Jumpin-Beans

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. Image Credit - Amazon Have a child between the ages of 2-6?  Or do you have (or know)  a child that loves to have fun and age really doesn't matter?  If so, I have a book for you to check out!     We recently received the book  Recipes for Play   and just looking at the cover, you know it will be a fun one!  The book starts with a "Letter to Mess"   You know, saying to come visit... but not stay to long :)  Then, as we get to the Table of Contents, you see what all is in store for you! They have a Sensory Guide, a bit of an  introduction as to "getting started" and they even include a guide as to making your own color dyes!   (Who would have known that to...

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. Image Credit : Amazon Yesterday, I posted the Q&A with the author, Nancy Tillman... Today, I tell you about the awesome book that I had the chance to review.  Luckily for me, I was able to look at it without Broxton, as I want to give him this sweet book as one of his Christmas gifts!  I'd Know You Anywhere, My Love is a one of a kind book that truly shows the unmistakable love we have for someone close to us... Oh, side note really quick... some of you might be familiar with the book,  "On the Night You Were Born," well, this is from the same author!      In I'd Know You Anywhere, we get to see the beautiful artistry... not only with the words that Nancy has used to tell the s...

*  This is not a sponsored post.  I just know that as a mom (that tried to breastfeed and pump)  I would have loved to have had more information out there for me.... So, without further ado... Let me tell you about the Evenflo Breast Pump:  This liquid gold (Breast Milk)  is one of nature’s purest forms of nourishment; however, the way a mom expresses her milk during pumping could affect its purity. To prevent contamination, moms are advised not to share or buy used pumps, and to avoid ‘open system’ pump where there is no barrier between the milk collection bottle and the pumping mechanism. In these open systems, breast milk can be exposed to the air and bacteria, and can actually backup into the tubing and pump – areas that are difficult to clean and can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and viruses. Instead, moms looking to buy a breast pump should invest in a closed-system like the high-quality, yet affordable, Advanced Double Electric B...

How I Met Your Mother Season 7 comes out on October 2nd...  In this season, Lily and Marshall are first time parents... Below, you will find the top 5 tips for first timers... In   How   I   Met   Your   Mother ’s seventh season, first time parents, Lily and Marshall have to adjust to the rigors of parenthood and find out, like many before, just   how   hard it is. So fresh from family naptime, here are the topfive Eriksen family tips for first-time moms and dads. GET HELP.  You’ll probably hear family and friends say things like “if you need help…” and “anytime you need a sitter…” Take them up on it! Also, it’s healthy to socialize. Do not feel guilty for it.  THEY DO SLEEP.  But they usually mix up nights and days during the first several weeks. What’s more, most babies do not sleep through the night until they are about four months old. Remember that too much sleep during the day will keep nighttime visitor Mr....

We know that kids can say the craziest things...  Broxton has said numerous things that I always wish I had written down, but then I forget about them...  I need to make a habit of trying to be better at that!!!! Luckily, for those of with kids... or even those of us that just love kids, Leslie McCollum wrote things down... and out of the mouth of babes, we have Preschool Gems. Preschool Gems is a book that is 109 pages of sayings...  From " "Tell us a story from your brain."  to "I remember when I didn't know you" you will smile reading them.  Now, I will be honest, some just didn't do anything for me...  I think more would have been funny had there been a back ground story to it...  But, that is just my opinion on that one...  I did enjoy it...  So, out of the mouth of babes... if we could only have days like this: " I fell because I high-fived so hard!" Preschool gems has tons of one liners sure to p...

Growing up, we always had a subscription to Sports Illustrated.  I am serious, I think my dad probably started getting it when we had a magazine sale or something and then we always kept it... I even sent Marc our SI issues after we read them when he was deployed... I know it was late, but interesting articles is better late than never, right?  My dad had SI and then I believe it was my brother that started getting Sports Illustrated for Kids...  We are very much sports fans, so I figured when Broxton got a bit older, we would once again have SI for Kids in our house... I never really thought about the fact that the boys might enjoy reading them when they come to visit... Everyone can use "reading material" at some point or another, if you know what I mean...   That being said, go ahead and sign up for a subscription today... At only $19.95 a year (which includes the tablet edition and the print edition...)  it is really too good to pass up. If you would li...

I know that I want to be the best parent I can be to Broxton... Yes, I want him to like me.. but I am not going to compromise parenting to do so... I will try my best to not be a "helicopter parent" but I will be trying to help guide him into making the right decisions... There will be failure along the way, we all know life is not perfect, but I will praise him for things that deserve so! I was excited to get the book, Surviving Your Adolescents How to Manage and Let Go Of Your 13-18 Year Olds , as I want to be the best I can be... I know I will be that mom crying when he goes to preschool soon.. and for sure I will be that parent that will be crying when he leaves for college! Yes, we have the boys, 12 ,14 and 16... but I am not with them 24/7, so I don't think that I need to learn to "let go of them" This book is broken down into 6 parts... A total of 18 chapters.. Let's start and look at a cartoon image from the book: Does this look familiar to you? ...

I really enjoy working with Free Spirit Publishing. I have been able to review all sorts of books that are not the typical ones you find at the local store. We have had the opportunity to review their latest series, ParentSmart / KidHappy . I thought that these would be great to work with Broxton since we do need to get  more of a stricter schedule with him getting ready to start school.  So, this was the perfect time to read these. Up first:  Ready for the Day. In this book, you have a daddy getting his little girl up to start her day.  As with some kids, she is not eager to get ready for school.  Instead of daddy snapping at her, he kindly tells her that he too wishes he could stay home with her, but that they will have time to play that night and for her to pick out a game for them to look forward to.  He also picks out a couple outfits and has her choose the one that she will wear.  No, he is not giving her complete control, but by giving her ...

