Two of a kind, working on a full house

Li'l Inspirations Personalized Birth Certificate Baby Blanket

2009-12-08T14:50:00.000-05:00

I am a very sentimental person. Heirloom quality gifts make me teary eyed and I look forward to the joy giving those types of products brings.

Li'l Inspirations has several products that could be passed down for years to come. The family operated business has been specializing in heirloom quality gifts for every occasion since 1992. In addition to baby items, they also have great gifts for anniversaries and weddings.

Li'l Inspirations sent a Personalized Birth Certificate Baby Blanket for Isabella.

The blanket is made of 100% cotton and measures 45 x 35 inches. It is completely customizable and you can choose blanket color, lettering style, and thread color. The blanket is then personalized with baby's name, birth date, weight, and length. It was designed by their in house designers and is exclusive to Li'l Inspirations.

I love Isabella's blanket. It is a very practical gift that will be treasured always. I often use it as a baby blanket and it is large enough that she will always be able to use it. It is thrown over one side of her crib as a constant reminder of the joy that her birth brought to us.

Visit Li'l Inspirations for all of their heirloom quality gift ideas.

Buy It!
You can purchase a Personalized Birth Certificate Baby Blanket for $57.95.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Li'l Inspirations who supplied the product for review.

Sprig Toys: Dolphin Explorer Boat Review And Giveaway

2009-12-08T12:05:00.001-05:00

Do you ever get tired of toys that require batteries? It seems like they all do, and most require at least 4. We've switched to rechargeable batteries to be more "green", but we're still spending a small fortune on powering our kids' toys.

Sprig Toys encourage children to stay active with toys that don't require batteries. As the website states, Team Sprig is dedicated to infusing creativity, smart design, quality manufacturing, earth-friendly materials, product satisfaction and responsible business practices into a superior line of fun, kid-powered toys. Sprig Toys was created in 2007 and has been expanding ever since.

Sprig Toys sent Evan the Dolphin Explorer Boat.

The set includes:
2 boats - Explorer Boat and Rescue Boat
1 Life Preserver
2 Dolphins - Mother and Baby
1 Adventure Guide - Captain Owen
1 Adventure Hat - Interchangeable
1 Backpack Accessory

Your child's imagination can soar with the Dolphin Explorer Boat. There are several pieces included so they can make up their own stories with them. Since the bottom of the boat is flat, they can use it on dry ground as well as in the water. The boat actually floats well and can be used in the bathtub or pool.

There are no batteries to worry about, so there is nothing but non-stop fun. What I like best, is that Sprig designs all of their collections so they can be interchangeable. You can use the characters from one set to play with another. Each set encourages character/storytelling play. They are made from recycled materials and Sprigwood, so by playing with these toys, you are helping the environment.

Visit Sprig Toys to see all of their holiday gift ideas.

Buy It!
You can purchase the Dolphin Explorer Boat for $29.99.

Win It!!
Sprig Toys is giving one of my readers a Dolphin Explorer Boat.

To enter, visit Sprig Toys and tell me another toy that you think looks like fun. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Sprig Toys.

4- Follow twoofakind AND Sprig Toys on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: Win a Dolphin Explorer Set from @SprigToys during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/yca2uvc

5- Place the 'Start The New Year With Style' button on your blog.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Become a fan of Sprig Toys on Facebook.

8- Follow my blog in a reader(click where it says posts under my buttons).

9- Enter the Sprig Toys Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 15th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Sprig Toys who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Got Giveaways? 12/8

2009-12-08T08:52:00.002-05:00

Please feel free to link up to as many of your giveaways as you'd like. If you linked up last week and your giveaway is still going on, please link up again!

If you could let other people know that I'm doing this, I'd really appreciate it. It's not mandatory, but it would be great if you could add my button to your blog or send a tweet out to get people here and post their giveaways!

Please link to the specific post for each giveaway-NOT just your blog! I will delete your link if it does not go directly to the giveaway.

I will also be announcing a NEW super secret place to post your giveaways tomorrow morning!!

Vivabox Bar-B-Que

2009-12-07T14:24:00.003-05:00

I am often at a loss as to what to get some people on my list. It seems they have everything, but I still want to get them something that I know they'll use.

Vivabox has several options that make my life easier. All I have to do is choose a theme and they have a thoughtful gift ready for me to give. It is more personal than just a gift card, but the recipient still has the freedom to select things they'll really love. The boxes include a sample of the theme to try now, and then they get to choose their final gift when they redeem the included gift card.

I was sent the Bar-B-Que Vivabox to experience.

