"Play to learn is what's it's all about at this stage, so let the games begin!"
-Citrus Lane August 2013 Insert
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| Our box was a "special size" this month to accommodate the goods inside... made us curious to see just what they were! |
Okay, so maybe babies and toddlers don't actually go back to school, although I'm sure some do go back to daycare or have just continued right along with their daycare or if old enough, preschool. But mine doesn't. K- is lucky, or unlucky (take your pick) to be at home with me and I with her. Some days it's the absolute best thing in the whole world and others I'm sure we're both wishing the situation were different. Although that's how it is, she doesn't go "back to school" - at least not yet. That being said our Citrus Lane box this month was loosely based on a "back to school" theme. After all that's what time of year it is for most people and really learning takes place at every age and every stage, so why not?
If you're not familiar with Citrus Lane, it's a subscription box (and a great online community) tailored for kids in the age bracket of 0-5 years old. All their products are parent chosen and approved! Each
month your subscription gets you 4-5 best of products that they feel
will make your life with your little one a little easier and more fun. You can try your first box for only $12.50 when you sign up for the monthly option and use code "TAKEHALF" at checkout. Boxes are $25 a month or $21 a month with a longer subscription and if you use my link when you sign up you'll save an additional $10 off any subscription (can't be combined with any other promo like "takehalf" though). So, what are you waiting for? Try it here! Canceling is easy and can be done anytime, right on their website, just fill out the survey and you're done!
The Exciting Part... Our Back to School Box - a first look!
Having no clue what's in the box is half the fun! This month was a total surprise for us and we had no idea what was going to be inside when we opened it up. Yup, it's a fun one! This is exactly what it looked like after taking off the tissue paper on top.
And here's what all was actually in the box this month for a 19 month old girl. You have the option to customize your box for age and gender or if you prefer not to have it gender specific they do have an option to do age and "neutral." We honestly started out with a gender "neutral" box but switched it to "girl" after realizing that the only thing that really changes is the designs on things for most boxes, once in awhile the boxes will have different content, but not often enough for it to really matter.
Box Contents
- Crocodile Creek 5" Playground Ball - okay who doesn't love balls for their little one? Yeah, we have tons of balls, but surprisingly enough we don't actually have a mini playground ball and this one just happens to be K's- favorite color in the now (it changes; often) PURPLE! Retail price ~ $9.99
- Clean Well All Natural Hand Sanitizing Wipes - This container is huge. It contains 40 alcohol free wipes and they actually smell okay! The scent is orange vanilla. The only way I'd pack these with me is if I transferred them to another container that was more portable. These I think will either sit by our front door for when we come in from the park or go in with our art kit to make for easy hand clean up when we need it most. Retail price ~ $10.47 for 3 containers.
- Octopus Opposites Board Book - We love, love, love Barefoot Books and this new one is no exception! While we have tons of books about opposites and K- can even say "opposite" or her own version of it, we don't have this one! I love the bright, bold, kid friendly and very happy illustrations in this book and know that K- is going to love them too, after all they're animals. I also like that after all the simple sentences are over the last couple pages are pictures with "concept questions" designed for you to talk about the story - a great way to check listening and when they get to that stage reading comprehension. Of course we'll use these pages to make up many of our own questions as well! We couldn't be happier than when Citrus Lane includes a good book in our box! Retail price ~ $7.19
- Ouchies Jr. Adhesive Bandages - Okay, I thought it was a really cool idea to include fun bandages in the box this month! Better yet they are even latex free! I love them so much more than the disposable one time use ice packs from a previous box. K- has only recently discovered the "power" of bandages to "fix ouchies" she's also totally into fun stickers so these will be a definite win. Besides what better way to calm an upset or hurt child than with the distraction of a fun way to patch up their boo-boo? This was a brilliant idea and the tin they came in will be well received as well. Although we may never be able to go back to plane old bandages again.... Retail price ~ $4.96
- Plum Organics Fruit Straws - These will absolutely be well received and honest they're a product that we haven't yet tried by Plum Organics. I've put them up to throw in our carry on bag for our trip to Nana and Opa's in a week as they'll be great for a special treat on the plane or in the airport. I can see them being used to suck down water or just about anything else and as a bonus there is a 1/3 of a cup in each packet or in every 2 straws. I really would have liked it if Citrus Lane had been feeling generous and just sent a full box instead of 2 packets, but I am excited to give this product a chance. Retail price ~ $3.50
- FabKids Free Trial Offer - Okay, so this is a "Special Offer" included in the box an I never add this in as part of the actual box retail value. I just look at it as sort of a bonus or a temptation or sometimes simply recycling. I haven't decided where I stand on this one. We didn't subscribe to Citrus Lane in order to also subscribe to other subscription services. That being said if we are able to claim our free 3 piece clothing outfit from FabKids without signing up for an ongoing subscription we just might. I have heard that they're very hard to cancel with so I assume it's one of those read the fine print and use extreme caution situations. Honestly I would have loved to just been given a gift voucher for $ at a clothing company that we do shop at. I would never pay $39.95 a month regularly for 3 pieces of clothing. So this really isn't at all an attractive offer. Retail price ~ $0.00 (free offer).
- Do-It-Yourself Bowling Pins - These are a new offering this month that were only included in some of the boxes as Citrus Lane wants to test whether or not parents like the idea of an added "special activities" in the box. They're printed on heavy cardstock with letters on one side and numbers on the other. You color them yourself, I'm going to let K- paint hers since that's what we're into right now and then assemble them. The idea is that you can use them with the ball from this month's box for some good old hallway bowling! Sounds fun, can't wait to see what K- thinks! Personally, I think this idea is a great one, as long as the special activities aren't considered part of the 4 or more items that come in the box each month and aren't necessarily incorporated into the total box retail value. If the activities are bonuses that would be awesome!
Final Thoughts
Great box! We'll use everything in it except the FabKids offer, I'm not sure we'll be using that one and would really like to stop seeing those be included in the boxes as one of the items.
If you're interested in getting your own box in September, make sure you sign up before the 5th of the month! Remember if you sign up using the code TAKEHALF your first box will only be $12.50 and it's definitely worth well beyond that! So, what are you waiting for? Try it here! Canceling is easy and can be done anytime, right on their website, just fill out the survey and you're done!
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