By taking better care of our teeth and gums, we can cut down on costly dental procedures and have a more beautiful and healthy smile! Brush twice a day and floss daily. We know, we know...
But did you know a good sonic toothbrush can help clean your teeth significantly better?? Or so says my kids' dentist, anyway! Now there's a SMART sonic toothbrush that PAIRS TO AN APP to suggest which mode is best for your teeth, to monitor how well you brush, remind you when to replace your toothbrush head, and so much more!! Watch my unboxing and demo below and read on for more details and learn how to buy yours from Beheart, who sponsored this review! What makes this electronic toothbrush so special? Well, let's see...
6 Comments
I was once a queen of the stroller review scene. We've owned and reviewed a dozen or so strollers over the years of my twins plus one being little. From tiny travel sized strollers to a triple stroller and everything in between. It's been a few years so I was really excited for this collaboration with Mompush, who sent me their Ultimate 2 Stroller to review and share with you all!! Check out my full unboxing, demo, and review video (embedded right below) and keep reading for more details and my affiliate link (this bad boy comes with SO MUCH GREAT STUFF and sells for under $500 - I can't even believe it!!)
What comes with the Mompush Ultimate 2 Stroller??
The Bassinet
It lays quite flat for easy storage and is quick to pop up and lock into bassinet mode. There is a thick foam insert so it'll be comfy for newborns, though I highly advise buying an infant head support pillow like this one (just don't use it in a car seat!). It comes with a nice thick cover you can zipper on to keep baby warmer, that is easy to zip open or remove completely in warmer months. The canopy is a good size with a quiet (no velcro) peekaboo mesh window, and there's a canopy extension panel you can zip on to make it go past the vertical point, which is great for nap time!! The leatherette belly bar can be used as a handle on the bassinet, giving it a beautiful look and making it easy to transport the bassinet, just don't pick it up with baby inside. Maximum weight for the bassinet is 9kg (about 20 pounds) and you'll want to make sure you stop using it before baby can sit up or pull up as there is no seat belt or strap in it. The bassinet is designed to lay at a slight angle so that baby's head will never be downward, which is great! It jiggles ever so slightly when walking, completely safe and normal movement that may actually help lull your little one to sleep!! 
The Toddler Seat
Stick with the bassinet or car seat until baby is at least 6 months old and can sit up unaided, then you're ready for the toddler seat! With a maximum weight capacity of 50 pounds, this toddler seat has a nice 5 point harness and reclines from nice and vertical to fully flat position with an easy one-handed recline lever! It has an adjustable foot rest making for a super comfy ride! It's really quick and easy to reverse the seat from forward facing to parent facing, which I've always found a great feature in strollers. I like to have baby facing me for walks, but if we're going out and needing them to take a nap, I face them forward and don't fight sleep as hard. The canopy is amazing, going past vertical, with a special zippered section that is fully mesh and great for strolling in warmer months. It also has a silent (no velcro) peekaboo mesh window. 
Why I love it:
The Mompush Ultimate 2 Stroller comes in 3 great colors!!
Click my affiliate link to buy one on Amazon today or check it out on mompush.com! 
**originally posted 12/6/2016 when we had 7 strollers for our 3 kids ages 3 and under (updated 5 years and 7 additional strollers later LOL!!! Some affiliate links included below)
Hi, my name is Heather and I'm addicted to strollers. We have 3 children ages 4-6 (including twins), are living in a tiny 950 square foot apartment in Brooklyn, and yet we have managed to own a total of FOURTEEN strollers (maxed out at 5 at one time). Yes, you read that correctly. Here are the strollers we've had, some for as little as a week, others for 2+ years!! Be sure to click the ** links for my full blog reviews, my demo videos are embedded at the end of this post:
1 triple:
I just might have a problem... Here are some signs you might have a problem, too!
1. You have more than one stroller.
Heck, you probably have more than a few strollers. Possibly a good half dozen or so! And the funny thing? You can justify your desperate need for each and every one of them!!!
2. You're always lusting after the latest and greatest.
The one, or 4, you already have are still in perfectly good condition. But you're bored. You want a new baby, a new stroller baby, that is! Your heart actually skips a beat when your favorite stroller brand comes out with a new model or special edition.
3. You pimp out your (baby's) ride.
Custom seat liners, matching canopies, luxory diaper bag, stroller muffs, air-filled tires, you name it. Your little one rides in style!!
4. You have strollers in every nook and cranny.
Every car has one in the trunk, and your garage and closets are at capacity with strollers. Maybe you even begged your significant other to build some shelving space for them. Heck, you may have developed a product for smartly storing strollers indoors like the 2 moms behind MetroTot stroller hanger & CityStork stroller wheel covers!
