Spyscape is an interactive museum that allows the visitors to take part in determining what type of spy they are meant to be, based on a series of super fun and challenging tests. My son had a blast taking all the different tests.

We started by going up a huge elevator, where we were briefed about our tasks as spies:

We used our wrist band to begin taking tests. Each band is personalized.

In the encryption room we deciphered codes:

We learned some deception skills:

We tested our observational skills at the Surveillance challenge:

We took a bunch of tests to test our personality, IQ and risk-taking abilities:

We also enjoyed seeing artifacts in the exhibit:

At the end we got our results for the profile. This profile system was developed by a former head of training at British Intelligence and assigns one of ten spy roles based on the tests. Our results: intelligence operative! 

Spyscape was a blast!

I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary tickets to Spyscape. This post does contain affiliate links.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 10 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

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The post Celebrating the Release of Avengers: Endgame at Spyscape in NYC appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Photo courtesy of Joel Kaufman, https://www.chapter1photography.com/ 

I didn’t tell anyone I was being bullied. Not my mother in a letter or my counselor. I was miserable. There was one mean girl in the bunk and then two other girls who did what she said. They pulled the ties off my sleeping bag. 4 Years later one of the other two girls apologized to me, but I’m still bitter over that first session. I had come back for the third session of camp that same summer (my grandmother paid for it) and had a totally different time. That was the reason why I kept coming back to camp, because the girls that I was with that second time I was there that summer weren’t bullies. It also taught me to actively try to make friends so I wouldn’t feel alone.

While I’m sure my daughter had a great time, I’m worried that she may have kept to herself. I’m worried that maybe she didn’t find more than one person she liked to talk to. I’m hoping that she comes home as happy and as exhilarated as she did after 5 days last summer. I hope she comes back feeling great about herself. I hope she comes back with more independence. She’s the middle kid and a sweetheart, but my biggest fear is that she won’t get attention. My boys are so hard and she’s so easy — it’s time that she got some time to really find herself. But most of all, I hope if someone did give her a hard time that she spoke up to an adult. I know that there are so many anti-bullying movements and ways to teach kids to stand up for themselves and I know things have changed. The camp has been wonderful (if you really want to know the name of the camp, it’s on my social media) and if there was any hint of bullying in her letters I would have called them immediately and it would have been dealt with. I know that the counselors most likely would be looking to make sure this didn’t happen. I wish I had tools to deal with bullying when I was there that first session. I just hope her first full session was one that makes her want to keep going back to sleepaway camp. Let’s hope I need to pull my checkbook out again for next year. 

Photo courtesy of Joel Kaufman, https://www.chapter1photography.com/ 

What Happened When My Daughter Went to Sleepaway Camp For the 1st Time

The post My Wish for My Daughter’s First Full Summer Sleepaway Camp Experience appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Blipblox is an innovative synthesizer that’s designed for little hands and features large knobs and buttons to allow very young kids to create electronic music in a way that actually sounds like real music! In fact, some of the features are so complex they make the sound come out like real, professional electronic music. This may be due to the Blipblox’s proprietary algorithm that synthesizes completely unique waveforms. In addition, the Blipblox features a multi-color LED light show that’s synchronized to the music in real-time.

For toddlers, the Blipblox is a fun way to learn basic electronic music-making and they enjoy the lights. I received a sample for review and had my kindergartner play with it. I watched as he tried the different buttons and knobs, (without telling him what they’re for) and he was having a blast discovering the different sounds and enjoying the lights. It was fun as a mom watching him discover a brand-new toy that’s so unique and different from other, more run-of-the-mill toys.

My older kids tried to figure out what the buttons were for (instructions are included) and they started noticing patterns. Kids of all ages get exposed to melody, tempo, oscillators, LFO’s, filters, envelopes and amplifiers. They both like to be challenged so it was nice watching them as they were figuring out the different knobs and buttons. Older kids and adults can click here to watch instructional videos. Blipblox can also be connected to external devices at home, such as MIDI keyboards and drum machines.

To learn more about Blipblox click here. You can purchase the Blipblox on Amazon. Price is $189. 

If buying directly from the website, use coupon code BLIPBLOG19 for a special $20 discount (valid thru Sept. 1, 2019)

We are excited to host a giveaway – one lucky winner will win a Blipbox!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BlipbloxExplorerChannel

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblipblox/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theblipblox/

https://www.facebook.com/theblipblox

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample. This post contains an affiliate link. Kids Can Make their own Electronic Music with Blipblox! 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 10 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Kids Can Make their own Electronic Music with Blipblox! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

As a mom to an almost-thirteen-year-old, smoking is something that, unfortunately, is on my mind these days. I occasionally see kids in our area with e-cigarettes and I shudder at the fact that one day my daughter may be one of those kids. Being a parent to a soon-to-be-teenager is tricky; I am not trying to be her friend but I also don’t want to be too strict and have her rebel. I do occasionally discuss with her the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco use. The fact that the average age of a new smoker in NY State is 13 only adds to my anxiety. Out of Sight – Out of Mind: Let’s Get Tobacco Products Away from Our Kids

I can’t control what my daughter does during her days at school and I have no idea what she does at recess and lunch break. I do know some kids leave the campus (which is shared by the high school) and go to the nearest convenience store, where they are exposed to a plethora of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. There are also talks of yet another convenience store that may open across the street from my daughter’s school – this is something other parents in my neighborhood are worried about. We simply don’t want our kids having access to buying e-cigarettes or even just looking at the tobacco products.

E-cigarettes are something new to me but now as a mom of a middle-schooler I am educating myself about the statistics. Did you know that between 2014-2018 the use of e-cigarettes grew by 160% among high schoolers? And this is not just in high schools – I hear moms from middle schools in our area complaining of kids vaping in the school restrooms. Let’s face it, it’s an epidemic and it’s time to do something about our kids’ exposure to e-cigarettes in convenience stores!

The new initiative, Seen Enough Tobacco, by Tobacco Free New York State, is doing just that – getting parents to pledge against convenience stores displaying tobacco-related products at places where young kids can see them. The more kids see tobacco, the likelier they are to start smoking. We can control what we do at home but when Big Tobacco is spending billions of dollars shoving tobacco in front of our kids’ faces, are we going to just sit there and accept it?!

Sign the pledge to get tobacco out of sight in stores.

• Tobacco Free New York State Site: http://www.tobaccofreenys.org/
• Tobacco Free New York State Facebook:
• http:///www.facebook.com/tobaccofreenys
• Tobacco Free New York State Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tobaccofreenys
• Tobacco Free New York State Twitter:
• http://www.twitter.com/tobaccofreenys

Out of Sight – Out of Mind: Let’s Get Tobacco Products Away from Our Kids | The Mama Maven Blog

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 10 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Out of Sight – Out of Mind: Let’s Get Tobacco Products Away from Our Kids appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The play, which takes place in 1906 in a small town in Connecticut, is a coming-of-age comedy. Young Richard Miller learns about love, loss and consequences when the girl he wants to marry breaks up with him. After a drinking binge he must face repercussions from his parents and learn a lesson or two.

Ah Wilderness! reminded me, in some ways, of an 80’s John Hughes teen film, with its overly dramatic central character, Richard, played by Peter Calvin Atkinson. Atkinson not only embodied a typical antsy teenager but also eerily resembled Anthony Michael Hall – a fixture in Hughes’ teen films.

The play, presented by Blackfriars Repertory Theatre and the Storm Theatre, features a 13-person cast, with turn-of-the-century sets and costumes that transport you to another world. The dialogue is the original dialogue of the play – no need to dumb it down for us, although some of it is outdated and definitely not politically correct for our time. All things considered, it’s great to be able to take your pre-teen to a show that’s not filled with pop-culture reference and allows her to see what life was like over one hundred years ago for an American upper-middle-class family. My 12-year-old daughter loved the show as much as I did and when the performance ended with the Beach Boys’ Wouldn’t it be Nice I almost danced in my seat. I could not have asked for a more perfect ending!

Ah Wilderness! is two hours and 40 minutes, including a short intermission. The theater is very small and there are no assigned seats so come early and grab a seat that’s practically on stage!

