Some of you may remember how our panel of reviewers raved about the fabulous Sleepy Wrap baby carriers as well as the Organic Sleepy Wraps that we had reviewed many months ago. Well, babies do grow up and we are proud to introduce to you a toddler carrier called Boba which is brought to you by Colorado based NAP, Inc. the very same company who introduced the Sleepy Wrap to us.

The Boba Story:

We are a big advocate of baby wrap carriers for infants and small babies and our son virtually lived in the Sleepy Wrap for his first 16 months of life. As he became bigger we started looking for something more practical to be able to continue carrying him.

Soft structured carriers were new to us. We experimented with a few different carriers available on the market. It wasn’t so much that they were digging into our shoulders, but more the feeling of our son not being secure and leaning away from our bodies in the back carries. He also complained that his legs didn’t feel good even when seated facing our back in a wide seated carrier.

So for one year he refused to be carried. Most would think that a blessing. Well, the problem was that he still wanted to be carried, but only in our arms. We started toying around with the idea of creating our own soft structured carrier for toddlers after successfully launching Sleepy Wrap more than 3 years ago.

We were always brainstorming and trying to figure out how to make our design better and ended up first adding a safety buckle so there would be no spontaneous releases. Then a light bulb went on. We just had the best idea- foot straps- to get that digging fabric off of little hamstrings, prevent bigger legs from just hanging and just give them a place to rest- just like the rungs we rest our feet on when we sit on a bar stool. After eleven different prototypes and almost one year of going back and forth, we finally got it right. Our son turned 3 by the time our final prototype was made and although he’s a big guy, he loves it.

We couldn’t compromise; we had to get it right. They had to be butter soft and we even took the extra step of making them with only certified organic cotton. To top it all off, we decided to make them right here in our home town of Boulder, CO with the help of local mountaineering professionals.

And the Boulder Baby carrier- the “BoBa” was born.

Our panel of reviewers tried and tested the Boba  and were full of praises for this wonderful carrier. Check out why they are giving Boba carrier the two thumbs up (click on the links to read their individual reviews):

November Sunflower – It’s even comfortable for the one who has to wear it. At least I felt it was. The straps that go on your arms are very well padded, broad straps. Not tiny little things that would dig into your shoulders. Plus, I love how they have little foot holders for the child’s feet. This way they aren’t daggling out. My son felt a little more comfortable once he put his feet in the foot holds-it made him sit up a bit more and the balance was better for both of us.

I feel confident in this product. Especially if you’re active and want to bring your child along for the ride. Walking, hiking or even chasing after a soccer ball with your older child in the backyard…..it’s comfortable for both you and your child. PLUS, it’s made of ORGANIC cotton. Beautiful!!! So damn soft.

Thanks Mail Carrier – Opening up the Twilight Carrier from Boba, I was immediately impressed with just how soft the cotton truly was, not to mention the thickness of the padding around the waist and shoulder straps. This is one carrier that screams comfort before even having it on!

Just by having the Boba laid out, I found it pretty intuitive as to how you would place it for both the front and back carry positions – something that I appreciated. I have tried a wide variety of carriers over the years and there were some that I felt as though I needed to study a thick manual before even attempting to pick up and that isn’t the case with this one.

Blessed Beyond Words – At $100 per carrier, the price may seem a little steep. But, I have to tell you that this carrier is absolutely worth every penny. It can be used from 15 – 45 pounds. (Do you know how long my kids take to get to 45 pounds? My 7 year old just barely makes it over that!) It is so well made that it seems as though it will last forever. (Now, I cannot attest that it will indeed last forever, as I have only had mine for a few weeks. What I can tell you is that in my opinion, this baby carrier is very well made, and I will personally use it for my children for as long as I possibly can.)

Overall, I am quite impressed with the Boba Baby Carrier and would recommend it to any mom or mom to be that wants to carry her baby without the back pain. I will continue to use my Boba Carrier with my 2 year old and will also use it with my newborn once he reaches the appropriate weight.

Jumpin Beans – I am telling you…

I will be telling everyone about this!!!
If you do not have a carrier (and you have a little one)
BOBA BABY CARRIERS is THE answer!!!!

