Product Review: Introducing Lanie, American Girl's Girl of the Year 2010
1:39 PM Posted by Centsible Mommy
The idea behind Lanie is to inspire girls to reconnect with nature, and entice them to rediscover the outdoors in a time where so many children stay indoors in front of TV and computer screens.
Available for the rest of this year only, Lanie's collection includes two books that tell her story, a golden-haired 18-inch Lanie doll, and an array of cute, fun accessories consisting of everything Lanie needs for her outdoor adventures. In her collection, you'll find an adorable gardening outfit, a hammock for lounging on warm summer days, furry wildlife friends,and a camper and gear to explore the great outdoors and much more!
More about Lanie:
The beautiful 18-inch Lanie doll, features curly blond hair and hazel eyes and comes dressed in a cute striped rugby dress with embroidered dragonfly. Her cute canvas slip-on shoes match her outfit and are adorned with yellow bows. A double-ribbon headband with a dragonfly applique pulls back her gorgeous curly locks.
Lanie's accessories(sold separately) include:
A pretend laptop computer and three screen clings- A letter and two postcards from her Aunt Hannah and best friend, Dakota
- A heart-charm bracelet to show she loves nature
- An embroidered messenger bag to carry it all
- Her adorable pet bunny, Lulu, who wears a leash for walks
Her friend Lulu, a loped ear bunny, is just one of the many animal friends in Lanie's collection. As she walks in the woods she loves to meet other wildlife friends along the way. Lanie is ready to explore the outdoors and any adventure that comes her way. Lanie loves science and nature and spending time in the great outdoors.
Buy it: Lanie and her collection can be purchased while supplies last from American Girl's online store or at American Girl retail locations.
My thoughts on Lanie: Not only do I think Lanie and her wildlife friends are absolutely adorable, but I love that her collection inspires girls to get outdoors, reconnect with nature and to love animals.
Don't forget to "Shine On Now" with American Girl and to enter my American Girl giveaway... both ending tomorrow (7/31) at midnight. Click here for more details.
I was sent Lanie for review purposes only. The ideas expressed are my own based on my personal use of the product. No monetary compensation was received for this post.
Giveaway: Backyard Camping with Magic Cabin. Win a $50 gift certificate
12:01 AM Posted by Centsible Mommy
We were recently sent a few items from Magic Cabin that enhanced my children’s backyard camp out experience. Here’s how we enjoyed them:
For starters, we pitched the cute kids' Camping Tent from Magic Cabin to set up “camp”. This was not only a great way to enhance my boys’ backyard “camping” experience and make it feel like an actual campsite, but it was fun for my boys to pretend, play and relax in this fun camping tent. This one touch tent sets up in seconds as it easily just pops up when opened, so setting up camp wasn’t difficult at all. 
After the tent was pitched, we decided to do a little bug and bird watching. So we sat quietly (very hard to do with 2 young children, but we tried our best) and looked and listened for our outdoor neighbors: feathered friends, winged insects, or other creepy crawlies. To call and attract the birds we used the Audubon Bird Call from Magic Cabin.
When we’d spot a feathered friend or insect, my boys took turns using the Optic Explorer from Magic Cabin to get a closer look. Of course, they used it to get a better look at everything: the trees, the leaves, birds, bugs, our dogs, rocks and dirt and of course each other. Ha!
Our backyard camp out was fun and restful; and the boys even learned a few things too.
More information about the featured items from Magic Cabin:
Camping Tent: This professional-looking tent morphs from folded to full-of-kids in a moment. Thanks to "one-touch" technology, you just lift it out of its carry bag, hold it up, shake it to snap it into shape, and let the pretend adventures begin! Included carry bag makes it a breeze to pack along to the beach, lake or campsite. Features include a waterproof poly oxford floor adds to its versatility, netting at the roof ensures good ventilation, and the durable, UV-treated, 30-SPF-coated polyester fabric adds extra protection from the sun's rays. For happy campers ages 3 and up.
Size: Approx. 48" x 48" x 36"
Audubon Bird Call: You can attract many birds with the Audubon Bird Call, a little birchwood and pewter device that chirps and twitters - imitating several birdcalls - when you twist it. Easy to tuck in a pocket or backpack, or carry around your neck on a string. Handcrafted in New England. For ages 5 and up.
