Category: Uncategorized


Dec
2018

Holiday Travel Done Right

categories: Reviews, Uncategorized

We travel a lot.

My parents live on the other side of the state, and we try to see them at least once a month. With adding kids to our family, we’ve been trying to see them even more often.


November through December – we see them A LOT. It’s great; holidays are the travel inspiration to see family more frequently. Or even to relax! I have had acquaintances who visited Spain sometime recently and she was describing to me the beautiful culture of the country! So much so, that I even now know that there are transport websites (StressFreeCarRental.com and similar others tend to provide such services) that can take me around the country from the airport itself! I mean, who knew technology could make life so much easier, right? It sure would be amazing though, if I ever got the chance to travel with my family!


That’s why I’m tempted to do so now. I may even consider a private jet hire so that I can spend some quality time with my family all alone. Another reason is that I want them to have a luxurious travel experience at least once in their lives. Though I’m not sure if I can afford it, I’d give it my all. It is just as important to spend time with one’s family as it is to have a stable job. You won’t be able to stay deprived of them for long.

As many of you might know, traveling with kids can be tough, and private jet could be a convenient option in that case as well.

Anyway, there are a lot of packing struggles that I experience when getting our family ready to leave. The main issue that I come across is fitting all our stuff into the car (when you’re traveling by car). It’s hard! If you don’t think you can fit it all into your daily car, consider renting a party bus from Texas, it makes traveling roomier and more fun.

We have found a product that will make packing, and re-packing so much easier.

Meet: Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib by Guava.

This travel crib is seriously the best baby product I’ve laid my eyes on. Keep reading and I’ll tell you why I love it so much!

Guava is a family-owned company that offers high-end, top of the line baby products that are innovative and built to last. Their products are so unique, and they don’t like your typical baby gear.

Neutral is always better, in my opinion. Neutral products are great because they can be anywhere and not look like an eye sore. So many baby products are brightly colored and have bold prints on them, having any of the in the same place can be pretty distracting. I love how this travel crib is designed with neutral colors that won’t disrupt any space. Not to mention, you can use it baby after baby – boy or girl.

Even more than their products being neutral, I love that they don’t look like baby products. Everything that Guava creates and sells is designed to be simple, efficient, and elegant. What a great rule to live by. As parents simple and efficient are [like] what we live by. Throw some elegance in there, and you’ll turn heads.

Safety is very important to Guava, and they really do stand behind it. High quality materials and lots of testing ensures that the products are safe for your kiddo. Many third-party safety tests are completed on the Guava products to guaranty the safety of them. This really makes me feel good when laying my little(s) in their crib.

As previously mentioned before, traveling with kids is a challenge. There’s so much equipment and gear you [may or may not] need; always safer to be prepared, right? Having a place for baby to sleep is obviously a must. I love that this travel crib is lightweight and looks really sleek.

This Guava Travel Crib is so compact, it hardly takes up any space in the trunk. Folding up super easily and compactly, it’s nothing [or everything] compared to other travel cribs. With a few simple steps you can have the crib collapsed and in the bag in no time.

The small size of the crib allows you to pick it up and move it from room to room. Because of the small profile you can leave it open and move it – it fits between doorways! Weighing only 13 pounds, almost anyone will be able to lift it.

The mattress is easily attachable, and is easy to clean too. The clips latch very simply, and keep mattress flat on the floor. Because the mattress is supported by the floor, there is no weight limit. There is a height limit for the crib, though – 35 inches. My two year old son is much too big for this Guava crib; he can for sure climb out of it, and he could easily tip it over because of how lightweight it is.

The best part though? The carrying bag is equipped with optional backpack straps.

What?!

Seriously, an amazing feature.

Simply unzip the back pocket and pull the straps out. Connect, using the clips at the bottom of the strap, to the corresponding loop; and off you go!

A really unique feature the crib offers is the zipper opening on the front side. This is great for getting baby out of the crib. Instead of bending over to lift them up, simply un-zip the zipper and squat down to grab them. My son is one and I just un-zip the zipper so he can crawl out himself. My older son is also a fan of this feature. It kind of creates a fort-like feel, which is great for his age.

You can even lock the zipper so little fingers can’t open it on their own.

The whole crib is washable, which is such an important feature for a kids product. Simply un-zip the fabric cover, wash in a cold water cycle, and dry on delicate cycle.

Be sure to click the link to see what other products they offer. We stand behind Guava and their brand and would love to see our readers repping their products! Their products are top of the line and so safe for your baby. No toxic materials, and no flame retardants; that ‘s something all parents want to hear!


Dec
2018

Beginner Knitting Projects for Starters

categories: Uncategorized

Anyone can start knitting and there are several good reasons why you should consider it. In fact research confirms that knitting can help to relieve stress and assist people to deal with mental health issues.

Considering we all live in a stressful world this is definitely something that everyone can benefit from. Of course you’ll probably have an image in your head of two elderly ladies clinking needles while sharing the latest gossip. Once this may have been right but now knitting has become exceptionally popular with people of all generations.

