As They Grow Up

Remodeling the kitchen cabinets, what options to choose?

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:13:00 +0000

My kitchen is in need of a makeover. There are several areas that I would like to have redone but one area in particular that always stands out to me is the cabinets. There are two reason that I want to redo our cabinets.

The first reason is that our cabinets are really starting to look warn and well honestly falling apart. Currently in my kitchen I have three drawers that refuse to stay together no matter how many times we have fixed them. It gets old after a while since I don't have an abundance of kitchen drawers in the first place. The second reason is that I would really like to change the layout of our kitchen making it more family friendly. I love cooking and baking and our layout just isn't made for that type of thing which makes it take longer and a little more difficult.

We have been looking around at different kitchen layouts, cabinets and all that jazz for awhile now and one thing we toss back in forth is if we want to go pick up all the material that is needed or is it really worth it to pay to have a professional home delivery company like White Glove Delivery actually deliver the item to our home. My husband is the type that would rather do it himself but I personally would prefer to have a delivery company do the work since they are more familiar with how products need to be transported and they will make sure that it arrives safely.

Another topic we toss around when it comes to the kitchen cabinets is whether or not we want to install them ourselves or have a professional. I love DIY projects and have to say that my dad was always one to do his own projects when it came to remodeling but when it comes to my kitchen (one of the most used rooms in our house) I am actually afraid to even attempt to do it myself. I'm sure between my husband and I, we could get the job done but I would be on pins and needles through the entire process. Things like this put a little dent in the household budget and it is one that I prefer not to mess up and have to start all over again. If we ever reach the point of agreeing on all the things that come in to play with a remodel I will be sure to update you all!

So to all my readers out there. Are you a DIY type person and when it comes to purchasing bigger items are you one to use a professional home delivery company or do you bite the bullet and do it yourself? Also, would you attempt to remodel a kitchen yourself?

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. As They Grow Up has received payment for the above post.

Teach Children about Finances with PNC's "S" is for Savings Account Interactive Game!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:45:00 +0000

Ever worry about your child’s financial well-being in the future? Well now’s your chance to get them started on smart spending habits! PNC Bank has created the‘S’ is for Savings℠ Account,a fun and interactive online banking game designed especially for children. Not only will this allow you to spend some fun quality time with your child, this game will teach them the basics of making important choices like saving, sharing and spending.

Help alleviate some of that parental anxiety and introduce your children to the wonderful world of money management with this exciting new game from PNC! You can also start a PNC “Growing Savers” account for your children to help get them on their way to financial freedom!Share this with your readers and provide some of your own fun tips on how to encourage little ones to practice good habits that will last a lifetime.

I took a few minutes to play while the kids were doing homework and it is an adorable interactive game. I loved how it featured Saving, Sharing and Spending. Great tool for teaching!

~ Lisa

Lands' End National Swimsuit Confidence Week #LandsEnd

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:57:00 +0000

Last year I remember seeing bloggers showing their swimsuit confidence by posting a picture of themselves on their blog for the Lands' End National Swimsuit Confidence Week. I thought that this was an awesome campaign and when I was approached this year I just couldn't say no. I am far from having the perfect body but have worked very hard to get where I am for several months now and I am feeling great about myself. As I started going through the great selection of swimsuits Lands' End has to offer I decided that I would give a 2-piece suit I try. I have ran in the other direction from those since my oldest son was born 5 years ago. I just didn't have the nerve to put one on but finally decided that it was time I accept myself for who I am and go for what I want. My five year old had to help me pick out the print and color and I have to say that he did an awesome job! Now let's fast forward to yesterday when we returned back from vacation and I checked my email. There I had an email reminding me of my promise and also letting me know that the photos would also appear on Land's End facebook page for millions to see. After I read that I was ready to go hide back into my shell but thought this was a great opportunity for me to quickly get over my fear of being seen in public in a 2-piece swimsuit. So here it goes! Time for the big reveal and my first time in a 2-piece in over 5 years. eek!

Today before we headed out to the pool

This weekend at the water park while watching my mom enjoy her grandbabies

So there it is. Far from a super model but very proud of what I have accomplished. Being a mom it's hard to find time to workout and get in super shape and although it has taken me several months to get to this point and several more I am sure to get to my main goal, I have finally reached the point of accepting myself and my body for what it is. It is one that takes care of little kiddos all day, lugs them around all the time and well honestly one that isn't going to miss out on having fun and splashing around in the pool with my boys because I am ashamed of how I look in a Swimsuit!

Lands’ End will be hosting giveaways all week on Twitter in the #LandsEnd tag and there is also a Swimsuit Sweeps running right now on the Lands’ End Facebook. This is definitely something worth checking out!

Also, join Lands’ End and SELF Magazine each day May 21 – 25, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CDST and participate in a series of National Swimsuit Confidence Week events on Twitter. The weeklong movement was created to celebrate women of all shapes and sizes as well as educate and inspire them to embrace their swimsuit beauty and have fun this summer. Each day Lands’ End will give away 6 - $50 Lands’ End gift cards!

Date:

Each Day – May 21 – 25, 2012

Time:

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CDST

Location:

#confidence

Follow:

@LandsEndPR, @SELFMagazine, @LEprMichele, @LEprMariella, @LEprMolly

I have Swimsuit Confidence! - Get the Badge – Go to http://on.fb.me/MhaQwh and display the “I have swimsuit confidence!” Badge on your Twitter profile photo. Send a tweet to @LandsEndPR proclaiming “I have swimsuit confidence!” #confidence for a chance to be entered to win a $500 Lands’ End gift card. Send now through May 25 – winner announced at 5:00 p.m. CDST May 25, 2012.

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Lands' End for providing a product to test.

The Love and Respect Experience Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:14:00 +0000

My Husband and I recently started reading The Love and Respect Experience together. This couples devotional promotes itself as a devotional Husbands will read. Well I suppose that is true since we are doing it together. It is a book based on Bible principles on how if The Husband Loves his wife and she Respects him that they will have a good marriage. It breaks down the ways He should show his love and how she should show her respect. While these concepts are not foreign ideas sometimes it helps to read them from a book for them to settle into your thoughts.

Additional Information:
Have you ever been excited about having a regular devotional time with your spouse, only to end up feeling distracted, frustrated, or misunderstood after your time together?
While most women are energized by the idea of going through a couples' devotional, best-selling author and marriage expert Dr. Emerson Eggerichs has observed that many men feel the opposite. "The typical husband just doesn't find the standard devotional book for couples that interesting-or that friendly. After trying it a few times, he just sort of finds other things to do," says Emerson.

