Because It's Fun To Win!

{review + giveaway} CrazyDog T-Shirts (CAN/US)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:53:00 +0000

I love wearing t-shirts. Sometimes I wish I was more "stylish", but I've accepted that I am a "comfy" kinda gal. In my mind, nothing beats pajama bottoms and a t-shirt!

I got the chance to try out this Tom and Jerry t-shirt from CrazyDog T-Shirts:

I chose this one because Tom and Jerry was my favorite cartoon growing up! I love the vintage feel of it, and the cotton is of great quality and very soft. My kids were thrilled when they saw this t-shirt! They just discovered Tom and Jerry on television and now they think I'm cool. Gotta take it while it lasts!

CrazyDog T-Shirts has great funny t-shirts, and they are updated every week. You will definitely find something for everyone.

How about a Christmas Sweater T-shirt?

Or Mr DNA?

CrazyDog T-Shirts start at only 6.99$ for their Daily Deal t-shirts, while others run at around 16.99$.

Want to win your own choice of adult-sized t-shirt valued at 16.99$ or less? CrazyDog T-Shirts is offering one to one of my readers! Please note that the winner cannot have won another CrazyDog T-Shirt within the past 90 days, or own a review/giveaway blog of their own.

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form to be entered in this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{review + giveaway} Yoga By The Dozen DVD (CAN/US)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:55:00 +0000

One of my daughter's favorite activity on our video game console is yoga. She may be barely 5 years old, but she loves doing all the poses. So I was thrilled to review a great yoga program for kids on DVD, Yoga by the Dozen, created by JoAnna Ross. She teaches kids twelve yoga moves, hence the title.

Yoga By The Dozen™ promotes a healthy lifestyle for kids through their highly acclaimed ‘Yoga By The Dozen’ DVD and their complete line of lifestyle products for yoga. The top-selling DVD is a fun, interactive children’s yoga video, designed especially for kids ages 2-6. JoAnna and her 12 friends demonstrate a ‘dozen’ fundamental poses that will introduce your children into the exciting world of Yoga.

Kira decided to try out the DVD as soon as we got it. She loved seeing young kids just like her doing all the moves. I was quite impressed by how good these children were! Some of the poses were harder for her, but after a few viewings, she has already gotten much better at it.

Kira is a very energetic little girl and I'm glad that she found something that can calm her down and "ground" her, so to speak. JoAnna is a great teacher, she really makes it all fun for the kids.

Connect with Yoga By The Dozen on their website, Facebook and Twitter.

Want to win a Yoga By The Dozen DVD for your kiddos? Enter in the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you to JoAnna for this prize!

Rafflecopter does not allow more than one entry form per page. If you do not see the form (or if you see the wrong one), click HERE.

Disclosure: I received a Yoga By The Dozen DVD in exchange for this post. The opinions expressed are my own, pure and honest. No other compensation was given.

{review} FiveFinger Tees

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 03:57:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but I'm a jeans and t-shirt type of gal. I'm all about comfort. I love having t-shirts that say something about me. I especially like it when it says "hey, I'm a cool person!" When I saw all the great t-shirts over at FiveFinger Tees, I was sold! They have some of the coolest, funniest, pop-culture inspired t-shirts around, all at the amazing price of 9.99$ !!

FiveFingerTees.com opened in July, 2009 and is completely family owned and operated. We offer a wide variety of movie/TV, pop-culture inspired and down right funny t-shirts for only $9.99! Our philosophy is simple, we do all the work! From customer service, designing, printing, photography, shipping, web site design, and trying to watch our kids at the same time! By doing this, we keep our overhead really low which gives you the customer a great deal, without having to sacrifice on quality.

First, let me share with you the awesome t-shirt I chose to review. I am a big Doctor Who fan, so I knew this Time Xing shirt was the one I wanted as soon as I saw it!

All of their t-shirts are professionally screen printed on soft preshrunk 100% cotton shirts. They are available in assorted styles, sizes & colors.

I've only washed it once since receiving it, but I can tell you that it stayed in perfect condition. It is by far the coolest tee I own. Doctor Who tees are cool!

The only thing that disappointed me in this t-shirt was how boxy it is. Since I chose a women's tee, I was hoping it would be a bit more form-flattering. As it is, it's a simple basic tee. Don't get me wrong: I love it anyway! But I wish it was shaped a bit differently.

