Review: Ozonator - Green Refrigerator Machine

Every once in a while, our refrigerator is smelly.  Now, it's usually my clue to clean it out, but sometimes it's because there's an onion left over from the day before, or some garlicky mashed potatoes leftovers waiting to get eaten.  And, while my kids love celery, sometimes they forget it's in the refrigerator and it turns to rubbery sticks before it gets eaten.

So, I was interested in trying out the Ozonator.  It's a little machine that runs on 4 "D" batteries and sits on the top shelf of your refrigerator. The machine creates ozone, which helps dispel odors and keep foods fresher.  I know I'm upset with myself some days when I have to throw out fruit and vegetables that were perfectly good when I bought them, but we didn't eat them before they turned bad.  I specifically bought celery a few weeks ago and told the kids they couldn't eat it, so I could see if it lasted longer -- and it did!  When I finally let the kids eat it, it was as crunchy as when I bought it 10 days earlier.  I also noticed that when I had a cut onion in the refrigerator, I did not notice the odor every time I opened the door!

The Ozonator is currently $10 off at their website - so you can pick it up for only $39.95.  It's an interesting gadget, and works better on odors than a box of baking soda did in my refrigerator. I also like the fact that it helps foods last longer!  Because while I have good intentions, I don't always use everything up in a timely manner.

You can learn more about the Ozonator at their website, and they are also on Facebook and Twitter.  I have used it, and I would recommend it for anyone's refrigerator!

*Disclosure: I received an Ozonator in exchange for an honest review.  I am also an affiliate with the company and receive affiliate income for Ozonators purchased via my affiliate link.*

Review: Pinypon Dolls & Toys

Lydia, my 5 year old, first saw Pinypon dolls during a cartoon that she was watching. She had to pause the show to find me so she could show me these neat little dolls.  So, when we had the opportunity to check them out and share them with  her friends, she was thrilled!

Pinypon dolls are unique in that all their pieces/parts are interchangeable -- including their expressions!  Each doll has 2 different expressions, all you need to do is pop off their hair and put it on the opposite way and you'll see their fresh face.

Lydia is quite the social butterfly at school, and was so excited to invite a few of her friends over to play with the toys.  We planned our party for after school, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  I had even arranged to pick her up with 2 of her friends so they could come to the party, and other moms were bringing their daughters after school. About 45 minutes before school let out, the school called me about Nate (see earlier post about his stay in the hospital - he is still out of school and we are waiting for a pediatric neurologist appointment next week.)

Thankfully, I had everything set up before that phone call, and my sweet mom lives next door, so I checked all 3 girls out of school a bit early and dropped them off with my mom.  She led them in the play of the toys, including the really neat Pinypon - Caravan Playset.  My mom said the girls had a great time, and really enjoyed taking the dolls apart and putting them back together with different acessories. I later talked with one of the moms, and she said she thought they were pretty neat!  We had a caravan to give away at the party and she took it home and has played with it almost every day since.  Lydia has also had a great time with the toys!

With all the confusion, there weren't pictures of the party itself, but Lydia did a video review of the toys:

I think this would be a fun toy to find under the Christmas tree this year!  You can find them at Amazon, as well as local retailers.  You can also check them out on Facebook.  They share great offers, giveaways and information about the toys on their page.

*Disclosure: In exchange for sharing the toys with local friends, and providing an honest review, I received toys from Pinypon and MomSelect. All opinions are my own, and no additional compensation was provided.*

Your Santa Story Video Review

Earlier this month, I posted a review and a giveaway for Your Santa Story.  One of my readers won the code -- Angi's family will be watching Santa talk to them on Christmas morning!

I wanted to share a video review I did about Your Santa Story, in case you were still wondering what it was all about:


*Disclosure: I received a Your Santa Story dvd, as well as one to give away, in exchange for posting.  No additional compensation was provided and all opinions are my own.*

Review: Your Santa Story and GIVEAWAY

Last Christmas morning, after presents were unwrapped, I looked at our DVD player and asked "What's this?"  I popped the DVD into the player and a picture of Santa Claus appeared on the screen.  Then, he began talking to my kids by name -- he mentioned Nate's soccer playing, Colin's love for reading and Lydia's ballet dancing. Lydia's eyes lit up, and even skeptical Nate & Colin weren't sure what to make of it.

