Dove Men + Care

• Brand’s first ever product line formulated specifically for men’s needs
• Provides the cleansing and refreshment that men want combined with Dove moisturizers to provide total skin comfort
• Built on the Dove brand’s heritage in cleansing, moisturizing and care
• Clinically proven to fight skin dryness
• No irritation or tightness
• Dermatologist recommended

Journey to Comfort
Dove wants men to be comfortable in their skin, thus the Journey to comfort. They are following three baseball superstars in their journey, one of which includes St. Louis Cardinals first basemen Albert Pujols. Watch the clip below to learn more:

I love the concept behind this, because it seems like Dove has taken the initiative to make women feel real beauty and comfortable in their skin.  Now it’s time for men to feel comfortable in theirs.

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win a Dove Comfort pack that includes: Body & Face Wash, Body & Face Bar, and the Active Clean Shower Tool

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

• Visit the Dove Men + Care Website and tell me which product you are most interested in.

Additional Entries

• Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
• Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
• Follow me – 2 entries
• Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries
• Become a fan of Babes and Kids on Facebook – 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 16th. 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.

Tweet This Post

It’s a super cute show, one that I enjoy watching with them, and it’s on for it’s second season. (Guess there are some other Chuggers that like it as well.) A few weeks ago, we invited some of Chandler’s best buddies for a Chuggington party.

Chuggington Party
We had a great party pack to get us started. It included coloring pages and crayons for each of the guests, special Chuggington hats, the theme song on cd, and popcorn. As each of the guests arrived, they got a Chuggington hat and were welcomed aboard the party. They colored pictures of Wilson, Brewster and Koko, and did a fabulous job.

After coloring, we played a few games including Conductor Says and Chugga Chugga. To see the kids playing the games and watching Chuggington, be sure to check out the video below!

We finished out our party by watching a few episodes of Chuggington and snacking on popcorn. Chan talked about it all day, and since Chuggington is always set to record on our dvr, we will never miss an episode!

And if you have a Chuggington fan in your home, be sure to check out the Chuggington store for lots of great toys.  The Chuggington website is also interactive and includes video, games and more.   Although we had most of Chandler’s friends at the party, Rowan is my true fan.

I am a Chuggington Conductor!  I was provided with materials mentioned in this post to throw a Chuggington party from the representing PR agency and company.  All opinions remain traintastically my own.

Tweet This Post

Discover Fresh Abundance
About Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes from their website:

Let’s just say within 24 hours of being in the ground, it’s on a refrigerated truck on its way to us. Our food is made from scratch every day. Our salad bar buffet features over 50 fresh ingredients, including specialty tossed and prepared salads. In addition to salads, we serve original recipe hot pastas, hand-crafted soups, scratch-made muffins, and Focaccia breads in our hot buffet. Create. Indulge. Enjoy.

Our Experience
As soon as we walked in the door, we were greeted with a huge salad bar. I thought this was a bit different, and it definitely stood out in my mind. We picked up plates for hubby and me, and trays for the boys, and were on our way. I filled up my plate with tons of fresh greens and vegetables, and made a salad that was quite delicious. One thing I noted was how clean everything seemed. There’s nothing that will turn me off faster in a restaurant than one that isn’t clean. Hubby and I love salad, but I didn’t see much there that the boys would like. After you get your salad, you pay for your food and are seated. We used complimentary dining passes that we received, but still had to pay for the boys. I was pleasantly surprised to find that children 2 and under were free, and that 4 year old Chandler’s meal was only $2.50 and came with a drink. This makes me more inclined to come back. Very affordable. I believe the adult pass was around $8.95. Once seated, the boys were whining because the small pasta salad they had on their plate they didn’t want. So it was off to explore the rest of the options. I was excited to find chicken noodle soup, breadsticks, macaroni and cheese, and homemade chili; all perfect things that the boys love.

There were probably 7-8 different soups to choose from, and let’s just say I had more than one bowl of the Indian Lentil, which was part of the Asian themed foods that they had at the time. It was spicy and delicious!
And when we were all done with dinner, there was ice cream with toppings, and chocolate mousse. Overall the experience was fantastic, and I would dine there again.

Around the World in Eight Weeks
Starting at the first of August, (which is now sadly almost over,) Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes is letting you experience tastes from around the world. Every two weeks, you can experience tastes from all over the world. Although the promotion is half over, you can still experience Greece from September 1-14, and Mexico from September 17-29.