The Bar-B-Que Vivabox Includes:
-A selection of Urban Accents spices and rubs (Kansas City Classic Rub, Cajun Street, Chicago Steak & Chop)
-Gift card for a collection of meats from Omaha Steaks or spices from Urban Accents

My husband was thrilled with this box. He considers himself 'king of the grill' around here and really got into the spices. Some great spices are already included, so we plan on using the gift card for Omaha Steaks. Below are our choices.
FILET MIGNONS
BONELESS STRIPS
RIB EYES
THE INTERNATIONAL
THE DYNAMITE DUO
BACKYARD BONANZA

If we decided to use the gift card on more spices, we could choose from these great packages from Urban Accents.
AMERICAN BBQ GIFT SET
LATIN FEVER GIFT SET
ASIAN FUSION GIFT SET
INDIAN HEAT GIFT SET

The box included a pamphlet that had easy directions to follow on how to redeem the gift card. It also had pictures of our various choices. We're going to save ours to use after the holidays, but I think we've decided on the Filet Mignons.

There are several boxes that I would personally love to receive. I'm not too savvy when it comes to wine and would love to get the Wine Vivabox that includes a variety of 6 bottles of wine, a book, and 12 magazines.

Visit Vivabox for all of their other amazing gift ideas!

Buy It!
You can purchase the Bar-B-Que Vivabox for $90.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Vivabox who supplied the product for review.

Swinx $150 Game Console Review And Giveaway

2009-12-07T10:50:00.002-05:00

I always try to find toys and games that keep my children active. I don't want them to be those kids that sit in front of the television all day.

I was thrilled when I heard about the Swinx Game Console. As the website states, Swinx is the first screen-free games console that can play games, talk, listen and keep you entertained for hours. The portable entertainment pod engages kids in physical, creative and educational play (including musical chairs, tag and relay ) by using its voice in combination with sounds and colors. Designed for ages four and above, Swinxs talks and explains games, recognizes players and even referees.

We were sent a Swinx to try out.

As soon as I read about Swinx, I knew it would be a hit with my family. It is portable and can be played both inside and out. We go to the beach a lot and this will be a great game to play when they aren't swimming.

We took it out as soon as it arrived. I was immediately impressed with how user friendly it is. I would normally have to sit there for 30 minutes and read instructions before we play. Not with Swinx! I simply plugged it in and selected English as our language. It tells you exactly what to do as you go. Here is Evan, my sister, and my dad listening to Swinx tell them what to do.

It includes 4 different color wristbands that Swinx uses to identify each player. You can purchase more wristbands separately so that up to 10 players can join in. There are 10 games that are already programed into the console and you can use the USB cord that is included to download more games.

Once you turn it on, Swinx will randomly choose a game to play, or you can choose one yourself. Each player swipes their wrist band over the console so Swinx knows who is playing. Our favorite game was charades. One player goes off and turns the volume down so no other players can hear. Swinx tells them what to act out and they go back to join the group. When someone guesses correctly, they swipe their wrist band over the console so Swinx knows who won.

We had a blast with Swinx. Evan's favorite game was the one similar to musical chairs. Music plays and you dance around the console. When the music stops, everyone runs to the console to swipe their wrist band. That was the easiest game for him to join in with.

We had players ranging in age from 2 to 46 and we all had a good time with it. Swinx gets the whole family involved. I think this would be the perfect game for children starting at about 5 years old. Visit Swinx to learn more about the game.

Buy It!
You can purchase a Swinx Game Console for $150.

Win It!

Swinx is giving one of my readers a Swinx Game Console.

To enter, visit Swinx and tell me which game you think your children would like the best. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Swinx.

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a $150 Swinx Game Console during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/yfglkur #giveaway ends 12/15

5- Place my green Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House button on your blog.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Follow my blog in a reader(click where it says posts under my buttons).

8- Enter the Ham Giveaway on Jennifer's blog

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 15th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Swinx who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

$1188 Worth Of Bei Bambini Clothes Giveaway-TWO WINNERS

2009-12-05T16:46:00.002-05:00

I am always in search of cute clothes for my children. I know that I only have a limited amount of time that I can dress them up in whatever I want. One day they'll want to pick out their own clothes, so for now I dress Isabella as girly as possible.

Bei Bambini has some of the most adorable clothing that I've ever seen. They are an exclusive Jeanine Johnsen Children's Clothing online retailer. Jeanine Johnsen children's clothing was found in 1999 and they strive to provide high quality, fashionable clothing. Jeanine spends much of her time observing the latest fashions and finding amazing fabrics.

I have spent a lot of time looking over the Bei Bambini website and have fallen in love with so much. This collection from the cruise wear is called the Isabella Embroidered Swing Set. They are completely sold out and I want one so bad.

In addition to all of the girl clothes, they also have some adorable boy outfits.

Win It!
Bei Bambini is giving TWO of my readers an assortment of clothing from past seasons. Both bags are for twin girls and will have two of everything. If you have twins or know two girls that are around the same age, this is perfect!

