Airwear Eyeglass Lenses

I do what I can to be green, from bringing my own tote bags to the store to recycling everything that is fit for the recycling bin. But one area that I have never thought about before is eyeglass lenses. I just always get the lenses offered by the optician without asking about how environmentally friendly the company is.

Recently I was given the opportunity to fit a pair of my eyeglass frame with Airwear lenses made by Essilor. The bad news was that I needed to send them a pair of frames...when I get new glasses I like to donate my outdated prescription to the Lion's Club. Luckily I found my last pair and sent them in to be updated with my current prescription and the Airwear lenses.

When I received them I did think that they seemed lightweight. I really appreciate that they use less resources in manufacturing and recyclable packaging.

Now that I know that there is a greener option, I will definitely give more thought when I get new glasses.

(From the company:)
Airwear lenses by Essilor, (are) made using environmentally conscious practices such as 100 percent recycled water and 100 percent recyclable packaging. But going green doesn't mean sacrificing comfort or performance — these lenses provide 100 percent UV protection, and are lighter and more impact-resistant than standard plastic lenses. Learn how we're committed to green manufacturing and educating families on easy ways to take care of our planet.

When you go to www.LighterSaferGreener.com and share your family’s efforts to help make the world a little greener you will be entered to win free Airwear lenses for the whole family!

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Airwear and received a pair of Airwear eyeglass lenses to thank me for taking the time to participate

From Us to You

Happy Holidays from The Full Mommy

We appreciate your readership and hope that you join us in the next year for reviews of fantastic products for the family and of course great giveaways!

Naturally Nora Brownie Mix

If you are like me, you want to treat your family to baked goods, don't have the time to bake from a recipe, and don't want to feed them a bunch of artificial ingredients.

And what about high-fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils? Do you know how hard it is to find prepared foods that don't have those?

Naturally Nora is a line of brownie, cake, and icing mixes that boasts that they contain no artificial ingredients.

The company sent me boxes of their two flavors of brownie mix--Fantastic Fudgy Brownies and Doubly Fudgy Brownies--to bake up for my family. They were easy to make, as most boxed mixes are, and required only water, oil, and eggs.

I found with each one that they took less time than suggested to bake. I used a glass pan and they were done in about 50 minutes, rather than the suggested 60 minutes. So keep an eye on them or set your timer to go off early.

The results? My two-year-old and I sat down to warm brownies and tall glasses of organic milk and enjoyed a nice snack together. He said "more brownie." I tried telling him that he would have to wait for dinner time with his sister and dad, but he wanted "more brownie, more brownie." I indulged him and we shared another.

The brownies are incredibly moist and chocolate-y and every bit as good as any other brownie I have ever had.

If you care about such things (as I do), the box is made from recycled cardboard and is printed with vegetable-based dyes.

I will caution that "natural" doesn't mean low sugar. The first ingredient is sugar. The flour is unbleached wheat flour, but not whole wheat. And this is not an organic product. If you are counting calories or carbs, "naturally" doesn't necessarily mean that it will be lower in either.

But all in all, it's the lesser of many evils and if I am going to indulge in some chocolate-y baked, goodness, I appreciate the lack of artificial ingredients and HFCS.

And of course leave it to a mom to read a label and come up with a better product for our kids!

For the next round of birthday parties, I may give the Cake and Frosting Mixes a try.

Naturally Nora mixes are available from many retailers and also online at Amazon. Check out their website for retail locations.

Visit their Facebook page where they post recipes and hold giveaways. There are two terrific ones for brownies there now: Candy Cane Brownie Bites and Peanut Butter Brownie Bites.

Watch this video of Nora herself as she bakes a cake and explains how her mixes differ from traditional cake mixes (great video!):



This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! Chocolate is her only vice.

Please read our disclosure statement. Naturally Nora sent me brownie mixes to bake and eat. Yum!

Kushies Diapers

We use cloth diapers for our son. Although we do buy some disposables for preschool, trips, and over night, I love that we aren't shelling out a ton of money on diapers with each trip to the store. Not to mention that I'm not contributing as much to the landfill!

We've been using pocket diapers, but I wanted to try the convenience of an all-in-one. Kushies sent me a package of ultra-lite washable diapers. The five pack for boys featured five different boyish prints. I have to admit that they look so good that I often don't bother putting pants over them when he's running around the house.

These diapers are a little different than I am used to . The taffeta outer fabric swishes a little, kind of like track pants. They are slick. The fit is generous and I think that although they are sized (as opposed to diapers that are one size) they will fit for a while. I snug up the waistband with the hook and loop closures for a good fit.

I haven't had any problems with leakage so far and they are definitely easy to use since I don't have to separate the liner like I do with my pocket diapers.

I've been washing them according to directions and then air drying. I do find that the laundry tabs come undone while washing and they stick together. Maybe there's something I could do to avoid this, but I'm not sure what. (Let me know if you have an idea!)

