Getting to Know You (& Giveaway)

We appreciate those of you who come back again and again to read the reviews of what we consider great products for the entire family.

Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey so that we can get to know you a little better.

Those completing the survey will be entered to win a Verde Rocks Heart-shaped Shell Necklace. And your chances are good because we are only taking the first 100 entries (you must leave your e-mail address to be entered).

Thank you for taking the time today and of course, thank you for reading!

Please click here to take our brief survey.

Verde Rocks Heart-shaped Shell Necklace
This necklace is made from sustainably harvested shell in a dark, rich brown color and fair-trade gold plating.
$46 from The Ultimate Green Store.

Umi Kids Shoes

If you have been a Full Mommy reader for awhile (of course you are) you will know that I love Umi Shoes. I reviewed them last year when the fall/winter collection came out and am happy to report that the options for the Spring/Summer collection are just as awesome.

I got a pair of the Action for my four year old. These are perfect for a pre-schooler. With Velcro straps that are sturdy enough to stay put but flexible for little hands and the all important toe guard these are built well enough to withstand daily wear and cute enough to pull them out for special occasions.

I also have a pair of the Gecko for my babe. He's almost 8 months now and if he could I am confident he would say YEAH MOM. These are a great fit for a pre-walker, with non slip soles, a snug fit and a strap down the center for added stability.

Both styles are available in multiple colors and I am not even going into the GIRLS shoes here, you will have to look at them to believe how adorable they really are. Of course, Umi is more than just a cute shoe, but I still can't help but squeal when I see these.

HANG ON TO YOUR SHOES! YOU CAN WIN IT: We have one pair of Umi shoes to award to a lucky reader of The Full Mommy. To enter, send an e-mail to winfullmommy (at) gmail (dot) com with "Umi" in the subject line, by March 6, 2009 with the answer to the question below. The winner will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

ENTRY QUESTION: In the "Shop Baby" section, what design is featured on the baby pram "flyer"?

Shabby Apple Dresses: Tres Chic!

I cringe when I have to purchase a new dress. Seriously. I recently went to a gala in dress slacks. I looked cute (IMO, LOL), but I wish I could have been able to reach into the closet and pull out a cute frock.

I'm no fashionista, but when I came across Shabby Apple, I was taken by their modern styling. Their dresses are very chic and the detailing...if you need style advice, just take a peek into their closets! They really do have silouhettes to flatter just about any figure and personality.

They will even help you select the right dress for your shape with their Fit to Flatter guide.

Shabby Apple also has a line of the most adorable girls dresses and accessories called Shabby Baby. If you have a special occasion coming up, you should take a peek.

Expecting? The Mama Apple line has dresses for going to the office, on a date with your husband, or to a party.

I recently wore the Tokyo Tea dress (shown below) to an event. The empire waist and crossover are very flattering for anyone who has something to hide. (I learned that from What Not to Wear!) I appreciated that the website advised to order a size up in this style if you are busty. They were right. And I think that this dress could work for both more casual events and very formal depending on the shoes and accessories that are paired with it.

Don't take it from me, I saw several great bloggers wearing Shabby Apple at the recent BlissDom 09 conference. They were rockin' it at the cocktail parties in these dresses.


This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

Ecostore USA Products Now Available at Meijer in the Midwest

Sometimes I come across a great product only to realize that it's not available locally. Getting an eco-friendly product shipped across country (or even the world) almost seems to negate the good intentions.

Or if it is available locally, it's at a natural foods store that I don't get to very often.

Wouldn't it be so much easier if the big box stores carried more products that are good for our planet, our family, and our wallets?

I am so happy to announce to my fellow Midwesterners that Ecostore USA cleaning products will be carried in Meijer stores beginning this month. That's right, next time you go to Meijer for your groceries (and whatever else you fill your cart with there), reach for these instead of traditional cleaners.

I have been using the Front Loader Laundry Powder. I have never used powder detergent, so I was a bit skeptical, but all of the detergent disolved and rinsed from the clothing. I'm also not big on scented products. The laundry powder does have natural lemon verbena oil, but though there is a subtle scent when you smell the powder, the clothes were not scented coming out of the drier. I can be really sensitive to certain scents, sometimes my sinuses instantly swell, but I had no problems with this laundry powder. The company says that the natural lemon scent won't irritate skin.

One box of laundry powder is 35.3 ounces and says it averages 33 loads. The enclosed scoop has two measurement lines and I used the smaller (1 ounce) amount for all the loads that I did this weekend.

After giving the laundry powder a try, I am very interested in trying out the Auto Dish Powder and Cream Cleanser. I've been using "lesser of two evils" products and have been on the lookout for a better, widely available choices.

Of course if you don't have a Meijer store nearby, you can still purchase their products from their website. In addition to household cleaning products, they also make babycare, bath and body, haircare, and pet care products.

Ecostore USA:

• Lists all of their ingredients
• "No Nasty Chemicals" (no parabens, glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate)
  
• Super-concentrated formulas
• Plant-based products
• Company based in Michigan
• Available exclusively at Meijer beginning March 1, 2009
  
• Cleaning, babycare, bath and body, haircare, and pet care products

(To see what The Full Mommy considers the "scary chemicals du jour," please click here.)

