Miles Stars in Little Boy Lightning – Personalized Storybook by Little Wonder

Little Wonder Company gave me a unique opportunity of reviewing their personalized storybooks. I love the idea of making a book that will appeal to my son because I want to feed is new interest in reading books. Zoe has always loved reading, probably because I read to her from the day she was born and Miles, well, he didn’t get read to as much. But, it could also just be that my two children are and always will be different from each other.

Since reading is so very important though, I jumped at this chance to create a special story just for Miles! Here is a quick peak into the story with my Little Boy Lightning Video Review, but I didn’t want to give too much away so it’s very short!

For many children, illustrations are what bring a story to life and keep them interested. Now for the very first time, children no longer need to imagine themselves in their favorite book. Little Wonder Company allows them to actually see themselves illustrated right into the pages of its personalized storybooks!

Little Boy Lightning Book CoverThe Book Little Boy Lightning is so colorful and the story is just what Miles loves, so it must be appealing to most boys. It’s a story that transforms him into a superhero, which he loves to pretend he is one anyways. So does Zoe for that matter, so I’m sure that LIttlle Girl Wonder would appeal to little girls just as Little Boy Lightning will to boys. There are rainbows, and dragons, and quite an adventure for Miles to listen to and watch his character go through! Customizing a Little Wonder book is as simple as a few clicks of the mouse! Using a Flash application on www.LittleWonderCompany.com, friends and relatives can choose the physical characteristics that resemble the book’s recipient. The book is then put together to reflect those choices on every page, culminating in a one-of-a-kind, truly customized book. Of course I chose Miles and gave him his adorable red hair.

Enter to Win a Little Wonder Company Book for yourself!

To Enter:

Leave a comment here telling me what you like about reading a personalized story to your kids?

Extra Entries:

Tweet: Spark Your Child’s Imagination with a Little Wonder Personalized Story Book #Giveaway http://bit.ly/hq8MCg

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Leave a comment for every entry, This giveaway ends December 27th. I received the samples mentioned above free to me in exchange for my unbiased opinion. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Jeopardy is on the Wii, and So is Wheel of Fortune Giveaway!

Jeopardy_Wii_Cov_300_thumbWheel_of_Fortune_Wii_300_thumb

Enter to Win:

1 of 5 Game Sets of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy America’s Favorite Quiz Show for Wii.

To Enter:

Answer these two questions in the google doc:

 

1. In which year did Alex Trebek receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

2. Where was Jeopardy! announcer Johnny Gilbert born?

3. Before Pat Sajak became the host of Wheel Of Fortune, what job did he have at KNBC in Los Angeles?

4. How many prize envelopes does the Bonus Wheel contain?

Extra Entries, must also go into the Google Doc!

Tweet: #Win 1 of 5 sets of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy for the Wii #Giveaway http://bit.ly/i898Su

Enter The Commit A Minute Giveaway
Subscribe to my blog
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List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble or use any of the share methods below facebook included (just leave a link to this post)
Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post
Blog About this Giveaway (linking to the giveaway (3 extra entries))

 

Remember to go back and leave the answers to the questions from Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy trivia day 1, 2, 3, and 4.

 

 

This giveaway ends December 13. You have all weekend to enter and go back and answer all of the other days as well!

Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy Trivia Day 4

Wheel of Fortune Wii SleeveWheel of Fortune Wii Sleeve Hawaii

Enter to Win:

1 of 5 Game Sets of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy America’s Favorite Quiz Show for Wii.

To Enter:

Answer these two questions in the google doc:

 

1. Where is Alex Trebek originally from?

2. How many Daytime Emmy Awards, has Jeopardy! won?

3. What is the name of Vanna White’s autobiography, which was a nationwide bestseller when it published in 1989?

4. How many Emmy Awards has Pat Sajak been honored with since his debut as host of Wheel of Fortune?

 

 

Remember to go back and leave the answers to the questions from Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy trivia day 1, 2, and 3.

 

 

 

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more chances to win. Giveaway ends December 13th.

Spin the Wheel of Fortune and Play Jeopardy Trivia Day 3

THQ and Sony are so excited about the release of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy Wii that they having decided to bring you a week’s worth of trivia here on Mom Start. Now, today is day three, so be sure to enter Day 1 and Day 2 as every day is an entry into winning your very own copy of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy for the Wii. There will be 5 winners total.

