All posts by Alicia

Disney Playmation Wearable Tech Toys

Are Disney’s Playmation Wearable Tech Toys Arriving In Time For Summer Break Fun?

Kids are out of school in many areas of the country and parents are becoming increasingly worried that their child’s summer is going to be full of couch-sitting, video game playing, snack eating, laziness.  Maybe that’s just me.  It’s a good thing I came up with a list of 24 things Madelyn can do while I’m working yesterday!  I’ll show you the list in another post.  🙂

Disney recently announced a groundbreaking system of toys and wearables that use smart technology to inspire kids to run around and use their imaginations.  Sounds unreal, doesn’t it?   I guess the future is happening, now!  Who would have thought that our kids could use technology AND their imaginations.. in one foul swoop?  Thank you Disney and  Hasbro!

Disney Playmation Wearable Tech Toys

Playmation is the next step in the evolution of play, where digital gets physical and imagination becomes real. The groundbreaking system of toys and wearables uses smart technology to inspire kids to run around and use their imaginations, as they become the hero or heroine of stories from across The Walt Disney Company. Playmation Marvel’s Avengers is the first of a series of systems in development, including Star Wars and Frozen. In Playmation Marvel’s Avengers, strap the high-tech Repulsor Gear onto your arm and join the Avengers in their fight to save Earth! As an Avenger recruit, your on-board intelligence JARVIS will guide you from your Gear as you accept missions from the Avengers and battle in exotic locations around the universe to save our planet—all from the comfort of your own home.

Watch the trailer to see Playmation in action!

As you can see in the video above, the new line of toys, in partnership with Hasbro, are a cross between computers and costumes.  Iron Man gloves and Hulk fists based on Disney’s Marvel superhero brand are two of the first examples shown.

Playmation uses technology regularly used by kids; smart toys, wearables, wireless technology, motion sensors, and more—to create a unique experience in which toys interact not only with the kids who play with them, but with each other. Along with the system’s companion app, the toys in Playmation reinvent “old school” play for the digital generation—allowing kids to become part of the story in real life.

Playmation is not a video game.   Disney touts Playmation as an entirely new category of play.  Users will go through familiar gameplay experiences of leveling up, earning points and completing missions.   Disney says there is a companion app, but Playmation is not meant to be played in front of a screen.  Instead, the user becomes part of the story in real life–running around and using their imagination to complete missions and go on exciting adventures.

Internet access may be required to download companion apps for some Playmation toys, but will not be required for gameplay.   Playmation toys create their own inter-connected network to communicate and interact with each other without requiring an Internet or WiFi network or connection, so you can play anywhere.

HOW DO YOU GET PLAYMATION?

The Playmation Marvel’s Avengers “Starter Pack” will include 1 piece of Avenger “Gear” (Repulsor), 2 Power Activators and 2 “Smart Figures” – a Super Hero (Captain America) and Villain (Iron Skull). Additional items will be sold separately. You can use the AvengersNet app to register your Gear, get updates, see progress, customize your Gear, and even get additional missions for all new play. Check Disney Playmation soon for more information on product details, retail availability, and how to pre-order!

Playmation will bring more of your kids favorite stories to life soon.  Playmation Star Wars is currently slated for release in 2016, and a Disney Frozen system is currently in development.

Playmation is described as being best for children 6+.

Playmation Marvel’s Avengers will be available at Disney Stores, disneystore.com and mass retailers nationwide (US and Canada) this October. Check Disney Playmation for more information on retail availability and how to pre-order!

Ultimate HEX Set

HEX Performance Products Coming To A Target Near You May 16th!

This post brought to you by HEX Performance

Summer break is quickly approaching and with that fabulous time of year comes more outdoor play than usual and sports camps.  You know what comes with sports camps..STINK!  If your kids sports gear and clothes are anything like my son’s lacrosse gear and clothes after a game, you want to send your kid walking home rather giving him a cushy, air conditioned ride in your car.

What’s even worse is that despite tossing the clothes and washable sports gear in the washing machine as soon as you step foot in the house, the sweaty, dirty, smell lingers on them – no matter how many times they are cleaned!

Actually – that’s not true when you use HEX Performance detergent and washing products.

