Rick Charette CD Winner...

We have a winner for the Rick Charette CD...the lucky entrant is Yvette!  Congratulations on winning this fun CD to share with your little one.  Thanks to all the entrants for participating.  Please remember to check out http://www.rickcharette.com/ to purchase great children's CD's and merchandise.   I also want to give a great big thank you to Rick Charette for participating in this giveaway.

Check back soon for some new reviews plus some great giveaways that are in the works.  You won't want to miss out on my upcoming giveaways including not only some fun things for your kiddo's but also some treats for the Moms!  Pin It

Giveaway Reminder...

Just a friendly reminder that time is running out to enter Reviewed By Mom's latest giveaway.   Your chance to win an autographed CD from children's musician, Rick Charette ends tomorrow.  Click here to read the rules and to enter to win.  You don't want to miss out on this one.  Rick Charette is guaranteed to get you and the kids up and dancing (and giggling!).  Good Luck! Pin It

Alexander's Pretending Day...

Tonight we read one of my very favorite books in our library, Alexander's Pretending Day by Bunny Crumpacker.  Alexander's Pretending Day is the story of a conversation between an imaginative little boy and his mother.  While sitting at the table one day, Alexander asks his mother what she would do if he was a mouse/train/river/monster/dinosaur/lion/book.  Each time the mother answers him creatively and actively plays along.  When Alexander asks what his mother would do if he were a lion who roared loudly at her she answers that she would not try and out roar him but would ask instead if he would like his belly tickled.  My favorite is when Alexander wants to know what she would do if she did not have a little boy named Alexander.  His mother replies that she would be very sad until finally one day she got her little boy and then she would be happy.  "Like now?" Alex asks.  "Like now" she answers.

The illustrations are vivid and depict the story so well.  My boys especially like the picture of Alexander as a river where you can just make out his features in the waves.  This really is a sweet book and a great one before bedtime.  I would recommend this one for ages three and up.  You can find it at your local library or pick up a copy to keep here... Pin It

Flashback Friday...Netflix

I have decided to dedicate a post each Friday to give credit (or not!) to some of my past favorites (and nots!).  This week the Flashback Friday spot goes to Netflix...definitely a favorite!!  Read on..

I realize that this review is a little off the subject from my usual but read on and you will see why Netflix is a Moms best friend.


For those of you who do not know, Netflix is a mail subscription program for renting movies.  For $8.99 per month you are allowed one movie out at a time.  When you are finished viewing your choice (no time limit AND no late fees!) you simply pop the DVD back into the mail in the provided envelope.  When the company receives your video the next video in your "queue" is immediately sent to you (the whole process usually takes 2-3 days).  To put movies in your queue you go online and choose from countless titles from every genre including new releases.  Now for me, this alone is great.  My husband and I always have a movie on hand for a movie night and we don't have to worry about late fees if we don't have energy for movie night for a week or two.  You also can't beat the right to your door service.  Our local video store is only ten minutes away but that might as well be ten hours on days when you don't feel like packing up the kids and dragging them into the video store to choose a movie!

Now for the very, very best part.  Included in the $8.99 per month fee is the little gem called "instant queue".  Instant queue are movies you can select that will automatically be available for you to watch online or on your television.  Wow!  I love, love, love this feature.  There are not as many titles to choose from (fewer new releases) but certainly enough to find something for everyone to enjoy.  There are movies, television shows and lots and lots of programs for children.  I use the instant queue mainly for the kids.  Using this feature they have been able to see some of my childhood favorites (Scooby Doo and Inspector Gadget!) as well as enjoy some newer favorites such as Caillou and the movie Bolt.  You can't beat this ammo in your back pocket for rainy days or sick days!

I don't pretend to be a technical wizard...far from it!  But if you have any of the following devices in your home you will be able to instantly watch programs...

Among the large and expanding base of devices that can stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix right to members’ TVs are Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PS3 game consoles and, this spring, Nintendo’s Wii console; Blu-ray disc players from Samsung, LG and Insignia; Internet TVs from LG, Sony and VIZIO; the Roku digital video player and TiVo digital video recorders.

Even if you do not have one of the above the DVD rental alone is worth it.  Every Mom needs something to make life easier even if it is something as simple as entertainment delivered right to your door (or TV!!).  Enjoy.
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Design & Drill Activity Center...

Like most children their age my guys love anything relating to tools.  When I came across the Design and Drill Activity Center by Educational Insights I just knew we had to have it. 

