review — MomStart

ThinkFun Roll & Play Toddler Learning and Parent Fun

April 29, 2012 By Momstart 17 Comments

Roll & Play, the first game ever designed for toddlers by ThinkFun. Have you heard of ThinkFun? I used to sell some of their products when I worked at a boutique. That was ages ago now that I think of it but I’m familiar with their games like Rush Hour, Zingo and a host of other games that are "addictively fun and sharpen your mind." They thought it was time toddlers got in on the action!

Meet Roll & Play

Roll & Play launched at the Toy Fair, where it was ranked one of the "Top 10" out of 100,000+ games and toys, and hand-selected as evidence of the "Little Learners" trend in toys this year. It was also the only toddler product featured on The View’s "Best of Toy Fair" segment. It’s a loving and joyful first-game experience, Roll & Play bonds child and parent amid laughter and hugs. It offers endless learning opportunities – building confidence, language skills and image/word recognition through creative exploration.

How do you play:

Roll the cube and pick a matching card.

Then together you’ll act out activities

such as “Play pat-a-cake” (Actions),
“Bark like a dog” (Animal sounds) or
“Give 1 hug” (Counting).

It’s a fun way to teach your toddler new concepts and get them thinking outside of the box.

With a range of activities carefully selected to support different phases of toddler development, Roll & Play provides hours of entertainment, building language skills and image/word recognition through creative exploration. Roll & Play gently introduces the basics of game play – taking turns and following rules – without the pressure of competition. Roll & Play draws out natural behaviors that toddlers already want to express, and the game can be easily adapted to fit a child’s abilities and interests.

We received samples that we are going to donate for this review.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: review, roll & play, thinkfun

A Yosicle Popsicle Sunny Days Blue Lips and Happy Children

April 20, 2012 By Momstart 35 Comments

I’m a Yosicle Popsicle Ambassador this summer and my kids couldn’t be happier. We don’t get a lot of sunny days except in the summer living in the Pacific Northwest, so when we see the sun it’s a popsicle bathing suit kind of day. Unless the temperature is above 80 I always say no to the bathing suits but the popsicles are out of the freezer and gone in seconds.

Having popsicles in our neighborhood becomes an event. All the kids in the neighborhood are invited and everyone digs in. Today’s popsicle of choice was the blue Layerz Yogurt popsicle, the Yosicle. This new variety features two flavors in each low-fat pop: Cotton Candy & Vanilla and Orange & Vanilla flavored pops. The blue one is the cotton flavored yosicle. I tried it before I read the description and we were having a hard time deciding what the flavor was. To me it tasted like candy, I think someone else did guess cotton candy.

We saved the orange flavored yosicles for the next sunny day which happened to be the very next day. Maybe this is a sign that we’re going to have a long summer of popsicle goodies. I would go with that assumption 100% except that as I’m actually writing this post it’s raining again. At least we have more sunny popsicle days to look forward to and it’s not officially summer yet. And like I said, we have Sunny Days, Happy Children and look at these adorable blue lips from his cotton candy yosicle. ADORABLE!

Each variety of low-fat pops contains 10% nonfat yogurt and is an excellent source of calcium per two-pop serving. Yosicle™ pops will be available nationwide this May in 12-pack boxes. Boxes of Yosicle™ and Popsicle® pops are available in grocery stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $3.99.

Like Popsicle on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Popsicle and follow @Popsicle on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Popsicle for trivia, jokes, product news and a chance to win Popsicle® product coupons.

As a Yo! Mom blog ambassador, I have received product on behalf of Popsicle. All opinions are my 100% mine.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: Layerz, popsicle, review, yogurt popsicle, yosicle

Behind The Disneynature Movie Chimpanzee Interview with The McClain Sisters

April 17, 2012 By Momstart 38 Comments

"We are beyond happy to be joining the Hollywood Records family,” shared the McClain Sisters. “Music has always been a part of our lives and now we cannot wait to share our music with everyone.”

The McClain Sisters are quite openly Christians and three strong young women who strongly believe in the unity of family. These three girls love their parents and look up to them for inspiration and strength. They say they are who they are because of the strength and guidance they get from their parents. It was quite a testament to me that parents can raise strong well articulated women to make a difference in this world and I pray for that for my own daughter. She can make a difference too. Disney’s Friends for Change enables children to make change, to rise above their circumstances and improve their communities which also happens to illustrate the main theme of the Disneynature film Chimpanzee.