Thanks to Your Santa Story, we were able to add another magical moment to our Christmas celebration.  What I really liked was that Santa spoke right to my kids -- it wasn't a computer generated voice, or a computer filling in the blanks.  The story was told from beginning to end by Santa, and it showed.

I admit I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was extremely impressed. I watched it right after we received it, and I almost couldn't wait until Christmas morning to show the kids!  I am glad I waited, though, because their reaction was priceless.

Because of the complete customization of these videos, there are only a limited number produced.  If you want Santa to visit your living room this Christmas, order early!  The process is simple -- you fill out a form with various details and information, review the script,  then submit with payment ($29.95). They can customize your story for military families, ex-pat families, or even use sign language.

Check out their promotional video -- (I made a video of the kids last year, but the boys taped over it with some Lego movie creation.)  The middle of it shows Santa in his workshop talking to a family, just like the video that could be created for you.

You can find them on their website -- www.yoursantastory.com, and also on Facebook, Twitter and even Pinterest.

I'm very excited that I have one code to give away to a reader to make their own personalized Santa Story!  I want to make sure you get it in plenty of time, so this giveaway will end on November 9, 2012.

To enter the giveaway, I need you to CLICK HERE TO GO TO GIVEAWAY FORM.  Once you're there, fill in your information, including the information below:

Name of Giveaway: Your Santa Story

Mandatory Question: Share with me a favorite holiday tradition

You can find all my giveaway rules linked on the top right of my blog.  (Giveaway open only to US addresses.) Good Luck!!

As always, if you like my blog's Facebook page, you can earn an extra entry.  (Even if you've already liked it in the past you will receive an extra entry!)  My blog's Facebook page is found here (www.facebook.com/mylittlepatchofsunshine)

*Disclosure: I received a video last year, thanks to Your Santa Story and MomSelect and will receive another one this year. All opinions are my own.*

Review: HP Deskjet 3052A Wireless Printer

I've been on the lookout for an e-Printer so I could easily print from my iPhone and iPad.  When I was asked to check out the HP Deskjet 3052A Wireless e-All-In-One Printer, I hoped that it would meet my needs.  Thanks to HP, Wal-Mart & MomSelect, I was able to try one out and even invite a few friends over so they could play with it, too!

When the printer arrived, I put it aside thinking I would need a little time to get it set up.  Then, it came time to have a few friends over and I needed to get the printer set up ASAP!  Thankfully, the set up process was easy and the printer and included software walked me through the steps.  I think it was about 10 minutes from unpacking to printing!

One thing that was a little thing, but that I thought was clever, was that the plastic bag the printer was in had a handle to make it easier to lift out of the box.  Sometimes, it's the small things that really add up.

I easily created a personalized HP email address, and thought it was so cool that I could email documents to the printer from anywhere and they would print.  It's like a fax machine without the telephone line!  (Especially useful since we don't have a land line.)  The only thing that occurred when using that feature was that a couple of the documents I sent didn't print because the  printer thought they were spam.

I also liked that I could set the printer to only accept emails from select email addresses.  That would ensure I wouldn't receive any junk sent to my printer.

Then, I tried printing from my iPhone.  It quickly printed an email and also a picture from my photo album with no problem.  When I tried the same from my iPad -- again, no problems!

And, finally, to be truly useful I need to be able to print to it from my laptop.  Again, it quickly connected and printed out a document that I was working on and wanted to edit with a red pen.  I was ready to show it off!

Once my friends with smart phones connected to our home's wifi, they were able to easily print from their phones, too! If I didn't want to connect them all to my wifi, I could have allowed all email addresses to print to my printer and they could have sent emails to print documents or pictures.

HP has some great templates available on their site for download and use.  Things like greeting cards, recipe cards, and even small boxes that can be put together.  We had fun checking out the different templates available and printing them out.

This printer takes HP XL Cartridges. The cartridges (black and tri-color) are less than $30 each and print more than cartridges in the past.

The HP 3052A is also a copier and a scanner, so it's an excellent all-around printer.

Right now, the printer is under $100 at Wal-Mart.  In fact, I was sent $10 gift cards to share with my friends who came to look at the printer, and I have one left over to give away to one of my readers!  To enter the giveaway, CLICK HERE to fill out my giveaway form.  Use the following information to fill it in completely:

Name of Giveaway: WalMart and HP
Mandatory Question: What's the first thing you would print from your smartphone / tablet / or via email?

