Building Toys Just Became Better!

    Move over traditional building bricks! Building toys just became better! Flexo sets take creating something to a whole new level.

Building Toys Just Became Better!

    When I first stumbled upon Flexo Building Sets, I was immediately intrigued. They're much like traditional bricks, but better. Flexo creations can bend and move, in a way the other bricks can't. They're the world's only bendable bricks! Taking rigid construction bricks and adding flexible tendons, Flexo toys are movable, bendable, and hours of fun!

    Flexo creations even float in water, so once built, they double as a fun tub or pool toy. That was a huge selling point for me because Liam has always wanted to take toys into the bathtub, and most aren't made for that. However these are. So your children can have hours of fun.

Build Fine Motor Skills and More

    As a special needs mom, I have always looked for toys that can double as therapy for my son. If I can take something fun, and use it to help build skills he is lacking, then that is a win win for both of us. Flexo Building Sets do just that. Kids work on their fine motor skills while building and manipulating the bricks. They're so busy having fun, they don't realize that they're working on important skills. You can even use the sets to expand on their color and shape recognition as well. Educational enjoyment is truly the best kind.

    Liam got the Crab set from Flexo and I can't wait to sit down and build it with him. It's a great way to spend some quality time together, and have a blast too.

Take Your Creations to a Digital Level

    With Flexo Building Sets, you can take your creation to a digital level. Just download their free Flexo AR app on Google Play and iTunes. Build your Flexo creation, and after you download the app, scan it over your creature or creation, and watch it come to life.  

Works With Other Bricks

    Flexo Building Sets work with traditional brick sets. Therefore you can make those boring sets, even more fun. Seamlessly connect Flexo with other blocks, and let your creativity take hold. Imagine the things you and your children can create together?! 

There's still time to get your Flexo Building Sets before the holidays. 

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Sensory Input for Back to School

A few days ago I got an email from the amazing folks behind Craft City. They wanted to know if Liam would like a Slime Swag Set for back to school. Of course that answer was a resounding yes!

Sensory Input Back to School Style

Now I know all too well how much fun it is to make slime. It’s one of mine and Liam’s favorite ways to spend time together. However, we don’t always have that time, especially during the school year. With that being said, there’s still a need to have slime because it gives Liam wonderful sensory input, and also keeps his hands busy during lessons. Busy hands means he focuses more on me instead of looking around the room and trying to find something to occupy his empty hands.

So when Karina and her team from Craft City asked if we wanted some premade slime, our answer was yes! They did not disappoint! A mere two days later a bunch of slimy fun arrived on our doorstep.

Soda Slime

Let me tell you, this slime smells absolutely fantastic! When my son opened it, I could smell it sitting across the room from the him. He got Orange and Grape soda. Craft City also has Cherry Cola scented and Lemon Lime Soda as well. Your kids are sure to love this four pack of premade slime.

Super Slime

This may very well being one of Liam’s favorite types of slime. He loves the colors and glitter. His favorite is Fire and Ice. It’s an orange slime with gold glitter (two of his faves,) and it even has plastic chunks of “ice” inside. He loves manipulating this slime to expose the ice and pick them out. The four pack also comes with Mood Ring slime which changes colors with heat.  Metallic slime, and Glow in the Dark Rainbow too.

Galactic Slime

Inspired by space, this four pack of Craft City premade slime is out of this world! It comes with Blackberry Blast Off, Martian-mallow, Milky Way Cereal, and Green Apple Goo. The green apple smells exactly like a hard candy. The Milky Way Cereal looks and smells just like a fruity cereal. Plus it has foam balls for even more sensory input.

Glitter Slime

If glitter is your thing then you’re going to love the Craft City Glitter Slime four pack. It comes with glittery fun in blue, gold, rainbow and pink.

More Fun From Craft City

These are just a few of the fun activities and sensory items from Craft City. You can make slime, lip gloss, and more. There are even kits to color your own squishies too! Karina sent Liam two keychain squishies, and two of those balls that you squeeze and parts of it pop out. He hasn’t put them down since they came!

Fashionable Jewelry to Fulfill Sensory Needs

    My son has always been a chewer. I can't tell you how many shirts he ruined before we knew about autism, and Liam's need to chew. When we did, we sought out chewy tools to help him. However, as he gets older, those cutesy kids chewers aren't so "cool" any longer.

