In our first house, I tried so hard to start up and maintain a garden.  I was really good for a few weeks, prepping the soil, planting, and weeding.  I am though the most impatient person and I just couldn’t wait for the vegetables to grow.  Not that it mattered though, because we had a rabbit problem and they would eat whatever was going to grow anyways.  One solution to my problem would have been to set up one of the garden greenhouses.  There are actually are greenhouses suitable for any environment and all different price ranges.  I was even able to find some suitable for decks, patios, or placement beside a garage or shed.  Oh and there are even portable greenhouses that can be used indoors.

Now if I wanted to go all out, there is a hobby greenhouse I found that take horticulture to a whole new level.  They would actually be good whether you are new to gardening or an advanced gardener.  They are composed of durable materials such as indestructible polycarbonate walls and sturdy rustproof aluminum frames.  You actually buy them as a kit and put them together yourself.

Now since I don’t have much of a backyard, I found that a cold frame greenhouse is ideal for gardeners with limited space.  It is actually the perfect first step for those who want to get into gardening or just extend their growing season.  They are relatively inexpensive, yet durable.  I was worried about how well they would work, but I read that they utilize the same technology as large commercial greenhouses, but on a smaller scale.  The materials used are indestructible polycarbonate panels and rustproof aluminum framing so the greenhouses will retain heat and moisture while blocking wind and cold.  I definitely think this is the style I would choose if I was to get back into gardening, in my spare time!

This is a Sponsored Post.  Please see my Disclosure Policy.

It is almost nice enough to start playing outside and that means we will be replacing some of our outdoor items.  Luckily my boys are young still so I don’t have sports equipment to buy, but I do like to browse around Dick’s Sporting Goods every now and then to see if they have any fun outdoor items we could use now.  I also love to bring out the kid in me and try out new items while I am there!  Well Dick’s Sporting Goods has partnered with me to not only mention a fabulous contest they are having, but also give one Mama’s Money Savers a $50 gift certificate!

First, off here is the info on the Dick’s Sporting Goods “Starting Lineup Contest”

Enter on Twitter (http://twitter.com/dickssportcmo) for a chance to become a member of Dick’s Sporting Goods “Starting Lineup.” The 10 nominees with the most votes by March 31, 2010 win.

What does it mean to be on the “Starting Lineup”?

• A chance to try out and preview new products

• A spot on an online panel of experts for one season (for approximately 3 months)

• Access to exclusive online surveys

• A chance to sound off on all things sports

How does someone try for a chance to be on the “Starting Lineup”?

•   Follow http://twitter.com/dickssportcmo, if you’re not doing so already.

•   Recruit people to follow @dickssportcmo on Twitter and have them vote for you by Tweeting @dickssportcmo your Twitter ID and stating why you should be nominated.

•   Vote for yourself by Tweeting @dickssportcmo with your Twitter ID and stating why you should be on the “Starting Lineup.”

•   You can only vote for the same person once per day, but you can vote for multiple people in the same day.

Sample Tweet:  “@dickssportcmo I nominate @TwitterID for the #startinglineup because…”

Details: http://bit.ly/dBMkl8

Okay and now for the Mama’s Money Savers Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY: One winner will receive a $50 Gift Card to Dick’s Sporting Goods

WIN IT: Nominate yourself {or just vote for someone that is already in the running for the Starting Lineup}. If you wish to vote for someone else, checkout @dickssportcmo to see who is tweeting. Or, check out the hashtag #startinglineup to find someone to vote for.  Then, once you Tweet, leave me the link to that tweet in a comment here.

Since you can vote for multiple people each day, I would love for you to also Vote for me and I would be more than happy to vote back for you just tweet it at me! For me, Please Tweet: 

@dickssportcmo I nominate @mamasmoney for the #startinglineup because she loves to play outside sports with her kids!”

Bonus Entries:
~ Follow me via Google Friend Connect (top left on sidebar)
~ Subscribe to Mama’s Money Savers
~ Follow Me on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway (You can Tweet daily! – you can also click the Tweet button above)
Win a $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway to Dicks Sporting Goods #Giveaway @mamasmoney (Ends 3/30) http://bit.ly/d9gDcp
~ Become a Mama’s Money Savers Facebook Fan
~ Blog about this contest or send an email to friends/family and CC:ckachelmuss@gmail.com
~ Post my blog button on your site
~ STUMBLE or any other social network this giveaway
~ Enter any of my other giveaways or tell me how you heard about this giveaway!