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

First Years Kickin' Coaster

From the First Years comes the Kickin' Coaster, the first of its kind seat that supports a baby's growth in the first months of their life while providing them with physical activity.

Most baby seats are passive but Kickin' Coaster is designed to keep baby active! A kick plate at the bottom of the seat provides a kick and glide action, allowing baby to move in a natural motion designed for newborns and infants.

Here's what I liked best about the Kickin' Coaster: It offers soothing vibrations, two types of song modes, twinkling lights, and adjustable positions. I love the idea of the kick plate but my baby didn't seem to get it. He sat up and played with the attached toys and if anything, tended to lean to one side or the other. I think it's a great concept and if anything, can't you always use one more place to put baby while you try and take a three minute shower?

Rated for babies from birth to 25 pounds. To view a demo, click here.

MilkBank Breast Milk Storage System And Bottles

I have to admit that I am a bottle-feeder.

I tried to breastfeed my daughter, and several days of pain (on my part) and starvation (on hers), I demanded the nurses bring me a bottle. My request was met with disdain, but I knew in my gut that breast was not best for us.

That doesn't mean I think breastfeeding is bad. On the contrary; if it works for you, I applaud you and support your right to feed your babe where ever and whenever you choose.

But even breastfeeding moms need to bottle-feed now and then, and since I am a bottle (self-proclaimed) bottle expert, I happily agreed to review a set of MilkBank Bottles for the Parent Bloggers Network.

MilkBank is actually a complete breast milk storage system. A set comes with a vacuum-pump, three storage caps, one 2.5-ounce storage/feeding bottle, and two in the 5-ounce size. It also includes one outer-insulated bottle.

So what makes MilkBank better than the rest? The vacuum storage helps preserve the quality and flavor of your breast milk, making it healthier for your baby. Traditional milk storage bags allow oxygen to get inside the milk, often spoiling it.

The bottles are insulated, making it easier to keep the milk warm, much as it is when you feed from the breast, and the triple-vented bottles help reduce colic and prevent leaking.

So just what do I know about breast milk? Not much. But I do know a thing or two about bottles, considering that I've fed two kids that way.

My son has a condition that restricts his airway, and so for us, vented bottles were a must. We started off on Dr. Browns, because that was the only brand we knew of that was vented. They've served their purpose, but man, do they leak like the dickens.

Over the holidays we spent 15 hours in our car, and let me tell you, a leaking bottle of soy formula all over the back seat is NOT something you want. That bad-boy is gonna stink come summertime.

Not to mention that formula gets all over our furniture, and our clothes and the baby's duds.

Along came MilkBank—I can tell you, those suckers (hehheh) DO NOT LEAK. And the venting system is great. Not even a burp after a feeding, and my son's condition makes him gulp a lot more than the average kid.

While my baby didn't love the nipple, I would imagine this would be ideal for a breastfeeding mom, or any mom who wanted to give her kid a great, BPA-free bottle with a very natural nipple, no matter what is inside it.

I attribute my son's rejection of the nipple simply to the fact that he's been using a more traditional vented bottle since birth.

I highly recommend giving MilkBank a try. And hey! Guess what? I've got a set to give away!

WIN IT: We have ONE MILKBANK SYSTEM to award to a lucky reader of The Full Mommy (retail value $29.99). To enter, send an e-mail to winfullmommy (at) gmail (dot) com with "MILKBANK SYSTEM 2" in the subject line, by FRIDAY, FEB. 27, 2009 with the answer to the question below. The winner will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

ENTRY QUESTION: How does MilkBank prevent air from getting into its bottles? Visit MilkBank for the answer!

LunchBots Stainless Steel Lunch Containers

Have you ever found yourself at the store looking at the plastic options trying to remember which plastics are supposedly okay for food storage and which are not?

LunchBots won't keep you guessing if you've made the right decision. And it will help alleviate plastic baggie guilt.

LunchBots are food storage containers that are made of 18/8 stainless steel and contain no plastic. They have been independently tested at a lab in California to certify that they are made from the highest quality stainless steel and are completely lead-free. The lab test results are published on their web site.

They come in two designs. The Uno (shown above) has one compartment and is designed for a sandwich or main dish. The Duo is divided into two and is good for snacks and sides.

I think that they are great for dry foods such as chips and sandwiches, but they are not water-tight, so you probably wouldn't want to put something really wet in them and jostle them. (I filled one with water and shook, just to see what would happen.)

And I also think that they are better for a little bit older child than mine. Maybe 7 or 8 and up. My four-and-a-half-year-old couldn't get it open easily on her own. Though she has come up with a dozen uses for the containers other than just food storage!

Of course they are also perfect for packing lunches and snacks for the office. Kids don't get all the cool containers!

LunchBots sell for $14.99 each from their website.

Readers of The Full Mommy can receive free shipping in the US by using code "FREESHIP09" and this code doesn't expire.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

A Little Help From My Friends - Wow Wow Wubbzy DVD

I didn't realize this but Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! has been around since August 2006. Considering how many times my son asks for it I probably could have told you that it airs nearly 40 times a week on Nick Jr. and Noggin.

