Tuesday, September 29, 2009

We are back in Montana!

I love it here. To me, there is no better place in the world than Montana.
When the girls and I came a few weeks ago, we had a great time...so great in fact, that Zack couldn't stand it! So, now we are back up here and he is fishing with Papa. The girls are at the house with Oma, and Aunt Jody and I are at Hastings. We had to come down here to get on the free Wi-Fi and download iTunes onto Oma's computer.
You see, I have a passcode on my iPod touch so that the little fingers in the house are unable to mess things up so incredible bad that I can't fix it, AGAIN. They are better than I thought! My iPod is showing a screen that tells me that it is disabled and to try again in 20846264 minutes...SERIOUSLY, do you know how long that is? 347,437.7333 hours ... 14,476.57222 days ... 39.66184 years ... roughly, I didn't have a calculator!
HAHAHA, just kidding, I used a calculator - I'm just not sure that I used it correctly!!!!
Anyways I just wanted to let you all know that we are back in Montana, if you care!!

And a side note, ordering a carmel macchiato at Hardback Coffee Cafe (inside of Hastings) is NOT the same as ordering it at Starbucks!

Friday, September 25, 2009

The Art of Disappearing Review and Giveaway

Photo from Amazon.com
I was given an Advance Readers' Edition of Ivy Pochoda's The Art of Disappearing to review.
From book:
When Mel Snow meets magician Toby Warring in a dust roadside bar, she has no idea that he will be her husband. But just two days later the couple is married and beginning their life together in the shadow of Las Vegas, where Toby hopes to make it big. Mel knows that magicians in Vegas are a dime a dozen, but Toby is different-his magic is real.
When a trick goes terribly wrong during his big debut, Toby and Mel flee the lights of Las Vegas for the streets of Amsterdam where a cabal of old-time magicians, real magicians, like Toby, take them in. Under their spell and haunted by failures, Toby soon disappears into his magic, leaving Mel to wonder if the love they share is genuine or if it is all just an illusion, conjured up by a lost magician looking to save himself from being alone.


My opinion:
The characters in this book are well developed and interesting. The amount of detail is great. The book moves fast at times and very slow other times, it requires a great deal of attention to detail.
Toby and Mel's relationship develops as the pages turn, leaving you wondering what is going to happen next. It is a story of "real" magic intertwined with a complicated relationship between what is real and what is not. A mix of the past and present leading to an uncertain future...
A good book overall. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.

You can buy this book on Amazon
**Win it**
5 readers will have the opportunity to win a copy for themselves.
To win, you must follow my blog.

Mandatory entry
Tell me what is your favorite genre of books
Additional Entries
**Follow my blog via Facebook Networked Blogs
**Follow me on Twitter
**DAILY ENTRY - Tweet this giveaway - here is a pre-formatted tweet if you prefer Win 1 of 5 copies of The Art of Disappearing @tinymansmom http://bit.ly/KyKVR
**Grab my button
**Subscribe via email, and activate your subscription ;)
**Unlimited entries - Comment on any non-giveaway post and then leave a comment telling me what post you commented on.

Contest is open to those in the USA who are 18+ years old. Contest will close at 12 Noon PST 10/9/09. Winner will be chosen by the random integer generator at Random.org

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Natalie's Birthday Party

Ok, so Natalie turned 1 on 9/3 and we had her party on 9/6. I totally spaced the fact that it was Labor Day weekend - go figure! Anyways here are some pictures from her party! It was great fun. Without going into a TON of detail, we had a Winnie the Pooh 1st Birthday theme. We had some family and friends over for a spaghetti and salad dinner and cake. It was great fun, here are some pictures.


Uncle Roger, Aunt Barbie and Allie

Grandma Michele (Grandma Shelly)

Dave

Me trying to open a baby doll and Natalie and Emily looking at me wondering how hard it could really be ;)

Andreu, Tiffany, Rich, Savannah, and Cody

Natalie getting cozy with Nana Joanie

BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!

Grandma Debbie, Grammy Pammy, and Natalie

The Barbie cake and Natalie's princess cake

Yes, I really did make that many cakes for my daughter's first birthday...don't ask!!!

Tyler and Erika

Natalie enjoying her cake

Zack (the hubby) giving me his version of "THE look" ...it didn't work, the guys still came in and sang happy birthday then ;)

This might have been Natalie's favorite thing to play with - go figure.

Emily being a cutie and tring to get a balloon

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Blog-worthy Giveaways you might want to check out!

The following are on 3 Kids and Us:
** Casio Exilim EX-S12 in Silver Giveaway Ends 10/15/09 open to US and Canada

On Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House:
**Price-Psfister WaterSense Faucet Review and Giveaway ends 10/23

On Blessings Abound:
**Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs Diamond Edition Giveaway - Ends 10/19

On Riding With Jessica:
**SoftLips PURE, the new organic line giveaway! Ends on 10/24

On Mommy World:
**Another Softlips Giveaway (can you tell I like SoftLips?) Ends 10/23

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Pay it Forward ~ Sorta!

