Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by New Bee but all thoughts and opinions are my own and unbiased. This post also contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I receive commission from purchases made after clicking.

If you're looking for the best kids headphones, you're in luck, cuz I've just found them!! Say hello to the KH-20 Headphones by New Bee!! If you are new to the market of headphones for kids, there are a few features you may not even know you need to look for, so let me go over some of those and some of the *extras* I'm loving about these from New Bee:

Kid Safe Volume Control:
According to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics),1 in 6 teens has a type of high frequency hearing loss attributed to exposure to loud noises such as listening to music too loud on their headphones. How loud is too loud? To put it (too) simply, if you can hear sound from the headphones your child is listening to, the volume is too loud. Buying headphones specifically meant to control the max decibel level is important, such as these headhpones by New Be that have a switch to max the volume at either 85 or 95 decibels. Some headphones have an even lower setting, which you may want to consider, but they're often too quiet to hear when using on an airplane or other setting with background noise. These New Bee headphones seem to be perfect - loud enough to hear on a plane, but not loud enough to damage hearing. That said, you should try to limit the time on headphones as decibel level isn't the only factor at play, duration of exposure is as well.

Internal Mic
Whether your child will be gaming, doing remote learning, or Skyping with grandparents, an internal microphone is key! But some microphones stick out and are easily broken. I love the mic on the New Bee headphones because it's very discreet, right on the cord's little volume toggle switch!

Plug & Play

Sure, cordless is nice because you aren't tied to a device, and they won't get knotted up. BUT... you also have to worry about keeping them charged, not to mention connection errors or even concerns about child's exposure to bluetooth. Personally, I appreciate a good corded headphone like these! This one has a durable braided nylon cord. No charging. No drama when your child's device doesn't support bluetooth. No worries!

Comfy for Ears & Head
Some headphones are just so uncomfortable. I find ear buds the worst, not only do they hurt after a while, they can also get super gross from ear wax! ICK!! Especially for my kids, I prefer a traditional style headphone, and the ear pieces on these New Bee headphones are SO SO SO soft and comfy!! The head strap is also made of a soft and smooth material, not hard plastic or metal, meaning it's comfy and also very flexible. I'm in love with these!! Not to mention how cute they are!! Coming in 6 color options, with a cute design on the outside of the ear piece!

Compact Fold
Headphones are often brought along on road trips and air travel, thrown in backpacks etc. So, a compact fold is really important! The ear pieces on these New Bee headphones fold in and out really easily, even your child can do it!

Adjustable
It's key for any headphones to be adjustable, not just for kids. These children's headphones by New Bee are adjustable, but not a whole lot. I was surprised that the longest setting actually fit me so I will totally be borrowing these from my kids LOL! I don't think they would fit a toddler well, they might work in a pinch but these are designed for children ages 4 - 16.

BUY THEM NOW :)

If you're looking for a pair of headphones for your child, I highly recommend these KH-20 by New Bee!! Grab them on Amazon (affiliate link) or use code USJF to get 15% off your order on their website anewbee.com.

See them featured in our Christmas Gift Haul video here: 

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored and contains affiliate links - as an Amazon Associate I receive commission from purchases made after clicking affiliate links.

I just received this amazing Carchet T12 touch screen rearview mirror mounted dash cam for review, and want to highlight its features by going over 10 reasons you need a dash cam and didn't even know it! Read on for the inspiration, and watch our unboxing / demo review video at the bottom of this post for more on all of the amazing features of this smart dash camera!

8 Reasons You Need a Dash Cam:

1. You drive an old car.
Wish your old car had a back-up camera, or more bells and whistles? Getting a smart touch screen dash cam like this one by Carchet is a quick, easy, and budget-friendly way to upgrade your ride!

