Growing My Kids Reviews

Giveaway Tuesday Linky

2013-05-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Please take a minute to link up your giveaways and enter the others listed here as well!

Our farm stay at Hoehn Bend Farm in Sedro Wooley, WA

2013-05-13T16:36:00.002-07:00

Disclosure: My family was hosted by the farm on this farm stay so that I could review it for Trekaroo. All opinions are mine and mine alone.

Have you all heard of farm stays? They've apparently been a big thing in other parts of the world for a while and are starting to catch on in the US as well. We had the opportunity to go on a farm stay last week and it was SO MUCH FUN!!! I've been raving about it to everyone since then- it was a wonderful way to introduce this city family to farm life! You can read my full review over on Trekaroo. If you're looking for a fun and unusual vacation idea for your family, check out the FarmStayUS website!

Trekaroo goes to Canada! (Write reviews and earn rewards!)

2013-05-09T10:34:00.002-07:00

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post, but I do work for Trekaroo. Still, I honestly think it's the best family travel site ever, and you should join! It's free, has great advice and you can earn rewards! What are you waiting for!

My beloved Trekaroo has officially expanded to Canada! Are you a family who lives in/travels to Canada? Share your experiences and earn rewards! Read on for details!

Big news! Family review site Trekaroo, the largest independent community of travel savvy parents in the nation, is expanding into Canada! Families will now be able to search Trekaroo's database for the inside scoop on Canadian attractions, lodging, restaurants, and tours. To celebrate, Trekaroo will be kicking off their Canada launch with week-long coverage of four major Canadian cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal. Throughout the summer, families can expect week-long features of each city, including travel advice, lodging reviews, and fabulous Canada vacation giveaways.

Are you an expert on a Canadian destination?

Trekaroo understands family travel, and knows that parents depend on expert advice from those in the know. The Trekaroo Canada Founders group is hard at work providing up-to-date, relevant family travel information for the following provinces:

If you have experience traveling in these Canadian provinces, or if you're a Canadian expert on your home city, we need your reviews! Signing up as a Trekaroo member is easy and free, and once you do so, you can leave reviews to destinations, hotels, restaurants, and attractions you've visited. Reviews need only be a few lines long, but they assist fellow family travelers forever.

Earn Canada Rewards!

Because Trekaroo values the traveling community, and knows that no Trekaroo landing page would be complete without the inside scoop from experts, they're offering Trekaroo Canada Rewards. From now until funds run out, existing and new members can write 10 Canada reviews and get a $10 Amazon gift card. Think of this as a way to share useful information with fellow traveling parents while reaping a reward to boot!

Hurry though, because once the budget runs out, the offer ends. Learn more about Canada Rewards at Trekaroo!

Shop at NOVICA to support artisans and buy gorgeous gifts! (With $40 gift certificate giveaway)

2013-05-08T13:15:00.001-07:00

Disclosure: I received a gift code to purchase an item for myself, as well as another to give away. All opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

Okay, so Mother's Day has snuck up on me again (although I did remember in time to get cards in the mail!). I suspect it sneaks up on a lot of people. If you're still shopping for a really special present, check out all the great items that NOVICA has in their handmade Mother's Day gifts category! So many beautiful things to choose from. Here are some of my faves:

I love a lot of things about NOVICA. All of the items I've received in the past have been gorgeous, and I love that they are handmade and come with the artisan's story. It's great to be able to support artisans by buying and appreciating their work. Also, I like NOVICA because the site is easy to navigate. You can shop by type of product, price or by gift list. Love it!

For myself, I ended up choosing this gorgeous necklace:

It's made of peridot and pearls, which are my kids' two birthstones, so I thought it was a perfect Mother's Day gift for myself! It arrived today and is just gorgeous! It was beautifully packaged in a pretty fabric bag, with a note inside from the artisan group. I absolutely love it!

Even though it's a little late to buy items from NOVICA and have them arrive in time for Mother's Day, that doesn't mean you can't shop there. Truly special gifts are worth the wait. And who says you can only buy Mom gifts once per year- I know I love receiving presents from my husband and kids any day of the year!

