Rave and Review

Stanley Steemer Carpet Cleaning {Giveaway}

In terms of things that I get excited about, a clean house has got to be in the top 5.  Talk about sanitizing, deep cleaning, or disinfecting and you can bet you have my full attention.  It’s this reason that I actually look forward to spring cleaning each year and giving each room a complete overhaul. 

But while I’ve got an arsenal of vacuums, sweepers, dusters, and cleansers, there’s one thing I absolutely hate cleaning, and that’s carpets.  When my husband and I were in the building process, we decided that we would save money by going with cheaper carpets since we knew kids were in our near future and we figured they would trash our carpets and we could upgrade once they were older. 

This was a good thought and all because already our kids have proven to be pretty rough on the carpet, with spots dotting down our upstairs hallways in into the bedrooms.   But, I hate the carpets we ended up with and I’m basically counting down the days until we can rip them up for good. 

Unfortunately, that day is still years away, so it means I am stuck with carpet I don’t like that shows every single spot.  In an effort to not go crazy obsessing over every spot of juice, playdoh, or goodness-knows-what, I recently worked with Stanley Steemer to give our carpets a much needed deep clean. 

While researching what would make the biggest impact in my home and figuring out what area I wanted to target, I actually learned a lot in the process.  For instance, did you know that most cleaning companies recommend a carpet cleaning every year?  I didn’t realize that, either, and actually thought we weren’t due for one yet since the carpets are only a few years old.  Luckily, most of the house is hardwoods, which includes all of the main areas that are well-used, but that doesn’t mean I can neglect the entire upstairs.

Thank goodness Stanley Steemer can help me get rid of years of neglect with one phone call {or email} and take my carpets back to the way they looked brand new.  While our bedrooms and movie room still look really clean, I’m mostly excited about the high traffic areas being deep cleaned like the stairs and hallway.  You really wouldn’t think those areas would get that dirty, but they really do and I’m so excited for our appointment so I can stop being embarrassed about the random spots that don’t come out or the wear patterns forming. 

I love that on the Stanley Steemer site I was able to price cleaning these areas quickly simply by clicking boxes.   Even though I had a very specific area in mind, I loved playing around with this and seeing what different areas would cost.  I also found out that not only do they do installed carpets, they also do area rugs, upholstered furniture, car cleaning {yay!}, hardwoods, tile, air ducts and more.  Spring cleaning, anyone?

With how much rolling around, crawling, sitting, standing, and living we do on our carpets, our sofas, and our car seats, it's really a good investment to protect those surfaces and clean them regularly.  It may not make me love our carpets, but at least I'm not embarassed by them and not worried about what might be lurking beneath the carpet fibers. 

If you have a few moments, I would highly recommend playing around on the Stanley Steemer site for a bit and seeing all that they can do to get your home, your office, and even your vehicle in tip top shape for summer.  Start by playing around with what rooms you might want cleaned and then play around with all the many options until you find the perfect combination for any budget. 

Stanley Steemer is the nation's largest deep cleaner and last year alone they tackled more than 200 tons of dirt.  So, I guess it's safe to say that Stanley Steemer knows dirt!  Why not rely on their expertise and call {or email} the experts and let them do your Spring Cleaning for you!

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $100 Stanley Steemer Gift Certificate! 

To Enter: Tell me what area of your home needs the most cleaning

And, as always, there are extra entries available! {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

2 Extra Entries - Post on your Facebook wall about this amazing giveaway {Stanley Steemer $100 Gift Certificate Giveaway http://t.co/nVqrQqZR} and tag Stanley Steemer and Rave & Review

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry - Like Stanley Steemer on Facebook

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Retweet this tweet after following @StanleySteemer and @RaveAndReview

3 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus. Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love. Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry - Pin or Like this post {use the buttons at the bottom of post to make it super easy! Can be done once per article}

On June 4th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US addresses only.

A big thank you to Stanley Steemer for sending a gift card for the purposes of this review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.  The information, products, video and additional Stanley Steemer gift card was provided by Stanley Steemer through MyBlogSpark.

My First Crayola Art Supplies {Review, Giveaway & Coupon Offer}

I think it’s good for kids to get messy.  I wholeheartedly encourage my kids to dig in the dirt, cover their hands with paint, and generally make messes.  But, while there is a time and a place for getting dirty {for instance, when a bath is in the near future}, there are many times that a big mess is the last thing I want {for instance, when I’m trying to get dinner on the table}. 

Not one to stifle a creative inclination just because I don’t have time to clean up after, I love Crayola’s new line of beginner arts and crafts products called My First Crayola that bring out
the inner Van Gough without all the mess.  From crayons that don’t roll all the way to “clear” markers and paints, Crayola makes it easy for even the littlest artists to make masterpieces, all by themselves.    

My introduction to the My First Crayola line couldn’t have come at a better time because I have a little guy who has no idea he’s little and is constantly begging for markers {mostly the permanent variety} or just scooting himself to grab them when no one is watching.  Instead of allowing him access to all the pens and hoping he doesn’t make my curtains his canvas, I was just looking into getting him some washable art supplies when I heard about the My First Crayola line. 

