This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Summer is just around the corner and Sand box season has already begun. As a mom and grandmother I love sand and water toys, so finding this cute 7 piece seemed like the perfect gift for my grandchildren. Even though this toy will be for them to take home to enjoy I am feeling good about this item. It is made from flexible food grade polypropylene, is non toxic, and eco friendly.
Over the 30 years of being a parent and child care giver I have seen many toys come and go in our home. Some had staying power and some were here just for a season, or gone in a very short time. We have many favorites that stood the test of time and we have even replaced once worn out because of how good they were.
For sand toys for instance many times they start off all bright colored and end up fading to a muted color of their orginal self. This set has a sort of aged look to them that I really like. Of course I don't know for sure but I don't see these fading like other toys on the market, and I am excited to see how they fair over the years.
If you are interested in them check them out below.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
INTERNATIONAL DINOSAUR DAY is MAY 18TH
National Geographic Kids is celebrating all month long with fun games, video shorts, facts, and even a dinosaur personality quiz. You can find them all here. They are even hosting a giveaway for one lucky winner on my site to win all 5 books below with a value of $80.00. Enter here.
I have always loved National Geographic while growing up and National Geographic Kids brings all of the beautiful illustrations and information down to a child's mind set. Check out these beautiful books. I just know my grandsons are going to love the bright pictures, while learning about dinosaurs, and then playing with their own dinosaur toys to bring the action to life. These books are big on pictures, facts, and inspiring stories to make learning fun for your child. Below you will find the books and a write up from National Geographic on each one.
(hardcover, ages 4-8, 128 pages, $14.95) - A #1 best seller on Amazon! The prehistoric world comes alive with dinosaurs small, big, giant, and gigantic, with stunning illustrations. Bursting with fun facts and age-appropriate information, each spread features a different dinosaur, along with simple text in big type that is perfect for little kids. Young dino fans will love the interactivity included in every chapter, and parents will appreciate tips to help carry readers' experience beyond the page.
(hardcover, ages 4-8, 32 pages, $16.99) - Ever wondered how to find a dinosaur? Paleontologist Dr. Scott Sampson, host of Dinosaur Train on PBS Kids, tells kids how! How do paleontologists find dinosaur bones? How do they know what dinosaurs ate or looked like? And what is paleontology, anyway? Dr. Scott tackles all these questions and more while inspiring kids to go out and make the next big dino discovery!
(paperback, ages 8-12, 208 pages, $8.99) - 300 dino-mite facts to sink your teeth into! Perfectly sized for back seat boredom busting, this new addition to the wildly popular WBT series is taking on the jaws and claws that ruled the Mesozoic world. Calling all dino dynamos! Did you know that the T. rex had vision 13 times better than the average humans? Or that people collect fossilized dino poop? And get this: There's a dinosaur named after Hogwarts--Harry Potter's wizarding school! Get ready to meet dinosaurs with horns and feathers, razor-sharp claws and gigantic teeth. You'll encounter the places they lived, the bizarre art they inspired, and the amazing paleontologists who discovered them.
(hardcover, ages 7-10, 296 pages, $24.99) - Big, beautiful and gift-worthy! The new edition of the popular Nat Geo Kids Dinopedia includes all the latest species and is the most complete, up-to-date dinosaur reference available. Find favorites, like the fierce T-rex and the gentle Brontosaurus, plus audacious new finds, like the Anzu, Kosmoceratops, and Yi. Every dino profile is colorfully illustrated and features descriptions of when they roamed the Earth, how they lived, what they ate, and more. There are more than 600 dinos featured in all, including 10 profiles of recently discovered dinosaurs and new entries in the Dino Dictionary. Reports from paleontologists present the latest news and insights from the field.
(paperback, ages 8-12, 208 pages, $14.99) - Curious which creatures ruled when dinosaurs roamed the Earth? Get ready to meet the record-setters, including the biggest, smallest, smartest, weirdest, deadliest, most notorious, and most mysterious of all time. You'll find fantastic firsts, including the first dinosaur fossils found and the first dinos in space. And you'll meet other rad, remarkable creatures that lived before, after, and alongside them. Did you know that the largest fish, the largest turtle, and the largest flying animal that ever existed lived during the time of the dinosaurs? Or that mammals – no bigger than a small dog when dinosaurs roamed – eventually evolved into massive land animals? See who wins in head-to-head species smackdowns and enjoy games that complement the records.
If you are interested in buying one or all of these books check them out here.
*This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Since we have settled in our apartment, we have been slowly replacing furniture from all of the stuff that was lost or left behind before we became homeless due to my husband's accident. Most we have gotten free along side the road, like this desk from when our new neighbors moved and had this out for free. We snatched it up quickly but it has been sitting in our bedroom with things stacked on top of it for sometime.
