Win With Marshalls!

Baby Week Day #3 Giveaway (Bloggy Giveaway)

Baby Week is in full swing, and in conjunction with the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival we have another cute prize for you! Just check out our review of the Bath Luve, and enter to win! Entries for all of our giveaways will be accepted until Friday, August 1st at 11 pm CST and are subject to our full rules and privacy policy.

Review of Bath Luve

Newborn babies aren't huge bath fans (can you blame them?) While the soothing warmth of the water is a brief relief, they soon get cold and can become quite stressed out!

That's why I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of something like Bath Luve when my tykes were tiny. Brilliant, but simple, the Bath Luve is a warmer way to bathe! Made from soft terry, it lays on a baby's chest and tummy to keep things warmer while being washed. There are no snaps to snap... it's very, very simple.

Affordable and practical, this is a bath necessity! Check out the full line of cutey Bath Luves at their website.

Wanna win one? We have one duck Bath Luve to send to a lucky winner! Just comment here with which special baby you'll use it on, and you're entered to win! As part of our awesome Baby Week (and the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival), we are giving one lucky reader their very own (valued at $6.99.) You have until Friday, August 1st at 11pm CST to get your entries in (one per person, please.) U.S. entries only at this time. Contest subject to our full rules and privacy policy.

Looking for more fun prizes? Check out the rest of the Bloggy Giveaways for hundreds of chances to win!

Baby Week Day #2 Giveaway (Bloggy Giveaway)

Yeah! We have some free digital camera prints to give away today! One lucky entrant will be picked to get (2) Snapfish gift cards, each good for 50 free prints! Just leave a comment here on this post with your favorite occasion to take pictures of, and you're entered!

Entries for all of our giveaways will be accepted until August 1st at 11 pm CST and are subject to our full rules and privacy policy. Check back tomorrow for Day #3! (and don't forget to try for yesterday's prize, too!)

And Check out the rest of the Bloggy Giveaways for hundreds of chances to win!

Review of Bummis Swimming Diaper

It took me much too long to realize the little crystalline blobs floating on the top of the public wading pool. My son's diaper had reached full capacity (between chlorinated water and one very large pee). Embarrassed, I scooped him and dashed to the restroom, dribbling little diaper fillings all the way.

Everyone knows that swimming and diapers don't mix. And while the new disposable swim diapers on the market are a step in the right direction, they don't work well for those of us trying to save pennies, the environment, or rashy and allergic infant skin.

When Swimmi made its way into my mailbox, it was blazing hot and a trip to the pool was on my list anyway. Taking our very cute, size medium pair along in my beach tote was natural and easy, and the results were everything I had hoped for!

Little Guy wore them comfortably for the entire time we were at the pool -- no additional diaper or diaper cover needed. The pool stayed clean, my son didn't have to drag around a bloated disposable, and everyone (I mean everyone) commented on how comfy and stylish my tiny swimmer was. We were ahead of our time!!

Swimmis are made to be worn and washed easily. The velcro closures are very large (meaning any size waistline can fit in them.) I felt confident and Baby felt secure. These rock!

Thank you Bummis, for your amazing product. I will forever love you. If you want to check them out yourself, I suggest you visit their website for all the sizes and colors. It's not too late to enjoy the rest of summer in style!

Recall of Wooden Toys

The following wooden toys have been recalled due to choking and strangulation hazards. You will need to visit the official press release at the CPSC website (which contains photos of all items) for the full details.

Pom Pom Rail Train

Duby and Duba Pull Toy

Baby Week Day #1 Giveaway!

It's here! Baby Week... and in conjunction with the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival we have the perfect prize for you! Just check out our review of the Grobag egg, and enter to win! Entries for all of our giveaways will be accepted until Friday, August 1st at 11 pm CST and are subject to our full rules and privacy policy. Check back tomorrow for Day #2!

Save 20% on Custom Made for Kids!

Remember how much we loved our personalized book from Custom Made for Kids? They are having an incredible promotion now through August 31, and are offering 20% off! This cool read, now offered at Pottery Barn Kids, is available for purchase at a super savings! Just visit CustomeMadeforKids and enter code adventures20 at checkout!