Set One-Winter TWIN GIRLS 3-6 month

-(2) Corduroy Overalls - Chocolate Corduroy with Hot Pink Embroidered Whales $58 each ($116)
-(2) Corduroy Pants - Red Corduroy with Snowflakes & Snowmen. Heart pockets on back, Elastic Waist: $66 each ($132)
-(2) Corduroy A-Line Dress - Red Corduroy with Embroidered Scotty Dog $69 each ($138)
-(2) Corduroy A-Line Dress - Tan Corduroy with Embroidered Horse & Horse Shoes $69 each ($138)
-(2) Corduroy A-Line Dress - Navy Corduroy with Embroidered Red Lobsters $69 each ($138)

Total Value: $662

Set Two-Cruise Wear TWIN GIRLS 6-12 month

-(2) Beach Tunics - Long Sleeve, Cotton Knit, Hooded with front pocket $39 each ($78)
-(2) Swing Sets - White Cotton with Light Pink Pom Poms & Ruffled Bloomers to match! Embroidered Chick hatching out of egg on top $44 each ($88)
-(2) 60's Floral Liberty Dresses - A mix of classic and new Liberty of London print sundresses. Comes with matching bloomers $48 each ($96)
-(2) Pink Floral Liberty Dresses - A mix of classic and new Liberty of London print sundresses. Comes with matching bloomers $48 each ($96)
-(2) Heart Tanks - White Cotton with Liberty of London Teal Floral Heart & Teal Loop Stitch $36 each ($72)
-(2) Teal Floral Liberty Peasant Skirts - A mix of classic and new Liberty of London teal prints layered into a beautiful twirly skirt! $48 each ($96)

Total Value: $526

To enter, visit Bei Bambini and tell me what outfit you like the best AND if you are entering for Set One or Set Two. If you want to enter for both, leave me two separate comments(one for each set).This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Bei Bambini

4- Follow twoofakind AND Bei Bambini on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN $1188 worth of @beibambini clothes for TWINS during #MisteltoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/ydb8xv2 TWO WINNERS!!

5- Become a fan of Bei Bambini on Facebook.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Follow my blog in a reader(click where it says posts under my buttons).

8- Enter the Flirty Aprons Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 15th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. I will be receiving a gift card to Bei Bambini. Thank you to Bei Bambini who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Safety 1st Air Protect Convertible Car Seat Review And Giveaway

2009-12-04T09:50:00.003-05:00

Safety is my first priority when I'm purchasing a new product for my children. I will take any precaution to make sure my children are protected.

Safety 1st is a company that lives up to their name. They were acquired by Dorel Industries Inc in 2001. Dorel Industries has been around for 25 years making them a name people can trust. They are dedicated to providing high quality products that keep children safe.

Safety 1st sent us the Air Protect Car Seat.

Air Protect Technology is the most innovative safety feature that has ever been put in a car seat. It protects the head from side impact through the precise release of air. Side impact collisions are the deadliest type of collisions for children. Their heads are the most vulnerable place in a side impact collision.

The Complete Air Convertible Car Seat can be used for rear facing from 5-40 lbs and forward facing 22-50 lbs. The harness is extremely easy to adjust. It can be adjusted from the front and the seat does not have to be taken out to do it. The headrest adjusts to 5 different positions so that it can grow with the child. Here it is in the lowest setting.

This is a picture of the headrest in the highest setting.

This car seat is a perfect example of style meeting function. My husband and I actually fought over who's car the seat would go in. The LATCH system with easy click-in and release makes installation a breeze. It also has a cup holder which receives serious brownie points from me. I get so tired of Evan dropping his sippy cup on the floor when he's done with it and then wanting it 2 minutes later. Now he just puts it in the cup holder and gets it when he wants it again.

Watch the video below to see the Air Protect Car Seat being tested and to learn more about Air Protect Technology.

Buy It!
You can purchase the Safety 1st Air Protect Convertible Car Seat for $219.99.

Win It!

Safety 1st is giving one of my readers an Air Protect Convertible Car Seat.

To enter, visit Safety 1st and tell me another product that they carry. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Safety 1st.

4- Follow twoofakind AND Safety 1st on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a @Safety_1st Air Protect Convertible Car Seat ($219) during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/yfwn39f

5- Become a fan of Safety 1st on Facebook.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Follow my blog in a reader(click where it says posts under my buttons).

8- Enter the Safety 1st Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 15th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Safety 1st who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Aloha Friday

2009-12-04T08:27:00.003-05:00

It's Aloha Friday over at An Island Life! Answer my question and make sure you post one on your blog! After that, go relax because today is Friday!!

My question for this week is:

Do you remember the dreams that you have at night? Do they ever come true?
I do. And it is so weird how sometimes something similar will happen. Not to be morbid, but I kept dreaming about my old boss and my old baby sitter a few months ago. I told my mom that I really felt like I needed to go see them and say hey. Within a week, my old boss's mom passed away and my old baby sitter's dad passed away. It was so odd. And I always dreamed that Evan was a boy and Isabella was a girl.

Then 2 nights ago my sister dreamed something happened to someone close to us and my great aunt passed away yesterday. I was just wondering how often it happens to you.

