Merry Christmas!

Santa arrived and unloaded his sled, the stockings are now down, and the packages all opened.  We are blessed.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  Thanks for reading!

Stuff your Stockings with Heroes from Hasbro

If your Christmas Stockings are looking a bit under stuffed, you might want to check out Hasbro's line of little action figures.  These heroes are available in popular themes such as G.I. Joe, Transformers, Star Wars, and more.
Your little ones will love these.  Their extra big feet make them real easy to stand and standing them all up in perfect spots for play has a large part of the fun.  Another huge plus is that there are no separate tiny pieces that can be easily lost.  All those tiny battle accessories are incorporated right into the little figure's design allowing for easy play and clean up.
We were sent some men from the Star Wars Galactic Hero series and were immediately impressed with how cute these guys really are.  Not only are they the perfect size for the stocking, but they are sized perfectly for bringing along to grandma's house as well.  You can find Hasbro's Hero line ups at most stores including Walmart, ToysRus, and Target to name a few.

Warm Fuzzy Regards

We arrived at our holiday destination safe and sound.  The Rocky Mountains look beautiful all covered in snow and the kids are already putting their skis and snowboards to good use.  The rest of the family made it here too, packing our days and nights with funny moments and lots of chatter.

An absolutely beautiful arrangement of flowers also made it's arrival from 1-800-Flowers.com.  It is sitting center stage in the opening between our kitchen and dining room, for all to enjoy the warm fuzzy regards it is meant to convey.

Wondering why 1-800-Flowers sent my family and myself this beautiful floral arrangement?  You can read my original post here, which includes a special promotional code for all my readers.

I'm off to dress my kids for a day of exploring Beaver Creek Mountain on ski and snowboards.  I hope you enjoy your own holiday fun this week!  Some Warm Fuzzy Regards to you and yours ...

The 10 Old Navy Coupon winners!

#39, #100, #4, #110, #134, #92, #107, #88, #97, & #179 were the winners selected by Random.org and have been emailed.

Thanks to everyone for entering!

The Long Car Ride to Christmas

We've been spending our Holidays in the Colorado Rockies for years.  It's a family tradition to go out there and enjoy the holiday skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice skating, and all those other snowy mountain activities.  Hot chocolate and lounging by fireplaces is also included in that mix.

My brothers both go, my one brother's girlfriend, my parents, my aunt will be there, and my uncle is coming in from Sweden with his college age twin daughters.  We even have cousins coming in after Christmas itself to meet up with us.

We love virtually every minute of our time while there, it's the getting there and getting home that we all dread.

That's 16 + hours in a car that includes 5 children, 2 adults, a tiny dog, 7 suitcases, 2 portable baby / toddler beds, 2 booster seats, 3 backpacks, 1 diaper bag, a snack bag, a toy bag, a few Christmas presents that didn't arrive in time to be shipped, and about 30 random loose objects I am trying to block out.  One year we even encountered a storm that closed the roads mid trip for 12+ hours!  Rather hard to imagine why anyone might dread this drive isn't it?  Yet each year we keep doing it and each year we do it because we all really want to do it.  Why?

You see once we pack up all that stuff, load it piece by piece into the car and the above car luggage carrier, and endure the ride we arrive at Christmas!  Mind you, that is a ride that includes several zillion bathroom breaks, stops for every meal, stops to walk to dog, gas refuelings, and an overnight stop at likely the only place in all of Nebraska that can sleep all of us including the dog; but once we complete that challenge we reach our destination which is to us Christmas.

To my family Christmas has become more then just a day.  Christmas is a state of mind, an overall experience, a way of being.  One might even compare it to Disney in a way.  Disney World being more then just a destination as well, but a way of life type of experience.  Christmas isn't even Christmas to some people, it might be Hanukkah or Kwanzaa but the concept is still the same.

Every family arrives in that Christmas mode differently.  Some spend it at home and "arrive to Christmas" by baking cookies and putting on a special music cd.  Some "get there" by watching a favorite Holiday DVD together or sharing a traditional meal.  For others it may even be donning that special plaid pair of pants, sipping on egg nog, or attending a special ceremony.  In any event, virtually everyone has their own way of arriving at their chosen Holiday and without it they may have trouble "feeling" the mood at all.

For us, the endurance of a car ride where there is crying, bickering, traffic and plenty more war stories is exactly how we get to that place we call Christmas.

A place we love, not just because it comes with gifts or extra yummy cookies.  This place is loved because it forces us to slow down, hang out together without a bedtime limit, take the time to prepare a beloved meal, play a game or two that takes way too long, laugh a little longer, sleep a little later, do absolutely nothing, and do positively everything.

Christmas is magical.  It's a place where tiny sparkling white lights make crying twin toddlers seem just a little more tolerable.  It's a place where perhaps the glow of the fire makes hubby's jokes slightly more funny, and where the included veggies with grandma's dinner seem to taste a wee bit better when eaten while listening to "Jingle Bells".

There is just something about Christmas that makes even an incredibly long ride with lots of children seem not so horrid.  So off I go to finish laundry, pack bags, arrange snacks, hold the mail, put gas in the car, and charge the electronics.  I'm sure I'll be squeezing in another post or three in there too.

Whatever your beliefs, where ever you will be, I wish you all "safe travels" on reaching your place called Christmas too.

Don't miss the chance to save $50 at Old Navy!

Our giveaway for HUGE Old Navy Coupons ends tomorrow morning.
You can enter it now here.

Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving

It's holiday party season - time to celebrate all of the exciting winter holidays with our friends and loved ones. Our mailboxes are flooded with invitations to parties and dinners and other holiday get-togethers. With these parties come food, fellowship, gifts, and in many cases, festive alcoholic drinks.

In 2008, nearly 12,000 people in the U.S. were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes - and during the periods around Christmas and New Year's, this number was particularly high, with 316 people killed in alchol-impaired driving crashes. In 2007, 162,493 women were arrested for a DUI, an increase of almost 29% since 1998. You can't help but wonder if lives could have been saved if people thought twice before getting behind the wheel. With the holidays approaching, it's important that drivers be reminded about the dangers of buzzed driving. Who knows...it could save a life.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) and the Ad Council are asking everyone to drive smart this holiday season and to pledge not to drive buzzed.