When: Through February 17, 2019

Where: The Black Box Theatre at The Sheen Center 
18 Bleeker St., NYC

Price: $30 per person

To purchase tickets click here or call the box office (212) 925-2812

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 12, 9 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Must-See: Ah Wilderness! A Comedy by Eugene O’neill appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Photo by Joan Marcus

The show revolves around Carole King, her rise to stardom and her relationship with her then-husband Gerry Goffin. It’s about how the songs that Carole wrote together with Gerry reflected various periods in her life. One of the main themes in the story is going after your dreams, having them change a few times along the way and finding new dreams. The show ends with Carole finding her own voice (literally and figuratively) and coming out with Tapestry, an album that proved to the world what she is capable of.

Photo by Joan Marcus

The performance that I attended had understudy Sara Sheperd portraying Carole; it was spectacular and so was Sara. Her voice had an incredible range and it was such a pleasure to listen to her belt out the nonstop hits. She physically also seemed to embody Carole King. It’s a funny thing about Broadway: even if you get the understudy, you still get a world-class performer. You can’t find this anywhere else in the world, it is truly a phenomenon.

Photo by Zachary Maxwell Sterz

There’s a number of musicals that are about musicians and how they became famous. I have seen a few, including Jersey Boys, which is about Frankie Valli and On Your Feet, about the life of Gloria Estefan. Both shows were excellent in their own way; what sets Beautiful apart is that there’s an added dimension which allows the audience to get a glimpse of Carole King’s inner feelings and what drives her. For example, the part where she’s watching a performance of a song that she wrote – One Fine Day, performed by a singer named Janelle  – Carole is suddenly singing the song on her own. When we realize that she is singing about her own life and how the song relates to her  – this is Broadway at its finest. Simply put, the show has heart. Miles ‘n miles ‘n miles of heart.

Beautiful is playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theater, 124 West 43rd St, NYC. For tickets you can call Telecharge (212) 239-6200 or click here. It’s appropriate for kids ages 11 and up.

Photo by Zachary Maxwell Sterz

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets to the show.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 6) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway – Filled with Upbeat Music and High Emotions appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We began our adventure with Ripley’s Relic. I want to keep the element of surprise so I can’t say too much about it but it is really cool. You begin by entering an elevator and eventually end up in a room that made me think of the beginning of the movie Aladdin. (Photography is not allowed so the following two photos are courtesy of Ripley’s.)

As I mentioned, I don’t want to give it away but we did manage to escape the room (it takes about 15 minutes). Although my five-year-old was understandably a little scared, my older kids were thrilled to solve the riddle – it’s a code with symbols that you have to decipher. This is not your run-of-the-mill escape room; it makes you feel like you’re part of a movie set. Click here to learn more about Ripley’s Relic. For ages five and up.

After we escaped the room, we walked around Ripley’s and saw all the cool artifacts. This gorilla is made of car tires:

This warrior is made of scrap metal and loose armor:

We had fun ringing the bell in the steampunk train, which was made of over one million matchsticks and is the largest matchstick train model ever built!

This gorgeous mural took three years to complete. It’s made of 40,000 postage stamps and 30,000 partial stamps

The baseball exhibit was especially cool! We got to sit on stadium seats autographed by Yankee pitchers.

We had fun walking on a glass floor that’s covering boats made of matchsticks.

A Long-necked woman of Thailand:

A portrait of Obama, made entirely of gumballs:

Close-up of the portrait:

This was a really cool mirror:

The kids loved this illusion:

The black hole was the most fun illusion! You basically walk in a straight line into a tunnel. The only thing moving is the purple walls – the walkway doesn’t move at all, but it plays a trick on your brain and you feel like you’re falling. It was absolutely crazy! The only way to be able to walk straight is to close your eyes. We tried a few times and it was so much fun!

With over 500 exhibits, Ripley’s is by far was one of the most fascinating attractions in New York (and it’s also the largest Ripley’s in North America!)

Click here to learn more and to purchase tickets.

I was not compensated for this post. I received complimentary tickets.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for eighteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post We Did an Escape Room Challenge at Ripley’s Believe it or Not! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

My daughter is getting ready to start middle school and she’s very excited. I’m also very excited for her but to be honest I’m a little nervous. Middle school is when things start to get serious when it comes to academics and it’s important she doesn’t fall behind. She will start to get more homework, she’ll be expected to take more tests and overall, the curriculum will get more complex. She’s a good student but I know she has some room for improvement, so I took her to Huntington Learning Center to get an evaluation. Huntington Learning Center: Helping Your Kids Reach Their Potential (+ Discount)

Huntington Learning Center was established 41 years ago when a public school teacher named Eileen Huntington realized some kids need personalized education. Together with her husband, she opened the first Huntington Learning Center in New Jersey. Today there are hundreds of locations all over the country which offer dozens of tutoring programs for kids in grades K-12.

The first step is to get an assessment which takes about four hours. Not wanting to overwhelm my daughter, I decided to split the evaluation into 2 two-hour sessions. The exam takes place in a small enclosed room so that you can have total concentration. For my daughter, the first session was ELA and writing while the second part was math. Although it may seem as if four hours can be a very long time, you have to realize that the assessment is very comprehensive; it involves a variety of tests, both oral and written. Since my daughter was in fifth grade at the time of the assessment she was tested for material for fourth grade as well as sixth grade. The testers need to know about her previous grade skills to see if there are any issues that they might need to go back to and they also like to see a grade ahead just to get an idea where she stands in terms of her near future once she gets to Middle school.

My daughter felt very comfortable with the assessment and I was very excited to see what the tester might find. I was particularly concerned about her reading comprehension skills since her current teacher and also previous teachers had mentioned that it is something she needs to work on.

After the two sessions of assessment, I went back to Huntington Learning Center one more time to meet with the director and to learn the results. This visit is typically one hour and is only for the parents. In the meeting, the director goes over all the test results along with a lesson plan. Sure enough, my guesses were correct: my daughter did score low on reading comprehension. To my surprise, though, it turns out that her reading comprehension issues also hindered her mathematical ability as she was struggling with some of the word problems on the math tests.

This is the area where tutoring takes place. Younger kids learn individually while older kids (after 4th grade) learn in groups of four:

Todd, the director, was very helpful in showing me exactly what they plan for her to do in order to strengthen her reading comprehension skills. Huntington Learning Center has dozens of workbooks and worksheets with lessons specifically aimed at every skill that is needed for reading comprehension and they provide a thorough lesson plan for kids who struggle with this issue, as well as any other academic issues, such as math, writing and more. The director at Huntington Learning Center often will call the child’s school to confirm the curriculum and to find out how he or she is doing (with your permission, of course) as this helps them give your child the most specific program that is tailor-made just for them.

There are hundreds of binders for every age and every subject. Here are just some of the binders:

When it comes to the lesson plans, Huntington Learning Center sets a high bar: they expect the child to be one year ahead when they complete their tutoring program. They begin with material that is a little bit easier so that the child feels comfortable and doesn’t feel too much pressure. Then they slowly work their way up to reach grade level and afterwards to above grade level. Kids work on one or two skills at a time as they learn strategies to help them learn and to strengthen their skills. According to the Huntington Learning Center philosophy, skills drive motivation and confidence. Kids need to have their skills strengthened in order to get motivated and not the other way around. Having confidence in their abilities is what pushes kids to succeed.

Huntington Learning Center also provides help for kids in special ed and who have learning disabilities, ADHD, are on the spectrum, etc. – there are special ed teachers just for those kids. All teachers at Huntington Learning Center, including the special ed teachers, are certified by the state. What I also loved about it is that even if your kids are doing great academically they can still get tutoring in order to get ahead – in fact, some parents send their kids just for that purpose. In addition, Huntington Learning Center has courses specifically for college-bound teens such as the SATs and ACTs.

To learn more visit the Huntington Learning Center website or call 1-800-CAN-LEARN.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, such as The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Huntington Learning Center: Helping Your Kids Reach Their Potential (+ Discount) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($19.95)

This formula is suitable for young kids and is non-nano zinc oxide. It contains skin-soothing organic oils such as Argan and rose hips oil. I love that it’s non-greasy and won’t get in the eyes. It’s hypoallergenic and rubs in clear. The Clear Zinc Sunscreen is fragrance-free and rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Super Shield Sport Stick Sunscreen SPF 50 ($15.95)

If you’re not a fan of applying sunscreen in the form of lotion, a sports stick might be a better solution for you. This sports stick is also non-nano zinc oxide and rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains jojoba and avocado oil, as well as organic shea butter. It rubs clear and is hypoallergenic.