When ordering from Kushies, you can order in different quantities including a trial pack and a five pack. I love the try before you invest option!

Discount: Use code tfm10 to receive a 10% discount on any order from www.kushiesonline.com.

(From Kushies:) The Kushies Ultra-lite All-In-One form fitted washable cloth diaper is easy to use and easy on the environment too. This diaper features five layers of 100% soft cotton flannel with a special absorbent soaker layer inside and a lightweight waterproof shell on the outside. The closure system is hook and loop and the tabs are extended for optimum adjustability and a snug fit. The patented, built in-flap can be folded up for boys or down for girls for extra absorbency. Better for your baby, better for the environment and better for your pocket book.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Kushies sent a package of diapers for me to try with my son.

Lands' End Argyle Sweater

Okay, so we gave away a Lands' End Women's Argyle Sweater last week and I was confident that our readers would like it based on all the other clothing that I have had from them over the years.

Well I received this very sweater and it's fab.

I know I keep telling you this over and over, but their clothes fit. This is coming from someone who can walk into a department store with a wad of cash (okay, I never really have a wad of cash to spend) and come out without shopping bags. I'm pretty picky about fit.

I didn't even bother to take my measurements this time and ordered the same size I always order. It fit like a dream and is so, so soft. Loving the fine gauge!

I wore the sweater over khakis and layered with a tee and it was very cute. But the sweater is versatile because it can be dressed up or down. Jeans or dress pants.

Definitely a must for your winter wardrobe. Like I said before, argyle is the pattern this season.

Order the Women's Fine Gauge Argyle Cardigan Sweater from their website.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Lands' End sent me this sweater to try for myself.

New Releases SpongeBob Season 6 Volume 1

SpongeBob fans rejoice! New on DVD is SpongeBob Season 6 Volume 1- a 2 disc set! (That is 24 episodes!)

This means that the whole SpongeBob crew is in appearance in Volume 6, including your favorites like SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs, Plankton and Patrick along with some special appearances by characters like Larry and Squilliam.

Of course, these episodes are filled with silly antics and slapstick humor. If you want to find out what happens when Squidward has to go to driving school or when SpongeBob tries to give Gary a makeover, well, you'll just have to watch to find out.

SpongeBob Season 6 Vol 1 is in stores now!

This was written by AmyJo who can be read at Binkytowne! Please read our disclosure statement.


Please read our disclosure statement.

Snazzybaby Travel Chair

My family went to one of our favorite restaurants recently. We were seated and brought a high chair. Oops! It didn't have a safety latch that worked. They tried another one. Yuck. It was dirty. This is exactly the reason why when Snazzybaby offered to give me a portable travel chair to review, I gladly accepted.


Unlike some other portable seats I've tried, the Travel Chair has a non-slip bottom that grips the surface of any chair. The buckles have fasteners and a four-point restraint system so I felt confident that it would hold my little one in place. This travel chair can support a little one from approximately 5 months to 35 pounds. It's also machine washable, because, hello, you need it to be.



I like to keep things simple and I really liked how you could roll up the Travel Chair with its own attached storage bag that I could sling over my shoulder or throw in my diaper bag.

To find out more, visit Snazzybaby here.

This was written by Amy Jo who can be read at Binkytowne!

Please read our disclosure statement.

Snikiddy Mac n' Cheese Puffs

My kids are snackers. They both have mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and bedtime snacks. Do you know how difficult it is to (a) find snacks that are nutritious and not made with junk, and (b) not serve the same boring snack time after time.

I often buy our snack foods at Toys R Us because they have a large variety of healthier snacks at lower prices than my neighborhood grocer. I saw Snikiddy and wanted to give them a try.

Snikiddy sent me two coupons to choose which varieties I would like to serve my family. I chose the Grilled Cheese Puffs and the Mac n' Cheese Puffs. One I bought as a large bag and the other as a package of individual snack bags.

My kids really dug them. They love crunchy snacks and the cheese flavor was spot on. They were cheesy without being too heavy and they didn't leave our fingers an unnatural shade of orange!

The bag of puffs went quick. I am slowly doling out the snack bags and using those for times when we are away from the house. I have found that the snack bags are actually a large enough portion to split between my two kids. And when I took a bag for myself on a recent road trip, it filled me up.

Snikiddy cheese puffs are:

• All Natural
• Made with real cheese
• Low in saturated fat and cholesterol
• 30% less fat than other leading brands
• 20% fewer calories than other leading brands
• Gluten Free and Wheat Free
• No Trans Fats, No Hydrogenated Oils, No Preservatives

Snikiddy also carries chocolate chip and oatmeal bites.

If you join their newsletter, you can get a free coupon!

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Snikiddy sent me two coupons to test out their products.

Child to Cherish Little Baker Suitcase

My daughter and her grandparents have a yearly tradition.

