Month: February 2018

The Basics You Need to Nail Down Before You Can Become Truly Healthy

Getting healthy and keeping fit is a constant struggle because it’s a task that can never truly be completed. Instead, you have to keep improving, keep making mistakes and keep learning from them; that’s what it’s all about. Saying this though, with there being options like fresh fruit delivery to office, at least while sitting in front of a computer screen at work, there is a chance to eat healthily. This transition may not be easy for everyone, but it is not impossible to make a change to leading a healthier lifestyle.

It’s rarely a good idea to just dive into a new health and fitness regime without first nailing down some of the most basic things. If you don’t lay the foundations properly, you can expect to face difficulties later on, and that’s what you want to avoid. Even if it means checking out these 10 nutritional tips, at least that’s a start and it shows that you are willing to make a positive change to your health.

Ultimately, one of the most important things to remember about focusing on your health is that there are so many different approaches out there nowadays. For example, one of my best friends is a huge fan of complementary therapies. For example, recently she has taken up yoga and gemstone therapy to boost her sense of wellbeing. Apparently, since taking up regular meditation and using a jade yoni egg, she has noticed a big difference in her pelvic floor muscles. Accordingly, if you would like to learn more about yoni eggs and the Chinese preference for jade you can find plenty of helpful resources online. Above all, living a healthy life is all about doing what makes you feel good.

Anyway, we’re going to look into some of these basics in more depth so that you can get them right before you start to overhaul your approach to your health and fitness. Getting off to the right start will make you far more likely to experience positive results in the long-term. That’s what’s most important, so read on and start learning now.

Cooking Equals Control

When you cook your own meals at home rather than eating out or eating processed foods, you’re able to control your diet much better. It’s simple; when you’re the one preparing the food from scratch, you’re the one controlling what goes into it. You can then make healthy decisions at every turn. Don’t rely on other people creating healthy food for you or even products that claim to be healthy. Those shortcuts can’t beat creating your own healthy meals.

Vegetables mix on wooden table

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Realise Your Reliance on Convenience and Shortcuts That Make You Lazy

We’re all guilty of taking the easy option over the more strenuous ones, but you might not realise just how often you do this. Every time you choose to take a short journey in the car rather than walking, you’re taking the easy shortcut. Every time you take an elevator rather than a flight of stairs, you’re taking the easy route. These little things mount up day after day and ultimately make you lazy.

Know What You Need to Look For on Labels

Buying products in shops can be a nightmare from a healthy eating point of view. That’s why you should buy as many fresh items as possible. But even so, you’re still going to be buying some packaged produce, and that’s why you need to learn how to read food labeling the right way. It’s vital to know what you’re looking for and how to judge a food product, so definitely look into this further.

Don’t View All Fats as the Same Because They’re Not

There are so many different fats that are found in foods, and you can’t simply take the same blanket approach to all of them. Some fats are better for you than others, and everyone’s body needs some form of fat. Things aren’t black and white when it comes to judging food and food groups, so don’t allow yourself to fall into that trap. It certainly won’t pay off for you in the long-term if you do.

Wake Up to the Realities of Portion Control

Portion control is a major thing that many people struggle with. For some people who are overweight and unfit, the issue isn’t that they’re necessary eating the wrong foods, but rather that they’re eating too much of those foods. You need to learn more about portion control and how much of each food group you really need to have in your diet. Without that, you will probably carry on eating more than your body needs.

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Understand That Drinks Can be Full of Calories and Sugar Too

Ideally, you should only ever eat your calories and not drink them. Most people don’t notice just how many calories are packed into lots of drinks, from soda to wine. The calories should always be checked before you start drinking these products because you will fill up on empty calories and cause yourself to put on even more weight if you drink these things too much. Furthermore indulging in too many sugary drinks can cause all kinds of dental problems like cavities and gum disease. Consequently, alongside reducing your sugar intake, it is vital that you schedule regular checkups with a Dentist in Syracuse to ensure that your teeth are as healthy as they should be.

There Aren’t Any Silver Bullet Solutions, No Matter What People Tell You

It’s all too tempting to believe those people who tell you that you just need to do this one easy thing and you’ll lose all your excess weight within ten days. But those silver bullet solutions are worthless, and even when they do produce results, they tend to only be short-term results, rendering them close to pointless. You need to focus on the core things mentioned here and not be sucked in by health scams.

