US Japan Fam

Seenda Ergonomic Mouse + Backlit Keyboard GIVEAWAY

8/4/2021

US Japan Fam reviews SEENDA wireless ergonomic vertical mouse and backlit keyboard

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Seenda but all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.

If you're suffering from carpel tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, or wrist and shoulder pain like I am, or just looking to upgrade your computer accessories, you've stumbled upon the blog post for you! I'm here to review the Seenda wireless vertical ergonomic mouse and bluetooth backlit keyboard, which are part of my HUGE 2021 Back to School Giveaway (link at bottom of post to enter to win the $500+ value jackpot, along with a 20% off discount code for Seenda products!)

Be sure to watch my unboxing and review video here, and read on for more details:

US Japan Fam reviews SEENDA's bluetooth rechargeable ergonomic vertical mouse

I've been struggling with increasing discomfort in my wrist and pointer finger due to spending more and more time at the computer editing videos, and have been looking into getting an ergonomic mouse so was really excited to get to review the Bluetooth Rechargeable Ergonomic Vertical Mouse from Seenda. So far I'm loving it, here are a few of the key features that really stood out to me:

It's ERGONOMIC. What's that mean? It keeps your hand, wrist, and arm in more natural positioning, lessoning postural related pain, carpel tunnel, trigger finger, and more.
It's WIRELESS. Connect via bluetooth or USB dongle.
It's RECHARGEABLE. What's more, you can still use it when plugged in and charging!
It has a QUIET CLICK! Great for use in a library, or like me, in a bedroom office where your partner is sleeping LOL!
It's UNIVERSAL - working on pretty much any device with bluetooth or USB (MAC, Windows, iOS, Android, etc).

BUY IT on Amazon (affiliate link).

US Japan Fam reviews SEENDA's bluetooth wireless rechargeable 7-color backlit keyboard

Next up we have the Seenda wireless bluetooth backlit keyboard which I got for my son but honestly it's SO COOL I may have to keep it for myself... Here are the features I'm loving:

It has BACKLIGHTING - you can turn it on or off and adjust the brightness, has 7 colors to choose from and is SO FREAKING COOL!! To save battery, backlighting turns off after 2 minutes of inactivity.
It's WIRELESS & UNIVERSAL - connects to any device with bluetooth capability - Mac, Windowis, iOS, Android etc
It's RECHARGEABLE - my old Mac blew through batteries pretty quickly and felt so wasteful. This runs 320 hours without backlight, 8 hours with brightest backlight, and has a 2 hour charge time but can be used while charging. Side note, the keyboard and mouse chargers seem to be interchangeable, at least I'm using one for both, seems fine!
SYNCS to up to 4 devices via bluetooth at a time, just push a button to switch!!

BUY IT on Amazon (affiliate link)

How cool are these? Best gaming mouse and keyboard for sure, but great for anyone - from youtubers like myself to daily use or at work, kids and adults alike!

Get 20% your first purchase on seenda.com with code "USJAPANFAM" (valid through August 17, 2021).

Don't forget, you can win this mouse, keyboard, AND a Seenda laptop stand as well as a TON of other great stuff in my $500+ value jackpot Back to School giveaway runnning HERE from August 3 - 17!! Enter to win today!!!

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2021 Back to School Giveaway [$500+ JACKPOT!]

8/3/2021

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It is still very unclear how school will look this coming year: full time in person, hybrid, remote, or homeschool again for some of us, but one way or another Back to School is right around the corner and I've got another amazing Back to School giveaway for you all!! One very lucky winner will receive the ENTIRE $500+ value jackpot!! Read on for info on each of the prizes and sponsoring brands, and enter to win in the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. Be sure to bookmark this page and keep coming back over the next 2 weeks because our dedicated reviews and youtube demos will be popping up daily, AND you can earn more giveaway entry points each day with various easy actions!

Disclaimer: this post is sponsored by the brands below, and affiliate links are included - you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

THE PRIZES:

SEENDA KEYBOARD, LAPTOP STAND & MOUSE

If last year taught us anything, it's that computers are becoming more essential for everyone from toddlers through seniors! We're excited to be working with Seenda to promote their electronic accessories that make computer and tablet use more comfortable and more fun! Our grand prize winner will receive the following THREE amazing items from Seenda that work with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android (a $106 value!):

Backlit Keyboard: wireless, rechargeable, connects to 4 devices simultaneously (switch between devices with the click of a button), and with 7 brilliant backlight colors, this keyboard is both practical and beautiful!!
Ergonomic Portable Laptop Stand: compatible with all laptops and tablets sizes 10-15.6", has 4 height settings, supports up to 44 pounds, and is incredibly portable with a quick fold and weight of just 0.8 pounds.
Ergonomic Vertical Mouse: allows your hand to be in a more natural position to reduce wrist and shoulder pain, is rechargeable, is wireless and connects to up to 3 devices via bluetooth and USB dongle.

BUY THEM HERE: Amazon (affiliate link) or seenda.com (get 20% off with code USJAPANFAM through August 17, 2021 on their website, Aot amazon)

Don't miss my full blog review here and video demo below!

BURST ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH

Oral health is so important for our overall health, and confidence. Kids and adults can get cleaner teeth with a great electric toothbrush, which is why we LOVE our Bursts and know you will, too! Their sonic toothbrushes feature a 2-minute timer with a pulse every 30 seconds to signal when to move to a new quadrant of teeth, and have an amazing battery life (3-4 weeks on a single charge)!