On the flip side of that, I did dream the other night that I was pregnant with twin girls. WHAT? I KNOW I'm not pregnant and that was just one of those crazy dreams!

Thomas & Friends: Sodor Friends Holiday Collection Review And Giveaway

2009-12-03T18:45:00.003-05:00

I told you about Evan's love for Thomas The Tank Engine about two weeks ago when I posted the review and giveaway for Holiday Express. My husband got him started on Thomas as soon as Evan was old enough to play with trains. Since then, Evan has been a huge fan of trains.

We were sent the Thomas & Friends: Sodor Friends Holiday Collection for Review.

From The Box
There’s fun around every turn in these joyful wintertime adventures! Catch the holiday spirit as Thomas & Friends prepare for the grand opening of the Toy Workshop. Laugh and play along as Percy tries to fool his friends into believing he’s Jack Frost. And hold on tight for some of Thomas’ most thrilling races and rescues in this heartwarming holiday collection.
Collection Includes:
-Thomas And The Toy Workshop
-Thomas' Snowy Surprise
-Races, Rescues, And Runaways

The set was released on Oct 12, 2009 and lasts about 120 minutes. Evan was thrilled when I gave him a whole set of Thomas DVDs. We watched all three throughout the day. We went back and forth between watching the shows and playing with his train set in his room.

Buy it!
You can purchase Thomas & Friends: Sodor Friends Holiday Collection for $19.98.

Win It!!
One of my readers will get a Thomas & Friends: Sodor Friends Holiday Collection!

To enter, tell me who this DVD would be for. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Thomas & Friends: Sodor Friends Holiday Collection

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN Thomas & Friends: Sodor Friends Holiday Collection during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/y9zeurv

5- Place my green Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House button on your blog.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Follow my blog in a reader(under my buttons click on post and then click the reader you'd like to follow in).

8- Enter the BJs Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 11th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US Only.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. I was given the products for the review and giveaway.

Winners

2009-12-03T17:15:00.001-05:00

Another set of Mistletoe Madness giveaways has come to an end. We still have more new ones to come. Be sure to check our sidebars to make sure you've entered the current giveaways. The comments are still messed up as far as numbers go. If you keep hitting newest, you eventually get to see how many there actually are. I can also view it by looking at my edit post screen.

Winners:
-The Leap Frog Text And Learn Giveaway had 1106 comments and the winner is:
S Club Mama

-The Prince Lionheart bebePOD PLUS Giveaway had 759 comments and the winner is:
Pattycake

-The $25 Gift Card to Macaroy Kangaroo Giveaway had 437 comments and the winner is:
Abby

-The MEGA Brands Striker Tournament Set Giveaway had 530 comments and the winner is:
The Allen Family

-The $50 Gift Card to Maukilo Toys Giveaway had 794 comments and the winner is:
Lisa

-The Play-Doh Burger Builder Giveaway had 777 comments and the winner is:
Crystal

-The $25 Gift Card To Breezy Oaks Baby Boutique had 359 comments and the winner is:
Krystyn

Congrats to all of the winners! They have all be emailed and have 3 days to get back in touch with me.

Leap Frog Tag Junior Review And Giveaway

2009-12-03T12:15:00.002-05:00

Evan loves to read. He likes to look at the pictures and make up his own version of the story. He brings a book and comes to get in bed with us every morning so that we can read to him.

He can have help reading by himself with the Tag Junior from Leap Frog. As I've told you before, Leap Frog has some of the most innovative, technology-based educational products. They have several resources available on their website to aid with the learning process including a special Parents Community and Learning Path.

Leap Frog sent Evan a Tag Junior.

The Tag Junior is meant for children 2-4 years old and includes the Tag Junior book pal, USB cable, parent guide, and "If I Were..." sampler book. The book pal requires 2 AAA batteries that are not included. Parents can download the audio for up to 5 books at a time after installing the Leapfrog connect application onto the computer. Simply open the battery cover and plug the USB into the book pal and follow instructions.

The Tag Junior exceeded my expectations. The sampler book that is included has over 70 audio responses when Evan plays with it. He will be getting more Tag Junior books for Christmas and those have over 150 responses. The sample book aids in teaching Evan colors, animals, and rhyming. There is even a volume button that we can turn to low when Isabella is napping.

It is completely interactive. I was able to go online and personalize it with Evan's name. It greets Evan when it turns on and tells him good bye when it is turned off. There are printable coloring and activity pages that are also available for each book to expand learning.

The Tag Junior is perfect for getting toddlers excited about reading. It allows them to explore books in a way that I've never seen. Not only does it make fun sounds when a character or word is touched, but it also asks questions to encourage them to explore the pages.

Be sure to check out Leap Frog for more gift ideas.

Buy It!!
You can purchase a Tag Junior for $29.99. Extra books are also on sale and range from $5.00-$8.24.

Win It!!
Leap Frog is giving one of my readers a Tag Junior.