HEX scientists have created a new formula, HEX Performance, designed specifically for performance gear and apparel that truly cleans and removes unwanted odors and bacteria from performance gear and apparel.

HEX Performance - Sports Gear Detergent

Performance gear and apparel are often made out complex, high tech performance fabrics making the careful cleaning and care of the gear and clothes very important.   HEX Performance has engineered a system designed specifically to clean, protect, and maintain high performance apparel.  HEX Performance has also created the first and only system designed specifically for performance gear.

The power of HEX Tech not only cleans and eliminates odors typically associated with bacteria and mildew, but restores wickability, provides antistatic properties, and protects gear and apparel with a unique, bonded barrier providing odor-fighting technology. This makes HEX the only system that provides long lasting protection.

The Ultimate HEX Set comes complete with everything you need to fully deep clean and protect any and all gear and apparel.

  • HEX Ultra+ Dual Action Gear Wash
    The only system designed specifically to clean and protect today’s high performance gear.
  • HEX Power+ Laundry Detergent
    A radical breakthrough in cleaning with advanced detergent technology for all your performance apparel.
  • HEX On Demand+ Spray & Go
    On the go cleaning at your fingertips for anything you can’t throw in a washing machine.

What’s really great is that while HEX was developed to deep clean body oils, sweat, and dirt, HEX also contains key enzymes to tackle all of your laundry needs even that funky towel smell that develops over time and pet collars!


HEX Performance products are available in all Target stores in Colorado and Georgia!

If you’re in Colorado or Georgia, stop by Target Saturday May 16th from 11am to 4pm to check out the HEX display, get $1 off any HEX Performance product to try HEX, and get a FREE sample!

HEX Performance

 

We hope you enjoy an odor-free summer!  🙂

 

 

Dance Recital

Not a Perfect Parent: Surviving 2 Birthdays, a Dance Recital, and Mother’s Day

I am, quite frankly, surprised I am still semi-sane after the last couple of weeks.  I was a little worried about when and if my survival techniques would kick in.   So much has been happening.  Let me premise this post by saying that life is great, I am a happy parent, and things could always be worse.

In the last few weeks I’ve had two MRIs of my brain and brain stem and found out that I have a thing on my eye that could be cancerous, or not. I’m hoping for not. The way I look at it is that there are a lot of things that *could* be cancerous.  My opthamologist dives head first into anything that concerns him in the slightest so here’s to hoping that he’s being overly cautious about this thing on my eye.  My dr. said he isn’t worried enough about it to do a biopsy so that’s good news!  I could just have a freckle on my eye.. funny, but true!

Here’s a timeline of the last couple of weeks and what’s coming up:

  • May 1st – Tim’s 40th birthday
  • May 1st – I found out about my eye issue
  • May 5th – Madelyn’s dance recital
  • May 9th – Madelyn’s 9th birthday
    • Decorate, pick up cake, and last minute goodies – AM
    • Party with friends 1-3pm
    • Take Sebastian to pick up dance date 5pm
    • Party with family 5-9pm
  • May 9th – Sebastian works at nature center (on Madelyn’s birthday)
  • May 9th – Sebastian’s school dance at night (on Madelyn’s birthday)
  • May 10th – Mother’s Day
  • May 10th – Sebastian starts Final Exam Reviews online (4 hours a night for 5 nights)
  • May 12th – Madelyn’s first ever play with acting class (5:30 – 8pm)
  • May 12th – Sebastian’s last band concert (6-8pm) – I need a clone – how do I pull this off?

Let’s get started..

It all started with Tim’s 40th birthday.   He didn’t want a big party so it was easy enough to plan.
The morning of his birthday I had a follow up appointment with my opthamologist because I failed two visual field tests recently, had laser iridotomy on both eyes for angle closure, and needed to make sure the procedures did some good.   The dr. had ordered the MRIs mentioned above, which I followed through with in late April and got clear results for a few days later.  During the follow up appointment, the dr. found a spot on my eye – also mentioned above.  While I was at my appointment, Tim went to get his emission inspection for his car registration and tag renewal and his Ford Mustang FAILED the inspection.  A couple hours later he left the repair shop having spend almost $400 to repair his car – that didn’t include the cost of tag and registration.  Kind of a bummer of a morning and beginning to Tim’s 40th birthday.