Our grand prize winner will receive one toothbrush of their choice of color in either the Adult or Kid's brush:

Adult Burst Sonic Toothbrush: remove 10x more plaque than regular brushing, reduce gingivitis and gum bleeding 3x more than traditional tooth brushes; available in in black, white, or rose gold; $89.99 - $119.99 value.
BURSTkids Sonic Toothbrush: with 31,000 sonic vibrations per minute, a 3-week charge, charcoal bristles, and a soft-touch silicone handle; available in purple, blue, or pink; $69.99 value.

BUY THESE and more (including water flossers, teeth whitening, charcoal toothpaste, kids toothpaste, refillable floss, and oral probiotics) on burstoralcare.com. Current deals available include:

Save $19.99 on Rose Gold BURST Sonic Toothbrush + Free Whitening Strips!

Whitening Strips now $14.99! Save $5 when you subscribe.

PRIMARY $75 SHOP CREDIT

Whether shopping for the basics or a full back to school wardrobe, Primary is THE place to go with everything from tees and underwear to jeans and dresses to washable face masks and winter coats, in sizes newborn through 14Y (and even with some coordinating shirts for grown-ups). Their slogan is "every color for every kid" and I couldn't love this more. No labels, no slogans, no "boys" or "girls" colors or styles or assumptions. Simply shop by size or color and let kids be kids and wear what they love! Super soft and sustainable fabric, cute high quality and affordable fashion for kids. Make Primary your primary shop for kids' clothing! Our grand prize winner will receive a $75 shop credit!! AMAZING!!!

STAY TUNED: we'll be doing an unboxing and review soon!! (will be linked here)

WUBBA JR IMMUNITY BOX

We've been promoting Wubba Water for years now as an organic and healthier alternative to Pedialyte, and now they've come out with a line of doctor formulated children's supplements that we are SO excited about! Our jackpot winner will receive the Wubba Jr. Immunity Box, which contains the following:

3 bottles of Wubba Water: the organic replacement for Pedialyte, made without synthetic dyes, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners or GMOs, contains only 1 gram of sugar per serving.
1 Bottle of Echinacea, Zinc and Vit C Gummies
1 Bottle of Chewable Orange-Pineapple Vitamin C
1 Bottle of Immune4Me: a Lemon-Flavored Zinc Lozenge

Designed by a Dartmouth pediatrician, Wubba Jr supplements are gluten-free, dairy-free, and contain no added sugars.

BUY IT HERE: $58.99 on Amazon (affiliate link), direct from wubbawater.com, walmart.com, and at select Whole Food stores.

MABEL'S LABELS $50 SHOP CREDIT

It can feel a tad overwhelming receiving school supply lists mandating labeling every item, even dozens of individual markers and pencils! Thankfully Mabel's Labels has got your back!! With customizable labels in every size, shape, color, design, and function you can imagine! From fabric stamps and labels that are washing machine proof to dishwasher-proof labels and silicone bands that go around bottles to shoe sole stickers that help the littlest ones know left from right foot to emergency ID & allergy tags, they have EVERYTHING! We've been using them for years on our water bottles (and more) and have yet to have one peel off!! Our jackpot winner will receive $50 shop credit to help make their back to school prep a lot easier this year!

STAY TUNED: my latest personal review will be going up shortly! Some previous ones embedded below:

BUY YOURS on mabelslabels.com - current promotional offers:

The Ultimate Back-to-School Sale is here - Take 20% OFF all Mabel's Labels' best-selling school products!

MIFOLD COMFORT GRAB & GO CAR BOOSTER SEAT

If you travel, carpool, or have a rotation of other adults driving your kids around, then a mifold comfort grab and go car booster seat is a must! Compact enough to go in your glove compartment or a child's backpack, with a thick enough cushion to be comfortable, mifold comfort works by positioning the car's seatbelt in the proper places across the child's lap and between their shoulder and neck. Directions are included in the strap on the mifold, and it's easy enough most kids can do it on their own after a couple of uses (my 8 year old is a pro!). At just $39.99, the price is right, too. (Designed for kids at least 4 years old, 40-100 pounds, 40-59 inches).

STAY TUNED for my latest review, and see previous one embedded below:

BUY IT on Amazon (affiliate link) or mifold.com

BOUNCYBAND

Kids weren't built to "sit still" for hours on end, and Bouncyband has created products with that in mind. From the original Bouncyband which attaches to the feet of a chair so you can literally bounce your feet while sitting, to a whole line of amazing products loved by kids, parents, and teachers! These can help kids stay in their seats, relieve anxiety, and improve focus (pro tip: they work for adults, too!!) Our jackpot winner will receive one product, their choice from the following:

Weighted Lap Pad (shown above right) - 5 pound 21"x19" portable dual textured sensory weighted lap pad. This super soft fleece pad offers deep calming pressure, increasing the ability to focus while relieving anxiety and stress. Retails for $39.99
Foot Roller (shown above left) - This fidget foot roller silently enables the release of excess energy while sitting or standing, alleviating anxiety and increasing focus. Retails for $19.99
Thingamajig (shown above middle) - Helps children ages 3-8 with hands-on learning, improving focus and enhancing fine motor skills, hand eye coordination and problem-solving abilities. Retails for $24.99

BUY THEM on Amazon (affiliate link) and bouncyband.com

BUBBLELICK 4-PACK

Kids and kids at heart all love bubbles. And what's better than bubbles? Bubbles that taste good!! HA! Say hello to BubbleLick Premium Flavored Bubbles - made with FDA approved ingredients, bottled in a FDA registered CGMP certified and allergen-free facility, invented and developed by top pediatric allergists and food scientists! They work with bubble machines and toys, too! Our jackpot winner will receive a 4-pack of BubbleLick in the following YUMMY flavors:

Milk Chocolate Chip
Juicy Watermelon Splash
Glazed Cinnamon Roll
Carnival Cotton Candy

BUY THEM on BubbleUniverse.com ($24.99 for a 4 pack, 2.5oz each)

COLOR FUSION NAIL POLISH MAKER

Trying to get those nails back-to-school-ready, or just wanting to have some fun playing nail salon? Then the Make It Real Color Fusion Nail Polish Maker is for you! Mix colors to create up to 200 nail polishes, or use the app to find a specific color to mach and provide complementary color suggestions. Bottles and brushes for storage included! Featuring unscented water-based nail polish in glossy and shimmer finishes.

