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Li’l Woodzeez {Toy Review}

Published on January 20, 2017January 20, 2017 by Casey SehmLeave a comment

My four year old is heading into my favorite stage of childhood. When I was her age, I really got into imaginative play. I was obsessed with my Little Tikes dollhouse and would play for hours on end every day. While my daughter has a few dolls and dollhouses, her favorite dolls aren’t dolls at all. They’re actually squirrels, skunks, and owls. They’re one of many animal families from the world of Li’l Woodzeez. I, I mean my daughter, was lucky enough to receive these awesome animal dolls to review and we both could not love them more!

Li’l Woodzeez is designed and manufactured by Battat, a family-owned business that’s been in business for almost 120 years and has been operating in North America for the last 45+ years. Home of so many award-winning toys, all Battat toys have an educational value, whether it’s didactic, nurturing, or collecting and creating worlds for children. This amazing company is also a proud supporter of the WE Villages program, an organization that is admired for its integrity and initiatives to make the world a better place for kids. You can find all of their exceptional and high quality toy brands here! Check out this video to see Li’l Woodzeez animal families and play sets in action:

We received our Li’l Woodzeez package about a week and a half before Christmas and my daughter was positive Santa had sent it for her! When we opened it, her eyes lit up when she saw the utterly adorable animal families that we were sent. They are all so cute! Each family of 4 came with a little book that told a story about each family which my daughter loves, we read them often. She also loved learning each of their first names (each family has an adorable last name as well, like the Whiffpuff Skunk family and the Whooswhoo Owl family). She loves that each family has a little baby that wears a diaper, she loves acting like their mama! The animals have whiskers too, and are really life-like with their velvety little bodies, these are quality critters!

We were also sent the incredible Honeysuckle Sweets & Treats Food Truck. I was blown away by this truck and all of it’s storage, it even has a trap door in the floor! It’s also packed with so many accessories and tiny little foods to play with, 89 pieces in all! From little tacos and slices of pizza, to little bottles of water and fries, to spatulas and plates. But when I say tiny, these things are tiny! You have be careful with little ones. My ten month old can’t be around when my oldest plays with her Li’l Woodzeez, there is just too much of a risk with her putting a piece in her mouth and choking. But that doesn’t prevent her big sister from having fun! We usually play together in the playroom during nap time. It gives us one on one time, and gives me the opportunity to relive my childhood with my big girl! **Not for children under 3 years.**

If your child has a favorite animal, I can almost guarantee that it has a Li’l Woodzeez family! There are literally so many animal families, it’s hard to decide which to add to our collection! Check them all out here to find your little one’s favorite! Once you decide on a family (or two), head over here to pick out a house for them to call home and here to add some accessories in the mix, like an airplane or one of many themed play sets. The detail that is put into these toys is unbelievable. You and your little one will not be disappointed by the craftsmanship, I can promise you that. My daughter already has a long list of what families, accessories, and houses she wants next! The complete Li’l Woodzeez collection is available at your local Target store or online!

image1-7 — The Honeysuckle Sweets & Treats Food Truck is a multi-award winner for good reason!

Don’t forget to follow Li’l Woodzeez Instagram for new releases and updates!

– Casey

**Burrito Buzz received this product at low or no cost for the purpose of review or testing. No compensation for a positive review was provided. All product reviews are based 100% off of our personal experiences with a product and we never guarantee a positive review.**

Take it Easel!

Published on November 1, 2016October 31, 2016 by Ryan + Kate PhotographyLeave a comment

It’s no secret that the BurritoBuzz moms love B. toys. We’ve talked about a few of their awesome toys in the past, and we think so highly of them because of their incredible durability, uniqueness, and quality. Not only that, the toys are also educational and many help with fine-tuning motor skills.

I recently had the opportunity to review B. Toys “Take it Easel” – a portable drawing station for toddlers and young children. The easel folds into a carrying box, so you can store your child’s markers, chalk, and other coloring tools. The board has a chalk side, dry erase side, and a clip to hold paper. It also comes with a set of vibrant dry erase markers and an eraser, as well as a set of chalk. The case is colorful and easy to use, and my 20 month old son has had a blast fine-tuning his new drawing skills.

It runs between $30-$40, depending on where you buy it. Available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and some Target stores also carry them.

The quality of the easel is good. I did, however, have some issues getting the stand to easily clip and unclip. While not terribly difficult, it did take some force.