Now that you have a better understanding of some of the most important issues surrounding your approach to health, you can start trying to implement these ideas and concepts correctly in your own life. It won’t be easy to begin with, but nothing worth doing is ever completely easy.

Planning for the Best

Purple Trail is one of the coolest websites/services I’ve ever had the privilege of using. This site gives you customizable stationary and gifts made to meet your every need. Their high-quality materials, fine paper, and state-of-the-art printing methods allow them to stand out from other companies. They offer so many options to choose from including: invitations, cards, planners, stationery, and gifts. If you are looking for something more specific, such as a cool letter opener, you may want to additionally check out websites such as polaroidfotobar.com for help.

 

I’ll be focusing on planners for this review; specifically monthly planners.

When I received the planner it came wrapped in bubble wrap with a cute little sticker on it. Fully protected with no scratches or dings.

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Connect with Purple Trail

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Ranging from three different sizes, you can find a planner that is the prefect fit for you. There are different planner categories for each size too, as you can see in the image.

 

The steps in creating your planner are fairly simple and easy to follow. Four steps are as seen in the image below.

Step 1:

Choose the size, cover type, and quantity you want. This is also where you do your personalization. Click the green button to fully personalize. This is where it gets fun!

The options are literally endless. There are so many colors, designs, backgrounds, and fonts to choose from. You can even add your own photos to the design!

Step 2:

Here you choose the inside color theme – colorful or neutral grey, inside page options, the start month, and whether you want stickers or a pocket folder.

Step 3:

Choose up to four add-ons here! These will be added to the end of your planner. The full list of add-on options is listed below.

Step 4:

Take your pick of extra stickers, pens, and accessories to complete your planner.


I would suggest using your computer to design your planner; but they do have an app that you can use too.


I love the layout of the monthly planner. The boxes are just large enough to write out what I need to. I chose the monthly planner so that the planner wouldn’t be so thick. I take my planner everywhere with me, so I don’t want it to be more heavy than it needs to.

Another plus is that the monthly planners are 24 months rather than 12. This is great because I don’t have to buy a planner every year. I’ll take money saving anywhere I can get it!

 

There are thick tabs that separate each year and each add on. These tabs are heavy duty and very easy to grab and flip with your fingers.

 

 

These planners are perfect for someone who really loves and needs a good paper planner. The more you personalize, the more expensive the planner becomes. So, if you’re really dedicated to a paper planner, this is defiantly the one to go with.

 

 


PlasmaCar Giveaway

 

The Original PlasmaCar is a ride-on toy that does not have pedals, gears or a motor.  Instead the rider uses their body to wiggle their way around.

By using their own natural forces of inertia, centrifugal force, friction, and the PlasmaCar is naturally kid powered!

 

 

Available now though Amazon (it’s Prime!)

 

 

Enter to win (1) PlasmaCar valued at $70

 

Hosted by: MamatheFox.com

Sponsored by: PlasmaCar

Co-Hosted by: MomJunky & Miki’s Hope

 

 

 

Open to Continental US residents only

 

 

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not help responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligation

Wiggle and Ride with The Original PlasmaCar –

Outdoor toy season is going to be here before you know it!

What about a toy you can use inside and outside?

The Original PlasmaCar is a just that  –  an inside AND outside toy.

 

The Original PlasmaCar is a ride-on toy that does not have pedals, gears or a motor.  Instead the rider uses their body to wiggle their way around.

By using their own natural forces of inertia, centrifugal force, friction, and the PlasmaCar is naturally kid powered!

 

 

It is not recommended to use a PlasmaCar on wooden floors – as they can leave marks behind. MamatheFox’s floors have seen better days, that is why you can see this sweet PlasmaCar in action on my hardwood floors.

 

With 7 color options available, you can be sure to find the one perfect for the kids in your life.  When you have several kids, you know that while sharing is caring, it is also hard. If you want, you can purchase a PlasmaCar for each kid in their own color, so they can play together in a healthy and fun way.

 

Available now though Amazon (it’s Prime!)

