We still love Clipo The Hippo by Playskool

October 2, 2009 by MomStart 3 Comments

Meet Zoe:

She likes purple, building, stuffing, coloring, and using her imagination

Meet Miles

He likes rolling, anything that makes noise, building, dumping and filling as all one year olds do.

Meet Clipo the Hippo:

He is a purple hippo on wheels. He rolls, he is stackable, he is buildable, he can eat his pieces and store them in his back. Oh did I mention he’s PURPLE!

• Colorful hippo toy encourages little ones to build all sorts of creations while interlocking the peg-covered CLIPO blocks to each other – and to the hippo!
• Hippo’s mouth opens wide – blocks store inside!
• Rolling wheels for on-the-floor fun.
• Hippo comes with 20 CLIPO parts.
• Ages 18 months and up.

Playskool sent my family Clipo Hippo for review quite a while ago. We have been playing with him for a quite a few months now and he’s wonderful. They have a hard time sharing him sometimes. Zoe is very attached because it’s purple and Miles loves that it rolls. They both love building stacking and fill and dump. Zoe’s starting to outgrow the dumping and that’s when she wants to take it away from her brother.

**Update, they can share him better now since he’s not so new****

The Clipo products seem to be new. It looks like they came out this year even.

CLIPO pieces let toddlers develop their creativity as they pile, stack, sort, and stick the colorful CLIPO™ pieces together. Specifically designed for little hands, the chunky, tactile pieces are easy to put together, and even easier to pull apart, giving your little one hours of stacking fun.

The recommended age is for 18 months plus but my 14 month old is doing just fine playing with them. He rolls it and chases it. They even fill it up and want to take it on car rides. They take turns holding him in their laps.

2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award Roll

I would have to say we like this toy a lot and for quite a few reasons.

My Christmas Guide Recommendations:

Ages: 18 months +
boys and girls
Gift, a bit big for a stocking

Around 20.00 in price

Mom Start Moment

August 13, 2009 by MomStart 4 Comments

First Pregnancy: All I have to say is, I hate being pregnant

Where do you get your ink cartridges?

August 8, 2009 by MomStart 1 Comment

I was wondering where people get their printer cartridges and if they spend money on the name brand. Some people believe that only name brand inks keep your machine going for it’s full life. I think that’s what I feel is the best thing to do for the printer. I defiantly don’t think you should purchase refillable ink cartridges.

We have a Cannon Printer and we always buy the ink that Cannon makes. There are plenty of places to buy it, but I found this site that sells cheap printer cartridges. At Buy The Best Buy, I found best buys on printer cartridges. You can select from every major brand of printers out there. Then after selecting the brand you select the type, inkjet, fax. Finally you select the model and it takes you to the options for the printer cartridge that you want to purchase. Their high quality ink is up to 80% less expensive than what printer manufacturers charge. Or so their website says. I mean, I’m looking at it and at only 5.00 a cartridge for my photo ink sounds like a good price.

I’m just not sure if it’s for me? What do you guys think? Is this a good place to go for printer cartridge shopping? Let me know!

Back To School Get Cool For School Parents Again #giveaway

August 7, 2009 by MomStart 6 Comments

First Place

Sponsor One

Sponsor’s Name: BusyBodyBook
Sponsor Description: BusyBodyBook organizers and calendars set the trend in family organization. Designed with today’s family in mind, BBB organizers feature a flexible grid format with versatile columns to view and manage multiple schedules at once. BusyBodyBook helps you stay organized – and sane!

Prize Name: School Year Busy Body Book Organizer and Wall Calendar

Prize description: The school year BusyBodyBook Personal and Family Grid Organizer features five blank columns so you can coordinate and track multiple people or projects. The BBB Organizer has plenty of room for notes, perforated shopping list sheets and birthday and anniversary calendars. The BusyBodyBook Wall Calendar allows you to keep track of your busy family right on the wall. The Calendar has seven columns for a side by side view of your family’s activities.

