Momo Baby – Purple Skid-Proof Silicone Place Mat Product Review

I've really grown to love Momo Baby products since having the chance to review several pairs of their shoes. (You can read about them HERE, HERE, and HERE.) This time around I was asked to try out the Momo Baby Skid-Proof Silicone Place Mat. Of COURSE I chose the color purple. Not sure if it's a favorite of my kids, but I figure if it's going to be on my dinner table, it should be in a color I like. The biggest reason why I was excited for this review is because I have two messy toddlers. I know, toddlers are just inherently messy, however I am so tired of having to make sure their bowls aren't slipping all over the place when it's time to eat. Ever try to let a 1.5 year old eat soup from a bowl that won't stay in one place? It's nearly impossible and ends up everywhere.
"Skid-proof silicone placemat relies on its self-adhesive properties to keep small articles in place, preventing from slipping and vibrating. The placemat can be attached onto any smooth surface without leaving any sticky residue. Attach and remove multiple times without loss of tackiness. Mat is non-toxic, odorless, and hypo-allergenic." ~ Momo Baby
I've used a skid-proof mat from another brand before, and wasn't a fan. It didn't stay put very well, or not as well as I would have liked it to. If I'm
going to spend money on a product, it needs to be worth it. This mat really appears to be worth it. It's a heavy silicone so it's pretty durable. (Unfortunately my kids are terrors at times and BIT pieces of it off.) So, don't let your kids get to it if they enjoy using their chompers to destroy things. Otherwise, it's durable. It's also flexible and stretchy. The only negative thing I noticed was that the color of the product on the website didn't quite line up with what I received. That's actually great for me because I liked the color much better once the product was in my hands. It wasn't quite as plain purple, but more of a dark pink-ish purple. (Think more red than blue.) But, as I said, I like the color better.
The place mat actually STAYS on the table. It's almost impossible to move unless you lift it up. There is NO sliding what-so-ever. Bowls, cups and utensils also stay put when placed on the mat. It's super easy to clean, however it does attract pet hair like nobody's business.
Minus the snafu of my kids thinking the mat was food, I really am happy with this product. I think it has made eating a lot easier for the kiddos and a lot less messy for mommy. I love that it's hypo-allergenic (not that we have allergies, but ya know, we could have other kids over), non-toxic, and doesn't have an odor. You know how awful it is taking a new children's product out of a box and it just smells like... chemicals. Ick.
Make sure you browse through the Momo Baby website. They also offer maternity clothes, feeding items, and additional styles of shoes for your growing kiddlets. You can also find them on FACEBOOK!
*I was provided a product free of charge from Momo Baby in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine. See Disclosure Policy.
Momo Baby – Leather Sneakers with Flexible Sole Product Review

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of writing about Momo Baby's Leather Shoes with Flexible Rubber Soles, and today I have the equal pleasure of writing about Momo Baby's Leather Sneakers with Flexible Rubber Soles. Back in December Momo Baby reached out and asked if I'd like to try out their two new lines of baby/toddler shoes, and of course I said yes. I loved their soft sole baby shoes, and they were large enough that my son STILL wears them. He picks out what shoes he wants to wear every day, and they're always one of the Momo Baby pairs of shoes.
"We have carefully designed our shoes to protect your child's feet, while incorporating many beneficial attributes to promote quality foot quality. Momo Baby Leather Sneakers with Flexible Rubber Sole feature high quality genuine leather with fashionable looks and excellent durability. Easy-on, easy-off design double straps with Velcro are designed ensure the best fit. Leather and mesh upper/textile lining/rubber sole." ~ Momo Baby
Momo Baby offers 6 different designs in their Leather Sneakers, and I decided to go with the Dinosaur in Tan style in size 6.5. As I said in a previous review, in these styles of sneakers and shoes, the biggest size offered is 6.5. I still wish they offered larger sizes so I could keep my kiddo in Momo Baby shoes even longer. But, they fit perfectly for now, and I can tell they are very comfortable for him.
In addition to the awesome sole which makes it very easy for him to maintain his balance while toddling around, they're very light weight. There's no holding him back now! I also loved the dual Velcro straps. I can adjust the tightness of the shoe in two areas which is fantastic for anyone who has a child with fat feet. (Yes, it happens. My daughter's feet used to be MASSIVE and the only shoes she could wear for awhile had to be like the Momo Baby soft sole baby shoes.) I also loved that the strap closest to the ankle is sewn down in the middle, and Velcros on either side. Getting these shoes on and off is a cinch! They're great for the colder months, because even though they do breath with the nice mesh, they are completely closed shoes, and come up relatively high on the ankle. They will easily fit a warm pair of socks in addition to the little feet they cover. The treads are also a very nice touch to the overall design of the shoe. These allow him to walk on slippery floors without slipping and sliding all over the place. He can easily transfer from our wood floors, to the carpet, to going outside and walking around in the dirt, fallen leaves, grass, and sidewalk.