We have the newest release from Wow Wow Wubbzy- A Little Help From My Friends. The DVD features six great episodes plus two bonus episodes, all focused on the important values of friendship.

Our favorite (by "our" I mean "my four year old") episode so far is "Mr. Cool" where Walden wants to go the Wuzzleburg Boogie Bash, but he thinks you have to be cool to go. Walden tries to be cool but realizes everyone likes him just the way he is.

Check back to see what our favorite is next week and next month because we (and by "we" I mean "my four year old") will still be watching it.

WIN IT: We have 1 Wow Wow Wubbzy- A Little Help From My Friends DVD to award to a lucky reader of The Full Mommy. To enter, send an e-mail to winfullmommy (at) gmail (dot) com with "WOW" in the subject line, by February 26, 2009. The winner will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

Waste-Less Shopping Bag System

Do you have a collection of $1 reusable shopping totes that you purchased with good intentions but that you always forget at home?

Introducing The Waste-Less Reusable Shopping Bag System!

The Waste-Less Reusable Shopping Bag System offers a true point of difference from the traditional reusable shopping tote that sells for $1-$2 in many grocery and big box retailers. Waste-Less bags are made from strong, yet pliable material, which allows them to be rolled up into a compact shape. The bags are attractive, convenient and can be wiped clean.

I love bags, but I can't remember to bring them with me. I found this system to be perfect because they roll up small with a handy Velcro tab, but when full size, can fit as much if not more than a plastic grocery tote.

I have on tucked neatly in my car door, one at work and one in my purse. At only $9.99 for a pouch of 3, the Waste-Less system is user-friendly, convenient, and affordable.


WIN IT: We have 1 Waste-Less system to award to a lucky reader of The Full Mommy. To enter, send an e-mail to winfullmommy (at) gmail (dot) com with "TOTE" in the subject line, by February 26, 2009. The winner will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

MilkBank System

Have you ever arrived at Day Care or at a sitters only to find that an entire bottle of breastmilk has leaked into the bottom of your bag? (Then had your brain explode?) I have. It's not pretty.

Lucky for me, there is MilkBank, a patented, clinically-proven breastmilk storage and feeding system that treats every drop like the precious commodity it is.

Parent Bloggers Network gave me the opportunity to try the Milk Bank System and I'm glad they did. So glad in fact, that I agreed to blog for them (for real!).

I have a baby who does not like bottles so I have tried my fair share and know a little bit about what to look for. MilkBank even goes beyond my expectations. With MilkBank you can keep milk warm throughout the entire feeding with MilkBank’s insulated feeding bottles. Its unique design insulates the inner bottle with air, or warm water for longer feedings.

MilkBank’s triple-vented cap delivers unrestricted milk flow to prevent colic, spit-up, burping, gas, and fluid in the ear. Making feeding a happier time for all.

Plus, did I mention the patented leak-proof filter system which means your bottle will never leak? (Brilliant!)

MilkBank is 100% dishwasher safe and BPA free. To learn more about the MilkBank system (there is more good stuff that I didn't even cover here about freshness of stored milk, nutritional absorption and clinical reports) I encourage you to visit the MilkBank website here. They are sold at Babies R' Us so you could go there and have a look as well.

Don't take my word for it-WIN IT: We have one MilkBank system to award to a lucky reader of The Full Mommy. To enter, send an e-mail to winfullmommy (at) gmail (dot) com with "MILK" in the subject line, by February 23, 2009. The winner will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

JAG Jeans: Yeah, Baby!

This is a true anecdote:

The first time I wore my new jeans to the office, one of my coworkers stopped me in the hallway.
Her: Are those new jeans?
Me: Yes.
Her: They're very flattering. Do they have pockets?
(I turned around to show her the back.)
Her: Great pockets. Large, but subtle. You look hot!
Me: Wow, thanks!

What pair of jeans was I wearing? JAG Jeans 'Lucy' Stretch Jeans.

I usually have a difficult time finding jeans that fit. If they fit nicely through the legs and butt, then they gap in the back. If they fit perfectly around my midsection, then they are baggy in all the wrong places.

When I received the JAG Jeans in the mail I was skeptical that I could get a pair of pants online and they would actually fit. I mean, a trip to my local department store doesn't always result in winners. I pulled them on, zipped them up, and they fit. They fit better than 90% of the jeans that I have owned in the past five or so years. (Five years being weight gains and losses from having two kids.)

I was also impressed with the quality. I love the dark, dark denim wash. And the jeans themselves are sturdy, yet soft.

The first time my husband saw me in them, he played a little grab-ass (pardon my French) and asked if they were made out of some special material. Nope, just denim.

They look great dressed down with a cute t-shirt. And I dressed them up with a satiny ruffled shirt and shiny red shoes for a cocktail party. I got so many compliments on my outfit!

Just a note about sizing. I am 5' 3" and the petite length were just a touch too long to wear with flats, but great for wearing with a bit of heel. That being said, I'm a bit heavy and they fit me perfect in all the right places.

