Step2 Arctic Splash Water Table

When I recently pulled the baby out of the dog's water bowl for the fifteenth time in the course of one day, I realized it was time to bring out the water table for some splashing fun and move the party outside.

I have a number of Step2 toys (see my other reviews here, here and here) and always enjoy it when they send me a new product to review. Kids love water whether it is bath water, beach water, a pool or the sprinkler so it is no surprise that the Arctic Splash Water Table is fun for little kids and big kids alike. Also, fun for me, as I could set it up easily and quickly.

What's better than water? Squirt toys. My boys had a blast with the polar bear, walrus and penguin. There's also a dumping bucket (or water-tossing bucket as the case may be). The raised design is meant to help keep little feet dry and keep the water in the table, which may be possible, but not with my kids. Not that it mattered. I also liked that there are multi-level wells for water play. My kids do better when they have an area of space they can claim as their own.

Step2 has a huge variety of outdoor toys for your summer play including sand/water tables, climbers and playhouses. For more information on the Arctic Splash Water Table or any of the products from the Step2 line, visit Step2 here.

baby star rick-rack dress

It's no secret that I am a fan of baby star. I am still loving the baby star silver metallic tote I reviewed for the Full Mommy a while back so with summer coming, I decided to branch out and check out the line of apparel as well.

baby star sent me one of their new rick-rack dresses to review. What? You may be thinking? You have boys! Indeed I do. But my baby has a girlfriend who is three weeks younger than he is and when this dress arrived at my doorstep I took one look at it and drove it over to make my friend put it on her baby immediately. If only for the bloomers! As the mother of two boys I admit I do occasionally long for bloomers.

This dress really is darling. The dress is 100% and lined. The cotton is soft and non-irritating. The polka dot/balloons pattern is classic and not trendy-looking. The colors are fun. The stitching detail is simple but effective in dressing it up just enough and the one we tried, the twelve to eighteen months fit true to size.

Snatch one up for a summer bbq or a trip to the beach. Either would be lovely.

For more information and other baby star products including the diaper bag/tote line, hooded towels, bibs and more go to babystar.com.

Super Why

Are your preschoolers fans of the PBS show Super Why? My two children love watching the mid-morning animated show.

I laugh because my just-barely-two-year-old yells out letters when the characters find the super letters. He doesn't always say the right ones, but I am happy that he has gained awareness that those symbols represent letters.

Learning Curve sent us a few toys from their new Super Why line to try out. The line of toys includes plush dolls of each character, vehicles, and action figures (and more).

The first toy that gets play time is the Super Why Wave and Learn Magic Spelling Wand. There are a few levels of play depending on your child's ability. My younger child likes to wave it because he likes the sounds it makes. My older child can actually play the games as intended. It's cute and can help children with letters and the sounds they make. But I will say it's a bit loud. (But aren't most kids' toys with batteries too loud?)

We also received a couple of the posable dolls including the Super Why Wonder Red Style and Pose. My daughter has fun putting on and taking off the accessories. They are fun. Because their heads are oversized just like the characters on the show, the dolls are a bit top heavy. Because of this, they won't stand upright on their own (unless there's some balancing trick we haven't figured out). Maybe the company could improve upon the design to make them stand up or include a little stand on which to pose the dolls. Our two posable Super Why dolls get lots of play time and the criticism may be more my own than my daughter's.

Look for the full line of Super Why toys from Learning Curve.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

California Flowers

When the California Cut Flower Commission asked if I would like to receive a bouquet of flowers, how could I possibly say no?

I love flowers. In fact, as I look out my window, I see hundreds of them in bloom in my garden. But I have to say that I don't receive flowers often enough.

When the large box arrived my mother was at my house watching my children. She called to ask if she should open the box. She called back to say that they were the most beautiful flowers that she had ever seen. And they were. These photos don't begin to do them justice.

So why buy flowers grown in California? Here are some facts from the CCFC:

• 75% of all US grown flowers come from California, however they account for only approximately 25% of all cut flowers actually sold in the United States. The remainder is imported from South American countries.
• The cut flower industry overall generates 121,950 California jobs and $3.3 billion in wages for other industries.
• They meet the strictest growing standards in the world.
• They are raised in a world-class, year-round environment perfect for growing hundreds of varieties.
• They were most likely still in the field just 24 hours before you purchase them and therefore are much fresher and will last longer.