Both sunscreens are not tested on animals, are reef-safe, and don’t contain chemicals such as phthalates.

Learn more and purchase products at Babo Botanicals.

I was not compensated for this post. I received samples.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, such as The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Get Your Kids Ready for Summer with Babo Botanicals appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Use code MAYTHE4TH. Free shipping available on orders over $50.

Here are books included in the discount. (Note: Prices do not reflect the discount, which needs to be manually applied at checkout)

Star Wars Lightsabers: A Guide to Weapons of the Force ($14.99)

Get up-close, detailed facts about lightsabers and the stories that surround them.

Star Wars Master Models: Millenium Falcon (24.99)

Build a foot-wide model of the Millenium Falcon, complete with LED lights.

Star Wars Master Model Scenes ($24.99)

Build papercraft dioramas to recreate iconic scenes from Revenge of the Sith and The Force Awakens.

Star Wars Master Models Darth Vader ($24.99)

Build a papercraft bust of Darth Vader, complete with a sound module to hear his breathing and two movie quotes.

Star Wars Master Models R2-D2 ($24.99)

Build a papercraft one foot model of R2-D2, complete with lights and a sound chip.

Learn to Draw Star Wars ($14.95)

Step-by-step instructions to draw all of your favorite characters from Star Wars. This 64-page book includes 3 methods of drawing, as well as tracing paper, practice grids and practice pages.

Learn to Draw Star Wars Drawing Book & Kit ($19.99)

This kid-friendly drawing tutorial provides instructions for drawing the Star Wars characters and includes paper pad, pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, markers and colored pencils.

Learn to Draw Star Wars ($19.99)

This 128-page book provides instructions for drawing with graphite pencil the characters as detailed pencil drawings.

Learn to Draw Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($19.95)

Instructions for drawing new and returning characters with graphite pencil.

Star Wars: The Blueprints ($79.99)

This book reveals the work of engineers, designers and artists through 500 photos and illustrations and 250 blueprints. Get details from concept sketches to final scenes.

Cross Stitch Creations Star Wars ($21.99)

Cross stitch fans can use the 12 patterns in this book to create projects with easy-to-follow instructions. Also included are needle, hoop and cloth and embroidery floss for two projects.

Star Wars Jedi Path (Deluxe Edition) ($79.99)

Jedi wannabes will delight in this Jedi training manual, which is enclosed in a vault. With a push of a button it opens to lights and sounds. Tucked in its pages are mementos and notes by ‘those who have studied it before’.

Star Wars: Book of Sith (Deluxe Edition) ($79.99)

Delve into the dark side to get access to the Sith manifesto, written by Darth Sidious himself. The interactive case comes with lights and sounds, as well as seven removable objects, such as a Sith lightsaber crystal.

Offer ends May 31st, 2018.

I was not compensated for this post. I received samples.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, such as The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Deal Alert! Get 40% Off A Variety of Star Wars Books for Fans of all Ages appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

It’s been five years since Livy and her family have visited Livy’s grandmother in Australia. Now that she’s back, Livy has the feeling she’s forgotten something really, really important about Gran’s house. It turns out she’s right. Bob, a short, greenish creature dressed in a chicken suit, didn’t forget Livy, or her promise. He’s been waiting five years for her to come back, hiding in a closet like she told him to. He can’t remember who—or what—he is, where he came from, or if he even has a family. But five years ago Livy promised she would help him find his way back home. Now it’s time to keep that promise. Clue by clue, Livy and Bob will unravel the mystery of where Bob comes from, and discover the kind of magic that lasts forever.

Learn more about Rebecca Stead here: http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/about.html

Learn more about Wendy Mass here: http://wendymass.com/

The event is recommended for kids ages 8 and up and is about 75 minutes long. It will also include a live reading of the book Two Naomis by Alexandria Suarez (from Dora the Explorer, and the musical On Your Feet!). In addition, there will also be a creative writing project.

When: May 6th, 2018 at 1pm

Where: Symphony Space
2537 Broadway (at 95th St.) NYC

Price: $17 per person

To purchase tickets click here or call the box office (212) 864-5400 (Tue-Sun 1pm-6pm)

I was not compensated or this post. I received a sample of the book. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a freelance writer and has written for several blogs, such as The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 9 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family.

The post Don’t Miss: Symphony Space’s Thalia Kids’ Book Club Event! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We’ve had a great experience with our insulin pump, Omnipod, which is a tubeless insulin pump. Instead of my son taking 4 shots a day (minimum), we install a new pump every 3 days.

Here we are trying out Omnipod. I tried it too so I could see what it would feel like. It really wasn’t bad!

However, the pumps do fail sometimes. And when they fail at 2AM, it’s frankly not very fun. But we deal, we deal because we have to. I’ve tried to calm down and relax a little. I still check my son at night to make sure his blood sugar is steady — usually around 11PM and 1:30 AM. Has it taken a toll on me? Yes. It absolutely has. But as the primary caregiver to my son with Type 1 Diabetes, who else is going to do it? And yes, my husband is a big help (and was amazing when I was in Israel), but it’s me who’s on most of the time. Since he needs to get up in the morning to go to work and I am home, I can’t really complain.

As for food – I’ve relaxed a little also. In the beginning, I was making simple meals or special meals for Ben. While I got pretty good at planning out meals with carb counts, I was hesitant to make a dish and then divide it to find the carbs. But once I got used to it, it wasn’t bad. I bought a scale and measuring has really helped. Breakfast is still tough, since my son will spike higher in the morning, but we’re working on it.

Ben’s growing and gaining weight and looks just so much healthier now. When I look at photos from last summer, before he was diagnosed, I’m shocked. I just don’t know why I didn’t see that something was wrong.

This weekend we’re going to our first Diabetes event with the JDRF and I am hoping to learn even more.

And this is something I want to drive home-  Type 1 Diabetes can come on pretty suddenly (personally, we had 4 days of major red flag symptoms and I didn’t put the signs together). I’m an educated person with a masters degree and I didn’t figure it out until it was almost too late. And yes, I still torture myself for that. But if I can help prevent another family from going through what my son when through, then I did my job. We’re still in flu season, even though spring has started, so if you suspect that your child may have the flu, but if they are also peeing a lot, drinking a lot of liquids AND possibly vomiting, ask your doctor to test your child’s blood sugar. It will take a second and then you can hopefully rule out Type 1 Diabetes. Even if no one in your family has ever had diabetes or if your cousin’s father’s uncle has Type 2, just ask for a finger stick or a urine test to rule out Type 1 Diabetes. 

Early Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes

• weight loss (despite an increased appetite)
• unquenchable thirst
• blurry vision
• decreased energy level
• frequent urination
• a fruity smell to the breath
• in children with no previous issues, wetting the bed
• in babies and toddlers, heavy diapers

More Advanced Symptoms

• stomach pain
• fatigue or weakness
• nausea or vomiting
• rapid, heavy breathing
• loss of consciousness

– Courtesy of  https://beyondtype1.org/warning-signs-of-type-1-diabetes/

Read Ben’s Diagnosis Story:

So, if you’re a parent of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, any tips for success? Or if you are a parent of a child that’s been newly diagnosed, how can I help you?

Note: I am not a doctor or have medical training. I talk about Type 1 Diabetes from a parent’s point of view. Always consult your endocrinology team if you have any questions. I advocate for my child until he can advocate for himself. 

Type 1 Diabetes Links

Our Diabetes Story: My 11 Year old Son Went Into Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Was Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

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Our Diabetes Story: Type 1 Diabetes Update for My Kid, Two Weeks In

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Our Diabetes Story: It's Been 1 Month Since My Son's Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis and Hospitalization

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A Type 1 Diabetes Parent's Worst Fear

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Traveling Internationally with A Child With Type 1 Diabetes

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What I Won't Tell You About My Son's Type 1 Diabetes

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Diaversary: It's Been 1 Year Since My Son Was Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

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When My Son Goes High -- Our Life with Type 1 Diabetes

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Our Type 1 Diabetes Journey: 9 Months In & It's A Tightrope

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It's Been 6 Months Since My Son Was Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

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The post Our Type 1 Diabetes Story: It’s Been 7 Months Since Diagnosis and DKA appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Are you guys ready for another Wubble Ball? The new one out is really cool – Wubble Fulla! Wubble Fulla is a Wubble Ball that’s filled with slime or little marbles, which are actually teeny tiny colorful mini Wubble Balls. My kids have been having a lot of fun with the Wubble Fulla balls and I’m just amazed at how incredibly durable they are – no matter what, they don’t break, so no need to worry about anything spilling out. Wubble Fulla…The Wubble Ball That’s Full of Slime or Marbles!