Here are a few other t-shirt available. You must check out their website, there are so many more!


Hoodies are also available for 29.99$

With Christmas coming up, I think these t-shirts would make great stocking stuffers. Trust me, there is something for everyone! Visit FiveFinger Tees on their website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Disclosure: I was given a FiveFinger Tee free of charge so that I could give an honest review. I was not paid for this review, all opinions are 100% my own.

{review} New Squinkies for Boys!

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:55:00 +0000

A few months ago, I reviewed Squinkies, the adorable collectible toy sensation. If you've been to toy stores or the toy section of large-surface stores, you've probably seen them.

This time around, I got to review the brand spanking new Squinkies for boys! These are sure to be hot for the holidays! On top of aliens, skateboarders and army guys, there is now a licensed line of Squinkies that features Disney's Cars, Hot Wheels and, my favorite, Marvel. Check it out:

Cute, right? Each Bubble Pack contains twelve Squinkies, each in it's own bubble. You can also get a play set that can hold twenty+ of these bubbles. The kids use the provided plastic coins to "buy" a Squinkie, and it comes out just like gum in a gumball machine! And if they lose the coins? No problem, a dime works just as well!

My kids LOVE this toy! They have pretty much been playing with it non-stop, inventing stories and simply having fun putting them in and getting them out.

I think it's a super cute toy, but I must admit I find the pieces really small. My kids have been warned: if I find Squinkies everywhere in the house, out they go! After all, we have a baby here :)

This is definitely a toy I recommend, as long as your kids pick up after themselves, lol!

Buy It!

Squinkies are now available on shelf most anywhere toys are sold including Walmart, Target and Toys R Us. Visit their website, blog, and Twitter for more info!

Disclosure: I was given some Squinkies free of charge so that I could give an honest review. I was not paid for this review, all opinions are 100% my own.

{review} "I Believe in You" by Marianne Richmond

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:36:00 +0000

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing Marianne Richmond's children book, The Night Night Book. I can honestly say it is still a big part of our bedtime routine. In fact, I recently had my 7-year-old son answer a questionnaire for my scrapbooking and he named it as his favorite book! You can read his answers here.

Suffice it to say that I was more than happy to review Marianne Richmond's latest story, I Believe in You.

Inspired by her own four children, Marianne wrote I Believe In You because we all want to know we have someone who truly believes in us, no matter what life is dishing out.

Your job of growing up
takes hard work, I know,
but each day is an adventure.
Each problem helps you grow.

Growing up can be a topsy-turvy journey from schoolwork, friendships, fitting in, and standing out. When children of any age know that they have a fan, they feel more confident to problem sole, endure, and succeed.

Whether it’s sunny or stormy,
whether you’re happy or blue,
I’m here to say, without a doubt,
That I believe in you!

I Believe in You encourages kids to look within to find they have all they need to succeed—and to know they always have someone cheering them on.

My thoughts about this book as a parent? It's beautiful. The message is an important one: things might be hard sometimes, but I believe in you. There is only one you, and you are worth it. You can get through anything. And I'll always be there for you.

This is a sweet story that pulls at my heartstrings. It's a great read, and it can definitely help you open a discussion with your child about their worth and how much they mean to you. My kids love this story as well, they are big fans of the rhymes, and the slightly child-like illustrations.

You can find a copy on Amazon. You can also visit the author's website to read about her other books.

Disclosure: I received I Believe so that I could give an honest review. I was not paid for this review, all opinions are 100% my own. Yours may differ from mine.

{winners} Boogie Wipes, Baby Blanket Music, and Picky Sticky

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:51:00 +0000

Hello everyone!

Things have been difficult at home and I have been absent because of that, I'm sorry. Here are my three latest winners, finally!

Boogie Wipes: Material Girl Green

Baby Blanket Music (choice of Michael Jackson or Madonna): Carrie Phelps

Picky Sticky (your choice of sets): Kimberly (kirbycolby@...)

Winners will be emailed shortly and have 72 hours to claim their prize.

{review} Wholesale Halloween Costumes

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:51:00 +0000

Halloween is less than a month away. Are you ready? Have your kids decided what they'll be dressing up as? Have you? In my household, it was decided weeks ago. My youngest daughter (7 months) will be a dragon, my other daughter (4) will be a flamingo and my son (7) will be Darth Vader. No surprise there, my son is obsessed by all things Star Wars!

