Hours of Fun with the Blast Zone Big Ol' Bouncer!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored campaign created in collaboration with the Blast Zone. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


Say good-bye to renting those Bounce Houses for special occasions! Your kids will stay entertained for hours with their very own backyard bouncer and it can house up to 6 kids!

Set up your Blast Zone Big Ol’ Bouncer in 2 (yes, 2!!) easy steps!

STEP1 is to lay out the bouncer on a flat surface. Blast Zone recommends laying out a tarp, and inflating your bouncy house on top, if you are setting it up on pavement or uneven yard. This will help reduce the chance of debris/rocks putting a hole in the Bounce House.

STEP 2 is to tie off the little yellow tube and insert the portable blower into the longer yellow tube. Tie the end to the blower - the Bounce House takes a short 2 minutes to inflate (we were amazed!).

That's it!

You might think that the Blast Zone Big Ol’ Bouncer will take up a lot of storage space and become very expensive to maintain. Not so! Blast Zone offers you the convenience of easy set up and take-down, while taking up MINIMAL storage. Easy to maintain and clean, this Bounce House is very durable.

My husband really wanted to show you just how durable this thing is! So he left it out during a rainstorm and in the mud. Watch his video to see how it stood up to the test:




Blast Zone offers smaller bounce houses, and even commercial sized ones. Be sure to check them out!

Connect with Blast Zone for all of their latest product releases and special deals:

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Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

Pacifica Jet Set Trio Review

“Everyday pollutants can ruin your hair’s color, health and style (and then there goes your day). Say goodbye to bad hair days forever. No matter where you are off to, pack this trio.”

My Review

The Pacifica Jet Set Trio is a three-pack of Super Kale Juiced-Up Shampoo, Super Kale Juiced-Up Conditioner, and Hairvana Leave-On Detangling Conditioner “with stress and pollution protection and detoxifying extracts”. Made in the USA, this trio is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. The small size of each tube included makes them carry-on air travel and gym bag friendly.

Not only do they smell fantastic (the kale products have a mint scent and the leave-in has a coconut-vanilla scent), the Pacifica Jet Set Hair Trio is made to detox your hair from stress and pollutants. The Super Kale Shampoo and Conditioner are light-weight and nourishing. Their ingredients include antioxidant rich kale extract, olive oil, aloe leaf juice, moringa seed extract, and rice bran oil. Hairvana Leave-On Detangling Conditioner contains shea butter, which leaves your hair moisturized but not heavy.

I LOVED these products that left my color-treated hair feeling (and looking!) weightlessly gorgeous. I have recommended this set to many of my friends. They smell great and get the job done!

Disclaimer: The products mentioned / featured in this post were sent to me for review consideration as a part of PR purposes. All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased, as with anything that is posted here on this site. I was not paid to provide my thoughts on these products or to feature them.

Funbites Review! Minion Goggle Shaped Food Cutter

FunBites® are perfect for picky eaters and creative moms. Rave reviews from over 5,000 mommy bloggers worldwide. Winner of over 30 design and innovation awards. Come create your bite-sized fun!

Minions available Now! and COMING SOON… Nickelodeon Paw Patrol! 

As seen on Shark Tank, award winning FunBites® creates bite-sized shapes that even the pickiest eaters can’t resist!

(cup not included in set)

From FunBites®!

FunBites® super sturdy and durable curved blade cutter cuts any kids’ food into bite-sized fun shapes. We make food so much fun that even the pickiest eaters can’t resist! FunBites® works on kid-friendly food from pancakes, sandwiches, fruit, veggies, brownies and more! Kids love FunBites® because the food is cut neatly and evenly.

 
Our Review and YouTube Video!

A few years ago, I was introduced to FunBites® through the founder, Bobbie Rhoads. She was nice enough to send my son, Zachary, a FunBites® Food Cutter in green (you can see the rainbow of colors below). We still have the cutter and love it as much now as we did then!

Easy to use, Made in the USA, dishwasher safe, and BPA free! Picky eaters, like Zachary, will try new things and eat healthier!

