It Cleans Itself…The Oven That Is!

Last weekend, hubby and I decided it was time for a little cleaning spree (again!).  Either I’m totally nesting (and it’s way too early for that), or I’m becoming slightly neurotic because I keep asking hubby to help me clean or organize something!

So, this week we decided it was time to clean the oven.  Now, if you would have asked me a few years ago how I was going to clean the oven, I would have told you that I (or my husband) was going to don a mask and gloves and attack it with deadly oven cleaner.  Have you smelled oven cleaner?  It’s awful and apparently toxic.  And getting down on my hands and knees to scrub our new oven is not really an option for me at 6 1/2 months pregnant.  Thankfully, our Frigidaire Gallery Range
comes built with a self-cleaning function.  Self-clean?  Yes…That was my question too!

Basically, an oven that cleans itself, uses very high temperatures, which eliminate soils completely or reduces them to a fine powdered ash so they can be wiped away with a damp cloth.  The range we are reviewing has 3 different self-cleaning cycles, depending on how dirty it is. We try not to let foods that are cooking drip (we use baking sheets if we think that is going to be an issue) so we set the timer for the 3-hour clean (you can also set a 2 or 4 hour-clean for light or heavy-duty cleaning). I like that I didn’t have to do anything to prepare the oven to clean itself.  In other words, it truly is a self-cleaning oven.  And because it wasn’t heavily soiled, I didn’t have to wipe away any residue.

One of the things I will mention is that when the oven is in it’s self-cleaning mode, there is an odor.  It smells like something is burning or cooking.  It’s not terrible, but it was enough that I decided to go upstairs and open some windows for ventilation.  When I woke up in the morning (we had set this to clean after dinner one night), the smell was gone.  I’ll most likely be setting our oven to clean while we’re away.

Because the oven is hot…really really hot, it locks itself (I really appreciate that aspect).  The manual has numerous precautions that should definitely be read up on, prior to using the self-clean option (like how to remove spills, what not to use on and inside the oven, what should be removed before cleaning, etc.).

So what about the top of the range?  Well….that’s easy.  Just remove the grates and clean with soap and water (or an approved cleaning agent).

Because Frigidaire’s Gallery line is all about how to save YOU time, I thought this feature was well worth making mention of.  How long does it take you to clean an oven?  Well, that’s how much time you now have to read, spend a little more time with your family or my favorite…sleep!

Plan A Baby Event *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by!  The winner is Kari!  Congrats and I’ll see you there!

If you live in the Los Angeles area, are expecting a baby, or a mom to small children, then you WANT to attend the Plan A Baby Event.  I know I do!  Check out the latest baby products, sneak in a little pampering, and mingle with other moms in this special, one-day event celebrating you!

On October 18th, join me and other LA moms at the Plan A Baby Event which will be held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel from 11 am to 3 pm.  Highlights of the event include the following:

Expert speakers who will share their knowledge on topics such as health, well-being, sleep and nutrition.

Celebrity guests including Jessica Capshaw, Sarah Jane Morris and Ali Landry.

Silent auction benefiting non-profit partner Healthy Child, Healthy World

Informal modeling by Rosie Pope Maternity

Spa treatments and fabulous gift bags

Food!  Light bites and tasty treats

Exhibits: Maternity, baby & toddler fashion, nursery design, prenatal spa and skincare, fitness, childcare, organic foods, toys, photographic services, breast feeding support, strollers, appliances, stationery

So come join me (since I’ll definitely be there) to a fabulous afternoon, sponsored by Fit Pregnancy, The Cradle, Hot Moms Club, Tiny Prints, Giggle, Rosie Pope Maternity and teutonia.

Here is a recap of the event details:

WHERE:   Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, LA 90028

WHEN: Sunday, October 18, 2009 | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

TICKETS: Available online – $35 | Available onsite – $45

Win It! One of you will win 2 tickets to the Plan A Baby Event (transportation is not included).  Simply visit the site, then come back and leave me a comment with the name of either an exhibitor or a sponsor of the event.  Comments will close on October 14, 2009 at 10 PM PST.One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). 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.

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

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Now I Know My ABC’s! *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by!  The winner is Jennifer.  Congrats!

I started teaching my son the alphabet around 18 months old.  I bought him an Elmo night night book which we read every night.  He’s two and knows his entire alphabet.  Yes…I’m impressed too!  My favorite books and toys are those that incorporate learning, while still retaining fun and enjoyment for the child (so they don’t know they’re actually learning!).