2. You want a better view out of the front or back.
A great dash cam like this can eliminate blind spots. You can also angle the cameras to get a better view - for example you could angle the forward mirror up to the sky, down to the front hood/street, or straight ahead for the road just by how you have it strapped on to your rear view mirror. You can also zoom in using the smart functions of the screen. Want to use it as a traditional rearview mirror? Simply turn it off and it'll work as a regular mirror. It's also super easy to take down, it's just 2 rubber straps!

3. You want video/photo records for car insurance / police report.
You may be able to reduce your car insurance premium by having a dash cam. But even without reducing rates, it can still be a great help in providing evidence in a car accident, vandalism, or theft.

4. You have a teen driver.
Monitor stats about their driving and even utilize the dash cam's GPS to see where they've been! Don't be sneaky, let them know you care about them and want to make sure they're being safe. Knowing they're being monitored might even help them make better judgements when driving.

5. You want to catch unexpected footage for a  viral video.
We've all seen those one in a million dash cam videos - a buck runs head on into a car. A meteor flashes across the night sky. A garbage truck slides slo-mo across an icy road. Someone caught these videos on camera. Maybe you will catch the next jaw-dropping event on your Carchet dash cam, which features 2.5k HD full resolution front camera with 170 degree range of view, and 1080p rear view camera! 

6. You need backup assist.
Maybe you have a newer car, but does it have 160 degree rear view camera and backup assist? This dash cam does!

7. You want to map your driving.
The T12 Carchet Dash Cam comes with GPS that you plug right in to map your driving and record your routes (don't worry, this is kept private, just for you).

8. You love car tech & gadgets.
Need I say more? HA!

Seriously though, this 12" Mirror Mounted Dash Cam from Carchet blew me away. Swipe the touch screen to go from forward view to rear view to split screen, touch get the main menu with TONS of options, or use voice control for a hands-free experience! Loop recording and collision lock will prevent footage of an accident from being recorded over. The extremely wide field of view will help eliminate blind spots. You can even have it stream music! The only negative is that it's a bit tricky feeding the rear view camera in to connect to the brake box, but you can DIY or pay a little extra to have a professional set it up for you at a body shop. Also, do note you'll need to buy the memory card to record on (up to 128gb).

BUY IT HERE!!

Disclaimer: We received shoes in exchange for this post, but all thoughts and opinions are our own. In addition, affiliate links are included below - you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

The best shoes for your baby's, toddler's, and kid's feet? pediped. Hands down! Our kids have been rocking their kicks for years and I'm so excited to be working with them again on another review and... GIVEAWAY!! That's right!! Read on for more info about pediped and the sneakers and boots we just got our twins, then enter to win one pair of pediped children's shoes at the bottom of this post - open to residents of US & Canada, ages 18+!

Why do we love pediped? First and foremost, they're good for kids' feet!! They have actually been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance for the promotion of healthy foot development! Most of their shoes have an incredibly flexible sole and are vegan, many are water-safe or machine washable, and they come TONS of designs and sizes, from baby's crib shoe through 6Y (about 10 years old). What's more? They care! Since its establishment in 2005, pediped has given more than $2,800,000 in product and monetary support to children in need.

All 5 of the pairs I'm reviewing today have the Flex system - they come with an additional insert you can put in so they fit snugger (by almost half a size) and then remove when the feet grow. This way they can wear the shoes longer - how's that for a greater bang for your buck!? In my experience, even with the toughest wear, pediped shoes usually last through at least 2 kids. Their durability makes for great hand me downs!

The first shoe in our Fall Haul to review is the Flex Gehrig Pink Navy velcro sneaker. Available in sizes EU 24 - 33 / US 7.5 - 2Y, these adorable shoes feature "Durabuck" and canvas upper, breathable mesh lining, flexible rubber sole, and 2 hook & loop velcro straps. They're machine washable (YES!!!!) and are vegan.