BUY IT on target.com (affiliate link) for $24.99

MUNCHIE MUG SNACK CUP

Munchie Mug snack cups are not only spill-proof, they’re also SHAKE PROOF! The unique lid features 2 overlapping pieces of fabric, that are extremely effective at keeping snacks in, and they’re much gentler on the hands than traditional plastic snack cup tops! What’s more? Free from BPA/Phthalate/Lead/PVC and proudly made in the USA, these are the only snack cups your kids will ever need – a staple in every car, stroller, and home! Our winner will receive one in their choice of size (12oz or 16oz) and color (subject to availability), a $18.50 value! Don't miss our fun demo videos below!

Buy on Amazon (affiliate link) and munchiemug.com

UNOFFICIAL HOGWARTS COOKBOOK FOR KIDS

Getting meals on the table is an extra challenge during the back to school rush, but how about getting your kids involved with some amazing Harry Potter themed dishes with The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook for Kids!!?? Featuring 50 easy-to-follow low-mess recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts, Potterheads and non-Potterheads alike will love this cookbook! Let this one inspire your family to cook together over the weekend to create freezer meals to eat during the week, your kids to make their own lunches for school and after-school snacks! YUM!

BUY IT for Kindle or Hardcover on Amazon (affiliate link) for $12.79

SQUEASY GEAR SNACK POUCH

Say hello to the world's best pouch! Squeasy Gear's Squeasy Snackers are seriously amazing - with a removable spill-proof insert (that totally works!!), these are great for pureed baby food, yogurt, applesauce, and even liquids!! They're dishwasher & freezer safe, made of 100% food-grade eco-friendly bacteria-resistant silicone self-standing for easy filling, and turn inside out (handy when for cleaning flax seed and other tricky items in your smoothies!). You can see my review here - yes, it's from 7 years ago and we are STILL using the same pouches, they seriously never die!! Our jackpot winner will receive 1 pouch, their choice of size (16oz, 6oz, 3.5oz) and color, a $16.99 value.

BUY THEM on Amazon (affiliate link)

Is that an amazing giveaway or what!? Enter to win it all in the Rafflecopter app below. You just need to comment on this blog post and tell the app you did so to enter. But each additional action you take is an extra entry point, and some you can come back and get more points daily so be sure to bookmark this post!! Giveaway will end at 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, August 17. Winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email and have 48 hours to confirm before another winner is chosen. US residents only, ages 18+.

ENTER TO WIN HERE:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Family Fun @ Wild West City in NJ

7/26/2021

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Looking for a great kid-friendly getaway from NYC? What about traveling back in time!? Then you've gotta check out Wild West City in NJ where we went yesterday for the first time, just under an hour and a half drive from up here in Hudson Valley. For the full experience and all the details, check out our fun highlights reel here:

At Wild West City you are transported back in time to the 1800's Wild West! With live action every 15 minutes on the Main Street - we're talking shootouts (with powder blanks, don't worry - no danger here!!), cowboy horse riding competitions, stagecoach holdups with audience participation, can can dancers and more!)

The Main Street also acts as a living history museum where you can go into each building and explore - bank, jail, saloon, saddle shop, post office, barber shop, one room school house, chapel, and more!

There are a few dining options, including the Golden Nugget (with the usual fast food i.e. not historically accurate LOL, great live music, and booze options for the adults), a confectionary with cotton candy, ice cream and sno-cones, and a pizza parlor (they only space with AC).

Seeing animals in the barn and panning for gold are also included in the admission fee. Fun extras include $6/person stagecoach ride, $5/person train ride, $5/person mini golf, $5/person pony rides, and more.

We honestly had such a fun time!! They keep it "historically accurate", with words that are not PC in today's world ("Indians" for example), and yes, they do shoot, and kill, and the guns are loud (but fake - firing blanks), so consider if your kids will be ok with this. After gloriously and often hilariously dramatic shootouts and "deaths", the actors jump back up and wave, so your kids will quickly understand it's all just playing, of course you should discuss this before, during, and after to make sure they understand it was acting, and how dangerous real weapons are! Safety first!!

LOCATION: 50 Lackawanna Drive Stanhope, NJ
TICKETS: $29.50 for adults, $24.50 for kids, $22 for seniors.

Visit their website for more details.

For more like this from us, visit:

Our "Best Day Trips & Weekend Getaways from NYC With Kids" roundup
Our "Best of Hudson Valley with Kids" roundup

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Best Toys 2021 - Sweet Suite Swag Unboxing!

7/23/2021

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We were thrilled to attend our first ever Sweet Suite by The Toy Insider this year - typically held annually in person but this year virtually from home - it's a massive press & influencer event with hundreds of brands sharing their latest and greatest toys!! My kids and I had a blast playing games and exploring the virtual event online, and then we got our swag box in the mail and WOW!!!

