Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts

Monday, November 21, 2016

Give a Gift that Makes Memories

Exploring the Outdoors


My daughter just turned 6 in October. We live in rural Maine. Where I live, you can go outside and look up at the sky on a clear night and see all the stars. You can identify the constellations. Sometimes we can see the planets, satellites, asteroids, comets. Unless it's a cloudy night we can almost always see the moon and the stars. It's really breath-taking!

When she was born, I was lucky enough to meet one of the nurses who took care of me and my twin sister back in the 80s. As new parents, like most other parents we were so nervous. She told us there were 3 things children really needed, "Feeling secure or safe, love, and basic necessities."

Growing up we didn't always have a lot. We learned to appreciate what we had. To be humble: that no matter your situation there was always someone who was worse off. I tried taking some pictures for you, unfortunately, none of them came out: just a black screen :(

This is a fairly accurate depiction of the night sky where I live. Unfortunately none of the pictures I took came out: just a black screen. Source: Night Photography

It's the Simple Things in Life


It's the simple pleasures in life we share that will last a lifetime. During the holidays we sometimes go overboard on buying presents or the "things" but it's the feelings; the emotions associated with those things and the people. Family. Loved ones we're surrounded by that will last a lifetime.

Stargazing, nature watching are both experiences our family shares together.


GeoSafari Jr. My First Telescope


  • A Parents’ Choice Approved Award Winner (2016)
  • National Parenting Product Award (NAPPA) winner (2016)
  • Teacher's Choice Preschool Award Winner (2016)















  • Ideal tool for preschoolers interested in space and the moon
  • Encourages exploration and discovery
  • Provides hands-on experience with a scientific tool
  • Introduces the wonders of space
  • Perfect for STEM learning



My First Telescope is made for ease of use.











This is what I loved about the Geosafari Jr. My First Telescope:
  • No focusing, so it's user-friendly.
  • Easy open tripod
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • I liked the eyepiece even though you can't adjust the focus and this telescope is essentially a nicely made magnifying glass that looks like a telescope.
  • The concept is to get kiddos excited about the outdoors 
  • It helps kids develop their imaginations



This product is recommended for ages 4 and up. My daughter is 6 and this has definitely been one of her favorites. She loves that she can feel grown up, "Let me go get my telescope, so I can look at the stars!"

Folks, I'm sorry to disappoint you; but, I've tried it... I can't see my neighbor's porch light, let alone the stars with this product. It's essentially a magnifier and the website says this too.

But the bottom line is that doesn't matter! Like I said before, it's the simple things in life. Making memories. Feeling a part of the family. Being loved. Looking at the stars.

Find the Award-Winning GeoSafari Jr. Telescope at Educational Insights or visit Educational Insights for more great products!

Disclaimer: I received this product in order to facilitate my honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated in any other way.


Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Update: Holiday Gift Guide

I'm excited to announce I'm partnering with Educational Insights and Learning Resources!

I've made many inquires to various companies and am awaiting replies.

I am still taking Submissions for my 2016 Holiday Gift Guide!

I hope to feature gift ideas in the following categories:

  • Children's Gifts
  • Men's Gifts
  • Women's Gifts
  • Family Gifts
  • Pet Gifts
  • Stocking Stuffers
If you are interested in sponsoring my 2016 Holiday Gift Guide, please contact me at dpapsis2@gmail.com

**There are a number of options available!

I plan to publish product reviews ASAP with backlinks to product and/or company pages and original photographs with social media amplification.

All sponsors and/or products will be featured in my Holiday Gift Guide and on my social media sites; as well as my permanent Sponsors Page.

I plan to publish my completed Holiday Gift Guide by Monday November 21st for maximum traffic and exposure in line with the Holiday Shopping Season. (Think Black Friday and Cyber Monday).

Monday, March 21, 2016

Surprise From FiveJoy!

Copied email from FiveJoy's Co-Founder

Thanks for Making it Right #FiveJoy!


FiveJoy sent us a package with Not One but Two teepees! One was a replacement teepee for the one that broke and for the Animal Kingdom Teepee as a surprise for my daughter who absolutely adores all animals "for the inconvenience."



