K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster Building Set Fun + Tips and Tricks

November 17, 2016 by Jenni 627 Comments

This post was sponsored on behalf of K’NEX, however, all opinions and building fun are 100% our own.

K'NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster Building Set

Building things is just something that is naturally fun! Especially for the guys in my life. K’NEX recently sent us the new K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster building set to put together. You should have seen my husband’s and son’s eyes light up when it arrived!

My husband has been working SO much overtime lately – so he and Eli only have the evenings to work on it at the moment. Last night, they pulled it from the box and got to work.

Here are a few tips to help get you going on the K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster building set!

K'NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster Building Set

#1 – Build in a Low Traffic Area

Seriously. My guys jumped the gun and just dumped everything out into the middle of my kitchen floor. HELLO?! Find a spot or corner where there isn’t much traffic through the house to build. Also, keep pets in mind. They get nosy and like to knock things over!

K'NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster Building Set

#2 – Separate into Piles

Again. My guys jumped the gun on this one too. They just dumped it all out into the floor and then decided after just a few minutes that they should have separated the pieces into nice little piles.

K'NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster Building Set

#3 – Be patient

Rome wasn’t built in a day, right?! If you’re like us and short on time – pick a time to build with your kids if they need help! Choose weeknights, after dinner. Or on the weekends! We’ll be finishing ours up on Thanksgiving break!

#4 – Have FUN and Encourage REAL Play

Today, our kids are so into digital and electronic play. We can build things, with just a click on a computer screen. It doesn’t use as much “brain power” as physically building an actual building set! The K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster building set is perfect for digging in and encouraging real building and playing!

More about K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster:

Seriously! Get ready for the ride of your life!! This bad boy stands over 2 1/2 feet high! This creepy carnival themed coaster works by a motorized chain lift that shoots the coaster car through 14 FEET of twists and turns!

Thankfully, it comes with easy to follow, step by step building instructions. Everyone can build it!! There are even instructions for a 2nd coaster that you can download from knex.com! It’s the perfect gift this holiday season or ANYtime for that matter! You can find it exclusively at Walmart! You can also find other massive, moving, motortized roller coaster toys, ferris wheels, and more from K’NEX!

K’NEX wants to show kids that the only limit to building is the size of your imagination! After 25 years of business, K’NEX prides itself on connecting science, technology, engineering, arts, and math with imagination.

Visit K’NEX on social media to see what they’re up to!

Facebook: KNEX / Twitter: @KNEX / Instagram: @knexbrands / Pinterest: K’NEX Brands

Tell us, would your family love the K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster?!

Add Fireman Minion Stuart to Your Minion Collection this Christmas

December 8, 2014 by Jenni 480 Comments

This post brought to you by Walmart. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Sweet Pennies From Heaven.

My entire family makes fun of my husband because he literally goes to Walmart EVERY single day. Even if we don’t need anything….he just goes to Walmart. I think he spends more time there than the employees do! Lately he’s been looking for Christmas gift ideas for the little man. It’s getting harder and harder to buy for him because he already has so much.

He does love Despicable Me™ and the minions though. LOVES them! We still watch the movie pretty often and we still think it’s hilarious to randomly yell – BANANA – through the house. Only true Minion fans will understand what that even means. I’m also addicted to using the Minion stickers that are on Facebook now, haha! I use them ALL the time.

The husband spotted the new Despicable Me™ toys at Walmart, made by Thinkway Toys! Have you seen them yet? I’m in love with the new Fireman Minion Stuart! IN LOVE!!! He’s a soft plush toy and he’s got a megaphone and flashing headgear. Naturally, right?! Cause we are talking about Minion Stuart here! You just press his tummy or hands and you can hear his original voice, or “Bee-Doo” sounds! It also sets off flashing and spinning lights and makes siren sound effects! Ohh, and if you squeeze his left hand you can hear him talk with an echo (which Eli would think is hilarious!) and light effects.

Plush toys are always a great gift idea either for your own kiddos, or for the kiddos on your shopping list. Since all kids adore the Despicable Me™ Minions, you cannot go wrong with Fireman Minion Stuart!!! He’s super soft and huggable! You can’t help but to squeeze him!

If you’re a fan of the other minions, then there’s also the talking Minion Dave and the Minion Stuart laughing action toys and then of course all the boys’ favorite – the Fart Blaster toys – ughhh! LOL!!

My little guy cuddles up with his favorite plush toys every night. He usually picks one each night, and I can’t wait for him to find Fireman Minion Stuart and talking Minion Dave under the tree this Christmas! Make sure that you check out Walmart for these fun minions and gift them to your minion fans this year!!!

Do you have a favorite Minion?

Last Minute Gift Ideas for Grandparents and Great Grandparents

December 20, 2013 by Jenni 18 Comments

During Christmas shopping, we all have grandma and grandpa on the list to buy for. Sometimes getting them just the right thing can be a difficult challenge. At least MY own parents and grandparents have always been hard to shop for. I prefer to buy them gifts that are useful. Things they wouldn’t normally buy for themselves.

I was introduced to the VTech CareLine phone system awhile back and we love it. It’s the perfect phone system for seniors because of all of the features and functions it offers.

VTech CareLine ™ – Want the senior in your life to stay socially connected? Seniors are empowered to maintain active lifestyles and close relationships with this home telephone and personal communication system. This product was designed to answer seniors’ daily communications needs and support hearing, dexterity or vision challenges. Features include large displays, photo speed dial, reminder capabilities, volume boost and a wearable pendant with one-button dialing that directly calls those pre-selected people who seniors communicate with most or for emergencies.

Here’s a list of other cool, user-friendly gift ideas for seniors.

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The RuffGrip® Dog Leash – This leash makes walking a dog easier for people with gripping or dexterity problems due to arthritis in the joints of their hands. The extra padding and no-slip grip is lightweight and provides extra control, while the super soft leather lining makes the leash extremely comfortable to hold.