Also keep NOVICA in mind for really special graduation gifts- and remember that Father's Day is rapidly approaching as well!

To help one lucky reader shop for his/her next present-giving event, I'm giving away a $40 gift code, good for use on the NOVICA site. NOVICA ships all around the world, so the giveaway is open to everyone. Enter at the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PLANES! Coming soon to a theatre near you!

2013-05-08T10:41:00.002-07:00

We are HUGE fans of the CARS movies, so we're very excited about the upcoming release of a new Disney movie called PLANES! It's coming on August 9th, but to keep you busy until then, here are some activity sheets!

Giveaway Tuesday Linky!

2013-05-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

Here's this week's linky- can't wait to see all the great giveaways that you guys have going on!

Book review: The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years

2013-05-04T13:41:00.001-07:00

My son, Ethan, will be turning 6 this fall and heading off to Kindergarten. Since he's got some developmental delays, he's actually been in the public school system since he was three, and has been busing off to big kid school. Still, kindergarten is a whole different world from what he and I are used to! So I was glad when I got the opportunity to review a book called The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years, thanks to Booksneeze. Here's a bit about this book, from the publisher's website:

Prepares moms for the time when their school-aged kids take their first few steps into the world and away from mama's nest.
Sending a child off to school is a whole lot more than stocking up on school supplies and packing a (somewhat) healthy lunch. This helpful guidebook walks Christian moms through:

discovering a long-term vision for the person that Christ has purposed for your child to become
instilling a sense of "who I am and where I came from" in your child
choosing a school for your kids
helping your kids to develop key attributes—courage, kindness, perseverance—that lead to success in school
dealing with teachers, sports, and lessons
navigating those difficult conversations that will come sooner rather than later
a special feature includes sidebars "From the Principal's Office" with insights from a 35-year elementary school principal and educator
Moms will learn how to cover their children in prayer so that their launch into the world, and away from her control, is done with grace and wisdom—helping them grow into the men and women God intended them to be.

I liked many things about this book- the lists of pros and cons for various school options, the input from the author's mother (a long-time school principal) and the stories from the author's own experience with her kids in school. There's a lot of great information and many wonderful tips in this book. But what I liked best was the strong reminder throughout the book that we need to judge our kids' success not by what grades they get in school, but by who they are in Christ. It's easy to get caught up in letter grades and miss what's really important.

If you're getting ready to send a kid or two off to school, definitely take a look at this book! It's interesting and nicely written and has lots of great tips for soon-to-be parents of grade school children.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book to review for myself. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

Book giveaway: Family on the Loose- The Art of Traveling with Kids

2013-05-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I posted a review of a wonderful family travel book- Family on the Loose: The Art of Traveling with Kids. Trust me, if you ever plan to leave the house with your kids, you need this book.

So I'm excited to report that the lovely people behind this book are letting me give a copy away! Open to US/Canadian mailing addresses, enter at the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book review- Family on the Loose: The Art of Traveling with Kids

2013-05-03T09:41:00.000-07:00

My family loves travel. I’ve traveled around much of the US and Europe, while my husband is an expert traveler in Asia, Canada and the US. As for our kids- our son asks pretty much daily when we are going on our next trip and his favorite show is Amazing Race. So I was thrilled when the authors of a book aimed at helping families travel better emailed and asked if I would like a copy of their book called Family on the Loose: The Art of Traveling with Kids. It is stuffed full of wonderful ways to not just survive, but to love your family trips.

Topics covered in this book include packing lists, ideas for entertaining the family while traveling, ways to help kids prepare mentally for a trip, travel journaling, flexibility while traveling, re-entry to the real world post-trip, and even how to enjoy your hometown and appreciate it as if you were a tourist there!

You can tell that these authors have a real passion for not only traveling the world, but sharing all the joys of travel and experiencing other cultures with their kids. They use experiences from their own travels as examples for how to make things work. I love their practical tips, especially when they offer ideas for dealing with a situation with kids of various ages. This is a book that can grow up with your kids!

I can’t wait for our next big family trip so that I can put some of these suggestions into action. I’ve been traveling with my kids since my son was 5 weeks old (he’s almost 6), but there were still lots of new ideas and tips in this book that I hadn’t thought of. Very helpful!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book to review for myself. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review, and all opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

Mark Your Calendars- National Kids to Park Day is May 18!

