Ed Hardy

This uber-trendy line for babies and tots, boys and girls, features tattoo-inspired designs and vibrant colorful prints. Every piece is under $20 and most are under $10!

 Hello Kitty Organics

My daughter absolutely adores the iconic kitty with her signature bow.  I have to admit that this is the first I’ve heard of an organic line but from what I’ve read, I am inspired to pick up a few pieces.  The fabrics are soft and comprised of 100% organic cotton.   The line is basic (long and short sleeve tees, pants, and hoodies) but adorable and most importantly, affordable.

Big Beloog

Summer is right and the corner and if you’re planning on enjoying a little fun in the sun, be sure to check out this collection of rash guards, hats, and UV protective swimwear for kids ages one to eight.

For upcoming sales scheduled to open this weekend, just visit Totsy.

Disclosure: I am a member of Totsy’s Mom Committee and receive site credit to help facilitate reviews and provide honest feedback.

Much like my husband, my son is fascinated by how things work.  He has actually pulled apart toys in the process, some of which could not be put back together.  It comes as no surprise that my son’s favorite toys are those that allow him to get creative. He enjoys the challenge of putting building blocks together, for example, particularly if he is attempting to recreate something specific.

Building on kids’ love for creative, imaginative, constructive play, and the Disney characters they’ve come to adore, Mega Brands and Chuggington collaborated to create a new line of building blocks inspired by the show.

The new line launched with three sets: Jet Pack Adventure, Repair Shed, and Roundhouse Racing, and from our experience over the past couple of weeks, my kids are completely absorbed in building and rebuilding these sets. The sets come with buildable trains (cool!), tracks, and even accessories, which gives children an authentic experience.  One of the things I appreciate about the sets is the fact that they do come with the trains.  So many times we’ll purchase toys only to find that we have to purchase something additional.  It’s convenient to have everything we need in the set.

Each set comes with a guide (thankfully) and putting them together was not as laborious as I expected.  In fact, I initially stood back and watched to see whether or not my son would require my assistance.  That very first day he must have spent maybe 30-45 minutes building, racing, and taking pieces apart.

We definitely had more fun collaborating on the sets and one of the things I noticed was that despite the fact the we were building something specific, there was (and is) always room for creativity…for a child to make it his/her own.  The guides offer additional building configurations and, if you purchase more than one set, I see them working well together.

Unlike building sets we’ve owned in the past, there aren’t an overwhelming number of pieces.  Some of the pieces are on the smallish side so the sets are not recommended for children under the age of 3 (they could pose a choking hazard).  My son is almost five and while he does have the dexterity to put most of the pieces together, he still required a good amount of assistance and instruction from us.

Both of my children have spent quite a bit of time playing and building since we received these sets.  I have to admit that even I enjoyed building them.  The only thing I’d love to see the brand come out with is some type of storage/transportation case to keep them organized and contained (and from getting lost).

Chuggington Mega Bloks Sets begin at $15 and are available at Amazon and Toys R Us.

Win It!  One of you will win all 3 sets. Just leave me a comment with your favorite is and why you love the show Chuggington. Comments will close on April 19th at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following (or something like it) “ I just entered a #giveaway to win a @Chuggington Mega Bloks Set from @rockinmama ”

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No compensation was received for this post. I am part of the Chuggington Conductor Program and receive products for review and giveaway.

If I’m looking to change it up, sometimes I’ll simply take a unique twist on a classic favorite.  This is a great way to introduce a new dish without having to dream up a brand new recipe.

This Easter, Kellogg’s has done just that. They’ve taken their classic Rice Krispie Treat recipe and evolved it into a festive Easter treat.  We decided to recreate the recipe using my son’s Vegan Butter.  Here is the recipe, courtesy of Kellogg’s:

Hidden Surprise Easter Egg Treats
12 Plastic snap-apart 3 x 2-in Easter eggs
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows OR 4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies® cereal
1/2 cup M&M’S Brand Chocolate Candies
Canned frosting or decorating gel (optional)

1. Clean, then coat inside of plastic eggs with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
3. Add Kellog’s Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
4. Using greased hands, firmly press 1/4 cup of the cereal mixture into each plastic egg half. Use fingers to make hollow center in each half. Remove from molds. Place on wax paper. Cool slightly.
5. Place about 6 M&M’S Brand Chocolate Candies in one half of each egg. Gently press two halves of each egg together until they stick. Cool completely.
6. Decorate with frosting and additional M&M’S Brand Chocolate Candies (if desired).

