Adventures with Wink & Blink Review

I recently had the opportunity to review the new educational series Adventures with Wink & Blink. They currently have two video downloads available.  A Day in the Life of a Garbage Truck and A Day in the Life of a Zoo. They are also offering a copy of each movie to the winner in the remaining Rally 4 Jillie Giveaway series I'm doing here on my blog for a close friend's baby girl who is battling leukemia.

I'm all about educational shows for the boys and they sounded exactly like something Big Brother would enjoy. He is at the age where he wants to know about everything! Even Garbage Trucks. And even I don't know all the answers, so this was a perfect opportunity.

We started with A Day in the Life of a Garbage Truck. The beginning is an introduction to the main characters Wink & Blink and why the kids want to find out more about garbage trucks. Big Brother was instantly interested and drawn in. I on the other hand wasn't sure about the start and where the movie was going as it didn't really get to the garbage trucks right away. I had to remind myself this is targeted toward preschoolers, not adults.

Once they got to the garbage trucks and how they work, what they do, where they go, even I was interested as it was very in depth and informative. Big Brother loved all of it and will tell me about garbage trucks, what they do and how they work now. The garbage truck video was by far his favorite.

Next we watched A Day in the Life of a Zoo. Again the start is geared toward preschoolers and getting them interested in the characters Wink & Blink. It then gets to the Zoo and the animals and is very interesting. It talks about many different animals, what it's like to be a Zookeeper, what they feed them and why and much more. The movie was filmed at three different zoo's so it has a wide variety and is very educational and a great resource to showcase the many different animals up close.

Both movies are under 30 minutes and have won multiple awards, such as the Telly. A perfect length I think to hold the interest of a child as well as not being too much TV time. You can watch a sample portion of each video on the Adventures of Wink and Blink website giving you an idea of what they are all about. You can then purchase and instantly download and begin watching an educational adventure with your children.

The video comes in full 720×480, 16:9, 24p, so it is completely ready for viewing on your PC or Mac. It is also completely optimized and ready to transfer to your iPhone/iPod/Android or other mobile video device.

Right now you can purchase the Wink and Blink downloads for just $4.99! Follow Wink & Blink on Facebook and Twitter for more info, updates and goodies too!

WIN IT: Follow the Rally 4 Jillie series of giveaway's and enter to win this and other fantastic prizes to support a little girl battling leukemia! ENTER HERE!

Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I did not receive any compensation for this review. The opinions in my reviews are my own, and others’ opinions may vary. This post was written by me and not edited by anyone.

Rally 4 Jillie - Week 6 Giveaway

Hello! Welcome! Thank You for your support!

Together lets Rally 4 Jillie!

This is week 6 of 9 weeks of giveaways! 

All sponsored by amazing companies with 

huge hearts and all for little Jillie. 

**With special thanks to Copy Kids, for without them this all would not be possible.**

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WEEK 6 GIVEAWAY

This giveaway will run from November 26-December 2!

This week's giveaway is sponsored by the following companies...

Copy Kids: A joy-filled video and an innovative tool for parents who want to get children to enjoy eating fruits and vegetables. (Review Here)

Nite Nite Moon: A fun online store where dreams come true! They offer high quality, imaginative, educational children’s toys for infants through teens. You’ll find plush baby toys, puzzles and games, puppets, dolls, trucks, creative arts & crafts supplies to stimulate the imagination, and plenty of classic toys that are simply fun— all at great prices!

Mini Me Paper Doll Boutique: Hand drawn customized paper dolls for the child in you or in your life! Artist and mom Hannah, draws each doll and outfit by hand and creates a customized version of your child based on your selection. You can purchase additional outfits to follow the seasons or even dress up outfits for your doll. A gift that will last for hours and hours and years and years!

Hopscotch Kids: A kid-centric cosmetic line that is safe and natural too. Premier non-toxic kid friendly alternative to solvent-based nail polish. Free of smelly chemicals and super fun! (Review Here)

Adventures with Wink & Blink: Multi award winning educational video series for preschoolers! A Day in the Life of a Garbage Truck and A Day in the Life of a Zoo. A fun, exciting way of learning for your children.

Prize Package includes for one winner: 

1. Copy Kids Eat Fruits & Vegetables DVD

2. Fold & Go Dollhouse from Nite Nite Moon

3. Paper Doll Package from Mini Me Paper Doll Boutique

4. Holiday Nail Polish 2-pack from Hopscotch Kids

5. Adventures with Wink & Blink (2 movie downloads)

Not only will one of you win this fun prize package, but the same prize will be sent to Jillie in the hospital as well! AMAZING!

In case you missed what Rally 4 Jillie is all about, read on then enter the giveaway below. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to work with these amazing companies who have stepped up to help. 

