As kids grow older, you’ll soon ditch the diaper bag.
Seriously moms, the day is coming where you won’t have to carry around a heavy bag with you everywhere you go.
My oldest is 3 and we recently have moved him out of the diaper bag and into his very own backpack. This is great because the diaper bag is lighter and he loves carrying around the bag. It may just be because its new still, but he wants to take it everywhere we go.
The Fenrici backpacks are so perfect for kiddos. The animal backpacks they offer are sure to make your child smile. There are so many options to choose from and all of them are fun, bright colors.
We love the backpacks because of the large compartment that can hold all your child’s needs. We keep a pull-up, extra pair of underwear, and a pair of pants in the backpack at all times. Even with the necessities, there is still a lot of room for my sons wants – cars, toys, books, you name it.
This mission driven company offers products for kids of all ages. Fenrici partners ‘with families and children who have been touched by pediatric rare diseases to share the stories of determination, hope, and selflessness. 5% of proceeds from’ their ‘product sales are used to fund the education and research of pediatric rare diseases through the national non-profit organization Global Genes.’
When you shop Fenrici you are supporting children and families who share their stories and impact the world. The founders of the company have been inspired by so many families who have been impacted by rare childhood diseases. They’ve seen the resilience, hope, and selflessness from these children and families and they want to share that with others. They want to teach and inspire other kids using the stories they have been touched by.
Each backpack is named with a character of resilience such as Bravery, Joy, Hope, Kindness; among others. There are also cards of inspirational messages included with each backpack – a card for the owner and one for them to share. Fenrici really wants to inspire others, and anyone who purchases from them can help with that!
You are invited to share your story or comments on the Fenrici Facebook page.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss
As a child I hated reading! I remember it being hard, I remember being made fun of for making mistakes, and I remember my heart pounding whenever I was asked to read aloud.
It never really became a huge issue until I hit high school and was struggling in my honors math and science classes!
MATH and SCIENCE!
The problem was I couldn’t read fast enough to complete my tests. I eventually took speed reading classes to better improve my efficiency and develop better strategies for tests and note-taking.
After high school I pursed my dream to become an elementary teacher and quickly became passionate about children’s literacy. I took additional classes on phonics as well as studied children’s illustrations, language arts methods, and best practices for teaching in a pluralistic society. After graduation I took my first job in the inner city as an academic specialist. My job: get title 1 3rd and 4th grade students to read at grade level.
The love for literacy only continued to grow as I taught elementary school kids, after school programs, and then eventually my own children.
I was the determined teacher training first graders to read silently for 45 minutes a day.
I was the innovated dance teacher incorporating literature into tap class.
I was the passionate mom reading books to my 1 day old baby in the hospital.
I am THAT homeschool mom checking out the maximum number of books from the library.
I have experienced first hand how reading can actually change your life for the good or bad. I’ve seen the facts, statistics, and testimonies how early exposure to books can build a beautiful foundation for children.
PC: Cherish’s Literacy Corner VIP’s
So when I met Cherish, I was instantly inspired by her love for literature and learning! As a past high school English teacher her knowledge of literature is extensive, while her heart for student learning is enormous. As a mom, Cherish has establish a home that invites learning with fun and engaging activities
But her passion for education doesn’t end there, Cherish works to enrich the families around her by helping bring high quality books in their homes through Usborne books.
As an Usborne book consultant, she is passionate about equipping parents with the best resources for raising life long learners!
In 1973, Peter Usborne saw TV and comics controlling the attention of kids and wanted to give non-fiction books a fighting chance. This led to the birth of Usborne books and the mission to make both reading and learning fun, not intimidating. The magic of Usborne books is that they break down children’s resistance to reading and learning at home. In return, it opens the door for parents and children to explore and absorb the world of learning together.
Today Usborne books are high quality, innovative, engaging, and educational! There are over 2000 titles to choose from covering a wide variety of subjects and age ranges.
Usborne in my Home
As a past educator, a mom, and homeschool teacher I can’t express the amount of times I’ve been grateful for Usborne products in our home.
It all started with the That’s Not My collection. From a young age my children were drawn to the high contrast but simple illustrations. They loved to feel each new texture as well as look for the silly mouse hiding on each page. We read the same book too many times to count until I happily discovered Usborne had a HUGE collection of That’s Not My books. I honestly did not love reading the same type of book, but I persevered because those books helped open a world of reading to our children. At a young age they were exposed to the wonders of reading and built stamina to sit through 2-3 long picture books each night.