2013-05-02T12:02:00.001-07:00

Received some information that I wanted to pass on to you all!

NFL Players Association Joins Team Supporting National Kids to Parks Day

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and National Park Trust (NPT) have joined forces to promote this year's National Kids to Parks Day scheduled for Saturday, May 18th. The NFLPA will join 17 national collaborators supporting the Third Annual National Kids to Parks Day.
Last year more than 108,000 kids and families participated. In addition, 260 mayors in 45 states and Washington D.C. and eight state governors issued proclamations, a U.S. Senate resolution passed declaring National Kids to Parks Day, and more than 250 events were held across the United States. With the help of high profile national partners like the NFLPA, National Park Trust hopes to double participation in 2013. Families can join the fun, find events, and sign up online at NPT's web site www.kidstoparks.org. They can also find events by visiting www.facebook.com/nationalparktrust.
"Our players have a special affinity for public parks and know how important it is for children to enjoy and play outdoors," said Jason Belser, NFLPA Senior Director of Player Affairs and Development. "We are proud to join National Park Trust and its impressive list of national partners in promoting National Kids to Parks Day."
National Park Trust's 2013 National Kids to Parks Day is officially in support of the First Lady's Let's Move Outside! initiative and NPT's 2013 collaborators include: the American Academy of Pediatrics, President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, America's State Parks, Department of the Interior's Youth in the Great Outdoors, National Park Service, National Recreation and Park Association, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Boy Scouts of America, National Education Association, National Geographic Kids, American Hiking Society, Children's National Medical Center, Children & Nature Network, U.S. Play Coalition, National Environmental Education Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, and National Park Hospitality Association.
Recognizing that young people spend far too much time indoors and far too little time appreciating and preserving America's magnificent national, state and local parks, the National Park Trust is mobilizing kids across the country for a nationwide park play-in. The website, www.kidstoparks.org, is interactive with links to park activities nationwide and provides a toolkit of ideas and activities for children, families and educators.
"National Kids to Parks Day encourages children across America to get out and play. This simple idea of playing in a park can potentially give millions of kids the reason to get active and get outside just as families prepare for summer," said Grace Lee, executive director of National Park Trust. "In one year, participation has tripled with children, families, educators, and elected officials jumping in to support parks and coming together in joyful and active outdoor fun. We want kids to love our parks and be empowered to protect and preserve them!"
National Kids to Parks Day is the signature event of NPT's popular educational program Where's Buddy Bison Been?®. Through its mascot Buddy Bison, NPT encourages children to "Explore outdoors, the parks are yours!". Forty-four schools in 15 states and Washington, D.C. participate in the Buddy Bison educational program, which includes classroom resources, lesson ideas and fully funded park trips.
In 2012 NPT launched the National Kids to Parks Day School Contest. This year NPT will award scholarships to 42 classrooms benefiting 1683 children, grades preK through 12th in 21 states, to put their ideas into action to visit, learn and play in their local, state and national parks and celebrate the day.
Families can sign up to participate at www.kidstoparks.org. When they visit a park on May 18th, kids can tweet #kidstoparks or send in photos to buddy@buddybison.org to have their pictures posted online on a national map commemorating the day. Also available online and on Facebook is a listing of park events across the country.
ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST National Park Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and protection of our nation's critical parks and reconnecting our youth – especially those that are under-served – to nature. As people spend more time indoors and as successive generations grow up with less of a connection to nature, NPT wants to build a greater awareness and appreciation for the importance of our country's parks. To achieve this, NPT is preserving parks today and creating park stewards for tomorrow (www.parktrust.org).
SOURCE National Park Trust; NFL Players Association (NFLPA)
RELATED LINKS
http://www.kidstoparks.org

Review: April 2013 Spicy Subscriptions Box

2013-05-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

*This is a very PG review of an adult subscription box. Safe for reading at work and even safe for my mom to read (but we shall never speak of this, Mom). :)

