Flashback Friday....The Snoedel

Happy Flashback Friday All!  It is baby shower season and these little loveys make an excellent gift.  Read on...

When my twins were 2 weeks old I had a wedding to attend.  Even though I left them in very capable hands (Nana AND Grammy!) I was still beside myself about leaving them.  It is hard for a new mother to be away from her babies.  I really wanted a part of me to be with them when I was away.  This probably seems borderline crazy as I was only away from them for a few hours but you know how those hormones can be after birth!

In any case what kept me from completely losing it when I left them was the Snoedel.  The Snoedel is actually supposed to be a comfort to the baby/child, however I found in those early days it was more of a comfort to me (AKA crazy, hormonal Mama!).  What exactly is the magical Snoedel?  The Snoedel is a combination doll/small blanket made of the softest fabric which is crafted to absorb the mother's unique scent.  You simply hold the Snoedel close to your skin for a couple of nights and then give it to your baby.  Your scent is a great comfort to your little one and for those crazy emotional Mama's like me, it is a comfort to leave a part of yourself! 

My boys are 3.5 and they still sleep with their Snoedels.   In my opinion they are the perfect lovey/security item.  They are washable AND dryable, they are not irreplaceable (buy a few in case one gets lost), and they are not ridiculous looking (every seen a kid running around with a dish rag lovey??).  These cute little blankie dolls come in pink or blue and can also be personalized for a small fee. 

The Snoedel gave me and the boys great comfort in the early days when we were apart and now they are part of their bedtime comfort item list.  The Snoedel gets a big thumbs up from me and, in my opinion, would be a very special and unique shower gift.  You can find the Snoedel at One Step Ahead...

Winners...

Congratulations to Reviewed By Mom's latest winners.  Rachel is the winner of the BB's Tees giveaway, Katie won the Aroma Home Warm & Cozy Bear and Heather is our Pear Tree Greetings winner.  For those of you who did not win one of these great prizes be sure to visit the sponsors so you can get yourself a little treat. You deserve it! 

Country Bob's Review & Giveaway...

I am a completely average cook.  I have a short list of menu items that are nourishing, mostly healthy and completely average.  If I really put my mind to it I could probably get better at the whole Betty Crocker thing but, quite frankly, I don't love to cook enough to put too much more energy into it.  Now, I do feel guilty for not being a bang up cook who tantalizes the taste buds of her adoring family but, alas, I am simply average.  Except on Corn Pone Pie night.  Yes, Corn Pone Pie, and I have Country Bob to thank for this one!

Country Bob (AKA Bob Edson) created an All Purpose Sauce back in 1968 which he began to sell in 1977 and will still today absolutely knock your socks off.  It is similar to a steak sauce and can be used as such but it is so much more than that.  It can be used on french fries, for grilling, as a marinate and in a slew of different recipes.  When I received my bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce it came with this handy recipe collection pamphlet.  There were several recipes that sounded delicious but the Corn Pone Pie is what really caught my eye.  I decided to try it out on my family on a recent evening and my husband swooned.  He said it was one of the very best things I have ever made and my three year old sons christened it delicious.  Thank you Country Bob!  The recipe itself was easy and nothing fancy at all but the secret dear readers is in the sauce.  The sauce had just the perfect blend of flavorings to make this meal an all star in my otherwise ho-hum track record.  I felt like a culinary rock star!  I am reprinting this recipe here (with permission of course) so you too can have Country Bob to thank for major kitchen raves with very little elbow grease!

Corn Pone Pie

1 lb ground beef                                                                2 T. chili powder
1/3 C. chopped onion                                                       3/4 tsp salt
1 T. shortening                                                                  1 (16 oz) can kidney beans
1 C. stewed tomatoes                                                       1 (6 oz) pkg corn bread mix
1 C. Country Bob's AP Sauce
 
Brown the beef in a skillet with the onion and shortening until brown and crumbly and then drain.  Stir in tomatoes, Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce, chili powder and salt.  Simmer, covered for 15 minutes.  Drain 1/2 of the liquid from the kidney beans and then add the beans w/ the remaining liquid to the skillet.  Pour the mixture into a greased casserole.  Prepare the corn bread batter according to package directions and then pour the batter over the ground beef mixture.  Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Yield: 6 servings.
 
That is it...not fancy and not complicated but guaranteed to make you very popular at dinner time!  Grab some Country Bob's and make this recipe...you can thank me later!
 