Mommy’s Minute – All in all I was pleased with the Boba carrier. It was quick and easy to put on and comfortably distributed my 25 lb son’s weight. I look forward to trying it out again with baby #2. Thanks to my handsome hubby for modeling the Boba. My growing baby bump has been impeding my baby wearing in the last couple weeks. As you can tell, it works great for both guys and gals!

Heavenly Sayings – I was able to use the Boba Baby Carrier with one of my day care kids and it was wonderful! Little M fit into the carrier perfectly and he acted like he was very comfortable. I liked that the straps were in easy access and I could adjust them to accommodate Little M and I without hassle. I was also able to slip him from my front to my back in no time at all. Which was another feature that I was surprised about as Little M is only 2 years old and I expected to have a hard time getting him on my back comfortably.

Kaki Shopping – All in all, I have had a very pleasant experience with the Boba Carrier. My kids love it too, and my daughter especially, will request that I carry her in it, even at home! This carrier has certainly changed my perception of baby carriers, and in addition, it looks pretty darn cool too. For long-haul travels when you need to move around from place to place and need your hands free while taking care of kids, the Boba Carrier is the answer.

Acting Balanced – I love that this is adjustable and fits me, darling hubby and even Robyn to carry Erik around. I love the padded straps and waist support – it really distributes my chunky monkey’s weight around so that it doesn’t center on one part of my body. I also really like that the carrier itself has a high back which supports and cradles Erik nicely against me. The organic cotton is really soft and although we’ve only tried it for front carry, I like that as Erik grows it can be used for rear carry options and the removable foot straps will be good too…

We are providing our readers 10% off the Boba carrier by using Promo Code “PARENT10“.  So, remember to key in “PARENT10” before you checkout. You can find Boba on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BobaCarrier or keep updated with their product changes, new designs, contests via their Twitter page at  www.twitter.com/BobaCarrier.

Mom Of All Trades – I’ve never tried a soft structured carrier that completely buckled so I was a bit skeptical that it would provide the support and comfort I needed. That skepticism faded the instant I put the Boba on. I was amazed that I was able to get my son into a back carry, all by myself, within minutes. And best of all – I was comfortable, happy and feeling secure and so was he! The only issue I ran into was that the chest strap sat right at my neck, but soon after I realized that too was adjustable and I was able to slide it down to a comfortable position.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

What started out as a device to communicate, the cell phone has evolved over the years and has become a style statement for its users. Every few months, one comes across the most high-tech and sleekest cell phones in the market but not everybody can afford to keep up with changing trends. Consumers are discovering innovative and fashionable ways to customize their cell phones with creative accessories. Gone are the days of those ugly big black cases that protected the cell phone but made it look bulkier than usual. From “skins” and faceplate designs to charms and Swarovski Crystals, you can find as many accessories for your mobile phone as you will find for yourself.

However, until now, cell phone accessories were designed as separate fashion pieces and not designed to actually function as a part of your everyday wardrobe. To solve this fashion faux pas, designer, Andrea Behar created Cellies™ a stylish stretch cuff bracelet that easily slips on your wrist that allows cell phone users to conveniently wear their phones, and not just carry them.

What are Cellies™?

Made from stretch power mesh, Cellies™ are a stylish solution designed to hold all wireless devices including cell phones, iPhones and Blackberries. Seamlessly fusing function and fashion, a convenient hands-free compartment securely holds your phone in place. The strong but transparent material provides viewers with touchable and visible access to their phones.

Cellies™ allow your hands to be completely free to drive safely, to work the office or house, be active, eat, workout, play sports – anything that you couldn’t do before while using your cell phone. Cellies™ are great for runners, snowboarders, cyclists, roller bladers, and people on the go. Cellies™ are for men, women, teens and sports enthusiasts. It allows them to carry their cell phone safely and securely without having to attach it to their belt or carry it in their pocket. Cellies™ also offer wearers instant access to their phones, credit cards, identification, business cards or even lip gloss without having to search through their handbag.