Once they arrived, I knew they were going to be perfect for him, and for my daughter.  Being able to set him at the table with a pad of his paper and a few stamps and markers has been a lifesaver, especially since my daughter and I have been knee deep {literally} in an ongoing wedding craft project that involved making four flowergirl dresses by hand.  Because I don’t want my son anywhere near scissors needles, or the dress I lovingly crafted during naps for three week, I love that I can give him his own art project on his tray and not worry about what I might come back to.

My absolute favorite of the My First Crayola line is the Color Wonder series that I was introduced to a few years back when my daughter was little.  If you are unfamiliar with the line, basically Color Wonder markers all look like normal markers on the outside, but when you take off their colorful caps, they appear clear.  Even though they look clear and like they wouldn’t be able to write on anything at all, when you write on the special Color Wonder papers they come with, they magically show up as their specific cap color. 

The first time I saw the Color Wonder line I was skeptical they would work, but once I saw them in action, I had to admit they were pretty magical.  What makes this really cool is that the markers don’t write on anything but the special paper – not the desk, the countertop, the floor, you name it.  No more worrying about if the pen rolls off the table onto the floor, that stamps might get left with the cap off in a bag, or that it will get all over their hands, and then my entire house, when touch everything. 

Recently, they have expanded the line to include Color Wonder finger paints, and, like their pens and markers, these are also super cool.  Like the Color Wonders pens, the paint is clear and doesn’t mark everything up, but when used with their special paper, it creates an awesome rainbow pattern that my daughter was incredibly excited about.  Like traditional finger paints, your fingers do get a little messy and sticky, but cleanup is still a hundred times easier with clear paint, and I’ve actually let them finger paint numerous times in the past week because they love it so much. 

Even though I love the Color Wonder line, there are certain times you just need regular markers and for those times there’s the Crayola Washable Markers designed just for little hands.  Instead of thin markers shaped like pens, the My First Crayola markers are actually shaped like animals and this makes them easier for chubby little fingers to grip.  My son specifically likes to make the cow “mooooo!” while he writes, which I think is adorable on numerous different levels. 

For times when we are out of the house, I love the new My First Crayola Dry-Erase Activity Mat that is perfect for on the go creativity.  Instead of markers, the Dry-Erase Activity Mat uses Crayola’s Washable Triangular Dry-Erase Crayons that I love so much.  Not only do I love that it uses crayons instead of markers, I also love that the crayons are triangular in shape, and thus do not roll off restaurant tables, off my kitchen counter, or simply out of reach of my little artist and I love that they are easier for my littlest to grip.  When the art is done, you simply wipe off, or you can just fold up the activity mat and place it back in your diaper bag for later. 

From crayons and markers to stamps, activity mats, and on-the-go fun, the My First Crayola line gets a huge thumbs up from us.  I just love watching my kiddos draw and create together and I marvel at all the amazing things they imagine up and then bring to life in their art.  The only downside?  I think I’m going to need a bigger artwork wall to house all of their masterpieces! 

The My First Crayola line includes all of the items I’ve mentioned in this review as well as dozens more products specially designed for young children.  It’s the perfect way to introduce your little one to art and capture those precious first scribbles, but it’s also a great way to talk to your child about what they think, feel, and dream about because drawing and doodling gives them so many more ways to express themselves than simply with language. 

Want to try out the My First Crayola line at an amazing discount?  Be sure to pick up one of the specially marked boxes of Cheerios for a $5.00 off coupon right inside the box! 

Learn more about the tools from Crayola that make it easy for parents to help children develop their creativity, by visiting www.Crayola.com and liking Crayola on Facebook!

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a HUGE My First Crayola gift pack full of all these awesome products! 

• My First Crayola Washable Crayons
• My First Crayola Washable Markers
• My First CrayolaWashable Stampers
• My First Crayola Washable Dry-Erase Activity Mat
• One specially marked box of original Cheerios® cereal

To Enter: Tell me what My First Crayola item you love the most

And, as always, there are extra entries available! {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

2 Extra Entries - Post on your Facebook wall about this amazing giveaway {Huge My First Crayola Gift Pack Giveaway http://t.co/3tHLKl0w} and tag Rave & Review

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry - Like Crayola on Facebook

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Retweet this tweet after following @Crayola and @RaveAndReview

3 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus. Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love. Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry - Pin or Like this post {use the buttons at the bottom of post to make it super easy! Can be done once per article}

On June 10th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US addresses only.

A big thank you to Crayola for sending a selection of art products for the purposes of this review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.  The information, products, coupon, video and additional My First CrayolaTM gift pack was provided by Crayola® and Cheerios through MyBlogSpark.

We Love the DINGaRING Baby Rattle {Review & Giveaway}

It’s no secret that I love funky and fun toys for baby.  I particularly like toys that look like they were handmade with love, and even more so if they have a uniqueness about them that just begs people to ask where you found it.  My newest obsession was found in Australia, by way of Kentucky, and has all of these qualities and more. 

