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FyrFlyz Review and Give Away

September 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I was lucky enough to have been selected to try out another wonderful product through MomSelect.  FyrFlyz is a great new product that combines 2 things kids like most.  My first impression of the FyrFlyz was that they were like a yo-yo with lights.  It is so much more than that though.  There are lights in the center and 2 strings on either side.  If you turn the lights out and start to spin you will discover you can do lots of neat tricks with the FyrFlz.  I knew that there would have to be an adventure attached to our trying out this great new product.

Each week we take the girls out to practice soccer all together.  We took our new FyrFlyz to family soccer night and the girls were so happy.  Abigail (10) thought in the beginning that she was too cool for Fyrflyz.  After just a few minutes she was off and running.  She was trying to figure out all of the cool tricks on the FyrFlyz package. From that point on she could not stop.  No matter how many mosquitoes bit her, she kept on going.

Emma (7) also really enjoyed the FyrFlyz.  She had a little bit of trouble doing all of the tricks that her older sister was doing but she had a blast trying.  She was able to do some of the tricks but is still trying to achieve others.  She plays with her FyrFlyz almost every evening on the front porch because she is that determined to do the same tricks her sister can do.

Analiese (4) had some more trouble than the other girls.  Do not get me wrong though.  She still really enjoyed playing with her FyrFlyz.  She was able to spin it and was impressed by the lights although she was not able to do the tricks.   She too tries to do tricks each evening and could not be happier.  I am hoping that she accomplishes one of the tricks soon.

All in all I would say that FyrFlyz are a huge success.  The girls loved them and even dad and I needed a turn.  It was fun to try and do each of the tricks.  I will caution you to watch where you use your FyrFlyz.  I tried it in the car on the way home and ended up with a fat lip!  It bounced off of the dashboard and right into my lip.  The worst part was that it was not spinning slowly. 

If you are interested in purchasing FyrFlyz of your own you certainly can.  FyrFlysz are available exclusively at Toys ‘R Us stores.  I know that my nephews are chomping at the bit to go get some.  FyrFlyz are, “An amazing light show in the palm of your hands” and you can win one from Ask Becca.  Click here to fill out an entry form and I will announce the winner on Saturday, September 17th.  I know that your kids will love FyrFlyz as much as mine do!

Becca

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Toy Rental: The New Trend

April 10, 2011 By 3 Comments

Well I think that I have now heard it all!  Today, while reading through some blogs on Mom Blog Network I discovered a new trend that I was not aware of.  Thanks to the blog Darcy and Brian “Tales from the Nursery” I learned about a new business that is just getting started.  It is called Toygaroo!

Toygaroo is a company like no other I have seen.  Toygaroo offers toys for rent.  Yes you heard me right.  They rent out toys.  According to what I have read on Toygaroo’s website there are a few main points about toy rental they would like to stress.

  1. Toys are delivered right to your door step.
  2. The toys they have chosen enhance child development.
  3. No yuck Factor.  Toys have been sanitized and sealed in plastic to assure that they are clean and ready to be played with.
  4. No late fees.  This is always nice.  You know us busy moms seem to sometimes overlook due dates.
  5. Free Shipping.  I think that this is a big one!  With the cost of shipping these days it is nice that Toygaroo is able to ship with no cost to you.

The way it all works seems simple enough.  You rent the toys for a total of 30 days.  There are 3 levels of membership.  Level one is $24.99 for a 30 day rental of 4 toys.  Once your 60 days are up you then ship the toys back and wait to receive next bundle.  Level two membership is $32.99 for 6 toys and level 3 is $42.99 for 8 toys.  It is important to note that with these membership plans you agree to 3 month commitment.  For an additional $0.34 per day you can receive new toy shipments every 30 days.

I think that there are perks to renting toys.  You are not stuck with having to buy toys and then throwing them out a month later.  You also are switching the toys that you have up constantly which exposes them to new things.  I think that I like the concept.  My only problem is that I do not purchase $25.00 worth of toys per month so it would be an added expense for our family.  I know that there are a lot of families that do spend that much and more on toys per month.  For those families I think that this is really a great deal!

Becca

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Crayola Colored Bubbles: Worth the Mess?

April 3, 2011 By 3 Comments
“I wonder how much it would take to buy a soap...

