CSN stores has a lot to offer

I just got a bunk bed this summer for our kids, because space is limited, and bunk beds are fun for kids. I was checking out the many options for bunk beds on the CSN website, and one that I think is really fun is the Doll House loft bed! What a fun bed for a little girl!! I also thought that the Full low loft bunk bed looks great! I think my kids would play in their room all day if I had one of these bunk beds in their rooms!

I am going to be doing a review for CSN stores coming up. Looking over their toy line, I had a hard time choosing an item to review. I requested a 48 piece Microscope because I think it would be great to use this with home schooling, and Nathaniel has wanted one. I think he will be thrilled to experiment with it. I think that the microscope is reasonably priced, too. I hope that the quality is great! I am anxious to try it out with Nathaniel.

Check out CSN stores, because they have everything from furniture to school/office supply.

Make time for change with Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner!

Time seems to be so minimal, especially being a busy mom of 4, home schooling, and just maintaining the home life. I really wish I had more hours in my day, and even time to just play more with the kids, or sit and do an activity I enjoy.
I am sure many of you have heard about, or experienced first-hand, the time-saving power of Frigidaire's incredible new appliance line. I know that I would love to review some of Frigidaire's appliances. Now the brand is taking their commitment to mothers one step forward by partnering with an admired and philanthropic celebrity mom- Jennifer Garner. Not only is Jennifer a huge fan of the time-saving features of the new Frigidaire appliance line, but she's teaming up with the brand to launch an incredible campaign for an important cause. Jennifer and Frigidaire are proud to kick off the "Make Time for CHANGE" campaign to support Save the Children's U.S. Programs, dedicated to making a difference for the smallest and most vulnerable Americans - children. Frigidaire's new line of appliances, the largest launch in the brand's history, is designed with time-saving features for busy moms. Everyone who believes in the power of Moms is encouraged to pledge to make change for children~November 1st - the day all of us change the clocks and get an extra hour - think about making a CHANGE for children. Everyone who goes to Frigidaire.com and raises their hand with a pledge to make time for a child, Frigidaire will donate $1 to support the CHANGE program and Save the Children's work to help children in need in the U.S. And in addition to that fuzzy feeling you get from doing something good, everyone who pledges their time will be entered for a chance to win a new Frigidaire Professional double wall oven! I know my kitchen (and my family) would be absolutely tickled pink with a new double wall oven!
Those in the market for top-notch new appliances should also know that, for every new Frigidaire Professional double wall oven sold, Frigidaire will donate $100 to Save the Children's U.S Programs as part of their $250,000 commitment to this worthy cause.
So, show your support to make time for children by making a pledge a day~ you will be entered to win a Frigidaire Professional wall oven!

Heigh- HO!! I'm thinking...it's time for a give-away~(Snow White DVD/Blu-Ray combo gift pack w/plush)

