National Geographic Kids Almanac 2018 Prize Pack #Giveaway

     Over this summer I really wanted to be sure the boys did not slip behind in their skills.  They both attended a month of summer school.  But the month of July we were on our own.  We didn't stick to the regular reading and math activities I planned to do.  I admit I wanted a simple relaxing summer too.  But we did receive the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2018 to help us out.

     The Nat Geo Kids Almanac 2018 is full of fun facts and interesting information. It is a great way to keep their brains working.  The almanac is full of incredible photos.  It also has crafts, activities, and fascinating features about animals, science, nature, technology, and more.  There is also a new feature on engineering and technology, space and Earth, and life sciences.    The contents includes:

• Your World 2018
• Awesome Exploration
• Amazing Animals
• Going Green
• Engineering and Technology
• Wonders of Nature
• Fun and Games
• Space and Earth
• Culture Connection
• Life Science
• History Happens
• Geography Rocks

     It was fun to read some of the interesting facts in this book.  Did you know that the Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle pees from its mouth.... gross I know, but interesting.  In Spain, "Pasta" is a slang term for money. A polar bear can smell a seal on the ice from 20 miles away. About 5,200 Hawksbill Sea Turtles hatch on Hawaii's shores each year.  And this is a very small amount of interesting facts you can learn in this book.

     We were also sent a super-sized toss and catch game.  It is shark-themed too!  It is great for in and out of the pool.  Even as summer ends this book will continue to be one we can learn from.  Getting back into school I really like the geography section.  It will be great when Jayden is studying about different countries.  

   

Win it:  One (1) Arizona Mama reader will win a National Geographic Kids Almanac 2018 Prize Pack including the Shark Themed Toss and Catch game.

Enter in the Giveaway  Tools form below! This giveaway will be open until 8/27  at 11:59PM (MST).  Open to US

   

Entry-Form

  

 I was provided the above mentioned products in order to provide a review. I was not compensated in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced. disclosure

Back to School With Label Daddy

     It is almost time to get ready for school and save 25% on Label Daddy peel and stick custom name labels! Label Daddy is a great way to label your belongings! You don't have to iron or sew . . . just peel and stick. They have exclusive laminated coating that gives the labels an extra layer of protection.  This are a must for school! Remember to label all clothing, books, bags, sports equipment, musical instruments, electronics, and other personal belongings your kids bring to school, camp, sports leagues, day care, vacation, and other places Label Daddy labels keep them from getting lost or mixed up with others. These are great for adults too! -- Put them on your sunglass/eyeglass case, phone, camera, sports equipment, tablet, e-reader, hats, clothing, and more.

     I have always used Label Daddy for all our labeling needs.  They are super durable peel-and-stick washable labels -- they're washer/dryer safe, microwave safe, dishwasher safe and UV resistant! Label Daddy labels are also fun and attractive. You can design your own labels! Pick from tons of colors, sizes and logos, including professional sports team logos (NBA, MLB, NHL), classic clip art icons, Emojis, kids' icons (princesses, trucks, and monsters), and more. These labels are made in the USA and shipped directly to you worldwide. 

Save 25% on your entire Label Daddy order - this is the best discount available anywhere. Use code USFAMILY25 at checkout. 

This post was written as part of a USFamilyGuide campaign.  I will be compensated for this post.  All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced.  

Save Money Back to School Shopping with Groupon

     Can you believe that it is already almost time to go back to school.  I feel like school just got out.  I have to return to work on August 31 to begin class prep and beginning of school training.  The boys return for school on August 9th.  So that does not leave much time for doing back to school shopping.  I like to shop around and find the best deals when possible.  That includes using coupon codes when I can.  That is why I like Groupon.  Groupon has lots of great coupon codes for stores I already shop at regularly.

Check out these store deals:
Target
Finish Line
The Microsoft Store
Walgreens
Shutterfly
Footlocker
OfficeMax/Office Depot
Barnes and Noble
Buckle
Famous Footwear
AbeBooks.com
Loft
Aeropostale
American Apparel

    This is only is only a short list of the great stores they have coupon codes for.  Many codes can also be printed for use in stores.  If you still have some summer left check out all the travel site deals also.  I love checking Groupon before I start any shopping.  Check out Groupon today before you start that back to school shopping list.

This post was written as part of a USFamilyGuide campaign.  I will be compensated for this post.  All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced.  

Bright Books Baby Board Books

  

     Baby's have a natural interest in books.  Which is great since early reading has so many benefits for baby.  All my children have enjoyed books early on.  Madilyn is really into books and loves to read them over and over.  She loves the pictures and naming what she sees.  I was recently sent 3 new Bright Books Baby board books for review.  Of course Madi was so excited to get new books.