Renee and her friend had a ball playing in the FiveJoy Spaceship Teepee!

I'm happy to report the second FiveJoy Spaceship Teepee we were sent was finished and much easier to setup. The holes in the top poles were drilled large enough for the laces to fit through properly, as they should 😊


Pros:
  • Heavy-duty, nicely printed canvas
  • Bag for storage
  • Portable
 
Tips for Assembly:
  • An extra pair of hands is helpful when putting these teepees together!
    • The time to put a teepee together was an estimated 10 minutes with some help, much better than struggling by ourselves!
  • If the holes aren't drilled large enough for the laces or strings to fit through, you can use a drill, screwdriver or screw- whatever you have on hand to widen the hole.
  • Each teepee comes with instructions and a piece of sandpaper. You may need to sand the poles where they fit together, in order for the poles to fit into the PVC properly.
  • Once you've assembled the poles, put them through the top of the teepee where the opening is (taking care that they are threaded through the seams for the poles.
I believe the first product I was sent was defective. I can now confirm that.


FiveJoy sent my daughter their Animal Kingdom Teepee as a surprise and to make amends.
Customer Service
After receiving no traction about a replacement product through a series of emails with Stephanie the Customer Relationship Manager and finally Jennifer the CEO of FiveJoy. I left reviews and feedback based on my experience. Shortly thereafter I received the above email from Jennifer.

Bottom Line: I would recommend the FiveJoy Teepee based on my experience.

My Recommendation: Based on the products I received there are some flaws with the design, which I spoke with FiveJoy's CEO in detail. If you run into similar issues with other companies, I recommend being persistent and following up.

Disclosure: I received this product as a replacement for the one I previously reviewed. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Build Monster Jam's Blue Thunder!


What and When: This Saturday, March 12 at 10 am Lowe's is hosting one of their Build and Grow Workshops featuring Monster Jam Monster Trucks!

I love when stores give back and support local communities. These initiatives help bring families together too. The toy truck being built this weekend is Blue Thunder.

Stock Photo from Lowes.com: Kids receive an apron, their building kit, and get a space at a table to build.
Building projects are suggested for ages 6+ but with help kids can often start significantly younger. Any adult can take their child for these building projects.
  • Build Confidence. 
  • It's a bonding experience and can be lots of fun for the whole family.
  • Kids learn responsibility when they learn how to use tools.
  • Free, family fun.
The Finished Project: Blue Thunder Monster Jam Monster Truck
Space is limited! 
Register via Lowe's Build and Grow Website. http://lowesbuildandgrow.com/

Thursday, March 3, 2016

#FiveJoy Teepee (Spaceship) Review

My daughter loves making forts out of blankets or beach towels... even sheets. She will drag the chairs from my dining room into our living room in her attempt to make a blanket fort for her and Lola, our Pomeranian. The two are virtually inseparable and when they are, Renee makes sure she knows where Lola is!

After struggling with this product for close to an hour she was so excited!
The FiveJoy teepee comes packaged in a cardboard box and paper. It has it's own bag.

I was disappointed in the FiveJoy Teepee I was sent because it was not easy to set up as quoted. The holes in the top poles were not drilled large enough for the laces to fit through properly. If you shift the teepee around at it comes apart because the poles are in three sections which would be nice if they were tapered and fit snuggly; however, I was constantly fixing the teepee and one leg or another, putting it back together. I had to tie the teepee canvas around interwoven in the poles at the top to try and keep the canvas up as shown in the photo above. Once taken down, and I tried to put the teepee back together the next day the laces literally fell off and had come unstitched.


Pros:
  • Nicely printed canvas
  • Bag for storage
  • Portable
Cons:
  • Poles were unfinished
    • The holes were not drilled all the way through or enough for the product to be setup as pictured on Amazon.
  • The strings or laces came un-stitched from the canvas
Quality and Ease of Assembly
I expected this teepee to be easy to assemble and a high-quality product. I believe I was sent a defective product; however, I cannot confirm that.


See how the string laces through that one hole but not the others?
The pole in the forefront is not drilled all the way through.