Buy Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce here.   You can buy 6 bottles for $19 which includes shipping...a steal!
 
Country Bob's is awarding two lucky Reviewed By Mom Readers two bottles (each!) of their All Purpose Sauce.  Here is how to enter...
 

Mandatory Entry: Visit Country Bob's and tell me what recipe you might like to try with their All Purpose Sauce.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Like Country Bob's on Facebook = 1 entry

4.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry

5.  Follow Country Bob's on Twitter= 1 entry

6.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

7.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on August 9th.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on August 10th and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with 2 bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce for review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

Funny Bone Readers Review & Giveaway...

As I have mentioned (many times I think) we love to read over here at Reviewed By Mom. We spend lots of time at the library and poring over the aisles in the book stores. I am a voracious reader and I am hoping the kids will grow up to be as well. The kids enjoy a wide range of books and while we definitely have our favorites we are always on the hunt for new favorites too.

Now that A&W are nearing four, I like the concept of reading books that give out positive messages. When I discovered The Funny Bone Readers put out by Red Chair Press I hit the jackpot. These books sets are all about developing character but not in a "preachy" way that can off putting to kids. Funny Bone Readers present important behavior lessons in a funny and silly way which, as parents and teachers know, is 9 times out of 10 the most successful way to get an important message across to a child!  Here is the full description from the Red Chair Press website...

Every child knows that some things are right, and some things are wrong. But helping children develop good character is more challenging than teaching right from wrong. With Funny Bone Readers: Developing Character in your classroom or home, children will learn from funny stories and silly characters while making connections to their own actions.

Great concept, right?  I had the opportunity to put this all to the test when I received The Complete Reader set from Red Chair Press.  A&W were of course thrilled to have some new books to check out so we hunkered down of the couch on a recent afternoon to dig into the Funny Bone Readers.   Let me just say that my boys listened to all 6 of the books I pulled out for this sitting (one half of the parent pack) and wanted me to read them over again when I was done.  As I mentioned, the boys love books but 6 at one time and then to come back for more is still saying a lot for a couple of not yet 4 year olds!    A&W loved the books.  A real favorite was Turbo Turtle to the Rescue which depicted a super hero turtle helping people in need by protecting a bunny troop from a naughty duck.  The silliness factor is perfect for young kids and the message is clear but not over the top....the perfect blend.  What I really love is that at the end of each story there is a section with a "Big Question" and "Big Words".  For example, in Turbo Turtle the "Big Question" is "How did the bunny troop show Turbo Turtle they were grateful for his help?" followed with definitions of some of the bigger words in the story (escaped, swooped).  I feel like this portion of the book really provides an opportunity for the parent (or teacher) to discuss the important messages in the book.  I know A&W look forward to that part of the books and we have had some great talks stemming from the "Big Questions".

The other books in the parent set cover character traits such as fairness (The Best Birthday Gift), citizenship (The Clean Team), trustworthiness (Lying Around) plus more.  The illustrations are bright, pleasing to the eye and interesting.  The words of the stories have a great flow and, as I mentioned, really have that perfect balance of fun and an important message.  The Funny Bone Readers have already been read over and over at our house with no signs of stopping and that is something I can feel good about! 

The recommended ages for these books is 5-8 but I found them completely appropriate for A&W at nearly 4.  Along with the parent sets there are classroom sets available which have multiple copies of each book along with lesson plans for the teacher.  I think these books would be well loved in both a home and a school library.

My take on the Funny Bone Readers?  A+!  The books are filled with the silliness kids love along with the character traits we as parents and teachers all want our kids to possess.  It is a win win!

Buy it here:

http://redchairpress.com/products.html

Win it here:  2 Lucky Reviewed By  Mom readers will each win Parent Pack Number 1 which includes 6 books (Fun in the Mud, Let’s Bee Friends, The Magic Words, Space Cat, Turbo Turtle to the Rescue, Silly Tilly and the Royal Rules).

Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: Visit Red Chair Press and tell me which book you think your child (or the child you would gift these to) would enjoy the most.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Like Red Chair Press on Facebook = 1 entry

4.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry

5.  Follow Red Chair Press on Twitter= 1 entry

6.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

7.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on August 8th.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on August 9th and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with The Complete Reader Set for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

Barney Furry Friends Review & Giveaway...

