The Wiggles' Big Birthday on DVD! ( + Giveaway ) 8 / 5 ( US / CAN )

The Wiggles Big Birthday! DVD invites children aged two-to-six to sing, dance and wiggle along with Murray, Jeff, Anthony, Sam and their friends Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, and Dorothy the Dinosaur as they celebrate their Big Birthday.  Filled with music, including many classic Wiggles songs performed live, the DVD also offers some terrific birthday surprises and tummy-tickling jokes for even more wiggly, giggly fun!

This DVD is one which cannot be watched sitting down. Stand up and get moving with The Wiggles! 

We love this title as it has the best of The Wiggles - all their hit songs plus a special bonus feature on the DVD is the one-hour documentary, “Everybody Clap! Everybody Sing!” which covers The Wiggles’ first 20 years.

If you have been a fan of The Wiggles, you will enjoy this as much as you did the rest. 

Have no idea who The Wiggles are? Then this is the perfect title to watch as you will find yourself enjoying every song coupled with action on stage.


 Kids all over the world love this group! My son started watching it as a toddler and it took only a few seconds into one song for him to fall in love with The Wiggles.

My son's favorite has always been the " Choo choo chugga chugga big red car ". What a pleasure it was for my son to see the red beauty with 4 of his favorite people singing the best song ever! This DVD is packed with 140 minutes of pure fun and entertainment.

He has one request for The Wiggles - " Next time when you come, you can park your big red car in our garage. You do not have to pay. When you sing on your show, I will go for a ride in the car and ride the whole day long!" 

Can we seal the deal?!

The Wiggles’ Big Birthday can be found at a retailer near you, including Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Amazon, and also on www.NCircleEntertainment.com

Win your copy of The Wiggles' Big Birthday DVD right here!

  

Winners !

Hepari Swimwear -  Narathip Wall

See Kai Run Shoes - Jen Michouris

Congratulations! An email is coming your way !

Review : OxiClean Baby & OxiClean MaxForce Spray - Win the battle against stains!

Product Details

• Removes the toughest stains and odors: baby food, formula, diaper leakage, spit up, jelly, spaghetti sauce, juice and more. 

• Versatile: For washable dress clothes, play clothes, linens, blankets, pajamas, car seat and stroller fabrics, bibs and more.

• 100% fragrance, chlorine, detergent, dye and residue free solution

Kids and stains go hand-in-hand. Especially if you are a mom like me who doesn't mind the creative, colorful messes they make and allow children to experiment and explore, you would LOVE this product.

So my son had a special day at his school and I dressed him up in a bright yellow polo t-shirt. When I went to pick him up, he was all smiles as he had a great day and didn't seem to mind at all that his collar was fully stained with some kind of sauce he had for lunch! It was a cute t-shirt and I so badly wanted to have it for him for along time! Now only to see it stained. I had to revive it.

I sprayed the spot ( fairly a large area) with Oxiclean Baby Stain Remover when I got home and let it soak for around 20 mins. Then I threw it with some other clothes in the washer. It came out stain-free! It leaves no residues. So it works well for children with sensitive skin. 

This OxiClean MaxForce Spray is doing some wonders in my kitchen. My apron, cleaning cloth look cleaner than ever. It is the ease of cleaning with Max Force Spray that motivates me to use it each time I need to tackle a stain. Just spray and leave for a while. Then wash it like you would wash any normal clothes with detergent.

I also like it as it works on more than just one type of stain. I do not have to buy a stain fighter for oil, liquid and food stains. This one spray proves to be victorious in the battle against many!

Now, how effective are these sprays against the Oxiclean Versatile Stain Remover?

 The MaxForce is definitely a bit more powerful and hence performs better. Since it is a spray, it is more practical to use it for spot treatment. Whereas with the Versatile Stain Remover powder, you have to make the solution to treat spot stains. The OxiClean Baby is a gentler formula meant for clothes of  babies / young children whose skin should not be in contact with any sort of chemical. Hence the residue free solution.

I would highly recommend MaxForce Spray .Try them for yourself to see which one will suit your need.

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion.

An invitation to be yourself and shine - Twinkle Toes : The Movie. On DVD , July 31st ! ( R +G) 8 / 5 ( US / CAN)

Inspired by the best-selling SKECHERS Kids footwear line, join Grace “TwinkleToes” Hastings as she headlines her first-ever, full-length feature film, Twinkle Toes: The Movie, debuting exclusively on DVD on July 31, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Filled with music, friendship, laughter and heart, parents and their daughters will want to watch Twinkle Toes: The Movie again and again.  This charming story of courage, self-expression and finding the “sparkle” within will inspire TwinkleToes’ legions of fashionista friends to develop their own talent and achieve their dreams.

