Reviews | TheSuburbanMom

Gift Idea: Plates Featuring Your Child’s Art Work By MakIt

April 30, 2013 By jen 49 Comments

My love for homemade gifts was instilled in me from an early age. As kids mom encouraged us to make homemade gifts every Christmas, and from 1985 – 1991 our homemade gift of choice were plastic plates featuring our art work. Every year it was the same routine, mom would get out the markers and the special circle papers, and my sister and I would go to work designing plate after plate for family members.

Last month, my grandmother presented my sister and I each with a stack of the plates that we made for her as kids. (She’s at that age where she is giving back gifts for us to keep.) We both chuckled over our art work (I was 5 – 11 when I made the plates). Just look at my mad skills - at least I made progress over the seven-year period.

Turn Your Child's Art Work Into a Plate - MakIt

The following week I was contacted by MakIt, the same company my mom used to make our plates all those years ago, about reviewing their product. Talk about serendipity. Of course, I couldn’t resist my daughters making plates! And my daughter was equally thrilled when I told her she would be making her very own plate.

MakIt offers an array of art projects and personalized photo keepsakes including plates, bowls, tumblers, etc. When ordering art projects, you can order a pre-paid kit or a classroom kit. Each kit comes with a stack of papers to create on, so your kids can get artsy and you can choose your favorite to turn into a plate. Regardless of which kit you choose, you can order as many (or as few) final products as you like.

Pre-paid Art Plate Kit $17.99 (note, special offer below)

25 paper templates
Markers
1 pre-paid item

Classroom/Group Kit: $5.99

50 paper templates
No Markers
No pre-paid plates

Additional Plate Pricing (includes shipping):

1-3 plates $11.99
4-9 plates $9.99
10+ plates $6.99

When our kit arrived, K couldn’t wait to sit down an created a plate. She created plate after plate insisting that the extra plates are for her – no idea what she thinks she is going to do with them.

Little Artist At Work Since the process requires the use of washable markers, I even helped baby sister create a plate by tracing her hand and then letting her scribble away. It was the first time I let her use markers, so she was very happy, but there might have been more marker on her than on the paper when she was done.

Kids Craft Homemade plates

I had a great time making plates with my girls, remembering my own plate designing marathons of years ago. After carefully selecting one plate for each girl (a difficult process, I assure you), I returned the papers in the enclosed envelope.

I can’t wait for our plates to return to us!

MakIt products are a fun kids craft that clearly lasts for decades. How many homemade gifts can you say that about?

Special Offer

The Suburban Mom readers can save $5 on a Make A Plate Pre-Paid Kit by purchasing through this link. The special offer is only good through May 31, 2013.

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a MakIt Make A Plate kit.

To enter – Please use the Rafflecopter form below to take advantage of your entry opportunities.

MANDATORY ENTRY MUST BE LEFT AS COMMENT ON BLOG POST BELOW– then you can check off in Rafflecopter that you did it. Otherwise, all other entries will be invalid. *** PLEASE be sure to read instructions in Rafflecopter form as to what to comment about.***

Contest ends May 14, 2013.

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I received a plate kit to facilitate this review, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own as are the plates from the ’80s.

Sound The Octo-Alert, Octonauts Toys Are A Hit!

April 25, 2013 By jen 6 Comments

Explore! Rescue! Protect! OCTONAUTS!!!!

I never fully grasped the magnitude of a child’s full-blown obsession until Octonauts appeared on Disney Junior. From the moment Octonauts first made its debut, my K has been a complete Octo-NUT! Something about this show captivates my daughter, and her love for the show only grows each time she watches an episode – over and over and over again.

In case you aren’t as familiar with the ins and outs of all things Octonauts, the Octonauts are a team of undersea adventurers who are always ready to dive into action! Their mission: to explore new underwater worlds, rescue amazing sea creatures and protect the ocean.