I love Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! I think Dopey is the cutest dwarf, and Grumpy is a hoot. Snow White is a pure classic from Disney, and now Disney has just released a two-disc Snow White Diamond Edition combo pack (DVD and Blu-ray discs) October 6th! I have a DVD player, but it is nearing the end of it's days. I am thinking that a Blu-ray disc player would be a great upgrade! The Blu-ray discs and players offer so much:
Up to 6x better quality than DVD
7.1 Surround Sound
Immersive activity with games and special features
Kid proof-more scratch resistant
Plays both Blu-ray and DVD discs
Blu-ray also plays on Sony Playstation 3 players
I think it was great that Disney is offering the Diamond Edition combo pack because it meets many people's needs and home entertainment options. I am a member of One2One Network, and I was selected to participate in a review opportunity to review this new Diamond Edition Combo pack. I was thrilled, to say the least. My kids and I enjoyed watching the classic movie remastered. The Diamond Edition Snow White Blu-ray Combo pack features:
Picture & Sound
First time ever in high definition 7.1 sound
Disney view – expanded viewing experience
All-new Music Video
Disney Family Play
What Do You See? - Decipher the scrambled image
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall – Which princess are you most like?
Jewel Jumble – test your matching skills
Backstage Disney
Snow White Returns – Newly discovered storyboards. Was Walt planning a sequel?
Hyperion Studios – Explore Walt’s original studio
The One That Started It All – See how Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs forever changed the world of movies
Classic Bonus Features
Dopey’s Wild Mine Ride Game
“Heigh-Ho” Karaoke Sing-along
Disney through the decades
I know that this Snow White Diamond Edition Combo pack will be loved by many (especially in my home) and will be a hit with so many out there! My kids had a great time seeing the movie, playing the games, hearing the commentaries/back ground history, and singing along with the dwarfs. I am sure your family will love this new remastered diamond edition of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!
Guess what? YOU, my special readers, have the opportunity to enter to win this great DVD/Blu-ray combo pack from Disney!! Yes, you can win this 2-disc set, AND...you will also receive the Seven Dwarf plush set (retail value $79.99). Thank you Disney, and One2One Network for this great prize giveaway! (This would be a great prize to win for a Christmas gift)~
To enter to win a copy of this Diamond Edition/Combo Pack & plush set from Disney...
This giveaway is open to residents of the USA (bloggers/non-bloggers), and will end on October 30th, 2009. Leave a comment about a favorite Disney movie of yours, or your children. You can comment about Snow White, too~You can come back once each day throughout the contest and enter again by just leaving a friendly comment relevant to the contest.**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter this contest, DIGG this, Fave this and/or add to del.licio.us. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was sponsored by Disney and One2One Network. They have supplied me with a DVD/Blu-ray movie to review and keep for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review. I am able to host a giveaway for a Snow White movie and plush set for my readers as a part of this review.

Kiss Me Again (book review plus 4 giveaway books!)

Remaining pure until marriage can be such a battle, and for many, it is a battle that isn't won. I know that I struggled with remaining pure until marriage. It was a gift that I wanted to give my husband: my virginity. Unfortunately, now I struggle with the "after effect" of my decisions. I was given the book, "Kiss me Again," by Barbara Wilson to review. What a great book! Barbara meets on the topics of remaining intimate after marriage, or rekindling that intimacy. Those two points can be blurred after marriage, and Barbara helps you see how you can get things back into perspective and regain the intimacy.

Ever wonder why it was so hard to resist sex before marriage—and so easy to resist it now? If so, you’re not alone! Many married women genuinely want to feel more desire toward their husbands…and can’t figure out what went wrong. But there’s good news. In Kiss Me Again, Barbara Wilson shows how powerful “invisible bonds” from past relationships can cause heartache, disappointment, and distance for couples in the present. Then—with sensitivity, honesty, and hope—Barbara walks you step by step toward healing…and a rekindling of the closeness and passion with your husband that you really want.

You don’t have to live any longer with confusion, disappointment, resentment, or shame. You can rediscover desire. You can say Wow! again.

With assessment tools, write-in exercises, and gentle guidance, Kiss Me Again offers a biblical plan for rekindling the closeness and passion women long for in marriage. Because no past is beyond the reach of God’s healing touch.

I think that Barbara Wilson does a superb job with this guided book for women! I hope to work on many of the aspects that Barbara points out in her book.

In Kiss Me Again, Wilson:
· Shares her own story of healing and renewed desire
· Helps women forgive themselves and their husbands for past choices
· Shows readers how to break free from “invisible bonds”
· Explains God’s plan for helping a husband and wife to re-bond
· Includes conversation helps for both wives and their husbands
· Helps couples reignite the passion that they thought was lost

Barbara Wilson is the author of The Invisible Bond and former director of sexual health education for the Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center in Sacramento. She speaks nationwide to youth and adults with her message of sexual healing, and she teaches frequently in the women’s ministry at the multi-campus Bayside Church in Northern California. Barbara and her husband, Eric, have been married for twenty-eight years.

You can purchase this book from these online locations:

www.Amazon.com
www.ChristianBook.com

www.FamilyChristian.com

Enter to win a copy of this great book! This giveaway is open to residents of the USA (bloggers/non-bloggers), and will end on October 24th, 2009. To enter, just leave a comment about something you wish to share with others. It can be advice, a prayer request, or something you have learned from being married.