In the afternoon each Christmas Eve, grandpa swings by and picks up his granddaughter. He takes her to their house where she and her grandmother get busy baking dozens and dozens of sugar cookies and decorating them.

She picks out her favorites and packs them up to bring home and set out (with milk of course) for Santa.

They even bake carrot-shaped cookies for the reindeer!

Child to Cherish sent me their Little Baker Christmas Suitcase to help with their holiday baking this year.

The suitcase comes complete with a baker's apron, rolling pin, cookie cutters, and recipe booklet.

I have to say that the suitcase was a little larger than I imagined (larger than a typical child's lunchbox) and the contents a little smaller. I thought the contents would have filled the suitcase, but they actually formed only a small layer at the top.

The $43 price tag might be a bit steep for some. But the price may be right for a Grandma who is purchasing a gift for her grandchild and wants to splurge. I think you are paying for the convenience of an all-in-one kit.

I also wish the website was a bit more informative, giving information about product safety, testing, etc. The website is run by Shopatron and is pretty basic. They do carry lots of gift-y and keepsake type items.

That being said, when my daughter saw her special suitcase, she was quite excited. Every day since she got it she has been drawing pictures of cookies and writing out baking instructions and placing her papers inside the suitcase in anticipation of baking day.

And the apron fits her perfectly. I like that there is a snap for the straps around the neck instead of a tie.

(From the company:) The next generation of the company’s popular keepsake suitcase offerings, the new “Little Baker” collection is offered in a Grandma (with grandma mouse and bear designs and Child to Cherish signature wording “Ready or Not Grandma…Here I Come!) or Little Baker series. The 11.25 x 8 x 3.5-inch tin suitcases feature whimsical animal designs with bears, mice and bunnies. Inside the suitcase is everything any little baker needs-apron, wooden rolling pin and spoon, cookie cutters and 5 scrumptious cookie recipes (Sugar, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, Gingerbread and Snickerdoodle cookies). This new collection is certain to delight children age 2 to 8. Available in either Little Baker Series with three designs (boy, girl, Christmas) or Grandma Little Baker Series with three designs (boy, girl, Christmas).

To ensure that your order arrives before December 25th please place your order before December 18th.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Child to Cherish sent this item for the purpose of this review.

New Lands' End Canvas Line

I'm a long time Lands' End customer for many reasons. The biggest reasons are that when I take measurements, the clothes usually fit and when I have questions, the people who do the online chat always help.

They've just launched a new line called Lands’ End Canvas, which is "casual, well-crafted clothing that reinterprets authentic American sportswear designed for today’s relevant approach to effortless, lived-in style. The collection is rooted in the legendary Lands’ End heritage, but oriented towards a modern, timeless style that offers possibility."

The line featured clothing for both men and women and their enhanced website offers a personalized and interactive shopping experience.

And of course you get the Lands' End quality and customer service that I have grown to love and rely on.

Now through December 21 you can receive free shipping on any Lands’ End canvas items. Simply enter the promo code DEAL and the pin 1802 at checkout to receive the deal.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I received a tote bag as a thank you for writing about their new line. Though I am a long time Lands' End customer and fan.

FedEx for Shipping Packages and Custom Cards and Calendars

Who do you depend on to get packages to your loved ones in time for the holidays?

Did you know that FedEx Ground costs 10% less than UPS Ground?

What I didn't realize until looking around on their site is that the FedEx Office Print & Ship Centers offer custom calendars, cards, and stationary. And there's still time to order for this year!

I did a search for nearby locations and found nine locations in my town. In fact, there is a FedEx Office Print & Ship Center right around the corner. (It was formerly called FedEx Kinko's.)

Sign up for a free FedEx account and record your name and confirmation number to be entered to win one of 5 Apple iPod Touches.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of FedEx and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Image from the FedEx website.

Pampered Chef Cookie Press Giveaway

I'll provide the press, you make the bakery-style cookies with The Pampered Chef's new cookie press. That's the great thing about a cookie press, it's easy to make beautiful cookies right in your own home. I received a cookie press of my own after a recent trip to The Pampered Chef's headquarters last month. You can see it in action in the clip below.

We used the "spritz cookie" recipe that came with the press, but I trusted my nine-year-old's judgment when he told me the butter was soft enough to start mixing--it wasn't. I think I overmixed the batter and our dough was a bit sticky as a result. That said, the cookies (above, as opposed to the ones ruined in the fight you will see below) were OMG delish! And so pretty.

The press is easy to use and its large barrel lets you load a whole lot of dough in at once. The clear barrel makes it easy to keep track of how much dough you've used and how much you have left. Which begs the question, if you've pressed out two dozen cookies, is your barrel half empty or half full?

On the downside, it's a bit messy and inconvenient to change the insert disk (and therefore the cookie design) once you've gotten started.

