**The product for this review and giveaway was provided by HABA. All opinions are my own.

Although December is a couple of months away, I know it will come quickly. I've already started thinking about Christmas shopping, and have a few things bought already! When it comes to finding my kids high quality gifts, I know I can always count on HABA. With Dolls, games and play sets lovingly crafted and affordably priced, HABA makes cherished presents that will be enjoyed now and in years to come. Not only is the quality top-notch, but I appreciate that we will never need a charger, USB Cable or Wi-Fi Hot spot to use their toys. Kids love classic toys that encourage them to use their imagination and get creative. It's neat as a parent to watch which is why I always enjoy learning about new HABA products.

For those who aren't familiar, HABA is known for handsome, high quality baby and children's toys as well as their children's games and dolls. The company's products are always seen in national parenting and lifestyle magazines plus they've won nearly every prestigious German and American toy award. 

Browsing through their website, I was drawn to the My First Play World toy and knew it would be something my boys would love! I was thrilled to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review it!  

 

When our My First Play World arrived, I was happy to find that once again, HABA did not disappoint! The quality is superb! They have even kept moms in mind by making the play set fold up into a handy carrying case. I greatly appreciate this, as it makes it easy for us to keep all of the pieces together and easy for the kids to tote around wherever they're playing!

I was impressed with how many play figures were included. They are all designed with such care and even stand on their own! There are 2 firefighters, 1 fire engine, 1 cord as water hose, 1 cat, 1 tree, 1 ladder, 1 fire hydrant, 3 fire game counters, 3 fire brigade game counters, set of game instructions for 18 months and up.

 

One of the neatest things though, is when the carrying case is folded down and the fire brigade is open. It leaves endless room for the imagination and fosters a child's language skills through play.  Kaden got so excited when he saw the playset. It's a really nice size and he didn't even need any help...he just began playing! It was fun to watch as he took the firetruck to put out the fire by a tree, and to help a cat that was stuck on top of the building. The sky is the limit with a toy like this. One day he's on a mission to put out a building fire, and the next he's busy putting out tree fires.

Even Caysen gets in on the play and drives the firetruck around while Caysen plays with some of the figures inside the firehouse. I love that it's a toy they can use together.

Since this allows for such open-ended play, the boys don't seem to get bored with it. They come back day after day ready to play again. It's so neat to watch and just another reason why I am such a fan of HABA and their great toys!

If you're looking for great gift ideas this Christmas, you can make your holiday shopping easy with HABA. Take your pick of sweet dolls, water toys and even board games! You can visit www.HABAusa.com to learn more.

Buy It:  You can purchase the My First Play World - Fire Brigade Large Play Set for $49.99 from HABA. 

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win their choice of one of the following toys:

Roly Poly Figures:  Frog • Kasper • Hedgehog

Musical Eggs

Pure Nature's Pudgie Puppy

Boating Set

My Very First Games – Counting Fun

My Very First Games - Here, Fishy, Fishy!

Water Friends Angler Set

My First Play World - Fire Brigade Large Play Set

Sun Bistro Pizza Bakery

Nicky Bath Game by Lilliputiens

Marcel Memory Game by Lilliputiens

Hook Table Seat by Götz

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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**I participated in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Wet Ones. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating

It's hard to believe that the month of September is wrapping up. The trees are beginning to turn color, the air is cooler, and school is in full swing! So far the school year has been flying by, just as expected. It took a couple of weeks to adjust to the new schedule after our relaxing and flexible summer break. Thankfully, we're all used to the new wake-up time, bedtimes and after-school activities.

I think the back-to-school after-school activities are what really keeps us busy. The kids have church every wednesday, and Kaelyn is starting tumbling. She and Kaden will also be starting swimming lessons soon as well. It keeps us on-the-go a lot, which means many snacks are eaten in the car. Thankfully, we still have our Wet Ones on-hand for on-the-go cleanliness. 

