We've gone Tommee Tippee! {Sippy Cups Review}

Tommee Tippee is the number-one brand of infant and toddler feeding products in Great Britain and now it has arrived in the U.S. at Babies R Us.  I feel cool (at least among the toddler set) that I was one of the first U.S. mom's to put these to the test.  Tommee Tippee sent 2 - 2 packs of sippy cups for my review with the help of my 19 month old twin boys.  They tried both the 6 month+ style and the 9 month+ style, and both were a hit with the boys and with mommy.

In fact, we liked them so much that we ultimately decided after using them for a while to ditch our former sippy cups and stock up on the Explora Line of Tommee Tippee cups instead.  Why?

The Tommee Tippee Explora line of BPA-free toddler drinking products features an advance-flo™ valve that requires almost no force to drink from, yet it still remains spill-proof and leak-proof.  In other words, the twins can drink without effort and my carpet is being spared in the process.  In fact after demonstrating just how leak-proof these cups really are, I may have finally convinced hubby it is finally a good time to upgrade the carpet.

Other things worth noting are the fact that each stage of cup features some sort of grip to fit little fingers.  The 6m + style has little handles and the 9m + style is ribbed.  Another plus are the spouts designed to support natural oral development, including flip caps on the spouts to keep them clean when not in use.  Additionally, you can buy them in boy or girl colors and designs certain to please your little ones.

It doesn't hurt to know that since 1965, Tommee Tippee has been earning a reputation for clever ideas, product quality and simply intuitive designs that promote natural development at every age, stage and feeding need.  Our boys are past bottles, but it's worth noting that Tommee Tippee has a bottle line now available in the US via Babies R Us as well.

Mrs. Dash

Have you ever stood at your spice rack pondering exactly what combo you should sprinkle on the chicken to make it look like you planned the meal you are preparing down to the last detail?  I certainly have done this many times.

Our schedule provides a very narrow window for dinner sometimes and I'm always looking for a quick and easy way to "spice things up".  So, I was more than happy to to take the folks at Mrs. Dash up on the offer to try some of their products for review.  They sent 4 blends which included fiesta lime, caribbean citrus, tomato & garlic, and grilling blend.

I've put each of them to the test a couple times now and have found myself wondering why I hadn't  snatched up a few of these at the store sooner.  What an error-proof and yummy way to flavor foods without adding "no nos' such as salt or MSG.  Mrs. Dash Seasonings are available in 15 flavors and each flavor has it's own unique blend of 14 natural herbs and spices.

You can create the perfect garlic bread with a bread loaf, margarine, and a sprinkling of the tomato & garlic blend.  The grilling blend does wonders on the ground turkey burgers, fiesta lime really took my chicken to another level, and the caribbean citrus was delicious too.

And at $3.09 per bottle, it is a very affordable way to jazz things up.  I'm placing Southwest Chipolte on my shopping list for the next Mrs. Dash Seasoning to try out.

Army Wives: The Complete Third Season on DVD {Review + Giveaway}

New on DVD tomorrow, February 9th, is the complete third season of Army Wives from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.  All 18 riveting episodes are included in ARMY WIVES: The Complete Third Season taking viewers inside the lives of five courageous military families. Starring Kim Delaney (“NYPD Blue”), Catherine Bell (“JAG”), Sally Pressman (My Best Friend’s Girl), Brigid Brannagh (“Over There”) and Sterling K. Brown (Righteous Kill), this comprehensive five-disc set delivers behind-the-scenes features, bloopers, and much more.

I received an advance copy of this set for review and must confess I opted to watch the first 3 episodes instead of the Superbowl last night.  I now find myself plotting to find time to watch even more.  With my hectic life as a mommy of 5, I've only had a chance to watch this show when it normally airs on TV once or twice.  I enjoyed watching it on TV, but you can help but LOVE watching it commercial free with the complete season ready when you are.  I may have to request the first 2 seasons for my birthday later this month.

Here's a sneak peak:



Enter to win:  Leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of this series on DVD.

Optional Additional Entries:

• 1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.
• 1 extra entry if you twitter this contest and include @andtwinsmake5 in your tweet.
• 1 extra entry if you add my button to your blog.
• 1 extra entry if you blog about this contest somewhere else and link back here.

Rules:
An email address is required to enter. Please leave it in your comment, or make sure one is visible for me to find in your blogger profile. If you qualify for additional entries please comment separately telling us which options you have used. A winner will be chosen via random.org. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen. U.S. Residents Only.

Ends on 2/12/10 @ 11:59PM CST.

Thanks for Entering and Good luck to everyone!

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's Bow-tique DVD {review & giveaway}

There is a new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD due to release on Tuesday, February 9th and in this collection of 4 episodes Minnie is the star.  We were sent an advanced copy of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse:  Minnie's Bow-tique DVD to review and we really enjoyed it.  We love watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney Channel and we were excited to now have a DVD that enables us to watch our Mickey pals whenever we want.

The Minnie’s Bow-tique espisode is lots of fun.  We helped pick the perfect bow for various customers.  I must admit, Minnie is a true fashion maven with designs that include a disco bow and a powerful bow fan.  Other episodes included Minnie’s Bee Story, Minnie’s Picnic, and Minnie’s Pajama Party.

I should mention that two episodes, ‘Minnie’s Pajama Party,’ and ‘Minnie’s Bee Story,’ include Disney’s Adventure Mode – an interactive game using the remote control with multiple play levels.  Also included is a Minnie magnet bow frame.