The California Cut Flower Commission is making it even easier to nudge your partner into buying you flowers with their cute set of hint cards. If you would like a set of reminders, please fill out the form below by July 26, 2009. You can pop a reminder in your hubby's wallet or in his pocket. In fact, you could tape it to his forehead while he sleeps if you really want to be effective!



This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She needs to buy bouquets of flowers more often.

Stonyfield Farm YoBaby 3-in-1 Meals

Eat your veggies...and your yogurt and fruit, all at the same time!

Stonyfield Farm has a new YoBaby yogurt in the refrigerated aisle: YoBaby Meals. They are a 3-in-1 combo of yogurt, fruit, and veggie puree, all in one cup!

The three flavor pairings (pear & green bean, peach & squash, and apple & sweet potato) come in 6-ounce cups. That's larger than the normal 4-ounce YoBaby yogurt cups.

For a limited time, you can receive an Eric Carle growth chart by sending in 4 UPC's.

What I have always liked about Stonyfield Farm is that they make their yogurt with organic milk. I like to start my kids off right, choosing organic when I can.

Stonyfield has always been a responsible company, too. "The company advocates that healthy food can only come from a healthy planet. Its organic ingredient purchases keep over 100,000 farm acres free of toxic, persistent pesticides and chemical fertilizers that can contaminate soil, rivers and drinking water." (from the company)

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: YOBABY
Prize: A reusable YoBaby bag, an Eric Carle growth chart, a YoBaby travel bowl with lid and utensils, an organic YoBaby bib, and a bundle of 5 free YoBaby coupons (total value: approx. $40)
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: What doctor gives advice on the YoBaby website? (Hint: look on the left on their webpage.)
Enter By: July 23, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! Her children eat yogurt at least one time a day.

Schwinn Roadster: A Bad A$$ Trike

When we bought our older child her first bicycle last year, we opted for a quality bicycle that we knew we could hand down to her brother. We bought a Schwinn.

So when it was time to start looking for tricycles, we looked to Schwinn again. I also asked around and found several parents had purchased the Schwinn Roadster for their little ones.

I looked at it online and then my daughter and I went to the local store to check it out.

I found that the Roadster is available at several price points. You might be able to find it online for a little less than at your local bike shop (On Amazon
it currently lists between $60 and $75 depending on the color). Our local Schwinn dealer carried the tricycle and it was priced at an even $100 assembled. The good things about seeing it in the store is that you can get a feel for the quality and take it for a spin. My daughter test drove it since we were secretly looking for a gift for her brother's birthday. She zoomed circles around the store and proclaimed it a good trike.

Schwinn sent us the Roadster to test drive. My husband put the trike together in about 15 minutes and said it was pretty easy to do. He had it together before I had a chance to come photograph the process.

When we presented it to my son, it got ooh's and aah's from the family members who were visiting. Everyone thought it looked like a great trike. He received a helmet for his birthday. But we have yet to find a basket that isn't pink with flowers. He's ready to roll!

In adult company, I call it the "Bad-A$$ Trike." It certainly has low rider styling and the black leather tassles are definitely fierce.

But don't think that it's only for boys. A friend bought this same trike for her two daughters based on the design.

I have seen one too many a kid topple over on a too-high top-heavy trike. This one has a lower center of gravity and I think would be more difficult to tip.

One of the features that I really like is how the seat adjusts. Nothing is more annoying that when a child has a growth spurt and his knees are suddenly knocking the handlebars. What's more annoying is when you can't find the tool you need to adjust the seat!

You won't have that problem with the Schwinn Roadster. There is a little knob underneath the seat that allows very quick seat adjustment. I like that it has air-filled rubber tires and that the seat has a high back to keep the youngest riders from falling off. The back wooden deck is cool, too.

The Schwinn Roadster is a 12" tricycle and comes in red, blue, and pink.

• Constructed of heavy-duty steel with a retro look and feel
• Step-through frame is easy for getting on and getting off the trike
• Features a wider back for added stability for young riders
• Rugged 12-inch tire in the front and 8-inch tires in the back are filled with air
• Appropriate for riders ages 3 to 6

Every website that I looked at had different age recommendations. But the box said ages 2 to 4 and heights 26 to 38 inches. Though I will say that at two-years-old, my guy stretches to reach the peddles. I'm sure by the end of the summer he'll be pedaling around. And my daughter is I think 42 inches and can ride it. I just want to say that I think it really depends on a particular child's leg length.