If you read my earlier post, We have Found a Church ! I am so excited about that and also that we have decided to enroll Broxton into their school. With that being said, I want to make sure he is on the right path. Granted, we work on our colors, numbers, shapes and what not..  If you are a regular reader on here, you know that I love to read and want to pass that to Broxton. The latest book I have had the chance to enjoy is What Children Need to Learn to Read .   This book is full of information and Broxton has seemed pretty happy that I am reading it. Chapter 1- Parent / Teacher Tips Chapter 2 - A Children's Language Accomplishment Checklist (Birth to Age 6) Chapter 3- A Reading Checklist for Parents Chapter 4- Baby and Toddler Games Chapter 5- Rhyming Chapter 6- Music and Songs Chapter 7- Letters and Their Sounds Chapter 8- Sight Words Chapter 9- Read Alouds, Listening and Comprehension Chapter 10- Phonics Chapter 11- Writing Chapter 12 - Word ...

I admit it, I love to read and more than that, I love to read things that can "help" me be a better mom to Broxton.  If you remember, Marc was deployed basically until Broxton was 13 months old.. During that time, I was "THAT" mom..  We were frequent visitors at the pediatrician.. I was determined that there was NO WAY I was going to have to get in touch with Marc in a war zone to tell him anything bad about Broxton.. and I was NOT going to be a bad mom.. I want to be the BEST mom... So, that means I had all sorts of books on babies... and Google and I were on a first name basis!!! I was always online looking to see things and make sure all was okay. I remember when we go all the time, they would ask if he was doing different things and that he was reaching the different milestones... Truth be told, I wasn't sure what I should be attempting to do with him, but luckily he was doing all the things they would ask... Now, Marc is home and we do not go nearly ...

WHEN I cook, I look for easy and something that I think Broxton will like. Don't get me wrong, he isn't picky... It is just that somethings seem more appealing to him than others! So, when I heard about the latest book from Annable Karmel , I was all over it! Top 100 Pasta Dishes : Easy Everyday Recipes That Children Will Love ! Hello?! Did you read that? Top 100 Pasta Easy Children Will Love That is right up my alley!!! I got it in for review and I tell ya what, just looking through all the pages, you just want to eat the book! Right then and there! The pictures of the food are just so delicious looking! Chicken and butternut squash pasta risotto! Truthfully, I have never eaten Rissoto , but watch enough Hell's Kitchen and I want to try it, that is for sure! What main thing do I really love about the book? At the top of each recipe page: Suitable for: with the appropriate age for the little ones Makes : number of portions Preparation Time : Cooking...

I do not have a daughter, but I am one..... So, I was eager to read the new book, "What Do You Expect? She's a Teenager!" by Arden Greenspan-Goldberg, LCSW , BCD . Well, that and the fact that my little cousin is in her "tween" years, so I thought it might help my aunt out! This book is labeled as: A Hope and Happiness Guide For Moms With Daughters Ages 11-19. Talk about a wide gap in the ages it covers! In What Do You Expect, you get 15 Chapters filled with information on how to handle different situations. This book is 326 pages of helpful items! The Chapters Are: Chapter 1 - Introduction to Aerial Parenting Chapter 2 - Why Is She Like That? Chapter 3 - Technology Chapter 4 - Independence Chapter 5 - Family Dynamics Chapter 6 - School Chapter 7 - Peers Chapter 8 - Bullying Chapter 9 - Dating Chapter 10 - Sex Chapter 11 - Body Image, Health and Personal Identity Chapter 12 - Alcohol and Drugs Chapter 13 - Mental Health Chapter 14 - Special Needs Cha...

Okay, so you read the title to this! See why I just HAD to review it? Mamarazzi : Every Mom's Guide to Photographing Kids . With a title like that, I had to read it... Even if I could just pick up one or two tricks to get better pictures of Broxton ! Just one... Maybe? This book is so cute! Besides cute, it is like a photography class in a book. With easy to read language! I love how the Sections of the book are not called "Sections" but they are called "Takes!" Now tell me you don't love it? Also, it has TONS of great photo's in it... As in a wonderful photography book if you love looking at kids! Instead of just telling you things, they actually show you the end result... You know how much easier that makes things? LOTS! This book not only tells you about photographing your child, it tells you about your camera. This is FULL of information. If you are like me and dream of a dSLR , this gives you inside scoop on them. A bonus? At the end of each Chapter...

Mothers Day is May 8 Th . Do you have any plans? We don't. Not to be funny, but every day is special to me now that I have Broxton . I love my mom and my grandmothers, but I do not know if we will be down there... I do know they will be thought of, but they are everyday already! If you are looking for a sweet something to get a Mother in your life... I have a great idea for you. The Tao of Motherhood by Vimala McClure . This is a book that would be great for a friend that is a mother, for your mother or even for yourself! I was able to review it and I enjoyed the read. As you can expect, they are all short reads. They just released the 20 Th Anniversary edition. (It was released April 11 th !) 20 Th Anniversary? Something must be going right! In the introduction, the author states: " I hope you find inspiration here, and that your journey with your child is a joyful one that teaches you what you can here to learn." I really enjoyed the read and the fact that it is be...