It was a no-brainer when came time for me to choose a costume for review on Halloween Costumes Canada. I knew my son would flip out if he had a "real" Darth Vader costume (in his mind, the helmet makes the costume "real"). So I browsed the boys Halloween costumes and found this one:

Isn't it a great Darth Vader child costume? It's important to know that the light saber is not included in the costume, but everything else you see here is included. My son loves the chest plate and the belt, and he absolutely beams every time he gets to try on the helmet!

It's usually pretty cold on Halloween night where we live, so it's important to choose a costume that will accomodate a winter coat under it. The medium size is ample enough for that.

The fabric quality is not great, but it not worse than anything else I've seen in stores. It definitely will withstand role playing for a long time to come! The helmet looks very durable and Sean tells me it's comfortable.

I love the fast shipping they provide, you still definitely have time to order for Halloween! While you're there, why not look for yourself as well? ;)

Prices a extremely competitive and the variety of choices is huge!

Thank you to Wholesale Halloween Costumes for providing a costume for review!

Disclosure: I received a costume in exchange for this post. The opinions expressed are my own, pure and honest. No other compensation was given.

{review + giveaway} Picky Sticky Baby's Firsts (CAN/US)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:43:00 +0000

I am so happy to be bringing you a review of Picky Sticky's Baby's Firsts onesie stickers. Don't know about Picky Sticky? They are transparent sticky papers that help you document each of your baby's milestones by applying them to a onesie you already own. They are not iron transfers. Once you use them and have taken your pictures, simply peel them off!

I've reviewed Picky Sticky's Belly Stickers before, check it out here. I loved them so much that I ordered the First Year and Second Year set!

As for Baby's Firsts stickers? They are just as wonderful! What a great way to document all the new things your baby does! Check out my sweet daughter Zoey rocking her Picky Sticky:

Isn't it just wonderful?! I'm a scrapbooker and I love to document every single milestone with pictures. Picky Sticky makes it even more fun!

Want to buy your own? Head over to Picky Sticky. Make sure to "like" them on Facebook for news of special promotions, new product introductions and more.

Want to win a Picky Sticky sticker set of your choice? Enter in the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you to Baby Picky Sticky for this prize!

Rafflecopter does not allow more than one entry form per page. If you do not see the form (or if you see the wrong one), click HERE.

{review + giveaway} Baby Blanket Music (CAN/US)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:55:00 +0000

Have you heard of Baby Blanket Music? They are CDs of soothing lullaby arrangements of songs made famous by artists such as Billy Joel, The Beatles, and John Mayer. Other artists include Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Garth Brooks.

I received a copy of Soothing Lullaby Arrangements of Songs Made Famous by Madonna, one of Baby Blanket Music's newest release. The other new release is Soothing Lullaby Arrangements of Songs Made Famous by Michael Jackson.

Madonna, regarded as one of the most influential figures in contemporary music, is noted as the world’s top-selling female recording artist of all time. Her music and convictions have touched the lives of millions of fans worldwide during the last three decades. With a large repertoire of hit songs and progressive fashion statements, Madonna is loved by many for continuously reinventing both her music and image.

Among the popular tunes that can be found on Baby Blanket Music’s Madonna album are Holiday, Material Girl, Vogue and Like A Prayer.

I thought I was going to be able to hum along with the lullabies, but it turned out to be impossible. The tempo is slowed down so much that it even took me a while to recognize each of the songs. I'm not complaining here; after all, lullabies are supposed to be slow and soft to put baby to sleep. But it was a bit disconcerting at first.

It was a nice CD to listen to at bedtime, very calming and soothing. My daughter seemed to enjoy it and was asleep by the third song. I'd definitely be curious to hear the other CDs.

Want to buy your own? Head over to Baby Blanket Music. Make sure to "like" them on Facebook for news of special promotions, new product introductions and more.

Want to win your own copy of Baby Blanket Music (Madonna or Michael Jackson)? Enter in the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you to Baby Blanket Music for this prize!

Rafflecopter does not allow more than one entry form per page. If you do not see the form (or if you see the wrong one), click HERE.

Disclosure: I received Boogie Wipes in exchange for this post. The opinions expressed are my own, pure and honest. No other compensation was given.

