New Newsletter Prizes!

Are you signed up for our newsletter?  In exchange for getting updates about our giveaways and promotions (no more than 2 emails per month), you'll be automatically entered for great prizes packages every month!  This month, we're giving away some great food prizes, including Todd Wilbur's Top Secret Restaurant Recipes book, a Red Gold Tomato cookbook, and free food coupons!

To be entered, just sign up for our newsletter in the right hand side of our site.  If you're already signed up -- you're already entered!

Good luck!

Community Roundup Review - July Week One

** Congrats to Penny Pinching Pixie for being our winner! Check back next week for another roundup and chance to win!**

After some feedback we've received from our loyal readers, we've decided to offer you a chance to share your reviews with our community!  That's right:  twice a month, you'll have the opportunity to link here with your review in a particular category.  The first and third Thursday of each month, we'll put all links into a drawing for a fantastic prize!

This week's category is food and drink.  Just use the Mr. Linky below to share a review you've done on a food or drink product in the last 3 months.  You have until next Thursday July 8th at 11:59 pm CST to add your link, and at that time I'll randomly pick one winner to get this week's prize:

• Kroger $25 gift card

 One link per blog, please.  Thanks for your participation!

Children’s Jewelry Recalled by SmileMakers Due to High Levels of Cadmium

These bracelets, which were distributed at dentist and doctors offices in the U.S., are being recalled.  Please see the CPSC website for full details.

Stay Safe!!

Review of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief on DVD

Are you looking for a very exciting new release to share with the older kids and adults in your family?  This movie may be for you!  We recently reviewed Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief on DVD, and it made for an action-packed family movie night.

This movie, based on the book and released just yesterday, features the son of Poseidon, as he works to master his powers and clear his name in a plot to steal Zeus' lightning bolt.  Families familiar with Greek Mythology will find the references to the gods, goddesses, and other mythical creatures to be entertaining and reminiscent of their studies in school.  Told as a modern-day twist on an age-old tale, Percy learns that he is the son of one of the most powerful gods, and must use his skills to return peace to the world.

Rated PG for violence and peril, scary images, suggestive material, and mild language, this is a movie that is best for kids ages 10 and up.  While there was nothing that I necessarily objected to, the scenes get a bit intense (one shows Medusa's head separate from her body and some of the evil creatures are pretty frightening!)  The violence, while nothing my kids haven't seen before, is also a reason to consider keeping kids under age 6 out of the room.  (They may have nightmares.)

Good fun for book enthusiasts, this is a an enjoyable romp into fantasy that reinforces the importance of family and friends -- even mythical ones. 

You can purchase this flick (available Blu-Ray and standard DVD) at Amazon, or follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter!

Wanna Win?  We have 2 copies of this fabulous film to give away.  To be entered to win, simply comment on this post with why you want to see this movie! You have until July 8th at 11:59 am CST to get your entries in.  Giveaways are subject to complete site rules. Open to persons 18+ U.S. only, please. (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 giveaways!


*Sample was received for this review. Opinions are 100% mine.

Infantino Makes Mothering Easy and Fun!

We just loved our assortment of Infantino toys we received as part of the Infantino Test Drive Moms program from Mom Central.  We usually never have a chance to buy new items for our babies, so this was a real treat!

The first item we tested is the Fold & Go Bouncer.  We have folded it once, although we did not “go” anywhere with it yet.  It’s a lovely neutral color pattern for boy and girl babies, and the materials are easily wiped down with a damp rag.  Our only complaint was that the harness for strapping baby in was difficult to adjust to the smallest setting.  You had to remove the outer covering and reinsert the straps to get it to work.  It was a minor hassle for hours of vibrations that kept our son happy, however.  The music was cute (although the jingles were short and played over and over unless you pressed a button to “switch” tunes), and the volume control was a blessing.  This is a really well-made piece of gear that will work in any size home.  The toy bar is removable, which makes it great for busy or sleeping babies!

We also got to try out the Jumbo Wheel Play Space.  Designed more for babies that can lift their heads up and play on their tummies, we really appreciated the bright colors and textures of this play mat.  We’ll try it out more when our son is old enough to appreciate it.

I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino products to as part of my participation.

Super Lightning Rocket Fireworks Recalled by Big Fireworks Due to Risk of Burn

Fireworks can be dangerous at any time, but these particular ones have been recalled due to an overloading of pyrotechnic composition (they are too powerful!)  See the full details at the CPSC website.

Stay Safe!!

Review of Shirts That Go

It's a plane!  It's a train!  Nope, it's a really neat t-shirt that all my boys wish they had.  It's Shirts that Go, and they are a hit at our house!