Review of grobag® egg™

It's hot outside, and probably a little warm inside. And while my tots are getting old enough to complain when it's too hot for comfort, my youngest is still far away from being able to let me know when he's uncomfortable. I love my child far too much to rely solely on the little sweat buds that form on the bridge of his cute button nose as my cue to kick the A/C up a notch -- so I was tickled to try out the grobag® egg™ from Keen Distribution!

This totally accurate digital thermometer is better than anything that hangs on your wall and attaches to your thermostat. It has design in mind with its cool, modern egg shape that matches any decor. Because it plugs into any standard outlet, you can take it wherever you need to keep an eye on the temp -- and the easy display lets you know exactly the temperature in the surrounding area. Too far away to catch the digital read out? You can see at a glance if its too cold, just right, or a bit on the stuffy side by the LED color glow coming from the egg! (Tip: This handy gizmo can double as a gentle night-light in any nursery or kid room, as well.)
















The on-off button is easy to manage, and lets you decide when you really need it. I also got a kick out of the included guide that tells you the optimal dress code for the temperature (with handy reference to grobag gear that can ensure the right sleeper for the right night.)

Handy for winter, summer, and every day in-between, this is a brilliant piece of gear! My son can't sleep without his "glowing egg" turned on in his room every night, and I feel a bit better about the safety of my children in such adverse temperatures!

Check out the grobag® egg™ and the rest of the grobag® family at Keen Distribution!

Wanna win one? As part of our awesome Baby Week (and the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival), we are giving one lucky reader their very own (valued at $29.99.) Just tell us how you would use your grobag® egg™ in the comments section below. You have until Friday, August 1st at 11pm CST to get your entries in (one per person, please.) U.S. entries only at this time. Contest subject to our full rules and privacy policy.

Looking for more fun prizes? Check out the rest of the Bloggy Giveaways for hundreds of chances to win!

Share Your Opinion with Beech-Nut!

Looking to let someone know how you feel about toddler convenience foods? Give Beech-Nut (less than) a minute of your time, and help shape the products they make for today's kids! Just follow this link to give your very quick feedback. They don't even ask for any personal information!

Win During Baby Week!

We are excited to be doing reviews for Baby items next week! In celebration, we will be giving away some fantastic prizes (including clothing, a Grobag egg, a Bath Luve, and prints from Snapfish!)

Come back every day for another chance to win! And don't forget to sign up for our newsletter (sign up at right of every page.) We are drawing another winner very soon!

Review of Smencils Gourmet Scented Pencils

"Gourmet"

This is word that I associate with food... coffee.. maybe even candles. I have never, ever attributed it to a pencil, however. This all changed when I was fortunate enough to snag a Smencils Gourmet Scented Pencil last week. "Cool," I thought. I love smelly stuff.

This is a great pencil, and there's not much more to say. Except for the fact that it is made from 100% Recycled newspapers -- so it's environmentally yummy, too! My gourmet pencil smelled like a crazy bubble gum, wrote smoothly, and helped ease some of that "I-forgot-to-recycle-that-soda-can" guilt. Wanna get crafty? Get a home kit that allows you to "scent" your own Smencil (in any of several varieties). I smell a pencil party in the near future.

At $1.20 a Smencil, these aren't too bad (buy in bulk to get the 80 cent pricing). Great for classrooms, birthday parties, or just a really boring (and stinky) day at work. Check the Smencils website for all the pertinent info!

Snuggle Up with "So You Think You Can Dance!"

Reality show, anyone?

I sometimes really get a hankerin' (yeah, I said it) for a good real-life televised competition. And while there are way too many to choose from on any given night, one show trumps them all. So You Think You Can Dance is one of those shows that you can sit down and feel really entertained, without the commitment of having to sit and watch the whole thing (you know -- in case you have an irritable baby who won't allow for a whole hour of escape.)

