Zephyr Hill

A Family Blog

Fresh Ideas for Your Children’s Easter Basket

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Here are some fresh new ideas for your children’s Easter baskets this spring!

 

Available in four iconic Jelly Belly jelly bean flavors – Very Cherry, Watermelon, Island Punch and Berry Blue – these sugar free blister packs are just the ticket for this year’s Easter baskets. Long lasting and full of your favorite flavors! Find them at Dollar General or Amazon.

Mabel’s Labels make wonderful little Easter tags and can be personalized any way you like. Choose your color, your text and add full-color graphics, too.  The labels are super durable, dishwasher and microwave-safe, and totally waterproof! With over 50 icon options available, the labels can be customized to match any Easter basket theme.

Tuck something in their basket that’s perfect for spring play – Kyte Baby’s ultra soft stretchy bamboo apparel for babies and toddlers comes in lots of whimsical prints and colors. This lightweight, breathable collection will keep your little one comfortable and cute all spring and summer.

Our one-year-old, Lydia, looks good enough to eat in the little short-sleeved romper!

View the full collection here.

Wrap your baby up this spring in an adorable Keababies lamb towel made from premium bamboo. Ultra-absorbent and made for sensitive skin, KeaBabies Bamboo Hooded Towels keep little ones warm and cozy. Take it to the beach or pool this summer!

Drizzled popcorn is an exciting new treat to introduce this Easter! Sweet Chaos offers mouthwatering flavors to tempt the taste buds, like Cold Stone Creamery Cake Batter and Peanut Butter. They are gluten-free, made with Non-GMO popcorn, and have NO artificial colors or flavors. Handmade kettle corn made by real people. Popped in coconut oil with just the right amount of cane sugar and sea salt, it’s a treat you can enjoy without much guilt at all. Find on Amazon or at your local Dollar Tree.

Not all Easter treats are edible. Stomp Rocket is the ultimate backyard toy your children won’t be able to get enough of! Just set up the base and STOMP to see the rockets fly high in the sky! No batteries required, and it helps teach principles such as gravity, motion, and force. Various rocket sets are available from ages 3 and 9+ ranging in price from $5.99 to $29.99.

This adorable, original rabbit paper doll set features 8 outfits for the boy and girl bunny! Colorful and irresistibly cute, each bunny doll includes a stand. Designed by my sister and available for sale at the Brown Rabbit Studio shop on Etsy.

Prestel Publishing has introduced several beautiful new titles this spring, with lush illustrations that will help children appreciate the wonders of creation. Tuck one of these lovely hardback picture books into your child’s Easter basket for a gift that will enchant and delight for years to come. Be sure to follow Prestel Junior on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Zonderkidz has lots of inspiration books to pack Easter baskets with this Spring. Consider the richly illustrated religious storybook ‘Twas the Morning of Easter, or two adorable board books – Bunny Finds Easter and Snuggle Time Easter Stories.

Or treat your toddler to this tiny little set of three egg-shaped board books.

Browse Zondervan’s full Easter store here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our thanks to FreshHype PR, Media Masters, Avalon Communications,
Zonderkidz, and ChicExecs for providing some of the brands featured here today!

Should You Get a Walmart+ Membership?

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Join Walmart+ today and get a $20 promo code!

Walmart Plus rolled out last year as a program designed to reward frequent shoppers with rewards like this:

  • Unlimited free shipping on millions of items from Walmart.com (no order minimums!)
  • Free grocery delivery to your home (availability varies)
  • Fuel discounts of 5 cents at all Walmart and Murphy gas stations
  • Early access to sales and deals
  • Up to 80% in prescription drug savings
  • Cheaper membership price than Amazon Prime
  • Flexible payment plan – choose $12.95 monthly or $98 per year

The benefit I use the most with my Walmart+ membership is definitely the free shipping with no minimum purchase required. It’s just like Amazon Prime, although Walmart uses FedEx to ship packages.

Like Amazon, you can find a wide variety of items at Walmart.com – electronics, clothing and shoes for the whole family, pantry items, health and wellness and even furniture. And of course, their grocery selection is just as good as Amazon, and offers much more flexibility and less restrictions. Speaking of food, you can also use your EBT Edge card to shop groceries at Walmart.com.

If you’re still not sure, try the 30-day FREE trial with no obligation to stick with it.

Join Walmart+ today and get a $20 promo code!

And now some questions you might have…

How Reliable is It? Over the years, I’ve found that Prime shipping hasn’t always measured up to its claims. My items don’t always arrive in two days. Walmart.com has proven to be surprisingly reliable and they primarily use FedEx. Not only do my items arrive on time, but sometimes they show up the next day! The exception to this is their marketplace or third party items, similar to Amazon.