5. You know how to score a deal.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, local and online stroller resale groups (StrollerQueen StrollerSwap!!!), trade in events, blog giveaways, you name it. You know how to sell your old strollers to help finance a new one, and you know the best ways to save big!
6. You get stroller envy.
Walking through the park or the grocery store, you're constantly on the lookout. Who is pushing what stroller, what accessories are they sporting (here are my faves!!), is there one you haven't seen before? No shame - go and ask the mom about it!!! Maybe ask to take it for a quick test drive!
7. You're the go-to girl for your friends and family.
When someone is having a baby or needing a new stroller, you are the one they look to for advice. Because you know, well, pretty much EVERYTHING about strollers!!! You may even publish guides such as "7 Best Double Strollers for Families", "The Best New Strollers for Every Budget", or "Stroller Shopping Tips"!
Did I miss any signs of stroller addiction? Are you an addict??? Share your story in a comment below! Tell us the stroller you love most and why. Maybe it'll be the next stroller added to my collection!
And just for fun, I'll embed my stroller review & demo videos below!!
Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with Nakturnal.
When Generation Joy reached out for a collaboration, I was so excited because they have SUPER cute kids clothes, AND we had spring break in Mexico coming up, which gave us the perfect chance to debut their outfits with an adorable fashion show in Cancun!! Woohoooo!! Watch that below and keep reading for more on the clothes, as well as my 15% off discount code!!!
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Generation Joy but all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post includes affiliate links below - I receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.
Are they too cute or what? The clothes I mean (the kids, too)!!
Generation Joy's kids' clothes have "grow with me" features such as cuffable leggings that will fit for longer (pun intended) - just uncuff when kiddo hits a growth spurt, extended cuff joggers, and adaptable waistbands with comfy elastic or adjustable drawstrings.
I let my kids shop for their own outfits, here's what they picked out: 
Shop Mia's Style:
Shop Emi's Style:
Shop Kenzo's Style:
Their clothes are designed to be super comfy, durable, and practical, with tag-less labels, and some great pieces with reinforced knees and reversible styles so you get 2 looks out of 1 garment.
The t-shirts we got are made of really nice feeling fabric, a soft blend of cotton, modal, and spandex. Hello 2022 best clothing for picky kids! Honestly, I wish they had adult sizes!!! What's more?? How about a 30 day return policy and free shipping on orders over $50!! Shop Generation Joy now (affiliate link) and use code Fam15 to get 15% off your order!! 
We usually do our annual Family Vacation Guide to Lancaster in the summer and hit up Dutch Wonderland and Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, but when Cartoon Network Hotel invited us down for a winter visit, we were excited to discover what kid-friendly fun was to be had in Amish Country in winter and year round... and to share with you all, of course!!
Watch our highlights video and read on for more details about each of the attractions, restaurants, and hotels!
Cartoon Network Hotel
Whether you have a lover of cartoons in your home or not, adults and kids of all ages will LOVE Cartoon Network Hotel!! We were provided 2 nights in the Steven Universe Dream Suite in exchange for our review, but don't worry, all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased. In full honesty... IT IS AMAZING!!!!! They have 4 dream suites that can sleep 6: Steven Universe, Ben 10, Power Puff, and Adventure Time. Ours had a private primary bedroom for the parents, a huge bathroom with 2 sinks and a shower, a 6-chair dining table, small kitchen with mini fridge / Keurig / microwave, large living room with 75" TV, and kids room with 2 double bunk beds and a TV in each bed (this didn't have a door, unfortunately, but was off to the side so you could have lights and TV on in the living room and it wouldn't bother kids if deep sleepers like ours, or simply head to your own bedroom and close the door ;) The dream suite costs quite a bit more than the regular rooms that sleep 2 or 4 people, but are the only rooms inside the main building and are totally worth the splurge IMO! The only negative I have is that because it is right over the lobby, we heard the music pumping down there (they were doing karaoke I think?) on Saturday night til 10pm. It didn't bother me and my kids didn't notice and passed right out, but just a heads up. Nothing some ear plugs or white noise app on your cell phone can't take care of! 
Inside the main building, you have the Cartoon Kitchen, regular character meet & greets, a cafe, the gift shop (a dream for Cartoon Network fans!!!), Omnicade (arcade), and the favorite of me and my kids: the Toon Room. Here you can play VR (even 2 can play together in the same game/cube), scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, and more!