To enter, visit Leap Frog and tell me another product that you think your child would enjoy. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Leap Frog.

4- Follow twoofakind AND Leap Frog on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a @leapfrog Tag Junior during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/yb93la5 #giveaway ends 12/11

5- Become a fan of Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House on Facebook.

6- Follow my blog in a reader(click where it says posts under my buttons).

7- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

8- Enter the Karito Kids Doll Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 11th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US Only

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Leap Frog who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Rescue Pets Review And Giveaway

2009-12-02T19:35:00.002-05:00

Evan is a huge fan of animals. He plays outside with our dog all day long. Some of his favorite toys are ones that are animals.

Rescue Pets has a collection of dogs that are perfect for young children. In addition to being able to adopt their pets, children can also go online for fun and games. They can color or train their pet.

MGA Entertainment sent us a Rescue Pets Swim to Me Puppy - Golden Retriever.

The Swim To Me Puppy is 9 inches tall and is meant for children 3-5 years old. A pair of goggles, a towel, and adoption certificate are all included with the puppy. You can visit Rescue Pets online to adopt the puppy and create the birth certificate. He can walk on the floor or swim when placed in water.

You can view the commercial below.

Evan loves his Rescue Pet. I'm still waiting on him to come up with a name so that we can go online and "adopt" him. He just calls him puppy right now. It walks on flat surfaces perfectly. Evan crawls in front of it and says, "come here, puppy!". He loves to wear the puppy's goggles. I think it is great that they can fit him too.

We put the puppy in the bathtub and it swims right to him. The puppy did fill up with water and would loose balance from time to time, but it still swims. It would probably work better in larger places such as the swimming pool. Evan got so excited when we told him that his puppy could go in the bathtub with him.

It requires 3 AAA batteries that are not included and the on/off switch is the heart around the puppy's neck. It was hard to switch off the first few times that we played with it, but works great now. I think the Rescue Puppy provides tons of entertainment and would recommend it as a great gift.

Buy It!
You can purchase the Rescue Pets Swim to Me Puppy - Golden Retriever for $29.99.

Win It!!
MGA Entertainment is giving one of my readers a Rescue Pet!

To enter, visit Rescue Pets and tell me another product/puppy that you think would make a great gift. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Rescue Pets.

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a Rescue Pets Swim To Me Puppy during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/yab422u #giveaway ends 12/11

5- Place my green Two Of A Kind... button on your blog.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Follow my blog in a reader(click where it says posts under my buttons).

8- Enter the International PlayThings Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 11th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to MGA Entertainment who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Nerf Dart Tag Fury Fire Review

2009-12-02T16:00:00.002-05:00

Have you ever played laser tag? Our family is very competitive and we used to go play pretty often when I was in high school. I have been looking for a way for us to play it at our house for a while now.

Nerf Dart Tag Fury Fire is very similar to Laser Tag! Where was this game when I was younger? Back then, we had a single orange Nerf gun that we took turns shooting foam balls at each other. Nerf is still using foam pieces, making this a fun, but safe game to play.

Hasbro sent us Nerf Dart Tag Fury Fire to put to the test.

Nerf Dart Tag Fury Fire is a 2-Player game and includes 2 Fury Fire blasters, 20 Dart Tag darts, 2 scoring vest, and 2 pairs of Vision Gear eyewear. Each player gears up in their scoring vest and protective eyewear and they choose between the green and orange guns that each hold 10 rounds. The set comes with instructions on how to play 6 official Dart Tag games. The guns have a pump action, meaning you pump then pull the trigger. They are easy to use and none of us ever had the darts get jammed.

This game is meant for children 8 and up, meaning it is completely OK that my brother and I had more fun than any 8 year old would have ever had. We got so caught up in it that my poor 12 year old sister didn't get to play for at least 40 minutes. Here is my 18 year old brother decked out in his Nerf gear. I admit that this has to be the goofiest picture I've ever seen of the kid and I might have to put it on facebook.

I'll be honest, we didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the instructions on how to play the 6 games. We've always been more of a make-it-up-as-you-go type of family. We just started shooting and whoever got shot the most, lost. This game is fantastic for getting kids on their feet and moving. I was completely worn out after playing for about 45 minutes. That was my exercise for the day.

The only negative thing that we could think of, is that it is hard to keep up with the ammo(foam darts). When you're running around the house(yes, we played inside) ducking and weaving, it is hard to remember where all the shots took place. While we have been able to find all of the pieces since then, I think that the set should come with extra darts-just in case.

I think this would make a great addition to any Christmas list. The fun and action is non stop. Visit Nerf for all of their other gift ideas.

Buy It!
You can purchase the Nerf Dart Tag Fury Fire Blasters for $39.99.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Hasbro who supplied the product for review.

Wordless Wednesday-Play Time

2009-12-02T09:35:00.000-05:00

My computer got a virus on it last night so I'm using an old laptop! Thank goodness I had JUST put my most recent pictures onto my FreeAgent Go. This picture was taken this weekend. Evan is always wanting Isabella to play with him and he wanted her to sit with him on his "vroom vroom". They'll be playing together before I know it.