This press has a special disk that serves as a potato ricer and another attachment that can be used to make crackers, something I will do with my boys before the end of the year.



WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: COOKIE PRESS GIVEAWAY
Prize: The Pampered Chef's New Cookie Press
Number of Winners: 1
Entry Question: Tell me about your favorite Pampered Chef product.
Enter By: 5 PM CST on 12/16/09
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

Kim Moldofsky also writes at Scrambled CAKE and Hormone-colored Days.

Please read our disclosure statement.

Vapur: The Anti-bottle

Just days after a friend described a curious new type of water bottle that users can fold up into their pockets when they are done drinking, I received a note from the folks at Vapur offering me a no-cost review sample of their "anti-bottle." I gladly accepted.

It's a odd thing, this not-quite-a-bottle beverage holder. I very much want to love it, but I'm still getting used to it. That said, there is a lot I do love about the product.

Vapur is reusable, freezable, foldable when empty, and attachable to, say, a backpack via a small color-coordinated clip that comes with the product. The unbottle has a area for marking ownership, though I can see a young child happily covering it with stickers or designs via permanent marker.

And the clip! Just attach it to my bag or backpack. It's lovely for forgetful people like me who have a tendency to leave their water bottles behind.

According to their packaging, the Vapur folks print their packaging with soy ink on recycled paperboard (pre or post consumer?) using wind-powered presses. They also donate at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental organizations through a group called 1% For the Planet.

And, woot!, Vapur is BPA free and made in the USA.

It takes some getting used to the unusual shape and feel of the 16-ounce anti-bottle. It seems to fit well enough in my car's cup holder, but I'm not sure how well it will fare in the bottle cage on my bicycle. My bike is packed away, so I won't know the answer until the 2010 spring thaw.

In my experience, it takes some practice to get just the right flow of liquid from Vapur, so be cautious with little ones. Children who are sensitive to textures might like the squishy feel of the anti-bottle, but be turned off by its rigid sides, which I'm worried could be harmful in certain situations. Yes, I'm the mom of two boys and can totally see them tossing (okay, whipping) these around at each other with dangerous results.

My biggest concern about Vapur, though, is hygiene. Though the product is dishwasher safe, it cannot be fully extended on the top rack and I'm not sure it will get as clean as I'd like it to. Of course, I can hand wash it, but I need to get one of those plastic bag dryers, so the sides of the Vapur bag can dry fully without sticking together. Otherwise, it seems like it would be a breeding ground for bacteria (note, that is my unresearched opinion).

Despite the fact that my experience with Vapur isn't love at first use, I'm still intrigued by the product and consider it a must-have if you're cutting edge eco-chic or eco-geek type. It's interesting, new and affordable enough that it's worth checking out for yourself.

I'd love to Vapur offer these bags custom imprinted with a logo or mascot and available for a school fundraiser.

The 16-ounce Vapur retails for $8.95 and is available on special through December 13 at a cost of $29.95 for four anti-bottles.

This was written by Kim who writes at Hormone-colored Days, Chicago Moms Blog, Scrambled CAKE and Roost.

Please read our disclosure statement.

The Bonefish Grill Challenge and Giveaway

The folks from Bonefish Grill invited me to partake in the Bonefish Challenge. That is, they sent me two $25 gift cards- one specfically for Bonefish Grill and one Visa card to use at the seafood restaurant of my choice in order to compare my experiences. I figured this was a great excuse for a couple of mother/son nights with my seafood-loving 11-year-old.

He and I enjoyed dinners out at Bonefish Grill and Red Lobster though we went far beyond our $25 budget at each place. All in the name of research, right?

Rather than share a blow-by-blow recounting of each meal, I'll share a few key bits from each experience.

Bread: We enjoyed and quickly devoured the warm loaf of bread and seasoned olive oil prior to our meal at Bonefish Grill, but oh, those Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits can't be beat. (Try this at-home version from Sun Kissed Mommy.)

When it came to the salad course, Bonefish Grill was the winner with a house salad that went a bit beyond the ordinary with a slice of heart of palm, kalamata olives and a liberal sprinkling of lightly toasted pine nuts topped with a delectable citrus herb vinaigrette dressing.

The menu Bonefish was a bit more limited than that at Red Lobster. However, the Bonefish meal seemed fresher while our entrees at Red Lobster had a generic look and taste that didn't quite live up to the menu.

The children's menu at Bonefish had only two seafood items: popcorn shrimp and fish strips. I would have liked to see some small portions of adults fish meals on the menu. My son wound up ordering off of the adult menu- salmon with butter and lemon sauce along with a side broccoli and mashed potatoes. I had a piece of Chilean sea bass with seasoned rice.

At Red Lobster my son ordered a child-sized portion of crab legs and...I delayed posting this so long I forgot what I ordered. That said, the highlight of our meal was those cheddar biscuits.