As I mentioned yesterday, I love monthly subscription boxes. Having a box show up at my doorstep with unknown products inside just makes my day. And I thought I'd heard about all the types of boxes that exist. So I was surprised to find out about one that I wasn't aware of and was happy to accept a chance to review it- a subscription called Spicy Subscriptions! Here's a bit about this subscription service, from its website:

Get monthly romantic surprises to your door, with Free and Discreet shipping. Spicy Subscriptions is the best and most convenient way to spice up your love life.
You'll receive a curated collection of Romance, Intimacy & Beauty products hand-picked from our Spice Shop. The Spice Box contains Romantic Gifts and an assortment of Intimate Items, Massage Oils, Sexy Lingerie, Romantic Fragrances and more!
Get the Premium Spice Box: $24.95/month
Get the Deluxe Spice Box: $34.95/month

Shipping is promised to be discreet, and it indeed was. My box showed up in a regular priority mail bubble envelope. Which is good, because my kids got to the door first and picked up the box. Most of the stuff that we receive is for them, but I explained that this mail was for Mommy and whisked it away.

Honestly, my favorite part about getting this box was Daniel and I sneaking away while the kids were watching TV so that we could open the box and check out what was inside. We've been really busy with work and school and life in general lately, and it was good to have a reminder to take some time and remember the importance of romance!

I'm not going to post pictures of the products, but here is the card that was included in the box, which describes everything that was inside. Everything was nicely packaged inside the box and wrapped in pretty tissue paper.

It was a nice assortment of products. The full-sized products were mostly bath products, the type I would expect in a beauty box rather than a adult product box. I thought the scrub and the massage oil were both nice- good smells and textures. Unfortunately for me, I live in a house with no bathtubs, so the chromotherapy bath is going to have to wait in my cupboard for a while. The sample products were all small and could easily be tucked into a bag for a romantic getaway.

Overall, we were pleased with the products that came in the box, but I think this is going to be a one-time subscription for me, for now, especially since so many of the full-sized products were bath-type products and I already have a ton of those. I could see myself subscribing again down the road though, when we need another romance pick-up. And I would definitely send a one-month subscription to a friend as a bridal shower present- it's out of the ordinary and fun!

For more information on what type of products and how many are included in each box, you can click the links in the subscription description back at the beginning of the post. And if you're interested in subscribing, I have a coupon code for you! Use the code: growingmykids to get 5% off your order.

Disclosure: I received this product to review for myself. All opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

DVD review and giveaway: Ring the Bell

2013-05-01T09:13:00.001-07:00

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

It's been a busy week here in my home. I was traveling to Texas last week while the rest of my family headed to Canada. So we're all still catching up on things, and by evenings we're pretty worn out. Last night I was desperately trying to come up with a way to entertain us all before bedtime, when I remembered that I had recently been sent a new movie to review, one called Ring the Bell. Here's a bit about it, from a press release that I received:

Ring The Bell shares the story of a slick, big city sports agent Rob Decker who seems to have it all. But on his latest mission to sign a high school baseball superstar, Rob becomes stranded in a small town where the simplicity of life—and the faith of the people—stand in stark contrast to his own fast-paced, win-at-all-costs mindset. Torn between these two worlds, will Rob have the courage to let faith transform his life? This heartwarming story of redemption is sure to entertain and inspire the whole family.
Ring The Bell features a host of well-known Christian music artists, such as Mark Hall along with his band Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Matthew West, all who play a role in this inspirational drama. Several former and current Major League Baseball all-stars are also featured in the film: ESPN analysts John Kruk and Rick Sutcliffe (a former Cy Young Award winner), along with Ben Zobrist.

As far as being family-friendly, this movie definitely has that covered. There is nothing in the movie that would be embarrassing or that I wouldn't want my kids to see. Ethan loved the baseball scenes (he's a huge fan!) and jumped out of his seat with excitement during the Casting Crowns concert scenes. He kept saying "Mommy, that song is from the radio! Those people are real!" The concert was also my favorite part- and I loved the song they performed, which is called "The Well". The movie has a strong message of faith in God from beginning to end. No matter how many times I've heard it, it's always good to be reminded that God loves us and that He wants us to come to Him, broken as we are.