What About the Selection? Amazon clearly has the edge here, offering many things that Walmart doesn’t, like used books and more choices within product categories. However Walmart.com continues to expand its selection and besides clothing, furniture, home decor, toys and electronics, now includes digital video, new books, audiobooks and even e-books. They also have auto and tire, photo services and pharmacy.

If you’re looking for used books with free shipping, I highly recommend Ebay. You can deal directly with sellers instead of fooling with Amazon’s third-party system (which gives its sellers a bum deal, in my opinion).

Just like Amazon, Walmart.com offers a Registry service and gift cards.

You can also stream TV shows and movies through Walmart.com using Vudu.

How About Pantry and Grocery Items? My answer might have been different a few years ago, but Walmart offers a LOT more now in terms of grocery items. From 2018 to 2022 their grocery business has doubled. You can buy online and have shipped to your door, or have it ready at the store for pick-up.

Amazon’s Pantry service was discontinued in 2021, and now that they own Whole Foods, the whole cabal is rolled into the Amazon Fresh package. Unfortunately, it’s only available to PAYING Amazon Prime members ($119 per year) while anyone can order groceries from Walmart.com for FREE.

What About Prices? That’s kind of a no-brainer, as Amazon has not been able to beat out Walmart’s “always low” prices, especially since it acquired Whole Foods.

Walmart also has the benefit of being a huge chain, with a network of more than 4,000 brick-and-mortar stores around the nation, more than 2,000 of which offer same-day delivery. For comparison’s sake, Amazon has just over 100 fulfillment centers in the US.

And with Walmart, you can tap into the low prices they offer on all that other stuff besides groceries. Alongside your cereal and crackers and toiletries, you can order $10 George brand jeans for and $6 Wonder Nation dresses for your toddler, and maybe even a new gadget.

Walmart.com has this unique feature, which lets you see how many times you’ve ordered an item, and gives you the option of adding it to your cart in whatever quantity you want with 1 click.

What About Customer Service? Based on my experience, both Walmart and Amazon have competed successfully in this regard. Both offer quick and easy returns, however I do give Walmart the edge for a few reasons:

  • You have the option of returning to your local store and getting an instant refund instead of fooling with packages and pickups.
  • Walmart offers unexpected “perks” to loyal customers like receiving a full refund AND being told “you can keep the item.” This has happened to me at least 5 times this year!
  • Walmart.com surprises you with free product samples in your deliveries from time to time. We have received stuff like a LEGO bracelet, detergent trial packs, chewing gum, high value coupons and snack foods.

Join Walmart+ today and get a $20 promo code!

Do you use one or both of these services? Which do you prefer? Let me know if you have any more questions!

 

2021 Gift Guide for Everyone in the Family!

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There are lots of NEW and wonderful gift ideas in today’s post! I love introducing you to new brands, especially smaller family-owned businesses. Let me know in a comment what catches your eye, and if you have any small businesses favorites to share as well.

I’ll start with pets since animals had a special place in the Nativity story!

Gift Ideas for Pets

Chippin Natural Pet Food – I’d like to introduce you to pet nutrition “powered by planet-friendly proteins.” Chippin’s unique dog food contains highly-digestible, wholesome ingredients like silver carp, pumpkin and flax seed to deliver omega-3 support and optimum nutrition. Try the holiday bundle – a limited edition box of delicious, planet friendly treats sure to have tails wagging. Get free shipping over $50 and score $5 off when you sign up for emails.

We’re teaching our pug, Spartacus, to sit and stay this winter with the help of Chippin’s training treats. Choose from Smokehouse BBQ, Spirulina Dailies and Antioxidant, all kept fresh in a signature Chippin treat tin!

Kooltail – It’s cute, it’s cozy and it might become your dog’s best friend (besides you) this Christmas. Kooltail fleece dog vests are less than $15.00 on Amazon and ship free if you have Prime. Available in sizes small to large, these vests even include pockets and a leash attachment.

Wild Earth – When it comes to feeding dogs. Wild Earth knows everything your dog needs, and nothing he doesn’t! Every bag of premium-quality Wild Earth dog food is packed with super clean “superfood” ingredients. Here’s the rundown!

Yeast: Our not-so-secret ingredient, a protein powerhouse that is sustainably sourced and even used to make lesser dog foods taste better. Yeast is the future.
Sweet Potato: You know how tasty sweet potatoes are and so does your pup. Plus, they’re high in fiber and easy to digest.
Chickpeas: A small pea with big-time, superfood nutrition. Calories, protein, iron, fiber and a simple carbohydrate. What’s not to love about chickpeas?
Spinach: Another superfood? Yes! Spinach is loaded with iron and vitamin E and magnesium. Not your average leafy green.

Get started today with 20% off!

