Two New Strawberry Shortcake Movies on DVD: Giveaway

When I was little, the first time I got to decorate my own room I chose Strawberry Shortcake and my Mom really did it up!  I had a Strawberry Shortcake comforter, curtains and pillows (not to mention shockingly pink walls!).  I loved my Strawberry Shortcakes dolls and played with them daily.  Now, my daughters have finally found the phenomenon and I love sharing my memories with them.

One thing we didn’t have when I was a kid was the opportunity to see Strawberry Shortcake come to life in a feature length movie!  But on August 31st, two new movies will debut on DVD bringing the Strawberry Shortcake storyline in to the homes of little ones everywhere!  From the press release:

Winter is coming and it’s time for Strawberry and her friend to celebrate! A full-length CGI feature film, Strawberry Shortcake: The Glimmerberry Ball Movie follows Strawberry and friends as they prepare to celebrate the coming of winter with a secret gift exchange and a festive winter ball. But, when someone destroys their decorations and the girls all carve the same design in the Glimmerberry Ball lantern event, they have some mysteries to solve in an endearing fun-filled adventure.”

My girls both loved this movie!  My oldest sat through the entire thing and chuckled as she watched the secret gift exchange unfold.  I was amazed at the animation and I even loved watching my childhood “friends” come to life!  In the second movie, Strawberry Shortcake: Berrywood Here We Come, Strawberry and friends head to Berrywood to visit Strawberry’s movie star friend, Limelight. When they arrive, they’re shocked to see not everything is glitz and glamour. They must come together to help Limelight realize that everyone can shine – because everyone is a star! In part two, Hooray for Berrywood! Strawberry and friends bring their Berrywood experience home and help re-open a local theater. By working all together as a team, they’re sure to make a berry-good movie!

I enjoyed watching the movies with my daughters and sharing a little bit of my childhood with them.  As a Mom, I liked that the movies were age appropriate, fun and also had a great message.  Both DVDs had special features including some coloring pages which were a hit in my home.  In my opinion, both of these movies would make excellent stocking stuffers for girls this holiday season!  Find them on Amazon for $12.99!

GIVEAWAY

Does someone in your life love Strawberry Shortcake?  You can win one copy of BOTH movies featured in this review!

How to enter:

1. Tell me why you want to win the Strawberry Shortcake movies!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and Strawberry Shortcake (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on September 23rd. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This review is the opinion of Experimental Mommy.  Others may have a different opinion of the product.  A product sample was provided for review, but all opinions remain 100% mine.

Liven Up Lunchboxes with Gerber!

With one daughter in Kindergarten and one in daycare, I am no stranger to packing lunches.  Traditionally, I grab the old favorites such as turkey sandwiches, grapes, peanut butter crackers or if I am feeling adventurous, I might make a turkey and cheese sandwich!  While I am sure my girls love everything I make (haha!), I am sure they would like a few surprises in their lunchboxes now and again.

I was happy to be given the opportunity to try some of Gerber’s new “on the go” products perfect for mixing it up at mealtime.  From the press release:

GERBER® GRADUATES® SMART SIPS™ dairy beverages and GRADUATES® Yogurt Blends snacks are tasty ways to make sure a toddler is receiving essential nutrients including those that help promote healthy growth and natural immune support. Specially prepared and packaged to require no refrigeration before opening, these products are great chilled or on-the-go options.

I was happy to receive three varieties of the Gerber Graduates Smart Sips including vanilla, plain and strawberry.  These drinks are described as  “made with a NUTRIPROTECT™ blend that provides your child with nutrients for healthy growth and natural immune support, such as iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C & E. SMART SIPS dairy beverages have no preservatives or artificial flavors. SMART SIPS dairy beverages are made with fat free milk produced without the use of added growth hormones or antibiotics.“  I actually split each box so both of my daughters could try the flavor.  While neither were a fan of the plain, they both liked the vanilla and loved the strawberry.  As a Mom, I like that I have found an alternative to the juice box for lunch!  Knowing that it doesn’t have to be refrigerated until after opening makes it a perfect lunchbox selection.

We also received samples of the Gerber Graduates Yogurt Blends in the banana vanilla variety.  Made with lowfat yogurt and natural fruit puree, these were a total hit with both girls!  Again, these do not need to be refrigerated until after opening (however, my girls did prefer them chilled) which makes it a perfect addition to the lunch kit.

Check out all the great products for all developmental levels on Gerber’s website.  Knowing that my girls are not only loving their lunches but are getting the essential nutrients and vitamins to make the most of their school day, puts this Mom’s mind at ease.

Thanks, Gerber!

Wordless Wednesday

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Good to the last bite!

Incredibeds: Review

hypothesis The Incredibed will be a great way to transition my two year old daughter from her crib to her first “big girl” bed.  It will create excitement and lessen anxiety about making the move from the crib.

materials

One Daisy the Female Floppy Eared Dog Bed Frame, the Zipper Bumper Transition Sheet, the Princess Aurora BedJammies and one very excited little girl!   About Incredibeds:

More than just a bed, these bedtime pals, who also come with names, a story, and matching sheets (called Bedjammies), not only provide fun, comfort, and safety, they inspire creativity and instill a sense of security in both children and their parents.

