Dominos Chocolate Lava Crunch Cake + Giveaway (closed)

September 10, 2009 By 564 Comments

Chocolate Indulgence
Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a HUGE sweet tooth and can down a package of candy or pan of brownies in no time. You can always find sweets in my house too, I have a stash. After hearing about Dominos new Chocolate Lava Crunch Cake, my mouth was watering. Doesn’t it look yummy?

LavaCakes_solo_small_png

 

Get One FREE!
Now through September 13th, when you buy any Pasta Bread Bowl starting at $5.99, you get a Chocolate Lava Crunch Cake free! Pretty great deal for dinner AND dessert! It’s nice to know that there are more options available at Dominos and you’d better believe I’ll be trying out the Bread Bowl & Lava Cake soon.

PastaLava_OSI_png

 

Want to see more? Watch the video below.

 

Win It
One Babes and Kids Reader will win a $15 Gift Card to Dominosgift-card-large

Here’s How to Enter:

  • Visit Dominos Pizza and tell me which Bread Bowl Pasta flavor looks good to you.

Additional Entries

  • Tweet about this giveaway. (once daily) – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries
  • Enter the Strong as Steel Giveaway (once daily) – 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on September 24th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

This article was written as part of a Dominos campaign, in which I was compensated for participating.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed Under: closed giveaways, reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Holiday Gift Guide 2009

September 9, 2009 By 2 Comments

WeihnachtsaromenHoliday Shopping
Looking for that perfect gift this holiday season?  Have someone on your list that is hard to buy for and need some ideas?  I’ve teamed up with 3 terrific mamas, (Kate from The Shopping Mama, Shannon of Potamus Prefers, and Kate of Mom Trend) to bring you a 2009 Holiday Gift Guide.  

The guide has something for everyone and you can find gifts by person or price.  It’s extremely easy to navigate, and will be updated multiple times a week with new gift ideas.  I already have some ideas for my boys!

You can find the holiday gift guide at:  www.holidaygiftguide2009.com.  So spread the word,  grab our button below and feel free to stop by whenever you’d like. :)
Holiday Gift Guide

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: Events

Bumbleride Indie Twin Review & Giveaway (closed)

September 9, 2009 By 1,485 Comments

Our family stays pretty active. With two young boys that are constantly on the go, that seems to be unevitable. So when it comes to a double stroller, I feel like we need something that matches our lifestyle. If you haven’t heard of bumbleride, let me introduce you. This is the Indie Twin, a luxury side by side double stroller.  Isn’t it pretty?  Not only does it look good, it has some great capabilities as well.

Picture 18

Pros
The pros with the Indie Twin are too many to count, so I’ve outlined some of my favorite features.

Design & Color
Although it may not seem as important, a lot of times the design and color scheme of a stroller is what initially attracts me. I’m the type of person that sees an animal or character print on a stroller and walks away. So of course, I was drawn in by the Indie Twin’s sleek design and color scheme. It comes in 5 fabulous colors. When choosing a color, it seemed rational to choose the black stroller. My reasoning was that it wouldn’t show dirt as easily. Then there was this aqua and orange stoller, also called Spice. I fell in love with the colors but thought it might get dirty easily. I definitely went back and forth, and finally decided on Spice. The light color could be a con as I mentioned it might show dirt easier, but the fabric is really nice and easy to wipe up. bumblerideindietwin
This awesome stroller holds up to 90 lbs. This means my boys will be able to ride in it for quite some time. At almost 4 and 20 months, their combined weight is around 63 lbs. I love knowing how much use you can get out of this stroller.

Adjustable Handle
The adjustable handle is so nice and can go from 32-45″. Sometimes with other strollers I feel like I am hunching down to push. Not anymore! I know my husband really loves this aspect as well. At 5’9″ and 6’1″, it’s definitely a great feature for us. The handle is nice and padded which is an added plus as well.handles

Lightweight and Slender
Although this stroller weighs 34 lbs, it feels so incredibly light when you are pushing it. It has a lightweight aluminum frame, folds down fairly small, and has carrying handles for getting it in and out of your vehicle when it is folded down. I think this concept was genius. Our other double stroller was incredibly awkward to put in our car because you weren’t quite sure where to grip it. The carrying handles on the Indie Twin make it simple.
At 29″ inches, it’s also very slender for a double stroller. It has fit through every door we’ve taken it through. This has included the mall, a local museum, and our own front door. To see how easy it is to push from my perspective, watch the video below.

Tires and Jogging
Although the Indie Twin isn’t a jogging stroller, it does an awesome job. I do notice if I don’t lock the front wheels while jogging that the back wheels skip a bit on the brake. I don’t have this problem when the front wheels are locked.
At 12″, these tires have a purpose! The front wheels swivel 360 degrees making the stroller SO easy to manuever.wheels
Other features of the Indie Twin:

  • Compatible with infant car seats listed here
  • Zip off canopy
  • Spacious cargo basket
  • Multi-adjustable back rest with flat position
  • Standard infant headrests and shoulder pads
  • Quick release 5 point safety harness
  • One step brake

Standard Accessories:

  • Air Pump
  • Jogging Strap
  • Cup Holder
  • Headrest and Shoulder Pads
  • Infant Seat Adapter Bar & Safety Belt

    • folded1

Cons:

Canopies
While the canopies provide great protection, I would love to see them have the ability to come all the way forward after you zip off the rear canopy panel so you can adjust where the shade is. I’ve noticed this feature on some baby car seats with the canopy and think it would be really nice on the bumbleride.