Whether we're headed to or from an activity, school or church...Wet ONes helps keep our family germ-free during the busy days. I love having them for the kids to use before and after they eat their snack, and anytime they are finished with an activity and being around a lot of people...and germs. They're perfect for all of life's sticky situations.

Speaking of that, Wet Ones has created an online booklet filled with "Sticky Situations" from Moms and teachers. The online booklet is a free resource filled with notable moments, tips and advice that celebrates all of life's "Sticky Situations". You can check it out here.

We've had some memorable family "sticky situations' over the years that stand out to me. In the summer time we'd often take a break and have Popsicles. That almost always leads to sticky situations. Thankfully it has been warm enough here, that we've been able to enjoy them still this month! YAY!

When we're on the go, we usually enjoy a snack in the car. That sometimes even means a stop for some ice cream. The kids love it, but it can get quite messy. Thankfully, Wet Ones helps! 

I also love Wet Ones for the times we're grocery shopping and need something to wipe off the handle of the cart. This is just one way I know Wet Ones is helping to keep my family germ-free and healthier!

Since school started, I've also been sending them in Kaelyn's lunch box which helps give me peace of mind that we're doing what we can to keep her healthy.

Where can you get Wet Ones?!

Available in two fragrances, Fresh and Citrus Scent, Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes come in three convenient forms:

    •    40 count canister, which is designed to fit into a standard car cup holder
    •    15 count travel pack
    •    24 count box of individually wrapped single wipes

There's also pediatrician-tested Wet Ones® Hand Wipes for Sensitive Skin! They're hypoallergenic, alcohol- and fragrance-free. Each wipe has an extra mild cleanser & soothing moisturizers to help keep the touchiest skin touchable. Sensitive Skin Hand Wipes come in three handy sizes:

    •    40 count canister, which is designed to fit into a standard car cup holder
    •    15 count travel pack
    •    24 count box of individually wrapped single wipes

Buy: Wet Ones® Antibacterial products are available at Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens and other national retailers. Visit www.WetOnes.com or call 866-WET-111S for additional information. 

**I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Welch's. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

From the time I became a mother, I have been told that my kids will grow right before my eyes. Wow, is that ever true! They are only small for so long and I want to soak up every moment. Spending time as a family is very important to my husband and I, which is why we sit down as a family for supper almost every night together. 

I appreciate that Welch's believes in the magic of "kitchen table" moments as well. They have been helping families enjoy them for generations. In the time it takes to drink a glass of juice or share a sandwich, a special moment can happen. That's why Welch's just launched a new movement called "share What's Good". It's all about sharing those special moments that occur each day with family, friends and loved ones. 

In visiting Sharewhatsgood.com, I found that there's a variety of great content from fun family ideas to delicious recipes! You can even share photos of your every-day moments and see how others are doing the same.

As part of the Share what's good campaign, there's also a "Share What's Good" Photo Contest. Until October 25, you can upload a photo of your family moment for a chance to win $5,000!! And, while there is only one grand prize, everyone who enters will get a $1.50 coupon for Welch's 100% Grape Juice - or $2 if you share the news.

You can visit Sharewhatsgood.com to learn more and enter! 

You can also connect with Welch's on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

 

*I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom CentralConsulting for McCain Foods. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

 

Growing up, I remember having family meals together on a regular basis. I think it's important to spend time together as a family, sharing about our days and just being with one another. It's something I try to do now that I have children too! 

 

How about you? Do you sit down for meals with your family on a regular basis? If so, McCain Potatoes wants to help! They are running a McCain Grocery Goodness Giveaway Contest where 1 winner will be selected each week (8 winners total) to receive a $500 grocery store gift card! Contestants can also check out the Grocery Goodness Giveaway tab to receive a $1 off coupon off any 1 bag of McCain Potato products!

“Load up on groceries your family loves, and bring naturally good moments to the dinner table every time you serve McCain Potatoes."