Please leave me a comment for EACH entry and your email address if it is not in your profile for each entry that you complete above so I can accurately pick a winner. This contest ends on March 30th. Thanks everyone and good luck!  Also, if you just put a generic comment like “I want to Win” then I will have to disqualify you.  This contest is only open to US residents.

Click here to see the entire Blog Hop List….

Unfortunately my boys get sick and when they are sick they are crabby and don’t want to be touched. I don’t know how my mom used those Mercury thermometers with us as kids, as they took forever and were so fragile. Now though with today’s technology, taking your child’s temperature has never been easier! The Exergen TemporalScanner is a thermometer that takes just seconds to read a temperature and is used by just gently gliding it against your child’s forehead.

I love this thermometer! I admit I was skeptical at first because I thought it seemed to good to be true but I did test it against two other thermometers and got the same reading. I even used it on my son when he was sleeping and it didn’t wake him up!

So how does this thing work is the first question I had? Well, it gauges body temperature by capturing the naturally emitted heat from skin over the temporal artery, which runs across the forehead. The temporal artery is directly connected to the heart via the carotid artery. Tests have shown that the reading is accurate to within +0.2 farenheight, which is actually a much more accurate reading than take a temperature by oral, rectal, ear or under the arm. It is a durable and easy to grasp Digital Thermometer, has only one button, a high-contrast LCD temperature display and runs on one 9-volt battery (included). It also meets and exceeds all regulatory requirements including FDA, ASTM, and UL. It is even better for the environment as it uses infrared sensor technology so there is no mercury or probe covers to purchase for each use.

Overall, I think this is a great Thermometer for all ages, I use it on my boys as well as my husband and I. My aunt even purchased this to use on my great-grandma (93 years old) because she needed a quick and easy way to check her temperature. I had no problems at all with this thermometer and I really do love how big and durable it is. I haven’t lost it yet! (I tend to misplace thermometers and then can’t find them when I need them!) Whether you are monitoring a Fever or just checking, this thermometer really does a great job!

(This is not my son, but a picture from the website)

BUY IT: You can buy this thermometer at Walmart, Costco, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, and Sams Clubs nationwide for $30-$50. There is also a $5 Rebate coupon you can use!

GIVEAWAY: One winner will receive a Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer.

WIN IT: Comment on how you usually care for your sick child or yourself!

Bonus Entries:
~ Become an Excergen Facebook Fan
~ Follow me via Google Friend Connect (top left on sidebar)
~ Subscribe to Mama’s Money Savers
~ Follow Me on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway (You can Tweet daily! – you can also click the Tweet button above)
Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer – Great for all ages! #Giveaway @mamasmoney (Ends 4/1) http://bit.ly/cXS45O
~ Become a Mama’s Money Savers Facebook Fan
~ Blog about this contest or send an email to friends/family and CC:ckachelmuss@gmail.com
~ Post my blog button on your site
~ STUMBLE or any other social network this giveaway
~ Enter any of my other giveaways or tell me how you heard about this giveaway!

Please leave me a comment for EACH entry and your email address if it is not in your profile for each entry that you complete above so I can accurately pick a winner. This contest ends on April 1st. Thanks everyone and good luck!  Also, if you just put a generic comment like “I want to Win” then I will have to disqualify you.  This contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.

Mama’s Money Savers Disclaimer: This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by Exergen for this review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

First, Thank you so much for everyone that entered and I wish I could have everyone be a winner!

————————————————————————————————-

Q tips Nursery Giveaway Winner:

Congrats to:  Jenifer K.

Check out Q-tips here!

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Bare Escentuals Winners:

Congrats to:  Eileen and Nana Lara

Check out Bare Escentuals here!

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Cold Plasma Winner:

Congrats to:  Gina

Check out Cold Plasma here!

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Fiber One Chocolate Pack giveaway Winner:

Congrats to:  Christine

Check out Fiber One here!

