Classic design and creative play with Viking Toys

I love toys that inspire my kids to use their imaginations. So many toys these days have scripted storylines and built in backstories. I personally love it when my kids create the story, define the characters, and it’s an added bonus when they also have to build or construct something while they play. Viking Toys … Read more

CARS 3 comes racing home on DVD and Blu-ray

For 6+ years, we’ve been mega fans of the Disney•Pixar’s CARS franchise. Our love started when my son became obsessed with all things that go and especially connected with CARS because of the fact that the films gave backstories and personalities to humanize cars, trucks, and other vehicles. After all of these years, we have … Read more

Build, learn, and play with Modarri cars

My son has been obsessed with cars since he first learned to grasp. He’s gone through stages with every scale toy or model car at this point, but there are certain cars that stand the test of time and get played with year after year. On that short list are Modarri cars, the DIY toy … Read more

Strengthening the sibling bond with Disney•Pixar’s Cars 3

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #UltimatePitStop #CollectiveBiasDisney Pixar Cars worldAround here it’s been a mini construction zone for days. The kiddos have been busy repurposing toys, household items, and art supplies to create a little world for them to play in. This may look like any old kids’ project, but for them, and for our family, this isn’t just child’s play or a random assortment of things – this is how the siblings bond using Disney•Pixar’s Cars 3.

Interested in finding out what their newest Disney•Pixar’s Cars 3 love is? Hover over the photo to click through to Amazon.com to buy!


If you know my older kids, you know they are exceptionally close, despite being different genders and over two years apart in age. They play together happily for hours and hours each day and for the most part agree on toys, activities, and things they enjoy. But, there has been one activity they have disagreed on since my son was old enough to communicate.

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Mix and match fun with custom Modarri cars {& discount code}

Sponsored postWe discovered Modarri cars last year, and we quickly became obsessed. Basically, they are everything my son loves.
Fixing things: check
Racing: check
Designing stuff: check
Things with wheels: check Modarri cars playSo, what are Modarri cars? They are build-it-yourself custom cars that you can mix and match and customize to your heart’s content.

Each car even comes complete with a special hex tool so you can break down each car into its multiple parts: a chassis, hood and windshield, seat pan, seat, fenders and frame, and wheels with front and rear suspension. And, each of those parts can be used with other Modarri car models so you can build and rebuild as often as you like to create whatever car strikes your fancy. Modarri custom racing fun

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Not just a toy car: introducing the awesomely customizable Modarri cars

Sponsored postMake way for ModarriI never, ever thought I would utter the words “we’re a car family”. But, with a husband who hasn’t missed a car show since he was a tiny boy and a son who simply asks for “any cars I don’t have” for Christmas and birthdays, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Obviously, my daughter and I were the holdouts, content to let the boys play with their cars – some toys, some very real that take up my whole driveway – and smile.

But, then we found the world of Modarri cars, and I think we all got a little giddy at all the possibilities for this amazing new take on the toy car. Modarri closeupPart build-it-yourself custom car model, part art to be displayed and enjoyed after building, and still 100% toy that can be played and raced with, the Modarri car line takes everything you thought about boring toy cars and flips it on its head. Although ours came assembled and ready for play, each Modarri model includes multiple different parts: a chassis, hood and windshield, seat pan, seat, fenders and frame, wheels with front and rear suspensions as well as a hex tool for building and rebuilding to your heart’s desire and traffic cones to contain the shenanigans.

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KIA Optima Hybrid {love at second sight}

Sponsored post basic disclosure
Driving the KIA optima
by Tyler, editor and reviewer

When I get in the KIA Optima Hybrid, I get the sudden urge to just drive. Cross state lines and head out and see the world. There is something about having run your errands all week without filling up and still seeing 450 miles until empty that makes it feel like a challenge.

Go on, open up the sunroof and crank some tunes, because we have some driving to do.

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VTech Switch & Go Dinos

My son is crazy about dinosaurs and about vehicles of all kinds, so I knew he would think that the Switch & Go Dinos were basically the coolest thing ever.  Whenever he sees the brightly colored dino covered boxes when we’re out shopping, he can’t help but hug them all. Of course I couldn't say no when offered a set of Switch & Go Dinos to review right before his birthday. 
Switch and Go Dinos
If you haven’t seen them in stores yet, Switch & Go Dinos are robotic dinosaurs that transform into various vehicles with just a few motions. When in dino mode, they roar like prehistoric animals, and when in car/truck/flying object mode, their engines rev and they make vrooming noises. Pretty much the best toy ever, in a little boy’s eyes.

I already knew that my son would think it was pretty awesome if a few Switch & Go Dinos came to live with us, so I was sure they would be the perfect birthday present for him this September. My daughter recognized this as well and decided that of all the other toys on the market, she really wanted to buy him one of these dinos for his birthday. 

Switch and Go Dinos packages

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Indoor and outdoor fun with Toy State trucks and cars

My son is a pretty well rounded boy with interests that range from crafting to digging in the dirt {although usually not at the same time}.  But, while he loves his stuffed animals and playing house just as much as my daughter, there is one thing that he loves even more: anything with wheels.  So, … Read more