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Chef’n® PalmPeeler – For those folks in your life who have hands that are aching or shaky, this peeler is amazing. All you do is Just slip your finger through the soft rubber ring on top for a natural feel and extremely easy peeling. The users hand force is also minimized due to the unique design.

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Tee Pal Pro – Having a bad back doesn’t mean that your aging loved one needs to give up golf. In fact, the low-impact nature of the sport makes it an ideal physical activity for mature adults. However, there are still challenges, including bending over to tee up the ball. The Tee Pal Pro is a unique, lightweight, and ergonomic golf ball-teeing device, allowing users to remain upright so they don’t have to bend over to “tee up the ball”.

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EasyWear Jacket and Pocket Cape – This versatile, practical, and super soft, Janska’s EasyWear Jacket and Pocket Cape is a wardrobe staple. The minimalist design and thoughtful details, such as oversized buttons and generous armholes, can make getting dressed easier for people with gripping, dexterity, bending or reaching challenges. This unique clothing line was actually created by a caregiver who was frustrated with the scarcity of functional, stylish clothing options available to those with limited mobility.

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Easi-Grip Cheese Slicer – The contoured handles of this product were re-molded in a soft feel plastic, which gives a firm comfortable grip in either hand. The stainless steel tools are set at 90 degrees from the handle, keeping the hand and wrist in a neutral stress free position. Easi-Grip Knives and Kitchen Tools are super comfortable for everyone to use, but will be particularly beneficial for those with gripping and dexterity issues.

The Radius Trowel – This lightweight senior-friendly gardening tool features an innovative curved handle (called the Natural Radius Grip), making it user-friendly and comfortable even for people with arthritis of the joints in the hands. Intuitive and easy-to-use, this grip helps enable digging, even in tough soil, without putting excess strain on the hands or wrist.

Bathtub Steps – These steps add a great deal of safety and stability when getting in and out of the bathtub. The product provides a four-inch boost, with a slip-resistant textured top and rubberized feet enabling users to confidently climb over the tub wall, even in wet conditions.

Two Handle Coffee Mug – This mug features extra large handles that allow for multiple gripping and lifting options for those with decreased dexterity. The two handle ceramic mug has a curved rim that helps prevent drips, and can be used with hot or cold beverages. The mug was designed to provide drinking independence for those with limited strength or other challenges that might prevent them from holding a traditional mug.

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FiNIS SwiMP3 Headphones – Swimming is one of the best activities a senior can do for their body! It’s easy on the joints and works nearly every muscle….all the while taxing their heart and lungs. But…no doubt – even swimming can get boring at times. Thankfully, there are these fully submersible headphones that transmit music through ones cheekbones and are said to provide a meditative rhythm to the swimmers stroke.

Protect Your Mobile Devices with Otterbox

November 23, 2013 by Jenni 449 Comments

We pay a lot of money for our mobile devices so it only makes sense to keep them protected from drops, bumps, scratches and everything else under the sun. We have hardwood floors through our home and little man loves to play with our phones and tablets. I can’t let him carry them off unattended because if he drops them on the floor without a case on, it would be the death of my phone or iPad. I mean, I would cry and would hold a burial service and everything.

Otterbox is well known for their cases for mobile devices. They have several styles and lines of cases for many different brand phones/devices. Their prices are also very good when you consider the protection you get out of it. They’re almost bullet proof. Okay, not really…but you get the idea. Otterbox are a great type of “insurance” for your devices so I definitely recommend buying them as gifts this Christmas!! Especially for your kiddos who tend to drop things easily!

They recently sent me a case for my iPhone from their new Preserver line. I love the Primrose color it came in…I’m just a “pink” girl. One thing I really enjoy about the case is that there isn’t a flap over the camera lens like my other case had. I used to have to pull the plastic cover off the lens before I’d take a picture — now I don’t have to do that. The phone is completely covered…every square inch of it so it’s super duper protected! Love it.

They also sent me an iPad case from their Reflex series. This is a nice case for someone who likes the lighter weight cases. It’s not cumbersome to carry or use, and it’s really easy to install. Keep in mind, with this case, you might want to buy a screen protector because this one doesn’t have one installed with the case. It covers the backside of the iPad and has a front cover that you remove when you’re ready to use it. You can also use the front side when removed, as a stand to work upright.

Click here to shop Otterbox cases!

We’re excited to announce that we’ll be giving away (2) Otterbox cases for a lucky reader. One for their phone and one for their tablet. WhooHoo!!! Our Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway event will be going live on Black Friday so stay tuned!

Disclosure: Otterbox is paricipating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are my own.

Use Energizer Flameless Wax Candles for a Safer Alternative to Regular Candles

November 23, 2013 by Jenni 1,412 Comments

I love to fill my home with yummy smelling candles – but candles that burn are not a safe alternative for those who have pets and kids. You think you’ve got the burning candle pushed back out of the way, but still yet…kids have sticky fingers and it’s like they’ve got those Mr. Gatchet go go extendo arms!! Remember him? Yeah…so I’ve been more in favor of the flameless candles over the last few years.

Energizer has a gorgeous line of flameless wax candles that run by battery and are scented. Included in the line are pillar style candles that are 3×4″ and also 3×6″. Not to mention the votives and the tealights. The burn time is approximately 150 hours for the pillars and about 75 hours for the small tealights which is decent!! That’s a lot longer than a real tealight burns for…those babies are gone in NO time! I love the flameless candles and I know all of my friends and family do too. Because they’re not expensive at all, they make great gifts!

Energizer Flameless Wax Candles can help create the perfect holiday ambiance in your home, as well as the gift. Energizer Flameless Wax Candles have the realistic flicker of a traditional candle, but without the worries of open flames, soot or dripping wax – so safe around pets, window treatments and kids. These are perfect for everything from home decorating and tablescapes, to stocking stuffers and hostess gifts. These candles come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and are a great decorating alternative.