JAG Jeans are available at Nordstrom and other retailers. The Nordstrom's website also features a sizing guide particular to JAG Jeans to help you order the correct size. The Lucy style retails for $79, well worth it for the compliments.

About JAG Jeans:

They cater to women of all ages and shapes and retail for under $100. For more than 30 years, JAG's sexy and easy to wear denim has walked the walk and gone the distance. In the 1970's, JAG introduced contemporary sportswear designed and re-invented denim, which became an integral part of the brand. Today, JAG Jeans are about great fit, and just the right amount of fashion. With over three decades of experience, JAG designers are experts in fit and fabric They consider every woman, every size, every shape so that when a woman buys a pair of JAG Jeans, they know they will fit, flatter, and make her feel good. Their fabrics have just the right amount of stretch to perfect the fit, and add comfort. Even the waistband has some stretch, making JAG jeans unique.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

Online Poster Printing Photo Prints

When I got my Nikon D80, I wasn't sure if I was woman enough for a camera of that stature. Sure, I'd taken plenty of snapshots in my day, but wasn't an SLR beyond my skills?

It took awhile, but I've learned to take photos that are slightly better than the average snap—but I sure have a long way to go. Fortunately, I have plenty of great online mentors, from Dooce to the Shutter Sisters.

So now I have this super-awesome camera, and a huuuuuge memory card. For, like, a thousand pictures. No, literally—a thousand. Then I have all these pictures on flickr, more than 4,000. I spend all this time learning how to use a 50mm lens, forcing my kid to smile, editing the photos in Photoshop Elements, uploading them for the world to see, posting them on Ye Olde Blogge ... and there they sit.

Online.

Oh, now and then I print some, but they always look like crap because Your Average Photolab will mess with the color and the cropping.

Then along came Online Poster Printing. They offered to let me use their super! awesome! site! to print one of my pretty pictures. I used this photo:



and received a 16x20 poster.

It was beaaaauuuutiful.

They didn't mess with my (painstaking) editing. The image was crystal clear. The website was easy to use. They shipped it in a big tube and it arrived all nice and ready to frame.

My only complaint is that the site did not allow me to correct the aspect ration online, so I either had to recrop the image myself or settle for a less-than-ideal crop in my final print. I didn't have time to go back and re-edit, so I settled for the cropped version.

It will still look pretty cool in a rumpus room. If I ever get to live in a house with a rumpus room, that is.

But the lovely folks at Online Poster Printing assure me they are working on a redesign of their website and that these issues will be addressed soon.

All in all, I recommend their service highly. And with so many beautiful photos out there, why not show them off in your real life?

WIN IT: We have one free poster print to award to a lucky reader of The Full Mommy (retail value $20). To enter, send an e-mail to winfullmommy (at) gmail (dot) com with "ONLINEPOSTERPRINTING" in the subject line, by Friday, Feb. 20 , 2009. The winner will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

Land's End Two Day Only Coupon

Because I heart you on this Valentine's Day...

Do you want to save 20% off your entire purchase at Land's End? Perhaps you want some of the new Sun.Life clothing for the family that I told you about the other day. Which, by the way, you can still enter to win through February 22, 2009.

For two days only, Lands’ End will offer 20 percent off all merchandise (excluding overstocks, shipping, and services). Simply enter the promo code and pin number below at checkout on www.LandsEnd.com and you will get 20 percent off your entire order this Sunday and Monday only.

Happy shopping!

Promo code is AMERICA

Pin number is 6289

(Starts 12:01 am Sunday, Feb 15^th - Ends 11:59 pm Monday, Feb 16^th)

Baby Star Diaper Bag

When my first son was born I was overwhelmed with stuff I needed and stuff I had to carry around. Can you believe I actually toted everything in those cheap plastic vinyl-ish bags they give you when you leave the hospital? I did! I was too busy to take the time to investigate a great looking bag that was totally functional, not to mention eco-conscious.

Not so with baby number two! I decided that a cool and well made diaper bag was worth it's weight in diapers (which cost almost as much as gold these days.)

baby star® is a Portland , Oregon-based baby apparel and accessories company that creates adorable products for the design-savvy parent and the texture-loving child. baby star designs simple, modern essentials like blankets, burps, bibs, bedding and apparel featuring hip prints, super-soft fabrics and uses safe combinations of cotton and formaldehyde-free and azo-free fabrics.

I have the silver baby star tote and what I really like about it is just that- it's a tote bag that moonlights as a diaper bag. This tote features a wide zipper pocket on one side and two open pockets on the other side that can hold you various items, cell phone, sunglasses (because you are stylish now, remember) keys or water bottles. It also includes a matching changing pad and a BPA free wipe case. Check out all the available styles here.

Truth be told I've already had a reason to have to wipe this bag down and it cleaned up like a dream. I'm already looking forward to using this after my days of toting diapers are gone. Big enough to hold a laptop or a bag of groceries, I'm holding on to this one.

baby star products are available at boutiques, specialty stores and e-tailers throughout the world. to gaze at our collection, visit http://www.babystar.com/or call 503.221.7827 for more information.