Sadly the Strings or Laces literally fell off of the canvas after one use!

Customer Service or Lack Thereof
I tried working through the website I review products for to obtain a replacement product to no avail. I called a phone number I received from Amazon for FiveJoy and left a message on their Google VOIP without a reply. Amazon could not replace the product because there was a promo code involved.

I got my and my daughter's hopes up of being able to receive a replacement product through a series of emails with Stephanie the Customer Relationship Manager and finally Jennifer claiming to be the CEO of FiveJoy.

Bottom Line: Unfortunately, I cannot and will not recommend the FiveJoy Teepee based on my experience.

My Recommendation: I would opt for a less expensive product that is structurally sound. Based on the product I received there are some flaws with the design, quality control problems and/or at the very least lack of customer service. I am very disappointed.

Disclosure: I received this product in order to facilitate my honest and unbiased review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own.

 

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

#FiveJoy Spaceship Teepee #Review Coming soon!

FiveJoy Spaceship Teepee
Do your kids make blanket forts out of pillows, couch cushions, towels, or whatever else they can think of? If you answered "yes," this is sure to be a product review we can both appreciate!


Monday, December 28, 2015

Backseat Car Organizer + Car Visor Organizer Review


  
Don't be a distracted driver. You reach back to catch or grab for your little ones favorite toy to comfort them, only to turn your attention back to the road just in time to swerve out of the way of oncoming traffic. Don't let it happen to you!


Organize your vehicle with a Backseat Organizer and Visor Organizer from Fancy Mobility.

Backseat Organizer: 22.1" x 12.4", length of the straps: 48" bottom, 16.5" top.
  • Quick and Easy Installation using the attached Velcro straps
  • Machine Washable
  • Made to hold all your child's cups, toys and other things

Visor Organizer: 12" x 6.9"
  • Keep all your important documents at your fingertips, MP3 Player, ear buds, or whatever you need. You name it!
 It's not worth the Risk. Get Organized!
I hate it when the car is a mess! Don't let it become a danger as mentioned above. Fancy Mobility is clearly the best choice with its 100% lifetime money-back guarantee. It is a RISK-FREE purchase you shouldn't pass up.

Disclaimer: I received the Backseat Organizer and Visor Organizer in order to facilitate my honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

Checkout the Backseat Organizer + Car Visor Organizer on Amazon here!


Sunday, November 22, 2015

Maine's Santa Hustle welcomes Freeway Maine's Only Reindeer!

I've never run in a 5K before! I'll have to put that on my Bucket List!
Every year many dress up as that jolly old elf, himself to raise money for charity!

http://www.santahustle.com/new-england/

Freeway the Reindeer and Baby her companion (a European Fallow Deer) made an appearance for the Santa Hustle at the Maine Mall in South Portland this morning in Maine!

I have had the joy of growing up around many animals. My father and stepmother own a traveling petting zoo, many ponies and a variety of animals for people of all ages to enjoy.

Their website is in need of updating. Their link is http://ponyxpresszoo.com/

You can follow Freeway and her friends on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/Pony-X-Press-Zoo-362614660297/?fref=ts

Friday, November 20, 2015

LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen #Giveaway - Step2 #FanFriday!

Enter to win a LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen from Step2 on their Facebook Page!

Like and Enter to win the LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen in Winner's Choice of color!
https://www.facebook.com/thestep2company/timeline


The Step2 LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen comes in the winner's choice of blue and green or maroon (ARV $179.99)!

Features include:
  • Realistic "stainless steel" oven, microwave, and refrigerator
  • Four electronic features: toy microwave, stove top, overhead light and phone to increase interactive play
  • Frying pan and boiling pot activate frying and boiling sounds on front burner, enhance make believe fun
  • Special silverware drawer and two "wicker" storage baskets for kitchen toy accessories
  • 33-piece accessory set included (colors of accessories and play food may vary)
The Step2 LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen is recommended for children ages 2 and up.



Do you want to purchase The LifeStyle PartyTime Kitchen for a child on your Christmas list? It is now On Sale for $119.99!

Check it out Here! http://www.step2.com/p/LifeStyle-PartyTime-Kitchen