Now with preschool aged kids, Usborne’s collection of activities are a real hit. Usborne provides hands-on educational activities for babies to middle school aged kids. My family uses their sticker books for long car trips, water painting books for quiet independent play, and craft books for art projects.
As a homeschool mama I’ve only just had a tiny taste of how Usborne can enrich and support our curriculum.
Each month we study a different theme that supports and connects to the Core Curriculum standards for preschool age children. Some of the topics include family units, habitats, space, hygiene, and plants. I was delighted to see Usborne’s books align with State Standards and therefore I could find at least one developmentally appropriate book for each of my units.
For most subjects I have a variety of titles and forms to choose from; peek-inside, lift-the-flap, Big Books, wipe-clean, young beginners, and so much more. Cherish even went the extra mile to examine my preschool syllabus and offer book recommendations for my units.
Usborne wipe clean books have also been instrumental in developing my children’s fine motor skills as well as practicing and refining their writing. The lively illustrations and game-like set up makes handwriting drills a fun reward rather than a frustrating mundane task.
Working with Cherish
Cherish is not just an Usborne consultant that throws parties and sells books. She works almost daily to post innovative ways to bring reading into your home.
Cherish posts fun activities she is doing with her little ones and ways she incorporates reading into her home.
In addition, her literacy corner keeps followers up to date on Usborne new releases! Often when there is a big release Cherish goes live on social media to give followers an inside look into the books. If there is a book you have your eye on but not quite sure, Cherish helps to provide you with a real view video so you can fully see the illustrations, text, and story line.
Last but not least, her page provides insider deals and specials!
Check it out!
I’ve truly only scratched the surface on Usborne’s collection. Their website is a must see when looking for quality literature to bring into your home! To take it the next step further follow Cherish’s Literacy Corner to join a community of families who love and pursue the benefits of reading!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
There is something beautiful about minimalist design that catches your eye and draws you near. Simplicity lets your mind wonder and create like it was designed to do. I truly believe the same rings true for children’s toys. Young minds that are making daily discoveries and forming new ideas are drawn to opportunities to create. Almost every parent experiences this when their child plays with the box longer than the toy. Open ended toys that reflect a child’s environment allows creative exploration, and the child can create a purpose for the toy and use it as they wish.
For my daughter, I was searching for a timeless simple rag doll that could be loved for many years. My hope was to find a doll that inspired play while doubling as decor in her vintage eclectic room. I was soon delighted to find an old friend from China opening her very own doll shop Topknot Twirl.
Lauren, the creator of Topknot Twirl, is a kindred spirit that brings out the beauty in the simple. She began making dolls as a traditional birthday gift for her daughters and soon expanded into making dolls for their play group. Lauren delighted in designing each doll with a different look and set out to reach a bigger market. In the winter of 2017, after moving to back to America, Topknot Twirl was launched.
Each doll is made to order with 5 customizable features. Custom ordering is made easy through her Etsy page and detailed instructions. I loved there was a variety of choices to make a unique custom doll, yet I wasn’t overwhelmed. Picking a doll to match my daughter’s look was simple. However, I will say the fabric choices were all adorably eye catching and I had to get a few opinions to make a final choice.
dress print
skin color
hair color
bang style
hair placement
Our new little friend was delivered in style with attention to every detail. I loved seeing my daughter’s name on the package and felt as if her creator was thinking about her with every stitch. Before her doll was even opened our excitement was pouring over the delivery cuteness.
Whether it was intended or not, I even used the tag ribbons as extra bows for the doll’s hair.
Every detail of our Topknot Twirl custom doll was perfect and just they way I had ordered.
The details were simple yet had an elegant high fashion flare. I appreciated the strong craftsmanship while still being able to tell it was handmade with integrity.
I instantly loved how large our doll looked in my daughter’s arms. I thought it would have been a great milestone doll during her first 12 month pictures.
My daughter snuggled into the soft flexible fabric. She was able to easily carry her lightweight doll around with its slim graspable limbs.
Her doll was clothed in a miniature twirl dress with a fashionable criss cross back. We loved the skirt was removable for dressing and undressing.