Just as our daughter's first Schwinn bicycle is sturdy and of the highest quality, so too is the Schwinn Roadster. Your child will be able to ride this for quite a while with the range of seat adjustments. Our leggy five-year-old has fun on it and our little guy is taking this summer to learn to ride his first trike.

When we were shopping around, we saw that lower quality tricycles (some with plastic wheels and that didn't look like they would last more than one season) were within a similar price range. I think this one is going to have longevity and can definitely be used by subsequent children.

Here's a video showing it in action:



This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! Her kids have a need, a need for speed.

50% Off Back Packs at The Children's Place

The back-to-school savings have already begun! Here is the first of I'm sure many great offers as school approaches:

When you spend $30 at The Children's Place stores, you will receive a back pack for $7.50 (retail $15.50). The offer is good from July 14th through July 27th.

They always have such cute head-to-toe outfits!

Test Drive: The Ford Flex

My husband and I both drive Ford's. We are thinking about replacing my Taurus wagon in the future, but haven't decided what to replace it with. We are a family of four, so we would like a little more elbow room. Then again I don't want to buy something that is so big that it guzzles gas. I've been trying to avoid the ubiquitous minivan, but how could so many moms be wrong? We haven't made up our minds yet and I am sure we will drive quite a few vehicles before we decide.

Ford gave me the opportunity to test drive the Ford Flex for a week to really get a feel for it. I don't know who was excited: me or my daughter.

The Flex is a crossover vehicle that seats seven. It gets decent gas mileage (17 city/24 highway) comparable to that of a minivan.

I'll spare you all of the little details; if you want to hear about all of the features and the specs, please head over to Ford's website and take a look under the hood.

There were several features that I would like to highlight.

Legroom
Does it bug you when your kids kick the back of your seat? My leggy five year old's feet couldn't reach the seat in front of her (yes!). We always feel like we are on top of each other in our wagon, but we each had plenty of room in the Flex.

Trunk Space
I was able to put five full reusable grocery bags across the trunk of the Flex. I assume that this trunk space is similar to what you will find in many minivans. Of course if the last row of seats is folded up, you could fit quite a bit of stuff back there.

The last row of seats was incredible easy to fold up. And there is ample storage room with both rear seats folded away.

I didn't try putting my full-sized stroller in the back. One thing I like about my Taurus wagon is being able to slide my stroller right in. With the third row of seats in use, you would almost have to put your stroller in vertically if you had other items with you. We did use the umbrella stroller and it fit nicely.


Backup Camera
I love the backup camera. In fact its one of the features I miss most.

Dual Climate Control
My husband and I like differing temperatures and airflow, so this feature was nice for us.



Driver's Seat Memory
I'm 5'3" and my husband is 6'. I like that the Flex remembers exactly how each of us liked the seat and pedals positioned.



Backseat Controls and Electrical Outlet
I love, love, love the electrical outlet.



Automatic Rear Door
At my height I have a hard time closing the rear door on many vehicles, not so with the Flex. The automatic rear door is also handy for when you have a diaper bag or groceries in one hand and a toddler on your hip.



Built-In Refrigerator/Freezer
This feature is a bit of a frivolity and I am not sure I would pay for it as an extra. But if it came with a vehicle I was purchasing, I know we would use it. The refrigerator/freezer will keep your food and drinks at the right temperature on trips across town or across the country. Great for people like us who always bring an ice-filled cooler on trips.



Vista Roof
The model we drove had the optional Multi-Panel Vista Roof, which is a power front moonroof, two fixed skylights over the 2nd row, and a large fixed skylight over the 3rd row. We all loved the open airy feelings and both of my kids enjoyed being able to look up and out. As cool as it was, it precludes you from using a roof rack, something we use for a luggage carrier on long trips.

Overall Impression
We really, really liked this vehicle. It got a lot of looks from people when we were on the road and in parking lots; it doesn't look like your average minivan. It was comfortable on our short trip (50 miles each way) that we took with leg room for everyone. Car seats were easy to install with the latch and tethers.

The backup camera was a great feature. I also liked being able to hook up the iPod for our trip. I know I didn't fully use the SYNC's capabilities. The driver's seat memory and automatic lift gate were definite pluses.

We would have to think about the moonroof since we travel with a car topper for our luggage.

