Citrus Lane review (October box)

      My October Citrus Lane box early this week and I wanted to share all the goodies we received in this month's "Fall Fun" box. Owen is 18 months old so we got the younger-range toddler box, I think. The boxes are filled with items based on your child's age and gender, so Owen receives different things than a 6-month-old or a 3-year-old might get. 

     Here's the description of the theme for this month from Citrus Lane: "Brrr. Can you feel fall's chill in the air? We're not sure if we're ready to give up sunny afternoons at the playground for long afternoons inside, but don't fret - we've put together a box chock full of treats and toys that everyone will fall for." As for the theme, I didn't really see it in the items included in my box. I am loving that we seem to be getting a new book in each month's box though. Owen loves being read to and we can always use a new book in our rotation. 

      Owen, of course, loved opening the box and pulling out all the items. The first thing he saw was the ball and he kept saying, "Ball, ball!" In addition to being introduced to new companies and products, this is probably one of the reasons I love getting a box for Owen each month. He gets so excited. 
       I still really love Citrus Lane, but I think the thing that has me frustrated with them lately is the lack of variation in types of items and brands of the products. For example, we are constantly getting products from BabyGanics while there are tons of other baby care brands out there that I would be interested to try out. And while Owen did like the squeezie pouch of food, it would be fun to have more variation, like snack bars or yogurt melts every once in a while. 
      Here are some cute pictures of him opening the box and exploring what he found inside. Scroll further and you can see pictures and descriptions of each of the items inside. 

Here's what came inside our box this month:

• "I Can Do It Too" by Karen B : This book is a great way to talk to your child about the excitement and nervousness of becoming a big kid, and can help you both with the challenges and happiness that come with their first small steps in learning to do themselves.This book is really cute. It features bright colors and cute illustrations. I love the pictures of each of the little girl's family members. Owen really enjoyed having me read it to him before bed last night and asked for me to read it 'gin. The box also featured a coupon code for 20 percent off at Chronicle Books. Retails for $9.99.

• Munchkin Toddler Dip Tray: This dish has a dip container built right in. The tray is sturdy so that kids can dip away without fear of spilling. Owen loves to dip his foods (and fingers) in ketchup, barbecue sauce, and more so it's a great way to get him to eat his food and makes mealtimes more enjoyable for everyone (if a little messier.) I used it with Owen today and he seemed to really like it. He dipped some food and then transferred some back and forth from the main compartment of the dish to the dip portion. In the end though, he ate his entire lunch. Sorry for the sideways photo. Blogger won't let me rotate it. Retails for $5.99. 

• Oball by Rhino: These lightweight, bendable balls are a wonder of physics, able to collapse down for storage and spring back to life. They also help develop skills from early gripping to throwing and catching. This was the first thing that Owen saw when he opened the box and he seems to like it at first, but hasn't played with it too much. Retails for $4.99.

• BabyGanics smooth Moves baby lotion: This lotion is packed with tons of natural goodness like shea butter, aloe, and vitamin E and without any parabens, sulfates, or other unhealthy ingredients. It also smells amazing. A code included gives subscribers 20 percent off at babyganics.com. Retails for $5.49.

• DHC Deep Cleansing Oil: This special treat for moms is 100 percent water soluble to dissolve dirt, excess oil, make-up, and sunscreen all while leaving skin soft, smooth, and ready for the elements. The concept of this face oil is really unusual. Umm... put oil on my face to remove oil from my face? But it actually made my skin feel great and really clean afterwards. I was so surprised and definitely pleased. Another interesting thing about this product is that it was the first time I've ever received a product "for mom" in my Citrus Lane box. Subscribers also get free shipping on orders over $25 placed at dhccare.com. Retails for $4.99.

• Ella's Kitchen Stage 2 squeeze pack (Big Smiles Cheesy Potatoes flavor): This is a new flavor from Ella's Kitchen. I don't mind giving Owen squeeze pouches of fruits like applesauce or smoothies, but he is a little old to be sucking vegetables from a pouch. Plus baby food is really expensive and I'm happy not to have to buy it anymore. He doesn't typically like savory foods from a pouch anymore so I was not expecting him to like it, but he sucked it down for lunch yesterday no problem. Citrus Lane is constantly sending us squeezie pouches and I kind-of wish there would be a little more variety when it comes to snacks. There is also a coupon code for $5 off a purchase of $25 at ellaskitchen.com. Retails for $2.49.

        Do you subscribe to Citrus Lane? Leave me a comment and tell me what you think of this month's box.