SquarePet – A lot of dogs face skin issues and winter weather can sometimes make it worse. Thank goodness for the team of veterinary professionals at SquarePet, who have designed the VFS Skin & Digestive Support formula to support food sensitivities and/or ingredient intolerances.  This unique, limited ingredient, hydrolyzed protein dog food has been broken down into smaller components, resulting in an exceptionally digestible protein source to benefit your beloved dog.

SquarePet benefits:

  • Novel single source protein featuring hydrolyzed pork
  • Essential omega 3 & 6 fatty acids including DHA & EPA
  • Complete and balanced nutrition for any adult dog
  • Promotes healthy skin and a shiny hair coat
  • All-natural nutrition – no artificial ingredients

And it’s made in the USA! Get FREE shipping on orders over $50 and save 5% on the subscribe and save option.

SwedencareUSA – There are two ways you can give your pet some extra care this Christmas – introduce a tasty treat that provides dental benefits and bathe him in a soothing, hypoallergenic shampoo.

Swedencare’s dental bones are packed with tasty peanut butter and banana flavors and use the PlaqueOff System, which helps clean plaque and tartar by using abrasive action. Given daily, these natural dog bones can complement your dog’s ordinary dental hygiene. 

Winter baths can dry and irritate your dog’s skin if you’re using a typical mainstream formula; try Swedencare’s Lyxvara Aloe & Oatmeal Shampoo instead! It provides relief from itchy, scaling, and sensitive skin and contains emollients to restore natural moisture. It’s even compatible with topical flea and tick control products. It’s lightly fragranced and will leave your dog feeling and smelling nice and fresh during the holidays!

Gift Ideas for Children

Blue Orange Games

With a tagline like “hot games for a cool planet,” you know that Blue Orange games is going to be a fun place to shop for Christmas! In my family, we always end up with at least a few new games under the tree because game nights are a weekly (if not more) thing. Take a look at some of these fun and visually appealing games that we recently got to try:

Blue Lagoon – My eight-year-old son, Erik, told me “I’ve never really had a board game of my very own,” so Blue Lagoon is now his, and boy did he learn it fast! Us adults love resource-building games but they can be admittedly complicated. Not so with Blue Lagoon. The lush tropical setting works well with the simple concepts of claiming new lands and gathering up valuable resources to become the dominant tribe. Top-quality game pieces include settlers and villagers and various island resources that are come into play in two phases – exploration and settlement.

Erik plays this a lot with his older brothers now and is a force to be reckoned with in the lagoon!

Snip Snap!  This is a great little stocker stuff for anyone aged 7 and older. Snip Snap is quick-to-learn dice matching game that moves quickly so it will especially appeal to adolescents. My children love the brightly colored picture dice! After rolling, players race to be the first one to find a match, and when they do yell “Shark Snap!” and snatch them up. Snip Snap! includes a little mesh travel bag so you can take it anywhere.

Photosynthesis – This “green” strategy game is a feast for the eyes as well as a fun lesson in life cycles in the ever-changing forest. Your trees will progress from seed to full size to rebirth as they earn you energy points from the sun. Strategy hinges on carefully picking where you sow and when you plant. This gets 5 stars from my boys for the gorgeous artwork, realistic theme and versatile gameplay.  The stunning Under the Moonlight Expansion pack allows players to collect lunar points for their forest animals and unleash new powers to help grow more trees and save light points. Use the Great Elder Tree and the Moon Stones to charge your animals’ powers!

Our boys love the unique concepts of growing a forest, scoring sun points and using those points to buy more seeds and trees.

I think one of the neatest things about this game is the 3D game pieces. It looks so cool when set up!

Starling Skincare

Starling’s family cleanser bundle includes two safe and gentle cleansers at an irresistible price: Fresh Kid’s Cleanser is formulated for tweens and teens. It helps them develop good habits while avoiding breakouts. Improve texture and lock in moisture with a foaming gel that youngsters will love.

Nurture Cleanser is targeted to tone and moisturize sensitive and allergen-prone skin. Any age can enjoy the benefits! Enriched with Dead Sea clay and healing minerals, a little Nurture goes a long way.

Tuck these in your teenagers’ stockings and introduce them to the world of natural, effective skincare.

 

Quarto Kids Sticker Books

These jumbo stickers are just the right size for young children, who often have trouble with a typical sticker book. They can enjoy placing the 75 stickers on colorful scenes, and they can easily be moved. The whimsical characters and fun designs will fire your little one’s imagination and provide hours of enjoyment this Christmas.

With many new releases for 2021, Quarto’s sticker books are just $7.99 each and are available on Amazon with FREE Prime delivery.