Octonauts Fisher Price Toys

The show originated in the UK, so when Disney Junior first picked it up there was no merchandise to be found — in the U.S. But K’s obsession was so strong that we were determined to surprise her with Octonauts toys for Christmas. After much searching, we found a source for a couple of small toys from the UK. Only to be out done my Mimi who found the toy of all toys — the OctoPod!

I do believe that the shrieks emanating from our daughter Christmas morning could be heard next door.

Little did we know Octonauts toys were on their way to the U.S., and before her birthday Toys R Us officially launched the exclusive line of Octo-toys from Fisher Price.

Oh my stars – we now own them all. I kid not.

Octonauts Octopod Gup Crew Toys

When I was asked if I would like to review some Octonaut toys, I had to say yes. Perhaps there was a toy we missed. I was blown away when I received a giant box full of fantastic toys, but I laughed out loud when I realized we already owned every single one. Oh well, now she has an extra set.

There are still toys available in the UK that have not made their way to the U.S., and K has her fingers crossed that they will soon. She really wants a Gup X. (Gups are the vehicles that the Octonauts drive. Gups A, B, C & D are currently available We are awaiting the arrival of E & X. – come on Toys R Us.)

Obviously, the toys are a hit with K. But what I like about them is that they are very well-thought out toys with multiple levels of play. For example, the Gup D includes an air tube so that it can blow air into Captain Barnacles deep sea diving suit to make him float in the tub. You can also attach a net to the front and use the air to launch the net to capture a creature.

As I write this post, I hear K in her room making up stories about underwater adventures with all of her Octonauts pals. Even baby sister has fallen in love with the “Octos.” Best toys I have ever invested in.

Octonauts Toys

Octonauts toys start at $5.99 (for a crew member and creature), Gups are $14.99 – $19.99 and the Octopod is $39.99. (You don’t want to know what we paid to get the Octopod from the UK!!!) All toys and books are available from Toys R Us.

I was recently informed that K wants to be Captain Barnacles (or perhaps Dashi) for Halloween, and that her 6th birthday (next March) will be Octonauts themed. I predict this obsession will be around our house for a while.

Oh and the big news in our house this week is that it is Explore! Rescue! Protect! Week. It is the season two kickoff with all-new Octonauts every day on Disney Junior. I have a happy girl!

For all things Octonauts, check out my Octonauts pinboard. I am now collecting ideas for costumes, parties and crafts.

Octonauts Octopod Captain Barnacles, Kwazii, Dashi, Tweak, Shellingtong, Tunip

I received several Octonauts toys for review, however, we also purchased all of the toys shown. All opinions are my own.

Bath-Time Fun With Ariel’s Floating Fountain ~ Giveaway

April 22, 2013 By jen 71 Comments

For adults, bath time is about getting clean. For kids, it’s all about the toys. A fact is clearly evident in my girls’ tub. At bath time there is barely room for two girls among all of the colorful, plastic toys – and that is with half of them put away.

Even though our bath is already overflowing with toys, I am a sucker for the laughter and bubbles (not to mention the yummy clean baby smell) that result from a bath. So when I was asked if I would like to review another bath toy, Ariel’s Floating Fountain, I couldn’t resist.

K recently spotted Ariel’s Floating Fountain at Target. She was very excited to tell me that her friend Sophie had the bath toy and how much fun it was. Little did she know, it was already on its way to our house. So when I presented her with the new toy, she squealed with delight.

Ariel’s Floating Fountain made its bath time debut last week, and in the eyes of my kids, it is a hit. It’s a Disney Princess they can play with in the bath plus it squirts water — what more could they want?

Pulling it out of the box, the fountain easily snapped together and it was ready for play in no time. The toy set comes with Ariel, and other figures are sold separately. While watching my girls play, I was pleased to discovered you do not have to buy additional figures for the set to be fun. Sure the girls would love additional mermaid friends, but it is fun with Ariel alone. My girls also quickly discovered their Color Splash Buddies Woody and Jessie from their Toy Story Color Changing Party Boat made a fun addition to fountain play. So any toys can play along.