• The Gehrig design is available in a bunch of boys, girls, and gender neutral colors in Flex (big kid) and Grip 'n Go (toddler) sizes on pediped.com or Amazon (affiliate link)

Next up we have the Flex Force Hot Pink, a beautiful sneaker for kiddos wanting to step out of their toddler days and into a more big kid or even adult looking shoe! Available in sizes EU 24 - 33 / US 7.5 - 2Y, these feature ultra light technology for maximum flexibility and sole cushioning while being light as air, and they're vegan and machine washable! 

• The Force design is available in a bunch of girls, boys, and gender neutral colors in Flex (big kid) and Grip 'n Go (toddler) sizes on pediped.com and Amazon (affiliate link).

Another fun sneaker we got was the Flex Dani Silver Shimmer!  Available in sizes EU 24 - 33 / US 7.5 - 2Y, featuring man-made and natural leather upper, all natural rubber sole, and mesh lining. These are super cute the way they shine, and have a really unique feel to them!

• The Dani design is available in girls (with and without shiny features), boys, and gender neutral colors in Flex (big kids) & Grip 'n Go (for babies & toddlers) on pediped.com and Amazon (affiliate link).

RELATED: Curious what Mia is sitting on in the below image? Check out our Kozy Couch review after entering this giveaway!

As my girls gallop from the toddler era toward tweendom, it's no surprise that they are jumping for joy over stylish boots!! First up we have the Flex Naomi Boot in Black. Available in sizes EU 22 - 36 / US 6 - 4.5Y, featuring leather and quilted nylon upper, breathable leather and fabric lining, rubber sole, and a zipper the entire length up the boot making it easy to get on and off. 

• This adorable patent leather and quilted nylon Naomi design comes in a few colors in Flex boot for big kids, and a mary jane style for babies and toddlers, available on pediped.com and Amazon (affiliate link).

Last but most certainly not least, we have the Flex Eclipse Deep Red Floral Boot,  available in sizes EU 24 - 36 / US 7.5 - 4.5Y. Featuring a brownish red leather upper with floral design, soft textile lining, and a rubber sole. There's a long zipper on the inside, a stretchy elastic outside, and pull tab at the back, so they're easy to get on and off.

• The Eclipse design boot is available in a few different colors on pediped.com and Amazon (affiliate link).

SOOOoooo cute, all of them, am I right!? You really can't go wrong with pediped, check out our past pediped reviews for more of the cuteness and to see how many other styles look "in real life"!!

• Spring 2021
• Fall 2020
• Fall 2019
• Summer 2019
• ​Fall 2018
• Summer 2017
• Fall 2016

RELATED: Like Emi & Mia's leggings above? We sure do!! Check them out in our latest Primary clothing haul + review! And learn about the dome climber they're on here!

Enter to win a pair of pediped children's shoes!!
Winner choses size and gender (color and design subject availability. Open to US and Canada residents ages 18 and over. Giveaway ends Tuesday, October 26 at 11:59PM ET - winner will be randomly selected and emailed, given 48 hours to confirm. Simply comment on this blog post and let the Rafflecopter app know you did so! Many extra actions can be taken for additional points and chances to win, some daily, so keep coming back!

Have you jumped onto the CBD band wagon yet? Are you curious? I've been a bit hesitant for the past couple of years but recently (finally!) dove right in with a couple of great CBD & hemp oil products from Uncle Bud's Hemp, who sponsored this post :)

What is CBD??

I think a lot of us are wary of CBD products because they're not evaluated by the FDA, we are hearing they are miraculous cures and treatments for countless ailments but haven't seen in depth scientific studies and evidence of this yet, and of course, their connection to marijuana... So I want to start by kind of debunking these concerns in relation to Uncle Bud's:

• All of Uncle Bud’s Hemp-Healthy products are lab-tested and formulated in an FDA-Registered lab in the USA, so that should put your mind at ease!
• Hemp is one specific type of plant in the cannabis family, and it contains very little THC (the psychoactive ingredient that marijuana is infamous for), however it does have high levels of cannabidiol (CBD), which is the good-for-you-stuff! Uncle Bud's products contain NO THC, and are made from hemp sourced 100% from the USA.
• Some studies suggest that hemp oil may be of use in the treatment of certain inflammatory issues and some skin conditions, in part due to it being high in Vitamins A, D, E, antioxidents, Fatty Acids Omega-3 & Omega-6, and anti-inflammatory GLA (Gamma-Linolenic acid).
• Hemp seed oil is extracted from hemp seeds, whereas CBD oil is extracted from the stalk and leaves of the hemp plant. 

