As you may already know, my youngest son suffers not only from asthma and eczema, but allergies as well. Spring and summer really do a number on him. He LOVES the outdoors, but it’s a constant battle to keep his allergies under control so he can enjoy them. Usually, the medicine makes him drowsy.

I also have the same drowsiness problem and resort to using Childen’s Benedryl to get some relief and avoid falling asleep. Even children doses make me drowsy… I nearly fell asleep in church recently after taking a teaspoon! Honestly, I wasn’t bored.

I’m happy to report my youngest and I were able to stay awake and honestly felt relief for a little over 24 hours after taking Children’s Claritin Allergy. Don’t just take my word for it though, watch the video below and hear it from my boys’ point of view as well.

Disclaimer:
I am a BzzAgent and received Children’s Claritin Allergy sample product for my honest opinion and review. No payment was received.

It’s a fun CD with some songs that I absolutely love, and think they did a great job turning them into jazz versions — like “Shortnin’ Bread” which is a song my mom sung for years, and I also sing to my kids.  My 2yo recognized “Sing a Song of Sixpence” from a nursery rhyme book we have, and thought it was great fun to dance along to the rhyme she recognized.  “Stomp Stomp” was a favorite of all 3 kids — as they stomped around the living room, and had me play it over and over.

I think they listened to it 3 or 4 times today alone, and my 7yo asked for it to be loaded onto his MP3 player — which is a pretty good recommendation if you ask me!  I think they have another hit on their hand with My kids love music. They all have their preferences, but my 7yo especially loves jazz. I’ve been a fan of Putumayo’s collection of music for a long time, so I was thrilled to check out their latest release for kids: Putumayo Kids Presents: Jazz Playground.

If you want to hear a few of the songs from the CD, check out their website and you can listen to “Stomp Stomp” as well as 2 other selections from the CD. The CD released this week, and is available at major retailers, including Amazon.

The design of the chair includes a 5 point harness for infants, and a removable snack tray.  It also has a basket underneath that allows early standers to stand upright in the chair, without worry of toppling over because the legs are very sturdy and stable.

You can see the drink holder, as well as the sun canopy (which is also removable.)  The entire thing folds up nicely (like a camp chair) and fits into a carry bag.

Lydia (2yo) LOVES having a chair her size to sit in during her brothers’ sporting events. We use the basket underneath to hold the carry bag so we don’t have to worry about it blowing away — and even used it today for her jacket after the temperatures warmed up at soccer.  We also use it indoors in the living room, since it is her perfect size.

You can visit Kristi G’s website for more information, and also to see her diaper bags (which I’ll be reviewing soon!)

They are a saline-moistened wipe, enriched with Vitamin E, Aloe & Chamomile. They are soft and gentle on the noses.  They are good-sized, but not too big . . . perfect for wiping sensitive noses without wiping the rest of their face as well.

They came in 3 scents: Boogie Wipes -Original Scent, Boogie Wipes – Grape Scent, and Boogie Wipes -Magic Menthol.  My favorite are the menthol-scented Boogie Wipes, but my youngest didn’t like those.

They come in individual wipe packets, which are great for throwing in purses and diaper bags, as well as pouches similar to travel baby wipes.  I’ve been handing out the individual wipes to my friends and everyone that has tried them has loved them just as I do! I don’t go anywhere without some in my purse.

You can visit Boogie Wipes at their own website , follow them on Twitter , and even become a fan on FaceBook! You’ll find out about specials, giveaways and promotions by following them.  Right now, there is a coupon available on their website.

You’ll find them in local stores (I’ve seen them in Target and Wal-Mart) and online at Amazon.com.

Disclosure: I received samples of Boogie Wipes to facilitate this review.

I was thrilled recently to receive samples of children’s sunglasses from Julbo. They are the only company that makes sunglasses for all ages — from infant to adult.

