Name Bubbles Sports Label Packs

This morning when I dropped my son off at daycare, I found a boot sitting on top of his locker. Just one boot, and it wasn't his. This happens when a stray piece of clothing, etc. turns up. Items make their way from one locker to another until the rightful owner is found. It's pretty easy to label water bottles and lunchboxes, but cold weather items like hats, boots, mittens are not so easy to manage.

When Name Bubbles Labels offered to send me a Name Bubbles Sports Label Pack, I was more than happy to accept. With two little ones in daycare during the winter I have more mittens and boots and snowpants than I can keep track of, much less relying on my kid's teachers to do it for me.

The Sports Label Pack includes:

16 dishwasher-safe Square Bubbles – Great for pricey sports equipment, because this label offers extra room for information, like a phone number and email address.

8 dishwasher-safe Fun Bubbles – These waterproof labels are available in a variety of styles, and they work on a variety of items, from sleds, snow boots and other outdoor gear, to small thermoses that can be placed in the dishwasher.

18 dishwasher-safe Mini Bubbles – These mini labels, designed for the smallest items, also have the pressure adhesive designed stick in extreme conditions – from minus-60 degrees to 220 degrees Fahrenheit – so there’s no worry about putting them through the dishwasher or leaving them out in the snow.

28 laundry-safe Bitty Bubbles – Specially designed tiny labels that fit on clothing tags (and mittens, too), which avoids the iron-on or sew-on routine.

8 pairs of laundry-safe Bubble Toes – Not only do Bubble Toes keep each family member’s footwear identified, but they’re a fun way to remind kinds which shoe is left and which is right.

My kid's snow gear has yet to be washed this winter but so far I am happy to report that I have retained BOTH pairs of my children's black waterproof mittens (those are not cheap you know!) and I credit that to Name Bubbles. The brightly colored blue and red label is easy to spot and they have not even so much as peeled up on a corner since I placed them there, despite the many days in the snow we've had so far this year.

For 86 labels at a cost of $24.58, that's a pretty sweet price. Name Bubbles are available in a wide assortment of colors and styles and they also offer many other labels for families on-the-go, including luggage labels, birthday favor labels and even medical alert labels. Visit Name Bubbles here for all the details.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: NAME BUBBLES
Prize: One Sports Label Pack
Number of Winners: 1
Entry Question: Visit the Name Bubble blog and tell me what which pack features "binky bubbles"
Enter By: 2/9/10
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by AmyJo who lives in Binkytowne.

Please read our disclosure statement.

Thomas Splish, Splash, Splosh! DVD

Let's see if I can count the number of times we have watched Thomas & Friends: Splish, Splash, Splosh! since we received it from HIT Entertainment. Nope, I don't think I have that many fingers and toes.

You know anything Thomas is a hit for my son, but my daughter is also enjoying this title.

In this DVD we meet Charlie, a new engine. Miss Botti gives a concert. And we see the engines through rain, mud, and snow.

There is one part that involves a giant snowball and every single time my son yells: "Oh no, Gordon and Spencer are covered in snow!"

While the DVD features CGI animation, we are also introduced to a new live action character (i.e., real person). We watch him between episodes as he bakes a very special cake.

From the Thomas & Friends: Splish, Splash, Splosh! DVD: Even when it's wet outside you can still have plenty of fun, especially when you share your adventures with Thomas & Friends! Grab your galoshes and join the team as they prepare for rainy-day visits and sudsy spills, and then get unstuck from a snowy situation in this collection of stories from the Island of Sodor.

In my kids' opinions, this is another great Thomas DVD worth watching more than a few dozen times...or more!

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. DVDs were supplied by Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment and I was not paid for my review.

Citizenpip Lunch Kits: Everything You Need For a Hot or Cold Lunch at School

As we walked the back-to-school aisle before my daughter started kindergarten, she picked out lots of different lunch kits with popular characters. But those lunchboxes scared me a little. Did they have PVC? Or lead? Or BPA? Or phthalates? Or any of the other scary chemicals du jour? My head was spinning. I put off buying a new lunch box until I could do a little looking online.