Everyones favorite purple dinosaur is out with a brand new DVD today!  Barney Furry Friends is hot off the press and sure to please your preschooler.  What is better than Barney to a preschooler?  Barney coupled with cute little puppies and kittens!  A&W were excited about this one even before we popped it in the DVD player because of the adorable pets featured on the cover!  Here is an overview of the latest Barney installment...

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

It’s a whole litter of fun with preschool favorite Barney & Friends™ in this all-new collection of “tails” about how special our furry friends can be with Barney™: Furry Friends on DVD July 27, 2010 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

Trusted by moms and adored by children, Barney displays sharing, caring, imagining, dancing and learning on television, online and through live events, home entertainment and publishing. The Emmy® award-winning series, Barney & Friends™ is one of the top-rated preschool shows today, airing on PBS KIDS® and Sprout®.

DVD SYNOPSIS

Join Barney, Baby Bop™, BJ™ and all their playground friends for some tail wagging adventures as they learn about dogs and cats. From helpful guide dogs to feline family members, you’re sure to have warm-hearted fun in this very special doggie treat. Find a lost cat, dress up and learn about tigers, meet neighborhood dogs Bingo and Pilgrim, join in for a rousing round of B-I-N-G-O and be a judge at a fun-spirited dog show!

I think this DVD is an excellent choice for the preschool set.  It is fun while also covering the responsibilities of pet care (this would be a great purchase in preparation for a new dog or cat!).  Barney Furry Friends is bound to be a big hit with Barney fans old and new.

Buy it Here:



Win it Here:One lucky Reviewed By Mom will win a copy of Barney Furry Friends.  Here is how to enter...


Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment telling me about a special pet in the life of the child you are trying to win this for.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Like HIT Entertainment on Facebook=1 entry

4.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry

5.  Follow HIT Entertainment on Twitter= 1 entry

6.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

7.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on August 5th.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on August 6th and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with the Barney Furry Friends DVD for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

Mondays are HAPPENING....

Mondays are happening here at Reviewed By Mom!  Here is what is shaking today...

Mom's Giveaway Mondays....Link up your giveaways with me!

Making Friends Monday....All aboard my very first blog hop! 

Giveaways, Giveaways & More Giveaways....If you have not entered to win these great prizes be sure you do today.  Some are ending soon and you don't want to miss your chance!

Thomas & Friends Creaky Cranky DVD
Karess Krafters Soap
Hasbro Game Pack
Music, Music Everywhere
My Lip Stuff Lip Balms
BB's TEES Big Sibling t-shirt (you pick design!)
Aroma Home Warm & Cozy Bear
Pear Tree Greetings Personalized Note Cards (you pick design!)

In case you missed my weekend posts be sure to check out my review of Lunchbox Love (one of my new faves!) and get your special Reviewed By Mom discount for purchases.

As always thanks for stopping by and for being a Reviewed By Mom reader!

Making Friends Monday...

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Welcome to Making Friends Monday Blog Hop, hosted by Living on Love and Cents, Mon Cheri,  The Thrifty Things,  Reviewed By Mom , and  Coupons are Great.
Each week we will randomly pick a Spotlight Blog of the Week! To be choosen you must follow the rules and have our button somewhere on your blog. (We have to be able to find it!)
This week's Spotlight of the Week is Mom's Mutterings. The writer of Mom's Mutterings is Pam and she is wonderful! Pam is a mom to two kids, two cats, and two spare kids. She enjoys thrifty living and couponing. She usually writes about the misadventures of her family and shares reviews and giveaways. She can also be found at her other blog, The Thrifty Things.

This week please join us  as we discover new blogs and gain new followers every week!
The rules are super simple!
1. Follow the Making Friends Monday  Hosts (Listed as # 1-5) as well as the Spotlight Blog of the Week (listed as #6)--They WILL follow you Back!
2. Link up the Making Friends Monday post on your blog.
3. Grab our Making Friends Monday button and include it somewhere on your blog-this can include a simple post.
4. Visit as many blogs as you would like and follow them. Be sure to tell them you are a new follower from Making Friends Monday!
5. Follow back as many followers as you would like from Making Friends Monday. Following back your new friends is appreciated!
Help spread the word and get more followers:
-Put the same linky list code on your blog and you'll have the exact same list!
- Your blog visitors can add their blog to your list and it will show up on all lists!
Don't forget to follow the rules so you have a chance to be the "Spotlight Blog of the Week"!


ENJOY!

Winners!!