The first book is Baby Bear's Busy Day.  The story is about a young bear and his mother as they venture on a busy day in the forest.  The book is visually stunning with bright neon elements, soft touch and feel bears, and shiny foil that will capture baby's full attention and imagination.    The book is engaging and has simple text.  The story is great for a bedtime story.

The second book is Bubble's Ocean Friends. In this book you can follow bubble on her adventure adventure and discover lots of ocean friends like turtles, starfish, crabs, and more.  It has fun rhyming text, bright and colorful illustrations, and shiny foiled details.  This book is also a counting book as baby can count all the ocean friends on each page.  I think this book is Madi's favorite of the 3.  She loves to go back to it and find all the ocean friends and the fish.

The third book is Shadow's Nighttime Adventure.  This is another adorable bedtime book.  It is the story of an adventurous cat named Shadow.  His favorite time to go on his adventures is at night.  He says hello to the moon, moves along on rooftops, stargazes with friends and much more.  The text is rhyming, with colorful elements text illuminate the dark, and a soft touch and feel cat that guides you through the story of the night.  

     All three of these books have bold illustrations that are touchable and interesting.  The text are simple, yet there are some great higher level vocabulary to help baby keep learning.  The books are a larger size board book.  The pages are thick and very sturdy.  These books make a great gift for baby. 

Thank you to Bright Books for providing the above mentioned products for review. 

 I was provided the above mentioned products in order to provide a review. I was not compensated in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced. disclosure

LEGOLAND Kids Vs. Grown Ups Creativity Competitions

LEGOLAND Discovery Center is launching a new program this Saturday called Kids vs. Grown Ups.  They are testing the theory that as we grow older, our creativity diminishes.  Master Model Builder Alec Posta will be judging the competitions, which will be held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at noon and 2 p.m. in the Creative Workshop at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. 

Visit LEGOLAND Discovery Center with your child and see who is more creative.  Get more information here. 

SEA LIFE and LEGOLAND Discovery Center Flash Sale

SEA LIFE and LEGOLAND Discovery Center have just announced a Flash Sale thru the holiday. 

What:   Flash sale! 

When:  Dates: 6/30-7/4

Cost:    LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona tickets for $12

             SEA LIFE Arizona tickets for $10

Both of these are a great deal.  Get your tickets now!!  

SmartMax My First Safari Animals Review & Giveaway

      Kids naturally like animals, especially large animals like giraffes, lions and hippos. SmartMax is using these beautiful beasts to attract toddlers to the magic of magnetism. SmartMax, are the makers of colorful magnetic construction toys for young children and they have now introduced two big game building toys. My First Safari ($19.99) and My First Animal Train ($29.99) are perfect for the youngest members in the house to safely explore magnetic play.  I received the SmartMax My First Safari for Madilyn to try.  

     The SmartMax My First Safari is for ages 1 and up.  Toddlers are awed when they discover the crocodile, lion, elephant, giraffe, hippo, and rhino.  Each animal is made up of 2 parts and a magnet to hold their body together in the middle.  They are chunky making it easier for toddlers to grasp them.  They are made from soft material and can easily click on the SmartMax bars (magnets).  The set comes with 18 colorful pieces. Toddlers can make 6 different animals.  Creative kids can mix and match parts and create fun crazy animals.  These are great for hand-eye coordination, logical thinking, color recognition, and creativity are all things children can work on while using these.  

     When we received this set I opened it up and Madilyn was immediately attracted to them.  She was excited to play with the animals.  My boys loved them too and jumped in to play with her.  Although she was not big on sharing her few found treasure.  Madilyn just turned 18 months and she is able to hold them, put them together, and pull them apart.  She does well with her hand-eye coordination. Madi likes to click them together and pull them apart.  Once she has an animal she will pretend they are walking around and make silly noises.  I love watching her play with these and use her imagination.  She also likes to put multiple bars together.  These have been a great addition to Madilyn's toy box.  Madi loves to pull them out and play.  

     I like how easy they are for Madi to use on her own and they invoke some imagination.  Plus they are fun for my boys to play with her when they want to join.  And I love that they are compatible with all SmartMax Sets.  So as Madilyn gets older we can add other sets to expand her exploring.  These sets would also make great gifts.  

Win it:  One (1) Arizona Mama reader will win their choice of My First Safari Animals or My First Animal Train. 

Enter in the Giveaway  Tools form below! This giveaway will be open until 6/30  at 11:59PM (MST).  Open to US

Entry-Form

Thank you to SmartMax for providing the above mentioned products for review and giveaway. 