Spin, Solve and Win on Your Wii

Wheel of Fortune ScreenshotNow you and your whole family can spin the iconic wheel as contestants on America’s favorite game show from the comfort of your own home as Wheel of Fortune finally comes to Wii. In this amazing re-creation, players take on the role of contestants battling for prizes and cash as they uncover letters in the show’s familiar turn based Hangman style phrase puzzle format. Mirroring the TV show, the game features 1-3 player support, allowing the whole family to play, or for two players or even a single player to face AI opponents as they solve over 8,000 puzzles built into the game. Along with the standard puzzle format, the game features "commercial break" mini-games and show related trivia that add to the fun and diversify the gameplay action. New and established fans of the show will also be delighted to see that the game contains Wii style representations of host Pat Sajak and the world’s most famous letter turner, Vanna White, both in standard studio attire, as well as themed outfits available when the game moves to in-game alternative locations, such as Hawaii. Combine all this with Wii Remote motion control functionality that lets players spin the wheel with a flick of the wrist and Wii Speak microphone capabilities (sold separately) that allow you to call out letters and solve the puzzles verbally, and you have an addictive video game Wheel of Fortune experience that truly does justice to the original TV game show.

This…Is…Jeopardy!

Now you and your whole family can enter the studio and take up the signaling button on America’s favorite quiz show as Jeopardy! comes to Wii. In this re-creation players take on the role of contestants battling for cash as they tackle categories both familiar and foreign, always remembering to phrase answers in the form of a question. Mirroring the TV show format, the game features 1-3 player support, allowing the whole family to play, or two players or less to face AI opponents as they uncover the 2,400 clues built into the game.

Host Alex Trebek from Jeopardy! for Wii

Your host, Alex Trebek.

Along with the standard quiz show format the game features "commercial break" mini-games and show related trivia that add to the fun and diversify the gameplay action. New and established fans of the show will also be delighted that the game contains Wii style representations and voice work by host Alex Trebek, as well as appearances by members of the Jeopardy! Clue Crew who provide occasional visual clues. Combine all this with Wii Remote motion control functionality that lets players ring in with the push of a button and Wii Speak microphone capabilities (sold separately) that allow you to provide answers verbally, and you have an addictive video game Jeopardy! experience that truly does justice to the original TV game show.

Enter to Win:

Wheel of Fortune Wii

and

Jeopardy! Wii

To Enter:

Answer the questions of the day in the Google Doc.

Questions of the Day:

1. What was the original show title for Jeopardy!?

2. When was Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek born?

3. Where was Vanna White born and raised?

4. In which year did Pat Sajak receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

 

 

Remember to go back and leave the answers to the questions from Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy trivia day 1 and day 2.

 

 

 

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more chances to win. Giveaway ends December 13th.

Dad’s Christmas Present Channellock 4-in-1 Ratcheting Wrench Set Giveaway

Channellock 2clr CRHave you figured out what you are getting Dad this year for Christmas? Depending on what kind of dad he is, it might seem like the most impossible task you have to face. What do you get dad? For me the list was always, Do I get him socks, a tie that he won’t ever wear, or how about an office nick nack. Well that won’t get used much because my dad never really had an office that he sat in.

My husband is causing me the same hardship, what do I get him. I’m currently left with gloves to keep his hands warm and pajama pants. But it seems like that’s what I get him every other year. Well, Channellock has a few ideas on what to get dads for Christmas.

You could always choose the classic Channellock. Channellock is a tool, it’s a name brand tool. Being a woman, I never realized that Channellock is another name for pliers in the man’s world. So, when my husband said hand me the Channellock, I looked at him like I have no idea what you are talking about. He said, “Pliers please” Oh ok, I can do that.  So get dad the Channellock VJ-1 Gift Set or you can him something new Channellock makes.

Get dad the 4 in 1 Ratcheting Wrench Set.

Channellock 4 in 1 wrench setclose up channellock 4 in 1 wrench set

The new 4-in-1 ratcheting wrench set, which includes two tools designed to do the work of eight combination wrenches or sockets. They are a great addition to any toolbox, so they’ll definitely make a great gift – especially for the men in our lives that always prove difficult to find a gift for! I think they all get a little excitement or gleam in their eye when they get a shiny new tool. You know what I’m talking about right?

For over 119 years, Channellock, Inc. has held firm to those and creates quality tools. They make pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers and special use tools.