So now I'm here to share WITH YOU our Sweet Suite Swag unboxing, with some of the best toys 2021 - seriously, get out your birthday & Christmas wish lists, cuz you're gonna wanna add many of these to them!!

Watch our super fun unboxing video here, with links to products below (though some aren't released yet!):

BUY THEM!
(Affiliate links below, you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking)

Exploding Minions Card Game from Exploding Kittens
Oddly Satisfying Sensory FX ASMR from Just Play (not yet released?)
Pokemon Trading Card Game (x2)
Snap Ships by Play Monster
Beat That! The Bonkers Battle Battle of Wacky Challenges from Gutter Games
LOL BTW Be Tweens (not yet released? shop other LOL Surprise here)
LOL Surprise Color Changing Surprise Doll
Nerf Super Soaker Fortnite Fishstick from Hasbro / Epic Games (not yet released but you can see other fortnite super soakers here)
5 Surprise Toy Mini Brands by Zuru
Kodak 1000 piece puzzle
Ryan’s World Mystery Egg Galaxy Explorers
Glam Crush It Dolls from Jazwares
Pixicade
Vibe Girls by Jay Play
Snapsies by Funko
Resoftables
Little Dimpl from Fat Brain Toy Company
Cats vs Pickles from Cepia
Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils
Care Bears
Lalaloopsy (new ones released in August, see my review here!!)

For more toy inspiration, see my highlights videos from past years at Toy Fair New York!

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Lalaloopsy is Back and So SEW Cute!

7/22/2021

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Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by MGAE but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Who doesn’t love a good come back, am I right? Well, if you’re a fan of cutie patootie dolls and cartoons then this one is for you. After an incredibly successful #BringBackLalaloopsy campaign, Lalaloopsy will be coming back to the shelves with a brand new line of dolls on August 3!!!

If you haven’t heard of Lalaloopsy, let me catch you up quickly so you can jump on board with our excitement! Lalaloopsy are rag dolls who magically come to life when the last stitch is sewn. They’re SEW CUTE, wholesome, and their whimsical world of characters inspire kids to develop their own creativity and imagination!

Their last doll release was back in 2018, and we are SEW excited for our favorite Lalaloopsy characters and a whole batch of new friends to be available at Walmart, Amazon, Target, and other toy retailers in just a couple of weeks!!

The two dolls we received are fully plastic, not fabric as you might expect of a “rag doll”, but it’s a relief for me because they seem incredibly durable (my kiddos get pretty rough with their toys!!)!

US Japan Fam reviews Lalaloopsy - twins love their dolls

With black button eyes, a “stitched on” sweet little smile, a circle of rosie cheeks, simple ragdoll-esque bodies, and fingerless hands - they are not realistic dolls, and they’re not glammed up like many of the dolls out there these days. They’re cute and innocent and help your kids explore their creativity and imagination! Lalaloopsy are truly a refreshing and incredibly unique doll and we’re SEW psyched to welcome them into our family!!

Each doll has a unique personality and look, with pets and accessories to match! Designed for ages 3+, each package includes a reusable house playset, uniquely expressing the personality of each doll. With the box becoming the playset, we’re talking practically zero waste, we LOVE that!!! We did find the house a tad difficult to set up, but it’s part of the fun - you have to read the instructions, fold, insert and build their homes!

I love how each character has a very specific personality and interest, so any child can find one that they can connect with! For example, Storm E. Sky is a punk rocker chick with a cool electric guitar, while Mittens Fluff ’N’ Stuff is into knitting, Dot Starlight is a science buff, and Crumbs Sugar Cookie loves baking!

US Japan Fam reviews Lalaloopsy - Sweetie Candy Ribbon Doll

We got the full sized Sweetie Candy Ribbon, with bright neon pink and orange hair, wearing a matching tutu dress (made of tulle), and an adorable yellow dog with coordinating neon pink and orange ears and bow! Sweetie is too floppy to stand (they’re supposed to be rag dolls, after all) but does sit nicely and I love the way her legs flop around when you carry and play with her! Her house is super bright and exciting, filled with candy decorations of course that’ll have your mouth watering, if you have a sweet tooth that is! There’s even an extra cardboard set that you fold and insert into the side of the house that turns into a cute little doggy door!!

US Japan Fam reviews Lalaloopsy - Sprinkle Spice Cookies Lalaloopsy Littles Doll

We also got the "Littles" smaller sized Sprinkle Spice Cookie. The first thing my kids noticed was the little smudge of chocolate on her cheek! HA! Little details like this are so special, am I right!? She’s got a fabric bib that says “yum” on it, and itty bitty bloomers under her dress. What a cutie!! Her accessory is a cookie, of course, with a bite taken out of it. And her hair, with thick bangs and tiny pigtails, reminds me of my twins when they were toddlers!!!

Both Sweetie and Sprinkle have removable clothes and shoes, which is a fun touch!

US Japan Fam reviews Lalaloopsy - collect all 25 dolls

There will be a total of 25 characters available, both full size and minis, and you can even connect their fences to create Lalaloopsy Land in your own home!!

There are some fun collections as well, such as 3 Silly Hair dolls with, you guessed it, silly hair you can bend and style, 4 Sew Royal Princess Party dolls, and 2 Celebration dolls, each one coming with a pet, of course!