OK now that we have the basics under our belts, let's get to the review! 

CBD Gummies
Uncle Bud's has a line of CBD Gummies including:

• Sleep Gummies (with 2mg of melatonin and 25mg of CBD per serving)
• Multivitamin Gummies (with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Iron, Folate, and 25mg of CBD per serving)
• Energy Gummies (with 10mg of caffeine and 25mg of CBD per serving)
• Anytime Gummies (with 25mg of CBD per serving)

​I was given a bottle of the Anytime Gummies to try out. They're 100% vegan and come with 30 gummies in a bottle (suggested 1-2 gummies every 6 hours or as desired). Each gummy is 15 calories with 3g of carbs and 2g of sugar. They come in lime, blue raspberry, strawberry, and watermelon and in my opinion start out really yummy then have a slightly bitter taste kick in (the CBD oil I'm guessing), but it's not at all unpalatable. I should note there is a Prop65 warning for Reproductive Harm on the bottle, and they're not recommended for use while pregnant or breastfeeding. There is NO THC, so it's as expected that I didn't feel any different after consumption. But CBD oil is said to have many possible benefits so I see it as one of those healthy supplements you can simply add to your daily routine.

ANTI-WRINKLE CREAM
This one is labeled under Miss Bud's as opposed to Uncle Bud's, not sure what that's about cuz men certainly get wrinkles too LOL!! The box says "may help reduce the signs of aging for a smoother, brighter skin complexion", and I am HERE. FOR. IT! It goes on to say hemp skin care provides:

• advanced moisturizing
• may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles including crows feet and course deep wrinkles
• may help tone skin for a youthful glow
• perfect for all skin types

I should preface my review by letting you know I have VERY sensitive skin, with rosacea which flares up all red and angry from the slightest thing. However, I'm really excited to say that this cream does not flare up my skin, quite the opposite, it's incredibly soothing! It's a light cream with a slight oil to it that really penetrates the skin! The lotion I had been using wasn't heavy enough and when I put concealer or any makeup on top, my skin gets so dry! But this hemp seed oil cream is amazing!!! It's just enough to fully moisturize without leaving you shiny or greasy. I'm truly loving this stuff!!! I haven't been using it long enough to notice any difference regarding wrinkles and fine lines, so it's not an instant type of miracle worker. I'm hoping to see results soon, but even if I don't, I still love it simply for it's moisturizing abilities (though honestly, it doesn't smell great hehe).

The box directs you to gently massage into face and neck every evening after cleansing, and the active ingredients include hemp seed oil, alfalfa seed extract, coconut oil, and rosehip oil. It's paraben free, cruelty free, and made in the USA.

If interested in kicking off your journey into the world of CBD and Hemp, Uncle Bud's has got you covered. They have a HUGE line of great products, focusing on muscles & joints, edibles, personal wellness, skin care, and even pet care! You can even find some of their hand lotions and soaps over on Amazon (affiliate link).

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Canvaspop but all thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased. Additionally, affiliate links are included - you don't pay more but we receive a commission from purchases made after clicking.

Wanting to spruce up a room with some new wall art? Or thinking it's time to update your wall (or your parents' wall) with a new family portrait? You've come to the right place! I'm unboxing and reviewing a new canvas print I just got from Canvaspop, who sponsored this post and has $250 credit in the $1,000 value jackpot giveaway we are running right now! Link at bottom of this post to enter to win, but first watch my fun unboxing video (with a mini dining room makeover), and read on for more details!