BUY IT : Retailing at only $35, Cellies are these To Die For gift for the young and trendy (and also the young at heart). There’s no denying that studs are a must-have this season. They add instant edge to everything from handbags to shoes. Urban-glam with Cellies™ allover studded detailing, facetted stones and grommet cuffs by Andrea Behar.

WIN IT : We know you all want one, so Cellies have generously sponsored one unit to giveaway to one of our reader. That could be you! Here’s what you need to do for a chance to win this giveaway:

• One Mandatory Entry- Head over to www.mycellies.com and tell us one fact about the designer of Cellies, Andrea Behar.
• Two Additional Entries- follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win  Arm Candi For Your Cell at Parentreviewers.com” once a day. Leave an additional comment including your twitter id and the tweet url. You can tweet on a daily basis.
• Three Additional Entries- Blog or share on Facebook about this great giveaway! It can be done on a daily basis too! Leave your blog URL or FB id.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends on January 2nd, 2011 . and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Here’s one for the moms out there. This is definitely THE NEW YEAR package you deserve to pamper yourself with. You can win these cool products just for YOU! Check out what they are:

1. The Winkee, created by entrepreneurs Patricia Calamari and Karla Kennedy, is the ultimate solution to plunging necklines. Combining the concept of a tank top layer with the added benefit of being removable, the Winkee is a revolutionary mock camisole which allows women to effortlessly cover up cleavage when they need to. Now you can switch from “day to night” seamlessly without having to change outfits completely! Placed over any bra with two straps, the Winkee offers optimal coverage without compromising style.

According to Patricia, “The Winkee is a must-have fashion accessory that solves every woman’s occasional need to have a multi-purpose outfit. From the jetsetter who simply wants to pack lighter, to today’s multi-tasking woman who wants to go from a day at the office to a night out on the town with friends, the Winkee has you covered – literally!”

The Winkee is easily attached to any bra with two straps in three easy steps:
1. Stick Winkee Dots on the inside of each of the three Winkee tabs
2. Wrap top side tabs around straps of bra
3. Wrap bottom tab under the middle of front of bra

In styles such as Romance, Rouched, and Sweetheart, all in various colors and patterns, there’s a Winkee to fit every occasion. Your “bosom buddy,” the Winkee offers an affordable way to maximize your outfits without compromising their design. The must-have accessory is available for purchase on www.thewinkee.com and is priced from only $17-$20.

2. Beautiful Skin Revealed by New York and Houston Dermatologist Dr. Paul Friedman

In an effort to separate fact from fiction, Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Paul Friedman, has co-authored the forthcoming book Beautiful Skin Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Better Skin. This comprehensive book offers an expert’s insider view on common skin conditions and treatments that really work, in addition to offering tips on how to maximize the time with your dermatologist. According to Dr. Friedman, “The book is grounded in science and explains why conditions occur. Using before and after photos and real patient testimonials, Beautiful Skin Revealed shows readers the incredible results made possible through the latest treatment options.” The book contains 12 chapters including sections on: Complexion, Acne, Wrinkles, , Rosacea, Birthmarks, Eyes, Leg Veins, Skin Cancer, Scars and Stretch Marks, General Dermatology, Products, and finally Choosing a Doctor. It is available for purchase at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

3. Kymaro Body Shaper – The Kymaro® New Body Shaper is the fastest and safest way to take off inches in all the important places where we can’t seem to lose the weight. Plus, these amazing undergarments smooth out the rolls and bulges, giving the simple look of a sleek and slender body.

Available from : www.ubuyez.com

Price: $39.95

4. KYMARO GLAMOUR EYES Eyelash Extension Kit – The eyelash extension craze actually started in Asia, its sweeping through Europe, and has just taken the USA by storm. Most of your favorite movie stars are already wearing them. But they are getting their eyelash extensions applied at a salon which can cost you over $500 and the whole process can take up to 2 hours. This can be a big hassle to fit these visits into your already busy schedule and lets not forget that it costs a small fortune. But don’t worry because Kymaro’s eyelash extensions are handmade and are professional quality and the cost of the whole kit is just a fraction of the price when applied at a salon!

Availability: www.ubuyez.com

Price: $39.95

To enter and win this wonderful pampering package fit for all moms, please check out the entry requirements below. Remember, there will only be ONE winner!