Lalaloopsy’s adorable cartoon premiered in 2017 on Netflix, where you can still stream the original 13 episodes, and they’ll be releasing a new “We’re Lalaloopsy” original series soon! You can also get excited for new goodies over on their YouTube channel, including ”We’re Lalaloopsy” animated shorts (3 minute versions of the Netflix episodes - new every Friday at 1PM), a new “Lalaloopsy Girls” sing-a-long video (embedded below - beware, it's SUPER catchy!), and starting July 24th, the new original show “Lalaloopsy: Let’s Create” with real kids cooking and doing crafts! Over on Amazon Prime & kidoodle.tv you will be able to stream “Lalaloopsy: Band Together” movie!

Sewwwww which doll(s) will you be buying first!?? Let us know in a comment below!!

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Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in New York (WITH KIDS)!

7/13/2021

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US Japan Fam reviews IMMERSIVE VAN GOGH NYC with kids

As soon as I started seeing advertisements pop up for the new Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in New York, I knew we had to go. It looked AMAZING!! However, I dunno about your kids, but mine... they're not exactly into art museums and galleries, so I decided to get creative with some pre-activities to get them more involved and excited! Watch our video (embedded just below) for the full experience from our educational pre-activities to exploring Chinatown to the Van Gogh exhibit itself, and read on for all the details!!

Learning about Van Gogh at Home:
My kids had already done Starry Night based art work at school (2 years ago), but I decided to print out some coloring pages for them from JustColor.net. We didn't look at the real Starry Night beforehand, because I didn't want it to bias our color choices :) I let them choose from crayons, colored pencils, and markers (no paint because I wasn't feeling like a big set up / clean up, but you certainly could do it!). You'll see (in the video above) we all ended up with very different masterpieces, which was fun to talk about!

US Japan Fam - Day in Chinatown for Immersive Van Gogh NYC - learning about Van Gogh at home with coloring

Next we found a short kid-friendly biography on Van Gogh (embedded below). I was SHOCKED to learn that he died at 37, and had only ever sold 1 painting! How famous and priceless his works are now, it's just unbelievable (and sad)!!

Family Fun in Chinatown!
Now that we learned about Van Gogh, we were ready for the exhibit! But we don't live in Brooklyn anymore, remember? Heading into NYC from Hudson Valley is quite a trek - a 90 minute drive! So, I planned out a nice full afternoon for us to explore the area of the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in New York's Lower East Side aka CHINATOWN! We hadn't walked around Manhattan with our kids since pre-pandemic, so it was an incredibly special and fun adventure! Our first "Sunday in the City" went so well we plan to do it on the regular (stay tuned, and comment below which activities and neighborhoods we should explore next)!

US Japan Fam - Day in Chinatown for Immersive Van Gogh NYC - Dim Sum at Golden Unicorn

First, we luckily found free street parking near Pier 36, where the exhibit is held (you can pay $$$ at the pier for valet parking if you're not so lucky, or feel nervous with street parking). Then took off on foot to explore NYC's Chinatown, which included stops at:

Dim Sum at The Golden Unicorn (18 E. Broadway), has indoor & outdoor dining
Doyers Street (very cool "crooked" pedestrian street that is painted with outdoor dining)
Mahayana Buddhist Temple (64 Mott Street) - free, just go inside to see the beautiful 16 foot tall golden Buddha!
Hester Street Playground

US Japan Fam - Day in Chinatown for Immersive Van Gogh NYC - buddha doyers street

Other things nearby you may want to check out that we didn't have time for:

Seward Park Playground
Taiyaki NYC (119 Baxter Street) - yummy insta-worthy ice cream inside Japanese Taiyaki (fish shaped soft waffle cone)
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (65 Bayard Street)
Dim Sum at Nom Wah Tea Parlor (13-15 Doyers Street)

PicturUS Japan Fam - Day in Chinatown for Immersive Van Gogh NYC - pier 36e

IMMERSIVE VAN GOGH EXHIBIT
OK, so first let me make sure you are clear that there are currently TWO Van Gogh exhibits in NYC! I didn't realize this til I started planning our day IN THE WRONG NEIGHBORHOOD! Ooooops!!!

This one is THE ORIGINAL and it's "Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit New York" at Pier 36 in Lower East Side, created by Massimiliano Siccardi with Hamilton's David Korins as Creative Director! It's the largest Van Gogh exhibit in the world!!!

In a nutshell, it's 3 massive rooms of art installations like you've never seen before. 500,000 cubic feet of projections. 60,600 frames of video. They move, they surround you, the music hits deep in your SOUL! It was just breathtaking!! I could have sat there all day... were it not for our kids...

Chinatown for Immersive Van Gogh NYC - starry night

In first room, which has some big silver inflatable balls and large mirrored towers, we sat down and watched the entire full video which was wayyyyyyyy too long for our kids (maybe 20 minutes? I'm really not sure). They were really into it and sat nicely for the first 5 minutes and gradually got more and more antsy til they were rolling around and being totally crazy by the end of it. Looking back we probably shouldn't have made them sit through the whole thing but I'm glad us adults didn't miss anything.

US Japan Fam - Day in Chinatown for Immersive Van Gogh NYC - Room 2

The second room had some really cool reflective structures which stunning the way the lights and videos bounced off them. We walked around but didn't spend a lot of time in here.

US Japan Fam - Day in Chinatown for Immersive Van Gogh NYC - Room 3

The third room was breathtaking! The art was projected onto the walls and floor and you were just immersed and surrounded by it. Just beautiful!!! Walk around, take photos, take a seat, go upstairs for the overview. Enjoy!!