Now that it's colder outside, my daughter wants a hot lunch. Since we don't eat meat, most days of the week I have to pack a lunch for her. But she's been requesting soups and macaroni and cheese. (They do serve cheese pizza every Friday, which she always buys.)

CitizenPip sent us the Soup to Nuts kit, which literally has everything you need to pack your child's lunch:

• 1 insulated lunch bag with nametag and carabiner that easily attaches to a backpack
• 1 stainless steel water bottle
• 1 stainless steel insulated food jar
• 4 BPA-free airtight food containers
• 1 stainless steel fork + spoon set
• 5 100% cotton napkins

What makes them different than the lunch boxes at the big box store? They are "muck-free," meaning that they have no lead, PVC, phthalates, or BPA. Yep, that about covered everything on my list.

My daughter likes that the fork and spoon are larger than the toddler size ones, but smaller than adult. She thinks they are just right and actually wants to use them at mealtime at home as well. (I may have to order a few more sets of the spoon and fork.)

She can easily open the plastic containers which have a tab on each of the four sides. And she can see what's inside because they are clear. The company says the containers are airtight, but out of curiosity, I filled one halfway with water, turned it upside dow, and shook vigorously. It didn't leak.

I have washed and rewashed the napkins several times and they are definitely holding up. Plus, the green color will help hide stains from food residues.

But here's my question: Is my child the only one who doesn't put the lid on containers before shoving them back in her lunchbox? Gah!

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: LUNCH
Prize: Citizenpip Square Meal Kit
Number of Winners: One (US only please)
Entry Question: Name one of the styles of the Square Meal Kit
Enter By: 01/25/10
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. Citizenpip sent us the Soup to Nuts kit to pack my daughter's lunches.

Kenson Reward Chart

If your house is like mine, there is never enough time on school mornings. I always feel so rushed trying to get everything done and everyone ready.
My daughter is at the age where she can help make sure that her own tasks get accomplished each morning...with help and reminding.

Kenson Parenting Solutions sent me the "I Can Do It!" School Chart.

This chart, which can attach to your fridge with magnets, is customizable in that you can choose which tasks your child needs to do. Taking medicine, packing their backpack, getting dressed, eating breakfast, and more.

For some kids charts are a great motivator and you can give your child a star when her tasks are completed each morning.

Customize the "I Can Get Ready For School!" Reward Chart to make your mornings easier! (From the company:)

• There are 10 different, colorful tasks to choose from in your chart!
• It has strong magnetic strips to hold it securely to any metal surface, like your refrigerator.
• The sturdy plastic stars and tasks attach easily with hook and loop circles.
• Colorful pictures aid young children in understanding the tasks.
• The Nameplate at the top allows to to write in the child's name or add a picture

The magnets really do keep it securely attached to my fridge, but I wish there were placeholder spots for the stars. We've already lost one (it's probably underneath the fridge).

Kenson Parenting has a variety of reward charts including one for potty training, which we may use with our younger child. They also offer lots of other parenting products.

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. Kenson Parenting Solutions sent me the "I Can Do It!" School Chart.

Kodak at the CES

Sometimes I'm such a geek, I love my tech toys and am thrilled when I get my hands on shiny new electronics.

That's why I think it would be so cool to attend the the Consumer Electronics Show 2010 (known as CES). But alas, I'm stuck in the Midwest under a foot of snow!

Kodak wants to bring the CES to all of us. Even though the show is over, you can go to their K-Zone website or Kodak's YouTube page and watch the recorded videos of the panels. When I saw the lineup, I was so glad that I could virtually be there.