Here's a sneak peak:


Enter to win:  "Oh Toodles!"  Tell us who your favorite Mickey Mouse Clubhouse character is below for a chance to win a copy of this DVD.

Optional Additional Entries:

• 1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.
• 1 extra entry if you twitter this contest and include @andtwinsmake5 in your tweet.
• 1 extra entry if you add my button to your blog.
• 1 extra entry if you blog about this contest somewhere else and link back here.

Rules:
An email address is required to enter. Please leave it in your comment, or make sure one is visible for me to find in your blogger profile. If you qualify for additional entries please comment separately telling us which options you have used. A winner will be chosen via random.org. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen. U.S. Residents Only.

Ends on 2/9/10 @ 11:59PM CST.

Thanks for Entering and Good luck to everyone!

Yikes Twins Hooded Towels {Review & Giveaway}

If you are a parent, I'm sure you have experience with the way kids go through different stages and phases.  One minute they adore the bathtub and never want to get out and the next minute they are petrified at the thought of even letting their pinkie toe get wet.  You probably also realize that the best way to combat this ever changing stance is to come up with a few constants they love regardless.

Hooded bath towels in super cute or mighty powerful designs tend to be one of those constants no child can truly resist.  We put a Purple One eyed Monster Hooded Towel, sent to us for review from YikesTwins.com, to the test these past couple weeks and found it to be a crowd pleaser.  We can also confirm it is well made, soft to the touch, and washes well.  Yikes Twins offers several different designs to choose from in both infant and child sizes.

And just in case the name didn't immediately tip you off, I should mention that Yikes Twins was founded by a crafty Mommy of 3 including twins.  Yikes Twins would like to offer you a discount for the month of Feb.  15% off any purchase of $37.00 or more (one towel).  Use promo code "Twinsmake5" to claim this offer.

Enter to win:  You can win a Yikes Twins Hooded Rabbit Towel just in time for spring!  Simply visit YikesTwins.com and return here to tell us about your favorite towel design by leaving a comment below.

Optional Additional Entries:

• 1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.
• 1 extra entry if you twitter this contest and include @andtwinsmake5 in your tweet.
• 1 extra entry if you add my button to your blog.
• 1 extra entry if you blog about this contest somewhere else and link back here.

Rules:
An email address is required to enter. Please leave it in your comment, or make sure one is visible for me to find in your blogger profile. If you qualify for additional entries please comment separately telling us which options you have used. A winner will be chosen via random.org. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen. U.S. Residents Only.

Ends on 3/7/10 @ 11:59PM CST.

Thanks for Entering and Good luck to everyone!

Sunday is Game Day: Puppy Bowl VI on Animal Planet

Our twins are getting ready to watch the big game this Sunday.  No, they are not gearing up to watch the Superbowl, they will leave that for their Dad and two older brothers to watch.  It's the Animal Planet Puppy Bowl that has Cormac & Declan super excited.  We showed the boys pictures of the dogs online yesterday and they just couldn't get enough.  At 19 months, the twins are majorly attracted to anything featuring dogs, so a bunch of peppy puppies playing football is certain to be a huge hit with our toddler twosome.

On Sunday, February 7, from 3-5 PM (ET/PT), the sixth annual Puppy Bowl will be "featuring an all-star lineup of rambunctious, rescue pups competing in the ultimate showdown full of dogged defense, puppy penalties and fido first downs. Plus, for the first time in PUPPY BOWL history, all the action will be captured in panoramic view with aerial coverage provided by the Twizzlers® blimp and its rogue hamster crew. In another fun first, the sidelines will also be hopping with the addition of spirited bunny rabbit cheerleaders. Animal Planet has also booked a bevy of frolicking felines for an all-new edition of the BISSELL® KITTY HALF-TIME SHOW."

Sounds like a big enough distraction that the twins just might allow the big people to watch the "other game".  Hmm, I wonder what snacks you serve to the viewers of this event?

New Nowali Moccasin Styles for Spring! {Giveaway too!}

Our favorite moccasin brand, Nowali,  has launched 4 new styles just in time for spring placing flowers, frogs, polka dots, and sailboats on those little toes.

Don't miss our previous review of Nowali Moccasins detailing the quality and comfort found in this 60 year old swedish brand.   Highlights of that review include spotlighting the moccasins double elastic ankles, non-skid soles, and machine-washability.

Here’s a look at the four new styles, $26.95 each, available now:
    
Dots & Stripes- Sizes 6M-2Y (Available in Pink or Red)
Frogs-Sizes 6M-2Y (Available in Blue or Brown)
Sailboat-Sizes 6M-2Y
Spring Flowers-Sizes 6M-4Y

We were sent a pair of the new "frogs" style so that we could see first hand how darling these were.  The frog pair features the same superior quality in a style our little guys loved.

Please note that Nowali.com is offering free shipping on orders over $50 right now.


Enter to win:  You can win 1 pair of these new style moccasins for your little one.  Simply visit Nowali to decide which pair you'd like to win the most and leave a comment below.

Optional Additional Entries:

• 1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.
• 1 extra entry if you twitter this contest and include @andtwinsmake5 in your tweet.
• 1 extra entry if you add my button to your blog.
• 1 extra entry if you blog about this contest somewhere else and link back here.

Rules:
An email address is required to enter. Please leave it in your comment, or make sure one is visible for me to find in your blogger profile. If you qualify for additional entries please comment separately telling us which options you have used. A winner will be chosen via random.org. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen. U.S. Residents Only.

Ends on 3/4/10 @ 11:59PM CST.

Thanks for Entering and Good luck to everyone!