Remember, comments left below are NOT entered in the giveaway. For an extra entry, "like" my blog's Facebook page and mention it in the form.  If you've already liked the page, just let me know and you'll earn an extra entry!

I'll choose a winner on my birthday, November 10, 2012!   Good Luck!!

*Disclosure: I received a printer, ink cartridges and gift cards from HP, WalMart and MomSelect.  All opinions stated are my own.*

Review: SAFESKIN First Aid Antibacterial Gel (GIVEAWAY)

Recently, I was sent a tube of Safeskin First Aid Antibacterial Gel to try out.  The thing that interested me about this gel is that is provides a barrier to MRSA, and offers 48 hours of antibacterial protection.

When I came home from the hospital after Lydia's birth, I brought home a staph infection.  That infection ended up leaving a scar on my hand, and I unknowingly infected Lydia because it was misdiagnosed at first. It took almost a year before we were finally rid of the staph infection completely.

Because of that experience, I'm always careful to wash the kids' cuts and protect them with anti-bacterial gel.  I really like the fact that this gel from Kimberly Clark has been tested and proven effective against MRSA (an especially virulent form of the staph bacteria.)

Within a day of receiving the gel, I managed to cut my finger.  I reached for this new tube and was pleased to note that it was a clear gel, with no scent. I followed the instructions on the packaging by putting the gel on the cut and the surrounding area and then covering with a bandage.  A couple days later, the skin was healed nicely.

Another thing I like about this gel is that it is made in the USA. You know that I love to purchase things that are made locally, or at least in the US.

If you want to try it out, you can print a coupon from Coupons.com for $1 off a tube that is good at select Wal-Mart stores.  You can find more information on their Facebook page as well.

I also have a tube to give away to one of my readers!  If you're interested in entering the giveaway, please CLICK HERE so that you are sent over to my giveaway information collection page.  When you are on the form, fill in your name, email, and also the name of the giveaway and your answer to my mandatory question listed below.  (Entries left in the comments section below will not be included in the random drawing.)

I'll choose a winner on November 8, 2012.

Name of Giveaway:  Safeskin
Mandatory Question:  How many tubes of antibacterial gel do you have in your home?

Good Luck!

*Disclosure: MomSelect and Safeskin provided me with a tube of antibacterial gel and a gift card to facilitate my review. All opinions are mine.*

Creativity for Kids Craft Kits Review & Giveaway

Lydia loves crafts and art supplies.  We have plenty of the standard supplies at  home (crayons, markers, paper, scissors, stickers) and she creates masterpieces often.

I loved the chance to check out this Faber-Castell Creativity for Kids craft kits recently thanks to Faber-Castell and MomSelect.  Craft kits are great because they give her some focus, but still allow her to be creative.  They also provide her with some craft supplies that she may not find in our craft cupboard otherwise.

After I opened the box, I mentioned that we would get into them in a couple days, since we had a lot going on.  The next thing I noticed was that the Creativity for Kids Deluxe Glitter Art was ripped open and she was busily creating glittery creations to share.   She loved the glitter, I loved the variety of materials she had to work with. This kit came with 3 boxes to decorate, glittery tags, notecards, glitter, glue, glitter pens and stickers.  Our kitchen floor may be a bit sparkly, but she has had great fun with this kit!

Another kit we received was the Creativity for Kids Fashion Bracelets.  Again, there is variety in this kit, and 15 bracelets!  There is plenty of supplies for her to enjoy a play date with friends where they can all make their own bracelets to take home!  (This is what we plan to do with this kit -- she has already chosen who to invite.)

Finally, we received the Creativity for Kids Mossy Meadows Gnome Garden.  All 3 of my kids are working on this kit together to give as a gift for Grandparents Day next weekend.  It has seeds to plant, as well as adorable figurines.  Everything is included, even the mister to water the seeds so they can sprout!  I know my folks are going to love this gift.

I found these kits to be full of variety and high quality items.  There is a ton of flexibility, so kids can be as creative as they are with the supplies. I will definitely be purchasing more in the future for my little crafty child, and plan to give them as gifts.

Right now, though, I have a couple kits to give away to one of my wonderful readers.   The lucky winner will receive the fantastic Deluxe Glitter Kit, as well as a Sea Shell craft kit thanks to Creativity for Kids.

To enter this giveaway, I need you to note the giveaway name and mandatory question listed below, then CLICK to go to my Giveaway Form and fill out the required information.  I do my giveaways this way so that your email doesn't have to be left in public on my site.  Only entries left on my giveaway form will count towards the giveaway, any comments left below will not be entered.

