Explore this Summer with Your Child in the @myfreeloader!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Do you have a toddler or young child that likes to be carried? Are you from a family that likes to visit new places, explore, hike or go places with your toddlers? Then YOU need The Freeloader! It is a compact, lightweight, portable child carrier and uses advanced materials and designs to create a better experience for parents who love spending time with their kids.

In our family, we like to hike, explore, go to the zoo, go on lots of walks and so much more! I get so tired of hauling the stroller around everywhere we go but my 2 year old son gets tired of walking easily. So I have been searching for a great carrier that will grow with him and can even carry my other children if they get tired too!

The Freeloader is all those things and MORE!

The Freeloader is the first child carrier built specifically for toddlers! Whether you are traveling by air, going to the zoo, or hiking with your little ones, the Freeloader is ready to help carry the load. The Freeloader is a perfect fit for parents that want a lighter, more versatile carrier.

The Freeloader features an easy-to-use, 5-point safety harness. The safety harness is specially designed to fasten securely and safely out-of-reach of your child. When not in use, the Freeloader's integrated aluminum seat folds up neatly to the size of a daypack.

The Freeloader provides wide, ergonomic shoulder and waist straps to evenly distribute your child's weight to your hips and core. The contoured shoulder straps are adjustable and provide extra padding for comfort and support. Padding in the back panel and seat offers extended comfort for your child. The Freeloader is small enough to carry-on and stows away neatly, making it perfect for air travel, road trips and more.

Both my husband and I were able to take turns carrying and using The Freeloader and it actually was quite comfortable to wear once I got it all adjusted. My son said he was also very comfortable and he enjoyed getting carried and looking around!

Plus, it was actually really easy to get set up, put my son in and strap on. I thought it looked daunting at first, but after reading the directions, he had it on and ready to go in minutes! We just strapped the two straps to hold my son in and then strapped the two straps for my support of carrying him! Adjust it to what is comfortable and you are all set!

I can't wait to go exploring this summer as a family with The Freeloader!

Buy It:

You can purchase The Freeloader in 3 colors for $299.99 from the Freeloader online store.

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Get Ready for Vacation Season with Aurorae Aqua Towels & Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Summer may be over but vacation time is just starting! And of the most important items to bring on a vacation is a great beach towel!

Aurorae has your (wet!) back this vacation season because they recently launched a new division, Aurorae Aqua, and they now sell ultra absorbent, 32" x 68", Microfiber Sport & Swim Towels. These are available in vibrant and inspiring colors -- perfect for the whole family - year round!

The towels have been a big hit for beach and pool use, but are the perfect size and weight for all outdoor sports, and spectator use. Many of their customers are now using their towels for hiking, camping and picnics, or as a lightweight blanket for sideline use at their kids' sports games.

I really LOVE the variety of fun colors there is to choose from. We chose the Fiji Sunset and Mediterranean Seas towels and I instantly could see and feel how soft and large these towels were!

They aren't the thickest or plushest towels I have seen but that also means they will dry fast and dry off soaking wet bodies quickly and easily! Plus, they take up less room in a suitcase! :)

More features:

• Plush, High Quality, Soft Microfiber Towel, Durable and Long Lasting
• Extra Large, 32" by 68," Compact and Lightweight for Ease of Packing and Transport
• Colors Reminiscient of Scenic Waterfront Locations

If you need a quality beach towel for your vacation this winter, check out the new towels from Aurorae!

Buy It:

You can purchase Aurorae Towels for $24.99 from the Aurorae Yoga website.

Win It:

Aurorae is generously offering (1) Aurorae Aqua Microfiber Towel to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Aurorae Aqua Microfiber Sport & Swim Towel

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Aurorae for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago Family Getaway Package Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Today we have a really, really, REALLY special giveaway to celebrate the holidays! It is a GETAWAY package that will be fun and relaxing for your whole family! 

It is brought to you by LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago and Hyatt Place Schaumburg and it is sure to be the perfect place for a family getaway this winter!

Package Details:

Step out of the cold and into a winter wonderland at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago’s annual Holiday Bricktacular and spend a cozy night at the Hyatt Place Schaumburg. This holiday package includes 1 night stay at the Hyatt Place in Schaumburg and 4 tickets to LEGOLAND Discovery Center. The perfect family getaway this holiday season!

Hotel Details:

Hyatt Place Schaumburg

Address: 1851 McConnor Pkwy, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Website: http://schaumburg.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

Complimentary shuttle to and from LEGOLAND Discovery Center also included, based on availability. Enjoy our large rooms, each with a pull out sofa sleeper and mini refrigerator, perfect for families! Complimentary internet and hot continental breakfast. Additional tickets available to purchase from the hotel.

Special Event Details:

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Holiday Bricktacular runs December 6th – January 4th, 2015. Festivities Include:

* Stroll through the winter-themed MINILAND decked out with snowmen and hundreds of holiday-themed Minifigures

* Learn how to make a LEGO Gingerbread House in the Master Builder Academy

* Snap a festive photo with the Center’s life-sized Santa and Snowman LEGO models in Santa’s Grotto

* Trek on in to the festive factory tour (all guests receive a Holiday-themed factory brick)

* Enter our daily raffle to win fun LEGO prizes

* Take part in creative building challenges, and more!

Win It: 

 (1) LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago Brick’tacular Family Getaway Package to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago 
Family Getaway Package
including: 
-1 night stay at the Hyatt Place in Schaumburg 
- 4 tickets to LEGOLAND Discovery Center
(package expires October 21, 2015)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Revolution Foods Meal Kits & Giveaway

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Summers can be a busy time for families and a lot of families turn towards unhealthy, fast foods when they are on the go! I am here today to recommend something better for you and your family when on the go this summer: Revolution Foods!