If you have a Wordless Wednesday on your blog, leave your link here so I am sure to visit!

For more Wordless Wednesday go check out 5 minutes for mom and 7 Clown Circus!

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas Prize Pack Giveaway

2009-12-01T20:55:00.003-05:00

I don't think that Evan had ever seen Curious George before. He is a huge fan of monkeys and was even one for Halloween. I wish that I would have gotten him hooked on Curious George sooner. I remember reading the books when I was little.

Universal Studios sent us the Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas DVD.

From The Back Of The Box:
Curios George's first holiday movie:
“George and The Man with The Yellow Hat are having a very merry time counting down the days until Christmas. There’s only one puzzle: neither of them can figure out what to give the other for a present. The Man is having trouble reading George’s wish list and George doesn’t have a clue about what to get for The Man who has everything. Will they be able to find the answers before Christmas morning?”

You can check out the trailer below.

The DVD lasts for about 58 minutes and Evan was engrossed the whole time. He kept jumping around and making monkey sounds. He's actually sitting in front of the other TV right now, watching A Very Monkey Christmas for about the 10th time. I would definitely recommend this adorable DVD as a great gift.

Universal is running a contest in conjunction to the DVD release. The “All I Want This Holiday” Contest will allow one grand prize winner to receive $100,000 to create their own "Family Fund" to spend anyway they'd like. In addition to the grand prize, there will also be more than 200 additional prizes will be awarded, including HDTVs, Netbooks, Blu-ray™ players. To learn more, click here.

Buy It!
You can purchase Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas DVD for $14.99 at the Universal Store.

Win It!!
Universal Studios is giving one of my readers a Curious George Prize Pack which includes: the Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas DVD , “Curious George Christmas Countdown” book, CD soundtrack, and a “Curious George Live” ticket voucher.

To enter, just tell me who this DVD would be for. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas DVD.

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas Prize Pack during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/yfus44a

5- Place the Start The New Year With Style button on your blog.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Follow my blog in a reader(click where it says posts under my buttons).

8- Become a fan of Curious George on Facebook.

9- Enter the DVD Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 11th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to Universal Stuidos who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Sugar Sweet Baby Bamboo Baby Wrap Review And Giveaway

2009-12-01T13:00:00.004-05:00

I didn't have baby wraps or carriers when Evan was a baby. I think I was living under a rock at the time and didn't know anything about babywearing. I now have several wraps and carriers that I use at different times. Up until recently, I would only use a wrap with Isabella because she was so small.

Sugar Sweet Baby introduced me to their Bamboo Baby Wraps. They also carry regular baby wraps and hair clips. Sugar Sweet Baby is dedicated to providing parents with stylish wraps that are extremely comfortable.

Sugar Sweet Baby sent us the Sage Pink Kleo Bamboo Baby Wrap. Here is the picture from their site.

When I first heard that they were made from Bamboo, I never thought the wrap would be this soft. It is actually softer than cotton! Bamboo fiber is more breathable than other fabrics which keeps you cooler, drier, and more comfortable. Bamboo fiber is naturally bacteriostatic which means it prevents bacteria from cultivating. It is also hypoallergenic and protects from UV rays. Bamboo is much "greener" than cotton. It doesn't require any chemicals and is biodegradable.

I love this wrap. No only is the fabric absolutely adorable, it is also amazingly soft. Since it is made of bamboo and is hypoallergenic, I feel better carrying Isabella in it. The weight distribution is fantastic and my back doesn't hurt at all. Even though she only weighs about 12 pounds now, my back sometimes hurts if I have her in other carriers for long periods of time. This is Isabella in the wrap.

We went shopping for several hours this weekend and she slept in the bamboo wrap most of the time. I could use both of my hands to look at other things and I didn't have to worry about a stroller. The wrap is easy to use and they even have instructions on their website.

Visit Sugar Sweet Baby to see all of the products that they have to offer and learn more about the benefits of babywearing.

Buy It!
The Sage Pink Kleo Bamboo Baby Wrap is on sale for $65.

Win It!!
Sugar Sweet Baby is giving one of my readers a Bamboo Baby Wrap!

To enter, visit Sugar Sweet Baby and tell me which Bamboo Wrap you would choose. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and
Sugar Sweet Baby.

4- Follow twoofakind AND Sugar Sweet Baby on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a Bamboo Baby Wrap ($70 value) from Sugar Sweet Baby during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/ybdgovs

5- Sign up for the newsletter on Sugar Sweet baby.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Visit the Sugar Sweet Baby Blog and leave them a comment letting them know you're entering their giveaway!

8- Follow my blog in a reader(click where it says posts under my buttons).

