VTech Catch-Me-Kitty What a-Me-WOWsome Good Time

By Ashley

VTech has such a great reputation for delivering educational, interactive, and durable toys. The new VTech Catch-Me-Kitty delivers all of that and more! I have to say, as a parent, I was even impressed with all that the Catch-Me-Kitty does!

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The VTech Catch-Me-Kitty is a small orange kitten that “runs” (or more accurately rolls) around as your busy little walker tries to catch him! Seriously, genius! The kitten comes complete with sensors on both the back and front. The front sensors help the kitten know when to turn around to avoid hitting walls, cabinets, and furniture while the sensors on the back let the kitten know when your little one is close. This lets the kitten speed away so that your little walker (or runner) will chase him!

The Catch-Me-Kitty is an interactive toy that keeps kids active! How awesome is that? There is also an educational setting on the kitty which allows your child to begin working on shapes through the buttons on the kitty.

Between the singing, whimsical sounds, flashing lights, rolling around, spins on the floor, and buttons to push, this toy is AWESOME! It was so good that pictures along just couldn’t do it justice. Here is Atticus enjoying his test of VTech’s Catch-Me-Kitty.

Are you interested? Well, good! You should be! Is there a little one that you think would love chasing around a little orange kitty? Good news… MomStart has teamed up with VTech for a giveaway!

Enter to Win:

A VTech Catch-Me-Kitty

To Enter:

Tell us some of your favorite VTech toys!

Extra Entries:

tweet:

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Shannon Thompson.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

About Ashley:

Ashley has a background in teaching Kindergarten and working with children K through 8th grade. She is now a SAHM and President of our local MOMS Club chapter. She writes her own blog at Momicles.

Vlogging From The Shower: Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Video Camera

 

Are you ready for another Monday Mingle? I sure am, I missed last week. I was behind on reviews, umm, yeah, I’m always behind. So I decided to combine this week’s Monday Mingle with a product review. It is quite fitting. The Kodak PlaySport HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera is a video camera and since this week was freestyle I thought I would have a little bit of fun with it. I’m in the shower!! Oh wait, do you even know what Monday Mingle is? Just in case this is your first time to see it….

mondaymingle

This is where we answer three questions every week over at Eighty MPH Mom on video or not you can just write them down in the comments section or on your own blog. Then we go link up and visit each other and learn about each other.  This weeks’ questions: Freestyle!

 

The Kodak PlaySport HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera works underwater. Oh there’s a shocker right? This waterproof camera works up to a depth of 10 ft. (3m) with 1080p HD video quality and electronic image stabilization.

Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Video Camera Comes With:

Kodak Playsport Zx3 Video Camera in quite a few different colors (purple is our favorite)
Rechargeable Battery 
USB Cable
Adapter for battery charging
HDMI and AV cables
ArcSoft MediaImpresson Software for Kodak
User Guide
Wrist Strap (for those water parks)

Kodak Playsport Waterproof HD Video Camera  Features:

Don’t let sun glare ruin your recording and have smooth stable video

  • Simply use your camera settings to turn on the LCD Glare Shield feature
  • LCD Glare Shield feature gives you two filters to choose from that help you see your subject on the display screen in reflective outdoor situations
  • These filters are only applied to your display screen, not your footage—so everything you record will look as great as the moment you shot it
  • Get sharper videos and less blur thanks to built-in electronic image stabilization
  • Accidents happen—luckily the PLAYSPORT isn’t afraid of a little fall, it can take it
  • Capture your friends in all their glory with smart face tracking technology
  • See more details and accurate colors with incredible low-light performance

Be creative with great video software and easy upload

  • Edit and trim videos
  • Add a voice-over to narrate your footage when editing on a PC
  • Add pictures and music to your videos to make cool mash-ups
  • Grab and edit still images from video frames to get that perfect shot
  • Share on Facebook, and YouTube and Twitter sites with ease—built-in software and USB cable make editing, uploading, and sending e-mails simple
  • Debut videos in the palm of your hand with the vivid, high-contrast 2.0 in. color LCD
  • There’s always room for more—record up to 10 hours of HD video with expandable SD/SDHC card slot (up to 32 GB)1
  • Catch the highlights with slow motion playback right in the palm of your hand

The Kodak PlaySport (Zx3) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera retails for 149.00. It’s a video camera that inspires Fun.