Wubble Fulla Slime comes in 3 sizes (Huge, at 5″, Big at 4″ and  Tiny at 2.5″) and has gooey green slime inside it. My oldest loves making slime at home but it gets all over the house. With the Wubble Fulla she can enjoy slime without the mess. Wubble Fulla Marbles ball also comes in the same sizes, Huge, Big and Tiny. Both type of balls are sticky when you hold them but that stickiness doesn’t stay on your hands. Wubble Fulla balls are a great sensory toy and feel like a sticky stress ball, but more fun to play with because they has more give so you can twist them and stretch them.

The Huge Wubble Fulla balls were a big hit with my kids but the Tiny balls are also really fun and perfect for taking on the go – they fit in the diaper bag and are great for long car rides as well.

Click below to see the Wubble Fulla in action:

Purchase on Amazon.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Wubble Fulla – The Wubble Ball That’s Full of Slime or Marbles! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Lightwire Theater, finalists on NBC TV’s “America’s Got Talent” and winners of TruTV’s “Fake Off,” returns with their nationally touring show. Unique and visually dazzling, DINO-LIGHT is praised for its cutting edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance, and has dazzled audiences all over the world. Electroluminescent creatures light up the darkness in this glow-in-the-dark tale of a lovable dinosaur, his scientist creator and a world full of dazzling, odd and beautiful creatures. This “eye-popping display of storytelling,” told entirely in the dark, is “a force to be reckoned with,” according to Broadway World. Please note: this performance contains some dinosaurs with large glowing teeth, and is presented in the dark; it may not be suitable for children under age 5.

The performance is an hour long with no intermission.

Here’s a video with highlights from the show:

When: March 17th, 2018 at 11am & 2pm

Where: Symphony Space
2537 Broadway (at 95th St.) NYC

Price: $17 per person

To purchase tickets click here or call the box office (212) 864-5400 (Tue-Sun 1pm-6pm)

Here are upcoming shows from the Just kidding series:

March 3 – The Not Its: Crunchy guitars and smooth, four-part harmonies make for a show full of perfectly crafted pop gems about everyday kid stuff.

March 10 – KB Whirly: Folksy, bluesy tunes from a “one man band” musical powerhouse!

March 24 – Spellbound Theatre: Wink: Shadow puppetry, physical theatre, and animation combine for a captivating journey into the world of children’s dreams.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Upcoming Show: Lightwire Theater: DINO-LIGHT at Symphony Space appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I have two boys who eat like they’re training for the NFL. Seriously, they are never full and always like to end their meals with a sandwich or a banana. When we’re home on weekends, an hour after lunch they suddenly need another meal and honestly, I think my older son should be able to make himself a quick snack – he is almost nine and I’m trying to encourage him to be more independent. I’ve recently discovered easy-to-make sandwiches that are packed in protein and can satisfy the hunger of my always-starving sons.

Sandwich Bros. flatbread pocket Chicken Melts are made with 100% white-meat chicken and Wisconsin American cheese. They’re super-easy to make – just take out of the plastic wrapping, wrap in paper towel and microwave for about a minute. The protein helps with satiety and I like to add cut-up veggies for extra vitamins and fiber.

My sons tried them as an afternoon snack and loved them! The sandwiches are individually packed in halves, so you can make two halves per person or just one, for those who are not very hungry. These are also great for playdates and sleepovers as they’re so easy and quick to make.

I love that each sandwich (which is really a half) has 11 grams carbs and 11 grams protein. Protein-to-carb ratio is important as too many carbs can make you sluggish. My sons are always running around and playing all types of sports so I wouldn’t want them to eat “empty carbs” and have a “food coma” before they play. Two sandwiches (two halves) are 22 grams carbs and 22 grams protein, so my kids are covered!

Click here to find the nearest store where you can purchase Sandwich Bros. Chicken Melts. Look for them in the frozen section. Click here for a $1.00 off coupon.

Follow Sandwich Bros. on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for promotions, new product information and updates.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 11, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Sandwich Bros. Chicken Melts: Delicious, Quick and Easy! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Ragtag Theatre Company is back with their sold-out hit and this year’s Off Broadway Alliance winner for Best Family Show, Cinderella! Follow a troupe of poor “Italian” actors as they present the well-known fairy tale, Cinderella, in a brand-new way—with daffy llamas, roller skating fairy godmothers, selfie taking step sisters, and Carol Channing. This adaptation is performed in the Italian street theater style known as Commedia dell’Arte with larger-than-life characters, colorful song and dance numbers, tons of pop culture references and a great message on self-worth for kids.

The performance is 65 minutes and recommended for all ages. Premium seat holders can participate in a pre-show runway extravaganza, held 25 minutes prior to the show.

Here’s a video with highlights:

When: Through January 7, 2017

Where: Theatre Row
410 West 42nd St., between 9th & 10th Aves.

Price: $42.25 – $62.25

To Purchase tickets click here or purchase at the box office.

Photos by Dennis Corsi

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets. 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman writes for Little Spoon and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Upcoming Show: Ragtag Theatre’s Cinderella – A Fractured Fairytale appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

For Baby

Elmo’s World Hide & Seek – $19.99, Ages 6 months-4 years

This super-adorable and inventive game requires two players or more. One player hides Elmo somewhere around the house, using cards that have photos of places to place Elmo around the house. The other player uses the enclosed cards to find him. There are 24 location cards with ideas for where to hide, such as the couch, a backpack, even a fruit bowl. Elmo is pretty small so he can hide easily. Every 10 seconds Elmo calls the player(s) to help them figure out where he is so you can just follow the sound of his voice to find him. Once Elmo is found he calls out “Yay! You found Elmo!” You can also give your child several cards to choose from as clues. This game can also be used with a baby as young as size months – simply place Elmo under a blanket or stuffed animal and allow the baby to try and find him based on the sounds Elmo makes.

For Toddler

SnowWhite, $26.99 ages 4-7

This is a really great starter game for toddlers who love a good brain challenge and logical thinking games. In the game, which is for a single player, you have a house with 7 dwarves, Snow White and the Evil Queen figurines and a book of 48 challenges (plus solutions), from easy to hard. You place all the figurines inside the house based on pictures in the challenge book (there are special grooves that they can fit in). Once you place them you have to find the missing spot – and that’s where you put Snow White. Figuring out where to put her gets harder with each challenge and you have to use deduction and logic. When you’re finished, you open the windows and door to see if they match the picture in the challenge. The game also comes with a bonus picture book that’s formatted like a comics book.

For Elementary-school-aged kids:

STEM Gift Idea:

My First Lab WowScope, $69.99, ages 7 and up

Got a scientist-in-training? This microscope allows 3D viewing of objects up close and is a winner of the 2016 Creative Child Product of the Year Award. It’s from the makers of medical-grade scientific equipment and has real glass optics that provide crystal-clear viewing. The kit includes interchangeable 10x and 25x eyepieces for 20x or 50x total magnification. Your budding scientist can use any object in or outside the house, or experiment with the two prepared slides (5 total specimen). It’s very lightweight and can be taken anywhere, including outdoors.

Craft Gift Idea:

Blendy Pens Jumbo kit, $24.99, age 4 and up

Artistic kid can now take their creativity to a whole new level! Blendy Pens are markers  that can be fused together to create a different, mixed color. You simply take two Blendy Pens and put them in a fusion chamber. The two colors will create a new, unique color. With the 24 Bendy Pens included, you can create 276 color combinations! The kit also comes with 12 fusion chambers, 10 posters, 2 stencils, 1 art portfolio and a bonus airbrush. This is the perfect gift for a kid who loves to decorate diaries and greeting cards, or make posters and any other art they like.