{review + giveaway} Boogie Wipes (CAN/US)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:17:00 +0000

If your kids are anything like mine, they don't think twice about using their sleeve to wipe their runny nose. I cringe every time and I always give them a look that says "go get a tissue now!"

A tissue is okay, but we all know that after a while, their little noses get red and sore. That's why I love Boogie Wipes. The gentle saline solution found in them is so soothing, and all the scents are great (we are partial to the "fresh scent" in this household). No wonder Boogie Wipes is a Mom Invented Top Pick!

Right now, you can enter your child in the "Snot Your Average Kid" search.

Has he/she done something amazing that the world needs to know about? Something's that positively impacted family, friends or your community?

Tell us about your Boogie kid and he/she could be featured on our new 90-count Boogie canister!

First of all, a 90-count canister?! Yes please! Second, don't you think your kids would get a kick out of this? So go ahead, brag about them here!

Connect with Boogie Wipes on their website, blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Boogie Wipes has generously offered a prize pack for one of my readers. Thank you!

Rafflecopter does not allow more than one entry form per page. If you do not see the form (or if you see the wrong one), click HERE.

Disclosure: I received Boogie Wipes in exchange for this post. The opinions expressed are my own, pure and honest. No other compensation was given.

{new winner} Wisharoo/Capezio

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:57:00 +0000

Good afternoon everyone! Karen, the winner of my Wisharoo/Capezio giveaway, contacted me yesterday to let me know she had won the same prize on another blog just last week. How lucky is she?! :) She kindly asked me to draw another winner so that another mom could share in the excitement of this cute prize. Thanks Karen!

Turns out our new winner is a dad, Timothy Ware!! Congrats!

I will be contacting you via email shortly, please make sure to give me shoe size, shirt size and gender.

Did you hear? CSN Stores is now Wayfair!

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:29:00 +0000

I knew something was going on over at what was formerly known as CSN Stores. But I had no idea that they were doing a major overhaul! That's right, CSN Stores is now Wayfair!

There is something for every style. Every budget. Every taste. And you'll still find free shipping on almost everything!

Personaly, I am drooling over this Hauck Malibu Stroller!

Make sure you click below to enter to win $50+ in Wayfair Rewards!!

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, I just wanted to share the news with my readers!

{winners} Eden Fantasys and Wisharoo/Capezio

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:00:00 +0000

The winner of the $25 GC to Eden Fantasys is Ted Kooper! Congrats!

The winner of the Wisharoo/Capezio giveaway is Karen Medlin! Congrats!

Please refer to the original posts to see your exact winnings and reply to my email with all the info needed (shirt size, shoe size, gender, etc)

Thank you to everyone for participating!!

{winners} MiniMaestro Diaper and Lovable Labels

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:01:00 +0000

Two great giveaways ended recently.

First off, the winner of the MiniMaestro Cloth Diaper is Analyn Purcell!! Congrats, you win your choice of diaper (excluding the prints)!

The winner of the Back-to-School Pack from Lovable Labels is RBM!! Congrats, you win your choice of BTS pack! After you claim your prize, Lovable Labels will work directly with you to choose the pack you want.

Please check your emails.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Alexa Drop Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:35:00 +0000

Thanks for helping me lower my Alexa rating! Remember, the lower it is, the more awesome giveaways I can bring you! Please visit here to enter!

{winners} Wisharoo Park DVD and Finger Puppets

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:21:00 +0000

Here are the three Grand Prize winners of the Wisharoo Park DVD and WishStar Finger Puppets:

Erica G

Erika

Suzanne Ds

The three winners of the runner-up prizes, consisting of WishStar Finger Puppets, are:

Brandi Westmoreland

RBM

Bonnie

I will be emailing you today, but feel free to send me your info if you see this before then.

Thanks to all who participated! For another chance to win a Wisharoo prize (as well as ballet shoes, tap shoes, a t-shirt and a drawstring bag), check out this post!

{giveaway} Duckle Dance Sweepstakes, Capezio and Wisharoo Park Gift Package (US only)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 12:41:00 +0000

Dear readers, grab your kids and get dancing to the Duckle Dance beat and enter them in the Duckle Dance Sweepstakes Presented by Capezio and Wisharoo Park. Make sure to video them while they're dancing the Duckle Dance and then enter those videos via downloads to their facebook or YouTube accounts for a chance to win one of twenty Capezio and Wisharoo Prize packages or one of five $500 Dance Scholarships!