Well the time has come to turn the desk back into a useful piece of furniture and get more organized. With this being said I like to have a base for my computer so what when I move it around I don't scratch up the surface of my desk. I was able to find this 33'x14' PU Leather desk mat at Amazon. I had to look up PU Leather to find out what it meant as I had always heard it said but had never really knew what it was. Searching on the internet for things can sure be interesting to say the least.
My desk still has a long way to go. The pictures were actually taken with my husband's laptop which is 15.6' as opposed to mine of a different brand but same size for those wondering how their computer may look on it. I will of course be adding my sorting baskets, stapler, etc to this desk to get the look I want to achieve and then it is all business, or lately mostly teaching school work, but that is a whole different kind of conversation.
If you are interested in this item check it out below.
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
Did you loose or break your glasses? Do you need a second pair but don't want to spend a fortune? Do you want glasses or sunglasses that are fashionable? I think I have the place for you to find your next new pair of glasses for an affordable price. Firmoo eye wear store.
To make an order was simple. I just picked out the frames I would like, added in my prescription (you must get this from your eye Dr. and measured the space between my pupils mine happens to be 57mm. The first pair I picked I was told that because of my pupil spacing they would not work for me to pick a different pair. This was awesome. It kept me from getting glasses that would not fit me or take care of my vision properly.
Once added to cart you can pick from lenses (some will cost more so the price might be higher then 1.00 if you choose some of these options) I went with all of the free items and I was completely surprised to see that I only paid a 1.00 total. So awesome.
Even if you aren't able to order for the $1.00 before the deal ends. Frames and lenses are so affordable that even our family with a strict tight budget can get a pair if a set is lost, broken, or we need a pair of prescription sunglasses. yes you heard that right prescription sunglasses. They have fashionable choice for Men, Women, and Children.
I was so impressed by the children's selection that if my youngest needs a pair of glasses I will sure to pick up an extra pair here for her. Our insurance does glasses but if they break you have to wait 2 years before you can get another pair payed for by the insurance company. I am really impressed with all of the little extras they send you like the hard case to store them in, a bag, eyeglass repair kit, and of course the lens cloth which is not pictured but can be seen at my video review here.
If you are interested or know someone who needs a new pair, replacement pair please mention this deal to them.
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Our kitty Steve really loves his treats so when I was able to try Zesty Paws Select Essentials Freeze Dried Raw Treats I jumped at the chance to give Steve something new. As you can see by the below pictures he enjoyed it so much I couldn't even get a picture in before he wanted to try a few.
What I love about this product is that there is only one ingredient. Raw Chicken, so even though it looks cooked after being freeze dried and is human grade, remember it is raw. I also like that this is GMO Free, and can be used for both cats or dogs. My kitty likes it as a treat but you can also use it as a topper on their dry or wet food to give them a new spin on an old favorite.
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
Sponsored
Going on a Road trip can be lots of fun, but not always for the little ones who will be seated for long periods of time in between all of the exciting places they will see. Having items on hand that keep them busy, happy, and excited about what is ahead is a great idea. Treats, road games, music, videos, and books like this one from i See Me. My U.S.A. Road Trip book is just the right thing to break out just before the trip to show all of the wonderful places you might see.
The i See Me My U.S.A. Road Trip is a personalized book which makes it super special to the child or children receiving it. Filled with pages about each state and of course pictures of the child and their name throughout the book. The book alone gives a great way to pass the time by counting how many times they see their picture, their name, or even a place they are visiting. Not to mention the learning aspect of it. Learning is always best when it is fun and can be applied to real life events.
If your trip is already planned and the places are in this book you can mark those areas with a sticky note or flag so the child knows this is a stop during the trip. The map which you can choose to add on if you wish is a scratch off map so they can scratch off which states they have been too. I know when my daughter received hers she got really excited because she will be traveling to two brand new states when she goes off to camp, that I haven't even been too yet, and they were in this book so it made it more real to her.
My U.S.A. Road Trip is a uniquely personalized storybook adventure that teaches children about state names and monuments. In the book, the child receives a personalized driver's license, hops in a magical car, and drives across America to visit each US state. An entire spread is dedicated to the child's home state, with fun facts about the state bird and state flower! The book can be personalized with a child's name, gender, skin tone, hair color, birthdate, and home state. It can also be photo personalized--upload a photo of your child's face, to be incorporated into the main character. This book introduces basic US geography to young children, and encourages curious minds to explore and discover.
The i See Me My U.S.A Road Trip book can be found here by itself or here with a scratch off Map as well.