They’re available at Target.com and you can also find them here on Amazon! We’re happy to be partnering with Energizer this holiday season and we’ll be giving away some of these pretty flameless candles during our Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway event! The shindig kicks off on Black Friday so stay tuned!!

Disclosure: Energizer is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are my own.

Baby K’tan Carriers are Perfect for Bonding

November 23, 2013 by Jenni 1,626 Comments

I wish I had one of these Baby K’tan carriers when my little guy was a baby. I would have really got alot of great use out of it. My niece just had her 3rd baby – he’s just a little over a week old and is just the sweetest thing. Because she has her hands full with her other 2 kids – I know she’ll really love using this Baby carrier. It’s the perfect way to carry and bond with your newborn when you have to be “hands free”.

If you’re going to be shopping this Christmas for baby or mom to be, the baby carriers from Baby K’tan will be the perfect gift. A thoughtful one too. Mom and baby will definitely be using it!! When ordering, just choose the color/style you want and choose the size for you. They offer sizes XS through XL. They run $49.95 here on Amazon with FREE shipping!!

Click here to shop Baby K’tan Baby Carriers on Amazon.

Free matching sash included – sash converts to handy storage tote!
Easy to use! No wrapping or buckling.
Innovative double loop design – cross between a sling, wrap and structured carrier.
Built in back support band – second loop provides additional support and security.
Carries infants and toddlers in multiple positions, from 8-35 lbs.
Made of 100% soft natural cotton.
Personalize Your Carrier with embroidery to make it unique or to make a great gift!

The material is very soft and comfy for mom and baby and I absolutely love that it has the built in back support band. We’ll be giving away (2) Baby K’tan baby carriers in our Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway event so make sure to stay tuned! We’ll be announcing it on Black Friday!!

Disclosure: Baby K’tan is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are my own.

Sustainable Play with Plan Toys – Gift Giving Guide

November 22, 2013 by Jenni 516 Comments

I’ve always been about giving my son toys that were educational and helped him to develop skill. Plan Toys is an excellent source for sustainable play. With problem solving, interaction and creativity – their toys are beyond amazing and we’re truly fans. Plan Toys is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide and we’re so happy to tell you about them!

Fairytale Blocks from Plan Toys priced $28 on Amazon.

These Fairytale Blocks are great for kids age 3 and older. Fun fairytale building. Any little girl would LOVE her own set of fairytale building blocks!! Little princes and princesses can create a happily ever after world with this beautiful set of Fairy Tale Blocks from Plan Toys. Use the gorgeous 35-piece set to construct endless variations on castles and smaller houses. The magical building set includes a variety of colored PlanWood blocks and non colored wooden blocks (see image). There’s even a prince, a carriage and two horses included in the set Prince doll can sit in the carriage, which can be constructed with open or closed top. Horses can pull the carriage with the attached sturdy cord loop. Encourages creative, cooperative play.

Plan Toys Gears and Puzzles Standard Set on Amazon, $21.44

The Gears and Puzzles set is super duper fun too! Explore and build endless possibilities by combining this colorful assortment of gears. Take them apart and assemble them a new way Then watch them move as you twirl the gears. This enchanting puzzle encourages creative play and problem solving. Children will learn cause and effect as they discover how the shapes fit together. The 12-piece set is made of ecofriendly, safe and sustainable PlanWood. Appropriate for children aged 2 and up. Dimensions of each gear: 3.4 in x 3.0 in x 0.9 in.

Plan Toys Curvy Click Clack, $44.95 with free shipping on Amazon

Watch the marble ride the curves, winding down the tracks with a pleasant click-clack The Curvy Click Clack toy features colorful tracks with speed bumps that keep the marbles on track. Grooves at the base hold the marbles. Designed by Plan Toys to help children develop fine motor, concentration and coordination skills, plus an understanding of visual relationships and cause and effect. Appropriate for children ages 3 and up. Made from ecofriendly, safe and sustainable PlanWood. Easy for an adult to assemble.

You can find all of the Plan Toys here on Amazon! There’s a great selection and the prices are very affordable! We’ll be giving away the toys shown here very soon when our holiday Gift Guide goes live! More about that soon, just keep your eyes and ears open for our announcement on Black Friday!!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Plan Toys. All opinions are my own.

Corolle Creates Sweet Imaginative Play with Baby Dolls and Stroller

November 22, 2013 by Jenni 1,807 Comments

I was a little girl once, many moons ago, and I remember all of my little baby dolls. I remember how I fed them and rocked them and put them to sleep. They went everywhere with me and I loved having tea parties with them! There is so much imaginative play for little girls with dolls and Corolle is a company that I love! They have some of the sweetest little baby dolls and real life like baby strollers.

I know that a baby doll is on every little girl’s Christmas list this year so I wanted to share about Corolle with you. They are participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide and I’m happy to say that we’ll be giving away some goodies very soon so keep an eye out for our announcement!!

Click here to check out the Corolle Babipouce Pink Cotton Flower Doll on Amazon – $32

The Corolle Babipouce Doll in the pink cotton flower outfit is just too sweet. She’s a perfect “first doll” and is made for ages birth and up. She is ultra plush that is great for hugging and cuddling and easy for baby fingers to grasp. She’s 11″ tall and has the sweetest little face and sleeping cap. She also has a slight vanilla scent that your little girl will love! Mommy will love that she’s machine washable too!!! That’s always a big plus in my book!

Click here to check out Elf Grenadine on Amazon – $19.05

This little Corolle Elf Grenadine’s Heart stands 9.5″ tall. She’s super sweet too. She’s super soft and cuddly and is perfect for all ages. She jingles when you shake her and is ready to be loved anytime! Elf Grenadine also has a slight vanilla scent.