Of course, what makes this bath toy a delight for kids is the fountain. Both girls had a blast taking turns squirting each other. WARNING – playing with this toy results in water everywhere. Water shoots from both yellow fish on the base and the top of the fountain. Within minutes I was wet, the floor was wet, the wall was wet and there were tons of giggles. Honestly, I am considering moving this toy to a pool toy.

While the kids (ages 5 and 18 months) have had a blast playing with Ariel’s Floating Fountain, I am not overly impressed. Fun factor, high. Functionally factor, eh.

The main problem with Ariel’s Floating Fountain is that it sinks. It starts off floating great, but the moment kids start playing with it water flows up the slides flooding the base and the fountain sinks – every time. It seems to be a design flaw. The hollow base has holes for draining, which is great for drying it off, but it also allow water in. Not at all like the Party Boat that pops up like a buoy even when we try to sink it. So the girls spend a lot of time dumping the water out. Again it doesn’t seem to bother them, but it seems silly to me.

Parents with young ones should also be aware that there is a small purple shell that easily pops off. Of course my toddler wants to do everything big sister does so they both play with the toy, but once she discovered the shell I had to get rid of that part. Defiantly a choking hazard, hence the 3-12 age recommendation.

My final thoughts – The girls love this toy, and isn’t that what it is really all about? Even with a half dozen or more baths with the toy, the girls don’t seem to notice the sinking fountain. The just pick it up and dump the water on each other and go back to swinging and squirting. I’ve even taught my oldest how to aim the fountain inside the tub, ie at her sister.

Ariel’s Floating Fountain is available from Amazon for $19.99. Additional floating dolls are also available – Cinderella is $5.74 and Tiana is $6.29.

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive Ariel’s Floating Fountain.

To enter – Please use the Rafflecopter form below to take advantage of your entry opportunities.

Contest ends May 6, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am a Mattel Disney Insider and was provided toys to facilitate this review, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I Heart Energizer Flameless Wax Candles ~ Giveaway

April 17, 2013 By jen 62 Comments

I love candlelight. Long before I had kids, I was known to light a room full of candles every night. I burn a lot of candles – it makes me happy.

But an open flame and small children don’t mix. Meet my new love – battery operated candles.

Sure you can’t play with the melting wax (guilty), but you also don’t have to worry about burning down the house — it is a plus. And, here’s my favorite part — they have a built-timer. Turn them on and set the timer for four, six or eight hours and poof they come on each night at the same time for the set number of hours. It is like magic in my house when candles start popping on every evening at 6 pm. Just set the timer, and forget it. Pretty candlelight every night, no open flame. Happy mom.

I am no stranger to battery-operated candles. In fact, I have 14 of them in my house – I told you I love candles. But not all candles are created equal. I have several brands of candles, and by far my favorites are the ones I was recently sent by Energizer.

Energizer Flameless Wax Candles Features

Made of wax – Call me crazy, but even electric candles are better when they are made from wax instead of plastic.
Realistic faux drippy edge – The uneven edge makes the Energizer Flameless Wax Candles look even more like the real thing.
Adjustable timer – My Energizer candles are the only ones with an adjustable timer, the others are all five hours on 19 off. Energizer offers four, six or eight hours on. My preferred time – six hours.
Scented – Another thing I love able candles, the smell. Energizer candles come in a variety of scents including vanilla and pumpkin spice.
Flickering – Candlelight should flicker, it shouldn’t be steady. I have some that do both, the flicker is much more realistic.

While I still love the real thing, flameless candles have taken over as my go-to candlelight. I love that I can place them on a shelf without worry and have an instant glow every night.

Energizer Flameless Wax Candles are available on Amazon in three pillar sizes 3×3, 3×4, 3×5 and a variety of colors. Candles can be purchased individually or in a three-pack, one of each size. If you like to decorate with candles, you need these.

Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive one 3×4 taupe Energizer Flameless Wax Candle pillar in honey vanilla scent and Energizer batteries to power it.

To enter – Please use the Rafflecopter form below to take advantage of your entry opportunities.

Contest ends May 1, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review sample received, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

How To Easily Clean Your Oven Without Scrubbing #EOSpringCleaning

April 11, 2013 By jen 10 Comments

I have a confession to make. (Don’t judge me folks.) We have never, never cleaned our oven.

We have lived in our house for eight years, and it has never been cleaned. It’s a self-cleaning oven too. To be fair, we started to clean it once with the self-cleaning mode, but it started smoking and smelled weird so we stopped it. IDK, kind of freaked us out so that was the end of us cleaning our oven.

So when I was asked if I wanted to review Easy Off, one thing ran through my mind, “My husband is going to be so happy with me.”

When I found Easy Off at Target I was faced with two choices “Heavy Duty” or “Fume Free.” Both promise a powerful formula to eliminate baked-on grease and food spills with 5x more grease-cutting power than the leading all-purpose cleaner. Knowing the state of my oven, I was temped to go for heavy duty. But I am a total wimp for gross cleaning chemical smells, and I have two kids. So I had to go with fume free (safe for my self-cleaning oven too) – fingers crossed that it still packed some punch.

This is what I faced when I tackled my oven. Not so pretty.

Dirty Oven Before

Reading over the label (twice since I have never done this before), two points stuck out at me. One – don’t get the foam on the heating element. Two – don’t use in a convection oven. Ummmm how to get around the heating element, and I have a convection oven. Doh.

My husband had the genius idea to cover the heating element with aluminum foil. Problem number one solved.

Oven Cleaning

Then we remembered our bottom oven (yep, we have a double) is not convection. Bingo. Let the spraying commence.

Cleaning Oven Easy Off

Let’s talk for a moment about “Fume Free.” Logic tells us that an aerosolized foam will produce stinky stuff in the air (technical terms here I know). But I didn’t think it through, and accidentally took a big ole breath – yuck! Let me assure you, “Fume Free” does not equal stink free. It means that it emits no caustic fumes, which still seems like a much better option! After spitting and sputtering a bit, I covered my nose with my shirt and resumed spraying. (Told ya I was a wimp.)

After spraying down the oven, I was on a cleaning streak and I really wanted to clean the upper oven (after all it is the one that is used most often). After some debate, we decided that we could easily cover the oven fan with some Press’n Seal wrap. (Please note, I do not know for 100% sure that my method is ok for your oven. It worked for me, but try it at your own risk.) So I sealed off the fan, and sprayed it down.

Oven Cleaning Easy Off

Since this was our very first cleaning (and I don’t like scrubbing), I opted for the overnight treatment. The next morning I awoke to this.

Armed with an old kitchen sponge (do not use a new sponge, it gets nasty) I wiped the door…

Easy Off Oven Cleaning

WOW.

And then…

Easy Off Oven Spring Cleaning

Ewww!

No scrubbing. No grossness left behind. Just wipe. I was truly amazed.

Oven Door Before After

I swear, I never scrubbed. All wiping. Now, it takes a LOT of wiping to get all of residue off. I mean a lot. I spent the next hour and a half wiping and rinsing, wiping and rinsing. (Remember, I have 2 ovens – so that is 45 mins per oven.)

The part that took the longest were the racks. Next time I do this (and there will be a next time), I will take the racks outside, lay them on newspaper and spray them like crazy. I sprayed them in the oven, and while I tried to be liberal I could tell where I missed. Then I will take the garden hose and rinse them off. (I rinsed them in the kitchen sink and made a HUGE mess. Doh!)

So what did I learn – my oven was gross. How did I like Easy Off? Two thumbs up! (Just remember not to breath in deep.)

When was the last time you cleaned your oven?

Easy Off Before After Oven