My newest little one, Juliana (7 months) and I got to try out some Green Babies brand organic bath products this past week! The products we received included Energizing bubble bath, Calming bubble bath, Lotion Potion moisturizer, Baby Me shampoo and wash and Smooth Me Detangler.

The detangler I promptly gave to my friend (with 3 girls) because Juliana’s hair isn’t really long enough yet and I barely have time to brush my hair in the morning anyway! She said that it worked pretty well but it left a fragrant that didn’t go away.

I tried out the Calming bubble bath the other night and then used it on Jules tonight for her bath. It smells beautiful! Not at all strong, just enough scent and lots of bubbles! A little goes a long way with these soaps which is great because they will last awhile.

The lotion has a sweet baby scent according to the label and it’s so right. Again, not a strong scent but a nice scent and it made Juliana’s skin nice and soft.

Green Babies’ new body care line is plant and fruit derived, vegan, hypo-allergenic and tear-free. These products contains no SLS, no paraben, no petroleum by-products, no synthetic fragrances and no eye irritants and they are also completely not tested on animals.

I really loved the Green Babies bath products, and what’s even better is that they aren’t expensive!

Since 1994, Green Babies ® has offered an extensive line of natural and organic baby products, including certified organic cotton clothing, wooden toys and natural parenting books. On the frontlines of the organic movement, mom of three Lynda Fassa conceived Green Babies ® when she found a dearth of healthy baby products for her then newborn. A former Ford Model, Lynda wasn’t always the crunchy-granola type, but “greened up” her act while pregnant with her first daughter—veggies and organic smoothies replaced diet soda and cheap takeout.

BUY IT : You can find Green Babies products for sale at their website (http://www.greenbabies.com/catalogue/cat1.htm)

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

I’ll be the first to admit, that teaching is not for me. I get incredibly impatient and wonder why on earth, does my child not recognize the word, despite him seeing it so many times! When I first learnt about Stepping Stones Together, I was a little apprehensive. I wasn’t sure if I (not my son, me) was ready. As I explored this Beginning Reader Program, I became a little bit more confident that it may work, looking at at how it was structured.

About Erika Burton (founder of Stepping Stones Together) :

Erika Burton, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Stepping Stones Together, LLC, a new, low cost, online beginning reading program for children ages 3-7, whose mission is to make positive changes in the academic achievement of children. Burton, a Glencoe resident and mother of three young children, founded Stepping Stones Together to empower parents with tools and knowledge needed to instill a lifetime foundation of love and commitment to reading while creating an invaluable bond with their child. Stepping Stones Together will donate a portion of their proceeds directly to the Myeloma Institute, which will help support the institutes’ efforts to advance the treatment and potential cure of Multiple Myeloma, a type of cancer affecting more than 50,000 Americans.

Stepping Stones Together is a personalized beginning reading program consisting of:

• A choice of 30 high interest themed stories from our beginning reading library, which is comprised of 3 difficulty levels.
• Over 100 reading comprehension questions designed to build your child’s reading comprehension skills, along with thinking, reading fluency, speaking and writing abilities. (early reading benefits)
• A daily writing program linked to your child’s daily reading to extend your child’s reading and writing abilities.
• Extension games that encourage your child to use their newly acquired reading skills as well as explore the benefits and joys connected with being a reader.
• A personalized behavior incentive chart for each series of stories to motivate your child to record their daily progress.
• A personalized certificate acknowledging their achievement after completing a leveled series every 10 days. Each reading series is comprised of 5 stories at a given level read twice. E-alerts to keep you on target with the program, which are directly linked to your personalized profile.

Subscribe to it! : As there are 3 difficulty levels, I naturally started my 5 year old at the easiest level. At this point, I knew that he has been aware of print words and he recognized that alphabets do make up many kinds of words. This program provides a simple guide for the parent on how to use the books. On a overall basis, this guide aims to positively reinforces the child’s confidence in reading by letting them predict what the book is about, by looking at the illustrations. I think this helps a great deal. By looking at the words (and illustrations), and sounding out beginning letters, I found my son was able to say the words, a lot more confidently, than if it was just a wordy-book.