The fully-loaded model we drove was a bit out of our price range for a brand new vehicle, but if you are considering a new minivan, I would definitely suggest giving the Flex a test drive as well.

My daughter refused to let it go at the end of our week and I have to say I moped every time I got into my wagon for the next few weeks. I didn't think that vehicles really mattered that much to me, but the Flex was definitely a good driving experience and offers a lot of little details that make driving a pleasure.

I can't wait to take a look at Ford's hybrid options and at the new Taurus design (which I hear has an incredible amount of trunk space).

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! Her family loves taking test drives and touring the countryside. Leighann will be attending the Ford What Women Want: Tech & Quality Event in Chicago.

Simply a Good Deal!

From time to time, we like to tell you about good deals we come across. Right now you can order an entire year of Real Simple for only 5 bucks.

Considering it's $4.99 per issue on the newsstand. I know because I just picked up the July issue. That's like getting 11 issues free. Amazon will even let you give the subscription as a gift.

What are you waiting for? Hurry, the deal expires July 18th.



(Via Baby Cheapskate...thanks for the head's up!)

Quorn Vegetarian Chik'n

Are you vegetarian? Or do you eat meat but have been cutting back the number of meals you eat that include meat?

Our family is vegetarian (for the most part). Sometimes it's difficult to bulk up a meal quickly, especially since my family isn't too keen on tofu. (Though I love it when prepared properly!)

We found Quorn a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. Quorn is a meat substitute made from mycoprotein.

I have developed several recipes that include the Quorn Chik'n Tenders, which are bite-sized pieces of "chicken." I use them to make fajitas and tacos and any type of soup or casserole that calls for chicken. I even make "chicken" and noodles that has fooled countless meat eaters and a mean "chicken" pot pie. (Click on the links for my recipes.)

At Thanksgiving, our family prepares a Quorn Turk'y Roast. I realized that we need to start making two of them because it is so good sliced up for sandwiches the next day.


And I like their Grounds because they aren't overly salty like some other brands. They are great in sloppy joes.

Now I know you might be saying, "But you are a vegetarian, I would never like a meat substitute." My husband is not a strict vegetarian. He's more of a flexitarian. He'll eat meat if we are out to eat sometimes. But at home it's meat-free. And he is very picky about his meat substitutes. He loves Quorn.

Like I said, I've been using the Tenders and the Roast for a long while. But Quorn sent me some Naked Chik'n Cutlets to try out. And here's where they really fill a niche for me: barbecuing.

If you don't eat meat, you are kind of at a loss when it comes to traditional summertime cookouts. No longer.

We fired up the grill and brushed barbecue sauce on the Quorn Naked Chik'n Cutlets. They were pretty darn good, I have to tell you.


If you are vegetarian and you haven't tried Quorn, you seriously don't know what you've been missing. And if you do eat meat, but want to cut back a little, give these a try.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! Her family eats their weight in Quorn each year.

Sing, Dance, and Laugh with 4 New HIT DVD's

HIT Entertainment has a little something for everyone with this collection of four recently released DVD's. Your preschooler is sure to like these...and you may too.

Bob the Builder: Truck Teamwork is great for my son who loves trucks. He was thrilled when I opened the package and I handed him his very own Scrambler. One thing I liked about the packaging is that the DVD is in a thinner plastic case. Our DVD shelf space is at a premium.



If you have been paying attention, you know that saying my son loves Thomas is an understatement. We've been watching Thomas & Friends: Hop on Board nonstop. The DVD includes two new stories. Of course he loves watching it, but you should have seen his eyes light up when we were stuck in the car and suddenly the Thomas theme song began playing over the speakers. He asked "Thomas?" and began to clap. The CD has six popular songs from the show including the theme song, Let's Have a Race, and Really Useful Engine.

Who is Mommy's guilty pleasure? Shaun. Shaun the Sheep: Sheep on the Loose is the latest installment in the DVD series. And I am not exaggerating when I say it's one the whole family enjoys together. The two-year-old, the five-year-old, and, yes, the grown ups chuckle when Shaun, the other sheep, and the barnyard pigs are up to their usual antics. The six episodes are Sheep on the Loose, Saturday Night Shaun, Tidy Up, Shaun the Farmer, Camping Chaos, and If You Can't Stand the Heat. My daughter likes the extras: the Mini Making of Shaun and Building a Pig.