Optic Explorer: Young explorers can carry this 2-in-1 telescope/microscope in their pockets or backpacks for up-close viewing of bugs, birds, rocks, leaves and other natural (or man-made) treasures.Perfect for school field trips, camping, hiking or backyard explorations. 12x microscope extends to become a 7x telescope. Contains an 18mm object lens.Colors will vary, Blue or Red we will choose for you. For ages 8 and up.
Marshmallow Tree: Whether they're roughing it in the woods or merely pretend-camping in the backyard, kids will love our 10-prong Marshmallow Tree. It's made from non-stick coated steel wire that's bent and turned to look like the branches of a tree, and has a rosewood-stained, tapered wood handle
Buy it: All the items featured in this review can be purchased directly from Magic Cabin.
Win it: We are giving away a $50 gift certificate to Magic Cabin to one Centsible Mommy reader to use toward Backyard Camping items or anything you choose from Magic Cabin.
Here’s how to enter:
Click over to Magic Cabin, browse the site, and then come back here and leave me a comment on what you’d buy with your $50 gift certificate. Be sure to leave an email address with your entry. Keep reading for additional ways to gain entries.
Additional entries:
"Like" Centsible Mommy on Facebook (1 entry)
Follow me on Twitter- (@CentsibleMom) ( 1 entry)
Post about this giveaway somewhere (facebook, twitter, blog, etc) with a link to this giveaway included and be sure to leave me a comment to where you've posted it! ( 1 entry for each post)
Follow me on Google Friend Connect (upper right hand corner) (1 entry)
Subscribe to ¢ent$ible Mommy by Email (1 entry)
Refer a friend. Get 1 entry for each friend who enters this giveaway and tells me you sent them! (1 entry each)
Don't forget to enter all my other giveaways still going on! Look on the right sidebar for the current list.
Contest ends at 11:59 pm CST on August 10th. Winner will be randomly selected using a random number generator at random.org. Winner will be notified in this post and by email. Prizes not claimed within 48 hours will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be drawn. Open to U.S. Residents 18+ only.
2010 Top Toys Guide: Part 2- TONKA TOUGHEST MIGHTY Dump Truck
9:53 AM Posted by Centsible Mommy
My little construction crew loads this dump truck up and makes their "deliveries" everywhere, even through the roughest of terrain: rocks, sand, dirt even an occasional mud puddle or two. With its giant wheels this truck is definitely made to handle it.
The handle releases allowing them to dump their load (rocks and dirt) and return to their "work site" for more. Indoors, they load it up with small toys, and head to their "delivery" destination as this authentic looking dump truck makes its way over makeshift mounds of blocks and more.
Overall, this toy is durable, cleans up easily, and is made to withstand the play of two kids through the harshest of play and conditions.
And although this toy is not new in 2010, I am still putting it in my 2010 Top Toys Guide, because my little construction crew love it so much. And as mom, I am impressed with the quality and durability. This toy is a great product and would make a great investment for entertaining your little "construction worker" for years to come.
More details: Award winner, Toy Tips Approved. Guaranteed to last a lifetime
Buy it: The retail price of the TONKA TOUGHEST MIGHTY Dump Truck is $29.99 and can be purchased at hasbrotoyshop.com or at most retailers nationwide including Walmart, KMart, Toys 'r' us and more.
We received the featured product for review purposes only. All opinions are our own and based on the use of the product. We received no monetary compensation for this review.
Product Review: Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone
9:36 PM Posted by Centsible Mommy
Who is Sid The Science Kid? If your children haven't yet discovered Sid and friends, Sid the Science Kid is an animated television series on PBS Kids, starring Sid, a funny and inquisitive 5-year old. Join Sid and his friends as they celebrate their excitement and curiosity about the world through discovery, activity and fun!
Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone
Your child will love exploring his or her world with an electronic microphone just like the Sid the Science Kid characters on the animated television series!
Fun push-button features let your child create applause noise after he's interviewed someone, laughter noise when she's told a joke and even play the Sid the Science Kid series theme song and silly sounds when they’re ready to sing! For extra fun, they can set it to “echo mode” and listen to their voice echo…echo…echo… everywhere they go! For ages 3+.