My 5 year old enjoyed alot of the books and especially, the illustrations. He particularly liked the ones with the ‘Super Heroes’ and ‘Dexter the dinosaur’. AND! He also (finally!) managed to differentiate between the ‘b’ and the ‘d’, thanks to a little video guide included in there.

We’re still halfway through the program, but I have to say, he has been progressing very well, and he really enjoys reading the books from Stepping Stones Together! This program does aim to ensure that your child is reading within 90 days, with parental involvement.

I personally found that ever since we started this program, we do like to snuggle up for our reading time and him, being a middle child, does enjoy this lil quiet time that I ordinarily would not have found time for. I’m glad I did, even though it meant less time for everything else!

The Stepping Stones Together Program is priced at $19.99 for 90 days or $39.90 for a full year’s membership. There is also a preview where you can read the demo books.

Win it! : Stepping Stones Together is generously giving away one lucky reader, a 1 year membership and all you have to do is :

• First mandatory entry- Tell us one fun fact about Erika Burton!
• Second additional entry- follow Stepping Stones Together on facebook (and tell them we sent you) or twitter. Leave us a comment including which you did and a valid email address.
• Third additional entry- follow Parent Reviewers on twitter and tweet this giveaway. Leave us a comment including your twitter id and the tweet url.
• Giveaway ends June 5th, 2011.
• Giveaway is open to all (as it is online, so you’ll definitely need your PC and internet!) and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Good Luck!!

TO THE WINNERS OF

Biozet Attack Ecosmart Laundry Detergent

Claire Orr #28

AND

The Magic Bowl: Potty Training Made Easy (DVD+Book)

Andrew Dankleff #2

The winners are required to do the following:

1. Submit your relevant info via the Winner’s Submission Form Below; AND
2. Leave a comment in this post to let us know you have submitted.
3. If any winner does not claim her prize by the 27th May 2011, we will do a second draw.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAD PARTICIPATED.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

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GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

This time, my boys reviewed the “Handy Manny Motorcycle Adventure” DVD. So, it was natural that they told me, what it was all about and whether or not they liked it.

According to them, Handy Manny and his tools plans to go on a road trip back for a family reunion. But, Pat the Hammer, decides to go on a search for his own family, and as a result, Handy Manny and the rest of the tools, take a detour to look for Pat, Squeeze and Flicker, and goes through a great adventure. As they cruise along the trip, they make pit stops, helping out everyone along the way, fixing and mending things, AND gets helped in return!

They find Pat, Squeeze and Flicker at the end, and Handy Manny gets to reunite with his family.

Buy It! : My boys loved it. Then again, they’ve been fans of Handy Manny for a long time, and always loved fixing things. There’s always the singing, which is highly entertaining, and of course, adventure! Lots of it in this full-length movie! I thought it was great because it emphasized the importance of family, and the support and unconditional love we get from family. When Pat couldn’t locate his family of hammers, the other tools rally around and reassure him that they are all his family. Personally to me, this was really cool, because I feel that we don’t have to born into a family, to be a family. This DVD is set to be released on April 6th 2011, in Australia.

