Coming Soon: The New InnoTab 3S from VTech!

While my kids are beyond fortunate to have been able to test out so many toys over the years, the downside for me is that they have become quite the picky little consumers themselves. If a toy, device, game or piece of gear isn't extremely innovative, versatile, educational and entertaining, it is nearly always discarded after the novelty wears off.

Which, conversely, makes it easy to see which products are the ones that have long-lasting appeal and delight, as they are those that my girls return to time and time again.

For us, two of those winning items have been the InnoTab and InnoTab 2 from VTech. Both of these devices are designed to help your child take learning to the next level, combining eBooks, educational games, creative activities, learning apps (there are hundreds available to download!) and tools into a sleek, durable and entertaining device.

So as much as we have enjoyed these early learning tablet versions, we're thrilled to hear that VTech has taken things to the next level with the upcoming debut of the InnoTab 3S!

The InnoTab 3S offers a wealth of fun, age-appropriate learning games across a wide variety of subjects for kids ages 3-9 on their very own learning tablet. This great device also includes Wi-Fi, providing a bunch of new ways to play and learn with a kid-safe connection to the Internet.

Kids can also use the D-pad controller to talk into the microphone for enhanced and interactive game play or use the 180° rotating camera to record video and take fun photos with over 55 special effects on this fun learning tablet. They can even import and listen to their own MP3 songs or participate in entertaining game play to learn reading, math, social studies, handwriting, science, problem solving, geography and much more.

I love that the new InnoTab 3S comes with an AC adapter and rechargeable battery pack that allows kids to play and learn for up to nine hours, while the included VTech Kid Connect lets kids and parents stay close by sending text messages and stickers right from the InnoTab 3S to Mom or Dad's smartphone.

The new InnoTab 3S also continues to provide access to VTech’s Learning Lodge app store, plus it comes packed with 20 free apps and a one year Kid Connect Basic subscription.

Truly VTech has found yet another way to combine learning with entertainment and appeal to kids' love of staying up-to-date on the latest in technology. Even better, all of the great new features in the InnoTab 3S can be found for less than $100!

The InnoTab 3S is available now for pre-order (in blue or pink) from Vtechkids.com, Amazon.com, Target.com, Toysrus.com and Walmart.com. You can also find out more by connecting with VTech on Facebook and Twitter.

Stay tuned for a review and giveaway for the great new VTech InnoTab 3S soon!

I was provided with information for this post and will be collaborating with VTech Kids for a review and giveaway of the InnoTab 3S, but all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Celebrate Summer with a Bomb Pop Party! {#BombPop}

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Bomb Pop. I received product samples, a party kit, and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Due to the crazy summer weather we've had here in the Midwest, it has made us all the more excited to get outside and enjoy the days with beautiful temps even more. It's not raining? Get outside on the trampoline while you can! It's not 95°? Throw on some shoes, we're going for a walk!

One more surefire way to put a smile on our faces on a hot summer day? By pulling out an ice cold tasty treat, of course!

For more than 50 years, kids and adults have enjoyed the sweet, frozen blast of fruit flavor in the classic red, white and blue Bomb Pop and my family is no exception. Is there anyone that can turn down this iconic and delicious treat?

I've been a big fan of the Bomb Pop brand for as long as I can remember, so hearing that they have introduced two new flavors into their lineup is something that I knew my kids would love to hear as well.

That's right, in addition to the beloved Original and Original Sugar Free Bomb Pop, Hawaiian Punch and Sour Wower have joined the Bomb Pop family so that now you can enjoy your favorite Hawaiian Punch fruity flavors or pucker up for some serious sourness.

This calls for a celebration... Bomb Pop-style!

Turning a regular playdate into a Bomb Pop Party wasn't difficult thanks to the variety of Bomp Pop ice pops, Bomb Pop keychains, a Bomb Pop beanbag toss game and Bomb Pop baseballs (Bomb Pop is an official sponsor of Little League Baseball and Softball!) that we received.