For the latest information on this important matter please follow Buzzed Driving on Twitter (@buzzeddriving) and Facebook.

A couple more Gift Ideas for the Guys:

YELLOWSTONE BATTLE FOR LIFE

Discover one of the most spectacular wildernesses on our planet without leaving home as BBC Earth brings to DVD and Blu-ray the breathtaking natural history series - Yellowstone: Battle for Life. In this BBC/Animal Planet and Discovery co-production, viewers will follow the intertwining stories of Yellowstone’s iconic inhabitants - including America’s last great bison herds, the grizzly bear, the grey wolf, antelope and more - as they battle to survive.

An ideal gift for all nature lovers, this release contains all three hour-long episodes and 30 minutes of behind-the-scenes special features.

I really found this DVD amazing, the sights are absolutely breathtaking and it places Yellowstone on my must visit list.  This is one you certainly won't mind watching a few times.

MAD MEN: SEASON TWO 

The second season of “Mad Men” is now available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc from Lionsgate. From Matthew Weiner, the Emmy award-winning executive producer and writer of “The Sopranos,” “Mad Men” is the ground-breaking series about the glamorous and ego-driven “Golden Age” of advertising, where everyone is selling something and nothing is ever what it seems.

In its second season, “Mad Men” continues to blur the lines between truth and lies, perception and reality. The world of Mad Men is moving in a new direction -- can Sterling Cooper keep up? Meanwhile, the private life of Don Draper becomes complicated in a new way. What is the cost of his secret identity?

I'm rushing out to get season one because season two was amazing! Unlike some of hubby's favorites, I have no problem watching these episodes right along with him. There is plenty for both men and women to enjoy. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing fashions included. Buy it for him but rest assured it'll be a gift to you too.

Are you a giveaway winner?

Alloy Jewelry Custom Necklace:  The winner is #69 stinabella.
 A pair of Mimiten Mittens:  The winner is #23 EllyBean.
 Piggy Paint $15 Gift Card:  The winner is #6 Lori A.
 Win a Madeline Doll:  The winner is # 104 Noggy.

Don't miss entering these great giveaways:

• 10 $50 off of $100 Old Navy Coupons (Ending 10am 12/19)
  
• $50 Fannie May Chocolate Gift Card
• Softlips Winter Lip Balm Set
• I.D. Me Labels Pack
• Cheerios, Books & Gift Card Prize Pack
• Shirt from Apericots.com
• CarryYou Sicily Stroller Organizer
• Darda Cars Raceway Set

BIG Old Navy Coupon Giveaway, Item of the Week, & Fab-u-lister

I was contacted by M80 yesterday, on behalf of Old Navy, and they gave me some info on the "Item of the Week" to share as well as details on a cool facebook gift list maker called the Fab-u-lister.  Additionally, I have some serious coupons to give away on behalf of OldNavyWeekly.com too.  Be sure to enter now, as I am giving away 10 $50 off of $100 coupons in a giveaway ending in only a few days, Dec. 19th.

They are electronic coupons in PDF format, so all winners have to do is click and print. This giveaway is in promotion of OldNavyWeekly.com, Old Navy’s new weekly coupon hunting site. The coupons are good through December 24th.

But first, let’s ring in some holiday cheer for your wardrobe with the fun and festive Item of the Week (valid 12/18 – 12/24). Get the Women’s Long-Sleeve Striped Henley for $5 (Reg. $16.50) and you will look comfy and cute – especially when you pair one with a solid cami underneath, straight jeans and slouchy boots.

I also want to tell you the Old Navy Fab-u-lister. Their handy, dandy gift list maker matches up gift selections based on the profiles of your Facebook friends.

The Fab-u-lister can find the perfect gift for everyone from Funny Ladies to Fashionistas, from the Guys’ guy to Super Dad! It gives fab gift suggestions for your Facebook friends by checking out their profiles and takes the hassle out of making those pesky shopping lists. Plus, score a 15% off coupon by Fab-u-listing and printing out your list!

The Fab-u-lister is holiday magic – give it a try: www.facebook.com/OldNavy

Enter to Win:  Now, here’s your chance to get a $50 off $100 coupon. Leave a comment below sharing some of your latest, greatest last-minute gift ideas from Old Navy. What’s your top pick and who are you buying for?

Optional Additional Entries:  

1 extra entry if you become a fan of Old Navy on Facebook.
1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.
1 extra entry if you tweet about this contest and include @andtwinsmake5.
1 extra entry if you blog about this contest and link back to it.

1 extra entry if you post a link to this contest as your facebook status.

Rules:
You may only win one coupon valid for a limited time only.  The coupon may not be sold via Ebay or any other means.  The coupon can only be redeemed once and can not be shared.  The coupon will not be replaced should you fail to redeem it in the correct timeframe.  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 12 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen.  This contest is open to USA only.

Ends on 12/19/09 @ 10:00 AM CST.

Thanks for Entering and Good luck to everyone!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.  WINNERS WILL BE EMAILED.

I made someone feel all "warm & fuzzy"!

This afternoon I received a wonderfully unexpected email from a representative of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM.  It began:

"Hi Stephanie,

This holiday season, in honor of their “Warm Fuzzy Feeling” campaign, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM is recognizing you as someone who is spreading that warm fuzzy feeling during these festive times to your readers! ... "

Isn't that fun?  They even gave me this warm fuzzy badge for my site.  I'm assuming it was the warm fuzzy story about my son Hayden that may have been behind this little award.

And guess what?  I even have something for all of you.  You can use the promo code WARMFUZZY for 15% off now until January 31st, 2010.

Here's a bit more about how you can share in 1-800-Flowers.com's "warm fuzzy feelings".  It seems there are various ways to get incolved.  1-800-FLOWERS.COM has made it easy to share that warm fuzzy feeling this holiday season with their holiday gift center, by sharing warm fuzzy holiday stories online, by entering the Warm Fuzzy Holiday Family Vacation sweepstakes, by sending a Secret Santa on Facebook, or by sending a mobile greeting on your iPhone (from the holiday gift center).   

They even asked if they could continue sharing that warm fuzzy feeling with my family by sending an arrangement to our holiday destination.  I can't wait!

