Happy Day!

I know - the slacking hasn't ended.  Despite how hard I tried, I just never got back here to post,but today, I found out about an amazing product that is just about to get better, so I had to hop on and share!  Later this summer, we are going to be seeing the LeapPad2!!

This seriously excites me more than any announcement that could have come from Apple, or any other tech company.  My kids are addicted to their LeapPads, and the new improved features that will be coming with the 2 are amazing!  Here's a sneak peak at what you might be seeing...

First of all, this happened...

You should have seen Bean's face when she saw this!  Disney and LeapFrog have partnered to make this adorable princess bundle.  I think I want one.  For me.  Not only do  you get an adorable princess case, but you get the gorgeous stickers and decorated device.

The green version is also really cool, with an updated face plate that I think will give better contrast with the screen.

A few of my favorite new features -

• Longer battery life!  Wooohooo!! We already use rechargeable batteries, but these kids can go through those batteries quite quickly, especially on long trips.
• Front and back cameras with better quality images and the ability to record video.  Fun!
• More memory!  Yes!  We have so many apps and videos - this will definitely come in handy!
• Faster processor for easier playing.

I didn't think that the LeapPad could get better, but it just did.  I was able to find this amazing video on the LeapFrog site that made me even more excited!  First, for all of the new games, like the Brave one and the animation studio, and second because I know my kids are going to go wild for it all!  They can literally animate, narrate and put their own face into a unique video!  As P likes to say, how cool is that?!?

I remember that when the first LeapPad came out there were "over 100 apps and cartridges" and now there are more than 325!  I can say with all honesty that every game and video that my children have on their LeapPads is in some way or another educational.  They have learned reading, math, and social skills.  They are so tech savvy, and in this day and age, it is extremely important!  I can't say enough good things about this product or the company.  Even though the recommended age range is 3-9 years, Bean has had one since she was 18 months old and she really knows how to use it.  She can get to all of her videos, and she LOVES to take care of her pet.  She is constantly feeding him, playing with him and giving him a bath.  It is adorable to watch her blow in to the microphone to dry him off. :)

So, what do you think?? Will  you be pre-ordering the LeapPad2 on July 18th??  Mark your calendars or sign up for a reminder here. Keep in mind how impossible it was to find the LeapPad last year at Christmas!  I had alerts set up on my computer to help my friends and family who were searching frantically for them!  And in case you were curious, today marks the half way point to the holiday...yikes! 

Stay tuned - as I find out more I will be happy to share! :)

** I would just like to add that when my children get the new LeapPads I will be donating their old ones or tag selling them and donating the money.  Luckily, all of their games and downloads will work on the new device, with the 3 device limit remaining. :)

Slacking

Hi everyone!!

Once again I am in a position where I need to apologize for being MIA.  I have a huge list of things that I want to write about, but I never seem to sit down and take the time to do it.  When I get on the computer I start to wander around Facebook and Twitter, checking out the blogs I love to follow, and by the time I am ready to actually write, someone needs me - aka thing 1 or thing 2.

So, a little update on what's been going on around here.  Well, we have a new family member who goes by the name "Jet Pack Echo Gecko".  Yup, we got a gecko, and yup, P named him, and shockingly, I love the little guy.  I actually take him out and let him chill in my hands at least once a day, and he is starting to be comfortable in his new home.  He is just a baby leopard gecko, so he is still quite fast and timid, but we are working on it.  He is living in P's room and both of the kids adore him, although they aren't quite sure about his being nocturnal.

Admit it, he's cute. ;)

Meanwhile we are just getting ready for the summer.  It's only been in the 60's around here lately which is both frustrating (since it is June), but kind of refreshing too, so no complaints here. 

Okay, so this is what I mean - I haven't spell checked - I haven't finished my thought and the little one is drawing on herself with a random crayon that she found.  Off to clean up..sorry, ya'll.  I'll be back.  Maybe with some thoughts on the Bachelorette and the rumors about the new Bachelor!  (Sign me up!! Husband shmusband ;))

My Princess is 2!!

I have no idea where the time goes, or why it goes so quickly.  I feel like it was just last week that I was holding this little peanut...

But then the days went by and she turned into this precious little thing...

Then she began walking...

And talking...

And being the sweetest, sassiest, cutest little munchkin.  She is the epitome of a girly girl, who knows what she wants, and when she wants it.  She is still a little peanut, but she can stand her own, and her new favorite place is Chuck E Cheese.  So tonight, that's where we will go to celebrate.  My little love, with her adoration for Tinkerbell, and all things "pretty", is such a joy and light in our lives, and our Bean is a true blessing.  Little Bean, we LOVE you more than we can express.  Happy 2nd Birthday, Beautiful! xoxo

Biggest Baby Shower

Last night was the bi-annual Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower, and as always, it was a fun, classy event with some amazing guest speakers, and lots of fabulous products!

I'm sure that Big City Moms will have some really fantastic pictures on their Facebook page in the next few days, but in the meantime I thought I'd share some of the not-so-fantastic ones that I took with my phone. ;)

First off, one of the presenters was the absolutely adorable Jessica Alba speaking about her new business, The Honest Company.  I have tried these diapers and not only are they super stylish, they work really well and are better for our kids and our environment.  Win-win!

And since we are talking about eco-friendly products, how about trashing those diapers in this eco-friendly, stainless steal diaper pail by Ubbi.  Yes, they come in lots of fun colors, and yes, they have decals to decorate them with!  You can use any bag in them - including a reusable wet bag, and after it's a diaper pail, it's cute enough to use as a laundry basket.

