Balloonatiks Review

Last week I received The Balloonatiks DVD in the mail for review!  With the craziness of the kitchen remodel, I haven't had a chance to even turn on the TV!  (I know, I STILL need to watch this week's episode of Glee and Parenthood! Shhh ... don't tell me what happens!)  

Yesterday, Sophia and I had a chance to sit down and watch it!  It is a double feature CD with "Meet Deflator" and "Pop Goes the Balloonatiks!"   My first impression was a good one!  I was really impressed with all the colors!  They were extremely bright and vibrant (and we don't even have an HD TV).  The music was so fun and really enjoyable to listen too!  The sound effects really added to the DVD and were not annoying like many of the kids DVD's these days! HA!!   The characters are balloons (obviously from the title huh?) and they can do lots of fun things with their bodies!  It really helps the kids see all the properties of balloons: stretchability, flexibility, etc.  I am always a sucker for a show where the good guys win too!!  Although, one hitch could be that the DVD would be best for kids over 3.  With the presence of villains, there is always a 'darker' side that kids under 3 probably can't understand and could possibly be scared!

All-in-all, I was quite impressed with the DVD and will store it for when she is a little older and can understand it better!  For right now, Elmo kind of rules our house!

Here is a description from the webste:

They're five ordinary teens mysteriously transformed into rubbery, shape-stretching super heroes who take on any of the evil-doers that dare to threaten Hot Air City. Meet The Balloonatiks -- Flator, Squeeker, Airbrain, Sparky, Bouncer and Leaky -- as they star in their very first animated comedy-adventures!

Produced in state-of-the-art CGI animation and a unique style of presentation, Balloonatiks: The Collector's DVD is a long-awaited addition to The Balloonatiks' growing catalog of popular kids' entertainment, which already includes two paperbacks, a series of comics and games, and an interactive website.

Balloonatiks: The Collector’s Set is highlighted by the acclaimed voice talent of the internationally renowned actor and multi-tongued voice artist, Mark Hamill, Debi Derryberry, the voice of Jimmy Neutron, and Billy West, most known for several characters on Futurama. The Balloonatiks theme song was performed by Ray Parker Jr., who is most known for writing the Ghostbusters theme song.

You can also check them out on their FB page!

Disclaimer: I received the DVD to review free of charge.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. 

Diaper Bag Wrangler Review and Giveaway!

Wouldn't you just love to have a small diaper bag to run into the store with and not have to take the full size bag?  Wouldn't it be nice to just take a few diapers, wipes, and a changing pad on a walk with you, hooked onto the stroller instead of carrying a huge bag?  KC over at the Diaper Bag Wrangler has the perfect items for you!!   Check out her Link Loop Diaper Bag as well as the Link Loop Zippered Wet Bag!   When I received my wet bag (orbit print below), I was SO impressed with the craftsmanship!  Seriously, this is one of the finest products I have ever seen!  I have always used my trust Bumpkin's Wet Bag, but NOW this Link Loop Zippered Wet Bag takes the place and is my go-to diaper bag!  I actually stopped carrying a full size diaper bag and can fit 1-2 cloth diapers, my travel wipes container, diaper cream, fleece strips, and even my changing pad!!   The wet bag has waterproof PUL lining so your soiled dipes won't get anything else wet!  The zipper is of excellent quality and I know will last many many years!!  

Link Loop Diaper Bag (in tons of patterns and colors)

This Link Loop Diaper Bag is perfect if you use disposable diapers! It has a Velcro closure in the front flap and a back pocket for extra diapers or wipes container! 

Link Loop Zippered Wet Bag (various patterns and colors)

I even attach my hand sanitizer to the loop for post-diaper changes!

The Wet bag is perfect for cloth diapers! Can you see my BG 3.0 OS?  

The Wet bag is very spacious!

Another item you can find over at The Diaper Bag Wrangler is her Travel Changing Pad!  From her website: "Our travel changing pad will keep your baby comfy and clean wherever diaper changes happen. Easily folds or rolls up to keep in your diaper bag.  They are great to use on pack 'n play changing stations or on the fold down changing tables in public restrooms.  Each pad features an incredibly soft 8 oz. unbleached organic flannel on one side with a cotton print fabric reverse."