The New CMO: Chief Memory Officer (January 7)

• A look at today’s CMO’s and how they create, share and relive moments in their lives.
• Speakers include: Tina Sharkey (Chairman and Global President, Baby Center), Jill Zarin (The Real Housewives of NYC), and Jen Drexler (Director of Brand Insights, Just Ask A Woman)

It’s All About KISS (January 7)

• And we’re not talking about the rock band. Hear from leading women in technology about why simpler is better in today’s fast-paced world.
• Speakers include: Linda Tischler (Senior Writer, FastCompany), Tina Sharkey (Chairman and Global President, Baby Center), Pam Sherman (author and public speaker known as The Suburban Outlaw), and Jen Drexler (Director of Brand Insights, Just Ask a Woman)

The M-Suite (January 8)

• How momtreprenuers and stay at home moms are building successful businesses.
• Speakers include: Amanda Robinson (NaturalMommies.com), Sharon Napier (founder, Partners & Napier), Susan Tousi (Kodak), Soleil Moon Frye (actress), and Stacie Haight Connerty (blogger, Thedivinemissmommy.com)

Help, My Mom Friended Me on Facebook (January 8)

• Kids eight and under will never know what life was like before Google. Learn how technology is changing their lives – and their parent’s lives in the process.
• Speakers include: Pam Sherman (author and public speaker known as The Suburban Outlaw), Susan Getgood (Blogwithintegrity.com), Jill Zarin (the Real Housewives of NYC), Linda Sawyer (CEO of Deutch), Christy Matte (editor of the Family Computing Guide, About.com)

Father Knows Best (January 8)

• It’s time to hear from the dads! Hear from these tech savvy dads on how they use technology with their kids, and the lessons learned.
• Speakers include: Michael Ferrara (TechnoDad), Jeff Hayzlett (CMO, Kodak), Fred Fishkin (technology reporter, Bloomberg Radio), Jackson Lynch (WIRED)

To let our readers know about Kodak's panels at CES, they are giving one of our lucky readers a Kodak EasyShare D830 Digital Frame (retail value $140). You can learn more about the digital frame at Kodak.

If you are like me, you have a ton of great photos of your children, but don't have the wall space to print & frame them...or the time to scrapbook. What better way to show off those cute kids, whether on your desk at work or on your kitchen counter, than with a digital picture frame from Kodak.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: KODAK
Prize: Kodak EasyShare D830 Digital Frame
Number of Winners: One
Entry Question: Who's photos would you fill up a digital photo frame with?
Enter By: January 20, 2010
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. Kodak sent me a digital photo frame for watching the videos and writing about it.

Removeez Really Helps You Remove Gunk With Ease

I'm one of those people who still has Band-Aid residue weeks after said Band-Aid is removed. My daughter is the same way.

Scrubbing with soap and water only irritates our skin. I've been on the look out for something that could remove that stubborn gunk without being totally toxic or noxious.

Removeez sent me a demo kit. First I have to say that the demo kit was so impressive; they thought of everything. Because really, how do you know if a product can stand by its claims if you can't try it out in different scenarios.

As luck (or bad luck) would have it, I had to have my blood drawn. For the next couple of days I used soap and water and I still had a sticky black outline where the medical tape had been. I spied the bottle of orange/clove Removeez on the counter and thought "what the heck." I didn't think it would actually live up to the claims.

Oh, but it did!

I squirted a few drops on the inside of my elbow and the gunk immediately started to come off. Seconds later my elbow was clean.

I also have to say that I am very sensitive to certain scents, even natural ones. Some scents make my sinuses instantly swell. I love the orange/clove scent.

My daughter had been skeptical of the product, not wanting to try it. She was afraid it might burn or itch. But as she watched me use it on the inside of my elbow, she asked if I could put a drop on her hand to see what it felt like. She liked the scent as well. We have used it to get adhesive off of her; we first soaked the adhesive and it went through it and worked on the sticky part, making it much easier to pull off.

Also in the unlucky column, I had surgery on my wrist a couple of weeks ago. I am wearing an immobilizing splint for six weeks (a total drag) and can't get that arm wet.

My fingers, which stick out of the splint, were covered in something yellow and sticky--I'm assuming it was iodine. And because I can't wash the hand well, after about a week it was disgusting.

Once again I grabbed the Removeez. I generously rubbed it over the exposed fingers and the week's worth of gunk and grime came off. I was able to rinse with a little water after. Seriously, just getting that hand clean made me feel so much better.

