i play. And Green Sprouts review and GIVEAWAY!!!!

September 30, 2010 by 66 Comments

Pure Fun! Pure Baby! i play.

Do you not love i play.? I first found out about i play. when Little Man was born. They make these great swim diapers

and Ultimate Swim Diaper Trunks that were just perfect! Not only were they adorable, but I didn’t have to waste money and create waste with disposable swim diapers. You can just wash them after using them!

Love it Save money, save time, save the environment. What more can you ask? They have a swim diaper built right in.
Fast forward to today- Little Man is 3 years old! No more need for swim diapers. But i play. still has really great stuff for him and kids his age! (After all, he still plays, right?)

i play. sent me an Organic Knit Crib Sheet for Little Man to try out. Little Man refuses to sleep in his big boy bed, as you know. So, we still have his crib up. (The crib mattress will fit the new bed, but Little won’t go into it, so what can a mommy do…)
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Filed Under: giveaway, review

Happy Feet! I’ve got those Happy Feet!! Review

September 29, 2010 by 7 Comments

Don’t you love, warm, snuggley slippers???
I do!
I recently found out about a really great slipper company called “Happy Feet“!
Have you heard of them? Well, lucky you, now you can hear all the happy details! Yay!

Cooler weather is coming, and we need to be prepared for it now that the sandals are about to be put away. Sigh.
But it’s OK! Like I said- love cute, comfy slippers! Happy Feet slippers are so comfy, they are “like walking on a cloud”. Happy Feet has a really fun array of slippers. They have these adorable ones that look like giant sneakers

and they are available in so many styles. They come in giant sneaker style or “scuff slippers”, the backless kind. You can pick your collage, sports team, or my favorite- animals!!!

And not just bunnies- so many kinds! They have more kinds of animals then I have ever seen. You really need to go to their site. (And the best part- they all come in kids to adult sizes. And the animals ones even come in toddler sizes!)

Look! Dragon Slippers! (These where the ones I liked best. How cool?)
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Rattles CD Review and Giveaway!!!

September 27, 2010 by 21 Comments

Yeah, yeah! Yeah, yeah!
LOL….introducing- “The Rattles!”

This super fun and fabulous band is happy to be releasing their debut CD, Rattle On. So, you know how everyone wants to say “they sound like” such and such a band? OK, they do, but with their own funky-fun twist! I put the CD on in the car on the way to work/school one morning (at 6 am!) and I was like- huh! This sounds like the Beatles! (Pleasantly surprised! And I didn’t even read that that was a goal of theirs until a week later- lol….)
I told this to the hubs, who says- yeah, mmmk. Until he heard it- and he liked it! This is not a man who tolerates kids music and TV well.

The Rattles Band was created by Tony Caio to give parents and their children a non-violent, family friendly musical experience they all can enjoy. Tony Caio is an is an award winning animation director for such well-known licensed characters as “The Sneetches” by Dr. Seuss, “Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory” for Scholastic, and “Hollywood Betty Boop”.
“Friends that play together, stay together!” That’s The Rattles’ motto! And it’s prevalent in their songs. This fun, hip, happy and “dance-y” music will really get you and your little one moving, while pumping out positive messages about caring and sharing- WITHOUT making you want to gag 🙂 YAY, Rattles!

The Rattles come straight from the swamps of Central New Jersey.

(Go Jersey!!!)
The Rattles are four musicians and life-long friends – Gus (the goat), Kitty (the cat), Sal (the snake), and Hal (the hippo) – who describe their upcoming release as “the album we were born to make.” Their manager Benny (a dog) and a bunch of roadies (penguins) all named Elvis help The Rattles take their show on the road.
They play classic sounds, catchy sounds, and will make you want to shake your groove thing! (Yeah-yeah!)

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Filed Under: giveaway, kids, review

Tinkerbell and redbox- what a great combo! GIVEAWAY!

September 25, 2010 by 57 Comments

Hello readers! Have a Tinkerbell fan in your house? Do I have news for you!
No fans of the Disney Fairy? Well, that’s OK, I still have news for you! (See, I aim to please!) If you like movies, then redbox is the place for you!

