Let’s Play Clean!

My son has this on again off again relationship with the bathtub.  Somedays he wants to play all day.  Most days he starts crying as soon as he hears the water.  I was so excited when Team Mom gave us the 411 on Bath Blizzard, an innovative way to create a bubble bath for kids.  My son is very intrigued with bubbles (we have bubble time at his play group) so I had a feeling this was going to be fun for him.  With a couple of batteries (well, 4 to be exact), a capful of bubble solution, and some water, you have more bubbles that I thought possible.  I was very tempted to jump right in there with him!  I’ve tried over-the-counter bubble baths…the bubble are pretty much nil by the time my son is actually in the bathtub.  Not only will you have more bubbles than baby…the bubble solution is non-toxic, wheat-free, tears-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and hypoallergenic.  My son actually cried when his skin started to prune it was time to get out of the bath. 

Bath Blizzard is one of three Kid Kleen products that are being introduced this fall.  This new line of bath activity toys strive to make getting clean fun.  Be sure to look for the Mold M Play Soap and Activity Kit for more bath time fun!

I find myself scrutinizing toys closely these days.  More and more I’m wanting creative, educational toys that don’t require an evening of assembly.  I also like toys that don’t involve a mess (I have enough cleaning up to do after my two boys!).  I love artistic, crafty toys that inspire creativity.  Aquadoodle’s Draw N Doodle Mat allows children to do just what it says without the mess.  Just fill the aqua pen with water and your child can draw to his/her heart’s content.  In a couple of minutes, your child’s designs disappear and the canvas is set for new creations.  Did I mention that there is absolutely no mess whatsoever?  I love it!  When your child is done, just roll it up and store it away.  

Spinmaster is the brain behind Kid Kleen and Aquadoodle.  They have an entire line of must-have toys that you simply must check out!  The above-mentioned products retail for $19.99 and $24.99, respectively.

Let’s Play Clean!

My son has this on again off again relationship with the bathtub.  Somedays he wants to play all day.  Most days he starts crying as soon as he hears the water.  I was so excited when Team Mom gave us the 411 on Bath Blizzard, an innovative way to create a bubble bath for kids.  My son is very intrigued with bubbles (we have bubble time at his play group) so I had a feeling this was going to be fun for him.  With a couple of batteries (well, 4 to be exact), a capful of bubble solution, and some water, you have more bubbles that I thought possible.  I was very tempted to jump right in there with him!  I’ve tried over-the-counter bubble baths…the bubble are pretty much nil by the time my son is actually in the bathtub.  Not only will you have more bubbles than baby…the bubble solution is non-toxic, wheat-free, tears-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and hypoallergenic.  My son actually cried when his skin started to prune it was time to get out of the bath. 

Bath Blizzard is one of three Kid Kleen products that are being introduced this fall.  This new line of bath activity toys strive to make getting clean fun.  Be sure to look for the Mold M Play Soap and Activity Kit for more bath time fun!

I find myself scrutinizing toys closely these days.  More and more I’m wanting creative, educational toys that don’t require an evening of assembly.  I also like toys that don’t involve a mess (I have enough cleaning up to do after my two boys!).  I love artistic, crafty toys that inspire creativity.  Aquadoodle’s Draw N Doodle Mat allows children to do just what it says without the mess.  Just fill the aqua pen with water and your child can draw to his/her heart’s content.  In a couple of minutes, your child’s designs disappear and the canvas is set for new creations.  Did I mention that there is absolutely no mess whatsoever?  I love it!  When your child is done, just roll it up and store it away.  

Spinmaster is the brain behind Kid Kleen and Aquadoodle.  They have an entire line of must-have toys that you simply must check out!  The above-mentioned products retail for $19.99 and $24.99, respectively.

Organizational Solutions: ListPlanIt

Don’t Agonize.  Organize. - Florynce Kennedy

I’m am the queen of lists.  I have more to-do lists than I have time “to do!”  It sounds really great and organized…all of these “to-do” lists.  Before you go patting me on the pack, I must confess that these “lists” are usually scrunched up pieces of paper, old receipts, and envelopes that I’ve scribbled randomness on.  My husband gripes incessantly about my paper clutter.  My lists are often disorganized and include shopping lists, to-dos, to-give, and so on.  