Jelly Belly Gum

Here’s a new – and sugar-free – stocking stuffer idea for your children this year. Jelly Belly gum comes in four iconic jelly bean flavors: Very Cherry, Watermelon, Island Punch, and Berry Blue.  I love surprising my children with different candies each year in their stocking. With a hard outer coating and insides bursting with flavor, Jelly Belly gum is going to be an enjoyable new treat, and no one has to worry about extra sugar! Shop for Jelly Belly Sugar-Free Gum nationwide at Party City and Speedway locations. It’s also available on Amazon with free shipping!

Librio Personalized Books – You can make your child the hero of a story with a personalized book from Librio! Choose the book and then personalize it by adding your child’s name throughout the story, as well as a character that looks like him. All Librio books are made of sturdy materials and printed on 100% recycled paper. We chose the Globi storybook for our son, Erik, this Christmas, and it features a little lynx and a popular Swiss character bird named Globi. Order your child’s book by December 12th for Christmas delivery and use this code – ANN197388 – to get 20% off!

Dino Bars – Here’s a stocking stuffer that’s perfect for those in your family who might have a food allergy or sensitivity. And they come in super cute packaging, too. DINO Bars are a healthy snack wrapped in edible paper, and they feature nutritious ingredients like blueberry, pear, banana, oats, hemp hearts and coconut oil.  There are no artificial flavors, preservatives or refined sugar; they are also gluten-free. Use code BLACKFRIDAY20 to get 20% off through Cyber Monday. You can also shop for DINO Bars with free Prime shipping with plenty of time for Christmas delivery.

Jax’s Original Monster Mix – Here’s another tasty way to stuff your child’s stocking while also avoiding common allergens: Jax’s Monster Snack Mix. It’s a peanut-free, natural & gluten-free, wholesome blend of sesame sticks, chocolate covered sunflower seeds, dried fruit, and coconut chips. Perfect for a school lunch or an on-the-go snack, it keeps your little ones happy and tames the hunger monster between meals!

Subscribe and save 10% on your order!

Gift Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

Kyte Blankets – The gorgeous, silky-smooth blankets from Kyte Baby will have you wishing you were a baby again! They sent us the snowflake printed toddler blanket made from bamboo rayon and a bit of spandex. It has a wonderful weight and feel to it, and even a little touch of metallic silver in the fabric. It’s absolutely gorgeous and a big enough size (57×39 inches) that I’ve been very tempted to steal it for myself! Camille loves to cuddle with her new blanket and always asks for it at bedtime.

The toddler blankets come in over 25 color/print choices, so you’re sure to find just what you want for under the tree. Treat your little one, or gift a special baby or toddler in your life with a blanket he will fall in love with.

After also trying their swaddles for newborn Lydia, which are made of the same lovely stretchy bamboo fabric, I’m a Kyte fan for life. I can see now why blankets are limited to one per customer because of the extremely high demand! Browse Kyte baby blankets here.

Cyber Monday Deal – if you purchase a $100 gift card you will receive a $25 gift card for free!

Librio Nursery Print – Many parents want to get something special for their baby at Christmas, but what if they are too young for toys and treats? The adorable personalised art prints are available at Librio for just $18.00 and feature cozy forest babies. Add a quote and birth date to make it truly unique. Order by December 12th for Christmas delivery and use this code – ANN197388 – to get 20% off!

Earth Baby Bath Kit – It’s “good clean fun” for your baby with bath and body essentials from Earth Baby. Treat your child to the Earth Baby Bath Kit this Christmas; it includes natural shampoo and body wash, conditioner and detangler, bubble bath and moisturizing lotion, all kept handy in an organic cotton zipper pouch. I love how gentle and nourishing these products are on Lydia’s delicate baby skin, especially in this harsh winter weather.

All Earth Baby products are:

  • Certified Organic & Natural Ingredients
  • Tear-Free, Hypoallergenic, Non-sensitizing, Non-irritating
  • No Artificial Dyes
  • Preservative Free
  • Clinically Tested and Cruelty-Free
  • Pediatrician & Dermatologist Tested
  • FREE of: Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Mineral Oil, Propylene glycol, DEA, MEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Triethanolamine, Petrolatum, Lanolin

Shop now and get a FREE sample of Earth Baby’s award-winning lotion with any purchase 💕 No code needed

Dabble and Dollop Christmas box – Whoever thought of this is a genius! With Dabble & Dollop, your children can whip up their own bathtime creations using a mixing bowl and bottles of Strawberry Gel, Honeydew Gel, and Vanilla Whip – all included in this year’s Christmas Box. The festive red, white and green colors were chosen just for the Christmas season. Dabble & Dollop shampoo, bubble baths, and body washes are 100% natural, vegan and cruelty-free, and they smell heavenly!