Do you believe in fairies? You just might after watching Disney’s newest title available at redbox, “Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue! ” In this brand new tale, featuring revamped 3D animation, viewers join fan-favorite Tinker Bell as she meets a human for the first time. And the fun doesn’t stop when the credits roll–after watching the movie you and your child can visit redblog.com to vote on your favorite fairy! With over 24,000 redbox locations nationwide and a rent and return anywhere policy, there’s no need to wait to rent this popular family title! For added convenience, you readers can reserve titles online at www.redbox.com or via the iPhone app from redbox.
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Filed Under: giveaway, review

Tom’s Of Main Review

September 25, 2010 by 5 Comments

Hey guys!
Ever brush your teeth, only to have with that “not so fresh” feeling just a little while later? Yes? OK, me too! 🙂
That is, until “Wicked Fresh!” from Tom’s Of Maine.

Did you know that Tom’s Of Maine is number 3 on the annual Green Brands list for the second year in a row? Did you know they don’t test on animals? Tom’s Of Maine is concerned with the ingredients that go into their products. And they meet or exceed the standards set by various health, religious and animal-protection groups.
I like a company that cares. And Tom’s Of Maine cares about it’s product, people, and the planet.

A few weeks ago, Tom’s Of Maine sent me some of their new “Wicked Fresh!” toothpaste and mouthwash to try out. Wicked Fresh! Long-lasting Fresh Breath Toothpaste uses powerful natural flavor oils and a patent-pending botanical extract to provide long-lasting fresh breath. The ingredients they use represent their ideals – no animal testing or animal ingredients, with the living planet in mind.

I really like natural products. (I am sure you have noticed a pattern, bloggy buddiees!)
I am also crazy about oral hygiene, and dental care. I’m “that mom” who makes the kids brush at school, and keeps floss in my purse. Yes, I have a toothbrush and toothpaste at work, for both myself and Little Man 🙂
(Kamikaze has her’s in her desk.)
And now that toothpaste is “Wicked Fresh!” I have been a Tom’s Of Maine fan for a long time.
I use it on again/off again, because the hubby was not a fan. But he really likes the Wicked Fresh.
It was not “burn-y” when you used it, and it really did keep you fresh. Even after an everything bagel!
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Filed Under: natural, review

I have Petcakes! Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

September 21, 2010 by 173 Comments

Look!! HOW CUTE ARE THESE????

Do you want to squeak? (Did you? You did. You know you did! Ok, I did too, lol)
This is Twinkle Sprinkles!
OK, so, I was surfing the web one day, and I saw this really cute magazine page (web-azine page?)
for PetCakes- Gift Shop Mag

Well Made Toys, creators of “Dolly Mine” and “Animal Biggums”, have released these sweetie-treats for kids (and the young at heart!) who want to have the cutest cupcakes around! What is better then cupcakes? Um, puppies! They are adorable little pup-cakes, lol, that you just want to eat up! (Well, except for all that stuffing.) 2 great things we can’t resist in one- who can resist a puppy OR a cupcake? (Not me!)
The cute little puppies have mini frosting hats and sit in cupcake wrappers. LOVE the bright and happy colors.
The first set of PetCakes has four huggable poochies.

Randy Candy™ is a lovable mutt, scampering around playfully and taking long naps in his cupcake wrapper. Randy Candy is topped with tasty frosting and a cherry.
Blueberry Buddy™ is a Shar Pei who acts tough for his size but is a loving push over who’s as sweet as the blueberry frosting on his head. When sleepy, Blueberry Buddy cozies up in his own cupcake wrapper.
Twinkle Sprinkles™ is a playful, loving, and mischievous Beagle, whose colorful pink sprinkled frosting top looks good enough to eat! Twinkle Sprinkles likes to yelp when happy and sleep in her cupcake wrapper where her nose stays nice and toasty.
Coco-Coconut™ is a fluffy poodle and as lovingly sweet as a frosted cupcake. Cuddle Coco-Coconut and keep her warm in her cupcake wrapper.