The service at Bonefish is what put that restaurant over the top. My son is a die-hard McCormick and Schmick's fan (and dang it, they keep sending us coupons to entice us back). He dragged his heels at the mention of Bonefish and was indeed in something of a prepubescent funk when we arrived. (We didn't have reservations or anything; there was no way they'd know I planned to write about our experience.)

Our server, Beth, at the Skokie location was fantastic. My grumpy son ordered a Fanta Orange to drink only to be told it wasn't on the menu. Ugh. He sunk deeper into his funk. Imagine our surprise when Beth returned to our table with a bottle of Fanta Orange! Though the corporate honchos may not be pleased to hear about this off-menu service, I was delighted; my son even more so. I guarantee they have a new customer for life.

Now you have a chance to check out Bonefish Grill, too! I'm giving away a $25 gift certificate to Bonefish Grill (note: it expires 12/31/09, so plan to use it ASAP).


WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: BONEFISH GRILL GIFT CERTIFICATE
Prize: Win a $25 gift certificate for Bonefish Grill
Number of Winners: 1
Entry Question: Let us know what you'd like to eat at Bonefish Grill if you win!
Enter By: December 13 at 11:00 PM CST
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Kim who also writes about food at Scrambled CAKE.
Bonefish later sent me another $25 coupon for my efforts.

Born Free Trainer Cups & Teethers

Bad mom confession #103: Last year I sort of forgot to buy gifts for the baby.

Because, you see, he was still really a baby, not even 12 months old and didn't have any comprehension of gifts or presents or celebrations. Don't be like me! There are some things you can wrap in pretty paper and give to your youngest children, even if only for a second while you snap a picture, that they can use every day.

Born Free sent me two items to review: A blue trainer cup and a teether (both pictured above.)

My son took to the trainer cup right away. It has removable handles and valve control. I hesitate to give my little man milk in a sippy cup because he likes to turn it upside down too much. He can still do that with the Born Free version, but it's built more like a bottle so more stays inside. This is due to the low vacuum valve. This trainer is the first ever, BornFree™ Bisphenol-A Free plastic, training cup and is available in four bright colors.

The teething ring, I have to admit, has me a little puzzled. Just the shape of it. Of course, babies don't care, they will chew on anything, but I kept trying to figure out what configuration the teether was supposed to be in? Turns out it has a built-in cavity for anesthetic paste! Clever!

Of course, what's most important is that The BornFree™ Silicone Teether is made from medical grade silicone and is 100% free of Bisphenol-A, Phthalates and PVC. The Teether can be stored in the refrigerator and features an easy-grip handle and 5 different textures.

To learn more about Born Free and the entire line of BPA-A free products, visit the website here.

This was written by AmyJo & you can visit her in Binkytowne.Please read our disclosure statement.

Lands' End Women's Argyle Cardigan Sweater

Argyle seems to be the pattern this season and leave it to Lands' End to offer a version that will be in style this season, but also a classic that you will keep in your wardrobe.

Lands' End would like to give the Women's Fine Gauge Argyle Cardigan Sweater to one of our readers keep you warm this winter.

And wouldn't this look great at a holiday party?

There is still time to shop for holiday gifts. I ordered my daughter the Squall Parka, received free shipping from the website, and got the order in just three days!

Here's a tip: always look near the top on the Lands' End main page to see if they have free shipping offers.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: ARGYLE
Prize: Lands' End Women's Argyle Cardigan Sweater
Number of Winners: One
Entry Question: What color combination of this sweater do you like best?
Enter By: December 14, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Lands' End has sent me items for review in the past. Though I am a long time regular customer and fan.

New Releases: Santa Buddies & Spongebob Truth or Square

Santa Buddies: Here we go! The holiday season is in full swing! How do I know? Disney sent me a copy of a movie about dogs. Talking dogs. In Santa hats. HO! HO! HO!




As you can imagine, Santa Buddies is a light-hearted, family friendly movie. A very adorable bunch of talking puppies (Budderball, B-Dawg, Rosebud, Buddha and Mudbud) have a magical adventure at the North Pole, where they help the world remember the true meaning of the Christmas spirit. Dog lovers, animal lovers in general or even just fans of the holidays will find something to love in this one. Even if it's just an hour or two of the kids laughing at the silly antics.


Santa Buddies is available in the handy DVD & Blu-ray combo and is in stores now. Thanks to Disney for sending me a copy to review.

SpongeBob SquarePants, Truth or Square: SpongeBob SquarePants fans everywhere will love the latest SpongeBob release, complete with 5 exclusive season 6 episodes, and the extended director's cut of the "Truth or Square" TV movie.



While the Truth or Square plot line is similar to most SpongeBob SquarePants episodes, the formula still doesn't disappoint: After being entrusted by Mr. Krabs to keep the Krabby Patty formula safe, SpongeBob loses the recipe. He then relies on the help of Plankton, (my favorite character, FYI) who wants the secret Krabby Patty recipe for himself. (of course!) With the help of his friends, SpongeBob must use Plankton’s memory machine to retrace the happiest moments of his life to find the Krabby Patty formula in time for the Krusty Krab’s eleventh (Eleventy Seventh) anniversary.