Thanks to ListPlanIt, I have a more organized approach to grocery shopping, moving (which we’re about to endeavor) and even blogging and social networking!  With over 350 lists, I can’t imagine you won’t find just the right one you’re looking for.  If you can think of a list that you need to make, whether it be to track your meals and calories for weight loss or to plan for that upcoming party, you’ll find it on ListPlanIt.  The site is so easy to use and I can use it on my Mac (yeah!).  It’s organized by topic and the lists are downloadable in PDF files once you pay the subscription fee ($9.95 for 3 months, $29.95 for 12 months).  I think what’s really great about the site is that you can download the lists onto your computer and then just print the ones you need (save a tree or three!).  

At present you can obtain a subscription to ListPlanIt for half-price!  That’s only $4.95 for 3 months or $14.95 for 12 months.  If you don’t think you’ll need or use all of the lists available (I know I’ll use many of them), you can purchase an ePlanner.  This electronic, pdf version of categories of lists and planning pages found on ListPlanIt allows you to select the topic most pertinent to your needs.  They’re $4.95 and can be downloaded immediately (no shipping or printing required).  I highly recommend that you check out the sample lists to get a feel for how organized your life can be!

Be sure to check out her absolutely fantastic blog which is all about (you guessed it) lists!

Giveaway: Pinky Dinky Doo - Polka Dot Pox

*Update*
This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  The winners are Terra Heck, Janet F., Cindi, Catherine KingChuparkoff, and Marilyn. Congratulations!

If your children watch Noggin, they may have seen Pinky Dinky Doo, an animated series created by Jim Jinkins to support early literacy skills.  On October 21, 2008, Pink Dinky Doo is coming to DVD from Genius Products and Sesame Workshop. Be sure to stop by after the release date for my review. Here is a little teaser:

“Bigger is always better when it comes to the imagination and stories of Pinky Dinky Doo. Pinky dances her way to a cardboard Story Box to come up with hilarious and often-wacky solutions to any problems that arise.  In the company of her lovable little brother Tyler, and adorable pet guinea pig, Mr. Guinea Pig, Pinky invites children to participate in her interactive songs and games.   Pinky’s funny and fantastic stories, games and songs promote reading skills, while also encouraging children to strengthen vocabulary skills and learning comprehension in an entertaining way.  Polka Dot Pox includes four episodes, each with two twelve-minute stories plus interactive games.”

You can watch a preview here.

You can purchase Pinky Dinky Doo for $14.93 directly on the site.

Win It!  5 readers will win a copy of Pinky Dinky Doo!   Head on over to the Sesame Street Store and take a look around.  Come back and leave me a comment with the name of another product your child might enjoy.  Comments will close on October 22, 2008 at 10 pm PST and I will announce the winner here the following day. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.  That means you can gain up to a total of three entries!

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter.

Blog about this giveaway.  It doesn’t have to be a separate post.  Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Review: PictureItPostage

My husband and I love to share memories through photos.  Every three to four months we take our little boy’s picture and send it out to all of our family and friends (which reminds me that it’s time again!).  Photo greeting cards and announcements are the Bailey way around here.  I find it so much more personal and meaningful when I receive a photo greetings from my friends and family.  

I’m always looking for unique personalization ideas and if you are too, you’re going to love PictureItPostage. I’ve always liked buying stamps with some sort of design on them but this company tops any design you’ll find at the Post Office.   Now you can create your very own U.S. postage stamp with a photo or your child’s artwork.  Not only was it easy…it was fun!  And the end product was outstanding.  Once you’ve uploaded your photo of choice you can edit and adjust your picture using the company’s online tool or free postage design software for Windows and Mac.  You can choose from portrait or landscape layouts and match the background colors to the ones in your photo.  According to the site, it takes seven to ten business days but from design to completion it took less than three days.    

The actual stamp itself is 2-1/2″ x 1-9/16″ and your picture is printed so that it measures 1-1/2″ x 1-3/16″.  They’re perfect for announcements and special occasion/holiday cards that are often housed in larger-sized envelopes.  The quality is impressive and the resolution exceptional.  They’re almost too nice to want to use but I definitely want to show them off (just not to Visa or Amex!).  Pricing varies but to give you a general idea, I received a pack of 20 stamps which retails for $18.95 plus shipping.  

Beginning October 31, PictureItPostage will host a “Get Real” photo contest.  They want to see your absolute best worst photos.  Voting starts November 21 and two grand prize winners will receive a new Canon Digital SLR Camera and five PictureItPostage coupon codes good for 100 customized photo stamps. Ten first prize winners will each receive one PictureItPostage coupon code good for one pack of customized postage stamps.  Time to start shooting!  Why not get some design inspirations here?

Profuse thanks to PictureItPostage and the Family Review Network for this review opportunity.