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Whip It

Starring: Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page
DVD Release Date: January 26, 2010
Running Time: 111 minutes

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

Hang onto your helmet and get ready to break away from the pack! Ellen Page scores huge laughs as Bliss Cavendar, a small-town teenager with a big dream: to find her own path in the world. Tired of following in her family’s footsteps of compliance and conformity, Bliss discovers a way to put her life on the fast track…literally. She lands a spot on a rough-and-tumble roller derby team and becomes “Babe Ruthless” — the hottest thing on eight wheels! Co-starring Drew Barrymore (in her feature film directorial debut), Marcia Gay Harden, Juliette Lewis, Daniel Stern and Jimmy Fallon, Whip It is a triumphant, free-spirited comedy loaded with high-speed action and nonstop fun!

MY REVIEW:

First off, I love Ellen Page and Drew Barrymore so I knew this movie was going to be a hit for me. The movie is full of fun characters and great lessons. It features Ellen Page as a waitress in a small town who is basically bored and in need of something, she is just not sure what. Then she hears about a Roller Derby event in a nearby town and decides to check it out. After watching the Roller Derby skaters, she falls in love with the sport and with some motivation she tries out and makes it. Now of course she does lie about her age and to her parents about what she is actually doing when skating, but the movie emphasizes to live in the moment and try out new things. Ellen’s character also shows off how you have to practice and how great it is to be part of a team.

I really like this movie and think it would be cute for any ages. It is not just a teen movie, although it does include teen romance, but it also has some great actors and actresses like Jimmy Fallon and Juliette Lewis. I couldn’t get my husband to watch this movie with me, because he thought it was all about girl power, but I do think he would have liked it because of the humor and action. The skating is so real and exciting. It is also the directorial debut of Drew Berry and she does great!

BUY IT: You can buy “Whip It” at Amazon or wherever DVDs are sold.

GIVEAWAY: 3 Winners will receive the DVD “Whip It”

WIN IT: Leave a comment on any Drew Barrymore or Ellen Page movie!

Extra Entries (Only valid after you fill in the Form above!):
~ Follow me via Google Friend Connect (top left on sidebar)
~ Subscribe to Mama’s Money Savers
~ Follow Me on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway (You can Tweet daily! – You can also click the TWEET button above this post, but leave a comment that you did)
DVD GIVEAWAY:  “Whip It” (Drew Barrymore / Ellen Page) – 3 Winners #Giveaway @mamasmoney (Ends 3/24) http://bit.ly/bwFpxf
~ Become a Mama’s Money Savers Facebook Fan
~ Blog about this contest or send an email to friends/family and CC:ckachelmuss@gmail.com
~ Post my blog button on your site
~ STUMBLE or any other social network this giveaway
~ Enter any of my other giveaways or tell me how you heard about this giveaway!

Please leave me a comment for EACH entry and your email address if it is not in your profile for each entry that you complete above so I can accurately pick a winner. This contest ends on March 24th. Thanks everyone and good luck!  Also, if you just put a generic comment like “I want to Win” then I will have to disqualify you.  This contest is only open to US residents.

Mama’s Money Savers Disclaimer: I was given a DVD to review. This post is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

Barney:  Egg-Cellent Adventures

Release Date:  3/2/2010

42 Minutes

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

It’s magical make-believe time with everyone’s favorite purple dinosaur, Barney™, and his friends when Barney: Egg-Cellent Adventures springs onto DVD March 2, 2010 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Available for the first-time ever on DVD, it’s the perfect addition to any Easter basket!  Trusted by moms and adored by children, Barney displays sharing, caring, imagining, dancing and learning on television, online and through live events, home entertainment and publishing. The Emmy® award-winning series, Barney & Friends™ is one of the top-rated preschool shows today, airing on PBS KIDS® and PBS KIDS SproutSM.

Your search for tee-riffic fun with Barney & Friends™ is over! Baskets full of egg-citement abound when Mother Goose, a nest full of eggs, and a mysterious, carrot-eating visitor bring super-Dino adventures to the whole family. Hop along for the super-dee-duper adventures with Barney and his friends!

Episodes include:
·        “Rabbits”
·        “Mother Goose”
·        “Ducks and Fish”

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
·        “Barney’s Easter Egg Hunt”
·        “Gumdrops Matching Game”

MY REVIEW:

This is actually our first Easter-themed DVD and it is a great introduction to Easter for my boys.  Aidan (3 years old) is just starting to understand more about holidays and I think he is going to appreciate Easter egg hunting and meeting the Easter Bunny this year!  It is an adorable DVD broken down into three episodes, so it is perfect to watch an episode quickly or you could watch the whole DVD at once, which is what we do because my boys love the singing in the background.  It is funny because I used to laugh when my sister was little and would watch Barney, and think that I could never watch him with my kids, but the Barney show really does have great lessons and catchy songs.  He is simple, colorful, and how could you not like a big, purple dinosaur!  I would also rather my boys watch something that they could possibly benefit from if they are watching TV at all.  So far we have watched this DVD twice and I am sure we will be watching it a lot more both until and after Easter!  It is a great DVD for any child, especailly a Barney lover.  Also, this is the first time ever this collection has been on DVD.