Name of Giveaway: Craft Kits
Mandatory Question:  What are your favorite craft supplies?

You will receive one extra entry if you also "like" my Facebook page.  Thanks!

I will choose a winner using random.org on September 5, 2012.  For all my giveaway rules, please see my giveaway rules.  Good Luck!!

*Disclosure:  I received product from Faber Castell Creativity for Kids and MomSelect to facilitate my review, and also to give away.  I did not receive any further compensation.  All opinions and photos are my own.*

Gutzy Gear Review

A couple weeks ago, Lydia and her friends at preschool / daycare had a little party where we handed out some fabulous Gutzy Gear.  MomSelect sent us a great selection to share with the kids, and they were thrilled!

Gutzy Gear is the brainchild of 2 creative cousins who were inspired by their grandmother's old golf sweater covered with patches from different golf courses.  They designed the straps to help kids show off their creativity and personality.

The straps slip easily over backpack straps (or messenger bags, or duffel bags, or pretty much anything with a strap!)  The fun then begins with the hundreds of patches to choose from.  The patches come in packs of 2.  They easily attach to the straps, but they don't easily fall off.  They can be removed and re-positioned easily, but they don't budge once they're placed on the straps.

Most of the kids brought backpacks with them each day, so they immediately slipped the soft straps on their backpack straps and added the fun, decorative, velcro patches.  There are so many different styles that everyone can find something to show off their individual style.  And I do mean there are a ton of designs!  Everything from superheroes to puppies to rock guitars to monsters.

The kids were excited, and Lydia found it funny that they thanked her all day long for their new decorative backpacks.  They were showing off their Gutzy Gear and didn't want to take their backpacks off!

If you visit GutzyGear.com, you will find the straps, and the wide variety of patches that are easily attached, moved and removed.  You can buy them direct from GutzyGear.com, or find them online at Amazon, or at local retailers like Target, K-Mart and Toys R Us.  (Check out their store locator for specific locations.)

If you're on Facebook (Okay, nowadays who isn't?) check out Gutzy Gear there to see fun designs and learn about special promotions they're running.

Lydia has been in school for a couple weeks now, and this weekend she informed me that we needed to order more Gutzy Gear because her new friends in Kindergarten want some of their own.

I think they're a hit!

*Disclosure:  I received a party pack with products to share with our local friends from Mom Select and Gutzy Gear.  No additional compensation was provided.  All opinions shared are my own.*

Care Bear Television Show Review

 Another new show on the HUB Network is Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot.   It's geared to the preschool crowd, so we shared an advance episode with Lydia's preschool class recently.   The kids all watched the show intently, and then had a great time coloring Care Bears.

Overall, the show was well-received by the class.  They laughed and smiled, and stayed interested in the storyline of the episode. My boys watched it with Lydia at home and they both remarked that it was a better representation of Care Bears than they remember from a few years ago.

The 30 minute show airs on the Hub Network on Saturdays at 8AM EST.  Th season began at the beginning of June. You can also catch episodes on the website if you don't receive the Hub Network.

Lydia liked the show, and is interested in watching more.  I remember Funshine Bear from years ago, and thought that was the perfect bear to post on My Little Patch of Sunshine!

Kaijudo Show Review

Recently, I had a few boys over to watch a new show that was sent to me thanks to my relationship with MomSelect and MommyParties.

The show, Kaijudo - Rise of the Duel Masters, airs on the Hub Network.  The overview of the show, from their website, said: 

"Kaijudo is the story of Raiden Pierce-Okamoto, aka Ray, a talented 14-year-old boy, and the two worlds in which he lives. One is the real world much like our own, and the other is a fantastical world of creatures, a parallel world made up of five civilizations, visible only to a chosen few..."

With that brief introduction, my boys were excited and couldn't wait to check out the show.   Even my husband got in on the party, and donned a Kaijudo headband along with the kids!  

My 11yo, Colin, was kind enough to write a review.

Recently my friends and I watched a new show on THE HUB, Kaijudo. We originally had very low expectations for the show. It just seemed like many other shows we have seen in the past, but it soon surpassed our expectations!

We found it to be very cool and interesting. I would definitely recommend this show to other kids ages 7-11.

This was an amazing, well-animated show, especially comparing it to shows like Pokemon. On Pokemon, they don’t really animate fight scenes, but this was fully animated and very exciting to watch.