Features:
- Rubber soles with deep tread pattern increases slip-resistance
- Flexibility of the sole enables a better natural shift of weight from the back to front of the shoe when walking
- Durable mesh for lightweight construction while allowing maximum breathability
- Fan-shaped toe box resembles the shape of child's foot, allowing the big and small toe to move freely
- Removable, anti-bacterial, breathable insoles keep feet comfy and dry
- All lines of Momo Baby footwear has recently been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association's prestigious Seal of Acceptance.
I absolutely adore these shoes for my son, and with recently receiving the American Podiatric Medical Association seal of Acceptance, I believe my son is getting a quality shoe that will support and protect his growing feet.
Make sure you browse through the Momo Baby website. They also offer maternity clothes, feeding items, and additional styles of shoes for your growing kiddlets. You can also find them on FACEBOOK!
*I was provided a product free of charge from Momo Baby in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine. See Disclosure Policy.
Momo Baby – Leather Flexible Rubber Sole Shoes Product Review

Way back in August, I had the opportunity to review a pair of soft sole baby shoes from Momo Baby, and we really loved them. In fact, my son just wore that pair yesterday. We still receive so many compliments on them whenever we venture out. Recently I was asked to review two more pairs of Momo Baby shoes; Rubber Sole Leather Shoes and Rubber Sole Leather Sneakers. Because these are two different products, and for the sake of keeping my review on the shorter end of things, these two products will be reviewed separately.
"We have carefully designed our shoes to protect your child's feet, while incorporating many beneficial attributes to promote quality foot quality. Momo Baby Leather Shoes with Flexible Rubber Sole feature high quality genuine leather with fashionable looks and excellent durability." ~ Momo Baby
While I think just about all of the Momo Baby styles are super adorable for the Rubber Sole Leather Shoes, we decided to go with the Rainbow Caterpillar in Tan. My kids are huge "Very Hungry Caterpillar" fans, so I thought this might be a cute way to add to the fun of a book they love so much. My son is growing like a weed, so after measuring his foot with a ruler, we decided size 6.5 would probably be our best bet. The only thing that I noticed was that 6.5 was the biggest size they offered. It's kind of a bummer because, while my son's feet fit in the shoe, he won't have very long in them, and these would be perfect through the majority of his toddler years.
Anywho, the shoes fit perfectly. They're so soft and easy to put on. With a wiggly toddler, the easy way is the best way? You know what I'm talking about. You have about 2.5 seconds to get each shoe on before they're off and running, or flipping themselves over, or squirming out of the seat like a melting scoop of ice cream.
Features:
- Rubber soles with deep tread pattern increases slip-resistance
- Flexibility of the sole enables a better natural shift of weight from the back to front of the shoe when walking
- Fan-shaped toe box resembles the shape of child's foot, allowing the big and small toe to move freely
- Adjustable straps with Velcro makes it simple to get on and off
- Genuine leather lining enhances breathability and removable, anti-bacterial, breathable insoles keep feet comfy and dry
- All lines of Momo Baby footwear has recently been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association's prestigious Seal of Acceptance.
Now that my son is completely mobile, having a rubber sole is a necessity. He likes to walk everywhere, and some places definitely need thicker bottoms (like in our yard), and treads (like in our muddy yard). My son walks effortlessly in these shoes, and I feel great knowing that the soles of his feet are protected, and that they won't slip off.
The Velcro strap is a fantastic touch. I love that I can quickly adjust how tight the shoes are based on whether or not he's wearing socks that day. Having a closed toe is great too. Even though I wouldn't consider them summer shoes, they're still wearable because they breath well, and they're light weight so if we go on any trips into the city, or hikes, he can definitely get by with these shoes in the warmer months.
Right now you can get these shoes on SALE from Momo Baby! They're currently only $24 instead of their original price of $49!
Make sure you browse through the Momo Baby website. They also offer maternity clothes, feeding items, and additional styles of shoes for your growing kiddlets.
*I was provided a product free of charge from Momo Baby in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine. See Disclosure Policy.
