Educational Fun For Kids With the VTech InnoTab 2 (Review)

In our home, I'm pretty strict about the types of games and electronics allowed at our house. Most games and gaming systems out there aren't really aimed at education, but the new VTech MobiGo 2 we reviewed last month and the VTech Innotab 2 are great educational systems for kids!

Josiah is always wanting to play on my tablet and I've wanted to get him something similar, but with educational aspects. The VTech InnoTab 2 is the perfect solution and I finally have my tablet back all for myself. The new Innotab 2 has many new features in comparison to the original Innotab that make it better than ever. I couldn't wait for Josiah to receive this one and, sure enough, he absolutely loves it.

One of Josiah's favorite aspects of Mama's tablet is taking pictures and now he can do it, too, with the InnoTab 2's built-in digital photo and video camera that rotates so you can take photos and videos of yours and of others! In the picture below, you can see how easily the camera rotates.

 In the picture above you can also see the rubberized edges to help kids grip so they don't drop it. Paired with some of the other InnoTab 2 accessories, including the case, it can withstand much more play. I know my kids are always dropping toys and they end up breaking. I definitely don't want that to happen with the InnoTab 2! I can tell just by holding it just how durable it is.

There also hundreds of educational apps to download, which gives kids a huge variety! In this picture you can see some of them and there are many on sale or even free!

Just like the MobiGo 2, you can use the Learning Lodge to purchase apps and, my favorite part, you can keep up with your child's progress. As they improve their skills, the Learning Lodge takes notes, so you know how they are doing. Josiah has been working on his alphabet and will start learning to read very soon. This is something the InnoTab will be great for, with animated e-books, and I can keep up with his progress!  Suitable for 3-9 years, both of the kids can enjoy playing with it, too. This is an item that will receive much play over the next years considering Liam just turned 3 and Josiah is 5.

Additional Features Include a video player, 2Gb onboard memory and an SD card slot expandable up to 32 GB, a microphone and much, much more! I just cannot say enough about the awesome InnoTab 2! This would make a perfect gift, especially for the upcoming holidays, and retailing at only $79.99 it is so affordable! I suggest getting a bundle of 4AA lithium batteries because kids will constantly want to play. It's best to be prepared!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for VTech. I received product samples to facilitate my review.

September Extreme $400 Cash Giveaway Event

Welcome to the September Extreme Cash Giveaway! Children Teaching Mama is a host this month with Oh My Gosh Beck!, Life With Levi,  HotCouponWorld, For Him and My Family, The Frugal Free Gal,  Money Saving Lisa and other awesome blogs to give all our readers the chance to win a $400 cash prize!

This giveaway runs for a whole month, so you will have plenty of time to get through all the entries. There are also daily entries available so be sure to come back every day to grab as many entries as possible!

Giveaway is open worldwide and ends October 15th at 11:59 PM EST. Good luck!

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Eye Protection for Kids: Help Ensure Healthy Eyes with These Tip

Beyond the Eye Exam: Some Tips on How to Protect Your Child’s Eyes

Of all the things you do to protect your children, guarding their eyes is one of the most important. In addition to taking them for an annual eye exam starting around age three, there are other measures you should take to protect your child’s eyes and ensure they’re healthy for years to come.

Protecting eyes from the sun
Unlike adults, kids’ eyes aren’t fully developed and therefore don’t have the same ability to combat UV radiation. That’s why it’s crucial to arm kids with eye protection before they head outside to play. Invest in sunglasses for your child, and if they’re not prescription sunglasses, make sure you read the labels carefully. You should choose a pair that block out both UVA and UVB radiation. Wearing a brimmed hat will also help shield your child’s eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. 

Protecting eyes during TV, computer and video game use
As any parent knows, kids can easily spend hours in front of the TV or computer. Whether they’re watching their favorite shows or playing video games, electronic media can be all-consuming for kids and in turn, cause extreme eyestrain. Insist on frequent breaks away from the TV or computer so their eyes can rest re-moisturize. It’s also important to keep the room well lit and make sure your child is sitting at reasonable distance from the screen. All of this will help reduce eyestrain which can lead to headaches and eye fatigue. 