Truth or Square is in stores now.




This was written by AmyJo & you can visit her in Binkytowne.

Please read our disclosure statement.

Dr. Seuss's Super Stretchy ABC

I have previously reviewed and enjoyed two other games from I Can Do That! Games (Curious George Hide and Seek Zoo and The Cat in the Hat I Can Do That). So I was pleased to be offered the opportunity to check out another ICDT game, Dr. Seuss's Stretchy ABC. (It was provided to me for free by the company.)

Once again, this is a well-executed, good-quality, and most importantly fun game for kids 3 and up. Its rules and method of play are easy to understand and my four- and seven-year-olds can play it together without adult intervention (yessssssss!). Like the other ICDT games, it is inspired by a book, this time Dr. Seuss's ABC. The link is not super-strong but it hardly matters. The game itself is fun whether or not kids are familiar with the book.

To play, kids take turns being the Stretcher (standing on the mat) or the Caller(s) (giving instructions to the Stretcher). This worked well, at least when playing with just two kids, since both of them had a role to play at all times. If you have more kids playing, they might fight over who gets to call out each task for the Stretcher.

The Callers use the Tornado Tube on the game board to distribute letter coins into slots on the board. These then serve as challenges for the stretcher. If an "A" coin lands in the "foot" slot, he must put his foot on the A, and so on. He then earns a coin for each letter he can reach (up to 5). I wouldn't call them perfect little angels by any stretch, but at least while playing this game my kids didn't much care who won or how many coins they collected. They would help each either stretch and reach to get more letters. It also didn't matter that my older child is well beyond ABC-learning. She still had fun playing the game.

To me, the best part of this game is having a board game that injects a little physical activity into indoor, everyday play. The alphabet learning is the cherry on top of the tornado.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: I CAN DO THAT
Prize: One Game from I Can Do That! Games
Number of Winners: 1
Entry Question: Please visit http://www.icandothatgames.com/games/ and tell us which game you'd want to win.
Enter By: 12/12/09
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

Find more fun and games at Mayberry Mom and About Family Fitness.

Please read our disclosure statement.

Giveaways Galore!

If you are a regular reader you know that you can look to our sidebar for links to our current giveaways.

But we wanted to make sure you enter our current giveaways. We have so many great prizes!

But enter quickly, many of these end today!

TEN $50 American Express Gift Cards (Dec 7)

$25 Maukilo Gift Card (Dec 7)

PlanToys Contemporary Dollhouse ($100) (Dec 7)

FIVE Night at the Museum DVD's (Dec 8)

Nancy's Appetizers Coupon (Dec 10)

I Can Do That! Game (Dec 12)

A Christmas Bear for Me Personalized Book and Plush from I See Me!

Last Christmas I ordered personalized children's books for my two children from I See Me! My children loved that with each page each letter of their name was added to eventually spell their full name. I paid a little extra to have their middle names included as well.

I can tell you that my kids LOVE personalized items. There is something about seeing your own name in print. And my children don't have popular names so we usually don't find them on ready-made "personalized" items.

This year, I See Me! has a new personalized gift, just for Christmas: A Christmas Bear for Me book and plush bear.

The book shows your child's name in a number of places and even includes a personal letter from Santa.

(From I See Me!:) A Christmas Bear for Me, a beautiful, heart-warming personalized book that makes a child the star in a story about a Christmas wish for a special Teddy Bear friend. This beautifully illustrated book comes with a cuddly, plush bear made by Gund® and a personalized letter from Santa. For boys and girls ages 0-10. $34.95

While you are ordering, spend a few dollars extra for personalized stickers, great for those packages from Santa!

What's great about this company is that organizations can set up a special free shipping code that when used, I See Me will donate $5!

Order quickly, the last day for holiday shipping is Dec 10th. Click on the link below and use code FSW715 for free shipping.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I have ordered several books with my own money from I See Me! The company is sending this title to me to present to my child this Christmas, but I have not read it yet. I wanted to tell you about the item before the shipping deadline.

Christmas & Hanukkah Board Books

Whether you are looking for a book for Christmas or one for Hanukkah for the littlest readers in your house, take a look at these board books written by David Martin and illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

Christmas Tree is a sweet book where kids see the tree being decorated with items inspired by nature. My two-year-old liked pointing to the objects (both indoors and out) and naming them. My five-year-old showed off her newly acquired reading skills by reading the simple phrases.

(From Candlewick:) At Christmastime, a tree from the outside comes inside, just waiting to be decorated. And did you know that some of the tree’s ornaments are inspired by outdoor things, too — like a snowflake, a ball, a bird, and a star? Spare language and luminous collage paintings offer a fresh, inviting look at well-loved traditions.