9- Enter the 191 Unlimited Men's Shirt Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 11th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to Sugar Sweet Baby who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Got Giveaways? 12/1

2009-12-01T08:37:00.001-05:00

Playskool Explore ‘N Grow Activity Ball Review And Giveaway

2009-11-30T15:45:00.002-05:00

Isabella is starting to play with toys that we put in front of her. She'll grab at them and pull them to her mouth. Toys with bright colors and fun sounds draw her attention quickly.

The Explore ‘N Grow Activity Ball from Playskool is a toy that she likes. Playskool is just one of the amazing brands by Hasbro. Hasbro was created in 1923 and is now a name that all children know. Some of their brands include Nerf, Tonka, G.I. Joe, I-Dog, Lite-Brite, and many more.

Hasbro sent us the Explore ‘N Grow Activity Ball.

The activity ball is meant for children 6 months and up. The bright colors and rattle beads are sure to grab the attention of younger babies. As they get older, they can open the ball up to reveal even more fun. Inside, they can drop the two smaller balls that are included and play with the spinner.

I love toys that will "grow" with my baby. Not only will Isabella be able to play with the Activity Ball for a long time, but it is also something that Evan can play with her. As she gets older, they can roll the ball back and forth and he can show her how to open it up and drop the balls inside.

Be sure to check out all of the great gift ideas that Playskool has to offer.

Buy It!
You can purchase the Explore ‘N Grow Activity Ball for $16.99.

Win It!!
Playskool is giving one of my readers the Explore ‘N Grow Activity Ball!

To enter, visit Playskool and tell me another product that you think a child in your life would love. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Playskool.

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a Playskool Activity Ball during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/yba7m63

5- Place the 'Start The New Year With Style' button on your blog.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Become a fan of Two Of A Kind on Facebook.

8- Follow my blog in a reader(click where it says posts under my buttons).

9- Enter the I-Dog Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 11th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to Hasbro who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-11-30T12:50:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry that I've been MIA for the past 4 days. Things have been really busy around here. One of my aunts came in town on Wednesday and we've been spending most of our time at my parents' house.

We decided to skip on the turkey and we did our own BBQ for Thanksgiving. Last year we did prime rib. We also had all of our favorites(Mac and cheese, potato salad, 3 different cakes, oreo balls, and much more). I am so mad at myself for leaving my camera at home on Thanksgiving day. My aunt did take some pictures for me and I'll have to get those from her soon.

I did go shopping on Friday, but I didn't leave my house until 9 am. There is nothing I needed to leave my house for at 5am(or earlier). Hubby watched the kids so I could shop with my aunt and mom for a few hours. I had to run back to the house after lunch so that I could feed Isabella. I didn't want to take her out in the crowds and I can't go very long without pumping or feeding her. We ate left overs that night and played with the kids.

Saturday and Sunday we put up Christmas decorations and did a little more shopping here and there. Here are the few pictures that I do have from this weekend. I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Evan "helping" me make oreo balls.

Evan has been wanting to hold Isabella a lot lately-so sweet!

Eden Fantasys $75 Gift Card Giveaway

2009-11-29T20:29:00.001-05:00

Do not click on any of these links if children are in the room. I am normally a G-Rated blog and this post will not show anything other than G-Rate pictures, but the links are not meant for anyone under 18.

I admit that I am a very modest person and don't normally do reviews and giveaways on these types of products, but Eden Fantasys carries products for every type of person. They are an adult store and have a large variety.

They have several more modest products such as Aromatherapy Candles and games for couples. There site is also full of more adventurous items.

The website is extremely easy to navigate so that you can find whatever you are looking for. If you're like me, you probably don't know much about many of the products. Each one has reviews and ratings. There is even a forum with more knowledge than you'll ever need.

Win It!
Eden Fantasys is giving one of my readers a $75 Gift Card!

To enter, visit Eden Fantasys and tell me what you would get with your gift card. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Eden Fantasys.

4- Follow twoofakind AND Eden Fantasys on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a $75 Gift Card to @EdenFantasys during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/yghkff8

5- Place the 'Start The New Year With Style' button on your blog.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Become a fan of Two Of A Kind on Facebook.

8- Follow my blog in a reader(click where it says posts under my buttons).

9- Enter the Eden Fantasys Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 11th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US AND Canada!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to Eden Fantasys who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Winners!

2009-11-29T20:00:00.000-05:00

The first few Mistletoe Madness giveaways have come to an end. I'm sorry that it took so long to announce the winners. Something is up with my numbers on the comments. At the bottom of the post it says that x amount of people entered, then when you click on the comments, it says a different amount entered. I had to be careful and make sure that I entered the right amount into random.org.

Now for the Winners:

-The Step 2 Grand Walk-In Kitchen Giveaway had 2750 comments and the winner is:
Loralee

-The Akoya Pearl Earrings Giveaway had 1013 comments and the winner is:
theprophecygirl

-The Dremel Giveaway had 1632 comments and the winner is:
michaelsfamily

-The Kolcraft Contours Double Stroller Giveaway had 1377 comments and the winner is:
Peggy

-The $50 Handbag Heaven Giveaway had 1368 comments and the winner is:
Terra H.

