Do you have a little one learning how to walk? Are you looking for more comfortable shoes? I do remember when my son was little, it was tough to find cute shoes that were more than just cute! Pediped makes handcrafted, soft-soled leather footwear called Originals and they are especially made for those first steps! Perfect for infants ad children learning to walk. A friend of mine recently had her first baby girl and so we received a pretty pink pair to try out on her little one. First, they really are adorable! But, more important is how they are made and how comfortable they are.  The best thing is that they are made of the highest quality leather and also feature a soft foam insert between the leather layers.

They really are made well and are comfortable. My good friend Jina says “My daughter likes to keep them on and she has refused to wear other brands of shoes!” I have actually seen her daughter not like to wear shoes but she seems to want to wear these! The Originals come in sizes XS (0-6 mo)-Lrg (18-24 mo) and are for ages 0-24 months. You can find them on the Pediped website. They also have shoes for little kids and bigger kids and for both boys ad girls. Actually, I am hoping they will soon make them in bigger sizes because my son has outgrown Pediped but loves their shoes! Pediped is currently having a Semi Annual Sale-so don’t miss out! Check them out on Facebook too!

Self Disclosure: We received a pair of Pediped Originals to facilitate this feature but opinions are our own. Photo Credit: Pediped.

Summer is the perfect time for smoothies! And, what is better than a healthier smoothie? Earlier this summer, we reviewed some great healthy products from our new friends at Navitas Naturals. Such delicious products that were healthy and also tasted good. They also have powders that are great to add to smoothies and more. We received the Nori Powder (Sea Superfood) and found that we could add it easily to soups and many smoothie recipes. The bag  contains 100% pure nori powder that is certified organic, kosher, non-gmo, gluten-free and raw. Join the Smoothment!  Navitas Naturals has created the Smoothment-an interactive, multimedia program that features easy and delicious organic smoothie recipes plus advice from executive chef Julie Morris. The Smoothment aims to inspire people to upgrade the nutrtion of one mean or snack per day by adding an organic superfood smoothie into their daily routine.  I signed up and enjoyed reading about how to make a  Kids’ Berry Bonanza Smoothie. Yum!

Self Disclosure: I received a product to review but opinions are my own.

In addition to our nation’s Independence Day celebration on the 4^th, July is also National Family Reunion Month and an opportunity to win big with an all-new national “Pajanimals’ Pack Your Pajamas Sweepstakes” with Amtrak.

Visiting with seldom seen family members can be loads of fun, and if you choose to travel by train, you can make the journey to your family’s reunion an exciting part of your child’s summer vacation experience.   Think about it. Rather than fighting traffic, scheduling potty and snack breaks and trying to keep kids entertained on a long car trip, you can travel by train and actually spend quality time with your children while sharing a memorable adventure.

Amtrak offers some interesting vacation suggestions and discounts for family travel, as well as a special Kids Depot webpage (http://www.amtrak.com/whistle-stop/kids-depot), complete with games, activities and downloads covering a variety of topics like trains, geography, the environment, memory-building, problem-solving and much more.  Kids can use the site to even make and send their own e-cards from the family laptop while aboard the train.  Once aboard the train, you and your family will enjoy spectacular views, can get up and move around, visit the dining car or restroom, read train stories and play games, even take a nap together, arriving at your destination rested, happy and stress free.

The Jim Henson Company, a leader in family entertainment for over 50 years, is partnering with Amtrak this July for a special “Pajanimals’ Pack Your Pajamas Sweepstakes.”  Families can enter the sweepstakes beginning July 1, 2013 by logging onto http://www.henson.com/PJsweepstakes/ and following the entry directions.