I met O.B. Designs back in September at the ABC Kids Expo and I secretly wanted everything that they made.  Not one to simply covet from a distance, I jumped at the chance to review one of their unique DINGaRING baby rattles for my little guy and was thrilled when my son fell for their cuteness as much as I did.  And, how could you not fall for this guy?

 This is Pete, a penguin who “loves sunbaking and caviar”.

My son absolutely loves Pete Penguin and we’ve got him tethered to his stroller seat because he’s such a great companion on our walks.  I can’t stress enough what a great arrangement this is as it gives my son 1) a tasteful noisemaker and 2) something to throw that won’t get him in trouble.  Also, it’s incredibly cute to see him babble to it in his cute little baby voice and he gets lots of attention wherever we go when he is snuggling his adorable little friend.

The OB Designs DINGaRING rattle is very well made and has held up well to all sorts of excursions, shaking, and snuggling.  I love how incredibly smooth the natural wood ring rattle is as well as how soft the body of the rattle is, but most importantly, my son loves it.  It might be the dual textures that he originally fell for, but it’s the friendship that has developed that makes them inseparable.

    

If looks weren’t enough to sell you on it, you will certainly be smitten when you read about OB Designs commitment to the environment and their social conscious.  Starting with their Dingarings and then with their Stufit Bags, they make some of the cutest and unique gifts for kids but, it is clear that beyond that they are a responsible company with a great business model.  From their minimal packaging, using recycleable materials where ever possible, and choosing a manufacturer that holds these ideals as well, O.B. Designs

Having played with the Pete the Penguin DINGaRING for a few weeks, we really love the rattle and hope that their whole line is picked up in retail soon so we can pick up even more of their line. You can buy Pete Penguin online at OBDesigns.net for $19.95

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a DINGaRING of their choice!

To Enter: Visit OB Designs and tell me what DINGaRING rattle you would choose if you win

And, as always, there are extra entries available! {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

2 Extra Entries - Post on your Facebook wall about this amazing giveaway {Adorable Baby Rattle Giveaway http://t.co/LrWDyhk4} and tag OBDesigns and Rave & Review

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry - Like OBDesigns on Facebook

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Retweet this tweet after following @OBDesigns and @RaveAndReview

3 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus. Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love. Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry - Pin or Like this post {use the buttons at the bottom of post to make it super easy! Can be done once per article}

On June 17th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US addresses only.

A big thank you to OB Designs for sending their baby rattle for the purposes of this review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Albertsons Big Huge Baby Basket & $30 Gift Card Giveaway!

I go to Albertsons more often than I’d like to admit.  Because it is walking distance from my daughter’s preschool and has a Starbucks conveniently located inside, there are many days that my son and I walk there just for something to do.  And, I figure there are certainly worse ways to kill two hours than taking a walk with my son and letting him help me shop for the foods we will fix that week. 

Fortunately, my son agrees with me, and loves going to the grocery store.  Whether this is because we usually start our journey in the baby aisle where we pick up all his favorite foods, toys, and gear or if it’s because everyone there loves him, whatever the reason, he actually looks forward to shopping with me each week and begins clapping as soon as we roll into the parking lot. 

It’s nice and relaxing pushing him up and down each aisle, checking on the newest products, and seeing what’s on sale, as well as hidden gems I’ve overlooked for months or recently have incorporated into our pantry.  While my son likes to choose his own snacks and cereals, I focus on the base of our meals – fresh fruits and veggies – as well as ingredients for new recipes. 

Not only does Albertsons have great prices, their sales, doublers, and coupons are truly awesome and we’ve cut out grocery bill in half since shopping at Albertsons {want to find out how?  Follow Thrifty Northwest Mom for her weekly Albertsons posts}.  But, as much as we save each week on sales and coupons, one of our biggest savings is time because they have all the groceries and baby products that we need and that means I don’t have to hunt stores. 

From diapers to food to all the fun stuff, their baby aisle is fully stocked and has great prices.  Recently, it seems like their selection has gotten even better with the expansion of the Albertsons Baby Basics line as well as some exciting additions like Earth's Best Organic baby foods and Beech Nut Fruities and Oatmeal snacks, which both of my kids adore.

A few weeks ago, I got the best present ever: a box full of amazing baby products from Albertsons.  Chock full of diapers, wipes, sippy cups, snack cups, formula, food, and even a diaper bag and baby food making supplies, this box was fun to open from start to finish.  Just when I thought I had seen it all, another bag inside would blow me away.  But, more importantly, my kids were jumping around as if they had won the lottery, and they couldn’t wait to dive into some of the goodies.  {Note to self: stop shopping at expensive toy stores for my kids. They want food.  Really.}

The kids’ favorites:

• The Playtex Twist and Click sippy cups – one with the Disney princesses and one with Winnie the Pooh.
• All of the squeezable baby food pouches.  This has become my son’s latest obsession and he begs for these little pouches daily. 
• The jars and containers of baby food, including the new Fruities.  It’s beginning to sound like I starve them, isn’t it?  Hey, my kids like food!