Another great gift idea is the adorable Holiday Bath Bomb Set with 3 vanilla and 3 strawberry scented bombs.  Visit Dabble & Dollop and get 10% off your next order when you sign up for emails, plus 20% off sitewide in the Cyber Week sale!

KeaBabies Organic Urban Bibs – KeaBabies bibs combine classic design with urban style in their latest collection. Made with smooth organic cotton on the front and a soft water-resistant fleece on the reverse side, you’ll love the way these bibs keep your baby covered and comfortable during mealtimes and snacktimes. Available in 5 modern style options, including Grayscale, Basics, Muted Pastel, Blush and Azure. Perfect for ages 0-24 months and just $22.96 for a package of eight!

Get 20% off in the Black Friday sale using code BFCM20.

KeaBabies Hand and Footprints Ink Pads – Capture baby’s cute little hand and footprints with Inkless Ink Pads from KeaBabies, creating an adorable treasure for years to come! It’s simple to use and takes less than a minute to create your very own unique newborn baby keepsakes. For Christmas memories, Seafoam, Ruby or Sky Blue are available now. Working on your baby’s memory book is a wonderful winter project! 

Gift Ideas for Mothers

Pen Heaven – My new go-to shop to indulge my literary side is Pen Heaven. You’ll find carefully selected pens and journals from luxury brands, which can be engraved with a personalized message and shipped out the same day. It’s the perfect place to shop this Christmas for book lovers, writers, bloggers and note-takers. Check out their seasonal offers and get up to 70% off.

They offer engraving, embossing and giftwrap, too!

Dapple – Give a natural-minded mother the gift of plant-based cleaning and personal care products. Dapple’s line-up includes dish soap, hand soap, shampoos, lotions and more. You can choose between fragrance-free or lightly scented formulas made with essential oils (like lavender) or fruity varieties like apple, mango and citrus!

Christian Books – ChristianBooks.com, where you can also find holiday cards, DVD’s, educational toys and gifts, is doing “8 days and 1000’s of deals” through November 29th. Many items are up to 85% off!

Get FREE shipping on your order of $35 or more using code BLKFRI2021

There are lots of things here for a mother to appreciate: classic novels, inspirational mugs, gift bibles and family-friendly movies.

Click to browse thousands of faith-based gifts!

Sweet Chaos – Drizzled popcorn is the perfect way to spoil a mother at Christmas and the newest seasonal flavors at Sweet Chaos will satisfy any sweet tooth. Kick back and enjoy Iced Gingerbread, Peppermint Crunch, and Black & White Sugar Cookie while you enjoy a Christmas movie or play a board game!

Stash Tea – The seasonal fall collection is here and it’s got me wanting to curl up with a hot beverage and enjoy a period film (or two or three)! Atmospheric flavors like Christmas in Paris, Maple Apple Cider and Golden Turmeric will only be here for a limited time, so get some now and treat your mother to something extra special on a cold day.

My seasonal favorite is Cranberry Pomegranate with its robust berry flavor and a tangy touch of hibiscus. Even better, this herbal blend is caffeine-free so I can enjoy any time of the day. Another eye-opener is spicy sweet Golden Turmeric Chai, which blends cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and clove for a very lively black tea brew.

There’s even a special decaf blend this year – Pumpkin Spice.

Their seasonal gift boxes with six assorted flavors are perfectly package and ready to stick under the tree with a big bow. To find Stash Tea’s Limited Edition flavors at a nearby store, click here.

The Brown Rabbit – The gift of beautiful art is in style all year round, and The Brown Rabbit Studio in Paxico makes it easy to celebrate fall and winter with lined notebooks, notecards, bookmarks and original artwork inspired by scenic Mill Creek and the surrounding Flint Hills of Kansas.

Artist Susan Poitevin (my mother!) branched out into oils after arriving in Kansas and has attracted quite a following. You can see her full portfolio here.

 

Gift Ideas for Fathers

 

Books-a-Million $5 Sale – Add to his reading and game collection without book store sticker shock when you shop the $5 sale at Books-a-Million. You can also save up to 50% online and in stores this Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

Ekster – For the man on your list who appreciates time-saving essentials and classic style, Ekster is a great place to go shopping this Christmas. Check out the latest in smart wallets, solar-power trackers, and iPhone accessories. Their flagship Parliament smart wallet with solar-charged tracker is crafted in premium leather with a slim fit and quick card access. With the push a button, the Parliament fans out your cards and protects them from skimming.

You can find more gift ideas in the newly published guide and shop the biggest sale of the year!

Cyber Monday: November 29th – December 5th
Offer: 25% off all orders | 35% off + Free Cash Clip above $200

Christmas Sale: December 6th – December 26th
Offer: 25% off all orders | 35% off + Free Gift Bag above $200

TAN Books – Does your husband or father love books? Here some suggestions for winter spiritual reading!