The “Pajanimals’ Pack Your Pajamas Sweepstakes” will award one Grand Prize of four round-trip coach tickets on Amtrak, a Flip video camera and a 4-piece large plush set of Pajanimals from Tomy.  Five First Prize winners will receive HeysUSA Amtrak luggage and a Pajanimals Adventure Game from Briarpatch and 10 Second Prize winners will receive an Amtrak branded hoodie and the “Pajanimals Playdate” DVD from NCircle Entertainment.  The sweepstakes ends July 31, 2013, just in time to take the family on an exciting vacation adventure via Amtrak.

As part of the national summer promotion, Amtrak will promote the “Pajanimals’ Pack Your Pajamas Sweepstakes” and entry details through counter cards and seatbacks in over 100 Amtrak stations nationwide.  Amtrak will also distribute free Pajanimals’ themed activity booklets to young travelers and Pajanimals will be featured on placemats for use in Amtrak’s dining cars.

Bring a portable DVD player or laptop along on the family vacation and watch the NEW “Pajanimals Pajama Party!” DVD, now available at www.ncircleentertainment.com and www.amazon.com. (SRP: $9.99)

Pajanimals love to celebrate birthdays, sing songs and enjoy pajama dance parties with friends.  You and your pre-schoolers can join Cowbella, Apollo, Sweet Pea Sue and Squacky as they travel to Birthday Land to learn the true importance of why birthdays are so special!  Then it’s time to enjoy a pajama dance party and sing our favorite songs!  Join the Pajanimals on these fun adventures before it’s time for bedtime in “Pajanimals Pajama Party!”

The stories featured in the DVD encourage children to learn important social and emotional lessons such as how to share with friends, overcoming shyness and telling the truth.  Perfect themes for family reunions, parties and sleepovers with cousins.

And you can celebrate your family reunion with the new Pajanimals’ party products from Birthdayexpress.com.  As you may know, The Jim Henson Company partnered with BirthdayExpress.com, the authority on kids’ party planning and supplies, on the creation of a new line of Pajanimals-themed disposable party products, including tableware, personalized banners and wall décor, party favors, piñatas, cupcake wrappers and boxes, and even a t-shirt (costs vary).

These colorful and entertaining party products feature the lovable Pajanimals characters and can be used for your child’s Pajanimals-themed Pajama Party, family reunion, 4^th of July celebration, birthday party, or even just a fun, backyard BBQ.  The Pajanimals’ party products are now available at www.birthdayexpress.com!

And if your Pajanimals fan misses an episode of Pajanimals while on vacation, Comcast is offering a special Pajanimals On Demand option the week of July 22 as part of its Summer of Kids Video On Demand (VOD) promotion.  Every episode of Pajanimals will be available on demand and online to Comcast subscribers. The Summer of Kids promotion is designed to showcase the XFINITY TV library of kids content across platforms including traditional video on demand and the online platform at Xfinity.net.  Additionally the campaign aims to introduce new portability features, such as live streaming and download capabilities through the Xfinity app.

Pajanimals currently airs daily on Sprout, the 24-hour preschool channel parents and kids share together, and on Saturday mornings on NBC Kids.  The series follows the adventures of four cuddly musical puppets — Sweet Pea Sue, Squacky, Cowbella and Apollo. These Journeys celebrate imagination and tackle typical toddler issues such as the fear of the first day of school, making new friends and learning how to share.  The Pajanimals end their day of play with a relaxing return to their cozy bedroom and familiar night time routines, including bathing, brushing teeth and story time, to develop a feeling of safety and structure.

Pajanimals fans can also visit the www.sproutonline.com website to play the latest Pajanimals Birthday Party Game for kids.

We are hosting a GIVEAWAY of the “Pajanimals Pajama Party!” DVD for U.S. and Canada participants. If you would like to win the “Pajanimals Pajama Party!” DVD, you must be a subscriber to SoCal City Kids! Next, leave us a comment below telling us your favorite thing about the 4th of July! Next “like” the NEW dedicated Pajanimals’ Facebook page! Deadline to enter is July 5, 2013 at midnight! One winner will randomly be selected from all entries! 

Self Disclosure: I did not receive products/compensation and am hosting this giveaway.