Click here to check out the Corolle Mon Premier Baby Stroller – $28

Aww, how sweet is this little stroller?! This is for kids age 18 months and up. The stroller is light weight and rolls very smoothly on pink wheels. Fits dolls that are up to 12 inches tall. Your little princess will love pushing all her babies around in this stroller! It even has a safety harness for baby so baby doesn’t fall out of the stroller. 😉

As I mentioned, we’ll be giving one of each of these away during our Gift Guide and Giveaway event. Keep your eyes peeled. We’ll be sharing more details very soon!

Disclosure: Corolle is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are my own.

The Lundby Smaland is a Little Girls Dream Doll House

November 22, 2013 by Jenni 1,467 Comments

I was just recently introduced to a company called Lundby, a Swedish company, who makes awesome doll houses!! With the Lundby Smaland doll house, there is plenty of room for play and it’s easy to add an additional floor and a garden for more play! The windows can be opened and get this — all the rooms are prepared for electricity!! YES! You can add an electric pack to turn all the lights on in the joint! When I was little, I thought I was lucky to have an elevator that you pulled up by a string!!

What I love about Lundby is the craftmanship in their houses and the furniture. A lot of thought went into the creative aspect and building process. I know any little girl would love to have one of these doll houses. Hours and hours of playing, rearranging furniture and decorating!

When you visit the Lundby site, they offer a lot of tips, inspiration and DIY instructions on how to decorate your new Lundby house. From sewing pillows to fit your chairs to making flower arrangements for your new doll’s home! How much fun I’d have!!!

There are so many different additions and pieces that you can add to your house. Lots of different furniture sets and decorations! Check out some of the pieces that I received with the doll house below.

Lundby Smaland Doll House – $99 with free shipping

Plus, below are the extras I received…

Set of 2 Lundby Doll House Lamps – $18.99

Lundby Kitchen Sink and Dishwasher – $30

Lundby Doll House Sitting Room – $38

Lundby Brass Bed Set – $33

Lundy Smaland Doll House Family Set of 4 – $28
(Adult dolls measure 4.3”, Children measure 3.3”)

Power Adapter to add electricity to the Lundby Doll House – $30

There are so many other sets and pieces to collect and add. You can view them all here on Amazon! Lucky for you, we’re giving away 1 doll house with all the things mentioned above!! Stay tuned to our site for more information about the giveaway and our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide! It’ll be going live soon!

Disclosure: Lundby is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are my own.

Keep Your Kids Safe with Britax Car Seats

November 22, 2013 by Jenni 612 Comments

I don’t think there is any cargo more precious than our kids! Don’t you agree? We’ve owned a few different car seats over the years and I really thought that many of the ones on the market were considered “safe”. They are for the most part, don’t get me wrong…but I really suggest doing your homework. I don’t know how many times I’ve read of certain models being recalled for one reason or another.

After doing a lot of research, we decided that the last seat we were going to buy was the Britax Pinnacle 90. There are many reasons why we chose this seat. I love that it can change from the harness to the “booster” type seat with the regular seat belt since our little man is getting bigger. It has the ClickTight installation system and I love love love the side impact cushion technology. None of the other car seats we had were built like that.

There are just so many different styles that Britax offers and there are so many features for each one. You can visit their site to find the seat that suits your needs best. They even tell you when your child is ready to transition to a booster seat. I have to admit that when I pick little man up from school, it makes me uncomfortable when I see kids much smaller than he is just jumping in the front seat and putting on a seatbelt. It’s just not as safe as it used to be years and years ago when I was smaller. There are just too many distractions for people driving now a’days. Cell phones for instance. Back when I was small there weren’t distractions like that. People just got in cars and drove!

You can find the Britax Pinnacle 90 Car Seat here on Amazon priced around $257 with free shipping. This seat will last a LONG time and will be the last one you’ll need to buy. There are a few different color/pattern choices too! We’re really excited to announce that we’ll be giving away a Britax Pinnacle 90 car seat (winner choose pattern) very soon! Stay tuned for more details about the giveaway and our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide!

Disclosure: Britax is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are my own.

Hate to Mop? Check out the Shark Sonic Duo Hard Floor and Carpet Cleaner

November 22, 2013 by Jenni 210 Comments

We have hardwood floors in our whole house. There is only one room that is carpeted and that’s our son’s room, but there is hardwood under that so we can pull the carpet back up anytime. We only had the carpet laid for his safety and comfort when he was born (first time mommy, give me a break! haha).

Anyway, the household job I hate more than anything is mopping. I hate it. So when I was given the opportunity to try the new Shark Sonic Duo Hard Floor and Carpet cleaner, I was like HELLOOOO – uhh, YEAH!! Boy, am I in love with this machine. I have a Shark Navigator vacuum and I love it so I knew that I’d love this new machine too. I’ve owned Shark products for several years.

As soon as the box arrived, I put it to work. The Shark Sonic Duo has pads that attach to the bottom and when you turn it on, that baby vibrates so fast that it actually scrubs 1000 times per minute. Uhh, I’m pretty sure I physically can’t scrub back and forth 1000 times in one minute. That’s the beauty of this machine! That’s over 16 powerful scrubs every second!

The Sonic machine removes the stuck on dirt and grime on your floors and carpet BUT it requires almost zero effort on your part. The machine has Airglide Manueverability. That’s what makes it do all the hard work, so fast! So you can imagine why I love this thing! After just one use, my hardwood floors looked cleaner and brighter. It also does an excellent job on small area rugs.

Shark Sonic Duo Cleaners

Shark Sonic Duo Pads

The pads that come with the Shark Sonic Duo are machine washable so no more having to wring out those nasty mop heads and no more disposable pads to buy!! The cleaning solutions are very affordable and they last quite awhile. The one thing that I really like about it is that they’re non toxic and safe to use around kids and pets! You just take the old bottle out and replace it with the new one.