Our thoughts on the Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone:
This toy was a big hit for both my boys ages 5 and 2. My 5 year old loved mimicking Sid by conducting his very own interviews, with silly sounds, applause and more interjected, of course. My 2 year old loved the echo feature the most. He loved talking and singing into the microphone. Both my boys got a big kick out the silly sounds and music. With 4 different colored push buttons to choose from, kids can easily press a button to hear a different sound.
Buy it: Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone retails for $14.99 and can be purchased online at HasbroToyShop.com or wherever toys and games are sold including, Wal-Mart, Toys "R" Us, Target, and more.
We were sent a Sid the Science Kid Gotta Know Microphone for review. We received no monetary compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are my own based on the use of this product. Note: Some excerpts and descriptions taken from Hasbro.com
2010 Top Toys Guide: Part 1- K'nex Building Sets
1:46 PM Posted by Centsible Mommy
We were sent some of the newest toys from K’nex for our “expert testers” (ages 5 and 2) to try out. If you haven’t yet heard of K’nex, they are a popular brand of building toys for ages 2 through 9+. K’nex building toys allow children to let their imaginations soar as they play and build with K'nex Building sets. Here are just some of the newest toys from Spring/Summer Collection from K’nex:
The New K'nex Sesame Street Collection (ages 2+)
More information about each:
"Kick it Elmo" Building Set
Your child can build Sesame Street's coolest red monster, Elmo, gearing up to kick his soccer ball! This 13 piece set includes parts to build Elmo in his uniform and ready to hit the field with his soccer ball. "Play & Learn" activity sheet filled with collaborative and educational fun for parent and child is also included along with additional building ideas. When playtime is over store the parts in the handy canister for a quick and easy clean-up.
Your child can build Sesame Street's friendliest resident, Ernie, dressed in his bathing suit and ready to take a swim! This 14 piece set includes parts to build Ernie, complete with snorkel and flippers, on his way to the pool, lake or beach! "Play & Learn" activity sheet filled with collaborative and educational fun for parent and child is also included along with additional building ideas. When playtime is over store the parts in the handy canister for a quick and easy clean-up.
Cookie Monster Basketball Building Set
Your child can build one of Sesame Street's most lovable - and hungriest - characters, Cookie Monster, getting some exercise by hitting the basketball court! This 15 piece set includes parts to build Cookie Monster dressed in his uniform, including his yellow visor, with basketball in hand. "Play & Learn" activity sheet filled with collaborative and educational fun for parent and child is also included along with additional building ideas. When playtime is over store the parts in the handy canister for a quick and easy clean-up.Our thoughts on the Sesame Street building sets: The Sesame Street building sets are perfect for my 2 year old son. Not only are the Sesame Street Characters some of his favorites, but at his age he is too young for most other building sets. The K'nex Sesame Street building sets allow him to build his favorite characters, as they have fewer and bigger pieces than the K’nex sets for older children. And well it's Elmo, Ernie and Cookie Monster, which was an added plus for my little Sesame Street fan. He has a blast building and playing with his favorite Sesame Street friends.
Benefits of K'nex Sesame Street Building Sets:
Physical Development: Building with Kid K'nex supports the development of hand-eye coordination
Social Emotional Development-Playing with Kid K'nex either alone or with friends encourages imaginative play
Language Development: Talking about K'nex creations can enhance language skills
Cognitive Skills-Sorting and making Patterns with K'nex encourages thinking and problem-solving skills
There are also 4 new toys in the Construction Crew Series, which includes an excavator, front loader, steam roller, and backhoe. These are great for kids who love construction vehicles. Each set comes with about 120 pieces, accessories, and a driver. Combine all 4 sets to make a huge construction site! These retail for $11.99 each, and are recommended for ages 5 and up.
More information about each:
Collect & Build the Excavator, #1 of 4 in the Construction Crew Series! This set comes with 120 K'NEX parts, including bricks, rods and connectors to build a construction vehicle with a pivoting cab and working arm. There is also a K'NEXman to operate the vehicle, and construction accessories to play with! You can build on the brick plate that is included in the set, then combine all four sets and the brick plates become your own actual construction site! Recommended for builders ages 5+.