 

There are so many wonderful features to the Original PlasmaCar. One of the best is the weight threshold can go up to 220 lbs! A grown mom and dad can easily play on the PlasmaCar too. Try it out and see the amusement, laughs and smiles that will surely be on your children’s faces.

It is ideal for children at least ages 3 and up. This is so they can figure out how to properly use and ride it. Having to use their body movements to get it goes and rolling takes some skill and body weight. When a child is 3 they are typically old enough, and large enough, to get their PlasmaCar going.

 

 

When putting together a PlasmaCar you have to pay attention to putting the steering wheel on. If you do not put it on the right direct AND if it is not tight enough, it will not work – and your kids will be sad and mad! I messed up putting the steering wheel on the first time by not tightening the bolt properly/tight enough. After stopping the tears I popped the yellow cap off (with a flat head screwdriver), adjusted the wheel to be on properly and tightened that bolt like crazy. It now works perfectly.

 

 

 

 

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March Into Madness Giveaway Hop Sign Ups

 

Theme – Open
Minimum prize value of $10. Must be a new item.
Date: 3/16 – 3/31
Start time: March 16 – 9:00 am EST
End time: March 31 – 11:59 pm EST
Winner(s) must be drawn on  4/1 . Events must be open to US entrants.

Adding your link means you agree to the following terms:
Your post must include the following:

The full HTML which will be provided by email.
A clear form of entry (a giveaway form or a blog comment)
The giveaway hops image (in HTML and also included by attachment to the email)
The linky must be included in your post (code will be sent in email)
Your giveaway item(s) have a value of $10.
Must include disclosure included in email
A Link to the hosts: MamatheFox (https://mamathefox.com) 

This giveaway must be dedicated to this event only

If you sign up and can no longer participate please let me know so I can remove you from the linky.

 

  Please retweet to share the hop with more people

 

 

It Is a Great Day For Pi Giveaway Hop Sign Up

 

Theme – Open
Minimum prize value of $10. Must be a new item.
Date: 3/1 – 3/15
Start time: March 1 – 9:00 am EST
End time: March 15 – 11:59 pm EST
Winner(s) must be drawn on 3/16 . Events must be open to US entrants.

Adding your link means you agree to the following terms:
Your post must include the following:

The full HTML which will be provided by email.
A clear form of entry (a giveaway form or a blog comment)
The giveaway hops image (in HTML and also included by attachment to the email)
The linky must be included in your post (code will be sent in email)
Your giveaway item(s) have a value of $10.
Must include disclosure included in email
A Link to the hosts: MamatheFox (https://mamathefox.com) 

This giveaway must be dedicated to this event only

If you sign up and can no longer participate please let me know so I can remove you from the linky.

 

  Please retweet (even if you aren’t a blogger) to share the hop with more people

 

How To Improve Your Car Audio Systems

Often, car audio systems are not how we want them to be, even if we get them from fantastic places similar to Zemotor. However, by making a few changes, it is pretty easy to improve them significantly. Don’t worry if you want to revamp the sound system while staying on a budget! A few minor changes that don’t cost a lot can provide you an advanced audio system. These tips should work for most vehicles, however, if they don’t then it might be something to do with another system in the car. For many car owners, the audio system isn’t a massive thing for them. However, for some of the younger drivers on the road, it can be nice to have some music playing in the background whilst driving. If your audio system has gone faulty and these tips don’t fix it, it might be worth purchasing another vehicle if it’s vital that you have music on. It doesn’t have to be a brand new vehicle, you could just try and find the best Kansas City dealership around, or one closer to where you live, to ensure you can purchase a used car that has a working audio system. Hopefully, these tips will fix most audio systems though!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZfvhRb0i4zY

  1. Replace the factory front speakers

The factory speakers installed in the car system are quite average, and by only replacing the front speakers, you will be able to experience a big improvement.

You can get a nice pair of front speakers without spending a lot of money; you’ll just have to search a bit. Component speakers also offer a better sound quality. However, they are a bit complicated and are more suitable for new car stereos. If you are willing to splash some money, then you can also go for premium speakers. These speakers will look great inside any vehicle, perhaps you are looking for a new car such as a Wichita Ford to put some new speakers in, offering you a brand new vehicle whilst listening to some great music.

