kids reviews Archives - Pea of Sweetness

Eating is Fun with FunBites!

July 31, 2016 by Emilee Evans

Eating can be a challenge around here. Our youngest is particularly picky when it comes to eating. Partly it is because he has Sensory Processing Disorder, so texture and size can pose challenges. Plus, he is sensitive to flavors, so strong flavors aren’t handled well. Because of this, though, he’s hesitant to try new foods. That’s why I love products like FunBites that can make eating fun!

Disclosure: I received a FunBites cutter to facilitate my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I feel would be good for my readers. All opinions are mine and those of my family. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.
FunBites is a food cutter that is great for encouraging picky eaters by making eating fun! It’s the perfect tool for an adorable presentation as well! And yes, FunBites is great for savings time on constantly cutting up food. The best part? It always turns out “just right,” so if you also have kids that are picky about presentation (like ours), you won’t have to worry about that, either!
For our review we received the Hearts and Squares FunBites in their fun new packaging. Although I absolutely love the new packaging, do you know what else I love? That they offer the option to purchase without packaging to reduce waste!

FunBites are made out of BPA free plastic! The kids love to use them, too, and I can let them without the fear that sharp knives give me – especially because they have fine-motor challenges! Despite being plastic, though, it is VERY sturdy. They are tough and durable! Plus, it’s simple to use! Take the center out, press down on what you’re cutting, then push the middle through to pop them out! So easy!
As a busy mom I also love that they are easy to clean. We no longer have a dishwasher, but I have experience with cleaning a FunBites food cutter on the top rack of the dishwasher, and it’s fantastic. Even with sink washing, it’s easy to clean and ready to use again shortly!
Besides making cutting foods easier, it really is a great way to make eating fun. Our picky eater as well as our other two children love using FunBites. They are sturdy and great for a variety of foods, but I recently discovered there is a special art to using them with peanut butter sandwiches. It’s best to push slowly and carefully because if you push quickly, it tends to squirt out of the top of the bread. I’ve gotten much better at it, though!

Make Eating Fun with Hearts

The Heart FunBites food cutter is so unique! It makes one large heart, triangles and two small hearts. So, it is extra fun. I wasn’t sure our youngest son would like it since it is hearts, but it has quickly become his favorite! He loves that it leaves a big heart shape in the bread, and he loves to put together the little pieces to both make up the big heart again or make his own creations! He really has a lot of fun with it!

Make Eating Fun with Squares

The Squares FunBites food cutter makes perfect, symmetrical squares. Symmetry can be very important around here! Our oldest son, in particular, appreciates it. I like that it makes squares that are easy to stack which is great for packing lunches! Plus they are all the exact same size which makes for a smooth eating experience as well!
Whether you have a picky eater or just want to make eating fun, I definitely recommend FunBites food cutters. Be sure to check out the FunBites website to see all the great shapes they have including the new Minions Goggles!

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Giveaway!!

Would you like to win a FunBites food cutter? One winner will receive a FunBites food cutter in your choice of style! This giveaway runs through 8/14/16 and is open to US residents ages 18+.

Enter the Giveaway Here!

Nasal and Sinus Care for Little Ones Without Medication

June 12, 2016 by Emilee Evans

I’m fairly certain by now it’s obvious that our family prefers natural remedies. Of course, we like to feel better, so the remedy must be effective! Now that winter has come and gone with a fair number of colds, we have sailed into allergy season. I’m grateful both boys don’t deal with allergies, but that is not the case for my husband, our daughter, and me. We have all been dealing with scratchy throats, watery eyes, and, the most annoying symptom – runny and/or stuffy noses!

Disclosure: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer to facilitate my nasal-oral aspirator review. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions are my own and those of my family and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product. This post contains affiliate links.
I have seen nasal-oral aspirators, but I honestly didn’t really give them a second thought. I mean our youngest is 6 now, and it’s for babies, right? When the opportunity to share a NeilMed Naspira nasal-oral aspirator review, though, I did give it a good look. I already knew my husband and I love the NeilMed Sinus Rinse, but our kids are still too young to use it, so what is the best option? I was willing to see if the Naspira is the answer!
For our NeilMed Naspira nasal-aspirator review we received the Naspira as well as the product we’ve come to love so much, the Sinus Rinse, as well as the NasaFlo Neti Pot.