Hayden, The $20 Homily, a Zhu Zhu Pet, & A Merry Christmas!

If you've been following along, you know my husband and I have 5 children.  Our 3 school age children attend Catholic Schools here in Illinois.  My oldest is in High School and the next 2 are at a local Catholic grade school.  The students at the grade school attend a weekly school mass on Wednesday's.

A few week's back, the mass included the parable of the king who entrusted each of his servants with a gold coin (Luke 19:11-28).  To summarize, the King gave each of them the same opportunity to show themselves trustworthy.  Upon his return, the king entrusted more to the ones who used their gifts wisely, and he entrusted less to the one who used it foolishly.

The priest decided to show this parable in action, by choosing one 5th grader at random to entrust with $20.  That 5th grader turned out to be my son, Hayden.

Hayden was very excited when I picked him up from school and had already managed to double his money via a donation from someone at the mass.  However, he knew he was going to have to do something more then beg for donations to really grow this $20.00.  His classmates made some suggestions and he and I brainstormed more at home.

Hayden ultimately decided to hold a raffle selling $1.00 tickets for something kids at the school would likely want to win.  Hayden didn't even have to dip into his $20, the prize was graciously donated by Cepia, Llc. the makers of the most coveted toy of this holiday season, the Zhu Zhu pets.  The prize offered was 1 Mr. Squiggles and a Zhu Zhu Pet ramp.

Raffle ticket sales poured in and Hayden (with the help of his 5th grade classmates) ultimately turned his $20 into $398.30!  The money is all being donated to help a local needy family have a very Merry Christmas. (All the money, that is aside from the original $20.)

You see in a follow up mass, Hayden shared his accomplishment with the Priest and the the rest of the school.  He was then entrusted with another task.  Hayden was asked to choose a 4th grader to be given the Priest's original stake in Hayden, $20.00.  Hayden was also asked to aid that 4th grader in growing her $20 gift much like Hayden did.

Our whole family is very proud of Hayden.  Hayden tells me he learned a lot from this experience.  He learned among other things that you can accomplish great things by simply believing in yourself and working together with others.

I am certain while we are busy packing for our trip and shopping for last minute gifts, we will not forget this $20 homily which proved to be a very Merry Christmas for both a needy family and my own.  I sincerely hope all our readers have a Happy Holiday season as well.

Adorable Kinders Doll Winner is

#140, Maja!

Don't miss these giveaways ending soon:
Alloy Jewelry Custom Necklace
A pair of Mimiten Mittens
Piggy Paint $15 Gift Card
Win a Madeline Doll

Fannie May Chocolates {ECards, Review, & $50 Gift Card Giveaway}

Through four generations, Fannie May Chocolates has been a holiday tradition for generations of families throughout the Midwest and throughout the country.  Being someone who grew up in southern suburb of Chicago, Fannie May holds many memories for me.  One of my earliest Fannie May memories goes back to when when I was around 5 or so and my dad's office was above a Fannie May store location.  We would practically beg mom to let us go visit him at work.  And of course, Dad would make good use of that proximity to bring home candy treats on occasion.

Now, nine decades after the first Fannie May store was opened and 75 years after the iconic Fannie May Pixie made its delicious debut, Fannie May is helping us out with another holiday tradition, Holiday Cards.

Fannie May is helping spread the holiday cheer for free with the help of their cute Chocolate Dancer E-Cards.  Basically, you get to transform their favorite mild-mannered Fannie May chocolates into hip hop dancers you can share with family and friends.  My hip hop dancing 8 year old had a blast helping me send a few Fannie May Dancer Cards yesterday.  You can make your own Chocolate Dancers at yourdancingchocolate.com.

In case I had forgotten how truly yummy Fannie May Chocolates can be, they sent me a truffles sampler which I devoured in 2 days with zero help accepted.  Rest assured, Fanny May chocolates would be a welcome last minute holiday gift to any chocolate fans on your list (just let me know if you need my address).

And here's some delicious news:  one lucky reader can win a $50 gift card to Fanniemay.com (or for use in their stores if in the Midwest)!

Enter to Win:  Simply visit FannieMay.com and return here to tell me which selection you most crave.


Optional Additional Entries: 
1 extra entry if you become a Fannie May Facebook Fan.
1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.
1 extra entry if you tweet about this contest and include @andtwinsmake5.
1 extra entry if you blog about this contest and link back to it.

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.  This contest is open to USA only.

Ends on 1/7/09 @ 11:59PM CST.

Thanks for Entering and Good luck to everyone!

G-Force on Blu-ray and DVD (tomorrow) December 15th

The bigger kids and I had the chance to watch an advanced copy of G-Force on Blu-Ray DVD this weekend and really enjoyed it.  These tiny rodents were out to save the world and we found ourselves rooting for their success instantly.  The twins even paused to watch sections with us.  They seemed as fascinated as we were by this elite team of Guinea Pigs known as the G-Force.

I think G-force is the kind of Disney movie all those adult action film fans wish existed back when they were little.  It is jam packed with suspense, comedy, and activity. 

I love when the 3 disc sets are available.  It includes Blue Ray + DVD + Digital Copy, making it the perfect option for a family on the go.  Watch it at home together on Blu Ray, in the car or playroom on DVD, and on your ipod with the digital copy.  Of course single disc options are available as well.

Snatch G-Force up tomorrow to stuff in your little one's stocking or as a gift to the whole family.  Many thanks to Disney for providing a copy of this family fun movie for my review.

Are your child passengers riding safely?

With the holiday season moving into full swing, families across the country are in the car and on the go.  Whether you are driving across the country to visit family or across town to holiday shop, it is important that your child passengers are riding safely and that child safety seats are used correctly.

AAA estimated that 30 million people traveled this Thanksgiving holiday alone, and for many this is just the beginning of the holiday hustle and bustle.  My own family of 7 will be loading up our car complete with multiple car seats for our annual 16 hour journey to the Rocky Mountains for Christmas and New Years.

Now is the time to utilize the Child Car Safety tools provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation?s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council to learn more about proper car seat use and installation.  You will find informative resources that include instructional videos.

