I grew up in the 80’s, the decade of leg warmers, Nintendo, Ray-Ban’s and Rainbow Brite.  My mom says she still has my childhood Rainbow Brite doll. And did you see my vintage Rainbow Brite T-shirt?  Rainbow Brite is back! She’s undergone a bit of a makeover but still delights children with her “empowering and imaginative adventures as she spreads her messages of courage, kindness, and hope.”  Did you know, that Rainbow Brite was actually a series introduced by Hallmark? (I didn’t!).  So who is Rainbow Brite?

Not so very long ago, a little girl name Wisp appeared in a colorless and unhappy world. Through courage, kindness and friendship, Wisp became Rainbow Brite and transformed the unhappy world to Rainbow Land, a magical place where all the colors in the universe are created.  Now, Rainbow Brite is one of Rainbow Land’s four Sky Powers, characters whose magical powers determine the cycles of Rainbow Land’s days and seasons. With the help of her friends, her magnificent horse Starlite, and her magical Color Belt and Star Scepter, Rainbow Brite travels to the far corners of the universe, bringing hope and happiness to everyone she meets.

This month, Rainbow Brite and her friends debuted in Target and Toys R Us stores nationwide.  To celebrate, I have 5 Rainbow Brite CD packs to giveaway, which include Rainbow Brite games and activities.

Win It! Simply leave me a comment with something new and interesting you learned on the Rainbow Brite site.  Comments will close on March 12, 2010 at 11:59 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.

Vote for Rockin’ Mama for the Hot Blogger Calendar

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!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  The giveaway CDs were supplied by MomSelect.

My son learned the names and locations of his body parts during bath time.  He is able to distinguish his right from his left because of bath time.  He practices swimming during bath time.  In our house, we utilize bath time for many important things.  We use it for learning and playing.  When my son was a baby, he didn’t like the bath.  In fact, it was miserable trying to get him in and washed up in record time.   My husband and I thought about what we could do to make it more enjoyable for him.  These days, he not only asks to take a bath, he protests when it’s time to get out.

A decent bottle of bubbles and some fun bath toys can make a world of difference in a child who does not want to take a bath.  Suave Kids has recently launched their new campaign, Wash Them Grow, encourages you to recognize bath time routine as “an opportunity to teach, nurture and transition your child through the stages of growth and cleansing.”  Right now, Suave Kids is holding a sweepstakes with a chance to win awesome prizes every week including a Family e-Keepsake Kit (which includes a video camera, laptop, and digital camera).  The Grand Prize is a family vacation to Orlando!  To enter, head on over to the site to play a fun online trivia game.  You can enter daily through February 22.  And if you refer a friend, you’ll automatically gain another entry!

Suave Kids offers four body washes for every stage of childhood.  Our favorites are the Strawberry and Berry Body washes because they smell incredible.  I also like the Free and Gentle Body Wash which is dye free and non-irritating to my son’s skin.  My son has very sensitive skin but has not had any reaction to the washes (perhaps because he’s older now as well).  Suave Kids also offers a Moisturizing Body Wash which is a great transition wash for baby’s.  Suave Kids products are made for children’s skin.  They’re ophthalmologist-tested and tear-free (which is important because my son absolutely despises soap in his eyes).

Contest Details:  If you decide to enter the sweepstakes, you will be entered to win some of the fabulous prizes listed above.  And, the blogger who refers the most readers to enter the sweepstakes will win a year’s supply of Suave Kids products for 10 readers.  So it’s a win-win situation! Have fun!

MomSelect and Suave Kids are having a Twitter Party.  Here are the details!

Date:  Monday, February 8th, 2010

Time:  8  p.m. – 9 p.m. EST
Location:  #WashThemGrow
Host: @MomTalkRadio (Maria Bailey, Founder of MomSelect)

Before the party, they’re offering a Disney Online Store $50 gift card for one lucky winner. To be eligible to win, make sure you complete the following:

• Click HERE to RSVP
• Tweet out  the details of the #WashThemGrow party between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of the party

Be sure to follow @MomTalkRadio, @ResourcefulMom, @MomSelectAmy and @SuaveBeauty throughout the evening for updates, prize information and contest details.