Back Rest Adjuster
The easy slide back rest adjuster is a great concept but is hard to operate when your child is in the seat. It’s easy to lay them down using the the adjuster but feels a little awkward getting them back in a sitting position when their weight is pushing against the back of the seat.back

Foot Rests
The foot rests are adjusted pulling a release on both sides of the foot rest. It is set up underneath and is a tight squeeze for your fingers when you lower the foot rest. It feels awkward and I pinched my finger once before I got the hang of it.

Overall Impression
I have to say that the pros definitely outeweigh the cons. I feel like there is so much more to this stroller. Watch for posts in the future to see additional accessories and see the bumbleride Indie Twin in action!

Price: $659.99

Where to Buy: Bumbleride

Win It
Thanks to bumbleride, one very lucky Babes and Kids reader will win a bumbleride Indie Twin!bumblerideside

Here’s How to Enter: (this entry is mandatory)

  • Visit bumbleride and tell me your favorite color and feature on the indie twin

Additional Entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US and Canada residents and will end at 11:59 MST on October 9th. Winner will be drawn via random.org, and will be announced on October 10th. Winner has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and a new winner will be drawn.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

BumblerideLogo

Popularity: 7% [?]

Filed Under: closed giveaways, Events, reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

YoBaby 3 in 1 meals – Review & Giveaway (closed)

September 8, 2009 By 135 Comments

Good NutritionYoBaby Meals
It’s not always easy to get your baby or toddler to eat what you put in front of them. Rowan is starting to get extremely picky, which is frustrating for me. He used to eat anything I put in front of him, and now he pushes most anything away unless it’s cookies or ice cream. YoBaby 3 in 1 meals help give your child that nutrition they need while providing great taste. Each 6 oz cup includes yogurt, fruit and veggies.

Pros: Many of you might have the same reaction that I did when you think of pureed veggies mixed with fruit and yogurt. Yuck. However, if it’s a product from YoBaby I was willing to try it. We love the YoBaby Yogurt and buy it on a regular basis. Upon opening one of the 3 in 1 meals, I mixed it up and tasted for myself. It was peach and squash and I couldn’t believe how good it was! The taste was creamy and it was quite sweet. I couldn’t even taste the squash. I gave it to Rowan and he had the whole 6 oz cup eaten in less than 2 minutes. The 3 in 1 meals come in three different varieties:

  • Peach and Squash
  • Pear and Green Bean
  • Apple and Sweet Potato

All three varieties are really good. They are organic and offer 35% of a toddler’s daily value of protein. Rowan has been eating one in the morning for breakfast and another one in the evening. I love knowing that they are good for him!rowanyobaby

Cons: Not all babies or toddler will or can eat 6 ounces in on sitting. I think it would be a great improvement if these had a lid on top that you could put back on to store in the fridge. As of now, they just have a foil cap that you peel back. I found myself on a few occasions having to put saran wrap over the top because Rowan didn’t quite finish the whole meal.
The cost is also quite a bit more. They retail for $1.29 which can add up quickly if your child is eating one or two a day. I noticed just yesterday that my Walmart is finally carrying them and they have them for $1.00 there. I also noticed that they have a coupon underneath the lid for buy 2 get one free. Saving the coupons will make it more cost effective.

The Bottom Line: Organic yogurt with fruit and veggie puree. Great source of protein. Would love to see a reusable lid on the product.

Price: $1.29

Where to Buy: Walmart, Natural Food Stores near you

 

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win a YoBaby 3 in 1 Meals prize package which includes: YoBaby reusable bag, an Eric Carle growth chart, a travel YoBaby bowl with lid and utensils, an organic YoBaby bib and 5 FREE YoBaby Meals CouponsYB Meals Giveaway

Here’s How to Enter:

  • Tell me what you like most about the 3 in 1 meals

Additional Entries

  • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on September 22nd. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: closed giveaways, reviews

Weekly Winners 7/31 – 8/6

September 6, 2009 By 5 Comments

winners

Kokopax Sunhat #48
Amy says:
August 17, 2009 at 3:18 pm (Edit)
I subscribe 2

The Shred Sled #4
Ashley B says:
August 20, 2009 at 1:26 pm (Edit)
I tweeted http://twitter.com/budicheeks/statuses/3433562488 #1

GoPicnic Meals #20, 173, 231, 241, 308
Christine Marshall says:
August 18, 2009 at 3:37 pm (Edit)
Commented on the outside post #3

Jeni says:
August 22, 2009 at 3:39 pm (Edit)
I would love to try SafariMunch

Lila says:
August 28, 2009 at 8:57 am (Edit)
discover forest – outside time post #3

LAura DeLuca says:
August 30, 2009 at 12:59 pm (Edit)
subscribe #1

Dddiva says:
September 1, 2009 at 6:56 pm (Edit)
Tweet 2 http://twitter.com/dddiva/status/3701076661

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: weekly winners

Sonic the Hedgehog & Super Mario Brothers

September 5, 2009 By 2 Comments

Saturday Morning Cartoons

I remember Saturday morning cartoons, watching Sonic the hedgehog and Super Mario Brothers with my brothers. So when we were able to review Sonic -Robots Attack and Super Mario Brothers – Off the Map, I was pretty excited. I knew they would be a hit with Chandler. We have Sonic and Mario games that Chan loves to play on our Wii so he knows the characters well. He also loves old cartoons.100123 Off The Map