The Design and Drill Activity Center is a a play set that includes an activity board, 120 brightly colored bolts, power drill, 3 drill bits, wrench, and a screw driver.  The basics of this set are simple, use the tools to fill in the holes on the activity board.  The drill has both a forward and reverse button making it easy for little hands to get busy working.  The act of drilling and removing 120 bolts is enough to make my boys happy for good chunks of time (gotta love a toy that can do that!) and I really like that it is working those fine motor skills.  Also included with the set are 20 activity cards, each with a different design (flower, boat) depicted for little ones to create with the different colored bolts.  My boys have been so into the very basics of this toy that we have not even really gotten to the design portion of it.  I think I will work on introducing those soon.

The Design & Drill Activity Center is made from a very sturdy plastic which can withstand even the roughest of designers (trust me, we put this to the test!).  The bolts are in bright, primary colors which are pleasing to the eye and the noise of the drill (which takes 2 AA batteries) is not too loud (or annoying!).   The manufacturer recommends ages 3-8 for this toy and I think it is right on.  Once kids get into copying and creating patterns I can see this having some real staying power.  One thing to note is that while the bolts are chunky in size, they could still be problematic if you have a "mouther" so look out for choking hazards.  The set is priced at just under $30 and earns a big recommendation from this mom.

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Rick Charette CD Giveaway...

My kids love music.  I try and expose them to a great mix of music and there are a lot of different artists and genres they like.  They do have their favorites though and they are particularly crazy over Rick Charette and the Bubble Gum Band.  Rick Charette and his band are HUGE in our house and have been since the boys were very small.  We have all the CD's plus a variety of different concert DVD's as well as t-shirts.  I think the boys may be groupies!

Let me tell you a little about Rick Charette's music...it is catchy and fun and kids just go wild over it.  We have been to several of his concerts (yup, we ARE groupies!) and the kids love him.  They are up dancing and singing and clapping.  I am pretty sure there is not much cuter than a bunch of children rocking out to "Walk Like A Penguin", "I Love Mud" or "Alligator in the Elevator".  I think a lot about the overly educational learning musical CD's out there and I am thankful for Rick Charette because he is silly and fun and I think fun is really want music should be all about.  Check out Rick Charette's website for more information, sound samplings of his music as well as a place to purchase his books, music and more.

I am so excited to announce that Rick Charette has provided Reviewed By Mom an autographed copy of his children's CD, King Kong Chair.  It includes fun songs such as "Move My Feet" and "Yellow Bus" and it is guaranteed to get you and your kiddos up and dancing. 

To Enter (this one is mandatory): Leave a comment at the end of this post telling me why you would like to win. 


For extra entries:

1. Like Reviewed By Mom's Facebook Page = 1 entry
2. Become a follower of this blog = 1 entry
3. Tweet or blog about this giveaway & Let me know you where I can find it = 1 entry
4. Grab My Button for your blog & Leave a link to where I can find it = 1 entry
5. Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter=1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry don't forget to leave your email so I can notify you if you win. The contest is open to residents of the US and will close on Sunday, May30th at midnight. The winner will be announced via e-mail and also on this site on Monday, May 31st. Good luck and also a great big thank you to Rick Charette and the people at Pine Point Records for supplying such a fantastic prize!

Just in case you don't win, be sure to stop by http://www.rickcharette.com/ to browse the great selection of music for families.  Enjoy! Pin It

Radio Flyer My 1st Scooter...

Last Christmas, my boys both wanted a scooter.  I was a little terrified about this as I am a bit over protective and the boys had just turned three.  Aren't scooters too dangerous for this age group, Santa??  Luckily, Santa was able to track down the "My 1st Scooter by Radio Flyer". 

Radio Flyer came out with the perfect little scooter for the younger set.  The scooter, recommended for ages 2-5, is just right for my three year olds.  The front has 2 wheels and the base is wider than traditional scooters which makes it much sturdier for little ones to maneuver.  The back wheel has a protective covering which minimizes the risk of getting a foot caught up while scooting around.  My boys are easily able to steer and the the handle bars have excellent grips.  Another plus is that it comes fully assembled AND folds up for storage with the push of a button.  I also love the way it looks.  It is red with white lettering like most Radio Flyer items and is extremely durable.  I have been known to hop on for a little scoot (don't try this at home!) and it did not collapse under me even though I by far exceed the recommended 45lb weight limit!  Radio Flyer also makes a pink model for those little girls out there needing to make a fashion statement.

I would highly recommend this scooter for your pre-schooler.  It is a good alternative to the scooters made for older children but it looks so similar that your little one will think you are letting him/her be a big kid!   It is pretty much a steal right now at Amazon at $35 with free shipping....I think Santa had to pay a wee bit more than that (worth it though!). Pin It

Turtle Splash Winner!

I am so pleased to announce the winner of Reviewed By Mom's latest giveaway.  "Carolina Girl Mommy" is the winner of an autographed copy of Turtle Splash by Cathryn Falwell.  Thank you all so much for participating and a great big thank you to the very talented Ms. Falwell for donating her wonderful book.  You can find out more about Cathryn Falwell on her blogs, http://www.cathrynfalwell.blogspot.com/ and http://frogsongpond.blogspot.com/.  Also, for those of you who did not win the prize, you can purchase Turtle Splash here...