You can also check out the Barney website for fun activities and games!

BUY IT: You can buy “Barney:  Egg-Cellent Adventures” wherever DVDs are sold or on Amazon for $10.99 with Free Shipping on orders over $25.

GIVEAWAY: One winner will receive the DVD Barney: Egg-cellent Adventures

WIN IT:  Comment on another Barney DVD you think your child would like!

Bonus Entries:
~ Follow me via Google Friend Connect (top left on sidebar)
~ Subscribe to Mama’s Money Savers
~ Follow Me on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway (You can Tweet daily! – you can also click the Tweet button above)
DVD GIVEAWAY:  “Barney:  Egg-Cellent Adventures” #Giveaway @mamasmoney (Ends 3/26) http://bit.ly/9xF8xG
~ Become a Mama’s Money Savers Facebook Fan
~ Blog about this contest or send an email to friends/family and CC:mamasmoneysavers@gmail.com
~ Post my blog button on your site
~ STUMBLE or any other social network this giveaway
~ Enter any of my other giveaways or tell me how you heard about this giveaway!

Please leave me a comment for EACH entry and your email address if it is not in your profile for each entry that you complete above so I can accurately pick a winner. This contest ends on March 26th. Thanks everyone and good luck!  Also, if you just put a generic comment like “I want to Win” then I will have to disqualify you.  This contest is only open to US residents.

Mama’s Money Savers Disclaimer: I was given this dvd to review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

Today in the mail I received a reminder saying that next week I would be receiving the 2010 Census forms and to please fill them out.  I started thinking about first off why wouldn’t someone fill it out, I mean it can’t take that long to fill out and it is only once every ten years!  This will actually be my first one as the last one that came out, I was in college and I assume my mom included me in her count.

I started reading about the 2010 Census and I learned some interesting facts:

• Communities will receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year for things like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, public works and transportation and more.

• The data determines the number of seats your state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

• It is just 10 short questions and postage is already paid for you to return it.

• If you don’t fill it out, a census taker may come knocking on your door to ask you personally those questions (how embarrassing!)

• Any personal data you provide is protected under federal law.

• Federal, state, and local governments use the data to interpret social and economic characteristics, such as forecasting amount of people eligible for Social Security or Medicare benefits.

• Does not ask for anything too personal such as a social security number (which by the way if a census taker does come to your door they should not ask you this.)

So basically, please take the ten minutes or so and fill out the 2010 Census form, one of the shortest forms in history!  Your community is depending on everyone’s answers!

US Census Bureau’s “Snapshot of America”

Helping families get organized, reduce waste and most all reduce stress is the motto of the adorable company, Punkaboo.  For starters, how can a company called Punkaboo not create adorable products!

Tired of peeled off labels and sharpie marker episodes, Jennifer decided she needed a better solution to labeling her children’s bottles, sippy cups, snack bowls, toys and more.  She created Punkaboo Waterproof labels that can withstand up to 60 washings in the dishwasher and work on anything you need them too!  Other than peel and stick Waterproof labels, Punkaboo also sells All-Purpose Labels and Tags, Enclosure / Calling Cards, Bag Tags, Note Cards, and Gift Packages.

I got the chance to review a set of the Waterproof labels and I will say so far the label has lasted through the dishwasher, but the first label didn’t make it past my son!  I put one on his sippy cup and since it is rounded, it didn’t go on as flat as I would have like d and he was able to peel it off.  After the first one though, the novelty wore off and he has left it on.  This is going to be perfect for him when I take him to the park district programs and have play dates!  I think it is great too so you can distinguish whose is whose at home, for example when one of my sons is sick, I know whose sippy cup is whose.  I love too the adorable monkey design on them and that is just one of over 200 designs to choose from.

I also received a cute Bag Tag, which I haven’t decided where to use it yet, but either way I will definitely be attaching it to his backpack when he starts pre-school!  It is also nice because it will match the labels that I will use on his other items for school.