The great thing is that it’s easy to start and surprisingly therapeutic to do. All you need is to click this link and choose your yarn, a set of needles and your favorite beginner pattern. It takes a few moments to learn the basic stitches and then you’ll be off!

Here are some great projects for any beginner:

Scarf

In essence this is simply a row of stitches repeated over and over again unit you reach the desired length. The initial row will dictate the width of your finished scarf.

Of course there are a variety of different stitches you can use and advanced versions will allow you to add in different colors and even monograms. But, your basic one color pattern is a great starting point.

The Hat

A hat may seem complicated but it’s actually almost as easy as the scarf! In fact the simplest form of hat is made in the same way as a scarf. The wider your row of stitches the taller the hat will be. The length of the knitting will reflect the diameter of the head.

Once you’ve made a straight piece simply seam the two ends together to make a circular opening for a head. The top will scrunch slightly. You can stitch a bobble to it or tie a bow through it to make it a bobble hat!

If you’re feeling adventurous you can even try mixing the colors or using multicolored yarn.

The Blanket

This is also the same premise as the basic scarf. However, you’ll be looking to make this with a closer stitch and significantly wider than the scarf.

The easiest way for a beginner to achieve this is to knit several scarves and then seam them all together. In this way you can make the blanket as big as you like and add an array of color to it.

Socks

What’s better at keeping your feet warm in the winter than a pair of wooly socks? These may seem more complicated but they are actually a very similar process to the hat. You’ll need to start with a strip of knitting; this time it is the width that will dictate the height of the socks on your legs. Then knit the rows and simple wrap them together to make a tube. Stitch the two sides into a tube and the seam the end to stop your toe poking out.

They may not have a heel point but they’re a great way to start knitting and build your confidence.

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Dec
2018

i-Top Game Giveaway

categories: Uncategorized

Welcome to the Dashing Giveaway Hop

Hosted by MamatheFox

Prize Sponsored by Goliath Games

Enter for your chance to win an i-Top game from Goliath Games!

In the meanwhile, check out this huge competition over at i-Top Challenge where you can win more prizes!

i-Top is the fun new game that works by using smart technology. These high-tech top keeps track of the number of spins, while LEDs light up the display. Unlock hidden features to show special animations or challenge your friend to a high score. Check out your local Target for exclusive i-Top packaging ideally sized for stockings! For ages 7 and up.

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Dec
2018

Must-Have Winter Accessories

categories: Uncategorized

As it happens every year, of course, the cold seasons have returned – and this time with a vengeance in certain parts of the country. The East Coast of the US is always frigid once November and December roll around; this time, the West is also experiencing frigid days. So much so that even in Southern California, people are breaking out the winter wardrobe basics, gloves, and beanie hats.

Functionality is one thing, but there’s no reason you should have to sacrifice fashion completely just to keep warm. There are plenty of options that allow you to keep the cold at bay, while also extraverting your own personal sense of style. The windbreaker jacket, hat, gloves and scarf you wear ought to put your personality on display; winter accessories are no reason to eschew the image you present to the world at the expense of being properly bundled up. With that said, let’s check out the following winter accessories and what attributes you should consider before investing in them

Winter Socks: Cold Starts From the Bottom

The types of material used in making thick, warm socks for the winter months runs the gamut. You can find them made from lambswool, cold-resistant leather blend, polyester blends that don’t shrink in the wash, and cotton blends that help them retain their softness. Furthermore, the long socks can be great for fashion lovers, since you can get rings of color in them that peak out from the region between the top of your boots and the bottom of your pants or skirt. This color burst works especially well when you have dark winter colors forming the bulk of your outfit.

Some of the color options for winter socks include navy, forest green, desert beige and mustard to break up the sameness of your dark apparel. For an optimal walking day out, you want to make sure the socks provide warmth without being so thick as to exacerbate sweating in your shoes.

Protect Your Extremities with Gloves

It’s common knowledge that – especially for women – your core will extract heat from your fingers and toes in a bid to keep itself warm when the temperature outside dips. For this reason, gloves are crucial accessory once the wind becomes biting. Leather is a tried and true fabric that keeps the wind out, and in so doing, maintains the warmth you left the house with. Wool is another winner in the winter; it actively keeps you warm and has fibers that naturally wick away moisture. Sheep have known this for thousands of years, after all!

When going the hand gloves route, consider darker colors such as gray, navy or black; these can match any assortment of clothing under the sun. If you know what you’re doing and your wardrobe agrees, then add some color like striped patterns or designs to your choice of gloves.

Neck Scarves

For an added layer of warmth, consider this quintessential fashion accessory for keeping your neck warm. After all, it’s a relatively thin area of the body, and can lose a good amount of heat if left unadorned in cold weather. A dark, bold color probably isn’t the best for this one, as the expectation of color and style is center-stage with a neck scarf. Nonetheless, you might be able to pull off the navy wool; depending on the rest of your outfit.