Before purchasing new speakers, you must make sure that they work with the existing head unit.

  1. Install an amplifier

If you want an even more advanced system, then you should install an amplifier which uses the speaker level inputs. The amplifier will be placed between the new speakers and the factory head unit and will allow you to turn up the music without any distortions.

Adding an amplifier has an added benefit as well; you can also add a subwoofer because of which you can enjoy a richer bass.

  1. Add a subwoofer

If your sound system is missing bass, then you should simply add a subwoofer into the factory system. If you have a small budget, then the best option for you is to go for an 8 inch subwoofer from best10tobuy.

The 8-inch subwoofer is a standard small woofer and is commonly found in the stock sound systems of cars. These are considered as the smallest woofer that can offer you a good bass. Without compromising on the space, these woofers offer a bit of depth to the music. Since the 8-inch subwoofer has a small weight and cone area, the magnet moves easily thus producing accurate and punchy bass reproduction. Careful though, you might well find yourself searching for the best subwoofer that you can use for home theater and bringing the bass indoors for your TV and movie pleasure!

  1. Use a thumb drive

With your sound system, you want to have as fewer interferences between the speakers and the sound file as possible. Every phone comes with a built-in DAC, known as the digital audio converter. However, if you have a good car stereo, then there is a high chance that the DAC present in the audio system is much better than the one present in your phone. Thus, if you transfer all your music to a thumb drive and connect it via USB, then you will be able to enjoy a clearer audio.

  1. Put sound-deadening mats

Aim to get rid of the external clattering noises coming inside the car. Doing this will enable you to hear the music clearer and better. One way to reduce the noise coming in because of the road’s clatter is to use sound-deadening mats. When you apply these mats to particular parts of the car such as the door panel, you will feel a big difference.

The Perfect Jewelry Box For Your Valentine

This Valentine’s Day you can give a sweet and simple gift – a classic jewelry box.

The jewelry boxes from Songmics are classic, high quality and make the most perfect gift.

The Wooden Flower Carved Jewelry Case from Songmics.

This case is a pristine white color, with soft pink cushioning, giving your treasure the protection you desire. Whether that be a diamond ring, a sterling silver bracelet, or your favorite springer spaniel necklace – this box will protect it all and make a soft home for your precious belongings too.

The delicate flower designs give it a classic feminine look and my daughter and I love.

With a shiny crystal knob to open the draw, it gives a luxury appeal to the box, increasing the femininity.

This case can store jewelry like earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces. It keeps them organized with 12 compartments, 8 ring rolls and 1 drawer. The drawer is the perfect place for your bigger, chunkier jewelry. For example, a friend of mine recently got one of these unique watches for women, and it fits in the drawer nicely. This is just as well as it’s such a nice watch that she saves it for special occasions, and this box is the perfect place to store it in the meantime.

It’s also a great chance to sort out your jewelry collection. If you know that you’ve got so many necklaces and rings that they make organizing them impossible then you might want to get rid of or sell the ones you never wear anymore. It’s also a good excuse to invest in some new items of jewelry – you can check out examples over on adinasjewels.com today – because if you’re looking to get rid of some, you’ll likely want to replace them with something that takes your fancy.

You can get cash from your old jewelry if it’s in good condition so consider spring cleaning all your jewelry and make it easier to store it all.

The box itself is 11.9 x 8.7 x 5.8 inches, giving you enough space but without taking up too much room on top of your dresser.

Planning a Family Weekend

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When you don’t have the time or budget for a family holiday, heading out on a weekend getaway is a great alternative that gives you the opportunity to enjoy a more condensed version. For some people, if they live around, for example, San Jose, it might be a good idea to check out a Hotel Downtown San Jose to enjoy some of the events in and around San Jose. Of course, you still need to take the time to ensure that you do enough planning and preparation to make a success of the trip. Get it right and you will have memories that you can look back on for years to come. Get it wrong and you will only end up with frustrations and arguments. So, in this blog post, we are going to look closer at just a few of the ways that you can have a family vacation that everyone involved can enjoy.