OOO, can you stand it??? The pictures do not do them any sort of justice.
No offense, picture-taker! They are just way too cute for photography. 🙂
So, when they got here- can you imagine Little Man and Kamikaze’s reaction?
Little grabbed “Randy Candy” out of the box before I had the chance to say “boo!’

Kamikaze, not about to miss out, waited until they were unpacked. She waited quietly (too quietly!) in the background….and snuck off to her room! Readers- have you noticed a pattern to Kamikaze? Sneaky and sly, that one, lol….So here she is, with Twinkle Sprinkles, Coco Coconut, a lamb, Raggedy Ann, and a naked doll. They were putting on a play called “Dogs in the Cherry Tornado Have Coconut Chicken”. (Don’t ask me- she is the mastermind! Hehe…I wish I had thought to make a video!)
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Filed Under: giveaway, review

This Place Is a Zoo! Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

September 18, 2010 by 161 Comments

I have such a fun company to introduce to you, bloggy buddies!
It is a really unique stuffed animal company, called “This Place is a Zoo!” ( I know, even the name is cute!)
So, as soon as I saw this great website, and the adorable and super detailed toys they offered AT A REALLY GREAT COST, I knew I had to tell you all about them.
As I was browsing This Place is a Zoo, I saw more and more cute and special toys. I mean, really! How many places offer stuffed armadillos?
(and realistic-looking!)

THAT IS A TOY!!! Can you believe it? And it’s less then 20$
Not into armadillos? Still want a unique toy?
How about cuddley “Speckles” the seal?

This 12″, super soft, adorable, kohair monk seal is only $12.50
Yes, you read that right. I just double checked to make sure.
OK, maybe you are more traditional. Maybe you want to see one more, just to see that they can do with bears?
Well, that’s too bad, because I couldn’t decide on just one bear to show you! LOL
LOOK at these Pandas!
Here is a panda family– price? Just $14.95 and up. (Special price for whole family together)

Oh my goodness, I have to have this guy! Look how adorable!

And only $12.50. His name is “Sitting Playful Panda“. Doesn’t that make you go Awwwwww!
Did I lie? Insane amounts of cute-ness, low, low price. What is not to love?

This Place is a Zoo was gracious enough to not only send us the ADORABLE “Baby Chimp Cuddlekin”

to review, but also offered to do a giveaway for one of my lucky, lucky readers!
Little Man and Kamikaze went “ape” over this little guy.

Here is Little Man finding the “monkey booty”….

OOOO, happy Little Man! This Place is a Zoo could not have made a better choice- Little LOVES monkeys!
But, to the victor, goes the spoils…soon Little Man had to potty, and….

where did we find Kamikaze? Up in her bed, a half hour early. She wanted the monkey, and so, she put herself to bed with him, thinking that she had made her claim successfully! (Sly Kamikaze!)
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Monkey Monkey Music Review

September 17, 2010 by 11 Comments

So, “What Are The Odds” that you will like the same CD that your toddler will? Pretty good, I’d say, if that CD happens to be “Monkey Monkey Music” from Meredith LeVande.

OK, so, you all know I am a Pre-School teacher, right? (as well as momma to a 3 and 6 year old)
So, can I tell you how much kids music I hear? OK, like, A LOT. And I am sure most of you know that most kid’s music is super, super annoying. And has absolutely no value what-so-ever to the child.
However, Meredith LeVande (who was chosen as one of New York’s best affordable children’s performers by Time Out New York Kids) did a fantastic job at creating music that kids will love, and parents (and teachers!) will too. It is also educational music, which is fantastic. I really prefer that the kids listen to songs with a message, that they can learn from, rather then just noise pumping at them.

(On a personal note- I got to exchanging emails with Meredith, and she is a lovely, sweet, compassionate woman. She truly loves children, and her top priority is connecting with the child on his or her level. Because she loves children, she makes sure that her music is not only pleasing to the ear, but also developmentally appropriate for them. That was not part of the music review, per se. That was for you parents and teachers out there, so you know that she is the “real deal”, because I think you should know. The people who take time out for our kids? They should get a special mention.)
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Filed Under: education, kids, review