Keep in mind that scarves, more than any other accessory, are considered “extra”; thus, they are more easily given to experimentation of style. So although wool is very warm, cashmere or merino might be more functional and less irritating against your skin – especially after a prolonged escapade into the elements. There are few items of clothing (accessories, that is) more beautiful than an elaborate scarf twirling around the coat rack after you take it off at your destination.

Hat or Cap for Your Head

When it gets really cold, a hat or beanie is no longer considered an accessory, but instead a pretty much mandatory part of your ensemble. Only people who live on the East Coast of the United States or around frigid zones such as Minnesota, need to concern themselves with hats for every trip outside. Even so, you want the correct fabric – something that’s protective and warm, but also soft enough to reside on your scalp for much of the day. Since your head is not as sensitive as your neck, wool hats or beanies are a good bet. As for colors, black never fails to disappoint; but a more invested color like dark green or burgundy can work wonders with the right outfit.

Shopping for winter accessories can be quite the bit of fun; you get to consider beanies and gloves that possess just as much style as functionality. It’s not only practical, but a chance to show off your personal style.

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May
2018

Our New Friend Leo

categories: Reviews, Uncategorized

We have a new friend and we hope you are as excited to meet him as we are!

If you haven’t heard of ikiki shoes then PLEASE pop on over to read our ikiki review we did in the fall!

Connect with ikiki

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Thanks to our ikiki shoes leaving the house has been fun, simple, and extra comfortable. We finally have shoes that are easy to put on, made for developing walking feet, and inspire my independent free spirited children. So when we saw they were releasing new friends we knew we needed to add them to our ikiki zoo!

This spring ikiki released a new friend Leo Longfire.

The moment my son saw Leo’s lime green skin with cool spikes he was ready to take him on an adventure.

 

Leo’s ikiki Adventure

On a bright sunny day Leo heard a cry for help from his home of iron and rock. 

As he listened closer he recognized it was Princess Patty Potamus!

She needed help!

Leo quickly jumped into action to save his precious friend.

With high tops, breathable skin, and durable soles he knew nothing could stop him on his voyage! 

Leo quickly suited up and tightened his velcro.

Then with an ikiki battle cry, he began his quest to save Princess Patty.

With strong ankle support he charged up the green mountain towards the magic castle. 

With every squeak he knew he was one step closer to seeing Princess Patty’s glittering soles! 

When he arrived to the castle he spotted Princess Patty!

She was squeaking for help from the top of the castle’s tallest tower.

But the castle was full of challenges and obstacles to trip Leo up!

First Leo turned off his squeakers in order to not attract any bad guys.

He quietly descended the steep shoot without leaving a trace of evidence by using his white nonskid bottoms. 

Then with his breathable skin, Leo kept cool while crossing the firey lake of lava.  

With durable rubber soles Leo conquered each step up Slipper Slope Mountain.

At last he met his final obstacle!

With flexibility Leo grasped each stone rung to climb the giant beanstalk.

Princess Patty was saved!

Princess Patty and Leo were finally reunited to make the perfect ikiki pair! 

The End

We hope we’ve inspired you to find your little one their ikiki solemate and take them on a wild adventure!

 

 


May
2018

The Chair that Grows

categories: Reviews, Uncategorized

Hey Mamas!

We wish you the happiest of Mother’s Day and hope it is spent doing what you love best!

I love this day of celebration mostly because I get a chuckle out of watching my husband take on the impossible task of independently feeding and clothing two kids for church and brunch. I can’t help intervening to inform my husband our daughter isn’t wearing shoes or my son yet again took off his dress pants and switched back to pajamas.

That’s why Mother’s Day always involves brunch right? Dad’s can’t keep the kids alive and clean all the way to dinner so we have to get the celebration out first thing in the morning!

Then nap time rolls around and exhausted dads everywhere finally find the time to sit and praise their wives with the common phrase

“I don’t know how you do this all day, everyday!”

Moms are a special beings because we do it all day every day…and love it.

Yes we love the drama, kissing ouchies, sweeping a forever dirty floor, and even dare I say it, changing diapers. We love the chaos because it’s OUR chaos brought to us by OUR kiddos. We love our kids unconditionally and want nothing but the best for their lives.

Which leads to my husband getting a chuckle from my Mother’s Day want list. You see the word “want” has lost a lot of value since being a mother. Why waste money on things I want when there are two little humans with a ton of needs. But the funnest part is I actually geek out over baby and house wear items! One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was an avocado tool.

So my husband struggled yet again between finding a balance between getting me something beautiful and getting me something I wanted for our house.

But if you geek out over baby gear like I do, you will agree the Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair is not only practical its a beautiful piece of accent furniture for your home.