I’ll leave you with some Bath-Time Tips, courtesy of Suave Kids (with some commentary by me!):

Nurture Your Baby’s Firsts:  We don’t bathe our little girl all that often, but her first bath is forever remembered on photographs.

Start Teaching at Bath Time: Show your children how to get clean all by themselves (we do this with our son!). I tell my son, wash your right arm, and your left arm, and your back…

I Can Do It Myself:  My son is in this stage right now.  He wants to dress himself, feed himself, and bathe himself.  Allow your child to participate in bath time.  It will make the time so much more enjoyable for both of you.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were received, courtesy of Suave Kids and MomSelect to facilitate this review.

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Sand!

How did it become December already?  I have Christmas shopping to do, baby preparations to complete, and meals to plan.  I don’t pretend to enjoy being in the kitchen.  In fact, it’s rather nice when my husband does the cooking.  But, with the holidays approaching and family to host, we will both be busily prepping meals.  My husband and I  value the importance of a home-cooked meal.  Eating out for us is a luxury.  It’s not a habit we practice often.  We don’t routinely order take-out or stop by fast food restaurants.  Apart from the fact that a home-cooked meal is often healthier, it also promotes family togetherness and healthy eating habits.

Our family is about to expand and I can’t even imagine how I’m going to juggle it all. But, I will definitely be going to the web for tips on how to prepare quick, healthy, affordable meals.  One site in particular, is helping families prepare meals this season.  I always find it difficult to come up with meals that my son is going to eat (he’s a toddler, after all).  Real Holiday Helpings offers holiday recipes your children are certain to enjoy.  Here are a few of my favorites from the site:

Turkey Fajitas with Creamy Avocado Sauce

Deluxe Artichoke Dip

Super-Moist Pumpkin Spice Cake

The site was created by Hellmann’s and Best Foods to help families prepare meals this holiday season.  I personally like the fact that they teamed up with one of my husband’s favorite Food Network chefs, Bobby Flay, to create the site.  Along with a variety of holiday recipes, you’ll find video demonstrations of those holiday dishes that really stand out!  While you’re on the site, don’t forget to enter to win a year’s supply of groceries.    

Win It! To help you out, I have a $25 Amex gift card to give away to one winner.  Simply leave me a comment with a recipe you liked from the site (other than the ones I posted above).  Comments will close on December 18, 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!

Disclosure:  I received a gift card, courtesy of MomSelect and Hellmann’s “Real Holiday Helpings” program.

Do you text?  I do!  Probably a little too much!  Electrolux and Kelly Ripa have committed to raise money and awareness for Ovarian Cancer Research.  They recently launched a campaign that uses something I use everyday…texting!  September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Electrolux and Kelly Ripa are holding a “Text-a-Thon” to help raise support for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. It’s a great cause as their goal is to find a method for early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.

Throughout the month, you can donate $5 towards the fund by texting “KELLY” to 85944 from your mobile phone (standard text messaging rates apply) or by logging onto the site.  And believe me, you’ll want to log on.  When you log onto the site, you’ll be entered to win a luxury front load washer and dryer from Electrolux in Turquoise Sky (which is my favorite color of blue!).  The color has significance because the teal ribbon is the symbol of ovarian cancer awareness.

You can also help in another way by sending a virtual T-shirt to a friend (I just did this the other day).  For every virtual t-shirt sent, Electrolux will donate $1 to the OCRF.  You can also purchase a limited edition T-shirt designed by Kelly Ripa.  100% of the proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts will go to OCRF.  

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

I was fortunate to have read an article about BPA on Zrecs when I was pregnant with my son.  At that time, the only manufacturers who sold BPA-free bottles were Medela and Born Free.  If you’re still confused as to what BPA is or why it’s harmful, I encourage you to check out the well-researched articles on Zrecs.    Today, if you were to type in “BPA-free bottles” on Google, 854,000 results would be returned.  I almost wish it was as simple as 2 choices.  But companies listened (thankfully) to the consumer’s demand for safe feeding alternatives and now it’s simply a matter of which bottle to choose.  There are two excellent resources (who just happen to be fabulous bloggers too) that may help guide your decision-making:  The Soft Landing and SafeMama.