Bobbie recently contacted me to see if we would like to try out a new FunBites® and, of course, I jumped at the chance! We were sent their new MINIONS Goggle Shaped Food Cutter Set. This set includes a curved cutter and matching popper top.

(cup not included in set)

Using FunBites® is as easy as 1, 2, 3!! 

Step 1: Place FunBites® cutter on top of food. Remove popper top and put to the side. You’re ready to go! 

Step 2: Hold cutter handles, firmly rock back and forth 5 to 6 times to cut all the way through the food. 

Step 3: Insert popper top. Lift cutter up from food. Insert the popper top and push down to pop out the bite-sized pieces! 

Here is Zachary demonstrating how he uses his FunBites®! 

   

(cup not included in set)

 

Visit FunBites Online! 

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Disclosure: Made by Renee received a free Funbites food cutter in exchange for a review. My reviews are always honest opinions you can count on regardless of compensation.

Icon: Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers #review #FCBlogger #DonaldLawrence #gospel #music #CD #TriCitySingers

I received a copy of this CD, for review, from FamilyChristian.com. I am a family Christian Blogger, however, all opinions are 100% my own.

Details

One of Gospel’s most beloved choirs, The Tri-City Singers formed in the Carolina’s (Spartanburg, SC, Gastonia, NC and Charlotte, NC) in 1993. They’ve topped the Gospel charts repeatedly since then with one radio hit after another. In 2006 the group retired but not without going out with a Grand Finale.

This new addition to the Icon series features 11 of Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers most recognizable songs, including “Blessings Of Abraham,” “Encourage Yourself,” and “Giants.”

Track Listing:

Never Seen the Righteous
The Blessing of Abraham
Encourage Yourself
The Best is Yet to Come
Matthew 28
Testify
Seasons
God’s Favor
When the Saints Go to Worship
Giants
And Yet I’m Still Saved

Review

I am so grateful to have been sent the CD "Icon: Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers", for review, from Family Christian. What an amazing group, singing gospel the way it was meant to be! A powerful, uplifting, and passionate collection - this is pure worship.

In 2006, the group retired with their album "Grand Finale". Their farewell releases made six separate Billboard charts, which is unprecedented for a gospel act. "The Blessing Of Abraham", which is on both albums, shot to number one on the Billboard Hot Gospel Tracks chart. Recorded live over two memorable nights at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, it comes complete with incredible special guests.

As a Music Director, I can tell you that the talent of this group is extraordinary. It's no wonder they have topped the charts and receive such high praise! Donald is a powerful leader and, with such incredible voices backing him up, you will be asking how you can join the choir! I listen to this CD almost daily on my commute to work. It is like a cup of coffee for the soul, reminding me that I am a child of the Most High God and that I have His favor in my life.

I have many favorites on this album, including "When the Saints Go to Worship" and "Matthew 28". Above and beyond the dynamic Christ-centered message, "Matthew 28" is a great example of this group's musical ability. Pitch-perfect, on cue, staccato is an outstanding achievement for any large choir. The Tri-City Singers have mastered it along with Presence and Clarity - two vital qualities in effective Gospel Music. Combine all of this with special guest singers (like Benita Washington and Kelly Price), live recording at the Tabernacle, and a passionate audience and you have a Gospel Masterpiece.

I highly recommend "Icon: Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers". From the perspective of Worshiper and Music Director/Vocal Coach if I could give this CD 6 stars, I absolutely would!

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

On Calvary's Hill #Review #FCBlogger #Christian #Books

About

It's early in the final week. The props and players for Friday's drama are in position. Five-inch spikes are in the bin. A cross-beam leans against a shed wall. The players are nearing the stage--Pilate, Annas and Caiaphas, Judas, the centurions. Players and props. Only this is no play; it's a divine plan. A plan begun before Adam felt heaven's breath, and now all heaven waits and watches. All eyes are on one figure--the Nazarene. 

 Join bestselling author Max Lucado in an exploration of the final days in the life of Christ. In On Calvary's Hill, you'll draw near to the Savior and prepare to celebrate the greatest miracle ever conceived through 40 devotional readings that feature Scripture verses, prayer prompts, and favorite passages from many of Lucado's best-selling books.