Two and three year olds just can't seem to get enough of Barney. And here's the latest DVD installment: Barney: Sing and Dance with Barney. This set includes not only the DVD, but also a music CD that will get your kiddo up and moving.


This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. DVDs were supplied by Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment and I was not paid for my review.

Kooky 2G Flash Drives

The Kookys, typically known for silly pens and other collectibles, expanded their line to include Kooky Flash Drives. As you can see in the photo, they are bright, fun, and well, a bit Kooky.

Each has a unique name and look, but they work like any other flash drive. That is, they plug into your computer's USB port and can be used to download and upload information. After receiving a Daze-E for review, I tested the Kooky Flash Drive out by using it to transfer the photos of our Sears Tower Ledge experience from my husband's computer to mine. It worked well.

{Pause to consider the generic black floppy disks I used back in the day.}

I like the idea of kid-friendly flash drives. My two tech-loving tween boys know from flash drives. Last year, both my 3rd grader and my 5th grader used them to keep up with their schoolwork. They'd start an assignment in class and finish up at home. And I know some green-thinking schools that require students to turn in assignments on flash drives rather than paper.

{Pause to remember the painstakingly typewritten reports I completed in high school.}

Call me girly, but I like the fun designs. And I like that the bright colors make it easy to find on a crowded desk (the kids' or mine) or in a dark backpack. My nine-year-old grabbed the Daze-E up when he saw it, which was fine because his 11-year-old brother thought it looked too silly for his *cough* sophisticated tastes. I suspect a girl his age might feel differently.

It did not come with a neck strap or any type of chain or lanyard, though there is a small hole in the "hair" of the Kooky Flash Drive so that it can be strung up and attached to a backpack or keychain.

Kooky 2G USB Flash Drives sell for $14.99 - $19.99 at The Kookys or a variety of retail stores.

Written by Kim, who also writes at Hormone-colored Days.

Build a Memory, Maybe Win a Prize

Are you handy around the house? Do you know your way around a hammer and nails?

My daughter and I enjoy doing woodworking projects together. If you like doing projects with your kids, there are still a few days to enter the Skil Building Memories contest that is sponsored by Skil and Lowe's.

Just download the project plans and get to work.

There are over 100 prizes including a trip for four to Worlds of Discovery. Wow!

Hurry, entries are accepted through July 10, 2009.

(I am testing out a Skil Isio garden tool right now, but wanted to let you know about this great contest sponsored by Skil and Lowe's.)

Two New DVD's Hit the (Sesame) Street

If your preschooler loves Elmo (What preschooler doesn't?), then you should check out two new DVD's in the Sesame Street lineup: Elmo and the Bookaneers and Elmo & Abby's Birthday Fun.

Do pirates love to read? Well you'll have to watch Sesame Street: Elmo and the Bookaneers to find out the answer. When the Bookaneers come to Sesame Street, led by pirate Tina Fey, their map takes everyone on a treasure hunt. Follow along with the clues to find one of the greatest treasures.

You can even sing the alphabet with a giant squid! (Though it's not a scary cracken, thankfully!)

There is also a claymation episode of Bert and Ernie as pirates.



If your preschooler has a birthday coming up, then Sesame Street: Elmo & Abby's Birthday Fun really is a lot of fun. We received this DVD fortuitously right before our son's second birthday. His older (and wiser) sister watched the video with him explaining what happens on your birthday. It's a great way to get kids excited about their birthday.

In this DVD, Elmo and Abby go to Fairy Tale Land to help Little Red Riding Hood celebrate her birthday. Everyone gets to make a wish, but will they wish wisely?

The video also includes a birthday-themed Elmo's World.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She listened to her Sesame Street Fever record album almost every day after school.

Bamboo Hugs Hooded Towel

My daughter began outgrowing all of the cute little hooded towels that she received as a baby. It was time to find something a little bigger, and not so babyish.

I also wanted to explore more eco-friendly options. Cotton production is very hard on the environment...it uses a lot of water and a lot of pesticides. Organic cotton is a better option. Pair that with bamboo, and you really have a winner.

Did you know that bamboo is anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal? It's also hypoallergenic and acts as a UV barrier.

Bamboo Hugs can be used as a towel, a blanket, and even a stroller liner. They are double layered and are made with 70% organic bamboo and 30% organic cotton.