Thermal-Aid – “Tiny” Zoo Elephant Product Review

Back in June, I was super excited because Thermal-Aid sent me their "Buckley" bear to review. I had been dying to try one out, and while I knew it was still a pretty great product, I didn't have the opportunity to really test it thoroughly since neither of my kids were injured or sick at the time. Since then, both of my kids have used "Buckley", and so have I. It's been great for bumps and bruises if used as a cold pack. Because it never freezes solid, I can use it on my children in areas (like the forehead) that would normally end up uncomfortable with a frozen solid ice pack. My daughter slept with "Buckley" a few times when she was running a fever. It seemed to help cool her down a bit, and kept her from becoming too restless, and it also was closer to a toy she'd rather cuddle with. I even used "Buckley" as a heat pack on my neck, which felt fantastic.
When I find a company and product I love, I try to stay up-to-date on new product releases. I tend to "Facebook stalk". Thermal-Aid has been gearing up for the release of their new Thermal-Aid Zoo animals for the last several months. Approximately 3-4 weeks ago, they were finally released and made available for purchase. Thermal-Aid offered to send one of their new zoo animals for a review. My daughter decided to go with "Tiny", the pink elephant. Elephants have always been kind of her mother imposed "theme", so I have to admit I was tickled she chose that one. In addition to "Tiny", they now have "Ollie" the light grey koala, "JoJo" the tan monkey, "Baxter" the dark blue bunny, and "Happy" the dark grey hippo. How cute is that?
Now, if you're not yet familiar with Thermal-Aid, make sure you keep reading.
"Our researchers worked closely with milling engineers from the largest agribusiness companies in the world to create a line of products, using a unique process, which allows a specialized corn to hold temperatures for long periods of time. This process removes the germ from the kernel, thus removing virtually all the moisture and preventing mold or fungi from forming. The entire process hardens the corn segments, causing an even temperature in each segment, and creating extended temperature retainment (hot and cold). This also extends the life of the corn beyond that of the material it’s sewn into!" ~ Thermal-Aid
As I alluded to earlier, the Thermal-Aid animals have two functions. They worth both as a heat pack, and a cold pack. If you want to use it for
aches and pains, just throw it in the microwave for the suggested 45-60 seconds. I found I needed mine to stay in the microwave closer 75-90 seconds in order to get it as warm as I wanted it. I might just stick with the suggested time for the kiddos too. If you think you're going to need it as a cool pack, just throw it in your freezer for about 5 hours. I leave my in continually (although I'm not sure if this is bad for the product). I've found over the last several months that I've needed our "Buckley" bear as a cold pack more often than a heat pack. So, now that we have "Tiny", we'll be able to have one reading for heating, and one already cold.
I think my daughter was just as excited about receiving "Tiny" as I was! She wanted to take it out of the box immediately, and even though this isn't meant to be used as a toy, it's great to know she has something she loves that will comfort her when mommy and daddy can't. I did want to mention that while using "Buckley" as a cold pack we were able to reduce the amount of Tylenol we normally give her while she's running a fever. I absolutely LOVE this because I hate giving my kids medications like that.
Thermal-Aid also makes products specifically for adults and pets, so make sure you check out their web site. The adult Thermal-Aid packs are "...clinically proven to reduce fever, sunburn, earaches, back & neck pain, flu symptoms, sprains, bee stings, headaches, sore muscles, growing pains, insomnia, and much more."
Thermal-Aid is also offering $5 OFF your purchase when you use code PEDDLER at checkout! The code will expired 12/21 at midnight, so get your order in now! These would also make a fantastic holiday gift for any new moms, experienced moms, or even for the kids themselves.
If you haven't yet, make sure you find Thermal-Aid on Facebook and Twitter. They're very interactive with the fans, and host a lot of great giveaways.
In addition to this super awesome discount, Thermal-Aid is giving away a "Tiny" the elephant! Giveaway will run for approximately 1 week, and is open to legal residents of the USA who are 18+. Once the giveaway is live you'll be able to enter [HERE].
*I received a product free of charge from Thermal-Aid in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine. See Disclosure Policy.
Rockboard – Original Scooter Product Review

What do you get a 10-year-old for Christmas that isn't an electronic device? Sure, you could go the usual route with clothing, a new bike, books, toys, movies, etc. However, that all gets rather boring pretty quickly, goes un-played with after 10 minutes, and most aren't exactly a great way to encourage the kiddos to play outdoors.) I was browsing the interwebz for ideas for this year's Christmas and happened upon the Rockboard Scooters. What really caught my attention was that the original Rockboard Scooter was a Toy Of The Year Finalist in 2011, and the Rockboard Mini was a Toy Of The Year 2012 Winner. How cool is that?!
I had initially contacted Rockboard to see about reviewing the Rockboard Mini, but found out that the product has only a 100lb weight limit. I wanted my step-daughter to be able to use this for several years, so we decided that the Rockboard Original Scooter would probably work for her best. It says it's for ages 8+, and has a 200lb weight limit. That means even I can ride it!