I’m very excited to see more!

So, you can see -- it was a hit!  New episodes run on the HUB network Saturdays at 8PM EST.  The show is rated for kids 7 and up. We don't currently receive the HUB network from our cable provider, but the boys are able to keep up with the shows via the HUB website.  

Colin, especially, was excited to see that there is a corresponding card game currently available in stores and looks forward to buying some of the cards. 

*Disclosure: I received a party pack from Mom Select and Mommy Parties in exchange for posting my honest review and sharing the information about the new Kaijudo television show.  All opinions expressed are those of my family.*

Moshi Monsters Bobble Bots Review

It's neat to be known as the neighborhood mom who gets all the cool toys to check out.  This time, we received a box of Moshi Monsters Bobble Bots and Bobble Bots play sets  to try out and share with our friends.  Many thanks to MomSelect and Moshi Monsters for letting us get an early look at these fun toys!

Colin compared them to Hexbugs -- because they move around randomly -- but they aren't as creepy as bugs. They're small, cute pegs with various colors and faces that wiggle around.

We opened up 3 of the stores and the kids thought it was neat that they could be all hooked together.  A border around the edges ensured that the Bobble Bots stayed on the street, and they wiggled in and out of the Ice-Scream! Store Playset, Gross-ery Store Playset and the Bizarre Bazaar Store Playset. I liked that each of the playsets included a Bobble Bot.

The kids just thought they were funny, and had a good time watching them and rearranging the accessories that came in the playsets.   I think they'd make cute Easter Basket toys.  I know the moms that were over liked them better than the Hexbugs, but the older boys preferred Hexbugs (mainly because of the gross-out feature).  The  younger kids definitely had fun and did a lot of free play with the small bots.

There is also an online component that is included with each toy.  My kids don't spend that much time online, so they haven't checked that out yet.  The sets all have codes that unlock content at www.moshimonsters.com.

As you'll hear in the video made by Colin and Lydia - the only downside is that they are a bit noisy.  Overall, all the kids that played gave these toys a "thumbs-up!"



You can find these toys at major retailers, as well as Amazon.com.

*Disclosure:  I received a variety of toys from MomSelect and Innovations First Labs to share with other families through a toy party and provide a review.  No additional compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are my own and my kids'. *

Tell Me Thursday - Sight

Colin's teacher sent an email a couple weeks ago letting me know that he insisted on laying his head down on his desk while doing his work, and it turned out that it was because he was struggling to see.  It had been almost a year since his last eye exam, and I knew that it was due -- but her email prompted an immediate visit.

Turns out, his vision had changed.  A LOT!  Poor kid needed almost an entire degree change in each lens.  This picture is of his new glasses -- and the most important thing is that he can now see clearly!

Zeiss Lenses has some great educational information available about vision care, eye appointments and the ever-important lenses when vision correction is necessary.   They recommend an eye exam every 2 years once kids are in school, but obviously if there appears to be a vision change, then more often.  I remember one year when Colin needed 3 different prescriptions within the same year!

I also appreciated the information about vision after the age of 40.  I've worn progressive lenses for a few years now, and while I sort of understood the need for reading glasses, the article provided me with the facts.  After a certain age, the crystalline lens over your eye loses flexibility, which makes it harder to focus on close objects.

I've worn glasses or contacts since I was 5 or 6 years old. Vision isn't something I take for granted, and I am grateful for the improvements in vision correction!  

*Disclosure: I was provided the information about Zeiss Lenses Educational Tools from Zeiss and MomSelect.  In consideration of sharing this information, I received a gift card and a lens cleaning kit.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Random Acts of Zhu -- Christmas Donation

My kids were amazed when these boxes started arriving at our house in mid-December.  A few weeks before that, I let them know that I had applied for a chance to give away a ton of Zhu Zhu Pets to a local charity.

My kids have had a great time with Zhu Zhu Pets over the years, and we have been lucky with the chance to play with the latest and greatest toys from Cepia.  So, when Mom Select contacted bloggers seeking some who wanted to share the fun with local charities for Christmas, I was hopeful that I would be one of the chosen!

The boxes arrived over 3 days, and I piled them up in the corner.  Cepia sent a variety of Zhu Zhu Pets and accessories.  100 bloggers across the country received 100 toys to share in their local community.