At 75 minutes long, Off the Map includes 5 Super Mario Brother episodes which are:

  • Bad Rap
  • Too Hot to Handle
  • Mighty McMario and the Pot of Gold
  • Elvin Lives
  • Crocodile Mario

At only $5.99, it’s definitely a steal. You can purchase it from NCircle Entertainment

100124 Robots AttackRobots Attack runs 88 minutes and also has 5 different episodes. It also retails for $5.99 and can be purchased from NCircle Entertainment.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: this & that

Tandem vs. Side by Side Strollers – Featuring bumbleride

September 4, 2009 By 31 Comments

bumbleride-iconLooking for a Double Stroller?
When I got pregnant with Rowan, I knew I wanted and needed a double stroller.  The boys are just over 2 years apart, and I knew Chan wouldn’t be able to walk everywhere when Rowan made his debut. Plus, we love going for walks.  I didn’t do much research and bought the first double stroller I found.  I settled on a tandem. It seemed to do the job, but as the boys got bigger, I noticed it got harder and harder to push.  I found myself leaning into the stroller and really working hard anywhere we went.  When I got the opportunity to review the Indie Twin by bumbleride, I was more than thrilled.  You definitely know you are a mom when a new stroller feels like Christmas.  I immediately began to compare it to my tandem stroller and was shocked at how easy it was to push and how smooth the ride was.  I noticed the boys interacting more with each other and was pleased to see how well I could jog with it.  It definitely makes me motivated to exercise!bumbleride3
As an introduction to the bumbleride, I wanted to actually show you some of the pros and cons of both a tandem and side by side stroller – basically a comparison. For those of you looking at double strollers, I hope this will give you a little guidance as to what kind of stroller you will buy.

If you can’t tell by the video, the way the stroller manuevers is definitely my favorite feature. :)

A few more reasons I prefer the side by side Indie Twin:

  • Each child has a great view. In a tandem stroller, the child in the back has a limited view. I would often notice Rowan fussing and sticking his head out the side the older he got. He just couldn’t see very well.
  • Although the tandem stroller is better for very crowded places and malls, both seats do not fully recline. Both seats on the bumbleride fully recline.

Want to learn more about the bumbleride? Watch for another post next week, along with a bumbleride Indie Twin giveaway!

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Filed Under: reviews

Broken Bones?

September 3, 2009 By 2 Comments

I’m all about any sort of parenting tip that helps keep my children safe. I found this article interesting about broken bones and how to prevent them.boys playing soccer

According to pediatric orthopaedic experts from Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital, the top five common breaks/fractures seen among children are:

1)elbow

2)ankle

3)lower part of the humerus (another part of the elbow)

4)forearm

5) hip

Tips for fracture prevention and keepings kids bones safe include:

1)Proper adult supervision and home safety; Non-slip rugs, appropriate stools or ladders with non-skid legs, child safety locks on cupboard doors and drawers so children cannot climb up.

2)Protective gear, including wrist guards and helmets, braces and knee pads should be worn during roller-type activities

3)Avoid (or extreme caution during) high-risk activities, including riding on lawnmowers, trampoline use in the home, riding all-terrain vehicles

4)Keep children’s bicycles in good working order (use reflectors/light at dusk, teach child the rules of the road

5)Use playground equipment with a protective surface surrounding it (preferably rubber or shredded rubber)

Parents should be responsible for the needed safety equipment, education, maintenance and repair of any play equipment and involve the child in the process of learning the safety requirements of participating in the particular activity. If the child does not go through the proper safety educational training or agree to wear safety equipment they should not be allowed to get that type of play equipment or participate in the activity.

Strong bones are key in helping to prevent fractures. Tips to support bone health include:

1) Get enough calcium. Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital doctors recommend 1300 mg per day in a form that the child enjoys – milk, cheese, green vegetables or a daily children’s vitamin-mineral supplement.

2) Proper muscle development. As muscles develop they pull on the place they attach to the bone and the slow steady increase in the intensity of this during a progressive exercise, play, or activity program strengthens the bone at that attachment site. At least 25 to 40 minutes of rigorous daily exercise such as running, climbing or bicycling will aid muscle development and increase bone strength.

3) Vitamin D. Fifteen minutes of sunlight and citrus fruits are good sources of Vitamin D. Citrus fruits also help to prevent rickets, which is a softening of the bones in children caused by deficiency of Vitamin D that can increase a child’s susceptibility to fractures.

This article was posted for the purpose of informing parents. I found the information important and was not compensated by posting it.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: hip tips

Pirate’s Booty Snacks – Review & Giveaway (closed)

September 3, 2009 By 407 Comments

n95813994883_602It’s always fun for us to try a product that my kids think is fun to eat but is also very good for them. Pirate’s Booty is all natural, and there are so many flavors to choose from. Along with the flavors, they come in three different varieties: Pirate’s Booty, Tings, and Smart Puffs.