Have child passenger safety questions that you need answered before you travel over the river and through the woods to Grandma's?  NHTSA is always available to answer your questions online through Facebook and Twitter.

Stuff your Stockings with SoftLips {Review & Giveaway}

Stuff your stockings or someone else's with the new limited editions flavors of Softlips lip conditioners; Sugar & Spice and Sugar Plum Berry as well as Winter Mint and Sugar Cookie.  These seasonal flavors help protect lips from the sun with SPF 20 and have the same great moisturizing properties as Softlips’ other popular flavors.

Dry chapped lips have typically been a problem for me once winter arrives, but I'm hoping to take a stand against the harsh elements with the samples I was provided by Softlips this year.  Based on flavor scents, I think Sugar & Spice may be my favorite.

If you haven't used Softlips before, you should really give it a try.  It goes on just right, not overly goopy or glossy, just a nice moisturizing layer.  The SPF 20 protection inside is wonderful too.  We are heading out to Rocky Mountains to ski over the holidays and with my family's history of skin cancer, I need all the protection I can find.

Now through out the holiday/winter season, the limited addition flavors Sugar & Spice and Sugar Plum Berry will be available in Target and Winter Mint and Sugar Cookie will be available at Walgreens.

Enter to Win: One lucky reader will win a set of the new Softlips limited edition winter flavors.  Simply tell me in a comment below what Softlips winter flavor are you most anxious to try?

Optional Additional Entries:  
1 extra entry if you become a Softlips Facebook Fan. 

1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.
1 extra entry if you tweet about this contest and include @andtwinsmake5.
1 extra entry if you blog about this contest and link back to it.

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.  This contest is open to USA only.

Ends on 1/5/09 @ 11:59PM CST.

Thanks for Entering and Good luck to everyone!

Holiday Shipping and Organizing with 3M / Post-It

Holiday shipping and organizing may become a tiny bit easier this year with some new products recently launched by 3M and Post-it.  The new categories of labeling products include Post-it Removable Labels and 3M Permanent Labels. 





The new Post-it Removable Labels collection features repositionable sticky labels and perforated label pads for easy application.  Available in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes these sticky labels can be be utilized for labeling all your holiday needs and then be removed cleanly when you are done.  Label food containers in the fridge, sort gifts by recipient, and much more.





The 3M Permanent Labels collection is available in a range of sizes too. The new line offers solutions for all your holiday shipping and mailing needs.  You'll find address and return address labels for your holiday cards, as well as shipping labels for those holiday packages.  There is even a recycled permanent address label option available now.

I was sent a sampling of these new items from 3M / Post-it and have put them to use sorting gifts and preparing items for shipping.  Since we spend the holidays out of town, we ship gifts to our destination to create more room in our car.

The Winner of the Haba Game is

#83 Carolsue congratulations!  Don't miss these giveaways all ending soon:

• Alloy Jewelry Custom Necklace
• Holey Donuts
• A pair of Mimiten Mittens
• Piggy Paint $15 Gift Card
• Win an Adorable Kinders Doll
• Win a Madeline Doll

BornFree Stocking Stuffers

Looking for practical items to fill baby or toddler's stocking?  I thought I'd mention that BornFree has some gift packs currently available only online.  Among these packs are a toddler teether pack which includes one Silicone Teether, one Training Cup with teething friendly spout and two orthodontic Day Night Pacifiers.

Not familiar with BornFree Products?  BornFree has an all-natural, Bisphenol-A (BPA), Phthalates and PVC free line of bottles, cups, pacifiers, teethers and accessories for babies and kids.

I'd seen the brand in stores such as BabiesRus, but never used their products until we tested out some pacifiers sent from BornFree.  Tops for me was knowing that these were safe for kids’ developing teeth.  In fact, their pacifiers are developed under the guidelines of biological dentistry.

G-Force Movie Activities {Review Coming Soon}

December 15th marks the release of G-FORCE on Blu-ray & DVD.

The kids and I missed G-Force when it was in theaters, however an advanced review copy arrived today from Disney, so watch for our review in the next day or two.  

In the meantime, feel free to grab a copy of these 3 fun G-Force themed Activity Sheets. Guide Agent Juarez safely through a maze, craft your very own Top Secret Christmas List with Hurley, or use your eagle eye to Spot the Difference!

#109 wins the Young Scientist Giveaway

and #109 is maxfate.  Congrats!

Don't miss these exciting giveaways still ongoing, plus be sure to check out our gift guide for ideas, special offers, and promo codes.

Get Ready for Holiday Guests with simplehuman Sensor Soap Dispenser

Two years ago I was so sick with the flu that it has gone down as my worst Christmas ever.  It wasn't just me either, there were lots of family members all together for the holidays and easily half of them ended up sick.  Being sick is never fun, but being sick on the holidays is even worse.  You end up missing out on things you literally waited a year to do.

And after dealing with all 5 kids getting H1N1 last month, I am all the more interested in reducing the chance of everyone spreading germs around.  Some suggestions I have would include keeping hand sanitizer at the ready, utilizing disposable towels in the guest bathroom and disposable napkins in the dining room, serving foods with individual portions (try placing dips in individual dixie cups to avoid double dipper issues), and utilizing toothpicks when possible to keep fingers at bay.

Another suggestion I have is this great soap dispenser I was sent for review by simplehuman.  It is truly a "must have" item for the guest bath and kitchen since no touching is required to dispense the soap.

Instead it relies on infrared sensor technology to dispense soap quickly and easily. Simply place your hand underneath the spout to automatically dispense soap. The entire process is touch-free, preventing cross-contamination from dirty or wet hands during daily use.

Because scrubbing for at least 20 seconds is recommended for germ-free hands, the sensor soap pump has an optional built-in timer. After soap is dispensed, a light blinks for 20 seconds to encourage the user to lather for the full recommended amount of time. This feature can be turned on or off by the user and the amount of soap dispensed can also be adjusted.

The sensor soap pump has a clear soap chamber so it’s easy to see the soap level and a twist-off lid for easy refills. The top of the soap pump is chrome-plated for a rustproof finish, and a stainless steel backsplash provides added durability. The simplehuman pump is available in black, white, or brushed nickel.