Brain Challenge gift Idea:

Jump’in, $14.99, ages 7 to adult

In this game, a single player has to help the rabbits jump to safety. It comes with 60 challenges (with solutions), ranging from easy to expert. Once you select a challenge, you place the pieces on the game board as indicated in the picture. There are 3 rabbits, 2 foxes and 3 mushrooms. The object of the game is to move the rabbits by having them jump until all three are safe in their brown holes. The rabbits can jump over other rabbits, the foxes and the mushrooms; The foxes can only slide. The game requires planning, problem-solving, spatial insight, concentration and logic. It’s small and portable and comes with a carrying case – perfect for travel!

For Teen Boy/Girl

Stamp Map, $38

Encourage your teen to become a world traveler with this cool world map. One brass stamp marks an “X” on places where you want to go to create a customized bucket list. The other stamp marks “visited” to stamp over the “X”. Also included are black and red ink pads.

For Teen Girl

Hard Candy So Scentsational Bath & Body Collection, $14.88

This kit is has everything you need to relax in a bath and pamper yourself. It’s available in Pink Peony &and Lemon Verbena, as well as in Carribean Fresh Citrus & Tea Leaf scents. It comes with a gel mask, bath fizzers, hand soap, hand lotion, body mist, fragrance diffuser , nd reeds. Not tested on animals.

For Man

36-in-1 Deluxe Multi-Tool, $49.95

You literally can’t get a better deal – no less than 36 items inside this little gadget! Instead of rummaging the drawers for various items, you have them all in one tool – all you have to do is designate a special spot for it (and make sure you put it back in its place). From measuring tape, to bottle opener to screwdriver – this tool has it all! Even a level, a hammer and 26 bits! What more can you ask for!? It’s super-affordable so you can keep one in your house and one in the car (for camping and for when you can’t find the one that’s in the house…) Even if the man in your life is not handy, he’d still appreciate having so many tools in one compact item.

For Woman

Leading the Parade Earrings, $27

This exquisite pair of earrings is 10k gold plated and adds sparkle and movement. The crystals give the earrings an antique look that’s perfect for a dressy occasion. Wear with trendy layers of gold chains for a combination of classic with a twist.

To give you a brighter start to the holiday season, we’re giving you a chance to win $25 Paypal Cash. You must live in the US and have a Paypal account to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received samples or monetary compensation for some items in this post. This post contains affiliate links — that means we may make a few dollars if you buy from this post, but it doesnt affect what you pay.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post 2017 Holiday Gift Guide: For Kids, Men, and Women appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Before the show begins, as you first enter the theater’s lobby, you receive a card that tells you what part of the country you are from (north, south, east or west). The idea is that the everyone in the audience is a guest at the king’s coronation ceremony. The audience is then taken, in small groups, behind the stage to prepare for the coronation and finally ends up at the theater itself. The entire process of preparing for the coronation was especially fun for my daughter because she felt like she was a part of the show. I also loved seeing the backstage of the theater, which was built in 1900! We proceeded to sit at the orchestra in the first row. (Orchestra tickets allow you to sit anywhere you like in the theater. Onstage tickets, which cost a little more, allow you to sit on the stage, on chairs.)

The show begins when everyone has arrived after the preparations so no one misses anything. On the stage is the young king, played by Tim Overton, and another performer – Jacqy Phillips, who plays several characters in the story. Also on stage is pianist Quincy Grant, who also composed the beautiful music that goes along with the show. The performers tell the story not only by acting but also with the use of shadows, puppets, and other objects. The show, directed by Andy Packer, was created by Slingsby, a theater company from Adelaide, Australia.

The performance is 80 minutes long with no intermission and recommended for kids ages 8 and up. My ten-year-old understood everything that was going on but I think a younger child should definitely familiarize herself with the plot beforehand. She can read a short summary online before the show just to get the basic idea or click here for a short synopsis. Although the story is easy to follow, some of the language is a bit complex for kids. Playwright Nicki Bloom kept a good amount of Wilde’s language so some of the words may be over the kids’ heads and it’s important to make sure they understand what is happening.

This unique  and inventive show really makes you feel like you are part of what’s going on. Together with a thought-provoking story, it’s hands-down an irresistible combination. While the show is not preachy in any way, it does instill an important lesson that the audience will think about long after the show is over.

When: 10/20/17 at 7pm
10/21/17 at 11am, 3pm & 7pm
10/22/17 11am & 3pm

Where: 209 West 42nd Street, (btwn 7 & 8 Ave.)

Price: $28 and up

To purchase tickets click here or call (646) 223-3010.

The New Victory Theater is undergoing a major renovation; the main lobby downstairs will open December 1st. Until then, the concession stand will remain closed but water and snacks are available free of charge.

Photos courtesy of The New Victory Theater, credit: Andy Rasheed 

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets to the show.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for seventeen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products for her family. 

The post Don’t Miss: The Young King – An Interactive Show at The New Victory Theater appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Snikiddy Organic Grilled Cheese Puffs

These baked corn puffs were a big hit with my kids! The ingredients are organic and all-natural. The Grilled Cheese flavor tasted like Cheetos, just not as salty and that seemed like a healthier alternative. The Mac & Cheese flavor tasted a little like pirate booty and was only mildly salty, but still with lots of flavor. Although there’s no fiber, this is definitely a healthier option. Buy on Amazon.

Bare Apple Chips

All of my kids love apples so when it comes to apple chips, as long as it’s just chips, they can have as many as they like. Bare Apple Chips are made of Fuji and Reds and there are absolutely no other ingredients. They’re baked so they’re crunchy and the flavor is more condensed, which makes them sweeter. Half a cup, which is a reasonable serving, provides 4 grams of fiber! There’s also Granny Smith and Cinnamon flavors. There’s a $3.00 off coupon on Amazon now if you buy a 24 pack of the 0.53 size (perfect for school lunches). Buy on Amazon.

Eat Your Vegetables Chips by Good Health

These chips are nothing short of amazing! They include no less than 8 vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, beets, and shiitake mushrooms, plus several types of beans. Unlike regular potato chips that are thin and have a light, airy consistency, these are more like tortilla chips. I couldn’t taste the beans at all but I think this is what gives them the heartier texture. It’s amazing that there are so many veggies in there and obviously this doesn’t replace eating raw and cooked veggies, but it’s a very nice supplement to a vegetable-rich diet. Buy on Amazon.

The Sea Salt flavor was pretty good. My oldest kids found it too salty, but my five-year-old loved it, claiming “I love salt!”. The Sea Salt & Lyme flavor was too sour for us all (except for my husband who loves sour flavors) but the big winner was the Sour Cream and Onion flavor. You can really taste and sour cream and onion, no need for extra dips. These chips are crunchy, zesty, flavorful and addictive. They reminded me of cool ranch Doritos. My daughter really loved these as well. What I especially like about these chips is that because they are packed with fiber-rich veggies, they are very filling. A serving (14 chips) makes a perfect snack, along with string cheese, for example.

Bare Chia Coconut Bites

I’m always trying to get my kids to eat food with omega-3’s. Bare Chia Coconut Bites come in three flavors: we tried the chia and vanilla, chia and flax and chia and pineapple. The ones with the flax and vanilla tasted very similar. They’re perfect for that sweet/salty craving. The sweetness is pretty delicate and not overpowering. It’s so good, I would use it as a topping for yogurt, overnight oats or to make a beautiful presentation for a fruit salad. The pineapple flavor was a little strong for my kids and I. It was just too sweet and although it contains sea salt, I barely felt it. Half a cup has 4 grams of fiber and the chia and flax has a bonus of extra omega-3’s from the flax.

Baked Chewy Bars from Enjoy Life

Granola bars are a popular snack because they travel well and you can always throw one in the bag or purse. Enjoy Life makes a variety of bars that contain Pure Life Balanced Dry Blend made of sunflower kernels, cassava flour, sorghum flour and quinoa flakes. Plus, there are no artificial ingredients and they are wheat, dairy, and nut-free. We tried The Carrot Cake, Lemon Blueberry Poppy Seed, and Caramel Blondie flavors. The Caramel Blondie was hands-down, everyone’s favorite. It was like eating cake both in terms of consistency and  flavor! At only 7 grams of sugar per bar, it’s a pretty decent cake alternative! My daughter loved the lemon blueberry poppy seed flavor but the rest of us were not huge fans of the lemon flavor. At 5 grams of sugar, she can have it every day. The carrot cake was also pretty popular. It was delicious, a little tangy and not overly sweet, plus six grams of sugar is not bad at all! It also has 20% of the recommended vitamin A, so I guess you can say it’s part of a veggie serving… Buy on Amazon (there’s a 15% off coupon right now).

