embracing the good weather and enjoying every last minute of it.
In doing so, The Kids have started to incorporate more of nature in their everyday play. No more swing sets or tricycles for these guys.
Knowing that many of you enjoy the outdoors as much as we do, I thought that I'd share some activities that The Kids have been creating all on their own.
The best part, they require minimal materials, don't cost any money and they all come naturally to three-year olds.
Win, win, win!
When I was a kid, a party wasn't a party without loot bags filled with comic books, popeye cigarettes, jaw breakers and a plethora of other sweets.
To say that things have changed since then would be an understatement.
Nowadays, Parents want to educate and inspire. Teeth rotting sugar highs need not apply. In high demand...
Spring is such a busy time.
Flowers are in Bloom. Gardens are being planted. It rains everyday.
I'm not big on the last one but this year, The Kids get to play in puddles and I get piece of mind that,
A Canadian company based in Vancouver, Stonz Wear Inc. got it's start when Owner Lisa discovered that finding warm footwear for her young kids was near impossible. Her only option, wrapping scarves around her 5-month old sons' legs to keep him warm.
After meeting another mom who had made a boot that looked a lot like a fleece-lined chalk bag for her child. Lisa instantly knew these booties could fill a need in the market. And the rest they say is history.
There is no such thing as bad weather; only inappropriate clothing ~ Lisa
Our review of their creatively named, Stonz Rain Bootz came at the perfect time. The rain boots that we'd bought for Artemis had just torn where an appliqué flower was "applied". The 2" tear at the bottom of the boot left them unusable. She'd only worn them a handful of times.
Choosing a colour was tough, especially when you have such vibrant colours to choose from. I chose the neutral colour charcoal so that The Kids could share.
The sizing chart was just right. Of course I ordered a size too big (what Mother doesn't) and the size 8's were roomy but didn't inhibit Max's ability to get around and jump in rain puddles!
The treads are wide and deep, perfect for walking on muddy gravel roads as well as slippery wet grass. Living in the country, we have lots of both at this time of year.
While these 100% Natural Rubber Boots also have an appliqué, it is at the top of the boot and doesn't appear to use the same adhesive technique as "the other company". They are lined with a soft cottony lining and the insole is removeable. Great if you need to dry them out or if your kids have orthotics.
Speaking of which, their Original Booties have received several awards, including a "Seal of Approval" from the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association who were impressed by the construction and warranty of the products.
The integrity of a company is a major factor in how I spend my hard earned money.
Right from the beginning, Stonz Wear was upfront that while they were a Canadian company, the boots were not Made in Canada. They wanted to use 100% Natural Rubber, and avoid using PVC, phthalates, formaldehyde and lead and they couldn't find a suitable producer here in Canada. I appreciated that they provided me with this information.
Even so, rest assured Stonz Wear Inc. is 100% Canadian.
Want to know more about this great Canadian company? Connect with Stonz Wear via Website, Facebook, Twitter and informative videos on YouTube.
Journeys of The Zoo received a copy of this product that enabled us to complete this review.
Cleanliness is an important concept to teach our children.
Seeing as The Zoo has two potty training toddlers, good old-fashioned hand washing is a regular theme around here.
That's why we were pleased to add some Pampers Kandoo products to our hygiene regimen. The bonus, you have the chance to win some for yourself below.
Pampers Kandoo Line of Kid Friendly products includes; Handsoap, Shampoo, Body Wash and Hand Sanitizer. All are specifically designed to help children get clean on their own.They're made with natural ingredients to promote healthy skin and hair and mild formulas with no sulfates, parabens or phthalates.
The pumps have great scents that make kids want to get clean and the Unique bottles are designed to be fun and easy to use.
Since the kids were born, The Zoo has been using Pampers products. We believe that the brand works hard to support their customers by providing quality, well-tested products with the added bonus of fun.
Did you know that their website provides great tips and ideas for keeping our kids clean, as well as printables like progress charts and colouring pages to keep them engaged? If you're anything like me, you can use all the help you can get!