Recently, we pulled out the MagnaPlay Magnetic Activity Travel Set we received, courtesy of the company.  The recommended age is for children over the age of three (but you know how I don’t pay strict attention to those rules!).  Actually, I could have pulled this out a little sooner.  It’s a fantastic, educational toy/puzzle.  If you travel with children, then you know how difficult it is to keep them entertained.  We travel quite a bit because my husband’s family lives in the Southeast.  Plane and car trips get quite boring for a two year old.  MagnaPlay offers parents a variety of travel toy sets to keep kids entertained and educated.  Here is a bit more about the company:

MagnaPlay strives to educate children and facilitate their creativity with its innovative educational activities.  From learning the alphabets and numbers to coloring, word games and puzzles, MagnaPlay offers fun activities for children of all ages.

As soon as I opened this, I was immediately impressed with the quality of the toy. The Travel Set comes with a MagnaKase Magnetic Dry Erase Activity case, 2 magnet strips that secure coloring pages to the activity surface for coloring with crayons, color pencils or markers, and 1 wooden magnetic activity (my son received the Alphabet Picture Puzzle but there is also a Number Match Up Puzzle option).  Each of the “letters” of the alphabet spells a word and is broken up into 2 pieces.  Each word is a puzzle on a wooden surface in the shape of the object it represents (i.e. apple, fish, etc.).  My son was immediately attracted t it because he likes the alphabet, puzzles, and anything with bright colors.  He will spend a lot of time at the table “doing his puzzle,” as he likes to call it.  The great thing about the set is that it’s all magnetic so it can be tossed in the case and brought along on trips.  He can complete several of his “puzzles” right on the magnetic surface.  I’d like to get him the Number Match Up Puzzle to go along with it.  The puzzles come with a case so that the pieces aren’t lost (thankfully!).

You can also use the MagnaKase for coloring activities.  The top of the case can be used as a dry erase activity board and you can secure coloring pages to the surface if your child wants to color with crayons or markers while traveling.  You can also convert this to a coloring travel set when you add one of MagnaPlay’s Coloring Travel Toys.

Overall, I was highly impressed with this set. It’s great for educating and entertaining children, it’s priced reasonably, and made safely (considering it’s magnetic!).  I definitely want to add to my son’s set.

MagnaPlay offers a variety of activities on it’s site to go along with the Travel Set.  Be sure to check out their Free Downloads page, filled with coloring pages and activities for parents and children on the go!

The MagnaPlay Magnetic Activity Travel Set retails for $34.00 (that’s the sale price right now) and can be purchased directly from the site.

Win It! One of you will win a MagnaPlay Magnetic Activity Travel Set!  Simply leave me a comment with something ELSE you liked or learned on the site!  : )  Comments will close on October 13, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). 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.

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Polliwalks *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Casey B. Congrats!

Who says shoes can’t be fun?  I always know when my son likes a pair of shoes.  He either won’t take them off or I can’t keep them on.  Coming from a mom who’s a little shoe crazy, you would expect nothing less than a boy with too many shoes (according to the hubby).  My son doesn’t have a LOT of shoes, but he has a few pairs.  Children, at the very least, need play shoes, dress shoes, and water shoes.  Their little feet grow quickly but I do believe in quality over price when it comes to kids’ shoes.

Thanks to Polliwalks, we received a FUN pair of Fishlips sandals.  These shoes are great for the beach (in my opinion).  They feature “squishy fishy lips that change from white to purple in the UV rays of the sun.”  Thankfully, they come with a removable elastic strap (otherwise, my son would never be able to keep them on).  They’re waterproof, lightweight and comfortable.  Kids will love the little fish imprint they’ll leave in the sand.  While I wouldn’t have my so wear these to the park or to school, I think they’re great for beach days or even just lazying around the house.  They’re also easy for children to get on and off.

Here is a little more information about the company:

Polliwalks was born from the imagination of long time footwear designer and former toy designer, Joel Rusnak.  He had the idea that children’s shoes should be fun and offer toy like features that will make wearing shoes a playful experience, while offering support, stability and comfort for little feet. The Polliwalks™ team is dedicated to creating innovative shoes that appeal to the fun side of being a child.

Pricing for the shoes vaires from $20-$30, depending on the retailers.   You’ll find Polliwalks at Zappos, Amazon, Nordstrom and retailers nationwide.