All that was left was to get together with some of our favorite friends, set up our activities, and enjoy an afternoon filled with tasty treats, laughter and outdoor fun!

While the kids had a great time tossing the baseballs and beanbags, the excitement was turned up a notch even more as they took turns playing with a stomp rocket...

...before the draw of the Bomb Pops was too strong. It was time to dig in!

Allowing each child (and adult) to choose their own flavor, I was happy to see a mix of the Original, Hawaiian Punch and Sour Wower be a part of our taste testing. It was time to dig (i.e. lick) in!

Each of the flavors was a big hit with the whole group, with nods to the sweetness of the Original and Hawaiian Punch and a few scrunched, sour faces at the Sour Wower. Each one was a win!

While I've always believed that you can't go wrong with a Bomb Pop, the huge variety of flavors (there are at least a dozen different kinds!) truly ensures that, no matter what your preference, you'll find a cool and refreshing treat that your taste buds will enjoy. If there is a better way to enjoy a summer day than being outside with a Bomb Pop, I'm not sure I've found it yet!

Find out much more about all that Bomb Pop has to offer by visiting with them at BombPop.com and connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to keep an eye out for many of the delicious Bomb Pop flavors at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.99 for a box of 12 pops.

Enjoy Pillsbury Pizza on the Grill {Prize Pack Giveaway}

The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

When it comes to homemade pizza, it's no secret that Pillsbury Pizza Crusts are an easy and delicious way to save time and energy while still ending up with a fantastic result.

But did you know that you can get creative with them in more ways that simply various tasty recipes? In fact, with summer here, Pillsbury knows that families are spending as much time outdoors as possible... so, at your next barbeque, go ahead and enjoy your favorite pizza right on the grill!

Concerned that grilling pizza might be a bit difficult? I was.

Fortunately, Pillsbury has clear, easy to follow instructions for how to grill pizza, so I simply gathered our ingredients, pulled up the photo directions and was ready to go.

While my husband warmed up the small grill, I sprayed a large piece of heavy duty foil with cooking spray and unrolled the dough.

Next, when the grill was hot and ready, I simply flipped the whole sheet of foil over so that the dough was directly on the rack and peeled away the foil.

For more savvy grill-users, the rest of the process should be pretty straightforward. Simply let the dough cook until the bottom is golden brown; flip the whole thing over and let it cook for a few minutes; remove from the grill to add sauce, cheese and toppings; and return to the grill to finish cooking.

Unfortunately for us, we unknowingly let our grill get far too hot, therefore ensuring that the dough would char on the outside while still staying uncooked on the inside...

...and, ultimately, ended up pretty much a failure.

That being said, I'm actually still pretty eager to try this method again! Pillsbury has so many delicious grilled pizza recipes that I'm sure with a little more practice we could be enjoying any number of their tasty ideas:

• Grilled Italian Pesto Pizza
• Grilled Garlic Butter Crusted Margherita Pizza
• Pillsbury Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Pillsbury Grilled Sausage and Pepper Pizza
• And many more!

In addition, Pillsbury doesn't only want to give you ideas and recipes for tasty meals, they want you to win one of five brand new grills in their Pillsbury Pizza Pinspiration Sweepstakes!

That's right! Simply create a Pillsbury Pizza Pinspiration Pinterest Board, pin at least three pizza recipes from Pillsbury.com, and head to Pillsbury.com to register your board. But hurry! This sweepstakes ends July 31st at 11:59pm, so get pinning!

For more information, examples and ways that Pillsbury can turn your next summer meal into a party of its own, visit Pillsbury.com and connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon be grilling with the best of them, because...

One lucky person will win a Pillsbury Grilling Prize Pack*!

*Prize Pack includes (1) 19-piece grill set and (1) $10 Visa gift card for ingredients. Total ARV $50.

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A big thank you to General Mills for providing a prize pack for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Orbit for Kids Sugarfree Gum {Review}

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Orbit for Kids. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

While there are a million different parenting methods (all of which are perfectly fine and acceptable), I find myself most often leaning towards the all-in-moderation way of thinking.