Win It! : One lucky reader will get a chance to win the “Handy Manny Motorcycle Adventure DVD” and here’s how :

• One mandatory entry – Tell us why you like Handy Manny!
• Two additional entries – Follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win a Handy Manny Motorcycle Adventure at parentreviewers.com“  with a link back to this post. Please leave an additional comment including your twitter id and your tweet url. You can do this daily until the giveaway closes.
• Two Additional Entries- Are you a subscriber? You get 2 extra entries just for that! If not, best you subscribe right now!
• Two Additional Entries- Post this on FB and share this piece of good news with your friends!!!! Let us know if you’re a fan too!
• Giveaway open to Australian shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends April 4th 2011 and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of the DVD courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment via Aussie Mummy Bloggers. No financial payment was offered nor accepted for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Imagine this, you are sitting on the bus with nothing to do, the ride ahead of you is the same every afternoon without fail, then you hear the faint sound of Joe Satriani playing in the background. Looking over in the isle next to you is someone playing guitar on their shirt with a mini-amp attached to their belt buckle, Or a keyboard on their shirt blasting out some techno Chopin. How could this not be the BEST bus ride ever?

ThinkGeek.com has outdone them selves again. They never fail to amaze me; I was stunned by the T-Qualizer shirt which I used to see in the clubs from time to time. Now, they have come out with the Kids Electronic Rock Guitar Shirt and Drum Kit Shirt.

Each T-shirt has:

• Battery pack with speaker stores in hidden pocket near hem of shirt
• Adjustable volume… the top volume level is really loud
• Black 100% cotton shirt
• Requires 4 AAA batteries (not included)
• Exclusive product designed and manufactured by ThinkGeek
• Electric guitar and drum kit T-shirts for young rockers that produce authentic sounds for rocking out
• Belt out your favorite rock tunes on these t-shirts based on real playable instruments
• Each button on the shirt’s guitar neck represents a major chord, which makes playing classic rock songs easy
• Drum shirt features 7 different drums and sounds and has an embedded speaker
• Strum the guitar by waving the included magnetic pick over the strings

BUY IT : If you think you don’t get enough “playtime” with the kids in your life, I challenge you to go to ThinkGeek.com, grab these shirts and see how long it takes for your kids (and you) to be jamming out at the kitchen counter for at last a half an hour.

These shirts go way beyond my expectations and have always met with the quality of ThinkGeek.com. In fact, I have seen co-workers around the office with some of these shirts on. They are perfect for the young and old alike, get a handful of them and get ready for a rockin’ good time, it’ll be a HUGE hit.

WIN IT : Now, one of our lucky US reader will have an opportunity to win a piece of Kids Guitar & Drum Kit Electronic T-Shirt which retails for $29.99. Here’s what you need to do to enter this giveaway:

• One Mandatory Entry- visit the ThinkGeek website and let us know which Interactive T-shirt design is your favourite
• Two Additional Entries- follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway.  Be sure to leave a comment including your twitter id and the tweet url.
• Five Additional Entries- leave us a comment letting us know which of our blog tour product appeals to you
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends March 22nd 2011 and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

So- I have to admit I am not the most technologically advanced Mama on the block.  In fact, I had a flip phone until just a few weeks ago.  Imagine my surprise when my sweet husband brought home an actual smart phone for me- one that has internet, email, and so many apps it makes my head spin.  I have always considered myself one of the smarter people on the planet- at least until I tried to use a “smart phone”.  They have a way of bringing you down a few notches on the smart scale!!

I do, however, have an iPod that my husband bought me for Christmas a year ago…it’s actually funny- I say I have an iPod when what I actually mean is that my two children have MY iPod.  They use it so much more than I do and it is a bit embarrassing when your young children have to explain to you how to use an iPod.

One of my children’s favorite things to do on my iPod is to watch Netflix movies while waiting in various places- doctor offices, post office, bank, etc.  They would often complain that one couldn’t see well or that their hands and necks were hurting from bending over the little movie screen.  Lucky for us there are some REALLY smart people in the technology world who heard our cries of pain and have come out with a great little accessory for the iPod, iPhone and iPad called the iChair.

The iChair is a great dual layer, soft shell case for any of your iDevices that turns them from a handheld into a freestanding device with just a quick flip.  It allows for hands free viewing in both landscape and portrait modes allowing for much more enjoyable use in watching movies, reading books, etc.