Protecting eyes while reading
Reading for extended periods of time can also lead to eyestrain. Ensure your child is reading in a well-lit room and discourage them from lying down while reading. Sitting up with the book propped up on the child’s lap or on a table at a slight distance will help reduce strain on the eyes. If your child is farsighted, make sure they always wear their eyeglasses while reading. 

Remember the little things
In addition to taking these steps toward eye protection, remember to schedule an eye exam every year, and ask your child’s teacher if he or she has noticed your child squinting or struggling to see the chalkboard. If your child wears glasses, make sure they’re always being worn and check that the eyeglass frames fit properly and are comfortable. Taking all these measures will set your child up for a lifetime of healthy eyes and proper eyesight. 

Links sponsored by LensCrafters.

Welcome Our New Review Bloggers

Since the new school year has begun and things have definitely been busy around here! With school, doctor's appointments and everything else going on, it was time to admit it: I need help! There are some days I just don't have time to write posts, reviews or giveaways, which I really dislike saying. This is why I decided to add 2 new review bloggers to Children Teaching Mama. This means more posts AND more reviews/giveaways. I was limiting the amount of items I accept, but now I don't have to be as picky.

We had so many great applications, so thank you so much for applying if you did. This was quite possibly the hardest decision I've had to make with my blog so far. After spending all of last weekend on picking 2 review bloggers, I finally did it. Here's a little bit about them:

Sara from Mommy Summers

 

Sara is a SAHM to a beautiful 18 month old daughter. Her blog, Mommy Summers, has a little bit of everything, as her job as a Mama includes a little bit of everything! She just recently started TTC again and her blog was originally written when she was trying to conceive her first, so she's going back to her roots!

Anne from Zephyr Hill Blog 

Anne is a cloth diapering, home schooling, hobby farming and just all-around busy mother of 5 wonderful children and is expecting another in January! She is the creator of the Zephyr Hill Blog and works from home as a professional naming consultant through her business Discovery Naming Service.

 Join me in welcoming our new reviewers! You will see their reviews and giveaways in the near future. Have a great weekend!

Annual Holiday Gift Guide: Sponsors Needed

Can you believe there are 99 days until Christmas? The year just flew by and I cannot believe summer is over, fall is almost here and winter is not far behind. Last year we celebrated the holidays with our first ever Holiday Gift Guide with Happenings of the Harper Household. We had such a great time that we've decided to do it again this year. The only thing different? We want to make it bigger and better!

We already have several awesome giveaways and reviews planned for the gift guide, including a baby food maker, breast pump and much more. I don't want to give too much away, but trust me, you are going to love this gift guide.

This year the gift guide will begin on November 1st and will continue until December 31st! That gives us 2 entire months of fun.

We are still looking for sponsors, so if you are interested in having your product featured in our Holiday Gift Guide as well as in a Sponsor Spotlight post, just email me at childrenteachingmama@gmail.com and I will give you more info! This event is a great way to spread the word about your business and/or product.

Are you as excited about this event as I am? Only 1.5 months until the big event begins!

Value Yourself As a Blogger

I was inspired to write this post because I just read another post on Social Dialect about participating in blogging contests for free. It's true that when I first started I was excited to get any kind of opportunity to work with a business or brand, but it's time we all started valuing ourselves as bloggers so we can set a high standard.

Yes, we all have to start out somewhere, but when posting for other brands and businesses, never do so for free. This not only devalues yourself and your blog, but also means sponsors and businesses will expect other bloggers to post for free, too. It's a lose-lose because you are setting up your future as a blogger. Post for free once and they will expect it again and again.

It's time businesses value us as bloggers and, for us to get the respect we deserve, we need to value ourselves first! I admit that when I was new, I was much more likely to post for free, maybe for the possibility of winning a prize or gift card, but it seems like this action has backfired since I often receive more emails wanting the same.