Strawberry Shortcake: Still sweet, but with more attitude

I use the TV as a babysitter.

There. I said it.

Wanna fight? No? What's that? I can't hear you.

Stop mumbling.

Oh! You do that, too. Yeah, I thought so.

Sometimes you just have to, you know? Of course we turn it off and do crafts and play outside and go on educational! and! fun! outings. But honestly, some mornings, if it wasn't for the TV, I'd be dirtier than a pig in ... well, you know.

The TV allows me to shower, eat and occasionally empty my bladder. But don't go gettin' all huffy with me, y'all—I do monitor what the kids watch. At this point my son is more interested in eating his feet, but The Poo is all about cool shows.

And when she tells me she wants to watch Hanna Montana, I die a little inside.

That's one reason why I said yes when the Parent Bloggers Network asked me to review the new Strawberry Shortcake: Happily Ever After DVD.

Because The Poo can operate the DVD player all by herself. Bonus! And I hold nostalgic feelings for the Strawberry Shortcake, considering that my entire fourth-grade year was consumed by collecting the original scented dolls.

As the saying goes, she's come a long way, baby.

The newer, hipper version is all about girl power, and this story tells the tale of a princess who just wants to flex her mental muscles—and look cute while doing it.

I typically don't watch these movies too closely; for me, they are mostly background noise. The one thing I didn't like about this DVD was a faux rock tune in one of the two stories. Frankly, the singing is so bad that it made me want to stab myself in the ear.

BUT.

It isn't Hanna Montana, so there's that.

The best part of this DVD? The girl wanted to watch it a zillion times in a row, and hasn't stopped asking for it since. Which means that a) she really, really likes it, and b) I may now be able to complete an entire task in one sitting.

Priceless.

Parent Bloggers Network is giving away two copies of “Happily Ever After." Just leave them a comment describing your memories of Strawberry Shortcake from when you were young. They’ll draw two winners at random from among all the commenters on the launch of the Happily Ever After campaign (US and Canada only, please).

Electrolux Virtual Cupcake

Would you like to make a cupcake for a friend that won't end up on her hips? Join Kelly Ripa and send a virtual cupcake to a friend. For every virtual cupcake sent, Electrolux will donate $1 to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) as part of its $500,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer.

You could even win a stylish new front-load Washer & Dryer in “Red Hot Red” from Electrolux. That's right, everyone who logs on to the site and sends a virtual cupcake is automatically entered to win. The washer and dryer set is valued at $3,600!

(I have been asked to blog about Electrolux on behalf of Mom Central.)

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

UmiPram Pre-walker Shoes

The Full Mommy loves to pass along awesome giveaways and this is one you don't want to miss!

Umi Children’s Shoes is offering a promotion sure to win the hearts of parents and their little darlings. Now through February 28th, visitors who sign up to receive newsletters from http://www.umishoes.com/ will be automatically entered in a (daily) giveaway to win a free pair of UmiPram pre-walker shoes for infants ($40 suggested retail).

Umi Children's Shoes recently unveiled its Spring/Summer 2009 collection on Umishoes.com and is promoting its newly launched “UmiFriends” Program. UmiFriends provides regular electronic updates to help busy parents stay in the loop with new styles of children's footwear and helpful tips to keep little feet happy and healthy.

For more information about the UmiFriends promotion and to view Umi’s spring collection, visit http://www.umishoes.com/ and watch for an upcoming review of the Spring/Summer 2009 collection!

HIT Favorites: Here Comes Spring! DVD

Several of our children's favorite programs come from HIT Entertainment.

And as we begin wishing for warm spring weather, they've put together a collection of spring-inspired episodes to get us through that last month of winter.

The Hit Favorites: Here Comes Spring! DVD features Thomas & Friends, Barney and Friends, Bob the Builder, and Fireman Sam. The DVD also includes episode of two characters that our family did not know yet: Fifi and the Flowertots and Kipper.

My daughter really enjoyed the upbeat music in the Fifi and the Flowertots episode and asked if we could watch more. And my son, well, he'd watch the Thomas episode 25 thousand times in a row if I would let him!

The Here Comes Spring! DVD is available on Amazon and where your favorite movies are sold beginning February 10, 2009. The suggested age range is 1 to 5 years.

(From HIT Entertainment:)

HIT Favorites: Here Comes Spring features a colorful collection of six cheery, spring-themed episodes starring favorite preschool characters! Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends and Fifi have come to celebrate during this special time of year. Jump into the fun and enjoy the outdoors with Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam, or create magnificent gardens with Barney and Fifi. Get ready to cheer because Spring is here!