I recently had an opportunity to try the new sippy cups by TILTY.  Here is a little more information from the site:

Designed by parents, recommended by pediatricians, moms, dads, and grandparents, TILTY is truly – a better sippy cup.  Our patent-pending ergonomic design makes TILTY the easiest sippy cup to use.  The snap on lid keeps messes to a minimum, and we didn’t include a valve, just like the ADA recommends.

One of the first things I look for in a sippy cup is whether or not it’s BPA-free.  Not only is TILTY BPA-free, it’s Phthalate, PVC, and Dye free.  The cups are made of polypropylene which is a  durable, recyclable material.  It’s very light (compared with many sippy cups on the market) and clear, which it makes it nice to see how much liquid is left in the cup. When you look at the cup, the first thing you notice is the slant in the middle of the cup.  This is to help children drink and learn how to use a cup easier.  My son is almost two and eventually we’d like to transition him to a cup.  I think that the TILTY is a wonderful transition sippy for him.  I like the fact that it doesn’t have a valve (which apparently isn’t recommended by the American Dental Association because of it’s interference with dental development) although this means that when my son tips it over (and he will) it will drip.  If you haven’t read the article from the ADA, I highly recommend it because it talks about how to choose the right sippy cup.  I didn’t know that sippy cups with spouts are just bottles in disguise, which means they require sucking as opposed to sipping (which is the purpose of a sippy cup, right?).  The other thing about valves is that they’re incredibly difficult to clean.  Just the other day I opened up one of my son’s stainless steel sippy cups (that uses a spout) and found dried, curdled milk underneath (yuk!).  This was AFTER taking it out of the dishwasher.  You can wash TILTY sippy cups in the dishwasher (top rack only).  Each cup holds seven ounces and children as young as 9 months old can use them.

Needless to say, I learned a lot about sippy cups as a result of this review.  And I learned that no two sippy cups are alike!  Do you know what the best part about the TILTY is?  The price!  A pack of two retails for $6.00 (as opposed to another company’s which retail for $21.00).

Win It! One of you will win a pack of two TILTY sippy cups.  Simply head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back here and leave me a comment with an interesting fact you learned that wasn’t in my review.  Comments will close on May 7, 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.

Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.

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

Do you remember all the things you said you would or wouldn’t do when you were pregnant with your first child? Here is my list:

1.  Breast feed exclusively without using bottles, pacifiers, artificial nipples or formula

2.  Make my son’s food from scratch using solely organic ingredients

3.  Only purchase BPA-free sippy cups, plates, etc.

4.  Get rid of all toxic cleaning products

5.  Refrain from using the TV until he turned 2

6.  Selectively immunize

7.  NEVER give him juice

This list could go on and on…  The reality is that while I’ve adhered to most of these, there has been the occasional deviation due to the realities of raising a child.  One of the things I did when my son was about a year old, was introduce juice.  I remember my son was sick and he didn’t want to drink anything but milk.  My doctor told me he had to drink other liquids.  He would not drink water so I resorted to watered-down juice in small amounts.  After that I couldn’t NOT buy juice.  So I continued to water it down because even 100% juice has a TON of sugar in it.  

I recently had an opportunity to try Welch’s new AquaJuice, thanks to MomSelect.  The name of the product is a perfect description of what it is.  Here is a little more information from the site:

Welch’s AquaJuice is a blend of 100% fruit juice and water that provides one full serving (1/2 cup) of fruit in every 8-ounce glass but with less sugar than 100% juice.   Welch’s AquaJuice is an excellent source of Vitamin C and has no added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors.  

Honestly, I was a little concerned at how “watered down” this might taste.  Surprisingly, it’s good.  It’s not too sweet and it tastes better than watered down juice.  One 8-ounce serving contains just 80 calories and 20 grams of sugar (as opposed to 100% fruit juice which contains 140 calories and 33 grams of sugar).   I like my family to consume foods that are beneficial to their bodies.  One glass counts as a serving of fruit, which is what would make me switch over from the 100% juice I normally purchase.  AquaJuice is available in three flavors, Apple, Fruit Punch, and Kiwi Strawberry and retails for $3.99 (52 ounce bottle).  You can purchase AquaJuice at Target, Walmart and grocery stores nationwide.  

Profuse thanks to MomSelect for this review opportunity.