I ordered her doll with double high buns and side sleek bangs, but was excited to find out her hair could be styled.
I enjoyed giving her similar pigtail braids I use to rock as a child. The joy about felt doll hair is low maintenance. No tangled rat nests or balding, just simple easy to manage felt strips.
Lauren continues to work hard in making innovations to her dolls and and meeting the needs of her customers. Since the time she has opened she has already added three new additions to her Etsy shop.
Each girl doll now has a felt floral headband accessory. It’s the perfect little accent piece that adds pizzazz and play during dress up.
Dolls can now be personalized with an embroidered name added.
And my favorite, custom boy dolls! Let those little boys join in on the role playing and have their own boy doll. After seeing my son nurture my daughter’s baby dolls, I think he would love having a doll that he can relate to.
All of the Topknot Twirl dolls are handmade by Lauren, so top quality is always delivered. We had such a great experience working with Topknot Twirl and especially loved supporting another small shop, in particular, a Stay at home mom business that is following their dreams.
If you are looking for a quality custom doll that makes play open ended, while also bringing elegance and style to your home, check out TopKnotTwirl!
As Christmas approached I wanted to get my now 1 year old daughter a baby doll. PL was too adorable cuddling her stuffed animals and patting their backs like a little mama. I knew a baby doll would be the perfect gift for her nurturing heart.
Dolls are wonderful toys because they are simple yet multifaceted. A child’s doll will be played with for years and never go out of style. Every childhood has memories of playing with baby dolls. Some organized parents even get the chance to pass down their beloved doll to the next generation.
So when looking for a new doll for PL I wanted something high quality and unique. I knew she’d play with it for years and most likely this doll would “see the world” by tagging along on family outings. I was hoping to find a doll that represented our family and helped give my daughter a global perspective. After living overseas, and now internationally adopting, we fill our home with toys that promote open mindedness and acceptance. So you can imagine my excitement when we found Educational Insight.
Education Insight is composed of play enthusiasts who strive to inspire imagination and curiosity. For the past 50 years, their experts have been designing toys that capture the attention of little ones. Educational Insight believes in making learning an active playful experience by encouraging children to explore, discover, and create. Their line of toys equip parents with the tools to encourage growth and development in their smallest little scholars. Many who use their dolls often enjoy including some Butterfly Life Cycle Worksheets in with doll play. This keeps their play varied, maintaining the interest of the child. It will also build their foundational skills.
I loved Educational Insight’s website as a resource for finding educational products. Toys can be shopped for by age range as well as brand name. There is also a variety of games and school supplies organized by age range and school subject. I loved the ability to shop for games for my son based on his educational development and age.
And if you are like me, you will be happy to know Educational Insight can also be found on Amazon. Their Amazon homepage is extremely helpful in shopping for the right toy and researching the best fit for your little one.
This winter Educational Insight released two new lines of baby dolls. Made and designed with the same Educational Insight high standards, these dolls encourage nurturing-based imaginative play.
Baby Bijoux was especially made for the mini mommy or daddy.
With realistic and anatomically correct features, this baby doll encourages nurturing-based imaginative play. The deluxe European craftsmanship delivers realistic baby details.
While engaging in a world of make-believe children will learn social skills, practice empathy and care taking, and develop language and and new vocabulary.
The 15.75? tall Baby Bijoux doll is the perfect size for 3-6 year olds and the vinyl body is easy to clean; making it the perfect companion for outings. Baby Bijoux is especially unique by providing multi-cultural and gender choices. They currently make African American, Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic boy and girl dolls. We loved that our house could have a variety of dolls! With just-like-me skin tones our kids could connect with the dolls that looked like them and be encouraged to have global mindset with a doll of different ethnicity.
These adorable soft cloth dolls are a perfect first baby doll for the family. The 12? crafted doll is constructed with a perfect combination of a soft cotton cloth body and durable vinyl head, arms, and legs; making it perfect for 2-5 year olds. Baby’s eyes open and close and arms and legs can be moved and manipulated to fit in strollers and baby toys. We love the softness and lightweight of Baby Doux. Our 1 year old daughter is able to carry her baby around without compromising her ability to walk or crawl. Since baby is so soft she is perfect for cuddling with in bed or taking along in the car.
The Baby Doux doll is machine washable and fabricated with deluxe European design. Durability makes me at ease when our doll is going on walks outside or visiting the local playground.