Congratulations to Reviewed By Mom's latest winners!  Cassandra was the winner of the Crazy Dog t-shirt giveaway and Aleksandra and Amanda each won a copy of The I Hate to Cook Book.  I hope you enjoy your prizes!  Remember that Reviewed By Mom has lots of giveaways going on now so be sure to enter so you can make the winners list too!  Good Luck All!

Thomas & Friends Creaky Cranky Review & Giveaway...

Every child I know in the 2-5 age group, boy or girl, loves Thomas the Train.  When I learned there was a new Thomas & Friends DVD coming out I could not wait to get my hands on it because I knew A&W would be super excited.  Well, I was not wrong!  A&W were thrilled with the new offering, Thomas & Friends:  Creaky Cranky!  As always, Thomas is a hit with my boys and a hit with me too because of the positive messages and that catchy theme song!  Here are the details-

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION


Fizzling fireboxes! Steam along with four all-new adventures with preschool favorite Thomas & Friends™ when Thomas & Friends: Creaky Cranky arrives on DVD July 13, 2010 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. These all-new, never-before-seen on TV episodes in full CG animation feature Thomas challenging Cranky the Crane to see who can lift the heaviest loads. Thomas takes charge of the Sodor Steam Works and fulfills his dream of delivering the mail. Get your pink on with James’ new paint job and then try sing-along Karaoke fun with the bonus “Sound Song” Karaoke Music Video! Children will enjoy host Driver Perkins, who can ONLY be seen on DVD, and engages children with interactive dialogue and extra fun!

Teaching timeless life lessons such as discovery, friendship and cooperation, the Thomas & Friends animated series invites children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story.

DVD SYNOPSIS

Thomas and his friends deliver cargo-loads of fun in this collection of uplifting episodes! Ride along as Thomas helps to deliver mail, mend engines, and prepare for the Spring Party on the Island of Sodor. Watch as Thomas learns that it pays to listen to advice, there’s more to a train than its undercoat, and that sometimes it takes a team of friends to reach your true destination.

This DVD is the perfect addition to your child's video collection and makes for a great gift for all those budding conductors in your life! 

Buy it Here:


Win it Here:One lucky Reviewed By Mom will win a copy of Thomas & Friends Creaky Cranky.  Here is how to enter...


Mandatory Entry: Visit Thomas & Friends and tell me who is your favorite character.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Like Thomas & Friends on Facebook =1 entry

4.  Like HIT Entertainment on Facebook=1 entry

5.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry

6.  Follow HIT Entertainment on Twitter= 1 entry

7.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

8.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on August 4th.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on August 5th and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with the Thomas & Friends Creaky Cranky DVD for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

Karess Krafters Review & Giveaway...

I love to pamper myself.  With three children I don't find myself getting out and about to be pampered so I am all about ways to do it myself at home.   I recently had the opportunity to pamper myself with some really fabulous products from Karess Krafters (CCrafters on Etsy).

Can I just say thank you Karess Krafters?!  I had the opportunity to try some of their handmade soaps which I loved and had to wrestle away from one of my three year olds because he loved them so much too.  I really can't blame him...they smelled amazing and were very moisturizing!  They also looked pretty too.  My favorite was the Pomegranate Jazz....yum!  I also got to try out some of their sugar scrub which was a great exfoliater as well as their Lemon Mint Foot Balm which I highly recommend.  It was super concentrated so a little goes a long way but it smoothed the dry skin on my feet right out.  My very own at home spa treatment!

Karess Krafters specializes in handcrafted natural soaps made in small batches using premiums ingredients.  They also offer a variety of products to cleanse, exfoliate an moisturize you from head to toe!  I am a fan and I think you all would be too so be sure to vist Karess Krafters at their Esty shop.

Karess Krafters is offering one Reviewed By Mom reader 2 of their handcrafted soaps in the scent of their choice!  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: Visit Karess Krafters (CCrafters on Etsy) and tell me which scent of soap you would choose if you won.
For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Like Karess Krafters on Facebook = 1 entry

4.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry

5.  Follow Karess Krafters on Twitter= 1 entry

6.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

7.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on August 3rd.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on August 4th and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with samples from Karess Krafters for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

Lunchbox Love...

