Monthly Archives: October 2009

iBend™ and OccupyBaby, the perfect travel companions

I can’t stand it when gooey fingerprints get on my iPhone screen.  Considering the iPhone is a short term babysitter for many moms, we’ve come to expect the fingerprints.  However, I learned to expect otherwise after being introduced to iBend and OccubyBaby, two products that work together to provide moms with a few minutes of peace while eating, doing laundry, or whatever it is that we need to do.

The iBend is an ultra portable surprisingly stable stand for the iPhone and iPod touch.  The stand allows your child to play a game like OccupyBaby or watch a fun movie on your iPhone without having to hold the iPhone.  A mom’s dream!  The iBend will slide right into your wallet and at a price of just 2 for $4.99, you can affordably stock up on iBends.  Keep a few in your wallet and a few in your home.

OccupyBaby is an entertaining iPhone app for babies and toddlersThe auto-play option is excellent for young babies and for when you are on the go.  You don’t have to fool with control buttons.  For older kids (3+) the OccupyBaby iPhone app is an educational experience with word exploration, sounds, and various language settingsMadelyn loves OccupyBaby.
Here is a link to OccupyBaby in iTunes.

Dyson DC25 BLUEPRINT limited edition review

Raise your hand if you love cleaning? I don’t see many hands up. OK, now raise your hand if you love vacuuming. I see hands! Yes, they are all in my imagination, but that’s OK, right? Vacuuming is satisfying. I love vacuuming so much that I have a vacuum on every level of my house.. of which there are three.. it’s split level not a castle, bummer.   There’s something about sucking up goldfish snacks, leaves, and tiny pieces of cut up paper that makes me feel good. Unlike most things in life, I am in control when I vacuum, especially with my Dysons.  They do their job and they are easy for me to push around.  What’s not satisfying about that?

My newest vacuum is this beautiful white Dyson DC25 Blueprint, a limited edition, wonderfully satisfying, lightweight, skinny, sleek, upright Dyson Ball vacuum.
As you can see in the photograph to the right and the video below, the Dyson DC25 Blueprint is easy enough for a 3 year old to maneuver.  You’d better watch out because once your 3 year old has her hand at your new Dyson DC25 Blueprint, she’s going to point a finger at you and tell you to “stay back Mommy!”.  The vacuum sits on a ball which is what makes for excellent maneuverability and the ball’s low center of gravity makes steering the vacuum a cinch.. even Madelyn can do it!

I’ve had the opportunity to try out several Dyson vacuums (this is the 4th in our house.. maybe we need to add a 4th level?) and I am as ecstatic about this one as all of the others. The fact that the Blueprint is white adds a new level of “ooohhh” to the mix and the ball.. gosh, the ball makes the entire vacuuming experience easier.   Out of the 4 Dysons I own, the Blueprint is my 2nd favorite because of it’s light weight and manuverability.  My #1 favorite is my Pink Dyson DC16 Root 6  which I use several times a day (really) and have for over a year.  I would love to have the Dyson 31 handheld Animal Vacuum because it has a motorized brush bar that the DC16 doesn’t.  Because we have a split level house we go up and down stairs often so they get dirty quickly and the DC31 appears to be just the right handheld for those much needed quick stair clean ups through out the day.

Here are a few of my favorite Dyson DC25 Blueprint features:

  • The Blueprint is based on the Dyson Ball technology for smooth steering
  • It has a HEPA filter and is certified asthma friendly
  • I love the hygienic dust bin – crumbs, dust, and whatever else the kids squish into the floor are dumped from the bin with one click.
  • On-board tools include a stair and crevice tool
  • Incredible suction – don’t try to talk this vacuum out of sucking up your curtains if you get it too close!

I’m a busy mom and I don’t enjoy cleaning so I take all the shortcuts I can.  My Dyson vacuums help me achieve supremely clean carpets and hardwood floors quickly and efficiently.  And, like I’ve said in my previous Dyson reviews, my husband and son LOVE using the Dysons.  So, moms, all you need to get the boys to help you around the house is a sexy shiny white Dyson, and maybe a beer (or a juice box) and I am confident that you’ll have help in no time!

Here is my review of the Dyson DC28 Animal which is kept on the middle level of our house because the carpets and hardwood on this level get the most use (i.e. nasty).