Don’t Go Too Far Away

The last thing that you want to do is to spend the whole weekend stuck inside the car together, so try to pick a destination that doesn’t involve too much driving to get there. Not only will this minimise the risks of getting into arguments, you will also get to know your local area just a little bit better which is always going to be a positive thing. If you are not going to be driving, start to investigate the public transportation options which are available to you.

Decide on a Destination

Sit down as a family and you can discuss together the best places to visit. Ideally, you should be looking for somewhere which is mutually agreeable for everyone on the trip. Your kids will also get much more excited about the holiday if they have had the opportunity to be involved right from the initial planning stages. Essentially, everything depends on your expectations of the trip. You may just want a quiet weekend on the beach where you can relax and unwind as a family. Perhaps you are looking for something more adventurous like a theme park or a place you can go hiking or biking. Before you settle on anything, it is important that you closely assess your budget, so you know exactly how much money you have available to spend.

Book Everything in Advance

Rather than leaving planning until the last minute, you should book your getaway in advance as much as possible. This way, you are much more likely to get the best deals and you don’t have to go through the stress of rushing around at the last minute. The internet has made it easier than ever to compare prices of travel, accommodation and entertainment options such as whale watching California for example. Sign up for alerts and mailing lists so that you have deals sent directly to you. If you can pick a time of year that isn’t hugely popular, this is when you are more likely to get the best prices.

Plan Out Your Route

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Next up, you should plan out the route that you are going to take. Even if you are only going a short distance, it is worth examining closer exactly how you will get there. As well as programming the route into your GPS system, it is also a good idea to have a paper map as a backup. Make a rough timetable of what time you would like to set off and when you expect to arrive. Of course, you can never be fully sure of factors that are out of control like the traffic, but you can at least reduce the chances of getting stuck in a jam by not setting off during rush hour. If you are unlucky enough to get stuck in traffic, make sure that you have plenty of entertainment options available such as games, music, and audiobooks, so that you don’t end up driving each other crazy!

Pack Light But Right

Now is the time to start packing for your trip. Obviously, you don’t want to pile too much stuff into your car as you will only be going away for the weekend, but you also don’t want to forget anything. The best way of striking this balance is by writing out a list of everything that you need to bring with you and ticking it off one by one once each particular item is packed. You should also think about the things that you need easy access to in the car and what can be left in your main luggage. For example, you may want a cooler full of drinks and snacks in the car with you. Also, consider other possible essential items such as a first aid kit, medication, tissues, blankets, and anything else that you can possibly think of. The first aid kit contents is very important as you want to be prepared for any accidents that could happen whilst you’re away from home. If you need more information on what to include in your first aid kit, you can find out more here. You can also buy prepared kits filled with the necessary first aid kit contents. Also, don’t forget any items which your kids need to drift off to sleep like a security blanket or their favourite teddy bear. Good quality sleep for both you are your kids can make or break your vacation!

Ready Your Vehicle

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If you are going to be taking public transportation to your destination, you simply need to check the timetable and give yourself plenty of time to reach the station. However, if you are going to be driving yourself, there are a few preparations which you need to undertake. Buy any items which you need like baby seats – take a look at https://babyseats.reviews/brands/graco. Do all the basic maintenance tasks involved in looking after your vehicle such as checking the oil and tyre pressure. Brush up on any skills that you are unsure of such as how to change a tire and how to jump start a car. Before you try jump starting a vehicle check out the battery voltage. Generally, a vehicle has an inbuilt voltage of 12 volts. You never know when they may come in handy. Start off with a full tank of gas and ensure that you have the number of your breakdown company just in case the worst should happen along the way. If your vehicle is small, you might also want to consider leasing a vehicle like this Wichita Chevrolet Silverado 1500 specifically for your journey. That way everyone can travel in comfort and style.

Follow the Rule of One

The rule of one essentially states that you should only fit in one major activity on each day, rather than trying to pack lots of things into a short space of time. You are much more likely to get the most out of your this single activity rather than rushing around from one to the next. You should also build some downtime into your schedule for napping, eating or simply relaxing. It is this sense of balance which will allow you to have a more enjoyable family vacation. If you are looking for maximum impact, why not try out something for the first time? Kids tend to get very excited by activities that they have never experience before.