My favorites:

• The Playtex spill-proof snack cup with rotating lid that is perfect for throwing in the diaper bag or handing them in the car because I can seal it up when they are done snacking.  I went to my local Albertson's store and got another one of these the other day so both kids could have one and I love them. 
• The diaper bag.  Not only does this little bag hold a lot, it also doesn’t scream “diaper bag” with its black on black design.  We now keep this in the car full of snacks, treats, and even meals on the go and I love it.  We also keep some diapers and wipes in the pockets to we have them at the ready, but mostly this is a fun pack for instant picnics, playdates, etc. 
• The diapers and wipes.  Since I’ve still got one in diapers and you can never have too many cases of either, I was excited to try some new brands and stock our new diaper bag.
  
• All of the Johnson & Johnson naturals baby care line, which both of my kids still use.  There's just something wonderful about the iconic smell of a Johnson's baby!
  

If you haven't checked out Albertsons recently for your baby, I would recommend cruising through the baby aisle on your next trip.  Whether you are shopping for a brand new baby or a team of toddlers, there are hundreds of products available that can save you driving to a specialty store for your little one. 

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a HUGE baby basket full of all these awesome products that includes a $30 Albertsons Gift Card!  Seriously, look at all this coolness!

To Enter: Tell me what baby item you are most excited to find out that Albertsons carries

And, as always, there are extra entries available! {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

2 Extra Entries - Post on your Facebook wall about this amazing giveaway {Huge Albertson's Baby Basket + $30 Gift Card Giveaway http://t.co/BzeWPITf} and tag Albertsons and Rave & Review

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry - Like Albertsons on Facebook

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Retweet this tweet after following @RaveAndReview

3 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus. Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love. Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry - Pin or Like this post {use the buttons at the bottom of post to make it super easy! Can be done once per article}

On June 7th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US addresses only.

A big thank you to Albertsons for sending a baby basket for the purposes of this review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review. 

Shop Smart with Project PlaySmart {$25 Giveaway}

Do you ever find yourself feeling lost in your local toy store?  Maybe it’s the fact that there are too many options or maybe it’s because half of the toys are plastic junk, but I feel like I’m in the same position every time I’m shopping for birthday presents for my kids’ friends.  I certainly want to get them something they will get excited about, but I would never feel good about wrapping up something without even a bit of educational value. 
Well, now there’s Project PlaySmart to rescue me from toy store wandering and help me choose the products that are best for every age.  Project PlaySmart is a new members-only website that features weekly toy sales of toys that are not only high quality, but are also educational and encourage kids to grow and learn.  We’re talking some of our absolute favorite brands like HABA, Corolle Dolls, P’Kolino, Quercetti, PlanToys, Automoblox, Rody and many, many more.

They organize the toys of the week by age {note: this can be a bit misleading as some toys are good for all ages or for more than one age group, so search around a bit on either side of your child’s age group} and feature a small grouping of toys that they recommend at prices that can’t be beat.  With only 12-15 choices in each age group, it’s not overwhelming to shop but it’s enough to have a great selection of ideas for boys or girls from birth to age 12. 

The Project PlaySmart site is completely free and all you have to do is sign up to have access.  No, it’s not a daily deal site that you will get hundreds of emails from each year, they will only send emails periodically and aren’t in the business of spamming.  I’ve been a member for two months now and I think I’ve gotten seven emails total, which includes my sign up confirmation.  Anything over three emails a week will have me unsubscribing faster than you can say “cancel” so I was happy that the emails are kept to a minimum and are actually relevant. 

I got a chance to do some shopping earlier this month to see how the site works and was very pleased with not only the toys I got, but also the great deals.  Saving over $30 retail {almost 50% off!} on items I was going to be purchasing anyway was really nice, but beyond that, I was really happy with the whole ordering process, the fast shipping, and the quality of the toys we received.

When the Project PlaySmart package arrived with the toys, it was like Christmas at our house.  The first item we ordered was a new Corolle Tidoo doll because with two doll fanatics we can never have enough babies to go around.  The doll is gender neutral, which is a big plus because I know my son is going to be carrying it everywhere. 

If you’ve ever searched for a baby doll for a boy, you know that it’s nearly impossible to find one that is not entirely pink.  Corolle knows boys love dolls, too, so the colorful Tidoo is a perfect gender neutral pick.  I also love that the Tidoo is perfect for summer since it can go in water, which means it’s fun to play with and easy to clean.  Like I said, perfect for a boy.

And, look how much my little boy loves his Tidoo.  This is how they look 90% of every day.  Unless, of course, they are running, jumping, or scooting along on their ride-on toys together.


The next item we ordered is also perfect for summer because it’s great for road trips, educational fun during vacation, and a great way to play school right here at home.  Magnetic Mighty Mind is a great learning tool since it involves replicating patterns and shapes with smaller pieces.  As well as working on colors, geometry, and reasoning skills, it’s also a great on-the-go game since it is magnetic and all the pieces stick to the lid for play and for storage. 

