Parenting Healthy

I have partnered with Tech 4 Kids and product was sent for feature. Note Tech4Kids is a part of Basic Fun Toys

Stocking Stuffers can be a tough one. I like to make them things they really want and not just buy any ‘ole plastic toys to stuff them. I try to stay under $4 an item for a toys or two and fill the rest with candy and gum and the traditional orange (for good luck). Basic Fun Toys has several toy and stocking stuffer choices I wanted to bring to your attention because I am sure you’ll come across these in store toy aisles.

Hatch’Ems – Under $6

Pop the lid, bop the top, and watch your dino hatch! There are 6 to collect. These little guys are so cute! Anthony has one in the video below. Even though he got over excited and broke his open -lol.

Mash’Ems – Under $4

These popular blind capsules hold a surprise licensed character inside and you never know who you get until you open it. There are 12 character series from Guardians of the Galaxy, Pacman, Paw Patrol, Spongebob and more. There are so many to collect and kids love blind boxes!

Gemmies for girls

This Gemmies loom and creation kit allows your child to make jewelry and more with little colored crystals. Find a 300 and 500 piece sets.

These are not the only products from Basic Fun Toys, but now you have some ideas as you head out to shop that won’t break the budget. The video below gives more insight into these from Anthony!

Food, Holiday Gift Guide 2017, Recipes

Mint Brownies with Vodka Recipe

October 23, 2017October 23, 2017 Erin Sluka

The recipe is my own and I was supplied product from Khor Vodka for feature

Have you ever baked with alcohol? I haven’t, but have read many articles and recipes and adding vodka or even some rum to recipes is actually quite easy. Children? I typically will not serve kids baked foods with alcohol because not a lot of alcohol evaporates when baking. If I cook and boil (sauces) with vodka then I feel much better about serving to the entire family. So, these brownies are for the office party and adult time. Although I use very little in this recipe (under 1/4 C for the entire dessert).

So, let’s give it a try and I am taking you on a journey as I make my first Brownies with Vodka. I actually just add a little vodka to a standard homemade brownie recipe. I will also add mint chips because chocolate brownies are delicious, but mint chocolate brownies are divine!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:9]

[bctt tweet=”You have got to try this Mint Brownies with Vodka Recipe! @khortytsa_USA Yum! #Holiday #recipe” username=”3sonshavei”]

In the recipe I used Khor Vodka. Khor “uses a local organic filter containing schungite (a unique natural mineral) which allows it to get as close as possible to the structure of natural water. The filtration process is further enhanced with special birch and alder-tree charcoal and quartz sand sourced near the famous Ural Mountains.” If I am going to start baking with alcohol, it has to be premium and natural or I feel like you won’t get the taste that is preferred.

Gift Guides, Holiday Gift Guide 2017

5 Thanksgiving Dinner Prep Products You Need

October 20, 2017October 18, 2017 Erin Sluka

I have partnered with T-Fal for this feature

Because some of you may be using very outdated kitchen gadgets (I am guilty on some items that are 10+ years old), maybe it is time to update them. Before the Holidays hit are a great time to stock back up on the utensils you will need to cook the big meals fro family and friends.

T–fal Ingenio Garlic Press

If you are prepping stuffing, salads, sauces and even breads then chances are you have garlic on the ingredient list. This one is great if you suffer from arthritis or other hand ailments where pressing and squeezing is uncomfortable. This is because you simply set on the counter, add garlic and use your body weight to press down. No squeezing handles. Then use the red bumper to push the minced garlic out. It is that easy!

T–fal Ingenio Baster

The turkey baster! How old is yours? I don’t even ant to guess how old some basters sitting in kitchen drawers can be. Update it to this baster that includes a brush attachment and cleaning tool. After dinner clean up won’t be wasted sifting water over ad over through the baster to clean the grease. It is dishwasher safe.

T–fal Ingenio Multi Grater

Save time when you can grate in both directions. While pulling your food up and down the grader you are grating both ways to save time. You can grate over the food or collect it. Take the grater out and reverse sides for a course or fine grate and a sleeve protects your hands. Saved time while holiday cooking is the best time.

T–fal AirBake Natural Aluminum Cookie Sheet

You will offer baked treats over the Holidays, right? That’s a silly question! Have you updated your cookie sheets lately? Now is a great time and this natural aluminum sheet is large. This is the Air Bake pan and distributes pockets of air that provide even heating of the baking surface, thus decreasing bake times by up to 15% over traditional insulated bakeware.

T–fal Ingenio Blade Spatula

Now that you have the fresh cake and cookie batter ready to pour, make sure you don’t waste a drop leaving it to be washed in the bowl. This spatula makes scraping sides of the bowl or folding cake/cookie mixtures a breeze. Featuring a special hook on handle that prevents the spatula from sliding into the bowl.

Go ahead and update your gadgets. You will be busy and providing for others and you deserve something new! Best yet, all of these items are on Amazon and are Prime qualifiers so you can be read in as little as 2 days!

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

IXL Online Learning Program for Kids

October 20, 2017August 3, 2025 Erin Sluka

I have partnered with IXL for the feature

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.

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.