I was very impressed (once again) with the craftsmanship of this product!  You can tell lots of time and effort go into each one of her products!  They are all handmade in the USA!!  Yes, another quality USA product!!

KC's customer service is out of this world and I look forward to doing more business with her in the future!!  

City Garden Print

I was so impressed by how soft this pad was!  Sophia tried to snuggle up with it like a blanket!

Sophia post diaper change ... this is the closest I could get her
 to the pad for my picture ... She was not a happy camper!

BUY IT!

You can purchase any of these at her Etsy Shop!!

WIN IT!

The giveaway, what you all have been waiting for!! KC has most graciously agreed to giveaway a travel changing pad to one lucky Go Long! Go Green! reader in their choice of print!  ($16.00 value) Remember, it is organic flannel material, made in the USA!  Perfect for any precious baby's bum! :)

*** Make sure to leave your email address in each comment/entry if it is NOT visible through your blog and MAKE SURE TO LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EVERY ENTRY!***

Mandatory Entry:

1. Publicly follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (left bar of the blog) and comment that you are a follower! If you are already a follower, just say, “I’m a follower!” (1 entry)

Additional Entries:

1. Follow @SGsMama and/or @dbwrangler on Twitter and comment. (2 entries for each one, could get 4 entries total) Leave separate comments for each entry!

2. Re-tweet daily for an additional entry, but you need to include @SGsMama, #giveaway, and the URL in the tweet. Leave separate comments with the permalink each time. (1 entry daily)

3. Head over to KC's Etsy shop and tell me what product you would like to have! (1 entry)

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5. Add the Go Long! Go Green! button to your blog or website and comment with the URL where it can be found in TWO separate comments (HTML code found in top right sidebar). (2 entries)

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7. Like Go Long! Go Green! on Facebook (3 entries). Make sure to leave three separate comments.

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9. Like The Diaper Bag Wrangler on Facebook, leave a comment that you did so! (3 entries)

10. "Favorite" The Diaper Bag Wrangler on Etsy, and leave me a comment that you did so! (3 entries)

11. Sign up for The Diaper Bag Wrangler Emails on her Blog! (3 entries)

This giveaway is open to the U.S. and will end on Tuesday November 16th, 2010 at midnight. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.

Disclaimer: I received the travel pad to review free of charge.  I had previously purchased the Orbit Wet Bag.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. 

A Twinn for your sweet girl?

At The Fence is hosting a giveaway for a My Twinn custom doll!  ($149 value)!  Head on over and check it out!

I would LOVE to win one of these!! :)  It would make THE PERFECT Christmas Gift for Sophia!!

TeeWit Review and Giveaway

*** Due to the overwhelming response to have the google docs entry form, I changed the way to enter below ... SO if you have already entered (the old way), your comments will be counted, so don't worry!!  Hopefully this will allow more people to enter! ***

I don't know about your house, but in our house ... ELMO is THE mac-daddy!!  :)  All you need to do is mention ELMO's name and Sophia runs toward you!!!  It is amazing I find myself looking for ELMO-anything that would make a good gift for Sophia b/c I know she will love it for sure!

During one of my many blog hopping afternoons, I came upon an incredible funny website with such "witty" products!  I was pretty impressed with what I saw!  She has a great selection of gear for Mom's, babies, grandparents, siblings, family members, Breast Cancer ... you name it, she has it!  

From the website home page:  "TeeWit: Your source for the funniest baby clothes- onepieces and baby / toddler t-shirts, maternity t-shirts, and great gifts for moms, dads, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  Also seen on ABC soap opera, All My Children, and in the January '09 edition of Parents Magazine."

When I had the chance to pick anything on TeeWit.com for a review, I knew I had to choose this T-shirt b/c of Sophia's love for ELMO!!  We selected the Toddler Organic 2T T-shirt with the saying, "ELMO is my homeboy!"  Upon receiving her shirt, I was so impressed by how soft organic cotton truly was!  I was also impressed by the "weight" of the shirt ... meaning, it wasn't a cheap China product ... it is made in the USA and is of excellent quality!