Meet Stokke

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Tripp Trapp Chair 

  • Brings baby closer to the family

My family is a huge supporter of family dinners. I think it is important to have everyone in one place at one time with no distractions. Family dinners is also one of the reasons we chose to introduce solids with baby led weaning. We want our children eating what we are eating and engaging in the same healthy habits we choose for ourselves. The Tripp Trapp Chair was specifically designed to fit comfortably against a table. An infant, toddler, and adult can all find a perfect fit up against any table with the adjustable seat and diagonal design.

We love having our children at the table and using our Stokke chair for meals, crafts, games, and baking.

 

  • Adjustable seat

Any little one can find maximum comfort by having the perfect height and depth combination with the adjustable seat and footplate. The goal is to promote correct body alignment for a seated child by getting their feet to rest squarely on the footplate. A 6 month old and 60 year old can both find the same comfort and support in the Tripp Trapp Chair.

I love that my 3 year old can easily climb onto this chair and be at the perfect height to reach his food.

My 6 month old nephew can be supported and secure in the Tripp Trapp and still have the benefit of eating at the table with the family.

And I actually love using this chair when I am sewing! I adjust the seat so that my foot rests perfectly on the sewing pedal. The leveled seat and angled backing supports my postures and prevents me from hunching over. It is encouraging to know that once my kids eventually stop using this chair it can still find use in our home.

  • Safe and Secure

I truly appreciate the ingenious design of the Tripp Trapp Chair! We use to have a lot of chair battles with our kiddos. My 3 year old son liked to push against the table with his hands and consistently got disciplined for sitting on his knees. My 18 month old daughter liked to push against the table with her feet and watch me have a panic attack.

The concave design of the chair back helps me scoot my kids’ lower half under the table; preventing their legs from escaping.

The Tripp Trapp chair extender gliders provide increased backward stability. Meaning pushing, rocking, and backward arching isn’t going to tip this chair. Our first dinner using the Tripp Tripp my daughter was being ornery and pushed the table with her hands to try and rock backward. Her chair scooted away from the table and didn’t rock in the slightest bit. I was amazed and my daughter was defeated and frustrated her little “trick” only made her food unreachable.

 

Also included with the Tripp Trapp chair is a 5-point harness. The straps are durable and very easy to clean.The back of the straps includes a fastener that can be adjusted to keep the straps from slipping off baby’s shoulders. My 6 month old nephew felt very secure strapped in and my 18 month old could not escape.

 

 

  • Easy to clean

Yes! My favorite part of this high chair! I had a fancy chair with a cushion for 2 months. 2 MONTHS and then I gave it away! Personally I thought it was the dumbest baby product in our home. Even with a toothpick and toothbrush I couldn’t completely clean the cracks and crannies of our highchair, which resulted in mold!

The Tripp Trapp Chair is pretty straight forward when cleaning. The solid beach wood is easy to quickly wipe down with a wet cloth and there is no place for food to hide. I am confident our chair is clean and there isn’t dingy food bits wedged in crevices waiting to mold.

  • Variety of colors

Check our the variety of woods and colors the Tripp Trapp Chair comes in. You can easily find a chair that accents your kitchen, matches your dinning set, or is a bold vibrant pop of color in your house.

 

Tripp Trapp Baby Set 

One accessory you can buy for your Tripp Trapp Chair is the baby set. The environmentally friendly plastic accessory easy attaches to any Tripp Trapp chair. The set was made to support children from 6 months to 3 years.

   

For my newly sitting 6 month old nephew, the hi-back and seating rail supported him from loosing his balance.

He was able to sit at the table without the risk my face planting into our oak table top. He was certainly happy to be sitting at the table with his older cousins.

Although my 3 year old does not need the baby set to sit securely in the Tripp Trapp chair I appreciated he can fit in it. We have the baby set on our chair to keep my 18 month old safe and secure. My son eats multiple snacks a day while I work, clean, or tend to his sister. He thinks it is awesome to sit in her cool chair while I appreciate the assurance of his safety while I am multitasking. With the baby set my son can’t get down without my help, he can’t sit on his knees, he can’t fall off a chair, and he can’t tip the chair back. So if you have multiple little ones under 4 you can use the Tripp Trapp with the baby set without having to remove baby set to fit the older ones.

Tripp Trapp Cushion 

For an extra splash of style and comfort Stokke makes cushions for the Tripp Trapp chair. These lush comfort cushions prevent babies from slipping down during meal time and provide extra support on little backs from 6 month to 3 years. The 100% polyester material comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

We loved our cushion was able to to fit on the baby set as well as directly onto Tripp Trapp chair.  The versatility and durability make it a practical addition to our chair.

My sister was completely impressed when she started to wipe down the cushion after her son “ate” an avocado. Everything cleaned up perfectly without staining or scrubbing.

I personally loved how waterproof it felt as my daughter dumped her cup on herself. Baby can be ready to sit back on the cushion without having to let it dry, which also means the inside stuffing is safe from molding.

More from Stokke

If you love the ingenious deign of the Tripp Trapp Chair then chances are you will love Stokke’s other baby products as well!