I really liked the way this pump looked and the way it worked.  It was easy to fill, easy to add the batteries needed, and has worked like a charm.  The kids love the little timer light.  I love the fact I'm not touching something with germs all over while trying to rid myself of germs.  My husband was quite impressed with this pump's concept and with the way it works too.  In fact, he is actually planning to outfit his office bathrooms with a few.

You might know the simplehuman name best from their line of trash cans.  In fact if you are in the market for a trash can, I have a coupon for you.  Receive 15% off any fingerprint-proof trash can at simplehuman.com from December 7-14. Enter code SB125 at checkout.

5-in-1 Tasty Baker {Review}

Whether you are looking for a fun holiday gift for a family or a quick way to make holiday desserts, you might want to check out the 5-in-1 Tasty Baker by LC Premiums.  LC Premiums, the makers of the Pop Art Toasters has added the Tasty Baker to their line up of appliances that make food fun.

We were recently sent the original design Tasty Baker for review and have put it to the test by making shaped pancakes and brownies in 1/3 the time.  Additionally, it can make fun shaped muffins, cake, quick bread and eggs.  The 7 different shapes include a bunny, cat, birthday cake, block, train, smiley face, and a heart. 

How's it work?  Here's how you make brownies:  Simply spray the 5-in-1 Tasty Baker with a non-stick cooking spray (top & bottom plate).  Preheat the Tasty Baker at temperature level 3.5 with lid closed.  While preheating, prepare your favorite brownie batter (boxed mixes are fine).  When the green indicator light is on, open the lid and spoon the batter into the molds, you'll want to guide the batter into narrow areas with the tip of your batter scoop.  Close the lid and bake 8 minutes or until done.

We discovered a way to turn these 7 shapes into holiday themed treats too, by just adding a bit of red, white, and green frosting to the cute brownie shapes.  The Tasty Baker also comes in a couple Disney themed designs too.

Speaking of Disney, today (Friday, December 11th) LC Premiums is offering their Disney Pop Art Toasters (Mickey, Princess, and Tinkerbell) at a special Holiday sale price of only $19.99 through their online store: www.poparttoasterstore.com.

Holiday Offer from Jubi

BUY 1 RUDOLPH HOLIDAY JUBI BIB SET

and receive a Jubi burp cloth set absolutely FREE ($17 value)

To activate this offer, make sure both items appear in your shopping cart and enter coupon code FF09.

Receive complimentary shipping in the US on all online orders! Above offer only available until January 1, 2010 or while stocks last online at www.jubi.us.com. Offer is not be used in conjunction with any other offer. All sales are final.

Keeping the peace with I.D. Me Labels {Review & Giveaway}

Hectic would probably be the best word to describe our family’s schedule during the next few weeks. Today brings two performances of the Grade School Christmas program, a High School Football Awards ceremony, and a family member’s arrival from out of town.

I’ve found that in the rush to get from one place to another with the twins in tow, items are likely to get left behind. And of course, losing even one precious truck or dinosaur can equal total disaster to little ones.

Fortunately ID Me Labels sent us their popular toddler pack of labels to review a few weeks back. In an effort to avoid extra drama, I was able to take a moment to place some of these handy labels on the assortment of small toys we carry in our outing toy bags. Additionally, we placed ID Me clothing labels on our new mittens, in our winter coats, and on our fuzzy hats.

And guess what? Rumor has it one of Santa’s elves took the time to label some new baubles and treasures that will eventually end up in the Christmas stockings, in hopes of eliminating any squabbles about what belongs to who. (Smart guy that Santa!)




ID Me Labels is giving away one of these same label packs to one of our readers. The Toddler Combo Pack Giveaway is worth $59.95 and it includes 25 Streamline Labels, 25 All Purpose Icon Labels, 15 Stick On Clothing Labels, and 2 Bag Tags.

Enter to win: Simply visit ID Me Labels site and check out their design options, then return here to tell us which designs you prefer in a comment below. ID Me also asks that you include which items your child loses the most.

Optional Additional Entries:  
1 extra entry if you become of fan of ID Me Labels on Facebook  
1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.
1 extra entry if you tweet about this giveaway and include @andtwinsmake5 and @idmelabels.

1 extra entry if you blog about this contest, linking back to it.

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.  This contest is open to USA only.

Ends on 1/10/10 @ 11:59PM CST.

Thanks for Entering and Good luck to everyone!

Green Toys: Recycle Truck {Review}

What's not to adore about a toy recycle truck made of recycled plastic milk jugs?  Clearly Green Toys has taken the "start them while they are young" theory to a new level with this clever and cool wheeled wonder.  Introducing the concept of recycling to toddlers has just gotten a whole lot easier with this roleplay opportunity.

Green Toys Inc. is the maker of a line of classic children’s toys constructed from recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. This noble concept helps reduce fossil fuel use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improving the overall health and happiness of the planet.

The recycle truck sent to us for review from Green Toys was a big hit with our twin little men.  I found it to be sturdy in construction and super cute looking.  The weight was perfect for my boys to carry it about with ease.  The twins were very into opening, closing, filling, and dumping things from the rear hatch.  Additionally, we found the truck rolled well for the twins utilizing a metal axle free design.

I should also note, that a dump truck is also available if one truck simply isn't enough.   Plus you'll find other eco-friendly toy items such as kitchen dish sets, chef sets, tea sets, jump ropes, tool sets, and more.

Possible Guy Gift?

T2, Total Recall, Red Heat, Running Man = 472 minutes of Arnold Schwarzenegger.  These action classics are now available for purchase in a 4 disc collection which includes the movies; T2, Total Recall, Red Heat, and Running Man.  And while this isn't my cup of tea, this clearly has potential guy's gift written all over it. 

In fact, my husband and my 15 year old son have been lost for days as they viewed these one by one.  I was provided with this set for review and put the men in the house to work on it, and while their favorite is still being hotly debated, it is clear this boxed set is a hit among the men.

Honestly, I'm not a big action film buff myself nor are the older guys in our home into some of my "Chick Flicks".  We've agreed to disagree on movies sometimes, but that doesn't stop me from recognizing this is something they really enjoyed.

REDBOX TOP KIDS & FAMILY RENTALS {11/30 to 12/6}

'Tis the season to watch movies as a family, so this list of current top movies from Redbox seemed ripe to share ...