“it’s mostly about unity. The unity in the movie was just really amazing, ’cause they couldn’t really do anything without each other, and they were never far away from each other, and that was really good.” (from one of the McClain Sisters)

Since Friends for Change the McClain sisters said they’ve been inspired in so many different ways:

And, um, since Friends for Change, we’ve started recycling and turning water off [OVERLAP] —

SIERRA : Turning the water off.

SISTER : Exactly, exactly.

SISTER : And lights.

SISTER : Exactly. Stuff like that, so it’s really changed our lives, and we were really excited.

Chimpanzee’s song Rise was created by the McClain Sisters. They saw a very early version of Chimpanzee and used Oscar and his ability to rise above his circumstances, and how the group of his family of Chimpanzees worked together to stay strong keeping a rival group of Chimpanzees from taking their land. I’ve heard the song a few times and it’s just as inspirational as the story of Oscar. Sierra specifically said, “You know, when, hopefully, everybody saw the movie, but when he lost his mom. And probably when — a lot of the battle scenes too because it’s a very inspirational record, and it’s uplifting, you know, and it’s spiritual and that was a big thing for the movie, you know, how they all had to stick together if they wanted to survive, you know, they had to be together, you know, and the lyrics was, "Together we’ll rise””

I really loved listening to The McClain sisters, they’re such wonderful role models for young kids. They use each other for strength. Sierra said, “You know, I really don’t know what I would do without those two, so, definitely, just to stick close, like I can’t even stress that enough. You know. Just to — you know, with your family, you know, it’s important to have that strong foundation, you know, with every family member.”

Disney and Global Resort Homes paid for most of the expenses for the Chimpanzee Red Carpet Premiere.

Filed Under: Movie review Tagged With: Chimpanzee, Disneynature, McClain Sisters, movie, review, Rise

The Rugged Outdoor Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 Ultra Slim T Series Cyber-Shot

April 14, 2012 By Momstart 21 Comments

While in Sedona with Sony I spent the week playing with Sony’s new line of cyber-shot cameras coming out in May. Of all the Cyber-shot models I tried out my favorite because of price and functionality was the rugged model, the ULTRA-SLIM T SERIES CYBER-SHOT, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20.

Why do I like it so much?

“Advanced, thinly designed, ruggedized model”

Because of the features:

· Waterproof, dustproof, freeze-proof and shockproof

This camera is practically drop proof. I love this camera and would feel completely safe letting my kids use it. Most of the time I’m terrified to hand my kids a camera that costs over $100 because I feel like that’s letting money go down the drain because they will most certainly drop it. If you’re around water it will get wet, if it’s breakable it will get stepped on. This camera works under water, in cold environments, meaning last year when I went to the ice exhibit and they told us to put our cameras away because they might freeze and break, this camera is safe to use in those environments and will take excellent photos.

· 9 “Picture Effect” options for creating unique, custom-styled photos and video

I hate having to edit photos, but being a food and travel blogger sometimes photos need a little sprucing up to keep up with the competition on other blogs out there. So I have to spend 30 minutes to an hour depending on how detailed I’m getting on editing photos. Photoshop is a computer power hog (just saying). The Sony Cyber-shot series has a range of picture effects and this camera has my favorite feature the paint feature making colors brighter and artistic.

· “Extra High Sensitivity” technology enhances low-light shooting capabilities

My husband could become a Sony Cyber-shot salesman because he loves this feature most of all. This camera takes excellent shots in daylight and in night, with an automatic low-light shooting capability.

· Full HD Movie Shooting capability (1920×1080/60i) and two direction Optical image stabilization with “Active Mode”

This would be my husband’s second favorite feature. One, he loves taking video, two he loves when a camera has built in stabilization. His hands take terrible video. I love him dearly but it’s true and he knows it.

· 25mm equivalent lens with 4x optical zoom, 8x virtual zoom via “Clear Image Zoom” technology

The picture above is zoomed into the max from where I was standing looking at this peek. It’s taken in amazing clarity with fine detail and in black and white from the camera.

· 3.0-inch LCD touch screen

The touch screen to me is something I don’t really care about. I mean it’s an awesome feature but I still like the tactile feel of the buttons. It’s easy to use though and finding menus on the touch screen was easier than on some of the other Cyber-Shot cameras, so I can’t justify my opinion, it’s just my opinion. I think part of it is that I know screens are usually what eats up battery power.

· Captures 12 MP still images while shooting video via “Dual-Record”

· 16 MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 will come in five different fashionable colors: orange, green, black, blue and pink and retails for approximately $330

Sony paid for my travel to Sedona and let me play with their cameras

Filed Under: photos, review Tagged With: Arizona, Cyber-shot, cybershot, DSC-TX20 Ultra Slim T Series, review, Sedona, Sony

Resolve All-Stain Torture Test

April 12, 2012 By Momstart 17 Comments

*I am a brand ambassador and I am being compensated for my participation. I received free product samples in order to do this stain torture test. Any opinions expressed are entirely my own and are not influenced in any way.