  • TAN Classics – set of 12 spiritual books like the Imitation of Christ, Dark Night of the Soul and Dialogues of St. Catherine  (pictured below)
  • Heroic Catholic Chaplains – a collection of stories honoring those who worked to save souls whilte dodging bullets!
  • The Saint Joseph Prayerbook – a small book of devotions and intercessions, perfect for the head of the family
  • The Life of Father DeSmet – apostle to the Rocky Mountains
  • Still Amidst the Storm – a family man’s search for peace in an anxiou world

Get 20% off your first purchase with code NEWTAN20 and free shipping on orders over $50!

 

Thanks to all our sponsors who sent complimentary products
in exchange for honest feedback! 

Fall Favorites: A Big Round-Up of New Product Releases!

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It’s not just back-to-school season; my family does a lot more baking and book-reading and game-playing as the days get cooler and shorter. The products I’m sharing with you today range from the useful to the beautiful, and most of them are probably brand new to you!

Loopy Hoopies

From the makers of the Original Marble Spinner comes the Loopy Hoopie, a combination fidget and skill toy for ages 6 and up. Enjoy the sensory experience of a smoothly spinning marble, safely enclosed in its colorful plastic loop, or stop the marble and try to shoot a hoop.

The new Loopy Hoopies are for sale in toy stores across America and also on Amazon (for just $5.99) and they come in three different colors/designs (pink hearts, green suns and blue stars), each with its own display stand. A novel idea for back-to-school or Christmas stocking-stuffers!

Want to see what else they’re up to at Blue Orange Games? Be sure to follow on Facebook and Instagram.

New Prints from Nicki’s

Do you have any travel plans this fall? Be sure to take the “Pack Your Bags” print from Imagine for your baby! It’s available in everything from diapers to blankets to bibs.

Lydia is wearing the one-size cover, which is adjustable from 8 to 35 pounds and only $12.99 with free shipping at Nicki’s Diapers. Featuring colorful stamps and badges from all around the globe, this imaginative new print is accented with contrasting black piping and black snaps.


If you like brights, check out these color combos from Best Bottom Diapers: Gone Coastal and Neon Lights. With its purple snaps and vivid green lining, I think Neon Lights would make a really fun Halloween diaper.

Best Bottom diaper covers are $18.99 and fit babies up to 35 pounds; pair with the Best Bottom insert of your choice (bamboo, hemp, stay-dry microfiber). Easy to use, quick to wash and they will last for years! Check out the huge selection of Best Bottom prints at Nicki’s Diapers.

Nicki’s gives a diaper to a family in need with every 1 you buy and
also offers a 15-day “wash, love or return” guarantee.
FREE gifts on orders over $49

Stationary Essentials

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary.”
– Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven

With the arrival of autumn’s cutting winds and disappearing daylight comes the season that has inspired some of our “darker” treasures of literature – ravens, headless horsemen and the like. As we head indoors towards warmth and steaming mugs of tea, it’s the perfect time to indulge in the pleasures of planning, writing and journaling. I love these ideas from our friends at Pen Heaven, which capture the tenebrous moods of fall and will get your creative juices flowing:

Sorrento Medium Leather Journal – classic Italian leather, embossing available!
Leuchtturm1917 Master Slim Hard Cover – color coordinated accessories, A4 acid-free paper
Caran d’Ache 849 Special Edition Black Code Ballpoint Pen – premium writing instrument from Geneva in jet black, nested in a signature metal box, custom engraving available!

KeaBabies “Wild Collection”

Any baby will appreciate these luxurious and buttery soft bamboo cotton muslin burp cloths from KeaBabies. Ultra absorbent and incredibly cute, the Wild Collection features elephants, lions, giraffes and more to delight both you and your little one!

Made with 8 thirsty layers of bamboo cotton muslin, this 5-piece set is just right for delicate skin. Plus they are sized generously and larger than most burp cloths on the market. Protect your clothing from spit up and other messes in style. We’ve tried many KeaBabies products over the years and they are exceptional in value and quality. I especially love how the muslin fabric quilts up after washing and gets a soft, waffle-like texture.

Dr. Talbot’s Vital 12 Minerals + Immune Support

Provides everyday mineral replenishment and cell salts to help maintain a healthy immune system. Safe for infants ages 3 months and older and expectant mothers. Also contains two effective and well-tested ingredients – zinc and elderberry – to boost the recovery process. Non-toxic and non-habit-forming.

One of the greatest things about this supplement is that it can be safely given to infants. It’s really frustrating sometimes when you’re dealing with a sick, suffering baby and home treatment options are very limited.

You can buy at Dr. Talbot’s or on Amazon.

