"Around The World The Trip Begins With a Kiss..."

I have not had the opportunity to travel to that many places yet. I like to watch shows and read books about other places, so I can get a taste of what these other countries have to offer.  I always joke with my husband, that "I will be right there, I am in Spain" (or whichever country I am currently reading or watching something about).

The main reason that I want to travel now, is to share the world with my son!! Is there a better gift??

I was over at a friends house last week, and their kids were playing with the coolest thing called Little Passports.  I had to immediately contact the company, and find out everything about Little Passports.

Little Passports is a subscription program, where you get a new package every month (just like my favorite Kiwi Crates).  The first month you will receive a suitcase filled with all of the items that you will need to start your travels.  There will be a letter from the two main characters (Sam and Sophia) that you will be traveling with.

Each month after that Sam and Sophia will send you a package with letters, souvenirs, and photos from the next area that you will be traveling to with them. The items in these packages are really good quality, and very educational.

Getting mail is always fun, especially when it is filled with letters and gifts from friends.  What a fun way to teach your kids about the world, and get them excited about learning! Your kids will be waiting by the mailbox for the next package to arrive.

My son is still a little young for these, they recommend ages 5 and up.  I would agree with that recommendation, unless you have a 4 year old that is showing interest in learning to read.  I seriously want to order these for myself :)  They are just so cute, and I love things like this.

They have two programs the World Edition for ages 5-10, and the USA edition for ages 7- 12 years old.  Although I really wouldn't put an age limit on these. (Ok secretly I am going to change it to 7-36, so I can get them).

Next you decide whether you want to get a 3 month subscription, 6 month subscription, 12 month subscription, or go month to month.  They do offer a discount if you sign up for a subscription.  With all of their programs, you can cancel at anytime.

I can't tell you how cute these are in person.  The kids that I visited with were so into them, and so excited about what they were learning about. This is definitely a gift that you should recommend to a relative that wants to get your child something special for the holidays. This gift will not end up in the toy chest by the end of the week.

Little Passports gave me a special deal to share with Little Orso readers, get 10% off your subscription by signing up with this link, and using code DEC10 at checkout. Hurry this offer is only good until the end of the month.

Bon Voyage:)

App Fun:)

My son and I spend a lot of time in the car, so I am always looking for something fun to keep him occupied.  Before I had him, I said I would not be one of "those women who let their kid play with their phone". I so take that back!

There are so many great educational apps, and they are great for when you forget to bring a toy. Think restaurant waiting for food...

Do you let your kids play with your phone or Ipad?  What are your favorite kid friendly apps?

Here are two of our favorites...


The first is called Piano Balls, and it costs $1.99.

It is aimed at preschool aged kids, but I have a great time playing it too.  It lets them play kid favorite songs on the "piano", and it teaches them colors, instruments, and sounds.  They can also just play freestyle on the piano.  It is a lot of fun:)



The second is my son's all time favorite!!  He actually drives me a little crazy with this one...hahaha  Don't get me wrong I actually love it, and think it is adorable.  However he calls Elmo non-stop!!

It is called Call Elmo, and you can get it for $.99 at the Itunes Store. Elmo calls you in a Facetime screen.  It is really cute, because your child's face shows up in the bottom corner (just like on Facetime).

Elmo calls your child about a bunch of things, and the phone really rings and they have to answer it.  There are also voicemails from him, for when your child misses the call.  Like I said this one keeps my son busy for hours!!

The only drawback to kids and apps, is a sticky screen and dead battery.  A small price to pay for a few bites of your dinner, or a quiet car ride;)

Love, Love, Love- Holiday Edition

I am in holiday decorating mode and wanted to share some cute things that I have found...

Personalized Ornament

1st Hanukkah Onesie

Reindeer T-shirt

Cloth Hanukkah Book for Kids

Personalized Kids Stockings

Nativity Playdough Playmat

Lost Lovey :(

If your child is attached to a certain "lovey" (stuffed animal, blanket, doll etc..) then this post is for you.  I have always been a huge stuffed animal fan, and would be heart broken if I lost one of them:(

My son has a few animals that he is already attached to, and every once in a while they fall out of the stroller or out the car door (you know that pile of stuff that falls out when you open the door to get them out).  We have been lucky so far, and noticed every time.  However I am sure that there will come a time when we won't be s lucky.  I dread that day:(  That is why I was so excited when I saw this great service and product. 

Lost My Lovey is an online lost and found service for children's toys.  They have set up a "classified like" site, where you can post ads about lost or found loveys.  It is free to post, and you can post as many times as you like.

They also make these great tags, that you can attach to your kid's toys. The tag is custom embroidered with your phone number, and a special id number. These tags help you get back your loved item.  I love this idea so much.  I have found so many stuffed animals, dolls, and blankets at the park and on walks.  I try to leave them somewhere safe that they can be found, but I would love to be able to call the owner.