Be sure to head over to the McCain Facebook page and check it out! 

**The product for this review was provided by Creative Baby Inc. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

It's hard to believe how much the times have changed. When I was a child, technology was limited and now we have young children with digital devices like smart phones, tablets and flash drives at their finger tips. Now even toddlers as young as 18 months have their own device, the soft and colorful foam i-Mat.

 Creative Baby Inc. develops products to excite, challenge and simply delight tots and introduced the i-Mat: My Animal World in August. This is the first in a series of themed interactive foam mats and made of four interlocking soft sections that are activated when used with its Voice Pen. 

What's neat is that both babies and older siblings can learn while exploring the illustrated mat with a simple point on the word bubble. They are instantly rewarded with an animal sound, a word, music or a foreign language translation! Wow! 

When I was introduced to more information about the i-Mat, I was very intrigued and interested in learning more. That's why I was excited when asked if we'd like to test it out and share our thoughts! 

When the i-Mat: My Animal World arrived, my kids were very eager to give it a try. I was excited too! Afterall, I love when we're able to find fun, educational activities and toys that all three of them can use and enjoy. It's also appreciated that the mat is phthalate, lead and have metal-free, and no electronics mean no worries for wiping the mat clean!

Out of the box I was impressed with the quality of the mat. It's soft, but durable. I can tell it will hold up to a lot of use which is great...as all three of my kids love it! It was very easy to piece together, almost like a puzzle. The kids liked helping get it set up. 

Once it was all set up, we pressed the on/off button on the voice pen to begin. We knew it was working when we heard a child's laughter and the blue light flash. Using the pen with the i-Mat, we pressed the on/off symbol on the mat to activate the connection between the i-Mat and Voice Pen. We were greeted with a Hello which let us know we could get started. 

We then got the volume set where we wanted it, as well as the language by pushing the correct flag. We hadn't even gotten started yet, and the kids were already learning about different languages and countries! YAY!

First we began with out pushing either of the Game symbols. Caysen took the pen and touched the different animals with the voice pen to discover their names, sounds and the sounds of the environment where they live. He loves it and seems to be learning a lot each time we use it!

For older children like Kaden and Kaelyn, there are learning games that are a lot of fun too. Game one is beginners mode and calls out an animal and asks you to find it. Game 2 is an advanced mode and gives an animal sound and asks you to find the corresponding animal. 

 

It's really neat to see how all three of my children ranging from 1-5 can use this mat, have fun and learn new things. It's easy for them to use, and safe which I appreciate more than anything! 

If you're looking for a fun and educational activity for your children, one that can be used from 18 months+...I would definitely recommend checking out the i-Mat My Animal World from Creative Baby! 

Here's a quick video to show the kids using it to give you an idea of how it works. So neat! 

We absolutely love it and can't wait for two more themed adventures to launch soon. The i-Mat My Alphabet and i-Mat Under the Sea!! As new mats are introduced, parents can connect the Voice Pen to any computer with interet access (with the included USB cable), download the new sound file from Creative Baby's website and explore the new i-Mat adventures.

Buy It:  Sold as a set, the foamy pad and pen together retail for $79.99. For a limited time, Creative Baby offers free shipping for all pre-orders too! New pads will be priced from $24.99 to $29.99.

 

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win an i-Mat: My Animal World like we received. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter Giveaway below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
*I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Green Works. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and promotional item as a thank you for participating.

We've always been pretty good about recycling and helping to keep our environment and earth clean, but I will admit, gave very little thought to the cleaning products I used in our home before I became a mom. That all changed however, when I had a new little life to care for and raise. I educated myself on living more green and using more eco-friendly products that contain natural ingredients. That's when I came across Green Works. Cleaning products like this, not only helps keep our planet clean, but is also healthier for my family. 

 

The Green Works Naturally Derived All-Purpose Cleaner is formulated using plant and mineral based biodegradable cleaning ingredients. It handles daily routines without the harshness of traditional cleaners. YAY! 