The animated star of SKECHERS’ Twinkle Toes footwear line, Grace “Twinkle Toes” Hastings, is a fashion icon for the under-13 set. 

Not just for tweens - anyone who likes a good story will enjoy this movie. My 4 yr old son who clearly has convinced himself that the color "pink" has absolutely nothing to do with him, LOVED this movie. Sure, the dance and all the pretty stuff looks inviting for girls but as a boy, he sort of over looked all the girly stuff and went straight to the " inner sparkle " expressed in the story. He did think Walter was so adorable!  For the record - Mommy still loves pink and I enjoyed this movie in all its glory!

Grace "Twinkle Toes" Hastings  learns to overcome her fears first by learning that it is natural to have fears. She then goes on to discover her talent, strengths and celebrate all of them by stepping -into these super-cute shoes.

The most important gift one can bestow on oneself is "acceptance". It is harder to accept ourselves for who we are . Grace learns the valuable lesson that she can be herself by accepting herself as she is. You can see "acceptance and strength" shine through Grace as she shakes a leg in these fabulous shoes.

Your kids are gonna ask you for a pair of these! 

 The SKECHERS Kids collection, including Twinkle Toes, is currently the number one children’s footwear brand in the United States.

Buy it from Amazon.com / Amazon.ca

Win your copy right here on my blog!

Leave a comment on who you'd like to win this for.

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion.

Believe it or not , this sale is HAPPENING !

I have featured See Kai Run shoes on my blog and we totally LOVE them!

40% to 50% off - are you kidding? NO ! 

RUSH and take advantage of their sale to buy some good quality shoes for  little, active and growing feet.

 See Kai Run is offering free shipping within the US for orders of $50 or more.

For Canadians, I searched at many online shopping sites like Shop.ca and Amazon.ca but was disappointed that they did not carry them. Amazon.com has See Kai Run at good sale price. I have bought shoes for my son from Amazon.com with reasonable shipping charges. They also charge a flat rate for import duties and even refund you some credit if the rate was lesser than the flat rate. 

Visit See Kai Run to see their selection

From Cradle to College . Weddings and Babies . Hallmark for all seasons of life!

Summer is in full bloom and so is life !

 A new-mommy to be,

 A new baby to welcome, 

Baby's first birthday,

A friend who just finished her grad school 

AND

Two soul-mates entering into life's journey together.

 Each of these events reminds me of how each occasion is special to the person  celebrating it. I have celebrated each of these and yes! they are some of the most special occasions in life! 

Hallmark has some great products to celebrate those moments..Life is a special occasion!

What's more special than a big brother or big sister's thoughts on a new baby that is being awaited? Here's Hallmark's recordable memory book - What's That in Mommy's Tummy? 

A book that I will need in the future!

This totally cute, little, cupcake shaped birthday candle ( battery powered) is sure to excite an 1 yr old. Why? Because he/she can squeeze this little cake all they want and nothing more than enjoyment, laughter and squeals can happen. Grab your camcorder and make memories of your baby's first birthday as you see their faces light up with this First Birthday Cake Plush.The yellow top glows when the button is pressed and of course, the happy birthday song will play on! 

Graduation is celebrating the fruit of years of hard work. Celebration comes with memories of good times shared all along the way. I remember studying with friends in library, coffee shops and holding project meetings at the class rooms...these friends have a huge part in my success. So it is absolutely a celebration of not just success but good relationships that were formed. 

Here's the perfect photo album to store all your memories.

 Summer weddings...are a ball! Wow..the golden sunshine just adds to the beauty of the glorious wedding. I was so pleased with what I saw at Hallmark for a wedding present! They have stunning wedding albums in shiny white fabric. My friend got married this summer and it was a beautiful gift for her.

Don't forget to see what you can choose to celebrate that special occasion in your life!

Visit Hallmark Canada to know more.

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion.

 

In stores this Fall 2012: Sesame Street Ready for School Elmo from the Steps to School Collection!

Elmo has a great history of entertaining infants and toddlers. As a toddler, my son has spent hours playing and listening to Elmo.

Is it the voice or those big beaded eyes or the plush-red skin ? Only they'll know how and why this cute-little monster captured a place in their hearts!

Now, preschoolers can have fun with Elmo as they get ready for school. Though my son knows alphabets , numbers and shape, he seemed to enjoy Ready for School Elmo. 

