Stress Less Kitchen Gadgets from Trudeau

If you've ever found yourself straining to open a couple cans, grate a block of cheese, or even slice through a batch of homemade pizzas; you'll be happy to hear about the new Stress Less line of Kitchen Gadgets by Trudeau. Each item in the line is designed to reduce the strain on hands and joints, making it deal for those with arthritis, limited hand dexterity, or even for the younger seus chefs like my tween daughter who frequently aids with dinner.

Free Downloadable Halloween Cards from Company Kids

With Halloween only a few days away, Company Kids is getting your little ghouls in the spirit with their free, Downloadable Halloween Cards.  All you have to do is download, print and let your kids color.  Once they’re done decorating, kids can add a fun message for their friends, family, or teachers.

The Fox and The Hound Halloween Costume Idea (Perfect for twins, pals, or siblings)

I love Halloween and making costumes for the twins has proven to be especially fun because it has that whole adorable "pair" aspect to it.  The twins weren't completely positive what they wanted to be when asked at first, but the more we pondered ideas the more it became clear they wanted to be animals.

As time went on, we became inspired by the 30th Anniversary Edition of the recently released DVD Disney's The Fox and The Hound as well as the The Fox and The Hound 2.  Who doesn't love the friendship tale of Tod and Copper?

Oreck DualMax Air Purifier Review & Giveaway

As a mommy of 5 of kids, we've used a few different air purifiers over the years.  Most recently we had the chance to try the new Oreck DualMax Air Purfier.  Upon it's arrival for our review we placed it in our kitchen which is sort of the central hub for all the action downstairs.  The units location was not far from a guest bathroom, a mudroom, eating areas, and the cooking area.

Disney's WINNIE THE POOH on Blu-ray & DVD Oct. 25th

Just released yesterday, Oct. 25th is the terrific family classic, Winnie The Pooh.  My twin three year olds and I missed Winnie The Pooh when in theaters, but we adored snuggling on the couch at home while watching this sweet tale.  Everyone had a favorite, I'm a sucker for Eeyore, Declan loved Tigger, and Cormac was all about Piglet.  Pooh bear himself?  Everyone is a fan of Pooh.  This is a terrific movie to pop in on family night, there wasn't a single member of our family of 7 who objected to this one.

Halloween Party Food inspired by my trip to KraftFoods #BlogEats & a giveaway!

We had a party at our home for my son's 13th birthday this past weekend.  About 40 kids attended and the weather could not have been more perfect!  The kids were able to play on our sports court in back for a fair amount of the evening without getting cold which is utterly amazing for Chicago in late October.

I'm a big believer in not leaving anyone out, so we invited the entire 7th grade class along with a couple neighbors and other family friends.  I think everyone had a great time, most importantly our son.

Fresh Feet Wipes

Fresh Feet Wipes?  There are some products you never really realized you had a need for until you happen to have the on hand.

Here's just a few of the many times you'll find you suddenly need a foot wipe:  Dirt on your feet from a day in flip flops, sock lint removal before yoga class, going barefoot in airport security, freshening up before plopping in between your clean sheets, quick refresh before visting your pedicurist or podiatrist, day at the beach, or even shoe shopping.

So how do Fresh Feet Wipes differ from just using any old wipe?  They are sized for feet, made strong enough to wipe a foot thoroughly, and prepared specifically to deodorize with a nice peppermint scent.

DreamWorks Halloween Party DVD Double Pack

Throwing a Halloween gathering or just looking for something fun to watch during Halloween season? Check your local stores for the DreamWorks Halloween Double Pack that includes both Scared Shrekless and Monsters vs Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space.  We alternated both these titles in the DVD player during my newly 13 year old son's party last weekend and they were both hits.  These titles work great for a party with multiple gathering locations, in particular the Shrek title with 3 different stories.