Image by katerha via Flickr

Somehow without me noticing something cool came out.  Crayola developed bubbles that blow in vivid colors.  This is a new exciting twist in the old world of bubbles!  I never would have imagined being able to blow blue or orange bubbles.  The bubbles sell in three packs for the ticket price of $10.  On the front of the bottle these bubbles claim to be washable.  There of course seems to be many warnings on these special new bubbles.

  1. Before use, test on an inconspicuous area and let dry.  Wash off to make sure bubbles do not stain.
  2. Do not use at weddings of indoors.
  3. Keep away from brick, vinyl, finished and unfinished wood, wallpaper, painted walls, carpeting, draperies and other materials that cannot be laundered.

Washing instructions are not all that simple either.  There is a whole section on the bottle that states how garments should be washed if a spill occurs:

  1. Wash immediately.
  2. Wash with hot water only
  3. Do not use stain lifters because they make the stain worse.

It seems that although colored bubbles sound like a lot of fun they are not.  Parents are outraged and comments are coming in from around the nation.  Reviews on Amazon are unfavorable to say the least.  Out of 48 customer reviews only 2 parents gave Crayola Colored Bubbles 5 stars.  From there it is all down hill!  2 customer reviews gave the bubbles 3 stars and 42 reviews gave these seemingly wonderful bubble only one star.  The ratings at Toys R Us are no better.   With 15 reviews total I only see 1 5 star review and the remaining 14 reviews are all one star reviews.

So the moral of the story is this.  Although these bubbles sound like a blast they are anything but!  They are messy, stain everything they come into contact with, and worst of all many people stated that they do not even float well.  My advice is to stay away from this in Easter baskets this year.  The mess alone makes this novelty not worth it!

Becca

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Target Great Holiday Toy Sale

November 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Illinois Target Store
Image via Wikipedia

54 Days to Christmas!

Today is the big day.  With 54 days to go until Christmas Target is starting their sale prices early.  Starting today, Target stores will be offering great deals on toys.  Beginning November 2, 2010, which is today, you can examine all of the great deals in their Target Toy Book.  It is a clear sign that black Friday is just around the corner!

In looking at the Target Toy Book I am deciding that Christmas is closer than I think.  There are some great toys in the Target Toy Book, I just want to shop around some and make sure that they are good deals.  I am pretty sure that I am not alone in thinking about my budget this year!  I did notice that there are a lot of coupons.  I guess this is so that they can put the item in the Target toy book and not give everyone the discount.

I am not even sure what the kids want this year.  They are not excited about  any toys!  What toys do your children want this year?  What items do you all see as being hot sellers?  I would love some ideas!

Check out Black Friday Ads.  Shop till you drop on black Friday and Get ready for 50 days of Christmas beginning this weekend on November 6, 2010!  My 50 Days of Christmas Countdown is sure to help make your holiday special yet again this year!

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Time Out: Does it Work? Parenting Tips

August 25, 2009 By 4 Comments
Two of a Kind
Image by aussiegall via Flickr

Time out is one of those parenting tips that everyone throws around.  It is something that is supposed to work.  I think that it all depends on the kid.  I have found that there are some things that you have to make sure happen when you do time out.  They have worked for my oldest, my middle daughter and even my two year old gets the idea.  The trouble is that even I forget that time out can work because from time to time I get too emotional.

Yes it is true that I tend not to keep my cool.  I yell and yell and yell a little more.  Then I throw them in time out while screaming some more.  I yell most of the time they are in time out.  If they stay in time out that is.

Then there are those other days when I do time out right.  Here are the steps that you are supposed to take with time out.  I have found time and time again that when I follow them time out is much more effective.

  1. Have an area in your house that is the time out spot.  This can be a step, a time out chair, a mat on the floor, or even a large stuffed toy
  2. Do not make your time out spot in a child’s bedroom.  This is where all of their toys and things that they love are.  If they are told to stay there where is the punishment?
  3. Only place your child in time out for 1 minute per year.  So if your child is 6 then they should remain in time out for 6 minutes.  This is because your child’s attention spans grow with the child.  You cannot expect a 2 year old to sit in time out for 10 minutes.  they just do not have it in them.
  4. When you are placing your child in time out remain calm.  This is so that the message is not lost.  If you remember way back when you were a child I think that you will remember that you stopped listening once people were yelling at you.   Kids are no different right now.
  5. Tell your child why you are placing them in time out.  Say, “Abby, I you need a time out because we do not speak that way in this house.”  This makes it clear to the child what they have done.
  6. Set the timer and walk away.  It is important not to engage your child when they are in time out.  If they get out of time out, place them back and restart the timer.  DO NOT TALK TO THEM.  This feeds into the game that they want you to play.
  7. When time out is over tell your child again why they were placed in time out.
  8. Do not force your child to say that they are sorry.  This is my own personal belief.  All you are doing is forcing the child to lie.   If they are sorry they will say so on their own.  I think that you should never tell a child to say sorry when they are not.  Many times the child is not sorry.  You are not looking for sorrow.  You are looking for an understanding of what they did and that it was not acceptable in your home.