Protein Crisps by Our Little Rebellion

These chips are made with soy protein and cassava, so each serving (24 chips) has 10 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber! The vegan chips are low in fat and carbs and they’re very filling. We tried the hot buffalo flavor and they were simply too spicy for both my husband and I  – I didn’t even have the kids try. My mouth was on fire! The Sweet & Smokey BBQ was better but I’m not a fan of BBQ and neither are my kids. My husband is, though, and liked these a lot. He thought the BBQ flavor was not too strong and since he’s a vegetarian, these chips are a great addition of plant-based protein for him. Buy on Amazon.

Popcorners by Our Little Rebellion

Popcorners is one of our go-to snacks and the Carnival Kettle and Salt of the Earth corn chips are very popular in our household but I wanted to try more exotic flavors that will give my kids that new taste they’re looking for. First of all, not sure if this is a new thing, but all of the corn in the chips is non-GMO, plus the chips are all double-pressed for extra crunchiness. The White Cheddar are very cheesy and delicious – the kids loved it. The Cinema Style tastes a lot like buttery popcorn and were also a big hit with the kids. The Sweetly Salted Caramel is perfect for that sweet/salty craving and is not overly sweet. I found these so addictive! I was supposed to leave some for my husband because he wanted to try them. Oops. Buy on Amazon.

My hands-down favorites are a tie: Cheesy Jalapeno and Sweet Heat Chilli. The Cheesy Jalapeno were surprisingly delicious! They’re very spicy and taste a lot like nachos that you buy at the movie theater with that orange gooey nacho cheese. Not sure how, but whoever made these managed to replicate the taste while using real cheese ingredients and jalapenos. The Sweet Heat Chilli chips were also amazing! They’re sweet, salty and spicy – this chip has it all! They’re not too spicy, though, and all the flavors mixed in together are simply perfect. Buy on Amazon.

I was not compensated for this post. I received samples. This post contains affiliate links. We receive a small percentage of the money generated by your sale (and it doesn’t cost you anything). 

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 5) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. 

The post Healthy & Delicious Snacks Your Kids will Love! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Some kids like trains and action figures, some like dolls and Legos. But I don’t think I have ever met a kid who doesn’t like bubbles. There’s something about bubbles that just makes kids smile. I’m not exactly sure why, but when I attended the Gazillion Bubble Show last week in New York I saw lots and lots of smiles on kids’ faces. There were plenty of smiles on their parents’ faces as well. We’ve got a special discount on tickets at the end of this post and a 4 pack of tickets giveaway, read on! A Gazillion Bubble Tricks at The Gazillion Bubble Show! Including Show Discount and Ticket Giveaway)

For those who have never heard of the Gazillion Bubble Show, it’s show dedicated to…yep, you guessed it: bubbles! Bubbles of all sizes, types and sometimes even shapes. The performer creates bubbles and then creates bubbles within those bubbles. There are lots of different tricks, such as placing a small bubble within a larger bubble, and then taking it out while keeping the larger bubble intact. Set to fun, upbeat music, and coupled with bright colorful lights, the show is a celebration of bubbles and what can be done with them, which, apparently, is a lot!

The performer showcased her bubble-making talents and was clearly having the time of her life stunning the audience again and again with the cool bubble tricks. The finale – bubbles in the entire theater – was especially cool to watch!

The show is slightly over an hour and is appropriate for all ages. Before and after the show you can have your picture taken inside a large bubble for a fee of $20.

Where: New World Stages
340 West 50th Street (btwn 8 & 9 Ave)

When: Fridays at 7pm; Saturdays at 11am, 2pm & 4:30pm; Sundays at 12pm & 3pm.

Price: Tickets as Low as $45* (Reg. $75) Special rate for lap infants under two: $20 to purchase at box office.

3 WAYS TO BUY YOUR TICKETS:
1. ONLINE: Click Here or Visit TelechargeOffers.com & enter code: GBPOP101
2. BY PHONE: Call 212-947-8844 & mention code: GBPOP101
3. IN PERSON: Print this offer & bring to New World Stages Box Office- 340 West 50th St Btw 8th & 9th Ave.

For Birthday Parties and groups or 12 and more call 1-866-6-GAZTIX or visit the website: GazillionBubbleShow.com

*Restrictions: Tickets regularly $75. Offer valid on select performances through 2/25/18. $45 For All Regular Performances. Blackout dates may apply. All prices include a $2 facility fee. All sales are final – no refunds or exchanges. Offer subject to availability and prior sale. Not valid in combination with any other offers. Normal service charges apply to phone and internet orders. Performance schedule subject to change. Offer may be revoked or modified at any time without notice. 10 ticket limit per order.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. 

The post A Gazillion Bubble Tricks at The Gazillion Bubble Show! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I have three active kids who love the outdoors, especially in the summertime. I get very nervous about sunburns, not only because the long-term damage causes premature aging, but because of hard facts: getting one or more blistering sunburns during childhood or adolescence more than doubles your chances of getting melanoma! This is truly scary and it’s why I’m a stickler for using sunscreen. Unless my kids will spend the entire day indoors, I slather sunblock and reapply. Always. High-quality suncare is extremely important simply because I need it to work well and have quality ingredients and La Roche-Posay is a brand that knows a thing or two about skincare.

A pioneer in skincare, La Roche-Posay is named after a French town known for its thermal spring water. While its thermal spring is dating all the way back to the 14th century, it wasn’t until 1975 that the company was created and produced skincare products that used antioxidant thermal water as the key ingredient in its formulas. Today La Roche-Posay offers products for entire family and is recommended by over 25,000 dermatologists all over the world.

La Roche-Posay recently came out with Anthelios 60 Dermo-Kids, a sunscreen lotion that’s made for kids by moms, dermatologists and pediatricians ($19.99-$29.99, depending on size). Asides from 80-minute water-resistant protection, it contains CELL-OX SHIELD® technology, which provides a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, as well as antioxidants. It is fragrance, paraben and oil-free and is also suitable for sensitive skin (a big plus in my book!). I tried it with my kids on a recent trip to the beach. I applied it at home at first, before we left and once we got to the beach we reapplied for extra protection. It absorbed pretty quickly and felt velvety and smooth.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 23% of lifetime sun exposure occurs by age 18. This means that a lot of damage can happen during childhood and adolescence. In fact, just 5 sunburns before the age of 20 can increase the risk of melanoma by a +80%. This is astounding – who doesn’t have a kid who came home from school with a sunburn after playing outside at gym class?! Each sunburn adds up and the fact that the risk becomes so much higher is simply scary. The damage is irreversible and increases both skin cancer and early skin aging.

But slathering your kids with the best quality sunscreen doesn’t mean that they will be 100% protected all of the time. You can only do your best but kids are kids and sunblock can get smeared and you may not always be able to reapply at the perfect time. This is where Cicaplast Baume B5 comes in. Gentle enough for babies, it works on people of all ages. It deeply moisturizes dry skin and soothes irritated area. You can use it on your body and pretty much everywhere on your face, including lips (just avoid the area around your eyes). I tried it after a long day at the beach and it felt a little greasy at first but after a few minutes it completely absorbed into my skin. I also tried it on my dried elbows and cracked feet and it worked beautifully. It’s paraben and fragrance-free.

To get an idea of the type of UV radiation you are actually getting while you’re outside in the sun, La Roche-Posay has a really cool patch called My UV Patch. It’s a patented heart-shaped patch that comes in individual packs and is given free when you buy the Anthelios-60 Dermo-Kids (you get two samples, while supplies last). The patch is a stretchable skin sensor in the form of a sticker that can be placed anywhere on the body and with an app that you download, it allows you to measure actual UV exposure in real time on your skin. The app is available on both iOS and Android.

La Roche-Posay products are available atAmazon. Click here for a store locator.

This post contains an affiliate links.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. 