Over the past few weeks, this has proven to be a fun game for all ages and something that will definitely grow with the kids as their skills develop.  We are planning on keeping it right in the car for all those times we get stuck waiting somewhere or need a little distraction that the whole family can play with together.  With numerous activities and pages to choose from, this isn't a toy that will get boring easily and will be pretty easy to make up our own activities as well.  

As you can tell, I’m really happy with the products we ordered from Project PlaySmart and would highly recommend checking them out when shopping for all the kids in your life.  While the website is still in its infancy, it’s a great resource for toy shopping – whether you have kids or not.  I’m hoping they add some features to take the creative value of their toys to the next level, but judging by the creative minds behind Project PlaySmart, this is exactly what we can expect in the next few months. 

Signing up for a free account from Project PlaySmart is incredibly easy, you just fill in the info at projectplaysmart.com and you’re good to go.  They will send you a confirmation to set your password and then you’re ready to shop!

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win $25 to spend at Project PlaySmart!

To Enter: Check out the Project PlaySmart website and tell me what you would buy

And, as always, there are extra entries available! {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

2 Extra Entries - Post on your Facebook wall about this amazing giveaway {Project PlaySmart $25 giveaway http://t.co/zYJFiGir} and tag Project Play Smart and Rave & Review

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry - Like Project Play Smart on Facebook

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Retweet this tweet after following @ProjectPlaySmar @RaveAndReview

3 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus. Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love. Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry - Pin or Like this post {use the buttons at the bottom of post to make it super easy! Can be done once per article}

On June 4th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US addresses only.

A big thank you to Project Play Smart for giving me a credit for the purposes of this review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review. 

Share Magical Memories with Sony and Disney {Contest}

Time really does go too fast.  Even though my kids are still relatively young, I still look back at the pictures of them as babies and think "I can't believe they were ever that small!"  Thank goodness I took thousands of pictures of every stage because at least I can hold onto the memories of all those precious moments that went way too fast.  So now when I'm looking in
wonder at my two toddlers who are more "kids" than they are "babies", I can still vividly recall their dimpled little infant hands and their teeny tiny feet that used to be smaller than my thumb.

When I think of all the memories we've made over the last 3 years, I can't help but smile and appreciate how incredibly lucky I am.  Whether it was a fabulous day in a new place or simply lounging around at home, it's those memories that make every day a little happier. 

If you are anything like me, you are also contantly filming, recording, or documenting every single milestone your children hit so you can preserve them forever.  Looking back through their baby books, their photo albums, and their videos, I can't help but be taken back to those early days, those exciting firsts, and all the great times in between.

Well, now your fondest memory can become a truly magical experience by entering the Share Magical Memories Contest.  By sharing your story of how a special "Memory Maker" in your life inspired you, you could win a dream Walt Disney World® vacation for you and your “Memory Maker” as well as a Sony HDRP-PJ260V Handycam® camcorder to capture and share the experience! 

Be sure and enter the contest by May 13, 2012 at www.disney.com/memories so you can have a chance at this once-in-a-lifetime trip.  You can also enter daily until September 30, 2012 for a chance to win one of the 24 weekly prizes, like a Sony Handycam® camcorder and a $200 Disney Shopping Card.

Want to learn more about 2012 Sony Handycam best-selling camcorders?  Here's some key 2012 Sony Handycam features from the manufacturer:

•    Built-in Projector: Transform your Handycam® camcorder into a mobile movie theatre capable of projecting up to a 100" diagonal image using the projector cleverly built into the LCD panel
•    Low-light: Experience stunning low-light sensitivity with improved image clarity and drastically reduced grain with a back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor. Engineered specifically for compact cameras and camcorders, the Exmor R CMOS sensor is designed to let you shoot video in lower lighting conditions with better results
•    Optical SteadyShot™ with Active Mode: compensates for greater degrees of camera shake to deliver smooth video from wide angle to full telephoto in CX250 models and above
•    Wide Angle Lens and zoom: offers a broader perspective to capture everything in the shot


Wouldn't that be truly awesome for capturing all the amazing Disney memories and for documenting a lifetime of firsts? I know my husband wants one for Father's Day!

Don't forget to enter by May 13, 2012 for the amazing Grand Prize and YOU could be the one sharing your memories right from Walt Disney World®!

No Purchase necessary. Void in Quebec.  *Prizes vary weekly. Visit Disney.com/memories for official rules and details. As to Disney artwork/properties (c) Disney.   Although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are 100% mine.

Oransi Ionic Refrigerator Purifier {Review & Giveaway}

We have air purifiers for our houses, our cars, even our hotel rooms, but there’s one overlooked area that certainly could use a little purifying: the refrigerator.  Think of all the smells – onions, leftover foods, and baked goods mixed in with foods that absorb odors like yogurt, milk, and cheeses, and it’s really no wonder that people spend all kinds of money deodorizing their fridges.