Collect & Build the Front Loader, #2 of 4 in the Construction Crew Series! This set comes with 120 K'NEX parts, including bricks, rods and connectors to build a construction vehicle with working bucket. There is also a K'NEXman to operate the vehicle, and construction accessories to play with! You can build on the brick plate that is included in the set, then combine all four sets and the brick plates become your own actual construction site! Recommended for builders ages 5+.
Collect & Build the Steam Roller, #3 of 4 in the Construction Crew Series! This set comes with 121 K'NEX parts, including bricks, rods and connectors to build a working construction vehicle with a drum that rotates when pushed. There is also two K'NEXmen to operate the vehicle and work alongside, and construction accessories to play with! You can build on the brick plate that is included in the set, then combine all four sets and the brick plates become your own actual construction site! Recommended for builders ages 5+.
Collect & Build the Backhoe, #4 of 4 in the Construction Crew Series! This set comes with 127 K'NEX parts, including bricks, rods and connectors to build a construction vehicle with a working digger in the back and bucket in the front. There is also a K'NEXman to operate the vehicle, and construction accessories to play with! You can build on the brick plate that is included in the set, then combine all four sets and the brick plates become your own actual construction site! Recommended for builders ages 5+.
Our thoughts on the Construction Crews Series:
This set is an amazing set for kids who love construction vehicles. Not only can you have fun building these sets, but children can play with the vehicles once they are built because they have some working parts! My 5 year old son loved this set and appreciated the fact they could be combined to make a "work site".
Fire Rescue 10 Model Set
Build 10 different models, including a cool fire engine, and bring them to life with the spring motor! Packed with 127 parts plus step-by-step instructions and building ideas for 10 unique models. The convenient storage box is a great place to store your parts and makes it easy for you to take the fun with you. For ages 5+.
Our thoughts on The Fire Rescue 10 Model Set:
This set is a fun building set that comes with the directions to build 10 amazing "working" models. The possibilities are endless with this set! My boys love firetrucks so they have lots of fun playing with this set while they allow their imaginations to run wild.
Overall, we thought ALL the K'nex products sent to us to try out were really fun! We liked them so much in fact that we've included them in our 2010 Top Toys Guide. (more toys will be featured soon)
For more information or to purchase the featured sets, or to see other K'nex products visit the K'nex website.
Buy it: You can buy directly from the official K'nex online shop or purchase K'nex products at most retailers nationwide.
We were provided with the above mentioned toys for review purposes only. We received no monetary compensation for this post. All the opinions and ideas expressed are our own. Note: Some excerpts taken from K'nex website.
"Shine On Now" with American Girl & a giveaway
2:22 PM Posted by Centsible Mommy
As a mom, I try my best to teach my children the values of kindness and to show generosity to those in need. That is why I am so excited and honored to have been chosen as an American Girl’s Official Parent Partner for their Shine On Now Campaign.
“To foster a spirit of goodwill and help make the world a brighter place, American Girl is introducing Shine On Now™ — a new charitable initiative that harnesses the collective power of girls to help others in need. Through Shine On Now, American Girl is calling on girls across the country to help the company give $1 million in clothes, books, dolls, and money to the following four organizations: Kids in Distressed Situations, Save the Children U.S.A., National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, and National Wildlife Federation."
Girls can visit Shine On Now and become official American Girl Ambassadors and inspire other girls to join the Shine On Now effort. As ambassadors, girls will receive a free, downloadable tool kit filled with fun tips and ideas for fund-raising, volunteering, or donating to the four worthy charities participating in Shine On
Now, or wherever they see an opportunity to make a difference.
Then Beginning July 13, 2010, girls can visit the Shine On Now website to contribute a free ‘star’ to the effort. The goal is to collect one million stars by the end of the program on July 31, 2010. For every star a girl contributes (she can contribute up to 100 a day), her name will be entered in a daily drawing to win a new My American Girl doll.
The new My American Girl dolls will allow girls to create a doll as unique and special as they are. Girls will be able to choose from 40 different combinations of eye color, hair color and style, and skin tone through a brand-new, innovative online tool. The personalization continues with a variety of special extras such as braces, glasses, and earrings, as well as outfits and accessories that reflect girls’ favorite interests and activities.