 

What’s going on with you this week?

Disclosure: This camera was loaned out to us for two weeks to facilitate this review from the PR Company representing Kodak.

Bausch + Lomb Biotrue Multipurpose Contact Solution Review

I have been wearing contact lenses for years, thinking about how long makes me realize just how old I am and how long I’ve been out of high school. I’ve worn hard contacts and soft contacts and have had lots of issues with contact solution brands. My eyes either burn or itch depending on the brand I tried using. You might ask, whey I even put up with all the solution issues, well, in the Spring, I get eye allergies and contacts actually provide me with a barrier between my eyes and the pollen. Now, I’m not making any medical claims, ok, it’s just the impression that contacts give me so I wear them during the Spring and Summer. Even if it’s in my head at least it’s a relief from my eye allergies. So I had to find something to use to keep my contact clean. What I was using, in simple terms, was a pain in the butt. Even though, my eyes weren’t itching or burning from the contact solution at the end of the day my eyes were very dry and I would have to take out my contacts and put my glasses on. My eyes sometimes get so dry that I fear that I would blink out my contact lenses and lose them.

So I was happy when Bausch + Lomb sent me a sample of Biotrue Multipurpose contact solution to review in a campaign with Mom Central Consulting. I started using the Bausch + Lomb Biotrue multi-purpose solution  and have felt quite a bit of relief in my eyes in the late hours of the day. I’m going to continue using it for the rest of the month to see if it really holds up to the test, but my eyes feel great right now, like I’m not even wearing contacts.

Three Key Features to Remember:

  • Has a lubricant found naturally in your eyes
  • Matches the pH of healthy tears
  • Keeps certain beneficial tear proteins active

 

I conducted this review while participating in a Mom Central Consulting blog tour on behalf of Bausch + Lomb Biotrue. I received a Biotrue sample and a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

What Would You Do Without The Internet or TV? Vlog

Welcome to Monday Mingle!

mondaymingleThis week’s questions:

Current questions {week of 3/21/11}:

1. What would you do for fun if you had to give up TV and internet?
2. What is your favorite breed of dog?

3. What is under your bed right now?

My answers:

If I had to give up internet and TV then I would go back to painting. I used to paint a lot before I had kids. I have tons of artwork under my bed, which happens to be question number thee. Of course if you really wanted to get down to what’s under my bed, we also have cracker packages, my iPad is under my bed along with a package of chocolate that I’ve been slowly working on since Valentine’s Day. I think in the video I said Mother’s Day but that’s not until May and rest assured the package of chocolate is not THAT old.

My favorite breed of dog is yes, chocolate labs, my dream dog that we recently decided we were not able to keep. Having a dog, a blog, traveling and two kids makes taking care of a puppy exhausting. So she’s living with a new family now that can care for her better than I could.

I look forward to reading everyone else’s answers this week.

Remember, Monday Mingle is a chance to chat over video answering questions. It’s fun and the more video you do on your blog the more comfortable you will be in front of the camera. Want to participate? Monday Mingle is a Meme over at Eighty MPH Mom. Go over to her site, find the questions, take a video of the answers and post them to share. Then visit everyone that linked up and have fun getting to know each other. However, if you aren’t ready to do video, just post the questions on your site and answer them. Then link up and we’ll still come and visit you leaving the answers.

Another Krispy Kreme Not So Wordless Wednesday BANANAS

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Miles and I had another great visit to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and enjoyed some of their banana flavors.

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Now through April 24th if you visit Krispy Kreme, Miles says you should try the Banana Kreme Pie Doughnut with Banana Kreme filling dipped in white icing and topped with Nilla wafer pieces. He also suggests that you try the Banana Caramel Cake doughnut made with real bananas and glazed and if that wasn’t enough it is drizzled with caramel icing. I thought the Banana Caramel Cake doughnut was a little too sweet. I’m very sad to say that we missed out on the opportunity to try the Chocolate Krispy Kreme Chiller® and I was really looking forward to trying it, it’s described as “a chocolate lover’s dream” having a rich and creamy texture and topped with whipped cream. Oh yum!