Win It! One of you will win a Polliwalks.  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back and leave me a comment with your favorite pair.  Comments will close on October 13, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). 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.

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

Add the “Spring In For Summer Fun” banner to your sidebar and leave me a comment (be sure to visit the main party post for more details on extra entries)

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest. Be sure to use the hashtag #SummerEvent

Enter Tanya and Amanda’s giveaways (max 1 entry per site)

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Thank You General Mills! *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winners are Becca and Karin!  Congrats!

Last month I attended a blogger event at General Mills.  The company has been incredible to work with.  They value our input and are constantly trying to improve their products for the consumer.  As I mentioned in my previous post, they are striving to offer organic and all-natural product alternatives.  Some of those Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and  Pillsbury’s new Simply cookies which are delicious and free from trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

There were many, many products featured (with posts to follow over the next several weeks).  One that I was actually very interested to learn more about was not entirely food-related.  Box Tops is a program that helps raise money for your local school.  It’s a great way to make a difference in your child’s school and community. You can join the Box Tops for Education Facebook fan page or follow them on Twitter for the latest. This is just one more way the company is giving back!

Since it’s nearly impossible to fit anything other than clothing and cosmetics into a suitcase designed for one night, the company sent a box of snacks and goodies from the new lines they were promoting at the event.  Thank you General Mills!  You’ve blown me away once again!

Win It! I have a few coupons for cereal and soup to giveaway (2 winners).  Simply leave me a comment with your favorite General Mills products!  Comments will close on October 13, 2009 at 10 PM PST.

One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). 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.

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

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

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.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

It’s a Baby Shower (With Games & Giveaways)

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The correct answer was 49!  The winners are (via random.org) Chelle, mami2jcn, and Jaimin.  Congrats!

In less than one month, Kailani from An Island Life will be having her third baby girl.  I’ve never met Kailani in person (although I can’t wait for that special day) but I feel like we’d make great friends.  We’ve been working together (along with a few other bloggers) at the Family Review Network for over a year.  She’s kind and funny and humble and generous.  She lives in the beautiful state of Hawaii and has an incredible personal and review blog.  Her blog was one of the first I started reading.  She’s got incredible photographs on her site and she’s just a joy to know.  I am so happy for her and her family.  I know her little girl is going to be as adorable as her other two!  Please join me in congratulating Kailani during this important and special time in her life.

All of us from the Family Review Network wanted to take a moment to celebrate her…to thank her for what she’s done for us.  So we got together and decided to throw her an online baby shower (the plane tickets to Hawaii were just too expensive…hehe!).  What’s a shower without games and gifts right?  Some amazing companies were generous enough to give Kailani and her baby some much needed essentials.  They also decided to spread the love amongst all of our readers.  Each of us hosts will be participating and you can visit all of our sites to join in on the festivities.

With that said, won’t you join me in playing a game?  There will be some AWESOME prizes…

1.  $75 gift card to Itzy Bitzy Shop (Zutano):  Can I tell you how adorable their clothing is? Itzy Bitzy is Zutano’s premier line of newborn and preemie clothing. This adorable and very special collection has been meticulously designed to fit brand new babies.

2.  Baby’s First Journal from Glowbaby:  I was terrible about keeping a journal with my son but my goal is to be better with number 2. Baby’s First Journal is a comprehensive log book enabling parents to track the eating, sleeping and diapering schedules of their newborn.  Easy to use and portable, this journal will help in understanding the baby’s needs and assist in developing a daily routine.

3.  Cart-Stopper:  I actually reviewed this awhile back!  A must-have for every parent juggling children, groceries, and a shopping cart.  Cart-Stopper is a simple and effective device that reduces the risk of child injury and vehicle damage related to “run-away” shopping carts.  It holds securely to any clean, flat vehicle surface and immobilizes your shopping cart.

Ok…here it is…it’s easy!  Guess how many diapers are in this diaper bag.  That’s it! Leave your answer in the comment section below with your preference of prizes (in priority order).  Everyone who guesses correctly will be entered into the random giveaway. That’s it!  This giveaway will end on Oct 4, 2009 at 10 PM PST.  Be sure to RSVP by either posting on your blog, tweeting, emailing your friends or otherwise spreading the word.  Please leave the direct link in Mr. Linky.  Good Luck!

Don’t forget to visit Kailani, Andrea, Linda, Kristin, and Cathi for more baby shower games and giveaways.