Sounds easy right.  If you look at Nanny Jo on Supper Nanny she will even make you think that it is simple.  For those of you who know me you know that I am not a sugar coat it kind of person.  IT IS HARD.  It takes a lot of work and you have to be dedicated.

One more note… It is alright that you take a time out if you need one.  I have done it before and it works.  Sometimes it is not the kids but the adult who needs a break.

Do not handle time out like my favorite episode of Lucky Louise.  He did it all wrong!

Becca

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Webkinz Day Extravaganza: Webkinz 4th Anniversary Celebration

April 11, 2009 By 10 Comments
KEY BISCAYNE, FL - DECEMBER 21: A Webkinz stu...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Webkinz is celebrating its fourth anniversary with a bang.  Each year Webkinz has an extravaganza and this year will be no different.  From May 1st through the 3rd all stores who sell Webkinz have been asked to participate.  Here are a few highlights on what you can expect:

  1. Stores selling Webkinz have been asked to sell a Webkinz pet for $1 with a $15 purchase from their store.
  2. There will be in store events, giveaways and prizes.

I know that last year we went to the Chester Greenery and bought some flowers and left with two free webkinz.  The kids had a chance to spin the wheel of WOW where no one is a looser.  It was a great time.  I know that all stores do it differently but I am sure no matter what your local store does it is bound to be fun.

Last year the kids each got a Webkinz and I bought two others which were on sale to save for birthday presents for parties in which we are invited to.  I would strongly suggest fining out what your local store is doing.  I know that last year we had a  blast.  I have not stopped in to the Greenery yet to see what she has planned but I am sure that it will all be a lot of fun no matter what it is!

Becca

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Spring Break Survival

April 9, 2009 By 8 Comments

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Oh my… I woke up this morning and remembered something.  IT IS SPRING BREAK.  Now, the words that are to follow are meant with the most love and affection.   I hate Spring Break.  It is not like Winter Break where we all get involved in Christmas.  This Spring Break thing stinks unless you are going away which we of course are not this year!  I remember back in high school and college when I went away with friends.  We had a blast.  One year was Ocean City another year was Disney.  Now I am home with restless kids, a house to unpack and no plan!  So what is a stay at home mom to do with three kids for eleven days?  I am compiling a survival guide in order to make it though.  I need you help though.  Here are a few questions to get started with:

  1. What is there to do that is free?
  2. What can I do with no car?
  3. Is there any activity that you can think of that a 1 year old, a 5 year old, and an 8 year old?  I am drawing a blank!
  4. Is there a magic potion to give children that makes them not whine?
  5. How much is it a mother can drink without it being a problem?
  6. How can I avoid hearing, “I am bored there is nothing to do.”
  7. What fun things can you think of to make the kids tired enough to still go to bed on time?  Oh and I have to be able to do it with my not healed correctly broken foot!

I will spend the day developing a survival guide.  I hope that it works!  Today, I am just going to wing it.  So far we have had 5 fights, Abigail has bitten Emma, Emma has scratched Abigail and the baby is a whining mess!  HELP!

Becca

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Webkinz Deluxe Membership

April 2, 2009 By 15 Comments
KEY BISCAYNE, FL - DECEMBER 21: A Webkinz stu...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Webkinz has a new membership.  The key is that it costs more money.  It reminds me of Club Penguin and I am a little annoyed about it.  Isn’t it bad enough that I spend a ton of money on mini stuffed toys to get new codes?  Now Webkinz wants me to pay a fee each month for added features?   Don’t the know that we are in a recession and that many parents are hurting enough already?  Do they really think that we need to be begged for more?  It is one thing to reward your child with a Webkinz pet when they have gone above and beyond but now Webkinz wants me to pay each month for these special privileges but what if the kids are not good that month?  I am still rewarding them!  Some of the features that are featured are:

  • A gift box including an amazing exclusive piece of clothing, available ONLY to Deluxe members
  • Special access to a Deluxe activity page in the Today’s Activities section of Webkinz World
  • Access to the Deluxe members-only GOLD channel on the Webkinz phone
  • 3000 eStore Points to spend at the Webkinz eStore (awarded to the purchasing eStore account)

Oh and lets not forget that they will give you a hat as well.  This hat is to provide free marketing for Webkinz when your child wears it all around town.  Did I say free?  What I mean is that when you pay for the membership you get a hat.