It has completely solved our problems with viewing for my two children as well as the neck and arm pain that goes along with holding a traditional handheld device.  In fact, the only problem now is the squabbles about who gets to set up the iChair feature of our iPod.

About the iChair:

Founded in 2010, iChair is the creation of a few crafty individuals who saw the need for a stand on their Apple devices. The passion that Apple consumers have for their devices inspires us here at iChair to design and develop revolutionary products that can change the way we all use our mobile devices.

In designing iChair, we kept simplicity and functionality at the forefront of our strategy. Utilizing the highest quality materials, locking mechanisms and advanced manufacturing techniques, we produced a product that provides ultimate functionality, sleek looks and is sure to be a case your iDevice can’t live without!

Features include:

• Stylish cases with integrated stands provide ultimate utility to iDevice users on-the-go
• Rubber-coated, matte finish produces a velvety feel
• Integrated pull-out stands contribute to the ultra slim profile design
• Cases come standard in black with an additional top slider case in either white or blue
• Screen protector, dust cloth and squeegee board included with all cases (iPhone 4 cases include front and rear screen protectors)
• Cases available for iPhone 4, iPhone 3G/S and iPod Touch

Buy it: The iChair has designs for the iPod touch, iPhone 3 & 4, and the iPad.  It can be purchased on the iChair website.

Win It: The wonderful developers of the iChair have generously donated one unit of iChair  to one of our lucky readers.  To enter:

• One Mandatory Entry- visit the iChair website and let us know which design and color you would prefer if you were the winner.
• Two Additional Entries- follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway.  Be sure to leave a comment including your twitter id and the tweet url.
• Five Additional Entries- leave us a comment letting us know which of our parenting articles have been most helpful to you.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends March 15th 2011 and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Good Luck!!

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

The Bar Method is pleased to offer ONE of our readers the opportunity to win a copy of their new Pregnancy Workout DVD and a Bar Method Onesie! Now, I am sure you are curious to know that  The Bar Method DVD is all about. Check out the details below:

The Bar Method is full-body exercise program created by Burr Leonard. The workout utilizes a ballet bar fitness technique and draws from the principles of isometrics, dance conditioning, interval training, and physical therapy. The result is a noticeable “Bar Method” sculpted body featuring:

• Firm, elongated muscles
• Reduced body fat
• High muscle definition in the chest
• Improved posture
• Long, narrow thighs
• A lifted seat and defined hamstrings
• Strong, flat abdominals
• Increased stamina and energy
• Extended youthfulness

*Also available, Beginner’s Workout DVD and Dancer’s Body Advanced Workout DVD.

The Bar Method’s Pregnancy Workout DVD Master teacher Lee Potter in her third trimester with twins adds her own special wit and playfulness to the Bar Method’s pre-natal workout, a long-standing and popular class at its flagship studio in San Francisco. Lee leads you through this 45-minute long series of gentle, safe and challenging moves, including free-weight work, thigh exercises, standing seat-work, and abdominal strengthening exercises performed while propped up on pillows. Lee’s fellow performers are Hannah Blue, co-owner of the Downtown San Francisco studio and Lauren Dunning, a teacher at the Downtown San Francisco studio, both appearing in this DVD in their second trimester. As Lee puts it, this DVD “will help you feel strong during your pregnancy, will assist you in delivering your baby, and will snap you right back into shape.” Retail: $20.00 About The Bar Method www.thebarmethod.com

WIN IT : If you wish to win a copy of The Bar Method Pregnancy Workout DVD and a Bar Method onesie (size 6 months), here’s what you need to do:

• One mandatory entry – Head over to The Bar Method website and tell us, one benefit gained from this workout when you’re pregnant
• Two additional entries – Follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win  Onesie and The Bar Method Prenancy Workout DVD“  with a link back to this post. Please leave an additional comment including your twitter id and your tweet url. You can do this daily until the giveaway closes.
• Two Additional Entries- Are you a subscriber? You get 2 extra entries just for that! If not, best you subscribe right now!
• Two Additional Entries- Post this on FB and share this piece of good news with your friends!!!! Let us know if you’re a fan too!
• Giveaway open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends March 8th 2011 and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