 

We hope you have a beautiful Mother’s Day and you get spoiled on this special day!

Heres to many more years of wishing for clean floors and geeking out on baby products!

 

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Apr
2018

Meet Fun and Function

categories: Uncategorized

As a mother and past educator, now homeschooler, I am always trying to find a happy medium between teacher and parent.

I want the best for my child.

The mother part of me wants them to be happy and health. As a teacher, I want to create life long learners that love to learn. The balance is meeting my children where they are and equipping them with the right tools for optimal learning and development. Best practice is building on a child’s schema and teaching in an engaging and exciting setting.

Best practice also means identifying where my children are gifted and deficient.

Knowing where my children struggle allows me to address any specific emotional, cognitive, or social needs that could potentially be hindering their ability to learn.

Fun an Function was started by a family looking for kid-friendly sensory tools and toys that would make an authentic difference in the lives of children.

Who is Fun and Function

The founder of Fun and Function used her expertise in occupational therapy, as well as being a mom, to develop products that support children with special needs. Everything designed is kid-friendly, affordable, and most importantly, makes a real developmental and therapeutic difference in the lives of children. Fun and Function listens to their customers in order to refine and develop tools that meet the needs of real children.

Fun and Function products cover a vast variety of needs and resources. As their name states, their tools are not just for special needs but also to make learning engaging and developmentally appropriate.

Their website is a great resource for searching for the perfect tool that is in your budget, meets special needs diagnosis, or helps with deficiencies. In addition they provide resources for parenting, finding therapists, and running productive intervention sessions.

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Fun and Function 

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Cocoon Climbing Swing

Both of my young children are introverts but often project themselves as extroverts. As a result, my children often get over stimulate after interacting with large crowds or having an eventful day. At first I blamed their bad behavior and melt downs on fatigue. As a grew as a mother I started to recognize signs of over stimulation and my children looking for a outlet to recuperate.

So when outfitting our homeschooling room, I wanted to cater to the specific needs of my children and create a “detox” safe place.

The Fun and Function Cocoon Climbing Swing was the perfect solution!

My 3 year old son is able to climb in and out of his swing independently. This means his safe place is always accessible whenever he feels he needs it. I love that he doesn’t have to ask, but rather can jump right in on his time.

A durable cushion is easily installed in a zip pouch in the bottom of the swing. The cushion is inflated with air which keeps the swing light weight; which means less stress on the suspensions.

It also gives the base structure so children can easily adjust and move without feeling like they are trapped in a bag.

I love that my son is able to sit cross legged and read or lay down and relax.

The high backing assures my children are safe and won’t tumble out during swinging.

The Cocoon Swing is made with highly durable fabrics and can hold up to 100 lbs. Since my children are still young they are even able to share the swing together. It is a safe quiet place for siblings to bond and share a good book.

When the suspension is moved to a single point, children can have more active play. This swing can be a great outlet for all those little monkeys who love to climb and swing. I am sure as my son gets older and develops more balance strength he will love the play of spinning and twisting on his swing.

Most importantly, this swing is fun! It engages little minds and bodies while developing and challenging them to grow towards success.

Something for Everyone

I do really want to stress that while Fun and Function has a passion and talent for designing for special needs children, their products are universal.

All children benefit from active, engaging, developmentally appropriate learning!

Sensory play has proven to support the brain’s growth while also improving cognitive, social, and emotional skills.

As all moms know, children have a LOT of energy. Physical activities keep kids healthy while positively impacting cognitive skills and academic behavior. Not to mention exercise has been said to help increase oxygen for to the brain and improve its function.

 

 

 

I lastly want to note that all kids have strengths and weaknesses. As parents looking for the best for our children, I find it so important to meet our child at their weakness. Even if that “weakness” is just a skill waiting to be developed. Rather than avoiding or discipling our children’s fixation, fidgeting, hyperactivity, or anxiety we have the power to celebrate their uniqueness. As parents we can empower our children with tools to find success and build confident life long learners.

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Apr
2018

Button Diapers are Super!

categories: Reviews, Uncategorized

Who loves Fluff Mail?!

This month I had the opportunity to try out Buttons Cloth Diapers. My sister has used them for both her boys so I wanted to see why she was so loyal to this particular brand.

Meet Button Diapers

Buttons was created by your typical mom who wanted to keep things simple. Her and her husband’s goal was to keep cloth diapering affordable and easy to use.

Their diapering options continue to expand and new adorable prints are frequently released.

 

 

 

 

 

I also want to add their social medias are a delight to follow! They always give great encouragement to cloth mamas and have fun revealing new prints!

 

Connect with Buttons

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The Diapers

Buttons diapers takes a new and improve twist on past cloth diapering systems. The outer shell is waterproof and wipeable, meaning it can be used multiple times before washing. Rather than changing the whole diaper (like inserts and AIO), just the insert can easily snap out and be replaced with a fresh clean one.