My favorite picture of the night - I got to meet Tiffani Thiessen!  She is absolutely gorgeous and such a sweet person!  I was so excited to chat with her for a minute and take a picture with her.  I've always been a fan,but knowing how kind she is to her fans makes me love her even more!

Well, I got in at 1 this morning and my little bean is not a happy camper today, so I am off, but be sure to check out @afroginmysoup on Twitter for more pics from last nights wonderful event!

Here's to an afternoon of happy napping! ;)

The Polka Dot Posie

I have an obsession (yes, another one) with Etsy.  I absolutely love find all kinds of fun, unique gifts, printables, jewelry, and more on a site that I like to think helps people profit off of their talents. I like to browse around and check out all of the amazing things that people are making from there homes and read about the different shops and how they started.

Recently my friend Jen, over at a A Daily Dose of Davis, and her extremely talented mother opened their own Etsy shop.  (If you are a fan of A Daily Dose of Davis, you know that Jen has super talented parents!  Between her dad's amazing carpentry, and her moms skills with a sewing machine, they could probably stock a high end department store!)  Anyway, their shop is called The Polka Dot Posie and it is stocked full of adorable accessories, bags, jewelry, totes, and more!  Plus, almost everything can be personalized! 

One of my favorite products are the personalized, hooded towels for tots.  It must have been three Christmas' ago that Jen sent my little P-man his very own towel, made and personalized by her mama, and it is still one of my favorites!  We use it all the time after a bath and it looks brand new.

I am pretty much overwhelmed by how adorable everything in the shop is, and you can ask Jen, I have already sent her my wish list!  I'll absolutely share pics when it all arrives! :)  In the meantime, here's a sneak peak at what you can find at The Polka Dot Posie.  Enjoy!!

Check them out!  Which is your favorite product?  Maybe you'll see another feature at A Frog in My Soup in the future...just sayin'. :)

Cutey Clips

Oh. My. Goodness!  The world of little girls is just so darn fun and so stinking adorable!! I am having so much fun picking out dresses and shoes and accessories for my little Bean!

My most recent discovery feeds on my obsession with all things Disney, and all things frilly.  Meet Cutey Clips - home of all things preppy, pretty and princess-ey!  This post deserves to be made up of mostly pictures, but let me just tell you a few quick things.  The clips that Cutey Clips sells are all handmade, with the utmost attention to detail.  They are made to last, and have been tested by my toddler.  They stay in my daughters fine baby hair really well, and she gets a kick out of telling me "who" she is wearing - Tink or Ariel.  So, without further ado, a few pics to get you drooling. 

My little princess sporting her Tink clip.

A few of my favorite designs.

The clip P wants to see his sister wearing. :)

Christina, the designer and artist behind these gorgeous hair accessories has generously offered to give one of my readers their choice of a clip from her amazing store!  I am so excited because I actually found about about Cutey Clips from another blogger, whose daughter was rocking this gorgeous Belle bow.



Sorry!  I can't help myself with all the pictures!  I seriously want to buy the store out!  Anyway, you can enter below using Rafflecopter!  This giveaway will end May 8th, 2012.  Good luck and happy entering!!

Disclosure:  This review is written by me and all of the opinions expressed in the post are honest and are my own.  I received product from Cutey Clips to review.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TeethMe - The Best of the Best in Subscription Boxes

It seems like everywhere I look these days a new subscription service is popping up.  You can subscribe to have everything from your toilet paper to your kids' clothes delivered to your house on a monthly basis.  This trend seems to be growing more than ever in the baby care field, but until TeetheMe, nothing has caught my attention.

So,what makes TeetheMe different than the other child care gift boxes out there?  Well, TeetheMe is so much more than just a subscription service.  In addition to getting a fabulous box with full size products every month, you are also given a membership to the TeetheMe Social Network.  Here, you can rate and review your favorite (or least favorite!) products, see what other parents are saying, or visit the exclusive TeetheMe blog, The Daily Drool.  TeetheMe is just getting out of the starting gate, but there is already so much more to look forward to!  Another aspect of the community will be an amazing social community where moms can plan play dates, share and organize photos, or just chat with other moms.  If you want to be one of the first in to the Teethers Club, be sure to stop by and get your name on the list! 

So, want a sneak peak at what comes in a TeetheMe box??  Well, for only $24 a month (or less if you pre-pay!) you can get your hands on some of the best baby brands around, without leaving your house!  Here's what I found in my April box...

The best of Thermos Brand, all wrapped up in a pretty little sippy cup.  I love how cold my kids' drinks stay in this BPA-free, leak proof sippy cup.  Plus it's kind of fun to say "Foogo".

The NiNi Toy Bungee ensures that my kids don't lose their new sippy cup!  I love how easy this is to use and how it can work with so many different toys and cups.  A new mommy must have!

L'oved baby is a favorite of Hollywood mommies, and it's easy to see why!  This is the softest bib I have ever tried!  Plus, it's reversible to hide those inevitable stains for lunch time. 

This might have been my favorite part of the TeetheMe Box.  I have been eyeing this Aqueduck Faucet Extender for a while now, but haven't gotten around to actually purchasing one.  TeetheMe did the work for me and sent me one of the most coveted kid gadgets on the market.  I love that it is portable and my kids get a kick out of being able to reach the faucet themselves.

Greenleaf Sachets will keep your little one's diaper pail smelling fresh and clean!  Greenleaf claims that their sachets have 101 uses, but I think this might have been their most important job!






There are so many reasons to join TeetheMe, but as I like to tell my children, it's better to give than to receive.  So, after you sign yourself up, gift your bestie, your co-worker, your sister, or any other deserving new mommy with a subscription.  They will be sure to thank you every month when their adorable box hits their doorstep!

Don't forget - you can find TeetheMe on Facebook and Twitter, too!