Organic Cotton T-shirt

Can't you just see your son or daughter in a "witty" T-shirt with a catchy phrase? 

Here are a few of my favorites:

Ok, so that was more than a few ... but I honestly liked so many of them!!

BUY IT!

You can purchase any of these at TeeWit.com!!

WIN IT!

The giveaway, what you all have been waiting for!! TeeWit most graciously agreed to giveaway a $20 Gift Certificate to one lucky Go Long! Go Green! reader! You can pick out anything in the store you would like!!  Isn't that a sweet deal?  She has something for EVERYONE, regardless of whether you have kids or not!

Links for the entry form that are helpful!

Go Long Go Green on FB!

SGsMama on Twitter

TeeWit website (to pick a product you like and to sign up for the newsletter)

This giveaway is open to the U.S. and will end on Monday November 15th, 2010 at midnight. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.

Disclaimer: I received this product to review free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. 

Sophia says, "I LOVE my ELMO shirt ... make sure to
 enter so you can win something cool like my shirt!"

"Halloooooweeeeen" 2010

... what a great weekend filled with many wonderful friends and memories!!! Saturday evening we headed over to our friends house for a little combined Sunday School class Halloween Party! Everyone with kids brought them dressed up and we hit the streets together! It was so much fun watching Sophia go to a few hours to Trick-or-Treat this year! She toddled (is this even a word?) herself up to the door with her little kitty basket and said, "Halloooooooweeeeeen" followed by Thank You. It was so cute!! The first few houses, she had a hard time understanding the concept of going up to a house, getting candy, then leaving! She never wanted to leave!! On her last few houses, she finally picked up the concept!!

I have to admit, she looks awful cute in her ladybug costume! (Thanks MEGAN W.)

Here are a few pictures!!!

"Whatch-u talkin' 'bout Willis?"

Clearly looking at the camera is over rated ... especially when
there are so many other kids dressed up to look at!

Isaiah, Jen, Sophia, and myself ... Sophia once again was interested in someone else! :) HA!

Do you see a trend?

Isaiah, Sophia, and Saundra (small group buddies!)
(Tear ... missing Jaida)

Trying to give hugs!

Checking out the loot ... however, this is about the closest Sophia got to her candy! Since
she has never had any, she didn't really know what it was ... next year the candy battle won't be so easy huh? I might have to give her at least 1 piece!

End of the night, eating a cracker, and getting ready to rock her baby ...

Any favorite Halloween Memories?

Floating Doctors

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of vitaminID. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was approached to write a blog post about the Floating Doctors.  Honestly, I had never heard about this mission, but after watching the short 3 minute you tube video, I was awestruck by their incredible plan to serve those less fortunate around the world, in remote locations!   

The Floating Doctors mission reminds me of my medical mission work in El Salvador!  Oh how I just fell in love with those people!  They were so grateful and made a lasting impact on my life!  

Dr. Benjamin LaBrot and his team are going to sail over 20,000 miles searching out people in need!

Here is an excerpt from the Website: 

Floating Doctors is the first global medical team to utilize a green energy platform, the Southern Wind, a 76-foot expedition sailboat. Delivering medical relief to thousands of people in remote coastal areas, Floating Doctors will leave long lasting health benefits and a small carbon footprint in her wake.

vitaminID.com supports Floating Doctors' approach of employing cutting-edge technology, traditional medicine and altruism to promote better health, and the improvement of health care delivery worldwide.

 

What an awesome and inspirational story!!  

Day 3: Getting more beautiful ...

Well, the men have left ... we have "most" of the kitchen put back together ... we still have 1 picture left to hang, 2 coat racks, 1 shelf, trim painting, wall touch-ups, and some other finishing touches!

Here are a few pictures thus far ....

Doesn't it look like a totally new place?

Peter Rabbit Organic REVIEW

As most of you know, I am a lover of organic foods!  Why do I love organic so much?  Oh, let me count thy ways....


