Looking to make everyday moments a special occasion?

[CafeMom Team]

Do you find yourself looking for ways to make everyday moments a bit more special? Hallmark helps moms like you by offering fun interactive storybooks, recordable storybooks and more great products to families with young children.

We gave moms a variety of products from Hallmark and asked them to tell us what they thought. Check out what our moms had to say and then visit hallmark.com for more information.

Thank you.
( ) CafeMom Team

[CafeMom Team]

Here's what some of our influencer moms are saying about their interactive storybooks, recordable storybooks and plush animals from Hallmark. Read on for other great ideas on ways to make everyday moments a special occasion.

1busymomma03 says:
Bug 'Em will be perfect for all of those "special occasions" and rewarding our kids for the little things that they accomplish! I can't wait to pick up a bunch of stickers, reward certificates, and small toys to fill the Bug 'Em... =)

Barronbaby says:
We are always looking for ways to make bedtime extra special for our little guy. As soon as I opened the package my boo bear went nuts wanting to hug and love on the bear! He keeps pressing the button to hear the song and hugging it! It's so sweet!

SuperPickle says:
We have had bedtime issues with my 7-year old lately. I think this recordable storybook will REALLY take the edge off of our nighttime problems. 

KiwisMommy19 says:
We're always looking for ways to keep bedtime fun. I opened the package while she was at school, and had it sitting on the table. She fell in love at first sight. Perfect for a girly-girl like her  :-)  Especially one who claims she's a princess!

[KatieBellsMom]

We got our package on Friday. My 3YO daughter was so excited to open it up. We got the Sing To Me Recordable Plush doll.

It was ABSOLUTELY perfect timing. We were sending the 3 YO to her grandparents for the night. So I ran off into the bathroom to record it (very scary hearing your voice coming out of the bear *HA*).

I brought it out & showed both girls. Katherine (my 3 YO) pushed the button over & over again, while Madison (my soon to be 1 YO) kind of smiled & rocked back & forth.

Katherine took it with her over night. She even put a jacket on it (because it was a cold night). We found out that she cuddled it a lot & at night hit the button to hear me sing to her.

I normally sing to her at night - so it was PERFECT!

My husband is leaving tomorrow for a couple days & will record over it tonight (he can NOT sing) but I'm sure the girls will love it just the same & I'll be able to let them hear daddy while he's away :)

Thank you SO much for sending the bear. It was really a great surprise!

[bhwrn1]

I got my recordable story book in the mail and recorded it almost immediatetly. I was really excited to show it to my toddler and 4 year old. Luckily it was Goodnight Moon, which they LOVES.

I took it to the living room and recorded it in a quiet place as advised. It was fun to read the pages then listen to it to hear myself (even tho I didn't sound the same recorded!). It was easy to do and quick.

When my toddler woke from his nap I showed it to him. He just kept saying "night moon, night moon" very excitidly. We read it a few times, and he kept flipping the pages back and forth excitidly. My parents came over that afternoon and he showed it to them and had them read it as well.

Then my 4 y/o sat with them and read it, pointing out all kinds of things in the pictures and telling my parents that it was "Mommy is reading the book." He didn't seem as excited about it as my toddler did, tho.

All in all, I like the product. Although, I think the batteries have already died, or something is wrong with it b/c it is no longer playing what I recorded but still says "unlock to record" when I press that button (it is in the locked position). I will have to open it and take a look.

[CoastieWifePR]

We got our package today!  We received this product:

Its so cute and the kids loved it!  Now I'm gonna have to go to the Hallmark store to see if I can find another book for their story buddy, I think they have a few per stuffed animal, and maybe the cute husky puppy so they don't fight over the raccoon LOL!

I'm a little bummed that I didn't get the recordable story book but the kids loved this book, the raccoon and the story so I guess its still a win win situation lol...

Anyways, bedtime is usually a nightmare here.  I try to read them a bedtime story to calm them down before bedtime but once I walk out of the room my daughter freaks out (they are sharing a room because she was having night terrors and wont sleep alone)...  Anyways, they LOVED the story and my -almost- 2 yr old was so impressed with the raccoon lol...  She kept gasping every time he would talk back!  My 5 yr old also loved the story, so much that right now he is reading it to his baby sister.

Thank you so much for the opportunity Hallmark and Cafemom!  My kids and I sure are grateful and loved this assignment.  I cant wait to get them the other books for Watson the raccoon!!!

[1busymomma03]

I received my package yesterday!! My youngest DD was so excited to see what it was. =) 

We received the Bug 'Em Plush...

DD was so excited because she had seen them on TV before. LOL

I haven't even had a chance to use it for any of the kids yet (because DD has been carrying it around with her). She knows exactly what it is for though because she keeps asking me to put treats in it for her. LOL

Sometimes it seems like a lot of our special occasions that we celebrate now involve foods...snacks, meals, etc. My youngest daughter has lots of food allergies. Her diet is very limited and she rarely eats the same foods that the rest of the family can. It makes it hard when she sees her brother and sister enjoying a treat or snack that she can't have. It's very heartbreaking for her and for myself as her mother to watch her be upset. I love to find new things to do with all three kids that doesn't include food as  "special treat". That way the youngest doesn't have to feel left out from the rest of the family and feel different than her brother and sister.