That is why The Love & Respect Experience is different. After surveying thousands of couples about their top concerns and struggles, Emerson has crafted a fifty-two week devotional that will appeal to both wives and husbands as they seek to listen to what God has to say to them.
Each brief devotional, designed to fit into busy lifestyles, review the core principles of Love & Respect while inviting you to discover what God's Word has to say to you individually, then to you has a couple. Because each couple is different, Emerson gives practical, helpful advice and direction for making this devotional work for your marriage.

The Love & Respect Experience is an effective tool to help you and your spouse invigorate your experience with God and rejuvenate your marriage with love and respect.

My Thoughts:
I liked how this book breaks our thinking up into Pink & Blue. It makes you realize that men and women really are two different creatures and we have completely different ways of thinking about things. I also like that each devotion is only a page or two so you are not spending a lot of time reading.

His Thoughts:
It is nice and short. It makes me open my eyes that men and women are different and see things from different points of view. It is simple yet informative, basic stuff that every couple should know.

You can purchase your copy on Amazon or where ever books are sold. For additional information visit Loveandrespect.com.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Book Sneeze for providing a product to test.

Energizer Utility Cash Program Giveaway #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:37:00 +0000

As Summer approaches my mind always seems to worry over the high cost of cooling our home. Let's face it air conditioning is expensive! Energizer wants to help with their Energizer Utility Cash Program. They have specially marked packages of batteries that collected can save you up to $25 off one of your utility bills. You can even donate to their partner Habitat for Humanity if you would like to choose that option rather than taking the savings. All you have to do is purchase the specially marked Energizer Battery packs. Then visit Energizer Utility Cash Program and enter your codes. You can enter up to 10 which will give you the full $25 credit. If you choose the credit you will need your utility account number to enter. That is it! I entered two codes and received $2.50 off my electric bill.

Additional Program Information:
For decades Energizer has supported organizations helping to make a positive impact in local communities and around the world. This spring as part of the Energizer campaign—that’s positive energy—they’re “building” on that commitment in a new way through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity®. Working with baseball legend and philanthropist Cal Ripken, Jr., Energizer is donating more than $300,000 and 1,000 volunteer hours to Habitat through a multi-city series of volunteer projects to help build new homes and revitalize existing homes for those in need.

Here’s where you can get involved. With the rising cost of utilities, we can all use a little bit of help right? Especially if we have a really hot summer! So, beyond helping Habitat, Energizer is doing something to help us all out. In addition to the series of volunteer projects, you will see the Energizer and Habitat for Humanity partnership coming to the shelves of your favorite stores. Through the Energizer Utility Cash program, you can collect codes from select Energizer battery and lighting products and redeem them online for savings, up to $25 total savings each per person/household/email address, off your own utility bill. You start earning rewards with just two codes and will need 10 codes total to earn the full $25. Or you can help make a positive impact and choose to turn the codes into a donation to Habitat for Humanity®.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win two (2) specially marked packages of Energizer Batteries containing codes!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
What do you do during the summer months to help save money on your Utilities?

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on June 8 , 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Contest open to U.S. residents only.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Energizer for providing a product to test.

Help Keep Your House Free of Loose Toys with Hoohobbers Large Toy Boxes #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:38:00 +0000

Working in a children's store I thought I had everything the kids needed and then some. I am always bringing home something or another that the kids just have to have. My husband knows to not even ask when I come home with yet another bag or mysterious item for the kids. Once in a while he will ask something like "what in the world is that?". I give a long explanation on how the kids need it or how they will love it and he just simply shakes his head.

My husband never gets mad when I continue to bring all my good finds home but I will have to admit, we have too much! Not only do we have too much but it is continuously scattered here there and everywhere. Now with all the stuff I bring home for the kids you would think we would have a few good toy boxes right? The truth is, that is the one thing we were lacking. That all changed when I got the wonderful opportunity to work with Hoohobbers on a toy box review!

Hoohobbers specializes in unique products for babies and toddlers. Since 1981 they have been designing and manufacturing award-winning products in the United States. Hoohobbers offers a wide range of products such as gorgeous crib bedding, baby rockers, play tables, rocking chairs and so much more! The best part about Hoohobbers products is many of them can be embroidered which adds a nice personal touch to their one of a kind products.

We got the opportunity to review a personalized toy box. I opted to have our toy box personalized with the word "toys" embroidered on it so the kids could both share it. This toy box is amazing on so many levels! There are a total of nine safety and convenience factors. First and foremost, it has a nice size capacity so all the odds and ends that are loosely hanging around the house can all go neatly inside this toy box. It also folds up which makes taking it from room to room easier than a bulky toy box that may require more than one person to carry. It is also water safe and has safe corners and tough legs. The toy box also comes with no lid. At first I thought I would not like that feature but honestly it is a Godsend with my 18 month old who is very accident prone and who would most likely pinch her fingers in a standard style toy box. Here is a picture of what our toy box looks like. We have it in the living room for now as that is where the bulk of the toys manage to take up occupancy.

Hoohobbers currently has 10% off sitewide on their already reasonably priced items. If you are looking for a unique item for a new baby or a small child, I highly recommend checking out Hoohobbers large selection of high-quality, unique specialty items.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win a $30 gift certificate to Hoohobbers

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Hoohobbers and come back here and share with me what catches your eye

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Like Hoohobbers on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.
Follow Hoohobbers on Twitter

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on May 31, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Contest open to U.S. residents only.

~Erica~

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Hoohobbers for providing a product to test.

The Klampie Mystery by Luis Rodriguez Book Review & Giveaway #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:03:00 +0000

I don't know a child that doesn't love stuffed animals. The Klampie Mystery by Luis Rodriguez is a story about Klampie a stuffed Koala that comes to life. (Isn't that every child's dream?) The store is about Samantha and her family going to Australia to visit relatives. Her dad gives her Klampie to go on the trip. Along the way Klampie and a real Koala switch. They don't realize it until they are on a plane coming home to the United States. When they discover Klampie is a real Koala it causes some confusion.

Additional Information about the book from KSB Promotions:
The adventure begins in San Diego, when Samantha gets a life-sized stuffed koala, before she and her parents go on a trip to visit an aunt and an uncle in Australia around Christmas time. The koala looked very real. Samantha just loved him and named him Klampie, since his arms clamp onto anything, just like a real koala.

Samantha clamped Klampie onto her backpack where he stayed during the flight, and then in the ride to her aunt and uncle's home after landing in Sydney.

The mystery begins when they stop to get gas. Something happens at the gas station that goes undetected by Samantha, her parents and her aunt and uncle. Something that is going to have everybody wondering later on...