Join “Friends of Krispy Kreme” or interact with Krispy Kreme on Facebook  and www.twitter.com/krispy_kreme for updates on special promotions, exclusive offers and local events.

We received samples from Krispy Kreme to facilitate this Wordless Wednesday!

See My Spring Flowers Monday Mingle Vlog

mondaymingleWelcome to Monday Mingle, where we chat over video answering questions. It’s fun and the more video you do on your blog the more comfortable you will be in front of the camera. Want to participate? Monday Mingle is a Meme over at Eighty MPH Mom. Go over to her site, find the questions, take a video of the answers and post them to share. Then visit everyone that linked up and have fun getting to know each other.

Current questions {week of 2/28/11}:

1. Do you have Spring flowers (or any flowers) blooming in your yard right now? Show us!
2. Are you watching American Idol this season? What do you think about the new judges?

3. Tell us something that happened to you last week!

 

1) Yes I have lots of flowers coming up in the yard but I was too lazy to show you them on the video. So you really didn’t miss much if you didn’t watch the video. I do have some planters, and we’re growing some flowers from seeds but we have to wait until the weather warms up some before we transplant them outside.

2) I don’t have cable and we don’t and have never ever watched American Idol. I have watched it while visiting family but it’s not my thing.

3) It snowed last week and my husband pelted me right on the head.

What happened to you last week?

For My Sister Lindsey The Last Unicorn is on Blu-ray Happy Dance Vlog!

imageI had to write about this because this is my sisters favorite childhood movie. I had a love of Rainbow Bright, I had to have the movie and I had to have all of my toys back when I became an adult. Sad but true!

My sister had to find a copy of this movie on DVD (and I saw that she has it in her collection) and now that it’s on Blu-ray I bet she’s going to do everything she can to get her hands on a copy of it. That’s right, my sister pictured on the left with my daughter two years ago loves The Last Unicorn.

So I dedicate this video to her:

The Last Unicorn originally came out in 1982 which means she wasn’t even born when it first came out. So I’m really not sure when she fell in love with it, but there is something magical to us girls about unicorns, Mia Farrow and Angela Lansburry. Lionsgate Home Entertainment digitally remastered The Last Unicorn in 1080P high definition widescreen featuring the voice talents of Jeff Bridges (TRON: Legacy), Mia Farrow (The Purple Rose of Cairo), Angela Lansbury (Nanny McPhee) and Rene Auberjonois (The Little Mermaid). You may wonder what the movie is about, I bet I have readers that are too young to remember this movie at all. Oiy!

So you get the idea there is the last unicorn right, well this unicorn seeks out others like herself through a mystical land of talking cats and magicians. I her search for other unicorns, she encounters adventure and dangers that she never imagined possible. Throughout her journey she learns of friendship, love and something about herself which is a lesson we all need sometimes. I’m sure the musical composition along with the animation is part of what captured my sister’s imagination as a child. Hey, I have Rainbow bright so I can’t begrudge her The Last Unicorn right?

Mr. Beams Indoor and Outdoor Ceiling Light Review Vlog and Giveaway

I know I know 3 videos in one day, how can I expect anyone to watch them, well I expect you to watch this video because Mr. Beams Indoor/Outdoor ceiling light is a super cool product and I found even more about it as I was making the vide.

Mr. Beams Indoor or Outdoor use ceiling light is easy to install. To take it apart all you need to do is twist it. Then you take the top piece and screw it into the ceiling, or wall, wherever you choose to place it. Mr Beams comes with all of the hardware you need for installation.

Mr Beams Product FeaturesProduct Features of the Mr. Beams Ceiling Light presented themselves as I was making my video. One, it comes on in the dark. When Miles turned the light off the light came on. Then It took me a minute to realize that it shuts off after 30 seconds. Mr. Beams makes installation a snap, with all of the simple twists and turns. It is made from UV-Resistant Plastic that prevents it from yellowing over the years. Turns on for 3200 activations before you need to change your 4 C batteries. It activates when someone enters the area.

