Rating: 10
Where to buy:  http://www.toysrus.com

 I spend a lot of time on my computer and my toddler has come to know that it can be fun and entertaining. I would cringe every time I walked into the room and saw him up on the computer chair banging away at the keys or playing with the mouse.  I decided to try and find one that would work for him and possibly help him learn also.  I went to LeapFrog because I know and trust their products. 

Click Start My First Computer was exactly what I was looking for.  It’s a small keyboard that plugs right into the TV.  The keyboard is great.  It’s bright, colorful and easy for my child to use.  It helps keep him interested and happy. 

The mouse is also great.  It converts so it can be used by either a right handed or left handed child.  I was thrilled because my son is left-handed.  It’s so very hard to find things that are so easy for him to use let alone the fact that I struggle trying to teach him how to work things because I’m right handed. He picked right up with mouse and no frustration was involved nor did he leave it because he just couldn’t make it work. 

I also like the idea of the TV screen for his monitor.  He doesn’t have to struggle trying to see what’s there.  He has a TV in his own room so he plays in there and feels like he has his own space and even some little boy freedom.

The pre-installed programs are great.  My son interacts with them and learns something new every time he plays.  He’s always running out to tell us what he has just learned or asking us to come watch him as he plays.  It’s great to see him so intent and engaged, but having fun at the same time. There are also other cartridges you can buy for this system so you never have to worry about your child becoming bored with the same ole same ole. 

I’ve always been able to count on LeapFrog and their products and this is no exception.  My child is learning while having fun.  I have the peace of mind knowing he is happy and much wiser while using a product I can trust.  The games are neat too.

Rating: 8
Where to buy:  The Complete Organic Pregnancy
First off I found this book to be more than just a guide.  It is full of ways to know if a product contains harmful chemicals.  It gives you ways to minimize the toxins that surround you and your family. 

It’s so easy to read and very informative.  It’s also a pleasure to read.  The articles that are included, along with the testimonials of other experts in the organic living field, give you insight into things in our world that you would never imagine to be unsafe. 

I really like the common sense approach this book takes.  It makes it so much easier to deal with some of the things you read in it.  It also makes it easier to figure out what is the right thing to replace these toxins with.  It’s kind of scary to read in some places because it makes you stop to look at what you have been doing to yourself, your family and your home over the years.  With the common sense attitude though you don’t feel as if you have no other choices or horrible about the choices you’ve unknowingly made in the past.  You just want to jump right up, fix it and move on to the next problem.

The references in the book are pretty good too.  Many books will tell you why things are bad for you but won’t go on to tell you how to fix them or what is good for you.  This book gives you all of that.  It’s easy to know that this food is not right but what to replace it with might be left to your imagination.  The references in the book help to guide you to the right thinking and living and the products you need to do that.

I would recommend this book to everyone.  Whether you’re taking care of just you, starting a new family, well into child rearing or even grandparents you will get information from this book you will want to know.  I plan on keeping it on my bookshelf to refer to for years to come and hopefully pass on to my children when they become adults.  After Reading this it makes you really rethinkhow little we no about the environment around us. The companies that  promote products neglect to tell consumers that some of the ingredients they use may be toxic and the happily put it on store shelves. I can go on and on but I won’t , I will save my ramblings for another post.

 Rating: 8
Where to buy: Raise A Bilingual Child the Fun & Easy Way Visit :
www.BocaBeth.com

Like it or not the Spanish language has become a large part of our society.  Our young children will be faced with this language throughout their lives on a daily basis as they become adults.  It’s just a fact.  Why not help your child learn to speak Spanish at any early age so they will never have to struggle like many adults are doing today?

The Boca Beth site is one of the best for helping you find the right way to start your young child on their journey through learning the Spanish language.  This CD is no exception.  It is geared for children ages birth and up.

These cute little songs are set to music we parents grew up with such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and The Farmer in the Dell.  With both Spanish and English words included.  There are songs about animals, days of the week, using your manners and so much more. 

This CD is so much fun for both my child and myself.  We listen, sing along and dance around the house all while learning to speak Spanish together.  It’s exciting when I hear my daughter say her colors in Spanish or count to 10.  She has even started saying different foods she likes in Spanish.  I can’t keep up with her most of the time. 

