Jumpin-Beans

 If you are a parent or know any kids, chances are you will agree when I say they grow so fast!   I don't know if there was something in the water or what.. but a couple friends have recently had babies and a few more are expecting... A great gift to give?  Something that they can treasure FOR EVER!!!! Some of my most favorite items of when my "babies" were little are handprint/ footprint art!  That being said, I have a great gift I am giving to a friend of mine!   FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are  my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. We all know how wiggly little ones can be, so to find a "mess free inkless pad" is awesome! With the holidays near, this would be great to make a little keepsake art to gift to the grandparents!!!! You could do...

UPDATED:  With Christmas getting closer and closer, I wanted to remind everyone of a favorite kids author in our house.  Josh Funk!  We have gifted his books to friends and have kept books for our own library!  I heard once that some people did 4 gifts at Christmas: 1- to wear, 2 - something to read, 3- something you want, 4 - something you need.  If you give books and you have younger readers...  Make sure you check out Josh Funk!    As I have mentioned again and again, the kids and I love the author, Josh Funk!   His books are fun to read and when I was able to be room mom for Broxton, the kids and I all love when I had a Josh Funk book to read!    FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are  my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensati...

Updated post, since we are about to make a few book drops to our local Little Free Libraries to set off the Christmas Season!  (Sadly, we can't part with our Josh Funk books, but we did share a few others!)   As much as we love books around here, it is always a great time when we get a set of new books from Sterling Children's Books for review! Our absolute favorite kids author is with them and the excitement from the kids... and myself  when we see a new release from him?  If you have not read a book from Josh Funk, you are missing out... just an FYI that my kids and I would agree on!   FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are  my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. OVERVIEW A heartwarming picture book about the power of allies to lift others up . . ...

This Thanksgiving I have a date!!!!   Me, Ponyboy and the gang will be hanging out!   I am not sure if I fell in love with the book or the movie, but years and years ago, I first learned of The Outsiders and there has been no looking back!  This is "The Complete Novel" so I am excited to see what has been added!    FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are  my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.   Said Coppola,   ‘“ The   Outsiders   The  Complete Novel’ came about after meeting students over  the  years who repeatedly asked me why certain scenes from S.E. Hinton’s wonderful book were missing from  the  theatrical version. These questions reminded about my inspiration for  the  film—in 1980, a cont...

Have you ever played with an eye spy bottle?  Well we had the chance to check out the Over the Rainbow Sensory Adventure bottle and Savannah has asked to play with this on numerous times lately.  At first, I gave it to her as just an eye spy bottle, but then I decided to surprise her and open it up for sensory play.  She loved getting to sift through the colored sand and find the gems, clouds and rainbows!  I just wish I had recorded when she opened the treasure chest and found the treasures.. with a little bitty book in it!!!!  Priceless!  We actually have a lunch room tray that she uses for crafts (see the glitter on the tray?) and also for other "messy" times.. so this was perfect for her to play on.   FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are  my own and are N...

 You know how sometimes you just need time to unwind and just deal with nothing?  Well, the kids have been asking for a movie night, don't worry.. one is planned soon!  I thought that I would bring one from the vault if any one needed a movie night that wasn't a kid movie.  I absolutely LOVE Josh Lucas- I mean, if you know.. you know!   I have been a Katie Holmes fan since she was on Dawson's Creek, so when I saw that the two of them were in a movie together, I knew I wanted to see it.  This is a great movie with a great message.  With the times we are in, maybe we all should watch this as a reminder to show compassion for those around us, as we never really know what is going on in other peoples lives!  FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are  my own and a...

 As the holidays get closer, time seems to get busier.  Let us all take time to enjoy each other.  Time is to short to waste it always rushing.  Grab a book and snuggle up with the ones you love. Here are a couple that you can add to your list this year.  (Or even wrap to put in the Christmas Countdown pile!)  FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are  my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. Florida mom-of-two Shannon Q. McDonald wanted to find a way to tell her kids about face masks in kid-friendly language while also making them laugh at the same time. Her new full-color children’s picture book for kids ages 2-6 years old describes and illustrates the different styles of masks, characters that wear them, when you can wear them, and interesting ways to use ...

This past year I have been fortunate enough to add two "little free libraries" to our community.  I am thankful that I get to review books and not only share them with you, but also share with those in our community.  Not everyone can get to a library and lets be honest, sometimes you fall in love with a book and want to keep it...   I  heard once that there are so many children that do not even have one book that they can call their own, so I am trying to do my part to change that.  I was recently sent Tales of Russell Rabbit for review.  I will be honest, when I opened the book I thought, man... that is A LOT of words for a kids book... but then it hit me... TALES.. meaning that we get stories in there, not a big ol' book!  This is a cute book that has several tales in there, most around a couple pages with a picture in it.  This would be a great bed time book, as they are short stories that will get some giggles... like a rabbit making a c...

Oh My Goodness.  Do you have people on your Christmas list that are just difficult to buy for?  Like you really want to get them a gift, but they really don't "need/ want" anything... so it makes it hard?  Well, let me just tell you about a little gem I have stumbled upon.  FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are  my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. Cleanlogic body care is the product you need to buy!  Like, for real!  I am not one to really pamper myself.  For the most part, I don't wear makeup, so I just wash my face in the shower and go on about life.  I don't have any skin care routines that I stick to, but I am telling you now... Cleanlogic has changed my shower routine a bit!   Now, like I said, I don't wear makeup, so I don'...