In any event, the adventure continues during their exciting stay in Australia, that beautiful country down under. Samantha was amazed by the differences in weather, time and customs between the United States and Australia, and enjoyed all the additional love and affection she received from her aunt and uncle.

They all visited different interesting places, did a lot of shopping and even enjoyed a "barbie" (cookout) by the beach.

Most of the times Samantha left Klampie, so he wouldn't get lost. They had a great time in Australia!

Finally, it is time for Samantha and her family to return home to San Diego, and that is when the mystery unfolds...On the overnight plane ride home, little Samantha wakes everybody up screaming: "Klampie! Klampie! Klampie's alive!"

What a confusion! Is Klampie alive? What has happened? It is a true mystery for Samantha and everybody else, but not for the readers!

Children will love being on the truth while Samantha remains in the dark!

The Klampie Mystery is a sweet, heart warming story for all ages.

My Thoughts:

This book was simply adorable. I love the stuffed animal coming to life and that we knew what happened before the characters in the book did. It left you anticipating when they would find out the truth. Rodriguez weaves information through out the tale to answer any questions kids might have. Xander who is my big reader just loved this tale. He has several stuffed animals that are his 'special' playmates so I know he was thinking about them when reading this book.

The Klampie Mystery is available at your local bookstores as well as online at Amazon. You can find additional information online at klampie.com.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win their own copy of The Klampie Mystery!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
What stuffed friend do you wish would be real for one day?

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on June 7 , 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Contest open to U.S. residents only.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to KSB Promotions for providing a product to test.

My Big Bottom Blessing by Teasi Cannon Book Review & Giveaway #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:22:00 +0000

This title of this book really brought me a chuckle. My Big Bottom Blessing: How Hating My Body Led To Loving My Life by Teasi Cannon is a story of how Cannon learned to love and embrace her full figure. I can totally relate to her tale of dieting and struggling with body image. She pours out her life story to show you where she came from but also how she gets to where she is now.

About this book:
Teasi Cannon shares her hilarious, yet totally honest battle with body image and exposes the secret that loving the girl in the mirror isn't about changing how you look, but about changing how you see.

About the Author:
Teasi Cannon Teasi (pronounced Tee See) is married to her best friend, Bill Cannon, and
they have three awesome children: Carli, Ben, and Sam. Teasi has a master’s degree in
pastoral counseling from Liberty Theological Seminary, and is a sought-after speaker who
loves to help women remember who they are in Christ.

My thoughts:

I love how honest this book was. I could totally relate to a lot of how the hurtful words of others can affect my way of thinking about myself. The conversations with her 'inner voices' were humorous and eye opening at the same time. How many times have I heard those same doubt-inducing voices whispering in my own ears. The major theme I took from this book is the God loves me how I am and made me how I am. I need to live in the moment now and not worry so much about 'when I'm healthier, older, skinnier, wealthier'. I think Cannon pinpoints a major hangup most of us women have and gives scripture and reflection questions to help you personally work through it. Although the theme is weight you could easily apply to this to any physical attribute that causes you low self esteem.

My Big Bottom Blessing is available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and other book retailers.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win their own copy of My Big Bottom Blessing!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
What is your one body part that you worry the most about?

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Worthy Publishing for providing a product to test.

Real Kids Shades Review & Giveaway #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:04:00 +0000

I've always thought of sunglasses as an accessory for little kids. I never really put much thought into their being a health reason for my children to wear sunglasses. That was until I started reading some information from Real Kids Shades. The truth is that our eyes need UV-A/UV-B protection. When you put sunglasses on that are not fully protected they allow your child's eyes to dilate and let in harmful rays.

Additional information:

Real Kids Shades are:

Made of shatterproof impact resistent polycarbonated lenses
100% UV Protective eyewear
FDA Approved

Sunglasses & Sun Hat Combo

Real Kids Shades is a leading maker and provider of sunglasses for children. By advocating sun safety through our Safe Eyes Everyday program, RKS helps parents provide serious sun protection for babies, toddlers, and kids up to age 12. All Real Kids Shades provide comfort, durability, and safety. Our rigorous product testing program assures all Real Kids Shades are CPSIA Compliant, CE Certified, and FDA Approved to provide 100% UVA and UVB protection.

Real Kids Shades is a sponsor of Prevent Blindness America. From now until the end of 2012, shoppers have the opportunity to “be a hero” and make their dollars go even further toward helping protect children’s vision. Real Kids Shades (RKS), has agreed to donate $1 for every donation collected through its online store to Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest voluntary eye health organization. The site provides an opportunity to be a “Hero” with a $1 donation, an “Action Hero” by donating $5, or a “Super Hero” with a $10 donation.

My thoughts:

I loved all the sunglasses we received for this review. My oldest Austin picked the Xtreme Convertible as his favorite. He loves that he can put the straps on for when he is riding his bike or playing basketball but when he wants to just hang out then he can use the regular sides. Xander choose the Xtreme Sport Black Blue. These come with a strap to keep them fitted well on his head. They are a perfect choice because he has been known to have his glasses fall off his head normally so no worries with the strap.

Real Kids Shades are well made. Each pair comes in it's own unique packaging. I love how they offer colors/designs for boys as well as girls. The Sunglasses & Sun hat for babies is a great set for the total package in sun protection on little ones.

You can purchase your pair of Real Kids Shades directly online at Realkidshades.com. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter for additional information.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win a pair of Real Kid's Shades in style of their choice!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Real Kids Shades and come back here and tell me which style is your favorite!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

"Like" Real Kids Shades on Facebook

Follow Real Kids Shades on Twitter

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on June 5, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Contest open to U.S. residents only.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Real Kids Shades for providing a product to test.

Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove Kid Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:26:00 +0000

How many of you are familiar with minimalist shoes? I first discovered this particular style of shoe around December and they have been amazing! I have had knee problems for 20 years. Day to day life was fine but the minute I started walking regularly it would kick in and I had to just forget about jogging. No matter what I tried I was unable to get away from the pain. I have to say that since I have been wearing this style of shoe I personally have had no knee problems whatsoever. Now I can't promise this for the next person but from my personal experience these shoes have really helped!

As you can imagine when I started wearing minimalist shoes I quickly converted my husband (who loves them as well), but my five year old has been begging for a pair. He is a kid that is all about comfort as well as very active. He loves hiking, bike riding, camping. Pretty much every activity that can be done outdoors. I kept putting it off and putting it off until recently I was approached my Merrell (awesome brand) to test out their Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove Kid Shoes. I couldn't resist since I knew my five year old has been wanting to try a pair and well I couldn't imagine life without my minimalists.