Like all parents I think it is so important to tell our children how much we love them.  Every.Single.Day.  We are big on "I Love You's" around here but I also think it is important to give kids other words of encouragement as well.  Things like "you helped me out today" or "you are important to me" can go a long, long way in the life of a child (or anyone for that matter!).  Right now I have total access to my children but this fall A&W are heading to pre-school.  This is BIG for me and for them.  My first babies are heading out into the world....bring on the tissues AND Lunchbox Love.

Have you all heard of Lunchbox Love?  Lunchbox Love is the creation of the smart ladies over at Say Please, Inc and one of my new favorite things.  Lunchbox Love is a collection of credit card sized notes with positive messages on one side and a fun trivia fact on the other.  These little cards can be slipped into a lunchbox, backpack or under a pillow, instantly brightening your little ones day.  You can be sure that the twins will each have one of these little cards in their snack bag each and every day at pre-school.  Of course they can't read (yet!) but I know the teachers will be happy to help them out with this part. 

I have volumes 1-4 and some of the messages include "You Mean the World to Me", "You are pure joy", "You're a good friend" and "Gigantic Hugs".  Each pack also includes two blank cards so you can write your own messages as well.  The trivia side includes such fun tidbits as "Your heart beats at least one time per second" and "There are about 100,000 hairs on a human head"....all kinds of fun things that will get your child thinking!  When I see these bright, happy cards I just smile.  They are so cheerful and I really can't think of anyone who would not want to see one of these joyful cards slipped into their day.  It makes me feel better knowing I will be sending A&W off to pre-school with a kiss, hug and some Lunchbox Love!

There are many different volumes of Lunchbox Love to choose from:  Lunchbox Love for Kids (Volumes 1-8), Lunchbox Love for Birthday Boys, Lunchbox Love for Birthday Girls, Lunchbox Love for Teens & Tweens and Lunchbox Love for Camp.  You can even spread some Lunchbox Love to the grown-ups in your life with Lunchbox Love for Girlfriends, Lunchbox Love for The People You Work With and Lunchbox Love for Those You Appreciate.  Go ahead brighten the day of everyone around you! Let's hear it for a little karma!  I think this quote from the Say Please website just really sums it all up "Positive words can change someone's day, a life, and eventually the world".  Don't you just love that?  I am starting with A&W's lunchboxes....who will you start with?

Say Please Inc. is sending some Reviewed By Mom readers some love!  When you visit  the Say Please website to buy your own Lunchbox Love you will receive 10% off your order plus free shipping on orders of 4 volumes or more by entering the code LBLCMP.  Also be sure to notice the Lunchbox Love Ad w/ the discount code on the right in my sidebar (I love Lunchbox Love so much that the ad will be living there for awhile!).  If you click on that handy button it will take you right over the Say Please site where you can make your purchases.  Don't miss this great deal to spread a little Lunchbox Love! 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with Lunchbox Love volumes 1-4 for purpose of review. The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review.

My First Blog Hop...

I am so excited to be participating in my very first blog hop!  If you are thinking "what is a blog hop?" don't worry I only figured out what they were very recently.  A blog hop is, by definition,  to move from one blog after another to read the entries or to leave comments.  In Reviewed by Mom speak it is a great way to find out about more great blogs, gain more followers and to spread a little blog world love!  I will be hosting this fun event with the following fabulous blogs...

The Thrifty Things


Living On love and Cents

Coupons Are Great

Mon Cheri

 
The fun all begins tomorrow so be sure not to miss out! 

Flashback Friday...Stay-Fresh Baby Food Containers

My freezer is still full of these handy baby food containers!  Baby R gives them a big thumbs up!

As I mentioned in my recent review of the book, First Meals, I made all of the twins baby food.  Now that my daughter has just had her first dose of homemade carrots I just whipped out my trusty Stay-Fresh Baby Food Containers. 

Stay-Fresh Baby Containers allow those who puree their own baby food to have the convenience factor of jarred baby food.  Each of the containers (there are 12 in the set) holds 2 ounces of whatever concoction you have put together for you tiny diner.  Even better is that each of these sturdy plastic containers are microwave AND dishwasher safe meaning making your own baby food just got a little handier.  Each has a screw on lid (no messy pop off lids!) and the plastic is (of course!) BPA free.  The containers are stackable and the set includes a try that can fit right on your freezer door and holds all twelve of the containers. 

These containers are obviously great for homemade baby food but I have also used mine for milk storage.  As I stated before, each holds 2 ounces but the 1 ounce level is marked as well, making these convenient for milk and/or formula storage too. 

