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Strawbees Inventor Kit Review

I’m bored. Two words you never have to hear again when your kids have Strawbees. I received a sample of Strawbees for review. All opinions are my own.

It’s an age-old knowledge of experienced parents – boxes hold more fun than the cool new toy that was delivered inside it. Kids can find a million uses for the box while the toy gets pushed aside, forgotten, or bored of.

Who know straws could hold just as much fun! I’m over here kicking myself for not figuring it out sooner.

For the last few weeks, the kids have not come to me complaining of boredom. Instead, they are begging me to pull out the Strawbees. I’ve found all kinds of inventions hanging around the house.

Venice made a hat, that turned into some kind of warrior’s weapon. Chloe made a dog and a full sized violin. Rose played around making a cube and is working on figuring out how to make a tray to hold her iPod and earbuds. Lincoln, with some help, turned what was supposed to be spheres into armbands that shoot lasers. On his own, he made a miniature bow that shoots straws.

All of this made out of regular old drinking straws and simple connectors – strawbees. The Inventor Kit comes with 400 pieces and a booklet with 21 fun inventions. It also includes a template for the boomerang, and a ruler for measuring the straws to different sizes.

I’m loving these strawbees, though I do have one con. Looking at the price for the inventor kit, I feel it is a bit pricey. The pieces are reusable, but for a bunch of drinking straws and connectors – I don’t know if I’d be willing to pay for it. However, the hours of fun my kids are getting from it, may prove me otherwise. I’ll have to let you make that decision.

January 16, 2018
Connect to Nature with Black Dinah Chocolatiers

This conversation is sponsored by Black Dinah Chocolatiers. All opinions are my own.

There is a beauty in nature that brings out my inner child. We all need a place and time to escape the stresses of our world. I find that solace in nature and chocolate.

Growing up in New England, I was blessed with some of the most beautiful sights during the fall. It wasn’t just fall, though, with it’s changing colors. No, I was fortunate to live in the middle of 50 acres of forest that afforded me the luxury of finding peace away from my troubles whenever I needed it.

Our house sat atop a hill overlooking a lake. At least, it would have overlooked the lake if the trees weren’t in the way. I’d say I spent 90% of my early childhood outdoors. We built trails, cleared campsites, and played some amazing games of capture the flag with the creek our borders, right outside our front door.

The moments that truly stick out to me, are the ones I spent alone in those woods. Days my older brothers were annoying. When my BFF and I would fight. When I just needed to get away from the house. I would take off into the woods. I found so much solace in the midst of ferns, birches, and pine. I can still smell the vibrant flavors of the forest.

When we moved to Indiana, one of the first places I discovered was this pretty little walking park. In the middle of the city, it had all the makings of my childhood home – forest, creek, dirt trails. I love taking my kids to this trail to go walk around, skip rocks across the creek, and play on the bridge. I want them to find peace in nature as I did. Life can get overwhelming at times, but we can always head out to nature and leave the world of people behind – if just for an afternoon.

This last weekend we took some chocolate from Black Dinah Chocolatiers on our foray to the forest. I really couldn’t think of a better combination to escape the harsh world than a trip to nature with a box of some of the finest chocolates I’ve ever tasted.

Black Dinah Chocolatiers are handmade with fresh cream and butter from local farms. They buy or trade for the herbs and flowers with locals at farmers markets in Maine. They state “We know you can taste the difference”, and it’s true.

The Lavender is absolutely amazing. As we all took a bite into our delicious chocolate, I could taste the local ingredients and feel almost transported home. The kids were in love too. I doubt they’ve ever tasted chocolate as fine as Black Dinah.