Pros: We received this fun treasure chest filled with different varieties of Pirate’s Booty. Chan’s face was priceless when we pulled it out of the box.
“Treasure Mom! It’s treasure! Hurry and open it!”booty2
Of course we didn’t waste any time trying our treasure once we opened the chest. Rowan proceeded to eat the whole bag of aged white cheddar, and then wanted more. I felt ok letting him do this because Pirate’s Booty is:

  • All-natural
  • Gluten free
  • Trans fat free
  • No preservatives
  • No artificial sweeteners
  • Kosher

We really liked most of the flavors as well. I was a big fan of the Smart Puffs in Real Wisconsin Cheddar. They were light and really yummy.
On the Pirate’s Booty website, you are able to see the nutrition facts and ingredients before you order. Always a plus! booty3

Cons: We left one bag of Pirate’s Booty open for a day. I went to eat more the next evening and noticed they tasted really stale. We had gotten a chip clip from Pirate’s booty, so I decided to conduct an experiment. I opened another bag, ate a bit out, and then chip clipped them. I went back the next day and they tasted just as fresh. So if you don’t eat the snacks in one sitting, put a chip clip on them to keep them fresh.
I also didn’t care for the veggie flavor. Maybe it’s just my taste buds or the fact that they are green. That didn’t stop Rowan though, he liked them. :) booty1
On the website, I noticed that you can only buy them in cases. I’d love to be able to have the option to buy them individually.

The Bottom Line: Healthy, crunchy snacks.

Price: $28 for a case of 24 (Pirate’s Booty)

Where to Buy: Pirate’s Booty Online

Win It
One Babes and Kids Reader will win a Pirate’s Booty treasure chest filled with delicious snacks and other goodies!

Here’s How to Enter:

Additional Entries

  • Become a fan of Pirate’s Booty on Facebook – 2 entries
  • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries
  • Fave me on Technorati – 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on September 17th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Filed Under: closed giveaways, reviews

I’m turning 1! + Amazon Giveaway (closed)

September 2, 2009 By 997 Comments

It’s My Birthday!

birthday cupcake iiiI can’t believe I’m turning one!  Ok, so not really.  I actually turned 1 a LONG time ago, but Babes and Kids is celebrating 1 year on September 4th.  I can’t believe how fast it’s gone.  I’ve definitely learned a lot about blogging and myself.  I’ve made some great friends through the process and have watched myself grow.  Being a mom is hard work, so writing has been a great outlet for me. Blogging wouldn’t be near as fun if I didn’t have readers who visit frequently, so I’ve decided to sponsor my own giveaway to reward one lucky reader! 
One of my favorite places to do online shopping is Amazon. It seems that you can find anything there. I’ve bought car seats, books, music, food, baby products and so much more.
 

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate

Here’s How to Enter:

  • Let me know where you are from and that you are here and reading!

Additional Entries

  • Tell me one of your favorite posts from this last year. – 2 entries
  • Tweet about this giveaway.(once per day) – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries
  • Enter the Strong as Steel Giveaway on the right sidebar. (once per day)

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US and Canada residents and will end at 11:59 MST on September 23rd. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Filed Under: closed giveaways, Events

Huggies Enjoy the Ride Instant Win Game

September 1, 2009 By 4 Comments

Picture 14Right now at Huggies Enjoy the Ride, they have an Instant Win Game.  You can find a bunch of codes at Freebies 4 Mom.  Once you login at Enjoy the Ride Rewards, enter your codes and go to the interactive game under “spend points.”  The game costs 2 points to play and I’ve won $30 so far from it. $20 one day, and another $10 the next day.

There are 4000 winners per day, so it’s really easy to win!  You can also earn points by buying huggies wipes, just look for the codes on the outside of the package.

I saw this deal on Money Saving Mom.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: deals & steals

National Play-Doh Day + Giveaway (closed)

August 31, 2009 By 399 Comments

playdohNational Play-Doh Day
September 16th is National Play-Doh Day.  We have plenty of Play-doh in our home, so we will definitely be celebrating.  I got Chandler a bunch of Play-Doh the Christmas after he turned 2. He was a little young for it at the time, but quickly grew into it. I love that it inspires his creativity and it’s an activity that engages him for a good amount of time. Plus, Play-Doh is fairly inexpensive which is incredibly nice!

Burger Builder
Play-Doh has a brand new play set coming out in September; The Burger Builder.Play-doh burger builderWe were given a sneak peek of the new set. As soon as it came in the mail, Chan was anxious to open the box.
He kept saying, “I’ll make a hamburger mommy? A big hamburger?”
The set was easy to put together and comes with:

  • 5 – 2 ounce cans of Play-Doh
  • Hamburger maker with interchangable molds
  • Twist a chip special tool
  • Plate, plastic knife and rollerchanplaydoh

Chandler is able to operate the hamburger maker, change out the molds and make hamburgers by himself. He does need some help with the chip mold, but I imagine older kids would be able to do it by themselves. The recommended age range is 3-8 years old.

Starting next week, Chan is part of a preschool group made up of him and 4 other kids who live in our neighborhood. I will be teaching once every 5 weeks. I know I will definitely be incorporating play-doh into our arts and crafts as it helps them develop and grow. Hasbro has some great lesson plans that I am definitely going to be incorporating as well.chanplaydoh2

Price: $14.99

Where to Buy:Most Major Retailers, Hasbro Shop

Win It
One Babes and Kids Reader will win a Burger Builder Play-Doh Set

Here’s How to Enter: (mandatory)

  • Visit Play-Doh and tell me another set you think would be fun to have.