US Japan Fam - Day in Chinatown for Immersive Van Gogh NYC - costumes

After that you go through a hallway with some costumes before returning to the lobby where you can buy (really pricey but amazing) merch, like a Starry Night tumbler for $46. You'll exit to a stunning view of the Hudson and Manhattan Bridge!

All in all we spent about an hour in there and I highly highly recommend it! If you live nearby and have a sitter I would say consider leaving the kids at home and make it an incredibly unique (stress free) date. Then you can relax and spend way more time there soaking it all in. With the kids it's a different experience but still we all had a great time and I don't regret taking them!

US Japan Fam - Day in Chinatown for Immersive Van Gogh NYC - Room 3 family

MY TIPS:

Go to the bathroom after entering the building but before going into the exhibit as there are no bathrooms inside inside
Pre-hydrate, big time!!! It was a comfortable temperature inside but with our masks on, man, I was sweating under there, and you cannot bring food and drink inside.
Keep little wanders safe. If you can keep them in a stroller, do it. Otherwise consider a leash or a strict hand holding policy. Ours are old enough I wasn't too concerned but a couple of years ago it would have been super stressful for me. The rooms get VERY dark at times, pitch black for a second here and there. There are a lot of people. The music is loud. Have fun and enjoy but keep your kiddos safe!
Backpacks are prohibited, so we left ours and our water bottles in the car. I'm not sure about diaper bags, best to contact them. You can see a list of other prohibited items in their FAQ here.

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Tickets prices vary (off peak / peak / prime) for $40 - $70 and the show is running through September 6 (though Aug 30 - Sep 6 are already sold out).

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New Sunnies & Other Summer Must-Haves

6/24/2021

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Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by DiscountGlasses.com but all thoughts and opinions are my own. There are affiliate links included below, you won't pay more but we'll receive a small commission made from purchases after clicking.

Over the past year and a half, we've learned alot about protecting ourselves from germs. This summer, make an effort to protect yourself from the sun! We're talking sunglasses, sunblock, and UPF50+ clothing. But don't worry, you can be sun safe AND be cool - literally and figuratively LOL! With that in mind, here is my quick list of 2021 Summer Must Haves!!

US Japan Fam loves DiscountGlasses.com for 2021 summer sunglasses

Sunglasses
Proper sunglasses not only protect your eyes but also the delicate skin around your eyes. I went way too many years without wearing any, and you know what? My crows feet have crows feet. But it's never too late to start taking care of yourself, so I always wear sunglasses outside now, year round! Having a few fun pairs to choose from helps, that's why I love DiscountGlasses.com - they have an amazing selection of glasses and sunglasses for kids and adults, some for as low as $20!! What's more, they have virtual try-on, you can update your prescription online for free, and they have free 365 day returns!

My latest pair (above photo) are the Lunettos Jean, which feature an oversized but super lightweight matte black plastic frame that is so fun and flirty! I upgraded to prescription lenses since I can't see anything past my nose these days LOL! With 100% UVA/UVB protection, you'll see me rocking these poolside, in the yard, at the park, pretty much everywhere this summer!

UPF 50+ Clothing & Swimwear
I grew up thinking tanned skin made me more beautiful. *cringe* Now, I understand tanned skin is actually DAMAGED skin, and while I still long for a tan I'm doing my best to keep my kids' and my own skin protected from the sun. When I can avoid sunblock, I do, with UPF 50+ protective clothing. I've been putting my kids in long or short sleeve rash guards since their very first time at the pool as babies! But I just got MY very first rash guard (from UV Skinz - see our 2 youtube reviews below) and wore it while we were at the waterpark for 7 hours last weekend. I was worried it'd be hot and annoying but actually, it had the opposite effect - if I kept it damp it kept me comfortably cool!! Not to mention I didn't have to worry about my shoulders, chest, and back burning like they almost always do, even if I put on sunblock! So, yeah, that's it, rash guards for life!

Waterproof Phone Case
Protect your phone from water but still use it to take calls, photos, and videos in a CaliCase! These waterproof phone cases are padded, float, and are simply amazing. Check out my full review here (with video demo to show you how great your photos and videos come out!) and get 20% off yours here with code: japanfam
(No, I'm not wearing my rash guard in the above photo, I took it off at 4pm LOL)

Sunblock
When you can't cover up, you gotta lather up - in UVA/UVB water resistant SPF 50+ mineral sunblock! I always refer to the EWG Skin Deep Database to make sure any products I'm buying are "safe" and our favorite, is ThinkBaby / ThinkSport (same product, just different packaging). It's vegan, reef-friendly, zinc oxide 20% (non-nano), is creamy (easy to apply), and smells SO GOOD! Free from PABA, parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, avobenzone, petroleum, gluten, dairy, and toxic chemicals! We love this stuff! We always get the regular cream but they also make a sunscreen stick. While sunscreen sprays look easy, I avoid it because I don't want me, my kids, or nearby folks inhaling that stuff!!

Javy Liquid Microdose Coffee for Cold Brew, Iced Coffee & DIY Frapuccino

Blended & Iced Coffee Drinks
Coffee and caffeine is a yearround need for me (and most), but in summer, it's gotta be cold brew, iced coffee, or blended like a DIY frapuccino, am I right?! I've recently fallen in love with Javy liquid microdose coffee - no brewing, you just add 1-2 tsp to your drink and boom - ready to enjoy! It's delicious, and effective LOL!