The first item was reviewed was the Magic Melon Foaming Hand Soap and it was a big hit with the kids and me.
Max loved the smell and that it was bright green.
I liked how the colouring helped me to ensure that soap was getting into all those nooks and crannies.
The fact that the bottle is shaped like a frog just adds to the fun!
The other item we reviewed was the Flushable Kandoo wipes. We are hesitant to flush anything other than the "basics" (i.e. organic materials) down the toilet as we are on a septic system. Normally, we have to research the products compatibility and it's a real hassle. It was nice to see that the packaging specified "septic-safe".
They were moistened with lotion which made them soft to the touch. I can see these being a great transition between regular wipes and toilet paper. I plan on using them as a reward for a successful bathroom visit. The stories they'll tell...
Want to know more? Be sure to connect with Pampers Kandoo via Website, Facebook and Twitter.
Anyone with a Toddler is no stranger to endless colds and other ailments.
Seeing as The Zoo has twice the nose-cleaning to do, we were excited to try Boogie Wipes, 'Gentle Saline Wipes for Stuffy Noses'.
Artemis has always put things in her mouth.
If I was referring to her thumb or soother, I wouldn't be writing this post.
Unfortunately, I'm talking about leaded balls and peso coins (oops, did I forget to mention that?)
Perhaps it's because she was a preemie or bottle-fed (I pumped).
Whatever the reason, I was eager to try KidCompanions "Chewelry" product and see if,
KidCompanions Chewelry was designed by Pierrette d’Entremont, a jeweller and Accredited Jewelry Professional. The product was initially designed with her daughter in mind, however, it's also intended for adults.Both Pierrette and her middle child have Tourette Syndrome and share some associated conditions like sensory issues, anxiety challenges and ASD traits. Her daughter was also born prematurely at 30-weeks gestation.
The product is made and assembled in Canada in a medical grade clean room facility. They are CE marked, sourced in North America and BPA, phthalate, lead, pcv and latex free.
With two shapes to choose from and tons of colours, I chose correctly in selecting a pink, heart shaped one for Artemis.
She loves it and often wears her multi-purpose "jewelry" around her neck. Especially if it colour coordinates.
Whenever I find her putting something else in her mouth, I remind her to use her "chew toy" and she starts chomping on it right away.
It was temporarily misplaced and I noticed that she chewed on other things more often (or maybe I just noticed more). I was equally stressed as I really feel like this product is a healthier and safer way for her to deal with her chewing issues. Having it be wash and wear also makes my life easier.
As for Max, he took a couple of chews and went back to playing with his trains.
You can see his tiny teeth impressions in the picture.
It wasn't that he didn't like it, more that he was busy and doesn't have the same chewing issues as Artemis.
After reading an article on their blog about Who Can Benefit from Using KidCompanions Chewelry? I'm going to reintroduce it to him this week in the hopes that it can help with his transition away from his soother.
Note that the product is not recommended for individuals under three years.
Connect with KidCompanions via Website, Blog, Facebook and Twitter.
Monograms and Super Hero outfits, hello Batman.
The package included a monogrammed cape, arm bands and a mask. The best part was that although I had more choices than I can even remember (both for the cape colour and circle), I'm demanding I didn’t see the "Zoo colours" of orange with white. What to do? I mentioned my dilemma (if everyone had my problems) to Brian and he immediately responded that they could accommodate my request. Awesomeness of the Super kind!
In a flash, it arrived. I knew that the cape would be a success (we have several others but none are monogrammed) but I was a bit worried that the kids would be afraid of the mask and/or not want to wear the arm bands. Let's just say that Artemis has being wearing the outfit for two days straight.
At first, there was some trepidation. Either that or a Super Hero can't let you see them crack a smile.
Within minutes they had undressed and were doing it all over again. The great thing is that even at 2.5 years old, the costume is simple enough that they can dress themselves!
Check out their shop, everybody (big or small) wants to be a super hero if even for one day. And yes, they have capes for BIG kids!
I received product from Pip and Bean that enabled me to conduct this review. All opinions are my own.
Besos, The Zoo
Besos, The Zoo