Here are some of the things I love most about the the Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner:

• It provides an easy and practical way to use naturally derived products without compromising performance
• It's packaged in bottles that can be recycled
• Not tested on animals
•  No available with SMART TUBE Technology that allows consumers to spray every drop of the liquid!

We prefer to use eco-friendly cleaning products, and have used Green Works for quite some time. Using natural products helps give me peace of mind that I'm doing what's best to give my kids the very best start in life. I feel good knowing that they aren't being exposed to the harsh chemicals in traditional cleaners, and that we're helping to care for the earth as well!

I love that Green Works is dedicated to green living, and to jumpstart their mission, they have created interactive Pinterest Games to inspire people to live green. I would definitely recommend learning more about the Pinterest Games and encourage you to play by creating your own Pinterest board using the hashtag #Greenworksgames! It's easy and a lot of fun! A great way to inspire your Pinterest friends/followers to live green as well and of course, a chance to win a $500 Gift Card!!

You can check Green Works out on Pinterest, here and learn more about the Pinterest Games as well.

Trying to pay back your own student loans or maybe even helping out your children overcome their debts can certainly be very intimidating. Don’t worry! It is possible to pay back any college loans. It normally takes energy, sure, and in all likelihood a lot of consistent effort. If you have to the right method, you might additionally be able to do it faster than you would expect. However, let’s discuss the reason why you ought to make an effort to pay or help pay your kids’ college loans off sooner than needed.

You’ll help save some money. Let’s say your kid has got a $30,000 loan using a 4.5% monthly interest rate that needs to be paid off over 20 years – that’s a whopping $15,550 in interest. However, when if it is paid off completely in precisely 10 years, that’s a savings of $8,240. Should it only take five years, $11,993 will be saved. That’s ample money to obtain a brand new vehicle. Or maybe, based on where you reside, a complete year or so of rent payments.

Doing away with university student loan debt even provides the debtor with a whole lot of independence - the liberty to try a lower-paying occupation that they will cherish more, the freedom to travel abroad, also the opportunity to undertake other “good” debts - such as a mortgage for a first home.

It’s also important to understand that defaulting on a student loan will surely have grave repercussions; in truth, not paying back student loan debt is usually worse than not paying off other sorts of financial debt. Defaulting on your own loans can destroy your credit score, rendering it tricky to do almost everything from signing up for simple utilities to leasing a condo. Your financial troubles could possibly expand thanks to accruing interest. And if you have federal government loans, the government can add charges or perhaps garnish your wages, requiring your boss to hold back cash out of your salary and send it straight to the federal government.

There are occassions when it is without a doubt wiser to pay off some other loans prior to education loans - for those who have other debt with a higher annual percentage rate, pay that down initially, and it’s makes sense to develop an tragedy fund with a minimum of $1,000 as you start repaying education loan debt. But in addition to that, it can be definitely useful to pay back your main student loans as quickly as possible. It’s not always hassle-free, but it is possible.

Loan consolidation is likewise a choice, but is not the right choice for everyone. However, for many people, it will also help. Combining your financial loans - grouping many smaller sized financial loans in to one particular large one - can make paying for your current loans more convenient, because you have only one servicing company. Consolidation can make it harder to use the “debt snowball” approach with your loans - a procedure for debt reimbursement which usually has you pay off your minutest debt initially, and then “snowballing” the amount of money you're putting towards your debt to the next most important debt, and so forth. This method works for all sorts of personal debt, not just education loan debt

Consolidation also can prolong the timeframe required to pay off your loan at a bank such as the TD student loan repayment. While this can assist by offering an individual the possibility of lower repayments in the short-term, also note that you’ll be paying additional interest in the long-term. You might also experience different problems if you’re considering merging your personal credit - since the credit crunch, a lot fewer organizations are offering private loan consolidation.