• ONE MANDATORY Entry – Tell us why you deserve to win these fabulous products.
• One Additonal Entry – If you’re a subscriber, please leave a comment to tell us that you are. If you’re not, be a subscriber here!
• Two Additional Entries- follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win The Ultimate Beauty & Fashion Products From Parent Reviewers” once a day. Make sure you link back to this post for a valid entry. Leave an additional comment including your twitter id and the tweet url. You can tweet on a daily basis.
• Three Additional Entries- Blog or share on Facebook about this great giveaway with a link back here . It can be done on a daily basis too! Leave your blog URL or FB id.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends on December 30th, 2010. and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Good Luck!

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

Congratulations to the following three winners of November 2010′s email subscriber draw. Each will get a copy of  “Opposite Day” DVD.

1. Betty Nations

2. Cherie Japp

3. Pending for subscriber to reply

Just in time for the holiday season, this month’s giveaway will be three copies of Chicken Soup For The Soul : Christmas Magic ~ a copy of the book to each winner. On top of that, we will be choosing one winner to win the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic Audio Book. That’s a total of FOUR prizes for FOUR WINNERS. Best of all, shipping is not only open to US addresses but to Canada as well! As I have yet to receive my copy of the book, I am unable to share with you my review. To give you an idea of what this book is all about, here’s an excerpt from it’s press release:

With stories from personalities such as morning radio show host Mike Morin and award-winning journalists such as Tracy Rasmussen and Laurie Higgins, this book is filled with 101 holiday tales of inspiration, love, wonder and just plain fun that will delight every reader, from the young to the young at heart, and celebrate the magic of the holiday season. In addition, since Chicken Soup for the Soul wants to keep Christmas magical for everyone, all of the stories are “Santa-safe” for kids!

It is so easy to enter, just subscribe to our feed via email. We will be doing a monthly draw with different prizes each month. That’s all there is to it. Good luck!

Disclosure : Giveaway copies of the above book courtesy of www.chickensoup.com

Aqua Leisure has come up with some great solutions for children- their First Fitness products have taken the hard work out of encouraging children to exercise by making it FUN!!  Their great selection of amazing child directed products gives parents the added support to make sure their children are as healthy as possible.  The products are perfect for those of us who homeschool as well- adding an important dimension to our physical education programs.

From the kids jump rope to the great balance balls, obstacle courses, exercise bicycles and even an elliptical trainer, there truly is something for every child- regardless of fitness level.  Although you cannot put a price on your child’s health, these products are reasonably priced as well and made of super durable material so they will last through multiple children.

 

About Aqua Leisure- First Fitness:

 Today kids are not active!

…and it has become a national epidemic. Children are increasingly spending more time indoors in front of computers, television and video games than ever before… Inactivity is the major reason for the growing rate of obesity among children.

The government along with numerous health professional organizations universally agree that today’s children are not getting enough daily exercise. Studies have shown that the impact of keeping children active is remarkable.

But children, not unlike adults, associate exercise with “work”. But exercise doesn’t have to be “work” – it should be fun!

That’s why Aqua-Leisure is introducing FirstFitness.

Designed to let children play and along the way take their first steps towards a lifetime love of fitness.

FirstFitness keeps it fun so children will want to come back for more!

We recently received the Aqua Leisure First Fitness Balance Battle Combat Fitness Game for my kiddos to try out.  The game teaches balance equilibrium and forms agility skills, plus helps children learn to react and recover in a “battle” situation. It includes 2 soft inflatable battle sticks and 2 inflatable balance pads.  The day it arrived in the mail happened to be a very rainy day which put a bit of a damper on the excitement of it’s arrival. 

I opened the box and was very happily surprised with the quality of the pieces and quickly blew up the two battle sticks.  I was a bit disappointed to find that the balance pads needed a bicycle pump to inflate as it did not state that anywhere on the box or in the description, however we quickly found one so it was not a big problem.  Once I assessed the game, I decided it would actually be possible to play in the house without much worry of injury or destruction. 