Sponsor Two:

Sponsor’s Name: LTDchix
Sponsor’s URL; http://www.ltdchix.com/index.php

Sponsor’s Logo: (Attached)
Sponsor Description: LTDchix is a mom-run business that offers moms everywhere a humorous take on the many roles they play during motherhood. There is something for every mom. Whether you are the official family chauffer or a working mom trying to juggle it all, there’s a mom t-shirt for you!

Prize Name: An LTDchix T-Shirt
Prize description: The winner can choose one in-stock t-shirt in their favorite design, style, color, and size.

Please link back to at least one of these reviews, if you do not have your own to link back to:

http://3garnetsn2sapphires.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-ltdchix-laundry-mom-tee.html

Sponsor Three:

AMACOM
Sponsor Description: From Amacom Books, Overcoming School Anxiety is a resource which will help parents learn to cope with the needs of children with every kind of childhood anxiety, including:

• The inability to stop worrying
• Panic attacks
• The fear of people, places, and things
• Test anxiety
• Perfectionism
• Low self-esteem
• Parental and family problems

Prize Name: Overcoming School Anxiety by Diane Peters Mayer, M.S.W.
Prize description: A parenting book that discusses "How to Help Your Child Deal With Separation, Tests, Homework, Bullies, Math Phobia, and Other Worries."

Second and Third Place

Each get one of the parenting books

To Enter:

Mandatory entry: Take a look around BusyBodyBook and leave a comment with your favorite product.

Mandatory entry: Leave a comment telling us what you found to be the most stressful part of going to school.

Mandatory entry: Take a look at the shirts offered on LTDchix.com . Then tell us which shirt you would choose if you won this contest.

AND OR

Possible extra entry: Become a fan of LTDchix on Facebook. Then leave use the link to your Facebook profile.

Extra Entries:

None Bloggers get and extra entry for every e-mail they send out linking to this giveaway cc louise@looksblue.com (be sure to leave a comment for every person you e-mail, for example if you e-mail 10 different people leave 10 different comments)

Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Blog about the giveaway include a link to me for five extra entries
Tweet the giveaway (every time you tweet you get an entry) Link to the giveaway please!!!
Add my button to your blog/blog roll
Dig, Stumble, or fav me on Technorati (two entries for each one)
Leave a comment for every entry

The contest will run until Wednesday August 24th 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org from entries in the FORM

Also Enter on These Blogs

Life Starring the Kids and Me

Blessings Abound Mommy

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

Loading…

Back To School Get Cool For School Melissa & Doug

August 7, 2009 by MomStart 5 Comments

Sponsor One

Sponsor’s Name: Leap Frog
Sponsor Description: Leap Frog offers a wide variety of fun and educational toys for kids of any age. Featuring interactive activities which keep kiddos engaged and happy with learning, Leap Frog encourages kids to learn in a fun way. Worried that your child will get bored with their Leap Frog system after a little bit? Not to worry, Leap Frog offers plenty of additional games and learning books and activities to go with all of their systems.

Prize Name: Leapster2

Prize description: Made for ages 4-8 the Leap Frog Leapster2 is an interactive handheld gaming system which slips learning into your child’s video games…no more worrying about if you child should really be playing video games that much! Featuring a variety of games there is sure to be something out there to interest your kiddo, and best of all this system is perfect for on the go, but it can also be connected to your home computer where you can play extra games and earn fun rewards online.
Mandatory entry: Visit Leap Frog and tell me what Leapster2 Game or what other Leap Frog system you would choose for your child.

Sponsor Two:

Fancy Fortune Cookies
Sponsor Description: Fancy Fortune Cookies offers gourmet fortune cookies with custom printed fortunes for all occasions. These tasty cookies are perfect for birthday parties, office parties, unique personalized gifts, and even can be color-coordinated with your wedding colors to use as wedding favors. How about packing them in you children’s lunches with a special message inside just for them?