Enter to Win:

4-in-1 ratcheting wrench set for the man in your life!

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me what is your favorite Channellock  product.

Extra Entries:

Tweet: Channellock 4-in-1 Ratcheting Wrench Set #Giveaway http://bit.ly/g0IYnt

Enter The Commit A Minute Giveaway
Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on twitter
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List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble or use any of the share methods below facebook included (just leave a link to this post)
Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post
Blog About this Giveaway (linking to the giveaway (3 extra entries))

Leave a comment for every entry, This giveaway ends December 27th. I received the samples mentioned above free to me in exchange for my unbiased opinion. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy Question of the Day #Giveaway

Wheel of Fortune Wii Sleeve HawaiiWheel of Fortune and Jeopardy Trivia Day 2

I used to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! every day. I was never any good at Jeopardy! Every question would pass me by and I might get one here and there, but I loved Alex Trebek and his delivery of the answers. LOL it’s so funny because you have to have the questions, who thought of such a game? LOL.

And Wheel of Fortune was much easier for me. Words as you can tell are not a weakness for me, well sometimes they are but then you just see days go by on my blog and the content is either none existent or just plain terrible.

Did you know this about Wheel of Fortune?

Wheel of Fortune, America’s #1 game show, is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.  It is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Studios International, both units of CBS Corp.

 

Wheel of Fortune Wii SleeveDid you know this about Jeopardy!?

Jeopardy!, the winner of 28 Emmy awards since its debut in 1984, was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most awards won by a TV Game Show. The series is the #1-rated quiz show in syndication with nearly 9 million daily viewers. Jeopardy! is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. It is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Television International, both units of CBS Corp. 

Enter to Win:

1 of 5 Game Sets of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy America’s Favorite Quiz Show for Wii.

To Enter:

Answer these two questions in the google doc:

1. What is Jeopardy! trademarked as?

 

2. Which state serves as the home base for the Jeopardy! studio?

3. What was the first letter Vanna ever turned on the Wheel of Fortune puzzleboard?

 

4. Where was Pat Sajak born and raised?

 

 

 

Remember to go back and leave the answers to the questions from Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy trivia day 1.

 

 

 

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more chances to win. Giveaway ends December 13th.

Get Rid of the Old and Bring in the New Christmas Lights

I love a good purge, it’s so refreshing to clean up and just be rid of all the junk. I’m going to admit that in the past we’ve been very wasteful. When we do a purge we just dumped it all. Yes, I’m really embarrassed to admit this fact, but I am proud to say it’s a thing of the past. Now, I donate as much as I can and find other uses for things that can not be donated or recycled. Over the next few days Summer is going to be helping us with tips on how to purge ourselves of different types of electronics. Today, Summer has great Christmas Lights Displayadvice on how to make room for new Christmas Lights.

It’s time to make the upgrade if you already haven’t … new holiday lights. What’s your excuse for not buying LED twinkles for your tree and house? The Home Depot is offering a “buy back” program where they’ll give your $3 for each stand of light you bring in towards the purchase of an LED strand. I don’t know about you but I spent less than $3 on my non-LED lights. LED stands for light-emitting diode. But what does that mean to you? LED lights save you on electricity as they claim to pull 90% less electricity when turned on compared to regular or non- LED lights. So you’ll also see more green on your electric bill for December – money that is.

If you find that Home Depot is no longer running the promotion, do not toss your lights. You can donate your Christmas Lights to the Christmas Lights Recycling Program.  All proceeds from the Christmas lights recycling program will be used to purchase Usborne books that will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. If that doesn’t work for you find another place to donate them, ask your school if they need any Holiday Lights (I know it’s sad many places no longer have public Christmas displays anymore, but I don’t see any harm in some Christmas lights do you?), or offer them to a church. Don’t put them in a landfill!

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Are you Ready to Play Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy? Giveaway

Starting today I will be asking you all two questions every day for five days. Everyone that participates will have the chance to win 1 of 5 prizes. The prizes are Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! Five Winners each receive Wheel of Fortune Wii, and Jeopardy Wii.

Sony and THQ released Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy to the Wii. Both games utilize the Wii Speak™ feature for an enhanced gameplay experience and also feature the voices of the show hosts, Pat Sajak, Vanna White and Alex Trebek.

“We strive to create video games that immerse players into the world of each game,” said Doug Clemmer, Executive Vice President of THQ’s Kids, Family and Casual Games division. “With the introduction of the Wheel of Fortune and JEOPARDY! video games, we will give friends and families a play experience that brings these two iconic game show properties to life in an entirely new and unique way.”