"Propulsion is achieved with each rock, wasting zero energy and allowing the scooter to reach speeds up to 10mph. The patented Rockboard Scooter comes fully assembled and can be folded to a compact size for storage." ~Rockboard
We were sent the Rockboard Original Scooter in the Orange on White color scheme. They aren't kidding when they say "no assembly required". The scooter came in a large box, and the minute you opened it, the product was ready to use. It did take us a little minutes to figure out how to get the scooter in the position in order to be able to use the "rocking" feature. Even after reading the instructions for whatever reason we still had a little difficulty. However, after checking things over, scratching our heads, and trying what the instructions said a few more times, we were able to figure it out. (It really shouldn't have been that difficult now that it's super obvious how it works. Definitely a user issue, and not a product issue.)
I tried hopping on the Rockboard Scooter while it was still in my house, and I was a little nervous that it was going to be a little heavy and awkward for a 10-year-old girl to handle. It's a very heavy duty product, but I suppose that means it's also great quality and could possibly hold up through more than one child using it over the years.
My step-daughter and her dad went next door into an abandoned parking lot to give it a whirl. She already knows how to use a regular scooter, so we were most interested in having her try it out by "rocking" the foot base back and forth. I just can't get over how cool that seems to be, and such a unique way to propel yourself around. After a few tries and working on getting her balance, my step-daughter had the hang of it no problem. She didn't wipe out ONCE. Even at her age I was a bit clumsy, and was definitely expecting a few bumps and bruises during the acclamation phase.
The Rockboard Scooter is very easy to change from one mode to the other. The handle bars have two different settings depending on which mode you want the scooter in, and easily change by loosening a little black knob, adjusting the handle bar pole (moves forward and back), and then tightening it up. See? Easy peasy. The handle bars also have a height adjustment so younger children who are generally shorter can use it, and adults who are considerably taller can also use it comfortably. Underneath, by the coil on the bottom is a "quick release". After you pull that, you can lift the front of the board up and bring it into "rock" mode. They even threw in a little kickstand so the scooter will remain upright. (I tell ya, it's these little features that seem to matter the most.)
My step-daughter couldn't get over how "cool" and fun the Rockboard Scooter is! She said she had a blast, and looks forward to the good weather days when she can head over next door to ride it. I like that it encourages her to play outside. Usually she spends 5 or 10 minutes riding her bike before the boredom sets in, or before she manages to wear herself out. However with the Rockboard she goes and rides it for an hour or so at a time, and doesn't complain about being exhausted. She's also been asking to ride her bike to school this year, and I think the Rockboard would be a better option considering it doesn't require very much energy to propel it forward.
There were several other features we loved in addition to having something as simple as a kickstand. The base where your feet go is non-slip, and the handlebars have a nice padding to them. However, I think one of the features we liked the best just for the sheer convenience, is that the Rockboard easily folds up so you can store it in a smaller space. We don't have any closets, or a garage, so when folded up, the Rockboard easily fits under my step-daughter's bed. This is not an inexpensive product, but I think the weight limit paired with the adjustable height for the handle bars makes up for it. This is a product that will grow with her instead of one that will need replacing every other year.
We really thought this was a great gadget, and would make the perfect Christmas present for any kiddos (or adults) who like to scoot around, and who like to do it in style. I can tell she's super excited to get to show the Rockboard Scooter off at school. I've heard her on the phone telling people all about it. "Oh! Do you know what a Rockboard is? I HAVE ONE!" It's too funny to listen to - she is just so darn excited.
Make sure you checkout Rockboard online. You can learn more about the Rockboard Scooter Original, Rockboard Mini, as well as their Rockboard Radiate, and Rockboard Descender. (These look like some pretty spiffy products too!) Rockboard can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
*I received a Rockboard Scooter Original free of charge in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine. See Disclosure Policy.
Mongoose – Youth Mutant Boys’ 16in Freestyle Bike Product Review

My daughter is a giant. I think I've said that before. She'll be 3 in November, and is already wearing size 5/6x clothes. She's just that tall. Last year for her birthday my mother bought her a nice little tricycle, but by the end of this Summer she had already outgrown it. She adores her bike, so it looked like it was time for an upgrade. No more tricycle, it's time for training wheels!
Mongoose offered to send my daughter their 16" Mutant bike for her to try out. It's technically a boy's bike, but we try not to differentiate between
"boy" and "girl" products in our home, so this worked out perfectly. I figure my son will be able to use it in a few more years when he's tall enough. My husband and I also weren't sure if the 16" would fit her. I thought it would, he thought perhaps a 12" would have been better. However, my daughter grows like a weed, and I really didn't want her to be out of it before she really had the chance to ride it. I had informed a good friend that my daughter was getting a Mongoose, and his response was hilarious. "Holy sh*t! She's getting a MONGOOSE?! I'm jealous. I always wanted a Mongoose as a kid!" Then I told my husband, and he said he also had always wanted a Mongoose as a kid, because they were THE bike to have. Apparently all the cool kids owned a Mongoose brand bike.