If you would like to sponsor and be part of these giveaways please feel free to contact me.

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It is hard to even know where to begin this post and even harder for me to write it. As most of us are parents to young children you all know how hard it can be to see our children sick or hurt. I can't even begin to imagine the feeling of finding out your child has the dreaded "C" word. Cancer.

No child should have to face cancer. They shouldn't even have to know what cancer means. They should be riding bikes, playing, going to school and just being kids!

Why am I writing this about cancer? Thankfully both of my boys are healthy. However a close family friend of mine hasn't been so lucky. Her little girl Jillie, just 2.5 years old was just diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A fast moving, aggressive form of leukemia that if not treated, could be fatal in a few months.

Luckily after weeks of being sick, Jillie was diagnosed and quickly moved to an amazing children's hospital. She will now be living in the Ronald McDonald housing for the next 6 to 12 months as she undergoes many many treatments and blood transfusions.

Remember she is just 2.5 years old. How do you even begin to explain to her what is going on and why she is now living far away from home and facing months and months of treatments?

So far Jillie is being a rockstar and keeping a smile on her face! She actually feels good with new healthy blood running through her! She is a fighter and one tough little girl. If anyone can fight this it is Jillie and her family.

In my small way of feeling less helpless and helping out in any way I can, I've started Rally for Jillie on my blog! I'm seeking sponsors willing to donate two items. One to add to the giveaways and one to send to Jillie. My hope is that this will keep her spirits up, help keep her occupied, to just keep her being a kid through this ordeal.

If I could hug the sponsors that have stepped up to help, I would in a heartbeat!  Their kindness and generosity to help a sick little girl says more about these companies than any review I could ever post. So if you are reading this, please take a moment to show some love to these amazing companies. To thank them for their small act of kindness that can go a long way in the journey to heal and cure baby Jillie.

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ENTER HERE!

And please if the kindness of these sponsors have touched your hearts like it has mine, take an extra minute to say thank you on their Facebook pages or in a quick email.

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TruKid Black Friday BOGO Special! 11/23/12 ONLY

One of my favorite companies for chemical free, totally safe bath and body products for kids is having a  Black Friday BOGO special! Today Only!

Today at TruKid if you purchase a special Black Friday only set of their Bubbly Body Wash, TruKid Hero Stick and TruKid Happy Face & Body Lotion, you get another whole set FREE! That is a $30.48 value!

How do you get this amazing deal? Visit the TruKid website and purchase the Black Friday Special set and use the coupon code: TKBOGO when checking out!

I absolutely love all the TruKid products that I've had the opportunity to review. You can see more about them and my review of the Bubbly Body Wash and Sunny Day Sunscreen and the TruKid Hero Stick! Both winners in our house!

Now Go! This sale is today only! These are great stocking stuffer ideas too!

Holiday Turkey Hunt - Squeakers Shoe Giveaway #turkeyhunt

Welcome to the Holiday Turkey Hunt hosted by The Wic Project! 
This giveaway will run from November 23rd to December 7th. 
A fantastic group of bloggers have come together to bring you all 
sorts of great prizes worth at least $25!

A $135 Amazon Gift Card is up for grabs as the grand prize giveaway as well! 

So make sure to take a moment to enter! Somebody has to win, it could be you!

The grand prize is open to eligible US and Canada residents (excluding Quebec).

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 For my giveaway you have a chance to win a pair of shoes of your choice from Squeakers!

Squeakers is the original squeaky toddler shoe and encourages proper heal to toe toddlin'. They come in  approximately 50 different fashionable styles and in sizes 3 to 10. Read my full review of Squeakers and don't miss their huge sale of 40% off and free shipping from November 22-26!

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Once you've entered my giveaway, hop on over to all the other participating blogs 

below for more chances to win!

Disclosure: The WiC Project and the Holiday Turkey Hunt Blog Hop bloggers are not responsible for prize distribution or for sponsors who do not fulfill their prizes unless it is noted that they are self-sponsoring the prize(s).

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Squeakers Toddler Shoes Review & Upcoming Giveaway

Little Brother is one stylin' little man! He is the talk of the town and catching attention wherever he goes! What is Little Brother up to now? Oh he's just out toddlin' around in his new Squeakers Stompers!

Seriously the cutest boots AND they squeak when he walks! We were literally turning heads, making people smile and have everyone asking about his shoes!

About Squeakers
Squeakers are the creation of two moms with a passion for fine children's wear. They are the original Squeakers shoe and are only made from the finest quality materials. Customer service is of the utmost importance to them and they will take good care of your children's shoes and you!