“We’re excited to partner with THQ to bring the Wheel of Fortune and JEOPARDY! properties to new platforms,” said Mark Caplan, Vice President Licensing, Sony Pictures Consumer Products, Inc. “Both video games include features and interactive experiences that will let players feel like true show contestants.”

Wheel of Fortune Wii Sleeve HawaiiAbout the Wheel of Fortune Video Game

Making its high-definition debut, Wheel of Fortune brings the fun and excitement of TV’s No. 1 syndicated game show to life in this re-creation video game for the Wii and Nintendo DS. Voiced by show hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White, the game will follow the format of the show by putting up to three players at the wheel to solve thousands of word puzzles to win virtual cash prizes. With the show hosts’ avatars cheering contestants on, players can insert their own favorite Mii character to represent them within the game. Contestants can play commercial break mini-games for an enhanced gameplay experience. As players work their way up proving their puzzle solving skills, they can unlock new sets and props, as well as customization options for their Mii character.

Wheel of Fortune Wii SleeveAbout the JEOPARDY! Video Game

For the first time, “America’s Favorite Quiz Show,” ‘JEOPARDY!’, comes to the Wii and Nintendo DS. The video game based on TV’s No. 2 syndicated game show is voiced by host Alex Trebek and comes to life with an authentic show set that includes lights, cameras and a “live” studio audience. Inviting up to three players to compete with each other and represented by their favorite Mii character, participants test their knowledge in Jeopardy!, Double Jeopardy! and Final Jeopardy! rounds by providing responses to the clues provided. The Wii Speak technology can also be utilized to verbally respond to the clues, as well as the handwriting recognition technology on the DS version. Additionally, the Clue Crew will make a cameo in the game to present contestants with visual clues. In addition to the main gameplay, participants can play the commercial break mini-games to unlock new, trendy outfits for their Mii characters. The JEOPARDY! video game includes a comprehensive tracking system that stores the players statistics, such as number of wins and fastest response time.

 

To Participate:

Fill out the Google form. This is just so that we don’t have the answers in the comments, but feel free to leave a comment saying you entered.

Today’s Questions are:

1. Who is the creator of Jeopardy!?

2. In which year did Alex Trebek make his Jeopardy! debut?

Wheel of Fortune

3. What was the original show title for Wheel of Fortune?

4. In 1992, what did the “Guinness Book of World Records” list Vanna White as?

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for more chances to win. Giveaway ends December 13th.

Find Your Holiday Needs at Collections Etc Giveaway

Collections Etc LogoWow, once Thanksgiving is over the Holidays are left and right. It seems like a party is scheduled here and a party is scheduled there and my lack of organization has me overbooked, how about you? I can’t believe that my kids are going to be in their first Christmas production, well, lucky Zoe gets to be in two. And I’ve signed up to bake cookies for them. With a party on the same night as one of them oh my!

I know this is my life from now on and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love having kids and growing up I always enjoyed having an overbooked Holiday Season, I just hated being in the car all that time everything else was great Family Fun!. What could you use to make all of the Holiday hustle easier?

Consider Collections Etc for your Holiday needs. From hundreds of amazing decorative items to all of your bake ware needs, all hand-picked to let you surround yourself with style and creativity. The Décor covers Country to Victorian and Northwoods to Nautical, you simply won’t find anything like Collections Etc. Collections Etc. is a leading catalog company and online retailer that’s been in business for more than 40 years.  They have thousands of affordable, unique gift, home décor and garden products—most of which are $19.99 or less (great for this tough economy). From seasonal and baking to gardening and goofy, Collections Etc. has something for everyone on your gift list!

Cookie Cake PansThis year, I’ve been really into baking. I’ve already made 9 pies, 8 of them were Pumpkin and 1 was Butternut Squash. I’ve made quite a few different breads too, and it’s been terrible for my hips but quite a delight to my taste buds. I finally figured out that I need to share at least half of what I bake with the neighbors. Collections ETC sent me the  Cookie Sandwich Shaped Cake Pans to review.

I just received these pans and haven’t had a chance to use them yet but my daughter’s birthday is next month and I know it will be fun to make her cake in these pans. Who doesn’t want a great big cookie as their birthday cake? The only negative would be that they are not dishwasher safe. I hate washing pans by hand, but they are nonstick!