They have an outdoor pool and splash area open in summer, and they have a lovely heated indoor pool open year round but you have to go outside to get there and ooooooof it can be cold in winter! It didn't have any locker rooms but we changed in the bathroom, not a big deal. Be sure to BYO puddle jumpers / floaties. Book your room on cartoonnetworkhotel.com or Hotels.com (affiliate link). 
LoKal Experiences
There are a ton of companies out there with "Amish tours" and museums and what not. Some are authentic, others not at all. I ran across LoKal Experiences on Discover Lancaster's website and am SO glad I reached out to work together on a review. The "Unique Amish Immersion Experience" tour we were taken on went above and beyond my expectations in teaching us all about Amish / Mennonite history, culture, and such great tidbits. I never realized how misinformed we are about them! Here are some things I found most fascinating:
Mike, the co-founder of LoKal, is passionate about working with local Amish businesses and families, and giving his clients an authentic, memorable, and fun experience. He took us in his beautiful 14 passenger van to several homes (including one that was featured in the 1985 Harrison Ford movie Witness) and farms and even Down on the Farm Creamery that had the BEST ice cream I've EVER had. (Yes, at 9:45am. Don't judge.) He also had these great ear pieces so you could hear him and ask questions no matter how far back in the van you sat, which was really helpful!
They offer tons of experiences and tours, so you can find the best one for your family - from lunch with an Amish family to a Sweet & Savory tour of Lancaster City, even some craft beer & dive bar options for adults! 
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Founded 35 years ago and serving 15,000 guests annually, this 328 seat theatre is a great stop on any family-friendly Lancaster vacation!! Check their calendar to see which performances will be held during your stay! Their main theatre lineup includes Singin' in the Rain (~April 16), Rock of Ages, The Little Mermaid, Chicago, Saturday Night Fever, and Elf the Musical. They also have workshops and performances geared more toward children, which is what we were invited to join! I had no idea what to expect but we went for the matinee lunch and show of Pinkalicious the Musical and honestly, I LOVED IT! The buffet for the kids show wasn't spectacular, to be honest, it was "kid-friendly" foods (think hot dogs and fish nuggets) but it did have a salad bar and yummy cupcakes and cookies! The show itself was one hour and pure fun. The acting, set, and music were top notch, and it was, frankly, HILARIOUS. All 5 of us had a fabulous time!! After the show the cast stayed on stage to take questions from the audience, which was a really nice touch!! It's running through April 15, I really recommend it!! 
Choo Choo Barn
If you love model trains, the Choo Choo Barn is a MUST!! It's basically 1 HUGE Lancaster County themed train set in a 1700 square foot room! With over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles and 22 operating trains. There are buttons to press to activate different parts. Every 10 minutes the room darkens and the ceiling has starts that light up to simulate nighttime. It's just utterly fascinating to examine every single inch of this place! I wasn't sure if our kids would be bored but they couldn't get enough of it either! There's a zoo, ski slopes, airplane, Dutch Wonderland, a house on fire, a circus, so so so so much to see! SO FUN!! For older kids who need some help focusing, they have 2 great scavenger hunt lists - one for first timers and one for repeat visitors. 
Aaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides
We had terrible luck with the weather, in the middle of a winter storm when it was time for our reserved time at Aaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides. Despite the wind and snow, they were more than happy to take us out and tell us all about the Amish history and culture. The owner, or "Grandpa," as he said everyone calls him, was our driver and was so great with our kids. He let all 3 pile up front and help him steer the horse. Answering their millions of questions and taking photos with us afterward. I can't wait to go back for a longer ride during nicer weather! They have several tours to choose from such as the 20 minute "Cookie Run" with a stop at a farm stand to the 90 minute "Amish Journey" and private rides as well. Check out their website for hours and more details! 
Fulton Steamboat Inn
We already had our accommodation settled for this trip but in all our years visiting Lancaster, we had yet to stop by the Fulton Steamboat Inn! So, I reached out and was delighted to be invited for a hotel tour and dinner! From the moment you see the "steamboat" from the road, til you step foot inside and get immediate "Titanic vibes", it's just one OOOOH after another! It's a truly unique experience and stunning property! 
They have an assortment of beautiful rooms, and if going on a couples getaway or momcation, I highly recommend their spectacular rooms on the adult-only sun deck!! They have an indoor pool and jacuzzi, a small game room, a cute playground and pond outside (the Koi fish were wintering but we had fun feeding the ducks)! Dinner was delicious, they had a great kids' menu and coloring activities for them, and we were pleasantly surprised to have pianist Bill Horn playing during our meal! Whether you stay at Fulton Steamboat Inn or just drop in for a meal at Huckleberry's Restaurant, you won't be disappointed! Book your room at fultonsteamboatinn.com or Hotels.com (affiliate link).
