Goodie Goodie Gumdrops

Review: Sweet Paper Lane

2011-07-15T11:46:00.009-04:00

It's officially summertime, which means most of you are probably knuckle-deep in barbecue sauce and watermelon juice (unlike myself, who wades in spit-up and dirty diapers these days). It's prime time for outdoor parties - from polar pool plunges and backyard birthday bashes to luscious luaus. If you're planning on hosting a smashing summer shindig, I can point you in the right direction: head straight down Sweet Paper Lane.

Sweet Paper Lane offers invitations for just about any milestone or occasion. With over 6,000 stationery products from the industry's top designers, you'll find something to match any style. Wedding invitations. Birth announcements. Holiday cards. They've got it all - and more.

In addition to their paper products, they also offer a variety of personalized gifts and favors.

As if their product offerings aren't swell enough, Sweet Paper Lane offers extraordinary customer service. Within one business day of order, a professional typesetter will lay out your invitation and email you a free proof with unlimited revisions. Only when you are 100% satisfied with your purchase will it be sent for processing.

For my review, I decided on the Little Artist Personalized Plate. This 10-inch melamine plate, by Kelly Hughes Designs, not only makes dinnertime extra special for your little one but is dishwasher safe for snappy clean-up for mom.

The plate arrived quickly and was wrapped in cellophane, complete with a cute blue bow - perfect for gift-giving. Nate could hardly wait for me to open it before he snatched it.

The size is generous and the plate is thick and sturdy. I love that it can be used to serve lunch or as a tray for our finger paint projects (only non-toxic and vegetable-based, of course). My little Picasso loves to color and paint so I knew he'd love the design. He constantly points to the crayons and identifies the colors. He is in the process of learning the alphabet and we've been practicing how to write his name, so this plate reinforces his spelling skills. Cute, functional and educational!

If I could change just one thing, I'd want to make the plate microwave-safe. But in the grand scheme of things, it's no big deal. I just use it more for fresh, ready-made foods rather than reheated ones.

Bottom line: Get your party started right with Sweet Paper Lane. Their awesome customer service and quality items will keep you coming back long after the party's over.

BUY IT: Visit http://www.sweetpaperlane.com/ today to find the perfect card or gift.

DELECTABLE DEAL: Take advantage of their great summer sale! Use code SUMMER10 to get 10% off any order of $75+ or use code SUMMER20 to get 20% off any order of $150+!

Disclaimer: I received the above plate at no charge from Jayne at Sweet Paper Lane in exchange for my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this review.

Big News!

2010-09-13T09:08:00.000-04:00

I know it's been almost a week since my last blog update. How could I leave you all hanging without a word for so long?! Well, I promise I have a good reason for my absence...

That's right...we're expecting baby #2! Our fourth Clomid cycle was a success and the shock is just now starting to wear off. Nate is going to be a big brother!

We were gifted the beautiful P-word test in mid-August but because of my history, I wanted to wait until we saw a heartbeat to share the news. This past Friday, we got our first glimpse of our "Dewdrop" so I feel safe enough to make the official announcement. (If something does go wrong, I'll need the support anyway, right?)

We are over the moon! My due date is April 27th-ish but since Nate arrived 2 weeks early, I think this may be more a mid-April baby. Tax Day, perhaps? Only baby knows for sure!

Between the morning, evening and sometimes all-day nausea and fatigue, I probably won't be posting as often but I'll definitely still be churning out some awesome reviews and giveaways as I am able. Once we learn the gender of this little babe (power of positive thinking!), I'll probably even host a little reveal party! For now, I just want to relax and enjoy this time with my firstborn.

Winner's Circle!

2010-09-07T09:08:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone had a fabulous Labor Day weekend! It sure was nice to lay back and take it easy. Now it's back to the daily grind! And what better time for winner announcements?!

The winner of the Protect-A-Bed mattress protector giveaway is...

Sue E said... 64: Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/22007405358

sueellison@hcecwildblue.com; August 24, 2010 11:05 AM

The winner of the Pillow Pet giveaway is...

2kidsand8cats said... 125: follow google friend
amyfedorchak1 AT gmail DOT com; August 21, 2010 1:23 AM

The winner of the Cystex Liquid giveaway is...

aledol said... 13: http://twitter.com/aledol4t/status/22820472453; September 2, 2010 5:48 PM

The winner of the Pop Pals giveaway is...

Sarah said... 36: I subscribe via e-mail.; September 1, 2010 10:52 PM

And last but not least, the winner of the Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies is...

susan said... 19: I learned that the site has a lot of great recipes! suelee1998 @ gmail.com; September 6, 2010 8:56 AM

Congratulations, winners! I will be contacting you at some point today and you will have 48 hours to reply to my email before another winner is chosen.

Thank you to everyone who entered and to the fabulous giveaway sponsors for making all the fun possible!

Don't forget to check out the rest of my current giveaways, including a $25 gift certificate to Diamond Favors - ending tonight! Also, lots and lots of great children's music ending this week so don't miss out!

Book Review: Naturally Better by Kristen Morrison

2010-09-06T20:08:00.005-04:00

When you find out you're expecting a baby, you're probably anticipating all the exciting milestones like hearing the heartbeat for the first time, feeling the baby kick and watching your belly grow. You dream about what your baby will look like, what his or her name will be and what his or her personality will be like. Kristen Morrison and her husband Joseph were no different. They were ecstatic to learn that they were expecting their third child, a long-awaited baby boy, after having two perfect daughters. But when their dear son Gryffin was born and diagnosed with Trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome, their worlds were turned upside down. Instead of researching the latest, greatest blue baby gear, they were reading medical abstracts and contemplating technical jargon like "neurotransmitters" and "oxidative stress".

A self-proclaimed homebirthing hippie mom, Kristen was dismayed at the lack of positive online resources and the prevailing attitude of local Early Intervention centers, which encouraged her to prescribe Prozac and "just buy a big TV". She traded her successful fashion design career for the role of full-time medical researcher and took matters into her own hands. Her ultimate goal was for Gryffin to be completely normalized in both appearance and behavior. Forgoing the traditional pessimistic outlook, she set out to make the "impossible" possible.

Naturally Better is the culmination of Kristen's research and methodology, interspersed with diary entries, emails and texts. Using a holistic approach, Kristen chronicles Gryffin's treatments and progress from 5 days old to 3 years old. Some of the therapies she describes in detail are:

Flaxseed oil massage
Diet / Targeted Nutritional Intervention (TNI)
Supplementation
Naturopathy/NAET Allergy Relief
Osteopathy
Yoga
IAHP (Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential)

I was simply amazed at Gryffin's transformation. Just a few months after starting supplements, Kristen noticed he appeared less drowsy and more alert. His skin turned from jaundice to red and rosy, almost sunburned. Thick, blonde hair also started to grow where it had once been sparse and mousy. NAET treatments helped to quickly heal symptoms such as astigmatism, constipation, skin rashes, weak grasp and tongue protrusion. Osteopathy helped to lift Gryffin's nasal bridge and dramatically reduce his epicanthal folds, thereby resolving his sleep apnea. By the time Gryffin began the IAHP program at one-year-old, he was functioning at 83% brain function, which was fantastic in and of itself. But by two-and-a-half, Gryffin was operating at 114%! This meant he was no longer underperforming in any one area, and was actually performing ahead of his "normal" peers! His pediatrician is astounded that not only does Gryffin show nearly no characteristics of a typical child with Down Syndrome, but he is growing along a "normal" growth curve.

Kristen also shares personal color photos of Gryffin from birth through age three, in which the changes over time are blatantly obvious. To look at him now, you would be hard-pressed to know that he has Down Syndrome. He looks like your average, beautiful tow-headed toddler!

I loved that the book was written in layman's terms and doesn't bore you with mundane medical terms. You may be more conservative or you may not agree with all of her approaches (such as no vaccinations) but as a parent, you have to respect and admire the lengths she'll go to give her son the life she had imagined for him. Kristen always follows her gut and instinct and the drastic results they've witnessed are due in large part to her relentless determination. One particularly emotional part for me was when Gryffin was just a few days old and Kristen had a private conversation with him, assuring him she would do everything in her power to find a solution. She then recited the words to Coldplay's "Fix You" ("Lights will guide you home, I will try to fix you"...). I admit I welled up a little as I imagined this scene being played out like a melodrama.

Seeing as Nate is dealing with a significant speech delay (for which we are currently seeking early intervention), I was comforted that some of Kristen's natural methods are not exclusive to Down Syndrome but can also be used for Autism and Developmental Delays. After reading this book, I feel so empowered to be an advocate for my son and to never settle for anything less than what my hopes and dreams are for him. No matter what the naysayers may throw my way.

Naturally Better is an awe-inspiring, empowering story about defying the odds. Even if you don't have a child with Down Syndrome, it will open your eyes to the benefits of homeopathy and maybe even move you to tears.

BUY IT: You can purchase paperback or e-book versions of Naturally Better online via www.naturallybetterkids.com (ARV $25.39 excl. international postage or $15.45/e-book).

Down Syndrome Awareness Month is coming up in October! Be sure to visit the website to learn more about the book and follow Kristen on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review and purely my own. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: Smelly Towel Cleaner

2010-09-03T21:55:00.003-04:00

I have a bit of an embarrassing situation in my house. There's no gentle way to say it. My towels and washcloths STINK. No matter how much detergent I use, I can't seem to fully get rid of the musty, mildewy stench. It may lighten up but it never goes away completely. I am hesitant to have overnight guests because I'm afraid they will think we never do the bathroom laundry! I was determined to chuck them all in the garbage and buy a brand new set before I came across Smelly Towel Cleaner.

From the makers of Smelly Washer, Smelly Towel Cleaner is an all-natural detergent derived from citrus ingredients, specifically formulated to remove musty, mildew smells from towels and clothing. Just a capful (approximately one tablespoon) added to a full load makes even the nastiest of the nasty smell like new again! You can also use a half teaspoon as a detergent booster to enhance colors and prolong the life of that garden fresh scent. Smell Towel Cleaner is safe for use in front and top-loading washing machines and is harmless to septic systems.

I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first. I had tried so many detergents in the past that tried to cover up the stink but just couldn't do the trick. Just one capful of Smelly Towel Cleaner made me a believer! My towels and cloths smelled as if they had never been used. Fresh. Clean. Fluffy. I took several big whiffs and could not smell a hint of odor. Success!

I love that Smelly Towel Cleaner is safe and effective. It will certainly help eliminate some of our indoor allergens from mold and mildew. Next, I plan to use it on some of our winter clothes and quilts that have been stored in the attic and garage. I'm sure they will smell stale and will be in desperate need of refreshing. I'm definitely going to use it on our towels at least once a month so we can say farewell to the funk once and for all!

BUY IT: Visit www.smellywasher.com to purchase Smelly Washer or Smelly Towel Cleaner (ARV 16.99 / approx. 24 treatments).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a bottle of Smelly Towel Cleaner for themselves!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Stop by the Smelly Washer site and tell me something you learned on the site. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me and Smelly Washer on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Say farewell to towel funk with @smellywasher! Win a bottle of Smelly Towel Cleaner @kris10chumley! Ends 9/18 http://bit.ly/9ZfcyW

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Smelly Washer on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 18, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: Thank you to Tomoson.com for this review opportunity. I received a bottle of Smelly Towel Cleaner at no charge to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The opinions expressed in this review are purely my own. Your experience may differ.

This Product Was a Free Giveaway Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Review: Costume SuperCenter

2010-09-01T20:58:00.010-04:00

Am I the only one who feels like it was just July and I blinked and now it's September 1st? Before you know it, it will be time for trick or treating. Which means it's time to start thinking about those costumes for Halloween! And what better place to browse than Costume SuperCenter?!

Costume SuperCenter is the best online resource for all of your family's Halloween needs. They boast a selection of over 1,700 new costumes added just for 2010 - all at affordable prices! They carry costumes for infants, children, teens, adults, couples - even pets! From cute and funny to sexy or scary, you'll find just the theme you're looking for.

For the past two years, we've had an animal theme going. For Nate's first Halloween, he was a caterpillar. And last year, he was a chicken. Considering I only have another year or so before Nate will be able to veto my costume choices, I decided to keep the animal trend going and order the cuddly Toddler Lil Lion costume. After all, we have plenty of time for Disney characters and superheroes, right?! And who can resist something as adorable as this?

This costume, from In Character's Precocious Characters Collection, is of elite, theatrical quality that will retain its shape and texture, ensuring it can be passed down or worn again and again. It features a fully lined, tan fleece zippered jumpsuit with plush trim on the cuffs and attached tail. The hood has a plush mane that frames your child's face but still makes it easy for him or her to see. It also comes with matching plush shoe covers.

I am most impressed with the Toddler Lil Lion costume. It is definitely not thin, cheap and itchy like most of the Halloween costumes around. It is so soft and furry. The inner lining will keep Nate cozy while traveling in the brisk fall weather. The mane is thick and luxurious. And the shoe covers complete the outfit and give it that little something special. The entire costume is well-made and looks so much cuter than any other lion costume I've found.

The Toddler Lil Lion costume is available in two sizes: Small (3T) and Medium (4T). Since costumes tend to run small, I sized up and ordered the Small for Nate (who typically wears a 2T). It fit like a glove. Not tight but not baggy. I would definitely recommend ordering a size up from what your toddler usually wears.

Nate was a good sport and let me put the costume on him for some photos. But admittedly, he's not a fan of hats and hoods so after a few minutes, he had had enough and was tugging to get it off. The great thing was that it really stayed in place, despite his pushing and pulling. I know I don't have to worry about him yanking it off, dropping it on the ground and/or losing it while we're out and about on the big day. I have to say this is seriously one of the best toddler Halloween costumes I've come across!

It is a little pricier than what I typically spend on a costume, but considering it can be passed down to younger siblings, it may actually save you money in the long run. Seeing as to the high quality of this costume, I see no problem with it lasting more than one season. I will be keeping it to use for future children or passing it onto family and friends for their infants or toddlers to wear next year.

For the upcoming Halloween season, I highly highly recommend shopping at Costume SuperCenter. The shipping was timely, the service was great and the item I received was even better than I expected. I am a truly satisfied customer. The Toddler Lil Lion costume gets two paws up from us!

BUY IT: You can purchase the Toddler Lil Lion costume (ARV $54.99) or other Halloween costumes online at www.costumesupercenter.com.

DELICIOUS DEAL: Through Sunday only, you have 3 ways to save at Costume SuperCenter! Use code "Ghost5" to receive $5 off a $50 purchase, use code "Ghost15" to receive $15 off a $100 purchase, or use code "Ghost30" to receive $30 off a $150 purchase. Now's the time to buy for the whole family!

Disclaimer: I received the above costume free of charge from Charles at Costume SuperCenter to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are solely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: ImagiPLAY

2010-08-31T22:36:00.005-04:00

Thank you to ImagiPLAY for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Tonight officially marks the conclusion of the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event. I know, so sad. But I'm ending it with a bang! After all, no birthday celebration is complete without a super fun toy or two.

If you prefer toys that will inspire and encourage healthy development for children of all ages, you'll love ImagiPLAY.

ImagiPLAY is a mom-founded business that has been creating high-quality, educational, imaginative toys for over a decade. ImagiPLAY lives by the motto" "Toys with Integrity". Their goal is to produce quality products that connect with nature, have eco-friendly sources and hold educational value. ImagiPLAY toys not only encourage an ongoing dialogue with the environment, but enrich children's ability to count, learn the alphabet, and identify different animals while gaining a sense of the world's beauty and diversity of species. ImagiPLAY products have won numerous accolades and awards from such reputable media as Parenting Magazine, Creative Child Magazine, Dr. Toy and Parents' Choice Foundation. When you purchase an ImagiPLAY toy, you can be proud of your investment.

The folks at ImagiPLAY sent us the Safari Stacking Blocks (ARV $24.99) to review. A twist on the classic unit block set, each block is designed to resemble a colorful safari animal. The 10-piece set can be used for stacking or as a playset for imaginative play and storytelling. It also comes with a wooden tray for easy storage.

I must admit when the blocks first arrived, I was a bit disappointed by how small the blocks were. I was expecting larger blocks, similar to our chunky Mega Bloks. But as I watched Nate play, I realized the size was perfect for polishing his fine motor skills. Because some of the edges are oddly shaped (U-shaped giraffe, ridges on the alligator, curved frogs), they require a bit more carefulness and attention to detail than traditional building blocks. Nate would initially get frustrated when they would fall to pieces but now he enjoys stacking them, knocking them over and trying again.