Fashionable Jewelry to Fulfill Sensory Needs

    Now that Liam's a tween, he's much more concerned with appearance, and "looking like a baby." So finding him something that not only fulfills his sensory needs, but also looks more grown up isn't easy. That's why I love Gumeez. Their designs are more in style and don't look like they're chewies. 

Gorgeous Pieces You'll Want to Wear

    Gumeez pieces are so stylish. Kids and even moms will WANT to wear them because they look amazing. But they're also silicone chewies, so they fulfill two purposes. Their necklaces and bangles look so neat! You're going to have a hard time just choosing one!

    They have a full selection of necklaces for moms to wear, as well as ones for younger kids. They have clip on teethers, and bangle bracelets too. You can choose from mermaids, foxes, penguins, and more. There's something for everyone.

Silicone and Safety

    All Gumeez teething jewelry is made from one hundred percent, food grade silicone. That means it's safe for babies and kids (or even adults) alike. They're also BPA and lead free, so you can take comfort in knowing your angel is safe. 

    Gumeez necklaces all feature a break away clasp. This takes away the risk of a choking hazard from the necklace. It also means that if you're wearing it, and your son or daughter wants to chew, they won't be choking you to get to their beads. The necklace will break away so you don't get choked either.

    Not only can you clean your Gumeez with soap and warm water, but they're also dishwasher safe too. Just toss them in and run your dishwasher. Easy peasy!

Whether you have a child on the autism spectrum, or a little one that's teething, check out Gumeez.

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Safety, Comfort, and Medical Alert All in One

    One common problem for many autistics is sensory issues. For Liam, one in particular is a seat belt. He hates how it rubs his neck, and always wants to put his shoulder strap behind him. That's unsafe, so we needed to find a seat belt pad to help relieve his discomfort.

Safety, Comfort, and Autism Medical Alert All in One

    Sew Good by Dolores creates the nicest Autism Medical Alert Seat Belt Covers. First of all, they are super soft to the touch (made of micro suede,) and keep the seat belt from rubbing your loved ones skin, or cutting into their neck. 

    Secondly, they will alert first responders, medical personnel, or even police that your loved one is on the autism spectrum. You can choose from Autism, Autism Low Verbal, or Autism Non Verbal. There is a puzzle piece design, or a medical alert design to choose from as well. Each one is embroidered by Dolores, and she can even add a name to your seat belt cover.

    Each one comes with a paper for you to fill in your loved ones medical data. There's even a spot for a picture too. This is so nice in the event of an emergency. Even if your child happens to be verbal, there's no guarantee they will speak or respond to emergency personnel. This way, you'll know that responders will be aware of their condition. (It tucks nicely into the pocket, inside the cover.)

Not Just for Autism

    Sew Good by Dolores, has luxury seat belt covers for other conditions too. She has Heart Disease, Epilepsy, CHD, Deaf, Diabetes, Special Needs, and so many more. To see them all, check out her listing.

    Dolores also makes medical alerts for backpack straps, as well as nice pillows and more. Her embroidery work is flawless and beautiful. The customer service she gives is equally amazing!

Liam Approved

    Liam recently received a Medical Alert Seat Belt Cover from Sew Good by Dolores. I put it on his seat belt and he loved it. He keeps rubbing his face on it. Liam also informed me that, "it makes this nasty belt nicer mama!" So there you have it, it's Liam approved! :)

For more info, visit Sew Good by Dolores

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It's Time for a Giveaway! Enter to Win Your Own Hickies!

It's time for a giveaway!!

Starting RIGHT NOW we're hosting a giveaway!

TWO lucky winners will be chosen at random, and each winner will get ONE SET of Hickies Kids No Tie Elastic Shoe Laces. (One set is white, the other is gray. The color you receive will be one or the other.)

If you're not familiar with these, then here's your chance! Turn any pair of lace up shoes into slip ons!

Perfect for kids with special needs that struggle with the fine motor skills needed to tie their shoes!

   Trust me when I say these things are the bomb! We have a ton of them, and we ALL use them in our shoes. It's great for days when I'm in pain and don't want to bend to tie up my sneaks!

ARE YOU READY????

LET'S GO!!!!

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Easter Goodies for Kids of All Ages

     Easter is getting closer! Have you started getting goodies for their baskets? We just started and I have a few toys to tell you about that I think kids of all ages will enjoy!