Up
Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman, is part rascal, part dreamer who is ready for his last chance at high‐flying excitement. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, Carl sets off to the lost world of his childhood dreams. Unbeknownst to Carl, Russell, an overeager 8‐year‐old Wilderness Explorer who has never ventured beyond his backyard, is in the wrong place at the wrong time ‐‐ Carl's front porch!  PG

We missed "Up" when it first came out but rented it from Redbox last week.  The entire family really enjoyed it!

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Ben Stiller leads an all‐star cast as Larry Daley, a former night watchman at the Museum of Natural History, where the exhibits come to life after dark. But now Larry's nocturnal friends are being retired to the archives of the Smithsonian Institution, luring him back for a hilarious, all‐out battle against museum misfits who plan to take over the Smithsonian...and the world!  PG

Long time readers may recall that 2 of my children & I went on a once in a lifetime experience compliments of the Hershey's Company last year.  Highlights of the trip included flying from Chicago to D.C. to visit the Smithsonian Museum at night.  Details can be found in this post.  Despite that amazing trip, I (unlike my kids) never saw the movie when it came out.  I was thrilled to finally get the chance to see it on DVD last weekend!

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
This time around, Manny and the herd discover a lost world of ferociously funny dinosaurs, including a cranky T‐Rex who's got a score to settle with Sid. Meanwhile, Scrat goes nuts over the beautiful Scratte, but is she trying to win his heart ‐ or steal his acorn?  PG

Santa Buddies
Disney's irresistible talking puppies return in an all‐new heartwarming holiday adventure! Take a fantastic journey with your beloved Buddies to the magical world of the North Pole! Join Budderball, B‐Dawg, RoseBud, Buddha and MudBud in this classic Christmas tale that will have you believing in miracles.  G

This is one is on our list to see soon!  We adore the Buddies movies.

Imagine That
What if your daughter’s imagination was the secret to your success? When a highly competitive money mogul finds his financial kingdom slipping, he turns to his 7‐year‐old daughter and her fantasy world of imaginary princesses for help.  PG

Monsters vs. Aliens
The world’s most unlikely heroes are on a mission to save the Earth in DreamWorks Animation’s MONSTERS VS. ALIENS! Ginormica, Dr. Cockroach Ph.D, The Missing Link, Insectosaurous and B.O.B. Join forces to fight back when aliens attack.  PG

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
Journey with Tinker Bell beyond Pixie Hollow on an all‐new exciting adventure. This year's Autumn Revelry promises to be something special. A blue harvest moon will rise, allowing the fairies to use a precious moonstone to restore the Pixie Dust Tree ‐‐ the source of all their magic. But when Tinker Bell accidentally puts all of Pixie Hollow in jeopardy, she must venture out across the sea on a secret quest to set things right.  G

Christmas in Wonderland
Fresh from a cross‐country move and strapped for the holidays, it’s turning out to be a pretty rotten holiday season for the Saunders family. Things start looking a bit more like Christmas when 12‐year old Brian and 6‐year old Mary find a hoard of cash at the local mall and launch a Yuletide shopping spree...that is, until the crooks who counterfeited the money start chasing them down!  PG

Gotta Catch Santa Clause
12 year old Trevor who believes in his heart of hearts that the Santa is out there. Trevor was content in his belief and didn’t much care what the other kids thought, until his very best friend Veronica challenged him. How can you believe in something you can’t see? That does it. Veronica’s doubts send Trevor on a mission to catch Santa Claus, prove his existence in the media and put everyone’s doubts to rest once and for all. Unfortunately Trevor isn’t the only one out to catch Santa. Santa has a cold‐hearted nemesis out to stop him as well. LeFreeze may seem like a dim‐witted ice monster but his thirst to get off his icy comet orbiting Earth and catch Santa himself puts Trevor at risk. Will LeFreeze and his snowman minions be able to catch the joy one? Will Trevor ever be able to prove Veronica wrong? Will Santa be able to make it through another Christmas? You’ve Gotta Catch Santa this holiday season to find out!  NR

Dora’s Christmas Carol
When Swiper tries to swipe the Christmas Star from Dora’s Nochebuena Party, he lands on Santa’s naughty list. To get back on the nice list, Dora must help Swiper travel to the past, the present, and the future to discover the true spirit of Christmas. Will you help too? Filled with original songs and exclusive extra scenes, this all‐new Christmas special, exclusive to DVD, will become a holiday favorite for the whole family!  NR

We just reviewed this one!  You can read that review here.

Click here to find the redbox nearest you.

7 A.M. Sales Notice

7 A.M. Enfant will be offering free shipping on all products this Thursday-Sunday (12/10-12/13) via their online site.

Struggling to find the perfect toy to give?

Having a difficult time finding the right toy for your little one(s)?  Well, maybe this will help.  The independent Toy Industry Association (TIA) has launched two web sites for consumers just in time for holiday shopping.

The first is a site I posted about a couple weeks ago called ToyAwards.org.  You can read all the details on that site in my post found here or by visiting them directly at ToyAwards.org.

The second site is ToyInfo.org.  This site provides you with all the information you need to choose the right toys for your family. From toy safety facts to free downloadable play guides, this exciting new site is a one-stop resource for caregivers and parents to discover everything about toys and play.  You can read about current trends, find out where to sign up for toy recall alerts, and much more.

Additionally, I've compiled a few suggestions in my 2009 holiday gift guide or you can browse our complete archive of toy reviews.  Happy Shopping!

Cheerios 100,000 Book Giveaway Program {& a giveaway for our readers too!}

Most of us likely take access to something as simple and basic as age appropriate books for granted.  It's hard not to when it's an essential you have never personally been without.  I grew up with a nice big cabinet of beautiful books to choose from at my home and my kids have had that same opportunity as well.

I'm certain you realize that access to books is essential to reading development. However, did you know that over 80 percent of childcare centers serving low-income children lack age-appropriate books? And a recent study shows that the ratio of books per child in middle income neighborhoods is 13 to 1, while in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children.

Clearly this is something that must be addressed.  The Cheerios family of cereals, First Book, and Jon Scieszka (author of the popular "Trucktown" series and other children´s books) have joined together to deliver 100,000 books to community-based programs serving children in need.

