Little Pim Foreign Language DVD Series

It's been years since I have taken a Spanish language class. Although back in the day, I was actually semi-fluent. I completely support and appreciate the importance of children learning at least one 2nd language- it is such an amazing skill to have. I hope to teach Lily Bean bits and pieces of Spanish, and the Little Pim series makes it a little easier!

Through a cute and engaging video, the Little Pim Spanish DVD that we watched was very well done. Words are shown on the screen, repeated multiple times, and acted out (mostly by children). Our DVD was Volume 1: Eating and Drinking. Lily Bean and I watched as various meal related scenes played out- with Spanish vocabulary for food, utensils, and other actions appeared on the program.

I was impressed that Lily was fairly interested. She watched for about 5 minutes or so before wandering across the room to fetch some toys. I left the DVD on and found her checking the show out several times. I have a feeling that the older she gets, the more engaged in the DVD she'll become.

The Little Pim DVD Series comes in ten different languages: Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Arabic, English and German.

Purchase options include:

• Individual Little Pim DVD in any of the ten languages. Disc one: Eating and Drinking; Disc two: Wake Up Smiling; Disc three: Playtime – $17.95 each

• Little Pim Three-Pak is the three-DVD introduction to more than 180 vocabulary words and phrases in your chosen language – $49.95

• Little Pim Gift Set includes a Little Pim Three-Pak in your chosen language plus an 8-inch velvety soft plush toy of Little Pim, the panda, in a fun, re-usable tote – $59.95

• Little Pim Deluxe Gift Set, available only in Spanish or French, includes the three-disc set, the plush toy, a music CD and flash cards in a fun, re-usable tote – $84.95

Blurb.com Photo Books

Sometimes memories are so precious, only the highest quality method of preserving them will do. That is the case with Blurb.com. I have tried many company's photobooks. Most have been okay, some have had less than quality printing. Blurb Books and their quality can be summed up in one word: stunning.

In what was an extremely hard task, I chose my very favorite pictures that Caitlin Domanico has taken of Lily Bean throughout her first year of life. I used them to put together a Large Landscape book. Blurb was kind enough to give me a credit to put towards part of my book price.

One thing that I really like about Blurb is that you design your book using their easy to use software. After downloading the software onto your computer, you create the book offline. It's very user friendly (an amateur should have no problem using it) and there are various templates and page layouts to choose from. You can choose a book jacket or have your images printed directly on the cover.

Once you're finished creating and reviewing your book, you simply upload it (well, the software uploads it) back to Blurb.com. You then order your book, and within about a week, it's delivered to your door! Books start at just $12.95 for a 7x7 inch square hardback book.

Start creating your own Blurb Book today! (They also offer gift certificates- what a cool gift for just about anyone on your list!)

Tasty Treats from Edible Gifts Plus!

Sometimes it's hard to know what kind of gift to send a friend, co-worker, or loved one. You want to send something that he or she will appreciate, but it kind be mindboggling to sift through the thousands of choices online.

Look no further! There are some incredibly tasty (and super affordable!) treats available at Edible Gifts Plus! Pictured to the left are their fortune cookies, which come in all sorts of different themes- you can even have your very own custom message placed inside!

Edible Gifts Plus has yummy concoctions for pretty much any occasion and any person you might be shopping for. Cookies, cakes, chocolate dipped oreos, dipped fruit, Rice Krispie treats, and so much more!

Confession: Edible Gifts Plus sent some of their caramel dipped fortune cookies for Lily Bean's 1st birthday party. They were so good that my guests inhaled them before I even had a chance to try ONE!!!!! I had to hunt down several of the guilty cookie eaters and ask them if they had enjoyed the cookies- a big YES from all involved!

Kushies: My Bag

When I was a little girl, one of my childhood friends had the best overnight bag. Ever. It was a little overnight bag in a candy apple red color. It fit just enough but not too much. The bag proudly proclaimed "Going to Grandma's" on the side. It was simply delicious. Boy I wanted a bag like that!

I am thrilled to introduce you to today's (much improved) version of a fun kid's bag: My Bag by Kushies!

How cute are they? I was excitedly awaiting the arrival of my very own My Bag, and when the box was delivered, I ripped into it immediately. The My Bag comes in two color schemes: pink and brown or blue and brown.

I had such a fun time discovering all of the components of this bag, I decided to put together a Vlog of the experience. Watch it below to see what I thought of this bag (subscribers, if you don't see a video below, please hop on over to mamacheaps.com to view it).




In case you don't have the chance to watch the video, let me sum up the My Bag. Here are all of the items it comes stuffed with:

• Cool compartments for your stuff
• 1 insulated snack box
• 1 insulated medicine box
• 1 clean clothes bag
• 1 dirty clothes bag
• 1 soiled clothes bag with laundry bag insert
• 1 spare shoes bag
• A blanket and a pillow
• A handy hook for hanging

This bag is perfect for a variety of events including: sleepovers, playdates, pool visits, vacations, daycare, and the list goes on!

You can check out the My Bag as well as other quality products here (Kushies offers one stop shopping for innovative quality goods for baby and toddler, baby essentials, award winning toys, organic items, and more).

Gotta have a My Bag of your own?!? You're in luck! Kushies is offering a 10% off any purchase discount to MamaCheaps' readers! Just enter the promo code MC10 at checkout!

Baby So Smart: Mei Tai Carrier

BWhen Lily Bean was a newborn, I remember reading different snippets here in there in this book or that magazine about "baby wearing." It sounded interesting, but with everything else that I was getting used to and learning, I simply didn't investigate it any further. Now I'm kind of wishing that I had!

Baby So Smart makes custom silk baby slings and Mei Tai carriers that look just beautiful on their site... but I have to say, the pictures on their site do an injustice to the beyond scrumptious carriers that actually arrive at your door.

I had the honor of reveiwing a Mei Tai carrier in the Candy Tai print.

What is a Mei Tai?

"The Mei Tai is based on a centuries old Chinese style baby carrier. Usually square or slightly rectangular in shape, the Mei Tai has four straps-- two waist, two shoulder-- and was traditionally used as a back carrrier, although many people prefer to use a Mei Tai as a front carrier. The Mei Tai can also be worn as a hip carrier or with baby on the wearer's front facing outward, in the "Kangaroo" hold."

Here is a picture of this beautiful carrier:



And here I am, trying it out with Lily Bean:



I found this carrier to be SO comfortable! You can use the Mei Tai as a back carrier, front carrier, or hip carrier. I enjoyed the hip carrier position the most... that's how I usually carry Lily Bean, and it felt so natural (but hands free!!) with the carrier. I was impressed with how the fabric was able to distribute her weight... I can honestly say that I didn't have any pain or back strain while wearing Lily Bean- and that's saying something because she is quite the chunk these days!

The Baby So Smart Mei Tai comes in a variety of patterns and has an array of options for your to choose. Have your own piece of fabric that you would love to have as a carrier? Baby So Smart does that, too! There are directions on their site explaining how to send your own fabric!

I absolutely adore this product! I am looking forward to using it more with Lily Bean- it opens up a new world of possibilities, and I love the bonding that it promotes!