Using the Shark Sonic Duo is very comfortable. As mentioned, with the airglide technology, the machine really moves by itself. You just have to hold the handle. The handle does swivel so it reaches well under nooks and crannies. We are very excited because we’ll be giving one of these systems to one lucky reader! Stay tuned for our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide, more info. about that soon!

The Shark Sonic Duo is priced around $219 with Free Shipping here on Amazon right now! It’s totally worth the price tag to save your arms, shoulders and time mopping the floors and cleaning carpets the “old fashioned” way. 🙂

Disclosure: Shark is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are my own.

Beautiful Baby Toys and Plush Animals from Steiff

November 22, 2013 by Jenni 845 Comments

Don’t forget about the babies this Christmas! Steiff is a German company that specializes in beautiful baby toys and plush animals. From gorgeous teddy bears to baby clothing and alot in between. The story behind the Steiff company is a sweet one. It all began with Margarete Steiff, a young woman whose dreams started with a pin cushion in the shape of an elephant and a lot of determination. Her company started in 1880 and has been going strong ever since. Now Steiff products are available in other countries, including the USA!

Steiff creates their beautiful baby toys and plush animals with the highest grade of materials and they follow strict guidelines and inspection. They have several different lines, some even including Mohair. They even have some cute character items like Wizard of Oz and Charlie Brown.

Click here for Little Circus Turtle products on Amazon

Click here for Little Circus Elephant items on Amazon.

They sent me a couple of their Little Circus items and they are super duper cute!! I got a Little Circus Turtle and a Little Circus Elephant! I’m really excited about the elephant because that was the animal that Margarete Steiff loved and held dear to her heart! These make perfect gifts for baby this Christmas or any time of year. Consider adding them to a baby shower basket, even! Momma will fall in love with them and so will baby. They’re so soft, plush and cuddly!

I know that the prices are a little higher for the Steiff baby toys and plush animals, compared to what you’d normally pay for a stuffed animal but you have to consider the craftmanship behind it. Some things, especially items that baby will be loving on, kissing and sleeping with, are priceless. These are the great ones that will become an heirloom. They last a lifetime and your kids can pass them on to their kids. Don’t worry…some of their products are machine washable, which is perfect for babies! Each item description on their site will tell you if they’re machine washable or not.

Click Here to shop Steiff baby toys on Amazon!

I am officially in love with Steiff and their products. I love their love of toys and plush animals!! I’m also very excited to announce that Steiff is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide and we’ll be giving away one Little Circus Turtle and Elephant!! Please stay tuned, we’ll be sharing more about that very soon!

Disclosure: Steiff is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinion are my own.

Safe, Stylish and Affordable Bedroom Sets for Kids from Delta Children

November 21, 2013 by Jenni 543 Comments

I love to decorate and I’m always re-arranging furniture in my house. Same goes for my son’s bedroom. He’s a little older now so he’s transitioned out of a couple of different beds and I’m always keeping my eyes out for great deals on bedroom sets. I have tons of nephews and nieces and several of them have kids of their own so I’m always looking for great deals on bedroom sets.

I found these really awesome bedroom in a box sets that Delta Children makes. They have the “fun” themes like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Princess Sofia, and Disney Cars just to name a few. They specialize in beds and other toddler furniture as well as nursery sets. When I was at a conference earlier this year, I was able to check out some of Delta’s products. They really focus a lot of their attention on the safety aspects of their products. For instance…they leave a lip open in their toy boxes so that if kids accidentally get inside one of them they can still breathe. You won’t believe how many times my own have been found asleep inside their toy boxes. It happens!

Besides all the safety factors, I also love the durability of their furniture. It’s easy to wash – cause you know how dirty toddler furniture can get – and I love the look. They’re just fun furniture products that the kiddos instantly fall in love with. I’m excited because Delta Children is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway event and we’ll be giving away a Full Room in a box!! Stay tuned for more information about that soon!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Bed priced less than $80 on Amazon.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Toy Bin priced around $80 on Amazon.

Princess Sofia Bed here on Amazon for around $100.

Princess Sofia Toy Bin priced around $60 on Amazon.

You can find all of the Delta Children products here on Amazon. Be sure to also check out their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Line!! It’s brand new along with the Princess Sofia line! These can also be found at several retail stores including Walmart, Babies R’ Us or Toys R’ Us, Sears and more. You can follow Delta Children on Twitter and on Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest information and new product releases.

Disclosure: Delta Children is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are 100% my own.

Neat-Oh! Toy Storage Cases Help Kids Stay Organized – Barbie, Hot Wheels, Lego and More!

November 19, 2013 by Jenni 862 Comments

Toy Storage ZipBin Cases from Neat-Oh!

I found these awesome….and I mean AWESOME toy storage cases from Neat-Oh! They have several different brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, Lego Chima, Lego Star Wars, even Dinosaurs which are a personal favorite of ours! These storage cases zip up and that’s why this line is called ZipBin®. They’re a great size to help keep the small things nice and tidy and I’ve also found that little man likes to help clean more when he gets to put his small toys in these bins.

Each ZipBin® has special features so I’ll list them below. These are an excellent gift idea for your own kiddos, grandkids, nephews and nieces. I am here to tell you that MOM will really appreciate the kids’ receiving them for Christmas and the kids will love them too. Little do they know that it’s to help keep their stuff organized. They just wanna play with them! Each of them range in price from apprx. $17-$25 on Amazon. The links are all provided below so that you can shop for any of them.

Neat-Oh Barbie ZipBin Fab Case

Can hold 6 dolls
Pink satin bow on front
Includes one paper toy chair
Play, store, and bring along your favorite Barbie dolls

Keeping your favorite Barbie dolls organized has never been easier than with the Neat‐Oh! Barbie ZipBin Fab Case. With beautiful graphics and its easy‐to‐hold shape, the Fab toy storage Case helps every budding fashion fan bring their favorite dolls with them – wherever they go.