The boys get out of school early on Wednesdays, and I really wanted them to be part of this donation.  When they got home, we loaded up the truck with the boxes and drove them over to our parish.  Our church was collecting gifts and food for needy families, and we were excited at the opportunity to make a huge donation.   When I stopped into the office and let them know I had a donation, they were happy to take it.  When the four of us showed up in the office piled high with boxes, they were surprised!  Even more surprised when I let them know I had more boxes in the car!

The kids were excited to show them the toys, and explain the accessories, to make sure that the kids got a great set of Zhu Zhu toys. When we left, Nate turned to me and said "That felt really good!!"  And, it reminded Colin of our project years ago of donating birthday bags (bags with cake mix, frosting, candles) and he said he would like to do that again, but add small gifts to the bags as well.

I feel very fortunate that we were able to bless our church families thanks to Cepia and MomSelect.  It was great to include the kids in such a wonderfully large donation.  It's great, too, working with companies who are dedicated to giving back to the community in large ways.  I know kids across the country were excited with their new toys, thanks to the efforts of Cepia and Mom Select.

It was a great note to end 2011, and I think it was a push for us to be more aware of the needs in our local community. 

Review: LeapFrog Toys

Since my boys were little, we've been purchasing LeapFrog products.  We have been fans of the DVDs, and their educational products for at least 9 years. When we were offered the chance to share some of the latest products with local friends, I couldn't wait for the box to arrive.

We received a LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet that Lydia couldn't wait to get out of the packaging.  It took about 30 minutes to get it set up via my computer.  We already had an account set up at their site and on my computer because we have a few toys already that incorporate online features.  If we didn't have that already, it would have taken about 15 more minutes.  I think that's important to know for anybody planning to purchase one for a child, because it's something that should be done before giving it to the child, if at all possible.

Once it was set up, Lydia immediately began playing with it.  She has used our iPads and iPhones since she was 2, so the concept of a touch screen and navigating apps is pretty easy for her. She began laughing in delight and was thrilled to play with games that were definitely perfect for her.  We took it on a road trip, and she played with it during our trip and has continued to keep her interest. There are a number of games available for purchase via the website and retail stores. One of Lydia's favorite games right now is a cooking game, that goes along with all the cooking shows we watch on TV.

In the box, we also received a LeapFrog TAG Reading System and a set of books, as well as aLeapFrog Tag World Map. I gathered up the toys and headed off to her child care center to let the kids in her class play and observe what they did.  All the kids were immediately excited by the Explorer, but the map was a big hit when they realized they had to take turns. We also own the US Map and another LeapFrog TAG Reading System, so I took those along to give the kids more things to play with.

They needed only a little guidance in learning how to play with the toys.  The toys held their interest the entire time and they were disappointed when I had to pack up and leave.  It was a definite success. I have always recommended LeapFrog toys, and I am amazed at how well they continue providing high quality, educational toys that kids truly enjoy.

If you're looking for toys this holiday season for the preschool / early elementary kids, I can't recommend LeapFrog toys highly enough.

Lydia did a video review of the LeapPad Explorer.  (She was a bit tired when doing this review, because it's been crazy busy around here lately.)



*Disclosure: I received a party box of LeapFrog toys and activities in exchange for reviewing the products and sharing with local friends and my readers. No additional compensation was provided. Products were provided by LeapFrog and MomSelect.*

Review: Weight Watchers Ice Cream Treats

I recently had the chance to try out 4 different Weight Watchers ice cream products.  I was sent one box each of:

·         New Weight Watchers Snack Size Ice Cream Sandwiches
·         New Weight Watchers Dark Chocolate Dulcé de Leché Dessert Bars
·         New Weight Watchers Strawberry Fruit Bar
·         Weight Watchers Strawberry Smoothie Bar

It's hard to declare a favorite, but I think the Dark Chocolate Dulcé de Leché Dessert Bar would top my list of favorites.  The chocolate coating was perfectly crisp, and the caramel swirls through the ice cream gave the perfect amount of added sweetness.

The treats arrived in a cooler full of dry ice.  I was pleased that even in the 105+ degree weather, all my treats were ice cold when I opened the box.  And, my boys were thrilled to play with the dry ice!  Their uncle came over the next day and did a few experiments with the dry ice with them and they had a blast.