I love that they are safe and made of rubberwood so I don't have to worry about splinters. They are colorful and fun and can really serve a multitude of play purposes. I've even caught Nate putting them in the back of his dump truck for a ride and taking them for a walk in his sandbox. I really appreciate that when we are finished playing, we can organize and store them in the wooden tray. They are a little weighty so word of warning: you may want to wear a helmet if you have a minor-league pitcher on your hands!

Overall, we love our Safari Stacking Blocks and I think they would make a great toy for any toddler aged two and up.

BUY IT: Visit www.imagiplay.com to purchase the Safari Stacking Blocks or other ImagiPLAY toys and games online.

WIN IT: I have another set of Safari Stacking Blocks to give away to one lucky reader!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Look around ImagiPLAY and tell me another toy that catches your eye. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me and ImagiPLAY on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Win a set of @ImagiPLAY Safari Stacking Blocks from @kris10chumley! Ends 9/22 http://bit.ly/abrQnM

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of ImagiPLAY on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 22, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a set of Safari Stacking Blocks from Tammi at ImagiPLAY to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The opinions expressed in this review are purely my own. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: Happy Green Bee

2010-08-30T22:47:00.004-04:00

Thank you to Happy Green Bee for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

I've long tried to incorporate organic products into our lifestyle. We own several organic blankets and we buy some organic foods on a regular basis. But one area where I've always fallen short is organic clothing. The cost is normally double that of regular clothing and considering how Nate grows out of things so quickly (not to mention stains them up with typical dirt and other boy muck), I couldn't really justify the investment. That is, until we discovered the bliss that is Happy Green Bee.

Happy Green Bee is a mom-owned business with a simple philosophy: create clothing that is comfortable, colorful, playful and ecologically responsible. As owner, Roxanne Quimby states:

We created Happy Green Bee so that a child can be a child, first and foremost. By using organic cotton, a comfortable and practical fabric, and simple bee-striped patterns, children feel as comfortable as they look while their parents take a small step in making a big difference in the environment their children live in.

I first came across Happy Green Bee via a fellow blog and I fell instantly in love. Their color-coordinated, mix-and-match designs are whimsical and versatile. They carry everything from cardigans, tees and tanks to skirts, dresses and leggings to create your own unique, eco-friendly look. Happy Green Bee is fun and fancy-free, the way infant and toddler clothing should be.

I don't say this about many brands but the most appealing thing for me was the price tag! At Happy Green Bee's Clearance Store, you can find organic clothing and accessories for as little as $2! I snatched up several items for Nate, including the Chocolate/Bean Kimono, Chocolate Short-Sleeved Tee and Butterscotch/Chocolate Stripy Leggings. My order came to under $20 for all three pieces! With other organic brands, I'd spend more than that on a t-shirt!

When the clothes arrived, I was really impressed by the quality. Uber soft and bold combinations that really stand out. I've had more than one person ask about his Happy Green Bee outfits when we go out. They also wash up very well and retain shape and color. Granted, I wash them in cold/warm water and let them air dry. But I know they aren't going to be falling apart anytime soon.

I bought size Larges and the pants were a little roomy on Nate, as he's just now moving into 2T. But they fit great with a bulky cloth diaper underneath. The shirts fit him perfectly and I'm hoping we'll get lots of use out of them through next spring. I love that all of the clothes are basically seasonless (i.e., use a matching cardigan or layer a long-sleeved tee under a kimono for fall/winter).

After sharing our great experience with Happy Green Bee, they kindly offered to send me another piece to review here on my blog. I chose the Radish Leggings in size Medium. I love the fit and feel of the leggings on Nate. The tapered legs don't get in the way of play. They are soft, cute and comfy. Good for your baby and good for the planet!

If you're looking for affordable, organic clothes for your wee one, you really can't beat Happy Green Bee. I can't wait to pay another visit and add to our wardrobe!

BUY IT: To make a purchase or peruse the collection, visit www.happygreenbee.com.

WIN IT: Happy Green Bee is offering one lucky reader their choice of item from the Clearance Store (in stock only)!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Take a look around the Clearance Store and tell me which article of clothing you would choose. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Affordable organic clothes for kids! Win any item from the Happy Green Bee Clearance Store @kris10chumley Ends 9/20 http://bit.ly/9grn0u

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Happy Green Bee on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 20, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free pair of leggings from Happy Green Bee to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. All other items mentioned were purchased by me. The opinions expressed in this review are purely my own. Your experience may differ.

Winners!

2010-08-30T08:48:00.006-04:00

There's no better way to start off the week than with some winners! Let's see who last week's lucky folks are...

The winner of the $25 Gift Certificate to EcoMom.com is...

Louis said... 50: I subscribed to your feed via mail (same as in my profile / this post); August 24, 2010 1:09 AM

The winner of the Yo Gabba Gabba Medicine-Time Spray is...

FDP 4 Life said... 24: when our children are sick i try to comfort them by being with them and getting them whatever they need.

susansmoaks at gmail dot com; August 26, 2010 12:56 PM

And last, but certainly not least, the winner of the Scholastic Treasures Rosemary Wells 2-DVD set is...

loni said... 163: I want to win this for my niece!

trippyjanet at hotmail dot com; August 28, 2010 7:02 PM

Congratulations, winners! I will be contacting you within the next 24 hours and you will have 48 hours to reply before another winner is chosen.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who entered and to the lovely giveaway sponsors for making it all possible!

Please be sure to check out the rest of my current giveaways, including a bedding product from Protect-A-Bed - valued up to $100! - ending tomorrow night!

Review and Giveaway: William Avery's Learning Buffet

2010-08-29T22:07:00.005-04:00

Thank you to Yummy English Snack Productions and William Avery for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Here at Goodie Goodie Gumdrops, our ears love to indulge in melodious treats. From sugary sweet pop to spicy, savory rock, we've sampled many yummy tracks over the past year. But we hadn't discovered the musical equivalent to soul food until we found William Avery's Learning Buffet.

William Avery got his start in children's music while teaching English in Taiwan. A friend asked him to write original poems or chants for class and later, to set them to music. He got such a wonderful response, that it snowballed into something greater. William combines his experience and knowledge to produce his music. He relies on his students for direct feedback, so only the perfect ingredients go into a "Yummy English Snack".

While heavily influenced by hip-hop, William is also proficient in violin and piano, which he uses to express his feelings and moods. After a friend taught him the Jazz C scale in college, he began to interlace it into his own unique style.

His latest release, Learning Buffet is a hearty mix of stories, educational themes and phonic drills, marinated in a variety of genres.

Learning Buffet is 100% cool teaching from the soul. Children of all ages come back for seconds when learning the 50 state capitals, the American presidents, the 8 planets, 206 bones in the body, Mandarin Chinese and more... Served with fresh beats and bottomless imagination, each selection is seasoned with pizzazz and blends a tasty fusion of education and fun marinated in jazz, blues, pop, funk and hip hop. Enjoy a smorgasbord of 32 tasty tunes.

Track Listing:

1. Really (Instrumental)
2. Reading Is Fundamental
3. Trey and Lovely
4. Thank You Mean Ole Dog
5. I Am a Big Boy (Wash My Hands)
6. Snail Is Bored
7. Love My Cat
8. #1 Potion H2O
9. America, the Grand Tour (50 State Capitals)
10. American Presidents
11. 206 Bones
12. Sailing (Oceans and Continents)
13. Twinkle Twinkle Little Sun (8 Planets)
14. My Good Friend (Learn Chinese)
15. What's Your Agenda?
16. ABC Chant – ABC Animals
17. Short Phonics Drill
18. Long Phonics Examples
19. The Y Song
20. Bamalama Phonics Time (OW)
21. Bamalama Phonics Time (OO)
22. Bamalama Phonics Time (PH)
23. Bamalama Phonics Time (OI)
24. Bamalama Phonics Time (AR)
25. Bamalama Phonics Time (NG)
26. Rainbow Stylin’
27. Yummy Tummy Special (Monday - Sunday)
28. 12 Months (January - December)
29. Opposite
30. Flavors
31. Skinny Mosquito
32. Kangaroo

Many children's projects are deemed educational. But only with Learning Buffet are you taught everything from opposites to phonics to human anatomy. Each song has a lesson to be learned. Except you won't mind this homework! With invigorating beats and a hip-hop style reminiscent of the Sugarhill Gang or Run DMC, William Avery is the teacher everyone in school crosses their fingers for.

This album is a welcome departure from traditional children's music. It is unlike any family record I've heard before, which makes me want to hit repeat. I normally can't play hip-hop music for Nate because the content is entirely inappropriate. But that has all changed now thanks to Learning Buffet. The rap rhythms make it easier to remember important facts, like presidents and planets. My personal favorite is "America, The Grand Tour". The instrumentals are hot and the lyrics are catchy. If I didn't know my 50 state capitals, I sure would now!

I was chillin' in
Tallahassee, Florida
I saw an awkward alligator
It was coming at me,
so I headed for the border
Runnin' top speed to
Atlanta, Georgia
Stopped at a restaurant, ordered peach pie
Tasted so good I said "My oh my"
left a big tip for the waitress at the diner
Next
Columbia, South Carolina

I also really enjoyed the funky "206 Bones", which counts and names the bones in each part of our bodies, and cowbell-heavy "Yummy Tummy Special", which emphasizes the seven days of the week. Nate's favorite seemed to be the germ-free, "I Am A Big Boy (Wash My Hands)". I think he may be trying to tell me something. While most of the songs are light-hearted and playful, there are some profound tracks such as "Thank You Mean Ole Dog", which chronicles Avery's near kidnapping at the age of three.

With a whopping 32 tracks, Learning Buffet is one memorable meal. We'll definitely be serving ourselves another heaping spoonful of these delicious vittles!

BUY IT: You can purchase Learning Buffet online at CDBaby.com, Digistation, or Amazon.com (ARV $12.98).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win their own copy of Learning Buffet!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit YESnack.com, listen to the Learning Buffet tracks (or read the lyrics if you don't have a QuickTime plugin!) and tell me which song you like most. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Serve your child a hefty helping of educational fun with the Learning Buffet CD @kris10chumley! Ends 9/12 http://bit.ly/ctXHxx

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 12, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this album from William Avery of Yummy English Snack Productions to facilitate my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The opinions expressed in this review are purely my own. Your experience may differ.

Our Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! Concert Experience

2010-08-29T17:59:00.003-04:00

As you know, last night, my family and I had the pleasure of attending the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! event in Bristow, VA. Let me just say...it was spectacular! The weather was hot and we were sweating up a storm from all of the dancing but we had an amazing time. This experience will definitely be a cherished life-long memory for me.

When we first arrived at the pavilion, we secured our tickets and made our way to the front gate. We had to make a pit stop at a blue fountain that had mesmerized Nate. He wouldn't even look away for a photo.

The courteous staff helped us find our seats (which were super, by the way) and we killed time by donning our DJ Lance glasses, grabbing some bottled water and scoping out the venue.

I wasn't sure how Nate would react, as this was his very first concert and well, he can be a temperamental toddler. But he did great! He was a little restless in his seat at first but once he spotted the Yo Gabba Gabba decor, he grew so excited for the show to start.

The moment they started playing the Yo Gabba Gabba! theme song, the audience roared. DJ Lance came out first, saying his magic words to bring the rest of the gang to life. They got us all off our feet to sing and dance along.

For the Super Music Friends Show segment, we were introduced to an indie-rock band called Steel Train. I had never heard of them before but they were great! Nate was jumping and dancing all around, getting his sillies out. I'll definitely have to check out some of their albums.

Nate loves balloons so we were excited to hear the song,"Balloons Make Me Happy". Nate was clapping his hands as Brobee floated up in the air. At the end of the song, they released balloons from the rafters for all of us in the audience! All three of us were able to snag a balloon buddy.

After a short intermission, the gang came back out with a bang. Muno and Foofa came down our row and shook our hands! I had never seen Nate grin so big. I wish I could have taken a better picture but this one was taken just after we met Foofa.

We were then treated to an extra-special "Peanut Butter Stomp" Dancey-Dance with special guest Do It (who was featured on the Season 1 "Dance" episode) and Biz Markie came out for his ultra-cool "Beat of the Day" segment. He even invited several preschoolers up on stage to mimic his beat, which was the cutest thing.

We were having so much fun and didn't want our time to end but inevitably, we had to say goodbye. But not before our friends concluded with everyone's favorite "Party in My Tummy" song.

We had such a blast! Nate even cried as we left the pavilion because he wanted to stay and party. If you're a Yo Gabba Gabba! fan, you will undoubtedly adore this show. It is entertaining and just pure fun!

Wanna catch a Party in Your City? Check out tour locations and dates and purchase tickets online at www.yogabbagabbalive.com. You don't want to miss it!

I would like to graciously thank Michelle Sisco P.R. for the opportunity to attend the Bristow, VA show. It was our most memorable family outing to date, for sure!

Disclaimer: I received three free tickets to attend the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! show in Bristow, VA and share my experience on my blog. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own. Your experience may differ.

Yo Gabba Gabba! "Cool Tricks" Contest

2010-08-27T21:59:00.003-04:00

The big day is finally upon us...tomorrow night, we will be attending the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! show in Bristow, VA! I am so excited! I can't wait to see Nate's face light up as he sees his favorite characters on stage. Of course, I'll be reporting back to you to tell you all about our experience, complete with photojournalism. But first, I have to share a cool new contest with you!

If you've ever seen Yo Gabba Gabba!, you're probably familiar with the "Cool Tricks" segment, where children and adults show off their special talent or skill (gymnastics, cup stacking, breakdancing, etc.). Celebrities such as Tony Hawk performing a skateboard move and Rhys Darby doing the robot have appeared on "Cool Tricks".

Well, now fans across North American can show off their unique talents by entering the Cool Tricks contest! Just upload a :30-:60 video demonstrating your child's cool trick for the opportunity to win a VIP Family 4-pack and have their winning video played during intermission at the KIA Motors Presents Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!: There's A Party in My City! show closest to their hometown. All participants are automatically entered into a sweepstakes where one lucky fan will receive a 5-night trip for four to the Caribbean or Mexico! Grand prize includes round-trip airfare, Junior Suite accommodations, and all meals to a choice of Palladium Hotels & Resorts.

But that's not all! Each winner will also receive $100 worth of organic baby and toddler food, lunchbox snacks and two “Party In My Lunchbox” Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! concert t-shirts from Revolution Foods and Plum Organics.

To enter the contest, visit the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! Facebook fan page and upload your video. Winners will be determined by a public vote in each tour market. So, be sure to get all your friends and family to vote!

The "Cool Tricks" contest is live now through Sunday, December 12, 2010. Winners will be notified and announced prior to the show date in each local market. See the official rules on the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! Facebook page.

Disclaimer: I will be receiving three free tickets from Michelle Sisco P.R. to attend the Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! show in Bristow, VA on 8/28/10 and facilitate my candid review. I have not been and will not be compensated in any other way.

Review and Giveaway: All Around Ralph's World

2010-08-27T19:30:00.001-04:00

Thank you to Bar None Records and Ralph's World for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event at Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Summer vacation may be over but that doesn't mean we can't still explore new worlds and new places with our little ones. With just a little imagination, it's easy to take flight wherever and whenever you want to go. First stop on our imaginary tour? A little place known as Ralph's World.

Grammy-nominated musician and esteemed playwright Ralph Covert began his career with the critically-acclaimed, Chicago-based indie rock band The Bad Examples in the 90's. He also penned several adult dramas and children's stage musicals, including "The Hundred Dresses" and "A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas", before becoming the kids music sensation he is today. You've probably heard his catchy collaboration from the new Huggies Pull-Ups commercials, "The Potty Dance". (You know, "Do the...*clap, clap*...potty dance...")

All Around Ralph's World is Covert's ninth family release, containing sixteen original songs that run the gamut from rock to pop to country to showtunes. Through Ralph's compelling storytelling, we blast off to the limits of our imagination as we encounter a robot, a dog, and a caterpillar - just to name a few of the endearing characters on the album.

Track Listing:

1. The Great Outdoors
2. My Magic Trick
3. Wiggle Your Lah-De-Dah
4. Easy Ryders
5. All About Bob
6. All Around the World
7. Black Hole Boy
8. Blue Airplane
9. The First Time
10. Pickle Me Juice
11. Sally's Trip
12. Bubblegum
13. The Funniest Joke in the World
14. A Dog Named Bruce
15. The Robot Looked at the Stars
16. I'm Not Tired

All Around Ralph's World is officially our new go-to car ride companion. Its laid-back, free spirit vibe makes it the perfect soundtrack for travel. I love that the music doesn't make my son too hyper like some of our more rock-oriented albums and the track lengths are palatable for the shortest of toddler attention spans. It's a gentle album that will have your little one's imagination soaring to new heights.