This toy is from the Steps to School collection.

At the push of a button Elmo sings and the zip which has a triangle shape can be pulled up and down. Since this is an interactive toy, toddlers will find it very interesting to indulge in some self-learning. I am a great fan of such toys as they give the child independence to explore and learn at the same time.

Ready for School Elmo helps toddlers with their fine motor skills as the press, zip, snap and squeeze Elmo for different activities.This is a great toy for toddlers who are starting to familiarize themselves with alphabets, numbers and shapes.

When I asked my son if he'd be willing to share this toy with a younger friend, he replied " No, think Elmo will feel better with me". Elmo fans can never get enough of Elmo ! So the furry friend will continue to provide a thoroughly enjoyable experience for preschoolers as they get ready for school!

Look for it in stores this Fall 2012! 

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion. 

Book Review: " I am Second - Real Stories, Changing Lives " by Dave Sterrett and Doug Bender

Famous or unfamiliar, these are the stories of real people who reached the end of their strength, the end of their control, and found the most surprising truths. It taught them not to rely on self or substance but to lean on the only completely reliable source of love, hope, and freedom: the God who created them. Shocking in their honesty, inspiring in their courage, these testimonies are critical reminders that no one is too far from God to find him.

This book is an easy read..BUT I found myself taking time to think through each page as the biographies unfolded one by one. It was like listening to them in person right across the table.Their stories are reminders that God will go to any length to show His love for us. These stories are short and that is something that kept my attention and helped me focus on the essence of each story.

The book contains real life stories of people who have experienced the worst seasons in their lives but as they realized the depth of God's love for them, they came out as gold. It helped me realize that sometimes I take life for granted and never think about people who could be going through worse. Someone's prayer can avail much. I learned to pray more....even for people I may not know. 

The title of this book " I am Second" means that we simply put God first. And that's what the people in the stories did. They put their desire for fame, money, love, identity, satisfaction and everything else aside. When they offered the place that was due to God, they experienced change that turned their lives upside down, inside out. Today, they are able to share their life-changing experiences with thousands.It is because of that one decision that they made..to put God first.

What does it mean to put God first? Here are a few things I do ...

• Start your day with a prayer by asking God to fill you with His love and lead you throughout the day.
• Go to God with your plans and decisions before going to people.
• Ask God for help in your areas of weakness instead of fighting them with your own strength.

I read something in my church today and it is so relevant to my review: "You will never be second in anything in your life, when you put God first."

This book will assure you that God's love is as deep as the hurts and pains in our lives.

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion.

 

A brand new adventure from Dino Dan! ( + Giveaway) 8/5 ( US / CAN)

Join paleontologist-in-training Dan Henderson on a totally awesome prehistoric adventure! Dan teaches a baby Triceratops defensive moves to help it get around a meat-eating Spinosaurus!  Then find out why the T-rex has such small arms when Dan and his friends embark on a sleepover adventure at the famous Royal Ontario Museum.  Tour the museum and learn about real fossil skeletons, from the Stegosaurus to the Tyrannosaurus rex.  But then the visit quickly turns into mayhem when some sneaky dinosaurs steal a T-rex claw from the museum!  Will Dan be able to  get the T-rex claw back before sunrise?  Join the adventure in Where the Dinosaurs Are!

The action-packed adventure is brought vividly to life through a combination of live action and CGI animation.  The “Dino Dan” series was developed under the guidance of paleontologists at Canada’s Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta, and the Museum’s Curator of Dinosaurs, Dr. Don Henderson, is both the lead consultant on the show and an inspiration for its main character.

My little dinosaur lover, totally enjoyed watching this and learning more about the big creatures.It is not just entertaining but my 4 yr old had many questions which lead to us discovering new facts about dinosaurs. This title has a story line where Dan helps a baby dinosaur explore his strength and skills, Dan tries to get the -Rex claw before it's too late and all the fun facts about the humongous animals that once walked our earth have been integrated into the story. 

Where the Dinosaurs Are DVD can be found at Toys “R” Us, Target, Walmart, Kmart, Amazon, and also on www.ncircleentertainment.com.

Special suggested retail price - $6.99

Win your copy here!

Winners!

Laptop Lunches - SueSueper 


Mohawk Rug - aubreylaine 


PC Gift Card- Amber Smith 


Gerber Graduates - Jeannette Naylor Laframboise  


Congratulations!