He has been trying these shoes out for awhile and apparently they are very comfortable. Every night he tries to convince us to just let him sleep in his shoes (we have to pull them off once he goes to sleep). He hates taking them off and they have yet to bother his feet. So many shoes seem to have that "break in" period in where they can cause blisters or run the foot in a certain area, but not these shoes! He claims that they make him run faster and that they are the coolest shoes ever! These shoes have actually won out over his all time favorite brand of shoe that he has worn since he was around two. My 17 month old must think these shoes are comfortable as well. If Davis takes these shoes off, Luke quickly grabs them up and wears them around the house. If his foot was a little bigger I know without a doubt that I would be purchasing a pair for him!

The Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove Kid Shoes offer a hook and loop closure system for quick adjustability and has no irritating inside seams which makes socks optional! This is a Vegan friendly footwear and has the Vibram Trail Glove kids sole! These shoes are priced around $60 and are worth every penny!!

As I mentioned earlier, I absolutely love minimalist shoes and have been wanting to add a pair of the Merrells to my collection so that I can have a change. In March, Merrell launched an awesome page that is dedicated to women's barefoot and it is a fantastic site that's loaded with tons of information like a running playlist, training program and so much more! Definitely worth checking out!!

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Merrell for providing a product to test.

CAT & CAT Preschool Toys

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:41:00 +0000

My boys love playing outside in the sand and dirt. It seems the dirtier the better in their book! We also have a small collection of CAT toys that get played with pretty much daily, indoors and out. Recently we had the opportunity to test out two products. One from the CAT and one from the CAT Preschool line and they were both HUGE hits in our house. Here is a little video of the boys enjoying them:

Davis has been using the ToyState Excavator for almost a month now and enjoys it! It has held up really well considering most days it gets passed between a 17 month old and a 5 year old. It still works as well as it did the day we opened it up and hasn't slowed down at all and let's just say that it isn't treated very gentle.

The ToyState Excavator is a Classic CAT Construction Vehicle. It has working lights and construction site vocals, motorized driving and even construction tunes. It really does off tons of fun for any little boy!

Luke on the other hand has been trying out the CAT Classic Bump 'n' Go and it is so adorable! It's super easy for a little one to operate and offers just as much fun as the CAT products for the older kids. With a simple push of the button on top, it starts the engine and the tires start going. This neat little vehicle will go forward until it hits a wall or something in it's path and then starts backing up along with beeping.

Both of these toys are very reasonable when it comes to price and both offers hours of fun! We have been 100% satisfied with both of these products.

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Toy State and Team Mom for providing a product to test.

Cesar Cookie Crunchies

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:58:00 +0000

We have had our little English Cream Dachshund for 2 1/2 years. Lola was brought into our home when she was only 6 weeks old by my husband. She was a Valentine's Day surprise for me, but she wasn't mine for very long. Our son and Lola are the best of friends and he loves her more than anything in this world. She is an amazing little dog and is a perfect fit in our family.

Our oldest son with his best friend Lola

Although Lola is a very easy going little dog she can be very picky when it comes to treats. I have literally purchased treats for her in the past only to have to toss them out or give them to friends because she simply refused to eat them! I wouldn't say she is spoiled but apparently she wants the best when it comes to treats.

Lola and our 17 month old watching the ducks in the pond

Recently little Lola was given the opportunity to test out Cesar Cookie Crunchies. At first I wasn't sure how she would like them. In the past she has turned her nose up to a crunchy treat for some strange reason. I gave her the first taste of the Cookie Crunchies to see what her reaction was going to be. To my surprise she loved them and quickly came back to beg for more! Lola is the type of dog that gets special treats "just because". She isn't a trick dog and has never been rewarded for going out to potty, but she gets rewards for just being amazing!!

Cesar Cookie Crunchies come in two flavors, Rotisserie Chicken Flavor and Filet Mignon Flavor. These are two flavors that I'm sure your dog will love! So far I haven't noticed Lola having a favorite of the two. Regardless of the bag, the minute she hears the sound it makes she comes running! Since a treat for Lola means that she gets two at one time (one from our 5 year old and from our 17 month old), it makes me feel better that these little guys only have 10 calories each! Not only are they only 10 calories each but they come in three bite-size shapes:

Paw Prints
hearts
Bones

They are super cute and our little lady loves them! If you have a dog that you are currently training or one like ours that gets treats just because then do check these out. I'm sure your little four legged friend will not be disappointed!!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Cesar and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Mother's Day: Boo the most ADORABLE dog ever!!

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Is everyone ready for Mother's Day this coming Sunday? I am going to say that I think I am but I know I will start second guessing myself the closer we get to it. I mean Moms are such an important part of our lives and there is no gift really that is going to show how much we appreciate and love them. I am blessed to say that I have two amazing Mother's in my life. One is my mom and I know she will always be there for me no matter what. Then there is my husbands Mother. She is amazing woman as well and I love her like a mom.

Some times it's awesome to think outside the box and give mom some thing different. Some thing other than the traditional perfume, candles, spa treatments and all that jazz. How many of you have heard of the adorable little dog, Boo? Isn't the the cutest little guy in the world! My son just recently discovered Boo and now he wants all the books. Recently we received the GUND version of Boo and I can't believe how realistic he is! Boo, the internet sensation, dubbed the "World's Cutest Dog", with over 4 million Facebook fans (WOW) and the store of his own book, calendar and YouTube videos is finally available in plush form! Any Boo fan is gonna love this super soft little guy! Here are pictures of my little Boo fans:

So if your Mom is a Boo fan, then maybe think outside of the box for Mother's Day and visit Gund for more information on Boo or to purchase him for only $20!

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Gund for providing a product to test.

Tommee Tippee Explora Cups at Target!!

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:26:00 +0000

I have always taken the bottle away from my kiddos at 12 months of age. I have never had a hard time and always managed to find the perfect sippy for them by the time we reached the 12 month stage. Little did I know that Mr. Luke, my 17 month old was going to be different than my other three kids. He has refused sippy cups no matter what we have tried and let me say that I have a huge selection of unused sippy cups in my cabinets right now. I have tried so many different styles, brands, designs. You name it and we have tried it!

Recently we received the Tommee Tippee Explora Cups and we are in love! We received two of them so my five year old uses one and my 17 month old uses the other. They each have their own color and expect to receive theirs when I hand them over. My husband feels our five year old is too big to use one, but honestly I would rather him use it than spill his drink in the living room and he only uses one if he is drinking something other than water.