And they need your help! All you have to do is go online with your child and test your combined knowledge of children´s books by answering trivia questions related to "Trucktown" and other great children´s books.

For every trivia question answered correctly, you can cast one vote for the state you would like to receive books. The five states receiving the most votes will get 20,000 books each, for a total of 100,000 books.

Visit www.FirstBook.org/Scieszka to test your knowledge and start voting.

As extra motivation to our readers for helping with this great cause, we are offering a special gift pack as a giveaway.  This gift pack includes an assortment of books from Cheerios, one of the many varieties of Cheerios cereals, and a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble.  This great prize is being provided by Cheerios via MyBlogSpark and I was fortunate enough to receive this same gift pack for review.

While I believe prizes may vary, we received 5 books printed in both English and Spanish text.  Among the books were popular titles such as "Tea for Ruby" and "Junkyard Fort: A Trucktown Book".  We also were sent frosted Cheerios, which we had never had before.  Yummy!  And what's not to love about a Barnes and Noble Gift Card?

Enter to Win:  Simply visit www.FirstBook.org/Scieszka and answer at least one question correctly then return here to let us know you did so by commenting below.

Optional Additional Entries for:
1 extra entry if you friend FirstBook on Facebook.

1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.

1 extra entry if you tweet about this giveaway and include @andtwinsmake5 & @firstbook.

1 extra entry if you blog about this contest and this cause, linking back to it.

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.  This contest is open to USA only.

Ends on 1/9/10 @ 11:59PM CST.

Thanks for Entering and Good luck to everyone!

Holiday TV Specials

Just a quick post to share this link to TV Guide's Holiday Guide.  I found this schedule when looking for a show time this morning and just had to pass it along.




You'll note there is a lot of choices tonight including the new Disney's Prep and Landing on ABC.  We will be setting the DVR so we don't miss a second of this one.






Another new movie on our must-see list is Saturday's Yes, Virgina on CBS.  This one looks like it could become an instant holiday classic.  I can't wait to watch it.

I found the air-time of many of my children's favorites in this guide. Perhaps you'll want to print it out to consult during a desperate to entertain the kids moment?

Fropper by OkieDog

We always try to find one big item for each of the kids to discover under the tree along with some other littler things.  I've spoken with a lot of my friends who do the same.  The most classic under the tree big item has to be a bike or ride-on.  If you are still on the hunt for that special "big reveal" gift for your little one, you'll want to check out the award winning Fropper.

My twins have been helping me review a unique ride-on toy called the Fropper.  At almost 18 months they are at the perfect age for this 18 month to 45 lbs. toy  Fropper features a unique spring pogo-like system, creating a fun and stimulating ride-on experience like no other. The curved seat ensures a secure spot for my little guys to sit and the caster wheels allowed my toddlers to easily change direction.

The best part is probably the fact that the Fropper folds to a fraction of its original size and is lightweight making it super easy to bring with to grandma's house or store when not in use.

I really like the Fropper, it is well made, easy to use straight from the box, perfect for storing in small spaces, not overly heavy for me to lug about, and fairly priced.  Plus, it goes beyond just riding with the ability to bounce upon it too.  What do I mean?  Since this is really one of those unique items a video demonstrates best, here's a fropper video for you to view.

You'll find the Fropper in our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide.  My thanks to Okiedog for providing this product for our review.

Playskool Jim Henson's Talkin' Sid the Science Kid Doll {Review}

As a Mom to twin Sid the Science Kid fans, I can't help myself from borrowing from Sid to start off this post.  "I love this doll, this doll is cool ..." and now it's time to write my review.

You may have read my previous posts on the Sid the Science Kid TV Show and the available DVDs.  We really love the show.  It has colorful cool characters, peppy music, and an underlying educational message mingled among lots of fun.  On my scale, you know a children's show is done well when older siblings (9, 11, & 15 years) don't moan and groan profusely when they see it is on again.

With this in mind, the arrival of our Talking Sid the Science Kid Doll was like a TV celebrity had entered our home.  Sid is soft to the touch, 12 inches tall, and says 7 different quotable phrases when you push on his tummy.  He even comes complete with his iconic microphone in hand.

We gave Sid a tour of our home, some hugs, and a seat of honor when we viewed the included DVD featuring "The Sticker Chart" episode.  And guess what?  We think Sid really likes us.  We half expected his grandma to come pick him up just like she always does on the show, but gladly this cuddly Sid is here to stay.

Talkin' Sid is available exclusively at Toys 'R Us. Here's a special offer for our readers: a $3.00 off coupon for purchase of the TALKIN’ SID THE SCIENCE KID plush at Toys ‘R Us. Simply head to www.coupons.com.  Once there, you’ll need to click on the “Toy and Game” link on the left hand side of the page to find the coupon.

A special thank you to the Jim Henson Company and KCET (PBS in Los Angeles) for providing us with this product friend for our review.

#55 won the Maukilo.com Giveaway, is that you?

The Winner of the $25.00 Online Gift Card Giveaway to Maukilo.com is #55 Jessica.

Leapfrog Learning DVD Set

I love having a few DVDs on hand to distract the kids while I'm performing tasks I don't need help with such as loading the dishwasher or getting ready in the morning.  I like it even better when these DVDs come with an educational format.

And, leave to the people at Leapfrog to make a set of movies fitting that bill.  My twins and I had the chance over the course of the past few weeks to checkout this 3 DVD set featuring Leap, Lily and Tad as they go on fun learning adventures.

In the Letter Factory DVD, Leap, Lily and Tad learn about letter names and sounds as Professor Quigley gives them a tour of a factory where Js jump on trampolines and Ks do karate kicks. In Talking Words Factory, the three siblings watch as amazing machines like the Word Whammer and the Sticky-Ick-O-Rama combine letters to form words. And in Let's Go to School, Tad and Lily are nervous about their first day of school, but their magical firefly pal, Edison, shows them there's a lot of fun to explore with counting, phonics skills and more!

I thought this set I was provided for review was nicely done and would be a great introduction or addition to the Leapfrog characters featured on their many educational toys.