Summer Feature: Real Kids Shades - Doctor Recommended and really cute! ( + Giveaway!) 8/5 ( US / CAN)

 Here's the punch line that attracted me to Real Kids Shades: 

" We Make Real Sunglasses, Not Toys


  Award-winning design
Intensive product testing
 Patented construction 

 The above 3 points defines their product thereby offering the best 100% UVA/UVB sun protection available on the market today. They’re serious sunglasses fabricated with the same high-quality materials and to the same exacting standards as adult shades. 

In the summer, there are 2 items that we don't leave home without : Sunglasses and sun hats. They offer protection for the eyes and the head and hence not considered accessories in our home. There are a necessity.

As a mother, I need to ensure that my little one is protected from sun's harmful rays.

What are UVA / UVB rays?

The sun gives off energy in the form of radiation.  Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is made of UVA and UVB  rays.

UVB rays are short, powerful and harmful rays that and they affect the outer layers of the skin causing sunburn.It also damages DNA in the skin, which causes skin cancer.

UVA rays are long rays that penetrate deep into the skin. UVA damages the skin causing wrinkling, sagging and premature aging. It is also known to be one of the causatives of skin cancer.

How can you protect your child's eye from these harmful rays? 

By choosing the right sunglasses. 

Some facts from Real Kids Shades to educate yourself before shopping for one!

1. Only purchase sunglasses that are proven to block 100% of both types of ultraviolet rays:   UV-A and UV-B. A UV 400 rating is ideal.
2. Check lenses carefully for scratches, bubbles and distortions. Flaws in the lenses can cause can result in squinting, tearing and headaches. 
3. Select sunglasses that match your child’s active lifestyle. They should be impact-resistant and frames should be bendable, unbreakable and/or have snap on temples.
4. Look for sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses and frames, the most impact-resistant material available. Acrylic lenses can shatter. Beware. Many polarized kids sunglasses have acrylic lenses.
5. Consider wrap-around designs that guard against peripheral UV rays. Peripheral UV light is just as damaging to children’s eyes as direct light. Re ective light, from snow or water, is also as damaging.
6. Make sure the sunglasses deliver a snug, comfortable . Avoid sunglasses that are too tight or too loose for your child’s head. 
7. Do not buy opaque sunglasses – especially for small children and babies who can’t talk. They communicate through their eyes and you want to be able to see them at all times.
8. Know the pros and cons of polarized lenses. Unless they’re speci cally treated with UV coating, polarized lenses don’t o er UV protection. Polarization helps to protect against high glare light conditions. However, polarized lenses also distort vision. Many children’s eye care specialists believe polarized lenses can be dangerous for young children just learning to walk. This is one reason why Real Kids Shades only polarizes the lenses on our Xtreme Sports styles for 7-12-year-olds

 Real Kids Shades are the doctor recommended sunblock you can apply directly to your kids’ eyes.

This Xtreme Sports shades meant for ages 3-7, is the most comfortable shades I have ever seen! The attention to detail is simply amazing.I love the wrap around design and the foam backed edges. It is truly meant for ACTIVE kids.

After looking at Real Kids Shades, I know that I need to trash his previous shades as they are not shatter-resistant and do not come with all the features like Real Kids Shades. Given his high energy levels, Xtreme Sports Shades is the ideal one for him. It does what sunglasses needs to do. And it looks cute and come in different colors.

Did you notice the anti-fog vents? Think skiing!

It comes with a microfiber sleeve for cleaning the lens and storing them when not in use. This is awesome for $19.99. Remember, you are paying for a real, serious sun glass which will do it's job right.

If your child doesn't like wearing bands, Flex will be a great option.It comes with a neoprene strap. The rubberized frames make them possible to bend but impossible to break. Winner!

My son loves these shades and he also learned about what makes a Real Kids Shades!

Win a sunglass of your choice from Real Kids Shades!

DVD Review : THE BEST OF CAILLOU – Caillou's Mysteries & Adventures

Delightfully imaginative and intrepid, Caillou is ready to teach kids about nature, patience, creativity and outdoor activities.

 In these twelve new-to-DVD episodes, Caillou becomes a detective, takes his first trip down a water slide, and even learns how to fly an airplane!

My son can never get enough of Caillou's adventures! Every little boy can relate to Caillou in many ways. These adventure filled episodes were so fun to watch. To see 3 little boys race their cars down the track and the checkered flag....spirits were soaring high! Caillou's love for animals strikes a chord with my little animal lover. 

While we watched the episode where Caillou turns detective while looking for his cat, Gilbert, I asked my son ," Do you want a cat like Gilbert? ".

He said " No, I want a lot of animals."

I ask "Oh, you mean like a farm - with a lot of animals?"