30-Day Supply of Fancy Fortune Cookies
Prize description: Winner can choose the flavor and custom printed fortunes for their 30-day supply of fortune cookies.

Possible extra entry: Tell us what you would have printed on the custom fortunes.
(You are not required to use the extra entry.)
Please link back to at least one of these reviews, if you do not have your own to link back to:

Karen: http://3garnetsn2sapphires.blogspot.com/2009/07/giveaway-review-fancy-fortune-cookies.html

Louise: http://momstart.com/2009/07/fancy-fortune-cookie-giveaway/

Sponsor Three:

MnDCuttingBread Melissa & Doug
Sponsor Description: Melissa & Doug is a common household name for those who have children. This company is best known for their children’s wooden puzzles, their oversized MnDFoodGroups stuffed animals, and a wide variety of other "green" wooden toys. Although many of the toys offered by Melissa & Doug are learning toys, all the toys are offered are both colorful and fun to play with.
Prize Name: 3 Sets of Melissa & Doug Play Foods
Pretend Pizza Party
Play Food Groups
Pretend Cutting Bread Set

To Enter:

Mandatory entry: Take a look at the assortment of cookies offered at FancyFortuneCookies.com. Then leave a comment telling us which one looks the tastiest to you.

Mandatory entry: Visit Leap Frog and tell me what Didj game or what other Leap Frog system your family would be interested in.

Mandatory entry: Visit the Melissa & Doug website and tell us one toy that caught your eye (aside from the 3 featured in this contest).

Extra Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 24th 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org from entries in the FORM

Also Enter on These Blogs

Life Starring the Kids and Me

Blessings Abound Mommy

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

Loading…

Wizard’s of Waverly Place going to the movies CD #giveaway

August 7, 2009 by MomStart 96 Comments

Have you noticed that being on a Disney TV Show means that you must be able to sing. That’s right, the characters that are on the TV Show The Wizards of Waverly Place can sing and this is the CD that is inspired by the TV show and their upcoming movie.

Wow a movie and a TV Show and they can sing. It’s not surprising since that’s where Brittany Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera all came from originally as well. My sister told me I was old since I know that information. OMG, I was in shock that she said that.

So I made her listen to this CD with me today. I told her I have to review it. So we listened to it on our way to Dallas.

Track list:

1. Disappear Selena Gomez
2. Magical Selena Gomez
3. Magic (Pilot) Selena Gomez
4. Strange Magic Steve Rushton
5. Magic (The Cars) Honor Society
6. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic Mitchel Musso
7. Magic Carpet Ride KSM
8. Magic (Xanadu) Meaghan Martin
9. You Can Do Magic Drew Seeley
10. Some Call It Magic Raven-Symoné
11. Do You Believe in Magic Aly & AJ
12. Everything Is Not As It Seems Selena Gomez

The show recently ranked as the No. 1 TV series for kids. Anticipation for the “Wizards of Waverly Place” upcoming film and release of the soundtrack is running high. The CD includes several new songs performed by series star Selena Gomez who had a live broadcast earlier today on facebook. Including “Disappear,” the rock ballad “Magical,” the show’s theme song “Everything is Not as it Seems” and a new version of Pilot’s 1975 Top 10 Hit “Magic”; This CD features exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with Selena, plus her all-new music video.

So what did my sister and I think?

I thought it was great, oh wait, people thing bloggers that do reviews should use some other word that great. I thought it was simply musical and tween oriented. I mean, it’s good, it’s music that makes you want to move and it’s all about magic. I’d have to say that my favorite song was between Do you believe in magic, and Magic (The Cars). It made me want to dance but I was driving so I had to try to concentrate on the road.

To Enter:

To enter tell me who it’s for.

Extra Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 31st 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

Ncircle Dive Olly Dive! Ship Shape Sub #giveaway

August 7, 2009 by MomStart 115 Comments

Ooops I did it AGAIN!

