Kids, Movies Reviews

The Star Movie: On Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Has Fun Bonus Features

I partnered with FlyBy and Sony Pictures. Thoughts and opinions are my own

The Star: On Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Has Fun Bonus Features

The Star: A Tale of Faith and Friendship

Available now on Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital ALSO with Bonus Features

About the Movie

The Star follows a small but brave donkey named Bo (voiced by Steven Yeun, “The Walking Dead”), who yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth (voiced by Aidy Bryant, “Saturday Night Live”), a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key, Friends From College), a dove with lofty aspirations, along with three wisecracking camels voiced by Tracy Morgan (“30 Rock”), Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey. Bo and his new friends follow the star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told.

~Buy Today on Amazon!

The Star Soundtrack

The Star Movie Soundtrack – Buy It Now!

The Star Movie Bonus Features

  1. Sing along with your favorite characters in the Star-aoke: Sing-Along with Bo and Friends
  2. “Life Is Good” Dance-Along
  3. Lyric Sing-Along Videos: Enjoy the eclectic and inspiring music of THE STAR with these colorful lyric videos that allow you to sing along with your favorite recording artists
  4. Sweet and Sparkly Stars: Create star-themed cookies
  5. Star Mason Jar Votives
  6. Faith All Year Round with DeVon Franklin: A children’s sermon discussing the themes of the film and how to keep the spirit of this inspiring story alive in us every day. Learn more HERE!
  7. An All-Star Cast: Meet the stars of the film

 

Kids, Parenting

New Babysitter Tips and Printable Checklists #MommyMustHaves

I have been compensated by JOHNSONS® Baby for this post; however, I am sharing my own thoughts. All opinions are my own.

New Babysitter Tips and Printable Checklists

I was always fortunate to live across town from family with our son. With my 2 older bonus boys we can just rearrange custody days so we could send them to Mom’s if we had plans and she can do the same with us. Even though family would take the boys at various times, it was always nice to hand them tips and necessities.

Our youngest is 9 and has always been very habitual (like my husband). For instance, if he was in need of a bath the night we are out he would expect his same bubbles and shampoo. I always use JOHNSON’S® Baby Shampoo and eventually began using their BEDTIME® Lavender wash. He loves the bath washes that smell good and this one is so relaxing.

bathtime

He also has other habits like reading in his book and being allowed some video game time leading up to bed. These are all nice to note for a babysitter so they can keep the routine as normal as possible for the kids. Having these babysitter tips handy helps the kids moods and excitement levels and that helps the sitter as well.

Babysitter Tips Main Checklist

This is the stationary checklist you can keep up and only need to replace if major contacts, medical information or routines change.

Download the Babysitter Checklists

Babysitter Checklist -2

Use this checklist below every time you leave the kids with a babysitter. This checklist has that day’s notes and meal plans for the babysitter

Another handy thing to leave out for a sitter is a ‘babysitter emergency box’. Kids get bumps and small cuts, they get messy and even get fevers and bugs. A sitter is not going to be familiar with where you keep all of your essentials, so having a basket with main essentials out is always a good idea. Even if I send our son to family to stay, I put these items in a large ziploc in his suitcase because relatives may not have these children essentials in their homes if he needs them. What do I keep in mine?

  • Infant/Children’s Tylenol
  • JOHNSON’S® Band-aids
  • Cleaning Wipes
  • Cotton Swabs
  • Ointments
  • Benadryl

babysitter kit

Then I also double check that his shampoos/washes are available near the bath and his oral care products are ready by the sink. Or if he is being watched out of the home, those go into a large ziploc as well and sent in his suitcase.

With brands like JOHNSON’S® Baby available at Walmart they are trusted to be easily found and available for many more generations to come. Having a habitual child means using brands you know you can consistently buy and have available for them at bed, bath and routine times.

Do you have a routine for your babysitter to follow?

If someone is reporting an adverse event or a product quality complaint, please tell them to call the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) North America Consumer Care Center at 800-361- 8068 during normal business hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. After normal business hours, they can report adverse events or product quality complaints through www.jnj.com Contact Us page.

Gift Guides, Holiday Gift Guide 2017, Kids

Playing with History in Playmobil’s Pharaoh’s Pyramid

I have partnered with Playmobil for feature. All opinions are my own

Pharaoh’s Pyramid

How is your shopping coming along? I am done and even have my gifts wrapped and ready so I can focus on putting on Christmas Eve dinner at my place. If you still have shopping to do and have young ones on your list, take a look at this toy that will have them stepping inside history as they play with Pharaoh’s Pyramid by Playmobil.

Pharaoh’s Pyramid is available at most retailers such as on Amazon as a Prime with 2-day shipping and Toys R Us and Walmart to name a few. Recommended for ages 6+ and including 120 pieces this set moves and opens the imagination up wide!

There are five chambers within that hide treasures protected by tricky puzzles and sneaky traps. The set includes three figures, tomb, mummy, two skeletons, treasures, spiders, fire pots, hieroglyphics, and many other accessories.

pyramid

Playmobil has always done such a fantastic job of loading moving parts, doors that open, sets that fold to carry in all of their products. It seems to retail near the $40 price point. It is just one of many sets to consider for the holidays or any special event this year.

Education, Holiday Gift Guide 2017, Kids, Reviews by Anthony

IXL Online Learning Program for Kids

I have partnered with IXL for the feature

IXL Online Learning Program for Kids

IXL Online Learning Program for Kids

Every night since Anthony was an infant I grab a book, sit on a chair and we read. By the age of 2 I was pointing to letters and teaching him a focus letter a day. By 4 he was reading 2-3 letter words. He is 9 and an advanced reader. It sounds cliche to say a child who is read to is at an advantage, but it is true and we are proof. Never was I too tired or didn’t have time. Unless I am apart from him we read. Traveling? We looked up books online.

ixk war

However, the past few weeks our reading routine began to change. We started our membership at IXL. IXL is an online education site with different skill packages to choose from by grade from K-12. We are in Fourth grade and have the Core Subjects Package which gives up Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Anthony is addicted to the Social Studies section. A history lover at heart like his Mama!

He now wants to log on and choose a new learning topic to do together before we read. So at age 9 we learn AND read before bed and he is really into it. He loves that one on one time with me and I am not pulling him from playtime or relax time to learn. It is a time of day that works for both of us and it becomes fun.

Here we are doing a lesson. This one is

  • IXL Learning Features
  • K-12th Grade Learinng
  • Focus on 1 subject or all core subjects
  • Spanish lessons are another option
  • Unlock achievements
  • Parent progress reports and certificate alerts
  • Personalized skill recommendations
  • Mobile Ap option for on-the-go learning

Setting Up Online Learning for Your Child

As you can see, there are so many advantages of online learning for your child. Whether you’re homeschooling, or you’re supporting their learning outside of their in-person curriculum, it’s so important to take the time to set up online learning properly. First and foremost, you need to research the most appropriate programs and read reviews on their success rates. Every child will have unique needs, so it’s important to find a learning platform that is going to suit them, and help them to get the most out of the process. You should also ensure you are fully equipped to support their learning at home but finding reliable internet options by address. Having a secure, fast and consistent internet connection at home means that your child can enjoy their learning programs online without being interrupted. All in all, online learning is extremely beneficial for children, so find a well-suited program for their needs and get everything set up at home so that their experience is smooth, positive and enjoyable.

Start your online learning today at IXL.