In a market where function has always ruled over style, Incredibeds shows how to do both by retaining comfort and safety while adding fun, imagination, and wonder to a child’s bed.  And by adding bumpers it can also be used as a transitional bed for toddlers sleeping out of a crib for the first time.  The Incredibed easily zips around the outside of a standard twin mattress and box spring, is 100% machine washable/dryable, and is made from hypoallergenic materials. Consumer-tested and approved, the product also offers safety, comfort and reliability.”

results

My two year old daughter is getting so big!  It seems like just yesterday when we placed her in the crib for the first time.  But, we know it is time to make the transition to her very first big girl bed.  My husband and I brainstormed ideas on how to best make the BIG switch when I was approached by Incredibeds for a feature here on Experimental Mommy.  After taking a look at the product, I thought the Incredibed could be a really unique and fun way to get my daughter excited about her new bed.

We chose Daisy the Female Floppy Eared Dog because she looks the most feminine (and Aubrie is definitely a girly girl).  The dog has big eyelashes and a pink tuft of hair that Aubrie thought was quite funny.  When the package arrived, we headed out to purchase a twin mattress and box spring (no bed frame is needed).  When we got home, Aubrie could not wait for my husband to open the box.

PhotobucketTo be totally honest, when my husband removed Daisy’s head from the box, I thought my daughter would freak out.  It looks like the head to a college mascot costume or a character in a theme park.  But, to my complete surprise, Aubrie ran up to Daisy and gave her a kiss on the nose!

The instructions were easy to follow and the pieces of Daisy zipped up to create a bedframe!  Because this is Aubrie’s first time out of the crib, we also received the Zipper Bumper Transition Sheet which zips into the center of the frame.  It is waterproof (great for my newly potty trained toddler) and includes bumpers on both sides so she does not roll out of the bed.
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To complete the look, we chose the Princess Aruba BedJammies (the dog has to have a dress, right?).  The “jammies” which act as a fitted sheet, snap around the neck of the dog and attach underneath at the base.  It made Daisy look like a real princess!  The best part is that the “dress” has pockets to store Aubrie’s bedtime stories and stuffed animals.  The BedJammies set also came with a soft flat sheet and a pillowcase.

Once the bed was assembled, Aubrie dove in and started telling Daisy “secrets!”  She loved it and was so excited for bedtime to arrive.  The transition I thought would be difficult, turned into a VERY simple process.  As I write this post, Aubrie is happily snuggled on Daisy’s “belly” fast asleep!

summary

The Incredibeds bed frame was easy to assemble and was a huge hit with my two year old.  The zipper bumper transition sheet was perfect to make the big switch from her crib to her first big girl bed and the BedJammies made it fun!  The bed frame can be purchased for $299.00.

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Sleep Tight!

This review is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Other may have a different experience with the product. Thank you to Incredibeds for supplying the product for review.

PrintArtKids: Review

hypothesis The customized notepads from PrintArtKids will be a great holiday gift for my daughter’s school teachers as well as adorable Grandparent gifts as well!

materials

One pack of notepads (5.5 x 8.5) containing four pads with 50 sheets each and one excited Mom ready to show off her favorite photos! About PrintArtKids:

“PrintArtKids will transform your kid’s vibrant flower painting into Notepads, handy for writing notes to teachers or for making to-do lists. The favorite Christmas ornament that your son made in 3rd grade can be made into this year’s Holiday Card. Your daughter’s finger painting from kindergarten can become a one-of-a-kind Note Card. Imagine the excitement and pride your children will feel when seeing their artwork celebrated and enjoyed by family and friends!

PrintArtKids products make great gifts for grandparents, teachers, friends, aunts, uncles, moms and dads. Best of all, these products can be used again and again throughout the year. In addition to Notepads and Note Cards, your child’s art (or your own artwork or favorite photographs) can be used to create Notebooks, Journals, Invitations, Thank-You Notes, Birthday Cards, Holiday Cards, Postcards from camp, and Cards for just about any occasion.

results

With one daughter in Kindergarten and one in daycare, art work consumes my home.  Of course, they are ALL masterpieces, but some just really stand out from the rest.  I save these in a plastic box to pass on to my kids when they are grown.  But, wouldn’t it be great to continue enjoying these treasured art projects time and time again?

I was excited to learn about PrintArtKids and immediately thought it was a unique idea to transfer your child’s artwork onto a holiday card, address label, or notepad.  I decided to use some family photos from our recent beach vacation to create some irresistible notepads.  Uploading my photos (you can choose up to 4!) was incredibly easy.  I did not run into one single glitch when using the PrintArtKids website.  You can see an online proof before ordering and make any necessary adjustments.

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In just a few days, my order arrived.  I was thrilled with the outcome!  Seriously, the cutest notepads ever (I mean, my kids are ON THEM! How can they NOT be cute, right? LOL!).  The paper is a good quality and you get four notepads for $28.95 which is a great deal.