-The Oreck Halo Giveaway had 2393 comments and the winner is:
Clenna

The winners have all be emailed and have 3 days to get back in touch with me.

Don't forget about the current giveaways listed on my sidebar. There are several more giveaways still to come for Mistletoe Madness as well!

Marshmallow Shooter Review And Giveaway

2009-11-28T16:25:00.002-05:00

I really enjoy products that make me feel like a kid again. As soon as I got an email about this product, I knew I had to have it. Who says you can't play with food?

Marshmallow Fun Company has brought food fighting back with a fun twist. They carry several different types of Marshmallow shooters that are sure to be a big hit. Kim and Beaver Raymond came up with the idea when they were trying to make party favors for their son's 9th birthday. Their friend, John delaValdene helped them brainstorm and Marshmallow Fun Company was created.

Marshmallow Fun Company sent us the Marshmallow Skull & Crossbone Shooter.

The marshmallow shooter holds 25 mini marshmallows that are ready to be fired. With soft, edible ammunition, no one gets hurt and everyone can have a yummy snack afterward. Every part that comes in contact with the marshmallows can either be hand washed or thrown in the dishwasher. The shooters are completely safe and are designed to only shoot marshmallows. They will not shoot rocks, sticks, or anything else that is not soft and can’t compress and then regain its shape.

We have had a blast with our Skull And Crossbone Shooter. Evan would rather have us shoot at him than shoot it himself. I was worried that the gun would get jammed, but we've played with it several times and the marshmallows come out easily.

I was surprised with how far they can actually go. My brother has taught Evan to shoot them up in the air towards him and he'll go under it and try to catch them in his mouth. What I like best is that it is OK to loose the ammo! There are several play guns that we have lost pieces to. If we loose(or eat) the ammunition for these guns, we just run to the store and buy a bag of mini marshmallows!

Check out Marshmallow Fun Company to see all of their different shooter options. They even have a 'Bow And Mallow'!

Buy It!
You can purchase the Marshmallow Skull & Crossbone Shooter for $27.95. You can click here to find a list of stores near you.

Win It!!
Narshmallow Fun Company is giving one of my readers a Marshmallow Shooter.

To enter, visit Marshmallow Fun Company and tell me what shooter you like the best. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Marshmallow Fun Company.

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: Win a Marshmallow Shooter during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/yj3lzbj

5- Place the 'Start The New Year With Style' button on your blog.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Become a fan of the Marshmallow Fun Company on Facebook.

8- Enter the Stanley Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 11th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to Marhsmallow Fun Company who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T08:15:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I will be spending time with my family today and tomorrow but will be back around on Saturday.

I hope you have so much to be thankful for. I couldn't be more happy and am very thankful for everything that God has chosen to bless us with.

Borders Toys And Games Section Review And TWO $100 Gift Cards Giveaway

2009-11-25T21:00:00.003-05:00

We started reading to Evan when he was an infant. We have already started with Isabella too. I think it is important to give my children as much of a head start as I can. I believe that if they start reading now, they'll always have a love for books.

In addition to the amazing selection of books that Borders already carries, they have expanded their Toys And Games Section in over 500 stores. The new section has their shelves stocked with high quality educational gifts that are perfect for any child on your holiday list.

We don't have a Borders close to us so they sent us a box full of these toys from their newly expanded section.

Receiving this box full of amazing products makes me wish we had a Borders that was closer to our house. They have many of the top name educational brands such as Creativity for Kids, Thinkfun, Scientific Explorer, and ALEX.

I love that Borders is dedicated to providing so many products that inspire creativity and build cognitive skills. I searched the Toys And Games Section online and was amazed by the variety. They have so many products that I want for my children.

Use this store locator and visit a Borders near you to check out their newly expanded Toys and Games section! The Borders in-store promotion this week is $10 off a purchase of $20 or more!

Win It!!
Borders is giving TWO of my readers a $100 gift card!

To enter, tell me a toy or game that you played with when you were younger and why you think it is still a good choice today. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1- Subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For TWO extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Borders.

4- Follow twoofakind AND Borders on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: Win a $100 Gift Card to @Borders (TWO WINNERS) during #MistletoeMadness @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/yadkwnp

5- Place the 'Start The New Year With Style' button on your blog.

6- Place the Mistletoe Madness button on your blog.

7- Become a fan of Borders on Facebook.

8- Enter the Canvas Giveaway on Jennifer's blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on December 6th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to Borders who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Wordless Wednesday-A Lot To Be Thankful For

2009-11-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful that we have a happy, healthy family.

We TRIED to get a Christmas picture this weekend. This was the best out of the bunch. We'll try again soon.

If you have a Wordless Wednesday on your blog, leave your link here so I am sure to visit!

For more Wordless Wednesday go check out 5 minutes for mom and 7 Clown Circus!