My son LOVES Thomas the Tank Engine so of course he LOVED Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage:  A Circus Comes to Town.  We were in San Diego over the weekend and had a wonderful opportunity to see this show, thanks to MomSelect.  When we went to exchange the tickets at the box office, my son saw a poster for the show and the entire day he kept telling me how he wanted “Ta” (which is what he calls Thomas). The show is touring now and finishes up in August so you have plenty of time to secure tickets.  Here is a little more information about Thomas & Friends Live! on Stage:  A Circus Comes To Town from the site:

Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage:  A Circus Comes To Town is packed with audience singalongs, high-energy dancing and thrilling adventures. When Thomas makes a big mistake, all the engines on the Island of Sodor must work together to prepare for the exciting event under the Big Top as Thomas proves he’s a really useful engine once again. Along the way, Percy, James, Gordon, and of course Thomas, join with Sir Topham Hatt and the townspeople from the Island of Sodor to welcome a colorful cast of circus performers in an engaging story that demonstrates the importance of friendship and cooperation.

We saw the show at the San Diego Sports Arena.  The seats we had were actually really good, despite the fact we were a section up from the front and I think that’s because of how they sectioned off the stadium.  My son has never attended a live performance or any show/event that requires him to sit for any length of time so I was a little hesitant about taking him.  But he’s almost two and I just knew he was going to love it. The show started promptly at 7:00 pm with characters walking through the aisles.  One of the things I was most surprised about was the quality of the show.  My friend Kristin is an actress with a long-history in musical theater, so I’ve had seen many a theater production and spent countless hours discussing the profession with her.  Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town is all about how Thomas the Tank breaks down while trying to help with the circus and there are some wonderful take home messages that can be discussed with older children once the show is over.  The show is phenomenal.  The set is gorgeous and life-like, the characters are vibrant and fun, the music makes you want to sing and clap, and the dancing is contagious.  My son, who would not sit still prior to the show starting, was captivated by the trains and the music.  He kept pointing and telling me about how much he liked Thomas, but he never once got up from my lap.  He loved when the audience “choo choo’d” with the characters.  We sang and clapped together with the characters and  were wowed by the circus acts.  The ending was an exciting circus peformance and confetti extravaganza.   I would have taken my son again if I could because it was that good.  He’s 21 months old and I think around this age is perfect because he has watched the show countless times and is familiar with many of the characters.  I highly recommend you catch the show before it leaves your city.  Dates are available through August 1.

Thank you MomSelect for giving my son and I a wonderful night out with Thomas and all of his friends!  I’ll leave you with some fun coloring activities and a recipe to enjoy with your kids!

TRAINING WHEEL PIZZAS FOR LITTLE CHEFS
Recipe courtesy of Thomas & Friends™ Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town

* Please note that children should have parental supervision throughout preparation and serving.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 Whole Wheat English Muffins (bottom only)

1 package string cheese

½ cup marinara sauce

1 pkg Mozzarella cheese (slice or cut into very thin strips)

2 black olives

Tools:

Cookie sheet or Toaster oven

Tablespoon

½ cup Measuring cup

Blunt edge scissors (washed and clean)

Paring knife

Recipe:

Separate the muffins into halves, keeping the bottom half with a raised edge.   Spread a layer of marinara sauce over the muffins.

Tear string cheese into thin strips and circle the edge of the muffins with strips of string cheese.   Take 4 thin strips of mozzarella cheese for each muffin and criss-cross on muffin to look like the spokes of a wheel.   Cut black olives so that they look like “o”s and place one on each muffin in the middle where the mozzarella cheese strips intersect.   Place muffins in the oven (350° ) or in toaster oven until the cheese melts.   Let cool slightly and serve.

*Update*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  The winner is Mrs. Mommy.  Congratulations!

Every time we go to the mall, we walk past the delightful little store where children can make their very own stuffed animal friend.  I’ve been meaning to take my son in the store but we’ve just never gotten around to Build-a-Bear Workshop. Thanks to MomSelect, Christmas came early for my son when he opened up that familiar “take home” box and discovered the adorably cuddly Hal Moose, complete with light-up antlers.  He also received the holiday storybook Holly & Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure.  My son absolutely loves his flashing antlers and soft fur. (I apologize for my camera’s poor photographic capabilities…mine is still getting fixed!).  