*Best if served the same day*

Not only were these quick and easy to make, they were fun for my children and I.  We had to substitute the M&Ms for my son’s treats, but he still enjoyed opening the eggs to find the dark chocolate chips I hid inside.

To jazz them up a bit, you can decorate with colored M&Ms, frosting or anything else you can dream up.  You can actually make these in the microwave as well. Instructions can be found on the website.

This is part of a compensated campaign with Kellogg’s.

Recipe courtesy of Kellogg’s.

Images: Rockin’ Mama

This year I endeavored to do something different. I’ve been researching and exploring the concept of upcycling, which in essence means taking something you’d typically throw out and making something new (and better) with that item.  After a bit of brainstorming, I decided to take a 1/2 gallon Almond milk carton and convert it into an Easter basket.  A stretch?

After I cut off the top third of the carton, my son and I covered it with construction paper.  Together we decorated it with felt stickers and markers.  I used Walmart‘s Easter grass made from recycled paper and included an Easter book (Pooh’s Easter Basket), an Easter Sock Monkey, some felt bookmarks we made with Creative Hands SmART Kit, GoGo SqueeZ Applesauce, and Justin’s Maple Almond Butter. The entire basket cost me $18.06 plus tax (and I could make another basket without having to buy much more than another Sock Monkey and book).

The Easter aisles are lined with candy and toys, and this year I was looking for something different…something lasting.  I wanted to give each of my children something unique and festive that would still benefit them. My son loved the fact that we turned his milk carton into an Easter basket.  He enjoyed decorating it and it gave us something creative to work on.  The book is one we’ll read in future years and the Sock Monkey can tag along on trips or be snuggled with at bedtime.  Since it’s difficult to come up with candy-alternatives, I thought that individual, on-the-go applesauce packets and maple almond butter packets would still satisfy their sweet cravings while packing in a bit of nutrition.

Have you ever tried upcycling? I’m curious to see what you’ve created…

 Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

Photos: Rockin’ Mama

All items can be purchased at your local Walmart.

As a mom, I would love to craft more with my children, particularly if I was guided step-by-step and the projects weren’t terribly difficult, messy, or time-consuming.  If you’ve been inside your local Walmart store recently, you might have noticed a Kids Crafts section, which contains a variety of kid-friendly products to get started.  Since I definitely need some guidance, I decided to try and replicate these adorable Mini Wooden Easter Baskets utilizing Horizon’s craft supplies. The total cost of the supplies, minus the glue and scissors, was just under $20 and I can use much of what I purchased on future projects. Here is a quick list of the items you’ll need, all of which can be found at your local Walmart:

Here is a visual step-by-step guide to making these adorable mini baskets.

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, measure the height of your cup against the Mini Craft Sticks and cut the top off if necessary.

Use the end of a pointed pair of scissors to poke a hole on each side of the cup, then thread the fuzzy stick through and tie a small knot.  This is definitely something a parent should either do or supervise.

Wrap the fuzzy stick around your finger to give it a swirl design.  Then thread the other end and tie another knot.

Now it’s time to glue the mini craft sticks in place.

Ensure the sticks are straight.  There will be gaps but that is ok because if you use dark paint, it won’t really show.

Make sure the glue is dry before attempting to paint.

Be sure to paint the inside of the sticks as well.

We could definitely use a second coat of paint.

I filled the basket with paper grass I found at Walmart.

For beginners, this was an engaging craft that wasn’t overly time consuming.  Both of my children (particularly my daughter) definitely required assistance, but really enjoyed using the glue to attach the mini craft sticks and painting their baskets.  While they don’t look perfect, we’re quite happy with how they turned out.

I am not certain what age group this particular craft is geared towards but I think 6-7 is a good starting age.  Children will require the dexterity and patience to attach the wooden sticks and paint them once in place.

For additional craft ideas and inspiration, visit Walmart’s Craft Page, Facebook Craft Group and Pinterest page.

 Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.

So how did we do?

For starters, I utilized a Responsibility Chart with my oldest.  Beyond the fact that it’s colorful and fun, it serves as a visual reminder for my son.  He knows that each week, if he’s completed enough of his responsibilities in all categories, he’ll get a reward (my mother decided she wanted to provide the reward which involved a trip to our local toy store).