Naspira Nasal-Oral Aspirator Review

Ok, I have to admit I’m one of those people that saw nasal-oral aspirators and thought “I’m glad my kids aren’t babies anymore so I don’t have to use that.” Of course, what I’m finding is that our daughter, in particular, still needs a natural remedy to clear her congestion. The product does note that it’s for babies and toddlers, but considering I can’t find a solution for the “in between,” I decided we should give it a try!
The Naspira Nasal-Oral Aspirator includes a NeilMed NasaBulb Aspirator (which can be used independently), tubing, 7 in-line disposable filters, and a mesh carrying bag.

The Naspira Nasal-Oral Aspirator is made of high-grade silicone that is ideal for easy sterilization and the clear design allows easy inspection of the components which also helps reduce the amount of fungal growth. The filters are one-time use and prevents liquid or mucus from entering the mouth and also prevents any accidental air from parents’ mouth from blowing into a baby’s nose.
I found the Naspira to be easy to take apart and put back together with the trickiest part being inserting the end of the tubing with the filter into the NasaBulb, though even that was pretty simple. The tip of the NasaBulb is really soft and flexible, so it was easy to use in our daughter’s nose without hurting her, and it’s definitely small enough for babies as well.
An advantage of using it with an older child is she could tell me about it. She said she doesn’t feel a large suction of air, so it wasn’t painful or uncomfortable, and it did help clear up the congestion. The part I was most concerned, which was the contents coming up the tube, is not possible with this design. The filter is at the top of the bulb, so everything is contained in the bulb. It has a cap at the end that closes to make it available for independent use as a single bulb aspirator.

Overall, I think it’s a really great design. I actually wish I did have one when the kids were babies! It would have been so much more effective than a regular single bulb aspirator. I do love, though, that there is an option to use the Naspira as a single bulb aspirator, though. It’s easy to use, easy to disinfect, and is effective. I would definitely recommend it to parents of newborns and young children.

Sinus Rinse and NasaFlo Neti Pot

I was also exited to receive the Sinus Rinse and NasaFlo Neti Pot as well. As I mentioned, my husband and I have been fans and users of the Sinus Rinse. We both had it recommended to us by our doctors, and it has been so helpful.
I found the NasaFlo Neti Pot to be helpful as well. There are times I feel like I don’t need a Sinus Rinse but still need to get things “cleared up.” It’s a little trickier to use, but still pretty simple. I’m glad to have it now as well!

Plus, I got to learn more about other NeilMed products as well and discovered a Sinus Rinse specifically for children, so that is definitely one we will be getting!
NeilMed products can be found at Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Bed Bath and Beyond, Harmon, Kinney Drugs, Shop Rite, Brookshire’s, amazon.com, drugstore.com, neilmed.com, and myotcstore.com.

Special!!!

Ready to try the Naspira Nasal-Oral Aspirator? Use unique promo code “MOMSBLOG” for $3 off your purchase of NeilMed® Naspira® Nasal-Oral Aspirator through NeilMed’s web store, neilmed.com.

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Giveaway!!!

Would you like to win a Naspira Nasal-Oral Aspirator? Three winners will each receive their own Naspira Nasal-Oral Aspirator! This giveaway is open until 6/27/16 at 11:59pm Eastern Time and is open to US residents ages 18+. Click below to enter!

Enter the Giveaway Now!

Pretty Hair Without the Chemicals

May 28, 2016 by Emilee Evans

I am not one to make too much fuss about my hair. In fact, I keep it long and usually just wear it pulled back. It’s thick with just a little bit of wave.
Our daughter, on the other hand, has hair that is very wavy and even slightly curly. It is thin but coarse and has been growing very slowly. The biggest challenge? I have no idea what to do with it!

Disclosure: I received complaints complimentary products to facilitate my SoCozy review. Regardless, all opinions are my own and those of my family.
When it comes to Aurora’s hair there is one thing I do know. Whatever I use on her hair needs to be safe. We always use eco-friendly products, but I was quickly realizing what works for my hair doesn’t work for hers since they are so different. Her hair needs a little more maintenance, and I needed to find products better suited for her hair without all the chemicals.
When I was first introduced to the products from SoCozy I knew I had found my answer. They offer salon-quality formulas for multi-function use. The SoCozy line of products were created by Cozy Friedman, the woman who founded the first children’s hair salons in New York City. Before more awareness was being raised about unsafe ingredients, Cozy adopted a higher standard for her products that relies on quality and integrity, not chemicals and preservatives.
I knew SoCozy had the products we need!
For our review we received the Cinch 2 in 1 Shampoo + Body Wash, the Cinch Detangler + Leave in Conditioner, the Behave Styling Cream Soft Hold and the Behave Styling Mousse Medium Hold.