Next thing I knew, were a week out from Madelyn’s 9th birthday so guess how invitations went out –  No, I didn’t buy cute invitations at the store or send them via Evite.  I TEXTED parents a simple “can your child come to Madelyn’s 9th birthday party this Saturday?” invite!   That was pretty embarrassing.  I almost went into a long explanation about why I was texting invitations instead of sending them to school or via email – which was because I had been so stressed about my eye situation and general health issues (sick, neck pain, etc) – but who really cares?   Everyone has issues, whether it’s health, stress, being over-scheduled.  My issues are no more important than yours so I simply asked if their child could come, without apology for the late notice or explanation on why the invitation was given on such short notice.    I felt like unorganized-mom-of-the-year.   Lucky for me most of the parents responded promptly.

Dance Recital – May 5th

Madelyn had a dance recital the Tuesday before her birthday.  Tim was scheduled to work which was a bummer because Madelyn’s used to both of us being at her recitals.   I explained to her that it was going to be just her and I and she accepted it.  The afternoon of the recital I helped her get ready and we left the house 45 minutes early because I saw that a gas line burst on the main road we take to get to the venue and traffic was horrendous.  We arrived 5 minutes before showtime.  Then Tim called.  He said he was on the way to the recital..from work!  Given that his work is not nearby, I was nervous he wasn’t going to make it in time to see Madelyn’s dance and he would be upset given that he left work which is a rarity.  The stars aligned and he made it not only on time but the show didn’t start until about 15 minutes after he arrived so he got to see her dance and she saw him and she could hardly contain herself on stage when she saw him.  It was adorable!

Dance Recital

Madelyn’s 9th Birthday – May 9th

At first Tim said he wasn’t going to be off work the day of her birthday.  It’s unfortunate but it happens.  He’s in the restaurant business and when you’re in the restaurant business you don’t get holidays like Mother’s Day weekend – the weekend Madelyn’s birthday fell on this year – off.   My jaw dropped when he told me he wouldn’t be off.  How was I going to plan a party BY MYSELF?   Ultimately it all worked out.  He was able to take the day off and help with the party.  I’m no June Cleaver or one who enjoys being busy, busy, busy.  The idea of planning a home birthday party, even with Pinterest at my fingertips, is the equivalent of having to go to the library with a fussy three year old in tow, to write a Thesis.    You just wouldn’t do that – on purpose.

Madelyn was pretty bummed that Sebastian wouldn’t be around on her birthday because he was schedule to work at the nature center from 9am-4pm then he was going to a school dance from 5pm-10pm.  She was bummed and I was stressed about that.  A dance?  He’s not a center of attention, social kind of guy so he was pretty nervous.

That said, I pulled the day off and actually had fun!   I decorated inside and outside, balloons on the mailbox and everything!  The party was two hours but seemed like 30 minutes.  We had two scavenger hunts, an acting skit, cake, presents, and playtime.  Madelyn had a blast!

9th Birthday Party

Mother’s Day – May 10th

I bought my mom a Mother’s Day card when I bought wrapping paper for Madelyn’s gifts at Target a week before her birthday.   Finding the card on Mother’s Day was a bit of an issue.  After much searching and a bit of panic, I found the card on the refrigerator, where I put it the day I bought it.. for safe keeping. 🙂   Tim had to work at 9am Mother’s Day.   I slept in.  When I woke, Madelyn presented me with two miniature Orchids.  One from her and one from our puppy.  Really.

In the interim, and after Sebastian rolled out of bed around noon, the kids and I played Monopoly, one of Madelyn’s birthday presents.   The kids did what they do during the game – bickered.  I kept thinking “It’s Mother’s Day, you can’t bicker on Mother’s Day!”.  Well, there is no such thing as a perfect day I decided.

Around 2pm, after playing Monopoly for two hours, I received an email reminding me that Sebastian’s online final exam review classes start at 4:30pm – that day!  Considering I was hoping to take the kids to my mom’s house, fix her dinner to celebrate Mother’s Day, and hang out with her for a little while, I panicked seeing as how it was already 2:00.  What kind of child am I if I only stop by my mom’s house for an hour and a half on Mother’s Day?  What kind of mom and I that I didn’t realize that Sebastian’s final exam reviews started that day?