My middle son recently got to try out Shirts that Go, an innovative new clothing line of Kids T-shirts that offers highly detailed pictures of a favorite vehicle on them.  Whether your kid enjoys trucks or trains, there is a shirt sure to make them smile.  We loved how thick these shirts were -- totally high-quality!  My son got chocolate on his the very first day, but some stain remover took it right out, and the picture of the jet is still very bright after many washings.

My youngest son was a bit upset that he didn't get a t-shirt, but lucky for him, my son let him have the box that the shirt was mailed in.  (You laugh.. but the box had a truck on it, and was pretty cool.)  This shirt now resides in the left-hand side of my son's top drawer.  This is where he puts his favorite shirts, and he is always wanting to wear it when we go places!


See the entire line of Shirts that Go on their website:  www.ShirtsThatGo.com

Wanna Save?  They have fire truck t-shirts, train t-shirts and airplane t-shirts all made right here in the USA. Shipping is free!  Bonus for LillePUNKIN’Reviews loyal readers. Use discount code “Punkin” to get a 10% discount!

*Sample was received for this review.  Opinions are 100% mine. 

Battle of the Pails: Munchkin vs. Diaper Genie (Part Two)

We used both of these pails over a few weeks, and you can read about our initial impressions in our part one post.  There was still more to learn about which one we liked better, however.  Here is our final verdict.

The winner of the Battle of the Pails is hands down the Diaper Genie.  I had a Diaper Genie when they first came out so many years ago, and they have made some amazing improvements on this product.

The drawbacks to the Genie include:  Bulky design and bags that require you to “cut” them and tie before disposing (which is too much handling of dirty bags for me).  The benefits, however, greatly make up for it.  If stumbling around in the dark with a baby’s diaper, this is “the” pail for you.  It is virtually hands-free, opens easily, closes easily, and contains odors perfectly (we changed our bags after a week – which is gross, but we wanted to see if it stayed “clean smelling” when filled to the max with toddler pull-ups.)  It was the perfect all-in-one nasty trash receptacle for our bathroom, making it easy for my son to throw away his pull-up, my older kids to help toss the newborn diapers, and for feminine hygiene products and baby wipes to be tossed where they wouldn’t leave evidence or cause temptation for my dog to try to get into the trash (big plus!)

The Munchkin pail had a great idea going for it:  The baking soda cartridge, which dispensed a tiny bit of baking soda with each diaper that you threw away.  It too, contained odor, and the disposal of the bags was much easier than the Genie.  However, it was awkward to use with only one hand, and I found the baking soda to be unnecessary (and just another thing to buy over the life of the product.)

I am a member of the Mom Central community and I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central, sponsored by Diaper Genie, and received a free Diaper Genie diaper pail and a free Munchkin Arm & Hammer diaper pail to facilitate my review.

Battle of the Pails: Munchkin Arm vs. Diaper Genie II Elite (Part One)

We just added another little guy to our household, which means TWICE as many diapers.  Over the last few weeks, we tested two of the top names in diaper pails:  Munchkin Arm & Hammer and Diaper Genie II Elite -- to see which one we like best.  Here is part one of our findings:

Assembly

Putting together both pails was relatively easily.  The Munchkin pail was already assembled, leaving just the baking soda cartridge to insert.  The Diaper Genie needed minimal assembly, and while it was basically a two-minute process, we did have a bit of a snag when trying to snap the top lid onto the bottom base.  It took a little bit of coaxing, but it finally came together in less than 4 minutes.

Design

Both pails are white, and about the same shape.  The Diaper Genie is quite a bit taller than the Munchkin pail, however, which was a bit of a drawback to this product.  

 It seems overwhelming in our small bathroom, and those with small spaces may find it impractical.

Ease of Use

Hands down, the Diaper Genies wins in this category.  With a handy foot pedal that lets you open the pail without any hands, it was a necessary tool for getting rid of stinky diapers when you were holding a baby and a nasty “present.”  My three-year-old is potty training and still occasionally has an accident.  He was able to dispose of his own pull-up in the Diaper Genie by using the foot pedal.  He could not use the Munchkin pail, however, as it required that you press in the lever on the lid of the pail with your fingers, and then pull up.  It was too difficult for him, so he used only the Diaper Genie (which was a blessing to me!)

Want to know more about our findings?  Stay tuned for part two of our test drive!

I am a member of the Mom Central community and I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central, sponsored by Diaper Genie, and received a free Diaper Genie diaper pail and a free Munchkin Arm & Hammer diaper pail to facilitate my review.