Vinci Genius: An Early Learning Systems for Babies, Toddlers, & PreSchoolers

Did you see the YouTube video of the baby playing with a magazine last week as if the magazine was a broken iPad device?  I think the baby is about 10 months old and he/she is attempting to scroll and pinch the glossy page like a true tech wizard.  My how things have changed even from the span of my oldest son just days shy of 17 to my two youngest boys age 3!

Technology has come a long way in recent years and one of the latest entries in the Early Learning Category is a device I was sent for review called the Vinci Genius.  

Snacking Help from Playtex Baby #giveaway

Having 5 kids keeps us on the go a lot, so I'm always happy to find new items that make it a touch easier to do things on the move.  Playtex recently sent us a few items for review that fit the needs of this busy family.

Giveaway Results & Other Updates

First off, apologies for the lack of posts lately!  I won't bore you with the details, but we had our first round of fall/winter sick days around here followed by my attendance at a fun blog conference for Kraft Foods!  Watch for much more on the BlogEats Conference soon, in the meantime here are so much awaited giveaway results:

Learning Resources Pizza Mania Winner:  #52, Rachael
Big G Cereal Giveaway Winner:  #10, JessieC
Llama Llama Home with Mama Winners:  #96, 32, & 105
Betty Crocker Molasses Cookie Prize Winner:  #62, Cinderella10383
Don't Fret the Sweat Tween Acadmey Winner:  #97, mrsshukra

Also, don't miss this other fabulous giveaways:

Pampers Play-A-Palooza Prize Pack
Win an Apple iTouch (from our blog & Pampers)
Play-Doh Twirl 'n Top Pizza Shop
Betty Crocker Fun da-middles Cupcakes
Hearts for Hearts Girls Doll & Outfit
Hot Dots Jr. School Pack by Educational Insights
EI Playfoam Pack

Top iPod & IPad Kid Game Apps (October 2011 Edition)

We've discovered some more great kid apps this month including all the kid book apps included in our October Kid's Book Apps post.  However, this round-up is all about playing games.

CitiBlocs Camouflage 100 Piece Set (Giveaway)

No batteries change, no lights flashing, no buzzers or bells ... this next toy we were provided for review goes back to the childhood basics most parents recall.  Don't get me wrong, we aren't giving up all our gadgets, but there is a lot to be said about low tech play with the kids.

CitiBlocs 100 Piece building set in fun camouflage colors have provided us with plenty of relaxed play opportunities.  Last week we made buildings, bridges, ships, monuments, and more.  When done building, we took turns knocking the completed items over.  We learned a lot as we played too.  Building larger towers exercised our patience and fine motor skills along with our imaginations.

Our LeapFrog “Learn, Create & Share” party starring the new LeapPad

MomSelect and LeapFrog recently gave us the opportunity to host a LeapFrog "Learn, Create, & Share" Party in our home.  Please note, they provided us with all the items mention to aid in our hosting of this fun event.  Much thanks to all our little pals (and their mommies) who attended along with the companies that made this party possible.

We decked out the dining room and kids in green, pulled out some green apparel, strung green ribbons from the chandelier, and served up green foods such as green jello, green apples, slice cucumbers, celery, guacamole, and roll-up style sandwiches served on green tortillas of course.  However before sharing our verdant colored lunch, it was all about LeapFrog.

Pun Halloween Costumes for Teens (PBTeen items featured)

A big teen Halloween trend this year is the Pun Halloween costume concept.  The idea is to show off your creative and witty side by putting together a Halloween costume that requires everyone to ponder your costume a moment before totally "getting it".  The key is utilizing clever word play with a bit of a punchline in terms of the execution.

Play-Doh Twirl ‘n Top Pizza Shop

You'd never know that cold weather was just around the corner with the 80 degree weather we are having here in Chicago today, but in fact it is.  Soon parents like myself will all be scrambling to find indoor activities to replace time spent outside on the swings or riding bikes.

