Monthly Archives: January 2009

UB Funkeys

Age 5-7, Games, Toys, , , ,

Funkeys1

U.B. Funkeys are colorful, unique collectible figures that I predict are going to be around and growing in numbers for a long time.  Funkeys provide access to Terrapinia – a virtual world and home to the Funkeys via USB connected to your PC.  Each
Funkey has its own characteristics and can access different features on
the website.  There are 14 species of Funkeys and 42 Funkeys available as of this review.

My 9 year old son likes Funkeys' games and the interactivity of the website.  As a mother though, I appreciate the fact that he is challenged by some of the games and that he is motivated to get more coins.

5 steps to getting started with U.B. Funkeys:

  1. Purchase a Funkeys starter kit
  2. Install the included software
  3. Plug the base into your computer via the USB
  4. Register on the U.B. Funkeys website
  5. Enjoy exploring the virtual world of Funkeys

Go to the U.B. Funkeys How it Works page to learn more.  I recommend checking Funkey prices in Amazon.com's U.B. Funkeys section before running out to your local toy store. 

Continue reading UB Funkeys →

Cookie magazine February issue: what’s inside

Magazines, New posts,

I get Cookie magazine every month and am so excited when I see it in the mailbox. I wonder what celebrity mom is on the cover, how cute her kids are, and love to read about her life whether she has a nanny or not.  Believe it or not, most of the celebrity moms featured in Cookie magazine don’t have a nanny!  Impressive.

February’s cover features model, hotel owner, author, beauty-line creator, television host and moms of 4, India Hicks. On top of all of that she cuts 80 fingermails and toenails every week.  Gosh, I cut 40 on two kids and that’s about every two weeks; when they get long enough to scratch me. 
How often do you cut your kids fingernails?

Read on to find out what’s inside February’s issue of Cookie and how to order your subscription and get a FREE gift!


Continue reading Cookie magazine February issue: what’s inside →

Book & CD review: A Duck in New York City

Age 3-5, Bedtime, Books, ,

DuckinnewyorkcityThis is one book that I have to read to Madelyn every night lately.   We even b
ring it on trips because it's such a part of her bedtime routine. 
A Duck in New York City is about a little prairie duck who follows his dream to dance on Broadway.  His prairie duck friends think he's being unrealistic but he takes off for New York anyway.  He flies and flies all the while saying "Yes, you can" to motivate himself to get to N.Y.C. 
Luckily, a truck-driver
named Big Betty comes along, offers him a ride , and gives him that
extra little boost he needs to fulfill his dream!  The little prairie
duck takes advantage of his time at rest stops to practice and show off
his dancing skills which pays off in the end.  You'll have to read the
book to learn what happens!

"Yes, you can" is repeated throughout the book and is a catchy line making it easy for preschoolers to remember and recite with you while reading the book.  Madelyn has become very good at saying this line right when we get to it every time.

A Duck in New York City comes with a CD and the second part of the book includes the lyrics for the songs on the CD.  Songs include Slug Opera, Alligator Waltz, and Seed in the Ground.  My kids love listening to this CD in the car.  There is also a PDF file on the CD with the lyrics in French and English.

Learn more and buy A Duck in New York City here.
.

Your thoughts and prayers please

Personal

I typically don't publish personal posts here but I can't help but request your thoughts and prayers for the next few days.

My Uncle passed away this morning.
Despite the fact that it was somewhat expected, it was still a shock to get the phone call.
He had Alzheimer's and was only in his mid 60's. He suffered with Alzheimer's for going on about 10 years now, but before the last 10 years he was humorous, always trying to make us laugh. He was the type to say "pull my finger" and make silly sounds. Yes, it was gross.. there's no denying that. But the silly things that he did made him special and made him stand out in my memories as I got older.

Besides being very sad that he has passed, I am more sad for my cousins who are too young (early 30's and 40) to have lost their father already. My cousin Kami has two young children, 3 and 1 who called him Papa and loved him dearly despite Papa not knowing who they were some of the time. The kids saw my Uncle, their Grandfather Papa, almost every day for their entire lives and grew up knowing him as he was and accepted and loved him that way.

I was under the impression that Alzheimer's sufferers usually died of other complications such as Pneumonia but from what I understand my Uncle died suddenly this morning after asking for help to sit up. He apparently died in my Aunt and cousin's arms very quickly and unexpectedly. I can't imagine their shock and heartache to experience his passing that way.

The kids and I will go to Kentucky for the funeral Thursday a.m. and spend a couple of days there. I am not sure whether or not I will take the kids to the funeral as they were just saw him over Thanksgiving and I feel as though they, especially my 9 year old, might take it very hard to see his body. Madelyn, my 2 year old probably wouldn't know the difference. Sebastian however, went to my Grandfather's funeral over the summer and took it pretty hard. I don't know if I can put him through that again.

I would appreciate your prayers for my cousins as I know this will be very difficult for them.

Sincerely,

Alicia

Solaroo UV Blocking Sun Clothing from SunFriendlyProducts.com

Age 1-3, Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Age 7-10, Ages 10-13, Clothes - mom & dad, Safety, ,

Solaroo-blueI received two Solaroo UV blocking suits last summer and failed to write the review and now I can't find the photographs of the kids wearing the suits to post in this review.  Anyway.. I am giving you the heads up now that Solaroo's UV blocking sun clothing is a must have this coming spring and summer. 

Both of my kids loved their suits last summer.  Sebastian felt cool in his surfer style blue shirt and Madelyn looked adorable in her pretty pink one piece suit.Solaroo-pink

My kids were outside a lot last spring and summer and Sebastian wore his Solaroo shirt when playing with his friends outside and helping me in the garden.  I am paranoid about sunburn and UV damage and love knowing that the kids Solaroo UV blocking sun clothes protect them from UV rays and I never forget to cover the rest of their bodies with super spf sunscreen.  It's not worth it to skip the sunscreen or UV blocking clothes if you have them!  I just wish I had a Solaroo shirt and Extreme Performance Hat
for when I'm out in the yard or playing with the kids.

Solaroo UV blocking sun clothing is lightweight, dries quickly, and keep 98% of the UV rays out.  Available in kids sizes 0 months to 8 years, womens sizes up to 18 and mens sizes up to XX-Large with varying prices.

Go to SunFriendlyProducts.com to see their huge selection of UV Blocking Sun Clothing and accessories for babies, kids, and adults.