Is this a Hollywood caliber movie? No. But it's entertaining and has fun cameos by Steven Curtis Chapman and Casting Crowns and a number of MLB players. It's definitely worth adding to your family movie night list, if you're looking for something that's appropriate for everyone in the family.

And I have good news! I am giving away a copy of this movie! Open to all mailing addresses, enter at the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review and giveaway (Closing 5/2/13!): Angry Birds Star Wars Millennium Falcon Bounce Game and Angry Birds Star Wars Foam Flyers

2013-04-30T15:59:00.001-07:00

Like most 5-year-olds I've met, my son Ethan is obsessed with Angry Birds, especially Angry Birds Star Wars. I don't let him play often, but when I do, I immediately get voted as the best mom ever. So when I was asked if I would like to review a new game called Angry Birds Star Wars Millennium Falcon Bounce Game, I agree, knowing it would earn me some serious good mom points. And I was right! Here's a bit about this game, from its website:

The hilarious launching fun of ANGRY BIRDS meets the intergalactic awesomeness of Star Wars in the MILLENNIUM FALCON Bounce Game! Bounce in to help the Rebels escape and win! Can you knock the sinister swine of the Empire off the MILLENNIUM FALCON and bounce the Rebel heroes into the cockpit? Launch your balls at the table and bounce them at the target. You get points for every pig you knock over, every ball you land in the center target, and every ball you land in the cockpit. Birds beat pigs in the MILLENNIUM FALCON Bounce Game! Includes MILLENNIUM FALCON target, base, LUKE SKYWALKER, CHEWBACCA and HAN SOLO bird balls, 5 cardboard pigs, 5 plastic stands and label sheets. Ages 8 and up. For 1 or more players. Adult assembly required.

The game is recommended for ages 8 and up, but after I set up the game, Ethan had no trouble playing it. He wasn't keeping score, as you can do with older kids, but he still thought it was about the most fun game ever. And I love that he was working on his coordination skills while having fun!

We also received another fun Angry Birds Star Wars toy, a Foam Flyer. We got Chewbacca, but you can also get Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper. The foam flyers are essentially large foam balls. They seem to be very sturdy and my kids have been having fun throwing it around.

I have great news! I'm giving away these toys to one lucky reader. But you need to enter immediately, as this giveaway is closing in just a couple of days! Enter at the Rafflecopter widget below, open to US mailing addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received these games and the opportunity to give away another set. All opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

Giveaway: Conscious Box!

2013-04-30T14:51:00.001-07:00

I admit it, I'm a bit addicted to monthly subscription boxes. It's like having a surprise gift show up on your porch every month! And I just got an email this week asking if I'd like to try a box and give one away to a lucky reader! Of course, I agree to both things. This box is one I wasn't familiar with- it's called a Conscious Box. Here's a bit about this subscription service, from its website:

How Does Conscious Box work?
Conscious Box is the best way to discover the most ethical and sustainable products on the planet! Focusing on strict tenets of organic, fair trade, and pure and natural products, each month Conscious Box will introduce you to healthy and honest alternatives for every aspect of your life and for every member of your family. Discover the best natural products, earn points for leaving feedback and reviews, and buy your favorites at incredible discounts!

Get a variety of unique pure & natural products every month!
From organic food to vegan beauty products, you’re sure to find new favorites!
Discover ethical and purpose-driven businesses of all sizes!
Get content on daily living tips, exciting monthly themes, and creative ways to use your box!
Easily earn points you can apply to full size products for unbeatable discounts!

I can't wait to try my box out! I'm sure you all want a chance too- so enter at the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to US mailing addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I will be receiving a box to review, as well as the opportunity to give one away. I received no other compensation and all opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

Giveaway Tuesday Linky!

2013-04-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

Here's this week's linky- can't wait to see what everyone has going on!

Spring into Color with Pampers! (With giveaway!)