• An Island Life
• Chocolate Fingerprints
• My Trendy Tykes
• Our Ordinary Life
• Simply Cathi

Thank you to our amazing sponsors!!!

Lazy, End-Of-Summer Days

It’s been so hot here (like in the 90′s) that the only way we really find refuge is in the water!  We are fortunate to live less than 20 minutes from the beach and have a pool in our community that is within walking distance.  Right before summer started, we found out we were pregnant with our second baby.  Almost as soon as that started, I became very sick.  So sick that many of my plans (i.e. start swimming lessons with my son), had to be put on hold.

Water safety is something I worry a lot about.  I’m even cautious in the bathtub, never leaving my son unattended.  He loves the water, but obviously doesn’t know how to swim yet (he’s 2). Thanks to Swimways, we received a Spring Pool for the backyard!  It’s actually pretty big (60″ with a 100 gallon water capacity) and easy to set up.  It also folds and stores compactly.  I like having the ability to set it up in our backyard for several reasons. First of all, I like the fact that it’s not very deep.  The pool in our complex is much deeper and I feel a little more secure having this smaller pool available (I can choose how much water I want to fill it with).  I also like the ability to control the temperature of the water I put in the pool.  And, I like the convenience of having it right in our own backyard.  It’s durable and spacious enough for my son to swim and play without another flotation device.

When we’re not having a water play-day in our backyard, we’re over at our community swimming pool.  One of the cool things about Swimways is their Teach Me To Swim program.  There are four steps, based on your child’s age (and developmental readiness), starting at 9 months through the age of 8.  Swimways provides information on the best products for your child at each stage.  The site also includes resources for swimming lessons and tips on water safety.  One of the representatives from the company helped me pick out a product that would be appropriate for my son’s age and developmental stage.  We received a Swim Vest which he now wears every time he’s in the “big” pool.  It’s easy to put on (you just zip and buckle) and it wears almost like a shirt.  It’s adjustable and I like the middle strap that prevents it from riding up once the child is in the water.

The company offers a ton of products to help keep you and your child safe, while enjoying the water.  Products are available at online stores and retailers nationwide.

For more fabulous fun summer products, visit Mommy Mandy & Mommy Goggles!

Eco-Art Projects *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Erma.  Congrats!

If you haven’t noticed, we’re a little artsy around here!  It’s very important that my son is exposed to a wide variety of activities that engage as many of his senses as possible.  And being the eco-minded mom that I am, I’m always on the lookout for natural, safe toys and activities for my son.

A few months ago, I attended an event in celebration of Pregnancy Awareness Month in Los Angeles.  One of the companies featured at the event was eco-kids.  This family-owned business sells eco-dough, eco-fingerpaint, and eco-puzzles.  Much of the paint, glue, and play dough products I’ve seen at the toy stores are labeled “non-toxic.”  But sometimes, I wonder what that means.  I thought my 2 year old was past the stage of putting objects other than food in his mouth.  He proved me wrong when he tried to drink a cup of water that we were using to dip paintbrushes in.  Note to self:  Never leave a 2 year old alone…not for a second.

We had an opportunity to try the eco-dough and eco-fingerpaint.  All of the products are free from artificial dyes, metals, and chemicals.  I still wouldn’t want my son to eat the dough or the paint, but I think I’d feel a little less paranoid if he did.  The eco-dough is made with plant, fruit and vegetable extracts.  It actually smells really good too!  I’ve noticed that if you leave it out for too long, it dries out around the edges.  However, you can add a few drops of olive oil (per the site) to get it back to it’s original texture. It’s super soft and malleable.  The colors are vibrant and my son just loves playing with it.

The other product we had an opportunity to try out was the eco-fingerpaint (although we used paint brushes because mommy doesn’t like a HUGE mess!). I always like to be honest about my reviews, so I’ll start with the good.  First off, the paints come as a powder so you actually mix them yourself at home (ratio of paint to water is 1:1).  The paints are made with natural ingredients and you actually only need a little bit of powder for a few pictures.  They don’t have an odor and they wash off quite easily (from tables, clothes, etc.).  I know this because we got a little messy playing with this. My only complaint is that powders (regardless of the company) always tend to be messy.  You don’t have to worry about the paints drying out since you mix them as you go, but the little containers they come in are not very well sealed.  My son got into one of them (since they’re very easy to open) and we had powder paint everywhere.  My suggestion to the company would be to change their containers.  Otherwise, I like powder versus liquid paint!