Neat-Oh! ZipBin Dinosaur Medium Play Set

Dramatic exterior theme identifies the contents
Unzipped bin becomes a perfect dinosaur island play mat for playing with dinosaurs, animals,vehicles, boats, action figures and more
Play mat becomes the toy storage bin in a zip
Includes 2 dinosaurs
Recommended ages between 36 months – 8 years

Keep your dinosaur collection NEAT with the ZipBin Dinosaur Collector Toy Box & Playset from Neat-Oh! The best-seller is packed with prehistoric play power. This strong and sturdy storage bin unzips to reveal a prehistoric dinosaur world that’s perfect for all the dinos in your collection. When play is done, zip up the corners and capture all the dinosaurs inside.

Neat-Oh Hot Wheels Racing Battle Case

Storage for up to 20 of your favorite di cast cars
Flip out the race track and slide 4 Hot Wheels Cars down the track
This case is very portable; along with durable and functional

With space to store up to 20 of your favorite Hot Wheels cars, the Neat-Oh! Hot Wheels Intek Battle Case acts as a launch site for all of your biggest races. Flip out the track and slide 4 Hot Wheels cars down in the ultimate race to the finish. This durable, portable, and functional case makes both play and storage easy with 20 dividers built to keep your car collection organized and accessible. Cars not included.

Neat-Oh! LEGO Chima ZipBin Battle Case

This Brand new interactive case, with its amazing graphics, transforms from storage case to kingdom for your mini figures to joust
Case can fold flat when not in use
Easily wipes clean with damp cloth

The LEGO Chima ZipBin Battle Case – Take control of your very own CHIMA kingdom with this brand new interactive case from Neat-Oh! Hold jousts between your favorite tribes on the fold-out ramp by day and easily store your pieces by night in this beautifully designed arena. Case folds flat when not in use and easily wipes clean with a damp cloth for any unexpected spills. LEGO Blocks not included.

Neat-Oh! LEGO Star Wars ZipBin Medium Toybox & Playmat

A perfect toy and toy storage solution all in one
Colorful, durable, wipe-clean surfaces
Sturdy, heavy-duty zippers
Meets child safety standards

Keep your child’s room TOTALLY NEAT with LEGO® Star Wars™ ZipBin® Storage Case. When unzipped, it becomes a Star Wars-themed playmat perfect for testing out new LEGO creations! When play is done, capture all the bricks inside. Sturdy, strong, stackable and portable.

Make sure to keep your eyes peeled starting Black Friday! We’ll be offering one of each of these in an awesome giveaway for our 2013 Holiday #GiftGuide and Giveaway event!! Woot!!

Disclosure: Neat-Oh! is participating in our Holiday Gift Guide this year. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

Make Your Own Peppermint Hot Chocolate Gifts in a Jar

November 18, 2013 by Jenni 2,743 Comments

Are you looking for a seriously easy and delicious Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe and/or gift idea? Look no further!!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Gifts in a Jar

I remember back years ago when the Gifts in a Jar or Recipes in a Jar were popular! They’re definitely making their way back. They’re just so pretty, fun and make great gift ideas. They’re also a very frugal gifting option!

This Peppermint Hot Chocolate Gifts in a Jar recipe below is super easy to put together.

Make sure to click HERE for the printable PDF label file that you can download to make labels for the front and back of your jars! The label look like this:

Gather your ingredients…which are all listed below in the printable recipe box!

Begin layering…the order of layers are listed below in the printable recipe box.

Just add some pretty ribbon, the labels, and the ingredients to some mason jars and you have a quick and easy gift that is thoughtful and everyone will love them! Consider giving these to your girlfriends, kids’ school teachers, bus drivers, therapists, grandparents, Sunday School Teacher. The sky is the limit. Mason jars aren’t very expensive so you could buy up enough ingredients and jars to make several up! The kids will also love helping you assemble these.

There are lots of options for Gifts in a Jar. This Peppermint Hot Chocolate is just one of many awesome ideas. Stay tuned because I’ll be sharing some more fun Gifts in a Jar ideas soon! Do you have some favorite ones that you’ve made before? If so I’d love to hear about them. Leave us a comment down below.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Gifts in a Jar

Author: Jenni

Ingredients

1/2 cup Powdered Milk
1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/2 cup Sugar
1/8 tsp Salt
1/4 cup Chocolate Chips
1/4 cup crushed Candy Canes (about 3)
1/4 cup Mini Marshmallows

Instructions

Layer ingredients in order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer.
Seal with lid and decorate with ribbon and labels. Use cute scalloped crafting scissors to cut out the labels for added character.

I See Me! Personalized Kids Books and Gift Ideas for Christmas

November 9, 2013 by Jenni 1,020 Comments

One of my son’s most favorite books EVER is his personalized book from I See Me! He just loves that it has his name ON the book and IN the book too. I See Me! offers so many other cute things on their site, from books to lunchboxes, placemats to coloring books. All that can be personalized!! I’m really impressed with their Christmas gift line!! There’s a few different things to choose from and for any age! These would make great stocking stuffers too!!

Check out their Christmas Gift selection below:

I love that they offer an awesome discount each and every month too! If you haven’t already, you can sign up here to get their discount alerts letting you know what the month long discount is!

Their books are made of great quality. The images are rich in color and texture and they’re just so much fun. I’ve given I See Me! products as gifts before and the parents love the goodies just as much as the kids do! I’m excited because I See Me! is part of our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide and we’ll be giving away an awesome prize pack! Keep your eyes and ears open…the giveaway will go live the week of Black Friday!! Whoohoo!

Follow I See Me via their social media below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISeeMeBooks

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ISeeMe_Maia @ISeeMe_Maia

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/iseemebooks/ #iseemebooks

Disclosure: I See Me! is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are 100% my own.