The people at Bamboo Hugs sent us a Kitty hooded towel. At 43 by 29 inches, it is larger than some of our hooded towels that we received as shower gifts. They also carry baby sets (30 by 28) and big kid sizes (28 by 50).

Not only can you use this towel to dry off after a bath, but it is also great for covering up after swimming.

Bamboo Hugs are available from their website and at a few select retailers.

DISCOUNT: Use code "fullmommy" for 15% off your online order.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: BAMBOO HUGS
Prize: Choice of one Bamboo Hugs Product
Number of Winners: One
Entry Question: What's the first name of one of the two Bamboo Hugs ladies? (Hint: read "Our Tale" on the Bamboo Hugs website.)
Enter By: July 13, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

The Newest Hero: Little Capers Tank Dress

How many times am I going to gush about Little Caper's super hero clothes for kids? Well, every time they come out with a new product, I fall in love again.

So now we are up to I think 5 of their shirts. My youngest has started wearing the oldest's outgrown t-shirts with detachable capes. My older one has one shirt that still fits and has been wearing the Big Cape as often as she needs to save the day.

When I saw the latest addition to the super hero lineup, I KNEW my daughter would love it.

Introducing the Tank Dress. Because yes, girls are great super heroes too. In fact, my daughter can save the world and attend a swanky tea party in one fell swoop!

The tank dress comes in Lightning Hero and Pegasus Hero in sizes 2, 4, and 6. It features the same glittery detachable capes as the shirts and the dress itself is 100% cotton.

The tank dresses sell for $38, but if it gets worn even half as much as our other Little Capers shirts, it will be worth it.

They also have two new styles of short-sleeved tees: Blue Dragon Hero and Orange Dragon Hero.

I have been so satisfied with the Little Capers shirts, that I am sure that they made this dress to the same high quality standard. Our first purchase, the Red Star Hero shirt has been washed dozens of times and is now being worn by our second child. It has maintained it's dark color and the decal still looks great (I wash it inside out).

(Updated to add:) I will say that my daughter is a bit tall and the tank dress is just slightly short on her. But she usually wears shorts or leggings under her dresses, so it's not a big deal at all. The largest size is a 6 and I probably could have ordered her an 8.

Read my reviews of the original Little Capers tees and the Big Capes.

DISCOUNT: Use the discount code "Super20" for 20% off anything from Little Capers. The code is good until 7/12/09.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

(Little Capers has sent me complimentary items for review, but I first fell in love with the company when I ordered a caped shirt 2 1/2 years ago when my daughter decided at the last minute to be a super hero for Halloween. I have purchased countless Little Capers as gifts, which always wow.)

Revolution Foods: Organic Snacks for the Lunchbox

When possible, I try to buy organic foods free of high fructose corn syrup and other overly processed ingredients for my kids. This isn't always possible, but I try.

I was recently at Toys 'R Us and was surprised by their addition of a grocery section featuring several of my favorite brands of snacks and prepared meals. And what is more, they were at better prices than my neighborhood grocer.

I picked up a few of these and a few of those for our family to try. A couple of my kids' new favorites are from Revolution Foods.

The Revolution Foods product line includes the Jammy Sammy, Mashups, PopAlongs, Fruit Snacks, Peanut Butter, and Jam & Jelly.

We went camping this weekend and the Mashups were one of the snacks I packed. My daughter loves these...all the flavors. They are 100% mashed fruit with no added sugar. They are kind of like applesauce and are packaged in a pouch with a screw top. Kids can just suck them right out. They aren't messy, so kids can even eat them in the car on road trips. I know these are going to be a staple in her lunch box this coming school year. Toys 'R Us sells these individually or in boxes of four.

The Jammy Sammy came to my rescue recently. We had to take our two-year-old to an appointment in another town that spanned the lunch hour. I didn't know what I was going to do because we wouldn't have time to stop for lunch. I packed grapes, pretzels, milk, and a Jammy Sammy for him. He sat at a little table in the waiting room and ate this mini PB&J while we waited for our appointment. I liked that it was easy to pack and wasn't messy.

We gave the Cheesy Cheese PopAlongs a try, but my daughter found them to be a bit dry. If you like rice cakes, I think you will like these, too.

From the company:
Our organic lunchbox snacks and sandwich builders make it easy to nourish your kids with yummy balanced nutrition. We like to think of it as Lunchbox Simplicity. Simple for parents to pack, simple for kids to eat and a simple way to maintain a healthy diet at school or at home.