READER DISCOUNT

I know you want to try Black Dinah Chocolatiers for yourself. You might even want to give a box as a gift this year. When you use Truffle10 you’ll take $10 off your orders of $50+. And every order over $75 comes with Free Shipping in the US. coupon expires 12/31/17

October 17, 2017
InRoad Hot Wheels® PlayTape® Review

Do you have a kid who loves driving their Hot Wheels® cars all over the house? InRoad toys has just the thing for you with their PlayTape®! I received a product in exchange for a review. This post may contain affiliate links and I will receive compensation if you click on and purchase.

When I showed Lincoln the PlayTape® it took all the patience he could muster to not tear into these packages before Dad got home to play with him. Once Dad was home, though, all other things to do were put on hold for a fun time of track building and car racing.

Since we live in what’s been dubbed “Roundabout City, USA” we just had to make our own roundabout with the PlayTape® curves. I mean really, with over 100 roundabouts in our little city, it only made sense to include them in our day by day play. When we go on vacation the kids get really excited to find another roundabout since they are less common anywhere else.

We’re no strangers to putting tape on our floor to enhance our indoor playtime, but PlayTape® has added the designs that make it that much more fun. With 2 boys in the house now, I know we’ll be using this a lot. While Harold is still too young to appreciate it, Lincoln was not shy about trying to include his brother in some Hot Wheels races.

I’m seriously just so stoked about this PlayTape® and the excitement it’s brought back to our car bucket. I’ve seen the cars played with more in the last week than I have in the past 5 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if some more tape shows up in some Christmas Stockings this year.

Besides the Orange and Blue HotWheels® tape, InRoad Toys also has classic road tape in black, red, and blue. They have the feel of painters tape, and won’t leave a sticky mess when you peel them off. Could a Mom’s dream be any more fulfilled?

August 9, 2017
The Lemonade Stand Cookbook Review and Giveaway

Don’t let your kids get bored during the hottest days of summer, send them outside with treats and teach them to be entrepreneurs. I received a copy of The Lemonade Stand Cookbook in exchange for this review. All thoughts are my own. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you purchase through them.

The Lemonade Stand Cookbook by Kathy Strahs

Kids have been running lemonade stands for decades, whether to raise money for a new bike, for a charitable cause or simply to conquer boredom. Inspired by dozens of kid experts from all over the country, the author has poured her expertise as a food writer, entrepreneur, and mother into the ultimate guide to setting up your own lemonade stand. Tips for setting up a successful stand, packaging ideas, cooking technique tutorials, and real-life stories from kids themselves are sure to inspire readers to give life a squeeze.

FIND 15 DELICIOUS LEMONADE RECIPES HERE

We were so thrilled to receive a copy of this book! My kids had been asking since Christmas if they could put together a Lemonade Stand. I definitely wanted them to, but I wanted to help them with their first one. The Lemonade Stand Cookbook has a great introduction to how to set up your stand and pick appropriate prices for your goodies. This came in really handy when the kids started tossing random prices on their sign.

For our stand, we whipped up some LOL Lemonade, brownies, and banana bread. A big seller was the banana bread, to which I attribute the cute packaging we found at our local grocery store. With 13 different drink recipes, from cold Lemonades to hot chocolate, The Lemonade Stand Cookbook is more than just a summer guide.

One lucky reader will win a copy of The Lemonade Stand Cookbook. Open to US 18+ ends 8/5/2017

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July 28, 2017
Lottie Dolls Review and Giveaway

Raising girls can be scary. Messages come at them from every side of who they should be, what they should look like, and how they should act. Finding products like Lottie Dolls makes my job easier at filtering those messages. I received Lottie Dolls for review. All opinions are my own honest thoughts.

Lottie Dolls send one very specific message that I can get behind, and that is to just be you! The dolls themselves are modeled after what an average 9-year-old girl looks like. This is truly the one message I think all girls need to learn early.

Love yourself. You don’t have to be super skinny like most dolls are. You don’t need to be mean like some dolls are marketed as. All you need to be is you. To enjoy life and make every occasion a bit of an adventure.