• Thomas & Friends - In "Thomas Sets Sail," Thomas is asked to collect the mayor's new sailboat and deliver it to the harbor. But strong winds send the affable engine on a wild and disastrous ride around the island.
• Barney and Friends - In "The Big Garden," Barney teaches his friends how to grow
  fruits and vegetables in a garden.
• Fifi and the Flowertots - In "Flowertot Rainbow," Fifi's plan to wow Violet with a colorful display that goes awry when she forgets to water her flowers. What is she going to give Violet now?
• Bob the Builder - In "Roley's Flat Garden," Mr. Bentley is designing a new botanical garden. Join Bob and Roley as they work together to get the job done!
• Fireman Sam - In "Fit for Nothing," The firefighters are training hard to appear in the Wales Fittest Firefighters calendar. It's a competition to see just who is the fittest!
• Kipper - In "The Butterfly," Kipper finds a butterfly who loves the color purple. He traps it in a jam jar but realizes that it shouldn't be kept captive and eventually sets it free.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

Please read our disclosure statement. DVDs were supplied by Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment and I was not paid for my review.

Shaun the Sheep: Back in the Ba-a-ath DVD

OMG, have you seen Shaun the Sheep? The first DVD Off the Baa! was hilarious and the latest installment lives up to the first. I don't know why, but Shaun and his wooly friends crack. me. up.

How often can you say that about kids' programming?

Oh, and I let the kids watch it, too.

So the sheep in the barnyard are always up to antics. From stealing the farmer's hot water so they don't have to take a cold bath to dressing up as a person and taking the bus into town to get a pizza.

If you haven't seen a Shaun the Sheep episode, you've really got to check it out.

(From the DVD:)
Have fun with Shaun the Sheep and the wacky animal antics from the Oscar-winning creators of Wallace & Gromit. With Shaun, Bitzer the sheepdog and those Naughty Pigs next door, there's no telling what bizarre escapades will happen next as the animals pull the wool over The Farmer's eyes. Sometimes it's shear madness, but it's always fleecy fun. Join the flock for a wooly good time!

The Shaun the Sheep: Back in the Ba-a-th DVD is available on Amazon and where your favorite movies are sold beginning February 10, 2009. The suggested age range is 2 to 60 years.*

*I'm in the middle and I think it's hilarious. I'll have to ask someone over 60 to watch and see if they like it.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

Wat-Aah! Bottled Water for Kids and Teens

If you're trying to get your children to drink more water, or squeeze a little more calcium into their diets, this mom-created, kid-inspired product just might do the trick. These bottled waters come in four varieties, each containing rigorously purified water along with (in 3 of 4 versions) some healthy additives such as calcium and other helpful electrolytes.

Wat-Aah!'s BPA-free packaging is designed for maximum kid appeal (check out the product image to see what I mean) and it definitely worked on my kids. They slurped down the sample bottles right away and wanted to have a taste test to compare the "blue kind" (Wat-Aah! Brain) and the "pink kind" (Wat-Aah! Body). For the record, they taste the same--just like plain, filtered water--but that didn't stop my kids from their little science experiment.

The problem I have with Wat-Aah! is the same one I have with any bottled water (and with juice boxes too). In general, you are much better off getting your own reusable bottle and filling it from your tap. This saves money and is also much more Earth-friendly. However, if your child is really resistant to drinking water, Wat-Aah! is a good alternative to high-calorie, high-sugar juices and sports drinks.

Land's End Sun.Life: SPF Protection for the Entire Family

What would you rather do:

Try to remember to slather enough sunscreen on your kids and reapply again and again?

or,

Outfit them in stylish, adjustable, breathable clothing with UPF and not have to worry about sun damage?

I know what my answer is.

As a fair-skinned person who easily burns, and one who spends a lot of time outdoors, I have been wearing sun protective clothing for about a decade. Some of it not so stylish. You don't know how pleased I was when UPF clothing became mainstream. And it doesn't get any more accessible than Land's End.

Land's End now offers a line of sun protective clothing for the entire family called Sun.Life. Land's End created this line of clothing after a study of 1,400 moms. Over 80 percent of whom said that sun protective clothing is important for their family. This new collection is a full line of adjustable, breathable, and comfortable clothes for the entire family with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating of 30 or 50, which protects 96.7 to 97.5 percent of the sun's harmful rays.

Oh, and did I mention stylish?

Items available for kids include the Boys pants, shorts, and tee, and Girls pants, shorts, and tee. The pants are great because they can be rolled up to cropped and secured with a button.

They also have a full line for adults. View the entire Land's End Sun.Life collection here.

Watch this video from Land's End about the new Sun.Life clothing:



FREE SHIPPING: Use the promotional code "SUNLIFE" and the pin 6365 when you check out to receive free shipping until February 21, 2009.

WIN IT: We have one Land's End Sun.Life children's item to award to a lucky reader of The Full Mommy (retail value $12.50 to $25.50). To enter, send an e-mail to winfullmommy (at) gmail (dot) com with "SUNLIFE" in the subject line, by February 22, 2009 with the answer to the question below. The winner will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

ENTRY QUESTION: What's your favorite outdoor activity to do with your children?

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

Fitness Caddy All-in-One Gym Tote

I reviewed this tote on my fitness site and wanted to give it a mention here too. Because it's not only cute and handy-dandy, it was invented by a mom.

We've all been there: Dashing out the door to a yoga class or to the gym for a circuit-training session, we grab a water bottle and our membership card. Oh, and we also need car keys, plus a towel. Oops, what if the kids/husband/babysitter/George Clooney needs to reach us--better take the cell phone. Next thing we know our hands are way too full and we're frazzled instead of energized.

