VTech Kid Connect and Innotab 3S Giveaway

November 2, 2013 By

Disclosure: I was provided by VTech with a subscription to Premium Kid Connect to facilitate this review. VTech is supplying the Innotab 3S for the giveaway.

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I recently told you about the cool VTech Innotab 3S that my boys have really been enjoying, but now that tablet has become even cooler. We finally installed the VTech Kid Connect which allows my boys can send me text messages from their Innotab 3S directly to my mobile phone anytime and anywhere. To me the beauty of this is that we are on a safe and secure system that only allows them to text approved devices. No chance of them texting the wrong person, or more importantly have a stranger text them! And although we don’t have a second InnoTab 3S, if we did, our kids could safely text message each other directly. I think it would be fun if my in-laws were to get an Innotab 3S for our niece and nephew so my sons could stay in touch with their cousins, whom they love dearly. I know hijinx would ensue as soon as those 5 got a hold of Kid Connect.  They would be talking to each other every chance they got. Which for us would be a wonderful relationship builder.

As the mom of a child with autism, I know how important it is to build connections between my child and other kids. With Kid Connect my boys can talk to friends, each other, and me and my husband in a very safe environment. They still get the thrill of using an electronic device, and I get the piece of mind that we know exactly who they are communicating with. Such a win-win situation!

VTech Kid Connect app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play, and the Innotab 3S comes with a one years subscription to Basic Kid Connect.We got a chance to try out the Premium Kid Connect subscription and it is super fun! My boys have really enjoyed sending me voice message, photos and drawings. I have actually loved sending drawings back to them, but I think they like getting the voice messages the best. For the first two weeks after registration of your InnoTab 3S, a Deluxe Apps package with Premium Kid Connect is available for $14.99. The package also includes Movie Maker (a $7.99 value), a stop-motion animation app that lets kids become movie directors. Once the two week promotional period is over, Premium Kid Connect can be purchased separately for $14.99.

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To find out all the latest information about VTech and Kid Connect you can follow them on Twitter or like them on Facebook

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The Boys Who Couldn’t Get Enough of the InnoTab 3S and Giveaway

October 4, 2013 By

Disclosure: I was provided by VTech with an InnoTab 3S to help facilitate my review. VTech has also provided the additional information and the InnoTab 3S for the giveaway. All opinions are my own.

I wasn’t really sure what to make of the new InnoTab 3S. Mostly because my older two boys already own Kindles. We were hoping the InnoTab 3S would be a good substitute for our youngest son. He always wants to play whatever his big brothers are playing. But boy were we wrong! Instead of being a substitute it is a highly coveted prize all it’s own. The three of them fight over the darn thing. If one gets it, then next one is clambering on top of him to get at it. My fool proof plan was obviously NOT fool proof.

My boys have had a great time playing with the InnoTab 3S. They absolutely love the built in camera. Not only can they take photos but they can also take video. It is actually pretty darn cool. They have each been able to customize their logins with photos of themselves and even recorded their own greetings to themselves which play whenever they log in. I often find them making movies together. So that is a real nice upside – they are playing TOGETHER!!

The boys have browsed several other cartridges (it comes with one called Read, Play and Create) and are dying to get The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Turtle Power cartridge. Matthew swears Santa will be bringing it for Christmas this year. I think he is probably right. Shh, don’t tell anyone. 

Lorenzo has really taken to the E-Reader option which will read books to him. He will play them over and over. And all three of them have enjoyed the Magic Beanstalk Game where you grow your own beanstalk by taking virtual care of it. There is also a game they refer to as the H2O game which teaches them about water and all the different properties of water, how it rains, etc. They love it. I haven’t looked at it, but they talk about it A LOT.

The InnoTab 3S also has a kids-safe wi-fi connection. I haven’t allowed the boys to use that feature yet, not because I don’t trust InnoTab 3S but more because they haven’t even gotten to it yet. They have been so engaged in the rest of the toy that we will open that feature up to them in the near future.

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Lastly there is a very, very cool feature which allows kids to send their parents stickers and short messages, directly to their parent’s smart phones. I know that Lorenzo, our youngest, is just going to LOVE that feature. And once the other two boys get a hold of it my husband is going to get some darn cute messages while at work. This is a great way for the kids to feel like adults or older teens without the worry of what they could be exposed to with more traditional messaging apps.

I am very please with the InnoTab 3S and I know my boys are enjoying a quality electronic toy that has both education items and just plain fun activities too.

InnoTab 3S retails at MSRP $99.99 and is recommended for children 3 to 9 years old. Keep up with InnoTab 3S and VTech on their social media sites

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Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

August 22, 2013 By

Disclosure: I have received compensation for this post.

I know that Back To School is upon us – I just spent all morning stuffing “Back To School” folders at our elementary school! And I also know that sending 3 kids to school, even public school, is super expensive. We had a ton of supplies to purchase this year, and lots of new clothes to buy.

That leads me to this really cool opportunity. Wouldn’t you love to win an Amazon Gift Card that could help offset some of those Back To School expenses? Or even better, let the money buy you something fun for one of your hobbies. I’ve been eyeing several watercolor paints to help me work on my new watercolor hobby.

Internet Payment Exchange, Inc., a leading provider of online payment services, is a proud sponsor of this giveaway.

Back-to-school season is here and who couldn’t use a little extra spending money? This $100 Amazon.com gift card giveaway is perfect for picking up last minute supplies or even a little something for yourself.

Entering is easy – just use the simple Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to US residents only and ends September 1, 2013.

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Fabio Viviani Comfort Mat by Smart Step Home Review and Giveaway

July 24, 2013 By

 

 

 

Disclosure: I was provided with a free Comfort Mat to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. No other compensation was received. 

My aching back! And legs and feet! Yikes.

 

I have suffered from a bad back for years, and standing for long periods of time usually makes it worse. I have often come down in the morning and stood over the kitchen stove while holding my back for the intense pain. I have to prepare breakfast, but cooking at the stove leaves my legs and back feeling strained and sore. I have coveted kitchen mats for a very long time.

Fabio Viviani of Top Chef fame has a beautiful line of kitchen mats called the Fabio Viviani Comfort Mat by Smart Step Home. They are just beautiful mats designed by Fabio Viviani to be reminiscent of his home; Italy. I loved the Mercato design with the fork, spoon and knife motif. To me it is perfect for the kitchen, and it comes in two colors, caramel and mocha. I personally adore the mocha, it is so dark and rich looking, but the caramel was a more perfect choice for our kitchen colors. The other mat, which also comes in caramel and mocha, has a more stylized pattern which would make it ideal for not only the kitchen but other areas of the home and office. I could imagine it being used in a work shop or studio.

Both styles are made of the same polyurethane composite. These are highly durable mats that will not breakdown and do not roll up. My husband and I have been using the mat for a little over a week and we are extremely pleased with how our legs, feet and back feel while cooking. We can’t get over just how much cushion they provide over our hardwood floors. The mat feels wonderful when I’m in my bare feet. The texture is smooth and it holds a comfortable temperature. I actually would love to get a second mat for under the kitchen sink.

Win Your Own Fabio Viviani Comfort Mat by Smart Step Home:

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