The main thing I love about the Tommee Tippee Explora cups are that they are very easy to clean. I don't have time to take 10 pieces off of a sippy cup in order to clean it. This cup only has the no-spill valve that easily pops off and comes apart for quick cleaning. Another feature of this cup that is great is that it truly is spill-proof. It drives me nuts to purchase a cup that claims to be spill-proof and then find drips or puddles in the floor from the cup! In our house these cups have been dropped, shaken and turned upside down and not one single leak! We LOVE them!

Features and Benefits

BPA-and phthalate-free
Patented Advance-Flo valve for guaranteed easy drinking
Super-sensitive active sensor valve is truly non spill yet allows liquid to flow on demand
Dishwasher -safe

Now I'm super excited to say that we are offering a giveaway for these AWESOME sippy cups so that one of my readers can see just what I'm talking about when it comes to this product!

WIN,WIN,WIN

Tommee Tippee Explora Cup

MANDATORY ENTRY:

(Please Leave A VALID Email Address)
Visit Target then come back here and tell me which Tommee Tippee cup is your favorite!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry.

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

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One winner will be chosen! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on May 24, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be emailed.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Tommee Tippee Sippy Cups. I received a Tommee Tippee Explora Sippy Cup product as well as a promotional item as a thanks for my participation.

MOMumental by Jennifer Grant Book Review #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:39:00 +0000

MOMumental: Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family by Jennifer Grant is a book about motherhood. In the book Grant shares her adventure in finding her place as a parent. I could totally relate to the stories she told about her family. It was easy to see her love for her children on the pages and her desire to be a good Mom. Parenthood isn't easy and Grant definitely doesn't imply that. Instead she shares how she learned to value what was really important.

Additional information:

One mom’s humorous and candid memoir shows would-be supermoms how to create a realistically balanced family life without losing their minds.

A longtime former writer for the Chicago Sun-Times and now a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, Jennifer Grant is no stranger to the common reader. MOMumental is a foray into the enormously amusing, creative, and taxing process of raising a family and a starkly honest memoir that mothers everywhere can identify with. With narrative that is chock-full of humorous, poignant stories drawn from her everyday adventures as a mother and wife, Grant presents an entertaining and inspirational book that will give readers uncommon insights about being an intentional parent.

About the Author:

Jennifer Grant is mother to four children and author of Love You More: The Divine Surprise of Adopting My Daughter (2011). For more than a decade she wrote for papers in the Sun-Times newsgroup. Currently she freelances for the Chicago Tribune and is a regular contributor to her.meneutics, Christianity Today magazine's blog for women. Grant is a Wheaton College graduate who received her master's in English and Creative Writing from Southern Methodist University. She lives outside of Chicago, IL.

My thoughts:
I found this book to be a delightful read. They way Grant shares her story (weaved with tales of her kids) and her growth as a parent was something I could relate to. I find as I age I am starting to notice what matters most in life. Family and our values are now number one. In the introduction she tells how she would watch her neighbor that seemed to have it all together. I know I'm always picking my friends brains for ideas and thoughts on how to raise my crazy bunch so I just giggled at that chapter. It is a book about keeping it 'real' in the areas of Parenthood and raising children.

You can find additional information about this book and where to buy it from at Worthy Publishing. It is also available online at Amazon.com. and Barnes and Noble.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will a copy of MOMumental!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Share one one of the moments in Mommyhood where you either excelled or failed ~ greatly!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your facebook page and link it to @astheygrowup. This can be done once daily.

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Tweet about the giveaway

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

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Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on May 31, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be emailed.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Worthy Publishing for providing a product to test.

Lilliputiens A World Full of Little Wonders Review and Giveaway #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Erica) — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:33:00 +0000

When it comes to toys I prefer those that can easily be cleaned and that are simply different from the run of the mill type of toys. During the day I work in a second hand children's shop and see all kinds of different toys. Some I put on my must have for the kids list while others I put on the steer clear list. In any event, I am looking at toys and clothes day in and day out.

I recently came across a Belgian based toy company that sets itself apart from other companies. Lilliputiens specializes in fabric-based toys for infants and babies and centers around one word, wonder. Here is what Lilliputiens has to say about 'wonder':

"Wonders are the common theme of all our creations. The magic of hidden surprises, the stirrings of curiosity, the shapes that get you thinking... every plaything is a voyage of discovery.

In our world full of little wonders, every toy has its own fun story. Lilliputiens’ numerous mascots each have their own magical universe.Soft materials and disarming characters engender trust, while the many shapes, colours, noises, ... will continuously challenge a child’s inquisitive spirit. A fun and high-quality way to learn. If you’re looking for stimulating, heart-warmingly attractive and completely safe toys, for little pieces full of wonders filling even you with pleasure, Lilliputiens has got it! "

Although Lilliputiens has tons of toys, characters and designs to choose from, each of the toys have a common goal in mind. Each toy helps instill educational, fun and aesthetic values in all little ones who engage in their toys. The best thing about Lilliputiens is all their items grow with the child. For example, a soft book that was once flipped around and crinkled suddenly turns into a whole new world of discovery as each colorful page is turned!

Lilliputiens design team is made up of young moms who understand the importance of safety and keep it in mind with each and every toy that is designed. Materials are carefully selected and the toys are tested in external labs to insure both durability and safety.

For this review we received a generous package of four amazing toys from Lillputiens! We received The Wolf Handpuppet and 3 Little Pigs, Liz and the Reversible Handbag, Ophelie & Her Chicks and Little Red Riding Hood. Caroline was completely beside herself as she helped me dig each of the bright and vibrant toys out of the box. She kept saying "whoa, whoa"! All the toys were super soft and high-quality. We have only been playing with them for a couple of days but given their high-quality Belgium design, it is apparent they are going to hold up for a very long time. I like the fact that each of toys can be cleaned easily and none of them have any type of small parts that I would be apprehensive giving a little one to play with. Caroline's favorite toy out of the bunch is The Wolf Handpuppet and 3 Little Pigs. Here she is making the little pigs talk and dance as well as some of the goodies from the Reversible Handbag:

Lilliputiens can be found in specialty shops around the world as well as various online shops such as Fat Brain Toys, Kobold Toys and Creativekidstuff.com. Lilliputiens is my new found go-to company for high-quality toys for infants and babies be it for my own kids or as gifts through the year.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win The Wolf and 3 Little Pigs

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Lilliputiens and come back and share with me what catches your eye

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Like Lilliputiens on Facebook

Share this contest on your facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

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Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on May 23, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Contest open to U.S. residents only.

~Erica~

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Lilliputiens for providing a product to test.

Mama's Ultimate Giveaway Bash: Expectant Mama Products from Reviva Labs #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:15:00 +0000

Mama's Ultimate Giveaway Bash!