Lydia is wearing a pair of pink Julbo Bubble sunglasses made for 3 – 5 yo. They are new for 2010 and they are adorable!  The plastic frames are made from a durable plastic that is soft to the touch and fits her head snugly, but not uncomfortably.  The frames are bendable so I don’t have to worry about her easily snapping them.  She can run around like the crazy child she is and they won’t fall off!  They are lightweight and I think she forgets she’s even wearing them after a few minutes. The hinges are bendable as well, which I think adds to the comfort level.

She loves the color and I love the fact they wrap around her head to provide full protection of her eyes.  I also like the fact that they are dark.  They block 88% of visible light and 100% of harmful UVA, B and C rays.

I also had the chance to  review their infant style — Julbo Looping Sunglasses. These have no hinges, a very soft elastic band to hold it on an infant or small toddler’s head AND their frames are symmetrical so there is no wrong way to put them on! I wish I had known about them years ago when I struggled to find appropriate sunglasses for my kids.

These glasses are even darker – blocking 95% visible light and also protecting from all the harmful UV rays.

I highly recommend this brand because they provide a high quality product at an affordable price. We have gone through a couple pairs of cheap sunglasses, and these are far superior to those we picked up for less than $8.

If you’re looking for a baby shower gift, birthday gift, or for your own kids, I think these would make an excellent gift!  I plan to get a pair of Julbo Next Sunglasses for Nate, and wish they came in prescription options for Colin!

Disclosure: I received 2 pair of Julbo sunglasses to facilitate my honest and complete review.  Thanks to Julbo for sending them to me!

Wikki Stix are yarn strings, dipped in wax. They are colorful, flexible and non-toxic. Kids can use them to trace drawn shapes (like letters, or simple shapes) or use them to build 3-D shapes. They allow kids to be creative, as well as building dexterity. They’re perfect for kids aged 3 and up.

Amazon has a few different sets at great prices right now. You can order by Monday to receive your purchases by Christmas Eve!

Check out Wikki Stix Big Count Box, which is only $17.68 (40% off) It includes almost 500 Wikki Stix, which will allow kids to build TONS of great things. It comes in a sturdy box, so you won’t have to worry about finding a storage spot.

A smaller set is the Wikki Stix Tons of Fun, which includes a travel case, activity sheets, instructions, ideas and almost 100 Wikki Stix.

Looking for that last minute gift? Give Wikki Stix a try!

It is an art board, that has a drawer for crayon storage (8 triangular crayons are included with the Crayola Beginnings Color Me A Song). When turned on, it plays music and the tempo changes along with the speed of coloring. The faster the child colors, the faster the music is.

Kids can choose from 4 different instruments — having them play one at a time, or more than one at a time. Lydia loves to color and she loves music, so this has been fun for her. It retails for around $20 usually, but is getting harder to find as we get closer to Christmas.

Here is my 2yo playing with our Crayola Beginnings Color Me A Song recently:

Since it’s easier to show you how neat this toy is — here’s Nate with his review of the Crayola Color Explosion Glow Dome!

Over on my personal blog, I’m giving away a Crayola Glow Dome thanks to My Blog Spark! Check it out before Monday, December 7, 2009, for a chance to win!

They come in various natural flavors, taste good, are naturally colored and drug free.  They are made from natural herbs and essential oils and are Kosher.  The lollipops comes in a variety box of different flavors, which include peppermint, cinnamon, natural cola, natural sour raspberry, sour lemon, natural green apple and papaya.

Peppermint is a known home remedy for upset tummies.  Cinnamon lollies reduce nausea and give a feeling of relaxation.  The natural cola lollipop helps with upset stomachs and relieves nausea.  Assorted Sour lollies include natural green apple, sour raspberry and sour lemon and combat queasy tummies.  Papaya acts as a soothing remedy.

The pack includes 7 lollipops.   There is also a Queasy Pops Kids Variety.  They are great for taking along on your next plane or car journey to help your children combat travel sickness.

It is always advisable to check with your doctor before taking any medication, even homeopathic remedies. .

The Hip Hop For Kids DVD runs for 45 minutes and was created by a highly successfully team: Hip Hop star Roger G, dancer and mom Liz Milwe and Michel Negroponte, film director.  It is a fun and live action DVD showing the latest Hip Hop moves.  The individual moves are explained in great detail and with step-by-step verbal and visual instructions and repetitions.