Stocking Stuffer that will make everyone smile: Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Kids Toothbrush

I wonder if Santa knows that research shows that kids brush 38% longer with Spinbrush^® than when using an ordinary manual brush?

If he did, he might be putting these themed Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Kids Toothbrushes in our kids stockings this year.  However, he'll first have to decide between several fun and exciting designs including Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine, Astronaut, Soccer Ball, Dolphin, Ice Cream Cone, Pikachu, Skateboard and Butterfly.

I was sent a couple of these for review and at under $7 I think they are a wonderful health promoting addition to a child's Christmas Stockings.  In a rare turn of events, my kids were actually excited to run up stairs and brush their teeth.

What's next Arm & Hammer?  Could you motivate Cordelia to eat her veggies?

Organic Warmth: Thermal Tees from Apericots.com {Review & Giveaway}

It's snowing in Chicago today and that means it is time to pull out some warm clothing for the twins to keep toasty in this drafty old house of ours.  We picked these fun thermal tees by Apericots.com to do the trick.  Cormac is sporting a long sleeve iceyberg hued shirt with a cassette tapes theme while Declan is sporting a long sleeve robot shirt in the aptly named color peasoup.  Both designs are an excellent representation of Apericots overall unique and hip feel.

While you can likely see from the pictures that these are adorable looking shirts, you can't readily see that in fact Apericots.com has used eco-friendly inks and organic cotton.  Apericots has declared a commitment to give babies and toddlers the very best and it is evident in their fabrication choices.

Additionally, the clothes are practical.  Shirts and Onesies are easy on and off with their use of lap style necks.  Durability is not an issue either since these shirts are made with interlocking seams.

Wouldn't these be a great gift for a fashionable little one?

Enter to Win:  Apericots.com is offering a shirt or onesie to one lucky reader.  Simply visit Apericots.com to select your favorite shirt or onesie and return here to comment with your selection below.

Optional Additional Entries for:

1 extra entry for becoming a fan of Apericots on facebook.

1 extra entry if you follow this blog or subscribe to this blog's feed.
1 extra entry if you tweet about this contest and include @andtwinsmake5.
1 extra entry if you blog about this contest and link back to it.

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.  This contest is open to USA only.

Ends on 1/7/10 @ 11:59PM CST.

Thanks for Entering and Good luck to everyone!

Thank you to Apericots.com for providing these shirts for our review and for providing the prize in our giveaway.

Last Call: Giveaways Ending Soon

• Win a Haba Game 
  
• Young Science Club Kit
  
• $25 Gift Card to Maukilo.com Toy Store
  

Perfect Gift for a Busy Family: Cuisinart Rice Plus™ Multi-Cooker with Fuzzy Logic Technology

I dread making dinner some nights.  First I have to decide what to make, then I have to make sure I actually have everything I need to make it.  This is followed by my quest to figure out when everyone will actually be home to eat it. Then, I have to try to make it with the constant help of my twin toddlers.

Not sounding that daunting?  Did I mention that when dinner time arrives, we have seven to serve including 2 adults, a 15 year old high school football and track athlete, an 11 year old flag football and basketball player, a 9 year old competition hip-hop dancer, and 18 month old twin boys.  In other words, it needs to be a nutrious and satisfying meal with wide appeal.  This is further complicated by the fact that my oldest son is allergic to dairy, eggs, nuts, and fish.

With this in mind, I tend to stick with basic items we can agree on like rice.  Thus rice has always been served as part of the meal multiple times a week around our home.  However, until now I can’t say it was always to everyone’s satisfaction.  Admittedly it’s been overcooked and it’s been under cooked, in years past the poor rice has been a frequent victim of our schedule.

We have a very busy home with kids coming and going from their various activities.  At times, coordinating our weekly schedule is comparable to working air traffic control at O’Hare Airport.  Our meals are almost always either being rushed to the table or being kept warm for eons.

I’m trying my best not to sound like a television preacher, but the reality is our rice has been saved.  A place of honor has been designated for mommy’s new kitchen gadget, the Cuisinart Rice Plus Multi-Cooker with Fuzzy Logic Technology. 

This thing is awesome!  Fuzzy Logic seems to equate to having Chef Ramsay (that guy from Hell’s Kitchen that is always screaming about the condition of the risotto) right inside the machine with my rice.  The Cuisinart Rice Plus Multi Cooker automatically adjusts the heat and the timing to insure my rice comes out perfect every time and if that isn’t enough, it can finish my rice at the time I set and even keep things warm when a delay in my schedule occurs.  Plus, it has a Quick Cook function when you need it done fast.

It cooks white rice, wild rice, brown rice, sushi rice, risotto, and even goes beyond rice to make things like oatmeal, soup, or even steam things like vegetables, chicken, or even fish. 

One of the times I used it, I made basic white rice (using low sodium chicken stock instead of water and adding a touch of corn).  And in typical fashion for our household, it ultimately had to be held for about 45 minutes due to a basketball practice delay.  After it was done cooking, I used the “keep warm setting” and placed my chicken on top of the finished rice to see how it did at keeping that warm too.  The meal turned out great.  The rice dish was perfect and the chicken was kept moist and warm by being held inside the cooker with the rice.  It makes a yummy batch of oatmeal too!

I think the Cuisinart Rice Plus Multi Cooker would be a wonderful gift for a busy household such as mine and I’ve added it to our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide.  My thanks to Cuisinart for sending this item for my review.

A Quiet Dinner Out or at Home? Hello Hanna Placemats

Hello Hanna brings a little peace and fun to mealtime just in time for all those holiday gatherings.  We put my daughter Cordelia in charge of entertaining herself and the twins with these clever placemats sent to us for review by Hello Hanna.

A set includes 8 placemats and 8 sticker sheets that can be used to set your entire table with or reserved for use here or there.  You can take them to Grandma's house, a restaurant, or use them at your next kiddie party.

These placemats are printed on heavyweight uncoated paper stock and the stickers are printed on uncoated resealable sticker stock.  Their is even an activity area on the placemat backs to further expand the entertainment.

Cordelia had a great time decorating her placemat and one for each of the twins.  What a clever idea for the little ones.  Someone should tell Santa Hello Hanna Get Set Placemats would make a great stocking stuffer!