Don’t forget to pick up coupons before you go so that the whole family can eat for less. Kids’ activity sheets are available for download which also include coupons for 99 cent kid’s meals and $19.99 family dinner coupons! And, get 10% off on your next visit by sharing your trip around the world by sending a virtual postcard from the different countries you’ve “visited” to friends and family via email, Facebook or Twitter.

Win It
Two Babes and Kids readers will win 2 complimentary dining passes, good at Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes

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

• Visit Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes and tell me the closest location near you.

Additional Entries

• Tweet about this giveaway – 2 entries
• Follow Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes on Facebook & Twitter - 2 entries for each
• Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
• Follow me – 2 entries
• Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries
• Like Babes and Kids on Facebook – 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 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 Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes and Family Review Network.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Tweet This Post

Moon Dough

Pros: Moon Dough is light, and not greasy. It molds together, and when you make an animal with this set, it stays together really well. The actual set is very fun and my boys have really liked it. To make an animal, you put the dough into the top of the barn, crank twice, and out comes your animal. (chicken, cow, or sheep) There is also a part on the right side that catches the leftover dough that isn’t used in molding the animal, which was quite nice. The set comes with two other molds that are a fence and hay.
One thing that might be especially important to parents is that the dough is hypo-allergenic and wheat free. That means it’s great for kids that might have allergies! I also love that it never dries out. I have to replace other molding compounds that we have on a somewhat of a regular basis because they do dry out.

Cons: The first time that the boys played with this, we had them up to the table. The dough tends to crumble easily, and with younger kids, the mess gets out of hand quickly. We were finding moon dough for days after, and some even got tracked onto my carpet. Yes, this is partly our fault, and my carpet cleaner took the blue dough out, but it is a mess. This last time that we played with it, we did it on the floor in the kitchen. The mess was much more tolerable and it was easier to clean as we went. It would also be great for outdoor play.

Price: $19.99

Where to Buy: Amazon

The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by Team Mom and Moon Dough.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Tweet This Post

The Dunk

Enjoying The Moment

Disclosure about not disclosing – I like Oreos. I did not get a sample. I didn’t get paid. They are just that good. They are even better when they are enjoyed with a certain 4 year old little boy.

Tweet This Post

Our Stay at The Hampton Inn & Suites
This wasn’t our first stay at the Hampton, and definitely will not be our last. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, and the lobby was beautiful.

The boys were more than excited that we were staying on the 11the floor because that meant a long elevator ride. I think they could ride elevators all day long. The room that greeted us was beautiful. Plenty of space, very clean, and little details made the room that much more appealing.

After bringing in our luggage, we decided to take the boys down to the pool. It was perfect for families, and even had a little splash area for younger kids. Rowan played there the entire time and never got bored, plus it was only a couple feet deep, so I didn’t have to worry as much about him.

After swimming, we headed back upstairs to watch tv and wind down for bed. After climbing into bed, something that I already knew about The Hampton was reaffirmed. The beds are SO soft and comfortable, and the linens are really nice. I was also able to pull out my laptop and surf the internet on fast free WiFi. (Because we all know I can’t be disconnected from my online world for an entire week!) We all slept well that night, in a cool, quiet, dark room.

The next morning, we headed down for a hot breakfast. It was definitely a highlight of the stay. We made waffles, had omelets, fresh fruit, yogurt, sausage and more. I loved that we could make our own waffles! A breakfast like this would have easily cost our family $20-25 elsewhere, so this was a nice treat. We headed out for the rest of our trip feeling happy and refreshed.

After spending 6 days in Oregon, we began to make our long trek home. Once again, we stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Boise, and our experience was just as fantastic. The Hampton Inn is a family friendly hotel, and here are some of the amenities they offer to prove that:

• Children’s Activities
• Cribs
• Family Package Offered
• High chairs
• Playpen

I could honestly go on about what a great stay we had. I mentioned at the first that this was not the first time we’ve stayed at a Hampton, and it will not be the last. If you are looking to book a family trip somewhere in the near future, I’d encourage you to see if there are Hampton Inn & Suites for you to stay at. You won’t be disappointed.

Hampton Inn & Suites provided me with 2 nights to facilitate this review.  My thoughts and opinions remain 100% my own.

Tweet This Post

What Would You Do?