 

It also makes it convenient to use the same diaper night and day. Snap the daytime insert in for play time then at bedtime add a nighttime insert underneath a daytime insert for a peaceful dry night.

Sizes

Button Diapers covers have the same great quality in three different sizes.

Newborn, One-Size, and Super.

I especially loved their sizes because one-size really doesn’t fit all!

NEWBORN

Both of my cloth diapering sisters had babies in the fall. My sister with newborn Button diapers started cloth diapering way before my sister with one-size. The cut of these pip squeak diapers fit perfectly around even tiny newborn chicken legs and while still preventing mega leaks.

It is a big deal because after changing and washing 6-12 diapers a day, no one wants to add wardrobe changes to the laundry. Also with the estimation of newborns using over 300 newborn diapers, cloth can be a mega money saver in the end.

ONE-SIZE

One-size diapers are a great option for frugal cloth diapering. Both of my kids were born weighing over 8 pounds, so I assume I would have been able to put them in One-Size diapers before a month old.

I do find a lot of mom’s prefer waiting a month or so before switching to cloth. It gives them time to recover and relax before taking on diaper laundry.

Since these diapers can fit up to 35lbs it is likely they will fit until potty training. My son being of of those kids! So if you have a pretty average baby, one-size Button diapers could be your one stop shop for cloth diapering.

SUPER

Now a mom with an above average size babe, I appreciate the Super size. My daughter has always been in or above the 85% range for height and weight. Before she was mobile she was especially rolly-polly.

All the more to love right?!

I remember around 6-9 months thinking she was going to outgrow her one-size cloth diapers! The snaps were on the second to last spot and her back side would creep out when she was sitting. Fortunately, when she started walking and crawling she leaned out and developed more of a toddler shape. I actually was able to snap her diapers tighter.

However, the hight issue stayed the same. I could never find a diaper that completely covered her bum, and more importantly kept messes from spilling out. I feared she would exceed the maximum weight of her one-size diapers before we hit potty training.

The super sized diapers became a great addition to our cloth collection. They provide maximum coverage and maximum protection!

As if my daughter knew I was reviewing her diaper, she almost immediately “tested it out” if you know what I mean. I was happy to say her Buttons diaper held strong through crawling, rolling, walking, and even a dance party.

Inserts

Buttons offers a variety of snap inserts to meet the needs of your diapering preference.

DAYTIME: Buttons cloth inserts snap right into our diapers covers to keep inserts from shifting around.

  • Hemp/Cotton 3 Pack
  • Bamboo 3 Pack
  • Microfiber 3 Pack

NIGHTTIME: They work as a doubler when snapped underneath Buttons daytime inserts.

  • Hemp/Cotton 2 Pack
  • Bamboo 2 Pack
  • Microfiber 2 Pack

Since we are new to Buttons diapers we tried out their Hemp/Cotton Daytime Inserts.

These inserts are made with an incredible 4 layer absorbent system. Moisture-wicking fleece sandwiches layers of hemp and organic cotton.

The inserts are very durable and feel well made. I especially loved the seem and edging on each insert. It is rare to find both, and honestly I think it helps all the more to lock moisture in and prevent leakage with movement.

The snaps hold the inserts in place and are easy to remove and replace.

Overall I loved joining the Buttons Diapers family!

And to especially support Earth Day I wanted to leave you all with a few diapering facts!

  • Over 92% of all single-use diapers end up in a landfill.
  • No one knows how long it takes for a disposable diaper to decompose, but it is estimated to be about 250-500 years, long after your children, grandchildren and great, great, great grandchildren will be gone.
  • Over 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum feedstocks and 20 pounds of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby EACH YEAR.

 

 

 

 

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Apr
2018

Girl Power with Hearts for Hearts Girls

categories: Uncategorized

Since our readers are practically our friends, we figured we should share the big news!

We are adopting from India!

Not “we” as in all the writers of MamatheFox…although it could be quite adorable having a little blogger baby running around.

“We” as in my personal family is adopting from India!

I shared this exciting news in this post because my heart was seriously the most pumped it’s ever been over a toy when I found Hearts for Hearts Girls.

Part of our adoption “nesting” has been to prepare our home and children for baby #3. Part of that prep entails educating our family on the culture from which we are adopting, and creating a lifestyle that celebrates our child’s birth country. Through teaching our children about the birth country of their new sibling can help them to make the child feel included and safe within our household. The process of adoption has been long and hard, especially having to contact a lawyer similar to the ones that you can find at Terry and Roberts Law, (https://terryandrobertslaw.com/family-law/) to help us know exactly what we need to do to make this adoption happen. So teaching our children all that we can about their new sibling and our new child is probably one of the easiest things about this whole process. I hope they embrace this change in the way that we have.

As a mama who loves books and interactive play, I started searching for Indian based lietearture and toys. I want to help my toddlers connect with Indian culture on their level, while still accurately representing their sibling’s first home. In addition, it is important our next child has toys and books that he/she can personally relate to. That means finding good role models that positively depict modern people from India.