 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks again and remember to check back often.  I have some really great reviews in the works plus I will be starting a new "musical" giveaway very soon....Stay Tuned! Pin It

A Few Announcements...

I wanted to take a few minutes for a few RBM announcements....

First of all, I finally have an official Reviewed By Mom Twitter account.  Woo-Hoo and welcome to the technological world to me!  You can follow me (please, please, please!)  Here.  I will post updates there regularly.  Feel free to leave me your Twitter information and RBM will follow you too.

Secondly, I was just interviewed on a work from home website...how can this be work when it is so much fun??  I wanted to share the link in case anyone wanted to check it out.  It was kind of exciting to see my mug plastered on another website :).

Lastly, just a reminder to get your entries in for the Turtle Splash Giveaway.  You don't want to miss out on a chance for this great prize!

That is it for now.  Check back often because I am working on a bunch of really fun reviews that I am anxious to share.  As always, thanks so much for reading and feel free to leave any comments....I just love feedback! Pin It

Hungry, Hungry Hippos...

I love games.  In fact, I get a little "warm and fuzzy" when I think about family game night because it holds such great childhood memories for me.  I will say that playing games with two pre-schoolers IS a tad different than what I remember, as an only child, playing marathon Clue games with my parents(wait...maybe I should ask my mother about that!).  In any case, I felt like I should give a little disclaimer here before I do my Hungry, Hungry Hippos review.  I DO love games and I WANT to love this game except I don't.  Is that awful?  I know this is classic fun but not so much for me....or my kids really.

So, I think we all know the premise of Hungry, Hungry Hippos (HHH).  You use a lever on the hippo's head to try and devour the most marbles.  Fun, right?  I think it would be more fun if the game was not so flimsy.  Two of our four hippo's already have serious neck injuries causing them to be benched indefinitely.  The marbles are not actually marbles but small, plastic balls which are not nearly as satisfying for some reason.  Now, for my biggest gripe....when the game is assembled it will not fit back into the box.  Seriously??  Who thought this up?  My house is not a pillar of organization by any stretch of the imagination but if a game comes in a box it should fit back into the box for storage.  It is not easy to take the game apart and put it back together so it stays together and balances uneasily atop our game stack.  The game has toppled over so many times that at least half the "marbles" are missing and, I fear, only to be found by my curious 6 month old.

Lastly, the fun factor only lasts a short time...at least for my guys. The lure of banging on the hippos head and eating up the balls can only carry this game so far. At best, the boys will only play with this game for 5 minutes which in my mind does not balance out the all the downsides.

Can you tell I am a fan?  I promise there are a few really fantastic pre-schooler games out there but this is not one of them.  Stay tuned for some reviews of some games that really do work for the younger set.  Meanwhile I suggest you pass on this game unless 2 minutes of frantic, hippo head slamming sounds like your idea of fun!

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Designs 2-U Baby Safe Feeder

Solid foods and teething are now in full swing with my 6 month old daughter.  Now that I am in the thick of this stage again I am remembering the things that made this stage a little easier.  One of my favorite tools of the trade is the Designs 2-U Baby Safe Feeder. 

This handy little gadget is a safe way to give your little munchkin fruit pieces.  You simply put a piece of fruit in the removable net and screw on the handle.  Presto...your baby can hold onto the feeder like a rattle and gum pieces of banana, mango, grape or whatever else his/her palate craves.  I am also a big fan of putting frozen fruit (particularly grapes) in the feeders as a teething aid.  The cold fruit soothes those poor little gums while providing a nice little frozen treat. 

The feeder is made of a heavy duty plastic and can take the beatings of a baby playing drop the feeder onto the tile over and over again.  The feeder and the mesh nets can be washed in the dishwasher.  Now a bit about cleaning....the nets can get a little "oogie" particularly after bananas.  Immediately after using I rinse them and give them a little soak before putting them in the top rack of the dishwasher....this usually works but sometimes they need a little extra scrubbing.  I suggest buying a set of the replacement bags to have on hand as well.

These baby feeders are a MUST have in this house.  They give babies a tool in which to feed themselves while also helping out with those tough days of teething.  Stock up!

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Turtle Splash Giveaway...

Cathryn Falwell is a real favorite in our house.  She is the author of one of my previous reviews, Mystery Vine, and also of Turtle Splash which is currently holding the "most read" position in our house.  The boys ask for this book each day during story time and it is such a good read with beautiful illustrations that I am happy to oblige. 