2013-04-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

Pampers is ready for Spring- and they're celebrating with a sweepstakes! Here's the scoop:

Each week, the sweepstakes will take fans through nature's changing color wheel spectrum, celebrating babies' growth and the ways in which they color our world beautiful in so many ways, each and every day. From cameras, to educational toys to high-tech jogging strollers and a pallet of artist tools for your little ones to paint the world remarkable, there are four colorful-themed prize packets that will rotate with the "Spring Into Color" color wheel over the course of the 30 day sweeps, offering you and your family fun items to enhance your time together. And don’t forget, all entrants are automatically entered for a chance to win a $5,000 gift card! The contest will run through Tuesday, May 28th. Enter at:
www.facebook.com/pampers

To celebrate this sweepstakes, two lucky readers will each win a coupons good for a package of Pampers diapers and wipes (up to $18 value!) Enter at the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received the coupons that I'm giving away, as thanks for my time in posting. I also was provided with information about the sweepstakes. No other compensation was received and all opinions are mine and mine alone.

PBS Kids Apps

2013-04-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday my family had the opportunity to attend a fun event at the Pacific Science Center, put on by PBS Kids and others. We were familiar with PBS Kids, but thought it was just a collection of shows that the kids watch on occasion. Turns out we were so wrong! PBS Kids is not only TV shows, but also much more!

Best photobomb ever!

Ethan met the Cat in the Hat

For example, did you know that PBS Kids has online games and also apps for your mobile devices? And the games aren't just fun, but designed to help your children develop basic math and literacy skills that they need to succeed in school and life! You can see all the fun games and apps at the PBS Kids Lab.

Vivian tried out some of the games

There's also a PBS Parents app (free!) that has suggested activities and games that you can play in a variety of locations. I was at the park with Vivian the other day and pulled out the app and read their suggestions for ways I could help her learn while we played. She didn't even realize she was learning!

We were also amazed to learn about programs going on locally with our local PBS stations and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In addition to encouraging education through use of PBS games and apps, one local station has a program to help low income families stay in their housing, so that their kids can have a stable education and not constantly be moving and starting over at a new school. Wow! Not just TV indeed! You can read more about the Ready to Learn Initiative at this site.

So, if you're looking for some fun and educational games to play with your kids- especially as summer vacation gets near- need to keep up those skills- check out all PBS Kids has to offer.

Disclosure: I was invited to the event at Pacific Science Center and my family received free admission to the museum as well. All opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

Review: So Cozy Starter Kit

2013-04-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

My family travels a fair amount, thanks to my job at Trekaroo. Back before I had kids, I was a fairly accomplished traveler, so packing for myself is not a big deal. But packing for the kids is an entirely different story. I'm always forgetting something that they need- mainly because they keep changing so fast. As soon as I figured out packing for babies, they were toddlers, and now preschoolers!

One of the things that I most commonly forget to pack for the kids is hair care products. But my problem has been solved- in the form of this great little starter kit from So Cozy.

Traveling with your child just got easier with this easy to pack So Crazy sampler. It comes with 2 ounce bottles of Gel, So Cozy Conditioner, 2 in 1 Conditioning shampoo, Swimmer's Shampoo and Tear Free Shampoo.

PARABEN FREE

These hair care products are the brainchild of a woman named Cozy, of Cozy's Cuts for Kids, a children's hair cut boutique and toy shop. Unfortunately for me, the salons are all located in New York City, but at least we can enjoy the products that Cozy came up with.

I think the kit is just darling! We especially love the little rubber duck- how fun to have a bath toy packaged right in with the hair care products. I also love that the kit comes with a variety of types of shampoo, including Swimmer's Shampoo. We are often in the pool when we travel, so this is handy to have. All the products smell nice, with just a light fruit scent. My kids liked them, and I was pleased with how their hair looked after we'd used these hair care products. You can also get this starter kit with detangler instead of styling gel.

At So Cozy, you can buy full-sized hair care products, or this starter kit. So if you're looking for some new products for your kids' hair- check out the website!

Disclosure: I received these products to try out for myself. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

Giveaway Tuesday linky!

2013-04-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone's week is off to a good start. We have sunshine in Seattle, so we're all pretty happy! Can't wait to see what everyone has going on on their blog giveaways.

Book review and giveaway: Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up!