Kids learn about the latest Hip Hop moves such as Walk It Out, The Snap, Chicken Noodle Soup and others.  Kids will enjoy trying to dance freestyle, spin and break.

Hip Hop For Kids: School House Hip Hop DVD is a wonderful addition to your activity DVDs.  It gets the children (and adults) moving, dancing, grooving and having lots of fun.

I think any young boy would be happy to unwrap this gift this year! The Power Ranger RPM Racing Performance Cycle is only one of the cycles available — if your child has a different favorite Power Ranger, you can find cycles for them all!  Each cycle represents a different animal — the green is a shark, while the red is an eagle, the black is a wolf and the blue is a lion.  Nate really loves wolves, so I think he may find the Power Ranger Wolf Cycleunder the tree this year!

Disclosure: I want to thank Bandai and their PR firm for providing this toy to me in exchange for my honest review.

This toy looks like a large robot in the box, but can break down into 3 cars (or Zords) for plenty of play action. They both played with this toy for hours during the last 2 weeks since we received it, and I think it would be a hit for most boys in the 5 – 10 age range. My kids have watched Power Rangers in the past, but not often. That did not dampen the fun they had with the Power Ranger RPM Deluxe Formula Megazord High Octane Megazord!

In fact, my 9yo wanted to share his very own review! Here it is:

Disclosure: I want to thank Bandai and their PR firm for providing this toy to me in exchange for my honest review.

The Musical Toy Box Storage Bench is a wonderful addition to any child’s bedroom. It looks stunning with its bright colors, can be used for storing

favorite toys, blankets, noisemakers but is also a great bench to sit on and make music.

The Musical Toy Box Storage Bench features:

• Entertainment backrest with 2 spinning bell drums, an eight note xylophone and 2 wooden mallets
• Slow closing metal hinge that will not slam and injure your child’s fingers
• Red and blue color finish with hand painting

The box measures 32” W x 13” D x 16” H. The total height of the bench is 28”. The storage bench is manufactured by Levels of Discovery, winners of the 2003 JPMA (Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association) Innovation Award, a leading manufacturer in the field of hand decorated kids furniture.

The storage bench is recommended for ages 3 to 8 or up to 100lbs.

The bookcase I purchased measures 15”D x 33”W x 60”H. It comes with two adjustable shelves, one fixed bottom shelf and a storage bin at the base.  It is made with gently rubbed edges and the classic beadboard styling looks gorgeous in a child’s bedroom.

Assembly is required to set up the bookcase.

3 years later, he still pulls out a few of the tricks from that set. When we were looking for a gift for a 5yo friend, I immediately thought of this kit. I was right, and it was big hit with her as well!

The Melissa & Doug Discovery Magic Set has four tricks to master. The directions are easy to understand, and the tricks are fun for all!

The tricks are simple, however, and this set is for the beginning magician. If they have other magic sets, then this is not the one to purchase. Melissa & Doug offer a few different sets for magicians as they become more proficient — we also like the Melissa & Doug Enchanted Rings ‘n’ Things Magic Set and the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Magic Set.

The price is right for these sets as well! The basic set is usually under $15, and the deluxe under $30. Highly recommended by this parent as a wonderful gift for 5- 7 year old girls or boys.

I purchased Indigo Dreams for him a while ago, and it did help, but I’ve noticed lately that he’s been struggling to sleep and he was bored of Indigo Dreams.  I purchased a follow-up for him (Indigo Ocean Dreams: 4 Children’s Stories Designed to Decrease Stress, Anger and Anxiety while Increasing Self-Esteem and Self-Awareness) and he enjoyed the stories again.

But, what has really helped him the last couple weeks has been the The Floppy Sleep Game. He came to me this morning and said “You know what? That floppy music? Puts me OUT like a light!”

I don’t think you could ask for a better recommendation than that!!

Both albums are available via MP3 download as well (which is how I purchased them). In fact, the The Floppy Sleep Game MP3 download is only $1.98 right now!

If you have kids who struggle falling asleep, try these albums!