Additional Entries

  • Tweet about this giveaway. (1 per day)- 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries
  • Enter the Strong as Steel Giveaway (can enter once per day) – 2 entries
  • Fave me on Technorati – 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest will end at 11:59 MST on September 14th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Filed Under: closed giveaways, Events

Weekly Winners 7/24 – 7/30

August 29, 2009 By 9 Comments

winners

Good Karma Squeakers -#88
Kim says:
August 12, 2009 at 5:45 am (Edit)
follow 1

Marshall’s Gift Card #268
Erica says:
August 17, 2009 at 7:52 am (Edit)
Daily Tweet: http://twitter.com/lacadazy/status/3361640167
Entry #2

Bach Kid’s Daydream Remedy #5,11, 14, 17, 18, 24, 28, 31, 34, 40, 41, 44, 46, 48, 51
Avry says:
August 13, 2009 at 5:09 pm (Edit)
I follow #2

Cynthia Mercado says:
August 14, 2009 at 4:27 am (Edit)
i follow #1

Benita G. says:
August 22, 2009 at 9:57 pm (Edit)
My niece’s immune system is weak, and I think these may help her to get stronger and healthier.

Jenna says:
August 24, 2009 at 1:41 pm (Edit)
Kelsie has had some issues with anxiety and I think I would love to check this out for her

Not So Average Mama says:
August 24, 2009 at 3:15 pm (Edit)
I would love to give it a try, I try not to medicate my children and we use a lot of homeopathic treatments here.

Kimberly says:
August 25, 2009 at 9:21 am (Edit)
I would like to try this because I hate taking or giving pills when the aren’t needed! I’m always looking for a new natural remedy.

Jess says:
August 25, 2009 at 10:05 am (Edit)
I follow

Beeb says:
August 25, 2009 at 1:06 pm (Edit)
I would like to win these because I think it would make a great present! Thank you for the giveaway!

Stephanie Hill says:
August 26, 2009 at 12:40 pm (Edit)
Sounds like your daughter might do better with Impatiens rather than Rescue Remedy. I’m looking forward to trying these new products; our family already successfully uses Rescue Remedy, Rescue Sleep and a few others as needed.

Kelly F says:
August 26, 2009 at 4:35 pm (Edit)
I follow #2

Jesslyn A. says:
August 26, 2009 at 10:59 pm (Edit)
Thanks for the intensely thoughtful and honest reviews – genuinely helpful!

I’d like the try the Bach Kid’s Remedies – because I’ve tried some of their adult remedies – with varying degrees of success. Though as you note each individual responds differently, they are certainly worth trying. I found several to be very helpful.

Read their literature for specific remedies. One, Wild Rose, I believe was very helpful to me after breast cancer surgery and ensuing “depression.”

Shannon says:
August 27, 2009 at 1:10 pm (Edit)
I would like to try this because it sounds like something that is safe and natural. This review was wonderful. I would love to talk to you about Dyspraxia. I am going to contact you

Night owl mama says:
August 27, 2009 at 6:14 pm (Edit)
I follow you

Gianna says:
 August 27, 2009 at 11:00 pm (Edit)
I’m always looking for something new to try and would love to know how well this works

Chris says:
August 28, 2009 at 9:00 am (Edit)
We have a child with multiple special needs, so much so that he receives disability and is enrolled in a special program at his school because of these needs. His needs have effected him to the degree that he has been held back a year in school already. Multiple techniques and therapies have been applied; some with positive and negative results. The most effective has been a strong prescription that has negative growth and long term effects.

I first read about the Bach remedies many years ago and for myself found the Rescue Remedy to be often very effective. I think this would be a great thing to try.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: weekly winners

MolliCoolz Shakers – Review & Giveaway (closed)

August 29, 2009 By 281 Comments

logoCool Treats
Imagine being able to have a milkshake almost immediately from the freezer. No blenders, no scooping ice cream, and it’s done in less than a minute. MolliCoolz shakers provide that convenience. Made with ice cream beads, you simply add milk to the fill line and shake your shaker for 30 seconds. Yum!

Pros: Each MolliCoolz Shaker is 4.2 ounces of ice cream beads. After adding milk and shaking, they melt together, creating a delicious milkshake. They are extremely convenient as you can pull them out of the freezer and enjoy a milkshake almost immediately.
I buy whole milk for the boys and would definitely suggest using it with the shake. It makes it that much more creamy.mollicoolz
The packaging is fun and the lid twists on an off, giving you a tight fit when you are shaking your shaker. These are a great treat on a hot day, and are really creamy with a great texture.
They are actually really cost effective as well. I found them at Walmart for $1.50.

Cons: When I put these in the freezer, my freezer was too cold. The beads stuck together and didn’t loosen or separate like they should when I shook them. So just make sure that your freezer isn’t too cold if you buy them. If you read this post, you know my freezer is having problems anyway.

The Bottom Line: Ice Cream beads that make a yummy milkshake when combined with milk.
 