2013-04-22T11:47:00.001-07:00

My kids have a new book that they really like- it's called Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! And it's very cute! Here's a bit about it, from a press release that I received:

Oh sure, we've all heard the story of Jonah and the Whale a hundred
times. But have we heard it from the perspective of the whale who experienced that history-making event? Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! imagines how that great sea creature from the incident might tell his side of the story, helping kids ages 4 to 8 discover a creative way of learning about that guy who was supposed to go to Ninevah.

The "Parent Connection" feature (inside the book) will help moms and dads take the story further with scripture references and tips on how to talk with their children about what really happened.

My kids are familiar with the Jonah story and recognized right away what the story was about. But they were surprised when I kept reading and they realized that the story was about the whale and not just about Jonah. They thought the descriptions of Jonah in the whale's stomach were very funny. I liked the message- that when God tells you to do something, you better listen! The kids liked the book so much that they're busy asking me if we can get the other two similar book written by this author.

The book will be available for purchase on May 1, 2013. You can find more info at this link.

And I have good news- one of you will win a copy of this book! Open to all mailing addresses. Enter at the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

If you follow my blog with Google Friend Connect, heads up!

2013-04-17T13:57:00.002-07:00

There are over 2000 of you who follow my blog on Google Friend Connect- and it is going away in June. If you're interested in still reading this blog, consider following me with Bloglovin. It's free to use, and it will easily import all the blogs you follow with GFC. I just signed up, verified my email and then it offered to import the blogs for me. Super easy!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Giveaway Wednesday Linky!

2013-04-17T12:49:00.003-07:00

I'm a bit off schedule this week, thanks to spring break for my kids. Here's this week's linky- just a bit late! I can't wait to see what great giveaways you all have going on.

DVD review: Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1

2013-04-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

Is there any better sound than the laughter of a child? I don't think so- and I've been hearing a lot of it lately, thanks to the arrival of a new DVD to our house- Tom and Jerry Kids Show: The Complete Season 1. Here's a bit about this DVD, from a press release that I received:

BURBANK, CA (March 27, 2013) – Tom and Jerry’s rivalry goes way back to the time Tom was just a small kitten and Jerry a baby mouse. Their rollicking adventures as tiny tots are captured on Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s DVD release of Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1, available April 30, 2013. This entertaining release will be comprised of 13 episodes on a two-disc set, for over four hours of exciting, Tom and Jerry hi-jinks. Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1, will retail for $19.97 SRP.

On Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1, the popular cat and mouse are featured as adorable little tykes, but don’t be fooled! Tom and Jerry are every bit as rambunctious as kids as they are in their adult years. In fact, their youthful shenanigans set the course for what was to come. Joined by their pals, Droopy, Dripple, Spike and Tyke, Tom and Jerry bring on the giggles and good times in this set of 13 episodes that are sure to make every member of the family laugh out loud.

Ethan is a HUGE fan of Tom and Jerry, and he absolutely adores this DVD. We haven't watched all of the episodes yet (there are over 4 hours of shows on these discs!), but the ones that we have watched have made us laugh heartily. It's a great addition to our home DVD library, and if you have a Tom and Jerry fan in your home, it would be a great DVD for you to pick up as well!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD to review for myself. All opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

DVD review and giveaway: This is Our Time

2013-04-13T18:58:00.001-07:00

On this rainy (and hailing!) Saturday afternoon, my husband was out and my kids were watching a DVD in their room, so I decided to pop a new movie into my DVD player- This is Our Time. Here's a bit about it, from a press release that I received:

The movie tells the interwoven stories of Luke (T.J. Dalrymple) and Alé (Erin Bethea), who marry right after school and move to India to serve as missionaries for Embrace A Village, a ministry that cares for those afflicted with leprosy and their families; aspiring financier Catherine (Kate Cobb), who joins a prestigious financial institution determined to make an impact on corporate America; Ryder (Matthew Florida), who lands an impressive job in social media and can’t wait to use the powerful medium for a greater good; and Ethan (Shawn-Caulin Young,) seemingly the odd man out, who struggles to find his God-given-purpose and feels sidelined by God.
“What they all come to learn is that it never really was their time,” Arnold said. “It always was, always is, God’s time.”