You can come back once each day throughout the contest and enter again by just leaving a friendly comment relevant to the contest.**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter this contest, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was sponsored by Multnomah Books, a division of Random House. They have supplied me with a book to review and keep for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review. I was sent extra copies to giveaway as prizes for my readers.

Winners~~and contests!

Here are the latest winners and I want to thank all the sponsors of the giveaway prizes for my readers! Thanks for those who read, and support my blog. I really enjoy doing product reviews, and hosting giveaways! I have meet such great people, and PR companies/people through blogging! It is a great hobby~ and great thing to be "in the know," and share what I know with you!

So, without further delay~ Here are the winners:
Back to school with See Kai Run & a giveaway! : CandG~Jill W
Delight your Day" gift package giveaway! : Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug)
Summer Cool Down gift bag (review and a giveaway) : Steffi
The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit (review and 4 giveaways!!) : ky2here, Natalie A. , Blissful Bee Boutique , Mtlgrl4evr

Congratulations to the winners! I will be e-mailing you to let you know you won. Please respond asap, or contact me to claim your prize.

Here is a sneak peek at what reviews/contests that will be coming soon:
Indigo Dye Kit (review and giveaway)
Kiss Me Again (book review and giveaways)
The Sound of Sleigh Bells (review)
Books for Kindergarten and 1st grade (review and giveaway)
Marshmallow shooter (review and giveaway)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (movie combo pack and plush set review/giveaway)


So stay tuned...

Frosty Friends

Winter is a great time to snuggle up with your kids and enjoy some of the best characters like Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, Barney...and more! HIT Entertainment and Lionsgate released a wintery DVD: Frosty Friends (October 6, 2009).
Product Description:
Bundle up with your favorite preschool pals in these fun-filled wintertime tales. Join Barney, Bob the Builder, Pingu, Thomas & Friends, and Kipper as they enjoy playful adventures in the snow. Learn the true meaning of Christmas with your best friend, Barney, build a snowman with Bob, go sledding with Kipper, whistle down the tracks with Thomas, and laugh along as Pingu plays hilarious tricks on his friends.

Episodes:
Thomas & Friends: "Percy's New Whistle"
Barney: "Gift of the Dinos"
Bob the Builder: "Snowman Scoop"
Pingu: "Pingu & the Hose"
Kipper: "The Big Freeze"

Bonus Episode:
Fifi and the Flowertots: "Doctor Webby"

Available from Lionsgate and Amazon, also found in stores for a SRP $14.98.

What do you teach in home school?

This is a quick funny to post, and I will try to write more of a personal post soon...but this is what was said in our kitchen this evening....


Caleb (looking at a planet and stars book): Mom, look at this moon! It is amazing!
Mom: That isn't the moon, Caleb.
Caleb: What is it?
Mom: That is Uranus.
Caleb: Uranus, what is an Anus?

I was laughing at this point, and poor Caleb didn't understand why I was laughing. All I could say was that Uranus was a planet.

Healthy Eating Right!

My kids are usually pretty healthy eaters, but I highly believe that it really depends on what options you give your kids to what they will have. I have even known that with trying to lose weight. If I have the "junk food" available in my home, and I bought it, I WILL eat it. So, if we pack our kids healthy lunches for school, picnic, field trips...etc., they will eat the options before them (hopefully).
Safeway and Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes have teamed up to create Eating Right Kids. They have designed a program that parents can feel good about and that kids will love. Eating Right Kids is a full line of foods that taste great and are better for our kids nutrition. The line has been formulated to standards based on the most recent dietary recommendations and regulations from several federal and state agencies.
Being a Team Mom member, I was sent a sample selection from the Eating Right Kids. I got a thermal lunch bag (with Bugs Bunny on the front) and a selection of food items inside the bag. I think that the chewy bar was tasty, and I liked that the apple juice was 100% vitamin C and no corn syrup in it! I think it is a super idea to put fruits and vegetables in our children's lunches. One thing I usually do, is put a handful of baby carrots in a container or bag, and a banana. My kids love having a box of raisins and a container of sliced strawberries, too. It is fun to get creative with healthy options, too. One classic is to have a celery stick filled with peanut butter. Trail a line of raisins down the row of peanut butter, and you have "ants on a log." Kids get a vegetable (celery), protein with the peanut butter, and a fruit (raisins).
I think the Eating Right Kids is a super program. I thought that the site had great things to offer, suggestions, and options for purchase. Keeping our kids healthy is so important, and it really helps their growth and development.