The stand-out songs for me were the intergalactic vaudeville tune "My Magic Trick", the effortless soft pop ballad "Blue Airplane" and the silly, bluegrass tune "Pickle Me Juice", which was co-written with Ralph's daughter, Fiona. I also really enjoyed the dreamy, "The Robot Looked at the Stars", which immediately brought to mind U2.

Whether you're looking to escape on four wheels or only in your mind, you'll definitely want to detour to Ralph's World.

BUY IT: You can purchase All Around Ralph's World at most major music retailers and online at Amazon.com or Ralph's World Store (ARV $13.98).

WIN IT: Bar None Records is generously offering two lucky winners a Ralph's World prize pack including the All Around Ralph's World CD, a Ralph's World Rocks t-shirt and autographed goodies!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Ralph's World, have a listen to the playlist on the homepage and tell me which song you like most. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

#Win a Ralph's World prize pack w/CD, tee and autographed goodies from @kris10chumley! Ends 9/10 http://bit.ly/aJkK3M

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Ralph's World on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 10, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this album from Mark at Bar None Records to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The opinions expressed in this review and solely my own. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande

2010-08-25T22:51:00.003-04:00

Thank you to Monkey Monkey Music and Waldmania! for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

There's been somewhat of an explosion in the kindie music arena. Musicians are starting to realize that while we parents don't want to expose our kiddos to inappropriate material, we don't necessarily want to sacrifice the music we love in favor of a goofy purple dinosaur. But this can be a double-edged sword. Some artists become so focused on being "sophisticated" for adults that they lose sight of what appeals to tots. But one act is determined to put the "child back into children's music": Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande.

Meredith LeVande is what some refer to as the "Renaissance Woman of children's music". Survivor of a traumatic childhood, Meredith coped with her reality through song. After earning degrees in various disciplines such as Women's Studies, Law and Music, Meredith began her career on the college circuit. An impromptu performance of traditional children's songs before a crowd of families led her to her true calling as a children's musician. It was then the Monkey Monkey Music project was born.

Her 2005 debut children's album, Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande, became an instant hit, designated as a Parenting Magazine "pick" and receiving heavy airplay on Sirius Satellite Radio. Her second full-length children's CD, What Are the Odds?, is due out this month and promises to deliver the same charm and emotional
appeal that makes her intimate live shows so special.

Track Listing:

1. Hello (New)
2. What Are The Odds?
3. Shake It Loud
4. This Way, That Way
5. In The Garden
6. Wheels
7. Air Guitar
8. Frogs Eat Butterflies
9. Circle
10. Turn Your Body Around
11. Bubbles
12. Who's a Knockin'?
13. Silly Animal Friends
14. Guess What I Am
15. Willow Tree in the Wind
16. Goodbye (New)

What Are The Odds? is like preschool in a pint-sized package. Meredith LeVande merges the folk stylings of Lisa Loeb with the imagination and interaction of Laurie Berkner for a delighfully simple yet honest children's record.

From mathematics and dance to animal sounds and knock-knock jokes, Monkey Monkey Music keeps the tone educational but fun. My personal favorite is the clever title track, "What Are The Odds?", which makes it easier than ever to memorize odd numbers ("...one head...three strikes...five fingers...seven days of the weeks...nine planets..."). I also loved "In the Garden", which made me hungry enough to eat a rainbow and the Burt Bacharach-esque game of charades, "Guess What I Am".

Monkey Monkey Music will have your little monkey movin' and groovin'. And expanding that cranium too.

BUY IT: What Are The Odds? will be released on August 31, 2010 and will be available online at Amazon.com, CDBaby.com and www.monkeymonkeymusic.com. (ARV $14.99)

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a copy of the album!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Listen to the album track samples and tell me which song you like most. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Tunes for your toddler - win What Are The Odds? from Monkey Monkey Music with Meredith LeVande @kris10chumley Ends 9/9 http://bit.ly/bK7neI

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 9, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this album from Elizabeth at Waldmania! to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The opinions expressed in this review and solely my own. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: The Okee Dokee Brothers' Take It Outside

2010-08-25T08:12:00.006-04:00

Thank you to the Okee Dokee Bros. and Sugar Mountain P.R. for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

It seems like summer just arrived and already it's nearing its end. The kids are heading back to school. Soon, the weather will grow cooler. We'll trade swimsuits for sweaters and the pool for the pumpkin patch. But the spirit of summer doesn't have to fade. You can capture the warmth and wonder of the season year-round with the Okee Dokee Brothers.

This Twin Cities duo aren't actually brothers at all. Childhood best friends Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing first got their start in a bluegrass band, touring the Midwest and fulfilling their lifelong dream of being professional singer-songwriters. Staying true to their folk roots, they tapped into where it all began: their childhood. So, they picked up and moved to Minneapolis to start the kindie band that would become the Okee Dokee Brothers. Following on the heels of their critically-acclaimed 2008 debut album, Kids with Beards, comes their brand new sophomore album Take it Outside. This collection of 13 original songs encapsulates one magical day in the life of a child, and is designed to get kids - and families - on their feet and out the door.

Track Listing:

1. Bluegrass for Breakfast
2. Neighbors
3. Tippy Toes
4. Hero
5. Wash Your Face
6. Lucy and Tighty
7. Water Balloon
8. Antidisestablishmentarianism
9. Auctioneer
10. What We Got
11. The Naked Truth
12. The Extraterrestrials
13. Sweet Dreams

If Sesame Street changed its backdrop to the backwoods of Tennessee, then the Okee Dokee Brothers would be your musical tour guides.

Listening to the album made me flash back to my youthful days, when tire swings didn't make me dizzy, when I loved the feeling of grass between my toes and a film of dirt on my skin and I didn't think twice about jumping into a lake fully clothed. From the time you wake up to "Bluegrass for Breakfast" until you tuck yourself into bed for "Sweet Dreams", you're in for wholesome, homegrown fun.

Each song tells a story or teaches a lesson, with a sense of humor that kids and parents alike can appreciate. Learn the longest word in the English language ("Antidisestablishmentarianism"), boost your vocabulary with words like "lackadaisically" or "introvertedly" ("Lucy and Tighty"), or try to speak fast like an "Auctioneer". My personal favorites are "Neighbors", which encourages the acceptance of differences - even those who "think it's cruel to murder a vegetable" - and "Hero", a country-pop ditty that makes you wonder if you have the "guts or the glory" to be a caped crusader. "The Naked Truth", about none other than a boy in the buff, describes my little nudist perfectly and made me laugh out loud. Even thought he couldn't understand the lyrics, Nate was jumping and dancing around to the organic bluegrass sound. The Okee Dokee Brothers sure know how to host a toe-tapping, knee-slapping, heck of a time.

BUY IT: You can listen to samples and/or purchase Take it Outside from www.okeedokee.org or CDBaby.com (ARV $12.97).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a copy of the album!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Listen to the album track samples and tell me which song you like best. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me and the Okee Dokee Brothers on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Win the newest album from the @OkeeDokeeBrothers, Take it Outside, from @kris10chumley Ends 9/8 http://bit.ly/aNTuZ5

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Become a fan of the Okee Dokee Brothers on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 8, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this album from Beth at Sugar Mountain P.R. to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The opinions expressed in this review and purely my own. Your experience may differ.

Woohoo for Winners!

2010-08-24T16:55:00.002-04:00

Better late than never, right?! Let's see who last week's lucky winners are!

The winner of the rainbow tub of Mary's Soft Dough is...

aledol said... 12: g~rd~fd; July 28, 2010 4:47 PM

The winner of the Wubbzy Goes to School DVD is...

Nicole said... 98: Tweeted http://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/21525872183

pittsy82@hotmail.com; August 18, 2010 6:34 PM

The winner of the Mimi the Sardine backpack and messy bib set is...

justicecw said... 46: I am a GFC follower
justicecw@hotmail.com; August 12, 2010 10:48 PM

And last but not least, the winner of The Not-Its' Time Out to Rock CD is...

Julia said... 35: green light, go
[11newmom at gmail]; August 22, 2010 9:27 PM

Congratulations, winners! Emails will be sent tonight and you will have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear from you by the deadline, I will have to choose another recipient.

Thank you to all who entered and to the always awesome giveaway sponsors, without whom this blog would not be possible!

Don't forget to check out the rest of my current giveaways, including a $15 EcoMom gift certificate - ending tonight!

Review and Giveaway: Tropical Traditions Coconut Flour

2010-08-23T20:24:00.002-04:00

I may be a kitchen enigma but while I could do without cooking, I actually do enjoy baking. Of course, who doesn't love some warm, straight-out-of-the-oven goodies? I can always count on Tropical Traditions to add a delicious, seasonal flair to my baked goods. From their virgin coconut oil and coconut cream concentrate to their coconut flakes and organic raw honey, I'm always impressed with the quality and taste of their products. So, naturally, I was excited to try out their Organic Coconut Flour.

Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Flour is derived from the fiber of the coconut meat after most of the oil has been extracted to make Virgin Coconut Oil. It is certified organic, gluten-free, unsweetened and untreated. It is high in dietary fiber and protein, making it a great substitute for traditional grains or wheat-based recipes. And because is contains natural sugar from the coconut meat, you'll need less sugar added to your recipes!

After perusing a number of recipes, I decided to make some fruit-filled muffins as a breakfast treat for Nate and I.

Gluten Free Strawberry Coconut Muffins

Servings: 6-12 muffins
Preparation: 10 minutes

1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 tsp Himalayan salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
6 eggs
1/3 cup raw honey
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, combine coconut flour, salt and baking soda.

In a large bowl mix the eggs, honey, coconut oil and vanilla until well blended. Mix dry ingredients into the wet, blending with a hand mixer or by hand. Gently fold in strawberries.

Place batter in paper lined muffin tins and pour batter in about 1/2 - 3/4 full.

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Take them out and let them cool and serve topped with Strawberry Cream Cheese (optional).

These muffins were mmm...mmm...good! Spongy texture and just a very mild coconut flavor, which accented the strawberry beautifully. They were awfully pretty to look at too:

Even Nate gobbled them up and we know how picky he can be!

I didn't have the ingredients for it on hand but their optional cream cheese topping sounds fab. I'll definitely have to give that a go next time!

Cream Cheese Topping

1 cup homemade or store bought cream cheese, softened
1 cup chopped strawberries, fresh or frozen
1 - 3 tbsp raw honey, to taste

Place everything in a blender or food processor and blend till smooth. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. When muffins are ready, generously top each muffin and enjoy!

I bet they'd also taste great with some lightly toasted coconut flakes on top or even a warm honey glaze. *drool*

I can't wait to do more baking with my Organic Coconut Flour. I think I may attempt the Grapefruit Pound Cake or Lime in the Coconut Cookies. (Can you tell I'm on a fruit kick?) I love that it is versatile, gluten-free and all-natural. I may even use it to thicken up my smoothies.

BUY IT: Want to try some for yourself? I know you do! Visit www.tropicaltraditions.com to purchase the Coconut Flour (ARV $10.95) or browse their vast variety of organic products.

DELECTABLE DEAL: When you place your order, make sure you choose "referred by friend" from the "How did you hear about us?" drop-down box and reference my ID #5429861 to receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people's lives, and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Jader Shilhavy!

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win their own 2 lb. bag of Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Flour!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Tropical Traditions and tell me another product you'd love to try. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Tropical Traditions on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Win a 2lb. bag of organic coconut flour from @troptraditions and @kris10chumley! Ends 9/9 http://bit.ly/aZMwYd

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter. (2 entries!)

4.) Become a fan of Tropical Traditions on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

6.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 9, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I was sent a bag of Organic Coconut Flour from Tropical Traditions to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review and mine and mine alone. Your experience may differ.

Fiber is Fun with Pedia-Lax! Review and Giveaway

2010-08-21T15:31:00.002-04:00

If your kid is anything like mine, it's quite a challenge to get him/her to eat healthily. Nate won't touch most fruits or veggies - even though I offer them regularly - so I just know he's not getting all the daily vitamins and minerals he needs. Recently, the AAP changed their recommendations regarding fiber intake for children. The "age plus five" rule no longer applies. They now recommend kids ages 2-3 years eat 19 grams of fiber per day and kids 4-8 should eat 25 grams of fiber per day! It's no wonder that research shows 90% of children don't get enough fiber in their daily diets.

Pedia-Lax is helping to bridge the gap with their Fiber Gummies. Made for children ages 2-11, these adorable penguin-shaped gummies are:

made with natural fruit flavors
sugar-free
calorie-free
gluten-free
dentist-approved
parent-tested, parent-approved

Just three gummies a day provides 6 grams of fiber - that's the equivalent to 1/2 cup of broccoli!

I had the chance to review Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies last year but since Nate turned two just a few weeks ago, it is only recently that we've incorporated them into his daily diet. They are leafy greens disguised in a yummy treat! Unlike other high-fiber foods such as bran or spinach, I don't have to fight with him to eat his gummies. As a matter of fact, he sees the bottle on our kitchen counter and asks for one throughout the day! I love that they help keep his digestive tract more regular and that they're not full of sugar that will decay his teeth.

However, as much as we love our new supplement, we can't depend on it to fulfill the entire daily requirement of fiber. We still have to make sure our children get a well-rounded diet, which can be harder during back-to school season when it's nearly impossible to keep track of their eating habits. Liz Weiss, registered dietitian and co-author of The Moms' Guide to Meal Makeovers, offers six tricks for adding extra fiber to children's diets:

Go with Guacamole: Kids love to dunk foods, so introduce a new dip. Create a kid-friendly guacamole by combining at least 3/4 of a mashed, ripe avocado with some coarsely chopped fresh cilantro and a dash of freshly-squeezed lime juice. Offer sliced raw veggies or whole-grain tortilla chips on the side for even more fiber grams
Fiberlicious French Toast: Many kids shy away from “brown bread,” but if you disguise it as something else, you can easily add more fiber at the start of the day. Make French toast by switching from traditional white bread to 100% whole wheat bread, and top with ¼ cup of naturally-sweet fresh strawberries or try a sliced banana for a few more grams of fiber.
Penguin Power: Boost your child’s fiber (age 2-11) with Pedia-Lax® Fiber Gummies; just three delicious, penguin-shaped gummies add 6 grams of fiber to your child's daily diet. They can be taken together or given one per meal.
Makeover Delight: Meatloaf is a staple on most family dinner menus. Take your favorite meatloaf recipe and upgrade it with more fiber by adding 1/3 cup of ground flaxseed, one shredded carrot and a 15 oz. can of drained black beans. Your delicious meatloaf just got better!
An Apple a Day: Parents tend to peel apples, but leaving the skin on a medium sized apple and slicing it up for easy eating keeps it to five grams of fiber. Add a tablespoon of peanut butter on the edges (if kids balk at the peel) for an extra gram of fiber.
Smooth it Over: Choose a fiber-rich yogurt with at least 5 grams of fiber and blend with your favorite fruit. The enriched yogurt alone is a great fiber source, but the fruit adds even more.

For complete recipes, head on over to www.mealmakeovermoms.com.

BUY IT: You can find Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies at your local grocery or drug store, including CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid (ARV $7.99/60 ct.).

You can also visit www.fibergummies.com for recipes, tips, tricks and a fiber diary to see how your current menu fares. You'll also find a $1.00 coupon!

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win their own bottle of Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit the Fiber Gummies website and tell me something you learned that I didn't mention above. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Make fiber fun with Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies for ages 2-11 @kris10chumley! Ends 9/6 http://bit.ly/ccg6gF

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Become a fan of Pedia-Lax Gummies on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 6, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I will receive a free bottle of Pedia-Lax Gummies from Laura at Robin Leedy Associates to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The opinions expressed in this review and purely my own. Your experience with this product may differ. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Before using this product, you should consult your child's physician for a complete evaluation.

Review and Giveaway: Cystex

2010-08-21T09:05:00.002-04:00

Did you know that urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect more than 60% of women and are the second most common type of infection in the body? UTIs account for 8.3 million doctor visits each year and have a recurrence rate of more than 40%. I have suffered with chronic UTIs for years so I can attest to their pain and sheer annoyance. While I try to use the old cranberry juice remedy before calling the doctor, I just can't tolerate the bitter tang so I usually wind in up in an urgent care waiting room, leaving with a prescription for antibiotics.