Crib, Cereal, Mouthwash and more Recalls!

It's a busy week for recalls!  Check these out:

Youth Tiara recalled by Wilton due to Lead Exposure Hazard

7 Crib Manufacturers Announce Recalls to Address Entrapment Hazards

Scope Original Mint Mouthwash recalled due to failure to meet child-resistance packaging requirements

Kellogg's Recalls Select Packages of Corn Pops, Honey Smacks, Foot Loops, and Apples Jacks due to an off-flavor and smell coming from packages

VapoSpray and Sinex 4-hour nasal sprays recalled due to expiration date concerns

Stay Safe!!

Backyard Safari Outfitters Offers Outdoor Fun for all Ages!

My boys are outside – all the time.  They come into the house at least twice a day, covered in dirt, excited to tell me about their adventures.  I don’t mind the extra laundry; I’m happy to see them exploring and learning (and out of my house for awhile.)

The new line of toys from Backyard Safari Outfitters is exactly what my family needed for some fun time outdoors.  We reviewed a Mega View Periscope, the Bug Vacuum, and a Caro Vest.  Here is what we enjoyed about each.

First of all, the vest was perfect.  I have a 5-year-old who is always outside, looking through his tiny binoculars and marking off birds that he sees in his bird book.  The vest had several nice-sized and sturdy pockets for storing the binoculars, a pen, and any other “treasures” that my son finds while playing outdoors.  As a mom who is forever doing laundry, I appreciate this little product.  With him stashing items like worms, dirt, and rocks in his vest pockets, I no longer find them in the gasket of my front loading washer when I forget to check his pants pockets!

The Bug Vacuum was played with for days when we first got it.  It worked OK to capture bugs (there are various strength setting for the vacuum suction, but none were too powerful as to accidentally suck anything up you didn’t want to.)  It got ants, a few large ladybugs, and a spider.  It didn’t work so well to capture flying bugs.  Once inside, however, the bugs could be viewed through a magnifying glass that was built right in.  As one could guess, when the allure of using the Vacuum for capturing bugs wore off (and the heat index rose too high to allow the boys to play safely outside), they used the vacuum as another “gun” in their collection and to pretend to shoot one another.  Go figure!

Finally, the periscope was our least favorite, but still a pretty good toy.  It opens easily, but doesn’t stay open on its own.  This means that you have to use it the right way (looking under water with it, as compare to over something), or it collapses under its own weight.  The bracket that holds it closed broke immediately after getting it, but we found we really had no use for the bracket – so it wasn’t a big deal.  This is a good toy for around the pool, however, as it does work, the mirrors are of high quality, and it is pretty much unbreakable (which makes it safe for even younger kids.)  I think the boys will get more use for it when we start swimming next month!

To see the entire line of products, visit their website at www.summittoy.com or follow them on Twitter or Facebook!

*Samples of the toys were received to facilitate a review on behalf of Team Mom.  All opinions are my own.

Get your Free Kraft Samples at Your Local Walmart!

Before I was a work-at-home Mom, I was one of those gals who stood in the aisles at your local Walmart, handing out samples of great foods to try before you would buy.  This weekend, I remember how much fun I had working that job, learning about new products, and meeting great Walmart shoppers.  Why?  Because Kraft foods has 8 NEW products to help you make your summer tastier, and your local Walmart may be offering samples to help you celebrate!

I received a package of a few of these great products, and my family had a chance to try them ourselves.  Our faves?  Oreo Fudge Cremes (a delicious chocolate cookie that I like to store in the freezer and eat ice cold), Ritz Muchables (think a pretzel shaped like a cracker), Crystal Light Pure Fitness (a yummy citrus drink that has only 15 calories and is naturally sweetened with cane juice), and Dentyne Pure gum (the perfect way to freshen breath and keep it fresh through the day!)

In addition to these products, your local Walmart may be sampling other products, including 100 Cal Cheese Bites, Kool Aid Fun Fizz, Jell-O Mousse, and Oscar Mayer Angus Bun Length Hot Dogs.  The sampling events are taking place on June 26th, and July 1-3.  You can check Walmart.com for more information!

*I am one of the Walmart Moms. I was approached by Walmart to try some Kraft samples and blog about my experience. I received samples to facilitate my opinion. Although product was provided, opinions are 100% my own.

Review of Butter my Baby Bum Balm from Raw Element

We have been overwhelmed with baby products here at Lille Punkin’, and sorting the best from the rest has been fun (and a lot of work.) While I love the idea of “going natural” with our products, I love the idea of supporting small business even more. If I can find a small retailer that works hard to get their startup off the ground AND can provide a safe and effective product that I feel good about putting on my baby’s skin – I’ve found a perfect match!