The carrying handle makes it simple to tote around and by leaving the case folded up, you can actually give your toddler something to do in the car since the top piece is a drawing board. There is ample storage in the compartment, we have yet to fully fill it up, even with all of the markers, paper, and chalk we’ve stashed. B. toys designs are always fun and vibrant, and this case is no exception. It makes for a great addition to any playroom and has certainly aided my son in working on his drawing skills (though, he hasn’t quite decided which is his dominant hand yet).

Here are some of my son’s fantastic artwork that he created using the Take it Easel and some Color Wonder paper and Color Wonder markers!

Want to win a Take It Easel of your own? Here’s your chance! With the holidays approaching quickly, this would make a fantastic gift for that special little one in your life. Here’s how to enter:

Head over to our Instagram page here.
Like our original “Take it Easel” giveaway photo.
Follow both @burritobuzz and @mybtoys – we will be triple checking!
Comment on our photo by tagging a friend! One tag per comment please, with no limitation on the number of tags!

One winner will be chosen to win a Take It Easel! Giveaway begins on Tuesday November 1, 2016 at 8AM and ends Monday November 7, 2016 at 8:00PM EST. Good luck! **Instagram has in no way sponsored or endorsed this giveaway.**

– Katie

If You Take a Mom to Target….a circular tale.

Published on May 13, 2016May 12, 2016 by Amanda2 Comments

If you take a mom to target she will ask for a cup of coffee.

When you give her the coffee, she’ll probably ask you for a cake pop.

When she’s finished she’ll ask for the dollar bins.

Then she’ll want to look in a mirror, to be sure she likes her new sunglasses.

When she looks in the mirror, she might notice she needs a purse. So she’ll probably ask for a pair of high heels to go with it.

When she’s finished giving herself a guilt trip about how she doesn’t need the purse, she’ll want to start sifting over the new clothes.

Her toddler will run through every rounder.

They might knock a pile over as well.

When she’s done chasing the toddler she’ll want a nap.

She’ll have to go through the baby section.

With two boxes of diapers and some wipes she will creep into the baby clothes and wander from side to side a few times.

She will probably tell you to look away as she disappears into the storage solution isle.

You will find her stopped to catch up scanning everything into her Cartwheel app.

She’ll ask to see the throw pillows.

When she looks at all the throw pillows, she’ll get so excited she’ll want to design a new room all on her own.

She’ll ask for candles and frames.

She’ll find a picture.

When her new room is finished in her head, she’ll want to make sure she gets coffee beans, creamer, and milk for home.

Looking around in the refrigerator section will remind her that she came for the paper towels that she is out of in the kitchen.

So…..

You’ll get the paper towels and head to the door.

You will check out, and chances are you’re now broke.

You’ll get home.

She’ll realize she is still tired and ask for some Starbucks….

…..and chances are…..

If she asks for the coffee she will want to go to Target to get it.

~Amanda

Tears On My Stearing Wheel

Published on February 9, 2016February 10, 2016 by Amanda4 Comments

I’m 100% sure I met some angels today.
They had gray hair, kind eyes, slumped shoulders, they were holding hands, and bundled up ready to leave Target.
I didn’t know it, but they had been around the store with me, going through the same isles, seeing my morning unfold, hearing my toddler’s screams, and I’m sure feeling the tension that was in the air, as I was trying to keep my calm.
I don’t even know what set BK#1 off.
She was being good and then all of a sudden she was screaming, shouting and pointing at something. I have no idea what, but she for sure was not getting it now. She never acts like this in public! I was trying to reason with her, trying to figure out what she wanted so we could talk about it, distracting her with talk of lunch and then seeing her Aunt later. NOTHING worked!
By the time I got to the check out {Normally if she acts out and it can’t be corrected we leave. I refuse to be embarrassed, reward her with an audience, and people trying to calm her, but I needed toilet paper and laundry detergent} she was full on loosing it. She took her shoe off and threw it at me. I caught it, placed it in the cart, leaned in close to her and said “If you do not stop right this second you are going to stand in the corner, in this store, in front of everyone”. She calmed to a small whimper, but still acting out. THEN the cashier asked HER if she she wanted a sticker! Ughhh mmm thanks for trying to help lady, but in our home stickers are rewards, and she is most definitely not getting one right now!
I replied kindly, because she really was just trying to help, “I really appreciate it, but no thank you. She has been yelling and not acting nice and made mommy very sad, so no sticker.”
BK#1 lost it!
“Mommy sad??” There was no more screaming and yelling, and inaudible sentences, but weeping. Big, sad, ugly, heartbreaking tears.
I quickly paid and hurried towards the door.
Back to the angels.
I was getting her coat on her, covering up BK#2’s head (he was sleeping on my chest in the Tula), and Mrs. Angel touched my arm and said “You are doing the right thing, and you are an amazing mother, may we help you?”
I was hesitant, but I told them “Thank you, and absolutely you can help!”
Mrs. Angel grabbed BK#1’s hat and put it on her and grabbed the TP. Mr. Angel grabbed the laundry detergent and the bags, and told me “pick up your baby and tell us where your car is.
My mind is programmed to be scared of someone following me to my car, but in this instance there was no fear, I was greatful beyond words.
We made it out to the car, I opened the back and they placed my items in, Mr smiled and grabbed Mrs’ hand, and she looked at me with the kindest eyes I have seen in a very long time and said “Keep doing what you are doing, you wont regret it, thank you for letting us help you. Have a good day!”