The bike arrived disassembled in a giant box, however I didn't notice any instructions in the box. Maybe I just overlooked them in my excitement. (I wanted to get the bike put together before she woke up from her nap.) The bike was very easy to assemble, and really didn't need instructions. There weren't a ton of parts either. The handle bars, pedals, 1 wheel, training wheels, and the pegs were the only parts that needed to be bolted onto the bike. It was all pretty self explanatory, and really if you're purchasing a bike in a store you won't have to worry about assembly. The one thing that I did notice was that bike is extremely HEAVY. She's at that weird age where she's tall enough for the bike, but she may not be strong enough. However, I figured getting her used to being on a real bike instead of her tricycle was a good start, and by the time next Summer rolls around she'll probably be a training wheel champion.
Features:
- Special Features: training wheels, front pegs and handlebar pad
- Riding Style: children's sidewalk bicycle
- Frame: scaled-down freestyle
- Frame Material: steel
- Handlebars: steel
- Gearing: single speed
- Seat: Mongoose screen-printed
- Brakes: rear coaster brake with front and rear caliper brakes
- Brake Levers: resin bracket, steel lever
- Wheels/Tires: 16" x 2" tires with 36-spoke steel wheels
- Rims: orange steel
- Pedals: black resin with steel axle
- Assembly required
- Weight: 28 lbs.
- Dimensions: 44" L x 22" W x 29" D
My daughter's first reaction when she saw her bike was, "Oh WOW!" She was enthralled, and couldn't wait to get herself on it. We kept it in the house for several days so she could get acclimated to it. She'd hop on and just sit there for 10/15 minutes at a time. One morning the FIRST thing she did was beg for help to sit on it. That's all she wanted to do. I showed her how to safely get herself on it, and how the brakes worked, and we'd peddle it through the hallways of our house.
After several weekend of rain making it more difficult to get out of the house with the bike, it was finally time to have my daughter test out the Mongoose Mutant. The Mutant is meant for children starting around age 4, which might be why this bike is a little heavy for her. But after making sure all of the bolts were tight, and readjusting the handle bars so she could reach them better, we took it outside and let her see what she could do.
I started her off in the grass, just because I realized we don't have a helmet for her, so we had to borrow her older sister's. (Oops!) She had the chance to re-explore, and then have a refresher course on how to get onto her Mongoose. We also went over again how the brakes work. She loves this bike just as much as she loved it the day it arrived. And, other than the weight of the bike (28 lbs), I think it's pretty darn great too. There was no aesthetic detail spared when it came to the graphics and design. The handle bars move easily, the brakes work well, and the pedals (once she gets that part down), rotate smoothly. The wheels feel like quality, and should last the entire time she's able to ride this bike. The seat, handle bars, and the training wheels are all adjustable. I think the pegs are more for looks than for function especially if this bike is meant to be ridden by 4-year-olds, but whatever. It looks super cool! And what kid doesn't want a cool looking bike?!
After her refresher course it was time to move her into our driveway. I had her face downhill to help with some of the weight, and we really worked on pedaling. She's still learning, but she's getting it. I think it finally sunk in that she has to put extra pressure on the pedals, and rotate her legs as the pedals turn. She'll get there!
It has been so much fun teaching my daughter how to ride her first bike with training wheels, and it has been awesome to work with Mongoose. We can't thank them enough for sending us the Mongoose Mutant 16" Freestyle Bike!
You can find Mongoose on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube!
*I was provided a product free of charge from Mongoose in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine. See Disclosure Policy.
BuyCostumes.Com – Gypsy Child Costume Product Review
Last year I made both my daughter's and my step-daughter's Halloween costumes. Let's just say that's not happening again! All of that time and money spent just to put together a couple of costumes was not worth driving to the store and buying a cheap costume. But, I really dislike most of the costumes in the stores. It's getting harder every year trying to find a child appropriate costume and the selection is usually pretty small. It's also getting harder to find a costume in the store that isn't going to fall apart before the hour or two of trick-or-treating is over.
I've been browsing for costumes this year online, and found one I adored on BuyCostumes.com. Because we live in Maine, it's very important for my kids to have costumes that they can put clothes under, or that are heavy enough to be worn on their own. Trust me. No one wants to lug kids around door to door in 32 degree weather with cranky freezing kids. Lucky for me, the price of the costume I had been eying fell within the price limit I was given for the review, and less than 3 days later I had the Gypsy Child Costume in my hands! When it arrived my daughter was playing in her yogurt I gave her for lunch, and even though I was really excited to put it on her to see if it fit, she wanted to take her good ol' sweet time, and then needed a shower immediately afterward.