You may remember my review for Cystex last year. But just in case your memory is fuzzy, let me give you the skinny. Cystex Urinary Pain Relief Tablets are the only OTC medication to help manage UTIs while waiting to see a doctor. It is the only product that combines an analgesic pain-reliever and an antibacterial agent to stop the progression of the infection.

Well, Cystex has now introduced a Liquid Cranberry Complex to promote urinary health. Just one tablespoon provides the benefit of eight glasses of cranberry juice! The clinically-proven formula is lactose, gluten and sugar-free with only one calorie per tablespoon. Beat that, cranberry cocktail!

Cystex Liquid Cranberry Complex is so much more than just a cranberry concentrate. Its proprietary Proantinox blend also contains D-Mannose, inulin, bromelain and vitamin C to boost bladder health. Just one convenient tablespoon daily can aid in UTI prevention. A new study, being published in the journal Urology, shows 91% of women taking daily Cystex Liquid Cranberry Complex remained free of recurring UTIs.

Now, I have not yet tried the Cystex Liquid but I have used their signature tablets in the past (not daily but as a preventative after activities that tend to bring on infection) with success. Since liquid tends to enter your system faster than pills, I think this new formula a great option for those who need instant relief but can't stomach 100% cranberry juice.

BUY IT: You can find the new Cystex Liquid Cranberry Complex at drug stores and retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Duane Reade (ARV $9.95).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a bottle of Cystex Liquid Cranberry Complex!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Cystex and tell me something you learned on the site. Be sure to leave me your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile or if you are not a blogger!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the contest. You may use the tweet below or come up with one of your own:

UTIs are a pain! Give your bladder a break with Cystex Liquid Cranberry Complex @kris10chumley! Ends 9/4 http://bit.ly/aH5InO

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 4, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. U.S. residents only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

NOTE: This product does NOT take the place of a medical professional or antibiotics. All infections must be treated with antibiotics and if you suspect you have a UTI, please consult your physician.

Disclaimer: I received a free bottle of Cystex Liquid Cranberry Complex from Laura at Robin Leedy & Associates to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post.

The Bloggy Birthday Blowout Continues!

2010-08-20T22:15:00.000-04:00

I hope you all have been enjoying the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event! It's been lots of fun for us over the past month plus and we are proud to have adopted such cool products from such great companies.

The event is not quite over yet but I do have a few other products in my line-up that need immediate reviews (and of course, giveaways to share too!). So, the BBB Event will now be intermittent with the usual vast variety of goodies, until it officially concludes on August 31.

Stay tuned for more giveaways from awesome BBB sponsors such as:

And also, a week's worth of brand spankin' new family music so you can your little ones can get your groove on!

Giveaway: Diamond Favors

2010-08-19T13:49:00.002-04:00

Thank you to Diamond Favors for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

I love playing the role of hostess with the most-ess and entertaining my guests. As a "thank you for coming" present, I always try to make my own little homemade favors, whether it be CDs, photobooks or edible treats. But I don't always have the time or energy to get crafty on a tight timeline and budget so when I'm in a jam, I turn to my dear old friend, the World Wide Web. It's through him that I was introduced to Diamond Favors.

Diamond Favors is a one-stop shop for finding affordable party favors that will set the tone for any event, from lavish to intimate. Their trendy gifts will be the talk of the party! Here are a few items that caught my eye:

Are you planning a late summer luau? I love these Coconut Shell Soy Candles (ARV $3.85). Elegant yet eco-friendly!

Baptism or baby shower coming up? I would choose these sweet cupcake cross design candles (ARV $1.82) or the adorable "Thanks for Hanging Out" baby frames (ARV $5.32/set of 4).

I also love these whimsical Dubble Bubble mini gumball machine favors for birthdays. How nostalgic and fun!

Diamond Favors hosts a HUGE selection of wedding favors, themed favors and seasonal favors, perfect for the upcoming holidays!

If you want your next bash to blow them away, look no further than Diamond Favors!

BUY IT: Visit www.diamondfavors.com to perfect your party with some posh favors.

WIN IT: Diamond Favors has generously offered one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate to their online store!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Diamond Favors and tell me how you'd spend your gift certificate. It's that easy! Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Throw the perfect party with Diamond Favors! Win a $25 GC @kris10chumley! Ends 9/7 http://bit.ly/aGpIef

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Diamond Favors on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

6.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 7, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: Thank you to Business2Blogger for this giveaway opportunity I did not receive a product to review nor was I compensated in any other way for this post. I just wanted to share this giveaway with my readers!

Review and Giveaway: Pop Pals

2010-08-17T11:55:00.003-04:00

Thank you to Keen Distribution for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Ah, sweet summertime. The season for one of our favorite family treats: popsicles. I can always count on a good 'ole freezie pop to cool me off on a hot day. Unfortunately, if I give Nate one for himself, it results in a bright, sticky mess all over the place and almost always requires a bath. I had restricted them to stripped-down, outdoor use only until I discovered Pop Pals from Keen Distribution.

Mom-invented, award-winning Pop Pals are insulating ice pop holders designed to help keep hands warm and ice pops cold. This means less melting and less sticky mess! Pop Pals are made of soft, flexible FDA food-grade material, which is PVC-free, phthalate-free and BPA-free. They are also dishwasher and freezer-safe.

The first thing I noticed about Pop Pals (aside from the adorable froggy design. The popsicle is like his tongue...how cute is that?!) was how comfortable and easy to use they are. Just slip over the bottom end of the popsicle and slide up your Pop Pal as you eat. No more freezer burn on little hands from a too-cold ice pop! And no more fighting to keep the half-eaten pop from sinking to the bottom!

Nate normally drops his ice pop if I hand it to him straight out of the freezer so have to let it sit out for a few minutes to warm up. But then it begins to melt and sweat, making it easy for my clumsy toddler to squeeze and spill. Gone are the days of stalking him with a paper towel because Pop Pals are the ideal solution! I still had to assist Nate a little with them as he couldn't quite maneuver it all by himself. But the size and shape were perfect for a small grip and we only had two tiny drips as opposed to a giant mess of sticky goo. I was so confident in our Pop Pals that I even let Nate eat his freezie pop in our carpeted living room! And no, I didn't regret it later! The floor stayed clean and so did his clothes.

Pop Pals would even work well with Pedialyte Pops for times when your child is sick. The last thing you want to deal with on top of an illness is sticky hands and blankets!

Bottom line: If your kids are fans of Flavor-Ice but you could do without the clean-up, you want to pick up some Pop Pals! I love that they are safe and I don't have to be a mean mama by withholding messy, albeit yummy, treats.

BUY IT: Visit www.keendistribution.com to purchase Pop Pals (ARV $4.99/2-pk.). Don't forget to check out the rest of the Keen collection, including the Grobag Safe Sleep System, Bumbo Seat and Mommy Hook.

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win their own set of Pop Pals!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Keen Distribution and tell me another product you'd like to own. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Love ice pops but hate the cleanup? Win a set of Pop Pals @kris10chumley! Ends 9/5 http://bit.ly/aAyU8M

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Pop Pals on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

6.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 5, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received two pairs of Pop Pals from Kemie at Keen Distribution to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Winner Roundup

2010-08-17T07:07:00.000-04:00

Well, Nate's big birthday party is officially over and we survived! (I wasn't sure there for a second!) It did rain for most of the party but we brought the fun inside and I think everyone had a blast. I, however, am exhausted from all the festivities and cleanup. Hence, the lack of posts. But I plan to get back on the blogging track today and kick things off with some winners. What do you say?

First of all, I have to thank you all for making the CSN Stores giveaway my biggest yet! We had over 500 entries! I could hardly believe it! But I'm so glad you love CSN as much as I do. Without further ado, the lucky winner of the $50 gift card is...

erin m. said... 71: e-mail subscriber.
panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com; August 2, 2010 10:51 PM

The winner of the Eco Vessel Stainless Steel Sippy Cup is...

Alisha L. said... 48: Following your blog via Google Friend Connect @Alisha L.

bakergurl02[at]yahoo[dot]com; August 9, 2010 2:18 AM

The winner of the Pink Digital Photo Keychain from WholesaleKeychain.com is...

Hoa said... 33: Liked Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on FB
Name: Hoa Le

alittlepieceofheaven777(at)yahoo(dot)com; August 10, 2010 5:37 PM

The 2 winners of the I Hate to Cook Book by Peg Bracken are...

wildcat32 said... 59: follow and tweet http://twitter.com/5memb/status/20706345382
monster6236 at gmail dot com; August 9, 2010 9:08 AM

Birdson said... 29: I follow U on GFC birdson@roadrunner.com; August 4, 2010 8:07 PM

And last but not least, the winner of the Scholastic Treasures Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit is...

Leandrea at Coupons Are Great said... 96: Our next trip is to Disney World and will be by car. I am a little scared! leandrea246(at)hotmail(dot)com; August 14, 2010 11:03 PM

Congratulations, winners! Please keep an eye on your inbox today for an email from me. You will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.

Thank you to everyone who entered and to the fabulous sponsors who have made the Bloggy Birthday Blowout event so fun! But don't go away just yet...I have more stuff in store for the coming weeks. Toys, DVDs, food, party favors...the sponsors just keep rolling in so I'm going to continue until we're through :)

Oh, and please don't forget to enter the Mary's Soft Dough giveaway - ending tonight! This stuff was a hit for all ages at Nate's party (yes, pictures are forthcoming)!

Review and Giveaway: Pillow Pets CLOSED

2010-08-12T08:11:00.004-04:00

Thank you to Pillow Pets and Carabiner P.R. for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

If there was an award for overabundant gifts, first prize would go to the ubiquitous stuffed animal. I can't tell you how many plush creatures we own, in all shapes, sizes and varieties. Sure, they are adorable. But since Nate rarely pays them any mind, every single one is used merely as decoration on his nightstand or bookshelf.

If only they could all serve double duty like our new Pillow Pet!

In case you haven't heard, Pillow Pets are the new sensation for children of all ages. These cuddly companions have a Velcro strap underneath that can be released to transform them into a full-size pillow! Available in 20 different styles, they make an ideal travel buddy or bedtime pal. Better yet, they are machine washable for easy care!

Around the Fourth of July holiday, I informed you about the launch of the limited-edition Patriotic Pup Pillow Pet, for which proceeds support military families. Well, we recently welcomed "Americus" into our home and can now provide our official review!

When I first opened our Pillow Pet, I was pleasantly surprised by the size. This little guy was not so little! Why, it was big enough for Mommy to use! He was much more soft and snuggly than I could have ever imagined. I almost didn't want to hand him away. Not only were his nose and fur bright and nationalistic, but he also featured an adorably starry underbelly.

I could tell that the quality of our Pillow Pet far surpassed any knockoff. The seams were tight and the chenille was extra plush - not cheap feeling. Withstanding toddler wear-and-tear should be no problem. Normally, I'm a little weary of Velcro because it tends to pick up lint, snag other items and lose its hold after awhile. But the smart folks at Pillow Pets have solved this problem with a small piece of fabric that can flip over the Velcro portion when your pal is a pillow. This is a great idea for laundering.

I couldn't even remove the tag before Nate confiscated him to lounge on during TV time. Since then, we've taken "Americus" to Grandma's house, played with him in the car, and used him at naptime. He sure is a boy's best friend! (Look, mom, we even color coordinate!)

If you're looking for an affordable gift that a boy or girl can love for years, Pillow Pets are the perfect choice. I'm tempted to buy another one just because they are so cute and practical!

BUY IT: July may have come and gone but you can still support our military and show your American pride with the limited-edition Patriotic Pup (ARV $24.95), available at www.MyPillowPetGives.com. Or check out the rest of the Pillow Pets collection at www.GetPillowPets.com (ARV $19.95).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win their choice of Pillow Pet (in stock only)!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit the Pillow Pet website and tell me which animal you'd chose. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Win a soft, snuggly Pillow Pet of your choice from @kris10chumley! Ends 9/2 http://bit.ly/abGWyT

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Pillow Pets on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

6.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 2, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received the above Pillow Pet from Kathy at Carabiner P.R. to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: Protect-A-Bed CLOSED

2010-08-10T20:09:00.015-04:00

Thank you to Protect-A-Bed for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Now that Nate is two, we are venturing - s-l-o-w-l-y - into the land of potty training. We are in the beginning stages, which means there are more accidents than successes. I am confident that we will get there eventually. But in the meantime, I know that clean-up is going to be a big part of my day - and night. Thankfully, I know I can count on Protect-A-Bed for those inevitable nighttime and naptime mishaps.

Protect-A-Bed is synonymous with quality bedding protection. Since 1980, Protect-A-Bed has been manufacturing premium polyurethane laminate waterproof mattress protectors and related products. These products prevent staining and protect against dust mites and bed bugs, which are major causes of asthma, allergies and eczema. Materials used in production are safe, free of harmful substances like cadmium and exceed requirements for flame resistance. Their ultimate goal is to help provide customers with a healthy, hygienic, comfortable sleep.

Did you know that protected mattresses last almost three times longer than unprotected ones? This means a covered mattress can last twenty years instead of just seven! That's why I'm proud to own the Premium Mattress Protector for our bed (read my review here!). I also had the chance recently to review a pair of their Premium Pillow Protectors (ARV $19.99).

I'll admit it: I'm a drooler. Many mornings, I wake up with a huge wet spot on my pillow. And unfortunately, there are several stains on it as a result of my overactive salivary glands. But now I can nip that problem in the bud. Protect-A-Bed Premium Pillow Protectors are soft, absorbent and breathable. Not only are they low-maintenance (machine washable) and easy to use (just slip them on and zipper them closed), but I can rest easier knowing they will protect me from allergens and bacteria. I feel so much cleaner sleeping on Protect-A-Bed products! Drool, spills and leaks? No match for us anymore! And they'll be perfect to take on vacation when you're just not sure what kind of sneaky residue exists on the hotel bedding!

Once we ditch the diapers for good, I'll definitely be purchasing a Protect-A-Bed crib protector (ARV $29.99) for Nate's new toddler bed. You just can't beat the comfort, the quality or the warranties!

BUY IT: Visit www.protectabed.com to purchase any of the bedding protectors I've mentioned or to check out the rest of their selection.

CUTE CONTEST: To celebrate their 30th Anniversary, Protect-A-Bed is hosting a "Long Live Your Mattress" Sweepstakes, in which one lucky person will win a grand prize of $30,000 cash! There will also be ten first place prizes of complete bedding protection sets valued at nearly $500! Check out the official rules and enter online at www.protectabed.com between today, August 10, and October 31, 2010.

WIN IT: Protect-A-Bed is generously offering one lucky reader their choice of: premium crib protector (white, yellow, pink or blue), premium mattress protector (any size) or set of premium pillow protectors (any size)! That's up to a $100 value!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me which product you would choose and in what size/color if you won. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Protect-A-Bed on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Sleep safely and soundly with @Protect_A_Bed! Win your choice of product (up to $100 value) @kris10chumley Ends 8/31 http://bit.ly/bvMtiw

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Protect-A-Bed on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

6.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 31, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a pair of free Premium Pillow Protectors from Devin at Protect-A-Bed in exchange for my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Winners!

2010-08-09T21:43:00.007-04:00

It's been a busy weekend here at Chez Goodie, gearing up for a little man's big birthday celebration. But it's never too late to announce some winners, right?!

The winner of the custom blog makeover courtesy of Mini Beach Bird Designs is...

Cindi S World said... 10: I follow you publicly on googlefriendconnect, itscindisworld, itscindisworld at yahoo dot com; July 4, 2010 3:17 PM

And the winner of the $25 gift certificate to InvitationBox.com is...

LUV BLOGGIN said... 9: Just added your button to my blog here:
http://luvbloggin2.blogspot.com/

My e-mail:
LUVBLOGGIN@GMAIL.COM; July 23, 2010 11:39 AM

Congratulations, winners! I will be sending emails shortly and you will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.

Thank you to everyone who entered and to all the wonderful sponsors for the opportunity to share these cool products and services with my awesome readers!

If you didn't win, please mosey on over to my Current Confections and browse the rest of the giveaways I have going on as part of the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event. Lots more to come so stay tuned!

Review and Giveaway: Scholastic Treasures - The Rosemary Wells Collection CLOSED

2010-08-07T09:26:00.003-04:00

Thank you to Weston Woods and Sugar Mountain P.R. for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

By now, you probably know that my family is a big fan of the Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD series. Not only do they breathe new life into classic tales, but their special read-along feature aids in comprehension and vocabulary expansion. So, when I heard that they were adapting the works of Rosemary Wells, I was thrilled.