Amazing Sound with Flips Audio Headphones

November 9, 2013 by Jenni 594 Comments

Finding a great set of headphones can be a difficult challenge. I have found a set that I love…called Flips Audio! These are not your ordinary set of headphones. The cool thing about these is that they’re headphones and speakers all in one. Turn them in for regular headphones and turn them out for rocking speakers!

I love the style of these. I don’t do well with ear buds. I never could find a set that fit in my ears good so I really REALLY like these Flips Adio headphones. You can choose from either white ones or black ones. They fold up and fit in a sweet little case too. These are USB chargeable headphones and the charge lasts for quite some time. I use them everyday while I work online because I love to listen to music while I work…helps keep me focused. 🙂

The headphone sound quality is amazing!! When they’re in speaker mode, the sound quality is just as awesome! I turn on my favorite playlist and turn them on to speaker mode when I clean. I can hear the music all over the house when it’s playing. These are a great gift idea for anyone on your list who loves music!! You can find these here on Amazon for $119 and FREE shipping!! Keep an eye out…we’ll be giving a set of these away for our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway event!!

Disclosure: Flips Audio is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on their behalf. All opinions are 100% my own.

Tech Geek Gift Idea – Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPads

November 9, 2013 by Jenni 135 Comments

I spend a lot of time online from both my laptop and my mobile devices. I really enjoy working from my iPad because it’s not as restrictive as my laptop is but I really wanted to find a nice wireless keyboard. Logitech offers a really cool Keyboard Folio for iPads that fits the bill, plus it’s in it’s own case.

The Logitech Keyboard Folio is perfect for anyone. It’s also a great option for kids and teens who use iPads to do their homework. The keyboard helps them be more efficient. It’s easy to use straight out of the box. You just put the iPad into the folio and turn it on, using the Bluetooth Logitech keyboard on your device.

The keyboard features EasyType keys for comfortable typing plus iPad shortcut keys. You just open it to wake it up and close it for sleep mode. Magnets hold the iPad in typing mode and keeps the folio closed…or use it in the browsing mode. I love the functionality of it. It’s very easy to use and the keyboard is the perfect size. I’ve had some others that were super small and I was always making mistakes. Here are some other great points about the Logitech Keyboard Folio:

Protective Keyboard Folio for iPad 2, 3rd and 4th generation: Full wraparound protection for both the front and back of your iPad
Integrated EasyType Bluetooth keyboard: Full-size keys give you the feel and comfort of a traditional typing experience for your iPad
Striking style: Designed to perfectly complement iPad with a choice of rich colors and fabrics to match your personal style
Convenient magnetic stand and closure: Holds your iPad at the ideal angle for typing; keeps the Folio closed when you are on the go; auto wakes/sleeps your iPad when opened/closed
Long-lasting rechargeable power: Get up to three months of power on a full charge. Includes USB charging cable for easy recharging while you type (*Based on average use of two hours per day)

If your kids have been asking for a bluetooth keyboard for their iPads, this is one I’d highly recommend because it comes with the case too. You can find the Logitech Keyboard folio here on Amazon for around $99 with free shipping. The one I have is black but they have several other colors as well. They have lots of great reviews! Stay tuned — we’re promoting this item in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide! We’ll be giving one away around Black Friday so keep a look out!!

Disclosure: Logitech is participating in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. This is a sponsored post on behalf of them. All opinions are 100% my own.

Disney Classics Box Set Now Available to Pre-Order #DisneyClassicsBox

October 31, 2013 by Jenni 119 Comments

Do many of your childhood memories include Disney? Mine sure do! From as early as I can remember til now with my own son. Even now as I type, I hear Toy Story’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” playing from my son’s bedroom. I am super duper excited because the Disney Classics Box Set is set to be released on Nov. 12th, 2013 BUT you can actually pre-order it now here on Amazon.com. If you’re visiting a Disney park, you’ll find them for sale there too! You can enjoy the older classics as well as the new ones. It’s a great way to make memories with your own kids!

Memories and music are strongly tied to one another, wouldn’t you agree? There are so many songs that I hear and am instantly reminded of a certain time in my life. Especially Disney songs!! When I hear “The Bare Necessities” or “A Spoonful of Sugar” — I’m instantly transformed back into that 5 year old girl sitting in front of an old and HUGE floor model TV, rewinding the VCR tapes to watch them again and again. Ahhh – those were the good days!

The official release date for the Disney Classics Box Set is November 12th, 2013. On that day you’ll be able to purchase the set anywhere music is sold but don’t forget that you can PRE-ORDER it now on Amazon right now!! The set includes 4 discs of 94 original recordings. Check them out below:

Disney Modern Classics

1. Under the Sea – The Little Mermaid
2. Be Our Guest – Beauty and The Beast
3. Seize the Day – Newsies
4. A Whole New World – Aladdin
5. What’s This? – Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
6. Circle of Life – The Lion King
7. Colors of the Wind – Pocohontas
8. You’ve Got a Friend in Me – Toy Story
9. Out There – The Hunchback of Notre Dame
10. I Won’t Say (I’m in Love) – Hercules
11. Reflection – Mulan
12. The Time of Your Life – A Bug’s Life
13. Strangers Like Me – Tarzan (Phil Collins)
14. When She Loved Me – Toy Story 2
15. Whopp-de-Dooper Bounce – The Tigger Movie
16. If I Didn’t Have You – Monsters, Inc.
17. Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride – Lilo & Stitch
18. Look Through My Eye – Brother Bear
19. One Little Slip – Chicken Little
20. Happy Working Song – Enchanted
21. Dig a Little Deeper – The Princess and The Frog
22. I See the Light – Tangled (Mandy Moore)
23. We Belong Together – Toy Story 3