After all, my brother and I are perfect examples of what happens when you aren't allowed specific things as a child (for us, sugar cereals and white bread) and how that relates to overindulging in them when you grow up (we each individually lived off of Lucky Charms and the whitest bread possible as soon as we went away to college).

Therefore, while we aren't a family that chews gum regularly, it is still an item that both of my girls request time and again. Instead of always saying no, now I'm glad that I have a better option to give them that satisfies their sweet tooth while also helps protect between brushing: the new Orbit for Kids Sugarfree Gum.

Giving parents a convenient and fun way to help protect kids' teeth between brushings, the new Orbit for Kids gum is the perfect compromise for families everywhere. Kids love chewing gum, but little do they know that this particular one is actually enhancing their oral care routine in addition to brushing and flossing!

Available in two kid-friendly sugarfree flavors — Original Bubblegum and Strawberry Banana — Orbit for Kids has been proven to help clean little mouths and keep them healthy. Skeptical? It works by cleaning their mouths of food debris and stimulating saliva flow, which helps to protect teeth by reducing plaque acids and strengthening teeth. In fact, Orbit for Kids gum has been awarded the ADA Seal of Acceptance!

Knowing that my kids would be beyond thrilled to test out this great new gum, we were all more than ready to boost our healthy oral hygiene habits with a selection of items from Orbit for Kids.

Big Sister E and Little Sister B could barely stand still while I opened the pack of Orbit for Kids Strawberry Banana gum and, as expected, were extremely excited to be offered a piece after finishing their lunch.

What better way to follow up eating than with a yummy piece of gum?

No complaints here! In fact, Big Sister E was quick to say that, "it tastes better than the regular gum!"

While neither of the girls are expert bubble blowers, they both love trying...

...and I love being comforted knowing that it is contributing to healthy oral care for them both. By simplying adding Orbit for Kids gum as a complement to the brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash that we already do, this has been a very simple and fun option to help protect my kids' teeth!

Offered in two versatile package sizes (14-tab envelopes and Multi-Pack bags of 10, six-tab micro Packs), Orbit for Kids Sugarfree Gum is now available nationwide with an MSRP of $1.29 for the 14-tab envelopes and $4.49 for the Multi-Pack bags.

Whether you're at home or on-the-go, find out more information about Orbit for Kids by visiting OrbitGumForKids.com and seeing the difference that this tasty gum can make in the oral health of your kids today!

Sponsored: Headfirst! Expert Advice on Lice – A New Head Lice Resource for Parents

The below content is sponsored by Sanofi Pasteur’s Headfirst! Expert Advice on Lice campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Every parent hopes to avoid dealing with head lice, but much like taxes, some things can’t always be avoided. In the United States alone, an estimated six to 12 million head lice infestations occur each year in school aged children. If you are facing head lice after your child returns home from camp, there are resources available to help!

The Headfirst! Expert Advice on Lice website is driven by experts who are also moms, so they get it. The site features basic information on the little critters like symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment options, and a variety of tools including:

• The How to Lose the Lice Guide, with a handy checklist to save time and reduce stress when battling head lice.

• The Headfirst! Lice Experience video allows you to choose your experience, whether it be you’re not sure you have lice, or you just want to get rid of them:

It’s important to remember the most common way to spread head lice is head-to-head contact. Thinking ahead with things like teaching your child to avoid sharing brushes or hats is a good start.

So if you’re trying to get rid of head lice post-camp, or a parent who always likes to be prepared for next season, visit Headfirst! Expert Advice on Lice for more information.

Enjoying Summer Cooking with #KraftRecipes {Tomato & Balsamic Bruschetta Recipe}

With July marking the halfway point of summer (what??), I'm already mentally thinking about what else I would like to get done before my kids head back to school in the fall.

We've done plenty of swimming at the pool, hanging out with friends, planning and booking our upcoming vacation... but the item that I worry will slip past me is having a fun, casual potluck with friends and neighbors.