Did we manage to squeeze in a TON in just 3 days or what!?!?! We loooooove Lancaster and can't recommend it highly enough for your next family vacation! Are there some must-sees and must-dos we missed? Leave us a comment below!! And if looking for more Lancaster ideas, see our past years' guides below!
Our previous Lancaster Family Vacation Guides:
Looking for a great outing for your kids, where they can learn and play for hours and hours!? Then consider a trip to the Long Island Children's Museum, featuring 14 interactive exhibits, a live theater, and much more! Watch our highlights video below from our recent visit, part of our mid winter break "staycation" and read on for more details!
Disclaimer: we received tickets in exchange of promotion, but all thoughts and opinions are our own - this place rocks!!
Some of our favorite exhibits? My 6 year old twins loved Sandy Island, probably could have spent all day there LOL! My 9 year old was really into all the technology-based ones like recording your own radio show, I loved the Bubbles exhibit, though it was hard waiting for a wand to become free, it's SO cool making HUGE bubbles!! One temporary exhibit we all loved was the Age of Dinosaurs, running through May 29, featuring a bunch of animatronic dinos - you can even control the T Rex with a remote!
We also saw the Lyle the Crocodile live show, which is an extra fee ($9 with general admission, $7 for members, and $12 without museum admission), running on select days through March 13. It was cute and we all enjoyed it, but it's recommended for ages 5-11 and I think that's a good suggestion. There were several crying and screaming little ones in there, it's just not geared for the super young ones, and food and beverage aren't permitted in the theater either. My 3 kids LOVED it though!
 
If you have little ones, there is a big stroller parking area by the climbing structure (which is for ages 5+, over 42"), but you're welcome to keep the stroller with you around the museum. They also have a TotSpot room just for the littlest visitors!
ADMISSION:
$15 general admission, $14 for seniors, free under 1 year old, $12 group rate. Or become a member ($85 for 2 people or $160/family), with unlimited visits and other benefits such as free or reduced admission to hundreds of other children's museums and science museums across the country (part of ASTC Travel Passport Program). 
LOCATION:
Located in the heart of Garden City's "Museum Row", near Nassau County Firefighters Museum, The Cradle of Aviation Museum, The Pan Am Museum, and about 14 miles to Jones Beach if you want to pair with a visit to the ocean! Parking is free and if coming by Long Island Rail Road it's about 2 miles from the Hempstead LIRR station via the n27 bus. 
SpreadGame is what the Globetrotters do best; it's what they've done best for 95 years.
The Globetrotters SpreadGame through every slam dunk, killer pass and magic fadeaway; and through every smile for a child and every achievement within the communities they visit! Click here to save up to 20% off tickets to a Harlem Globetrotters game near you with code USFAM!! Upcoming games in New York, New Jersey, across the US and Canada!
Updated February 22, 2022: We just went to the game at Newark's Prudential Center yesterday and had SO much fun! See highlights in our "staycation" video below! It's a basketball game with REAL skills, but equally so it's a scripted comedic show, with dancing and slap stick humor. Fun for all, 100%, even if you're not into sports!!!
Just a couple of quick notes about things that took me by surprise, may or may not be the case at your arena but just in case:
So you haven't figured out your spring break plans yet? Join the club! With uncertainty around the pandemic and travel safety, many of us have left it to the last minute, and some places are fully booked already. But, it's OK!!! I've got you!! Check out some of my last minute kid-friendly spring break ideas for inspiration and get to planning TODAY!!!
(Disclaimer: this post contains some affiliate links and we earn commission from purchases made after clicking.)
Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts
Don't assume these are out of your budget. While they are definitely a splurge, there are many types of all-inclusive resorts at various price points, so you can definitely find one for you! Head over to hotels.com to see prices and availability (you can narrow your search by selecting "all inclusive" under "accommodation type" and "family" under "themes/types"). Take into consideration all of the "included" things when looking at the price. They vary by resort but typically include room, 3 meals a day + snacks + drinks (some even include alcohol), activities (some even have non-motorized water activities like snorkeling and kayaking), nightly entertainment, kids clubs / camps, etc etc! When you tally it all up, it can actually end up being a great deal! Don't want to fly? No worries!! We love love LOVE these all-inclusive resorts located right here in the Tri State Area: (click to read our reviews or watch embedded highlights videos below): Woodloch Resort, Rocking Horse Ranch, and Pine Ridge Dude Ranch.