Each dance tells a story -- about the dancers, the music, and the choreographer who put it all together. You don't have to be a dance fan to enjoy (my hubby even appreciates the hard work that each contestant puts in.) Kids will be enlightened by the mainstreaming of dance culture, and there's nothing nasty that would prevent even the youngest from enjoying.

But do you think you can dance? I personally had 14 years of dance experience in my pre-blogging, pre-baby years (but I'm not sure I retained any skills, whatsoever.) Even if you can't muster anything more than a Funky Chicken, some fans have a chance to be a star (and win some cool swag in the process.)

Just check out the Happy Dance Contest, sponsored by Snuggle. In celebration of their new Snuggle with FRESH Release, they are letting even the super untalented upload videos of themselves having fun! You can view the winning entries (which are very entertaining) at the Snuggle Winners page.The fun won't end with this season's final episode! The So You Think You Can Dance Tour Dates have been officially announced! (Guess who's catching the Kansas City show?) The tour is an awesome opportunity to see the best parts of the show live and in person. I have a 9 year-old who is counting the days until we go!

The opinions expressed on this site are those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by FOX, 19, Dick Clark Productions, or Snuggle.

Dirt Devil Accessory Tool Recalled

Lacerations and other injuries have been reported from using the Dirt Devil special tool, prompting this recall by the CPSC. The full details can be found at their website.

Review of TripFlix DVD

Everywhere I turn, the term "staycation" is being thrown around. Daunting gas prices and weather instability has kept many families home this summer. Kids may get bummed out about the lack of exciting new places to visit, and I totally understand. Giving them a way to learn and explore top vacation destinations, however, doesn't have to be completely squashed.

TripFLIX is a very new (and very cool) interactive DVD that lets kids teach kids about the best parts of top vacation destinations (and we're not talking amusement parks, here.) With more education than is first suspected, choice U.S. landmarks are presented in kid-friendly terms and with all the brilliance of video.

Quizzes and other interactive tools keep viewers engaged, and the featured spots are actually very fascinating. (Carhenge is in my own state, and I didn't know anything about it until watching this video.) Aimed at kids of all ages (even toddlers at my house loved watching it), it's a great way to stretch those vacation dollars from the comforts of home. 25 hot spots that kids are sure to love come alive at the push of your "play" button -- it doesn't get any better than this!

More info on TripFLIX is available at their website, or purchase today at Amazon.com

Recall of ATV's and Personalized Pacifiers plus New Federal Gasoline Law

Please read further about the recall of youth ATV's. (There have not been injuries reported.)

There has also been a voluntary recall of personalized pacifiers. Full details can be read at the CPSC website.

Also, a new federal law mandates that newly manufactured portable gasoline containers be made child-proof. Full release is available at the CPSC website.

CupCakes Entries are Still being accepted!

We had a bit of a buggy issue while we were gone at BlogHer, and comments were temporarily disabled for the Ice Cream Cupcake Giveaway post. We apologize for any inconvenience, and wanted to let you know that you can now try to enter again if you couldn't get in earlier. You have until the 26th to try and win!

We Are At BlogHer!

Just wanted to let everyone know that we are taking a few days off to enjoy BlogHer 08 in San Fran! Many of you have already gotten to know us there, and we are excited! See you on Monday!

Review of Street Science School Supplies

Sure you could get a notebook with that hot new teen celebrity on the front. Yeah, it would be easy to just snag any old composition binder for your kid's English course. But what about doing something a bit different, a little funky, and very educational?

Street Science is all that the name claims to be ... it combines the hot looks of "street" with fun learning facts that are easy to remember. The products are sturdy (totally up to the challenge of lasting through a brutal school year) and will have everyone talking!

I liked toting around my sample composition book -- it actually works very well for the home office, too! (Plus I'm digging the inner pockets of the notebook.) My daughter enjoyed the designs, and I could see this working very well for a college-aged crowd, as well. And we can't complain about the fun facts printed on each and every product.

With so much to consider when picking school supplies, it's good to see a real example of form meeting function. Check out Street Science brand supplies at your local Kmart!