"Add a little mystery to her life this Halloween in the Gypsy costume which includes a whimsical white ankle length peasant dress featuring large ruffles along the hem and a sequined apron with attached golden coins. A matching sequined scarf is also included in this trendy travelers look." ~ BuyCostumes.com
OK. Fast forward about an hour and I could FINALLY put the Gypsy Child costume on her. How stinkin' CUTE is she!?
I had requested a children's small in size, because while she's not quite 3 yet, she's MASSIVE for her age. (I mean that in the nicest way possible.) The Gypsy Child costume comes with a dress that has an attached sash on it, another sash with gold bangles on it that actually jingle when she moves, and a sequined head scarf. There are also accessories you can purchase separately to go with this particular costume including jewelry and shoes. The dress fit her PERFECTLY. It's just as long as I wanted it to be, and there's plenty of wiggle room. She may even be able to fit into this next year if she hasn't completely turned it into a dress up dress.
The dress and scarves are a mixture of cotton and polyester. This seems to me like it's a good quality costume. It's not super expensive (only $29.99), but definitely well worth it for such a beautiful and unique costume. My ONLY issue is that the shiny gold bangle things are all sewn on with ONE piece of thread. So, if one comes off, they all come off. I will have to go back through and make sure they're more secure since within 2 hours of my daughter wearing the costume, a few of the bangles fell off. BUT, I still love it! (Part of the reason they fell off is because when I tied the sash around her waste, the knot overlapped with the beads and pulled them.)
So, you know I love the costume, but you have got to hear my daughter's reaction. She REFUSED to take the costume off all day. I had to take it off for dinner to keep the white staying white, but she was not happy at all about it. Every time I asked if I could take it off she'd run in the opposite direction yelling, "NOOOOO!!!" She loves her new costume, and I'm sure she'll be wearing it every day after Halloween.
If you're in need of a quality, creative, unique costume for your kiddos, or yourself, make sure you check out BuyCostumes.com! You can also find them on Facebook , Twitter and YouTube. BuyCostumes.com offers FREE exchanges, and if you sign up for their emails you'll save 15% on your next order! BuyCostumes.com advertises as "The Web's Most Popular Costume Store" and I can certainly see why. Their selection is SO vast I couldn't even get through all of the children's costumes within an hour. Orders placed before 4pm also (usually) ship SAME DAY. And, many costumes are eligible for 2 day shipping. I'll definitely be coming back when I'm in need of more Halloween costumes.
Tommee Tippee – explora Truly Spill Proof Cups, Roll & Go Bibs, Easy Scoop Bowls & Easi Mat Product Review

If you're a regular follower, you know that I have two kids ages 1 and (almost) 3. Eating, messes, and sippy cups have been some of our biggest challenges. I think I saw somewhere yesterday that toddlers are comparable to tornadoes. We also have this thing we call the "yogurt apocalypse" in my house. This is when my daughter decides that the yogurt she begs to have for lunch belongs anywhere OTHER than the bowl, spoon, and her mouth.
Then the sippy cups. Oh the numerous sippy cups we've gone through trying to find the perfect ones. My son is still struggling to get the hang of them, but my daughter not only knows how to use them, but also knows how to make the biggest mess with each brand and style we've tried. We're talking unscrewed lids, bitten off soft mouth spouts, popped off lids, spitting the drink out, taking the straws out (don't even get me started on sippy cups with straws), and banging/throwing them down so hard that even the best sippy cups will spring a leak. FUN! (Not so much.) We use that knock-off Crystal Light drink mix, and the family can only seem to agree on the fruit punch flavor. Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to get that nasty red dye out of sippy cups? It's almost impossible.
I reached out to Tommee Tippee because I really (REALLY) wanted to try their sippy cups, and because their products are BPA FREE. And they were so beyond generous and sent not only a set of sippy cups, but THREE sets of sippy cups, a set of four bowls, a place mat, and a set of two bibs. When I opened the box I think I heard the mommy guardian angels start singing. It was like entering mommy heaven!
I want to start with my FAVORITES from Tommee Tippee. My absolute favorite set of sippy cups they sent were the explora Truly Spill Proof Drink Cups. We were sent the "boy" set, so the colors were nice blues with robots and dinosaurs on them. The mouth pieces are solid, and shaped more like an actual cup than most sippy cups. And you know why I love these so much? They are virtually leak proof. I say virtually because, as expected, my daughter managed to throw them SO hard onto the floor that the lid came slightly off of the screw thread. Otherwise, I would say this particular set of Spill Proof Drink Cups are pretty much as impenetrable as an armored truck. These are also the easiest cups to clean.... ever.