This review was sponsored from Team Mom and Safeway foods. They have supplied me with product to review and keep for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Umi shoes ~ great styles!

I love the adorable shoes that Umi carries! Madelyn got a pair of Fancie boots to wear this fall. She looks so cute in them, and she loves to model them. I love how they look on her feet, and I think the quality of the Umi shoes are superb! Leather shoes, made with top notch leather, and made to fit! I have to say that Pink and Brown colors go great together, too!

When I ask Madelyn to get her shoes when we are heading out of the house, her Umi Fancie boots are her first choice. She can put on her own boots, and she keeps them on (most of the time).

Cole, my little (almost 9 month old) baby is an active crawler. He loves to be on the go, constantly. So many times shoes that are on crawlers tend to get scuffed up on the toe from all the rubbing on the floor/ground. Those little babies use their toes to pull themselves up, too. Well, Umi shoes are designed with the crawler in mind. Cole got a pair of Possom baby shoes to try out. Cole looks adorable in these shoes, they keep his feet warmer, and he can move just as quick in the Umi shoes. I really like the toe on the baby shoes from Umi. Yes, they may not look like the traditional baby shoe, but I can attest that these shoes are superior for crawlers.

Umi Possom shoes are made with high quality leather, gripper rubber pieces on the bottom, easy Velcro, and made with room for those baby feet to grow!

I also received a pair of shoes for Caleb to try out. I ordered the Igor in the chocolate-amber color selection. I really like that the Umi shoes are available in several different designs, as well as different color options. I think with a variety of options, you can be sure to find what you are looking for. Kids like options, and they like different colors. Anyway, Caleb loves his shoes, and he says he runs faster in them. I think they look great on his feet, too! The Igor shoes are made similar to hiking boots, and I believe that these shoes will last a long time with his busy feet.

Umi shoes are available for baby, girls and boys. The size selection is in European sizes, but there is a size table that you can pop open to see what you would need for your child/baby. You can either chose to measure your child's foot, or base your selection on current shoe size. The price range for the shoes found at Umi are between $30-$115. You can check out where the Umi shoes are sold in a location near you.
I give Umi two thumbs up, and I highly recommend these shoes!

This review was sponsored from Umi Shoes. They have supplied me with product to review and keep for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

World Animal Adventure with Baby Einstein

My kids love animals, and they had such a blast this summer checking out all the different animals at the zoos this summer. We had such a grand time talking about the different animals, where they live, what they eat, and about their families. My children just get so animated when they see animals.

In celebration of young children's fascination with animals and in honor of World Animal Day, Baby Einstein created World Animal Adventure, the newest DVD from Baby Einstein.
September 29, The World Animal Adventure DVD was released. This DVD is filled with animals from all over the world~ all seven continents, in their own environments. What an educational movie for the younger ones! Of coarse the music in the Baby Einstein is orchestrated with world music in a classical way. The DVD also includes fun baby animal puppet shows, and kids have fun engaging with the puppets, too. I like the feature of the Grow with Me on the DVD, which offers a second viewing mode with content that changes as your baby grows so that you can get more out of the DVD. My kids loved this DVD and wanted to watch it over and over. They loved seeing the different animals.
Along with World Animal Adventure, Baby Einstein will introduce a number of new developments this Fall. In addition to an updated home page, Baby Einstein presents a new blog site, YouTube channel, and Twitter page. You can learn more about these new features and other Baby Einstein DVDs and CDs by logging on to BabyEinstein.com.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Baby Einstein and received a World Animal Adventure DVD to facilitate my candid review.