One thing that I really appreciate about the Weight Watchers products is that the portion size is smaller than traditional products. The portion size seems much more realistic!  I am able to enjoy a treat, without worrying about a crazy calorie count.  The Dark Chocolate Dulcé de Leché Dessert Bar has only 130 calories (and 3 pts if you're following Weight Watchers plan).  That's a great snack or dessert that doesn't cause any guilt from enjoying.

My second favorite was the Strawberry Fruit bar.  I have always loved fruit bars, and this one wasn't too sweet and it also wasn't too hard.  I've had some fruit bars that are very hard, but this one had a great texture. It's made with real fruit and has only 70 calories per par.

My kids really liked the ice cream sandwiches.  I liked the smaller size, which meant that it didn't turn into a melted mess before Lydia could finish one.  The boys also liked that the box had both vanilla ice cream and chocolate ice cream options.  I confess I only got a bite of each bar and the kids ate the rest of the box (not in one sitting!!)

Finally, the Strawberry Smoothie bar was delicious.  These bars had only 60 calories each, but you would never know that they weren't a high calorie food.

We are pretty happy in Arizona right now that it's fall.  For us, that means that the high temperature may only hit 101, and if we're lucky the high may only be 96.  That means that eating ice cream as a treat is still a natural choice in our lives.  These Weight Watcher ice cream treats taste indulgent and delicious, but I know they aren't pushing my calories over the limit for the day. 

I have purchased Weight Watcher products for many years and have always been pleased by the flavors, portion sizes and variety that their products provide.  These new ice cream treats fit in perfectly!  


*Disclosure: I received 4 boxes of ice cream treats, thanks to Mom Select and Weight Watchers to facilitate this review.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Review: Soap Time (giveaway!)

I love that we get to try out some of the coolest new things that come on the market!

SoapTime® is a soap system that entertains kids and helps them wash their hands long enough to scrub away germs.  Different shaped soaps fit on the base, and when you press the dispenser, the base lights up and sings a song or shares a fun fact.  It's active for about 20 seconds, which is how long we're encouraged to wash our hands to get rid of germs.  Each soap bottle has a different theme with different songs and facts.

This system has been in our bathroom for a week or so now, and every once in a while I still hear a giggle when the kids wash their hands.  I also like it because it's a lot harder for them to just swish their hands under the running water for a second. 

Lydia was happy to do a video review, so here it is!


Thanks to Mom Select and SoapTime, I have a set of SoapTime® to share with one of my readers!  As always, please CLICK HERE to fill out my giveaway form.  The information you need to fill out the form is:

Giveaway Name: SoapTime®
Mandatory Question: How do you encourage regular hand washing?

Good Luck!  I will choose a winner on October 3, 2011.

Lydia wants me to tell you all that she forgot to say that the soap also smells really good!

You can learn more about the system at their website.  You can find the system at Bed, Bath & Beyond right now, and it should be available at more stores soon.

*Disclosure: I received SoapTime® from Mom Select and SoapTime in order to facilitate a review.  They also provided the giveaway product for one of my readers.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Review: Quest for Zhu DVD (Giveaway!)

You probably know that we like the Zhu Zhu pets in this house!  All 3 of my kids love playing with them and the playsets we've received.  I often find one tucked into Lydia's backpack when she heads off to childcare, and I can always count on finding at least one burrowed into her sheets at night.

The kids were pretty excited when we received a preview copy of the dvd -- Zhu Zhu Pets: Quest for Zhu !  They couldn't wait for a chance to watch it.

They watched it last week and they were NOT disappointed.  It's a cute story about the Zhu Zhu Pets and friendship.  Lydia appreciated it most, while the boys did find themselves laughing out loud a few times.  The animation was well done, and the story was perfect for the preschool / early elementary crowd.

Check out this cute video starring some of the pets in the movie:



We're excited that we have a copy to give away to one of our readers!   Click here to head over to my giveaway form, and then answer the mandatory questions.  I will draw a winner on October 3, 2011.

Giveaway Name: Quest for Zhu
Mandatory Question: Do you have a favorite Zhu Zhu pet?  Which one?

Good luck!!

You can find the dvd at local retailers, as well as online retailers, like Amazon.  Some of the packages include figurines, which are adorable.

*Disclosure: We received the dvd for review thanks to MomSelect and Cepia.  They also generously donated the giveaway dvd.  No further compensation was provided.*

Review: Zhu Zhu Babies

Don't tell, but when my boys saw the ZhuZhu babies, they both said "oooo  how cute!  But, don't tell anyone I said that!"