To further enhance the doll’s personality, each My American Girl doll comes to life at Innerstar University, where girls and their online doll can have fun exploring the virtual campus together.
"To further encourage girls to let their spirits shine, American Girl is also launching a brand new virtual campus, Innerstar University™—a fun, safe online world where girls learn to be their best through a variety of games, quizzes, and other enriching activities that help boost their confidence and strength." Access to Innerstar University is free with each 18-inch My American Girl doll.Giveaway
American Girl wants to honor the girls that are making a difference in their families, schools and communities. Right here at Centsible Mommy, you can nominate a deserving girl to win her very own My American Girl doll which she will have the opportunity to fully customize! One winner will be picked from Centsible Mommy!
Here's how to Enter:
The Shine On Now campaign is all about celebrating girls who are making a difference in their families, communities and schools. So, to enter this giveaway, nominate a deserving girl who has made a difference in her family, community, school. etc. Tell us about the wonderful things she does for her family, friends or community through acts of kindness and generosity and why she is deserving of her very own My American Girl doll. Please do not disclose the child's name but do describe her life, her activities and the kind and generous things she does for others! *Be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you should you win.
Additional Entries: Above Entry must be completed first. (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
"Like" Centsible Mommy on Facebook (1 entry)
"Like" Shine On Now on Facebook (1 entry)
Follow me on Twitter- (CentsibleMom) ( 1 entry)
Follow Shine on Now on Twitter
Post about this giveaway somewhere (facebook, twitter, blog, etc) with a link to this giveaway included and be sure to leave me a comment to where you've posted it! ( 1 entry for each post)
Follow me on Google Friend Connect (upper right hand corner) (1 entry)
Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on July 31st. Prizes not claimed in 48 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents 18+ only.
American Girl sent me free product samples as a part of my partnership in the Shine On Now™ program. The opinions and content posted here are my own other than excerpts taken from a press release where noted.
{Closed} Giveaway: Krazy Kars Light Up Marble Racers from SkullDuggery.com
12:01 AM Posted by Centsible Mommy
If you have a mini car enthusiast at home, chances are you have lots of little miniature sports cars strewn around your house (you know the ones that hurt really badly when stepped on), but I bet your little guy or gal's collection don't have any quite like these Light Up Marble Racers from SkullDuggery.com
We were sent a 6-car set to try out. When I asked my 5 year old what he liked best about the Light Up Marble Racers, I was answered, matter of fact, "because they light up!" with a need -you- ask look.
Apparently, it's all about the lighting up... okay, that made my review easy.
Cars that light up are apparently all the the rage, so if you think your little one would enjoy cars that light up, then you'll definitely want to try to win them a set of these Light Up Marble Racers. Guess what? We're giving away a set of 6 Light Up Marble racers to one lucky Centsible Mommy Reader courtesy of SkullDuggery.com
Here's how to enter:
Click over to SkullDuggery.com, check out the selection of other products they offer, and tell me one that caught your eye. That's it. Be sure to leave an email address or another way to contact you should you win. Keep reading for ways to gain additional entries.
Additional entries:
Additional entries: (Entry 1 must be completed first. Please leave a separate comment for each ):
"Like" Centsible Mommy on Facebook (1 entry)
"Tweet" with me on Twitter- CentsibleMom ( 1 entry)
Post about this giveaway somewhere (facebook, twitter, blog, etc) with a link to this giveaway included and be sure to leave me a comment to where you've posted it! ( 1 entry)
Follow me on Google Friend Connect (upper left hand corner) (1 entry)
Giveaway Rules: Open to US residents 18+ only. This giveaway ends on July 7 at 11:59 pm CT. One winner will be randomly drawn using the random number generator at random.org. The winner will be announced in this post and sent an email. In the event the winner does not reply within 48 hours from the time notified, an alternate winner will be drawn.
I was sent a set of 6 Light Up Marble Racers for review purposes only. The opinions expressed are my own honest experiences based on the use of the product provided. I received no monetary compensation for the review of this product
{Closed} Giveaway: It’s a Pillow. It’s a Pet. It’s a Pillow Pet!
5:08 PM Posted by Centsible Mommy
This giveaway is now closed. The winner randomly selected is #28-Denise S. Congratulations, Denise!