Who is Hearts For Hearts Girls

Hearts for Hearts Girls was created to make a difference. Their mission is to celebrate diversity and inspire girls to be globally minded. Hearts for Hearts Girls designs dolls that represent different cultures through ethnically diverse features, fashion, jewelry, and character backgrounds.

The dolls are meant to represent real-world girls and their challenges. The included mini-book tells stories of each doll that helps children connect and engage in cultures beyond their own. Hearts for Hearts Girls hopes to promote empathy and respect for others and lay a foundation of unity and empowerment in our next generation. Hearts for Hearts Girls is empowering young girls to be strong compassionate citizens of the world that strive to make a difference.

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Giving Back

Hearts for Hearts Girls goes above and beyond by finically giving back. For every doll sold, they donate $1.00 to World Vision, a well-respected and global humanization organization. Hearts for Hearts Girls donation of over $375,000 has gone towards helping children in the regions represented by their dolls.

Why we love Hearts for Hearts Girls

Since we were adopting from India we decided to get Nahji, a 10 year old from Assam, India.

We love her vibrant solid box that is full of information about India and Nahji. A flap on the front has a larger than life head shot and when opened, you can peek at the actual doll. The inside lining has a nice touch with a map pinpointing her home in India.

The doll itself feels durable and easy to maneuver. She balances well standing up but struggles to sit without falling backwards.

For such a reasonably priced doll I was so surprised to see her come with accessories. Included with each doll is a child’s size friendship bracelet, comb, and storybook.

The tween style bracelet inspires girl power with a purple “GIRLS” heart as well as a heart saying “Changing the world one heart at a time”. It was so cute. It reminded me of some bracelets I had seen online, on https://rastaclat.com/ or some similar website, with positive messages scrawled on them. Such an innovative idea, to combine empowering messages with accessories.

The teal comb is the perfect size and even included a matching hair tie. Perfect for styling and playing with her long brown silky hair.

Nahji is a very appropriate representation of a modern Indian girl. She has big brown gorgeous eyes, brown skin, and long dark wavy hair.

She is dressed in an outfit you could easily find in India today. To be honest, I was relieved she wasn’t wearing a sari and had a side braid. As beautiful as saris are, they aren’t the typical everyday dress; especially for little girls. She is clothed in a detailed modest tunic top that is brightly colored and playful. As pants, she has on adorable purple leggings embellished with fancy gold trim. I think her outfit is perfect for her age and culturally significant.

Nahji is also embellished in Indian style jewelry.

Yes, I did find it strange at first for a 10 year old to have a pierced nose. Then I did some researched. It is actually very common for young girls approaching puberty to get their left nostril pierced. There are a list of specific reasons I won’t get into, but I think it is enlightening that my children’s doll led me to learn something new about Indian culture.

Nahji also has three gold bangles, one of the most common ornaments an Indian women wears.

In addition to Nahji’s beautiful jewelry, she has a henna tattoo on her right hand.

Her storybook actually tells how she earned her henna tattoo from her mother. It is a beautiful symbol of her maturity and hard word.

Nahji’s inspirational storybook highlights her determination to get an education and change her future.

What I love most about her story is that it shines a new light on what it means to be successful.

Nahji didn’t want to be married at a young age and do manual labor for little pay. So she changes her future by overcoming the obstacles most India girls face; getting an education and breaking social norms of a young arranged marriage. She works to starts her own duck and vegetable farm and makes a way for her family to work from home.

Nahji not only changes her future but betters the lives of her family. Her success story didn’t include fame or fortune, rather hard work and passion. Nahji’s story has deep valuable lessons for young girls and can be eye opening about the world around them.

“When you believe in yourself,

when you are strong in your heart,

then you can change the world around you for the better.”

-Nahji Hearts for Hearts Girls

We are pleasantly satisfied with our Nahji doll and have already used her to talk with our kids about their new Indian sibling.

We love her significant details that help educate about Indian culture. Hearts for Hearts makes versatile quality dolls that lead young girls towards a global mindset.


Mar
2018

One and Done with People Footwear

categories: Reviews, Uncategorized

Recently the need for shoes has been hitting hard in my house.

My son has been wearing hand me downs for three years. I can literally count on my two hands how many times I’ve spent money on his wardrobe. It isn’t just because I am frugal. Kids, especially boys, are so destructive and always choose the naked option! Why waste money on clothes he constantly refuses to wear or soaks in spaghetti and mud simultaneously?

Speaking of destructive boys, the older they get the harder they are on their clothes. When my son recently hit size 8 shoes there was no shoes left in his hand me down box.

Sad day for this mama. Guess i’ll need to get some more wide fit shoes for women and let go of some of my current favorite comfy shoes for him?

As for my daughter, she has been struggling with the confidence to walk. Every time she falls its like she just gives up and resorts back to the “safety” of crawling.