Muddy Puddles Lotti Doll is easily our favorite. She wears no makeup – none of the Lottie Dolls do – sports a bright yellow rain jacket and slickers. At first glance, there isn’t anything terribly special about Muddy Puddles.

My girls immediately fell in love with her. We get huge puddles around our yard when it rains, and they love to go jump in the puddles. I’ve seen so many fantastic interactions between my children when the puddles appear. So Muddy Puddles fits right into their life.

Lottie Dolls also have accessories like this scooter. It’s another item that fits right into their life. The helmet is my favorite touch, as it comes with a chin strap and reminds my girls that they should also wear helmets when riding around.

We also had the chance to check out the Snow Queen Lottie Doll. I love how different, but also similar this doll is to Muddy Puddles. The girls immediately noticed that Muddy Puddles and Snow Queen look like twins. One is practical while the other is more of a dreamer. It’s a perfect blend of messages I want my girls to listen to. Love who you are, but don’t be afraid to dream big, where ever that may take them.

GIVEAWAY

One reader will win their choice of either Muddy Puddles or Snow Queen Lottie Dolls. Giveaway is open to US 18+ Ends 7/25/17

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July 13, 2017
Summer Reads for Kids: The What and Where

My favorite part about summertime is all the extra time we have to read books! It means staying up late to finish that adventure, audio books in the car, and ideally some poolside reading. Our summer reads consist of my childhood favorites and my kids’ current reads. I received a product in exchange for this post. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated when you click on and purchase through them.

First off, isn’t that shirt awesome? Readers Gonne Read is just one of many cool kids tees from Cents of Style. It fits right in with our family’s personality of readers. They even come in sizes that fit all the kids from 6months up to youth large (size 14-16).

Get your Kids Tee for 50% OFF the Lowest Mark Price this weekend Only 6/16/17-6/18/17 Use code KIDSSTORY

Summer Reads

This summer I plan on doing a lot of reading with my kids. I also hope to direct them to a few of my favorite books to read in their quiet spaces. Currently, I’m reading Squirrel Girl and Little Women with the kids before bed. The rest are ones we’ve enjoyed in past summers.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl by Shannon Hale.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler

Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley

Where to Read

Did you know you can take a book anywhere you go! It’s even more true with smartphone apps that allow us to read on the go without the bulk. This is a list of my kids’ favorite places to read. We usually find them in their beds, but outdoors, in a fort, and in the car are some common places we like to take a book. I’d love to hear where you find your kids reading this summer.

In bed.

Outside.

In a Tree.

In the Car.

In the Bathtub.

On a Trip.

In a Fort.

Check out the other Kids Tees from Cents of Style here. Which graphic tee would your kids wear?

Where do your kids like to read, and what are their favorite summer reads? Let me know in a comment.

June 16, 2017
Adult Coloring Books For the Whole Family

Do you love coloring? What once was a child’s activity has quickly turned into an Adult novelty. Adult Coloring Books can be found in just about every store and have themes that appeal to both adults and kids. I received products in exchange for this post. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated when you click on and purchase through them.

As a kid, I loved to color. Of course, I never was as good as my sisters at pairing the right colors to get stunning images, but it was still an enjoyable activity.

When I began having kids, I found a lot of enjoyment sitting down and coloring in their simple kids’ books. Farm animals, tv characters, and cartoon looking people were the norm. Yellow sun, green grass, but the biggest decision was always what color should the eyes be.

When adult coloring became a thing, I was ecstatic! Finally, someone realized that we never really grow out of coloring. So what is it that fascinates adults about coloring? For me, I found that going back to the simple childhood activities brought more peace and joy into my life. Slowing down and taking the time to stay in the lines and pair complimentary colors help clears my mind.

Or perhaps I’m just a perfectionist in a world of imperfections, and coloring fills this need in my mind.

Ever since I started collecting adult coloring books, I noticed my kids stopped coloring in their kids’ coloring books. We have a whole basket full of what is considered kids coloring books, and I don’t think I’ve seen any of them pulled out in the last 6 months at least! Why? It’s because the adult coloring books hold my kids’ attentions so much better.