 I was provided the above mentioned products in order to provide a review. I was not compensated in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced. disclosure

Dad's Free at Sea Life Aquarium on Father's Day

     If you are still looking for something to do on Father's Day here is a great option!!  Take dad and the kids for a day at Sea Life Arizona.  This is a great place to explore and spend time with dad.  Check out all the great sea life in this large indoor aquarium.  And even better is that dads get in free!!

     This Father’s Day, forgo the tie in favor of something the whole family can enjoy: a visit to SEA LIFE Arizona, and for Dad, it’s completely free (with purchase of a child ticket). The aquarium is giving families a great indoor opportunity to get up close and personal with sea turtles, sharks, starfish and countless other creatures from the deep. Visitors can also try their hand at the brand-new, nearly $1 million interactive Colorado River Exhibit, which takes guests on a hands-on tour of one of the region’s most critical waterways while introducing them to the fish and other aquatic creatures that call it home.

What: Free Admittance for Fathers Sunday, June 18

Where: SEA LIFE Arizona - 5000 S Arizona Mills Cir #145, Tempe, AZ 85282

When: All Day Father’s Day – Sunday, June 18, 2017

Starpath Dolls With Personalized Story Books

   Starpath Dolls are a collection of four dolls.  The dolls are multicultural and are featured in customizable chapter books.  These books complement the dolls.  These dolls are recommended for girls 5-9 years old.  With these dolls and books they can escape into a magical world.  The books are centered on shared adventures between two girl companions.  The books are easily personalized with details from the child's life online.  The books are available in paperback or in e-book format and instantly downloaded onto any electronic device.

  

     Everyone needs a best friend for companionship, acceptance, and love.  These dolls can provide a girl with someone to talk to and share new experiences with.  It can be as simple as exploring the woods or streets near home, riding the school bus, or imagining adventures in exotic places like India or fairy tale kingdoms.

     The dolls are 18 inches.  There are 4 dolls to chose from, Morning Star, Shining Star, Wishing Star, and Wandering Star.  Each dolls is multi culturally different with unique features.  A child can pick a doll that is culturally the same as her or different, what every she chooses.  There are 2 books that you can choose to customize, "A Fairy Tale Gone Wrong." or "Tiger Magic."

     When I saw these adorable Starpath Dolls I knew I wanted one for Madilyn.  Technically she is not in the age range for these dolls, but I was able get one for her and try it out myself with the boys.  The boys helped me look and we decided to get the doll that is most like Madilyn.  We picked Star Shine since she has brown hair, brown eyes, and has a cute little skirt outfit.  Madilyn loves her skirts.  For the personalized chapter book I chose A Fairy Tale Gone Wrong.  As I did the personalizing there were so many details to add in the book.  You can use real information or make it your own way.  As I put in the information it asked for a brother's name, but only 1.  Madilyn has 2 brothers and I didn't want to upset them that only 1 of them was in the book for her, but then it asked for the name of a prince.  So Evan  is in the book as her brother and Jayden is her prince.  I am having some trouble with the book.  I think mostly on my end.  It won't download for me, but it says I am missing something on my computer.  I tried 2 computers, but 1 is my work computer which I shouldn't be using, but I wanted to see i it was just my computer, but similar issue with missing something. I will keep trying, but for now we are very happy with this doll.

     Since she is not technically for Madilyn's age I wanted to save it for her as she gets old enough, but I will have to sneak it away as she already loves her.  She wants to carry her everywhere, sit with her, and even tries to dance with her.  These dolls are very well made.  The clothing is adorable and also well made.  Her legs bend so she can sit.  Her hair is soft.  These really are adorable dolls.  I know Madilyn will have a friend in her doll as she grows up with her.  These would make a great gift for any girl.  I think my 7 year old nieces would love these too!

Thank you to Starpath Dolls for providing the above mentioned product for review. 

 I was provided the above mentioned products in order to provide a review. I was not compensated in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own and not influenced. disclosure

Dad's Free at LegoLand Discovery Center on Father's Day

Are you looking for something fun to do with the kids on Father's Day??  Take dad and the kids to Legoland Discovery Center.  Dad's love Legos too!!  All day Sunday, June 18, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona is letting fathers in free of charge (with purchase of a child ticket), giving families a chance to check out the ultimate LEGO® playground inside Arizona Mills Mall and its near-endless lineup of opportunities for building, riding and playing at a deep discount!

What: Free Admittance for Fathers Sunday, June 18

Where: LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona - 5000 S Arizona Mills Cir #135, Tempe, AZ 85282

When: All Day Father’s Day – Sunday, June 18, 2017