Here are some helpful hints for getting paid the money you deserve:

1. Set a minimum value for review items. If you don't want review items under a certain amount, don't be afraid to say so. Set your standards for businesses.

2. Include a Policies page on your blog. Make a policy page with your disclosure, as well as your review/giveaway policies. This way you can always have it there for reference if a company asks.

3. Watch how many do-follow links you use. Many companies will ask for do-follow links, but keep in mind that you can be penalized for this. Many bloggers are hesitant to use do-follow links for other companies because of this possibility. In fact, many businesses and blogs have already been penalized for purchasing these links.

4. Remember that time = money. You should be paid by your time. For reviews, you are paid by receiving the product. For sponsored posts you should be paid an amount based on your stats, followers and Page Rank. If you are writing or advertising for someone else, you are working for them and should be compensated!

5. Stand your ground! If you charge XXX amount or a a certain minimum amount for review items, don't accept less. Some will inevitably not respond or comply, so don't get discouraged. I've had companies say no only to contact me a week or so later to say they changed their mind. They want to see if they can bargain with you and will shop around to find lower prices. Don't compromise your standards.

Do you value yourself as a blogger? I know starting out can be frustrating, believe me! I have been there and never thought I would get bigger reviews, but be confident, stand firm. In time your blog will grow and your house will be full of goodies to review... maybe even too many.

Buying Beautiful Rugs For Every Room Of The House

In the past, we have always lived in apartments and houses with carpeting. I was so excited to move into our current home because of all the hardwood flooring. The only place that has carpet is the finished basement. However, I didn't take into account a few things: the floor sure is hard when you fall and the floors look a little bare.

As I have mentioned in the past, we live in a cabin, which means there are lots of open spaces and everything is wooden! Our living room, kitchen and dining room are all connected like a studio apartment area. Once we moved in all of our furniture, it started too look like home, I knew something was missing. We started looking for rugs online and I luckily stumbled upon World Rugs!

I found several beautiful rugs and even though I originally only wanted to purchase one rug, I ended up buying several for the entire house. Our furniture in the living room is a dark green, so I wanted something to match. I started searching for square rugs and found one that I absolutely love named Tones, with several brown colors that would look great in our cabin!

After I had my living room complete, I wanted to purchase a rug for our bathroom. In our old home house, the bathrooms were very small, but now we have a double vanity, shower and a jacuzzi tub, so we needed something a bit bigger. I happened to find some very unique modern rugs and fell in love with the rectangle Fusion print rug that is just my style.

I love this rug!

My kids have fallen on the floor a few times and end up with bumps and bruises. It's no fun for them, so I looked at  kids rugs for their bedroom. They spend a great deal of time playing in their room. I wanted something that wasn't too childish so they could use it for several years and I also wanted it to match the blue bedspread and curtains. When I saw the blue View rectangle rug, I knew that was the one for them.

I was so impressed with the selection at World Rugs. I looked at so many rugs before finding their website that I'd all but given up hope! Now I am so excited and cannot wait to receive my new rugs. They will get here right in time for me to show them off at Liam's birthday party, too.

Do you need rugs for your home? Click on one of the links above and let me know which is your favorite!

Join Cesar Savory Delights & #ShareTheJoy Of Being A Dog Owner

We adopted Jack and Lucy from a local shelter about 5 years ago now. They were adorable little puppies, brother and sister, looking for a nice family. We happened to find them through an internet ad and they have been with us ever since. There are so many things I absolutely love about my dogs that it really is hard to decide on just one. I think they are the cutest dogs ever, but I know I'm a little biased.

Jack & Lucy vegging out in their little house.

Jack and Lucy may be brother and sister, but they each have their very own personalities. Jack is a Mama's boy and is very protective of his family. Both of the dogs serve as our own personal alarm system because of their super-hearing. They know when someone is approaching our house before anyone else does! This does sometimes backfire, though, especially in the middle of the night when we have animal visitors, but for the most part, this is quite helpful.