I love the idea that it is in English and Spanish both.  It makes it very simple for my child to relate the Spanish words with things she can see and knows in English.  When she counts she does it in English then in Spanish and uses her fingers to keep track.  It’s great to just sit back and listen and realize she comprehends both languages together.  Not to mention, it makes it easier for me to know if she is picking up the correct words.  I knew very little Spanish before we bought this CD and it was always a bit hard for me to know what words meant what in English…now I can learn the basics right along side our daughter.

If you are looking for a way to help your child learn Spanish as well as English try Boca Beth.  She also has videos that are great and a puppet that the children just adore. 

A lot of schools have begun teaching kids to speak spanish as early as kindergarden. My 5 year old son came home recently and greeted me with “adios , mi amore” funny how he said it, didn’t no he spoke french.

Rating: 8
Where to buy: BébéSounds Nasal Clear Battery Operated Nasal Aspirator

I absolutely despise those rubber aspirators.  They’re hard, clumsy to use and cleaning them is almost impossible.  I was always throwing mine away and getting a new one because I didn’t feel it was clean enough to use again and again.  My baby hated it too.  Every time I would try to use it on her it was like starting World War III.

I found this battery-operated aspirator and because of the features it has, I decided to try it.  It’s great.  No more battles, no more worry about whether it’s sanitary and no more trying to keep a grasp on it while holding down a baby and doing what needs to be done.

It comes with the softest tips in two different sizes.  I don’t have to worry anymore about scratching the inside of my baby’s nose or trying to get my toddler’s nose clear because the tip is too small.

It also plays many different children’s songs.  What a relief that is.  My baby just lies there and listens to the music while I make her feel better.  She actually allows me to do what I need to do without throwing a temper tantrum.

The suction is much better with this than with a manual aspirator.  I was concerned at first because I didn’t want to hurt my children’s noses.  It works great and there is no discomfort for either one of them.  Plus it cuts down the time it takes to do this.  Less fuss and strain all the way around.  

The best part is it’s easy to take apart and clean.  I can even put it in the dishwasher.  That’s about as sanitized as you can get.  I feel comfortable knowing that no matter how many times I use it, it will always be clean and safe for both of my children.

I wouldn’t be without this aspirator.  It’s perfect for both of my children.  It’s safe, comfortable and gentle but gets the job done fast and easy. 

 This review is self explanatory, if your are a mom then you should no how importan an aspirator is. Never leave home with out one.

Rating: 8

Where to buy: Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent, Baby, Ultra-Concentrated Liquid, 50-Ounces Bottles (Pack of 6)

One of my first concerns after the birth of my child was the laundry detergent I would use to wash her clothes.  I was afraid there might be chemicals or dyes that would break my baby out and cause her skin problems she would have to deal with for the rest of her life. 

With Seventh Generation Natural Baby Laundry Detergent I don’t have to worry about that any longer.  The two things that caught my eye right off the bat were the fact that it’s completely biodegradable and contains no harsh chemicals.

This detergent is completely natural.  It contains no chlorine, phosphates, dyes or fragrances.  I have to admit when I first read this I thought, “How in the world will it get my clothes clean?”  My baby’s clothes not only come out clean but they are soft too.  She loves to snuggle with her blankets and being soft to her touch is most important.  She loves them and I love the fact that this detergent doesn’t ruin her blankets and clothes. 

I also like the idea that there are no animal byproducts used in this detergent.  It is made up of a vegetable based formula that works well on getting out stains, but is also gentle on your clothes.  It is also good for the environment and your plumbing.  They don’t even test it on animals. 

Seventh Generation is the leader in non-toxic cleaning products.  They have a complete line of products that are safe for you and the environment.  I have used many of these products and feel very comfortable with them.  I also know that my baby is not only wearing clothes that are soft and safe but that any cleaning product I am using won’t hurt her in anyway.

In my opinion this laundry detergent works just as well as any other baby detergent but is much cheaper and more economical.  If you break it down it’s only a little over $5.00 per bottle.  Who can beat that?  When your baby’s clothes are clean, soft, chemical free and that you’re helping to save the environment and the animals in it, how could you buy anything else?  I know I won’t.

I personally that even the name brand, popolar detergents can cause your little one skin to break out.