Here are our winners for the past two months:

1. Dec 2010 subscriber draw – Chicken Soup For The Soul : Christmas Magic

• Holley VanDenBerg
• Donna Hunt

2. Jan 2011 subscriber draw – Chicken Soup For The Soul : Shaping The New You

• Shannon Reynolds
• Eve Stroud
• Waiting for winner to reply

For our February 2011 draw, Chicken Soup is sponsoring another 3 books for giveaway.  Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grieving and Recovery contains 101 Inspirational and Comforting Stories about Surviving the Loss of a Loved One.

Grieving is a process everyone goes through in their own way. It often feels overwhelming and as if the sorrow will never end. While the hurt and sadness never completely fade, it eases with time. This collection of emotional and inspirational stories will provide comfort and peace to those mourning the loss of someone close. Others who have lost a loved one share their stories of what helped, offering guidance and support. With its stories of regaining strength, appreciating life, coping, and faith, this book will help ease the journey to healing.

If you are our email subscriber, you will automatically be entered into our monthly draw.  Yup, it’s that easy!

* Prizes will be shipped to US and Canada shipping addresses only

Disclosure : Giveaway copies of the above books are courtesy of www.chickensoup.com

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

I am a pillow hog… I love pillows- the fluffier and yummier, the better!!  I was thrilled to be asked to review a great product from Dacron- the mini pillow.  The only problem was that my daughter is almost as much of a pillow hog as I am and as soon as it arrived she claimed it as hers.  It is the perfect size for her little head and she loves that it is little enough to take on the road with us.  She has taken that mini pillow everywhere for the last week or so.

So… what makes Dacron filled pillows so wonderful:

The DACRON® brand was launched in 1959, as a versatile, easy to care for polyester. Today the brand is still strong in the minds of today’s bedding consumer and associated with attributes such as quality and durability.

The DACRON® brand has developed a new quality seal that assures consumers that products bearing the seal are filled with high quality branded fiberfill from INVISTA.

DACRON® offers the following fiberfill choices:

DACRON® Comforel® fiberfill – Brings lasting comfort and softness to pillows and other bedding products. For consumers who want an easy to care for alternative to a down pillow, look for pillows filled with DACRON® Comforel® fiberfill.

DACRON® Performa® fiberfill – Some consumers like freshness, some want more support, Pillows filled with DACRON® Performa® fiberfill fit the bill for a variety of consumer needs in bedding.

DACRON® Duralife™ fiberfill – Long lasting durability and a great value make pillows of DACRON® Duralife™ fiberfill an easy choice.

Trust is so important when choosing products for my family.  Dacron has a brand new quality seal,  assuring that when you see this seal, you’re getting a great Dacron product and you can “Trust What’s Inside” and that “It Just Feels Good”.

The Dacron fiber quality seal is based on a legacy of fiber technologies that have earned people’s trust for more than 50 years. Over two-thirds of consumers noted that they were familiar with the Dacron brand in a 2010 nationwide survey, showing that Dacron has one of the highest levels of consumer awareness among popular home furnishings.

I know that we love the Dacron pillow we were given and I believe that you will love them for your family as well.

The wonderful people at Dacron have offered a pair of Dacron mini pillows to one lucky reader.

To enter:

• First Mandatory Entry- Leave us a comment telling us your favorite feature of the Dacron products.  Please be sure to leave a valid email address.
• Two Additional Entries- Follow Parent Reviewers on twitter and tweet this giveaway.  Please leave additional comments including your twitter id and your tweet url.
• Three Additional Entries- Leave additional comments including the url of your favorite reviewed product over the past year.
• Giveaway is open to US shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends February 21st, 2011 and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Good Luck!!

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2