BBLuv 5-in-1 Infrared Thermometer

Here’s a handy gadget to have in your cold and flu season toolkit. The Orä 5-in-1 digital by BBLuv is both an infrared and ear thermometer which automatically switches modes using the magnetic probe cover. The Orä can be used from birth because it includes an ear thermometer option. 

Its compact design and practical velour pouch allow you to easily carry it anywhere you go. Store up to 20 readings in the memory, and choose from either sound or silent mode. Features a bright LCD screen and an audiovisual fever indicator. Finally, a thermometer you can use for the entire family!

It’s available now at the BBluv online shop.

I Can Read with Zonderkidz

Erik and Ingrid earn prizes at school for books they read at home, and the I Can Read series is ideal for finding fun stories geared at different levels. Zonderkidz Christian publishing has recently featured everyone’s favorite hippo, Fiona, in two new I Can Read titles. A really cute addition to your family library, these colorful animal stories teach important lessons about kindness and teamwork. Meet Fiona and Fiona Saves the Day are available now at Amazon.

Melville from Andrews McNeel KIDS

This week, Mary Kate and Camille were introduced to Melville, a soft purple squid who’s searching for a cozy place to stay.  Finding a host of sea creatures along the way, including a menacing shark, Melville starts to wonder when he’ll see his Mama again. It’s a beautifully illustrated and very endearing board book, just as perfect as a picture book as it is for reading aloud.  Brought to you by Andrews McNeel KIDS. Paul Schmid, who lives in Puget Sound, is an award-winning author and illustrator.

Julia Child Recipe Keeper

In collaboration with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy & the Arts and the Smithsonian, The Julia Child Recipe Keeper is a stylish yet practical place to organize and store your favorite recipes. This spiral-bound recipe keeper fits perfectly on the shelf among your cookbooks and features a layflat design for easy perusing of all of your favorite recipes. The keeper is divided into four customizable sections with thick cardstock pockets to store recipes torn out of magazines, passed down from relatives, jotted down after meals, or printed from your favorite food blog or website. Informative inserts include conversion charts, Child’s iconic recipe for Beef Bourguignon, a biography of the famed chef, and six blank perforated recipe cards. The Julia Child Recipe Keeper is the second title in a special collaboration with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy & the Arts and the Smithsonian.

A perfect holiday or housewarming gift for all the cooks, chefs, and foodies on your list, you can pre-order the Julia Child Recipe Keeper here for release in November!

Sweet Chaos Popcorn

Ever heard of drizzled popcorn? It runs rings around your caramel and cheddar popcorn and it comes to us courtesy of Sweet Chaos. Brand new for October are some scrumptious fall-inspired varieties like Pumpkin Spice, Candy Corn, and Black & Orange. All Sweet Chaos Drizzles are Gluten Free, made with Non-GMO popcorn, and have NO artificial colors or flavors. This is great news for my son who has limited snack options compared to his brothers and sisters. Handmade kettle corn made by real people, Sweet Chaos is popped in healthy Coconut Oil, with just the right amount of cane sugar and sea salt. And then comes the delicious and colorful drizzle.

Learn more about Sweet Chaos fall-inspired flavors here!

Undercover Halloween Goodies

It’s no fun when you have a food intolerance so thank goodness for the imaginative snack creators at Undercover. They debuted a 12-count snack bag just in time for Halloween this year which is perfect for handing out to trick-or-treaters, bringing to school as a treat or simply enjoying at home. Developed by a mother with two daughters suffering from celiac, all Undercover Snacks are made with carefully sourced all-natural, gluten-free, non-GMO, all-natural ingredients “in disguise.” The crispy quinoa is naturally gluten-free, packed with protein, fiber and nutrients, and has a light and crunchy texture. Certified Nut-Free, Certified Gluten-Free and Kosher. You can learn more about all 8 of their decadent varieties right here!

Old Trapper Snacks

Old Trapper meat snacks deliver solid nutrition with each bite whether you’re camping, at school or on the go. Their smoked snacks are handcrafted from savory and high-quality protein.

The ingredients behind the company’s 50 years of success are as short as its actual ingredient list: lean high-quality meat, quality seasonings, real wood-fired smoke and a hands-on manufacturing process. Couple that with an affordable price and convenient packaging and you’ve just found your new favorite snack. Old Trapper is available at grocery and convenience stores nationwide and their online store.

New Games from Ultra-Pro

The insanely popular Killer Bunnies card game (and its host of color-coded expansion packs) already has a huge fan base, and that’s good news for those of you who are waiting for the Cake Batter Expansion Pack, but it doesn’t preclude newbies from jumping on board at the eleventh hour. Killer Bunnies Quest Lite introduces this pop-culture inspired card game to a new audience with an easier-to-learn mechanic and quicker playtime. Keep your bunnies alive while using wacky weapons and getting a good laugh from the hilarious artwork and movie/TV references. Although it’s geared toward teens and up, my 13-year-old, Benjamin, was able to teach his younger siblings the Lite version fairly quickly and they were up and running with a game just today.