The company is truly eco-minded in that their containers are made from cornstarch and 100% compostable (perhaps the reason they’re a little on the flimsy side).  If your child has any type of allergies, be sure to check out their unscented gluten, dairy, and soy-free eco-dough.

You can purchase products from eco-kids at select Whole Foods Markets and boutique-like retailers nationwide.

Win It! One of you will win a goody bag of eco-dough!  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back here and leave me a comment with something you liked or learned on the site.  I don’t like asking this, but please take time to visit the sponsors who have generously provided some amazing giveaways.  Some of the companies are mom and family-owned businesses that I truly believe in supporting.  Comments will close on October 11, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). 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.

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

Add the “Spring In For Summer Fun” banner to your sidebar and leave me a comment (be sure to visit the main party post for more details on extra entries)

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest. Be sure to use the hashtag #SummerEvent

Enter Tanya and Amanda’s giveaways (max 1 entry per site)

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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.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

Dressing Up Is Fun To Do! *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by!  The winner is Angelique.  Congrats!

This year we’ve got a lot planned for Halloween!  To be honest, I don’t like the history of the holiday.  However, I am not the type of mom that will try to hide her children from the world (although I will do everything I can to protect them).  Rather than not celebrating at all, I plan on raising my children with an understanding of what the holiday means and why I’m not a fan of the witches, ghosts, and goblins.  There are plenty of enjoyable activities that I’ll do with my children during this time.  Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party and the Pumpkin Patch are just a couple of things we’re doing this year.  The other thing we’ll be doing is dressing up for the local carnival that will be put on in our city by the church we attend.

So what will my son dress up as this year?  A pirate!  Don’t worry.  It’s not scary.  In fact, I debated about whether or not to choose this one for him, since we had an interesting little pirate experience on vacation.  We’ve talked about pirates here and there…the fun, cartoon-like ones…not the scary ones.  He was supposed to like them.  We were supposed to eat at The Pirates’ House.  And then we walked in…and out.  My toddler protesting the pirates.  “I don’t like the pirates anymore.”  I know.  I diverged.  Anyway, the costume is cute and lightweight…perfect for the HOT weather we’ve been having.  So I chose it, hoping he’d forget about his dislike of pirates.

Success!

The costume above is from Anytime Costumes.  The site offers a wide variety of costumes for babies, kids, teens, and adults.  The great thing about the site is that it’s open all year ’round and offers costumes and dress-ups for more than just the Halloween season.  The very first year I bought my son’s Halloween costume, it was at Target (or maybe Walmart).  I remember having to go to multiple stores to find the costume I wanted and the right size.  Online shopping is so much more convenient.  You can even tailor your search by age, gender, theme, character, etc.  Most are reasonably price between the $20 and $30 range.  His costume came with a pirate shirt and attached vest, pants with printed patches, a pirate bandanna, and a waist sash.  The only small thing I noticed was that the picture shows a boy with a sword and the costume does not come with it (although it doesn’t say that it does).  Overall, I’m satisfied with the quality and look of the costume!

Right now you can receive free shipping on purchases over $45 by using the code SEPT9B.

Win It! One of you will win an infant, toddler, child, OR teen costume of your choice (may be subject to availability).  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back here and leave me a comment with the costume you’d choose.  Comments will close on October 13, 2009 at 10 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). 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.

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

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

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.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

Outdoor Play

For many of you in parts of the mid and eastern US, summer is probably long gone.  For us, we’re still seeing temperatures upwards into the 90′s (a few days ago my car read 103!).  It still feels very much like summer here in California.  I’m anxiously awaiting a cool down so we can spend a little more time outdoors. One of the things I regret just a bit, is the fact that our backyard is a bit small.  We purchased a slide/climber for my son but I would really love to put a swingset or a playhouse in the backyard for him and our little girl on the way.

Children love and need to be outside, exercising and releasing energy!  Across the way we have a small gated play area, but very often we’ll have to drive to the park if we want him at a place with more to do.  If you are fortunate enough to have a spacious backyard (which we hope for one day), you may want to consider Playkids and Swingset.com.  Much of their playground equipment is designed for schools, daycares, and larger facilities.  However, the site offers fun sand and water play toys, infant and toddler swings (they even offer tire swings!), and soft, indoor play toys.

The holidays are approaching and you may want to consider investing in something that your kids will play with for a long time!

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