Who is Rosemary Wells, you ask? Well, if you watch Nick Jr., you've probably caught an episode or two of a little show called Max and Ruby. You may not know that the cartoon is actually based on the books by author/illustrator Rosemary Wells. She is also responsible for the award-winning children's book, Noisy Nora. With a career spanning more than four decades and 120 books, Wells has delighted children and adults alike with her unforgettable characters.

Scholastic has brought eight of Rosemary Wells' beloved stories to life in a new 2-DVD collection, featuring original Max and Ruby stories and new family favorites.

Episode Listing:

DVD #1: Max's Chocolate Chicken

"Max's Chocolate Chicken" - Will Max or Ruby find the most Easter eggs to win the chocolate chicken? Only the Easter Bunny knows for sure!
"Max's Christmas" - Max is told that he can't stay up to see Santa, but he sneaks down anyway. Will Santa still come if Max is awake?
"Morris's Disappearing Bag" - Morris thinks his brother and sisters have better Christmas presents. But inside the last box he finds a magical gift that makes all his troubles disappear.
"Otto Runs for President" - Who will win the big school election at Barkadelphia School? Popular Tiffany, sporty Charles or good friend Otto?

DVD #2: Noisy Nora

"Noisy Nora" - What's a wee little mouse to do when little brother and big sister take up all of Mom and Dad's time? Make noise!
"Emily's First 100 Days of School" - As the days and weeks of school go by, Emily and her classmates learn new ideas, expand their world and grow closer together one day at a time.
"Voyage to the Bunny Planet" - Three bunnies are whisked off to the gentle Bunny Planet - a place that lies "far beyond the moon and stars."
"Reading to Your Bunny" - An original story by Rosemary Wells highlights the importance of reading to little ones.

One of my favorite things about Scholastic is that they always manage to uphold the integrity of the original story and illustrations, as they transform them for the small screen. Each cartoon short has a timeless, vintage quality. No distracting, flashy graphic effects; the stories take center stage. They also feature narration and performances from actors and musicians, to which children may be oblivious but it adds a little something special for parents. This particular collection features narration from actress Maggie Gyllenhaal (Sherrybaby, Crazy Heart, Dark Knight) and a music video by country star Mary Chapin Carpenter ("Reading to Your Bunny").

Being fans of the TV show, I had a feeling this set would become a fast favorite - and I was right! In addition to all of the charming banter between mischievous little brother Max and bossy big sister Ruby, we were also introduced to new lovable friends like Morris, Nora and Emily. Some of the subject matter was a little advanced for Nate, as he didn't full grasp the conflicts between the characters, and he's still a bit too young to know how to read along. But I like that he is becoming familiar with the concept. He never hesitates to crawl into my lap and watch a few episodes as we escape the August heat and humidity.

With Easter, Christmas and school-themed episodes, this collection would make a great educational yet entertaining back-to-school or holiday gift for some-bunny special.

BUY IT: You can purchase the Scholastic Storybook Treasures Rosemary Wells Collection online at www.newkideo.com or Amazon.com. (ARV $17.99)

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win this 2-DVD set!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me who you want to win this for. Easy peasy! Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Win the Rosemary Wells Collection 2-DVD set ft. Max and Ruby @kris10chumley! Ends 8/28 http://bit.ly/b0ev9c

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 28, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received this DVD set from Beth at Sugar Mountain P.R. in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: Yo Gabba Gabba Medicine-Time Flavor Spray CLOSED

2010-08-05T21:39:00.009-04:00

Thank you to FlavorX for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

There's nothing more pitiful than watching your little one as they struggle with a case of the nasties. The coughing. The runny nose. The fever and clammy skin. One look at that pouty, downtrodden face and you just want to scoop them up in your arms and take the pain away. Unfortunately, for us mommies, administering the necessary medication can be a nightmare. Flailing arms. Screaming. Gagging. We go through this just about every single time we approach Nate with a dropper.

Thankfully, the pediatric flavoring gurus at FlavorX and Yo Gabba Gabba are teaming up to take the "ick" out of sick with their new Medicine-Time Flavor Spray. This DazzleBerry-flavored liquid helps mask the bitterness of medications by covering the taste buds of the tongue. Just a few spritzes before and after taking medicine helps keep the yuck at bay. Created by a pharmacist, Yo Gabba Gabba! Medicine-Time Spray is sugar and dye-free, non-allergenic, gluten and casein-free.

Luckily, Nate has been able to avoid illness this summer but Mommy is another story. A couple of weeks ago, I caught Strep Throat and had to take Penicillin to get rid of the infection. If you're not allergic and have taken Penicillin in the past, you probably know that the pills smell and taste horrible. Plus, I had to drink a nasty liquid medicine to soothe my achy throat. I knew it was for kids but figured it was as good a time as any to test out this Medicine-Time Spray. And wow...I have to say it was pretty darn good! The taste was much better than I had expected. Two sprays were just sweet enough to make my meds more tolerable. And there was no numbing feeling or funky aftertaste. I had to summon Nate and spray some in his mouth just to see his reaction. He was a little leery at first - as he is with anything out of the ordinary - but after one squirt, he tried to chase me down to get the bottle! I'd say it was a bonafide hit in our house.

I don't ever want Nate to get sick but I am curious how he'll fare once we add medicine to the mix. I like that the spray design is easy to use so slightly older children can even use it themselves (supervised, of course). The only potential disadvantage to this product is the price. At $9.99/bottle, it may seem a little on the expensive side. But since each bottle contains over 200 sprays, it will practically last forever. It's not a necessity but it sure is nice to have when your child resists medicine tooth and nail.

Bottom line: It's about time someone took Mary Poppins seriously. A spoonful of sugar really does help the medicine go down. Well, in this case, it's a sugar-free spray. But that's better for our teeth! I think it's genius to use familiar faces from a beloved program like Yo Gabba Gabba to ease children's worries, and in turn, make the parent's job a little less stressful. In the words of the Yo Gabba Gabba gang: try it, you'll like it!

BUY IT: You can purchase the FlavorX Yo Gabba Gabba Medicine-Time Spray online at Amazon.com (ARV $9.99).

WIN IT: Break it down...one lucky reader is going to win their very own bottle of Yo Gabba Gabba Medicine-Time Spray!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me how you try to comfort your little one when he/she is sick. So easy! Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and FlavorX on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Take the "ick" out of being sick with Yo Gabba Gabba Medicine-Time Spray from @FlavorX! Win it @kris10chumley Ends 8/26 http://bit.ly/dlnqAQ

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of FlavorX on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

6.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 26, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free bottle of Yo Gabba Gabba Medicine-Time Spray from Natasha at FlavorX to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: The Not-Its' Time Out to Rock CLOSED

2010-08-05T13:04:00.002-04:00

Thank you to Waldmania! and Little Loopy Records for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Every party needs some good music to fire things up and get people movin' and groovin'. For Nate's upcoming birthday bash, I know exactly who I'll be tagging to blare on the stereo.

The Not-Its are a Seattle-based quintet of alt-rock musicians who just so happened to fall into the fresh landscape of children's music. The best thing about them? They prove girls can rock just as hard as boys. Lead vocalist, Sarah Shannon, hails from the early 90's indie-pop band Velocity Girl (remember them from the Clueless soundtrack? I must've listened to "My Forgotten Favorite" a gazillion and one times as a teen). Along with bassist and vocalist Nori Hoeft, there's enough girl power here to put the Spice Girls to shame.

Their critically-acclaimed debut album, We Are The Not-Its, generated tremendous buzz and earned the group a Fids & Kamily Music Award for one of the best family music albums of 2009. Their sophomore release, Time Out to Rock, dropped on July 20th and delivers more of the same high-energy powerpop that made the entire "kindie" world sit up and take notice.

Track Listing:

1. Welcome to Our School
2. Time Out to Rock
3. First Kid in Outer Space
4. Green Light, Go!
5. Accidentally
6. Say it Loudly
7. Cheetah the Buffalo
8. Fantastic
9. Only Kids Can See
10. Change My Luck
11. Hollow Tree

Now, admittedly, there is some great children's music out today. But I probably wouldn't listen to most of it if my son wasn't within earshot. The Not-Its change all that. With their edgy, electric sound, I didn't feel as though I was listening to something meant for juveniles. I could have sworn I had taken a time warp back to my 90's grunge days and was headbanging and rockin' out to a great new band I discovered on MTV (before Jersey Shore, when they actually played music videos).

The stellar songwriting, top-notch vocals and authentic alt-pop instrumentals had me hooked from the start. The opening track, "Welcome to Our School", turns the volume up and sets the tone for the album with an R.E.M. flavor. But my favorite songs had to be the upbeat game of "Green Light, Go!", with its dreamy synth bridge, the doo-wop/pop ditty "Accidentally" and the pensive "Hollow Tree", which brought to mind The Cranberries.

The heartfelt lyrics discuss topics that we've all dealt with in our childhoods, from memorable, imaginative play ("First Kid in Outer Space") to standing up to bullies ("Say it Loudly") to having a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day ("Change My Luck"). Even if your child is too young to understand the words, he or she will still have a blast bouncing and dancing to this brimming-with-fun album. I should also mention that Nate was particularly enthralled with the contrasting album cover art, and had a hard time parting with it long enough for Mommy to snatch the CD.

Bottom line: Their name may imply otherwise but this band is "it". Every parent should take some Time Out to Rock - with or without their kiddos nearby.

BUY IT: You can purchase Time Out to Rock at most major music retailers, on iTunes or online from the Not-Its Shop (ARV $14.00).

WIN IT: I have another album up for grabs for one lucky reader!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit the Not-Its website, spin some tracks and tell me which one is your favorite. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and The Not-Its on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Take a Time Out to Rock with @The_Not_Its! Win their brand new family album @kris10chumley Ends 8/22 http://bit.ly/ahsnig

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of The Not-Its on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Join the Not-Its mailing list. (1 entry)

6.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

7.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 22, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this record from Elizabeth with Waldmania! to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Giveaway: Wubbzy Goes to School DVD CLOSED

2010-08-03T22:13:00.004-04:00

Thank you to Anchor Bay Entertainment and Grand Communications for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

One of our favorite Nick Jr. characters, Wubbzy of the Emmy Award-winning cartoon Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, is back and ready to make the grade in his newest DVD, Wubbzy Goes to School. Along with his friends Widget, Walden and Daizy, Wubbzy helps preschoolers prepare for their big first day in the classroom, with episodes to ease children's anxieties about this new environment and making new friends. Wubbzy's wacky adventures are sure to make learning fun!

In "Who Needs School", Wubbzy is nervous about his first day of school and decides he is going to learn all he needs to know himself. But when things don't work out as expected and Wubbzy is lonely, he realizes school isn't so bad after all. When Murphy, a larger-than-life new student joins the class in "New Kid on the Block", Wubbzy finds that good friends can come in all shapes and sizes. Other episodes include "Gotta Dance", "Wubbzy the Star", "You Gotta Have Art" and
"Magic Tricks", starring Moo Moo The Magician.

This new A+ DVD is chock full of bonus features such as the "Meet Wubbzy's Schoolmates" photo gallery, printable coloring and activity sheets and more.

If your little one is anticipating their first day of preschool or kindergarten, you'll definitely want to add Wubbzy to your back-to-school shopping list!

BUY IT: Wubbzy Goes to School was released today, August 3, and can be found at most major retailers, as well as Amazon.com (ARV $12.49).

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win this DVD!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Think back and tell me your favorite subject from your school days. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Prepare your preschooler for their 1st day of school with the new "Wubbzy Goes to School" DVD @kris10chumley! Ends 8/18 http://bit.ly/c6rjXD

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 18, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was granted this giveaway opportunity from Rachel at Grand Communications on behalf of Anchor Bay Entertainment. I did not receive a product to review, nor was I compensated in any other way for this post. I just wanted to share this giveaway with my readers.

Review and Giveaway: EcoMom CLOSED

2010-08-03T15:44:00.003-04:00

Thank you to EcoMom for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Our babies enter this world perfect and pure. But it sure is hard keeping them that way. With all the chemicals and artificial ingredients floating around in what appear to be harmless baby products, it is difficult for even the most discernible parent to know what is truly safe. But one company I can trust to be on my side is EcoMom.

EcoMom.com is dedicated to providing simple, safe, smart solutions that encourage women and their families to take their first steps toward a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. EcoMom does all the research and product testing so we don't have to! Everything they offer is evaluated and approved based on a set of rigorous standards set forth by Healthy Child, Healthy World - with the goal to help make the world a better place.

EcoMom products must not:

be chronically toxic, carcinogenic, reproductively toxic, endocrine-disrupting, neurotoxic or teratogenic
contain toxic dyes
contain health compromising chemicals such as polyurethane, phosphates, chlorine, petrochemical fragrances, parabens, formaldehyde, dioxins, etc.
contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, propylene glycol or other synthetic preservatives
contain PVC
contain bisphenol-A (BPA)
contain heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cobalt, chromium, nickel, arsenic or cadmium
be tested on animals
contain genetically-modified organisms (GMOs)

From bedding, books and bubble bath to organic food and fashion, you'll find eco-friendly baby and toddler products from dependable brands like Green Toys, Sweet Knee, Plum Organics, Earth Mama Angel Baby, Kate Quinn Organics and more.

Intimidated by the high price" of "going green"? Well, EcoMom is making the choice easier and more affordable with their innovative EcoPass program. For just $99/year, you'll receive a 15% discount on every single order, as well as free shipping - no $75 minimum! At just $8.25/month, EcoPass pays for itself in as little as four orders! This is an especially great option for parents-to-be who need to stock up on baby essentials or for parents of infants who place monthly solid food orders.

I've been fortunate enough to test drive several products courtesy of EcoMom in the past. Most recently, we were able to review the Eco-Kids Gluten-Free Fingerpaint Tube (ARV $33). Made right here in the USA, these paints are made with all-natural ingredients including fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from beets, spinach, paprika, carrots, purple sweet potato, red cabbage, blueberries and tomatoes. One tube contains six 3 oz. containers of gluten, dairy and soy-free paint - perfect for little ones with allergies! The packaging is made from post-consumer waste and the paint containers are made of 100% cornstarch, for the ultimate in eco-consciousness.

Nate loves art (drawing, modeling, etc.) so I had a feeling he would love to fingerpaint. But since he hasn't outgrown his oral phase, the last thing I wanted was for him to ingest paint that is made of who-knows-what. Eco-Kids relieves my worries completely. While Nate has not shown evidence of any food allergies, I like knowing that these paints are safe for any child who may come over and play.

The paint comes in a powder form, which makes it easy to customize the consistency. Just add more or less water to achieve your desired texture. The smell was great - no funky fumes. The colors were rich but turned more pastel when we placed it on the canvas. Nate was hesitant to dip his fingers in at first but after Mommy took the lead, he painted for over a half an hour, both with his fingers and a brush.

I did find that I had to keep adding water so the paint would stay smooth and not glob up. And I was a little disappointed that the dry, finished product flakes off a bit if you run your hand over it. But since I plan to hang it high on the wall, I'm hoping it stands the test of time. We haven't yet tried the paint on watercolor paper. Perhaps that will work out better.

But it's awfully cute, right?! I call his first masterpiece "Walk in the Park". I see the sun shining down on a tree and a fountain with grass and a park bench. I think I have a little Picasso on my hands! What do you say?

Overall, I am happy with the Eco-Kids fingerpaint. Nate enjoys it and I pink puffy heart that it is safe and natural. But I do wish it were smoother and more vibrant on media.

BUY IT: You can purchase the Eco-Kids Fingerpaint (both Regular or Gluten-Free) or check more eco-friendly goods at www.ecomom.com. Don't forget to check out their Daily Deal every Mon-Fri at 10:30am PST - where you can score items at irresistible prices, but only while they last!

DELICIOUS DISCOUNT: Use the exclusive promo code "SBBL021" to receive 15% off your first order (good through August 31, 3010)!

WIN IT: EcoMom is generously giving one lucky reader a $15 gift certificate!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit EcoMom and tell me how you'd spend your gift certificate. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and EcoMom on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Goodie Goodie Gumdrops: Win a $15 GC to @EcoMomCEO from @kris10chumley! Ends 8/24 http://bit.ly/cFTlyT

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of EcoMom on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Join the EcoMom newsletter and leave a comment with the email you used. (1 entry)

6.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

7.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 24, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received the Eco-Kids Gluten Free Fingerpaint Tube free of charge from Jody at EcoMom to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Happy Blogoversary to Me - and some Winners!