Price: Under $2
 
Where to Buy: Find a Retailer Near you Here
 

 

Win It
One Babes and Kids Reader will win a 4 pack of MolliCoolz ShakersPicture 7

Here’s How to Enter:

Additional Entries

  • Tweet about this giveaway. (once per day) – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries
  • Fave me on Technorati – 2 entries
  • Enter the Strong as Steel Giveaway on the Right Sidebar (once per day) – 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest will end at 11:59 MST on September 12th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: closed giveaways, reviews

Dick’s Sporting Goods – $100 Gift Card Giveaway (closed)

August 27, 2009 By 569 Comments

One Stop Sporting Goods Source

If you’ve ever been into a Dick’s Sporting Goods you know how awesome they are. If there’s anything sports related you need, you can find it there. I’m naturally drawn to the workout clothes or swim section since I enjoy working out and swimming. How would you like to gear up for your favorite sport? Dick’s is making that possible for one Babes and Kids reader!

Babes-and-Kids_blogger-giveaway

Win It
One Babes and Kids Reader will win a $100 gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods

Here’s How to Enter: (both are mandatory to enter!)

  •  Follow @dickssportcmo on Twitter & leave your twitter ID (http://twitter.com/dickssportcmo)
  •  Comment on this post with an answer to the question “What would you buy at Dick’s with $100 and why?” 

Additional Entries (These entries will ONLY be valid of you complete the mandatory entries)

  • Enter the Strong As Steel Giveaway (right side bar, daily entry) – 2 entries
  • Tweet about this giveaway. (daily entry) – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents only and will end at 11:59 MST on September 11th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Filed Under: closed giveaways

Win a GE Appliance!

August 27, 2009 By 31 Comments

gelogoNeed a New Appliance?
I could definitely use some new appliances, especially a new refrigerator!  Here’s the fridge that came with our house.  It’s pretty old and is missing the bottom.  Plus, it’s really hard to find lights for the fridge part since it’s old, and the freezer has a hard time regulating.  It’s always too cold and I can’t figure out how to regulate it.

fridge

Here’s how it works:  You enter through the widget below, which is also on the sidebar once a day.  Just watch the short video and hit the sweepstakes button!

 One blogger and reader will each win their choice of:
(A) a GE® Tall Tub Built-In Dishwasher. Model # GLD6760NSS, ARV $649:
(B) GE® 25.0 Cu. Ft. ENERGY STAR® Side-By-Side Refrigerator with Dispenser, Model # GSH25ISX, ARV $1,499;
(C) a GE® Spacemaker® Over-the-Range Microwave Oven, Model # JVM1850SMSS, ARV $489;
(D) a GE® 30” Free-Standing Electric Range. Model #JB700SN, ARV $1,099; or
(E) a, GE® 30” Free-Standing Gas Range with Warming Drawer. Model # JGBP88SEMSS ARV $1,449

So enter once a day to up your chances! You can also gain additional entries to giveaways I am currently running EVERY time you enter the sweepstakes. (You can enter once per day)

The Sweepstakes is open only to persons who are legal residents of, and living within, the 48 contiguous United States and District of Columbia, and aged 18 or older.  Sweepstakes closes on November 15.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: Events

Pond’s Towelettes – Review & Giveaway (closed)

August 27, 2009 By 95 Comments

Picture 5I’m not always great about cleaning my makeup off before I go to bed at night. Sometimes I’m too tired or just too lazy. So when given the chance to try out Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes, I was excited because I was sure they would be convenient.

Pros: I was able to try out the Original Clean. Each towelette is already wet, ready for you to use. They contain a Triple Tea Antioxidant Complex, Vitamin E, and Chamomile.
I have really sensitive skin that gets extremely dry. These felt very gentle on my skin and I felt like I didn’t even need to use a moisturizer after I was done cleaning my face. They claim to take off 40% more than other towelettes, and I definitely agree. I’ve tried some generic wet towelettes, only to use a toner afterward and get off a lot more makeup. After using the Pond’s towelettes and then using a toner, there was hardly any makeup left for the toner to get off.ponds
Each towelette is nice and thick and quilted as well.
Great for traveling, you could put them in your bag and be able to wash you face whenever you needed! Pond’s also sells Micro-Dermabrasion and Age Defying towelettes.

Cons: The cloths measure 6″ by 7.3″. I wish they were a bit bigger as I tend to wear quite a bit of makeup. The scent on the original also seems like a bit much, I didn’t really care for it. It would be nice if Pond’s made an unscented wet towelette. They come in a pack of 30, and while that may last most a month, I occasionally had to use more than 1 to get all of my makeup off, meaning they wouldn’t last me an entire month. It would be nice to see them offered in a larger package.

The Bottom Line: Cleansing towlettes that are gentle enough for sensitive skin, and are great at taking makeup off.

Price:$4.79 – $5.07 for the Original

Where to Buy:A retailer near you.

 

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win a package of Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes.

Picture 6

Here’s How to Enter:

  • Visit Pond’s and tell me something about one of the other two towelettes they offer.

