Mom Reviews: Step 2 Sand And Water Table

It is definitely the time of year to start thinking about how to keep the little ones fully occupied for the summer! Although my son is almost six now, I had to give a review of the Step2 Sand and Water table set that we've had for the last almost three years.

Step2 is known for making quality children's products, and this one is really no exception. And, apparently, it's currently on sale at Amazon (down from the almost $100 we paid for it back in the day). You can see my full review here at Epinions as well, but we give it 5 out of 5 stars.

If you have a child or grandchild ages 18 months to preschool age, this is a very worthy investment as you're bound to get several years of use from it, and I guarantee, it will keep the little ones busy -and outside- the whole season.

Mom's Internet Finds: Custom Boutique Pettiskirts and More by Magical Attic

Come on Moms, you all know you want one too! I became quite envious myself, when I stumbled across these adorable Custom Boutique Pettiskirts made by Magical Attic. She makes them in your choice of a wide variety of colors as well as specially made designs in prints as well. I originally found them on Bonanzle but when I contacted the designer she also provided her Etsy Store in which I found even MORE awesome treasures!

She offers these really cool custom Superhero Capes as well, suitable for your little boy OR girl and fully customizable with colors and themes. And they are a steal at under $20! If you're in the market for a sweet customized gift without being overindulgent, I definitely urge you to visit Magical Attic!

All photos borrowed with permission from the owner. :)

Mom Reviews: Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Soap

A good soap for the whole family can be very hard to find! I'm a big fan of Bath & Body Works Wild Honeysuckle Anti-bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soap because it both moisturizes your skin as well as leaving you fresh and clean. All parents know, when you have kids, constant hand washing is inevitable - both your hands and theirs. You can read my full review here but we give it 4 out of 5 stars!

Mom's Internet Finds: Cute Custom Cupcake Outfit

I keep hoping some day I'll have a girl, so I can indulge in super-sweet finds like this Custom Pink Cupcake Skirt and Halter Top Set by lilbugclothing, available at Bonanzle. (If you're not yet familiar with Bonanzle, it's all the fun of shopping on a site like Ebay, without the auctions. You see an item you like from a seller, and you can buy it or make an offer. You should definitely check it out!)

lilbugclothing is offering this cute set on sale for $25 (and accepting offers, currently). It is custom made in your size choice from 12 months through size 6. I can see this being just the perfect birthday girl outfit! And the price is right too - I think $25 is more than reasonable to spend on a really special outfit. If you like the cupcake design but don't necessarily want a halter-style top, she offers other styles in a similar pattern/print as well.

Mom Review: Batman Band-Aids

If you have kids, you know that regular bandages sometimes just don't cut it when your child gets a scrape or cut. Sometimes the overwhelming reaction of ohmygodthere'sblood from your little one just can't be soothed by a kiss to make it all better. That's when you bring out the big guns - the fancy character bandages.

Moms and dads, you know which ones I mean - the marginally overpriced box of not nearly enough bandages to get you through a month that are right at your kids' eye level in the store. They have bright colors and fancy graphics and all their favorite characters, and are seemingly magic in their ability to calm any reaction to an injury. My five-year-old evil genius conned me into this box of Batman Band-Aids.

At least if I'm going to be talked into buying special bandages for just one person in our house, they're really cool. These are Band-Aid brand bandages (there's a mouthful!) by Johnson & Johnson, not a knock-off generic. They come packed 20 to a box in assorted sizes.

The box advertises these as being 100% waterproof and that they shield out dirt and germs. They are sterile unless the individually packaged bandage is opened or damaged. There is also a warning that this product contains natural rubber latex and should be avoided by those that are allergic.

Now, by "assorted sizes", closer inspection of the box reveals that this is apparently just two sizes. There are five square bandages measuring 1.5" x 1.5" and fifteen strip bandages measuring 1" x 2.5". It is extremely important to note that these measurements are the size of the entire Band-Aid, not the actual padded area that you would apply over the wound. The actual padded area is very small, only approximately 30% of the center of the adhesive area in total.

The one nice feature that I like, regardless of the size, is that the padded bandage area is completely surrounded by adhesive. You know how on regular bandages, you have a center padded area, with two adhesive strips on each side? And how no matter how you apply it, water or dirt always sneaks in that non-adhesive area? Well, not with these. Because the adhesive covers the entire surface, you get a nice protective seal around the bandaged area that keeps liquids and dirt out nicely. Therefore, you aren't replacing the bandage every hour because it's falling off.

The downside to so much adhesive area is that these are impossible to remove. Getting them off skin is moderately bad - if you soak it in warm water or rub the edges with baby oil it will begin to loosen. Do not, ever, try to yank one of these off with one quick pull - thy are stuck on skin strongly and are semi-painful to remove in this way. However, you do not, under any circumstances, want these to get stuck to something other than your skin. My son got a hold of a handful of these bandages and went wild, plastering them on his furnature, carpet, and the outfit he was wearing. Eight months later, I still cannot get them off! Even through multiple washings, the adhesive part of these bandages are clearly visible on the clothes he was wearing - which have since been relegated to permanent playclothes - and shredded remnants remain stuck into the carpet fibers. I eventually got the one on his bedframe off with some sticker remover.

My son enjoys these bandages because of the graphics, which show Batman in various "action" poses in several designs. I believe there are six total variant designs in this box, although the quantity of each design will vary. Rather than the "yucky" skin-tone shade of a regular bandage, these are printed on a clear background with vibrant colors.

Overall, I'll say these bandages are worth the purchase. Although slightly expensive at about $5 a box for only twenty, it's not so bad when you save them for only the truly traumatic injuries like removing a splinter, and not just every little bump or bruise. They make my son happy, and that, as a parent, makes me happy. Just don't let your kids use them as an alternative to stickers.

Recommended:
Yes

You can also check out this review at Epinions!

Back from a very long break!

The holidays are always an exceptionally difficult time of year. I work in retail, so I have a tendency to "disappear" for a few months between October and February while the calls of the 70-hour work week keep me pulled in another direction. I hate it. I get away from everything I love, and I don't just mean my family - my hobbies, writing, having a normal schedule....

Anyway, that doesn't matter. I am rededicating myself to my blog (among other things) so hopefully those of you that still follow along, desperately awaiting my next update (hey, I can pretend!) are happy that I'm back.

Promising new reviews, new stories, and more, soon. Glad to be back.