I hope that after this month that the nCircle company decides to continue working with me. I missed every shipment they sent me this month. I wasn’t expecting to go to Texas like I did. It all happened so suddenly. I mean we bought the tickets and left practically. All my responsibilities went out the window (blogging responsibilities that is; my kids are still with me).

This one I want to watch and nCircle entertainment has offered to provide the giveaway copy. I’m sorry there isn’t a review but I wanted to get this posted. I do really want to watch this because it looks very cute. I’m interested to see if it lives up to my expectations.

“Dive Olly Dive!: Ship Shape Sub”

This 3D-animated DVD for preschoolers features five episodes from the Dive Olly Dive! series, which explores the many interesting facets of ocean life in an entertaining and educational way. With exciting underwater adventures featured throughout, this lively DVD is a perfect way to cap off a fun-filled day at the beach! Episodes include:

Haunted Ship Prank

Less is More

Navigation Consternation

Follow that Lobster

Don’t Tell Beth

Dive Olly Dive!: The Adventure Begins in the Sea

DVD List Price ~~$12.99~~
Now $11.99

Release Date: 4/28/2009
UPC: 843501003251

Run Time: 55
Distributor/Studio: Dive Olly Dive

Can be purchased at Amazon here:Dive Olly Dive: Ship Shape Sub

To Enter:

Tell me who you want to win this DVD for.

Other Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 31st 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

The Super Mario Bros Super Show NCircle #giveaway

August 7, 2009 by MomStart 69 Comments

I loved the Super Mario Brothers show that was on in the 90’s. I watched it every week day during the summer time that I spent with my mom. Friday was my favorite day to watch because they always had a short from The Legend of Zelda. That was the ultimate thrill for me. Yes, I have come a long way from that. It takes a lot more to give me a thrill now days. Something more along the lines of House. 😉

This is another example of what has happened to me. I joined ncircle Entertainment and have items that I get to review every month. This month, I was away from the house because I’m in Texas. So my husband has told me what we received and this is one of them. Since I can’t watch it and tell you what it’s about I want to do a giveaway.

You tell me what it’s about.

To Enter:

Tell me something about the series The Super Mario Bros Super Show and leave it in the comments. Each time you tell me something it’s another entry.

Super Mario Bros. Super Show!: Off the Map

DVD List Price ~~$6.99~~
Now $5.99

Release Date: 7/21/2009
UPC: 843501001233

Run Time: 75
Distributor/Studio: Dic Entertainment

Or you can find more information at Super Mario Brothers Super Show!: Off The Map

Other Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 31st 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

Back To School Get Cool for Day Care #Giveaway

August 6, 2009 by MomStart 10 Comments

Sponsor One

kokopax

Sponsor Description: On a trip to the Northwest, Sarah Spoor came across some beautiful fabric patterns that inspired her to think of ways she could combine modern fabrics with the simple functionality of the older carriers. With that idea in mind, she embarked on a mission to develop a stylish, modern and lightweight framed infant carrier that could be used every day, everywhere. And she did. Kokopax was founded in 2007 enabeling moms with the ability to carry their children and still do all activities they need to do like cook, clean, take care of other children.

Prize Name: kokopax classic carrier™

Prize description: The kokopax classic carrier offers a fresh new take on the traditional framed carrier. Designed as the go-to gear for the cheers and chores of daily life, the fashionable, lightweight and easy-to-use carrier offers a safe and comfortable ride for baby. Made with 100% cotton canvas with an anodized aluminum frame, the carrier provides an ideal fit for mom and dad alike with its comfortable shoulder straps and adjustable frame. Other features include padded waist support, a handy storage pocket, kickstand for easy loading and a 5-pt. safety harness. Weight is approximately 2.7 lbs.