More Product Features and Descriptions:

Ceiling Light Features
• Bright Nichia Warm-White LED
• 100 Lumens
• No Wires—Attach Anywhere
• Motion Sensor & Auto Shut-Off
• Thin Profile – Diameter < DVD
• Weatherproof Design
• 1 Year+ Battery Life

Details
• Motion Sensor
• 4 C Batteries (not included)

Ceiling Light Applications
• Large Closets
• Pantry Lights
• Shower Lights
• Porch Lights
• Gazebo Lights

Right now, it’s in Zoe’s room and she can use it as a night light. I know it won’t stay on long but all she has to do is wave her hand and she can have more light, so when she falls asleep it will be off. It’s a lot brighter than her other night lights so she can see to color.

Enter to Win:

Mr. Beams Ceiling Light (retail 39.99)

To enter:

Leave a comment telling me which room you would put it in.

Extra Entries:

Tweet:

Mr. Beams Anywhere Ceiling Light #Giveaway http://bit.ly/dLxPCA

Subscribe to Mom Start blog RSS, or e-mail
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 wherever you share it)
Blog about this giveaway and link to this post (10 entries)
Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post

Leave a comment for every entry, This giveaway ends January 24th. I received the samples listed above for review purposes. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Who Has the Sexiest Voice Ever? Clive Owen or Ewan McGregor… Monday Mingle

Happy Monday Mingle:

Welcome to Monday Mingle, where we chat over video answering questions. It’s fun and the more video you do on your blog the more comfortable you will be in front of the camera. Want to participate? Monday Mingle is a Meme over at Eighty MPH Mom. Go over to her site, find the questions, take a video of the answers and post them to share. Then visit everyone that linked up and have fun getting to know each other.

 

Question at hand: Who has the sexiest voice Ever? These are the two that I would choose from but I know to each their own. I’m partial to an accent.

Clive Owen

Clive Owen

 

photo from ScreenCrave

or

Ewan McGregor

Ewan Mcgregor

photo from the Perfect People

The other questions for this week:

This week’s questions (submitted by Robyn from Robyn’s Online World):

1. Who has the best voice you have ever heard? Or sexiest?
2. Would you rather be smarter, more athletic, or better looking?
3.  If you were a doctor, which specialty would you choose?

So I choose Ewan McGregor, to be smarter, and anesthesiologist. What about you?

A Mom’s Story, The Creation of The Real Tooth Fairies

As part of Mom Start’s beginning, I used to share birth stories. It was very short lived as I didn’t take very much time networking when I first started out. But I would love to start sharing mother’s stories all over again, and not just birth stories, but how moms started their home based business, blogs and about becoming a mother. To start,  Marilyn Bollinger, the Founder of TheRealToothFairies.com has a special story about the creation and inspiration that lead to her business The Real Tooth Fairies. This is her story:

My first daughter, Shannon, was 5 when she discovered a loose tooth. This was a real event for her, with daily announcements about how much looser it was getting and questions like, “When will it come out?” or “Do you think the tooth fairy will bring me a surprise?” Not leaving it to chance, she wrote a letter to the tooth fairy one night when the tooth was very loose and placed the note under her pillow. That’s when a most magical and life-changing friendship began.

Shannon’s Real Tooth Fairy, Twinkle LaWinkle, wrote her back!

What began that day, as a magical meeting of an Earthy girl (that’s what they call us in Real Fairyland) and her fairy, grew into a dear IMG_7361friendship. Twinkle was  like a loving big sister and mentor to Shannon. Shannon was absolutely intrigued by the idea of knowing a fairy and being able to find out secrets of the magical happenings in Real Fairyland. She asked for Twinkle’s picture, made countless homemade creations for Twinkle, and wrote her many letters telling of her triumphs and her worries. And she shared all of that magic and excitement with me, her mother.

Twinkle, through these magic letters, gave Shannon a powerful message to believe in herself and her dreams. She made Shannon feel she was the most precious being on Earth. Shannon could feel Twinkle’s love in every letter. Twinkle gave her laughter and giggles about the funny adventures in Real Fairyland. Twinkle gave Shannon wisdom in girl size doses. She taught her to think about goals in small parts and map her way with determination. She made kindness, virtues, and dreams important. She made all things seem possible. She showed Shannon that her Love is Magic.