Easter Goodies for Kids of All Ages

    Tomy has long been a maker of some of our kids favorite toys. They have everything from Pokemon, John Deere, Sonic the Hedgehog and more. You're sure to find a ton of goodies to put in their baskets! I just got Liam two awesome toys from Tomy that he's going to love, and I can't wait to tell you about them!

Spring Means Playing in the Dirt

    After being cooped up all winter, my boy looks forward to getting outside and digging in the dirt! He loves having all sorts of cars and tractors to play with. I got him this cute little John Deere Gator from their Monster Treads collection. He's going to love this addition to his toy car and truck collection. It even has the open back for hauling dirt and pebbles. The small size makes it wonderful addition to your child's Easter basket. To see all of John Deere toys from Tomy, click here.

Sensory Fun Wherever We Roam

    In this home, toys have no gender identity, and no age limit. Especially when they can fulfill Liam's sensory needs. Which is why I know he's going to love Tomy's Lamaze Jibber Jabber Jake.

    While initially designed for babies and toddlers, this frog is packed full of sensory input areas. It makes little frog sounds as you turn it over. Different parts of the body crinkle fulfilling both auditory and tactile sensory needs. There's even a silicone leaf to fulfill kids' need to chew. Oh and the clip on it means, you can hang it anywhere. (I'll keep Liam's in the car so he always has sensory input with him.) Plus it's adorable! The bright colors and cute face are sure to make it a hit with your child. (I totally recommend it for special needs that seek sensory input!)

   This is just one example of the adorable and fun toys that you can find from Lamaze. From butterflies, inch worms, donkeys and more, they have sensory fun for kids. Check them out!

Much More from Tomy

    These are just two of the hundreds of toys you can find from Tomy and their parent brands. To see them all, you have to head to their website. With free shipping on contiguous US orders over 50$, now is a great time to stock for their Easter baskets.

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Scented and Squishy Fruits to Satiate Sensory Seekers from Buylet

    I have a seeker! He's always moving, jumping, squishing, spinning and more. When we go places he has to touch everything to feel it. So how do I stop him from that? I give him sensory toys to keep his hands busy! I happen to love these scented and squishy fruits from Buylet. If you have a seeker, then this is for you!

Scented and Squishy Fruits to Satiate Sensory Seekers

    I just got Liam a four pack of jumbo squishy fruits from Buylet. They were an instant hit! These fruits are so soft and pliable, which makes them a blast to squeeze. Liam likes watching them slowly rise back to shape too. 

    He pokes and prods them, squeezes and squishes them. They're even scented so they not only satisfy a tactile seeker, but an olfactory seeker as well. 

Use Them to Help With Hand Eye Coordination

    Because Buylet's Jumbo Fruit Squishies are soft, they're great for using in a game of catch. Liam still struggles with catching objects. These soft fruits are great for tossing, inside the house and out. You won't have to worry if your child gets hit with them because they are so soft. We even use them for games of Hot Fruit (because fruit is cooler than potatoes!)

For Adults and Kids Alike

    Whether your child has special needs, or just gets anxious, Buylet's Jumbo Fruit Squishies are perfect. They're great for squeezing and relieving stress! My niece loves them too!

    As for adults, they are also an effective stress reliever, as well as perfect for exercising their hands. My mom has Psoriatic Arthritis, and her hands get so sore! Liam gave his Nana the giant Peach and she has been using to stretch her hands every day. She loves it too!

    Easter is coming, so grab this four pack from Buylet, and add a piece of squishy fruit to everyone's Easter Basket! 

i-Blason and SUPCASE Keep Their Devices Safe and Secure

    We live in a device driven world. Many of us couldn't live without our smart phones and tablets. Especially our autistic loved ones. And when those devices get cracked or ruined due to falls and more, our kids are lost. i-Blason and SUPCASE are here to help!

i-Blason and SUPCASE Keep Their Devices Safe and Secure

    Liam doesn't go anywhere without his phone. It has all of his games, music, and our streaming services to pass time for appointments. Although he doesn't, I know of many other children that use their phones for portable communication devices. Which is why it's so important for us to have quality cases for them.