Here is a short slideshow of photographs of the Dyson DC25 Blueprint

Where can I buy it? Get the lowest price here at Amazon.com.
How much is it? $529

Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program and Giveaway

Cheerios Spoonful of Stories

I just put Madelyn down for her nap (she’s not sleeping yet by the way) and thanks to Cheerios we read two new books today. The first book from the Spoonful of Stories gift pack is about a little girl named Ruby who has a little issue with manners and must straighten up before she has tea with the Queen who ends up being her Grandma. The second book we read, Sleepyhead, and is a great bedtime story about a little teddy bear that always wants another story, another kiss, another cuddle. Sound farmiliar? The books are written in english and spanish but I’m not brave enough to read them in spanish yet.

About the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program:

Over the past eight years, Cheerios has given away more than 40 million children´s books by distributing them free inside cereal boxes and has donated $3.2 million to First Book, their non-profit partner, which provides books to children from low-income families. The program is part of Cheerios´ ongoing commitment to helping parents provide their children with a healthy, nutritional and educational foundation.

CheeriosBeginning this month, Cheerios is again bringing books to the breakfast table, by providing six million children´s books free inside Cheerios boxes. The books are for children ages 3 to 8 years old, and include a brand new book in the popular “Trucktown” series, available only inside Cheerios boxes. And for the first time, all five books have been specially printed in both English and Spanish.

This year´s book offerings from Cheerios – all by Simon & Schuster Children´s Publishing – are:

Junkyard Fort, written by Jon Scieszka, and illustrated by David Shannon, Loren Long and Dave Gordon: Join Gabriella, Jack, Melvin, Ted, Lucy and the other Trucktown characters as they make their own fort, using things found in the junkyard. Ages 4-8.

Tea for Ruby, written by The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser: Wherever Ruby goes, a bit of disaster seems to follow. But one sunny morning, things change when the postman brings Ruby an amazing invitation: would she like to have tea with the Queen? Ruby needs to polish her manners, and quickly. Ages 4-8.

Sleepyhead, written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by John Segal: In this rhythmic bedtime story, a cat is the parent and a teddy bear is the child who doesn’t want to go to bed. All ready for bed with teeth brushed and story read, Sleepyhead teddy tries anything to prolong his bedtime; books and his quilt provide ample fodder for his imagination. Ages 3-7.

Ballyhoo Bay, written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Derek Anderson: Mira Bella, an artist who teaches painting and sculpture, loves Ballyhoo Bay and what it offers: sun, sea, sand, and sky. But one gray day a billboard arrives, announcing an impending development that would take all the fun out of the place. Read along to see if Mira Bella and her art can save the day and Ballyhoo Bay! Ages 4-8.

What´s Under the Bed?, written and illustrated by Joe Fenton: Young Fred cannot stop worrying about the scary creature that might be hiding beneath his bed. Finally summoning the courage to peer under his bed, Fred, with his cumbersome glasses, sees that the only thing there is Ted, his friendly Teddy Bear! Ages 3-7.

Learn more about the Spoonful of Stories program here.

GIVEAWAY!
Enter to win a Spoonfuls of Stories gift pack!
The gift pack includes a set of the five Spoonfuls of Stories books, a box of Cheerios, and a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble.
To enter just tell me in the comments below what book character your child is most like and for two entries tell me what your child’s favorite book is in a second comment. For four entries click here to Tweet this post then leave your Twitter user name in a third comment. For example, my son is most like Jack from Jack and Annie. He loves to explore and learn.
Entries accepted until October 27th.

A big thanks to Cheerios and MyBlogSpark for providing us with the free Cheerios Spoonful of Stories gift pack, information, and prize pack. Feel free to tell Cheerios how much you love them for their awesome cereal and Spoonful of Stories program below!

Our night out at Disney On Ice presents Celebrations!

Wednesday night, thanks to Mom Central and Feld Entertainment, my kids and I went to “Disney On Ice presents Celebrations!” and we had a blast! Before the show we attended a ‘meet and greet’ where we enjoyed party hats, coloring, yummy finger foods and lemonade. Thinking things couldn’t get any better than yummy finger foods, we were pleasantly surprised when we got to get a photograph with Mickey Mouse (below)!