Available in six custom fabric designs: bubbles, buds, sailor, espresso, garden and licorice

Recommended Retail: $179.99

Sponsor Two:

Sponsor’s Name: Doodle and Goo

Sponsor Description: The Princess’s Mom, Jodi Murphy, founded the company, Doodle & Goo, which became dedicated to creating beautiful, couture clothing for all the little princesses throughout the land! Doodle & Goo began creating custom clothing and personalized attire, made-to-order, for all those who contact them by clicking here or calling 407.267.2881. The kingdom became well-known for being beautifully dressed and for their excellent customer service and they all lived happily ever after!

Prize: 1 ruffle bottom pants for girl or little man tie shirt for boy.

Look groovy in the Ruffle bottom pants in bright, exciting retro chic fabric. All of the ruffle bottom pants feature a comfortable elastic waist band and wide leg with a 4” ruffle. Available as capris or full length pants.

Looks great with any of our Doodle & Goo Shirred Halter Tops!

Sponsor Three:

Cherry Hill Designs

Sponsor Description: Cherry Hill Designs is a personalization boutique and creative design shop specializing personalized waterproof labels perfect for sippy cups and bottles, iron on clothing labels, bag tags, custom stationery, invitations and more! Featuring fun, modern, and colorful designs Cherry Hill Designs offers a variety of products for back to school shopping and beyond.

Prize Name: Pack of TINY Multipurpose Labels

Prize description: Cherry Hill Designs tiny waterproof labels are the perfect size for protecting your little one’s pacifiers, bottles and sippy cups. Personalized to reflect your style the TINY label is perfect for everything you send to school, daycare, preschool, or mom’s morning out.

To Enter:

Mandatory entry: Visit kokopax and tell us which material you like.

Mandatory entry: Visit Doodle and Goo and come back and leave a comment saying what you think is cute.

Mandatory entry: Take a look around Cherry Hill Designs and leave a comment with your favorite item.

Extra Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 24th 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org from entries in the FORM

Also Enter on These Blogs

Life Starring the Kids and Me

Blessings Abound Mommy

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

Loading…

Back To School Get Cool For School Pre-school/Homeschool #giveaway

August 6, 2009 by MomStart 8 Comments

First Place

Sponsor One

See Kai Run Shoes

I talk about these shoes all the time so I hope by now you know all about them

Sponsor Two

Ufadili Item, Founded on the ideal of conscious consumerism, Ufadili products are made by a sweatshop-free and fair trade manufacture, the packaging is made out of 100% recycled or biodegradable products and 30% of the profits are given back to charity. Find cute infant, children’s and adult apparel.

Sponsor Three

Sponsor Description: Leap Frog offers a wide variety of fun and educational toys for kids of any age. Featuring interactive activities which keep kiddos engaged and happy with learning, Leap Frog encourages kids to learn in a fun way. Worried that your child will get bored with their Leap Frog system after a little bit? Not to worry, Leap Frog offers plenty of additional games and learning books and activities to go with all of their systems.

Leap Frog

Prize Name: Tag Jr

Prize description: The Leap Frog Tag Jr is especially made to encourage children 2-4 to learn to enjoy reading and to enjoy reading on their own. Featuring an electronic reader especially made for small hands and developing motor skills, this system encourages children to not only read but to also explore all of the pages and illustrations of the fully interactive books. With titles such as the classic Panda Bear, Panda Bear What Do You See to more recent titles like 1-2-3 Dora, your child is sure to enjoy learning to read and their first "gaming" system.

Sponsor Four

BabyBox.com

Sponsor Description: BabyBox.com is a premiere site for baby gifts, including luxury baby bedding, personalized baby clothes and baby toys. A perfect resource for new baby gifts, BabyBox.com recommends hot baby gift picks and baby shower ideas. Even if you aren’t buying for a baby, BabyBox.com has great gifts for toddlers and older kids including some back to school gear.

Prize Name: Monogrammed Lunch Bag

Prize description: Made of adorable retro oil cloth, monogrammed lunch bags from BabyBox.com are fun to pack and easy to wipe clean. The lunch bags are super plush and padded to protect your PB&J and look as cute as can be personalized with your little one’s name. This lunch bag is perfect for all ages from the young to the young at heart.