I knew she would enjoy a toy like this, and I searched for one that I liked. She is too young for the porcelain sets, and I just didn’t like the plastic sets.  I absolutely love this tin tea set.

It comes with 4 tiny cups, 4 tiny saucers, 4 small plates, a small teapot and a tray to carry everything. The design is a bright pattern of color and bugs.

It is wonderfully sturdy, and takes the abuse not only from a 2yo, but also a 7 and 8yo boy. I knew she was a bit young for this set, but there are no sharp parts, and nothing has broken off.

She started playing with it the day she opened it, and 7 months later it’s still one of her favorite toys!  I think that’s a pretty good recommendation.

For a light saber geek (like I guess my boy is) this is a great toy.  It comes with tons of parts that can be assembled multliple ways to create custom light sabers. There are different color chips, as well as different grips.  At the same time, there are a LOT of parts! I realized after he brought it home that I would have to find some sort of bin or basket for him to keep all the parts in or I would find pieces of it scattered throughout the house.  I’m afraid that even with a bin, I’ll find pieces scattered throughout the house.

He has had fun the last few days creating his own light saber and modifying it on the fly. I think for a child that already has a few light sabers, this would be a nice addition to their collection.

My oldest has read every single one, and both boys listen to the audio books over and over again. No matter how many times they listen to the stories, they still laugh uproariously at the antics of Hank and his buddies.

The books are funny, and have some slightly suspenseful parts, but nothing that is inappropriate for young children. A few books have a little bit of romance, but again, nothing inappropriate. They are good, clean fun.

I think they’re the perfect summer read – and a great series to get a child started with.

It is chock full of fun facts about famous women, history about various things, rules for games and tons of great activities.

This is the 2nd book by the same authors (the first was The Daring Book for Girls) I read the first one, and didn’t think Andrea Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz could create a 2nd that was as good as the first. I was wrong! I had so much fun going through this book, reading about fun activities, and even sharing it with my boys (while it’s written for girls, so many of the activities are perfect for kids — regardless of their gender.)

In the spirit of the book, I threw down a double dare over at my personal blog. If you play along, you might win an Amazon gift certificate & be able to buy this great book for yourself!

This gun is over 3 feet long, and breaks down into 2 separate guns if you so desire. It comes with 10 darts — which are specific to this gun, so you can’t use other Nerf darts. You can buy more darts, but they’re just under $1/each! (Nerf Streamline Darts 10 Pack)

I can’t begin to tell you how excited my son was to receive this gun. He’s talked about it for months, and was so happy when it landed on our doorstep. He & his 8yo brother worked together to get it unpacked (can’t have any toys these days unless they’re wrapped with a billion metal ties!) Then, they worked to get the Nerf N-Strike Longshot assembled and began to play.

It didn’t take long for Nate to let me know that while it looked really cool, and he really liked it . . . it didn’t shoot darts. A careful look at the gun showed that the darts were getting jammed and chewed up by the gun before they could leave the barrel.

I read online about some tips on how to load the clip, and we tried to load the darts so they were flush against the back of the clip, with the small hole pointing down. This did help, but only 1 out of 3 darts shot. Those that did shoot, quickly became ripped apart by the gun.

I wrote to Hasbro’s customer service late that night and by the next morning I had a reply. They were sending out a replacement right away and were very sorry that the gun had been a disappointment so far. I was very pleased with their quick response and fair resolution.

The new gun arrived this afternoon, and Nate decided to wait for his dad before opening this one and putting it together. He is hoping that this one works better, and I am too! I will update you once he’s had a chance to play with the replacement!

The Insect Shield Sun Bucket Hat has been treated with odorless insect repellent that lasts up to 70 washings to keep the bugs away. It is machine washable in cold water and dries quickly.

The hat is made from lightweight dryflylite (80% nylon and 20% polyester). The material has UPF protection built in to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays and prevent sunburns.

The bucket hat is comfortable to wear and the design is perfect for any outdoor adventure. Best of all, there are great styles for men, women and children!