My Review

With short and quick chapters, this book is not meant to be read in one sitting. Each chapter starts with a bible verse, ending with a time of reflection and prayer. In the days leading up to Easter, I have found On Calvary's Hill to be the perfect devotional. Comprised of passages from some of Max Lucado's other writings (including No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, He Chose the Nails, and 3:16) this little (but powerful) book walks us through the the last days, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Max speaks on such a personal level that we all can grasp the true meaning and purpose behind the Cross.

One of my favorite chapters, "An Anchor for Your Soul" is simply incredible:

"God is on a cross. The Creator of the universe is being executed."

"It is no normal six hours...it is no normal Friday."

"Let me ask you a question: What do you do with that day in history? What do you do with its claims?"

Powerful.


I received this book free as a member of the Family Christian Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

VTech Go! Go! Smart Friends™ Review #preschool #christmas #kids #review @vtechtoys @ToysRUs

Recently, VTech sent us some Go! Go! Smart Friends™ Playsets for Review! All opinions are 100% my own

About VTech Go! Go! Smart Friends™:

· Go! Go! Smart Friends™ features adorable, colorful playsets and chunky characters that infuse traditional role-play with modern technology and are packed with personality.

· Each set features MagicPoint™ locations that bring the characters and playsets to life with lights, sounds, music and motion, while delivering manipulative play features and charming details, giving children a comprehensive, multi-faceted play experience.

· Additionally, the Go! Go! Smart Friends Busy Sounds Discovery Home™ includes VTech’s innovative, new MagicChat™ feature which allows two figures* to chat and sing songs together.

· Go! Go! Smart Friends™ are available exclusively at Toys“R”Us® stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com.

*Playset comes with one figure; additional figures sold separately, MSRP $8.99 each.

Our Review!

Our son is 4 :)

Generally, Zachary will choose his learning apps or a map (he loves geography) over any kind of toy (even Legos) but he absolutely LOVES these playsets! We have had them for 2 months now and he has not lost any interest in them. I appreciate that these playsets have encouraged his social skills and imagination. He loves his "friends" and listening to what the characters say on each of the MagicPoints. I love hearing him giggle and interact with the characters and their environments. He even drew a picture of his "toy friends", at the carnival, today for school (the carnival game is at the right top, with the flag!).

The sets were easily assembled, including the Busy Sounds Discovery Home. I love that the batteries are actually inside the characters, difficult to remove, and that each character has an on/off switch. That being said, we haven't turned them off at all and have not yet had to replace the batteries.

These sets are just so enjoyable! The characters are easily integrated into different sets, saying different phrases depending on the MagicPoint they are on. I thought that ingenious! Their catchy songs are familiar tunes and my son was singing right along with them from the beginning. He loves the vehicles and watching them go when he puts a character into the driver's seat. We are getting him the Smart Wheels Fire Command Rescue Center for Christmas and can't wait to see his excitement!

About the Sets we received for Review!

Go! Go! Smart Friends™ Busy Sounds Discovery Home™:

For added interaction, activate the MagicChat™ feature in the playroom, and hear Miss Norah and other MagicPoint™ characters (sold separately) chat and sing with each other. Miss Nora also responds to other MagicPoint™ locations on Go! Go! Smart Friends™ accessories and playsets (each sold separately).

Simply place Miss Norah on one of the MagicPoint locations to experience her friendly personality, motion, lights and more. Put Miss Norah in the elevator and watch as it magically moves up and down.

Activate the MagicChat feature in the playroom, and hear Miss Norah and other MagicPoint characters (sold separately) chat and sing with each other.

Develop fine motor skills while exploring Miss Norah’s home and playing with the rocking swing, light-up fire place and flushing toilet.

Miss Norah also responds to other MagicPoint locations on Go! Go! Smart Friends accessories and playsets (each sold separately).

Ages 1-5, $44.99

Go! Go! Smart Friends™ Spin-Around Sounds Carnival™:

Explore the Go! Go! Smart Friends Spin-Around Sounds Carnival with Austin. The carnival features five MagicPoint locations and five play pieces that can be used together to encourage creative play.