Making your very own stuffed animal at Build-a-Bear-Workshop is simple and furry friends start at only $10.  Once you’ve selected your furry friend, record a message, stuff, stitch, fluff, name and dress him before taking him home (in a Cub Condo of course).  I love the fun and experience that go along with creating a child’s own bear.  

This holiday season, Build-a-Bear-Workshop is offering two cuddly moose friends, Holly and Hal.  If you go to the site you’ll see them dressed in a variety of winter outfits.  Right now you can buy Holly and Hal Moose together for only $24 and get their storybook for free ($15.99 value, while quantities last).  If you’d like you can also buy them individually for just $12 each.  I think they’d make perfect gifts for kids young and old!  

Win It!  One lucky reader will win a $10 gift card to Build-a-Bear Workshop.  Head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back here and leave me a comment with your favorite furry friend.  Comments will close on January 2, 2008 at 10 pm PST.  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.

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

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the giveaway.  Be sure to list your Twitter ID in the comments.

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.

Place my button on your site.  If you have difficulty, please let me know.

Subscribe so you don’t miss the latest!

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

Looking for more giveaways?  Check them out here.

I just love Disneyland.  I’ve been going there since I was two and every time is like the first.  This past Friday was truly a first for all of us.  It was our first visit to Disney’s California Adventure Park (all three of us) for Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party courtesy of Disney and MomSelect.  I was one of the mom bloggers at the event along with my good friend and guest blogger Kristin,  Amanda from Mommy Mandy, Channah from Get A Grip, Mom!, Candace from “Deal”ectible Mommies, and Marissa from Mama Sparkles.  I actually met and spent a little time talking to Amanda (who is as sweet and genuine as she is on her blog) which was fun.  There was a special mom blogger check-in (which made me feel very special!) and we each got a cute little Mickey treat bag with a treat for my son (a lollipop) and a fantastic treat for me (a Disney watch!). 

This private event (which is selling out most nights) allows children to dress up and experience a magnificent Halloween party!  There are several treat stations located throughout the park for children to collect candy and other treats. I was really impressed with their candy alternatives including Fruit Leathers, carrot sticks, apple slices, and raisins.  Other activities included photo opportunities with your child’s favorite characters, special music and live entertainment, crafts, and of course the park’s rides and attractions.  The entire park is decorated for Halloween but it’s definitely not scary.  

I wasn’t sure about how long our little boy would last but he was so excited that he stayed up until 10:30! There are plenty of attractions available for young tots like my son (he loved the carousel!) but I do wish it had started a little earlier.  Understandably, they have to clear out the entire park for the event, hence the 7:30 opening time.  I also found that I wanted more time to spend at the park (guess that means we’re going back!).  I have to say that I was a little nervous about bringing a 15 month old to a theme park but Disney really does a great job of having something for everyone.  The parking is relatively easy (just jump on a tram and you’re right there at the entrance of both parks).  Even young children like my son can ride King Triton’s Carousel, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!, and Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train.  I was so impressed with the food.  We bought my son a kid’s meal at the Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill and it was healthy, affordable, and just the right amount of food for my son.  Overall we had a really fabulous night out and I will definitely be brining my boys back to the Disneyland Resort.  

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX1vKyGEwcQ&hl=en&fs=1]

Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party is going on now through October 31, 2008 (check the site for exact dates and times).  Tickets are $29 (except on Halloween when the price goes up to $37) and can be purchased online.

Check out my pictures on Flickr!

Today my little boy will visit the Disneyland Resort for the very first time.  Thanks to Maria Bailey and MomSelect, we’re going to Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party.  Tonight at Disney’s California Adventure Park, we’re going to enjoy treat stations, lively music, interactive games, and special activities.  My parents first took me to Disneyland at the tender age of 2 and I can tell you that every time I go it’s magical.  I’ve never been to Disney’s California Adventure Park so it will be a first for all 3 of us. My little boy will be dressed as Bob the Builder and my very good friend and guest blogger Kristin will be joining us.  I’m excited because we get to meet Amanda from Mommy Mandy, Channah from Get A Grip, Mom!, and Candace from “Deal”ectible Mommies.  I’ll be sure to post pics and give you the 411 on all the happenings! For now…enjoy this video snippet from previous events.  

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVsaxCX8Buw&hl=en&fs=1]