Indoor Waterpark Resort
Prices for these during school breaks can be about 3 times higher than lower peak times of year, but may be worth a splurge if your kids are pool and water slide fanatics! The nightly rate usually includes waterpark access for days of check in and check out (and all days between), and if you consider standalone waterpark tickets go for around $50/person, this makes the hotel rate a bit more understandable. Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari are popular chains of waterpark resorts with locations around the country. If you're in the TriState Area, some more local ones include Rocking Horse Ranch (which is all-inclusive and mentioned in the above section), Kartrite, Six Flags Great Escape Lodge, Greek Peak (click to read our reviews for the last 3 or watch our embedded highlights videos embedded below), SplitRock, and Camelback.
Ecotourism Adventure
Learn to surf and zipline through the jungles of Costa Rica, stay at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, feed giraffes from your bedroom window in Nairobi! The possibilities are endless and SO very exciting!!
Humanitarian / Volunteering Vacation
Vacation with a purpose - arrange yourself or join a group such as Discover Corps, Global Volunteers, or one from this great list on USA Today.
Go somewhere WARM
Mexico or the Caribbean. Central or South America. Anywhere near or south of the equator! Soak in the sunshine and vitamin D! Swim. Snorkel. Whether you go all-inclusive, budget hotel, or rent a house, you'll have an amazing warm escape!
Go somewhere COLD
Most people don't think of going somewhere COLDER for spring break, so you may be able to find a good deal with less competition! Maybe you want to go skiing, go dog sledding and stay in an ice hotel (Hotel de Glace in Quebec is only open through March 12 though, so not applicable for most of our spring breaks), or try to see the northern lights? Would be an (arctic) blast!!
Staycation
This can mean staying home and planning fun-filled days visiting local tourist spots and doing really exciting activities (check out GROUPON for great deals and inspiration, and Resort Pass for day passes to resorts - from NYC to Florida, anywhere!). Or you could stay at a nearby hotel and enjoy their pool and jacuzzi and other amenities (hit up hotels.com or hotwire.com to see what's available - you can narrow search by amenities such as pool and family-friendly). Watch the below video for a recent staycation we did with some super fun local attractions and a night over at a budget-friendly hotel with pool!
If you're in the Tri State Area, you can't go wrong with Crystal Springs Resort in New Jersey. Glorious tropical-esque indoor pool, delicious food, spa, classes and activities, near ski slopes - just perfection!! Click to read our summer & winter stay reviews or watch the embedded highlights videos below!
Extra Considerations...
We just got sent the Simcam Baby Pro AI Smart Baby Monitor for review by Simshine and it is AMAZING!!! Watch my full review (on my brand new Our Favorite Things Reviewed YouTube channel) and read on for more details and a special discount code!!
My favorite features about this baby monitor include:
BUY IT NOW!! (affiliate links follow): Get $30 off with code usja on simshinemall.com or buy on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I receive commission from purchases made after clicking the above affiliate link. 
Disclaimer: this post was sponsored by Aleader but all thoughts and opinions are my own. As an Amazon Associate I receive commission from purchases made after clicking affiliate links below.
If you're looking for cute, comfy, super lightweight sneakers that won't cost you an arm and a leg, then check out Aleader, who has a pair of sneakers in my $400 value jackpot giveaway ending tonight! They just sent me this adorable pair of Energy Cloud kicks and I'm in love!!!
They're super duper lightweight, featuring a breathable knit upper (available in light pink, light blue, grey/white, and grey/black), quick-dry hygroscopic technology, and a flexible, durable, anti-slip shock-absorbing EVA sole.
I love that there's no loose tongue to drive me nuts, and the heel comes up high with a very thick and comfy lining (see photo above)! The sole is quite padded with a nice supportive instep but not too high, just right. Regarding size, I'm usually somewhere between a 9 - 10, it's so hard to know with shoes right? I ordered a 9.5 and they're a tad big, fine with thicker socks but I'd recommend getting your regular size or even sizing down if you're in between sizes, especially if you plan to wear barefoot or with thin socks in the warmer months. 
Whether you're going out for a run or running errands, these shoes will keep your feet happy! Because they're so lightweight, they're great for traveling, as well!
Aleader has TONS of other shoes as well, from kids snow and rain boots to mens' water shoes! Check them out at aleadergear.com or on Amazon (affiliate link). 
|
 
About Me ^_^I'm a NY mom blogger (formerly of Brooklyn), Influencer, YouTuber, & Entrepreneur living just north of NYC in Hudson River Valley's town of Cornwall with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins plus 1)! My blog is chock full of humor, honesty, family travel & product reviews, and giveaways galore! It's also home to Bay Ridge Families, with weekly local kids' events roundups and annual guides for families here in South Brooklyn!  
 Categories
All
Archives
June 2022
|
RSS Feed
Proudly powered by Weebly