Revolution Foods is on a mission to change the way America eats by providing access to healthy and affordable meals in schools and in stores. They want to build lifelong healthy eaters by making kid-inspired, chef-crafted food accessible to all.

Today they offer healthy meals in both schools and stores. They serve over one million freshly prepared meals every week to K-12 schools nationwide and their retail products are available across the country.

They say "Real Food for All™" because they believe everyone should have access to real foods. Foods that
are whole. Foods made with carefully-considered ingredients that promote healthy growth and development. Their meals are made from natural ingredients. Nothing fake. Nothing artificial (*no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.) Because you deserve nothing less!

What makes them great for traveling, summer vacations and days at the beach?

Revolution Foods Meal Kits are convenient, great tasting, healthy meals that are packed with protein, at least 7 grams of whole grains and include one serving of fruit. Revolution Foods Meal Kits will satisfy even the pickiest eater. They are great grab-and-go meals when headed to the beach or family picnic, or are great to stash in a cooler during summer road trips.

These natural meal kits have nothing but the good stuff!

• humanely raised meat without antibiotics, nitrites or nitrates
• cheese made from milk not treated with rBST growth hormone
• at least 7 grams of whole grains per kit
• 1 serving of fruit in each kit

These are definitely WAY better than stopping at a fast food restaurant or packing other junk for the day at the beach! Replace that unhealthy stuff with Revolution Foods Meal Kits! I love the short ingredient lists for each item and there are no colors, high fructose corn syrup, or MSG. We will definitely be eating these on-the-go this summer!

Buy It: You can purchase Revolution Foods Meal Kits at various retailers including Whole Foods and Target!

Win It: Revolution Foods is generously offering (3) Free Meal Kits Vouchers to TWO lucky winners!

Enter here for a chance to win:

THREE Revolution Foods Meal Kits Vouchers 
(TWO Winners!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* Thank you to Revolution Foods for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Support & Shop at Your Local Toy Store!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

The holidays are drawing near (even if you don't want to believe it!) and one of the things at the top of my children's gift wish lists every year is new toys! It just seems like you can't go wrong with toys for children - it seems toys are made to be fun for a wide range of ages and both genders these days!

If you are on a toy hunt this holiday season, let me recommend you check out your local toy store! You will find a fun, happy atmosphere where the employees have a passion for children and the toys they offer! You can get your questions answered directly and they always have an AMAZING selection of toys to choose from because that is their specialty! Plus, more of your dollar stays in the community and it creates a multiplier effect in the local economy. For each dollar you spend at independent toy business in your community, three or more times as much typically goes back into the local economy compared to a dollar spent at retailer owned by a chain.

This year ASTRA (the non-profit American Specialty Toy and Retailing Association) has put out a “Best Toys for Kids 2013” list and it is really helpful for finding a great gift for any age group that you are searching for!

Over 550 of America's top independent and neighborhood toy retailers have selected the Best Toys for Kids. Drawing upon their expertise, experience, and commitment to fulfilling play, ASTRA members hand-picked the most engaging, unique, open-ended, fun, and safe toys for your children. The 2013 Best Toys for Kids list features toys that deliver exceptional value and expand a child's imagination, toys that invite discovery and exploration, toys that get kids moving, toys that build creativity, toys that fascinate babies, and even toys that delight hard-to-shop-for pre-teens.

Check out some of the great toys I received from the 2013 Best Toys list:

Our favorite has got to be the Seaplane from Green Toys! I LOVE that it is made from recycled materials, is safe for my children to play with, and IS SO FUN!

Made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this buoyant yellow and green floatplane features a spinning propeller and chunky, oversized pontoons perfect for coasting into any port.

Specially designed to float when taken into the bathtub or pool, young captains can easily navigate from water to air and back again. Little-hand friendly, this toy is specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers in mind. Great for teaching mini-minds how things work.

Because it’s made from recycled plastic jugs, it’s your good-for-the-environment toy purchase. Double bonus? Dishwasher safe.

Want another great reason to LOVE ASTRA??? Then check out the “I Heart My Neighborhood Toy Store” campaign that the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is kicking off where they are giving you the chance to win some exciting prizes!

Head over to the “I Heart My Neighborhood Toy Store” campaign contest page and enter one (or both!) of the two sweepstakes for a chance to win prizes from the toy companies we love! Enter through November 8, 2013 for a chance to win a Grand Prize that includes a chance to win a trip for four to have some fun in the sun with Thomas & Friends and Hard Rock Hotel:

Thomas & Friends™ invites you on the family vacation of a lifetime at select all inclusive Hard Rock Hotels in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Note: This Sweepstakes is open to legal U.S. residents except for residents of Florida, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and other foreign United States territories. Click here to view the official rules and regulations.

You can also enter for a chance to win Featured Prizes including:

• One gift basket of Kidoozie products from International Playthings valued at $250
• One gift basket of Calico Critter products from International Playthings valued at $250
• One gift basket of earlyears products from International Playthings valued at $250
• Gift certificates for Playmobil products. Two winners will receive a $250 Playmobil gift certificate each to be redeemed at an ASTRA-affiliated retailer
• One gift basket of assorted Best Toys for Kids winning product from ASTRA valued at $250

So remember this holiday season to head to your local toy store for all your toy shopping and don't forget to head over TODAY to enter for a chance to win some great prizes from ASTRA, including a trip for four!

For more information, check out ASTRA on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheWoohooFactor and Twitter at @TheWoohooFactor

* Thank you to ASTRA for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*