For teacher holiday gifts, I am going to have my kids draw a picture of their schools, teachers and classmates and use them to create notepads for their teachers!  By attaching a pretty pen and some colorful ribbon, I think it will make a unique gift!

summary

I was impressed with the ease of use, quality and customer service at PrintArtKids.  My product arrived quickly and was adorable.  Check out their line of personalized holiday cards and matching return address labels!

This review is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Other may have a different experience with the product. Thank you to PrintArtKids for supplying the product for review.

SONIC Limeades for Learning: Review and Giveaway

As my daughter enters Kindergarten this year, I realize now more than ever, the importance of education.  In order for my daughter to develop a love of learning, it is imperative that she have the materials needed to succeed and a creative teacher.  Just like in 2009, SONIC and DonorsChoose.org are again stepping up to the plate to make some of these classroom dreams come true with the Limeades for Learning program!  Last year, SONIC donated more than $600,000 to public school classrooms around the country.  By October, SONIC customers, friends and fans will have directed more than $1 million dollars to support teachers in local communities.

By visiting the Limeades for Learning site, you can find your favorite public school teacher’s classroom project.  Beginning August 30th, you can vote for your favorite project once per day (no purchase necessary to vote).  On Friday, the votes are tallied and the teacher with the most votes receives complete funding for their project!  If the votes exceed 1 million, SONIC will donate an additional $100,000!

I took a look around and found so many creative projects!  I wish I could fund them all!  Because I am a Scientist living in New Orleans, I decided to help fund a Science project at a school effected by Hurricane Katrina.  This program, which is in need of a Wii console for Virtual Surgery, is helping to train students for careers in nursing.

GIVEAWAY

Would you like to help fund a classroom project?  SONIC has generously donated a $100 DonorsChoose.org gift card, a $25 SONIC gift card, a Limeades for Learning backpack and some Sharpies and notepads to one of my lucky readers!  You can have a great meal AND help fulfill the dreams of the classroom teacher of your choice!

How to enter:

1. Visit Limeades for Learning and vote for your favorite classroom project.  Let me know who you voted for!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and Limeades for Learning (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on September 20th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This review is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Other may have a different experience with the product. Thank you to SONIC for supplying the gift cards and backpack for review.

Little Grips: Review and Giveaway

hypothesis The toddler utensils from Little Grips (including a fork and spoon) will allow my two year old daughter to be more independent at meal time which creates a more satisfying meal experience for the entire family.

 

materials

One Little Grips Toddler Eating Utensil Set which includes a fork and a spoon, plus one two year old who is no stranger to mealtime!  About Little Grips:

Little Grips toddler utensils make toddler feeding-time easy and enjoyable for you and your child. Feeding is made easy with a larger no-choke safety handle that fits easily in the palm of your child’s hands and allows them to use their arms and wrists for better control. Other utensils require finer finger controls that are still undeveloped, creating a frustrating experience for your child.

An ergonomic design that takes advantage of a toddler’s stronger grasping and overall hand–movement skills, while still allowing them to learn proper feeding motions. You will see your child’s confidence build and messiness diminish.

  

results

My two year old daughter, Aubrie is a voracious eater!  She loves mealtime and is usually ready to dive in.  She is my adventurous eater (her five year old sister is the exact opposite), but it is hard to watch her struggle to get the food into her mouth using traditional utensils.  Aubrie is also very independent and does not ask for help at the dinner table often which leaves me watching her drop food time and time again.  Eventually, she gets frustrated and either starts using her fingers, or refuses to eat completely neither of which is an ideal situation.

I was excited to try the Little Grips utensils with Aubrie to see if they made a difference.  At first impression, she was excited about her new fork and spoon because “it look like a strawberry, Mama!”  The handle is red with little bumps and green accents, so she isn’t totally wrong!  She immediately grabbed the fork and dove into her macaroni and cheese.

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She did so much better!  The utensils do not have a right or wrong way to hold them, and Aubrie quickly found a grip that worked best for her.  She was able to eat her whole meal unassisted and was a very happy camper!

summary

Because my husband and I work full time, we treasure dinner time with the girls because we can finally sit down together and chat about the day.  When my two year old gets frustrated at the table, the meal quickly becomes a task.  Little Grips allowed her to become more self-sufficient and you could see in her face how proud she was to be a “big girl” like her sister.  At just $10.95 for the set, I think it is well worth it!

Coupon Code

Use code T20 at checkout to receive Little Grips for 20% off during September!

GIVEAWAY

Do you have a toddler that could use some help at the table?  Little Grips will generously send one lucky reader a utensil set (fork and spoon) for their child!

 

How to enter:

1. Visit Little Grips and tell me why you can’t wait to try them in your home!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog and Little Grips (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and Little Grips on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

3. Subscribe to my blog.

4. Become a Fan of The Not-So-Blog and Little Grips on Facebook.

5. Place my blog button on your sidebar.

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on September 15th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This review is the opinion of The Experimental Mommy. Other may have a different experience with the product. Thank you to Little Grips for supplying the product for review.