And off they went.

I wont ever see them again.

I got in my car and drove away, crying, (if you haven’t figured out from my other posts, but I am an emotional person, obviously) and listening to the soft cries behind me.

Raising a tiny human is really hard!

But, in these days being a good person is too! I am in shock and awe of the kindness that I was shown today. I was raised to serve people. I was raised to do nice things for people who don’t deserve it. I was raised to do the good thing, even when no one else is!

We are surrounded by horrible bad things. We are programmed not to let anyone near us, not to let anyone help us. Its the world that we live in. We are just trying to get by and keep our LO’s safe.

I know all of that. I am well to aware of the bad things going on in our small towns. I know that those strangers could have very well stolen my groceries at least, followed me home, taken my child, etc. ….the horrifying list of things that happens in our world all could have happened.

I choose not to live in fear.

I choose to serve, and let others serve me.

How am I supposed to raise wonderful, kind- hearted children if I never look for the good?

I encourage you to stay strong while you are disciplining your children.

I hope you find the calm and peaceful words that diffuse a situation.

Most of all, I encourage you to look for the Angels in your life.

Is it an old couple missing their grandkids? Is it in laws trying to be better grandparents? Is it parents LEARNING to be grandparents and letting you be the parent? Is it your husband bringing you coffee in the morning? Is it your wife folding all your laundry and putting it away so you don’t have to?

Look for the Angels, and importantly – actively and purposefully be an angel to someone else!

~Amanda

Hyland’s Homeopathic Halloween Costume Contest!

Published on October 30, 2015October 30, 2015 by The Essential Life 365Leave a comment

You put all that time and effort into the perfect kid’s costume, why not win some awesome prizes?? Hyland’s Homeopathic is running a contest for the best children’s costume. Three winners with the best costumes will receive Hyland’s products for the whole family as well as a $50 Target gift card!

Entering is super easy! Click here to fill out an entry form: http://bit.ly/1MnpTET

And tag your costume pic on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #HylandsHalloweenCostumeContest

Good luck! Be sure to tag us too so we can see all of your adorable littles in their costumes!

-Burrito Buzz

Product Review: NUK Gerber Graduates Rest Easy Spoons

Published on October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 by The Essential Life 365Leave a comment

Ok you’re thinking, “This is a silly thing to have a review on. It’s a spoon” and you would be someone who has never had a bad baby spoon. Because they are out there. The ones that are way too heavy on the ends and you set them into a baby-sized food container and then *whoosh* food goes flying everywhere because the spoon fell over. As if dinner time with a baby isn’t messy enough!!

I’m seriously obsessed with these spoons. No need to do pros and cons because there are only pros. The most important thing to me was that they were evenly weighted so they don’t go flying out of the food container (are you getting the feeling that this has happened to me on several occasions? Oh, good because it has).

They are called “rest easy” because they have a genius little stand built in that allows you to set the spoon down in a hurry. So during the roughly 39 times your child will try to smoosh the peaches in her hair and you have to throw down whatever is in your hand to catch her, the mouthpiece won’t touch the table. This is great for going out to restaurants and you don’t trust the tabletop to be the cleanest.

I also love the squared edge. This makes it easy to scrape the smooshed peaches off of little cheeks (or ears, or necks) more easily than with a rounded edge. They also have rubber detail on the handle making them great for gripping when baby starts to feed themselves.

The best part, they’re only $2.99 for a 5pk at Target!! You can also grab them at Babies R Us. On the NUK website you can snag a coupon making them even cheaper.

Seriously you need these spoons. Save yourself the sanity and put them on your grocery list right now. Add them to your friend’s baby shower gift for a cheap add-on she doesn’t even know she has to have.

-Chelsea