Insulated Travel Mug / Water Bottle
We are huge Contigo fans here, our kids grew up on their straw and sippy cup plastic bottles and now they've graduated to the huge insulated stainless steel water bottles my husband and I use, too! Throw some ice water in there in the morning, leave it in the hot car, and at the end of the day it's still icy!! They keep drinks hot up to 7 hours and cold up to 18 hours! They are amazing, a must have all summer, and quite frankly, all year. You can get the auto-seal kind where you squeeze it to drink (great for kids since you can't spill!!), or get a snap top, in 16 - 24oz sizes!

Sun Hats & Headbands
Sun hats help keep your face shaded - you'll stay cooler and avoid sun damage. You may want to opt for one that is adjustable size or has a chin strap if using in windy location (ex. beach), and finding one with good ventilation is key to avoid major sweat. Speaking of sweat... if you have bangs, like me, ugh. Summer sweaty forehead and bangs do NOT mix. I have a newfound love for headbands!! I'm loving this 6-pack of boho headbands I found on Amazon! Many colors to choose from, they're comfy, and bonus, they fit both me and my 5 year old girls! Sharing is caring!!

Sundresses
Nothing says staying cool like an easy breezy sundress! From tank and tee swing dresses to minis and maxis, even some have POCKETS (yes, now that song is in my head...) There are SO many to choose from and you can find them for cheap, I'm talking $10-30 a pop!!

So, what do you think? Have I inspired you to up your game this summer? What is on your must-have for summer list??

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How to Waterproof your Phone with CaliCase

6/22/2021

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US Japan Fam reviews CaliCase Waterproof Phone Pouch

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by CaliCase but all thoughts are my own and completely unbiased. In fact, I reached out to them because I was so interested in the product, which is often the case for our reviews. I'm no sell out :) I got you! That said, affiliate links follow - we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking, cuz ya girl gotta eat!

Remember back in they day, those little single use Kodak underwater cameras?? They still exist, and most of you probably believe to take photos or videos in the water you need that or a $500 GoPro. But what if I told you that you could just use your own cell phone. We pay a lot of money for these phones that have amazing cameras, so why not use them!? But how to protect our phones while at the beach, pool, lake, or waterpark?? I'll tell ya how - CaliCase Waterproof Phone Pouch (it floats, too)!!!

Watch my full unboxing, demo, and review video here and read on for more details:

In a nutshell, I LOVE our CaliCase waterproof phone cases! They're an amazing bang for your buck and allow you to safely use your phone in and around the water - you can make calls, send texts, take photos and video, everything!! I'll go into more detail about the phone by answering some of the burning questions I had going into this, which you probably are wondering about as well:

Are they really waterproof?

Yes. Yes they are!! To 100 feet! They do recommend testing with a paper towel before using with your phone, just to be sure. Also, please do make sure all data is backed up, regularly. You never know when an accident can happen, related to the case or not! This is coming from a girl who has had TWO phones and a camera stolen...

US Japan Fam reviews CaliCase Waterproof Phone Pouch - under water

How's the sound and camera quality?

Far better than I anticipated, quite honestly!!
Audio output is great, mic pickupup is great - both are a tad muffled but not nearly as bad as I thought they'd be. Still perfectly fine for taking phone calls and recording videos with sound. Actually in a windy situation it's probably better than your phone on its own which would probably pick up terrible wind sound more. Also, take care not to hold your phone near the mic or it'll pick up the rubbing sound which is quite irritating.
If you keep it clean, photos and video will be great - same quality as without the case in my experience. I was shocked even going in and out of the water, getting splashed etc, I didn't have water marks or drops of water on my footage. It was fabulous!

Any other standout features?

They come with a neck lanyard that has a safety lock so it won't accidentally come unhooked.
They FLOAT!
Some are glow in the dark.
They're padded to help protect your phone.
There's clear plastic on the front and back so all your cameras work.
The front plastic allows your screen to still be sensitive to your fingers i.e. you can use all the features.

US Japan Fam reviews CaliCase Waterproof Phone Pouch - glow in the dark

Any problems?

I found the water often triggered the record or shoot button, so if I started filming out of the water and then dunked my phone into the pool, it turned itself off, and vice versa coming out of the water. It's frustrating, and if you don't realize, you could end up with zero footage for the day! The hack I found was simply to not go in and out of the water while recording. If I wanted to shoot my kids swimming under water, I'd go underwater with the camera and then hit record. Really not an issue except on the waterslides where you are face down on the mat in the water. I couldn't figure out a way to shoot there cuz the splashing water was endless LOL! I guess a GoPro strapped to your head is the only solution there.
It's a bit hard to access side buttons on the side since there are no indicators for where they are and you can't feel them through the padding. Just know where the key ones are like power, etc.
My photos and videos from the end of the day were super fuzzy. I thought maybe it had fogged up but when I took a closer look at the case, it had a gross film on it... Turns out I got my case super dirty from my sunscreened hands!! Oops!! So take care to make sure your plastic is clear or else your data will not be.

US Japan Fam reviews CaliCase Waterproof Phone Pouch - sunscreen dirt

My takeaway: Get it. Get it today! You can have your phone close by without having to worry about it getting splashed or dunked. You can even throw a credit card in there, which is what we did at the water park so we had everything we needed right on us! The universal size fit my phone (Motorola G Stylus) and my husband's (iPhone 11) only if we took our regular cases off, the extra large size fit them with cases on, which is easier, so I recommend that bigger size.

BUY YOUR CALICASE on CaliCase.com (affiliate link) - use code "japanfam" to get 20% off!!

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SplashDown Beach Water Park - 2021 Review

6/21/2021

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US Japan Fam reviews SplashDown Beach Waterpark in Fishkill NY - 2021 Summer

Disclaimer: We were provided tickets in exchange for sharing our experience, but all thoughts and opinions are our own.