We tried Raw Element’s Butter my Baby Bum Balm to tackle some diaper rash on my newborn son’s little bum. I have to admit that I was a little astonished at the texture of the balm, which comes in a cute little 2 oz. tin. It was gooier than expected, not hard or waxy like some commercial salves. It was more the consistency of petroleum jelly, and much softer when the temp in my home reached over 77 degrees.

Despite the fact that when I opened the tin, a little bit escaped the container, it smelled amazing! It was super-easy to apply (due to its soft texture, I suppose), and just a tiny bit went a long way on my tiny guy. With a shelf life of 3 months, you’ll want to use this up right away. I expect, however, that you’ll be using it at every diaper change, however – so you’ll soon be wanting to order more!

A perfect item to include in a new baby gift basket, this item has only a few easily-identifiable ingredients (Organic Shea butter, Jojoba oil, Roman Chamomile essential oil, and Lavender essential oil.) Raw Element definitely takes the guesswork out of what you’re putting on baby’s bottom!
For the entire line of Raw Element products, see their Etsy store at www.rawelement.etsy.com

Wanna Save? Get 15% off any two items with free shipping! Just visit http://www.rawelement.etsy.com/ to make your product selection. Then email Julie with your order and shipping address, and she will bill you via PayPal with your discount!

Wanna Win? One lucky winner will get a 2 oz. tin of the Butter My Baby Bum Balm (valued at $10)! Just comment on this post with what other item you like from the Raw Element line. You have until July 6th at 11:59 am CST to get your entries in.  Giveaways are subject to complete site rules. Open to persons 18+ U.S. only, please. (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 giveaways!


*Sample was received for this review. Opinions are 100% mine.

Review of Green 4 Your Soul 100% Pure Organic Bubble Bath

We've been living in our new home for almost a year, but we have only had a functional bath tub as of yesterday!  This explains why it took so long to review Green 4 Your Soul's 100% Natural Bubble Bath, but it didn't diminish the excitement my boys had when getting their first bath in our new tub!

We sampled the Strawberry Ice Cream variety, and at first I was super-surprised at the consistency.  It was really runny, more like water than a "soap" -- but this didn't affect it's potency or the ability to suds up under running water.  Giving my kids at least as many wonderfully-scented bubbles as the commercial stuff, they giggled with delight in the tub!

Made with real strawberries and skin-brightening lemon juice, it is SLS, paraben, synthetic chemical and fragrance free.  (It also comes in a bottle made from post-consumer recycled plastic!)  If you want a bubble bath that fits your need for all-natural and safe products, this may be for you!  Just one of many items offered at Green 4 Your Soul, I could tell that this item was lovingly made, and right here in the U.S.A!  (And the bubble bath comes in two other delicious varieties: Chocolate Chip Mint and Vanilla Ice Cream.)

Check out their full line of products at the Green 4 Your Soul website.  They offer lots of stuff for babies and kids, as well as pet products and soy candles.  If you're looking for a healthy gift alternative for a hard-to-shop for friend, I highly recommend this company!

*Sample was received for this review.  Opinions are 100% my own.

My Dad Doesn't Wear a Watch

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Voctorinox Swiss Army. All opinions are 100% mine.

I can't remember ever seeing my Dad wear a watch, when he was working as a farmer here in Nebraska.  I didn't even have one of my own until I met my husband, and joined the world of "adult fashion".  Just recently, I realized that a watch would be the perfect gift to give back, and I am considering getting him one real soon!

If you're on the fence about whether a watch would be a good fit for your Dad (or husband), you might consider one of these Victorinox Swiss Army Watches.  (I'm leaning towards one with an adjustable band, since my husband's wrists doesn't usually fit into a typical one.)  My hubby could wear one for when we go out or to church, since he really gets pretty grubby during the day, and these are way too awesome to wear in the shop! 

There's still time to get in on some awesome watch action before Father's Day!  If you can't shell out the bucks to buy one, consider this neat giveaway promotion offered on the Facebook IWAW sweepstakes page.  They are giving away 30 watches for 30 days, and I entered to win the one below:

For all of the latest styles for men (and some cute women's watches, too), check out the full collection at www.swissarmy.com.  Dads and hubby's of all ages will find the watch a classic addition to their father's day memories (and it sure beats another tie or coffee mug!)

Win a Michael Strahan Signed Football and More from Vaseline MEN!