Or, you could get the Oransi Ionic Air Purifier that is made for your fridge and does much more than just deodorizing - it eliminates food odors, kills bacteria, prevents mildew, and sterilizes your fridge once every hour.  So, not only does your fridge smell better, foods taste better, are safer, and you save money!  Can’t beat that, right?

When I first took it out of the box, I was surprised by how small it was.  Having seen the press pictures I was expecting a big air purifying unit, not something a little bigger than a lemon.  Obviously, smaller is better when we’re talking about the precious real estate in the fridge, so already I was impressed. 

I quickly scanned the directions and popped in the two batteries {not included} and was excited when the unit whirred to life right in my hands.  Immediately I noticed a crisp, clean smell from the unit that was powerful if you got close to it, but not really perceptible from a distance.  I popped it into the fridge and it fit nicely right under the temperature controls, in the door, or even in one of the lower bins without taking up too much usable room. 

Once it goes through the initial 30 minute cycle it doesn’t run continuously, but rather runs every few hours for 5 minutes and then shuts off.  Every once in a while it is running while I open the door, but it is so quiet that the only way you can really tell is by the light being illuminated in the front.

It’s small, it smells good, and it is super quiet, but does it work?  I really think it does!  The fridge smells great, food odors are almost non-existent, and everything just seems fresh and clean.  Although I don’t have any scientific evidence that it is working, I did perform an experiment with Jello left cooling and uncovered in the fridge for a few days and it 100% passed the test.  Even though I was initially a bit worried to leave something so precious as Jello unprotected, I was really happy that the Jello still tasted delicious even after a few days. 

Other than changing the batteries a few times a year, the Oransi Ionic Refrigerator Purifier requires no upkeep or maintenance to keep it working in top condition.  I can literally set and forget, and come back to a clean smelling fridge day after day, which is something I never thought would make me so happy.  With how much money and energy I was spending on other fridge deodorizing methods {that never seemed to work well}, I am really happy to have found a solution that really works and is cost {and time} effective.  I finally feel like the garlic chicken leftovers aren't going to ruin the blue cheese crumbles or vice versa, and I'm really maximizing our fridge use.

After seeing how well we like the Oransi Fridge Air Purifier in use, I am definitely going to pick up another.  The manual suggests using it in small, enclosed spaces like closets and I am really excited about that since there’s nothing worse than a dank closet and other deodorizers can be incredibly pricey and they don’t even seem to work that well.  As we do our spring deep cleaning I’m going to move the Oransi purifier around from closet to closet and let it work its magic, and then eventually save for their larger room-sized models for the bigger spaces in the house so we can enjoy clean, fresh air.

Not only does Oransi make great products for all the big and small areas of your home, they also are committed to going green, which is why they focus on energy efficiency as well as effectiveness in all their designs.  I love when a company truly cares about the environment and realizes that a few small changes go a long way towards minimizing their footprint, so I was really happy to read all the ways they make an effort in their daily operations.  Check out Oransi’s green home products and find all the ways you can protect your family, your food, and the air you breathe. 

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win an Oransi Ionic Refrigerator Purifier!

To Enter: Check out the Oransi website and tell me another green home product you would love

And, as always, there are extra entries available! {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

2 Extra Entries - Post on your Facebook wall about this amazing giveaway {Oransi Ionic Purifier giveaway http://t.co/XxU6rB6v} and tag Rave & Review

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Retweet this tweet after following @RaveAndReview

3 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus. Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love. Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry - Pin or Like this post {use the buttons at the bottom of post to make it super easy! Can be done once per article}

On May 30th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US addresses only.

A big thank you to Oransi for sending a purifier for the purposes of this review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review. 

So, I’m Kinda Famous {AKA The Baby Brezza Cookbook Giveaway}

 You may remember how much we adore the Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker, {but if not, please feel free to brush up by reading our Rave Review} and how it single-handedly fed our kids during the pureed food stage.  Well, as it turns out, we still love it.  In fact, we might love it even more after checking out the brand new Baby Brezza cookbook.

Yes, that cookbook.  The one that made me *kinda* famous.


So, why do we love the Baby Brezza even more now?  We love it even more because the cookbook gave us all sorts of meal ideas to make for our toddlers and keep the Brezza love going for a long, long time.  Like the Avocado and Black Bean Dip… can you say “yummmm”?


Well, that and the fact that the cookbook comes with pictures of adorable kids having fun cooking, that is.  Seriously, have you seen the cuteness in the Baby Brezza pages?  I might be a teeny, tiny bit biased, but I'm pretty sure it's adorable overload. 

Oh, and the recipes are great, too.  Whether you are cooking for an 8 month old or for a team of toddlers, there are some great appetizers, snacks, meal ideas, and even desserts you can prepare effortlessly with the Baby Brezza.  We still use it for making all sorts of sauces, fruit purees, and treats for the kiddos as well as using it in regular meal time prep.