I think this Bug 'Em will be perfect for all of those "special occasions" and rewarding our kids for the little things that they accomplish! I can't wait to make a trip to the dollar store and pick up a bunch of stickers, reward certificates, and small toys to fill the Bug 'Em... =)

Thank you Hallmark and Cafemom!!

[Barronbaby]

 We received our package today! We received the Sing to me Recordable plush- rock a bye baby bear! We are always looking for ways to make bedtime extra special for our little guy. He is 18 months old and doesn't sit well through  story like his big sister does. As soon as I  opened the package my boo bear went nuts wanting to hug and love on the bear! lol. It was really easy to record the song on it and little man loves it. he starts swaying to the music every time its played. I cannot wait to try this with our newest addition due to arrive next week. My little guy doesn't have many words but he LOVES this bear. He keeps kissing and hugging it! I think this will help my little man once baby is here to be able to hear mommy whenever he wants! I'm actually going to tell a few of my friends with little ones about this bear and how much they will love it! Deff a cute bear and I love it almost as much as my kiddos. Thank you cafemom and Hallmark for this opportunity I am thrilled with our rock a bye bear!!!!!!!!!!

[momof3angela]

 I have 3 children ages 17, 8 an 6.  It's so important to make all of the time I have with them extra special and unique to each of my kid's.  And encouraging my kid's to keep reading is huge for me.

I made a video and as soon as I figure out how to get it to my computer I'll post it as well.

We received Hallmark's Interactive Story Book and Cooper the Bear.  Cooper responds verbally as the story is being read to him.  We have Book 1 and there are 2 other books in this series.   Both my 6 yr old Hannah and 8 yr old son Isaiah love Cooper.  But my Hannah especially took to both reading the book and playing with Cooper.  This book is great because she still needs some help reading but can read a lot on her own.  Cooper responding really makes it fun to read for the kid's.  Reading is special in itself but what a great way to encourage our kid's to continue.  And I love being able to read the book as well with my kid's.

Thank you Cafemom and Hallmark for the opportunity to try a great Interactive Toy/Educational tool.  We WILL be purchasing the other 2 books in the series as well.

Not only do I recommend this for other mom's to check out...I am adding this to my list of gift's to give for birthday's and Christmas.

[xxLukesMamaxx]

That's awesome!

Quoting KatieBellsMom:

We got our package on Friday. My 3YO daughter was so excited to open it up. We got the Sing To Me Recordable Plush doll.

It was ABSOLUTELY perfect timing. We were sending the 3 YO to her grandparents for the night. So I ran off into the bathroom to record it (very scary hearing your voice coming out of the bear *HA*).

I brought it out & showed both girls. Katherine (my 3 YO) pushed the button over & over again, while Madison (my soon to be 1 YO) kind of smiled & rocked back & forth.

Katherine took it with her over night. She even put a jacket on it (because it was a cold night). We found out that she cuddled it a lot & at night hit the button to hear me sing to her.

I normally sing to her at night - so it was PERFECT!

My husband is leaving tomorrow for a couple days & will record over it tonight (he can NOT sing) but I'm sure the girls will love it just the same & I'll be able to let them hear daddy while he's away :)

Thank you SO much for sending the bear. It was really a great surprise!

[xxLukesMamaxx]

I LOVE that book! That is awesome, CONGRATS!!

Quoting bhwrn1:

I got my recordable story book in the mail and recorded it almost immediatetly. I was really excited to show it to my toddler and 4 year old. Luckily it was Goodnight Moon, which they LOVES.

I took it to the living room and recorded it in a quiet place as advised. It was fun to read the pages then listen to it to hear myself (even tho I didn't sound the same recorded!). It was easy to do and quick.

When my toddler woke from his nap I showed it to him. He just kept saying "night moon, night moon" very excitidly. We read it a few times, and he kept flipping the pages back and forth excitidly. My parents came over that afternoon and he showed it to them and had them read it as well.

Then my 4 y/o sat with them and read it, pointing out all kinds of things in the pictures and telling my parents that it was "Mommy is reading the book." He didn't seem as excited about it as my toddler did, tho.

All in all, I like the product. Although, I think the batteries have already died, or something is wrong with it b/c it is no longer playing what I recorded but still says "unlock to record" when I press that button (it is in the locked position). I will have to open it and take a look.

[xxLukesMamaxx]

Aww that is adorable! Congratulations!! 

Quoting CoastieWifePR:

We got our package today!  We received this product:

Its so cute and the kids loved it!  Now I'm gonna have to go to the Hallmark store to see if I can find another book for their story buddy, I think they have a few per stuffed animal, and maybe the cute husky puppy so they don't fight over the raccoon LOL!

I'm a little bummed that I didn't get the recordable story book but the kids loved this book, the raccoon and the story so I guess its still a win win situation lol...

Anyways, bedtime is usually a nightmare here.  I try to read them a bedtime story to calm them down before bedtime but once I walk out of the room my daughter freaks out (they are sharing a room because she was having night terrors and wont sleep alone)...  Anyways, they LOVED the story and my -almost- 2 yr old was so impressed with the raccoon lol...  She kept gasping every time he would talk back!  My 5 yr old also loved the story, so much that right now he is reading it to his baby sister.

Thank you so much for the opportunity Hallmark and Cafemom!  My kids and I sure are grateful and loved this assignment.  I cant wait to get them the other books for Watson the raccoon!!!