2010-08-01T16:00:00.001-04:00

Yippee! Today is my very first blogoversary!

One year ago today, I started this little blog to share some of the products that worked for us as a family. Little did I know that 365 days later, I'd have over 650 loyal followers and that I would be writing my 450th post! Holy cow! Thank you all so much for your support and I hope you will continue to follow me as I bring you all the awesome goodies I come across.

Now it's time to announce some more Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event winners!

The winner of the Organically Raised Cookbook is...

SolDucky said... 70: Organically Raised FB fan sarah linette; July 29, 2010 12:17 PM

The winner of the LOL Essentials Combo from Mabels Labels is...

Julie said... 79: like Mabel on fb -Julie Scott Laws
aunteegem@yahoo.com; July 30, 2010 9:32 PM

And, last but not least, the winner of the Justin Roberts Jungle Gym CD is...

skgaff said... 7: One of my favorite childhood memories was rounding up all the neighborhood kids and playing a massive game of hide & seek all around our neighborhood -- it was so much fun -- and it took forever!!!
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com; July 21, 2010 4:46 PM

Congratulations, winners! Emails will be sent soon and you will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.

Thank you to everyone who entered and to the awesome sponsors for making the contests possible!

Don't forget to check out the rest of my current confections, including a blog (re)design package for all you fellow bloggers - ending tonight. Don't miss it!

Review and Giveaway: Scholastic Treasures Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit CLOSED

2010-08-01T15:19:00.003-04:00

Thank you to Scholastic and Sugar Mountain P.R. for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Ah, summer. The perfect time for road trips and traveling. While I love exploring and visiting new places, long car rides and toddlers are like oil and water - they just don't mix. It can be a struggle to keep them entertained for extended periods of time when their patience hangs by a thread. Thankfully, Scholastic Treasures has an extra-special rescue pack for us road warriors.

The Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit gives you everything you need to make traveling with little ones easy, fun and educational. Included in the kit are 15 musical stories on 2 DVD's, a 13-song CD, and a 34-page activity booklet complete with crayons and travel tips for parents. All of this fits conveniently in a compact travel case with handle for hours of family-friendly fun.

Episode/Track Listings:

DVD #1: The Wheels on the Bus
1. The Wheels on the Bus
2. Musical Max
3. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
4. Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!
5. All the Colors of the Earth
6. Keeping House
7. Hush Little Baby

DVD #2: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
1. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
2. This Land is Your Land
3. Frog Went A-Courtin'
4. Over in the Meadow
5. Giraffes Can't Dance
6. The Chinese Violin
7. Dem Bones
8. Changes, Changes

CD: The Wheels on the Bus
1. The Wheels on the Bus - The Bacon Brothers
2. The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night - Alice Peacock
3. Dinosaur Bones - Bob Barner
4. Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 - Chrystal Taliefero
5. Donut Make You Feel So Good - Scotty Huff and Robert Reynolds
6. Dem Bones - Raul Malo
7. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands - Chrystal Taliefero
8. Everything's Better - Scotty Huff, Robert Reynolds and Paul Deakin
9. Over in the Meadow - Mae Robertson
10. The Erie Canal - Rusty Young and Jack Sundrud
11. Frog Went A-Courtin' - Rusty Young and Jack Sundrud
12. Tooth School Anthem - Scotty Huff and Robert Reynolds
13. Gonna Read to My Bunny - Mary Chapin Carpenter

A few weeks ago, we decided to take an impromptu trip to the beach, which is about 2 hours away. I was nervous about Nate being in the car that long with no pit stops so I made sure to bring along our Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit. We don't have a DVD player in the Jeep so we couldn't view the videos on the way but we popped in the CD instead. It really set the tone of anticipation for the start of our vacation. It wasn't too boisterous or too mellow; it was just right and had all of us bopping our heads. The Bacon Brothers' "Wheels on the Bus" is a refreshing rendition of a repetitive classic and Mary Chapin Carpenter's catchy country ode to storytime "Gonna Read to My Bunny" is beyond cute. I also enjoyed the Beach Boys-esque "Dinosaur Bones" and "The Erie Canal", on which Rusty Young is a dead ringer for Eric Clapton.

Mid-way on the trip, we slipped Nate the crayons and activity book, which he loved. It kept him happy and occupied for a good long while. I liked that it had simple color pages for toddlers as well as counting and matching games for slightly older kids. There were also travel game ideas such as scavenger hunts and alphabet games in the back of the book that the whole family could play together on the road. I just wish the book had wipe-clean pages so it could be reused.

Once we made it to our destination, as luck would have it, it rained just about the entire weekend. Bummer! Since we were stuck in our hotel for hours on end with limited resources for an attention-deficit toddler, we pulled out our Sing-Along Travel Kit DVDs and played them on the laptop for Nate. As we've come to expect from Scholastic Treasures, both videos were entertaining as well as educational. The illustrations are whimsical and colorful, and narrations/music by popular actors and musicians such as Rob Reiner, Cyndi Lauper and Arlo Guthrie make them fun for parents. Nate is only two so he can't read yet but I still love the read-along feature, which supports reading comprehension and vocabulary.

All I can say is thank goodness for our travel kit. Without it, I think our getaway would have been a lot more stressful. But we don't use our kit exclusively on the road. As you can see, we even have fun with it at home:

BUY IT: You can purchase the Scholastic Treasures Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit online at www.newkideo.com or Amazon.com (ARV $13.49).

WIN IT: I have another travel kit up for grabs for one lucky reader!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me where your next family vacation will be and how you're getting there! Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Road trip with the rascals? Win the Scholastic Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit @kris10chumley Ends 8/15 http://bit.ly/c6EXH5

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 15, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit from Beth at Sugar Mountain P.R. to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: The I Hate to Cook Book 50th Anniversary Edition CLOSED

2010-07-30T23:10:00.006-04:00

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

I'm may be a stay-at-home mom but I hardly fit the domestic stereotype. My house is cluttered and "lived in", far from impeccable. And my husband is lucky if I have a homemade dinner on the table once a week. It's not that I hate cooking. Once I'm actually making a meal, I think to myself, "now this isn't so bad". I actually enjoy making a dish with love and the feeling of satisfaction from nurturing my family. But the truth is I don't want to spend hours in the kitchen. I'd rather be spending quality time with my family. Or blogging, of course. I need quick, easy, pleasing meals that get the job done.

So, when I was offered an opportunity to review the I Hate to Cook Book, I couldn't resist.

Peg Bracken's classic I Hate to Cook Book was originally written in 1960, at the helm of the women's lib movement. She bucked tradition and confirmed what housewives from the world over had been ashamed to admit: it's okay if you'd rather be doing something else instead of hovering over the stove! With her deliciously simple recipes, a pinch of humor and a dash of wit, Peg Bracken charmed her way into kitchens and hearts. Fifty years later, her book still resonates with our modern generation. It's nice to know some things never change.

The moment I read the introduction, I knew I was in for a treat. No other cookbook has made me laugh out loud like this one:

This book is for those of us who want to fold our big dishwater hands around a dry Martini instead of a wet flounder, come the end of a long day...you're flattened by articles that begin "Of course you know that basil and tomatoes are soulmates, but did you know..." They can stop right there, because the fact is, you didn't know any such thing...Oh, you keep on buying cookbooks, the way a homely woman buys hat after hat in the vain hope that this one will do it...For one thing, they contain too many recipes. Just look at all the things you can do with a chop, and aren't about to!

Bracken gives helpful household hints and recipes for those times when you've committed to bringing a dish for a potluck or been on the receiving end of unexpected company. Whether you need a speedy supper, delightful dip or a droolworthy dessert, Bracken's recommendations use ingredients you probably already have on hand so you won't have to run any further than your pantry to pull it all together. I loved that many of the dishes were casseroles so they require minimal prep - leave all the hard work to the oven!

Here are just a few recipes that caught my eye:

I love chili and Tex-Mex inspired comfort food. So, this casserole particularly appealed to me. I would add a dallop of sour cream and maybe some chives to the final presentation but this is something that the whole family could love. Nachos with a kick.

Pedro's Special

1 lb. ground round steak
1 chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 8-oz. can of tomato sauce, plus 1/3 can tomato juice, beef broth or water
1/4 tsp oregano
2 tbsp chili powder
1 16-oz. can kidney or pinto beans with liquid
1 medium-sized bag corn chips
a bit of lettuce
more chopped onion

Brown together, in a little oil, the ground meat, onions and garlic. Stir in the tomato sauce, oregano and chili powder. Now dust off a good-sized casserole, grease it, and alternate layers of this mixture with layers of beans, and corn chips, ending with corn chips. Bake it, covered, at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, uncovering it for the last ten. Before you serve it, strew some shredded lettuce and chopped raw onion on top, for that Olde Tyme Mexicali look.

This sounds so easy, yummy and most importantly, impossible to screw up.

Turkey Divan

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, thinned slightly with 2 tbsp sherry and a little heavy cream)
1 package frozen broccoli, cooked or thawed and drained
6 good-sized slices of turkey
grated Parmesan cheese

Put about 1/4 of the soup mixture in a buttered casserole. Put the broccoli in , cover it with slices of turkey meat, and pour on the rest of the sauce. Sprinkle the Parmesan generously on top and bake at 350 degrees, uncovered, for about 20 minutes.

If you're tired of serving your kids traditional grilled cheese, this alternative really jazzes it up. I would use whole grain bread for a nutritional boost.

Pizza Sandwiches

Spread one side each of two slices of bread with canned pizza sauce. For the filling, use a slice of salami, a slice of mozzarella or processed sharp cheese (the processed will melt better), and a sprinkling of garlic. Grill them in butter.

Not all of the recipes are up my alley (Ham-Lima Supper or Wild Rice and Chicken Livers, anyone?) but the majority of them are things I could see myself eating regularly. My favorite section of the book dealt with kids' birthday parties. With Nate's big party coming up in two weeks, I've stolen some of her tips, such as:

Most children will eat peanut butter on anything or in anything. Offer vegetables such as celery dipped in peanut butter. You can also spread peanut butter on rolled-out biscuit dough, spread jelly on top of it, then roll it up like a jelly roll, slice one inch thick and bake as usual.
Serve lemonade in clear plastic glasses with a drop of different-colored food coloring in each, which not only looks festive but tells each child whose is which.
In the summertime, freeze maraschino cherries inside ice cubes for the lemonade. (Okay, so I have a new-fangled icemaker but I'm still going to freeze the cherries themselves and use them as a pretty addition.)
Have a card table set up somewhere, with crayons and coloring books on it to occupy children until the party starts.

The only thing I didn't like about the I Hate to Cook Book is that there are no photos. It's not really necessary but I prefer to see a visual of something before I attempt to make it. Overall, I love the book and feel as though it was written just for me. It's not too often that I come across a cookbook that doesn't require me to Google some of the ingredients, so this is truly something special! I will definitely be returning to this book for years to come.

BUY IT: You can purchase the I Hate to Cook Book at most major book retailers or online at Amazon.com (ARV $13.44).

WIN IT: Not one - but two - lucky readers are going to win their own copies of the I Hate to Cook Book!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me why you want to win this book. Easy peasy! Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

If you'd rather blog than cook, you need the I Hate to Cook Book by Peg Bracken @kris10chumley! 2 winners Ends 8/14 http://bit.ly/ccW4De

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become of fan of the I Hate to Cook Book on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

6.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 14, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the above book from Anna at Hachette Book Group to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are solely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review: Silikids Siliglass

2010-07-29T21:09:00.010-04:00

Thank you to Abbott Communications and Silikids for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

My little boy is growing up. It seems like just yesterday he was transitioning from breast to sippy (he never was one for bottles with those pesky artificial nipples). And now he's beginning to show interest in drinking from an open, "big kid" cup. Now I don't want to discourage Nate from exhibiting his independence, but at the same time I can just envision his chubby little butter fingers losing their grip and the sound of glass shattering all over our floor. So, for safety reasons - and let's face it, a desire for less mess -we almost always offer a sippy cup instead. Thankfully, Silikids has the perfect drinkware solution for us.

Silikids is a mom-founded brand, focused on creating innovative children's products exclusively from silicone. Silicone is derived from sand, unlike petroleum-based plastics, and produces no harmful by-products in its manufacturing or disposal. Silicone is unique in that it is naturally hypoallergenic, germ, mold and toxin-free, making it a popular choice for bottle nipples, pacifiers and teethers. But Silikids is stretching the limits of this green substance by developing baby knee pads, bibs, glass bottle skins and more.

We had the opportunity to review the Siliglass, a 6 oz. child-size cup made from 100% food grade silicone. The external Siliskin protects against slipping, prevents breakage of the glass inside and is non-porous so it can't harbor bacteria. Because silicone is extremely heat-resistant, it is dishwasher-safe and can also be boiled to sterilize. The Siliglass is available in four fun colors: aqua, lime, red and purple.

The Siliglass is now Nate's favorite cup. Whenever he sees it sitting in our drying rack, he reaches for it and begs for a drink. And instead of hesitating, I happily oblige him. Why? The bumps on the Siliskin make it easy for Nate to grip the glass. It's super soft and comfy to the touch. And while we haven't yet had any accidental drops (I couldn't bear to do it on purpose!), I know that if it should happen, it is highly unlikely to break. I'm pleasantly surprised by how well Nate drinks from his Siliglass. He hardly ever spills liquid out of it. I am one proud mama!

I like that the Siliglass is completely safe and easy to clean. Just throw it in the top rack of the dishwasher and call it a day! Getting the sleeve back on the glass is a bit tricky but with some practice, it gets easier. I find pulling the skin back and rolling it back over the glass is the fastest method. Of course, because there is no lid to the Siliglass, it is not really suitable for travel. But it is our go-to cup at mealtimes when Nate is seated and can be supervised.

Bottom line: If your toddler or preschooler is growing beyond the sippy cup stage, the Siliglass is the safest - and most stylish - next step. I personally can't wait for the 11 oz. Siliglass to come out later this year so I can have one too!

BUY IT: You can purchase the 6 oz. Siliglass individually (ARV $7.95) or in a 4-pack (ARV $24.95) and check out the rest of their offerings online at www.silikids.com.

And don't forget to follow Silikids on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates!

Disclaimer: I received a free Siliglass from Hilary at Abbott Communications on behalf of Silikids to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are solely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: Mimi the Sardine CLOSED

2010-07-29T12:09:00.018-04:00

Thank you to Mimi the Sardine for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

As you well know, kids are messy little creatures. Adorable and sweet as pie but boy can they wreck havoc on otherwise spotless surfaces. I used to fret over crumbs and droplets but as they say, life's too short to cry over spilled milk. Especially when you have Mimi the Sardine to keep you clean.

Mimi the Sardine is a family-owned, women-run company located in sunny California. Founded in 1988, Mimi the Sardine aims to create fun, earth-friendly, quality products that will make moms lives easier. Their European designs are not only fun for tots but good for the planet! All of their cotton is now 100% organically grown and features a water-based, non-PVC acrylic coating that is water and soil-resistant. Just wipe clean or machine wash warm and dry low - doesn't get any simpler than that! Splat mats, aprons, tablecloths, lunch sacks...Mimi is one clever sardine!

I was fortunate enough to receive both a backpack and messy baby bib to review. All of the prints are so colorful and cheerful that it was hard to choose a pattern. I wanted them all! Ultimately, I chose Hybrid Cars and Jungle, respectively.

The messy baby bib extends the classic bib and adds long sleeves for the ultimate in spill protection. It also features a crumb-catching pocket and ties at the neck for an adjustable fit. I had been searching high and low for an art smock for Nate and this worked out perfectly! The waterproof, non-staining material helps repel paint, dough, chalk and crayon like a dream. Normally, Nate will fuss and rip off anything around his neck but he was very comfortable in his soft Mimi the Sardine bib. While the sizing is recommended for children 6-24 months, it fits Nate just right. The sleeves are more like 3/4 length on him but this is great because they don't get in the way of arts and crafts. I believe this apron could work for children as old as 3 years.

The Jungle print is perfect for boys or girls so if we see pink in our future, we can hand it down with no problem. I only wish I had this bib when Nate was an infant! I can't count the number of times his sleeves have fallen in sauce or yogurt as he mastered the art of self-feeding. This could have been a real sanity saver for both of us!

