Disney Side

I received free products in order to host a Disney Side @Home Celebration.  The opinions expressed here are my own.

In the middle of a gloomy winter day and just before the Super Bug hit, we had a fun Disney-themed party with friends.  We received a celebration kit from Disney that included party decorations, rainbow cake decorating supplies, HP CMYK (Create Memories You Keep) photo paper packs, and more.  We just supplied the kids.  And there were a lot of kids.  

My kids helped bake a delicious (and super easy) tie dye cake with rainbow sprinkles.  We played Disney-themed Bingo and word searches.

We created fun goody bags to share with friends.  Everything was Disney-themed. Even my big boys love a good party.   From Cars to Frozen, Disney movies are a huge hit with all ages in our house.

 If you have read my blog for a long time, you'll know that we took a very special trip to Disney World in 2009, just before Jason's deployment.  We made a lot of magical memories there.  Someday we'll make it back so the littlest girls can get in touch with their Disney Side.  We've definitely caught the Disney bug again and we're only a few hours from Orlando...

I received a celebration kit from Disney Parks and MomSelect.  No further compensation was provided.

ezpz Happy Mat

We recently discovered the ezpz Happy Mat and had to share a review.  I only wish that this had existed back when my twins were little.

The Happy Mat is a 100% silicone, BPA-free, phthalate-free mat with built-in compartments for finicky toddlers who like to keep food separated.  The back of the mat is smooth silicone and when you place it on a flat surface, it doesn't slide.  It makes for a meal with less mess!  As an added bonus, the Happy Mat is safe to toss is in the dishwasher.

I was lucky enough to get in on the ezpz Kickstarter campaign so we received our first Happy Mat just before Christmas.  I already had to get a second one and stopped myself from buying a dozen so all of the kids could use them.  Hey, these aren't just for toddlers.

*The Amazon sale has ended, but you can still find the Happy Mat with free Prime shipping.


 

Dream Diapers Review & Giveaway

If there is one thing I love about opening my mailbox, it's getting fluffy mail!

 Especially when that fluffy mail is packaged in pink and looking so sweet.  This is fun mail from Dream Diapers!

I've been in a cloth diapering rut lately.  I bought several new diapers for Seven before she was born but I was quite convinced that she was a he, so all of those diapers were in "boy" colors or prints.  The rest of her diapers have mostly been hand-me-downs from her six siblings.  I still use a few of Matthew's old diapers on a regular basis.  (He is ten years old!)  It was exciting to try something new- a new style diaper and in my favorite color!

 Dream Diapers sent me a SoftBums Omni pocket diaper.  It's a one size diaper unlike any other I've ever used.  Before I tell you about the diaper, I have to point out that Dream Diapers includes a very helpful guide that includes basic cloth diapering tips and washing instructions in their packages.  This is perfect for families that are new to cloth diapering because getting started with cloth can seem overwhelming.

 The SoftBums Omni OS diapers fit babies from about 5-35 pounds.  Seven is about 20 pounds right now so I adjusted the rise accordingly.  These diapers actually have little toggles on the inside so it was super easy to adjust.  I've never seen toggles in a diaper before!  Although there are instructions for measuring and adjusting the elastic, I actually just adjusted the toggles through the diaper and it was very simple.

 The SoftBums Omni diapers come with either snap or velcro closure.  Although I love snaps for babies, I really prefer velcro for squirmy toddlers.  Fast and simple!

I have always been a prefold gal when it comes to stuffing my pocket diapers and that's exactly what I did with this diaper.  No leaks!  Dream Diapers actually sells several different types of pods to stuff the shells if that's what you prefer.

 The fit is perfect on the SoftBums Omni and what they say is true- no red marks on Seven's chunky little thighs.  She actually wore this diaper overnight and was not totally awake when I took this photo, but I assure you that she was quite pleased with it too.

Enter to win a SoftBums Omni OS diaper from Dream Diapers in your choice of solid colors!



  a Rafflecopter giveaway

PLAYMOBIL Take Along Soccer Match Review & Giveaway

I recently received a PLAYMOBIL Take Along Soccer Match for my children.  The timing was perfect since we have just started the fall soccer season and my older boys are interested in all things soccer-related.

We don't have any other PLAYMOBIL toys so this game was a pleasant surprise.  The game includes a 22x33 inch soccer field that folds up compactly with a convenient carrying handle.  It comes with 6 soccer players with legs that really kick, goalies that are controlled by joystick (think mini foosball table) and 2 soccer balls.

This game is geared toward children ages 5 to 10 and all six of my children have enjoyed playing it.  My favorite part is that the entire Take Along Soccer Match set folds up for easy storage.

You can win your own Take Along Soccer Match by entering the giveaway below.  You can also visit Playmobilusa.com to save 20% off Playmobile Take Along items by entering coupon code US72A12C.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway



 Disclosure: The information and gift packs have been provided by PLAYMOBIL USA through My Blog Spark.  My opinions are my own.

Redbox Giveaway

Redbox is kicking off the summer by asking moms, "What's your favorite video game to play together?" Join in the fun by entering for a chance to win a giveaway for free video game rentals from Redbox and a chance to win $10,000 as part of the Redbox Summer of Fun & Games Sweepstakes.