Simply watch the following Duckle Dance video with your kids and then ask them to perform their own version of it! Isn't that fun?! Make sure you take a video of them and enter in the contest. You can find all the information here: Contest Instructions. Note that the entry period closes September 1st, 2011.

Wisharoo Park is dedicated to promoting positive self-image and self-esteem in preschool age children. It was originally introduced by airing as a children’s TV series on PBS stations across the country and is now rolling out as a dynamic multimedia program which includes the interactive website WisharooPark.com, DVDs and more! .

Unique among preschool programs, Wisharoo Park is designed to help children age 3 – 6 recognize and appreciate their individuality. With its groundbreaking technology-based curriculum, Wisharoo Park helps children discover and understand their personal strengths and put them on the road to developing greater self-esteem. The Wisharoopark.com enchanting online community stars a whimsical cast of loveable animated, puppet and human characters who are featured in games, videos, music and more! Each week exciting new activities and content are added that are sure to keep parents and their kids coming back again and again.

Wisharoo Park is proud to partner with Capezio. Dedicated to the art of dance since 1887, Capezio revolutionized the dance world with dancewear and footwear products for every dancer from beginner to professional. Capezio operates retail stores carrying the full lines of all Capezio/Ballet Maker Inc. brands in New York City and several major cities nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.capeziodance.com/.

Until then, how about entering my giveaway for the following prize?

A fantastic Duckle Dance gift package with a retail value of more than $100 that consists of:

•One Pair Capezio Daisy ballet Shoes. Retail Value: $18.00

•One Pair Capezio Jr. Tyette Tap Shoes. Retail Value: $25.00

•One Limited Edition Do the Duckle Commemorative T-Shirt. Retail Value: $12.99

•One Capezio Logo Drawstring Backpack. Retail Value: $8.50

•One Wisharoo Park 2-Disc 13 Episode DVD Set. Retail Value: $19.99

•Six Wisharoo Park Wish Star finger puppets. Retail Vaile: 19.98

I received these products for my daughter and she is thrilled with everything! She especially loves her ballet shoes; she says she's now a *real* ballerina! I love seeing her dance around the house :)

Rafflecopter does not allow more than one entry form per page. If you do not see the form (or if you see the wrong one), click HERE.

Disclosure: I received a gift package in exchange for this post. The opinions expressed are my own, pure and honest. No other compensation was given.

{review + giveaway} Lovable Labels Back-to-School Pack (CAN/US)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:43:00 +0000

By now, you know that I am a huge fan of Lovable Labels. I love the quality, I love the durability, and I love all the choices. To see previous reviews, click here.

Today, I get to review the Back-to-School Pack. Available in 10 different styles, it includes:

•15 Regular Sticker Labels
•80 Slimline Sticker Labels
•48 Press n'Stick Clothing DOTS
•12 Shoe Labels
•2 Mini-Metal Tags (two 4” silver ball chains incld)
•12 Square Labels


I've tested this many, many time. It's all true!

Sean was so excited to get this kit! He helped me labels all of his school stuff. It took a fraction of the time it took last year, everything looks much more colourful, and I know that all these labels will still be on the items when June comes around. We labeled pencils, markers, scissors, pencil cases, and much, much more! Here, you can see
1) a mini-metal tag on his lunch box (the other is on his backpack)
2) a square label on his water bottle
3) slimline sticker labels on his fork and spoon (trust me, these will stay put all year, even if they are washed every day!)

This pack is called Movin' and Groovin', isn't it perfect for a little boy?! I love how colouful it is, and the icons are adorable :)

You can purchase your own Personalized Lovable Labels Back-to-School pack for $44.95 CDN (shipping is free in Canada and only $3 the the US).

Or you can enter to win your choice of BTS pack right here using the Rafflecopter form! Lovable Labels has graciously offered a pack for one of my readers, thank you so much! I usually open my giveaways for 2 weeks, but this one will be shorter so that you can receive your pack asap!

Rafflecopter does not allow more than one entry form per page. If you do not see the form (or if you see the wrong one), click HERE.

{review + giveaway} EdenFantasys (WW)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:25:00 +0000

Disclaimer: While all images in this review are PG, this review links to an adult website that displays adult content and toys. Please read at your own discretion.