Playing with toys gets old after a while and that need to make a bit of a mess tends to take over.  Instead of letting the twins find their own mess to make such as markers on my cupboards or scissor practice on my work papers, I tend to stock up on some items that like Play-Doh that fit their needs and mine.

Hearts For Hearts Girls doll line (Giveaway)

Being a parent of any child is not an easy task.  There is so much to teach them about life, their community, and their own family customs and beliefs.  I've found it can be hard to find the time to go a step further and teach them about other cultures and really give them that sense of world awareness.

With that in mind, how can one not adore toys that allow your child to envision things about other people's cultures and communities.  The Hearts For Hearts Girls doll line and fashion collection from Playmates Toys is one of those toys. The collection features six dolls from around the world, each with an inspiring story to share.  

Betty Crocker Fun da-middles Coupon & Giveaway

Looking for a way to add some extra pizazz to your cupcakes?  If so, you should definitely check out the new Betty Crocker Fun da-middles!  They are the first boxed-cupcake mix to allow you to create

a special surprise creamy filling that bakes right inside your cupcakes.  

I chose not to tell anyone about the filling and had fun watching each of the kids discover the filling on their own.

The Fun Da-middles are available in three flavors, Vanilla Cake with Creamy Chocolate Filling, Chocolate Cake with Creamy Vanilla Filling, and Vanilla Cake with Creamy Vanilla Filling.  We were provided with the Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Filling for our review along with a few other cupcake goodies and really enjoyed the taste.

Green Works Cleaning Products

With the older 3 kids back in school all week and the younger kids gone three days a week, I've finally been able to catch up on household projects.  I've actually been able to put a dent in that laundry pile and keep the house presentable until the masses return mid afternoon.  I even tried out some new products provided for review while I was at it.  How's that for double duty?

Pampers Play-a-Palooza Giveaway & Pampers Cruisers 30 Days of Play & Giveaways Info!

As a member of the Pampers Baby Board, I have the good fortune of learning all about their latest products and happenings.  I've also had the chance to try new products early such their improved Pampers Cruisers with 3-Way Fit that are currently rolling out on shelves complete with New Sesame Street graphics!  My complete review of this diaper can be found here, but before you go don't miss the news on how Pampers is celebrating this newly improved diaper's release!

Pampers Cruisers “30 Days of Play & Giveaways!”

Hot Dots® Jr. Getting Ready for School Set by Educational Insights (Giveaway)

My twin preschoolers have been learning quite a bit at school already and have shown off their budding knowledge by playing the Hot Dots Jr. Getting Ready for School Set when they get home.

The set by Educational Insights comes with a talking dog pen and various skill cards.  Each card quizzes kids on skills such as finding like shapes or colors.  Kids answer by touching the dog shaped stylus pen to their answer.

The interactive stylus uses fun sound effects, encouraging phrases, and blinking lights to guide children through 160 different activities. Additional pens are sold separately allowing multiple children (like our twins) to use the kit at the same exact time.
 

Giveaway News!

The winner of the Educational Insights Giveaway for the Kabam and the Kanoodles game is #82
The 3 winners of the Del Monte Fresh Giveaway are #110, 119, & 84.
The winner of the Betty Crocker Prize Pack is #48.
The winner of the Kellogg's Scholastic Prize Pack is #81.
The winner of the Spooky Buddies DVD is #29.

CURRENT GIVEAWAYS:

• Win an Apple iTouch (from our blog & Pampers)
• #DontFretTheSweat Prize Pack including Unilever products & Vera Bradley Tote
• Llama Llama Home with Mama Book
• EI Playfoam Pack
• Learning Resources Pizza Mania Math Game
• Big G Cereals

Pottery Barn Kids Halloween Decorations

October has arrived which in my book means it is officially ok to deck out the house in Halloween Decor.  With 5 kids in the house ranging vastly in age from 3 to almost 17, we like to keep things sophisticated enough for the adults in the house but still lots of fun for the little ones.