The story begins with "Ten timid turtles, lounging in a line.  Startled by a bullfrog...then there are nine".  From there you read through the remaining nine turtles, one by one, moving from their log after being disturbed by different wildlife (deer, butterfly etc...).  Each page provides a clue in the illustrations about what will move the next turtle from his spot on the log and my guys never tire of trying to spot the clue. The turtles all meet again at the bottom of the pond to "settle for the night".  This is a wonderful bedtime story and the words just have such a great flow....it is a really great "read aloud" book.  The illustrations are fantastic and all the animals depicted are so life like.  The final portion of the book contains fun facts about the wildlife included in the story as well as instructions for a leaf print craft.

As I mentioned, we are big fans of Cathryn Falwell's books which is why I am beyond thrilled to announce my latest giveaway!  Ms. Falwell has graciously agreed to provide a signed copy of Turtle Splash to one lucky winner.  So, not only is Cathryn Falwell a very talented author but she is also super nice...what a combo!  You can find out more about this Maine author on her two websites Daily Frog and Musings From Frog Song Pond.  Wait until you see the beautiful photographs she has posted there...stunning!  Here are the details on how to enter...

To Enter (this one is mandatory):  Leave a comment at the end of this post.  Whatever you like...why you love to read to your kiddos, what you like about this site, what you would like to see more of here.  Whatever you are inspired to type!

For extra entries:

1.  Like Reviewed By Mom's Facebook Page = 1 entry
2.  Become a follower of this blog = 1 entry
3.  Tweet or blog about this giveaway & Let me know you where I can find it = 1 entry
4. Grab My Button for your blog & Leave a link to where I can find it = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry don't forget to leave your email so I can notify you if you win.  The contest is open to residents of the US and will close on Sunday, May 16th at midnight.  The winner will be announced via e-mail and also on this site on Monday, May 17th.  Good luck and also a great big thank you to Cathryn Falwell for her generosity!

For those of you who do not win you should most definitely pick up a copy of Turtle Splash.  It is a great addition to your collection and one you will reach for again and again.  Grab a copy for your little ones...you will be so glad you did!


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Garbage Monsters....

As I have mentioned in a couple of previous posts (Tonka Go Green Garbage Truck and Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug), my twins are really (really, really, really!) into all things related to garbage and recycling.  I am sure it will not surprise you when I tell you that a favorite, "go-to" DVD in our house is called "Garbage Monsters"!  I am pretty sure I have a couple of budding sanitation workers on my hands.

Garbage Monsters takes your trash loving kiddo on a full tour of what happens to your trash.  It starts from  when it gets picked up from your curb, then to a recycling/sorting facility, a landfill and then a green waste site.  All along the way you see the different types of garbage trucks used to pick up and haul the garbage to and fro, machines used for sorting and shredding and the workers who make it all happen.  My boys find this entire video mesmerizing.  The director tries to throw in a few lessons on shapes (kids do you see the rectangle on this truck?) but it is really unnecessary and a little bit "huh?".  I am happy with this video for what it is without trying to force it into being traditionally educational. 

Garbage Monsters has a 37 minute run time which is a nice little block of quiet time while the kids learn about recycling...not too shabby.  You might find yourself watching too and, if so, I dare you not to get the rocking theme song out of your head!

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The Snoedel...

When my twins were 2 weeks old I had a wedding to attend.  Even though I left them in very capable hands (Nana AND Grammy!) I was still beside myself about leaving them.  It is hard for a new mother to be away from her babies.  I really wanted a part of me to be with them when I was away.  This probably seems borderline crazy as I was only away from them for a few hours but you know how those hormones can be after birth!

In any case what kept me from completely losing it when I left them was the Snoedel.  The Snoedel is actually supposed to be a comfort to the baby/child, however I found in those early days it was more of a comfort to me (AKA crazy, hormonal Mama!).  What exactly is the magical Snoedel?  The Snoedel is a combination doll/small blanket made of the softest fabric which is crafted to absorb the mother's unique scent.  You simply hold the Snoedel close to your skin for a couple of nights and then give it to your baby.  Your scent is a great comfort to your little one and for those crazy emotional Mama's like me, it is a comfort to leave a part of yourself! 

My boys are 3.5 and they still sleep with their Snoedels.   In my opinion they are the perfect lovey/security item.  They are washable AND dryable, they are not irreplaceable (buy a few in case one gets lost), and they are not ridiculous looking (every seen a kid running around with a dish rag lovey??).  These cute little blankie dolls come in pink or blue and can also be personalized for a small fee. 

The Snoedel gave me and the boys great comfort in the early days when we were apart and now they are part of their bedtime comfort item list.  The Snoedel gets a big thumbs up from me and, in my opinion, would be a very special and unique shower gift.  You can find the Snoedel at One Step Ahead...

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