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Preschool is Cool- ABC’s With Elmo & Hot Potatoes! The Best of The Wiggles DVDs

July 14, 2010 By Mom 19 Comments

As mnay of you know my son has developed a love affair with Elmo.  I have seen The Best of Elmo 2 more times than I can count!  I really needed a new video for TJ to watch.  Luckily we received a couple of DVDs a few weeks ago that helped mommy stay sane.  The first DVD still has Elmo in it, but it stars other Sesame Street characters as well.

Preschool is Cool…ABC’s with Elmo features Professor Grover, preschool teacher, and Elmo.  They hunt for things that start with each letter of the alphabet.  Through their adventures kids learn songs about the alphabet helping them learn all the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make along the way.  The DVD is a fun way to engage 1-4 year-olds in learning the alphabet.  TJ loves it (I think he will love it even more in about 6 months).  I love it because it is something different than our previous DVD and it encourages kids to learn their alphabet at a young age.  I wish all kids came into kindergarten will these skills.  It would make kindergarten easier for everyone (including me).

Calling all you Wiggle’s fans. Hot Potatoes! The Best of The Wiggles DVD is a collection of 35 of The Wiggles’ songs.  TJ loves music and he loves The Wiggles. We have been jamming out to The Best of the Wiggles for a couple of weeks now and I have to say that it is a nice break from Elmo (I love ya Elmo, but I am hearing you talk in my sleep).  Here are the songs that are featured on Hot Potatoes! The Best of The Wiggles DVD:

  1. Hot Potato
  2. Can You (Point Your Fingers And Do The Twist?)
  3. Fruit Salad
  4. Rock-A-Bye Your Bear
  5. Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car
  6. Wake Up Jeff!
  7. Wiggly Party
  8. Captain Feathersword Fell Asleep On His Pirate Ship (Quack Quack)
  9. Wiggle Bay
  10. The Monkey Dance
  11. Get Ready To Wiggle
  12. Go Santa Go
  13. Dorothy (Would You Like To Dance?)
  14. Ooh It’s Captain Feathersword
  15. Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport
  16. Dressing Up
  17. Move Your Arms Like Henry
  18. Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles!
  19. Do The Owl
  20. The Zeezap Song
  21. Play Your Guitar With Murray
  22. Rockin’ Santa!
  23. To Have A Tea Party
  24. Here Come The Chicken
  25. Getting Strong!
  26. Murray Had A Turtle
  27. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
  28. I’m Dorothy The Dinosaur!
  29. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
  30. Dr Knickerbocker
  31. The Shimmie Shake!
  32. Over In The Meadow
  33. Wags The Dog Is Chasing His Tail
  34. Monkey Man
  35. Hot Poppin’ Popcorn

The DVD includes over 2 hours of Wiggles entertainment for your kiddos.

Buy It:

You can purchase Hot Potatoes! The Best of The Wiggles DVD on Amazon for $10.99 and you can purchase Preschool is Cool! ABC’s with Elmo from SesameStreet.org for $14.98.

This product review was made possible by Sesame Street and PR Company. I was not compensated for this review other than a product sample. All opinions are 100% mine.
Filed Under: DVD, Kids, Music, Review, Uncategorized Tagged With: DVD, Kids, Music, Review

Bit’z Kids Clothing

July 10, 2010 By Mom 2 Comments

Finding stylish clothing for a 15 month old boy is very difficult.  I am not a huge fan of character shirts, which seem to be everywhere when you go and shop for little boys.  I want fun, stylish clothing for TJ and it seems like I have to really search for a while to find exactly what I am looking for.

I was recently sent some items from Bit’z Kids, a Japanese clothing store for kids in New York, for TJ to try out.

Our clothes are based on our core values–providing the highest quality of specialty clothes and service at reasonable prices. We aim to provide our customers with what we call “total fashion“–comfortable, safe clothing with high functionality that can keep up with ever-growing kids. We opened our first NYC store in 2008, confident our concepts would be appreciated by parents with small children in urban areas.

He received two pairs of pant and a blue Air Plane T-shirt.  I immediately loved that these articles of clothing, while looking a bit classic, were nothing like what I see at most department stores. Here is a picture of TJ in his cute outfit:

The clothing is very durable and stylish and TJ seems very comfortable wearing the clothes.  Here are some more adorable pieces from Bit’z Kids Clothing:

I think these plaid shorts are adorable!