OK, so this is something that I got from Latina On A Mission, and it sounds like FUN!
I am going to give something HOMEMADE to the first 5 people who respond to this post. There is a catch though - you have to so the same thing on your blog (facebook, myspace, whatever). So when you respond, please include a link to your post! I am not sure yet what it will be that you will get - but it is going to be fun! A little bit of a clue as to what I can do...I am learning to knit, paper craft, love photography, I can sew, and a few other things. It might take me a while to get the creative juices flowing and get five things made up, but hey, it'll be worth the wait!
So if you want to have a little fun and join in making some smiles - comment below!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Making some changes!

So we just moved into our house in June, and we bought it at auction, so as you might imagine, we have had our work cut out for us. I am not complaining, it is OURS!!! So far we have made a few big, drastic changes - the walls went from a dingy white to a tan (Dakota plains) in the majority of the house, the girls room is pink, the kitchen is cinnamon-apple, and the main bathroom is a light yellow; we pulled out the blue wavy carpet and got a beautiful light color (with a 10 year stain protection guarantee), and then we have made other, smaller improvements.
One thing that we are working on now is figuring out the lighting. We pulled out the fixtures that were in the girls room and the spare room and were going to put fans in...we have a fan in the girls room, but are changing it to a white fan soon. We are still trying to figure out the rest. We have looked many places - Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal-mart, and more - but just haven't found something that we fall in love with for a price that we are willing to pay. BUT, I think I found it!!! Check out these wall sconces from CSNlighting.com I am EXCITED - I am thinking that a few of these in the dining room would be wonderful! And you can't beat the price, especially since they ship free!
The other improvements that we are working on right now are all outside. My hubby is bringing a Skid Steer and Dump Truck home from work tonight and we are going to level out the back yard and get the area ready for a retaining wall along the fence. Then I want to pour concrete for a bigger patio, and get some solar lights to go around it and in the front along the walk-way to the door.
Let me know what you think about the selections!!!

CSN stores is providing me a product to review for checking out their stores and sharing them with you. The product that I am going to be reviewing is a JA Henckels Knife Block/Knife Set so come back soon to check it out!!!!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Do you remember the first steps?

Emily was 14 months old when she took her first unsteady, little steps from the coffee table to the couch. I remember that look on her face like she just accomplished something great - and it both amused and scared her!!

Natalie took her first steps long before she started walking (on a regular basis!) One day when my sister came over to pick up her son, she had Natalie in the room that in now our dining room, and she was playing with her and asked if she wanted to walk to Mama. Natalie played back and then took off! It was seriously like 4 or 5 steps - and she barley started standing up without holding on to things.

Now, I have heard so many things from "it is better for a begining walker to not wear shoes" to "it doesn't matter what kind of shoes they have" and a lot in between. But, thanks to Stride Rite, I am learning that it does matter a great deal what shoes babies and toddlers are wearing! Stride Rite has just developed a new line of shoes with of patent-pending Sensory Responce Technology (SRT)that "improves the way a child learns to walk via a sensory feedback system, an ultra-flexible design that allows for more freedom of movement, and a unique construction that reduces the number of stumbles and falls."

Don't worry - just because these shoes are great for the little guys' and gals' doesn't mean they are plain, boring, or ugly! They have some really cute designs in the new SRT line of shoes! Here are a couple!




For more information sheck out the Stride Rite website and become a fan on the Stride Rite Facebook Page - there is always something exciting going on over there - like giveaways and chat!

Stride Rite is sending us a pair of the new SRT shoes for Natalie to try, and I am really excited - she LOVES shoes!
Do you want to WIN A PAIR for your infant/toddler? (Sizes 3 to 8 in medium to wide sizes) All you have to do is fill out this form http://bit.ly/zb2Qb This contest is open to legal U.S. residents 18 years or older. The giveaway begins at 12:00 a.m. ET September 14th and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET September 28th. Five winners will be chosen to receive a pair of SRT shoes – toddler size only ($50 RV per pair).
This contest is brought to you by Stride Rite and Momfluence.


Because this is a multi-blog contest, I cannot offer extra entries to win, but it would be cool if you would follow my blog, so that I can get the opportunity to continue bringing you great stuff!!!

After you enter to win, leave a comment sharing one of your favorite first steps memories...

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Things that bring a smile to my face...

Last night when we were eating dinner Zack and Emily were talking, I am really not too sure about what, but when I zoned into their conversation it went something like this:
Emily: Why is it like that Daddy?
Zack: Well baby, I guess you can ask Jesus when you see him.

At this point, I am wondering if I missed some really deep conversation or what...
Emily: Did you get us tickets to see him Dada?
Zack: Honey, you don't need to get tickets too see God, Jesus already bought your ticket a long time ago.

A few seconds went by...
Emily: STOP EATING GUYS...we need to say another prayer. She waited (not so) patiently for us to finish the bites we had, close our eyes, bow our heads, and "make our hands for a prayer"
Emily: Dear God, thank you for Jesus buying us tickets to see you. Amen

I love how freely she talks to God and her child-like faith!!!