So as spring approached I was on the hunt for shoes. As a frugal mama I was shocked at children shoe prices! It’s not the fact that quality shoes are expensive, I’ll pay to have shoes that are developing my children’s feet correctly. It’s the need for multiple pairs! You can never have enough shoes but if you do want to purchase some multiple use footwear then you should check out some Vessi footwear, they are 100% waterproof and extremely comfortable, you can wear them on any adventure which can be hot or cold – don’t have to worry about getting your shoes or your feet wet! You can get them in adult and children sizes. Children do need lots of shoes:

-Tennis shoes for parks with wood chips and mud, not to mention sports and bike riding.

-Breathable sandals for hot days outside that still protect toes.

-Pool/splash pad shoes that don’t cause blisters when wet.

-Dress shoes to complete that perfect outfit.

I turned to my penny pinching sister for advice. Her solution…People Footwear!

My sister said it was my 3 year old niece’s only pair of shoes. They were actually second hand bought, then lasted a whole year of use, and now will be handed down to her little sister! In addition, she already planned to buy the next size up for her daughter this spring.

Tell me more!

Who is People Footwear?

“People Footwear is ultra–light, supremely comfortable and perfect for doing whatever it is you do.”

Using innovative designs and materials People Footwear have crafted the perfect all occasion shoes. People Footwear has a vast variety of shoes to meet almost any style or age. Most importantly, all their shoes are engineered with their SkyLite EVA.

“EVA stands for ethylene vinyl acetate — a fancy word for rubberized foam. All of our shoes are made with our custom–engineered SkyLite™ EVA, a super light and shock–absorbent material. Our unique SuperCush™ sock liner (which molds to your foot) is also made of EVA because a lighter, cushier shoe makes for a happier you.”

It took everything in me to not add a pair of women’s shoes to my cart. They seriously looked so comfortable and stylish.

Like not just coolest mom on the playground stylish, but fashionista at the local cafe or bar.

However, I stayed focus and just nabbed two different designs for my little ones.

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The Slater Kids

The Slater Kids have the classic skateboarder slip-on look with People Footwear science.

The style is sleek yet practical. Despite the fun vibrant patterns to choose from, my son chose black. Probably having to do with his love for Batman. I did not attest, because remember these are his ONLY shoes for spring and summer. Black goes with everything and still maintains a clean look in-between washings.

The loafer look makes them stylish when I can occasionally get him to dress up while still having a youthful fear to fit everyday attire.

In addition, The Slater Kid’s footbed is lightweight yet extremely durable. These shoes protect and move like a tennis shoe. We found them great for the park and even riding his bike.

The Slater Kids are made with People Footwear’s fully-molded EVA Skylite upper with holes for maximum air-flow.

This means the perfect shoe for almost any environment. We tested his People Footwear at the local children’s museum. I watched him climb, run, jump, and get soaked in puddles and never once heard him complain or adjust his shoes. I love not having to worry about blisters, exposed toes getting stubbed, or shoes slipping off wet feet.

Laces free means my 3 year old son can QUICKLY put them on independently. Once they are on I know they are on. No adjusting velcro or tying laces!

Our People Footwear shoes fit with and without socks so wearing them into fall isn’t a problem.

The Ace Kids

I was in cuteness overload with People Footwear Ace Kids. These stylish faux lace slip ons were just what we needed.

The unisex style and colors almost convinced me to pick a neutral for future kids, but in the end I went full girl with a vibrant leopard print!

With an off white background and print of 4 bright colors and black, I knew my daughter could wear these with any outfit.

For a new walker I was adamant about flexible non clunky shoes. The Ace Kid’s footbed is made with the same durable lightweight design as the Slater Kids.

I love how The Ace Kids move with her feet and barely add any weight. She also is comfortable wearing her shoes with and without socks.

The tops are also made with People Footwear’s fully-molded Skylite EVA and air-flow holes. Again making these shoes great for heat, sweat, water, mud, and grass.

I knew my daughter’s shoes would help her keep up with her brother wherever he took his People Footwear.

There’s More!

People Footwear is not just a kid brand. They have a stylish collection for men and women as well. You can find sandals for warm sunny days, knit uppers for hard workouts, low tops for special occasions, and even boots to face the cold wet winter. There is a variety of shoes offered both in adult and kid sizes. Perfect for those adorably family matching days!

Cleaning

Anticipating one pair of shoes through two seasons means preparing to have weekly cleanings. People Footwear suggest cleaning shoes with a soft cloth or tooth bush. I used a Magic sponge and loved the result! We’ve already established wet People Footwear are still safe and comfortable, meaning freshly cleaned shoes can go directly back on feet. Or if you have a wild son like me, you can choose to hose down shoes and kids all at once.

So as you approach this spring with excitement for warmer weather and days of play outside, you can forget the shoe chase. People Footwear has you covered with shoes that are perfect for all occasions, all outfits, and almost any environment. These quality shoes save your budget and time by being your kids’ one and done pair of shoes. Now that is something to be excited about!