Simply place Austin on one of the MagicPoint locations to experience his friendly personality, motion, lights, songs and more while developing fine motor skills. Kids can press down on the carousel canopy or place Austin on the carousel horse to make it spin. Turn the airplane ride to make the plane move.

Austin also responds to other MagicPoint locations on Go! Go! Smart Friends accessories and playsets (each sold separately).

Ages 1-5, $29.99

Go! Go! Smart Friends™ Learning Wheels School Bus™:

Put Mr. Gavin in the driver's seat of the Go! Go! Smart Friends Learning Wheels School Bus and watch the toy bus magically light up and move on its own.

The school bus features three MagicPoint locations that encourage imaginative play and emphasize cause and effect relationships, as well as a stop sign that flips open and a door that opens and closes, enhancing role play and helping develop fine motor skills.

Mr. Gavin also responds to other MagicPoint locations on Go! Go! Smart Friends accessories and playsets (each sold separately).

Ages 1-5, $19.99

Go! Go! Smart Friends™ Cruise and Go Convertible™:

Put Jackson in the Go! Go! Smart Friends Cruise and Go Convertible’s MagicPoint location to watch the toy car light up and magically move on its own. Kids will also hear fun phrases, songs and sound effects.

The convertible even comes with a gas pump accessory that can connect to other Go! Go! Smart Friends accessories (each sold separately).

The Cruise and Go Convertible is also available with Kaylee in a pink vehicle.

Ages 1-5, $12.99 each

CONNECT WITH THE SPONSOR!!

Toys“R”Us website- http://bit.ly/YSuKXO

 VTech website- http://bit.ly/tHKlfD   
VTech Twitter- http://bit.ly/Q7J7vM
VTech Facebook- http://on.fb.me/iIPfUE

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

French for Kids: On Va Jouer (Let's Play)(DVD) Review #OnVaJouer

French DVD for Kids

On va chanter! (Let's sing!) On va danser! (Let's dance!) On va jouer! (Let's play!) This interactive French immersion program is non-stop language-learning fun. With the help of Fritzi the mouse and a playful group of peers, Marie introduces vocabulary related to different parts of the body. And what better way to get those body parts moving than with delightful sing-along, dance-along songs, including"Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and familiar French folksongs with exciting new twists. From le chapeau (the hat) to la chaussure (the shoe), kids will love trying on their new French vocabulary for clothes in playful, interactive skits. On Va Jouer entertainingly combines colorful illustrated backgrounds, live- action, and 2-D and 3-D animation. Friendly characters and abundant humor make learning a new language as much fun as play time. Vous êtes prêts? (Are you ready?) On va jouer!

This DVD includes an easy-to-use translation guide for parents and teachers who are first time learners of French, as well as French subtitles. Designed for children ages 1-7, On Va Jouer is fun for all ages!

My Review

My four year old is very advanced in his reading, so when we turned the sub titles on this DVD became a lot easier for him to follow along. This DVD is entirely in french, but the host is very expressive so it works for all ages. We love the songs and there is an insert in the DVD case that includes the translations for words used. Overall, a really great french starter tool that really engages our child.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

Reading Kingdom #review

Thanks to Tomoson, I was recently given the opportunity to use and review Reading Kingdom, an online reading program that teaches children ages 4 through 10 to read and write to a third grade level.

This program looks great and I have read some fantastic reviews on it! Here are some screenshots provided by the company:

 

According to the product description, Reading Kingdom is:

a patented curriculum designed by Dr. Marion Blank, the Director of the Light on Learning program at Columbia University and a world-renowned expert on literacy. Reading Kingdom is the only program that teaches children all 6 skills required for reading and writing success. a fully customized, adaptive reading and writing program for each child, and a program that is fun and easy to use.

It looks like a really fun program!

My son can use a keyboard just fine, but was unable to take the assessment test due to the basic requirement of using a mouse. Another thing to note if you decide to use the keyboard: the keys are all uppercase and if they are just starting out, children may have trouble when the program asks them to find a lowercase letter (Zachary has no trouble with this). In addition to the mouse, Zachary would not be able to use the SHIFT key with another letter. Simply put, it takes a motor skill that he has not acquired yet. The great thing is that Reading Kingdom has a section for practicing keyboard and mouse, so we will log in every day to keep working on that.