If you are a parent or spend any time at all with children, then you’ve probably seen the commercial for Pillow Pets. My boys begged for one every time the commercial aired, so you can imagine how ecstatic I was when given the opportunity to review these cozy critters!
Just as the catchy jingle claims…It’s a Pillow. It’s a Pet. It’s a Pillow Pet. With just a quick opening and closing of the strap on the sides of the pet, it transforms into a comfy pillow and back to a pet again. Pillow Pets are made of ultra-soft machine washable chenille so they are very comfortable!
We have brought the Pillow Pets along when we travel or on long car rides and because Pillow Pets compact into pets they travel easily. Pillow Pets serve 2 purposes, pillow and toy, which thrills this Mom, whose car is already packed with the many other necessities one needs when traveling with children.
I especially like that Pillow Pets are machine washable and made to withstand lots of love by the little ones, a must with any children’s product.
With nearly 30 pets to choose from, and with a selection of adorable jungle animals, farm animals, insects, and sea critters, you’ll be sure to find a Pillow Pet your child will love. Pillow Pets make great toys, comfy pillows, cozy night time companions, and are great for travel and overnight trips.
Buy it: Click over to getpillowpets.com to purchase your Pillow Pet. Priced at $19.95 they are budget friendly, making for the perfect $20 gift. Additional pillow pets are just $15.95 (up to 5).
Win It: One lucky Centsible Mommy Reader will win an adorable Pillow Pet of their choice!
Here’s how:
Entry #1: (Mandatory) Click over to getpillowpets.com and then come back here and leave me a comment of which pillow pet your child would love. That’s it! Keep reading for ways to gain additional entries.
Additional Entries: (Leave a separate comment for each)
This Giveaway ends on July 2nd at 11:59 PM CT. One winner will be randomly drawn using the random number generator at random.org. The winner will be announced in this post and sent an email. In the event the winner does not reply within 72 hours from the time notified, an alternate winner will be drawn.
I received Pillow Pets for review purposes and will be allotted one for giveaway. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my personal experience with this product. I received no monetary compensation for this review.
Read more
If you are a parent or spend any time at all with children, then you’ve probably seen the commercial for Pillow Pets. My boys begged for one every time the commercial aired, so you can imagine how ecstatic I was when given the opportunity to review these cozy critters!
Just as the catchy jingle claims…It’s a Pillow. It’s a Pet. It’s a Pillow Pet. With just a quick opening and closing of the strap on the sides of the pet, it transforms into a comfy pillow and back to a pet again. Pillow Pets are made of ultra-soft machine washable chenille so they are very comfortable!
I was given the opportunity to review Snuggly Puppy, for my oldest son, and Sir Horse for my youngest son. My boys were delighted when their Pillow Pets arrived. Of course, they opened and closed their pet about a 100 times that day. First playing with their new cute companions, and then resting on the cozy pillows even when it wasn’t time for sleep.
Now they both sleep nightly with their Pillow Pets. And Snuggly Puppy and Sir Horse have gained an ever-important position on my children’s beds. Apparently an honor in this household, as the there is a mountain of other stuffed critters who have not been fortunate enough to make the cut! Pillow Pets are now their new favorite sleeping companions and also used as their pillows.
We have brought the Pillow Pets along when we travel or on long car rides and because Pillow Pets compact into pets they travel easily. Pillow Pets serve 2 purposes, pillow and toy, which thrills this Mom, whose car is already packed with the many other necessities one needs when traveling with children. I especially like that Pillow Pets are machine washable and made to withstand lots of love by the little ones, a must with any children’s product.
With nearly 30 pets to choose from, and with a selection of adorable jungle animals, farm animals, insects, and sea critters, you’ll be sure to find a Pillow Pet your child will love. Pillow Pets make great toys, comfy pillows, cozy night time companions, and are great for travel and overnight trips.
Buy it: Click over to getpillowpets.com to purchase your Pillow Pet. Priced at $19.95 they are budget friendly, making for the perfect $20 gift. Additional pillow pets are just $15.95 (up to 5).
Win It: One lucky Centsible Mommy Reader will win an adorable Pillow Pet of their choice!
