Bags of Love

No secret - we are completely enamored with this boy!  A Ducks in a Row sponsor provided this gorgeous canvas for our family.  Bags of Love specializes in personalized gifts - bags, books, bedding.  Almost anything can be personalized with a favorite photo!

Does he look like he's our favorite?

I've ordered from Bags of Love before and have been super happy with their quality, the speediness of their delivery, and how friendly they are to work with.

Just so it is said - I was compensated for this post, but not for my opinions or words.

Q-Tip Craft

One day this winter break, G. and I found ourselves looking at each other and being bored.  What we came up with is a quick craft that stifled that boredom right away.

I broke the q-tips in half and G. stuck them in a Styrofoam ball.  My original thought was that it could be snowflakes.  By the time we were done, G. called them sea anemones.  We could have spray painted them, we could have added glitter, or at least googly eyes - but we didn't.  I took a cue from my little guy and this is all he wanted to do and was COMPLETELY happy the entire time.

Well, it didn't take long before big sister wanted in on the action.  She used Q-tips precision tips.  They have a pointy edge and are new.

Again, break and stick.

About a half hour later:

I use q-tips a lot with our crafts - mostly for applying paint or glue.  Every kid who has come in our home since has picked these up and gone a bit ga-ga over them.  Who would have known?  Sometimes the simplest craft are the most effective.

This is a sponsored post from Q-Tips cotton swabs.  If you're looking for extra inspiration on how to incorporate Q-tips® cotton swabs into your routine (along with a few laughs), head here to watch this new video, which can also be found on Facebook: facebook.com/qtips.

Personalized Letter from Santa

Check out the latest from First Time Books, they're offering Personalized Letters from Santa. You have the opportunity to customize a letter "from Santa" with a child's name, gender, hometown and more! First Time Books will also send a personalized follow-up letter from Santa after the holidays for FREE!

 
I have reviewed First Time Books twice before and both times my children were pretty excited about it!  I am sure they would be thrilled with this also!



PS - I still haven't heard from Mandy, winner of the Shabby Apple giveaway.  Mandy, PLEASE email me at laurelmacd@gmail.com by Friday night.  I will pick another winner if I haven't heard from you!

Mini Bobbles - Getting Kids to Drink Water

So it is a week after Halloween and we haven't made a dent in all the candy that we got.  To combat all the consumption of candy corn, chocolate, caramel apples and gummy snacks this Halloween season, I have been strongly encouraging drinking water.  You know how I feel about drinking water when I wrote about it here.

Bobble gave me the opportunity to try their mini Bobbles to help encourage these healthy habits.  My kids are having a great time with them - they are called the "watter bobbles" at our home.  I like the size - easy to throw in my purse and easy to grab.  If the bottles get too big, my kids don't like to carry them!  I also really like that these filter as you drink!  No more standing by the refrigerator waiting for the water to come out!  Bobble filters should be replaced after 40 gallons, or 150 liters, of water passes through them. This typically equates to two or three months’ use per filter. Users fill bobble with municipal tap water; schoolchildren can easily refill it from hallway water fountains or from their home’s kitchen sink. Bobble’s filter makes that water taste better by removing chlorine and organic contaminants from it. Chlorine is common to tap water and tends to impart a slightly sour aftertaste. Bobble eliminates that aftertaste. Bobble water instantly tastes cleaner and more refreshing.

Its smaller size, design by Karim Rashid and multicolored scheme were created to make water consumption more attractive – to encourage kids to prefer water to sugary sodas and other unhealthy drinks – which is imperative during this unhealthy holiday! Bobble is a vehicle to better health habits for children of all ages.  My kids love them.  I didn't think it would be a big deal because they drink so much water anyways, but they really do love them - and that is all ages of my kids that like them!


This post was sponsored by bobble which gave me an opportunity to try their products.