Find Revolution Foods in stores such as Whole Foods and Toys 'R Us and online at retailers such as Amazon. I've been stocking up with each visit to TRU. And check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: REVOLUTION FOODS
Prize: One ox of Jammy Sammy's and a Revolution Foods kid's tee
Number of Winners: one
Enter By: July 11, 2009
Entry Question: What percentage of Revolution Foods' net profits go to school lunch programs?
Entry Form: Click here
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This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

(Revolution Foods sent me a few Jammy Sammies and a pouch of PopAlongs, but I've been purchasing the Sammies and Mashups for our family for a couple of months now. They are a regular staple in our pantry.)

Sprig Toys: Sprig Hollow

I am a big fan of green toys. I like providing my children with non-toxic toys and I try to make purchasing decisions that are good for the environment.

Last year I reviewed the Sprig Toys Adventure Series vehicles. I said in the review that I liked the concept of the kid-powered vehicles, but that if you are very sensitive to wood scents, they may not be the right toys for your home. Even though the "wood scent" is natural and from, well, actual wood, in the end I realized that my sinuses thought it was an allergen. I passed the trucks along to someone else who has used them ever since. My son did love pushing the truck around because the handle was the perfect height for him.

Since the company's launch, they have come out with two new lines: Eco-Trucks and Sprig Hollow. My son would probably love the Eco-Trucks, which include an Excavator, a Loader, and a Dump Truck.

Sprig Toys asked me if I would like to receive the Sprig Hollow toys for review. I agreed when I saw the picture because I thought they looked cute. And since they are outdoor toys, the scent wouldn't get to me. (They could also be used indoors, if you wish.)

This line includes Bee and Butterfly's Farm, Dragonfly's Heliscoopter,, and DuneBug's Sand Truck.

The concept is pretty cool: you can put together the parts to form a truck or a helicopter, or you can use the individual pieces as sieves, scoops, etc.

Unfortunately, there is no way to lock the pieces together to keep them in their "whole" form. I have to say that I have pieces strewn across the back yard. Which isn't a huge deal, because there are lots of outdoor toys strewn about. But I think they would be better if they somehow snapped together.

I love the idea of the farm. But the funnel will not stay put. It falls off every single time I put it back on. And I am not sure what the point of the holes are. I thought it was to place the little bug figures in them, but they don't fit.

The biggest hit is the little figures. They are two pieces, the body and the wings/head which pop in through the back of the body. My daughter plays with these quite a bit and likes to change which face is on which body and if it is up or down. She says they are her garden fairies.

Having been in the heat and sun for a good month or two now, some of the darker pieces are a bit sun-faded. But even being exposed to the elements non-stop, they are no worse for the wear.

So my major criticisms are that the farm doesn't really "do" anything and that I would like to see the parts make a whole that would actually stay whole. That being said, my children play with the scoops, sieves, and the truck body in their normal play. The pieces have been incorporated into our general outdoor toys pile and get played with. A lot.

A child's opinion about the functionality and fun factor of a toy may be completely different than an adult's intellectual analysis. And I love the concept of the Sprig Toys company since they are creating toys from sawdust and recycled milk jugs. That's pretty darn cool.

I can't wait to see what Sprig Toys comes up with next. And I would bet that the Eco-Trucks are great. They look chunky enough for smaller hands to really grab and push around. And they are no more expensive than any non-green trucks like this in the toy aisle.

For a different take on Sprig's line of outdoor toys, read what Z Recommends has to say. They think they are fab.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

BioME 5 Organic Kids' Apparel: Animal Alphabet Tee's Your Child Will Be Wild About

I love personalized items for kids because they seems to get such a kick out of seeing their own name on, well, anything. I know that when my daughter was first learning her letters and learned which letter started her own name, she would grin every time she saw it in alphabet books and anywhere in the world it would show up (her initial is an uncommon one). "Look, there's my letter!" she would exclaim.

And if you've been reading The Full Mommy for any length of time, you know I am particularly fond of everything eco-friendly. But sometimes it's difficult to find cute, organic clothing that kids will actually be wild about.

Enter BioME 5. This is a line of organic cotton kids tee shirts that kids will identify with. Why? Because they come in 26 different styles, one for each letter of the alphabet. The big initial includes a subtle photo of an animal that begins with the same letter. The name of the animal is spelled out upside-down from a kid's eye view (when a child looks down towards the hemline, he can see the letters).