Wowee!  Father's Day is almost here, and while it may be too late to order anything personalized from online, it's not too late to check out Vaseline's newest line of products for men -- that you can pick up from the drugstore or retailer of your choice in time for the big day!

We're talking Vaseline MEN Body Lotions, a wonderfully-scented line of skin care treats designed specifically for Dad.  They go on easily, smell awesome, and are totally lightweight.  My husband loved trying out the Vaseline MEN Cooling Hydration Body Lotion, which absorbs in 15 seconds, and keeps his skin cool throughout his hot work days with a touch of menthol.   Since men rarely pamper themselves, this lotion is an easy way to say "I care about you!"

Vaseline is hosting a "Train with Michael Strahan Sweepstakes", where you can enter your dad to win a trip for 2 to L.A. for a one-on-one workout sessions with Michael.  Find out all about this promotion at www.strongerskin.com. 

Want another chance to Win?  To celebrate the launch of this nifty skin treat, we're giving away a signed Michael Strahan football, G-shock stop watch, and Vaseline MEN products to one lucky winner!  To be entered to win, just comment on this post with how you let your man (or dad) know that you love him! 
You have until June 30th at 11:59 am CST to get your entries in.  One per person please!

Giveaways are subject to complete site rules. Open to persons 18+ U.S. only, please. (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 giveaways!

* Sample was received to facilitate this promotion. All opinions are my own.

Glidden Paint: Get Color, Give Color!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Glidden. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm sure you've seen some of the commercials on TV featuring the high-quality paints made by Glidden.  Perhaps you've been a bit reluctant to try a premium paint, but really want to know how well they work?  Now's your chance!  As part of a new promotion by Glidden, you can actually get a smaller size "tester" of the paint of your choosing -- to try it out before you invest a bunch of money on a whole room's worth of paint. (Curious about a free way to get these testers?  Glidden is giving away a chance to win them and share them with your friends!)  Testers are also great to keep on hand for touch-ups and accents (and are so much easier to store than half-empty paint cans.)

Available at Home Depot stores, you can also browse through various shades of color chips and ideas for freshening up a room with different color palettes.  Not sure how you're room will look or what colors to begin with?  The room painter tool is a great way to "virtually" paint any room before you begin choosing colors!  (And you can always go with their "Top 10 colors" list -- colors that just can't go wrong!)

What room will you try out with a Glidden tester?

Follow @Glidden_Paint on Twitter to find out about new product ideas and promotions!

Recall of CYBEX 2.GO infant carriers, Kiwi apparel, and more!

We have a few new recalls to report:

Infant apparel made by Kiwi recalled due to choking hazards.  See the details at the CPSC website.

 CYBEX Infant Carriers recalled due to breakage that may lead to falls. Find out how to get your full replacement here. 

Children's belts sold at Target recalled due to lead hazard.


Stay Safe!!

Meet Our Newest Lille Punkin (and enter to win a $100 Amazon GC!)

Marcus Josiah entered the world on Friday, weighing 6 pounds, 8 ounces, and looking every bit as adorable as he did in his ultrasound picture.  (Isn't it amazing how accurate the ultrasounds are?)

He is happily enjoying life at home with 4 siblings, a Daddy who loves to snuggle with him, and one slightly freaked-out rat terrier.  My kids are learning to do all kinds of chores to help out Mommy (who is recovering from a c-section.)  I feel amazing, though!

Thanks for all the well-wishes and patience as we get back into our regular blog posts, giveaways, and recall information.  You're the best!

Wanna Win?  While we are preparing for a weekend of terrific Father's Day promotions, we wanted to share a neat giveaway being hosted by Wise Bread and Intel's My Life Scoop (who I freelance for.)  They are giving away a $100 Amazon gift card to a random commenter on my post "6 Smartphone Apps for Expecting Parents" -- just comment on the post to be entered! 

(Please do NOT enter by commenting on this post.  You may only enter by commenting at the Life Scoop website.)  Full rules can be found here.  Giveaway ends on Monday, June 28th at 11:59 pm CST

Recall of Roll-Up Blinds by Chicology

These roll-ups blinds were sold at several online retailers (like Overstock.com), and the manufacturer has offered a free repair kit to make them safe.  See the details at the CPSC website.

Stay Safe!!

GE Frontloading Washers, Baby Bead Toys, and other Recalls!

Check out this new recall of GE Frontloading washers!

Also, this bead toy from Rhino, which has been sold in specialty and toy stores.

Please check out this addition to the Roman blind recall, featuring IKEA brand!!


Stay Safe!!