We love the wacky designs and inspiring messages from Suzy Toronto’s Tingle Boots. I’ve always loved stylish boots, and even wrote about it when I bought my first pair. I’m a country girl at heart, so Tingle Boots spoke directly to that side of me and allows me to share the inspiring messages with my girls.

Along with Suzy’s books we’ve also been absolutely loving Thaneeya McArdle’s designs for coloring. She has a coloring book for all kinds of occasions. The spiral bound is great for on the go, and outdoor coloring where you may not have the space to spread out a full book. The Perfectly Portable Pages is exactly what it sounds like – it’s small size makes waiting in doctors offices and bus lines much more enjoyable. My kids have especially loved the sticker coloring book from Thaneeya.

One lucky reader will win a copy of Suzy Toronto’s Tingle Boots coloring book. Open to US 18+ ends 6/23/2017

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June 15, 2017
How to Hang Art like the Pros

You’ve moved into a new home and you are ready to hang all those beautiful family photos or that special piece of artwork you purchased. No need to dread putting holes in your walls anymore as you learn how to hang art like the pros. I received a product in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated when you purchase from them.

Pick Your Art

Before you can hang your art you’ll need something to hang. When each of our kids is born, Mark and I put together a puzzle that we then glue together and hang in their room. This is a fun piece that always sparks conversation with friends. Another great option is to commission a piece from your favorite Instagram photo. The Beare Canvas did this beautiful piece of my girls after I snapped the photo with my phone.

A post shared by Adelina Priddis (@adelinapriddis) on Jul 5, 2016 at 12:49pm PDT

The Display

Nobody likes bare walls, although too many hangings can also become overwhelming. To figure out the best display for your wall, start with a blank piece of paper. Draw out a few designs with the pieces of art you’d like to hang. Play with different sizes and amounts of art. Once you have a general idea on paper, start laying your pieces out on the floor. I’m a very visual person, so if you lay out a white sheet first, and then the art on top it will give you an even better idea of how it will look on the wall.

Hanging the Art

Now that you’ve chosen your art and created a display, it’s time to get hanging! This is the part I always dread, especially as a renter, because of all the holes. Larger photos may need 2 nails to keep them up, while the smaller pieces only require one, there are usually more of them in a gallery meaning more holes. To get around this, I suggest using the STAS picture hanging system. It’s a new system to hang art while minimizing the holes in the wall and allowing you to change up your design every now and then with ease.

So how does STAS work? The STAS picture hanging system is a rail that you mount on your wall. It blends well if you mount it at the top of the wall, or adds a beautiful Art Galley feel if you bring it down a bit. To the rail you attach different cords depending on the look you’re going for. We wanted more discreet, so our Superman puzzle has been hung on the white perlon cord, blending seamlessly into the wall. To the cord, you attach your desired hooks. These vary based on what it is you want to hang and how heavy the artwork is.

Do you know what else I love about the STAS? I no longer have to worry if I’ve got my art up straight, especially those bigger pieces that require more than one nail. With STAS the picture will always be straight. Now you can hang art just like the pros!

May 18, 2017
4 Tips to Get Kids Brushing Teeth

*This conversation on Brushing Teeth is brought to you by Brushies. I received product in exchange for my honest thoughts.*

Confession time. I was a horrible teeth brusher as a kid. I hated it, and would actually lie about it to my parents. I never lied about anything else. So when my oldest was born, I was determined she wouldn’t be like me. She would brush her teeth, she would understand it’s importance and never have a cavity.

Oh, how I failed her. When we first started brushing her teeth, she fought us tooth and nail. I recall tears running down her face and mine as I held her arms down so I could get a toothbrush in her mouth. Instead of setting a good example, we scared her from ever wanting to brush her teeth. She is now like I was as a kid, and hates brushing. Thank goodness she was my first, and I learned my lesson. The rest of our kids actually enjoy brushing.