1. It doesn't contain JUNK (ie. High Fructose Corn Syrup, Partially Hydrogenated Oils, MSG, Aspartame, need I go on and on?)
2. Nothing artificial ... no chemicals 
3. It hasn't been genetically modified ...
4. They aren't toxic to my body ... no pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers  
5. They are a sustainable crop and are safest for the environment!
6. We are supporting local farmers and our local economy...
7. Usually way better tasting (esp. fruits and veggies)


and the list could go on and on and on ..... 


I was very intentional when I made Sophia's homemade baby food to try to find the best foods possible!!  I am always on the lookout for good, healthy, snacks for a growing girl!!


The fine folks over at Peter Rabbit Organics sent me 3 packages of the Squeezable Fruit packs for Sophia to try!  

Apple and Grape was the FAVORITE!
 Mango, Banana, and Orange made her sweet face pucker, but she still enjoyed it!!

Here is some info from their website about this product:

What's inside our pouches?

Made from pure, organic fruit, our BPA-free pouches have no added sugar or preservatives.  We only source organic ingredients certified by the USDA, and whenever possible we use local suppliers in Oregon. Our 3 delicious pouches have a thick, smooth texture and aren't diluted with water or juice. 

Why the pouch?

Similar to squeezable drink pouches, Peter Rabbit Organics pouches are easy to drop into a diaper bag, lunch box or purse without breaking or spilling.  Unopened pouches don't need to be refrigerated so they're great for car trips, cycle rides...and for all the family to enjoy. 

Ideal for ages 6 months and upwards, the fruit can be enjoyed straight from the pouch - no spoons required!!  Our no-choke cap makes them safe for little ones and the larger size makes it easy to get a full serving of fruit in each pouch.

Overall, we were very thrilled with this product.  It is so portable, that I stuck one in my purse for "emergency" use!  We all know as mom's we need to be able to provide food at all times!  They each tasted great cold, out of the fridge!  I would highly recommend this product for a safe, healthy, and tasty treat for your precious little ones!!  (And big ones like mama's too!) 

If you are interested in purchasing them, you can check out Amazon.com or Diapers.com!

Disclaimer: I received this product to review free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.

Day 2: Something Beautiful ...

They are working hard .... 

Looking from the family room into the kitchen!, laundry room straight back!

Coat Closet

The floor looks great with the cabinets!

Door into the garage

Pantry

Oven slot and fridge slot!

I'd say things are coming along nicely!!  

Hyland's Teething Tablets: RECALLED

I know I have many natural mama's that read my blog, so I wanted to make sure you all knew you would no longer be able to find these teething tablets in the store!  I know, I am as equally upset! Believe me, this is the only thing that would work for Sophia's teething!  I liked it b/c it was a homeopathic treatment.  However, you always have those few irresponsible people that think b/c it says "homeopathic" it means you can give your baby as many as you want (or think you need)!  Hyland put a dosage recommendation on the side of the bottle for a reason folks!!!  

Here is the blurp from the FDA website:

Hyland’s Teething Tablets: Recall - Risk of Harm to Children

[Posted 10/23/2010]

AUDIENCE: Consumers, Pediatrics

ISSUE: FDA notified consumers that Hyland’s Teething Tablets is being recalled because the tablets may pose a risk to children. The tablets are manufactured to contain a small amount of belladonna, a substance that can cause serious harm at larger doses. For such a product, it is important that the amount of belladonna be carefully controlled. FDA laboratory analysis has found that Hyland’s Teething Tablets contain inconsistent amounts of belladonna.

FDA has received reports of serious adverse events in children taking this product that are consistent with belladonna toxicity. The FDA has also received reports of children who consumed more tablets than recommended, because the containers do not have child resistant caps.

BACKGROUND: Hyland’s Teething Tablets is a homeopathic product, intended to provide temporary relief of teething symptoms in children. It is sold over-the-counter (OTC) in retail outlets. The FDA has not evaluated Hyland’s Teething Tablets for safety or efficacy, and is not aware of any proven clinical benefit offered by the product.

RECOMMENDATION: FDA recommends that consumers not use this product and dispose of any in their possession. FDA advises consumers to consult their health care professional if their child experiences symptoms such as seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, or agitation after using Hyland’s Teething Tablets.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm230764.htm

Thanks for all the help you were over the many months of teething .... we will miss you!!