4 baby shower gifts for grandmas to give

/
4 baby shower gifts for grandmas to give

This time of year, gift ideas naturally lean toward what to give (and get) for the holidays.

Despite the season, though, there are still babies being born, still showers being thrown. Which means many grandmothers and others seek goodies for giving newborns and new moms.

Here are four of my recent favorite baby shower gifts, perfect for grandmas to give whether they prefer passing along presents of a practical sort or something sweet and sentimental.

Read More

Squelch mosquitoes with portable repellent devices from Thermacell

/
Squelch mosquitoes with portable repellent devices from Thermacell

Ah, Labor Day Weekend. The BBQs. The picnics, The camping. The outdoor gatherings celebrating summer's end.

Ugh, the mosquitoes! Those pesky pests not only ruin outdoor fun and frivolity, they carry the risk of diseases such as Lyme, West Nile, and Triple E virus.

Sounds more scary than summery, doesn't it? Thermacell Repellent Inc. has created nifty little devices that assuage mosquito concerns—without having to slather guests (and grandkids) with goopy gunk again and again during festive outdoor occasions. Thermacell sent me two such devices, Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Protection and Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Protection, free for review.

Read More

DOZZI Natural White Noise Machine by WITTI a doozy of a baby shower gift

/
DOZZI Natural White Noise Machine by WITTI a doozy of a baby shower gift

My newest grandson will soon arrive, and the baby shower for his mama — my eldest daughter — is on the calendar. With Brianna's shower scheduled, all things baby have been on my brain lately. She'll receive a nursery glider from her dad and me (not a secret, so no spoiler here) but I plan to present her with a few other little goodies, too, as grandmas do.

Yet as I peruse the possibilities, everything seems so, well, generic, typical, common. All that's on Brianna's registry is adorable, yes, but I'm looking for something a little different, useful gifts versus

Read More

Brief book review: Benji and the Giant Kite

/

New from best-selling author Alan C. Fox and illustrator Eefje Kuijl:

Benji and the Giant Kite

Benji and the Giant Kite is available on Amazon.com (affiliate link) and other retailers. For more information on the book and author, visit alancfox.com.

Disclosure: I received this book free for review; opinions are my own.

Brief book review: Unconditional Love by Jane Isay

/
Brief book review: Unconditional Love by Jane Isay

I recently noticed a new "guide to grandparenting" book making the review rounds on several of my favorite grandma blogger sites. Soon after perusing their thoughts, I was offered the opportunity to check out the book myself.

The book, Unconditional Love by Jane Isay, features the intriguing subtitle, "A guide to navigating the joys and challenges of being a grandparent today."

Upon reading Isay's thoughts and interviews with numerous grandmothers, it seems Unconditional Love can be wholly…

Read More

Summer six pack: While away dog days with Pressman Toy and Goliath Games

/
Summer six pack: While away dog days with Pressman Toy and Goliath Games

Though school bells beckon in the distance, there's still a fair share of summertime to spare. Why not gather the grands and try your hands at these six entertaining options for school-age kids and older?

I received the six following toys and games from Pressman Toy and Goliath Games free for review, and my review buddy, James, and I had a blast putting each to the test.

Read More

Gramma in a Box: Fun food activities for faraway grandkids

/
Gramma in a Box: Fun food activities for faraway grandkids

Grandma Terry Chamberlin has come up with a pretty sweet subscription service for serving up grandma-style food activities from faraway. When three of Terry's grandchildren moved away from her, she began sending them boxes of cookies and treats to go along with their Skype sessions. She soon realized other grandmas just may want to do the same, and the Gramma in a Box subscription service—tagline Gramma does all the work. You have all the fun!—was born. 

Read More

Catch a falling star: Wherein my grandsons review Pop Rocket, coming this fall from Goliath Games

/
Catch a falling star: Wherein my grandsons review Pop Rocket, coming this fall from Goliath Games

Game play is a given any time my grandkids and I get together. Despite last month's visit from my grandsons being their shortest stay ever, we still successfully fit in not only game time, but game review time.

Mere days before my desert-dwelling grandsons arrived at my door, I received a package from Goliath Games with new options for family fun launching at all major retailers this fall. First up for review by Brayden, Camden, Declan, and their Colorado-based cousin, James: Pop Rocket, featuring the intriguing tag line, Catch the most stars when he pops to win! 

Read More