They also have a replacement section just in case you can't find your missing item, or if you would like to buy a back up item.  I also like this section for locating a toy from your childhood. They have great resources to help you find those hard to find items.  I know there are a few toys that I had growing up, that I would love to get for my son.

I am so in love with this site...I am one of those people that believes that stuffed animals come to life;) hehehe Like Toy Story:)  So the idea of losing one makes me so sad. 

I figured with all of the holiday traveling going on right now, it was a great time to share Lost My Lovey with all of you.  If you have a child that is attached to one lovey, I suggest you head over and get some tags today!!

Daddy Orso is in Love

My husband loves helping with Little Orso, but this was hands down the best thing I have asked him to do.  A company called Xenon Project asked us if we would review one of their remote control helicopters.  My husband could not say "Yes!!" fast enough.  When he found out that it would be a Marine Corp helicopter (he is a retired Marine and loves anything Marine related), I think he may have stopped breathing ;)

His assignment was to play with the helicopter all weekend.  We played outside, and inside.  We shared with the neighborhood kids, and let our 20 month old son play with it.  I am happy to report that the helicopter is still in one piece:)

Doesn't that look like a real helicopter??

I have to admit that I was very impressed by the helicopter too.  The design was amazing, it looked so real.  No chunky pieces, like the remote control vehicles of my childhood.

There was almost no assembly required, just add some batteries to the remote control and charge the helicopter (plug it into your computer with a USB cord, or you can charge it off your remote control iteself).

The remote was very user friendly and comfortable to hold.  I remember some being so bulky or heavy, that it took the fun out of using them.  It is very sensitive though, so it does require some practice.

The helicopter is recommended for children over 14 years.  I think maybe 10 and up, if they have previous RC experience.  However that should not keep you from buying one for younger kids.  My 20 month old son had a fabulous time chasing the helicopter around, and even sat still and watched it take off and land (you know how hard it is to get a toddler to sit).

The best part is that the helicopter is safe for inside and outside play.  I have a lot of delicate items (up high and out of reach of little hands), and I felt ok with the helicopter being flown in the house.

This helicopter was a huge hit in our home!!  I really don't have anything bad to say about it, and was shocked at how affordable they are.

Xenon Project is a Southern California based company, that sells high end items like this. They specialize in remote control vehicles, and carry many other items besides this helicopter.

The company was started by two RC enthusiasts that wanted to bring great items to their customers, and they have hand picked some of the best items out there.  Not only did we have a great weekend playing with this helicopter, but I now know where to shop for my husband and son for every holiday.

We are thinking that a boat would be great, for the near by lake or pool:)  My husband is leaning towards some tanks to battle me with...lol

And here comes the fun part for you...Xenon Project is letting us give the helicopter away to one of our fans. (I have a feeling that some men may actually stop by today)

To enter this Giveaway you must do 3 things:

1.  Like Xenon Project on Facebook

2.  Be a fan of Little Orso on Facebook

3. Leave a comment below telling us which Xenon Project is on the top of your wish list.  Remember you do not have to log in to leave a comment, but you do need to put your name in the comment so we know who to contact.

This Giveaway will end tomorrow (11/20) at midnight (pst). A winner will be announced on our Facebook page on Wednesday (11/21) morning.

Good luck!!

**The post above is a sponsored post.  We received free products, or financial compensation from the above mentioned company.  However the reviews and thoughts of Little Orso were not influenced in any way, and are our genuine thoughts and feelings.

Love, Love, Love- Election Edition....

Teaching our children about campaigns and elections is always a tricky thing. Here are some items that make the discussion exciting, and cute ;)

Of course this item featured last week on our block post, would also make this list:)

Cupcake Toppers

Custom Name Political T-shirt or Onesie

Custom Presidential Print

Presidential Whittle Peg Doll

Presidential Whittle Peg Doll

...and an extra one for good luck & just because my first child was a furbaby

Presidential Election Doggy Bandanna

Happy Voting!!

Blocks:)

My son is obsessed with blocks.  We make towers all day long!!  I guess I am to blame for his love of blocks, because I gave him a set of wooden ABC blocks when he was about 4 months old.  I figured you are never too young for blocks.  He loved looking at the colors and pictures back then.  Now he builds towers taller than him, and sometimes feels the need to throw his blocks across the room ;)

There are so many cute blocks on the market these days.  When I was little we had a few wooden block choices, and a few plastic...

Here are some great alternatives to the typical wooden ABC blocks.

President Block Set

Periodic Table Blocks

Lowercase Blocks

Braille and Sign Language Blocks

Rainbow Sound Blocks

Boikido Wooden Blocks

...and if none of these excite you, you can make your own wooden blocks with this very cool kit:)

Make Your Own Blocks

Hope you enjoy, and start building your own towers today:)  If building is not your thing, it is ok because wooden blocks are great to decorate with.  They look cute in a jar, on a shelf, glued on a canvas....

