Summer Splash Giveaway Hop! $275 Value! US only.
A bunch of great blogs have come together to bring you some amazing prizes to help you kick off your summer… with a SPLASH! Each blog is giving away at least $25 worth of prizes, plus we have an awesome grand prize for one very lucky winner. Be sure to hop along to each of the participating blogs because the more giveaways you enter, the more chances you have at winning the Grand Prize!
So what’s this Grand Prize we’re talking about? Thanks to Trex Outdoor Furniture, one very lucky winner is going to win a Yacht Club 3-Piece Rocker Set valued at $1,317! Made in the USA and constructed of durable HDPE recycled lumber, this Rocker Set is sure to help you slow down and relax this Summer and for many years to come!
CLICK HERE FOR THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM!!!
Summer Splash Sponsor Spotlight for Green Toys
Summer Splash is coming up! I am very excited to bring you an awesome package to get your family outside, together this summer! This feature is all about our sponsor Green Toys! Green Toys provided a sample for me to share our family’s experience with you!
Green Toys Inc. makes an awesome line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. This helps reduce fossil fuel use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improving the overall health and happiness of the planet.
Their toys are not only made from 100% recycled materials (mostly milk containers). They are also packaged in 100% recycled cardboard and are made in the USA.
We got some toys to play with and tell you about! They sent us an EcoSaucer and Jump Rope! The girls had a blast “testing” them out at the Great Cloth Diaper Change:
We love toys that keep us active. There are a lot of times when we are all (mom and dad included) too plugged in! Someone is always on a cell, computer, Kindle or watching TV! This summer we are definitely taking some time to get outside and PLAY! It gets pretty hot around here so it is easy to get stuck inside, especially when it is 110 degrees outside, or higher. We are planning to take some day trips to the lake and get out of the heat using the items in this giveaway event.
The EcoSaucer is thicker than most “flying disks” that you are used to. This makes it more durable. I have several that my dog has chewed up into bits. There is no way that is happening here! This EcoSaucer is very durable. I would trust it enough to leave it in the backyard with the dog. It performs very well and The Toddler was even able to catch it a couple of times. I had some trouble gripping it the way I have become used to, which I think is due to the fact that it is thicker. A fun toy that can be enjoyed by many at the same time!
The Jump Rope was also a lot of fun. Of course the Toddler isn’t quite old enough to use it on her own but She had fun trying to learn from her big sister. The Jump Rope is very well made. The rope is soft and very pliable. It is not a regular nylon rope. Because it is so much softer I am inclined to think that it will wear down quickly. So far, after many uses it isn’t showing as much wear as I thought it would!
The Green Toys we received are awesome! I highly recommend them to any parent, caregiver or gift giver! This is such a great way to get kids moving and help save our garbage from ruining the planet!
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Win it!!!
Win a set of these toys for your family to enjoy in the Summer Splash Giveaway package! This giveaway starts tomorrow! Make sure to follow by email (sign up on the right side) so you don’t miss out!
About the company: Summer Infant was started in 1985 by William Lockett III after he needed a safe place to put his daughter, Summer, while he was busy doing other things. He started by inventing the original Bouncy Seat and thus the company was born. Their long-standing tradition to the dedication of infants and children was born and they continue today to strive to providing the safest and most reliable products available. Summer Infant is genuinely committed to designing, developing, crafting, and creating the safest products with integrity, ingenuity, and safety in mind. From their bathtubs to cribs, you can feel safe knowing your baby is in a Summer Infant product. Don’t believe it? Check out their DOZENS of awards that speak for themselves.
We are a babywearing family. While I knew I was going to babywear, I didn’t know it would be because Baby Skibbles actually wouldn’t let me lay her down anywhere. While now at almost 6 months old, she is getting better, I still have trouble. Because I was stuck with always wearing her so she would sleep, I was thrilled to be given the chance to review Summer Infant’s Resting Up Napper. I was desperate for a few minutes of alone time and figured anything was worth a shot!
I was so excited when the box arrived at the door. I quickly pulled it out and saw that it came in just a few different pieces. While I didn’t exactly want to wait, I did wait until Andrew got home so he could put it together for me. He said it was super easy to figure out and one of the simplest things he has put together for us.