If you've been reading this blog for sometime you probably know I'm a big fan of Reviva Labs and their natural approach to skin care. Well they've launched a new line of products for pregnant Mommies! Expectant Mama has five products designed to combat your skin woes during pregnancy.

Products:

Stretch Mark Prevention & Repair Lotion:
Help avoid stretchmarks and improve post-pregnancy skin tone. Although the special high-potency freeze-dried, lyophylized elastin extract in the Expectant Mama formula is second to none in aiding the skin to stretch, we have now added new elements that make us the most advanced stretchmark formula available. New cupuacu butter from the Rainforest, tamanu oil from the South Pacific and an amazing new peptide, combine with other butters and oils to not only reinforce the elastic fibresâ€™ stretchability but also provide a dramatic improvement to skin texture and tone.

Anti Itch/ Anti Stretch Mark Belly Butter:
Whereas our Stretchmark Lotion was formulated to spread over a wide area, Belly Butterâ€™s creamier, richer consistency is targeted for the specific belly area. Added to high potency elastin and peptides that reinforce elasticity and fight stretchmarks, are emollient oils and exotic butters. Also featured is a special anti-itch herbal blend aided by menthol.

Back and Pain Relief Gel:
There are a number of analgesic creams, ointments and sprays, which claim to relieve pain. But over the years, two ingredients-menthol and eucalyptus-have proven highly effective in relieving joint and tissue pain without side effects. Natural menthol as well as eucalyptus, block pain receptors and supported by anti-inflammatory aloe vera, are featured in the new "Expectant Mama Back & Leg Pain Relief Gel".

Facial Pregnancy Mask - Prevention Cream:
To help prevent "pregnancy mask" (facial brown spots or discoloration), a dual action cream is needed.

Varicose Veins Lotion:
Help prevent varicose veins or diminish current varicose veins. Combines high-potency horse chestnut, bioflavanoids, Vitamin K, and special herbs in exclusive blending.

My thoughts:
I had the opportunity to try out two of these products recently. The first one is the Stretch Mark Prevention & Repair lotion. This was a super light lotion that went on nicely. I noticed my stretch marks on my tummy looked better after using for a few days. I think the hydration from this lotion really made a difference. I wish they would have made this years ago when I had my first baby.

The second product was the Belly Butter. This cream is thicker in consistency so it works great for soothing. The fact that it helps with itchy belly is a plus. Once your pregnant starts to get big the 'itchies' really set in and this product would be wonderful for that time.

I have to say while I am not currently pregnant I found these products to be really wonderful. They had the softest fragrance that is so subtle which is perfect for pregnancy. I always had a problem with smells and scents but this is so soft almost a whisper.

You can purchase Reviva Products and their Expectant Mama line directly from Reviva Labs.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win a Stretch Mark Prevention & Repair Lotion and a Belly Butter from Expectant Mama!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Reviva Labs and come back here and tell me which of the new Expectant Mama Products you would most like to try!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your Facebook page and post the link here. This can be done once daily.

Tweet about the giveaway (can be done daily)

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on May 25, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Contest open to U.S. residents only.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Reviva Labs/ Expectant Mama for providing a product to test.

Let's Doodle Lunch with Rudi's Bakery #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:06:00 +0000

We love Rudi's Organic Bakery in our home. Delicious healthy bread, YUM! Well they recently launched a Facebook promotion where you can upload your child's artwork and get a free sandwich box featuring it. What a great idea! I know my middle son would love to open his lunch and see his artwork on his sandwich box.

Promotion details:

The new Let’s Doodle Lunch Facebook campaign, Rudi’s Organic Bakery is inviting parents to join the Rudi’s Facebook community and upload their kid’s artwork through the Rudi’s Organic page to get a FREE sandwich box with that art on top of the lid from May 1 – June 30.

The fun of Let’s Doodle Lunch will continue throughout the summer. All of the designs submitted on Facebook will be instantly viewable online in the Rudipolitan Gallery of Art, and from July 1-31st all designs will be eligible to become the Rudi’s Organic Official Sandwich Box through Facebook voting. What’s really cool is that votes will also trigger a donation to The Lunch Box, which is helping transition K-12 lunchrooms from processed foods to healthy made-from-scratch meals. Learn more about The Lunch Box by texting “Lunch” to 50555.

Be sure to enter your child's artwork on Facebook for your free sandwich box. You can also visit Rudi's Organic Bakery to see where to find their products near you. To kick off this promotion Rudi's is giving away an awesome prize pack to one lucky reader! See below for details!

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win Art kit from Rudi's!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Rudi's Organic Bakery and come back here and tell me which product you'd most like to try!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your facebook page and link it to @astheygrowup. This can be done once daily.

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Like Rudi's Organic Bakery on Facebook

Enter your child's artwork for your free sandwich box on Facebook and come back here and tell us you did!

Tweet about the giveaway

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

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Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on May 30, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only.The winner will be emailed.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Rudi's for participating in this giveaway!

Pop the Bubbles 1 2 3: A FUNdamentals Book #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:19:00 +0000

FUNdamentals is a parent & child play group created by Jennifer Goble. You can go there to take classes with your kids. Jennifer Goble created the book Pop the Bubbles 1 2 3 which allows you to experience the FUN class at home. In the book the two main characters Chloe and Bryce go to a FUN class. Then the book goes through the different play activities the kids get to do like jumping in the jump house and playing music. All through the book numbers are incorporated. Of course the last activity is bubble fun!

About the Book:
Join Chloe and Bryce on their fun-filled adventure learning to count. A day at their FUN class has them bouncing, jumping, popping, tapping and climbing all the way to number 10. You and your child can play along as the numbers come alive!

My thoughts:

I loved how interactive this book is. When you can't make it to FUN Class you can read this book and do activities at home. The book will encourage you to create your own activities. The story is cute and has a nice rhyming flow. Numbers bounce along the pages and the illustrations are adorable. It is a great tool for parents to incorporate at home.

You can purchase your book directly at Popthebubbles123.com or online at Amazon.com .

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win a copy of Pop The Bubbles 1 2 3: A FUNdamentals Book!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Popthebubbles123.com and tell me something you learned there.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your facebook page and link it to @astheygrowup. This can be done once daily.

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Tweet about the giveaway

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on May 29, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be emailed.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Pop the Bubbles 123 for providing a product to test.

