I am the mother of 2 boys. I always wanted a girl but it’s just not gonna happen. When I came across Bella Sara, the trading card came for girls, it took me back to when I was young, playing with horses and dreaming of riding and owning one someday.

Bella Sara trading cards are the first ever developed for girls. They feature horse-themed fantasy cards that offer positive, inspirational messages. On each card there is a unique code that will activate a virtual version of the horse pictured on the Bella Sara Website, and the owner can care for her horse in it’s stall by feeding, brushing, cleaning his stall and making him happy. (more…)

While I’m at it, I thought I’d mention the Kid Kleen Bath Blizzard. My toddler never gets sick. Once a year, maybe. When he finally does, though, it’s always horrible. This year, he got hit with 2 viruses at once. The 4 day fever (you all read about here) and a stomach bug that left the house (and one Detroit airport bathroom) a mess.

About 3 days into the fever when the stuffy nose and sore throat were at it’s worst, we were bathing Jake a lot. First off, he was throwing up constantly and needed to be cleaned. Also, we always use the Vick’s Soothing Vapor bath to make him feel better.

We bathe Jake in the garden tub in the master bath. He always wants lots of bubbles (who can blame him) and we do our best to oblige. We pour in half a bottle of the bubble bath and then spend the rest of the time swishing our hands around and blasting the water to generate a good amount of bubbles. (more…)

I don’t allow crayons or markers in my house. GASP! I know, I’m a horrible mother, stifling my child’s creativity! The horror! No. I simply give my kids all the “mess free” versions around. The few times a crayon has slipped into my toddler’s possession it’s ended up all over the walls or broken into pieces all over my carpet.

Anyway, when I came across the Aquadoodle I thought it’d be perfect for my son. His favorite color is blue, so he immediately loved that it was the color he saw when he wrote. I tested it out the day before we left for NY, to see if it was worth packing into the only bag I planned on bringing for our 2 week stay. After thanking me for getting him something that “draws blue”, he proceeded to spend the next 2 hours drawing every member of our family. (more…)

When Jake opened his new Sesame Street Building Set by K’nex, I was both excited and apprehensive. Any toy that has parts to put together usually ends up in pieces strategically placed on the floor where my foot just happens to step.

Sesame Street has always played a large part in our home. I watched it growing up and I love seeing all the same characters with my 3 year old when he watches. His bedroom is an Elmo wonderland and we have a battery operated Christmas Cookie Monster singing carols all year round.

I sat on the floor with Jake and put the pieces in front of him, telling him he can make his very own Oscar the Grouch. Complete with his worm Slimey, stickers and an activity sheet, Jake took a look at everything in front of him and asked for help. (more…)

Everyone knows I’m the Nintendo DS’s biggest fan.  I don’t leave the house without it.  One of my favorite games is Nintendog, because it teaches Jacob about responsibility and ownership.  He faithfully logs in daily to pet, feed and walk his dog and even though we actually have a real dog of our own, this gives him a dog of his very own to love.

Next month, SouthPeak Games will introduce the 21st century baby doll with the new My Baby Girl and My Baby Boy series for Nintendo DS. The new baby doll is designed to allow children to nurture, engage and raise their baby at their own pace with their own sensitivities, instincts and style. How they raise and relate to their baby will be their very own personal experience. (more…)