One of Ultra Pro’s newest party games, Say What You Meme, challenges players to create their own memes and choose which are the funniest. Or try Geek Out! 80’s Edition with your next adult get-together, seeing who is most knowledgeable about 1980’s pop culture. It’s got a fun bluffing element, too.

And here’s a game that everyone in the family can dive right in and play: Speedy Doc – you don’t even have to read the rules. Speedy Doc will explain everything!

  • Listen to the topic and find something that matches. Then press the head to move on to the next player
  • Speedy Doc is impatient! If he gets fed up, the player who’s supposed to answer next will lose the round and get a zero.

This fast-paced question game delivers instant fun right out of the box.

PLAY Diaper Bag from KeaBabies

Designed for the busy, modern parent, the PLAY Diaper Backpack is lightweight, compact, and stylish, and fits everything parents need for a fun day out with their little one.
To help parents stay hands free on-the-go, the diaper backpack fits comfortably on the shoulders or the grab-and-go handles can double as a stroller strap.

The new Play Diaper Backpack features 2 large insulated bottle pockets for warm or cold bottles, an attached Pacifier Pod with waterproof interior, and a spacious central compartment with a variety of pockets for staying organized. Plus, a waterproof diaper changing pad is tucked neatly into a zippered compartment in the back.
The Play Diaper Backpack is available in this classy muted Latte color at KeaBabies.com. Sign up for emails and get 10% off your first purchase!

The Twistable, Turnable Roto Brain

Meet a 2022 STEM Toy of the Year nominee, Roto Brain. This 3D puzzle sphere features color-spinning multi-level challenges. It encourages key STEM skills like experimentation and critical thinking skills to help children build resilience and use their creativity to find the puzzle’s solution. Designed for ages 8 and up, it features both intermediate and advanced levels. You can even set combinations and challenge someone else! On a simpler level, it can even double as a fidget device, just because it’s fun to spin and twist the unit. Roto Brain is in stock and available now with free Prime shipping for $19.99 at Amazon.com.

Giveaway: You can enter to win a copy of the Julia Child recipe keeper featured in this post by leaving a comment below. One entry per household, US only, giveaway ends 10/29/21 at midnight.

 

 

 

 

Thanks to all our sponsors who sent complimentary products
in exchange for honest feedback! 

Ba Ba Battle Sheep Game Review

by 8 Comments

Do you like simple games that are quick to learn, but fun enough to have real sticking power? We just tried a game like this called Battle Sheep, courtesy of the homeschooling team at Timberdoodle.

When you’re busy raising a family and managing a home, you tend to appreciate those games that can be finished up in a short amount of time, like checkers or bingo. Battle Sheep, being comprised of just two components – the moveable board grid and the sheep tiles – and averaging about ten minutes in play time, gets high marks from us for a family friendly game that young children can enjoy together or with parents.

Because you can set the board pieces up any way you like, it changes the shape and strategy of every single game. The sheep tiles are nice and heavy, feel great in your hand and make a pleasant clacking sound as you stack and move them. That they are decorated with colorful sheep wearing quirky expressions on their faces adds to the enjoyment.

The goal is to claim more pastures pieces than your opponent. You do this by splitting your “sheep stack” of tiles over and over again and spreading them throughout the board, while also attempting to block the other player from gaining ground.

The concept is simple yet very appealing. I find myself playing game after game, challenging this child and that child, having fun and learning new strategies as we go!

The components are made to last; pasture boards are full-color laminated card stock and the sheep tiles are constructed of heavy, shiny plastic.

Age recommendation is seven and up but my 6 year old daughter (first grade) picked it up very quickly. Younger children will need some guidance on strategies for success, such as counting their sheep tokens carefully before splitting and moving their stacks. That way, they’ll have enough to fill up nearby pasture tiles. It’s also good to remind players that getting blocked is deadly! Unused sheep tokens all stacked up will go to waste when they can’t move anymore, and that means less points at the end.

Strategy games can be a great homeschool resource, teaching children to think ahead and use trial and error to problem solve. Battle Sheep contains an added math component, as counting is crucial to token placement.

The Battle Sheep game includes:

  • 16 pasture boards
  • 4 sets of 16 sheep tokens
  • Full color rule book

Designed by Blue Orange Games, Battle Sheep retails for $29.99 and is included in Timberdoodle’s 3rd Grade Curriculum Kit.

Be sure to follow Timberdoodle on social media and see what’s new for this summer and the coming school season!

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