Vicki Forster knew this feeling all too well, and that's why she created this super-handy Fitness Caddy (yes, she made the first one herself on her home sewing machine, then sold 100 of them locally and on eBay before starting her company). It has designated pockets and clips for all those essentials, from water bottle to keys to towel and even sunglasses. This caddy won't work well if you're a swimmer, or if you take the kids along for a family workout; but for solo trips (ahhh! What a treat!), it's just right. It's also easy to keep at your side during a workout, instead of hiding it away in a locker. There's even a neoprene sleeve to keep your water cool.

The Fitness Caddy can go beyond the gym too. I use mine for playground outings or running errands, because it's less bulky than a purse but still allows me to take my water (or, fine, my iced tea) along. The sample I have is red, with a black strap and back pocket--I like it even better than the black one pictured.

momAgenda Day Planner

What do you give the mom who has everything?
A little help, that's what.

That can come in many forms but my favorite is the momAgenda day planner.

I've had day planners before but none like this. I have to have a day planner that is divided into individual days to keep my sanity. The momAgenda lists weeks, broken out by days, broken out by your time vs kids time, including a section specifically for "DINNER" a topic of much discussion in our house. It's a handy spot to track my daily weight watchers points. (Well, you know, when I'm actually tallying my points. Ahem.)

The lively pink color brightens up my day and is easy to spot in my big bag of stuff. It's big enough to capture everything I manage but small enough to easily transport between work and home. Uplifting quotes also adorn each weekly section.

Bonus: The momEssentials section- a laminated booklet that slides out for quick trips to the doctor or the gym or where ever, including an address book, phone numbers, medical info for you and the family and a place to jot down birthdays and anniversary's.

Wow. I may never have an excuse to forget a birthday again. (Although just because I have it written down doesn't mean I will remember to check it..)

Tungsten wedding bands: Achtung, baby!

Apparently I have been married too long. Because if these very durable, simply styled tungsten rings had been around back when we got hitched, maybe our wedding bands would not look so beat up by now. (And it's only been 8 years--I do hope we have a few more left to go.)

What I've learned, courtesy of Superior Wedding Rings, is that tungsten alone is dense but fragile. Mix it with carbon alloys, though, and it becomes superstrong and durable. So when it's made into a ring, it holds its shape and shine, and doesn't scratch. Which is a lot more than I can say for platinum, or gold, and they tend to be much costlier too.

Because of tungsten's strength, it can't be resized once it's made. However, Superior Wedding Rings has a lifetime warranty that allows buyers to have their rings replaced if they ever become damaged or if the wearer's ring size changes.

WIN IT: How about replacing your wedding bands for Valentine's Day? We have two tungsten rings to award to one lucky reader of The Full Mommy (the winner may pick any two rings, each $120 or less, from Superior Wedding Rings' collection of tungsten bands for men and women).

To enter, send an e-mail to winfullmommy (at) gmail (dot) com with "tungsten ring" in the subject line, by February 14, 2009. For a second entry, mention this contest on Twitter and send us a second comment with a link to your twitter status update. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways. The winner will be notified by e-mail.

Gerber Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Pledge

You aren't going to believe this one: French fries are the most commonly consumed vegetable by toddlers age 15-24 months.

Gerber recently conducted a Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) where they studied the eating habits of 3,000 infants and toddlers. Some of the findings are a little disconcerting. For example, 25% of those studied didn't eat a single vegetable or fruit on a given day.

I can tell you that my children aren't part of those statistics. They are fruit and veggie loving kiddos. I have to believe it's because I started them off giving them good choices over and over again.

Gerber is dedicated to educating parents on the importance of starting good eating habits early through the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy campaign. They offer great nutritional information and support on the Start Healthy website and they even offer short videos on their own YouTube channel.

I was reminded today when my toddler didn't want to try a new food that it can take up to ten tries for a young child to accept a new food. Only 9 more tries to go! My pledge for my children is to give them a good start in life by developing a taste for healthy foods. I think we are already on our way to that goal.

What do you pledge for your children? Go to the Gerber "I Pledge" site and make a pledge and see what other parents are pledging.

Video:


WIN IT: We have a Gerber backpack diaper bag filled with a recipe tin and teddy bear to award to a lucky reader of The Full Mommy. To enter, leave a comment below with your pledge for your children. Giveaway ends February 11, 2009. The winner will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways. Open to U.S. residents only.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

TIETOSUCCESS Silk Scarves

I don't know about you, but this product could not be more timely right now!

TIETOSUCCESS is an environmentally-friendly company exploring trendy products with new technology. For example, 100% Napped silk scarves are really cashmere-like soft but more eco-friendly with a new technology in silk fabric.

I have a lovely pink and grey napped silk scarf. It's the perfect accessory because it is soft and so light. It wraps easily under a heavy coat without being bulky but keeps the chill out. Even you warm weather friends could use something this cozy and fine on a chilly night. It does still get a little chilly at night in Florida- right? Say like sixty degrees instead of sixty below?

tietosuccess is updating products seasonally, even monthly.

