Product Review: THE ACTION BIBLE

Ok,  so let me start by saying this isn't actually an item our family currently owns.  It is however a product that we are hoping for under the tree this year. :)  But I do want to let you know,  this book has come highly recommended to us.  My sis-in-law, as well as a few friends all with boys ages 5-12.

 The Action Bible isover 200 stories from the Holy Bible put in Graphic Novel format (Comic Book Style).  If you have a super hero junky or comic book whizz in your home... I have three...

Or You want to make the events from the Bible come to life  for your son?  I would highly recommend The Action Bible.

Here are some of the highlights that I have found in this book...

• Over 200 action packed Bible Stories in Chronological Order
• Illustrations drawn by Marvel, DC,  artist Sergio Cariello
•  * Note: William wants to be a Cartoonist and I love the fact that the profession and God's Word colide in this book, as well as the Artists Personal Testimony!
• I really enjoy that the people and events that my boys learn about everyday in our Bible reading, now come to life in a familiar and in a relatable form to them... let's face it most of our children don't even know what flannel graph is. **giggle**

I do love the disscussions and questions that opening the Bible can bring into our family life. The Action Bible is no exception.  I know as our boys begin to read through The Action Bible, curiosity and wonder of God's plan will begin to errupt. For some great discussion questions, please visit Focus on the Family.

The Action Bible runs between $14.99-$25.99 depending on retail establishments So SHOP Around!!

I do hope this review was helpful for you!  I would love to hear about any products you are considering purchasing for the upcoming holidays, and will help out in any way possible!

LeapFrog Tag Reading System - Toy Review

Christmas Toy Review #2:  LeapFrog Tag Reading System

William received his Tag System from his Grandparents last Christmas.  It is all he wanted and was so excited to see that green box emerge from the wrapping paper! I have to admit I was too!

The Tag System is comprised of a Tag "pen" and a variety of books.  You download electronic files onto the pen and it matches up with to books you own. The pen can hold up to 10 books at a time. Then you can point at a variety of settings within the books to do various activities: Games, reading word by word, sound out words, reading entire page, and spelling.
The Tag  uses 2 AAA batteries, but don't really have to change them out very often. Comes in two colors Green or Pink.

What I love about this toy:

• Really does work!! I'm not saying this will teach your child to read, but I can  say I saw a significant improvement on Williams word recognition after he started using this toy! We also have books that focus on certain vowel sounds that have come in handy during schooling.
• Ease of use: William received this toy at age 4 and was a pro!, but even Cade (3) is able to use all the functions and Brennan (2 1/2) can use some of the functions. All with a print rich toy! We also have a friend with a 7 year old daughter who still loves to play with her Tag system, and has asked for more books at Christmas
• Book: There is a huge variety of books! Some gender specific, others not. I also love that there are classic titles included, ex. "The Cat in the Hat" and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom".  Most of all, I love that the book look like regular books. Most of them have hard back covers and paper pages, just like every other book on the shelf. Williams quote, "Mommy, these books are just like the ones you read to me". 
• Compact: You can buy a storage case for the Tag Reading System, but we keep ours in a small toddler backpack. The books are all the same size, and store easily. And the "pen" is no bigger than a soup spoon. Great for travel! 
• Also the software for the books is kept online. I love that I don't have Cd's for every book we own floating around in our house. Just the pen, the books and the cable to connect to the computer.

Cons:
I honestly can't come up with anything I don't like about the Tag.

It is a great buy!!!

Does your family own a LeapFrog Tag System?  What is your favorite Learning Toy? 

Happy Toy Shopping!

Christmas Toy Review - Little Tikes Easy Store Picnic Table

Sweet Cade and Sally Dog.. Cuddling and Enjoying the backyard view.

So with Christmas right around the corner, My hubby and I have started our  search for those things that our kids will actually play with long term! Not just that toy that gets played with and then tossed aside... I know that many of you are in the same place. Money is tight, so we all want to make those purchases count. I thought I would take this opportunity to share with all of you some of the toys that know for a fact kids (my kids) use and love! So over the next several weeks I will be reviewing on of our toys each Thursday. Please feel free to comment on any toys you would like to know more about or if you have an idea for a review. Also, please feel free to click the Amazon link to find more reviews, specifics on dimensions, or for any of your Holiday Purchases!

Christmas Toy Review #1:  Little Tikes Easy Store Large Picnic Table

We have owned the Little Tikes Easy Store Large Picnic Table for about a year and a half, and I have to say it was some of the best money we have ever spent on a toy!! We literally use this toy every single day.

My favorite Things about this Table:

•  Sturdy design:  Holds up well to the wiggling, climbing, banging, and jumping that my three boys and the dog dish out! There is not a dent, scratch, or ding in this table. And please take my word when I say,"we are rough on this table!"
• Cleans easily:  Because it is made solely of hard plastic, I can take this table out in the yard and scrub it down and hose it off. (I do this almost weekly) But I also wipe it often with cleaners, no sign of wear!
• Versatile:  We have many different uses for this table. It is our craft/snack table during school time,  dinner table on Fridays, and general play area the rest of the time. Oh and the dog uses it to climb on and stare out the window, when she needs to go out... Don't worry we clean it often, remember it cleans easily!
• Light Weight:  Like I said before, we use it often and everywhere. So it is important that it moves easily!! It is so simple to move from the playroom to the living room, to the backyard, Without any hassle!! The boys even move it for me sometimes.
• Raised edges: So on the table top, there is a slight raised lip around the outside edge. I can not even begin to express the amount of clean up it has saved me over the last year. It catches almost all drinks spilled, paint dripped, or glue squished. Such a great thing!

Other Positives: I also like that it can hold so many kids. We use this during gatherings to serve the kids dinner, it can hold 6 kids (1 year to 8 years) easily! It also folds flat to store away, under a bed or in the garage. But lets be real here, you are going to love this table so much you won't ever put it away.  It also comes with a cute umbrella, we never use it because our table really stays inside most of the time, but it is really cute.

Ok, so now you know this is a great table! I love it!! But there are a few things I could do without... so I better share them too.

Negatives: There is an indention in the middle of the table that contains, two cup holders and a hole to support the umbrella.  The cup holders do not hold all of our cups and a few times it has been the leading cause of a spilled drink. Thank goodness for lids!!  Also, even though the raised edge catches most of the spill and keeps it contained on the table top instead of all over the floor; some dripping will occur from the hole meant for the umbrella. Personally I would like to see a raised edge added around the indention. That's it.... nothing to keep me away from this table!!

Hope this gives you some ideas!