Wedding Invitations Up Close and Personal

Mailing out my wedding invitations were a drag -- Finding that perfect style, color, and font seemed like an endless chore. Online sites gave me great ideas, but didn't give me the opportunity to hold the invitation in my hands and see it for myself.

That's why I was impressed with the cool "ZOOM" feature offered by 1st Class wedding invitations. Just point and click to see amazing detail on any of their designs. It's like you're looking at the actual invitation!

Check out their Modern Cotton Candy Wrap Wedding Invitation with Ribbon (who won't adore the pink and chocolate combo?) or the very simple and affordable Green Flowers in Relief Floral Wedding Invitation. There's something for everyone -- the extravagant and the stingy. (We don't think anyone will know if you pick the cheapest ones, though.) For easy picking, they offer invitations by theme, material, and even color (periwinkle and wedgewood, anyone?)

They also have some very useful articles on all the components of a good invitation (and why you may need them), when to mail each piece, and the proper etiquette for following up. And don't forget your "Thank You's!"

(Sigh....) where were these guys when I was putting together my invitations?

Win With Wet Ones!

Wet Ones is offering one lucky winner a Portable GPS System and $500 in gas in their photo contest! Other prizes include Satellite radio and (8) $100 Gas cards! To get your photo entered, visit the Wet Ones website, and snap a picture of you and your family using a Wet Ones product.

Just Say "Cheese!" And while you're there, get your coupon for savings on your next purchase of Wet Ones.

Review of Attachables Clothing from LAF Brand

School shopping wouldn't be complete without a new wardrobe for your kids. Do you shop for a cool fall? Will it be a late summer season? Do you dress for hot days or cool evenings? Sometimes it's just too difficult to figure out if they need summer wear or winter wear, and with your dollars being stretched to the limit, wouldn't it be great to buy both?

With Attachables Clothing from LAF Brand, (LAF stands for Lil Angel Face) you can have a shirt "for all seasons." These clever little shirts in styles for boys and girls come with sleeves that can be taken off and reattached with ease (but not so much ease that little ones will be leaving them all over the yard.) We adored the black T-shirt style of the LAF Out Loud Tee. It was soft, thick, and durable (to keep my toddler guy from trashing it in an afternoon.) It also fit well, leaving my 5T son with some room to grow! The velcro holding the sleeves on aren't your typical stuff -- they held on tight, and were placed all along the sleeve, leaving it just where it needed to be for those cool evenings (or when you want to keep bugs away from tiny arms!) Washing the shirts were a breeze (just remember to keep the sleeves attached to keep the dryer from eating them.) And when hot days rolled around, the sleeves came off with a little help from me. Way cool!

Nip Back-to-School spending in the bud with these truly "2-in-1" shirts with style! See all the designs at LAF's website.

Want one for your kiddo? LAF Brand is giving one lucky reader their very own size 3T black Tee. Just visit LAF's website and let us know another cool product you like! Leave a comment here with your pick by next Tuesday, July 22nd at 11pm CST. One entry per person. Contest subject to our full rules and privacy policy.

Review of the Zula Patrol on Qubo

School hasn't started yet, but that doesn't mean that the learning can't start now! Since preschoolers are eager to learn basic skills, it's great when a TV show meets that need with fun characters and the best music. What show am I talking about? The Zula Patrol, and it's airing this summer!

If you don't love the quirky theme song, there's something really wrong with you. Add in the engaging characters and the not-so-subtle educational value, and you have the makings of a successful show that won't waste your kid's time. After just a few minutes, even my 9-year-old was sitting down to watch, and Zula had my toddlers "at hello." What did I think? I got a refresher course in planetary rotation and I still can't get that theme song out of my head!


Science doesn't have to be overly complicated or out of reach for your kids. Thankfully, Zula Patrol takes the wonders of the universe and brings it down to a child-sized serving sure to entertain and create a new passion for astronomy. Zula is just one of many high-quality programming options offered by Qubo. If you don't have cable, you can catch Zula on Saturday mornings on NBC! Or play a game at the official Zula website. It's a blast!

Back to School?

Shopping for back-to-school doesn't have to be stressful! We have some features this week that will get you "in-the-know" on hot trends, big savings, and timely tips! For a head start on Back-to-school basics, check out these 4 sanity-saving hacks from Red Plum!

Compare and Save with ShopWiki!

Looking for a new online shopping tool that gives you prices from all over the web and not just paid placements? ShopWiki is a nifty resource that gives you more options with less clicks!

We loved that by simply clicking on the key search terms we were able to get hundreds of retailers comparison pricing on everyday baby items that most families need (car seats, strollers, inflatable swim gear, and more!) Just follow the blue links (with the little magnifying glass icons) to pages that display detailed pricing info. We especially loved the retailers list that popped up when you moused over each product! Simple, quick, and powerful, this shopping Wiki is a blast!

Review of Jishaku Game

My family loves to play games. In fact, I've found it to be the #1 way for us to connect during a busy week. There are only two things I dislike about "family game night" though:

1. It takes too long to set up a game
2. It takes too long to play a game

Some of my favorite games can drag on for up to 2-3 hours, and with our game time at night, this can lead to late bedtimes and crabby kids. Jishaku, however, avoids both problems. Quick to set up (there is no setup) and quicker to play (as long as a game of tic-tac-toe in some instances), this is the simplest way to enjoy time together.

And it's a riot!

Jishaku is a foam game board with divots for placing magnetized stones. Each player takes turns placing their stones, while trying to avoid them disrupting one another. You never know if your magnet will be facing which polar end of the magnet next to it. And that's where it gets really fun!

Zap! You find yourself getting freaked out when the magnets jump together! It literally makes you jump in your chair! (If you're not laughing by the end of this game, something is really wrong with you...)

Jishaku is simple, hilarious game-play for everyone 8 and older. (And I stress that you don't want younger kids to play because of the dangers that magnets can pose if swallowed.) With options for different game plays, this will never get boring.

To see the game that kept my whole family entertained during this Fourth of July, visit Jishaku's website. (And to those that keep asking to borrow my Jishaku game -- "get your own" at the official store site or Amazon.com)

Free Ticket to Mama Mia! from Pond's

Pond's has a great promotion going on right now:

Simply purchase any specially-marked Pond's product with a unique promotional code. Then go to their website to enter your code and claim your free movie ticket! The ticket is good until 10/31/08, and you can use it for any Universal Pictures release. Limit (3) tickets per household.

But Hurry! You only have until 9/30/08 to get your codes!

Children's Recalls

We have a few very important recalls to tell you about! Please click on the recall description (under the picture) to be taken to the official CPSC website with full details on each.

Parragon Books Recalls Children's Necklaces Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Shoelace and Necklace Children's Charms Recalled by Action Products International Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Lip Gloss and Jewelry Sets Sold Exclusively at Wal-Mart Recalled by F.A.F. Inc. Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Review of PhillySwirl Ice Cream Cupcakes

Last week, my husband and I both celebrated our birthdays (we were both born on July 3rd, can you believe it?)! The first thing we both asked for was an ice cream cake -- but there were none to be found at our local store. Disappointed, we went the traditional cake and ice cream route, until we heard about a fabulous, single-serving solution from PhillySwirl!

Since the only thing better than cake is a cupcake, you can believe I squealed at the chance to try new PhillySwirl Ice Cream Cupcakes! Individual chocolate or white cupcakes topped with vanilla ice cream and the most deliciously light and fluffy swirled icing -- plus sprinkles: These are seriously to die for....

I ate one. Then another. (I snuck one in late last night while working...) They are just too good! And with 6 per pack, there's enough to share! (Or get the box of 12 for the best Birthday party EVER!) Did we mention that each cupcake is only 160 calories?

These stay nice and fresh in the freezer, thanks to a resealable plastic pack. Take one and leave the rest, but don't expect them to stay there forever... we had several "sneaky" cupcake eaters at our house!

This is going to change the way we do birthdays forever. And BBQ's. And Tuesdays. They're that good. Available at ALDI's, Walmart, Sam's Club, Costco, and other super cool retailers around the country.

Want to get your hands on a box of these? The folks at PhillySwirl will ship one lucky winner a box of 12 directly to their door (no need to even leave the house, folks)! Just visit the PhillySwirl website, and leave us a comment on this post with a product that you would like to try (besides the cupcakes.) You have until Saturday, July 26th at 11 pm CST to get your entries in. Contest subject to our official site rules and privacy policy. One entry per person, please.

Good luck!

Missing Children May Have an Online Option

While I haven't personally tried the services offered by Child Alert System, the premise is really interesting. By offering parents and guardians a secure way to secure, track, and store the information associated with their children, they have a better chance of spreading the word of a missing children in the critical first 3 hours after they notice they are gone.

In addition to the traditional methods of DNA, fingerprint, and dental recording, the online services offered by Child Alert System allow friends, family, authorities, and even the media to know about your missing child as soon as you do! Especially intriguing is the KidzMap, which maps out the missing child's favorite places and the KidzBlast email system (which gets info about your child out to everyone right away!) Child safety has officially gone high-tech!


(This post brought to you by Child Alert System)

Review of Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme

Even before those nagging hairs gave me a reason to color, I always enjoyed giving my look a lift with a new shade for my dull tresses. While the process of coloring is basically the same across the board, I found an extra special ingredient in the Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme that gave it top billing in my beauty routine!

Simple to mix and apply, the creme didn't drip nearly as much as some others that I've tried. What I really liked, however, was that it felt so gentle on my scalp! There wasn't the tingly, burning sensation I was used to in home colorants -- in fact, it was a bit refreshing! Perhaps it was the extra little packet of natural fruit oils that I got to add to the color or maybe it was the combination of grape seed and avocado oils that gave me such a healthy shine. After rinsing, I was really impressed with the coverage and the glow!

Their website claims that Garnier is great:

• If you want to nourish your hair as you color
• If you want grays to be completely covered
• If you want a color creme that spreads easily, wont drip and smells great
• If you want a natural, healthy-looking color that’s silky soft

I would have to agree! My husband liked how natural the Medium Golden Brown "Chestnut 53" color looked on me. I'm now officially ready to go to BlogHer!!!

Looking for a new you? Wanting to refresh an old you? Consider DIY color with a professional look and feel! Garnier's products are available at retailers nationwide and at Amazon.com!

Review of Cozy Crib Tent II

I always fear that I'll find out just how capable my youngest son has become by the sound of him hitting the floor -- after crawling out of his crib. I know that the day will come when his traditional crib will no longer contain him, and it seems I'm just waiting for it to happen.

You don't have to wait until your child is able to crawl out of his crib to consider a crib tent, however, especially when there is one on the market that does so many more things than I had imagined!

The Cozy Crib Tent II does more than just protect an infant/toddler from crawling out of the crib. And while it does keep my little guy safe with its sturdy construction and easy installation, it has features that I never knew I would need (until I saw them in action, of course!)

• The entire tent is easily collapsible for taking it on the go!
• Washes up quickly and easily with a warm washrag
• Contains an inside surround net to keep toes, bottles, and toys from getting stuck or passing through crib bars
• Keeps the bugs out!
• Works with standard-sized cribs and most bumper pads

This is the ultimate in mommy-friendly safety products -- no tools needed, and it comes off in a jiffy! (You can even change the sheets without too much fuss.)

This is really a great idea for any parent who needs some additional peace of mind for their crib-bound infant. The cool zippered door is wide enough to get baby in and out without any fuss, and I love that my cat isn't able to "crawl" into bed with baby!

The Cozy Crib Tent II by Tots in Mind has covered all the bases. Visit their website for all their products, or get one at Amazon.com!

Firework recalls and a Toybox Fatality

We have a few recalls to report, one involving an infant death. Please click on the description to be taken to the official CPSC recall.

Fireworks Over America Recalls Fireworks Due to Shock Hazard

Bayside Furnishings Recalls Youth Bed Toy Chests Sold at Costco After the Death of a 22-Month-Old Child

Children’s Jewelry Recalled by Bead Bazaar USA Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Black Cat® Fireworks Recalls Fireworks Due to Injury Hazard