Disney On Ice - Atlanta, GA

I have never been to a show on ice before so I didn’t have any expectations but I left with really high expectations for our next show because this one was great! There were some numbers during which the little hairs on my arms stood up, not because I was cold, but because the beauty of the skaters and the music was incredible. The kids of course, didn’t look at the show at beautiful and some parts weren’t so beautiful (Halloween characters) but were awesomely fun.

During the show my 10 year old said “I feel like a kid againand that he was having so much fun! A kid again? You’re only 10, I thought to myself.

The only part of the show that I wasn’t too thrilled about was the Halloween celebration. It’s not that I didn’t like it, I just thought it was a little over the top for a pre-schooler which is in the age range the show targets. Also, to put that part of the show so near the beginning doesn’t give the little kids enough time to get used to the loudness and lights before the crazy witches and ghouls are skating, screaming, and singing. That’s my 2 cents about that!
P1030883

My favorite scene was the Japanese scene. The music and skating was beautiful. You can watch a short video of this part of the performance below.
My 10 year old son’s favorite ‘celebrations’ were Halloween and when the Toy Story characters (the pig is his favorite) came out toward the end of the show. My 3 year old daughter’s favorite parts were the brooms of Fantasia and the Christmas celebrations.

The show was amazing. It was great to see the kids with ‘permagrin’ and the look of awe on their faces when the skaters jumped and spun was incredible.



Get Frightfully Green This Halloween

eco-halloween

Yes, Halloween is only weeks away. Perhaps you are all set with decor, candy and costumes. But if you are like me, there are still costumes to buy, pumpkins to carve and decorations to hang. My daughter is so excited that she wants to buy a pumpkin every she sees one on display. This year we will make our official trip to the organic pumpkin patch the weekend before Halloween. Carving will happen two days before the big night. Last year my daughter was old enough to enjoy the season and we carved our pumpkins way too early and they imploded by the time October 31st rolled around. This year I’m considering purchasing as many eco-friendly Halloween decorations as possible. And recycling things we have around the house for seasonal decor. I have a couple ornate Victorian looking candelabras which I’ll spray paint black paint to make a centerpiece in the dining room. I’ll be cutting out black construction paper silhouettes of black cats and spiderwebs from construction paper and then toss it in the recycling bin afterward. I’ve also found a few eco-friendly Halloween decor and party items that help to reduce waste and support fair trade labor.

Solar Pumpkin Light, $9.45 at The Vermont Baby Store
A sun powered light for your pumpkin. Forget the unsafe candles that contain nasty fumes. This solar pumpkin light is also more economical than battery-operated light too.
*Save on your purchases with Coupon Codes from The Vermont Baby Shop from TheFind.com’s new coupon site

ThemeNaps Halloween Napkins 16 napkins per box, $6.95 at Interior Digs
Made in the U.S.A. from eco-friendly 100% recycled tissue and FDA-approved food grade inks. These fun and modern Halloween napkins come folded in a clear packaged gift box and can also stand up to serve as a table decoration.

Fabric Halloween Treat Bag from Yellow Label Kids, $6.49 at Oompa
Trick or Treat! A perfect alternative to plastic pumpkin pails, this artisan made fabric trick-or-treat bag is made by workers whose are paid a fair living wage.

Fair Trade Trick-or-Treat Chocolates 100 per bag, $25.00 at Sweet Earth Chocolates
Indulge neighborhood trick or treaters to 100% milk or 65% bittersweet, 100% organic and fair trade chocolate coins. The individually wrapped fair trade Halloween candies are wrapped in Halloween colors and have an adorable Halloween sticker. Share your commitment to organic & fair trade with kids both young and old this Halloween.

Half-round Spider web Halloween Door Mat, $59.00 at Treasures4home.com
Make your entryway a fright at first sight with this half-round Spider web Halloween Door Mat. Made of extra-thick 1-1/2″ weave of tough-scrubbing coir fibers (an all-natural material from coconuts). This creepy but fun door mat traps grime at the door. Printed with eco-friendly dyes that are guaranteed to scare up compliments for many years to come.
*Save on your purchases with Coupon Codes from Grandin Road from TheFind.com’s new coupon site.

From our friends at TheFind.com.