If you're going to try out the Baby Brezza, you will definitely want to pick up a copy of the new cookbook and see how you can make the most of this amazing appliance from baby and beyond.  You can buy it right from the Baby Brezza site and hopefully it will be available in retailers nationwide soon. 

And, did I mention the pictures?  Oh, the pictures!  Check out my adorable kiddo and me making our recipe together.  Cute, no?

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Baby Brezza Baby Food Cookbook! 

To Enter: Check out the Baby Brezza website and tell me something you learned about the One Step Baby Food Maker!

And, as always, there are extra entries available! {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

1 Extra Entry - Like Baby Brezza on Facebook

2 Extra Entries - Post on your Facebook wall about this amazing giveaway {Baby Brezza Cookbook giveaway http://t.co/YXigCYKe} and tag Baby Brezza and Rave & Review

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Retweet this tweet after following @BabyBrezza and @RaveAndReview

3 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus. Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love. Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry - Pin or Like this post {use the buttons at the bottom of post to make it super easy! Can be done once per article}

On May 16th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to:

#19 fancygrlnancy said... tweet https://twitter.com/#!/raveandreview/status/195015349526216704

A big thank you to Baby Brezza for sending a cookbook for us as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review. 

 

Recordable Artwork Canvas Art Kit, Mom & Me Recordable Book, and Greeting Cards from Hallmark {Review & Giveaway}

Ever since I've becoming a mom, I've turned into a huge sap.  We're talking crying during commercials, getting teary-eyed at the thought of leaving my daughter at preschool, saving every single scrap of artwork, and getting mushy about something as simple as a card.

And, I've collected an amazing pile of cards in my 3 years as a mother, but none quite as special to me as my 3 Mother's Day cards.  Sure, birthday cards are great, but a special card filled with memories, children's scribbles, and a note from hubby celebrating me as a mom?  That's priceless.

This Mother's Day, I got a chance to take the greeting card to a whole new level with Hallmark's newest releases and I couldn’t be happier.  I’m sure you’ve noticed the shift in Hallmark cards over the past few years that includes cards that dance, sing, and even bloom, and now they have expanded on their line to include two more innovative new products that help you show someone special just what they mean to you with their “voice save” technology. 

Remember how I told you I like to save every piece of artwork the kids create?  Well, now I never will have to toss a masterpiece again with the new Recordable Artwork Canvas Art Kit {ARV $14.95} that allows your child to create a piece of art just for you and even record the story behind the artwork.  When you are finished recording, you simply press the button to hear your child’s voice again and again.

Every mom knows that a painting by their child is never just scribbles, it’s a window into whatever story they are telling that day – and, usually, it’s a long story that has multiple different dialogues.  How awesome is it that you can now record your child telling you all about their art and save it forever with the touch of a button?  No more mini novels written on the backs of paintings so you never forget which stick figure is you and which is your husband and no more wondering what to do with all the art because the 9” x 9” canvas already has a frame around it ready for hanging.    

Since Mother’s Day is just around the corner, we’ve set a time for hubby and the kids to do a special piece of art just for me with the Recordable Artwork canvas art kit.  Then I’m going to record the “story” as they give it to me, which I think is the perfect way to catch the kids excitedly talking about their painting and what it means and will be a great recording of us on Mother’s Day.

Speaking of recording me with the kids, Hallmark has even sent me a project I can do for myself this Mother’s Day.  I think this is such a great idea because there are many moms that will be celebrating with their kids alone this year and they deserve a fun surprise, too.  By using the new Mom & Me – A Conversation to Keep Recordable Book you can stop time for just a few minutes and help you remember this time forever.

The Mom & Me book {ARV $24.95} is a fun activity to do with your kids as it helps you “interview” your child and ask them questions to get them talking.  Each page of the Mom & Me book has a new set of question that ranges from “If you could travel anywhere in the world with mom, where would you go, and what would you do there?” to ones that elicit hilarious answers like ”What do you think mom does when you’re not around?” 

Of course, there’s no right answer and it’s okay if they start chattering away about their imaginary friend or their love of lima beans, whatever will get them talking and enjoying a conversation with you.  When you are all done recording {which we did over multiple days to make it more fun}, you simply slide the switch in the battery compartment to save them and prevent someone from accidentally erasing them. 

Now that my book is complete, I can’t even tell you how many times I have opened it and listened over and over to my daughter and I talking together and giggling together.  There’s something so special about a conversation with your child and what better way to preserve all those details forever than with a special recording that comes in an adorable book that’s easy to store, fun to look through, and acts as a mini time-capsule?  I’m really hoping Hallmark will come out with a new Conversations to Keep Book every year so I can create a whole library of books, one for every year. 

In addition to the Mom & Me Conversations to Keep book, there is also a Grandma & Me recordable book that would be the perfect present from the kids this Mother’s Day.  I know the grandparents would love to have a special book from the kiddos and am thinking that it would be fun to include all of the grandkids in the fun. 