Well, they have everything!  And it’s delivered to my door! I avoid the crowds, the heat and the packing all 3 kids into the minivan and through the stores.  I do pay for Prime shipping each year, but I more than make up the cost just sending Christmas gifts around the country each year.

So, what did I buy this week?  I thought I’d share . . .

Croscill Fabric Shower Curtain Liner, White. The shower liner I had was plastic, and water-stained (we have hard water). I can’t stand the smell of that plastic when it comes out of the package, so I thought I’d try a cloth one this time. It looks great, and I bet it’ll be easier to wash than the plastic ones I’ve been using.

Two 50 States Quarters Folders. My boys have been collecting state quarters in mason jars, so when I saw these folders, I decided it would be a great afternoon project. The quarters fit snugly in the spots, and a fact-filled book is included with the folder. It’s small (about the size of a hardcover book), which was so much better than the huge ones I’ve seen locally. The boys got a kick out of filling them up and can easily see which ones they’re missing.

Presents for my sister’s birthday (from her wishlist): Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance – Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! and Small-Batch Baking.

My 7yo set a goal to read 30 books a few months ago. When he met that goal, I agreed to get him a Nerf N-Strike Longshot CS-6. It is a Nerf dart gun that is over 3 feet long. Yes, I’m a little bit crazy. The sad thing is that it doesn’t work very well and he is pretty disappointed. I’m still proud of him for meeting his goal, but he is not so keen on Nerf products at the moment.

I shipped the Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, 30-Minutes (White) to my dad for Father’s Day. I hope he has fun with it!

And, finally, I needed a pair of neutral, casual shoes so I bought myself a pair of Crocs Womens Olivia – Gold. They’re cute, and typical Croc-comfy, and I like the color.

Hmmm, I guess that is quite a bit! What did you buy from Amazon this week?

Yes, we were at the eye doctor the next day and found out that he most definitely needed glasses.  We looked at the variety of frames, tried them on, and finally chose a pair that looked cute and was also fairly inexpensive.  Frames and lenses cost just under $200.00.

3 weeks later?  The frames were bent and we purchased new frames and kept the same lenses.  And I started to look for different options for prescription glasses!

I stumbled across Zenni Optical and couldn’t quite believe what I saw.  Frames AND lenses starting at $8!!  Flat shipping of $4.95! I was a bit incredulous, but willing to give them a try.

I went through the large variety of frames and chose 2 pair for my son.  The total bill was less than $40 for 2 new pair of eyeglasses.  We waited 2 weeks and they arrived in hard plastic cases, with a cleaning cloth. The quality was great, the fit was perfect, and the price couldn’t be beat!

Since then, I’ve ordered more glasses for my son (his prescription changed), prescription sunglasses for me, glasses for me and glasses for my husband.  We’ve all been happy with the results.  One pair I ordered I didn’t like the way they fit — but they were an $8 pair and they are fine to keep as a spare near my bed. (I can’t see much farther than my nose without glasses!)

The trickiest part about ordering is knowing your PD (pupillary distance.)  They give you directions on how to measure your own, but I have learned to ask the eye doctor to write that number down for me on my copy of the prescription.

The only other drawback is not being able to try them on before purchase. It helps if you have frames that you like already, so you can measure them and try to find similar frames on the site.

Their shipping times have gotten a little bit longer recently, so while the site still gives a 2 week window for shipping, the last 2 orders I placed took twice that time.

If you wear bi-focals, you can get your prescription filled through Zenni as well.  My dad orders his b-focals from there and has been pleased.

If you’re in need of glasses, I truly recommend you check out Zenni Optical!

The Geraniol Natural Insect-Repelling Wristbands are a great alternative for active families to protect themselves naturally from blood-sucking and biting inspects like mosquitoes, no-see-ums, ticks and gnats without using DEET, the common ingredient in commercial bug repellents.

Geraniol is a plant-based product and proven to be effective in fending off biting insects. The essential oil is embedded in the wristbands and the slight fragrance keeps annoying bugs away.