Though we don't personally celebrate Hanukkah, several of my daughter's friends do. She's been asking me about certain aspects and the book Hanukkah Lights helped me illustrate them to her. As with other board books by Martin and Sweet, the wording is simple and engaging for young kids and the pictures are cute.

(From Candlewick:) Candles on the menorah, ready to light! At Hanukkah, there are many much-anticipated rituals — latkes to eat, dreidels to spin, presents to give and receive, and shiny gold treats. Add some free-form fun, from shadow puppetry to singing and dancing, and you have a warm, truly child-friendly
celebration.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Candlewick Press sent me these books for review. After reading them to my children, I donated them to a local holiday gift drive.

Holiday Gift Ideas From Penguin Young Readers Group

Are you looking for some books to wrap and give this holiday season? Penguin Young Readers Group has a little something for everyone this season.

Any Age

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood
by David Benedictus, illustrated by Mark Burgess

My daughter absolutely loves everything Pooh. What a treat to have a new story to read to her in Return to the Hundred Acre Wood.

(From Penguin:) It was eighty years ago, on the publication of The House at Pooh Corner, when Christopher Robin said good-bye to Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. Now they are all back in new adventures, for the first time approved by the Trustees of the Pooh Properties. This is a companion volume that truly captures the style of A. A. Milne-a worthy sequel to The House at Pooh Corner and Winnie-the-Pooh.




Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Heroes: A Pop-up Storybook

Unfortunately, Penguin did not send me the Heroes: A Pop-up Storybook. But maybe that's a good thing because I know half a dozen people who would be begging me to give it to them. This would be a great book for a child who has recently come to love the Star Wars saga or for one of us "seasoned" fans.

(From Penguin:) The adventure really springs to life in this amazing pop-up book that follows the story of all your favorite heroes throughout their adventures in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated television series. Includes 6 pop-up spreads and 3 smaller gatefold pop-ups, each featuring a different hero and adventure.

Ages 3 to 5

Otis
by Loren Long
ages 3 to 5

Otis is an unlikely hero. If your children are like mine, they love stories where the underdog saves the day. This is a cute story about a tractor who is replaced by new technology. We find out that newer isn't always better.

(From Penguin:) Otis is a special tractor. He loves his farmer and he loves to work. And he loves the little calf in the next stall, whom he purrs to sleep with his soft motor. In fact, the two become great friends: they play in the fields, leap hay bales, and play ring-around-the-rosy by Mud Pond. But when Otis is replaced with the big yellow tractor, he is cast away behind the barn, unused, unnoticed . . . until the little calf gets stuck in Mud Pond. Then there is only one tractor—and it’s not big or yellow—who can come to the rescue. It is little old Otis who saves his friend. It is Otis who saves the day.

Jan Brett's Snowy Treasury
by Jan Brett
picture book
ages 3 to 5

When I opened the pages of Jan Brett's Snowy Treasury my daughter exclaimed, "I know that one!" She had already perused several of the stories in the collection while at her elementary school library. She was delighted to have these beautifully illustrated stories for her own collection. The problem with four great stories in one volume? At bedtime she wants all four read in one sitting! We indulge with one and place a bookmark to read the next story the next night.

(From Penguin:) Four of Jan Brett’s bestsellers together in a gorgeous treasury. Jan Brett’s fans count her “snowy” books set in irresistible winter landscapes among their favorites. Now they can own a beautiful edition containing four of her bestselling titles: Gingerbread Baby, The Mitten, The Hat and The Three Snow Bears, set in Switzerland, the Ukraine, Denmark and the Arctic, respectively. Memorable characters, such as the mischievous Gingerbread Baby, the woodland animals in Nicki’s white mitten, Hedgie and the farm animals, and the three polar bears and an Inuit “Goldilocks,” star in picture books perfect for sharing and reading aloud. A beautiful gift for the holidays and beyond.

The Mitten: 20th Anniversary Edition
by Jan Brett
ages 3 to 5

Just like with the Snowy Treasury, the illustrations in The Mitten 20th Anniversary Edition are wonderful. If you read this book as a child, it would be so sentimental to read it to your own.

(From Penguin:) Millions of readers have fallen in love with Jan Brett’s The Mitten, and over 2.5 million copies have been sold since publication in 1989. This striking oversized anniversary edition with a silver foil jacket and a fresh image of the woodland animals will attract fans old and new, and adult collectors of Jan Brett’s books. Set in a snowy forest, the fun begins when, one by one, animals crawl into Nicki’s lost white mitten to get warm until the bear sneezes, sending the animals flying up and out of the mitten. On each turn of the page, Jan hints at what animal is coming next in her signature borders, inspired by Ukrainian folk art.