Here’s how:
Entry #1: (Mandatory) Click over to getpillowpets.com and then come back here and leave me a comment of which pillow pet your child would love. That’s it! Keep reading for ways to gain additional entries.
Additional Entries: (Leave a separate comment for each)
- Follow Centsible Mommy on Facebook
- Post this giveaway somewhere (blog, facebook, twitter, etc.) with a link included and receive an additional entry! Be sure to leave me a comment with a link to what and where you’ve posted.
This Giveaway ends on July 2nd at 11:59 PM CT. One winner will be randomly drawn using the random number generator at random.org. The winner will be announced in this post and sent an email. In the event the winner does not reply within 72 hours from the time notified, an alternate winner will be drawn.
I received Pillow Pets for review purposes and will be allotted one for giveaway. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my personal experience with this product. I received no monetary compensation for this review.
{Closed} Giveaway: Dream Big and Go For It with Go! Go! Sports Girls
8:04 AM Posted by Centsible Mommy
The Giveaway is now closed. The winner randomly selected was #52-Louis. Congratulations, Louis!
The girls pictured above include: Brooke the Golf Girl, Cassie the Soccer Girl, Ella the Running Girl, Gracie the Tennis Girl, Maya the Gymnastics Girl, M.C. the Dancing Girl, Sam the Softball Girl, Suzi the Swimming Girl, Taye the Basketball Girl. There is also Anna, another choice of Soccer Girl, and Kate, another choice of Basketball Girl not pictured.( Go here to "meet" all the girls up close).
Here's my favorite, Cassie:
"Cassie is speedy and loves to score goals! Her favorite soccer position is right forward. Before playing, Cassie always puts on sunscreen and stretches. During the game she drinks plenty of water and at half-time she eats a healthy snack, like an apple. When Cassie is off the field, she likes playing board games and swimming."
Cassie likes to Dream Big and Go For It! And that is the message all the Go! Go! Sports Girls want to send to all girls, to Dream Big and Go For It!
Go! Go! Sports Girls also want girls know it is important to exercise everyday, eat healthy foods, get a good night’s sleep and to appreciate and be true to yourself!
Buy them: Visit Go! Go! Sports Girls for a list of online retailers.
Win One: Thanks to Dream Big Toy Company, I am giving away a Go! Go! Sports Girl of your choice to one lucky Centsible Mommy reader.
Here's how to enter:
Visit Go! Go! Sports Girls website and "meet" the girls. Then come back here and leave a comment of which girl was your favorite. Be sure to include an email address or a way for me to contact you should you win. That's it! Keep reading for ways to gain additional entries.
Additional Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry! Entry 1 must be completed first.
Follow Centsible Mommy on Facebook (1 entry)
Become a fan of Go! Go! Sports Girls on Facebook (1 entry)
Post about this giveaway anywhere (facebook, twitter, blog, etc). Be sure to include a link to the giveaway in your post. Then please leave me a comment with the link to where you did! (1 entry)
Best of Luck to All!
This Giveaway ends on July 2nd at 11:59 PM CT. One winner will be randomly drawn using the random number generator at random.org. The winner will be announced in this post and sent an email. In the event the winner does not reply within 72 hours from the time notified, an alternate will be drawn.
I was sent a Cassie Doll for review purposes and will be provided an additional doll for giveaway. I received no monetary compensation for any of the ideas or honest opinions expressed. My opinions expressed are honest and based on my own personal experiences with the product.
Featured Site: The Adventures of Zylie the Bear
10:30 AM Posted by Centsible Mommy
There’s something about teddy bears that have made both children and adults so fond of them for so long. When they’ve been given a charming personality, stylish clothing, and jointed arms and legs to make them moveable like Zylie and Shen from The Adventures of Zylie the Bear, the fondness and fascination for these two teddies can only grow.
Meet, Zylie the Bear, a traveling trendsetter set out to travel the world to make new friends and learn about the cultures everywhere she goes. Zylie, dressed in her adorable skinny jeans, flounce top and cream-colored swing jacket and carrying her stylish orange bag with passport, diary, and map in hand, begins her adventure in New York with her brother, Theo, and then suddenly finds herself in China where she meets the equally fashionable, Shen.