With four ethnical choices, children are sure to find a doll they can relate to or learn from. Having toys similar to a child builds confidence and leadership skills. We chose to have a doll with darker skin to prepare our children for our adoption. We wanted to keep their minds open to that fact that people don’t need to look like us to be loved or in our family. Having ethnically diverse toys, we hope to help our children develop a global mindset and nurture their compassion and understanding for others.
Baby Doux dolls also help develop language, social and emotional skills in little ones through play. We loved hearing our daughter say baby and learn new words for body parts and clothes. Baby dolls also give our very shy daughter the opportunity to choose when and how to give affection. We like that her doll gives her the control of the situation and take ownership.
Baby Bijoux and Baby Doux are a wonderful addition to the Educational Insight collection. I encourage you to check out bringing a baby into your house and encourage your child to relate to the world around them and develop new life skills.
With two kids, one in diapers and one potty training, I have a lot of random supplies I need throughout the day. From diapers, to nail clippers, extra clothes, to wipes, I wanted to keep supplies at hand to limit time unattended kids. For a while I was just storing supplies under my coffee table. It was messy, the kids got into it, and I was alway straightening up piles. Without a specific place for supplies in our family room, a lot of things got lost or “lost” to my husband at least.
The Baby Tooshy Caddy is a practical addition to any baby home. It neatly organizes every thing you need for daily life with littles. The strong, sturdy built was actually way more durable than I expected. The walls are thick and strong like cardboard covered by easy to clean canvas. The 9 pockets are flexible and secure and keep things in place, even on the move.
With two strong handles the Baby Tooshy Caddy can follow you around the house, or on the go. It is perfect for taking from room to room especially when trying to avoid leaving that sneaky toddler unattended. It can even make traveling more organized by holding activities and snacks, the diaper stash, or even emergency medical supplies.
The large size comfortably holds a variety of supplies. If you are completely filling with diapers, the Caddy can hold at least 60 size 5 disposable diapers, full size wipes, and other small essentials. That is an estimated of 1 week of supplies.
With two kids in different stages of life, my needs are vast. I loved the ability to fit a variety of cloth diapers, pull ups, reusable diapers, and underwear. Everything for my new house, which I was able to finance after reading this article: How Much House Can I Afford?
For those hundreds of diaper changes I do a day, I added the other diaper changing necessities; a large box of wipes and a changing mat.
With 8 full length pockets, baby sized supplies stay organized and easy to find.
Our tube of diaper cream and hand wipes fit snugly without a problem. I also added nail supplies and a thermometer since they always seem MIA when needed most.
Truly the list could go on of supplies you could store. The Baby Tooshy Caddy is versatile and timeless in organizing supplies for your family.
Stay organized by checking out the durable and strong Baby Tooshy Caddy. It is sure to find a perfect fit in your home as you fit your home inside its easy to clean and secure frame.
OXO: OXO makes 1,000+ products covering numerous areas of the home. There big philosophy is Universal Design; basically, creating products that almost anyone can use. OXO tot brand was inspired after a baby boom in the office. When their employees faced parent pet peeves firsthand, they decided to start problem solving. OXO tot line covers a number of products such as feeding, seating, and on-the go for your littles one.
When I planned to write this post I was pretty giddy because I was getting the chance to write about a few of my favorite things!
Traveling and OXO!
If you haven’t heard of OXO, then you should definitely click over to our Mama on the Move blog post where I included a little history and company mission on my review of OXO tot products. To say the least, MamatheFox has been impressed with OXO’s innovative and universal design.
If you didn’t know, my husband I were expats in China for 4 years. We had both our kids overseas and spent our first 2.5 years of parenting in a giant foreign city. It wasn’t until after we had our son that we actually felt comfortable enough with the language and culture to start traveling.
And travel we did!
By the time our son was 2.5 he had been on over 30 airplanes, uncountable number of fast trains, and weekly rides on public transportation. While we lived in China we bought an amazing compact stroller that quickly became our BFF. It was light weight, easy to use, and small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of a plane. However, it was very cheaply made and when we relocated to America we didn’t find it worth transporting.