Look at these adorable dresses for little girls!

They also carry accessories.

Buy It:

You can purchase Bit’z Kids Clothing in NYC or on their website at bitzkidsnyc.com.

Filed Under: Clothing, Kids, Review, Uncategorized Tagged With: Clothing, Kids, Review

Zuvo Water Filtration System Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

July 9, 2010 By Mom 397 Comments

I don’t know about you, but I refuse to drink water out of the tap. Our water taste disgusting so our family drinks exclusively bottled water. As you can imagine this can get expensive. I was researching different water filtration systems for our family when I came across the Zuvo Water Filtration System.
The Zuvo Water Filtration System uses uses a patented five-step process to produce clean, healthy, great tasting water:

STEP 1: OZONATION
In nature, ozone is generated by lightning and cleans the air where rainwater forms. The Zuvo Water Purator mixes ozone with incoming tap water to treat taste and odor contaminants and improve taste. Like chlorine, ozone is a powerful oxidizer. Unlike chlorine, ozone leaves no chemical residue.

STEP 2: ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
The ozone saturated water is flooded with high-intensity UV light – the same as the solar energy that cleans water in the upper atmosphere.

STEP 3: PHOTO-OXIDATION
The Zuvo Water Purator combines UV and ozone in a patented process known as photo-oxidation which releases powerful oxidizers to further treat the water.

STEP 4: FILTRATION WITH LEAD REMOVAL
Pure spring water is created by passing through fine particles in the earth. Zuvo uses the same principle by passing water through a Class 1 Particulate Reduction Filter, reducing chlorine taste and odor, lead, and tiny particulates.

STEP 5: POST-FILTRATION UV
The filtered water is again exposed to high-intensity UV light as it leaves the Zuvo Water Purator, ensuring that you get clean, healthy, great tasting water…just the way nature intended!

Here is a video demonstration about how the Zuvo Water Filtration System works:

So… does it work?  After a few weeks of using the Zuvo, I have noticed a distinct taste difference in our tap water.  It tastes just like bottled water.  It really works!  It looks really cool on the counter top and everyone who sees it comments on how neat it looks.  TJ loves watching the water bubble through the Zuvo as it fills his sippy cup.  It is an all-around hit in our household.  Now we can save money and help the environment by reducing all of our plastic water bottle waste.

Buy It:

You can purchase the Zuvo Water Filtration System for $299.99 at the Zuvo online store here.

Win It:

One (1) lucky winner will win a Zuvo Water Filtration System of their very own! (Above-Counter model ARV $299.99)

How to Enter:

Visit Zuvo’s website and tell me one thing you learned about the water filtration system.

(You must complete this entry before completing any of the bonus entries)

Bonus Entries:

  • Follow me on Twitter and Tweet: Win a Zuvo Water Filtration System (ARV $299.99) @AMomsImpression http://wyn.cc/zbsls  (You may enter daily, just leave a comment with each Tweet’s link)
  • Like A Mom’s Impression on Facebook
  • Like Zuvo-Water on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway (Please leave a link to your post)
  • Grab my Button and post it on your blog.
  • Subscribe to A Mom’s Impression by Email (2 Entries, please leave 2 comments: Please remember to confirm your subscription)
  • Comment on any non-giveaway post on A Mom’s Impression. (just tell me what post you commented on)

Please leave a comment about each entry, include a valid email address or you may contact me directly with your contact information.
Open to US and Canadian residents only. This giveaway will end at midnight on July 25. Winner will be picked from Random.org. 
Good Luck!

This product review was made possible by Zuvo. I was not compensated for this review other than a product sample. All opinions are 100% mine.
Filed Under: Eco-friendly, Giveaways, Health, Review, Uncategorized Tagged With: Eco-friendly, Giveaway, Health, Review

Wordless Wednesday – Happy 4th of July!

July 7, 2010 By Mom 4 Comments

We spent the holiday at my parents cabin in Idaho.  Here we are at the local (crazy) 4th of July celebration.  It was very loud as you can tell by the next photo.

Link up your Wordless Wednesdays!

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Wordless Wednesday Tagged With: Wordless Wednesday

Traveling… Again!