Even more charming was the little backpack from Mimi the Sardine. It features a roomy inside compartment with a complementary dot or stripe fabric (ours had blue and green stripes - so cute!), adjustable straps, a sturdy zipper that even toddlers can work, and a loop for easy storage. The backpack is the perfect size for transporting toys, books and snacks on the go. Nate loves carrying it around with him and stuffing it with little trinkets. I love that it wipes clean easily so crumbs and sippy cup leaks just slip right off. I must admit though: I get a glimmer in my eye when I envision him heading off to his first day of school. *tear*

If we should travel by plane in the near future, this would be the perfect toddler carry-on. It will also come in handy for preschool, day trips, picnics or the babysitter. If you're working on back-to-school shopping, you'll definitely want to add Mimi the Sardine to your list.

Bottom line: The deluxe eco-friendly construction and whimsical designs from Mimi the Sardine make this mom happy!

BUY IT: You can purchase the messy baby bib (ARV $25.95), backpack (ARV $38.95) and other Mimi the Sardine products online at www.mimithesardine.com or use their handy dandy store locator to find a retailer near you.

WIN IT: Mimi the Sardine is oh so generously offering one lucky reader both a messy baby bib and backpack in their pattern(s) of choice! That's a $65 value! WOW!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Mosey on over to Mimi the Sardine and tell me which design(s) you would choose. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Mimi the Sardine on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Win a messy baby bib and backpack set from @MimitheSardine and @kris10chumley! A $65 value! Ends 8/20 http://bit.ly/bSJNg1

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Mimi the Sardine on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

6.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 20, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a backpack and messy baby bib from Lisa at Mimi the Sardine to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are solely mine. Your experience may differ.

We Have Some Winners!

2010-07-28T22:44:00.001-04:00

Nate isn't the only one getting gifts this week...that's right - we have some winners to announce! How's that for birthday cheer?!

The winner of the $25 gift card to Growing Tree Toys is...

Nicole said... 69: I would use the GC towards the Dalmatian Vet Kit Toy for my daughter :)

pittsy82@hotmail.com; July 13, 2010 10:21 AM

The winner of the Learning Resources Smart Splash Letter Link Crabs is...

Jennifer T. said... 126: I'm an e-mail subscriber.; July 24, 2010 9:25 PM

And last but not least, the winner of the Yo Gabba Gabba CD/DVD Combo Pack is...

Tylerpants said... 94: I'm a subscriber. tylerpants(at)gmail.com; July 27, 2010 9:40 PM

Congratulations to the winners! Check your inbox for an email from me and kindly reply within 48 hours. After that time, your prize will be forfeit another winner will be chosen.

Thank you to all who entered and to the fabulous giveaway sponsors who contributed to the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event! Couldn't do it without you all!

If you didn't win, take heart - I have so many other giveaways coming up. Please check the left sidebar to see what other goodies are baking, including the terrifically wholesome Organically Raised cookbook - ending tomorrow night!

Review and Giveaway: Eco Vessel CLOSED

2010-07-28T21:48:00.004-04:00

Thank you to Eco Vessel for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

Nate is getting older and more and more "boy". Rough. Tough. Dirt magnet. He's super active so he needs to stay hydrated. But the vast majority of the sippy cups we own leak with just the slightest jostle. This is not only wasteful but creates more of a mess than I need. I already spend enough time cleaning up after my toddler tornado! We need a sippy cup that is durable enough to withstand toddler abuse yet is also eco-friendly so there's less mommy guilt for me.

Eco Vessel marries durability and style for a darn near perfect sippy. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Eco Vessel is dedicated to their slogan, "live clean & be green". Their line of single-wall, insulated and filtered stainless steel water bottles for adults and children aim to make their plastic counterparts obsolete. Their 100% recyclable, BPA-free bottles are made of high quality, non-leaching materials and are designed for safety and convenience.

I was fortunate enough to review an Eco Vessel 8 oz. stainless steel sippy cup. This cup is insulated with food grade #304, 18/8 steel to keep drinks cold. It is ergonomically shaped for small hands, is lightweight and BPA-free. It also comes with a clear cap for easy travel.

Right away, I recognized the Avent valve and spout. I had never tried this system before but I don't know how I lived without it for so long! Many cups claim to be leak-proof but fall way short after one reassembly. Not this one! Our Eco Vessel hasn't leaked on us once in the two weeks we've had it. It does have six parts in all (spout, lid, valve, handles, cup and cap) which can be a little cumbersome to keep track of but since it works like a charm, I can't complain.

The stainless steel construction not only looks cool but can weather any amount of tosses or tumbles. Unlike other plastic versions, I know we'll have this cup around for years to come. It keeps his drinks cold for hours, even in triple digit weather. The handles make it easy to carry around and the flow seems to satisfy Nate. We have a winner!

The only real disadvantage to the Eco Vessel cup is the price. At $14.95, it's a bit pricey for a sippy cup. However, considering how much I've spent on subpar cups, I would have saved money if I had just gotten this one first and foremost. I also wish there was a clear window or another way to see how much liquid is left in the cup but that isn't a dealbreaker for me.

Bottom line: If you want a truly leak-free, sustainable cup that will also be the talk of the playground, Eco Vessel is it.

BUY IT: You can purchase an 8 oz. or 12. oz. stainless steel sippy cup or browse their reusable adult water bottles online at www.ecovessel.com.

WIN IT: Eco Vessel has another 8 oz. sippy up for grabs for one lucky reader!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Eco Vessel and tell me another product you'd like to own or something you learned on the site. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Go green with a stylish, stainless steel sippy cup from Eco Vessel @kris10chumley! Ends 8/11 http://bit.ly/9bWRj1

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Eco Vessel on Facebook (1 entry)

5.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

6.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 11, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received the stainless steel sippy cup above from Jonathan at Eco Vessel in exchange for my honest review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: Mary's Soft Dough CLOSED

2010-07-27T10:02:00.004-04:00

Thank you to Terrapin Toys for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

One of Nate's favorite indoor activities is playing with play dough. It's so nice to have a peaceful activity we can enjoy out of the scorching heat and threatening thunderstorms. But have you ever researched the ingredients for the most popular brand on store shelves? As if the neon colors weren't a dead giveaway that they are questionable. Boric acid? Silicone oil? No thanks. It may be "nontoxic" but it's still not something I want my toddler to ingest. I'd much rather make my own with water, salt and cream of tartar. The problem is that it can be time-consuming to stir and knead in the color and sometimes my dough comes out a bit sticky. So, in my search for natural play dough, I came across Terrapin Toys, the makers of Mary's Soft Dough

Mary's Soft Dough began in 1988 when Mary Newell began selling her homemade modeling dough at the local market in Eugene, Oregon. The original recipe for her dough came from her mom, who acquired it when Mary was a Girl Scout. Since then, her business name has evolved and she has expanded her product line to include scented doughs (including natural scents!), glitter dough - even glow-in-the-dark dough! Mary's Soft Dough is non-crumbly and lasts for up to a year when stored properly.

Mary kindly sent me an assortment of her dough to try, including a Rainbow Tub of her classic solid colors, birthday cake scented dough (for the birthday boy!), eight 2 oz. solid color tubs for party favors and a tool set including fun shape cutters and a wooden dowel for flattening.

In short, I love this play dough! It's not sticky or crumbly. If it is left out and dries out, you can just add a little vegetable oil and it's good as new! The colors are bright without searing your corneas. The dough in the rainbow tub is separated by thin plastic layers so my OCD self can relax about the colors bleeding or mixing. It's also convenient to have just one big container rather than five little ones to store. Nate has a blast using the tool set to flatten the dough and cut shapes like frogs, squirrels, moon, stars, hearts, etc. The night before his birthday, there was a big thunderstorm in our area and he spent over an hour playing with his new dough. I loved watching his imagination soar and to see the masterpieces he could create:

The birthday cake scented dough was simply yummy! I thought it smelled more like cherry cobbler than birthday cake but it was still great. Nate apparently thought so too since he ate a bit of it. I didn't encourage the taste test but since I knew the ingredients were safe, I didn't flip my lid if he happened to take a few tiny bites here and there out of the corner of my eye.

Nate's big party will be on August 15th and I know his friends are going to love the Mary's Soft Dough they'll be getting in their favor bags. I can't wait to add the natural Orange Scented dough and the Playful Pink glitter dough to our collection. Okay, so the last one is more for Mommy. But with play dough this cool, I can't help but join in on the fun!

BUY IT: You can purchase the rainbow tub (ARV $9.95), scented dough (ARV $4.25), tool set (ARV $7.95) or browse Mary's amazing line of dough at www.softdough.com. It would make a great birthday gift too!

WIN IT: Mary is generously giving away one large Rainbow tub of her Soft Dough to one lucky reader!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Check out Mary's Soft Dough and tell me another kind of dough that you'd like to try. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Mary's Soft Dough on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

#Win a rainbow tub of Mary's Soft Dough for hours of natural, fun play from @TerrapinToys and @kris10chumley! Ends 8/17 http://bit.ly/b4BlSf

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 17, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received the assortment of dough above at no charge from Mary at Terrapin Toys to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Two Years Old

2010-07-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

On July 26, 2008, our dream became a reality when we became a family of three...our long-awaited miracle - our son, Nathaniel Robert - was born at 8:58 AM, weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz. and 19.44" long.

The time has gone by so quickly. It seems as if we were just celebrating your first year of life. Your first words, your first steps...I can still recall the memories as if they happened yesterday.

Yet here we are. Two blessed years behind us. Not a day goes by that I don't thank my lucky stars that I was chosen to be your mommy.

Happy 2nd birthday, my sweet Nate. My love for you is all consuming and unconditional. I can't wait to see what other beautiful memories we can make.

Review and Giveaway: WholesaleKeychain.com CLOSED

2010-07-24T22:11:00.009-04:00

As a mom, I love to show off my son. What parent doesn't like to brag just a little?! Okay, so maybe even a lot. I always make sure I have some "aww"-inspiring pictures on hand that I can whip out for old acquaintances or friends and family who may not see Nate often. The problem is that he grows up so quickly that I can never keep the photos current. I think the last ones I had printed for my brag book were from Christmastime 2009. *blush* But, thanks to WholesaleKeychain.com, I have a much easier way of sharing my favorite little boy with the world.

WholesaleKeychain.com offers - you guessed it! - keychains, of just about any variety you could desire. From sports and automotive to Disney and toys and games, they have something for all ages and tastes at a budget you can afford.

WholesaleKeychain.com kindly sent me a Digital Photo Keychain and Keyring with Stand in Pink (ARV $14.99). This keychain is approximately 1.5" tall and contains 16 MB of internal memory - enough for approximately 100 pictures.

You know pink is my absolute favorite color so I was excited to try out this digital photo keychain. I admit I was kind of expecting something really cheap looking and low quality for this price but I have to say I was quite impressed! The color is stylish, shimmery and attractive - something I'd be proud to display. I had the back of my keychain engraved with my name and the quality of the engraving was superb. Very clear with no fading or shallow spots. It was a tiny bit off-center but hardly noticeable.

The best feature for me was that the software to upload photos was extremely user-friendly. Simply connect the enclosed USB adapter to your keychain and computer and run the software program when prompted.

Browse your computer to choose your photo files, crop or rotate them as needed and add to the album. When you've selected all the photos you would like to include, click "Download" and all of your photos will be instantly uploaded to your keychain. It took just a few seconds for all 84 of my photos to be downloaded so it doesn't waste any time - something any busy mom can appreciate!

The only improvement I'd like to see is an option to rearrange your photos before uploading. I found a few early photos of Nate that I wanted to add to my keychain later on but they show up at the end of the slideshow. Call me picky but I prefer my photos to appear in chronological order.

Once you unplug your keychain from the adapter, your photo slideshow will begin. It's that easy! The quality of the viewing area is fantastic. The photos really aren't grainy at all. The menu is also straightforward and easy to operate, with three simple side buttons. I like that there is an automatic shut-off option so it won't wear down the battery. But never fear - charging is easy peasy. Just plug it back into your computer via the USB to recharge! The keychain is ultra-lightweight so it doesn't weigh down your keys or purse like an album or photo wallet. The stand is also really handy for keeping your loved ones close when you're at the office.

Overall, I'm loving my new digital photo keychain! It's a modern day, technological brag book and I think it would make the perfect gift for parents and grandparents!

BUY IT: You can purchase the Digital Photo Keychain and Keyring with Stand or check out the rest of their selection at www.wholesalekeychain.com. Free shipping on all orders over $50!

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win the same Pink Digital Photo Keychain that I reviewed - with the option to engrave! (3 lines, 11 characters per line) That's a $21 value!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Go to WholesaleKeychain.com and tell me another product you'd like to have. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Keep your loved ones close with a digital photo keychain from WholesaleKeychain.com! @kris10chumley ENDS 8/12 http://bit.ly/cZnYsw

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 12, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received the digital photo keychain above at no charge from Jeff at Wholesale Keychain to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Giveaway: InvitationBox.com CLOSED

2010-07-22T22:10:00.013-04:00

My husband and I love to host get-togethers. Whether it be a huge birthday bash, a bridal shower or an intimate dinner, I love planning every last detail from the menu to the decor. Color me crazy but one of my favorite party tasks is the invitations. A good invitation builds excitement, elicits a smile from the recipient and sets the stage for your special occasion. And thanks to InvitationBox.com, I don't even have to leave my sofa to find the perfect match.

InvitationBox.com has one of the widest selections of high-quality invitations, announcements and stationery on the Web. They offer over 9,000 products from vendors such as Inviting Company, Stacy Claire Boyd and Paper So Pretty. With a variety of designs ranging from classic and traditional to modern and unique, you'll find an eye-popping invitation for any taste.

InvitationBox.com is also environmentally-friendly, providing eco-chic products under their InvitationBoxGreen label. InvitationBoxGreen cards are made using recycled, FSC or SFI-certified paper. A portion of the revenues generated from InvitationBoxGreen cards are donated to the Alliance for Climate Protection by way of its We Campaign. I don't know about you but I love a company that gives back!

With Nate's birthday just four days away (his party was postponed until mid-August), I couldn't resist browsing their birthday invitations. Not just for the kiddos, InvitationBox.com also has milestone birthday invitations for us grown folk:

They have the sweetest photo birth announcements, which I'll be keeping in mind whenever we conceive our second bundle of joy:

And of course, they also have a huge selection of party invitations and holiday cards for any themed shindig or holiday:

InvitationBox.com also has an extensive gift shop, with stuffed animals and blankets. They even offer personalized items like address labels and stampers.

We were fortunate enough to review a personalized placemat from InvitationBox.com . These laminated 12" x 18" placemats are made of durable 100# card stock and can stand up to just about any toddler mess. I chose the preppy Bubblegum Dots design, which would coordinate perfectly with Nate's new Mutsy booster seat. I also liked that it was eco-friendly, made with recycled paper.

It was incredibly easy to customize our placemat. You could choose from a number of custom fonts and colors to get just the look you want. For example, I opted for the mod Pupcat font in Orange. As you can see, it turned out great!

I love the look and its generous size catches every splosh and splash. Just wipe down with a damp cloth and it's clean again! I think this would make a great gift for any young child. Who doesn't want to sit down at their very own spot at the table, marked with their very own name?!

Bottom line: If you've got a party to plan, open InvitationBox.com.

BUY IT: You can purchase a personalized placemat (ARV $13.95) or any of the invitations above online at www.invitationbox.com.

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a $25 gift certificate to InvitationBox.com!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Take a look around InvitationBox.com and tell me how you'd spend your gift certificate if you won. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and InvitationBox.com on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Make party planning a piece of cake with a $25 gift certificate to @InvitationBox from @kris10chumley Ends 8/6 http://bit.ly/d0PhfQ

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Become a fan of InvitationBox.com on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Sign up for the InvitationBox.com mailing list. (1 entry)

6.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

7.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 6, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free personalized placemat from Tana at Orca Communications on behalf of InvitationBox.com to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Review and Discount: Tiny Tongs

2010-07-21T08:33:00.001-04:00

Thank you to Tiny Tongs for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

As most of you know, I have a very picky eater on my hands. Nate is very particular when it comes to textures. He doesn't like to pick up things with his fingers unless they are crunchy like cereal or firm like chunks of ground beef or turkey. He refuses to touch soft, wet foods like fruit or noodles. But these foods can be rather difficult for him to pick up with typical utensils since they tend to slide right off the spoon or fork. I wasn't sure there was anything out there aside from time that could solve this pesky little problem until I was introduced to Tiny Tongs.

Tiny Tongs were invented in 2008 by a mom of a three who was searching for a way to bridge the gap between finger feeding and eating with traditional utensils. After seeing her small children use tongs in their preschool to help develop their coordination for writing, she decided to expand the concept to mealtime as well. A year later, Tiny Tongs were born!