    When I got a new to me phone, I gave Liam my Samsung S5. However, my cases were more pretty or geeky than sturdy and functional. So I wanted to get him something that would hold up his rough and tumble self. I decided on the ArmorBox Dual Layer Hybrid Full Body Protective Case from i-Blason. I'm super impressed with this case! Let me tell you why.

Strong and Sturdy

    The ArmorBox is super sturdy. It has a polycarbonate outer shell that offers full protection to the phone. The TPU inner core protects the phone from shock, drops, and scratches. This case fully encases your phone, cradling it in safety.

Built In Screen Protector

    I don't know about you, but I've had phone cases with built in screen protectors in the past, and I hated them. They were too thick to read your fingerprint, and they often made your screen resolution blurry. The ArmorBox is far superior! It's built in screen protector is crystal clear. You can't even tell there's one covering your screen! It's also responsive to your touch, and fully supports the S5 Fingerprint scanner and Heart Beat sensor. I was honestly shocked when I put this case on my son's phone. It's amazing!

More from i-Blason and SUPCASE

    This is just one case from iBlason and SUPCASE. They have a full selection for various smart phones, tablets, and more. From Samsung, to Apple, LG, HTC, and more. To see them all you have to visit i-Blason and SUPCASE.

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More Fun From Goliath Games

     We just got some more fun from Goliath Games. Liam was stoked because they came just in time for Friday Family Game Night! These games brought tons of giggle and even better, they helped us to work on our hand eye coordination. Let's take a look!

More Fun From Goliath Games

    We're always on the look out for new games to add to our repertoire. I really love hands on ones that aren't just fun, but also help my son work on things like his fine motor skills, hand eye coordination and so on. That's part of the reason I was happy when I saw the games Liam pulled out of the box. 

    He got Doggy Doo, Let's Go Fishing, and Mr. Bucket. These classic games have been fun for generations of kids, and now your kids can enjoy them too. Doggy Doo is better than ever, so let's break them down!

The All New Doggy Doo

    In all honesty, I never got Liam the original Doggy Doo game because it was too messy. My friend had it for her kids and he played with them, and if you remember the old game, you'll remember the mess. That's no longer an issue because Goliath Games made some much needed changes.

    The all new Doggy Doo game is better than ever, and MESS FREE! You now feed doggy a food pellet that isn't messy and much easier to use! The game also teaches kids responsibility in a funny way. When Doggy Doos they scoop it up with the doo shovel, and place it in the game receptacle. I love how Goliath Games is teaching our kids to clean up after their fur family! 

    Liam loves the fart cards and he laughs every time Doggy toots! It really is hysterical. He also enjoys that Doggy looks like his sweet Josie Joy! Your kids are going to have a blast with this game, and since there's no mess, its a win win for you!

Let's Go Fishin' (Inside!)

    One of our most beloved past times is fishing. However, it's not something we can do at the moment. (Roll on Spring!) Since we can't fish at our favorite ponds, we can now fish right in our living room. Let's Go Fishin' is the classic from our childhood. Cute little fish swim around in the pond, and kids have to catch them on their poles. 

    As it spins the fish open and close their mouths, and kids have to get their poles in there at the right time to land that whopper! It comes with four poles, and hours of fun. 

    This game is perfect for working on their hand eye coordination in a fun and engaging way. It's prefect for the home, classroom, or even therapy clinic. You can also use it to teach your child colors, and simple addition too. But best of all, you can spend time laughing and having fun as a family!

Good Ol' Mr. Bucket!

    Goliath Games and Pressman Toy bring us the classic Mr. Bucket game. Kids chase Mr. Bucket around and try to get all of their colored balls in his mouth. But beware, as he moves, he also spits the balls back out! 

    This game is perfect for getting the sillies and wiggles worked out in kids. (Or as I like to call it, Operation Wear Them Out.) It teaches kids colors, and work on their fine motor skills, as well as their hand eye coordination. However, they just think they're behaving a blast!

More Fun From Goliath Games

    These are just a few of the awesome games that Goliath games has for you and your family. With Easter coming, make sure you check them out. Fill their baskets with good old fashioned family fun!

Follow Goliath Games via Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. 

Top Five Foods in the Autism Community

    I think one of the most common things I see in our community is how hard it is to get our kids to eat. Textures, tastes, smells, and even colors can affect what your child will eat. So I wondered, are there common foods among our kids?