July 2, 2010 By Mom 5 Comments

My family and I are in Idaho having a wonderful time with my family.  I have very limited access to the Internet so I might not be able to post giveaway winners or return emails until we get back on the 7th.  I hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July with your families!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Bilibo Review & Giveaway From CSN Stores (CLOSED)

June 18, 2010 By Mom 282 Comments

Last month I introduced you to CSN Stores.  CSN Stores is an online company with over 200 websites that you can purchase products ranging from cookware to kids toys.  Here is a little bit more about CSN Stores taken from their website:

Beyond stellar customer service, our 200+ sites at CSN Stores offer the largest selection of items for most home and office goods. And these items are priced right to be very competitive with other sites, providing our customers with strong savings, too. This combination of benefits is rare among online retailers and is what sets us apart.

Leading brands on CSN Stores’ sites include: La-Z-Boy, Herman Miller, iittala, Kartell, LG, Rachael Ray, Sanyo, Diaper Dude and many, many others. The variety of products is also staggering, with some one million available.

CSN’s product categories cover everything from cookware, ultra modern furniture, bunk bed-office combinations and fitness equipment to gaming chairs, grills, greenhouses and much much more.

When I was offered a review and giveaway I was almost overwhelmed by what CSN Stores have to offer.  I knew that I wanted to get something for TJ so I started looking at toys.  Much to my delight I found that CSN Stores carries the Bilibo.  I had previously heard about the Bilibo from blog hopping a few months back.  What, do you ask, is a Bilibo?  I am so glad you asked.  A Bilibo is whatever your child wants it to be!  The Bilibo is a polyethylene hard shell that can be used in many different ways.  It is up to your child’s imagination.  You could wear it over your head like a mask.  You can put toys in it (which is what TJ mainly uses it for now but he is only 14 months old).  You can drum on it.  You can rock in it.  The list goes on and on.

Here is an overview of the Bilibo from CSN Stores.com:

  • Open-ended kid’s toy intended to inspire creativity and imaginative play
  • High density polyethylene
  • For ages 2-7 years
  • Possible uses:
    • Toddlers can move them around, fill them with objects (like sand or water) and empty them again
    • The shells can be aligned or stacked in many ways, like three-dimensional puzzle pieces two shells are joined to form a sphere; a friendly face with a broad smile
    • Rocking and spinning are great fun on the Bilibo and help develop motor skills and a child’s sense of balance
    • Bilibo shines as a wonderful accessory and is swiftly turned into a cradle for puppets, a turtle shell, a drum, a cooking pot, a ship, or a hill with caves giving shelter for toy animals
  • Indoor and outdoor use
  • 100% recyclable
  • Shock resistant
  • Non-toxic
  • Winner of the Dr. Toy, 10 Best Active Products 2002
  • Designed in Switzerland by Alex Hochstrasser
  • Also available in green, yellow, orange, pink and red

TJ is still a little young to do more than putting toys in it and banging on it, but a wonderful thing about this toy is the wide range of ages that it appeals to.  TJ is going to love this and not get bored with it for years to come.  I love that it makes him use his imagination and creativity.  It is also virtually indestructible (I know I have a 80 pound dog remember).  Overall, I would purchase this toy for any child that I know.  You really can’t go wrong.

Buy It:

You can purchase the Bilibo in blue ,green, yellow, orange, pink and red for $25.99 from CSN Stores.com

Win It:

One (1) lucky winner will receive a Bilibo in their choice of color from CSN Stores.com.

How to Enter:

Visit CSN Stores.com and tell me what you would purchase from any of their websites.  (You must complete this entry before completing any of the bonus entries)

Bonus Entries:

  • Follow me on Twitter and Tweet: Win A Bilibo from CSN Stores @AMomsImpression http://wyn.cc/mfera (You may enter daily, just leave a comment with each Tweet’s link)
  • Follow CSN Stores on Twitter and Tweet: I entered to win a Bilibo from CSN Stores @amomsimpression http://wyn.cc/mfera (You may enter once, just leave one comment with the Tweet’s link)
  • Like A Mom’s Impression on Facebook
  • Like CSN Stores on Facebook and write on their wall that you entered to win a Bilibo from A Mom’s Impression
  • Blog about this giveaway (Please leave a link to your post)
  • Grab my Button and post it on your blog.
  • Subscribe to A Mom’s Impression by Email (2 Entries, please leave 2 comments: Please remember to confirm your subscription)
  • Comment on any non-giveaway post on A Mom’s Impression. (just tell me what post you commented on)

Please leave a comment about each entry, include a valid email address or you may contact me directly with your contact information. This giveaway will end at midnight on July 5. Winner will be picked from Random.org. 
Open to US and Canadian residents only.  Good Luck.