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with i See Me. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
We have had this idea forever and it seems like others had the same idea as well. We wanted something for our walls that was personal and customized to just our family. What I wanted was to make our family names into a Scrabble like look on our walls. We couldn't find anything at the time to do this. My husband didn't want anything too heavy for the walls, and wanted to be able to re- position if ever we had to add a name in the future. He did a layout on Graph paper years ago, of course we had added quite a few names (we are now grand parents) since then so we are still a work in progress.
A company asked me if I wanted to review their product and I took one look and knew this is exactly what we need to do our project. I went with rounded corners as you can see above but they do have square corners and they have completely round tiles to choose from. Each tile is 4 by 4 inches which is the right size we were looking for. They come with a sanding block and you can stain or paint them which ever way you would like too. These tiles are versatile, think coaster, art projects, ect. We are currently looking for the templates for the letters and numbers and we found a few options for hanging them on the wall. I have links to the tiles which will take you to all and to the options we came up for hanging tiles.
We decided on 3 inch letters and 1/2 inch numbers, found them while putting this blog together for you. We have to order more tiles to get all of our names done and work it out on our walls. We went from smooth walls to wood paneling. We rent so we have to deal with the walls we have at the moment. We live on a small income so we are still getting the supplies together to complete this but hope to get it up soon. Until then there are some inspirational pictures below to see just about how we would like to do ours. I hope you like this and hope to show you ours as we get it up. I am sure it will be years in the making for all of the extra bits around the letters but I am so excited we can finally make this happen.
In our home we are getting ready for school to start after Labor Day here. As exciting as that is, it also reminds me of how close the Holidays are, the Birthdays, and that I want to make time for our whole family to get together from time to time. With more and more people using the internet as their main way to communicate, I have found that getting all of my kids together in one place takes time, and flipping of schedules to accommodate some dates.
Holidays for our family is a given but as a mom I love to see my kids and grand children on a much more regular basis. So finding this awesome site Paperless Post, I was able to make a Family Game night date for the whole year and invite my children in advance. The date and time are set and it goes out to them to their emails. So they can mark they will attend or won't attend with a click of a button.
While at Paperless Post I also put together my youngest daughters Birthday Invitation which will go out closer to her birthday. She wanted a sleep over with just her girl friends this year and from what I can remember this is about the age all of the other girls had theirs too, so I found a really nice set up and just put in our information and had a really nice invitation that she loved.
This site is quick and easy to use, when you sign up you get a few coins in order to make some really nice invitations, and don't worry there are plenty of awesome FREE invitations, birthday cards, etc to choose from, it is your choice. You can also add coins in which to make cards by using your credit card.
I am really excited about this new source to use and I know my Earth loving Vegan Daughter will also love this site. She is all about saving the Earth and learns each day about a new way to do it. For those of you who still like printed cards you can hold in your hands they are available too, just remember there is a 20 minimum order. Check paper cards out at Paper Source.
Now back to Paperless Post where you can find cards like my samples below, or much more. They even have flyers and greeting cards.
So easy to use just sign up for an account, browse what is available, create a card ( I just took their suggestions added in and took out what I wanted and had a card in seconds, literally), then add your guests and when you want the invitations sent out. You can come back to your account click on your event and see who has responded so you will be sure to have the right amount of items for those attending.
Now to make our invitations for the Holidays and checking out the Holiday Greeting Cards as well to make something really nice for our friends and family to cherish in the New Year. Check out Paperless Post and see for yourself how fun going Paperless can really be.
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
My favorite review item this month is this Arm Rest Tray from bauHouse. I had originally got it for my husband so he wouldn't spill his coffee in the living room anymore but it is still on my side and I have been using it everyday. I am in love. Not sure about the rest of my readers but I love when a product actually works well, and this one does with flying colors. I can use this our couches wide arms or my chair much slimmer arm rests.
It is so easy to use just take it out of the box and center on your couch, chair, etc for the best fit and then start using. The size of this for those who need to know is shown in the picture to the left.
Now I can have a snack and a drink without worrying about spills from it tipping off of my arm rests. Check out my video below and if you would like to get one yourself check out my link towards the bottom.
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
Our family loves to use essential oils. Even though we have been using essential oils for a few years now there are still scents out there we haven't tried yet. This set from Pure by Rachelle Parker is great for trying out scents or as a gift idea. The scents included are FRANKINCENSE, PATCHOULI, CLARY SAGE, BERGAMOT, LAVENDER, YLANG YLANG, CAMPHOR, CEDARWOOD, PINE, TEA TREE, LEMONGRASS, ORANGE, EUCALYPTUS, and PEPPERMINT.
My 16 year old wants a oil diffuser of her very own this year for Christmas. The peppermint and lavender are her favorites. They are our most used scents with a few others trailing behind. We use our essential oils in our diffuser, on our wool dryer balls to scent our dry laundry, in our baths, and even dabbed on our bodies.
This set makes a great gift idea for those who have been wanting to try out essential oils but have been afraid to take the leap.