Peter Rabbit Naturally Better Classic Gift Set
by Beatrix Potter
ages 3-5

I recently attended a baby shower where guests were asked to include a book to start the baby's library. The book I gave was the Peter Rabbit Naturally Better Classic Gift Set. This isn't the first of the Naturally Better books that I have purchased or given. I love that not only do they feature beloved characters and classic stories, but that you are getting an eco-friendly product as well.

(From Penguin:) Peter Rabbit . . . Naturally Better is back again, and this time he’s brought some friends! This brand-new eco-friendly boxed set includes four classic Beatrix Potter tales that meet “naturally better” criteria and showcase their “green” appeal with the eyecatching vine cover design. Titles include: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, The Tale of Tom Kitten, and The Tale of Jemima Puddle- Duck. Perfect for holidays, baby showers, birthdays, collectors and more!

Ages 5 to 8

Peter Rabbit: A Winter's Tale
by Beatrix Potter
ages 5 to 8

(From Penguin:) One snowy afternoon Peter Rabbit leaves his home under the root of a big fir tree and goes out to collect firewood. This is the start of a wintry adventure, which takes Peter into many unexpected encounters before he finally returns safe and sound to his cozy burrow. Envelopes are included throughout, each containing a snowflake decoration to use on the pop-up fir tree at the end of the story. This book uses rare winter illustrations from Beatrix Potter and is perfect for a winter’s night!

Ages 8 to 12

Nancy Drew Starter Set
Nancy Drew Starter Set
by Caroline Keene
ages 8-12

When I was a child, my aunt had each and every book in the Nancy Drew Series. I couldn't wait until I was old enough to start reading them myself. Finally she let me borrow them one by one and I loved them. I can't wait until my own daughter is old enough to start solving mysteries with Nancy Drew.

(From Penguin:) The Nancy Drew Starter Set is the perfect gift for aspiring detectives, or longtime fans of the series! The first six books are packaged together in a collectible box set with an updated design. Titles included are #1 The Secret of the Old Clock, #2 The Hidden Staircase, #3 The Bungalow Mystery, #4 The Mystery at Lilac Inn, #5 The Secret of Shadow Ranch, and #6 The Secret of Red Gate Farm.

The Hardy Boys Starter Set
The Hardy Boys Starter Set
by Franklin W. Dixon
ages 8-12

(From Penguin:) A special treat for Hardy Boys fans! The first six books in the classic mystery series are packaged together in a collectible box set featuring a newly redesigned slipcover. Titles included are #1 The Tower Treasure, #2 The House on the Cliff, #3 The Secret of the Old Mill, #4 The Missing Chums, #5 Hunting for Hidden Gold, and #6 The Shore Road Mystery.






Million-Dollar Throw
Million-Dollar Throw
by Mike Lupica
ages 10 and up

(From Penguin:) What would you do with a million dollars, if you were 13?

Nate Brodie is nicknamed “Brady” not only for his arm, but also because he’s the biggest Tom Brady fan. He’s even saved up to buy an autographed football. And when he does, he wins the chance for something he’s never dreamed of—to throw a pass through a target at a Patriots game for one million dollars.

Nate should be excited. But things have been tough lately. His dad lost his job and his family is losing their home. It’s no secret that a million dollars would go a long way. So all Nate feels is pressure, and just when he needs it most, his golden arm begins to fail him. Even worse, his best friend Abby is going blind, slowly losing her ability to do the one thing she loves most—paint. Yet Abby never complains, and she is Nate’s inspiration. He knows she’ll be there when he makes the throw of a lifetime.

Mike Lupica’s latest sports novel is also his most heartwarming.

Ages 12 and Up

Vampire Academy Box Set
Vampire Academy Collection
by Richelle Mead
ages 12 and up


(From Penguin:) Tear into the utterly addictive Vampire Academy series this holiday season!

Now you can have the first three novels in the New York Times Bestselling VAMPIRE ACADEMY series in a special edition box set! Find out where it all began for Guardian Rose Hathaway and her bloodthirsty best friend Lissa in Vampire Academy, watch all the delicious drama unfold in Frostbite, and fall in love with Shadow Kiss—for the first time, or all over again!

The Teen Vogue Handbook
The Teen Vogue Handbook
edited by Amy Astley
ages 12 and up

(From Penguin:) Live like you work in fashion.

A must-read for anybody interested in fashion. From aspiring designers, stylists, editors, and photographers to fashion obsessives who want behind-the-scenes secrets about industry stars and tips on how to live a creative life.

Fire
Fire
by Kristin Cashore
ages 14 and up

(From Penguin:) She is the last of her kind...

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.

Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don’t need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven’t, you’ll be dying to read it next.

Sarah Dessen Gift Set
by Sarah Gessen
ages 12 and up

The Sarah Dessen Gift Set

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This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Penguin sent some of these titles for our family to read for the purpose of this review. I donated the majority of the books that I received to the local holiday toy drive.