Punkaboo is unique too in the sense that any design can be modified to your liking.  For example, colors can be changed, designs can be merged together, and more.  You can also use any design on any item – so if there is a particular Waterproof label you like, you can also get it without a doubt on the Note Cards, Bag Tags, and other items.

BUY IT: Check out the Punkaboo Website for all the adorable products offered!  Use coupon code “BLOG10″ for 10% off!

GIVEAWAY: One winner will receive a Punkaboo Gift Package includes 1 Sheet of Small Waterproof Labels, 1 Sheet of Large Waterproof Labels and 2 Bag Tags.  Items will be personalized for up to two people.  Winner can select from any Punkaboo design!  Waterproof Labels are Dishwasher, Microwave, & Pool safe!

WIN IT:  Comment on anything you like from the Punkaboo website!

Extra Entries (Only valid after you fill in the Form above!):
~ Follow Peekaboo on Twitter
~ Become a Peekaboo Facebook Fan
~ Follow me via Google Friend Connect (top left on sidebar)
~ Subscribe to Mama’s Money Savers
~ Follow Me on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway (You can Tweet daily! – You can also click the TWEET button above this post, but leave a comment that you did)
Peekaboo Personalized Waterproof Labels Prize Pack #Giveaway @mamasmoney (Ends 3/23) http://bit.ly/b4Aggo
~ Become a Mama’s Money Savers Facebook Fan
~ Blog about this contest or send an email to friends/family and CC:ckachelmuss@gmail.com
~ Post my blog button on your site
~ STUMBLE or any other social network this giveaway
~ Enter any of my other giveaways or tell me how you heard about this giveaway!

Please leave me a comment for EACH entry and your email address if it is not in your profile for each entry that you complete above so I can accurately pick a winner. This contest ends on March 23rd. Thanks everyone and good luck!  Also, if you just put a generic comment like “I want to Win” then I will have to disqualify you.  This contest is only open to US residents.

Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure:  This product review was made possible by the Double Duty Divas.  I was not compensated for this review other than a product sample provided by Punkaboo. All opinions are 100% mine

I admit it, my son’s playroom is full of plastic toys, many that are probably broken or falling apart.  I guess my family and friends (and myself) buy them plastic over Wooden Toys because of store availability and prices.  I am trying to think of the shelves at Walmart for example, and I can’t even remember seeing a wooden toy.  I do love wooden toys though for their durability and high quality materials.

Plan Toys is a company that produces only wood toys, and wow do they have a great selection.  What is awesome too is that all there toys are considered  educational, but don’t tell your kids!  Now at first I looked at some toys and I was like, “How can a car be education?”  Well, it helps with Fine Motor Skills, Hand Eye Cordination, Problem Solving, and even learning colors!

PlanToys Features:

• Made with Clean, natural rubber wood from rubber trees, which no longer produce latex. A chemical-free kiln is then used to strengthen the wood.
• Assembled using certified E-Zero Glue in place of traditional toxic wood glue.
• No dyes containing lead or other heavy materials used. Only safe, non-toxic water based dyes are used.
• Made with recycled and recyclable materials to minimize their impact on the environment.
• The toys are also made in an environmentally and socially responsible private enterprise to meet Green Manufacturing standards.

With PlanToys, its nice that you don’t have to worry about lead poisoning and safety issues. Their toys are organized into categories and perfect for any child in any stage. Whether you are looking for Baby Toys or Educational Toys, Plan Toys has it all.  It also tells you the appropriate age, description, and Playtime Ideas for each toy!

I got the chance to review the Clatter and it is so much fun!  All it does is basically click and the colored discs move back and forth, but it is fun!  I actually found myself playing with it while sitting at my desk thinking.  My sons on the other hand loves that it makes a clicking noise, the bright colors, and they have added it into their music collection!  It is very durable, but still light for kids to hold and it is a great size for little hands.  I used this with my boys to show them the different colors, count the discs, and just be creative!

Overall, I would recommend Plan Toys to anyone looking for a change from plastic and wants something unique.  This is about the forth Plan Toys toy we own, and so far they have lasted quite well, especially with two rough boys playing with them!

BUY IT: Check out the Plan Toys Developmental Toys and start shopping!  You can buy Plan Toys at their website or see their Store Locator for another online store.