I was so excited. Not only are the products free of chemicals, but they really are of amazing quality with attributes that are perfect for Aurora’s hair. What’s even better is they take the guesswork out of it by providing specific instructions for use – including additional helpful tips!
Aurora has particularly been loving the 2 in 1 Shampoo + Body Wash because it makes her bath time quick and easy so she has more time to relax and play. Plus she constantly talks about how good it smells. She’s never been one that is opposed to baths, but I love that it makes her experience (and her hair) even better!
I’m personally a fan of the Detangler + Leave in Conditioner. Her hair gets tangled easily as well as dry and frizzy. This solves all those problems. Whether I’m brushing her hair or she is, it goes much more smoothly without the pain! It has become a must use everyday product. Plus, it’s so easy she can use it herself.

The products from the Behave line are just what she’s been needing to make those waves and curls behave! I use the Cream Soft Hold in her hair regularly just for regularly maintenance to keep the frizzies at bay. It keeps the hair loose but tamed.
To really bring out and define her curls I will scrunch up her hair with Styling Mousse Medium Hold. Although it may feel slightly stiff shortly after, it doesn’t make her hair stiff or crunchy. It definitely does make the curls look pretty!

SoCozy Review

Overall, Aurora and I are both thrilled with the SoCozy products. I finally feel like I have a grasp on how to take care of her hair, and she’s been loving the scent and look of her hair. Of course, I am definitely thrilled there aren’t any chemicals! Multiple uses, salon quality, and free of chemicals. It’s a winning combination!

Connect with SoCozy

Tempera Paint Without the Mess {Kwik Stix Review}

May 5, 2016 by Emilee Evans

If you have young children you know how messy art time can be. It can be particularly messy when paints are involved! What if your child(ren) could paint without the liquid paint and paint brushes? It seems too good to be true, but that is exactly what The Pencil Grip, Inc. offers with the Kwik Stix 12 pk.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Kwik Stix are a solid tempera paint in a mess-free, stick form. They can be used to paint and draw, and when finished, the lid just needs to be put back on. Three are no brushes to clean, no paint getting on clothes (or furniture, the floor, etc.), and they’re available in a variety of colors.
The Kwik Stix 12 pk includes a variety of colors. I’m not sure who was more excited – our daughter who couldn’t wait to use them or me because I wouldn’t have to scrub the table and floor afterwards. Unfortunately, due to our kids’ motor delays, being uncoordinated means paint ends up pretty much everywhere – even in random places I don’t expect! Our daughter in particular, though, loves to express herself through art, so I don’t want to limit her!

Aurora, of course, got them out right away and started making pictures. Her face lit up the whole time as she saw Kwik Stix as a form of paint coming through on her paper. She was equally surprised at how quickly it dries.
Because of her fine motor challenges, getting paint everywhere isn’t the only obstacle. Holding and using a paint brush is equally challenging. So, although she loves making things with paint, it does take her a long time, which can also be frustrating due to her challenges with ADHD. So the Kwik Stix not only offer a mess-free solution, but they are also easier for her to use because they are thicker and easier to hold. She completed her first picture rather quickly!

One thing I didn’t expect, though, is that are boys were excited to use them, too. Neither of them are opposed to art, but they both don’t like to do things they believe they can’t do well. Despite our best encouragement they tend to avoid art that is related to drawing, painting, etc. unless they have to do it. They are both generally more excited about hands-on art like making things with clay.
Seriously, though, how cool is it to paint with a stick? It is something new, and they were willing to give it a try! Because they are easier to use, there is less of the frustration that generally leads to their not wanting to do it anymore.

Kwik Stix Review

Overall, I would say the Kwik Stix are a big hit here in our house and have been a great addition to our homeschool art supplies! There is no fuss or mess, they are easier to hold and use, and they dry quickly, so the kids can move on to another color quickly.

Additionally, we receive a sample which included a Pencil Grip. This is a very welcome tool in our house where holding pencils correctly is a challenge! In fact, neither my husband nor I hold it correctly as well, so anything that can offer help to teach the kids to hold the pencil correctly is a huge blessing! They really like this one because of the shape and texture, so they actually like to use it!

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Kwik Stix can be purchased on Amazon.
Other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew have shared their experiences with the Kwik Stix as well so be sure to check out what they thought by clicking on the banner below!