Since I am striving to allow my son some degree of independence as he nears the milestone that is five, we agreed that he could brush his teeth in the morning and I would help him in the evening, to ensure he is brushing properly.  Since we are doing this with my daughter as well, I decided that singing the ABCs might help both of them brush for longer periods of time since they are often brushing too quickly and missing some areas. My daughter is fiercely independent, so “helping” her brush her teeth isn’t a feasible option right now. However, she does it and enjoys it which  is really where she needs to be at this point.

The other goal I wanted to accomplish with my son was establishing a nightly flossing routine.  At four, he doesn’t have the dexterity or patience to floss in the traditional sense. I happened upon these colorful Fun Flossers which make it easier for my son and more likely that he’ll be able to floss independently.

As part of this oral care challenge, we received a few bottles of Listerine’s Smart Rinse for Kids and Mouthwashes for Adults.  My children are not quite at the age where they can use the rinse, however, my husband and I took on the challenge and committed to rinsing at least once a day.  Rinsing was such an easy step to add to our oral care routine, that I ended up doing it after each brushing session in the mornings and evenings.  What really helped me was the fact that I kept it on our bathroom counter, visible, right next to our toothbrush holder (I need visual reminders). What I found is that my teeth literally feel cleaner.  I can run my tongue along my teeth and they just feel smooth.  I also like the added security of knowing I am getting 24 hours of protection against plaque and gingivitis.

Overall, I felt like the challenge was a success. We learned the importance of regular oral care and it’s impact on health and we’re tapping into our resources to ensure that our entire family has healthy smiles.

Thanks to Listerine and Reach, I have a few tips that will help you begin your journey towards a healthy smile:

1. Brush, floss, and rinse twice a day.  It only takes a few minutes.

2.  Visit your dentist for bi-annual screenings and cleanings

3.  Choose wholesome foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support a healthy diet and thus a healthy smile

How do you support a healthy smile?

This is part of a compensated campaign with The Motherhood and Johnson & Johnson.  Products were provided which helped facilitate this challenge.

Easy Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

3/4 cup egg-free pasta (I found rainbow pasta (store brand) at our local Vons that is free from eggs and made with spinach and tomatoes)

1 tablespoon vegan butter (Earth Balance has a soy-free vegan butter we love)

Splash of almond milk (unsweetened, unflavored)

3 slices of vegan cheese (or more if you like your mac & cheese cheesy)

Once you’ve cooked the pasta for 10 minutes (ish) and drained it, return it back to the pot you cooked it in since it’s nice and hot (and why waste another pot if you don’t need to?).  Add the vegan butter, cut up vegan cheese, and a splash of almond milk and mix over low heat until combined and creamy. You can add salt and pepper to taste but I don’t routinely cook with salt.

The verdict?  My son asked for a second serving!

What are your favorite kid-friendly recipes?  I’m always looking for new ideas to change up meal times.

Even though some brands were mentioned, no compensation in any form was received for this post.

Photo Credit: Crayola

Even at 2, my daughter spends quite a bit of time coloring quietly…thoughtfully.  While she can’t express what she’s drawing, when she’s finished a picture, she runs to me bubbling with excitement…proud of her creation.  It was much later that my son showed interested in crafts, which I’m certain is partly due to the fact that he is a very active little boy.  But in the last six months or so, he’s really begun to explore his creative side.  Earlier this week, he drew a picture at school and described it to me with specific details.

Crayola, a brand I grew up with as a child, believes that creativity matters and I wholeheartedly agree.  I believe that while skill, to some degree is innate, it can also be learned.  Children can be guided and instructed to think critically, solve problems, and lead in their classrooms and their communities.

Tonight, Crayola is hosting a live discussion with musician, children’s author ad mom Lisa Loeb.  Inside the Crayon Box will stream the live video on their Facebook page and will inspire parents to expand their child’s creative thinking. Here are just a few topics that will be discussed:

• Why creativity matters
• Lisa’s personal stories about growing up in a home where creativity was encouraged
• Simple tips and ideas for inspiring creativity within children

You can join Inside the Crayon Box live tonight at 9 pm EST on the Crayola Facebook Page.

If you don’t catch Inside the Crayon Box, you visit Crayola’s YouTube Channel where the session will be posted.