When I was contacted by EdenFantasys to do a review of their website, I was torn. On one hand, I'd had a few requests from readers for an EdenFantasys giveaway; on the other hand, did I want friends and family to read this? In the end, I decided to get over my embarrassment and to just go for it!

I am a mom of three, and my youngest is 5 months old. My husband and I don't get much "alone time" these days. Although my mind is not much on sex lately, I do miss the intimacy. I miss the cuddling (not much of that going on when you are bed-sharing with a baby!), the kisses (unfortunately, those get forgotten much too often...), and I simply miss US.

One thing I really appreciated when I visited the EdenFantasys website was how tasteful it is. I didn't feel "dirty" being there, they really make it feel comfortable. No dark background that makes you feel like you are doing something wrong. No "nasty" images that you wish you didn't have to see. Clean and simple. I like that.

I was amazed by all the products they have to offer. This was new territory for me and I didn't know all these things were available. And it's not all sex toys, although there are plenty of those! You can also find sexy lingerie, party favors (bachelorette party anyone?), and massage oils and lotions. This is where I spent most of my time. In my opinion, there's no better way to say "I love you!" than with a foot massage! I think the Fresh orange/Wild ginger foot lotion sounds great!

What about you, what product catches your eye? Share with me in the following Rafflecopter form for your chance to win a 25$ GC to EdenFantasys (your answers will stay private, don't worry!)

Rafflecopter does not allow more than one entry form per page. If you do not see the form (or if you see the wrong one), click HERE.

Disclosure: I am receiving a Gift Certificate to use from Eden Fantasys in exchange for a review of my opinion. The opinions expressed are my own, pure and honest. No other compensation was given.

{winner} Learning Link Online Class

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:16:00 +0000

The winner has been chosen for the 12-month online class worth 600$.

Congrats to Tracy Taylor!

Please check your email. Thanks to all who participated!

{review + giveaway} MiniMaestro Cloth Diapers (Can & US)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Thanks for making this a PRIZEY Editor's Pick!

Being a proud Canadian, I love to feature Canadian companies. That's why I was particularly proud when Sophie Gratton, the mastermind behind MiniMaestro, agreed to work with me for a review!

Sophie wanted a diaper that was trim, leak resistant, easy to use and to clean, made in Canada and of course affordable. She went to the drawing board, took out her sewing machine and, after many prototypes, came up with the MiniMaestro cloth diapers.

When Sophie agreed to work with me, my little one was still a tiny baby of 8lbs. She asked me if she could send me a medium slim MiniMaestro to test out the suggested weight of 12 to 22lbs. The plan was to try it on Zoey when she hadn't reached 12lbs yet to see if the estimated weight was correct.

Because I received it so early, I was able to wash it many times with my regular diaper washes, which means it was well prepped when I finally put it on Zoey when she was 9lbs. It leaked at 9lbs, as well as at 10 and 11. But when I reached the magic number of 12lbs, there were no more leaks! So the estimation was spot on! When she reached 15 lbs, however, I started getting occasional leaks. To be completely honest here, I don't think it's a problem with the diaper, I think it's a morphology problem, lol! You see, Zoey when slim when she was small, which is why Sophie sent me a medium slim. However, she became quite pudgy in time and I truly believe this is why it stopped working well. I'd have to try out a regular medium to be sure, but I really think "the pudge" is to blame (not that I don't like a plumpy baby, I love all the rolls!)

My thoughts about the MiniMaestro diaper? It's awesome! It's the closest one I have to a disposable one when it comes to ease-of-use. It's also super trim, as you can see on this picture of Zoey. Definitely one of the trimmest diapers I own. I also like the insert (made of a combination of synthetic and natural fibers between two (2) bamboo fleece layers), which is wider in the back than in the front. The insert did shrink in the dryer, but it didn't affect its absorbancy. I'm also amazed by how soft the micro fleece inside layer of the diaper stayed, even after many, many washes. It's good to know my baby's bum will feel dry and soft when she wears her MiniMaestro :)

You can connect with MiniMaestro on their website, blog, Facebook and Twitter.

MiniMaestro is offering one diaper plus insert in your choice of colour (excluding the prints) and size to one of my readers. Thank you so much!
Rafflecopter does not allow more than one entry form per page. If you do not see the form (or if you see the wrong one), click HERE.