I’m really enjoying being a Resolve Ambassador. This past week I did a few different stain tests as part of the Resolve Ambassador campaign.I did a stain torture test, following guidelines provided to me by Resolve.

Supplies:

· beef gravy, grape juice, chocolate sauce, blueberry juice, grass, old navy t-shirt, and Resolve All Stains

Directions:

Using the materials included in the containers and the grass:

· Beef gravy and chocolate sauce: measure ½ tsp. of beef gravy and ¼ tsp. of chocolate sauce, then pour the materials on the shirt one at a time. Gently rub each material into the fabric for 5 seconds with your index finger to ensure the stain sticks.

· Blueberry and grape juices: Measure ½ tsp. of each juice pour juice on shirt

· ·For grass:take the handful of grass blades and rub them onto the shirt four to six times

Let shirt sit with the stains for maximum 24 hours

THEN

Using the Resolve All-Stains Laundry Stain Remover, treat the stains

· Placing your thumb and index finger on the indicated spots on the side of the bottle, squeeze both bottle chambers evenly to release both liquids evenly on the stain

· Rub gently to mix formulas and cover the stain completely

· Wait five minutes (at maximum)

· Rub effectively into stain (do not use the bottle nozzle to rub the stain as it may cross contaminate the two formulas)

. I made quite a mess on the shirt. I also left the stains on there for the full 24 hours.

I applied the Resolve All Stains

I washed the t-shirt

And I was impressed

The stains were almost completely removed. What do you think?

Win a Washer and Dryer and Resolve All Stains:

Go to the Resolve Facebook page and enter the Stain Gambler contest. To Enter you can take the quiz or just enter the contest. I took the quiz. You get to guess what ink blots look like to you and share some stain experience. I’m a Horse something, LOL, it’s funny what these companies think up some times.

Call To Action:

Do you have questions on cleaning and being a busy mom? Share them in the comments!

We’re going to be answering questions on Resolve’s Facebook page. Please leave your questions below.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: chocolate milk, grape juice, gravy, personal, Resolve, Resolve All Stain, review

Peppa Pig – A Cute Little Friend with Fun Family and Friends

April 11, 2012 By Momstart 16 Comments

By: Ashley

With all of the cleaning, chaos, and clutter that comes with moving, I have let Atticus watch A LOT more TV than usual. I’ve learned (or maybe “accepted” is the better word) that TV is not the worst thing in the world… it really just matters what is being watched. That said, I have been really happy with Peppa Pig. At first I had never heard of the cute little pig who captivates audience with a perky little British accent. Why a British accent? Peppa Pig has been a favorite in the UK for quite some time. Last year, Peppa and her family made their way onto Nick, Jr. in the US and have been a hit!

I like Peppa Pig because, please forgive my candid comment, it isn’t annoying. Yep, I said it. Many children’s shows can have odd voices, or scenarios that simply don’t make sense. Peppa Pig does a great job of entertaining children. The animation is simple and moves fairly slowly. I think this is great as it doesn’t over stimulate younger viewers. There seems to be a little something for all younger children. There is clear descriptive language that helps little ones build their vocabulary, there are simple cause and effect situations (great for helping children understand causal relationships), and stories that focus on family, friendship… and FUN!

I have to admit that my FAVORITE thing about Peppa Pig is the humor. I am not kidding when I say that I chuckled more than once or twice over some of the silly situations that come up on Peppa Pig. I actually just finished watching an episode called Cleaning the Car with Atticus and couldn’t help but laugh when Peppa accidentally squirted her mother and little brother (George) with the water hose! It’s great to watch silly things that I can laugh about with Atticus and know that there is also a positive message. No, not squirting your family with a water hose! (Though there is a time and a place… ) The Pig family worked together to clean the car… and had a good time doing it. THAT is something that I want him to hold on to.

Great messages and great educational benefits are what make Peppa Pig something that I’m comfortable letting Atticus watch. Thanks to Peppa Pig and her family… they’ve helped our family have fun while working on our own adventure! You should check it out too! Don’t know where? Check your TV listings, order some DVDs online, or even go to Nick Jr. online to meet Peppa and her family. We’ve loved the DVD and goodies that we received for this review. Hopefully we’ll see some more of the Peppa goodies here in the US soon!

About Ashley: Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at www.Momicles.com.