Tiny Tongs are ergonomically-shaped and have proper tension for small hands. The non-slip grip helps maintain optimal position and gripping ridges aid in picking up and securing food. Tiny Tongs are non-toxic, lead free, BPA-free, phthalate-free, and are dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up.

When our Tiny Tongs arrived all tied up with cellophane and ribbon, I couldn't help but "ooh" and "aah". They were so adorable, I almost didn't want to take them out of the package. Notice I said *almost*. I couldn't wait for our next meal so Nate could test them out.

Now, Nate is moderately skilled with utensils and no longer relies heavily on his pincher grasp, so he couldn't quite master Tiny Tongs right away. He had a hard time holding the tongs closed long enough to get the food to his mouth. But surprisingly, Nate didn't grow frustrated and throw a fit when things didn't go his way. Tiny Tongs are much too fun for that! After initially substituting them as a toy to pinch me with, he kept attempting to pick up bits of food until he got it right. With a bit of patience and practice, he has used his Tiny Tongs to successfully eat all sorts of things like buttery pasta, shredded cheese and pepperoni pizza. Maybe in the future he'll use the skills gained from his Tiny Tongs to expand his palate to things like California rolls. Hey, a girl can dream!

In the meantime, I'm happy he uses them for old reliables like his morning cereal:

I love that Tiny Tongs are made of safe materials and can be tossed in the dishwasher for convenient cleaning. They are great for messier finger foods - no more sticky palms! I only wish we had discovered them sooner, before Nate became accustomed to utensils. We could have saved ourselves lots of hassle in the transition!

Bottom line: If you want to make mealtime exciting for your toddler or preschooler, Tiny Tongs get two prongs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase a single pair (ARV $7.99) or 4-pack of Tiny Tongs (ARV $24.99) online at www.tinytongs.com.

DELECTABLE DISCOUNT: Tiny Tongs is offering all GGG readers an exclusive discount! Just use code "goodie2010" to receive 20% off your purchase!

Also, be sure to follow Tiny Tongs on Facebook for all the latest news and developments!

Disclaimer: I received a free pair of Tiny Tongs from Hilary at Abbott Communications to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are solely mine. Your experience may differ.

Giveaway: CSN Stores CLOSED

2010-07-19T10:01:00.004-04:00

Thank you to CSN Stores for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

With Nate's second birthday just one week away, I've been thinking about a room makeover. Soon enough, we'll be trading the nursery for a big-boy room. *sniff, sniff* I want to keep his nautical theme but upgrade the furniture so it's fit for an older child. And there's one place I can find everything I'll need: CSN Stores!

Have you heard about CSN Stores yet? Let me give you the skinny. They have a network of over 200 online stores where you can find everything from dinnerware and dog beds to tools and treadmills. With such an incredible selection, it's impossible not to find exactly what you want or need! I've had the pleasure of working with CSN Stores on several occasions in the past and it has always been a positive experience. So, I'm happy to report that that they've selected me to be a CSN Preferred Blogger! What does this mean? I'll be bringing you even more awesome reviews and giveaways from this great company!

Without further ado, here is my wish list for Nate's big-boy room:

The KidKraft Boat Toddler Bed (ARV $214.95) is just perfect for any little sailor. I've been eying this bed ever since I found out I was having a boy. I love the porthole accents on the safety rails and the storage compartment on the bow for sheets/blankets. The Canwood Furniture 4-Drawer Chest in Natural (ARV $195.95) complements the whole unfinished wood theme. It's very simple but I could dress it up by adding some nautical knobs or vinyl decals on the sides. They also have a matching night table!

For book and toy storage, I really like the KidKraft Sling Bookcase (ARV $29.95) and Early Childhood Resources 3-Tier Storage Rack (ARV $99). I love that the bookcase is compact and allows the covers of the books to be seen and the toy rack's open design means toys won't fall to the bottom of a huge box and be forgotten.

Every toddler needs a table and chairs set for arts and crafts or engineering with blocks or Legos. I love the look of the wooden Guidecraft Art Table in Red (ARV $92.40) but I also like the Little Tikes Americana Table and Chairs Set (ARV $44.99) because it is lightweight and comes with two chairs to encourage group play.

No new room would be complete without a few new toys to be broken in. I think Nate would love the Cloud B Twilight Turtle (ARV $30), which would display constellations and help soothe him to sleep in his new space. The Plan Toys Palomino Rocking Horse (ARV $76.50) is just stunning and I love the splashes of color. I'm sure it's a fun ride too!

I hope to be able to review some of the items above in the future when we finally make the transition. But for now, I get to share something special with you in honor of our Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event...

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a $50 gift certificate, which can be used in any of CSN's 200+ stores!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Browse the extensive network of CSN Stores and tell me how you'd spend your gift certificate if you won. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count! Remember to leave one comment per entry.

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. If you already follow and/or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and CSN Stores on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet of come up with one of your own:

Goodie Goodie Gumdrops: Win a $50 gift certificate to @CSNStores from @kris10chumley Ends 8/9 http://bit.ly/9lYPhM

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Become a fan of CSN Stores on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and leave a comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

6.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with the link to where I can find it. (1 entry)

7.) Share one tip for transitioning to a toddler bed/room. I need all the help I can get! (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on August 9, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only (excluding AK and HI). Winners will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I was offered this giveaway opportunity from Eileen at CSN Stores. I was not sent a product to review, nor was I compensated in any way for this post.

Long Overdue Winners!

2010-07-18T19:16:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't announced this week's winners sooner! Things have been a bit crazy around here with the blog event and little man's birthday in 8 days. Please forgive me!

Here goes nothing:

Without clogging up the post with 10 graphics (although they are available upon request!), here are the names of the Oralcryst Junior giveaway winners...

aledol said... 9: http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/17138432587; June 26, 2010 11:58 PM

Brenda said... 29: subscribe via reader

covertpeace(at)gmail(dot)com; July 8, 2010 9:39 AM

Maja said... 43: follower; July 10, 2010 5:43 PM

petteytiffany@yahoo.com said... 17: sub via rss feed; June 29, 2010 1:52 AM

Adanma said... 39: I learned that Oralcryst is a mom-owned green company.; July 10, 2010 2:14 AM

Gianna said... 47: It contains calcium to help strengthen teeth.; July 10, 2010 11:32 PM

Miranda said... 41: The candy Contains Calcium; July 10, 2010 3:15 PM

Louis said... 31: fun fact:

What is Oralcryst Oral Care Candy?
Oralcryst Junior is a new functional confectionary product. This revolutionary new sugarless candy includes four effective ingredients that help kids naturally wash and chew away cavity-causing bacteria and optimize their good oral health. Starting at about 18 months of age when their molar teeth have come in, this candy can be offered as a great treat after brushing teeth or even before bedtime.; July 9, 2010 6:57 PM

Trina said... 40: You can begin giving this candy to toddlers as soon as their first molar teeth have grown in (aged between 13~19 months).
couponsiwant(at)verizon(dot)net; July 10, 2010 1:54 PM

Denise S. said... 11: I learned that calcium plays an important role in helping build and maintain strong bones and teeth.; June 28, 2010 9:06 AM

The lucky winner of the Brugo Temperature Control Travel Mug is...

Donna said... 1: I liked them on facebook.
donna444444@yahoo.com; July 12, 2010 11:53 PM

And last but not least, the winner of the gallon tub of Coconut Flakes from Tropical Traditions is...

aledol said... 38: GFC; July 6, 2010 12:06 AM

Congratulations to all the winners! If you haven't received an email from me yet, you will soon so keep an eye on your inbox! You'll have 48 hours to get back to me before another winner is chosen.

Thank you to all who entered and to all the awesome giveaway sponsors who made them possible!

If you didn't win, please make sure you check out the rest of my current giveaways, with lots of toys and goodies from our Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event - still going strong!

Review and Giveaway: Justin Roberts' Jungle Gym CLOSED

2010-07-18T09:37:00.003-04:00

Thank you to Justin Roberts and Sugar Mountain P.R. for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdrops!

There's nothing like having a child to reawaken the child within. Watching Nate learn new things and experience the world makes me wax nostalgic for the days when I was young. Spinning and dancing in circles until I was so dizzy I could pass out. Swimming in the ocean until my lips were blue and my palms and soles were prunes. Riding my pink bike with its white floral basket and rainbow streamers up and down the narrow alley beside our house. Sledding in the park down the biggest snow bank, my wet mittens clinging to my chapped hands. These are all cherished memories from my past. I love music that can evoke that childish spirit inside. And Justin Roberts fits the bill.

Justin Roberts got his start in music in the early 90's as part of the Minneapolis-based indie-rock band Pimentos for Gus. At the same time, he was moonlighting as a Montessori preschool teacher. Naturally, he began writing and singing songs for his students. After a college friend and producer discovered his talent, they decided to record his songs professionally. The rest is history. Garnering numerous national awards and recognition, Justin is now a bonafide "all-star" on the kindie scene.

His seventh family album, Jungle Gym, takes listeners on a journey through iconic childhood experiences that kids will relate to and parents will remember. From gym class parachutes to sleepovers to snow days, it's a rocking ride from beginning to end. The 12 original tracks feature intricate vocals, pounding drums, vintage guitars, strange and fanciful time changes and elegant flutes and French horns for an eclectic sound that stands apart from the rest of the playground.

Track Listing:

1. We Go Duck
2. Sleepoverland
3. Trick or Treat
4. Sign My Cast
5. Gym Class Parachute
6. Obsessed by Trucks
7. Cardboard Box
8. Snow Day
9. Never Getting Lost
10. New Haircut
11. Fire Drill
12. 2 x 4

From the moment I heard the first track, I was hooked. Justin's vocal stylings are part Paul Simon, part Ben Folds. The lyrics feel as if they could've been written by a child - genuine and real. Almost every song brought to mind my own childhood memory. I flashed back to hiding under the rainbow parachute on Fun Fridays in P.E. class, breaking my arm and wearing a cast for all my friends to sign, and standing in line near the exits for a practice fire drill. The memories flooded me, plastering a grin on my face that didn't fade even after the last song.

My personal favorites are "We Go Duck" (about the anticipation of being tagged in a game of "Duck Duck Goose"), "Trick of Treat" (about the fun of getting candy for Halloween) and "New Haircut" (about the weariness of visiting the barber). As a parent, I also have a special place in my heart for "Never Getting Lost", an emotional ballad about getting lost and found. Nate's favorite seems to be the catchy, alt-rock "Obsessed by Trucks". He shrieks in delight and jumps all around the minute he hears it. Probably because he himself is a fan of "da-da-da-dump trucks".

Bottom line: You won't grow tired playing on this Jungle Gym anytime soon.

BUY IT: You can purchase Jungle Gym and other Justin Roberts albums online at www.justinrobertsmusic.com or Amazon.com (ARV $13.99).

WIN IT: One lucky winner is going to win their very own copy of Justin Roberts' Jungle Gym!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me one of your favorite childhood memories. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Justin Roberts on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Nostalgia for parents and music kids can relate to! Win @MusicianJustin's new album Jungle Gym @kris10chumley ENDS 7/31 http://bit.ly/cKlshs

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry)

3.) Join the Justin Roberts email list. (1 entry)

4.) Become a fan of Justin Roberts on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

6.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

7.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on July 31, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this album from Beth at Sugar Mountain P.R. to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review and purely mine. Your experience may differ.

Discount: Kids Konserve

2010-07-17T12:24:00.003-04:00

With summertime in full swing, dining alfresco is a popular choice. But all that plastic wrap, aluminum foil and disposable picnic-ware is hardly earth-friendly. Just thinking about how much BBQ decor ends up in our landfills makes me happy to come across companies like Kids Konserve.

Kids Konserve was formed by a pair of moms after they realized the astounding amount of trash being produced each day at their children's schools during lunch hour. Dedicated to setting an example of conservation and empowering their children to be change agents, they started to research reusable products that could cut down on the garbage. The result is their non-toxic "waste-free" lunch kit and mix-and-match components to create the perfect, "green" meal on-the-go!

Keep your fruit, veggies or cheese chilled with their sweat-free ice pack (ARV $11) - made of recycled plastic bottles! Or, to keep heat locked in to mac 'n cheese, soup or hot cocoa, check out their stainless steel Thermos (ARV $21).

Kids Konserve is becoming a hot trend among celebrity moms like Isla Fisher, pictured here with daughter Olive enjoying a snack from a Recycled Canvas Sack in the adorable Butterfly print (ARV $13):

Photo credit: Celebrity Baby Blog/People.com

With back-to-school on the horizon, there's no better time to choose to reuse with Kids Konserve.

BUY IT: You can purchase any of the above products or view the entire catalog online at www.kidskonserve.com.

DELECTABLE DISCOUNT: From now until the end of the month, use code "summer15" to receive 15% off a Kids Konserve Snak Pak! (ARV $19)

This reusable waste-free solution is great for snacks and light lunches, featuring a 9" x 13" cotton draw string bag, cloth napkin, food kozy, 304 food-grade stainless steel food container and recycled aluminum name tag. Perfect for camp or playground!

Disclaimer: I did not receive compensation nor a product to review in exchange for this post. I just wanted to share the discount code with my readers.

Review and Giveaway: Mabel's Labels CLOSED

2010-07-16T13:13:00.008-04:00

Thank you to Mabel's Labels for participating in the Bloggy Birthday Blowout Event on Goodie Goodie Gumdops!

How many times have you gone to a playdate and found that your kid has the same exact sippy cup as another? Or gone to an indoor play area and found an identical pair of sneakers in the cubby? It comes with the toddler territory, I guess, but it seems we're bound for the lost and found.

One little lady is trying to change all that. She goes by the name of Mabel.

Mabel's Labels are the brainchild of four moms who grew tired of their childrens' items leaving the home, never to return again. So, they invented dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, laundry-safe, UV-resistant, peel and stick labels to keep track of the stuff kids tend to lose. Versatile and long-lasting, Mabel has a label for just about anything!

Mabel's Labels are useful for back-to-school, camp, church, playgroups, daycare or just everyday organization. You can not only personalize your labels with a name or initials but also with a cute icon like a ladybug or princess for a girl or an airplane or football helmet for a boy. There are also plenty of gender-neutral designs to choose from like a peace sign or sunshine.

But Mabel's Labels aren't just for kids! There are spice/canister labels for mom and cord control labels for dad:

Mabel also offers allergy and 411 labels, shoe labels, bag tags and stationary sets! What hasn't this clever lady thought of?!

I had the pleasure of working with Mabel's Labels last fall to review a variety of products from their Classic line (you can read that review here). But I was fortunate enough to review a colorful new line of Mabel's Labels called LOL, or Label Out Loud labels. LOL labels have all the same features of the best-selling, original Classic line but with vibrant new color combos and designs.

We received a set of standard Sticky LOL labels in the Train design and a set of Skinny Mini LOL labels in the Tent design for Nate. He loves trains so the first choice was a no-brainer but I thought the latter would be perfect to prepare for our fall camping excursions. Just as I expected, I love the LOL labels just as much as our Classic labels. Maybe even a little more, with their bright, cheery designs!

We use them mostly with our Take and Toss sippy cups (as those tend to be popular among my mommy friends) but they can be used on toys, books, lunchboxes, backpacks, and more. The Skinny Mini labels would also be great for smaller objects like utensils, inhalers/medical devices, graphic calculators, or snack cups. I love that they really hold up over time and seem like they'd withstand anything my toddler can dish out. They really add some character to otherwise ordinary items.

Bottom line: If you want to protect your child's possessions from loss or theft with cuteness and convenience, Mabel's Labels are a wonderful option.

BUY IT: You can purchase Mabel's Labels and other products online at www.mabel.ca.

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a LOL Essentials Combo, including 30 sticky labels, 40 iron-on labels or 70 Tag Mates, 12 shoe labels and 2 Teeny Tags - a $48 value - just in time for late summer camp or back-to-school!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Go to Mabel's Labels, click "BUY NOW" and tell me which design motif you would choose for your labels. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Mabel's Labels on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Labels for the stuff kids lose! Win a @mabelhood LOL Essentials Combo for school or camp @kris10chumley ENDS 7/30 http://bit.ly/bbejKF

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Follow the Mabelhood blog via RSS feed. (1 entry)

4.) Subscribe to the Mabel's Labels newsletter. (1 entry)

5.) Become a fan of Mabel's Labels on Facebook. (1 entry)

6.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

7.) Add my Bloggy Birthday Blowout event button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

8.) Add my blog button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on July 30, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: As noted above, I received a free set of labels from Caitlin at Mabel's Labels to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review and purely mine. Your experience may differ.