Additional Entries

  • Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
  • Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries
  • Enter the Strong as Steel Appliance Sweepstakes on the right hand sidebar.  You can enter once per day and will be entered to win an appliance from GE!  - 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest will end at 11:59 MST on September 10th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: closed giveaways, reviews

Wordless Wednesday

August 25, 2009 By 19 Comments

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

CIMG0632

Ingredients:

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • Cream Cheese
  • Bacon

These are SO super easy and delicious, and one of my favorite recipes. Wrap each of your chicken breasts in saran wrap and pound down with meat tenderizer to thin meat out. (By wrapping with saran wrap, it keeps the chicken from falling apart.  Don’t pound it too thin though!)  Unwrap from saran wrap.  Spread top of chicken breast with cream cheese. I’ve used regular and sour cream and chive. They are both delicious! Wrap chicken up and place in baking pan with seam side down. Wrap with bacon. I like to use the precooked kind. Cook at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.   You can also put a toothpick down the middle and grill these up if you want.  Serve with your favorite veggie!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: wordless wednesday

Jumpstart for Wii, Pet Rescue

August 25, 2009 By 6 Comments

PetRescueBlue1Back in July, we had a chance to test drive JumpStart, which is an award winning 3D world in which kid’s learn real skills such as math, reading, and critical thinking.  You can see the original post here.  Chandler loves playing JumpStart, and asks to play it often, so I was excited to find out that they are coming out with a Wii game!

About The Game
JumpStart Pet Rescue contains 5 Discovery worlds where Preschoolers navigate through 5 stories in a search for lost pets.

Each Discovery world contains a guided story told by one of the JumpStart friends, leading children on a learning adventure through more than 70 learning lessons and activities that teach kids over 75 essential skills they need to succeed. As kids progress through the adventures, they improve their pre-reading skills, memory, creativity, motor skills, listening, and much more!Picture14

Trying It Out
JumpStart for Wii has the same 3D virtual world, but I feel like it is actually more interactive since your child is up on their feet, using the Wii remote and nunchuk. Your child uses the nunchuk to run and explore, and then uses the controller to select. It took Chandler a bit of time to get used to using both controllers. As I tried playing the game, I thought it was fun and straightforward. There are so many worlds to explore, and it has Chandler’s favorite games from the computer version.  After about 10-15 minutes, he really got the hang of it, and was able to navigate and go wherever he wanted to.

Chandler loves riding down the slide and adopting pets. I think this is a great game and I love that it teaches skills. I really enjoyed playing it as well, and definitely give it two thumbs up!
The ERSB has rated Pet Rescue for Wii as “early childhood.”

Pet Rescue is scheduled to be released September 1st, so watch for it at a retailer near you!

Win It
JumpStart is giving away 25 copies of their new Wii game on their blog. Visit and leave a comment to be entered to win!WiiPetRescueCoverArt

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: reviews Tagged With: , , ,

LIVE Scentsy Giveaway 11 am, MST (closed)

August 25, 2009 By 238 Comments

LIVE Giveaway!new_fragrances
One of the Scentsy Car Kits went unclaimed, so I am giving it away in a LIVE giveaway!

Here’s how the live giveaway will work:
 The Giveaway will begin at 11 am, MST.  For your first comment you must tell me what Scentsy scent you want to win.

After that, you can comment about whatever you want, as long as your comments make sense/are a complete sentence. I will count moderated comments before I announce a winner.
Comment # 226 will win a Car Kit which includes a room spray and a car candle.
And just because I can, comment #67 and #182 will also win a car candle.  If you happen to be more than one of the winning comment #’s, you win more than once!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: Live giveaways

Free Shipping at Old Navy

August 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

cn1054632Now through August 26th at 11:59 EST you can get free shipping on any order from Old Navy using the online code SHIPFREE.  This applies to merchandise only, and is a great deal! You can also stack these codes:

SAVE15 for 15% off a $75+ purchase
SAVE20 for 20% off a 100+ purchase

This is definitely worth it if you live very far from an Old Navy or just need a couple things. I’m getting my boys some Halloween tees. Enjoy!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: deals & steals Tagged With: ,

WAT-AAH Challenge and Giveaway

August 23, 2009 By 158 Comments

We recently took a challenge. A WAT-AAH challenge.  Go ahead and say it to yourself because I know you want to.  Then keep reading.

sayit


See these two little boys?

CIMG0081

They are REALLY active. Which keeps me active. It’s really important to stay well hydrated in the summer, so when I found out about the WAT-AAH challenge, I was ready to jump on board!
BUT, First things first. Before I tell you about the challenge, I’m sure you’d like to know exactly what WAT-AAH is. Plain and simple, it’s bottled water, but with a cool twist. The branding is catchy, and I’d be lying if I said the label didn’t appeal to kids. Wat-aah comes in 4 varieties, each sporting an electrolyte, mineral, or Picture 3something else beneficial.

The Challenge
Without letting your kids know what WAT-AAH is, put it in the fridge next to the sugary drinks and see what they choose.
Simple enough, right? We all want our kids to drink more water anyways.

The Reaction
Upon seeing the bottle, Chan was immediately intrigued. We are at the what, where, when, why stage, so he immediately asked,
“What’s this?”
I told him it was Wat-aaahhhhh!! in my best voice. He thought it was funny and immediately wanted me to open it so he could drink it. Then he looked at me and said, “Tastes GOOD!”
He’s been running around talking about Wat-ahh and is more than excited to drink it. He’s even been sporting Wat-ahh tattoos on his chest. Rowan, well Rowan is 19 months old and drinks anything his mama gives him. So he’s been doing quite well with the Wat-aah challenge.
Who knew?

Want to take the Wat-aah challenge? Check it out here. You can also purchase Wat-aah at Amazon.

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader win a Wat-aah t-shirt and a few other Wat-aah goodies!Picture 4

Here’s How to Enter:

  • Let me know why you think the Wat-aah challenge is important.