Geraniol Natural Insect-Repelling Wristbands are:

• DEET free and non-toxic
• EPA exempt, which means that all ingredients are generally regarded as safe
• Re-useable for up to 120 hours when appropriately stored

The wristbands can be worn around the wrist, ankles, looped around a belt or attached to a stroller. The wristbands also have a breakaway feature for added safety and come in assorted colors.

View more information on the Geraniol Natural Insect-Repelling Wristbands and tell us in the comment area below how they worked for you!

P.S.
You may also want to see our review for the Champion Mosquito Trap to control areas up to half an acre (perfect for the back yard).

Each card has different  symbols, which are different colors, and the number of symbols vary. You divide the cards equally between players (the rules say 2 players, but we’ve played with 3 with no problem), and you set 2 cards in the center of the table. Players match the cards — either by color, symbol, or number of symbols.  Players keep only 3 cards in their hand at a time, and fill their hands from their pile as necessary.

Players go when they have a match — no waiting for turns! The game is over within 2 minutes – which means you can sit and play 20 hands, or agree to one game before chores.

Because of the fast pace, and the thought required (develops critical thinking skills) it’s fun for kids and adults. Blink will definitely be part of Christmas gifts this year for all the kids I know!

She LOVES it! After it took my husband and sons about 45 minutes to put it together, she couldn’t stop wandering into and out of her “house!” She had fun with the door, and was thrilled to have the 2 pieces open and also when we pushed them together.

It’s the perfect size for her, and she has played in it every day since she received it last week. She fills up the stove with books and likes to turn the dials on the stove that came with the cottage.

The pieces are large, and you have to have room to leave them. Her house is in a corner of our living room right now, but will take up a corner in her bedroom in the near future. It definitely isn’t something that can be taken apart easily for storage! Once it’s put together, it’s going to stay up.

A couple days after her birthday, she received the Playskool Deluxe Rose Petal Birthday Celebration as a gift, and has been serving cake ever since. This set comes with 4 pieces of cake that velcro together, a candle, a cake plate and server, 2 small plates and 2 cloth napkins. It also comes with 2 gift boxes that hold small stuffed toys. Her favorite parts are the cake and the plates.

At Christmas, I also purchased the Rose Petal Lounge Chair, which we gave her on Christmas Day. This chair was a disappointment. The cover didn’t seem to fit properly, she had a hard time sitting in it, and it didn’t stay inflated more than a few days. I admit I was a bit leery about the cottage after that, but I needn’t have been!

The cottage runs about $60 regularly, and while I’m glad I got the deal I did — I would have paid more for the house knowing how much she loves it now. I think she’ll get a couple years of play from it, and I know she is thrilled with it at the moment!

I was pleased to see a new dvd released last month! Elmo and the Bookaneers uses the same format that kids love (Elmo’s World, other puppet scenes, kids playing) but with a new theme about pirates and books. Tina Fey makes an adorable “bookaneer” and reads a version of “Goldilocks and the 3 Bears” that had my boys laughing. My 2yo was just happy to see her favorite red buddy, and I was happy to listen to a different script.

If your kids are the right age, I’d definitely pick up a copy of Elmo and the Bookaneers. It’s discounted to $9.99 at Amazon and at Target, and it gives you an hour without having to pick up a babysitter!

My husband loves digital books, and was recently frustrated when our library changed their format and made it impossible for him to download them to his PDA. While 49 cents is not library-free, it’s a pretty good deal!

There are thousands of books available, in all categories. The thought of getting 10 new books for less than $5 is definitely appealing to me!  There are so many great titles to choose from!

When she received the Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon, she was walking, but not steadily all the time. She immediately began pushing this wagon around our house and filling it up with her beloved books and babies. It was a bit tough for her to steer around corners at first, but her brothers helped her out. As her walking skills grew, she was able to push and pull it around corners with no problem.

The sides come off completely, and she had fun removing them regularly. We kept patiently showing her how to replace them, and as her motor skills improved, she caught on and takes them off and puts them back on with no help now.

The Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon is used almost every day. It is sturdy, well constructed, and cute! I imagine that even as she outgrows pushing it around, it will remain in her room holding books and babies! I hesitated purchasing this because of the price for a long time, but I am very glad I bought it.