Before I put the baby inside, I played with it a bit. It features a 3 point harness to ensure that the baby doesn’t go anywhere. In the center front of the napper is an easy to push vibration, which helps babies relax more with the constant motion. One either side there are also levers for folding so you can travel with something light and compact. The plush, super soft material completely covers the sides with velcro so our baby can’t get hurt. The entire cover is also removable so you can machine wash it! It’s also breathable, and because there is no hardware underneath, there is no risk of mold!
I’ll be the first to admit, I was a bit hesitant about trying it because we have something pretty similar, but Baby Skibbles has refused to sleep in it since she was just a few weeks old. But, I put all fear aside and went for it. One day, after nursing, she fell asleep in my arms, so I walked over, and turned on the vibration. I laid her down inside the Resting Up Napper and her eyes immediately popped open. Of course, right!?!? I was about to shoot myself because this meant she was going to wake up and be fussy from not sleeping. But NO!! She closed her eyes and fell back to sleep. I was literally shocked. So shocked, in fact, I immediately text Andrew and told him. Of course, he didn’t believe me either. A few days later he was off work and I laid her down inside the Resting Up Napper in front of him. Same thing happened- her eyes popped open, then closed and back to sleep she went. He came out of the bedroom and said “Wow, why didn’t we get one of these sooner!?” My thoughts exactly! I wish I would have known about this sooner because it has really been a lifesaver for me.
Even though is says birth-5 months. Baby Skibbles at 5 months still looks very comfortable in it and has some room to grow. I do make sure since she can roll now that I’m always close by when she wakes up. I love that it is low to the ground because it seems more secure. The material is so soft that I wish my sheets were made with the same material. I was actually contemplating asking Summer Infant to make an adult size blanket out of it!
Improvements: The vibration does have an automatic timer that turns itself off. I wish that there was a way for me to set how long this time was on my own inside of just waiting for it to turn off. One day, Baby Skibbles woke up as soon as the vibration stopped, so it would be nice to keep it on if that was my preference.
WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win themselves their own Summer Infant Resting Up Napper! Just enter on the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will be up until 5/25/13 at 12:00am EST. Open to US residents only! Good luck!
CLICK HERE FOR THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM!!!
We have a great giveaway coming up! One of my favorite events to join is Summer Splash! It gives me the opportunity to find great summer products to share with you (and my family). Summer is my favorite season, not only because it is my birthday but I love spending time with my family and this is when we do it most! This Summer Splash giveaway package is going to contain items that will get your family outdoors and spending time together!
The first sponsor I want to share with you is Lightspeed Outdoors! They make awesome tents and outdoor shelters. They sent me their Quick Shelter to review for you! The Quick Shelter is great for the beach, park, lake or wherever you may need a little place to get away from the sun. Here are some specs:
- Lightspeed Outdoors® top-pull hub system allows for ultra quick set up and tear down
- UPF 50+
- Front porch clips up for privacy
- Sand pockets on outside for added stability
- 3-walled shelter with extended canopy
- Color: Blue/Silver
Our Experience
We had a great weekend for the Teens birthday! The day after her party we took our LightSpeed Quick Shelter out for a test run! We went to a secluded spot on Apache Lake! I let Hubby set up the shelter. It was SO easy. All you do is put the 4 corners of the “floor” flat. Then you grab the 2 ropes and pull up and out. It snaps in to place! Just tie the two ropes into a bow. Now, the 4 corners can be staked down. Personally, I think if it isn’t windy you can skip the stakes. You don’t have to line up any poles or thread them through anything. It literally took 10 seconds to set up! Hubby was impressed which is hard to do! To take it down all you do is push down on the 2 gray poles at the top and it pops back out! Be careful though it is a sudden pop and scared Hubby and I both!
Photo from Lightspeedoutdoors.com
We forgot to tie the ropes in a bow…
It was pretty windy that day so we did stake the corners, but not the “guy lines”. We also used the sand pockets at the base of the shelter for some added stability. We had no issues with it going anywhere!