Now the annual membership is a bargain at $45.  I do not think that you are getting all that much for your $45.  Do not forget that it is $45 plus any pets your child wants in the real live store.  What a completely huge scam! For those of you who have read my blog for a while you know that I love Webkinz.  I enjoy playing it myself, the kids love it all and it is good clean fun.  the thing is that for the performance of their site I do not feel like I should pay $45 a year!  I just feel that they are getting a little too big for their britches.

Becca

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Moving

March 1, 2009 By 19 Comments

house-3Last week we found the perfect house.  It is a typical old house with hardwood floors, a large livingroom and 4 bedrooms.  Right away we took it.  It was a no brainer.  For the same amount of money that we pay now we are getting so much more.

The first thing that made it a huge no brainer is that there are four… yes I said four bedrooms!  Right now we have two and for the 5 of us it is a tight squeeze.  The girls are so excited that they were able to go to the house today and pick their rooms.  Abigail picked the room leading to the attic.  Rob was against it at first but has given in.  He had thought that she would be scared but she is more then excited.  She wants to have a spot in the attic to write.  She is a lot like her mom in that she loves to write, tell tales and imagine.  She is super excited that she has gotten the room she wanted.

Emma is excited also.  She and Analiese may still share a room although Emma is unsure.  She hates when Analiese cries and wakes her up in the morning.  I think that them sharing still will be the way it turns out.  This will allow a play room.  I am siked about this.  A play room will mean that the toys have a home other then their rooms where they get messed up!

house-2

I am super excited about a bunch of things.   Rob and I will have a door again!  I did not think that it would be bad not having a door but I am really excited to be getting one again.  I also have a small area to make an office, a dining room and a fireplace.  Oh and the best part is that we have a huge front porch.

I led a tour to all of our family members today.  They all really loved it.  I think that it is going to be so great!  The kids already had  a blast in our new backyard and Abigail even mentioned that she found the perfect tree (she like to climb trees).  I think we are going to be VERY happy in our new home!

Becca

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56 Days Until Christmas

November 5, 2008 By Leave a Comment
The mess before

Image by Andrea_R via Flickr

The Holiday Cleaning List

The holidays bring a chance to clean and get reorganized. While this is my intention before I start to pull out all of my decorations I am going to yet again need a plan. After spending the entire summer in a cast I feel like my house is a gross mess. I am slightly overwhelmed by it but I am determined to make it sparkle with the lights this Christmas.

What I need is a week by week list of things to accomplish. At this point there are a little more then 7 weeks until Christmas So I have 7 weeks to make it happen. Here is the plan…

  1. WEEK 1: This week I would like to go though the girls toys, without them and make sure that I get rid of the ones that do not get played with, the ones that are broken, and the ones that I hate because they make far too much noise. This is a huge task and I hope that I can complete it in one week!
  2. WEEK 2: Eliminate the clutter. I have a problem with keeping everything and my husband never puts things back where they belong. This means that the house right now looks beyond cluttered. I would like to spend wee 2 getting rid of anything that does not have a home and put things that do have a home away.
  3. WEEK 3: This week I would like to finish switching out all of the summer and fall clothing for winter clothing. It is time and with 5 people to switch for it will certainly take a large hunk of time.
  4. WEEK 4: This week I would like to take out all of the china and crystal and wash it all. It will be nice for it to sparkle this holiday season. This will also make it so that I can just grab any pieces that I want to use when I want to use them.
  5. WEEK 5: It is wash the walls week. This week I would like to scrub the walls and wash anything that is on them. This will help brighten up the walls and elminate all of the dust in the air.
  6. WEEK 6: Wash all of the curtains is what is on the list for this week. I think that perhaps I will even make some holiday curtains for the kitchen this year so I can wash the everyday ones and replace them with a holiday treat!
  7. WEEK 7: This week we will just be streightning. I want everything to be nice for Santa

Although it does not sound like a lot to do it really will be time consuming. Just like everything else in this countdown it will be pread out enough so that we can still be enjoying Christmas and the entire holiday season!

Becca

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