We are a silly little family who loves to joke and play around. Lucy and Jack are exactly the same way, so they fit in perfectly. Lucy has a talent for showing her moods more than any other dog I've ever seen before. She loves to play and we all know by her expressions what kind of mood she is in. Take a look at this picture:

She loves to stick her tongue out and roll around when she's a happy pup!

Both Jack and Lucy are lovable and always ready to cuddle, kiss and love on anyone, adults and children. We have completely bonded with our little dogs and can't imagine life without them!

Cesar wants to celebrate the wonderful relationships between people and dogs by hosting a week-long Twitter event called the #sharethejoy 10,000 Savory Delights Twitter Giveaway. From September 5th until September 12th, dog lovers are invited to join @CesarCuisine in sharing your own joy of your dog's companionship in return for free Savory Delights meals!

Lucy just finished her entire dinner! Doesn't she look like she is smiling? I think so!

How To Participate In The Twitter Giveaway

1. Create a tweet sharing why your dog means so much to you and tag and follow @CesarCuisine
2. Include the hashtag #sharethejoy in your tweet
3. Encourage your friends and Twitter followers to #sharethejoy with others to receive their own complimentary meals from CESAR® Canine Cuisine
4. @CesarCuisine will follow-up to gather shipping details and reward 5,000 dog lovers with two complimentary Savory Delights™ meals.

Our dogs love to eat, as most dogs do, but it is obvious when they particularly life a food. We usually feed our dogs when we are in the kitchen eating, too, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This way the kids get to spend a little extra time with the dogs and they aren't begging us for food! We were sent a variety of Cesar Savory Delights meals to try and our dogs couldn't wait! I mixed the food with dry food and they absolutely loved them, so we know yours will, too! There was no begging for our food anymore because they ate every bite of their Cesar Savory Delights meals. I love that these meals are very healthy, too, and have delicious ingredients for our little doggies. They sometimes need to be a little spoiled, right? They especially love the Filet Mignon Flavor with Bacon and Potato in Meaty Juices. It even sounds yummy!

Be sure to "Like" Cesar on Facebook to keep up with all the latest info and promos!

 

Go to the Cesar website for valuable coupons!! 

 

 I wrote this review while participating in an ambassador program by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Cesar and received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Soft and Strong: Vote In the Charmin 2012 Election & Win Great Prizes

Both of my sons, Liam and Josiah, are very close and enjoy playing together, but they are also very different. I've watched their personalities develop since birth and am amazed at how much they've grown. I've also changed as a parent and my parenting methods have evolved over time. For example, I've learned that sometimes I have to be a soft parent and other times it is better to be strong and stand my ground.

I think being "soft" is most appropriate when my boys need me the most. Josiah's feelings get hurt very easily and I know I sometimes have to handle him with care. When my children, friends or family members are feeling down and sad, it's best to be soft, to give them love and let them know they have someone who is there for them. Sometimes my children have bad days when nothing seems to go right and that's when Mama is there to comfort them and to let them know the next day will be much better. I'm much better at being soft that at being a disciplinarian, which is when I have to be strong.

There are times, almost every day, that I have to be strong for my family and my boys. We have just started homeschooling and this has definitely put my patience and dedication to the test. Trying to teach a 3 year-old and 5 year-old is not at all easy and I must be very strict about the amount of time we spend on schoolwork. Otherwise, the little monkeys would think they could hop up and play any time they want. We have to stay on schedule and go to sleep on time and get up early in the morning. This is not always easy for me since I'm not a morning person, but I have to do it for my children. There are also times when brothers fight and I have to let them know it is inappropriate. This is another time I have to be strong, let them know they cannot hurt each other and know they they shouldn't do it again.

When are you soft and/or strong with your family?

Speaking of Soft or Strong, it is time to vote for your favorite Charmin: Ultra Soft or Ultra Strong during the Charmin 2012 Election. I, personally, prefer Ultra Soft, and have I buy it every time! Charmin® Ultra Soft is designed with absorbent cushions that allow you to use less versus the leading value brand. Charmin® Ultra Strong’s enhanced DiamondWeave™ texture delivers a clean you will notice, with the softness you expect from Charmin. Do your part and vote for your favorite!