Removeez also works on tar, bandages, temporary tattoos, and permanent markers. Once I have the use of two hands, I'm totally going to try it out in these scenarios.

Naturally Removes:
(From Removeez)

• bandages
• temporary tattoos
• tape
• tar
• sap
• ink
• permanent marker
• adhesives
• wax
• grease
• lots of other messy stuff
• it even gets gum out of hair

Made from a blend of citrus oils and extracts of plants and flowers.

Available in four scents:

• lavender/orange
• eucalyptus/orange
• coconut/orange
• clove/orange

You can purchase Removeez from a variety of places including their website and Amazon.

But you'll have to buy your own, because I'm not sharing! It's definitely a great find.

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. Removeez sent me a demo kit to try the product for myself.

New DVD Releases: Barney Please & Thank You

After surviving the holiday season, I think it's about time that everyone took a minute or two to remember some good manners, don't you?

Look no further than our friend Barney, who has just come out with a new DVD: Please & Thank You. In this new release Barney and his friends learn the importance of being kind. This DVD is great for little ones who are just learning that those little magic words can not only help them get what they want, but make other people feel good too.

With a run time of 65 minutes, this video is just right. Not too long to sit through for little ones. As always, Barney and his friends also learn important lessons through song and dance. So your kids could turn out to be polite and talented! It's a Win-Win!

WIN IT! Win a copy of the new release on DVD, Thomas & Friends Splish, Splash, Splosh!
Giveaway Title: Thomas

Number of Winners: 1

Enter By: 1/13/10

Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by AmyJo. You can visit her in Binkytowne.

Please read our disclosure statement.

Olive Kids Toddler Bedding

My son recently moved from a crib to a toddler bed. While he is certainly train-obsessed, I didn't want to purchase Thomas bedding for him. Rather I wanted something that would go well with his room the way it already was and that wasn't so commercial. (I've heard tales that boys wake up suddenly one day and the Thomas obsession is over.)

When we outfitted the nursery, I purchased a rug, clock, and a lot of accessories from Olive Kids. I looked to them again for toddler bedding.

Olive Kids sent me the Trains, Planes, and Trucks toddler bedding set for my little guy's new big boy bed.

I like the vivid primary colors and this set fits in nicely with the pirate-themed items we already have in the room.

The toddler bedding set comes with fitted and flat sheets, a pillow case, and comforter. I would like to see an option for a smaller pillow case since my kids use kid-sized pillows. I do like how the stitching on the comforter makes the vehicles come alive. But I did think the sheets were a bit stiff (I've only washed them half a dozen times and I don't use any type of fabric softener).

My son LOVES it. In fact the first evening he spent half an hour with the comforter spread out on the floor talking about the trains and vehicles. And we do this quite often, naming the parts of the trains and pointing out different colored planes and playing I Spy for vehicles.

I really like the theme of this bedding and I think most little boys would love the pictures of trains, planes, and trucks like my son does.

Read our reviews of other Olive Kids Products:

• Personalized Growth Chart
• Removable Chalkboard Tiles
• Personalized Items

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. Olive Kids sent me toddler bedding to review, but I have been a long time customer. Olive Kids is also a Full Mommy affiliate, which means if you make a purchase there we receive a very small commission.

EAS Sports Active More Workouts: Get Working on Those New Year's Resolution's

We at The Full Mommy just love our Wii's and our EA Sports Active. (Read our reviews of the Wii Fit and EA Sports Active.)

I was recently sent the EA Sports Active: More Workouts for Wii.

I began the six week challenge, knowing that I could only do it a few times before having wrist surgery (totally not related), so that I could get a feel for it.

Once I am back to working out, I plan to complete a six week challenge and I'll report to you.

But I can tell you I liked what I saw.

A great new feature is that you can weigh yourself in your profile if you have the Wii Fit Board (not required to use EA Sports Active, but you can use it if you have it).

There are lots of new sports to help mix it up and keep things fresh.

And I like the addition of the warm up and stretching at the end.

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 the EA Sports Active: More Workoutsto review.