No matter if you're welcoming the folks that have recently moved to the neighborhood or if you're just having your closest pals over for an afternoon of laid-back entertainment and eating, who doesn't love hosting a summer BBQ or potluck?

As per my norm, I'm always on the lookout for quick, festive decor and tasty, easy recipes that are perfect to share. After all, I can't host a gathering and not have a yummy layered salad or s'mores ingredients on hand, right?

This is why this year I was excited to browse through the wide selection of recipes, ingredients and more at KraftRecipes.com to get a few new ideas. Upon stumbling on Tomato & Balsamic Bruschetta, I knew that I had found a winner!

In the same way that my kids love anything that I bake with zucchini, my husband will nearly always drop anything and everything for bruschetta. The toasted bread, the sweet tomatoes, the melted cheese — yum! So how could I pass up trying out this delicious twist?

Tomato & Balsamic Bruschetta

Ingredients

1 loaf French bread (16 oz.) cut into 16 slices
2 cloves garlic, halved
1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA ⅓ Less Fat than Cream Cheese
16 cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup slivered red onions
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. brown sugar
⅛ tsp salt
⅛ tsp pepper
¼ cup fresh basil leaves (about 8), torn

Directions

Heat oven to 400°F.

Place bread slices in single layer on baking sheet. Bake 3 to 4 min. on each side or until toasted on both sides. Rub with garlic. Cool.

Spread toast with cream cheese; top with tomatoes and onions.

I left off the onions only because my kids won't touch them.

Whisk vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper until well blended. Drizzle over toast slices; top with basil.

Enjoy!

These are such a tasty addition to any potluck or BBQ that your family and friends will surely go back for more! I love the way that they take the classic bruschetta and give it a unique, extremely delicious (and quite addicting) twist. I'll certainly be reaching for the recipe for gatherings as well as to add a tasty change to our dinner table in the future!

This summer, be sure to browse the large number of recipes available at KraftRecipes.com to find a huge selection of snack, meal or dessert ideas that are creative, delicious, fun and perfect for enjoying time at home or as a guest with all of your loved ones.

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.

Old El Paso Stand ‘N Stuff Soft Flour Tortillas and Mexican Cooking Sauces {Review & Prize Pack Giveaway}

Although I'm often trying to come up with new recipes and meal ideas for my family, there are a few options in our regular rotation that just never get old. There's never too much pasta and pizza, right?

Another popular menu choice: tacos.

Whether we're doing quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, soft shell, hard shell... taco night has pretty much become a necessity in our week. So how can we make a good thing even better?

Thanks to the innovative and tasty Stand 'N Stuff Soft Flour Tortillas and Mexican Cooking Sauces – two new products from Old El Paso that add fun, versatility and convenience to our dinner routine!

For nearly a century, Old El Paso has inspired consumers to bring fun and flavorful Mexican food to their dinner tables. A market leader worldwide, Old El Paso spices up meal planning with popular products that include dinner kits, taco shells, seasonings and a complete line of Mexican meal components.

But now they've taken things even further with the introduction of their Old El Paso Stand N Stuff Soft Flour Tortillas, a first-of-its-kind, innovative soft taco that stands up. Revolutionizing taco night, Stand 'N Stuff Soft Flour Tortillas are uniquely shaped like a bowl, but have a flat bottom so they are easy to fill, hold and eat without falling apart.

In addition, new Old El Paso Mexican Cooking Sauces add delicious bold flavor to any Mexican dish, bringing the excitement from an authentic Mexican restaurant right into the home kitchen. As each one is the  perfect blend of carefully selected roasted vegetables, peppers and Mexican spices, the result is a complex taste that would typically take hours to make at home.

Let's get eating, Old El Paso!

While we ended up not being able to try the new Mexican Cooking Sauces due to the meat in the ingredients (darn us vegetarians!), I passed them along to a friend who confirmed that they tasted great on meats as well as veggies and would easily give a Mexican flare to tacos, burritos, fajitas, slow cookers, and more.

As for the Stand ‘N Stuff Soft Flour Tortillas, my kids were thrilled to be able to spoon in their favorite fillings and create something that ended up a hybrid between a burrito and a taco salad.