Keep Your Calm and Destress

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Spending so much time together as a family can be stressful, so you need to take the time to calm yourself down. You don’t want everything to escalate into a huge argument as this could end up ruining your family holiday. Even if you can only be by yourself for a few minutes in the bathroom, there are still some breathing exercises that you can try to destress yourself. If you can successfully calm yourself down without yelling or taking out your frustrations on your family, you can consider this a success.

So, there you have just a few ways that you can plan a family weekend getaway that everyone will enjoy. Give yourself as much time as possible to sort out all the details of your holiday before setting off. Get everyone involved to find out what they are looking for from the trip. Pack carefully and prepare your mode of transportation. Enjoy every minute of your vacation and make sure to take plenty of pictures. Finally, if there is anything which you think you could do better next time, learn from your mistakes!

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Kids

Valentine’s Day! The holiday of love, and showing appreciation for those close to you.

Who do you celebrate Valentine’s Day with? Do you have your husband or wife, your long-term partner, perhaps you’ve find yourself in a new relationship? You might not even have anyone at the moment but still searching for a partner through various online Vegan Dating sites or other options available for people to find others that they share interests and passions with. You might just celebrate Valentine’s Day with close family and share the love.

Each year on Valentine’s Day, when the Fox kids wake up, they find a card and several gifts on the kitchen table. MamatheFox and her husband don’t exchange gifts, but instead put that love towards their children instead. This year the Fox kids are going to be over the moon when they see the hot new toys we have for them. We spent ages checking over things like this gift guide just to make sure that we got them something that they would love (I also think my husband loves the idea of getting them gadgets that he can play with at a later date). We also thought about getting them each a 3D Printed Photo Lamp as nightlights with a picture of all of us printed on, so they know that we love them and are with them always.

Shnooks

These are my 5 year old daughters newest obsession!

These stuffed creatures come to life after your break them out of their packages. They are totally flat in the package, but when you open them and begin to play with them and their hair, they grow in size – up to 8x’s bigger!

We love feeling the soft hair of these Shnooks. Anything realistic like that she just loves, like this lifelike reborn doll. When I showed my mothers these new toys she immediately thought of the trolls I used to play with a a child. It’s true, the hair is a classic fun aspect that boys and girls alike love to have on a toy.

Each Shnook comes with several hair accessorizes and a brush. My daughter was so excited to “share” the hair accessories and borrow she Shnooks for her hair and use her own bows for her Shnook.

They come in a full rainbow color of options, 6 different Shnooks are now available.

The price is currently $8.88 and available at your local WalMart

Care Bear CareMoji Figures “I Care About You”

These new blind capsules are the newest and coolest for all the blind bag lovers out there!

My kids cannot get enough of the excitement of opening a new blind-style toy. Seeing which toy is inside, opening the container and the excitement of finding a new one is such fun.

Each Care-Moji capsule comes with a 2-inch figure. There are a total of 13 figures to collect.

The figures each feature a different emoji-style theme and have a hip pose which they are standing in, showcasing the emotion which they feature.

Perfect for everyday play or displaying in your room.

A classic toy for any child and a fun gift for those of us who grew up on Care Bears and would love to have a nostalgic new toy.

Care Bear Care-Moji’s are $3.99 each and available at your local WalMart

Disney Junior Vampirina Rock N’ Ghoul Mic

Disney Junior Vampirina Rock N’ Ghoul Mic is $5.99 and available at Toys R Us and Kmart

Disney Baby Peek-A-Book Mickie Mouse and Minnie Mouse

Who doesn’t have a soft side for Minnie Mouse and Mickie Mouse? These adorable classic cartoons are now available as baby styled peek a book friends.

They each say multiple phrases (like “wanna play?” or “found me!”) as well as can play peek-a-boo with your child.

The arms on Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse move back and forth, covering and then exposing their eyes – giving your child the fun loving game of peek-a-boo with one of their favorite friends.

The dolls are perfect for children ages 9 months through toddler.

They are soft and come in soft pastel colored, non removable pajamas.

Just squeeze the dolls foot and it turns on. It will introduce themselves to you and then you can just let the fun and giggles begin.

Disney Baby Peek-A-Book Mickie Mouse and Minnie Mouse are $24.99 each and available at Walmart