Shen, a panda decked out in his leather jacket, green Tee and jeans, and carrying a backpack with drumsticks and all-important passport, is also ready to set out to meet new friends and learn new cultures. Together, Zylie, and her new friend, Shen, along with Theo in tow, explore China.
The books, The Adventures Zylie the Bear, New York and The Adventures of Zylie the Bear, China, are just the start in the series with more adventures to come. The rest of Zylie's adventures will be decided by you- their customers and readers, so they don't know yet where she will be going next. These storybooks are based on Zylie's travels with each adventure focusing on a different country, helping children to learn about each country's culture and history, language, and more.
Some items from Zylie's Shop:
Zylie the Bear Kit
Begin your adventures with Zylie! Her kit comes with an 18" plush Zylie bear, in her signature skinny jeans, flounce top and beautifully-detailed cream-colored swing jacket. She’s carrying a cool orange bag that comes complete with her diary, map and all-important passport. Get to know Zylie™, her brother Theo and their wacky adventures by reading her first book: The Adventures of Zylie the Bear, New York™!
- Includes the first book in The Adventures series
- Use the passport number on the back to log into Zylie's website
- Additional outfits for Zylie and her friends are available separately
- Books can also be purchased separately
Meet Shen, Zylie's panda friend from China! His kit comes with an 18" plush Shen panda, in his green t-shirt, cool leather jacket and blue jeans. He also has his backpack, filled with his passport and, most importantly, his drumsticks. Find out how Zylie™ and Theo meet Shen and follow their travels in China with the second book in Zylie's adventure series, The Adventures of Zylie the Bear, China™.
- Includes the second book in The Adventures series
- Use the passport number on the back to log into Zylie's website
- Additional outfits for Shen are available separately
- Books can also be purchased separately
My thoughts on Zylie the Bear and Shen
You have seen Zylie and Shen for yourselves and know how adorable they are, so who cares what I think, right? But I will still say, not only are Zylie and Shen adorable and fun to play with, but they serve as a great tool in helping children learn about cultures different from their own, making them a great teaching tool. By the way, the kids I gave Zylie and Shen to have yet to put them down! They love them.
I was sent a Zylie the Bear and Shen the Panda Kit to review. The opinions expressed are my own. I received no compensation for this post.
Featured Product: Calling all Future Soccer Stars…Soccer Trainer from International Playthings
11:52 AM Posted by Centsible Mommy
With all the past few weeks’ buzz about The World Cup that began very recently, it seems everywhere you look it’s all about soccer lately. In keeping with this theme, and because my sons have also caught soccer fever and now want to be little soccer stars, I was very excited when I was asked to feature and review the soccer trainer from International Playthings. It’s just what they needed to practice their soccer skills.
Not only does the soccer trainer serve as a fun tool to help your kids learn and perfect their kicks and soccer skills, but it is a great way to keep your kids off the couch this summer... keeping them active while they are having tons of fun practicing a sport. If you have a budding soccer star in your midst, then the soccer trainer from International Playthings might just be the toy you are looking for.
The soccer set includes an easy to inflate 8 inch soccer ball that is attached to its base, which can be weighted down with either sand or water. The ball is attached to the base and rebounds back when it’s kicked, so your soccer star can practice goal keeping or shooting it continually at the goal (not included). It can be also be played with a friend for added fun by simply kicking it back and forth to one another or by taking turns to rebound the ball.
My boys (5 and 2) both really enjoyed playing with the soccer trainer and think its lots of fun, but they especially like the fact that they do not have to continually chase down the ball. Since they are so young and have not yet perfected their ball control skills, they sometimes spend more time chasing down the ball then actually kicking it.
Soccer Set Includes:
8 inch inflatable soccer ball
Attached Base
Air pump
Recommended for ages 3+. Note: My 2 year old is able to kick and rebound the ball and enjoy the fun, but I had to watch him carefully as at times the cord would wind up around his feet, which presented the possibility of falling, so the recommended age of 3+ seems accurate.
Brand:
Where to buy: International Playthings. International Playthings carries an assortment of toys for all ages. Browse by age, category, brand, or gender to find the toy you're looking for.
The opinions presented are my own. I was sent a soccer trainer for review and keep. I did receive any compensation for my opinions.