I have found Stay-Fresh Baby Containers to be super convenient in my quest to be a baby food making machine.  There is something so satisfying about filling all those little containers up with a bunch of little purees...now if only I could find away to make the peeling part more enjoyable! 

Hasbro Summer Games...Yahtzee Hands Down, Sorry! Revenge & Mille Bornes

I love games.  Board games, card games....it does not matter, I just love games and always have.  I have the fondest of memories of being a kid and having family game night with my parents.  I still enjoy games just as much so I was super excited to test out the newest offerings from Hasbro (the maker of some of my favorite games ever!).

Yahtzee Hands Down, Sorry! Revenge and Mille Bornes are the card versions of your favorite classic games making them the perfect traveling games.  Pop them in the car, your beach bag, camping...wherever the summer takes you!  You can have family game night wherever you go!  Here is a breakdown of these fun and portable card games from Hasbro...

Yahtzee Hands Down

Keep your wits about you and your eye on the cards! Collect dice cards to make classic combinations: 3 of a kind, 4 of a kind, small straight, large straight, full house and YAHTZEE! Re-roll by discarding cards you don’t need and taking a chance on new ones. But here’s the twist – pit your hand against another player’s. Score high and win the Combo card points. It’s great YAHTZEE fun in a card game!

Includes 12 combo cards, 12 chance cards, 84 dice cards, 1 starter card, 1 reminder card, 1 combo sheet and instructions.

For 2 to 6 players.

Ages 8 and up.

Sorry! Revenge

Win the race to flip all of your pawn cards home and sweet revenge is yours! Take turns to play number and action cards to change the play pile’s total. Get the pile to 21 without going bust to get one of your pawn cards home. But watch out – someone could play a SORRY! card and steal your win!

Includes 109 cards, 1 reminder card and instructions. For 2 to 4 players.

Ages 6 and up.

Mille Bornes

Put your foot down… it’s time to play MILLE BORNES! Play distance cards and speed towards the finish line, or put the brakes on your opponent with nasty hazards! Drive carefully, because they’ll be playing hazards on you too. Out of gas? Play a Gasoline card. Got in an accident? Play your Repairs card. Be the first player to travel 1000 miles and win!

Includes 115 cards, instructions and scoresheet.

For 2, 3, 4 or 6 players.

Ages 8 and up


You and your family will have a blast playing these card games.  All three are great fun but my personal favorite is Yahtzee Hands Down...it is addictive!

One lucky Reviewed By Mom reader is going to win all three of the above games.  Family game night is headed for your house too!  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: Tell me which of the three games (Yahtzee Hands Down, Sorry! Revenge or Mille Bornes) you think you and your family will enjoy the most.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Like Family Game Night on Facebook = 1 entry

4.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry

5.  Follow Hasbro Family Game Night on Twitter= 1 entry

6.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

7.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on August 1st.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on August 2nd and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with the above mentioned games for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

Music, Music Everywhere Review & Giveaway...

Looking for a new DVD for the little music lover in your life?  Look no further than this new offering from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment, Music, Music Everywhere! Here is what you will find on this fun and musical DVD and bonus CD...

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION


Your children will be singing, laughing and dancing along with their favorite friends Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Thomas & Friends™, Kipper™ and Angelina Ballerina™ in Music, Music Everywhere July 20, 2010 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. The package includes a full-length DVD AND a Bonus Music CD, for a suggested retail price of only $14.98, a great value!

Fans of these preschool favorites will also join the alphabet parade and attend a park concert with Barney, enjoy music on the construction site with Bob and his Can-Do Crew, ”Peep Peep!” along with Thomas, and drum up the fun with Kipper and his pals. Chock full of musical fun, this DVD special also features Angelina Ballerina’s “Musical Day,” from the debut of her all-new CG animated series. The bonus CD features five fun songs: “P-I-A-N-O,” “Good Manners,” “Roll Call,” “Narrow Gauge” and “The Next Steps Theme Song.”

Episodes:
· Barney – “Play Piano With Me”
· Bob the Builder – “Roley’s Important Job”
· Thomas & Friends – “Tuneful Toots”
· Kipper – “Arnold’s Drum”
· Angelina Ballerina – “Angelina’s Musical Day”

A&W thought this DVD was great and they particularly enjoyed the Bob the Builder episode.  The bonus CD is a lot of fun too and has been great to have along for car rides.  I have been known to belt out P-I-A-N-O right along with Barney (sorry kids!).