Squeakers Review
I know I've said how much I like kids shoes before. I think I actually squealed when I these arrived and I opened the box! Of course I had seen them online but they were soooo much cuter in person!

I reviewed the Squeakers Stompers in Joe Red. The Stompers are new to the Squeakers line and perfect for the Fall and Winter! The Stompers are an ankle boot and the Joe Boot has a soft fuzzy cozy lining. Sure to keep your little ones feet warm in any weather condition!

The sole is a nice flexible rubber. It moves and bends with your child's foot. These can easily be indoor shoes but are sturdy enough for any outdoor adventure. They also have a nice wide opening and easy velcro closure so they are a breeze to put on and off. Perfect shoes for little ones with thick feet. So many times we have had shoes that although were the right size, the top thick part of my boys feet were completely smushed. These are perfect with a nice wide opening and toe box.

Little Brother put these on and immediately began to run through the house stomping and squealing and squeaking all the way! I tried to catch his giggling face, but each photo was just too blurry as he was having the best time! He doesn't want to take them off.

Now I know what you are thinking....uggg that squeaking sound! Well it is really not that loud. Squeakers have a nice soft squeak and air pocket in the heel that encourages proper heel to toe toddlin'. It is great when you want to keep track of your little one, or to make people smile when your out and about. But don't worry, the squeaker does easily come out so they can be quiet go anywhere shoes as well.

Now sizing for a toddler I think is always tricky. Their feet grow so fast and all shoes seem to be different. So make sure to measure your child's foot and check out the sizing chart. Squeakers also has A and B category shoes. The Stompers are a B category and I ordered the size 8 for Little Brother. They fit him perfectly with just a tad bit of growing room. I think he wears a size 7 comfortably in other shoes. Squeakers come in sizes 3 to 10.

The Stompers are $43.90 and can be purchased at Squeakers online. The Squeakers basic shoe are $34.99 and come in so many fun color and style choices. Here are a few of my favorites...

For the little girls, Squeakers also offers matching shoe and hair bows! You can transform any shoe to fit any personality or occasion! Just look at this adorable holiday set!

Now I have lots of great news about Squeakers. 

First of all starting on Thursday November 22nd Squeakers is having a HUGE sale! 

All shoes are 40% off PLUS you get free shipping! 

HUGE SALE! The perfect gift for any child in your life! Hurry the sale ends Monday November 26th at 11:59pm EST! Stock up, trust me you will love these as will your child!

Make sure to like their Facebook Page and follow on Twitter to be first to know about sales like this and all sorts of other fun from Squeakers as well!

WIN IT: Second...40% off is amazing, but FREE is even better, right? You have a chance to win a pair of your choice in the upcoming Holiday Turkey Hunt Giveaway! This will start on November 23rd and run through December 7th! So make sure to come back and enter! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! ENTER HERE!

P.S. Squeakers will soon be Little Green Trike Shoe Company! Same adorable, squeakin' shoes with a fresh new name!
Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I did not receive any compensation for this review. The opinions in my reviews are my own, and others’ opinions may vary. This post was written by me and not edited by anyone.

Hopscotch Kids Nail Polish Review - Rally 4 Jillie Sponsor

I'm not really what you would call a "girly girl", I would venture more to the lines of "tomboy". I was blessed with two boys and I think that is perfect for me. So anybody that knows me will surly wonder what in the world I am doing sporting Ice Cream, Soda Pop, Cherry on Top PINK nail polish! And topped off with a glitter top coat.

These are what you could call my Rally 4 Jillie nails. I've teamed up with Hopscotch Kids as a sponsor in my Rally 4 Jillie series giveaways to support a close friend of mine's baby girl who is battling leukemia. Hopscotch Kids was generous enough to step up and send some fun fingernail polish to Jillie, some to me to review and for YOU in the upcoming week 6 Rally 4 Jillie giveaway!

About Hopscotch Kids
After complete frustration with the amount of toxins in cosmetics marketed to children, mom Ginny Cardenas founded Hopscotch Kids in 2009. She made it her mission to create the safest, most playful cosmetic line for kids on the market.

They believe kids should be kids for as long as possible and all of their vibrant nail polish colors are named after nursery rhymes and schoolyard games.

Hopscotch Kids Review

If I had little girls, this would be the polish I got for them. Heck we should all be using this polish. Why? Because it is completely non-toxic. No smelly smells, no chemicals found in typical nail polish. No ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, nitrocellulose, acetone and heavy metals. (Don't those all just sound completely disgusting!)