The post Spend Sunny Days Outdoors with La Roche-Posay Suncare Products appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Here are two really cool workbooks that my ten-year-old creative daughter has been enjoying:

Brain Bend – Extreme Architecture Mazes to Decode and Color by Mister Mourao, $9.74

All three of my kids love mazes and have done several fun workbooks with really cool mazes but I have never seen a book like this. I have never heard of Mister Mourao (aka Vasco Mourao) before but apparently, he is some sort of genius who draws by hand intricate, detailed structures. This book contains 25 artworks that are actually incredibly challenging mazes. (I tried one myself and it’s really difficult).

My daughter enjoys the challenge but I think it’s going to take her awhile to finish the book. As an added bonus, some of the structures in the book are simply for coloring and you can also color the maze once you solve it, or even during! There are also two mega mazes and coloring templated included. If you get stuck (like I did) solutions are in the back. The pages are perforated so you can easily tear out whichever piece you want to work on and even display it.

Draw, Color and Sticker Creative Lettering by Marissa Giambrone, $13.91

Coloring books are very popular these days and they’re fun, but your creativity is limited to simply selecting the colors. This book is a coloring book that allows you to kick your creativity up a notch. It provides partially illustrated coloring pages with guided prompts for inspiration and various motifs for ideas. It also includes stickers – some colored and some that you can color yourself – to add to the pages. As a bonus you can also learn how to draw cool alphabets, mandalas and more. All pages, including the stickers,  are made of uncoated paper stock so you can easily draw and write on them.

This book was perfect for my daughter who has graduated from sticker books a long time ago, but still enjoys a more grown-up sticker book to get creative with.

I was not compensated for this post. I received samples. This post contains affiliate links, which means Amazon gives us a tiny portion of the purchase price if you buy through this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything and keeps this blog running. 

Buy on Amazon

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. 

The post Two Fun Books to Help Beat Summer boredom (and the Summer Slide!) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

It’s officially summer and if I had to put my money on it, I would bet it’s going to be hotter than usual. Since my kids love to play outdoors regardless of how hot it is, I’ve got some water games all set up. Water balloons is a summer classic and I found an even better way to play with water balloons: Water Wubble.

Everyone knows the popular Wubble ball toy and now there’s a new Wubble ball toy – Water Wubble water balloon balls. Water Wubble balls are latex-free balls that can be filled with water and thrown like regular water balloons but unlike regular water balloons, they can used as many times as you want. The kit comes with 8 balls: 4 red and 4 blue. 

Water Wubble comes with instructions but it’s really easy to use; You put the valve against a faucet, hose or any water dispenser and just fill up with water. If you’re in the pool you can just dunk it under water. We used our kitchen sink at first but then realized it’s much easier to just use the garden hose outside. One the ball is filled you just push the valve in and that seals it. You can then throw it and watch it splash. My kids had a blast throwing the Water Wubble and figured out on their own how to fill it up so that they can play over and over.

The instructions also include a few other ideas for how to use the Water Wubble but my kids were very happy simply throwing it like a regular water balloon. I loved that you can re-use it and not have to waste plastic like you would with regular water balloons.

Here’s a video of Water Wubble in action:

Buy on Amazon

Click here to learn more and to purchase a Water Wubble kit on Amazon.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. S

The post Fun with the Water Wubble: The Re-Usable Waterballoon appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Years ago, when my oldest was turning one, we went on a family vacation to Spain. I made lists of essentials and thought I did a great job packing but while we were visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid, my daughter was feeling really hot and acting lethargic. I did not pack any Children’s Advil or other cold medicine and let me tell you, when you don’t speak the native language it’s quite a challenge trying to communicate with the local pharmacist in a foreign country. Eventually, we got her on the right medication and the rest of the trip went well but nine years and three kids later I have definitely learned my lesson! Family Travel Hack: Pack Medicine for Kids When You Go on Vacation In Case of Illness 

These days when I go on vacation, whether abroad, or even just a road trip, I make sure to pack, at the very least, pain and fever medication, plus cold medicine. Getting sick on vacation is pretty common and being prepared means you’re ready for anything. Trust me, you don’t need to spend your vacation running around looking for pharmacies and trying to explain what’s wrong with your child to make sure she gets the right medication.

When packing for a trip I make a list a few weeks before the trip and keep adding to it as I get closer to the trip. Aside from the usual essentials, such as clothes and toiletries, I always pack extra bandaids, Neosporin and a thermometer. Children’s Advil®, Children’s Robitussin® and Children’s Dimetapp® are also must-haves. I’ve dealt with tooth aches, coughs, tummy aches and colds on our family vacations and packing these small bottles takes merely seconds (I just throw them in a gallon-size zip-lock). Not having the medications when I need them will require me to spend time looking for them at stores – which means less time enjoying my vacation!

Buy Children’s Advil on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CM81Ty
Buy Children’s Dimetapp on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2uFq49j
Buy Children’s Robitussin on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YPFDt8

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. S

The post Family Travel Hack: Pack Medicine for Kids When You Go on Vacation In Case of Illness appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Spies in Disguise: Boy in a Tutu by Kate Scott (for ages 7-10)

The book is about a boy named Joe who has a secret: his parents are spies. But enemy spies are after them. His parents want him to pretend he’s a girl so he goes by “Josie”. Luckily he has a friend (who’s a girl) named Sam who knows about his secret. He is really eager to become a spy like his parents so his parents give him and Sam a mission: to find who is planning to steal soccer memorabilia. Josie and Sam have to take ballet lessons to go undercover. Will they catch the thief in time?

The verdict: I like this book because it keeps you wondering what’s going to happen next. It’s also funny but a little bit scary, too. It’s something both boys and girls would like.

Earning My Spots by Mark Eastburn (for ages 8-12)

This book is about people who can turn into animals whenever they want. It’s about a boy named Sam and he and his family turn into “werehyenas”. One day his family gets kidnapped and he is all alone. He goes to South America to search for his family. He finds out that there is a war between humans and people who turn into animals (shifters) and that he is the one who has to stop it.

The verdict: I liked this book. It was pretty creative.

Snakes and Stones by Lisa Fowler (8-12)

In the book, set in 1921, there’s a girl named Chestnut Hill who thinks her dad kidnapped her and her triplet siblings away from their mom. Also, she thinks he doesn’t like her. Her dad always lies. To get money, he creates an elixir that’s supposed to heal people. The family tries to get people to buy the elixir. Chestnut really wants to get back to her mom but while trying to do so she steals money to get a train ticket. The police think that her dad stole the money and put her dad in jail so she has to go live with a foster family while her siblings go to another foster home. Chestnut is happy about this because now the police are trying to find her mom. She admits to the police that she’s the one who stole the money and her dad gets out of jail. Chestnut finally sees her mom and then finds out what really happened: her mom actually left their home like her dad told her.

The verdict: I liked this book because there’s a lot of adventure in it and a lot of things happen. It was a little sad, but it had a happy ending.

I was not compensated for this post. I received samples.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for the Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Three Great Books for Kids in Elementary & Middle School appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier, $6.70

My daughter is a big fan of Telgemeier and has read a number of her popular books, such as Smile and Sisters. She loved Ghosts just as much because it has the supernatural element and it was scary, which isn’t typical of the comic strips she’s used to reading.

Shopkins Mega Pack S6, $19.95

Shopkins is a toy that is not going away anytime soon. My daughter and her friends are obsessed with them and this mega pack includes no less than 20 shopkins your kid can play with. Hopefully after this pack you won’t be hearing any more “Can you buy me Shopkins”?

Paw Patrol Launch ‘n Roll Lookout Tower, $49.95

While my daughter loves Shopkins, my younger son is really into Paw Patrol. He knows all the characters and has a couple of books. This toy, for kids 3 and up, lets you place the Paw Patrol car and launch it onto the road. It’s also great for pretend play, which my son, at age 4, also loves to do now.

The Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines with Mark Dagostino, $16.18

Are you as obsessed as I am with Chip and Joanna of HGTV’s Fixer Upper? I love their personalities and I adore Joanna’s style. Seriously, I could live in any house they renovate – they all look spectacular! This book gets you inside their personal lives and how it all started.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Parts I & II, $17.99

This book is actually a script and is based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne. It is the 8th book in the Harry Potter series and the first to be presented on stage. In the story, which takes place 19 years after the last Harry Potter book, Harry Potter is a father to three children and has to deal with his past. My daughter just finished reading this and liked knowing what happens to his kids and also liked the way the written in the form of a script.

Harry Potter Marauder’s Map Insulated Tumbler, $23.95

Don’t forget the grown-up Harry Potter fans! This 24oz. tumbler is microwave and dishwasher safe. The back says “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good”. The sepia colors on this mug are perfect for the office. 

Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten, $21.42

If there’s one personality on the Food Network I’m drawn to it’s Ina Garten. Her calm demeanor makes me feel like cooking  can be therapeutic (it just hasn’t happened to me yet!) But seriously, her mouthwatering photos and her hearty recipes make this book a no-brainer gift for anyone who loves to cook.

Visit your local Barnes & Noble bookstore or click here to see the holiday gift guide.

Giveaway is closed. What’s your favorite gift from Barnes & Noble? #BNGiftGoals

I was not compensated for this post. I received a gift card.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Get the Hottest Holiday Gifts at Barnes & Noble appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I recently spent spent $48 at The Children’s Place and here’s what I scored:

Two pairs of sweat pants in pink and purple ($4 each) and a pair of colorful pants for my daughter ($12). Two pairs of jeans for my son ($8 each). Three long-sleeve shirts for my son ($4 each). Total: five pants and three shirts for under $50 – pretty impressive, especially when they’re beautiful and comfortable clothes I know my kids will wear through the winter and beyond.

I had the chance to take some pictures of what’s new at my local store:

I found great holiday dress up clothes:

How adorable! The plaid and black outfit is just perfect for holiday celebrations. 

The dresses are so sweet! 

Really cool casual, everyday clothes:

Celebrate the season with adorable pajamas!

Cozy cold weather apparel:

Cute shoes!

Visit The Children’s Place to learn more. So, what was your favorite look from The Children’s Place? Do you shop at The Children’s Place? 

I was not compensated for this post. I received a gift card to purchase samples.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post The Children’s Place Has You Covered This Holiday Season appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

PlaySkool Sesame Street Love2Learn Elmo

Between my three kids, they probably have 4 or 5 different Elmos – some that get tickled, some that sing and dance – all are adorable! The Love2Learn Elmo is unique in that you can use an app to program it to say your child’s name and other details about her. Elmo can teach about numbers and colors, as well as offer encouragement (potty training, anyone?) Elmo features over 350 responses and multiple sensors that react to touch – all can be programmed to personalize it. For ages 18 months and up. Buy it on Amazon for $56.99.

Simon Air

Remember Simon? If you grew up in the 80’s you know what I’m talking about – the musical game which lights up. Here’s an updated version with a new twist: Simon Air senses hand motion and registers the correct sequences. For one or two players, perfect for long car rides. Recommended for ages 8 and up. You can buy it on Amazon for $19.14.

My Fairy Garden – Magical Cottage

Ok, so maybe this toy is kind of for me (ahem!) but I really think this is the cutest thing ever! A plant and a toy all rolled in to one, this garden includes quick-germinating seeds so you can cultivate small plants and even add your own seeds. The set includes everything you need (including soil), plus accessories – fairy and her chipmunk, gardening accessories and even cottage furniture for pretend play when you’re done gardening. For ages 4 and up. You can buy it here for $26.95.

Our Generation Sweet Stop Ice Cream Truck

What kid isn’t obsessed with the ice cream truck?! This awesome truck is made for Our Generation dolls (my daughter had one when she was younger and loved it – I loved the price!) but you can use it with any type of doll you want, or even no dolls at all. It comes with dozens of accessories – a variety of ice creams, shakes and desserts – and features 3 songs, plus working headlights and windshield wipers. The roof comes down to create a little seating area with chairs. For kids ages 3 and up. You can buy it here or on Amazon for $109.99 – $148.00.

LeapFrog Count Along Cash Register

If you ask young kids what they want to do most they’ll all say the same thing: be big! Pretend play allows them to be grownups for a little while and what’s more grownup than having to do errands?! Grocery shopping becomes real for kids with this interactive register: it sings and talks and enables kids to learn about colors, numbers and counting, as well as food sorting and more. For kids ages 2 and up. Buy it on Amazon for $19.99.

Snuggles, My Dream Puppy

My kids have been begging for a dog or a cat. At this point, they’ll have to settle for Snuggles – an almost-real puppy. Snuggles responds to your action like a real puppy: he’ll fall asleep when you feed him his bottle and he’ll close his eyes and make adorable sounds when you pat his head or rub his tummy. No need to walk him or take him to the vet! For kids age 6 and up. You can buy it on Amazon for $49.99.

Brainspin

The perfect stocking stuffer, this game really bring out the creativity in your kids and gets them to think outside the box. Players have to write down everything they see, based on the cards they have, with each card featuring a simple shape. The more unique ideas they come up with – the bigger their chance to win, as they have to convince their opponents of their wacky creations. For players 2-10, ages 7 and up. You can buy it on Amazon for $4.95.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a gift bag at the event.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 9, 7 and 4) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier. What are the Hottest Toys This Season? Toys, kids, The Toy Insider, holidays

The post What are the Hottest Toys This Season? appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Christmas is around the corner with New Year’s right after, which means lots of dress-up opportunities for you and your family. A pair of brightly-colored sparkly shoes complete an outfit and add some pizzazz to a holiday ensemble. Chooze shoes, a celebrity favorite brand (Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron and Naomi Watts’ kids all own a pair) offers unique shoes with styles that range from classic to one-of-a-kind. Here are my favorite Chooze shoes for this holiday season:

Jump in Glow Silver, $48.95

Jump in Glow Fuchsia, $48.95

Jump in Witty, $48.95

Jump in Enjoy, $48.95

Jump in Glow Black, $48.95

Jump in Wise, $48.95

Find Chooze Shoes online at Amazon.com.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample. There are affiliate links in this post.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 8, 6 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Chooze Shoes: For the Perfect Holiday Ensemble appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I distinctly remember the beginning of the year when my kids were really psyched to go to school, happily did their homework as soon as they got home and even spent time writing in their book logs. Now that the first half of the year has passed the excitement has died down a bit. Monster, the world leader in high-performance personal audio has partnered with Kellogg’s to empower kids and keep them motivated to learn. Here are some tips for packing your kids’ backpacks with items that are sure to keep them excited about school again.

1) Keep them satisfied. Whether they’re sassy and savory or super and sweet, pack them a smart snack to suit their personality and get their juices flowing. Smart snacks are baked, low in fat and available in pre-portioned, smart-sized packets.
2) Creative catalyst. Inspiration can strike anywhere from the bus to the playground. Give your kids the tools they need to capture it with a small sketch pad and a supply of colored pencils. Keep a compact set of supplies in their backpack so they put every idea to paper every time!
3) Music motivation. It doesn’t matter if your style is hip-hop, alternative or country, nothing defines your style and gets you moving like music. Monster N-Tune on-ear headphones brings your favorite music, movies and games to life with unmatched clarity and depth; hand-tuned with precision and bass designed to blow you away. Their compact sleek colorful design completes any style and will fit perfectly in a backpack.
4) Stylish security blanket. Every kid has it, that one piece of clothing that makes them feel like a king or queen. Put that shirt, scarf or hat – whatever it is – into their backpack so they can easily sport it whenever they need an extra confidence booster at school!

Kids can color themselves loud on Monster social media networks: Facebook and Twitter and use the hashtag #ColorItLoud.

I received a pair of N-Tune headphones for review and loved the crisp sound. It’s heavy on the bass, which I like, and the headphones are lightweight, snug and comfy to wear. I love the vast array of dazzling colors that they come in – from shiny, bright colors that pop to soft pastels to matte colors to neutrals (for a total of 20).

You can purchase a pair at Walmart for $69.95.

I was not compensated for this post. I received a sample.

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Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is the owner of Mama’s Bites and has also written for The Huffington Post. She has been living in New York City for fourteen years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree, but blogging is her true passion. Maytal is a stay-at-home mom to three kids (ages 8, 6 and 3) and loves finding great products that make her family’s life easier.

The post Tips for Keeping Kids Motivated for School appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.