There's always something especially exciting about getting to customize your dinner exactly the way that you want it!

The Stand ‘N Stuff Tortillas proved to be so easy to fill, hold, and eat that my kids barely said a word as they enjoyed bite after bite.

As an added bonus, instead of finding taco remnants all over the floor after dinner like I usually do, the unique shape of these held just about every piece right inside.

Yum! The Stand 'N Stuff Tortillas were definitely a hit all around!

If you want to add a new and delicious twist to your taco night, keep an eye out for Old El Paso Stand ‘N Stuff Soft Flour Tortillas (8 count) and Dinner Kits (with Old El Paso Taco Sauce and Old El Paso Taco Seasoning) that are currently available at stores nationwide at a suggested retail price of $2.79 (Dinner Kit - $3.59).

You can also find the new Old El Paso Mexican Cooking Sauces available in three delicious varieties — Roasted Tomato, Chipotle and Chile and Roasted Garlic — available at stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.49.

But, wait! Why shop without a discount? Before you head to the store, be sure to print off your coupon to receive $1.10 off any two Old El Paso Stand 'N Stuff Soft Tortillas OR Mexican Cooking Sauces!

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon be ready to have a tasty dinner right at home as well, because...

One lucky person will win an Old El Paso Prize Pack*!

*Prize Pack contains (1) container of Old El Paso Stand ‘N Stuff Soft Tortillas, (3) Old El Paso Mexican Cooking Sauces (one of each flavor), Collapsible Colander, Veggie chopper, Chop turner utensil, and (1) $10 Walmart gift card to buy additional taco ingredients. Total ARV $60!

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The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Cadbury Ice Cream Bars 'High Tea' Party {#CadburyHighTea}

While I like to think that my kids and I spend quality time together... it often seems as though most of it is spent in the car as I drive them from one activity to the next. How many deep and meaningful conversations can really be had in between swim lessons and camp and tennis practice?

Therefore, when given the inspiration and supplies for an extremely fun, creative way to enjoy an afternoon with my girls and their friends, I'm not going to pass up the chance.

And when it is going to involve luxuriously rich and delicious chocolatey ice cream treats at the same time? Then of course we want to be a part of 'High Tea' MommyParties with the new Cadbury Ice Cream Bars!

That's right, in celebration of Cadbury chocolate coming to America to team up with Blue Bunny premium ice cream to create creamy, cool, indulgent treats, we were more than ready to cordially invite our friends over for a 'High Tea' party.

Some snacks, some adorable teacups and saucers, some "tea" (apple juice)... all that we needed now were our guests and our special fashion accessories to give our party a special British twist.

Let the party begin!

Cheers, Ladies! Here's to a wonderful time with wonderful friends!

After everyone had their fill of tea and snacks, we took a break from the table to pull out toys, play some games, and just let loose and have fun.

If the British don't get up from their tea parties to have a group jump on the trampoline, then they just don't know what they're missing!

However, after a while of burning off energy and heating up outside in the high temps, it was perfect time to head back in and dig into our assortment of refreshingly delicious Cadbury Ice Cream Bars that were awaiting us.

A combination of creamy Blue Bunny ice cream dipped in thick, rich, Cadbury chocolatey coating, the Cadbury Ice Cream Bars are pretty much the perfect mix. As they are snack size, they are just right for kids to enjoy as well as satisfying enough for my sweet tooth to be happy. They're essentially snack size indulgence at a price and size the whole family can enjoy!

We sampled two of the classic favorites of Cadbury Ice Cream Bars as well as two new premium varieties:

• Cadbury Vanilla Chocolate: Creamy Blue Bunny reduced fat vanilla ice cream dipped in thick, rich Cadbury milk chocolaty coating.

• Cadbury Caramello: Creamy Blue Bunny Reduced fat vanilla ice cream swirled with caramel sauce all dipped in thick, rich Cadbury milk chocolaty coating.