From the first game my children were hooked.  They both very much enjoyed the challenge of the balance pads and it actually makes the game very fair regardless of the size or skill level of the players.  Balance is the key and often my much smaller and weaker daughter would win over my son simply because her balance is much better.  We have been playing it for a few weeks and it is holding up very well- even from all the abuse my children have given to it.  I have also seen marked improvement in my daughter’s ability to hit a target and in my son’s balance- so it’s not only fun, but it also works!!

Buy It: You can purchase Aqua Leisure First Fitness products on Amazon.com and at many of your favorite stores.  Click here for a complete list. 

• One Mandatory Entry- Go to the Aqua Leisure website and pick out your favorite item.  Come back and let us know what you would by for your little one.
• Two Additional Entries- Follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway with a link back to this post.  Leave us an additional comment including your twitter id and the tweet url.
• Three Additional Entries- Go through our archives and find your favorite product we’ve reviewed this year.  Come back and leave us a comment telling us what it is and what is on your little one’s Christmas list this year.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends December 20th, 2010 (11:59pm) and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

One of the first “baby items” that I received for my new little girl who is due early November was an adorable pair of shoes from See Kai Run. I received a pair of size 4 (9-12 months) “Kai” style sneakers – in pink, red and brown – and I think they are probably the cutest shoes I’ve ever seen. Pink and brown is incredibly hot this season (and is light blue and brown for baby boys) so these shoes are incredibly easy to pair with outfits.

These shoes feature super soft leather and flexible leather soles – so they are healthy for your little ones developing feet yet they are sturdy enough so that baby can run around outside with the big kids. I figure that getting the 9-12 months size was a good choice since my son walked around 7 months and it will be nice enough to play outside and try them out (really whether she is walking by that time or not).

See Kai Run footwear has been awarded the American Podiatric Medical Association’s prestigious Seal of Acceptance which means that they meet rigorous standards set forth by the APMA for foot health and functionality.

There are a couple more size groups that See Kai Run sells which include the “little” baby shoes called (most appropriately) “Smaller” which feature sizes 0-6 months up to 12-18 months. The “See Kai Run” size group runs from 3 to 7 (or 6-9 months up to around 3 years). Then there is the “Eleven” group which covers the “bigger” kids up to age 8.

BUY IT : Want some of these adorable shoes for your child this Xmas? You can purchase them at the See Kai Run website! Hurry, See Kai Run is celebrating their 6th Birthday and there will be free ground shipping to addresses in the US, valid until 4pm PT November 8th.

WIN IT : We heart See Kai Run and we know you will too! So, we’re giving away a pair of See Kai Run (or Smaller) shoes of your choice.

• One Mandatory Entry- go visit See Kai Run and pick the shoes that you would like to win.
• One Additional Entry- if you’re our subscriber! Easy! If you’re not a subscriber, click here to subscribe!
• Two Additional Entries- follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win See Kai Run shoes at Parentreviewers.com” with a link back to this post once a day. Leave an additional comment including your twitter id and the tweet url. You can tweet on a daily basis.
• Three Additional Entries- Share on Facebook about this great giveaway! It can be done on a daily basis too! Please leave your FB id.
• Giveaway is open to US  and Canada shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends on November 15th 2010. and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

Looking for adorable and unique custom decor for your child’s nursery or bedroom? Check out these cool hand stitched animals and birds that make great wall hangings, mobiles and keepsakes.

Guardian Tooth Angels from Gifts Define keep precious teeth safe in special pockets – making the tooth fairy’s job much easier! Dolls arrive with a ‘Tooth Certificate’ that can be customized with your child’s name and the date of this milestone event.

A Bannerama is the perfect custom wall hanging. Select your child’s favorite birds and animals, add letters of your choice and specify a color theme for a unique decoration. Banners can be reversed to show a different name or phrase. Or have them dangled from a color-coordinated wooden hanger for a colorful mobile.

One-of-a-kind Pocket Pets are colorful animals that make great collectibles. Dolls from the Artist Collection arrive in a signature organdy bag and include a button with the artist’s original sketch, bookmark and an optional personalized name charm.

Every Gifts Define doll is hand-stitched on high-quality wool felt and stuffed with non-allergenic fiberfill. They are available online at www.giftsdefine.com.