Buy it here:
 

Win it Here:One lucky Reviewed By Mom will win a copy of Music, Music Everywhere.  Here is how to enter...


Mandatory Entry: Tell me which of the included characters in Music, Music Everywhere is your child's favorite.
For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry

4.  Follow HIT Entertainment on Twitter= 1 entry

5.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

6.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on August 1st.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on August 2nd and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with the Music, Music Everwhere DVD/CD for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

My Lip Stuff Review & Giveaway...

I am sort of a girly-girl.  I love to get dressed up and do my hair and make-up but being a stay-at-home mom to three has made me tone down my beauty regimen significantly.  I typically get a shower and sometimes I even blow dry my hair (fancy!).  As far as make-up goes, I don't do much of that these days but I do love me some lip gloss and lip balm.  Ever since I was a kid and borrowed my aunts Orange Crush lip balm I have been hooked.

My Lip Stuff recently sent me three of their lip balms to try out and can I just say...yum!  My Lip Stuff is a company I came across who has over 500 (YES, 500!!) different flavors of natural lip balm.  Not only do they have an amazing selection of flavors but they are 100% natural, environmentally friendly and they never (ever!) test on animals.  Yummy lip balms from a socially conscious company....great!  I should also mention that My Lip Stuff is the brain child of a mom (you know I love mom businesses!!) who got the lip balm ball rolling while on bed rest during her pregnancy.

I was sent Jack Frost, Maple Walnut and Strawberry Milkshake to try.  While they were all yummy, Strawberry Milkshake was my favorite.  It tasted just like the real thing but with zero calories!  The texture of the lip balms are not at all waxy and are actually quite slick...almost like a lip gloss which was a real plus for me.  I could go completely crazy over the flavors available...so many just sound so incredibly good!  You can also have your lip balms personalized or fitted with custom labels (great idea for bridal shower favors!).  I am already thinking these would make great stocking stuffers.

As a mom of a child with a nut allergy I want to mention that the ingredients of the three lip balms I was sent included almond oil.  Just an FYI so you don't gift these (or use them yourself) if there is a tree nut allergy/sensitivity.

My overall impression of the offerings at My Lip Stuff?  Fun, fun, fun!   Visit My Lip Stuff and treat yourself to something yummy today!

My Lip Stuff is offering one Reviewed By Mom reader a 6 pack of assorted lip balms. Lucky you!  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: Visit My Lip Stuff and tell me which flavor you think sounds the yummiest.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Like My Lip Stuff on Facebook = 1 entry

4.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry

5.  Follow My Lip Stuff on Twitter= 1 entry

6.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

7.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on July 30th.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on July31st and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with an assortment of lip balms by My Lip Stuff for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

BB's Tees Review & Giveaway...

Last fall when Baby R was born A&W were over the moon to be big brothers.  To mark this special occasion I wanted to get them shirts displaying their status as "Big Brothers".   I am sure if you have done this too you had the same "hmmmm" feeling I got.  There is not a lot out there besides plain and simple "I'm the Big Brother/Sister T's.  I wanted something fabulous for my fabulous boys!

Hello BB's Tees!  BB's Tees is the answer to blah Big Sibling tees.  Finally you can buy something that spells out the important sibling status in a way that is fun for your child to wear.  Here is a bit about how this great idea got started...

A mother of two, Patti Muller had long been frustrated in her efforts to buy a really cute Big “Sibling” shirt for her older child. Everything she found was too simple or too generic.

Sensing a market need, she decided to start a business based on the Big Sibling shirt concept in 2007, but life happened and her dream of owning a business took a backseat to the demands of motherhood. Two years later, her neighbor and mother of two, Marty Harper, came along to provide the support needed to get a business off the ground.

I just love a business started by a mom!  Here is just a sampling of the t-shirts BB's Tees have created for the Big Sibling in your life...

Aren't these just so cute and stylish and completely not boring??  I received this one for my boys...

The one I have is in the orange color and it is just so cute!  Both boys love it because, quite frankly, what 3.5 year old doesn't love construction vehicles?  The shirt is 100% cotton and runs true to size.  We have washed it a couple of times and it has not noticeably shrunk at all.  I just have to mention the adorable "pledge" that came with the t-shirt too.  It is called the "My Brother Pledge" and states things like "I promise to play fair" and "I will hold my head up high when you tell your friends I'm your Big Brother"....such great messages!  You can purchase your very own BB's Tees here.  These shirts would make a great gift for any new (or soon to be) big brother or sister and do a great job of recognizing a child's new status. 