There are a million places you can turn to for on demand prints, but I'm completely blown away with the high quality service I received from Canvaspop, and think you will be, too! First of all, they have tons of products to choose from. You can upload your own design or choose from their endless wall art designs, which is what I did.

Then, you customize it regarding size (from 8x10" to 30x40", or a custom size), type of print (framed or canvas, even choosing wrapped print or not, how thick the edge should be, etc). You can even choose photo collage or 3 panel triptych print! Measuring the space I was going to use above our dining room table, I chose a 24x30" design and went for the 3/4" depth canvas print.

You'll receive a digital proof, so you can be sure they lined up your image correctly, especially important to check if you've chosen wrapped canvas with the image being stretched over the sides. Mine came boxed up very securely, not bubble wrapped, but protected and in pristine condition.

I'm not an artist or any kind of professional interior designer, but was very impressed with the quality! The canvas was tight and thick, with a wooden support in the back, wall protectors already on the bottom corners, canvas was neatly wrapped around corners and securely stapled a bazillion times around the back of the wooden frame, and a metal wire is pre-installed so it was ready to hang!

​The print is GORGEOUS!!! Colors are so vibrant and the detail is astounding - it looks like a textured painting, but it's not! It's a flat canvas! But looking at it on the wall you would never know! It's hard to see in my pictures, you'll get a better idea in my video. But here's the before and after. I'm SO SO SO happy with how my mini makeover turned out. My only regret is not recording my kids and my husband walking in and seeing it for the first time. They all squealed and ooh'd and ahhhh'd over it! YAY!!!

I couldn't be happier! So what are you waiting for!?? Shop for your next wall art at Canvaspop RIGHT NOW!!

Don't forget, you can enter to win $250 credit to Canvaspop in my $1,000 value jackpot giveaway running through October 5 here (US residents only).

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by DiscountGlasses.com and contains affiliate links - you don't pay more but we receive a small commission from purchases made after clicking.

Blue light is a phrase we tend to hear a lot these days, and while you probably know it has a negative connotation, do you know why? Exactly what is blue light, how bad is it, and how can we block it?? Keep reading for answers to all of this, and to enter to win $100 credit from our DiscountGlasses.com (who sponsored this post) in our $1,000 value jackpot #Giveaway4Grownups!

NEGATIVE IMPACT ON SLEEP (and Health):

According to Harvard Health Blog, blue light (which may or may not be perceived as the color blue) is visible light with a wave length between 400 and 450 nanometers. It is a concern because it has more energy per photon of light than other colors in the visible spectrum. They say that blue light from screens such as your computer, tablet, and cell phone, is not strong enough to contribute to macular degeneration or blindness, but it can still have a negative impact on your health by stimulating your circadian clock and keeping you awake or disrupting your sleep.

Some studies have suggested a link between exposure to any bright lights at night with increased risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, with blue light being the worst offender.

​Proposed ways to counteract the effect of blue light on our sleep cycle and overall health include:

• avoiding bright lights and screens 2-3 hours before bedtime
• using blue light blocking lenses at night when bright lights and screens can't be avoided (ex. for night shift workers)
• getting more bright light during the daytime (this is my personal favorite way to combat jet lag!)

VISUAL STRAIN:

A report by AOA (American Optometric Association) explains that extended use of cell phones, tablets, and personal computers can lead to symptoms of dry eyes, blurred vision and headaches, and suggests the use of amber-tinted or blue light blocking lenses when using screens directly before bedtime can help limit their effect on sleep.

PLAY IT SAFE!!

We are just starting to venture into the study of blue light and personal screens' effects on both adults and children, and we have SO much to learn!! For now we are mostly hearing various "links" and "assumptions" rather than proven cause & effect... I don't know about you but in this type of situation I like to play the whole "better safe than sorry" card.