This giveaway is made possible by CSN Stores.com. I was not compensated for this post other than a product sample for review. All opinions are 100% mine.
Filed Under: Gifts, Giveaways, Kids, Review, Toys, Uncategorized Tagged With: Gifts, Giveaway, Kids, Review, Toys

Wanchai Ferry Beef & Broccoli Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

June 17, 2010 By Mom 95 Comments

Of all the kinds of foods I cook at home I have the hardest time perfecting Chinese food.  I adore fried rice, but when I try to duplicate the recipe at home it just doesn’t taste as good.  We usually just get take out when we are craving Chinese food.  One of my favorite dishes is beef & broccoli.  Now, thanks to Wanchai, I can get tasty Chinese food at home.  Wanchai just introduced a frozen Beef & Broccoli meal that is super easy to prepare.

For review we received the newest frozen entree from Wanchai, the Beef and Broccoli along with two tea sets. I noticed right away that there is only 6g of fat per serving, which I appreciate as I am trying to be able to fit into a swimsuit here shortly, and it doesn’t contain MSG.  The Beef & Broccoli includes vegetables like broccoli, red peppers and water chestnuts.  I also noticed that it only takes 14 minutes to prepare (so wonderful for busy parents).  I left our bag in the freezer for a night when we were running around like mad people and didn’t have enough time to make dinner. I really enjoyed the Beef & Broccoli, it was almost as good as take out.  My only complaint is that it really wasn’t enough food for my husband and I for dinner.  If we would have had some pot-stickers for an appetizer it would have been a perfect amount of food.  If you are serving the Beef & Broccoli for dinner keep this in mind. However, it would have been a perfect amount for lunch!

Be sure to try the two additional new flavors of Wanchai Ferry Frozen entrees, Kung Pao Chicken and Szechuan Style Chicken, which will soon join five other delicious varieties including Orange Chicken, Shrimp Lo Mein, Spicy Garlic Chicken and Sweet & Sour Chicken. Additionally, all of the entrées have no added MSG!

Deal Alert:

I have a $1.60 off coupon available here for Wanchai Ferry frozen entrees. Also check out Wanchai’s website later this summer for meal tips to enhance your Wanchai Ferry frozen entrée.

Buy It:

You can purchase Wanshai Ferry frozen entrees in the frozen food aisle at grocery stores nationwide.

Win It:

One (1) lucky reader will receive a Wanchai Ferry prize pack that includes a VIP coupon for a Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entree and two tea sets (2 mugs, 2 tea strainers, and 2 tins of green tea).

How to Enter:

Visit Wanchai Ferry and tell me what entree you would most like to try.    (You must complete this entry before completing any of the bonus entries)

Bonus Entries:

  • Follow me on Twitter and Tweet: Win a Wanchai Ferry Gift Package @AMomsImpression http://wyn.cc/avrfm (You may enter daily, just leave a comment with each Tweet’s link)
  • Like A Mom’s Impression on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway (Please leave a link to your post)
  • Grab my Button and post it on your blog.
  • Subscribe to A Mom’s Impression by Email (2 Entries, please leave 2 comments: Please remember to confirm your subscription)
  • Comment on any non-giveaway post on A Mom’s Impression. (just tell me what post you commented on)

Please leave a comment about each entry, include a valid email address or you may contact me directly with your contact information. This giveaway will end at midnight on June 30. Winner will be picked from Random.org. 
Open to US and Canadian residents only.  Good Luck.

This giveaway is made possible by My Blog Spark and Wanchai Ferry. I was not compensated for this post other than a product sample for review. All opinions are 100% mine.
Filed Under: Food/Snacks, Giveaways, Review, Uncategorized Tagged With: Food/Snacks, Giveaway, Review

First Alert “Home Safe Home” Kit Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

June 16, 2010 By Mom 221 Comments

Did you know that June is Home Safety Month?  In honor of Home Safety Month this June, First Alert® and The Lehigh Group are teaming with the Home Safety Council to educate consumers about potential home hazards. They have put together a “Home Safe Home kit” to ensure that your home is the safest home it can be.  Included in the kit are:

  • First Alert® Tundra Fire Extinguishing Spray™
  • First Alert®  Radon Test Kit
  • First Alert®  Mold Test Kit
  • First Alert®  Lead Test Kit
  • First Alert®  Water Test Kit
  • Cordzilla by Secureline from The Lehigh Group

We didn’t have a fire extinguisher in our home before we received our kit (I know really stupid) and thankfully we haven’t had to use it yet.  We are looking at selling our house in the next couple of years and having the radon, mold, lead and water test kits will help us to make sure our house is safe and fit to resell.  I want to be sure that my family is living in the safest healthiest environment as possible.  Having the Home Safe Home kit will ensure that it is safe.