I am so excited to let you know that BB's Tees is offering Reviewed By Mom readers a chance to win one of these great Big Sibling T-shirts!  No more "blah" for you guys either!  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: Visit BB's Tees and let me know which shirt you would choose if you won and the lucky Big Sibling who would be receiving it. 

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Like BB's Tees on Facebook = 1 entry

4.  Leave a comment on BB's Tees Facebook Wall to say hello and let them know I sent you=1 entry

5.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry

6.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

7.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on July 28th.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on July29th and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with a t-shirt from BB's Tees for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

Popsicle Winners...

A great big congratulations to Reviewed By Mom's Popsicle winners....Tiffany, Maddie, Kate, Tabathia and Kacie.  I hope you enjoy your Popsicles and your copy of National Geographic's Big Book of fun...I know we have enjoyed both at our house.  Thanks to all that entered and thanks again for being Reviewed By Mom readers!

The I Hate To Cook Book Review & Giveaway...

I don't technically hate to cook.  Technically.  I want to be a good cook but I just find myself getting busy with the kids and forgetting that cooking generally takes time and effort.  Ugh.  So, technically, I don't hate to cook but I am short on time and effort which is why I was super excited to read and review The I Hate to Cook Book.

The I Hate To Cook Book was actually written and released back in 1960 by Peg Bracken.  The copy I received is the 50th Anniversary Edition of this American Classic.  Here is a bit of the forward by Peg's daughter, Jo Bracken...


The I Hate to Cook Book was born from a group of professional women who would have been much happier sipping martinis with their husbands than spending the cocktail hour in the kitchen, slaving over a hot stove.....The reason The I Hate to Cook Book is still as timely as it is now as it was in 1960 is because, simply put, it will make you smile, it will make you laugh, and you can do that while whipping up a meal that your family will enjoy an still find time to run a few miles or enjoy that glass of wine while you watch the sun set. 

Sign me up!  Who doesn't want more time to do the things we love but still be able to nourish our families?  I couldn't wait to start reading. 

First of all, this book is a riot. There are funny little gems peppered throughout like "your husband won't take you out for enchilada's if he knows he can get a good enchilada at home" or (about those who like cook) "invite us over and often but stay away from our husbands".  I found myself cracking up before I even got to the recipes!  Now for the recipes....in 1960 people were not thinking about cholesterol or heart disease or the obesity epidemic so lots of these recipes are heavy on the "heavy".  To me this pretty much means delicious but you can, if you wish, replace some of the higher fat items with their lower fat counterparts. 

The books are broken up into sections like "30 Day-by-Day Entrees or The Rock Pile", "Potluck Suppers or How to Bring the Water for the Lemonade" and "Last-Minute Suppers or This is the Story of Your Life".  See what I mean about funny??  Nice to see that some things are still just as humorous 50 years later! 

I found a bunch of recipes I want to try out in this book and they all look quick and easy not to mention tasty!  Some on the top of my list?  Dr. Martin's Mix (a sausage dish over rice invented by a busy doctor), Pedro's Special (a steak dish with tomato, beans and corn chips) and Cockeyed Cake (a homemade chocolate cake you can whip up in 5.5 minutes!).  These are only the beginning of what I want to try from the 200 recipes in this timeless cookbook.  There is also a section on household hints that will make you laugh and reminisce (put a towel under a typewriter as you pound on the keys to make it less noisy!) or things that are still good to know (apply a sliced onion to a bee sting to stop pain and swelling).

My take on The I Hate to Cook Book?  Love it!  I had some great laughs and I have some new, quick and easy recipes to try out on the family.  Thanks Peg Bracken for recipes and humor that are still as helpful and witty as they were 50 years ago!

You can pre-order this book from Amazon here.  The release date is July 26th.  Now for some exciting news...2 Reviewed By Mom readers will receive a copy of The I Hate to Cook Book by Peg Bracken.  You will laugh out loud, I promise!  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry:   Leave a comment and tell me what you hate (or love but if you do this you will have to invite me over!) about cooking. 

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Like I Hate to Cook Book on Facebook = 1 entry

4.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry

5.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

6.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada only and will end on July 24th.     The lucky winners will be announced by e-mail on July 25th and also here on Reviewed By Mom.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with a copy of The I Hate to Cook Book to review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.