We moved from Brooklyn to Hudson Valley a year ago, but last summer was pretty much a wash for any kind of theme park experiences. Thankfully everything is opened back up now and we are HERE. FOR. IT!!! Yesterday we ventured half an hour up to Fishkill, NY to spend the day at SplashDown Beach Water Park and had the best day everrrrrr!!! Be sure to watch our highlights video here, and read on for details!!

We arrived at 11AM, got our bags checked, tickets scanned, rented our locker for the day (you get a handy wrist band you simply scan to open the locker), and rented our Cabana, which is an extra splurge but I highly recommend it - it was so nice to have a quiet shaded spot to come back to for a break. There's a buzzer so you can easily call your waiter and order food and drinks to be brought to you. You need a special wrist band to enter the private cabana area, so we felt safe leaving our clothes and water bottles and sunblock and other non-valuables there with no worries, just putting wallets and keys in a locker (in another area). We had a cheese pizza delivered for lunch and it was delicious!!!!

US Japan Fam reviews SplashDown Beach Waterpark in Fishkill NY - renting a cabana

Those 48" and above can do all the rides, though 42" and above can do pretty much do everything, sometimes solo and sometimes needing to pair up with an adult. There are some HUGE and terrifying slides (like Humunga Halfpipe and Megalodon), some medium thrill ones (like Bullet Bowl and Arctic Plunge), and some super chill ones safe for babies and babies at heart (like the lazy river, regular pool, and wave pool), and even some areas just for smaller kids.

US Japan Fam reviews SplashDown Beach Waterpark in Fishkill NY - kiddie pool area

One of our 5 year old twins was too scared to do a solo ride at the start of the day, but after doing several rides with a partner she was ready to try again at the end of the day and SUCCESS! She loved it and begged to ride again and again!!! So, my tip, if you have a more nervous kid like her, do parter or group rides first to get their confidence up a bit, and avoid any potential tears and inner conflict!

US Japan Fam reviews SplashDown Beach Waterpark in Fishkill NY - tube water slides and thrill rides

They have complimentary coastguard certified lifejackets available throughout the park - for adults (over 90 pounds), youth (55-88 pounds), child (33-55 pounds), and infant. Our kids can't swim yet so having them wear these helped me feel more reassured.

US Japan Fam reviews SplashDown Beach Waterpark in Fishkill NY - life jackets

I was really impressed with the lifeguards, too. At the pool, you can see them scanning in very strict grid patterns - each line up and down the pool from one side to the other, the perimeter, and back to start - they obviously have very detailed training and when one of my kids had trouble exiting from a water slide at one point that lifeguard did not hesitate to blow her whistle, jump in, and rescue my little one who had been sucked back to the corner by the current (you can see the action in our video). While she luckily hadn't been in any real danger, it was amazing to see how confident the lifeguards are in knowing exactly what to do. So so so important at any water park, and this was the first time I ever got to see their training in action!

US Japan Fam reviews SplashDown Beach Waterpark in Fishkill NY - water slides

They have changing rooms, bathrooms, lots of dining options inside and outside. We left when they closed at 6pm, after a full 7 hours there, and honestly, still hadn't had enough LMAO!!! It is a SUPER FUN day out and I can't recommend it highly enough!!

US Japan Fam reviews SplashDown Beach Waterpark in Fishkill NY - fun in the sun

LOCATION: 16 Old Route 9 W, Fishkill, NY

TICKETS: from $29.99 - $49.99 per day (half day, weekday, weekend/holiday rates vary), infants 2 and under free (but first visit you must purchase their reusable swim diaper cover for $9.99), $129.99 season's pass.

Quick shoutout to some items that made our day in the sun even better:
(affiliate links):

CaliCase floating waterproof phone cases (review coming soon)
UV Skinz UPF 50+ rash guard shirts (my kids always wear, but it was my first time and WOW it was such a relief not to have to worry about my shoulders and chest/back burning!!!)
Contigo Insulated Spill-Proof Water Bottles - kept our water ice cold all day!
ThinkSport SPF50+ Water Resistant Mineral Sunblock - we applied at 11am and 2pm and were in the sun and water for 7 hours. Our twins got a tiny "sunkiss" on their cheeks but no one got burned - this stuff is amazing!

For more NY / NJ area reviews and recommendations, be sure to check out our roundups:

Family-Friendly Day Trips & Weekend Getaways from NYC

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2021 Prime Day Guide for Families

6/8/2021

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Disclaimer: Affiliate links included below - you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

Prime Day 2021 is almost here! Epic sales are set to run June 21 - 22, 2021 but some early sales will be hitting as early as June 11! We'll be updating this page as we hear of great products for families - for babies, big kids, and parents! You can expect amazing deals on Ring Video Doorbells, Alexa & Echo smart home gear, and much much more!!! Personally, I'm hoping to score a deal on a GoPro, new Fire Tablet (any edition but need that 32gb),

But to get in on the Prime Day deals, you have to be a prime member. It costs $12.99 per month but you can sign up for a 30 day free trial here!

Amazon Prime membership includes:

Get unlimited FREE same-day, one-day and two-day delivery (no minimum order size), even have deliveries made in your secure location via remote keyless access with Key by Amazon
Exclusive Prime Day deals
Stream thousands of movies, TV episodes, and games (extra fee for premium channels)
Stream 2 million songs ad free (get 20% off "music unlimited) subscription for 70 million songs)
Borrow Kindle books
Unlimited full-resolution photo storage