Features:
- 2 x 9floz/266ml Cups
- Unique drinking spout for Kids on the Go
- Guaranteed easy to drink and hold
- Interchangeable lids with all Easiflow® cups specifically for baby's ages and stages
- Truly non spill - no more leaks and gums, resists biting
- Insulated base, keeps drinks cooler for longer
- BPA Free
The next favorite thing Tommee Tippee sent were the explora Easy Scoop Feeding Bowls. These bowls have a great little handle on the side, and a big
opening. My daughter LOVES these bowls. We're not quite at the point of my son using spoons yet, but my daughter has an easier time with her yogurt, and we've avoided a massive yogurt apocalypse since receiving the Easy Scoop Feeding Bowls. The Explora Easi Mat (pictured above) goes along with the bowls to help keep them placed on the tray or table. There's a little suction cup that the bowl sits on, and has a tiny pull that releases the bowl. The ONLY problem I had with the Easi Mat, is that while it does help keep the bowl on the feeding tray, it doesn't fully work for us. I'm not sure if it's because it just doesn't stick well to the tray, or if my kids are too rough/clever.
Features:
- X4 bowls
- Easy scoop triangular base
- Use with Magic Mat
- BPA free
- Available in two different pack colours
We also received the explora Roll and Go Bibs, explora Truly Spill Proof Straw Cups, and explora Li'l Sipee Flip Top Cups. While these products were also great, they just weren't my favorite. Not because there was anything wrong with them, but because I try to avoid straw sippy cups in general, and my kids don't use bibs. (I really don't like to encourage messes.)
There are two things I really liked about the bibs. I loved how easy it is to clean them. Just wipe them down. If the kiddos ate something that stains like pasta sauce, you can easily use soap to clean them up and get rid of the stain. I also really liked the food catcher. Because the bibs are a thicker material the food catcher actually stays open and keeps the food from ending up in the laps of the kiddos. I do wish the material was a little thinner. It's so thick that it gets a little smushed when behind the high chair tray, and neither of my kids really care for the feeling of it around their necks. BUT they work, and they work well, and I think that's mostly what matters.
As far as straw sippy cups go, I really think the explora Truly Spill Proof Straw Cups and the explora Li'l Sipee Flip Top Cups are really pretty great. The straws don't leak like I've experienced in the past, and the pieces are easy to remove for cleaning. However, we haven't put these through the ringer like we have with the explora Truly Spill Proof Drink Cups. Because of personal preference, I'm going to have to stick with the Drink Cups, but if your kiddo prefers the straws I'd certainly suggest giving Tommee Tippee explora straw cups a try!
Make sure you find Tommee Tippee on Facebook and Twitter! I'm sure they'd love to hear from you, and if you're already a fan of their brand - stop by and tell them how great you think they are!
* I received the products mentioned above free of charge from Tommee Tippee in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine. See Disclosure Policy.
Momo Baby – Soft Sole Baby Shoes (Tiger Brown) Product Review

Remember a few weeks ago I said my little guy started walking? Well, he hasn't stopped and he's just about ready to run full speed wherever his little heart desires to go. We actually found him upstairs this morning. Yes, my little munchkin is now able to climb the stairs all by his lonesome. With his newly acquired mobility, shoes are becoming an ever-increasingly important part of his wardrobe. Of course great support for his growing feet is important, but I also rank comfort, ease, softness, and affordability almost equal to support.
I reached out to Momo Baby because of the soft sole baby shoes that they carry. They were kind enough to offer a pair for my little guy to test out. We ended up going with the brown Tiger Soft Sole Baby Shoes in size 18-24 months. I always request shoes a tiny bit larger than their actual size so they aren't done wearing them within a month. I did however notice that Momo Baby's shoes run a tad large. We have another pair in 18-24 months and that pair is a good half size smaller than the pair we received from Momo Baby. I was informed though that they are working on resizing their shoes down by a half size because a lot of customers had the same feedback I did about the sizing. (Isn't it great when a company hears what their costumers have to say?)
Features:
- Uppers are made from ventilated, soft premium grade leather. They provide a breathable space that keeps your baby's feet cool and dry.
- Elastic ankle ensures the shoe stays securley on the foot.
- Non-slip soft suede leather sole prevents any unexpected slips.
- Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
My daughter had similar shoes when she was my son's age, so I was well aware of how awesome soft sole baby shoes are. The elastic is really important to me because my kiddos have always curled their toes while trying to put their shoes on. I'm sure you've experienced that. You're struggling with shoes that aren't so stretchy (perhaps stressed while rushing to get out of the house), and you're telling your toddler, "Stop curling your toes!" Right. Because they understand exactly what you're saying to them.
These slipped on SO easily, curled toes and all, and sit tight enough around his ankle where they aren't going to fall off. He didn't even attempt to take them off himself. The soles are great on our floors. Our hose is mostly hard wood and linoleum, and he didn't slip once. He did trip over the shoes, but that's because they're a bit big. I love that these move with how my son's feet move. His toes aren't constricted, and he can fully bend his feet in any direction that he needs to. After a few minutes he stopped noticing that they were even on his feet. I also really like that I can take them off easily if need be. I had forgot he had them on, so as I was walking up the stairs with him on my hip, I reached over and quickly pulled them off instead of having to put him down, unstrap, tie or un-Velcro, and he was off to nap time.
Want to know my absolute favorite thing about the Momo Baby Soft Sole Baby Shoes? They're only $16.99! That is a price I'm extremely willing to pay for leather shoes that I know my kiddo will enjoy wearing - not to mention shoes that make mommy's life just a tiny bit easier.
Momo Baby carries several other styles of soft soled shoes (both for boys and girls) that I think are just adorable. These just happened to be some of my favorites.
Momo Baby also carries rain boots, maternity items, rubber sole leather sneakers, feeding items, and bedding items!
Make sure you take the time to visit Momo Baby on Facebook & Twitter. (I will need to update you with the links to their social media pages as soon as I have them.)
* I received a product free of charge from Momo Baby in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine. See Disclosure Policy.
pediped – Originals Jones (Blue) Product Review

My son started walking! Yup, that's proud mama bragging right there. He started walking two weeks before his first birthday, and I realized, I didn't have a pair of walking shoes for him. He had his baby shoes, but since he wasn't walking, and it's Summer, I didn't worry about getting him a pair of shoes. Then it sneaked up on me. My little boy was no longer crawling, but instead toddling around my house, and here we were without any shoes. Oops!
I reached out to pediped because I've heard so many wonderful things about their shoes, and several of my blogging friends had rave reviews too.
Much to my delight (and relief), pediped offered to send my son a pair of pediped Originals in the Jones style (in blue). It was a complete surprise what they were sending, but I don't think I would have picked out anything different. These shoes are just too stinkin' cute, and they have been a great product for my son. I requested a size 18-24 months since my son has big feet, and I'd hate for him to grow out of them within a month. They're a bit big, but they don't seem to be too cumbersome for his newly toddling feet.
"Jones is a sporty style with a casual twist. Jones features two tones of blue and fun, multi-colored stripes across the top and down the sides. Ideal for children learning to walk, this style will keep your little one comfortable all day long!" ~ pediped
I think the pediped Originals are probably better quality shoes than most of the pairs I purchase for myself - a little sad on my part, but definitely awesome for my son. Not only are the uppers made from suede and canvas, but the soles are 100% leather. The Velcro strap is really Velcro-y, and stays in place without having to readjust it during the hours of use. But, I think the best feature of the pediped Jones Originals is that they are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development. Not only are these little shoes super adorable they are actually GOOD for your toddler's growing and newly mobile feet!
The pediped Jones Originals are really soft and flexible. Because I requested them slightly larger than my son's actual size, the flexibility paired with the Velcro strap was awesome. His first time up and about he kind of looked like he was doing a weird duck march. He'd kick his leg out higher than usual, and slap his foot down all while waddling through the house. But, after a few attempts he finally got the hang of his new pediped shoes and he was off to the races!
I kind of wish the actual foot opening was slightly stretchier. He hasn't quite gotten the hang of NOT curling his toes while I'm trying to get his pedipeds on, so it tends to result in a slight struggle. I think if the opening was a little stretchier his curled toes would be easier to work around. But, I also think one of the benefits of NOT having a stretchy opening is that it supports his feet better around the back of the heel and ankles, and it makes it harder for him to take them off.
With pediped brand shoes you're always getting quality, and this is something I love. With the pediped Originals priced at $35, as a consumer and as a parent, you want to know that what you are getting is of high quality and will last for as long as your kiddo needs it to. With more than 100 styles to choose from, you're sure to find something for any of your children. Because children's feet never. stop. growing. it's great to see that pediped offers sizes up to age 8 for girls, and up to age 7 for boys. Comfortable shoes, great quality, and awesome styles. What's not to love about pediped?!
Also, please take a few seconds to find pediped on Facebook and Twitter - I'm sure they'd love for you to stop in and say hi!
*I received a product free of charge from pediped in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% mine. See Disclosure Policy.