ZhuZhu Babies are the latest version of ZhuZhu pets and they are adorable.  We received a party pack to share with friends and a nursery set for the kids to play with.  These miniature ZhuZhu have their own name, birthmark, birthday and collector's code.  They have sweet features and all come with sweet little accessories (so not the best toy for young kids who put things in their mouths).  My kids had a hard time choosing which baby to choose for themselves. When our guests came over, we handed them out and nobody was unhappy with the creature they received.

The kids had a great time with the Baby Bedroom Set.  It had cradles for 3 pets and a place for a momma ZhuZhu to rock them all to sleep.  It was really cute, and the kids had a great time playing with all the pieces.

These little collectibles are very sweet and the kids wrapped them up in their blankets and took turns rocking them in the cradles.

We wrapped up the party with miniature snacks (mini marshmallows, mini pretzels and mini chocolate chips) and drank juice from tiny cups.

I am amazed at all the new ideas that Cepia comes up with for ZhuZhu pets.  There hasn't been a set yet that we've played with that hasn't brought fun to our home!  You can find them at major retailers as well as Amazon.com.

In addition to the cool toys, they also have a website full of activities and information about the Zhu-Universe.  Check it out with your kids!

*Disclosure: We received a party pack with the Baby Bedroom and ZhuZhu babies to share with our friends.  No additional compensation was provided.  We want to thank MomSelect and Cepia for giving us the opportunity to play and review their latest product.*

Review: Lysol Hands-Free Soap Dispenser

I have seen the Lysol no-touch soap system in the store, but I wasn't sure how it would work.  When I was offered the chance to review one by Mom Select, I jumped at the chance.

When it arrived, my brother happened to be visiting and mentioned that he uses them in his house.  He liked them and told me that he had them in the bathroom and the kitchen.

I knew I wanted to put ours in the kitchen because that seems to be where everyone has the messiest hands to wash. You can see it there on my kitchen sink.  It is WONDERFUL! All you need to do is put your cupped hand below it and a perfect-sized dollop of soap lands in your hand.

My kids tend to pump multiple times on traditional soap dispensers, so this system has definitely cut down on wasted soap in our home. We've been using it for a few weeks now, and I just bought another system for the kids' bathroom.  I bought my second set from Amazon (Lysol Healthy Touch Hand Soap, Starter Kit Stainless, Aloe, 8.50-Ounce) I highly recommend this system!

The other Lysol product I received were Lysol Dual Action Disinfecting Wipes .  I've used Lysol disinfecting wipes for years, but these are different because one side is abrasive for heavier scrubbing, while the other side is smooth -- like the usual wipes.  I really liked them for dirtier jobs and found the abrasive side to cut down on the necessary scrubbing.

You can visit the Lysol website for more information about Lysol, including tips, tricks and coupons!  You can also find them on Facebook.  Like them on Facebook in order to enter the Lysol No-Touch Stainless Kitchen Sweepstakes! 


*Disclosure: I received a Lysol Healthy Touch Hand Soap Starter Kit and a container of Lysol Dual Action Wipes to facilitate this review from Lysol and Mom Select.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Review: Ice Cream Zhu Zhu Pets

Did you know that Ronald Reagan declared July "National Ice Cream Month" back in 1984?  I confess that I love ice cream and so does my family!  The kids were excited when these adorable new Zhu Zhu pets landed on our doorstep, thanks to Cepia and Mom Select.  Not only were the new pets adorable with their bright colors and patterns, but the ice cream shop was precious!  My favorite was the ice cream truck, complete with a hat for the Zhu Zhu driver. 

(Secret time:  When my boys were little, I always told them the ice cream truck was a "music truck" and said how wonderful it was that they drove around sharing music in the evenings.  In my defense, the ice cream trucks that drive in our area are not as cute as the Zhu Zhu one, nor as normal-looking as the ones I remember from childhood.  It's an old, beat up van that looks pretty creepy.)

All the kids had fun playing with this new set, and Lydia had a few preschool friends over one afternoon to try them out as well.  They all declare them cute and fun.  They had the fun a while back, but my kidney problems delayed the review.  Here's Lydia's video review:



You can find them at all major retailers, including Amazon. They would make a great gift for a summer birthday child, or for anyone who loves ice cream!


Disclosure: I received the ice cream set and Zhu Zhu pets from Mom Select and Cepia to facilitate this review.  No additional compensation was provided.