Pure Essential Oils from Rachelle Parker are available at my link below.
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
Our kids are always being invited to Birthday Parties and we like to make sure they have a nice card to give. These Greeting Cards from Suphouse are great because they are blank inside so you can fill in your own Birthday Wishes. There are 4 each of 25 different designs for a total of 100 cards, as well ad envelopes and Happy Birthday Seals. Add a gift card, money, or a gift and you are all set.
I love that I have cards on hand and won't have to run out to the store at the last minute to pick out a card or gift. We are a busy family so having a stock of cards and gift items is really important to saving time. During the year when we see a good price on gifts for those our daughters ages we grab a few to have on hand, so that when our daughters are invited they an pick from the gift ideas and put together a present with very little effort.
Check out my video below
Find 100 Birthday Card Bundle below.
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
Recently I was able to review a really nice bowl. It is decorative and made from thick aluminum. I am really impressed with this bowl and everyone who has seen it falls in love. Right now we are keeping candy in it which really gets it seen by visitors. It stands out and has found a place at the edge of our entertainment center as you enter our living room.
I love how versatile it is and that it will go with most decor be it your living room, kitchen, dining room, or when you are entertaining. The measurements for this are 6"x 6"x 4" and holds 14 fluid ounces. You can see in the picture above just a few examples of how this bowl can be used.
This would make a great wedding, housewarming, or hostess gift. My readers can get an extra 10% off (can change at any time) with code INYOLIVE
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Summer vacation is just around the corner for my children while others are well into their vacations. As a mom I don't want my children to fall behind with their math or reading skills so I like to keep things on hand so they stay on level and maybe gain a few things too. The object for me is to make it fun as well as educational.
I found a great Math app to add to our lineup called Zapzapmath which you can find out more about here. I have a list of specs below for you as well. I was able to get ZApzapmath Home Premium to try for my girls and so far my oldest is loving it but have to wait for my grand daughter to get her so she can check it out as well. Make sure to read below for a nice discount on this app before buying.
What I love most about this is that one account can hold up to 3 children so you save even more if you have multiple children. I downloaded this on my Apple system, and it can also be downloaded on Android but please be aware that they do not support Kindle which was a bummer for us because they are the tablets we ended up going with when we upgraded everyone.
This is great for both the child who loves math and those who need to like it more then they do. While playing each child can accessorize their Avatar and build their own little world. Just think while they are having fun they are also learning which is a win win.
With zapzapmath home you will also get fun learning & math tools which are awesome to have on hand too. This is my opinion and one I think most parents will share with me. If you make learning fun then a child seems to learn better and they retain it much longer then if they just are working through something they don't like or do well at. Giving your child the right tools to succeed is so important in today's society, so why not make it fun too.
Zapzapmath goes from grades K-6 so this will take your little scholar a long way. You get 10 apps with over 180 games.
Check out the video below to find out more about Zapzapmath
Looking to give your kids quality screen time while having fun learning and practicing math? Zapzapmath Home comes to the rescue! With Zapzapmath Home, you can enjoy:
Enjoy over 180+ math games from K to Grade Add up to 3 kid profiles With just one Zapzapmath Home Premium Membership. You get full access to all 10 apps:
Grade K to Grade 6 (7 Apps )
Over 180 fun math games covering all math topics
Fraction Basics App
Learn fractions easily from all 12 animated videos
Fraction Calculator + Decimals App
Check your fractions homework easily and speedily
Multiplication Flash Cards
Practice your multiplication in a fun and engaging way
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
Have you ever gone to the beach and when you are leaving you tell the kids to make sure they don't get the seats wet? Well with this Alfa Gear Microfiber Towel seat cover you have a nice slip proof cover for your seats that will soak up the wetness, leaving your seats dry. This cover attaches easily with just a snap on your head rest and you are ready to go. It is 28 by 60 inches so you have plenty of coverage for both the seat and your leg area.
Besides using this when visiting the beach, pool, or lake, it can be used for yoga, on exercise equipment to give you that extra barrier between a surface that has been used by an unknown amount of people, golf carts, or even just because you sweat. A great gift idea and something I am sure we will use often as the summer months are just around the corner which means trips to the pool and beach.
Find this Alfa Gear Microfiber Towel Seat Cover below.
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
This AncordWorks Bluetooth shower speaker is great for those who need music while enjoying their bath time. Besides being Bluetooth compatible (we had a hard time getting it to sink) it has a TF memory card slot so you can have your favorite bath time tunes ready to go.
This is a great gift idea for teens, grads who are going off to college, or anyone who enjoys tunes while bathing. It comes with charger, suction cup, carabiner clip, and instructions. Also comes with a 100% Risk-free 12 months Manufacture Warranty.
Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review or promote a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.