You will find the tietosuccess shopping bag and more products to choose from at www.tietosuccess.com.

Cuties California Mandarins: A Sweet Valentine Treat That's Not Full of Sugar

I've always looked for healthy alternatives to sugar-laden treats to hand out to children at school for the holidays. Now that one of my children can't freely eat candy, it is even more important to me to set a good example for the rest of the class.

How about some Cuties for your cuties this year?

This Valentine's Day provide your kids and their classmates with a healthy alternative to sugar loaded candy-grams and chocolates: Cuties California Mandarins are the perfect and nutritious way to celebrate. Cuties are bite sized, easy to peel and super sweet mandarin oranges that make the perfect Valentine's Day classroom treat.

You don't even have to purchase separate cards. That's right, special Valentine's packages of Cuties come with reusable Valentine's Day stickers. The stickers have phrases like Kiss a Cutie, U R a Cutie, Sweet Cutie, and Valentine Cutie. Three-pound bags contain about 17 mandarins and five-pound bags have about 28.

They have 300 percent of the daily recommended vitamin C per serving (2 mandarins). That's something we could all use to stave off winter colds! Cuties are a seasonal fruit available November through May each year.

For more information about Cuties California Mandarins and play games and more, visit their interactive website.

WIN IT: We have FIVE 5-pound boxes of California Cuties to award to lucky readers of The Full Mommy (retail value $10) (one box per winner). Please only enter if you have preschool or elementary school-aged children who would take these to hand out to classmates. To enter, send an e-mail to winfullmommy (at) gmail (dot) com with "CA CUTIE" in the subject line, by February 8, 2009 with your mailing address*. The winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

*In order to mail the winners their Valentine Cuties California Mandarins in time to be given out on Valentine's Day, please include your complete name, mailing address, and phone number in your e-mail. Your personal information will not be used for any other purpose.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

3 Green Moms Lunch Skins

As a mom who not only packs lunches every day but who has to pack food for any dinner excursion we go on since my son only eats five things, I am always on the look out for alternatives to plastic bags.

3 green moms have come up with eco-friendly lunch skins (or in my case- lunch & dinner skins)

These reusable, colorful cloth pouches are made from a high quality, moisture-proof German fabric used worldwide in the food industry. These bags are food safe, extremely durable, grease-proof and can even be thrown in the dishwasher. They come in a set of two, one orange and one green, and are perfect for lunch or snack pairings of fruit, sandwiches or chips.

These are great lunch accessories. They are generous enough to pack a nice sized serving and keeping them clean is easy. Personally I found it easier to clean out in the sink than the dishwasher because we use a lot of peanut butter, but I do throw them in the old dishwasher once a week or so just for a good, hot, power-clean. It's nice to be able to do that.

I'm not ready to send these to day care just yet because I'm afraid my son will toss it by accident but this would be perfect for the older set, or like I mentioned, they are perfect to throw in your bag for a snack or an outing. At $12 for 2, they are reasonable and pay for themselves.

Their design is so innovative and unique that they even have a patent pending! Stay posted for different sizes, colors and patterns coming soon! This would make a great gift for your favorite green mom. (Especially if she is YOU.)

Olive Smart Sack

I am a BYOB girl. I always have a stack of reusable totes in the trunk, ready for trips to the grocery store. But I have to admit, sometimes I'm halfway through my Target run when I realize I forgot my totes in the car.

What good are reusable totes if you can't remember them half the time?

Olive Smart (read "All Live Smart," get it?) has a solution for all of us with good intentions. You won't forget them because you can stuff them into a pouch which fits perfectly in your cup holder. It's no wonder two moms came up with this product!

They come in a set of six for $39 or you can buy a half stack for $24. And I love the colors. I have the reef colors (sage, lavender, and pewter).

I'm not even exaggerating when I tell you about the first time I used my Olive Smart Sacks at Target. I took them out of their little pouch and the checker first said, "These are really soft. Another customer had reusable bags and they were scratchy." Then he said, "These fit on my bag holder much easier than some of the other ones."

If the Target check out guy was impressed, you will be too.

DISCOUNT: Receive 15% off your purchase through 02/15/09 with coupon code "FullMommy".

Watch this video to learn more about Olive Smart:

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

Britax Sale Alert

I don't own a Britx car seat, but when they are on sale, parents seem to get excited. If you are in the market for a Britax car seat, Amazon is having a sale on them through February 15, 2009.

Click here to be directed to the Britax sale on Amazon.

Chalk up your love with Olive Kids Removable Chalkboards

I love the idea of surprising my kids with these cool chalkboard tiles on Valentine's Day, their upcoming birthdays, Easter, or any given Tuesday. From Olive Kids, they are made of peel-and-stick vinyl, so you can hang them on any clean, dry, smooth surface. Change your mind? Just pull them off and move. Far easier, faster, and less messy than chalkboard paint!

The tiles are available in slate gray, schoolhouse green, blue (as shown), and purple. $16 gets you four 9" x 12" panels plus two pieces of chalk to use on them.