I took a deep breath and realized that my mom would appreciate any time we spend with her – any day.  She’s not one that likes being pampered.  She likes attention and effort and that’s what we gave her.

When we were about to leave to head to my mom’s house I asked Madelyn if it would be ok for me to give one of the Orchids to my mom, her grandmother.   She said “sure, you can give the one Cody gave you, to Grandmother”.  Sigh of relief!   Pulled that one off!

Mother's Day orchid

 

The weekend ended fabulously with us having spent time with my mom, Sebastian being home to start his final exam review at 4:30, and Madelyn and I played a fun game of Life and then Monopoly – until after her bedtime.   She gave me discounts on rent on her properties because it was Mother’s Day.  🙂

What a great weekend!

Now I have to get through the next two days.  Then I’ll be fine.  Sebastian’s last band concert of the school year is Tuesday at the same time as Madelyn’s first (ever) play!  I want to be at both but as one human being and parent, I clearly make that happen.  🙁

Perfection is something I usually realize is what took place, after the fact.  This weekend really was perfect even though things didn’t happen the way I visioned.

 

Pediped Flex Shoes Review

Pediped Flex Shoes Review – Comfortable & Durable Shoes for Girls

When I think of Pediped I think of cute little baby shoes or first walker shoes.  It was important to me when my kids were baby’s to put comfortable, supportive shoes on their feet.  It’s just as important now that they are 9 and 15.   Shoes can be considered an investment especially for little kids whose feet are still developing and need the best quality.

Pediped Flex Shoes Review

Madelyn was sent a pair of Pediped Flex Angelle shoes to review recently and she wears them all the time.  That says a lot because she’s very picky about shoes, and socks for that matter.  She won’t wear a shoe that is the slightest bit too small or too big or have anything scratchy or rough on the inside.   It’s like she’s the princess and the pea of shoes.  She wears seamless socks too.  I guess that’s a thing for a lot of kids.   When I opened the box my first thought was that they look a little young for Madelyn’s age (almost 9 years old).  But when she put the shoes on, oh my gosh!, they are adorable!

Pediped Flex youth shoes reviewPediped’s Flex Angelle can be paired with a dress just as well as with shorts; they are very versatile!  Madelyn can wear these shoes for hours thanks to the memory foam footbeds and flexible rubber outsoles.  The fact that they are easy to clean is a huge plus for me! 🙂  This shoe is available in sizes 12 to 4.5 youth.

Sneakers, sandals, ballet flats, and mary janes shoes makeup Pediped’s Flex line of shoes.

Not only are pediped shoes stylish, classic and timeless shoes, they are made to support the growth and development of little feet! pediped has done a lot of research and testing to create the very best shoes for children.

 

Biscotti Ric Rac Rhumba girl's dress

Madelyn Loves Twirling in her Biscotti Ric Rac Rhumba Dress

Madelyn counted down the days to Spring and has worn a dress almost every day since March 20th.   She actually got a head start on dressing for Spring during our Spring Break vacation in Florida a couple of weeks ago.  She was delighted to be somewhere she could wear a dress because it was so cold in Atlanta during our Spring Break.  I think what Madelyn loves most about dresses is the way they look and feel when she twirls.  The other day at Macy’s, she gave every dress she tried on the twirl-test.  Needless to say we spent quite some time in the fitting room!

Luck for her, Madelyn was recently sent a Ric Rac Rhumba dress by Biscotti, a navy blue and white dress, for review purposes and I just about melted when I saw it on her for the first time.    The dress has a ruffled, tiered skirt, trimmed with navy ric rac.   When she twirls, it looks like she’s on the dance floor and she acts like it too!

Biscotti Ric Rac Rhumba girl's dress

 

Biscotti, headquartered in the San Francisco Bay area, offers a beautiful selection of whimsical  and casual dresses for all occasions as well as swimsuits, for infants up to size 14.  Madelyn loves the whimsical, fun styles.

Biscotti and Kate Mack can be found online and in luxury department stores including Harrods, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks, Barney’s and Bloomingdale’s, as well as more than 1000 exclusive specialty boutiques across the United States and Canada.