Fat Brain fun: Trio for tots to pre-teens (and beyond)

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Fat Brain fun: Trio for tots to pre-teens (and beyond)

The holiday gift-giving season will soon be upon us, and Fat Brain Toys is among the tops spots for grandmothers and others seeking screen-free fun to give the grands.

Fat Brain Toys sent me a special trio of toys to try out with my favorite boys — two ideal for my tiniest grandson plus one that’s fun for the bigger kids (and grownups, too).

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The Duke rides again! Movies and money mark the INSP Duke Days of Summer!

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The Duke rides again! Movies and money mark the INSP Duke Days of Summer!

This post is in partnership with the INSP Network.

When I was a kid, John Wayne film reruns were a staple of early Sunday morning television. It was on those Sunday screenings (via what would now be considered a super small screen) that I came to adore the Duke. Whether starring in a western or war flick, Wayne proved every bit …

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Summer reading giveaway: 'Masters of Mischief' (The Misadventures of Max Crumbly #3)

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Summer reading giveaway: 'Masters of Mischief' (The Misadventures of Max Crumbly #3)

Simon & Schuster is partnering with me for a giveaway!

Grandparents typically rank among the top supporters of their grandchildren’s educational efforts, spending hours helping with homework, attending activities and events, volunteering in the classroom and more.

But how can grandparents help out in the same manner during the kids’ summer break? One way is to slow down the “summer slide” of reading and comprehension skills by encouraging grandkids to make reading a regular part —an enjoyable part — of their long summer days. It can be as simple as…

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Click, flip, change: The Infantino 2-in-1 Bouncer & Activity Seat (review)

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Click, flip, change: The Infantino 2-in-1 Bouncer & Activity Seat (review)

Having a baby in the house means having lots of stuff. Not just stuff like bottles and diapers but big stuff, too. I’m talking basinettes and bouncers and baby seats of all sorts, gear befitting kiddos from infant to beyond.

Whether you’re a parent or a grandparent, if you’ve got a baby, you’ve got too much baby stuff.

Thankfully Infantino has come up with a remedy for at least a portion of baby equipment overload. Introducing the all-new—as in, launched just last month—Infantino 2-in-1 Bouncer & Activity Seat, available exclusively at Target.

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On the third day of Christmas baking with Sweet'N Low®: Three French Hens, er, French Butter Cookies

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On the third day of Christmas baking with Sweet'N Low®: Three French Hens, er, French Butter Cookies

I partnered with Sweet’N Low® to bring you this special “12 Days of Christmas” recipe.

The Christmas countdown has begun! This year, I’m singing along to “12 Days of Christmas” with Sweet’N Low® and celebrating the holiday season with a new recipe inspired by the classic song.

The makers of America's favorite pink zero-calorie sweetener selected a dozen bloggers—one for each day of the song—and tasked each with sharing a holiday recipe based on our assigned verses. My verse? The third day of Christmas, that of “Three French Hens” fame!

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Holiday gift ideas for grandkids: Toy time!

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Holiday gift ideas for grandkids: Toy time!

Seeking unique screen-free toys for the girls and boys on your holiday list?

Check out these five fun gift ideas for your grandkids, all reviewed and recommended by my grandkids.

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4 baby shower gifts for grandmas to give

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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.

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Squelch mosquitoes with portable repellent devices from Thermacell

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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.

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