Save when you buy!

Use the promotional code 3JPRMB to save 10% off at CollectionsEtc.com

Enter to Win:

25.00 Gift Card to Collections Etc

To Enter:

Visit Collections Etc  and tell me what you would purchase with your gift card.

Extra Entries:

Follow Collections Etc on twitter

Like Collections Etc on facebook

Tweet: RT @MomStart: Find Your Holiday Needs at Collections Etc Giveaway http://bit.ly/gMhiB3

Enter The Commit A Minute Giveaway
Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on twitter
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble or use any of the share methods below facebook included (just leave a link to this post)
Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post
Blog About this Giveaway (linking to the giveaway (3 extra entries))

Leave a comment for every entry, This giveaway ends December 20th. I received the samples mentioned above free to me in exchange for my unbiased opinion. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

The Kodak Playtouch HD Video Camera Review and Giveaway

Kodak makes quite a few fun little products with their Easy Share technology. Of the newest being the Kodak Playtouch HD Video Camera. Kodak sent me the Playtouch to test out. So the first weekend we received it we took it on a trip with us. I went to Great Wolf Lodge with the family and took some video of all of us playing in the water. Now none of us want to be seen in our swimsuits so the video example I have for you is actually just some video of the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park grounds in Grand Mound. Check it out!

 

The pocket-size KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera features a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen so consumers can easily glide through their HD videos with the swipe of a fingertip. Complementing its unique design, the KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera boasts an array of features to help consumers capture their memories with clarity and precision, including built-in image stabilization, LCD glare shield, and an external microphone jack. To make sharing videos simpler, the PLAYTOUCH Video Camera has a built-in USB arm and Kodak’s Share Button lets consumers tag videos and pictures directly on the camera for automatic upload to popular social networking sites once they connect the camera to the computer.

KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera Features:

* Share Button for easy video upload to YOUTUBE and FACEBOOK sites, and email
* 3-inch capacitive touchscreen LCD optimized for reviewing in landscape mode for the ultimate 1080p HD video sharing experience
* On-camera editing features to trim and extract still pictures from video
* 5 MP HD still pictures
* Sharper videos and less blur with built-in digital image stabilization
* Built-in USB arm for easy sharing, charging, and transferring
* Smart face tracking technology
* LCD glare shield feature
* External stereo microphone jack to add high-quality sound to videos or to plug in headphones for discreet playback*
* 4 capture effects, including B&W, sepia, high saturation, and ’70s film look
* HDMI output (HDMI cable included)
* Up to 10 hours of HD video** with expandable SD/SDHC card slot (up to 32 GB)
* Li-Ion rechargeable battery with in-camera charging
* PC and MAC iLIFE product compatibility

 

Kodak Playtouch HD Video Camera

So sharing just got easier! I love how you can just plug it into your computer over USB. The video quality is a little grainy in my opinion but I’m sure if you can hold it super still, have excellent lighting, the photos and video will turn out better. Oh yeah, here are a few of the photos from my trip:

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Remember Kodak is all about making your life simpler in catching those “Kodak” moments. And with all of us in the Dawn of Social Media and sharing our lives with the world Kodak has made it so easy to SHARE your media.

One-button upload—turn moments into memories

With the Share button and Kodak’s Share button app, sharing your pictures is amazingly simple.

  • Record your video or snap your picture
  • Press the Share button and tag it to KODAK Gallery, YouTube, FACEBOOK, FLICKR, and ORKUT sites, plus e-mail too
  • Connect your PLAYTOUCH to your computer, and with Kodak’s Share button app, your videos and pictures are automatically uploaded
  • Your pictures and videos are also automatically transferred to your computer

Learn even more about the KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera.

Enter to Win:

The KODAK PLAYTOUCH Video Camera that you see in the photos above. You are winning the item I reviewed for Kodak.

To Enter:

Leave me a comment about how you plan on using it.

Extra Entries:

Tweet: RT @MomStart: The Kodak Playtouch HD Video Camera Review and Giveaway http://bit.ly/dUhP1i

Subscribe to my blog

Follow me on twitter
Follow me on Google Friend Connect
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble or use any of the share methods below 
Blog About this Giveaway (5 extra entries linking to the giveaway)
Leave a comment on any other non-giveaway post
Add my blog button to your sidebar.

 

This giveaway ends December 20th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.