Additional Entries

  • Follow WAT-AAH on twitter – 2 entries
  • Tweet about this giveaway. (use the retweet button at the top of the post) – 2 entries
  • Become a fan of WAT-AAH on Facebook – 2 entries
  • Follow me – 2 entries

Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on September 7th. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: closed giveaways, hip tips

Weekly Winners 7/17-7/23

August 23, 2009 By 3 Comments

winners

The Unexpected Gift #27, 99, 139
Joanne Schultz says:
August 5, 2009 at 2:03 pm (Edit)
#2 tweet- http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/3151815773

Bambi M says:
August 16, 2009 at 1:57 pm (Edit)
I’m a blog follower (entry 1)

susan smoaks says:
August 18, 2009 at 6:16 pm (Edit)
subscriber via feed

Scentsy #33, 228

Gingersnappy says:
August 7, 2009 at 8:37 pm (Edit)
I Love Vanilla Walnut.

Helen says:
August 22, 2009 at 8:09 pm (Edit)
I’d love to try Pomegranate Orange Zest.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: weekly winners Tagged With:

Natural Mat USA Review

August 21, 2009 By 1 Comment

What is Your Child Sleeping on?
sheep logo natural matEverytime you put your child down to sleep, do you know what kind of  chemicals and synthetic materials your child is being exposed to? Handcrafted in England,  Natural Mat offers crib mattresses and bedding that is 100% organic.  They don’t use glues, bonding agents, chemicals or synthetic materials.  We were able to try out an organic fitted cotton percale sheet in Rowan’s crib.

Pros: This sheet is made from 100% cotton percale.  It contains no bleach and is machine washable and dryable.  Upon putting it on the crib mattress, I noticed it has a snug fit and the cotton is quite soft.  It washes up well, and doesn’t shrink.  Natural Mat also offers these in their products:

  • Breathability
  • Non Allergenic and Non Dust Mite
  • Naturally Fire Retardant
  • Long Lasting Support
  • Handmade in England
  • Eco Packaging

TheNaturalMattCompany-135205 (2)

After reading more about the mattresses, I am curious to see if they would help Rowan with his asthma. We’ve had problems with his breathing since he was about 7 months, and although it’s been a bit better this summer, I’m sure the materials in his crib mattress aren’t helping any.

Cons: The only Con I could possibly think of would be the price. The mattresses start at $399 and the fitted sheet from this review retails for $45. That said, I am reminded of the long term benefits that you get with a natural mattress and bedding. What is our good health really worth? Would a natural mattress have saved me Dr.’s visits? I’m certain the crib sheet will be usable with our next child as well.

CocoMat.JPG


Discount Code: Use code bakrnm to get 10% off any Natural Mat order.

The Bottom Line: 100% natural and organic mattresses and crib bedding.

Price: Sheets starting at $45, Mattresses starting at $399

Where to Buy: Natural Mat USA

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: reviews

Pediped Review

August 19, 2009 By 18 Comments

pedipedlogoIt seems that from the time we bring a new baby home, we are constantly learning.  I know I am.  Diapers, Feeding, Clothing and more.  But how much do you know about your child’s feet and foot health?

Did you know?
A baby’s foot is not simply a smaller version of an adult’s. The bones in a baby’s foot are composed of cartilage, the same flexible substance you find in your ears and nose. Eventually, these bones harden to form 26 bones in your child’s feet that will last a lifetime. A shoe that is too rigid or even too tight can effectively change the shape of your child’s foot. This is why most physicians believe that barefoot walking is best for small children, because it allows for the natural development of the foot. Around 70% of foot problems come from wearing the wrong footwear or ill-fitting shoes. (As taken from the Pediped website)

Pediped is all about foot health, and it shows. About the company:
pediped™ footwear was created in 2004 by Angela and Brian Edgeworth. After their first daughter Caroline was born, Angela started to do a lot of thinking about footwear and the kind of shoes that would be best for her child. She wanted a shoe that was comfortable, stylish and could be worn both indoors and out. Most importantly, she wanted a shoe that was healthy for her daughter’s feet.

We were able to try the Jake shoes in Navy, from the Flex Line for Rowan.Picture 2

Pros: First of all, aren’t these shoes adorable? They are versatile and trendy at the same time. Pediped offers a large amount of styles, and and I about melted when I saw the new Couture collection. Maybe someday I’ll have a little girl :)
The flex line starts at a size 5 and goes up to a size 12.5. I love that this particular style has the laces without the ties. It’s a slip on with a velcro strap at the top of the tongue.
Pediped’s have a heel cushion which helps protect against impact and distributes pressure evenly on the foot. I have yet to see this in a shoe that we’ve reviewed, so I’m definitely impressed. When you think about how much your kids are running and jumping, it’s important to have the heel cushion.
They also come with the flex fix system which includes a 2mm removable insole. Rowan’s pediped’s have been extremely durable and still look almost brand new.
For younger children, Pediped has the true soft soled collection, which have a leather sole.

rowan1

Cons: It took Rowan a few days to get used to the Flex shoe. He is used to a true soft sole, like the Pediped originals. While the flex shoe has a lot of flexibility, it’s still a harder soled shoe. I imagine most children take a few days to transition, after all it takes time to get used to a harder soled shoe. I think the Pros greatly outweigh the Cons and will be buying more Pediped shoes for my boys!

Price: $19 and up

Where to Buy: Pediped Website

 

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Filed Under: reviews Tagged With: , ,
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