Disney Theme Park Classics

1. The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room – Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
2. Swisskapolka – Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
3. Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me) – Pirates of the Caribbean
4. Splash Mountain Medley – Splash Mountain
5. The Bear Serenade – Country Bear Jamboree
6. Grim Grinning Ghost – Haunted Mansion
7. It’s a Small World – it’s a small world
8. There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow – Carousel of Progress
9. The Great Outdoors – Country Bear Vacation Hoedown
10. Space Mountain – Space Mountain
11. Soarin’ – Soarin’ Over California
12. It’s Tough to Be a Bug – It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
13. California Screamin’ – California Screamin’
14. The Best Time of Your Life – Carousel of Progress
15. Space Mountain – Space Mountain (2005)
16. Universe of Energy – Universe of Energy
17. Kitchen Kabaret Medley – Food Rocks
18. One Little Spark – Journey Into Imagination
19. Canada (You’re a Lifetime Journey) – O Canada!
20. Golden Dream – The American Adventure
21. Finale – Fantasmic!

Disney Timeless Classics

1. Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf – Three Little Pigs
2. Whistle While You Work – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
3. When You Wish Upon a Star – Pinocchio
4. When I See an Elephant Fly – Dumbo
5. Little April Shower – Bambi
6. The Three Caballeros – The Three Caballeros
7. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah – Song of the South
8. Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly) – So Dear to My Heart
9. A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes – Cinderella
10. All in the Golden Afternoon – Alice in Wonderland
11. You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly! – Peter Pan
12. What a Dog/He’s a Tramp – Lady and The Tramp
13. Once Upon a Dream – Sleeping Beauty
14. Cruella De Vil – 101 Dalmatians
15. Let’s Get Together – The Parent Trap
16. The Ugly Bug Ball – Summer Magic
17. A Spoonful of Sugar – Mary Poppins
18. The Monkey’s Uncle – The Monkey’s Uncle
19. Fortuosity – The Happiest Millionaire
20. The Bare Necessities – The Jungle Book
21. Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat – The Aristocats
22. Whistle Stop – Robin Hood
23. Someone’s Waiting for You – The Rescuers
24. It’s Not Easy – Pete’s Dragon
25. Best of Friends – The Fox and The Hound

Disney Television Classics

1. Mickey Mouse March – The Mickey Mouse Club
2. The Ballad of Davy Crockett – Davy Crockett – King of the Wild Frontier
3. The Triple R Song (Yippi-A, Yippi-I, Yippi-O) – The Adventures of Spin
and Marty
4. Theme of Zorro – Zorro
5. Scarecrow – The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh
6. Winnie the Pooh – Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
7. Minnie’s Yoo Hoo – The Mouse Factory
8. Who, What, Why, Where, When and How Day – The New Mickey Mouse
Club
9. Gummi Bears Theme – The Adventures of the Gummi Bears
10. Duck Tales Theme – Duck Tales
11. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Rescue Rangers Theme Song – Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Rescue
Rangers
12. Darkwing Duck Theme – Darkwing Duck
13. Theme to Lizzie McGuire (Extended Supa Mix) – Lizzie McGuire
14. Rockin’ at the House of Mouse (Extended Version) – House of Mouse
15. The Naked Mole Rap – Kim Possible
16. Cheetah Sisters – The Cheetah Girls
17. Aloha, E Komo Mai – Lilo & Stitch: The Series
18. Hot Dog! – Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19. Get’cha Head in the Game – High School Musical
20. Nobody’s Perfect – Hannah Montana 2
21. Gitchee Gitchee Goo – Phineas and Ferb
22. This Is Me – Camp Rock
23. What Time Is It – High School Musical 2
24. Everything Is Not as It Seems – Wizards of Waverly Place
25. Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater – The Mickey Mouse Club

Disclosure: I am participating in a blog post campaign from One2One Network and Walt Disney Records. All opinions are my own.

Flipeez Hats are Warm and Cozy, Perfect for Halloween #Flipeez

October 12, 2013 by Jenni 306 Comments

My little man loves hats so anytime he sees new ones like these Flipeez Hats, he wants one! They’re fun, they’re cute and whimsy!! They’re warm and fleecy on the inside and the outside is a tight knit so keeping cold air out will be a “breeze”. Their looks aren’t the only cute thing about them. When you squeeze the puff ball at the end of the tassle, you’ll get a little “action” out of the Flipeez Hats!

We have the Blue Puppy Flipeez Hat and when little man squeezes the puff ball, his ears flip up! It’s just too cute and fun to watch. They’re made one size fits all and they do fit nicely! The hats have plenty of stretch for bigger kids as well. Think Halloween…and finish your kiddos costumes off with a Flipeez Hat! It’ll keep their heads warm while walking around the neighborhood collecting all that candy swag!!

(How Cute is this??!! He has on the cute Flipeez Hat with a Lorax T-Shirt and Thomas the Tank engine pajama pants!!
We were just lounging around being lazy!! That’s what weekends are all about, right?!)

When winter comes, I know Eli will be wearing his hat out to the school bus in the mornings or while playing out in the snow!! I’ve heard we’re going to get lots of snow this year…at least that’s the future forecast. The fleece material is so nice and thick that it will really keep the cold out. Plus, we just can’t get over how cute they are!

I’ve got several young nieces and nephews who would love these. I think I know what they’ll be getting for Christmas this year from us! They have a few different ones to choose from. Check these out!

Disclosure: I received free product from Flipeez in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are 100% my own and honest, as always.

More about K’NEX Wild Whiplash Roller Coaster:

Do you have a favorite Minion?

Here’s a list of other cool, user-friendly gift ideas for seniors.

Toy Storage ZipBin Cases from Neat-Oh!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Gifts in a Jar

This Peppermint Hot Chocolate Gifts in a Jar recipe below is super easy to put together.

Check out their Christmas Gift selection below:

Disney Modern Classics

Disney Theme Park Classics

Disney Timeless Classics

Disney Television Classics

Quick Links