The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit (review and 4 giveaways!!)

I loved Strawberry Shortcake when I was little, and it is great that she is still so popular. I was excited to see The Strawberry Shortcake movie: Sky's the Limit, and happy to see that Strawberry and her friends look almost the same as they did when I was little. This all new, never seen before full-length movie, came out on September 15th! I highly suggest owning this one, especially if you have younger children (or you loved Strawberry Shortcake when you were little). My daughter, Madelyn (age 2 1/2) loves this movie!!
The beginning of the movie shares how important it is to know car safety from AAA. This was a little education for my kids, and they didn't mind the mini "commercial."
Strawberry Shortcake, Plum Pudding, Orange Blossom and her other friends spend their days at the Berry Café, laughing and having fun with their neighbors in Berry Bitty City. Berry Bitty City is powered by berry juice, and after a major storm hits, the girls must design a solution to restore the local water supply, and teach everyone in town to stay positive despite life's many challenges. I love that this all new movie really promotes having faith in yourself to achieve big things...even if you are little.
Included in the DVD is DVD-ROM Printable coloring pages and a music video: "Café Cabaret" Sing Along.
From Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and American Greetings Corporation, this DVD is available for a suggested retail price of $19.98 U.S./$21.98 Canada.

Enter to win a copy of this adorable Movie!
This giveaway is open to residents of the USA (bloggers/non-bloggers), and will end on October 9th, 2009. To enter, just leave a comment about your favorite character from Strawberry Shortcake. You can come back once each day throughout the contest and enter again by just leaving a friendly comment relevant to the contest.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter this contest, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

Let your kids show their "creative side" with TeeJuice!

My kids LOVE doing art projects, and I love exposing them to new ways to show their creativity. I was happy to review for Jacquard Products again, and try out the TeeJuice Fabric Markers. I know markers on clothes is usually a bad idea, especially when Mom doesn't know about it until later. However, the TeeJuice Markers are kid friendly, mom approved (me) and made to use on clothing. I think it is a good way to show that your kids can do this activity on their clothing, as long as it is done with Mom's approval. As you can see, Caleb was totally getting into his drawing. He loves doing projects like these, and he wears his design with pride. He loves telling people that he made his shirt all by himself.
I think he did a pretty good job! I like that there are three different options for the size of markers you wish to use with the TeeJuice markers: Broad Tip (big tip, like a bingo dotter), Fineliner (similar to the width of a pen), and Medium Point. Caleb liked using all three, and he was able to use them with plenty of ease.
You can use TeeJuice markers on any fabric (cotton, jean, leather, etc.) and then you can “lock in” the color by ironing it. After you do those steps, your finished product will hold~ and you can safely wash it and the color will stay! Here is a pair of jeans that my oldest son, Nathaniel, decked out:
He drew on the back pockets, too. He had a blast putting his personal touch on his jeans.
All three sizes of the non-toxic TeeJuice Fabric Markers are available in eight vivid colors: Golden Yellow, Red, Blue, Black, Chocolate Brown, Orange, Purple and Emerald Green. The pens are available individually or in box sets. Individual Medium Point and Fineliner Pens, MSRP $2.99; Individual Broad Tip Marker, MSRP $3.99. Box Set of Medium Point or Fineliner Pens has 5 colors and Box Set of Broad Tip Markers has 4 colors, MSRP $14.99.
Being a home school mom, I have thought of seeing if my kids would like to enter one of their designs in the TeeJuice weekly or quarterly contests held at http://www.teejuice.com/. Each week, a design is chosen from each of the four themes: Fun & Games, The Edge, Beauty & Beast and Holiday/Seasonal. Entrants are separated into two age brackets, 12 & under and 13 & up. Quarterly awards are given based on overall creativity and artistic value. Prizes range from gift baskets to cash prizes. I think that it would be a fun way for them to really put their time and care into their project.
To learn more about the contests or TeeJuice Markers, click here. Jacquard Products have so many great products and activities to do!
This review was sponsored from TeeJuice and Jacquard Products. They have supplied me with product to review and keep for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.