Disclosure – A product was provided to me by the manufacturer or a representing PR firm. All opinions expressed were my own and not influenced by monetary compensation.

Filed Under: Ashley, book review, review Tagged With: Ashley, book review, Children's book, Muddy Puddles, Peppa Pig, review

So You Think You Can Play A Bagpipe?

April 11, 2012 By Momstart 13 Comments

When Pixar makes a movie they do their research. They research the land, the history, the stories, the culture everything they can dig up goes into their movies. It’s the personality they say that makes their movies great! While we were spending time with them last week learning about the new movie Brave that comes to theaters June 22nd, we learned about different Scottish characteristics on of those being the bagpipes.

Music is one of my passions. I played the clarinet so I found everything they had to say about the bagpipe quite interesting. When you play the clarinet you play it with curved fingers and the bagpipe you play with straight fingers. It’s also a reeded instrument just like the clarinet except it needs constant air which is where there is a bag.

Bagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones, using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. Though the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and Irish uilleann pipes have the greatest international visibility, bagpipes have been for centuries played throughout large parts of Europe, the Caucasus, around the Persian Gulf and in Northern Africa. The term "bagpipe" is equally correct in the singular or plural, although in the English language, pipers most commonly talk of "the pipes", "a set of pipes" or "a stand of pipes".

A set of bagpipes minimally consists of an air supply, a bag, a chanter, and usually a drone. Most bagpipes also have additional drones (and sometimes chanters) in various combinations, held in place in stocks—connectors that fasten the various pipes to the bag.

From Wiki.

After learning all about the bagpipe they asked us if one of us wanted to play and I was all about playing it. Yes yes yes please pick me. So I got to play one and we didn’t even have to breath into it, they had an air compressor connected to it and it was still hard to play. I kept forgetting to squeeze the bag. If you squeeze it constantly the the music will play fluidly. Otherwise you get squeaks and squawks which is mostly what I had while playing.

I truly loved the experience and can’t wait to get another try. I have so many memories that come up with different songs and music, so I really really loved learning and playing the bagpipes and know that next time I hear one I’ll remember this experience. Thank you Pixar.

Travel and expenses were covered by Disney.

Filed Under: Movie review Tagged With: bagpipe, brave, movie, Pixar, play the bagpipe, review, Scottish

Yala Free Soul Collection: Jewelry for the Greater Good

April 9, 2012 By Momstart 7 Comments

Jewelry: A Gift for the Greater Good– Yala Free Soul Collection AND DISCOUNT CODE

By: Ashley

A couple months ago, I wrote about Yala, a company that keeps social good at the top of their list. I was so excited about this company, I have recommended them to my friends and family. In fact, Yala is going to play a big part in my sister’s special day!

Next month, my sister is going to be getting married. As her older (and wiser ) sister, I am the Maid of Honor. If you want to be all technical about it, I’m actually the “Matron” of honor… but that just sounds OLD. Nevertheless, I’ve been hard at work helping my sister plan out all the details of her special day. When she came to me asking about jewelry and gifts for her bridesmaids, I knew EXACTLY what to tell her. The Yala Free Soul Collection makes the perfect stop for gift shopping.

My sister knew that she wanted something special and meaningful for her nearest and dearest friends. She also knew that she wanted jewelry – affordable, stunning, jewelry. Most of all, she wanted something that had a purpose. Not just a shiny object… but something that was for the greater good. Yala jewelry is made by women around the world. Through a partnership with Nest, women in developing countries are able to make big changes in their lives. These pieces of jewelry help provide an income and a sense of stability to women, their families, and their communities. THAT is a gift that carries some meaning!

Who would like a gift from Yala’s Free Soul Collection? ANYONE! This is the season for graduations and weddings – both the perfect opportunity for a meaningful gift. They’re also the perfect opportunity for adding a little something special to your own look. I know that my jewelry collection has definitely improved since I was first introduced to Yala.

To get your collection started, you can use this discount code set up especially for MomStart readers. Your coupon code is SOUL20 for 20% off and it’s good from April 9^th – April 23^rd. That’s plenty of time to stock up on some great jewelry or even some AMAZINGLY soft clothing from their Bamboo Dreams collection.

More About Yala Jewelry on MomStart

About Ashley: Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at www.Momicles.com and follow her @Momicles2010 .

I have not received any compensation for this post. The opinions and views expressed are that of my own.