Top Five Foods in the Autism Community

    I'm friends with countless autism families. I follow even more of them on Facebook. So over the years I've been taking notes on what foods are the most commonly tolerated among our kids. Because let's face it, they need to eat. So we need to know what to offer.

1.) Chicken Nuggets

     I honestly don't think I've ever met or read about an autism kid that didn't love to eat chicken nuggets. The brands may vary, and some only eat Gluten Free ones, but in general, they love chicken nuggets.

    My kid will only eat them from McDonald's, Burger King, or KFC. He refuses all store bought or even home made nuggets. But at least he's eating meat!

2.) Cereal

    I've seen a lot of autie kiddos that live off of cereal. My son and my nephew love it, but it has to be DRY. No milk! As a matter of fact, my son could eat cereal every day, all day. However, the types vary. For a few months it will be Cocoa Pebbles. Then once there's a sale and I stock up, they suddenly taste funny to him. Then we're onto the next kind. That ranges from Fruit Loops, Apple Jacks, Rice Chex or Cheerios.

3.) Pizza

    It seems that tons of autistic kids and adults alike love pizza. Again, brand and toppings vary. I personally love pizza, but like I said, only from certain places. If it's store bought, I will only eat Sam's Choice.

    My son won't touch it. Never has. He hates red sauce. Loathes it. He also hates foods touching so to him, pizza is a sensory nightmare.

4.) French Fries

    Number four on this list is fries. It seems that autistic kids love fries. In this house they have to be only fries from McDonald's. Liam will touch no other type of french fries. I however love fries from anywhere. The more grease and salt, the better.

5.) Fruit Snacks

    So this may not actually count as a food group, but some have real fruit in them, so I'm counting them. Liam will only eat Welch's fruit snacks, but since they have real fruit, I'm good with that. Autistic kids seem to love these chewy and fruity bites. If you think about it, they're great sensory input too. That squishy texture in your mouth is very fulfilling if you're a sensory seeker.

So tell me, did any of the foods in your autism home make the list? If not, what would you add?

Put More Than Candy in Their Easter Baskets

    Spring is coming! I know this not because of the calendar, but because one days it's seventy degrees, and the next it snows. Oh and the mud. ALL OF THE MUD! I digress. With Spring comes Easter, and I don't know about you, but I don't like filling my son's basket with candy. And frankly neither does E.B. (We're good friends, he and I.) So how about some fun, disguised as learning?

Put More Than Candy in Their Easter Baskets

    Craft City has the coolest kits that both you and your children are going to love! Karina Garcia is my new jam! Seriously, I think we could be soul sisters. (Heyyyy Karina!) Her kits are amazing, and she actually creates every kit herself! They will not only give your kids hours of fun, but in the process, they're learning. (And they're going to love it by the way!)

Slime For Days

    If you're the parent of a tween or teen, I'm willing to bet you hear A LOT about slime. As a special needs mama, we use slime as a sensory tool too, so when we saw the Craft City Make-Your-Own Slime Kit we knew we had to have it!

    Liam's bud, the UPS man brought his yesterday and within five minutes we were making slime. Glow in the dark slime to be precise. The ingredients are kid friendly and safe, so there's no worries of your eight and up kids using the ingredients. It's super easy too so with a little supervision, your children will be creating some really cool slime!

Please ignore our messy craft table! Tons of projects have left their mark here. ;)

    By following the recipes in the kit, your child will be doing hands on STEM learning. From measuring, to adding, and more. This kit is a science lesson disguised as fun! Check out Liam making his batch of glow in the dark slime.

Make-Your-Own Bath Bombs Kit

    When Liam took this kit out of the box he was grinning from ear to ear. He loves making bath bombs with me, and was even happier to have his very own kit. Geared towards kids eight and up, they can craft a few of their own bath bombs, then drop them in the tub and relax. Another STEM lesson conveniently disguised as crafty fun for kids.

Everything your son or daughter needs to create their very own bath bombs! They even included gems to hide inside the bomb.

My Child Needs These in Their Life!

    I know by now you're chomping at the bit. "Spill it Court, and tell us where we can get these!" Well you're in luck, you can head to your local Target and pick them up. While you're there, check out the Craft City Make-Your-Own Lip Kit. If you don't like being "peopley" then order them online and wait for your UPS guy or gal to deliver you and your kids some fun.

 You can check out Craft City on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube too!