 All Hopscotch Kids products are:
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Gluten Free
• Fragrance Free
• Toxin Free
• Paraben Free
• Hypoallergenic
• Biodegradable

I reviewed as mentioned above the Ice Cream, Soda Pop, Cherry on Top Pink and the glittery top coat. There is literally no smell. I sniffed and got nothing. It goes on smooth and nice. You would never guess it was any different than regular nail polish...ok besides there is no nasty smell. The Ice Cream Pink is a shimmery sparkly pink and very pretty. I'm sure this would be any young girls favorite. It also dries very quickly, which is an absolute must for children. I was changing diapers and zipping jammies shortly after painting my nails. Of course it is recommended that you paint before bed to let the paint cure for the best application.

One of my favorite features are the incredibly cute bottles. They are lead-free Italian glass and they have made the brush applicator kid size. They have really thought of everything to offer the best non-toxic, kid friendly alternative to solvent-based nail polish.

Of course you can't have safe nail polish without the safe polish remover to go with! That is why Hopscotch Kids also offers a soy polish remover. It is formulated to safely and naturally remove polish without stripping the nails of natural oils. Yay!

You can purchase Hopscotch Kids on their web site. An individual bottle is $11.99. You can also purchase a double pack, a party pack or a birthday pack. Shipping is free with purchases over $50.

What a fun gift idea for the holidays, a perfect fit as a stocking stuffer or like for Jillie, just to brighten someones day. Although targeted toward kids, I bet you find yourself sneaking the ever so cute colors!

Check them out on Facebook and Twitter for updates, fun and more! And don't miss your chance to win a Holiday 2 pack in Week 6 Rally 4 Jillie that will start November 26th, 2012! ENTER HERE!

Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I did not receive any compensation for this review. The opinions in my reviews are my own, and others’ opinions may vary. This post was written by me and not edited by anyone.

Jack & Lily Kids Shoes Review

Little Brother is sporting some new kicks and they are oh so adorable! I love that there are so many kid friendly, healthy shoe options now on the market for babies and toddlers. We are so lucky to have a chance to review and show off the super cute Navy & Red Star Shoes from Jack & Lily!

About Jack & Lily
The Jack & Lily owners have been in the leather business for 25 years. They know just what they are looking for to ensure healthy and comfortable feet, while of course maintaining the cuteness factor. Only the best "Lamb Touch" leather is used keeping baby's sense of touch in mind. Jack & Lily are committed to high quality baby footwear and have more than 200 combinations of colors and styles to choose from.

Jack & Lily Review
I just love kids shoes. Especially the baby/toddler age. I'm not a big shoe person for myself, so maybe I make up for it with my boys. I had spotted Jack & Lily shoes in a local store when Big Brother was little, but his feet were already too big for them. Fast forward a couple years, Little Brother is here and can still fit their sizing! Yay!

I think their selection has increased as well because I don't remember so many cute options when I saw them before. They currently have 3 different selections. Originals, My Shoes and My Boots.

Originals: These are hand crafted in Canada with premium leather and a soft suede sole that is flexible and skid resistant. These are soft comfortable all leather shoes. They range in size from 0-6 months to 24-30 months.

My Shoes: These shoes are a little more sturdy and are made of premium leather and have their signature soft, flexible rubber sole. They come in tons of adorably cute choices for boys and girls. Size also ranges from 0-6 months to 24-30 months.

My Boots: These are built for the season! Hand crafted breathable, premium suede and their soft, flexible rubber sole. The boots have a faux fur lining and 3mm cushioned sole. Sizes range from 0-6 months to 24-30 months.

We had the opportunity to review the My Shoes Star Navy and Red Shoe. These shoes are super cute and soft and flexible. They have a soft suede lining, 3 mm's of cushioning for the sole and ankle. They have a decorative red star on the toe with fun detailed stitching as well as a detailed velcro strap for easy on and off. We requested the 24-30 month size to make sure there was a little growing space. The size chart says they are comparable to a 7.5-8 and I think this would be accurate. Possibly more to the 7.5 sizing based on how much toe space he has. They have a convenient size finder chart to guarantee you get the correct fit.

Little Brother will wear these shoes all day with no complaints. The rubber soles are great for no slipping and they are easy to put on and off of chubby little feet. All of Jack & Lily's shoes are recommended by Podiatrists.

The My Shoes and Originals cost $30 while the My Boots are $36. I think the pricing is fair for the quality of the shoe and the selection. Jack & Lily can be purchased at their online store or you can find a retail store near you with their store locator. If purchasing online, Jack & Lily offers free shipping on orders over $50.

You can follow Jack & Lily on Facebook for updates, contests, specials and more as well as on Twitter!

Head on over and check out the selection from Jack & Lily! They would make a great gift for your little one or the perfect pair of holiday shoes to go with that special outfit!
Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I did not receive any compensation for this review. The opinions in my reviews are my own, and others’ opinions may vary. This post was written by me and not edited by anyone.