​What's this mean?? Having my children and myself avoid personal screens 2 hours before bedtime. But let's face it... for myself, it's not all that practical. I usually have to get on at night after the kids go to bed to catch up on work and to send some quick emails. Not to mention to watch TV and scroll through social media. You know how it is... This is where blue light lenses come into play!​

Blue Light Blocking Glasses

I've been an ambassador for DiscountGlasses.com (DG) for a few years now, since my youngest needed "indestructible" glasses at age 3 (see that ADORABLE unboxing review video at the bottom of this post). We LOVE DG for glasses and sunglasses for our entire family! It wasn't until very recently I realized the potential health benefits of adding a blue light blocking coating to the lenses (whether prescriptive or not), so I did just that with my most recent order!

Check out these Lunettos Clarkson frames I just got - how cute are these!? The basic frames with prescription are $39.95 (with free shipping) but I got the following add-ons:

• blue light blocker (+$19)
• thinner & lighter lenses (+$19.99)

Other popular enhancements include:

• transitions (makes glasses work as regular & sunglasses) (+$79)
• anti-reflective +($20)

This is my first ever glasses of any kind with blue light blocking lenses and honestly, there is zero difference in respect to how I see out of them and how they look, which is great! They're not colored. I really have no idea how they work but again, better safe than sorry!! I typically don't wear glasses for computer use, I only wear prescription sunglasses while out because I can't see distance (signs, etc) but now I plan to wear these blue light blockers at least when on screens in the evening... but maybe more? They SUPER cute, and so lightweight! I really love them!!

If you're nervous about ordering glasses online, don't be! DG hase free shipping, 365 day free returns, virtual try on for most frames, and you can even renew your prescription with their free online vision test! ​

The grand prize winner of our $1,000 value jackpot #Giveaway4Grownups will receive a $100 credit to DiscountGlasses.com!

Enter to win here!!

Disclaimer: We were provided complimentary tickets to Dutch Wonderland and Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in exchange for our promotion, but all thoughts and opinions are our own - we LOVE them, have been going for years, and know you'll love them, too! This post also contains affiliate links, you won't pay more but we receive commission from purchases made after clicking.

We missed our annual trip to Lancaster last summer, we all missed ALOT of things last year, am I right?! But it made our trip this year that much more special! And to top it off, we also met my best friend (and her family) who I hadn't seen in 3 years!! See the WHOLE vacation in this super fun video here, and read on for more details!!

Lancaster is one of our favorite family vacation destinations, for 3 reasons:

1. The landscape
It's absolutely beautiful, so peaceful, with rolling hills and endless farmland! Also, I may be a tad fascinated with Amish culture and lifestyle... ​

2. Dutch Wonderland
Possibly the best amusement park out there for toddlers and younger kids, with everything from chill rides to exciting diving shows, and even a small water park. There are many rides where you can hold babies and little ones in your lap. By around 2-3 years old, they're tall enough for most rides, at least going together with an adult. My oldest is 8 and finally tall enough to ride the wooden roller coaster with the highest height requirement. My 5 year olds are tall enough for the 2nd highest cutoff ride, Merlin's Mayhem, a super exciting SMOOTH metal roller coaster. Look at the below photo of our first trip in 2017 and our latest trip in 2021 - the kids have grown SO much!!

We're still not out of the pandemic, but I should note that most people at the park were NOT masked, and it did get crowded. The waterpark was too crowded for our comfort (you can see in our video) so didn't venture in there, but other than that we didn't feel uneasy, especially being outdoors. We got there right when they opened at 10am and were able to ride Merlin's Mayhem (our favorite roller coaster) twice in a row without any line and didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes until afternoon, when it got a bit more crowded but still not crazy, for a super nice Sunday in August I was pleasantly surprised!

We just love going back year after year! We haven't noticed any change in rides since we've been going, but it's fun seeing how the kids change each time - what they're excited to ride or see again, and what they're suddenly tall enough to do.