How To Vote:
First, "Like" Charmin here:


Then, go to the Facebook App to and cast your ballot for Charmin Ultra Soft or Ultra Strong. Also, be sure to join the great TP debate and share stories on how they "enjoy the go"! As always when voting, every vote counts! Not sure which Charmin to vote for? Go to the Facebook page, watch the debate videos and take the online quiz!

Your Chance To Win!
In addition to voting, Facebook fans also have the opportunity to win weekly prizes, including t-shirts, an entire year's supply of Charmin and more!! We go through so much toilet paper in our house that this would be such an awesome prize!

Which Charmin is your favorite? Either way you can't go wrong, but I know we all have favorites! 


Disclosure:  I was compensated for this blog post as part of the SocialMoms and Charmin blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. For more blog posts on this topic, click here.

Carter's Halloween Boo-tique Outfits & $50 Gift Card Giveaway

My boys are very active and know how to make the most out of every day. Even as babies, they were always on the go. For this reason, I have to be very picky about the clothes I buy them. I want clothes that are long-lasting, made for play, confortable and don't cost me a bundle. This is exactly why I love Carter's! I always find great prices and fashionable clothes for babies and children, which why this is also my go-to brand for baby shower presents and gifts. I have actually saved all of Josiah's Carter's baby clothes for Liam and, after all these years, they still have so much wear left in them, we'll be using them for the next baby, too.

It just so happens that one of my favorite holidays, Halloween, is coming up very soon and Carter's has the most adorable Halloween clothing.The weather is always a bit chilly during the fall season and Carter's clothes are not only soft and durable, but cozy and warm, too! This is the perfect combination for your little one this fall.

Whether online or in-stores, make a statement that’s sweeter than candy with cute and cozy costumes and trick-or-treat tees for your baby’s first Halloween. Costumes choices include a lion, ladybug, pumpkin and more!

Liam wants to be a lion this year, so when we were looking at the Halloween costumes on Carters.com, he picked out this adorable costume. You can just tell from the picture it is super-soft, too.

 Want an adorable costume for your little sweet pea? Look at this adorable Flower Costume from Carter's.

This is such a cute little costume! Wish I had a little girl to dress up in this one.

 Carter’s offers a variety of spooky styles pj’s featuring 2 and 3 piece sets featuring skeletons, spiders, pumpkins and more.  Carter’s ensures warmer and cozier bedtimes this fall. Don’t miss out on 50% off of Carter’s pj shop!

I have several Carter's pj's, including a few Halloween sets, that both boys have worn over the years.The one below has to be my favorite and it has been worn by both kiddos over the years!

Baby Josiah in his Carter's Boo Pj's!

Carter's also has a variety of tees and outfits for boys and girls to celebrate this Halloween! I love polka dots, so this Polka Dot Pumpkin Dress immediately caught my eye!

Isn't this one so cute?

Complete the look with accessories, all those sweet little extras at prices to make you smile!

 

Josiah thinks spiders are the perfect decoration for Halloween, so when I saw this shirt, I knew he would love it!

 Josiah has a variety of Carter's outfits and I just happened to find a picture of him in a Carter's Halloween shirt from a few years ago that says "Daddy's Little Monster". Shop Carter’s Halloween boo-tique for a spooktacular selection of costumes, tees, and playful pjs for babies and kids.

I know I am biased, but isn't he adorable?

Find a store near you so you can start shopping for Halloween outfits, too!

"Like" Carter's on Facebook and follow Carter’s on Twitter to discover the latest great deals, exclusive events and offers for your little ones!

Now that you've seen some of the clothes Carter's has for your little ones this fall season, are you ready for a giveaway? 

One Lucky Children Teaching Mama Reader Will Win A $50 Gift Card To Carter's!