Shannon inspired her friends to write to their tooth fairies and discover who they were too. Many parents learned about the tooth fairies from Shannon! Shannon kept all her letters from Twinkle and would read them over and over again like treasures from another world. And when a friend asked Shannon if she was worried that Twinkle wouldn’t know where to visit her when she went away on a trip, Shannon said, “Oh, Twinkle says, ‘love follows you wherever you go!’ So of course she’ll find me!”

Shannon passed on the magical stories to her younger sister, who found her own unique friendship with Twinkle. Rachel loved the letters and stories Twinkle shared and she did creative writing and pretending herself, all about Real Fairyland. She especially liked the stories Twinkle told of pranky, cranky Stepella, so Rachel staged fairy plays, royal balls, fairy contests, and fairy TV shows, all with Stepella’s mischievous antics woven through.

Both of these girls moved on to older girl things, with the treasured tooth fairy letters gathering dust, covered over by first car keys, prom corsages and college applications. Twinkle delivered sweet letters to her Earthiy friends at high school graduation and college graduations, and on the eve of Shannon’s wedding. Even a new baby letter appeared on the hospital stand – always the devoted friend that Twinkle is.

And I know that the magic of Twinkle still lives on deep in their hearts. Twinkle celebrated the free spirit that is childhood. She was kindness and love in action. She showed the girls in so many small lessons that Love is the most  powerful Magic of all. She nurtured seeds of leadership, confidence, goal-setting and virtues that both girls built on to achieve challenging goals and dreams, while spreading kindness in their worlds.

I also know that, because of Twinkle, Shannon will always find the magic in the life even though she is a Washington, DC lawyer litigating contentious legal cases. I know that because of Twinkle, Rachel had the conviction to follow (at the last minute) the path that was true to her heart – to pursue a PhD at Columbia University to become an English professor inspiring young writers and critical thinkers. They both followed Twinkle’s star steps to reach their goals, believing in their dreams, working through obstacles – always remembering what’s most important – that Love is Magic and Every Kindness Counts.

Every girl deserves to know she’s a precious gift to our world – with a very important purpose meant just for her. She needs to hear it from more sources than her parents.

Every girl needs to set claim to The 20 virtues as she follows her star steps and maps the plans to her goals. She needs to know she’s meant to soar – following her own Heart with Wings.

Every girl needs to experience at a young age the power of kindness in action – to grow the habit of “making the kind choice” every day.

I know that you are your girl’s devoted hero and champion. Just know that your wise, loving helpers, the Real Tooth Fairies, are here to support your efforts as you raise your precious girl.

Truly, every girl deserves the magical friendship of her Real Tooth Fairy. It’s a beautiful childhood experience that you as a parent share WITH your girl – making together time moments that you’ll treasure for a lifetime – just like those sweet memories I share with my girls.

Copyrighted by The RealToothFairies.com Royal Council of the Real Fairyland, LLC

Marilyn Bollinger also sent me a Real Tooth Fairy Kit, which is a very cute set. It appeals greatly to Zoe because of the girlyness to it. There are purple ribbons to use as awards, and little sparkly pieces for her to use. I had to take a video just to show you everything.

So on the video I didn’t mention that this is about more than rewards for losing teeth. Your child can form a great adventure with Twinkle herself with the stories, projects, and on-line world. There are quite a few things she can do and learn among those lessons being confidence, organization (I wish I had picked that  up somewhere), kindness and charity. All great virtues you should be teaching your children!

Enter to Win you very own The Real Tooth Fairies Kit, a gift basket to offer as a corresponding giveaway to one of your lucky readers (value $75!)

To Enter:

Visit The Real Tooth Fairies and tell me what you think of the on-line world

Extra Entries:

Tweet:

Win The Real Tooth Fairies Gift Basket (AVR 75.00) #Giveaway http://bit.ly/fQOXlJ

Subscribe to my blog RSS, or e-mail
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 wherever you share it)
Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post

Leave a comment for every entry, This giveaway ends January 3. I received products mentioned above facilitate this review. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.