My family and I moving to America
For a while I thought I didn’t need a compact stroller since I was in America with a car, had a running toddler, and loved my baby carrier. However, after a few difficult situations of the kids hating the carrier, the Baby Jogger being too big, or my toddler hitting his walking limit, I started looking for a compact stroller. I struggled to find a stroller that met my standards after having the best compact stroller in China. If you are finding it hard as we did. We found https://www.mamma1.com/ to be pretty handy. You could check them out if you have time!
Then as if OXO tot heard my design cries, they released the Air Stroller this fall.
Why the Air Stroller is amazing
Compact
This stroller will not slow you down, but rather keep up with your fast pace life. Its compact built and slim design makes it easy to maneuver through crowded streets and in and out of stores. I’ve already loved using our Air Stroller to squeeze through the local library aisle and to trick or treat on crowded sidewalks down town.
My mother in law was even able to fit our opened Air Stroller it in her car trunk. When folded, the stroller is roughly the size of a back pack. Making it less bulky when carrying and easy to store. We leave ours in the trunk because it takes up minimum space and is always ready to use on the go.
Travel Friendly
Only weighing in at 11 pounds, it’s light enough for me to hold a kid and stroller at the same time. When I used public transportation in the city I had to do this all the time up stairs and on and off buses. It is certainly designed fuss-free as the stroller locks without any extra levers or snaps. It simply unlocks by pushing toward the ground before squeezing the release handles.
Included is a convenient carrying strap that allows carrying the Air Stroller hands free. The strap is easily assessable once the stroller is collapsed. I was reminded of how great a strap is when trying to carry my squirmy toddler and stroller down subway station stairs. The Air lets you focus on what’s most important while bringing along your gear. I especially appreciated when the stroller is folded the wheels lock away from the fabric, keeping all the nasty germs collected on the wheels off your little ones.
The expandable UPF 50 canopy makes this stroller perfect for outside activities without the fear of sun exposure. The adjustable feature lets it go low enough to protect my youngest from the sun but high enough to give my toddler optimal view.
On the back of the canopy a secret parent pocket has been placed. When traveling, this is ideal for an easy access spot to hold your passports, tickets, and phones. For every day use I like to put my phone, wallet, and sometimes a hidden mama treat inside.
And for any mama with visual concern, the canopy has a mesh peep flap. It is always great to be able to see what your child is doing or for my youngest, assure her mama is still there.
It also includes an easy access storage basket that is very roomy; great for holding a diaper bag, snacks, toys, and more. Finding an adequate basket on a compact stroller is such a rare find. I love how easy it is to get stuff in and out and weight doesn’t drag the basket down.
Durable and Safe
The Oxo Air Stroller is built to last and endure constant use. The front wheels navigate quickly and withstand curbs and uneven pavement.
I felt like I could maneuver with ease and my kids were buckled in securely with an adjustable 5-point safety harness. Again, OXO designed this buckle to be fuss-free, a truly rare find in strollers! Although it has 5 points of security, it only takes three simple pieces to lock.
The straps are also easily adjusted and made to grow with your little one. The soft shoulder pads prevent chafing on the neck while the buckle pad prevents squishy thighs from accidentally getting pinched…a mega issue for my 1 year old!
The seat is very roomy and easily fit my 1 and 2 year old children. I liked that there was some recline in the seat position that prevents my toddler from leaning forward. The biggest trouble I have found in light weight strollers is the easy ability to tip from rocking kids or sharp turns. My son literally flipped our old compact stroller while sitting in it. The Air Stroller weight distribution makes this stroller unbelievably sturdy. Even with squirmy kids and zig-zag paths I always felt in complete control. It is recommended for babies starting at 6 month and children up to 55 pounds.
I loved the machine-washable seating and easy to clean material because my kids are always eating on the go, not to mention this stroller is bound to be hand me downed through a number of children and go on multiple vacations. OXO tot sells the Air Stroller in a variety of bright vibrant colors that will match your style.
When I say I know traveling with kids I mean it, and when OXO promises high quality products they deliver. Don’t let your life be slowed down by how you haul your kids around. Go live it up with the easy breezy easy to use Air Stroller.
When your little girl gets older, she may become interested in dolls as she tries to emulate what she sees mommy do. Play Like Mum’s range of dolls’ prams are a great way to nurture this bond between you and your child who looks up to and wants to be like you. It fosters creative imagination and introduces a new way to play with their favorite toy.
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!
entered my house, and just like that we got organized.
My family and I moving to America