Filed Under: Ashley, review Tagged With: Discount Code, jewelry, review, Soul Collection AND DISCOUNT CODE, Yala

The Naked Mom – A Book by Brooke Burke That Speaks The Truth

April 7, 2012 By Momstart 13 Comments

By: Ashley

Brooke Burke is probably best known for her glamorous gowns and candid post dance interviews with contestants on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. I’m a fan of the show and have to admit that I usually fast forward through the judges’ remarks to see what the dancers have to say to Brooke when they get their scores! It wasn’t until recently though, that I knew exactly what was behind the beautiful Brooke – the TV host, the glamorous girl, the online entrepreneur (ModernMom.com), the wife, and… THE MOM! She truly revealed it ALL in her book The Naked Mom.

The Naked Mom is a book that I have, since reading cover to cover, recommended to friends, family, and total strangers. In The Naked Mom Burke truly drops all of her walls and tells it like it is. She gives the reader a completely unfiltered glimpse into her life… and lets us all know that not only is it okay not be able to balance it all… it simply isn’t going to happen! Instead of offering some miracle step by step approach that helps moms “balance it all”, she reminds us “it’s not about right or wrong—it’s about being your best authentic, ‘naked’ self.”

Brooke focuses on personas that women face every day:

The Woman: She recognizes that mothers seem to always put everyone and everything else first. Sometimes you have to focus on you. Looking good and feeling good can have a positive effect on everything.
The Mother: Such a powerful word carries with it a world of social pressure and pressure from the media to be selfless. Burke responds that with an absence of self comes a lack of passion. Mothers should empower themselves and instead strive to be self-aware.
The Lover: We all have heard how the sensual woman seems to disappear with motherhood, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Letting erotic fantasies play out gives mothers a needed break from the nature of motherhood. Moms need to learn how to set the mood, play out a fantasy, and reconnect with their mate.

I can honestly say that The Naked Mom by Brooke Burke changed my opinion of her, motherhood, and my role in life as a woman. Just like I have recommended it to so many people I know (and so many that I don’t!), I’m recommending it to you! Check it out if you haven’t already. It’s worth the read.

About Ashley: Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at www.Momicles.com.

Disclosure – A product was provided to me by the manufacturer or a representing PR firm. All opinions expressed were my own and not influenced by monetary compensation.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: A Book by Brooke Burke That Speaks The Truth, book review, review, the naked mom

16GB Sony Handycam PJ260V Projector Camcorder Capturing Great Video

April 5, 2012 By Momstart 15 Comments

While in Sedona with Sony, not only did I get to test out the entire family of Sony Cybershot cameras, I also had the opportunity to try out the 16GB Sony Handycam PJ260V projector from the Sony Handycam family.

Sony’s new line of Handycam^® camcorders makes it very easy to capture precious memories in high-quality full HD video and still photography. I captured fairly good video on a helicopter through the glass of the red rocks in Sedona. I also captured some still photos with really great quality in the middle of taking video. How cool is that you don’t have to stop your video to take a picture.

Sony continues to impress me and has won me over as a consumer. We used to have a Sony camera and when we moved to HD I’m not sure why but we switched to a competitor, maybe my husband’s goal was to have all of the same brand, but after playing with the Sony Handycam, I’m ready to switch back to Sony. They offer exceptional engineering in the HD models and this year they are adding a new Entry HD camcorder segment at an attractive price with four models, a Step-Up HD category with three models, Mid HD options with two models, four High End HD models, and a Double Full HD 3D camcorder. With sleek, compact designs and a refined level of optical performance, Handycam camcorders offer best-in-class features that set them apart from the competition.

One of the coolest features and I do have to say one because there are many is the improved built-in projector for a brighter and larger projected picture (up to 100” diagonal). I used the projector in a car on the roof of it while sitting in the backseat in the Sedona sun. It was bright enough for everyone in the car to look up at the ceiling and see the video I took while we were in broad daylight. Hello! Awesome right?

Another amazing feature that I have to boast about on Sony’s behalf is the Balanced Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization which controls the entire optical path as one floating unit to improve image stabilization by up to 13 times better than its predecessor. My husband can not take video without a tripod, so I’d love to see how his video with this camcorder came out. It has to be much better right?

The Sony Handycam also has By Pixel Super Resolution to create higher pixel count in still images by referencing hundreds of samples in the database to generate pixels close to reality, and Closer Voice utilizing Face Detection and its advanced audio processing to suppress unwanted noise and capture human voices with maximum clarity. The new high-definition camcorders and their accessories are available, starting at about $300, at http://store.sony.com, Sony retail stores and other authorized retailers nationwide.

Sony paid for my trip and all expenses while letting me play with their cameras in Sedona.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: 16GB Sony Handycam PJ260V Projector Camcorder, projector camcorder, review, Sony, Sony Handycam, travel, video, Video camera