It’s game time! Redbox, America’s favorite destination for movie rentals, is now renting video games in 21,000 kiosks nationwide for $2 a day. Redbox is truly a one-stop shop for affordable, family home entertainment with both games and movies.

As a family, we have a weekly movie or game night. For us, this usually means playing a competitive game on the wii. Even my 86-year old grandmother plays the wii! Our favorite game is probably Mario Kart because my kids love to race each other and we are big Mario fans. Sometimes it can get pretty tense when we're all trying to win. It's always fun though!

Does your family play video games together? If so, what's your favorite game? Leave a comment on my blogfrog discussion and you'll be entered for a chance to win 5 free video game rentals from Redbox. For one additional entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave a link on the discussion.

Redbox is celebrating summer family time with a great line up of family-friendly titles, awesome savings and two chances to win $10,000 as part of the Redbox Summer of Fun & Games Sweepstakes.*

4 Easy Ways to Enter:

1. Enter your email address at www.redbox.com/summer

2. Rent a movie or game at a redbox kiosk (and provide a valid email address at checkout)

3. Reserve a rental online at redbox.com

4. Text 'SUMMER' to 727272

Enter to win today!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Redbox. The opinions and text are all mine.

*Each item rented earns one entry, regardless of how long it is rented, up to three entries per day. Limit 3 entries per day, regardless of entry method. The sweepstakes begins May 27, 2011 at 12:00 a.m. CT and ends on August 1, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. CT. No purchase necessary. See official rules at www.redbox.com/summer.

Libman Freedom Spray Mop

I have fallen in love... with a mop.

I received a Libman Freedom Spray Mop recently and have been using it almost every single day. This mop is amazing. With 6 young children who are running through the house all day long, my floors need frequent TLC. And I can't sleep when my house is a mess. It's a bad combination.

Up until now, I've always used a traditional mop and bucket to clean my floors. I don't like to use harsh chemical cleaners and I don't like the idea of using disposable products in my home. A reusable mop and bucket of water and vinegar (or a "green" cleaner) has always worked for me, although it is a bit more work than some other types of mops. Because of the time it takes to fill the bucket and the little curious hands that often find their way into my bucket, I've been guilty of not mopping as often as I should and instead settling for running the vacuum and wiping spots with a rag by hand. Yes, I am that crazy.

Now that I have started using the Libman Freedom Spray Mop, I'm mopping more often and spending far less time doing it. I am not ashamed to admit that I have fallen in love with this mop. Let me tell you why...

The Libman Freedom Spray Mop is unique because it lets you use whatever type of cleaning solution you want to use and it sprays it right where it needs to be-on your floor. You love good old-fashioned water & vinegar on your floors? No problem. You want to use a certain type of cleaner? No problem. You just want to use plain water? No problem. You want to use more than one type of cleaner for different types of floors in your home? That's ok, too. The Freedom Spray Mop has a refillable bottle that allows you to add your own cleaning solution. You can even get a second refillable bottle and a handy stand to hold a different cleaning solution so that you can easily switch back and forth as needed. It's incredibly convenient.

The Freedom Spray Mop is the perfect green cleaning mop. The cleaning pads are reusable and washable so there is no extra waste. These pads are tough, too. They are made of microfiber and have little layers of scrubby strips that help get up tough, messy spots on the floor. I have been amazed that my mop has cleaned up a sticky glob of peanut butter, smooshed raisins, and even a big splat of spinach and fruit smoothie, without any effort on my part. I just squirt, mop, and I'm done.

One of my favorites things about the Libman Freedom Spray Mop is that it is so convenient. The mop has a little hook that allows it to easily hang for storage. There are no batteries needed to make it spray. The mop head swivels for easy cleaning in hard-to-reach spots. The refillable bottle keeps cleaning solution ready to go so there is no bucket to fill and no measuring needed. I literally just grab the mop and start cleaning. My floors have never been so happy.

The Libman Freedom Spray Mop has a fitting name. This mop gives you the freedom to choose your own cleaning solution, freedom from batteries, freedom from having to buy any kind of refills, and freedom from the old mopping bucket. I have never been so excited about a mop.

Besides all of the benefits of being green, the Freedom Spray Mop also saves money. There are no expense cleaning solutions or costly refills. There are no disposable cleaning pads. And you can even get a rebate coupon to buy the mop. I am still amazed because it's actually cheaper than my regular, old mop and bucket! Visit the Libman website for coupons.

You can enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer and a Freedom Spray Mop from Libman. Just leave a comment telling me any great cleaning tips you have to share. Check out more cleaning tips from Libman and enter for more chances to win at BlogHer.

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.



This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.

Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.

You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

Visit the Official site

Birth Matters Giveaway

I am giving away a copy of Ina May Gaskin's new book, "Birth Matters." Ina May Gaskin is America's leading midwife and the author of several books. Her latest book explores modern maternity care in the U.S. and the underlying causes of our poor maternal and neonatal mortality rates. It's an eye-opening exposure of how birth impacts our culture.

For a full review, please check out my main blog.

To enter to win a copy of "Birth Matters," leave a comment on this post.

Giveaway Rules: -No duplicate comments. -You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: a) Leave a comment in response to this post b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post Giveaway ends on May 8, 2011 and winner will be selected at random, using Random.org.