This Is Our Time presented by Pure Flix

Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray on Tuesday, April 16. It will be available nationwide at Family Christian Stores and most Christian online and brick-and-mortar retail stores nationwide.

You're going to want to have the tissues nearby when you watch, because the main storyline is about figuring out how to follow God when things don't make sense- particularly in the wake of tragedy. It's a movie that talks about faith and patience and endurance. It's a story of friendships and family and love.

The storylines were all very interesting, but I think I most identified with the character of Ethan, who is in a time of waiting and feeling that his life doesn't have as much meaning as those of his friends and family. I think we've all been in that waiting place- so I really appreciated the message that we're always where God wants us to be, and we just need to be obedient and faithful in that place, no matter how meaningless it seems.

I also really liked learning about the real-life ministry that is featured in the movie. It's called Embrace a Village, and it works in India with leprosy patients and their families. The founders of the ministry appear in the movie, as do actual people that the ministry works with in India.

Honestly, the only thing that I was a little distracted by were the obviously nowhere near 22-years-old actos playing brand new college graduates. :) In addition to the main characters, you'll see some familiar faces, since Eric Estrada, Eric Roberts and Dawn Wells (Maryann from Gilligan's Island) also appear in the movie. All in all, I thought this was a great movie for my Saturday afternoon and I enjoyed it a lot.

This is Our Time is rated by the Dove Foundation's Family Seal of Approval as safe for all ages, and I agree with that rating. Little ones likely wont be much interested in it though. And I should also mention that the previews before the movie are for Christian movies as well, but they do contain some violence, so you may want to skip through those before kids are in the room.

I have good news- I'm giving away a copy of this DVD to one lucky reader. Open to everyone, enter at the Rafflecopter widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Review and giveaway (3 winners!)- Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care

2013-04-11T11:58:00.001-07:00

I don't have the time to go look back through all of my blog posts right now, so I can't make this statement with 100% certainty. But I'll make it with 99% certainty- I've never raved about a toilet cleaning product here on the blog. That's all going to change today- I'm writing about Soft Scrub's newest toilet cleaning tool, the Soft Scrub 4-in-1 Toilet Care. Here's a bit about it, from the product's website:

Soft Scrub^® 4-in-1 Toilet Care is the only rim hanger that:
Cleans
Prevents Future Buildup
Fights Toilet Ring
Freshens up to 4 Weeks
Just apply to the rim of your toilet and enjoy the cleaning and freshening benefits for up to four weeks!

I was initially concerned that I wouldn't be able to use this product, since the fragrance was so strong when I opened the box that I immediately closed the box and put it outside in our carport (I received the Sapphire Waters fragrance). Later when I was feeling brave, I opened the box again and quickly attached the 4-in-1 toilet care to the side of our toilet. Much to my relief, when the product was in use, I couldn't smell it at all. It does look a little strange at first- I actually put it on our toilet while my 3-year-old was at school and forgot about it. Until she got home and opened the toilet lid and started yelling to me about something strange being in the toilet :) She quickly got over her surprise though and all was well.

In action!

And boy have I been impressed by how well it works! We have two bathrooms, but since one is in our basement, the four of us all share the upstairs bathroom. Between frequent use and our weird water, I generally have to clean the inside of the bowl at least twice a week. Not so when I've been using this. It honestly was almost 2 weeks before I got to the point where I felt I needed to pull out the toilet brush. I love this toilet care product.

I received the Sapphires Water (without bleach) cleaner. It is also available in a Alpine Fresh fragrance (does contain bleach). And I have great news! Three of you will receive coupons from me so that you can pick up this product for free to try for yourselves! Open to US mailing addresses, enter at the Rafflecopter widget below.

And there's more excitement going on as well- In conjunction with the NEW Soft Scrub® 4-in-1 Toilet Care Insiders Kit, Soft Scrub is proud to introduce the Brig.hter Bowl Sweepstakes featuring NEW Soft Scrub® 4-in-1 Toilet Care! One lucky winner will receive $1,000, while 250 second place winners get to try NEW Soft Scrub® 4-in-1 Toilet care for FREE! Enter here
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received this product from Soft Scrub to try for myself, as well as the opportunity to give away free product coupons to my readers. All opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone.