
I've been a member of the amazing Sharpie Squad for awhile now, but just recently used my new assortment of Sharpie markers to help my kids create some really cool things. In addition to receiving a variety of Sharpies, we got some blank canvases to create with, including a metal lunchbox, a white t-shirt, and a canvas messenger bag.
My daughter claimed the messenger back straight away, using the Twin Tip colors to create her own "store everything" bag. With a few of her favorite metal buttons added on, it really shows her personality!
My sons also got into the spirit, branding their very own metal lunchbox for future storage of all the Sharpies we'll be getting! Here is what they did (I helped label it, of course.)
We are also getting ready to decorate a bunch of plain white tees at our local Tween Book Club meeting in August! We'll have plenty of videos and pics to share! Stay tuned...
To learn more about the Sharpie Squad, the cool things that talented people (unlike me) are making with their Sharpies, and to see how you can get involved, be sure to visit the SharpieUncapped.com website and the Sharpie blog!
*I am an online brand advocate for Sharpie. I maintain a relationship where I receive product to review in exchange for sharing new Sharpie happenings with my blog community. If you have questions regarding Sharpie or the Sharpie Squad, please email me.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sharpie Squad Update!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Review of Libby's Jumbo Cups

If you're feeling the pain of high-priced fresh fruit, I can totally relate. Just last year, we started venturing into the world of pantry-fresh fruit to help fill in the nutrition gap for my kids. With no clue what's going to be on sale each week, having a stash of fruit cups on hand gives me some certainty with my meal planning, and I have to admit -- I love the stuff over cottage cheese!
Libby's Jumbo Cups aren't available in stores until September, but we got some *free samples to give them a try early. Just as yummy as the original Peaches, Pears, Mixed Fruit, and Cherry Mixed Fruit, these fruit cups are much bigger (50% bigger than your typical fruit cup). That makes them perfect for putting into a grown-up's lunch bag (or a really, really hungry 6-year-old's.) And did I mention that the fruit is from California?
I liked serving these cups at lunch time, mostly because I knew it would be enough for my growing 1st-grader and my tween daughter (who usually ask for spendy seconds on the fruit.) I then took one of the jumbo cups and split it between my two youngest, and this was the perfect size for everyone! (I save the empties for just this reason.)
Wanna Win? These Jumbo Cups aren't out in stores yet, but we have some to give away to a lucky reader! Just comment on this post with your favorite fruit from the line: Peaches, Pears, Mixed Fruit, and Cherry Mixed Fruit. You have until August 17th at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in, and we'll randomly pick on winner to receive 8 cups in the mail -- before you can buy them!
Giveaways are subject to complete site rules. (Be sure to give us a way to reach you if you win, and remember that we will never use your email or contact info for anything other than to send your prize.) Good luck, and be sure to check out all of our other giveways!
The 3-packs will hit stores at a shelf price of about $3.39 each. For more info on Libby's fruit offering, please see their website at www.fruitification.com
*Sample was received for this review.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
A Whole Bunch of Recalls!

We Did BlogHer (Really Did It)

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Of Course We'll be at BlogHer, Silly!
I'm so excited for what will be a whirlwind of activity over the next 4 days! I'm leaving tonight to head out to Chicago, for a little dinner and a good night's sleep (what's that?) before prepping for an early morning with the Walmart 11 Moms and a full day of BlogHer business conference.
Will you be at BlogHer? If so, what sessions are you going to? I'm taking in "a little of this" and "a little of that" but what I'm most excited about are the parties! Crocs, Energizer, Tide, One2One, and Mom Central are just a few of the gracious folks providing food, drinks, fun, and prizes at this year's BlogHer parties.
I can't wait to see you all there!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Enjoy Simple Charging with the Energizer Compact Charger
What do you get when you combine effective charging with the most simple, small, and compact charger on the market? Probably something like the Energizer Compact Charger. As an online advocate for Energizer, I got to try out this no-frills little charger for my rechargeable batteries.
It fits in the palm of my hand when not in use, which makes it perfect to toss into my travel bag or flashlight drawer. When charging, it holds 2 or 4 AA or AAA batteries. Just pop them in, watch for the indicator light to show fully charged, and pop them out! There is no need for a separate cord for this charger -- just plug it into the wall and charge!
This dummy-proof charger gets most batteries charged in as little as 2 hours, and comes with some AA rechargeables to get your started. Another great feature is that it's Energy Star compliant! That's pretty green :)
Wanna win? We have one of these to give away to a lucky reader. To enter, just leave a comment on this post with how you would use the charger. You have until August 17th, 2009 at 11:59 pm CST to get your entry in. One entry per person, please.
Giveaways are subject to complete site rules. (Be sure to give us a way to reach you if you win, and remember that we will never use your email or contact info for anything other than to send your prize.) Good luck, and be sure to check out all of our other giveways!
*As an online advocate for Energizer, I will happily be sharing many more exciting product offerings designed to help you and your family save some cash and help the planet! Have a question about rechargeable batteries and how to make them work for your family? Email me!

Monday, July 20, 2009
Mid-Summer Swag Bag Giveaway!
We get quite a few goodies here at Lille Punkin,' and we always try to share as many as we can with our readers -- that's you! To celebrate over 2 years as a premier product review blog, we've decided to swag our readers with a fabulous giveaway! Just in time for BlogHer (where we're sure we'll learn about even more great stuff), we have 3 -- count em' -- THREE prize


Review of Coraline on DVD
It's coming tomorrow (July 21st), but we got the *sneak preview of the much-anticipated movie based on the book -- Coraline! The movie, from Universal Home Studios, and directed by the guy who did James and the Giant Peach, is a bit spooky in parts (OK.. it's rather spooky in most parts.) The story in itself is rather creepy -- Coraline enters a dream world where she has an "other mother" and "other father", both with buttons for eyes.
Review of Pahappahooey Island "What About Me?" on DVD
Friday, July 17, 2009
Review of Tide Stain Release In-Wash Booster Duo Pacs
How frustrating is to spend money on good clothes for your kids... only to find them ruined by stains within the first few wears? I get this problem at my house all the time, mostly because I try to stain treat, but often things "slip in" the wash that really shoud have gotten special treatment. I only find out they were stained until after I wash them, dry them, and set it in too well to do anything about it.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Recall of Energizer Wallplate Nightlight
Review of Poo-Pourri and Poo-Pourri Jr.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Review of CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Foundation
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Locally Grown Comes to my Wal-Mart!

As one of the Wal-Mart Elevenmoms, I get to experience cool things at my local Walmart (like buying a new iPhone.. which I promise I'll brief you on this month!) One thing I have been anxiously waiting for, however, is the introduction of locally grown produce into one of the Walmarts in the Omaha area.
Today, I was blown away when I walked into the newest Walmart! It was like no other I had seen, and reminded me more of a Whole Foods or a Wild Oats than a Wal-Mart. (That's a good thing, by the way.) What was I most excited about? In addition to scoring the cutest underthings from the new OP line, I was thrilled to see locally grown tomatoes still on the vine, and available for less than my local farmer's market. I knew that these guys were fresh, because I could smell them from a few feet away! Yummy!
Here is a picture of the sign accompanying the locally grown display (never mind that it mentions sweet corn instead of the tomatoes -- what was up with that?) These are people just like my parents. Farmers, families, and Nebraskans. I couldn't have been prouder. (Oh, and the tomatoes.. were to die for. I had them on a big plate of homemade nachos right when I got home from my trip today. Delish.)
I can't wait for more foods to arrive from Nebraska producers. This is just another reason I'm glad to be part of the Wal-Mart 11Moms community!
Participation in the Wal-Mart Elevenmoms program is voluntary. Wal-Mart does not require its selected participants, at any time, to blog or discuss Wal-Mart, its brands, products, initiatives, events or other programs related to the company.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Smoke Alarm, Sweatshirt, and Sport Ball Recalls

Wow! Some big recalls today! Noteworthy ones include:
Kidde Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms recalled for not detecting fire.
Sports balls by American Greetings recalled due to lead hazard.
Hard Tail pullovers recalled due to strangulation hazard.
C-Mark/ Ocean Current pullovers recalled due to strangulation hazards (sold at Macy's.)
Stay Safe!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Review of Sun and Earth Cleaning Products

Well, well, well.. time for another cleaning product review (yeah!) I really do love my products, and when I can find one that not only works really well, but smells fantastic, too -- I get super excited! When I was approached to review the entire line of Sun and Earth products, I had never heard of them! The packaging was very different-looking, and I didn't recognize it from anywhere. I'm glad I got a chance to try it, however.
Here's why:
1. The smell... oh, dreamy. They are the most refreshingly terrific odor of orange oil and orange zest. You use any of the products, and it really smells like you have an instantly clean house -- even if you haven't finished yet. It's not a chemical smell, at all. But lovely :)
2. The goodness. These products shine as safe alternatives to products that contain petroleum, chlorine, phosphates, dyes, and perfumes. Not only will you find none of that stuff in here, you'll also be happy to hear that they are made from plant, fruit, and vegetable oils. They are non-toxic!
How did they compare to other cleaners in the "cleaning" category? Awesomely. I didn't notice any problems, except that I had to dial down how much I used (the laundry detergent, specifically). They are concentrated, and you don't need as much as you think!
I had the chance to try the hand wash, laundry liquid detergent, fabric softener sheets, fabric softener liquid, counter top spray, glass cleaner, laundry stain stick, dish detergent packets, and the dish liquid (which is my favorite of all the products.) Do you want a chance, too?
We are giving away one complete set of everything I tested, plus a nifty branded reusable tote bag (perfect for groceries.) The total value of the prize is $52.00! That's everything you need to get cleaning right away!
Wanna win? Just leave a comment on this post with your favorite cleaning tip. It can be anything. You can enter every day (each subsequent entry after the first unique entry can just be a comment saying "Today's Entry"), and you have until July 24th, 2009 at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in!
Giveaways are subject to complete site rules. (Be sure to give us a way to reach you if you win, and remember that we will never use your email or contact info for anything other than to send your prize.) Good luck, and be sure to check out all of our other giveways!
Learn more about Sun and Earth at their website (www.sunandearth.com)
Kolcraft Play Yards Affected by Massive Recall!

There are so many models affected by this recent recall of Kolcraft Play Yards and playpens. Please see the full details to see if one you own is affected. (Brands include: Carter's, Sesame Street, Jeep, Contours, Care Bear, and Eric Carle). 21 injuries have been reported out of over 300 reports of incidents.
Today's Freebies (July 8th)!
We've got a few new samples for you today!
Walmart is offering a free sample of NIVEA for Men.
Free sample of Viva Paper Towels from Walmart.com.
Free 5-issue subscription to O, The Oprah Magazine.
NIVEA Touch of Sparkle Body wash sample from Walmart.com
Free savings coupons and a Buy One Get One offer from Alexia Baked Snacks.
Enfamil LIPIL® Formulas. Free sample Click Here
Pacifiers Recalled by Gromex Due to Choking Hazards

These small pacifiers could easily be swallowed or obstruct a child's airway. Please see the full details of the recall at the CPSC website.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Find Adventure Games For Fun and Learning at Nick.com
Monday, July 6, 2009
Do You Need a Fresh Start?
We've all had times when we wish we could start over. (In fact, I feel this way almost daily, anymore.) If you've considered a "fresh start" to your life, career, or just your attitude, then I have a way that you might be able to do it with a huge advantage!
Carefree is a proud sponsor of the Carefree Fresh Start Fund, giving women a chance to win mega cash -- from $3K to $10K -- for a "fresh start!" What could you do with that kind of incentive? To be considered for the funding, visit the Carefree Fresh Start website and click the "Apply for a chance to receive $10,000" banner on the side. You will have a chance to tell why you want a fresh start for a chance to win the cash, a consultation from an expert, and a trip to NYC!
If you're looking to take smaller steps to a fresher you, Carefree also has a new UltraProtection Pantyliner that is an effortless way to feel great and confident. These small, light, and very handy liners are available in stores, and you can even request a free sample from Carefree's website!
Now's the best time to make a chance and start something "fresh" -- don't you think?
This is a blog tour compliments of Mom Central.
Father's Day Followup
Yes, I KNOW! It's been a bit since Father's Day, when I promised you that I would share what I finally got my hubby from T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Well, here we go (and remember I paid no more than $25 per store for my purchases):
2 pairs of designer blue jeans (with a MSRP of $100 each!)
A pack of 12 socks
One aebleskiver pan
You're probably asking two questions:
1. How did I get all that for less than $50 total?
2. What's up with the aebleskiver pan?
Well, you can read all about my passion for fashion and saving money in previous posts I've done for Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. That should answer how I got everything so affordably. To answer the second question, you should know that I'm part Danish, speak a bit of the language, and love the food. Aebleskiver are a little round pancake ball that I LOVE to make, but have never found a pan that I like. Can you believe that I was strolling the aisles of Marshalls and found one there! Woot!
I'm one happy camper, my husband looks fine in his new jeans, and I'm making aebleskiver for breakfast at least once a week now. Father's Day was a breeze, compliments of Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. Thanks!
My Kiddos will Love Kideos!
I love videos.. especially when they are FREE! Check out this cool online site I just found out about today: Kideos! It's kind of like YouTube, but without the junk that frightens parents into locking down the internet for good *chuckle* All the videos have been pre-approved by a parent!
Some of the best videos I watched instantly on Kideos include: Dr. Seuss: The Sneetches Part 1, Schoolhouse Rock Fireworks, and SpongeBob SquarePants Night Light (full episode.) We are going to be up late tonight watching some Kideos at my house!
Mom Central's Summer Giveaway Bonanza!

We love Mom Central! We've been part of many of their promotions, and always enjoy their blog tours. Now they have a chance for everyone to be involved, with their new Summer Giveaway Bonanza!
Super cool prizes will be given away for the rest of the summer, and prizes include goodies from Crocs, Hoover, Super Soaker, Crystal Light, Crayola, Jeep Strollers, and Razor Jr.!
You can visit Mom Central to get all the hot details! Enjoy your summer :)
Today's Freebies (July 6th)!
Lot's of cool freebies for what's looking to be a HOT week!
Full-length Album Download from Drew Copeland (of the band Sister Hazel) at Amazon
Free diabetes care guide "Diabetics on Medicare: We Connect You to Care and Savings" - via ClickOnHealth
2 Free Carefree samples to choose from at Walmart.com
Various Free samples (change every day!)
NatureMade TripleFlex supplement sample from Walmart.com
Kotex Overnight sample from Walmart.com

