From Discover:
This year, every purchase you make with your Discover card is another opportunity to win one of 75 daily prizes—up to $500—or a $1 Million Grand Prize! That’s why Discover reached out to filmmakers from around the world to get their take on what it would be like to win $1 Million. Out of hundreds, four independent filmmakers were selected to show films based on their interpretation of the thrill, drama and joy of what it would be like to be the Grand Prize winner.

There were 4 videos selected, and after watching all 4, I have to say that this one is my favorite. It’s called Good Fortune. I love the message that it sends, and as sappy as it sounds, it tugged at some heart strings. After all, if you won 1 million dollars, why not share with others and make someone else’s day.

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win a 4 tickets to Six Flags! (valid thru 1/5/2011, no black-out dates)

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

• Visit Discover Card here, watch the final 4 videos, and let me know which one is your favorite.

Additional Entries

• Tweet about this giveaway. (daily entry) – 2 entries
• Subscribe to my feed via e-mail – 2 entries
• Follow me – 2 entries
• Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries
• Become a fan of Babes and Kids on Facebook – 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 8th. 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 giveaway and information in this article was provided by Discover and representing agency.  I did receive a dvd set for posting this giveaway.

Tweet This Post

Tweet This Post

Double Box Tops
From Aug. 15-28, stop by your local Target® and receive double Bonus Box Tops instantly when you buy 5 or more participating General Mills, Avery, Hefty, Juicy Juice and Welch´s Box Tops for Education® products and earn more for the participating school of your choice. With so many products to choose from, your family´s favorites are sure to be on the list!

Visit GrocerySavvy.com for more details and great back to school savings offers

I’d encourage you to check and see if your child’s school participates and become active in the program. Education is so important, and every bit of extra funding helps.

Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win a Box Tops Prize Pack that includes:
Avery Binder, Betty Crocker Fruit Gushers Variety Pack, Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni, Hefty CinchSak Trash Bags, Honey Nut Cheerios, Juicy Juice 8-Pack Juice Boxes (flavors may vary), Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, Welch´s Concord Grape Jelly, as well as 25 Bonus Box Tops and a $25 Target® gift card to use to purchase your favorite participating Box Tops items.

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

• Tell me a school close to you that participates in Box Tops for Education.  If you aren’t sure if your school participates, you can find a list on the first page of sign up by simpling entering your zipcode.

Additional Entries

• Tweet about this giveaway. (daily entry) – 2 entries
• Subscribe to my feed via e-mail or/and rss – 2 entries for e-mail, 2 entries for rss
• Follow me – 2 entries
• Comment on any non giveaway post that you haven’t previously commented on – 2 entries
• Become a fan of Babes and Kids on Facebook – 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.

This article was written in part with General Mills and My Blog Spark.  I received box top products and a gift card to Target.  They also sponsored the giveaway and provided information.  All opinions remain 100% my own.

Tweet This Post

Scooters

About
Shred Sled, a company specializing in extreme sports products for children is introducing the Shox Scooter, the first-ever active shock absorber scooter that allows riders to perform higher, faster, more awesome tricks. Unlike traditional scooters, the Shox Scooter’s supreme shocks increase a rider’s speed and air-time, making stunts bigger and better.

Shox Scooter in Action
This particular scooter is appropriate for kids ages 5+. Chan will be 5 in 2 months, so I figured he was close enough that it would be age appropriate for him. There are a bunch of things that are nice about this scooter, versus a traditional scooter. It has an innovative spring sock deck that absorbs impact and also springs back to increase the rider’s power. Now, obviously a 5 year old isn’t going to care too much about this, but I got on to give it try in feeling the springs. I definitely feel a give in deck and can tell a difference versus a normal scooter. The deck is a bit smaller than that of traditional scooters, so I thought it might be a bit hard for Chan to keep his balance and catch on since he is on the young side of the age recommendation. This, however is not a problem, and he’s catching on quite quickly as you can see from the video below. Now all he needs is a helmet and he’s set!

Other great features include:

• Easy-to-grip foam handles
• Adjustable handles
• Lightweight
• Folds in half

From what I can see, this is a really great product, and it seems durable as well.  I feel like our perspective is a bit limited since we have a 5 year old using it that doesn’t do any tricks.   I’d love to get my 14 year old nephew on this and see what kind of tricks it can really do!

Price: $59.99

Where to Buy: Retailers Nationwhie and ShredSled Online.

Tweet This Post