Kylie's Special Treat a Food Allergy Fairy Tale #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:48:00 +0000

When I saw the title to this book I knew I wanted to review it. Both of my bigger boys have food allergies. Thankfully Jace doesn't have a single one. While my kid's do not have severe allergies (they can eat the food with only rashes or stomach aches) I do know a few kids who are not as lucky. In fact one of my very good friends has a child that is six months older than my middle son Xander. Her child has severe allergies to Milk and Eggs. I think we ended up learning a lot more about food allergies since the kids grew up together and they are in school together. Now the world is a different place for children with food allergies. Local grocery stores carry so many more products for substitutions and you can even go to places like Disney World and they will cater to your special needs!

Kylie's Special Treat was an adorable story of a gal named Kylie that had food allergies. What strikes me is that she grows up and gets the prince. Basically even a girl with food allergies can be a princess!! I just love the story and the tips woven in. Smartly written with beautifully illustrated this book is a must have for anyone who has a food allergy.

Additional information from KSB Promotions:

This whimsical fairy tale for children ages 4-8 highlights the fact that kids with food allergies can live happily ever after too. In fact, Anne Muñoz-Furlong, Founder & Former CEO, Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, comments, "Kylie's Special Treat is perfect! The story shows us all how a food allergy does not have to stop you from reaching for your dreams."

Kylie's Special Treat clearly draws on the beloved Cinderella tale but adds a few pink sparkles of its own to create a fun, memorable, and heartwarming story just right for kids with food allergies. This sweet fairy tale is about a beautiful girl who loves to paint--and dreams of the prince she once met at an art class.

Kylie's Special Treat was inspired by Barbetta's daughter Sofia, whose multiple food allergies compelled her to ask her mom if there was ever a princess with food allergies.

My Thoughts:
I love a story where the main character can achieve any dream they set their mind to. I also like that they author Letizia Barbetta added tips in the back as well as a recipe. As a Mom who has a kid with severe allergies she is doing something that will make a difference in her child's life while touching others.

You can purchase your copy wherever books are sold or find it online at Amazon.com. You can find additional information about this book at kyliesspecialtreat.com.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will a copy of Kylie's Special Treat!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Tell me if you know anyone with food allergies.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your facebook page and link it to @astheygrowup. This can be done once daily.

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Tweet about the giveaway

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

Become a fan of As They Grow Up on Facebook

Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Kylie's Special Treat for providing a product to test.

Krispy Kreme 75th Celebration!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:37:00 +0000

Happy 75th Krispy Kreme!!

This year marks 75 years of sharing delicious tastes, and creating fond memories and shared special moments through the joy that is Krispy Kreme® Doughnuts. In celebration of 75 years of love for its one-of-a-kind doughnuts, including the world-famous Original Glazed® doughnut- Krispy Kreme is inviting its fans around the globe to join the celebration. Post your Happy 75th Birthday message on a virtual Birthday Card, interact with the Time Machine of Joy, and share your sweetest Krispy Kreme memories at www.CelebrateKrispyKreme.com.

Krispy Kreme introduced its signature sweet treats on July 13, 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Now world-famous for its Original Glazed® doughnut, iconic paper hat and alluring Hot Light®, Krispy Kreme doughnuts can be found at more than 690 Krispy Kreme shops in 21 countries, and 10,000 mass merchants and grocery stores.

Krispy Kreme kicked off its 75^th Birthday celebrations in February with the launch of the 2012 Glaze The Nation Tour, bringing its Krispy Kreme Cruiser and 75th celebration festivities to doughnut fans throughout the domestic United States. Today, the international sweet treat retailer is taking the celebration global with a virtual 75^th celebration for doughnut fans of all ages.

“In addition to commemorating 75 years of delicious melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts and coffee, Krispy Kreme’s birthday celebrates how the brand has touched and enhanced lives for generations,” explains Dwayne Chambers, Chief Marketing Officer for Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation. “It is a birthday party that spans 21 countries and includes millions of Krispy Kreme fans who are devoted and passionate about how the brand has brightened their days and given them an extra bite of joy.”

Krispy Kreme fans of all ages can join and share the 75^th Birthday celebration with these interactive birthday activities at CelebrateKrispyKreme.com:

· Virtual Birthday Card: What birthday would be complete without a birthday card? Post your Happy Birthday wishes to Krispy Kreme and all the fans that share your joy for its one-of-a-kind delicious treats.

· Time Machine of Joy: Join in the celebration of 75 years with this interactive scrollable timeline complete with facts, pictures and fun.

· Go Social Wordlwide: Choose a Country and Celebrate the Joy! See an array of Krispy Kreme international products and connect with Krispy Kreme shops around the world.

· Send a Birthday e-card: Send a bit of sweet happiness and joy to your family and friends with customizable e-cards.

· Share Your Krispy Kreme Memory: Everyone has a favorite Krispy Kreme moment. Share the Krispy Kreme photos and moments that make you smile.

· Follow the Krispy Kreme Cruiser: Follow the fun as the Krispy Kreme Cruiser surprises and delights Krispy Kreme US fans with special treats and prizes.

And the 75^th celebration doesn’t end there!

Stay connected with Krispy Kreme on KrispyKreme.com, Facebook, foursquare and Twitter for updates and information on upcoming 75^th products, a global contest, and special Krispy Kreme promotions you don't want to miss!

About Krispy KremeKrispy Kreme is an international retailer of premium-quality sweet treats, including its signature Original Glazed doughnut. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., the Company has offered the highest-quality doughnuts and great-tasting coffee since it was founded in 1937. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. Visit us at www.KrispyKreme.com.

Enter to Win a Swag Bag from Leading Lady's Facebook Promotion!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:36:00 +0000

This spring, Hollywood Leading Ladies Jenna Elfman, Kelly Preston and Laila Ali hosted an afternoon tea which celebrated moms and moms-to-be, and educated them about raising healthy babies. Leading Lady was proud to be a presenting sponsor of this first ever celebrity breastfeeding and toxin-free living event to raise awareness for the not-for-profit organizations Best for Babes and Healthy Child Healthy World.

They had their own lactation consultant Amy Berry on hand to fit moms with pretty,stylish and comfortable Leading Lady nursing bras, while offering advice and tips on breastfeeding. Guests, including a glowing Vanessa Lachey, left the event with an incredible Swag Bags full of breastfeeding and eco-friendly products so heavy that they had to have help carrying them to their cars.

WIN IT: Leading Lady is continuing the celebration through Mother’s Day by kicking off our Celebrity Breastfeeding and Toxin-Free Living Swag Bag Giveaway!

Staring May 3rd, Leading Ladies from Harrisburg to Hollywood can enter to win this luxe, eco-friendly gift bag -- valued at $1,500 --featuring a five bra wardrobe from Leading Lady, as well as products from additional event sponsors Ameda, Moby Wrap, Motherlove, Cariboo, Seventh Generation, Pump Ease, Fairhaven Health, Mamas and Papas, Happy Family, and more.