• Cadbury Royal Dark: Creamy Blue Bunny reduced fat vanilla ice cream dipped in thick, rich Cadbury Royal Dark chocolaty coating.

• Cadbury English Toffee: Creamy Blue Bunny reduced fat toffee ice cream dipped in thick, rich Cadbury milk chocolaty coating with toffee pieces.

Yum x 4! My young guests shied away from trying the Cadbury English Toffee, but the Cadbury Vanilla Chocolate, Cadbury Caramello and Cadbury Royal Dark were (unsurprisingly) extremely well-received!

By the end of the afternoon, our 'High Tea' party was deemed a success and our guests went home full, tired... and with a cute new hat or fascinator of their own. What more could we have asked for?

As we were lucky enough to have some leftover Cadbury Ice Cream Bars, I have no doubt that we will be enjoying these tasty treats more times this summer (and beyond). Blue Bunny and Cadbury — it's a winning team no matter which side of the pond you're from!

Find out much more about these and all of Blue Bunny's delicious products at BlueBunny.com and get social with them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

I received this party kit as part of a promotional program with Cadbury and MomSelect and all thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Step2 MailMaster Hudson Mailbox {Review}

In the same way that some people drive through a neighborhood and immediately notice the mature trees or the number of America flags blowing in the breeze, the aspect of the curb appeal that somehow always sticks out the most to me is the mailbox.

Take a look next time you drive down the block, what do the mailboxes look like? The majority are... adequate. Nothing special. Metal box with a red flag on a wooden post, right? But you'll always also see a handful of fancy mailboxes (which are usually a bit overdone and fru-fru for my taste) as well as a handful of... well, let's just say not-so-pretty ones.

The rust, the cracks, the covers bolted on that look like they were designed in 1972... is that really the first impression that you want to give people of your home?

Fortunately, it's a fairly quick and easy fix to turn your old, worn out mailbox into something crisp, stylish, functional and new, thanks to Step2.

Known as one of the nation's largest toddler toy manufacturers, the Step2 Company was founded on the philosophy of quality, value and service backed by a commitment to customer satisfaction.

With products distributed to retailers throughout the U.S., Canada and over 70 other countries, this is one name that is recognized and known worldwide for being top-of-the-line and fostering learning and development through creative play in children from birth to school-age years.

But did you know that their selection moves beyond only playthings for children? That's right, there are full collections of indoor and outdoor furniture, baby gear, safety items, lawn and garden products and more.

Considering that Step2 puts their same high quality workmanship and attention to detail into making these categories just as dependable, durable and convenient as their toys, I had no doubt that the arrival of the MailMaster Hudson Mailbox would be just the thing to fix up a family member's new home.

From the heavy-duty construction to the all-in-one post and mailbox design, the MailMaster Hudson Mailbox is an attractive and functional way to keep your mail and newspaper clean, dry and in place.

Happy to see that nearly everything we needed was included right in the box...

...my husband and I laid out the pieces and began following the easy step-by-step instructions.

After installing our 4" x 4" post securely into spot, the upper and lower halves of the MailMaster Hudson slid on and snapped right into place over it.

After securing the post with a few bolts and screwing the remaining pieces of the mailbox itself on tightly...

...I screwed the final handle into place on the door...

...and stepped back to compare just how much better the After looked, as compared to the Before.

Hello, curb appeal!

In around 15 minutes we had switched out the old, worn, rotting, slanted mailbox and the MailMaster Hudson had provided a durable, reliable, simple-yet-stylish way to keep incoming and outgoing mail housed perfectly.

Just check out how easy it was to put this whole thing together!


For a way to add contemporary styling (yet with a classic design) to your yard, the Step2 MailMaster Hudson Mailbox would be a great addition to any home's outdoor decor. Currently retailing for $89.99 directly from Step2 or on Amazon.com, this great product also comes in a white option with an attached planter for a cute way to add a floral touch.

For more information about all of Step2's incredibly fun and/or practical products, be sure to visit Step2.com and connect with them on Twitter and Facebook.

Other than the MailMaster Hudson Mailbox that I was provided by Step2 to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this product.