Buy It:

You can purchase First Alert and The Lehigh Group products at retailers nationwide.  To see a full list click here.

Win It:

One (1) lucky winner will receive a “Home Safe Home” kit of their own (ARV $100.00).

How to Enter:

Visit First Alert and tell me a product you would like to have at your home from their website.    (You must complete this entry before completing any of the bonus entries)

Bonus Entries:

  • Follow me on Twitter and Tweet: Win a First Alert “Home Safe Home” kit (ARV $100.00) @AMomsImpression http://wyn.cc/sbnyl (You may enter daily, just leave a comment with each Tweet’s link)
  • Like A Mom’s Impression on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway (Please leave a link to your post)
  • Grab my Button and post it on your blog.
  • Subscribe to A Mom’s Impression by Email (2 Entries, please leave 2 comments: Please remember to confirm your subscription)
  • Comment on any non-giveaway post on A Mom’s Impression. (just tell me what post you commented on)

Please leave a comment about each entry, include a valid email address or you may contact me directly with your contact information. This giveaway will end at midnight on June 30. Winner will be picked from Random.org. 
Open to US and Canadian residents only.  Good Luck.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Review, Safety, Uncategorized Tagged With: Giveaway, Review, Safety

Chili’s Grill & Bar Restaurant Review

May 31, 2010 By Mom 3 Comments

My husband and I love going to Chili’s for lunch.  We often have different cravings and have a hard time agreeing on a place that sounds good to both of us.  Chili’s has a large menu with something for everyone. Not everyone knows this, but my husband and I met working at the same restaurant.  We were both servers at one point and therefore we can be very critical of bad service when we go to restaurants (we also can recognize when we have a great server and tip him/her well).  Our latest visit to Chili’s was a very memorable one.

Every time we enter Chili’s we are greeted with a smile and a host/hostess that brings us to our table.  We brought TJ with us and they had a clean highchair available. Our server greeted us quickly and are drinks were on our table in a matter of minutes after we arrived.

I was very excited to try out Chili’s new menu.  The new menu is much easier to read and includes most of our past favorites along with some new recipes.  Some of the new items on the menu include the Caribbean Salad, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich and some different combination of tacos.  I tried the new Santa Fe Chicken Wrap while my husband stuck with his usual Triple Dipper (thus nullifying our previous work out at the gym). The food was fantastic.  My Santa Fe Chicken Wrap includes a lot of my favorite foods like corn, avocados, tomatoes and of course cheese.  My husband loves his Triple Dipper.  He always chooses the same 3 appetizers Boneless Buffalo Wings, Southwestern Eggrolls and Chicken Crispers®.

We were having a wonderful time relaxing and having lunch as a family when TJ suddenly started choking on a craker which caused him to throw-up his entire lunch and breakfast.  Believe me when I tell you it was a lot of puke!  Chili’s response was unbelievable.  Employees came from everywhere and quickly cleaned up the entire mess, made sure we were okay, made sure TJ was okay and relocated guests who were seated next to us to a different table (it really smelled for a little bit).  Everyone was so friendly and kind and they didn’t seem put out that they had to clean up after a 1 year old.  The manager even came out to make sure we were okay (he said he saw me running across the parking lot to Babies R Us and returning with a pair of shorts, the one time I forget to put a pair of pants in the diaper bag).  My husband and I were very impressed with the entire staff at Chili’s and are very grateful for all of their help.

So, what are you waiting for?  Head on over to your local Chili’s Grill & Bar and try out the new menu items.  Chili’s is a great family friendly restaurant with wonderful service that you and your family will appreciate.

I was given a $50 gift card to Chili’s to facilitate this review.  All opinions are 100% mine.
Filed Under: Food/Snacks, Review, Uncategorized Tagged With: Food/Snacks, Review

Kushies Memorial Day Sale!!

May 29, 2010 By Mom Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Uncategorized
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