Hopefully, my hard learned lesson will help you with these tips for encouraging kids to brush their teeth.

Start Early

Brush their little baby gums before they even have teeth. When those first little pearls pop through, they may find the action of brushing them soothing since they’ve been rubbed since birth. We recently got The Brushies which are good for babies 4 weeks up to children 4 years of age. Little Harold just turned 4 weeks, so we’ll be adding gum brushing with MoMo the Monkey into his nightly routine.

Make It Routine

Speaking of routine. That was another area I really had a hard time with creating as a new mom. We had nowhere to be in our day, so we went to bed at different times, bathed when we were dirty, ate whatever we wanted whenever we felt like it. Don’t be like me. Now that I’ve had number 5 I’m trying to be better with a routine, and that includes brushing teeth. By making it a set part of every day at the same time each day, young children will come to expect it and won’t fight it. In fact, they may even find it soothing after a day of running errands and going to school.

Brush Together

I’d say this could be my #1 Tip. If you ignore the rest, do this. Brush your teeth at the same time, and in the same room as your kids. Children love to mimic their parents. Not only will they mimic you, but they’ll see that you are asking them to do something that you also do. If it’s important to you, and they can see that, it will become important to them.

Make it Fun

After you’ve established a routine from an early age, and shown by example how important brushing teeth is, it’s time to make it fun. We have loved The Brushies for turning a mundane task into something more exciting. The storybook is adorable and has Lincoln chasing away the germs with Chomps more than twice a day. When I want to go in for a double check, he lets me because it’s not me prying his mouth open, but it’s Chomps eating the bad guys out of his mouth instead.

The Brushies are a Finger Puppet Toothbrush made out of food-grade silicone. Which means, when my kids run off with them to create other stories around the house I’m not really concerned because I can toss them in the sink and wash them up before the next time we need to brush teeth. You can purchase them online in a gift set of the four Brushies, individually with The Brushies book, or just the individual character Brushies.

April 6, 2017
Simple Mills Party Food

Simple Mills products were exchanged for this review. All opinions are my honest thoughts.

Whether you’re prepping for the Super Bowl or entertaining throughout the year, Simple Mills offers a better for you snacking option.

I’m not huge into the Super Bowl myself, except for watching the commercials and chowing down on good food while spending time with family. Any excuse to eat and chat right? This weekend also gives me the excuse to make fun foods to impress. We tried out the Simple Mills baking mixes this week, before the big game, to see if it was something we could serve.

The Vanilla Cupcake and Cake Mix was our first try. Made with Almond flour, coconut flour, and coconut sugar these cupcakes are Gluten free, Paleo Friendly, and contain less than half the sugar and carbs of leading baking mixes. It sounds like a fantastic option to please a myriad of party guests to me.

Honest thoughts – I didn’t particularly care for the cupcakes. I can’t quite describe it, but to me, there just wasn’t much vanilla cupcake taste to these. It felt more like a muffin. The kids, on the other hand, were split half and half. Two of the kids enjoyed the whole cupcake, while 2 preferred eating the frosting off the top. I used the Simple Mills frosting on these cupcakes and that is a whole different story! We loved this frosting! There was no difference in taste with this frosting then the brands I normally buy, but like the cake mix, it contains half the sugar and carbs of leading frosting brands.

Next up to try was the Simple Mills Artisan Bread. Naturally gluten-free and paleo friendly, the bread also contains less than half the sugar and carbs of other leading brands. Are you seeing a trend?

I actually really liked the bread. The kids weren’t big fans, but I could snack on this all day long with the right dip. I followed the directions for making the flat bread, and shaped them into footballs. Served up with my Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip and I couldn’t stop eating it. You’re football fans will get a kick out of this better for you bread.

How do you snack better?

February 4, 2017