He replies " No, like a ZOO!"

I burst into peels of laughter as we continued to watch more of Caillou and we shared some great conversations along the way!

 THE BEST OF CAILLOU – CAILLOU’S MYSTERIES & ADVENTURES DVD includes 12 exciting adventures, interactive games, coloring pages and a special message to parents.

SRP: $12.99 U.S.

Disclosure: I received a sample for review purpose only. No monetary compensation was received. The above post reflects my personal opinion.

 

Back to School 2012: Learning is fun with COBY Portable DVD Player ( + Giveaway valued at $99) 8/5 ( US/CAN)

 

 Since 1991, COBY has been one of the leading brands in consumer electronics.Their rapidly expanding product line with significant changes in their product offerings, COBY never fails to meet customer expectations.

Technology has revolutionized the field of education. Benefits outweigh the drawbacks, when it comes to the use of technology in education. With unlimited opportunities and resources available, parents have a gazillion choices to choose from for children.

Learning minus technology is like a sandwich without jelly! I am all for making learning fun and interesting.

DVDs marked a significant entry into the field of education, when stories came to life on big screen.Publishers and producers have since left no stone unturned to make sure DVDs are affordable, accessible, entertaining and a source of learning for children.

We have a huge collection of educational DVDs at home and my son is free to pick-up any of those to watch for 20 mins a day. Now he has the freedom to watch it ANYWHERE at home or in the beautiful outdoors. We hit the park and when he is tired after playtime, he lies down on the grass and watches his favorite DVD on his COBY Portable DVD Player!

 We have had it for close to 2 months and it is awesome!

• Compact portable design
• Swivel screen with 180-degree rotation
• 7" Widescreen TFT LCD
• DVD, DVD±R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, JPEG and MP3 compatible
• Plays digital media files directly from USB and SD memory cards
• Anti-skip circuitry
• Dolby digital decoder
• Digital and analog AV outputs allow for use with home theater systems
• Audio/Video input jack for video games, VCRs, or other AV sources
• Headphone jack for private listening
• Multiple language, subtitle, and camera angle support
• Parental lock control

 I couldn't ask for anything better!  With excellent clarity and sound, my son loves it.

It comes with:

• A remote control
• Stereo ear phones
•  100-240V UL Listed AC Adapter
• DC Car Adapter
• AV Cable

It  was so easy to show and teach my son how to operate it by himself. Children tend to tilt and turn the screen but it is not a problem with this COBY Portable DVD Player.

With just a few buttons to navigate, sonny is now an expert  in operating it. After having used it for a while now, I would say that this is an excellent portable DVD player for children. It is very light and sturdy.

This will great to keep children occupied while going for trips in the car / bus/ train / plane. We haven't used it on a trip yet but when the need arises, this DVD player will rise to the occasion!

We also use it to watch  educational programs as a part of learning time. I am highly satisfied with this player and love the use of it for my son!

For $99, this is a great product that will last for a while depending on usage and handling.I have seen more expensive portable DVD players and even tried one. I like COBY's the best!

Coby DVD Players are available at Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.

One lucky reader will have the chance to win the same COBY DVD Player TFDVD7309, right here on my blog!

Back to School 2012: Seagate GoFlex Satellite Wireless Hard drive ( Giveaway valued at $199) 5/8 ( Open to US)

I remember the days when we used floppy discs for storing data in school.

 Fast forward.

We have this top of the line, user-friendly, portable hard drive. Just for the students of this tech-savvy generation!

Students ! Presenting you Seagate’s GoFlex Satellite wireless hard drive. You can be sure that your data is safely stored even if your computer crashes. ( Be sure to do regular back-ups!)

  If you are a family where everyone is tech savvy, then this is a "must-have" at home.

• With a capacity to store over 300 HD movies, you will never run out of storage space for data, photos and media files.
• The wireless feature of the drive helps you watch all your favorite movies and access your files on your ipad or laptop.The GoFlex Satellite device streams wireless-ly from your bag.

•  You can share up to 3 HD movies with 3 different people at the same time, wirelessly.

•  Simple setup. 

•  Comes with a compact wall charger and car charger. You can enjoy up to 7 hrs of wireless streaming.

I would love to have this drive for a variety of purposes - school work, professional use, store all my family pictures and with its attractive, portable feature, I won't be thinking twice to slip it in my bag!

You can check out more excellent features about the GoFlex Satellite Wireless Drive that will convince you why you should buy one!

One lucky US reader will have the chance to win a GoFlex Satellite Wireless Drive worth $199 !