You can get a special discount on Dutch Wonderland tickets here ($9 off!!)

3. Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
We've been going to Cherry Crest for years now and every time they have added new things and expanded and my mind is blown in the best way all over again!! It's basically 25 acres of outdoor adventuring "agri-entertainment" fun on the farm - we're talking HUGE fast potato sack slides (a 6-lane slide is new this year and amazing!!!), jump pillows for kids AND adults, petting zoo, tractor rides, shooting apples and paint balls, Sproutsville kids' town (expanded this year with many new buildings - see the video), and so so so much more!! 

Their epic corn maze was voted #1 in the country last year!! Be sure to click here and vote so they win again this year. Above center is an aerial view, this year's 5-acre corn maze with 2.5 miles of trails has a theme of "Hometown Heroes", and throughout the maze you can learn about how local and national emergency services keep our communities safe!

Cherry Crest is open daily through the summer (closed Sundays/Mondays) in July & August, and open Thurs-Sat from September 11 - November 6. Check out their calendar here!

We've stayed at several different Lancaster hotels over the years, you can see them mentioned in our previous annual guides (our 2019 guide, our 2018 guide, our 2017 guide - you can see TONS of other activities and restaurants in those as well).

ACCOMMODATION:
This year we chose the Wyndham Lancaster Resort and it's our new favorite!! Here's why we loved it:
1. Huge and newly renovated - modern, clean, super nice! We got a pool-view balcony room with 2 queen beds and I was surprised how big it was! Could fit an extra bed but we decided to keep it roomier and just had our 3 kids sleep sideways in one of the queen beds, easy peasy!
2. Great heated zero-entry outdoor pool with lounge chairs IN THE POOL. It was in the 90's when we arrived and the pool was actually a bit too warm, felt good but not refreshing. I've never said that about a pool in my life LOL, it was like a warm bath, would have felt really nice on a normal day in the 70s-80's but in a heat wave, I wanted icey water!
3. Nice indoor pool with 9' deep end, nice for jumping and diving!
**note: NO LIFEGUARDS! You have to sign a ton of waivers at check in.
​4. TODDLER ROOM!! See photo below and in our video. My kids are 5, 5, 8 and loved it here. And it was amazing for our friend's 2 year old because he could just roam free with no worries. It's a great space to take your kids when they wake early, to let your partner enjoy a sleep in!
5. Super cute outdoor playground. Note: it's not gated in, so you'll have to stay close to your little ones if they're runners!
6. On-site restaurant, bar, and Starbucks. Pro Tip: the Starbucks has a microwave (our room didn't), it also has a little food pantry where you can buy cereal, snacks, etc.
7. Located across the street from Cartoon Network Hotel and Dutch Wonderland, walkable to many restaurants including Applebees. Very close to the outlets and TONS of stuff! That said, it's in a busy commercial area, not the quiet peaceful areas of Lancaster where we've stayed before.

We also dropped by Cartoon Network Hotel because I've been curious about it since it opened recently! It looks like it was an old motel that got bought up and gut renovated in a really fun and kitsch way. We peaked into an open room and it was small, no wonder they have a max 4 guests policy. The outdoor pool and splash area look great, and we ate dinner at the Cartoon Kitchen, which looks more like a cafeteria than a restaurant, but we got a private BenTen themed "pod" (3 walled room with a TV at the end of the table) and had fun. The food was good, drinks were strong and yummy, they have a FAB gift shop if you have CN loving people in your life, and they had meet and greet with a couple of characters, however there was a no-touch policy, covid related probably. I definitely recommend either a stay or a meal there!

MORE FAMILY VACATION INSPIRATION:

• Family-Friendly Day Trips & Weekend Getaways from NYC: amazing roundup we made with TONS of links to personal reviews!!)
• Kid Friendly Hudson Valley: great roundup we made of family-friendly day trips and activities for kids!

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

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!!)!

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!

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!!

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!

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!!

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...

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.

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.​​

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!!