Won't You Be My Neighbor??

Happy Halloween!!

In a round about way, this post has to do with Halloween (I will show you in a second).

I remember having the coolest airport playmat when I was little.  It had runways, a parking lot, the streets around the airport etc..  I got my son something similar at Ikea, and he really likes it.  However there is a new playmat on my radar.

Boardstiff, makes these fabulous neighborhood playmats.  They come in three sizes, and they personalize the playmat to your street address.  You can also specify important locations and intersections.

I would have loved this growing up!!  Actually I should probably still get one, considering I give directions by landmark (not street).  It is a great way to teach someone the names of the streets in their neighborhood, and just so fun!!  Who doesn't want to drive mini cars and trucks down there own street??

Which brings me back to my Halloween connection... think of the Trick or Treat "pre-gaming" that could go on with this mat??!!  You could sit around your mat and make a great plan of which direction covers the most homes.  You could even mark the spots with stickers, or figures:)

This would make a fantastic holiday gift, just tie some cars or trucks on with a big bow:)  Head over to Boardstiff and order yours today.  Since it is a personalized gift, you do not want to wait until the last second to order it.

Love, Love, Love...Skip Hop Edition

All of the items in today's love, love, love post are from Skip Hop.  I had some other items I was going to share, but then I saw the new Skip Hop wooden line and fell in love<3

I am a huge fan of wooden toys, and these are cute and affordable.

Rock and Stack Pull Toy

Busy Bead Tree

ABC House Blocks

I love this company so much!!  I am always so excited to see what they come out with next, and none of their items ever disappoint me!!

Needless to say these are all in my cart:)

Things I Don't Need, But Definitely Want:)

AKA things that my husband doesn't agree that I NEED;)
...although I added a few this week that I think he would even want!!  Can you guess which ones??

Handle Bar Grips

Polaroid attachment for Iphone (my friends that tease me for using my Polaroid still sent me a link to this lol)

A clutch for your bike:)

Bike Chalk Trail- You need sometime fun for their bike too;)

Good Wishes Maternity Voodoo Doll- I could have used one of these!!

Ipad arcade (I guess I should put an Ipad on this list first;) )

Construction Plate

Do you have a list of thing you want like this??  Items that you don't quite need, but know that they will make your life more fun:)  What is on your list??

Hammer Time!! Orso Daddy Post

I know my wife did an Ikea product yesterday, but I couldn't help but jump on today and share my favorite new toy.

Toy Hammering Block

In the past couple of weeks, I have had some time to play with my son during the afternoon.  I usually come home during dinner and bed time, so I miss out on playing with him.

Typically we play with a modern toy or sports item, but now we are addicted to smashing things with a hammer...and it couldn't be more fun!!  My wife always said that old toys are the best, and I finally agree. 

Who would have thought a basic wooden toy would bring my son and I so much fun?  The best part about this toy is that I bought it for $5.99.  Ikea is seriously the best place to buy kids things!

I don't post often, but when I find something I really like I like to share it.

It is also great for big kids too, because I get a lot of daily stress out with it.

Maybe The Best $19.99 I Have Spent In A Long Time??!!??

As I have mentioned in previous posts, my son is obsessed with crafts...especially coloring!!  I used to let him color at his highchair, but then he started wanting to color during meals.  I realized it was time for a craft table. 

For months I had been putting different tables in "my carts", so that I would be ready for this day.  Most were fun and expensive tables.  Just like every other child/baby item, I got caught up in needing the best one that I could find.  Then you have a moment of clarity when you remember that expensive doesn't equal best. 

I figured I would search Amazon and a few others sites, for tables with high customer ratings, but still affordable.  However first I needed to run out for a few items.  One of my stops happened to be Ikea, I figured why not check out what they have.

...and then I saw this adorable little table and chair set (it comes with two chairs), for $19.99.

Seriously $19.99, how sturdy could it be??  I checked it out and it seemed to be great.  I asked my husband what he thought, and he said "how bad can it be"??  So we bought the set, and figured we would give it a try.

Four weeks later, and it has become one of my favorite buys.  My favorite things, always seem to be items that I stumble upon.

I can't say enough good things about this table; it is the perfect height for my son to sit at, it is easy to wipe Crayon off of, it is not too big or small, it is a neutral color (does not over power the room like most kids furniture does)... The chairs are sturdy too, my husband and I can even sit on them.

Anyone in the market for a table and chairs set, I would recommend heading to Ikea.  They have so many cute kids' items. (and stuff for mom, like the candles and $1 dark chocolate bars... they are unusually good)


***Find out more about the "crayon truck" here or purchase it here