Whether you are shopping at your local Hallmark Gold Crown Store or browsing their vast selection online {note: some of the recordable products are only available in store, but you can still check them out online and find exactly what you’re looking for}, you really can’t go wrong with Hallmark this Mother’s Day.  Whether you are shopping for greeting cards, recordable books, or arts and crafts you can do together, there’s no better way to show mom you love and appreciate her than with a personalized keepsake that can be enjoyed over and over again. 

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Mother's Day Gift Pack from Hallmark that includes the Recordable Artwork Canvas Art Kit, Mom & Me Recordable Book, and Greeting Cards from Hallmark!

To Enter:  Share one of your favorite Mother’s Day memories in the comments below

And, as always, there are extra entries available! {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

1 Extra Entry - Like Hallmark on Facebook

2 Extra Entries - Post on your Facebook wall about this amazing giveaway {Hallmark Mother's Day gift pack giveaway http://t.co/orA86qni} and tag Hallmark and Rave & Review

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Retweet this tweet after following @HallmarkPR and @RaveAndReview

3 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus. Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love. Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry - Pin or Like this post {use the buttons at the bottom of post to make it super easy! Can be done once per article}

On May 6th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to:

#80 Lana Bradstream said... My daughter gave me a magnet she made.

A big thank you to Hallmark for sending a sample gift pack for the purpose of this review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review. 

Gorgeous Wooden Moover Toys Have Won Our Hearts {Review & Giveaway}

It would be hard to forget the first time you lay eyes upon Moover Toys.  I remember vividly the first time I spotted them in the middle of the HABA booth at the ABC Kids Show in Kentucky, surrounded by buyers and gawkers that just wanted to get up close to all this cuteness.  And, who can blame them, the Moover line is simply stunning.   

In addition to being gorgeous, the Danish Moover line is actually quite ingenious.  Featuring a click key system that allows you to put them together {and, alternately, take them apart} with no tools, no pounding, and no complicated instruction manual, they are easy to build over and over.  Instead of screws, nails, and tools, the wooden pieces of the Moover line have notched sides that fit together snugly like a puzzle, making this a great building {and, er, un-building} project for kids. 

The Moover Baby Truck arrived in a flat box that was surprising small, but opening it up I found all the pieces needed to build some amazing fun for our family.  It came with one page instructions, but honestly, we didn’t need them – the pieces fit together in a very intuitive way and it’s easy to figure out how it all comes together.  I especially like that you can choose whether or not to install the truck bed cover or the crane on the back, which adds to the creative fun of the truck.     

Although they are fun to build, once they are complete, they are truly a work of art.  Just look at the Baby Truck in my son’s room.  It doesn’t get much cuter than this, right? 

Believe it or not, playtime with the Baby Truck is even cuter, with two happy kids zooming around the house on the rubber-trimmed wooden wheels, towing their mini cars, and stowing their most precious toys in the covered truck bed or peeking out the front of the truck. 

Because it can be played with in so many ways, it seems like it’s always in use around our house.  Whether they are driving it or their dolls are riding in it, it’s always rolling somewhere, and usually towing something else with wheels behind it.  No matter where it’s going, it always looks and sounds like a whole lot of fun. 

As much as I love the adorable design of the Moover line, it’s the creativity it inspires that won my heart.  I just love it when I hear the kids come up with a brand new game and it seems like the new games have been endless with the Baby Truck as part of their play.  From race car drivers to doll taxi to tow truck and then to mechanic, there’s no shortage of imaginative play that you can create with a car that you can ride on, your toys can ride in, and you can take apart and “fix” over and over again.

It really doesn’t get better than a beautifully designed toy that encourages learning, imaginative play, and being active, but the Moover line manages to exceed my expectations on all fronts.  In addition to the Baby Truck, the Moover line has a whole lot of amazing with 5 different toys that would delight any youngster and are each available in red or natural birch.  We’re talking gorgeous, heirloom quality toys that are the stuff childhood is made of.  Which Moover toy has won your heart?

To Buy: The Moover Baby Truck is available in both natural and red and is sold exclusively through HABA in the US.  The Baby Truck, as well as the rest of the Moover line, can be purchased at maukilo.com.  Psst - get free shipping on orders over $65!

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win their choice of Moover Toy! {ARV up to $160!} 

To Enter:  Type in "Moover" at Maukilo.com and tell me which toy you would choose!

And, as always, there are extra entries available! {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}

2 Extra Entries - Like HABAusa on Facebook

2 Extra Entries - Post on your Facebook wall about this amazing giveaway {Gorgeous Moover Toy Giveaway http://t.co/OtkZLVzc} and tag HABAusa and Rave & Review

2 Extra Entries {per method} - Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Retweet this tweet after following @RaveAndReview

5 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus. Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and encourage your readers to like the HABAusa Facebook page with the image above and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love. Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

1 Extra Entry - Pin or Like this post {use the buttons at the bottom of post to make it super easy! Can be done once per article}

On May 19th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen. Open to US addresses only.

This Giveaway is now closed! Thank you to all who entered and congrats to: #87

Stephanie Cobb said...  My girls would love the red pram!

A big thank you to Moover Toys for sending a sample for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.