There is a lot of room inside. You could definitely fit 2 camp/beach chairs inside. We left the chairs outside the shelter to leave room for us to eat our lunch picnic style. We were able to fit me and 3 kids (baby in the carrier) inside the shelter with Hubby on the “porch” comfortably!
On the inside walls there is a mesh window so you can see all the way around or you can attach the flaps with the toggle and elastic to close them!
We had such a great time at the lake! We wouldn’t have lasted without our Quick Shelter from Lightspeed! Normally this is where I would tell you things I might change or things I disliked but I honestly can’t see ANY! The Quick Shelter has blown us away with how easy it is to set up and take down! It folds away in a carry bag and takes up very little space for transport. If you like to take trips to the Beach, Lake, picnic at the park, soccer games or just about anywhere this is the best thing to take along and at a reasonable price! Especially considering that you only need one person to set it up!
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This Quick Shelter is $79.99 INCLUDING SHIPPING Buy it here!
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WIN ONE!!!
Lightspeed Outdoors is generously giving one lucky winner a Quick Shelter in the Summer Splash Giveaway Package!!! Summer Splash begins on May 14th so please sign up for emails on the right side to make sure to don’t miss this giveaway! The whole package is currently valued at $275!
Another fantastic sponsor in the Mother Knows Breast Giveaway is The Dairy Fairy!
The Dairy Fairy is an all-in-one nursing bra that allows you to adjust the sizing based on your needs and hands-free pump. It’s a nursing bra. It’s a pumping bra. It’s adjustable. It’s pretty! It’s the Dairy Fairy!
There are so many awesome features of this bra that I decided to make a little video explaining how it works ad what I experienced:
The Dairy Fairy Arden Bra is very pretty. I love the lacy detail. Most nursing bras are all function, no fancy. They are starting to come around though.
When I had the Teen, my mom bought me a nursing bra that had adjustable cups. By the time I got to having another baby I could not find another nursing bra that did that. I still don’t understand why they would stop. It completely made sense that our breast change sizes throughout the day so let make the cups work with that. When I read that The Dairy Fairy had adjustable cups it was like angels started singing!!
My other favorite thing is that you use it for hands-free pumping the same way you use it for nursing! Well, kinda. There is a second panel that has slits for the flanges of your pump! You don’t have to put anything else on or remove any clothes. You just wear the bra and nurse as needed and pump as needed! This also allows you to pump one breast while simultaneously nursing on the other! Such a time saver!
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Can’t wait to see if you win? Buy one HERE!
The GIVEAWAY!!!
One lucky winner will be getting the Arden Bra (choice of black or pink) in the amazing Mother Knows Breast Giveaway package! Check out the whole package and enter to win HERE!
Top 100 Baby Blogs to Follow in 2013!
Switching to cloth wipes defeats me!
I started using cloth diapers on the Toddler when she was 7 months old. Now we are using cloth on the Newborn. The problem I have is getting everyone on board with the cloth wipes!
I have to say that it is much easier with the newborn because his breastfed only soiled diapers are easy to clean up. At this point we are able to just throw the wipes in with the diapers and wash as normal without spraying them off first. The Toddler was already eating solid which makes the diaper changing a little different.
I have a lot of wipes. Most of which are the least expensive you can find or are handmade from Etsy. I think part of the problem is that the wipes I have are getting used for other things like face wiping after meals, etc. I think if I have some really good wipes, specifically for butts, they might get used for butts! Right now I have my eyes on some Fuzzi Bunz Diapers brand wipes. They are organic cotton on one side and microfleece on the other.
I have had great experiences with my Fuzzi Bunz Cloth Diapers. One of my favorites is the Elite, it comes with minky inserts! I am the kind of person that likes to try new things and find the best that works for me. But I also know that if I find a brand that works for me and my family that it is a brand to go to again when I’m in the market for something else.
The cloth wipe struggle has been active in my house for quite some time. I just get defeated when we run out of wipes before it’s time to wash the diapers. Then I either have to wash a load that is too small and feel like I’m wasting water or grab a disposable and waste those! When the Newborn was born my mother in law bought us a huge box of disposable wipes. Those are gone and I refuse to buy more! Now, if only hubby could commit to that too!
I would love to hear any suggestions for helping in my journey! Is it common to have this issue?