Giveaway at The Vintage Pearl

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:38:00 +0000

Once in a while, I find a giveaway elsewhere that is so awesome I need to share it with my readers! I found one at The Vintage Pearl's blog. They are giving away 2 of their new {secret} love message necklace.

I am in love!

Enter HERE!

{review + giveaway} Wisharoo Park - 6 winners!! (Can & US)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:55:00 +0000

I recently received, to my kids' enjoyment, a 2-disk DVD of Wisharoo as well as six Wish Star finger puppets for review. I was also ask to check out their website full of games, activities, and stories. What is Wisharoo Park, you ask? It is a total multimedia package for preschoolers and their parents!

Wisharoo Park is dedicated to promoting positive self-image and self-esteem in preschool age children. It was originally introduced by airing as a children’s TV series on PBS stations across the country and is now rolling out as a dynamic multimedia program which includes the interactive website WisharooPark.com, DVDs and more! .

Unique among preschool programs, Wisharoo Park is designed to help children age 3 – 6 recognize and appreciate their individuality. With its groundbreaking technology-based curriculum, Wisharoo Park helps children discover and understand their personal strengths and put them on the road to developing greater self-esteem. The Wisharoopark.com enchanting online community stars a whimsical cast of loveable animated, puppet and human characters who are featured in games, videos, music and more! Each week exciting new activities and content are added that are sure to keep parents and their kids coming back again and again.

My two oldest kids are 4 and 7 years old. The 7-year-old acted a bit blazé about it all, but I think that's because he's past the target age for Wisharoo. Yet, I could tell he enjoyed playing the games on the Wisharoo website. It's great that there is new content added weekly, the kids always have something new to discover. My 4-year-old absolutely loved it all! She watched the DVDs back-to-back, has asked more than once to play online, and carries her finger puppets everywhere! These puppets are actually a big hit with my 5-month-old, who giggles when she sees them and tries to grab them to chew on them! :)

As a mom, I love all the positivity found in Wisharoo. As a child, I didn't have very good self-esteem and I want to avoid that with my kids. It's actually something I work really hard at developing within them. I want them to know that they are worthwhile people, no matter what. Wisharoo is a great tool to develop this.

You can connect with Wisharoo on their website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on YouTube. If you "like" Wisharoo Park on Facebook, you will get three free songs (a $2.97 value)!

Are you interested in all that Wisharoo has to offer? Sure you are! Wisharoo has kindly offered the following prizes for my readers:


Three Grand Prize packages each consisting of one Wisharoo Park DVD and six WishStars = a $40 value each

Three Runner-up Prizes each consisting of three sets of six Wish Star finger puppets = a $20 value each

Rafflecopter does not allow more than one entry form per page. If you do not see the form (or if you see the wrong one), click HERE.

{winner} Planet Wise Sports Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 15:30:00 +0000

The winner of the awesome Planet Wise Sports Bag is

katklaw777!

Winner has been confirmed. Thanks to all the participants!

{review + giveaway} Learning Link Technologies-Educational Giveaway $600 Value (WW)

noreply@blogger.com (Claude) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:29:00 +0000

I was recently given the opportunity to review the program from Learning Links Technologies. They offer help for the struggling learner. The program gives you techniques to retrain your child's brain to make learning easier.

The one-hour weekly session and 20-minute daily session put the emphasis on motor skills to retrain the brain. My son has no known learning difficulties, but I believe this can be helpful for him anyway. I think it will help him focus more and perhaps make homework a bit more fun!

We did a week's worth of exercises and he enjoyed them. It may seem basic at first, but I could totally see how it was making his brain work. The instructions are easy to follow and the exercises are not overwhelming to a child. He saw most of them as games rather than work, so it was a positive experience for him.

The program gives you access to forums where you can discuss your specific needs and/or problems. There are also various tests to determine if there is a learning deficiency that should be addressed, such as dyscalculia and dyslexia.

This is a 12 month program priced at 50$ per month. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Connect with Learning Link Technologies on their website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Learning Link Technologies has generously offered a 12-month online program, worth 600$, to one of my readers! Thank you! Giveaway is open worldwide. Ends Aug 13th, 2011, 11:59 EST.

One entrant per email/household/isp please.

I am using Rafflecopter, please let me know if there are some bugs! :) If you see the wrong form, please click HERE.