Check us out on Facebook, enter to win and tell us what you love about being a mom! New Facebook fans will receive a special 10% discount code to use at any time*.

Nominate Your Kid's Coach with Real Kids Shades Facebook Promotion!!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Sat, 05 May 2012 13:28:00 +0000

Real Kids Shades has a great Facebook promotion going on right now! We wanted to show our support for all the men and women who take time to coach our kids, so we designed a contest that recognizes great youth coaches. A good coach can inspire a team to do their best, be good sports and work toward a common goal. These lessons last long beyond the sporting season—in fact, often the lessons learned on the field can last a lifetime.

Here are the specific contest details:

Enter on-line by visiting our Facebook fan page and complete the entry form as well as an essay of no more than 300 words explaining how your child’s coach inspires their team. Submissions must be completed by May 31, 2012 11:59 pm EST.

Qualified nominees will be posted for public voting from Tuesday, May 8, 2012 (10:01 ET) through Thursday, May 31, 2012.

The Grand Prize winner will be determined by number of votes and will be notified on or around Friday, June 1, 2012. We will announce the winner on our Facebook page on Friday June, 1, 2012.

· Real Kids Shades will provide the team of the winning coach with cool sunglasses so they have proper sun protection on and off the field. Each player will receive one pair of sunglasses from the same line, in a color similar to or matching their team uniform color. The lucky coach will be recognized with the gift of a $100.00 Visa Gift Card.

Krispy Kreme New Seasonal Grocery Pies! #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa) — Sat, 05 May 2012 13:19:00 +0000

Who doesn't love Krispy Kreme! When you drive by and see that sign lit up saying hot fresh donuts ready....MMMM! They've finally opened a store near us in New Jersey and I couldn't be more pleased. Luckily before that our local grocery store carried their donuts so we could get our fix even easier.

For summer Krispy Kreme introduced two new products for their grocery seasonal line. Glazed Lemon Pie and Glazed Peach. These join the already popular Glazed Cherry, Glazed Chocolate and Glazed Apple pies.

Additional information:

Krispy Kreme’s signature Original Glazed®,Iced, Kreme™ filling, and cake doughnuts, as well as, a variety of honey buns,mini-crullers, fruit pies, and other snack-sized doughnuts are available at over 10,000 grocery, convenience and mass merchant stores in the United States.

The New Glazed Lemon Pie: A zesty sweet lemon KREME™ filling in a tasty pie crust coated with Krispy Kreme’s Original Glaze is sure to satisfy your summer fruit cravings.Suggested retail price: $1.09

The New Glazed Peach Pie: Nothing says summer like the sweet taste of peach filling in a deliciously glazed crust. Suggested retail price: $1.09

Krispy Kreme boxed pies are sold in individual snack packs perfect for family and friends on the go.

Look for the NEW Glazed Lemon Pie, Glazed Peach Pie, and the popular Glazed Cherry, Glazed Chocolate and Glazed Apple pies on Krispy Kreme displays at participating grocery stores, convenience stores and mass merchants.

Visit www.krispykreme.com/grocery for participating stores and more information about Krispy Kreme packaged products line. Glazed pies are not available for purchase at Krispy Kreme shops.

My thoughts:

I had the opportunity to try out the new Glazed Lemon Pie and can I say YUM! It was like a lemon bar in a pie! A perfect blend of tart and sweet. For those of you who are fans of Lemon Pie I highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to trying the Glazed Peach next since I love peaches.

WIN,WIN,WIN

One lucky reader will win free dozen Original Glazed Doughnuts that is good at any Krispy Kreme location and a 12 oz bag of our House Blend Coffee!

MANDATORY ENTRY:
(Please Leave A Valid Email Address)
Visit Krispy Kreme and come back here and tell me something you learned there.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra entries, you must do the MANDATORY entry:

Share this contest on your facebook page and link it to @astheygrowup. This can be done once daily.

Follow As They Grow Up on Twitter

Like Krispy Kreme on Facebook ~ be sure to leave a comment telling them we sent you!

Tweet about the giveaway

Add As They Grow Up Button to your blog and leave a link so that I can find it

Add As They Grow Up to your Blogroll (2 entries)

Follow My Blog (See sidebar)

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Subscribe to As They Grow Up Via Email (Be sure to VERIFY your subscription)

Comment on a non-giveaway post and let me know which one(s)

One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on May 26, 2012. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only. The winner will be emailed.

~ Lisa

This is solely the opinion of As They Grow Up. Other people may have different experiences with the product.Thank you to Krispy Kreme for providing a product to test.

Fijit Friends and Fijit Friends Newbies!!

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha) — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:22:00 +0000

So just recently I discovered the most adorable little critters ever! They quickly stole the hearts of my little guys and became a huge hit in a matter of minutes! My son had noticed in stores awhile back and I just shrugged it off thinking it was simply a girl toy and that he would have no interest at all in this toy. I have never been so wrong!

What are Fijit Friends?

Fijit Friends Newbies Figure Collection: Introducing Fijit Friends Newbies, everyone's pint-sized singing Fijit Friend. Nurture Fijit Friends Newbies to get them to sing. The more they are nurtured, the better they perform, and when two Fijit Friends Newbies are put together, they'll sing together in a duet. Each Newbie features its own personality and unlocks new content with the Fijit Friends Interactive Toys. Collect all your favorites Newbie characters. Great gift addition for the larger Fijit Friends Interactive toys. Each sold separately.

Both my 17 month old and 5 year old love their Fijit Friend Sage and could dance all night long with her. I will say that she does go through the batteries when they forget and leave her own (which they are great at) but I with rechargeable batteries she is good to go! Not only do they dance with Sage but they can also talk to her about their day. Not only is Sage super fun to dance with but now the Fijit Friends NEWBIES are fun to play with as well. They can communicate with your Fijit Friend and there are directions included in the box on how to get them to interact. These are the perfect size for traveling and the perfect size for my 17 month old. I would say about a total of 2 hours a day he is carrying around either his yellow or purple Fijit Friend and I do believe that I hear those songs in my head that they sing even when they aren't singing. :) But they love them and really that's all that matters! What's really cute is when they get Sage to doing a crazy dance while they only clap her hands. The kids dance and laugh like crazy!! Fijit Friends seem to be a pretty durable product since they still look brand new even after being in the hands of a toddler and five year old.

Fijit Friends is a toy that our family recommends for girls and boys of all ages! They offer hours of fun and come on...who doesn't like to dance?

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Mattel and received two Fijit Friends Newbies and one Fijit Friends to facilitate my review.