Zachary could have used this program much easier had it been available on the IPad, which he is quite proficient on. However it requires flash and so you have to purchase a program like Photon or iSwifter. You can read how here. Zachary reads well enough that I just didn't feel like paying the extra $5, at this point, to test the program further. We will wait to try again once he can use the mouse.

The entire program is online, which means there is nothing to download. It is an award-winning program that uses Dr. Blank's patented and research based "6-SIM" (Six Skill Integrated Method) technique that yields incredible results. The program is designed so that children can use it on their own - so all you have to do is create an account and then get them started.


 The bottom line for us: Zachary already reads on a third grade level (he read the first two chapters of Genesis from the KJV Bible to Daddy yesterday). I think this program will be better for him once he gets used to the mouse and I appreciate the fact that Reading Kingdom gave us a year long subscription.

I wish we had been able to get passed the test in order to see how the program works, how Zachary felt about it, and if there are any "quirks" to it. That being said, the reviews I have read are very positive and I would recommend giving the 30 day trial a go if you have a child learning to read.

When you sign up for Reading Kingdom, you receive a 30-day free trial. After that, subscriptions to Reading Kingdom are $19.99/month (with no monthly minimum), or $199.99 per year (20% off). Additional children in your account get 50% off ($9.99/month or $99.99/year). They also offer additional resources and a store with books that complement the lessons.

Connect with Reading Kingdom on Facebook and Twitter for more information and resources!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

Sponsor Spotlight: Articulation Station by Little Bee Speech! #review #homeschool #preschool

 

Zachary is 3 1/2 and very advanced in reading and arithmetic - several years ahead of where he should be, in fact. We are very proud of him, as I'm sure you can tell! He has always been a bit of a "late bloomer" on other things like walking (he was 18 months) and breaking from the bottle (he was 2) but I never had a problem with any of that - children do things at different times.

The only area of concern I have had recently has been his speech. It isn't that I think he has a speech impediment, but I have noticed that he has a tendency towards replacing sounds with others. For example: he can sound F perfectly fine on its own but if the word is mid-sentence, he will replace the F sound with a B sound. When counting, for example, he more often than not will say one, two, bree, bore, bive, six, seb-en, eight and so on. Being close to 4, it concerns me that this will turn into habit and become a permanent part of his vocabulary.

That was until I found Articulation Station!

Articulation Station was created by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist for parents, SLPs and other educators to help work with children and adults with speech sound delays. It is a comprehensive articulation program offering practice at the word, sentence and story levels in 22 sounds in the English language. 

Click here for the webpage with additional details on Articulation Station Pro along with tutorial videos which show tips on how to get the most out of the app

Thanks so much to Little Bee Speech, who sent us a code to review the full version of Articulation Station Pro!

Let me show you how Zachary and I use this app:

First we choose the letter sound to practice. From here, Zachary can touch the letter to hear the sound and choose to read (or hear) words, sentences, or stories using that sound.

Next we choose the sound position: initial, medial, final or blends. 

You can see in the second picture that Zachary chose sentences with the z sound in the initial position. He also chose random sentences so, when he pushes the red button, it flips different words inside the box (where the zither is). He is only 3 so, although he can read on a second grade level just fine, he doesn't comprehend some of the choices he is making. But he has a lot of fun!

Zachary loves to play the matching game too! 

Articulation Station is definitely one of Zachary's favorite apps and one that he chooses over and over. That makes me very happy! Personally, I love this app and feel that he has made some nice improvements on his speech since we implemented it into his learning time (I say that tongue in cheek because it is more like playtime). I love it so much when he is finished with his lesson and the little bee pops up to say "You Did It!" - Zachary loves that too :)

Here are some more screenshots:

The full Pro Version of Articulation Station can be purchased on itunes for $49.99

You can also download Articulation Station for FREE (comes with the P sound) and purchase sounds individually as needed. In other words, you don't have to spend $49.99 if you don't need to. This is especially good for parents who have a child that only needs to work on one or two sounds.

Be sure and visit Little Bee Speech on:

Facebook
Twitter

YouTube
Vimeo
Pinterest

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.