I like the gender-neutral muted color palette that the line offers. And I appreciate that some animals are the ones that we typically see in ABC books ("X" is xenops, not x-ray fish).

They come in long and short-sleeves and in toddler sizes 2T, 4T, and 6T. They also offer infant onesies. Too cute!

And not only are the shirts eco-friendly, but they come in biodegradable packaging!

My daughter has been wearing her shirt often and it has withstood several washings. Now I will just have to find a younger kid with the same uncommon initial to hand it down to when she outgrows it. Or maybe I will be eco-friendly and turn it into a bag or pillow.

You can purchase BioME 5 organic clothing from their website and from select retailers.

DISCOUNT: Receive a 20% discount at the bioME 5 site with coupon code FULLMOM good through 8/1/09. All long-sleeve tees are just $12!!!!! And check out their great shipping options! All orders over $25 are free within the US and all international orders over $50 are free!

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! Her BioME 5 shirt would have a lion.

Trek Trikester: A Trike That Will Grow With Your Child

My daughter has a great tricycle that we have had for a couple of years now. Her older cousin has the same one. Since our son is now old enough to try his hand (or feet) at pedaling around the patio, we tried to talk my sister-in-law into handing down their trike. She said that he still rides it. He'll be seven this summer.

So what trike is so great that even a seven-year-old won't give it up?

The Trek Trikester.

Our daughter's Trikester (and her cousin's) is the previous style made by Trek. It is so sturdy and solid and we knew when we bought it that it was built to last. Hers is pink, but we tricked it out with some skull stickers and added a basket to haul things around.

What's so great about it? Solid steel construction, a wide wheel base that makes it very stable, lots of seat positions that allow a wide range of child heights (she's almost 5 and we haven't maxed it out yet), and a great back deck.

You know what's so cool about the back deck? For one, her little brother hops on back and holds on tight around her waist and she gives him a ride. And on more than one occasion we've been blocks from home when she has suddenly and urgently needed to go potty. My husband and I have both stepped up, grabbed the handlebars, and pushed her quickly home. That's right, it is so strong that it holds up to the weight of both a child and adult. At the same time.

So back to my son.

We received the new model of Trek Trikester for my son to test drive. There are a few changes between my daughter's model and this one.

Whereas the old model has an open front fender, the new model has a plastic one (my only criticism...I was surprised that they used plastic on an otherwise extremely solid trike).

The rear deck is designed a little different, but it still withstands the weight of an adult.

And the seat has changed. The new model has more of a banana seat (did that just show my age?) which you won't have to adjust as your child grows (no need for adjustment is a plus). The seat is also pretty cushy and easy to get on and off of.

The steel frame makes it sturdy. But another great feature is the rubber wheels. I hate plastic wheels!

My son is still learning to ride. He's been pushing it more than pedaling, but he'll get the hang of it. My daughter, though, would like to make it her own. She claims it's lightning quick. And I have to say it has definite zoom factor. She races up and down our drive at about mach 8.

Trek says "the Trikester fits a wide range of youngsters and allows the fun to continue as they grow. The one-size, padded saddle allows for a variety of leg lengths while the durable construction means junior can enjoy the ride for years." I totally agree.

The Trikester comes in two color combinations: Pearl White/Candy Blue and Pearl White/Metallic Pink. And these colors are hot!

You may balk at the price when you hear it. But I can tell you that this is not some piece of junk that is going to fall apart. In fact, I have seen the older model sell quickly time and again at garage sales for $50-75. (The older style was about $150 new.) My husband always says it's better to buy quality and only buy once. Considering we have had ours three years and we may get another three years out of it, and then sell it, well, you do the math, I personally think it's worth it. I would much rather buy a quality trike that has longevity than lesser quality trikes that sell for $50-$75 that won't make it one season.

We have been riding ours hard and after almost 3 years it barely looks used. Her Trikester gets garage space even if both of our cars don't! In fact, she rides it more often than she rides her bike because she can maneuver it on our patio since it has a small turning radius. And if you have multiple children, this is definitely hand-me-down-worthy.

Now if only I could outfit my son's new Trikester with a basket. I can't seem to find one that isn't pink with flowers. 'Cause kid's gotta haul things, you know.

Watch this short video to see both the old and new styles of Trek Trikester.



This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

(We are thankful to Trek for supplying our family with the new model to test drive.)