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This morning, Zack had gone to help Joan get moved, so I didn't really "fix" breakfast. We had some vanilla yogurt and a piece of banana-zucchini bread and a glass of milk. MMM...yummy! Anyways, Emily tends to be a slow eater, so Natalie had already finished her breakfast and was out of the high-chair at this point...I am washing a few dishes and I hear Emily start to cry while pleading with Natalie to "Give it back, it's mine" When I finally see what is going on, Natalie had been standing, watching Emily eat for a minute (at her little princess table) and had taken an opportunity to grab Emily's yogurt and RUN. I mean RUN!!
Natalie just started walking within the last month, but believe me - that girl can go fast! She had both hands holding this little bowl of yogurt and all I saw was this little diaper clad girl RUNNING away laughing.



*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

These events bring a smile to my face and make my heart happy, I hope that you smiled too!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Let Us Remember

Can you believe that it has been EIGHT years since that terrible Tuesday morning when the United States of America was attacked by Al-Qaeda?
Even eight years later, I can remember that morning clearly. I was 15 years old and was getting ready for school, when I saw the news...I am not really sure what my thoughts were at that time. I wasn't sure that I believed what I was seeing on the television, I mean really - How could something like this happen in the United States of America?


Here is some information from Wikipedia regarding the attacks:

The September 11 attacks (often referred to as September 11th or 9/11) were a series of coordinated suicide attacks by Al-Qaeda upon the United States on September 11, 2001. On that morning, 19 Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners.The hijackers intentionally crashed two of the airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing everyone on board and many others working in the buildings. Both buildings collapsed within two hours, destroying nearby buildings and damaging others. The hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed into a field near Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania, after some of its passengers and flight crew attempted to retake control of the plane, which the hijackers had redirected toward Washington, D.C. There were no survivors from any of the flights.
In total 2,993 people, including the hijackers, died in the attacks.


This is a video that I found on YouTube that made me cry. Please take the 2 minutes and 47 seconds that it takes to watch this and say a prayer for those who were directly affected by this horrific set of events and for all who are effected less directly.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to give my sincere appreciation for all of the service men and women we have and have had in our country - from our armed services who protect us by going over seas to the police, fire fighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and more who serve us here. THANK YOU!


I pray for our country to seek God and take comfort in His mercy and grace, for us to never let the memories fade of the people who lost their lives and loved ones to this terrible tragedy, and for those who continue to protect us from something like this happening again. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

National Child Passenger Safety Week

National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA)
National Child Passenger Safety Week
September 12-18, 2009

75% of Child Safety seats are installed incorrectly, putting children at risk - that is 3 out of 4 seats. This Saturday, September 12 is designated as Seat Check Saturday, by using this link, you will be able to find the nearest seat check to you. (FYI - they are not in all areas, if there is not a seat check near you, call your local fire department - they are very helpful in either helping make sure your child seat is installed correctly or pointing you in the direction of an agency who will.)




The LATCH landing page can be found here. There is much more information available on that web page, please go take a look and make sure that your child is riding in a SAFE, SECURE child seat.

Make sure your child seat has not been recalled here.
Register your child seat here.


Disclosure: Amy Lupold Bair, founder of Momfluence, is acting on behalf of NHTSA's child passenger safety efforts.This information was provided to me from Momfluence.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

My take on the Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31:10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, she brings food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Please keep in mind that this is my take on these verses, the verses above are quoted from the NKJV of the Bible...

This picture of a woman has strong character, great wisdom, many skills, and great compassion. This woman is a wonderful wife and mother, but she is also so much more. She has wonderful qualities, that are talked about throughout the book of Proverbs: hard worker, fear of God, respect for spouse, foresight, encouragement and care for others, concern for the poor, wisdom in handling money, and more.The woman described in Proverbs 31, is one who fulfills the command to fear the Lord. Out of her reverence for God, she gains strength and dignity - these things are not of herself. This Proverbs 31 Woman has amazing abilities, she is seen in these scriptures as a wife, mother, realtor, manufacturer, importer, manager, farmer, seamstress, upholster, and merchant...WOW! She may not be one woman, but rather a "composite portrait" of ideal womanhood.

Regardless of if you believe this to be one woman or not, it is something to strive for. I continue, everyday, to evaluate my life and see what changes I can make in my faith, my self, my manners, my actions, my life, and my family to be more like the Proverbs 31 Woman. I am not perfect, but I strive to be the best person, wife, and mother that I can be.

I have made, by the grace of God, drastic changes in my life that make me more suited for the life that I have been blessed with. I work very hard at living a life that shows my love of the Lord and longing to be more like Him and less like me - I pray that I never have to use the "Do as I say not as I do" logic(?) with my children.

I try to be like the Proverbs 31 woman because of her virtues, I love the thought of verse 28 above - Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her! How awesome is that!!


I was recently told that the Proverbs 31 woman does not exist...I beg to differ, the descriptions that the scripture gives may not be the same today but the virtues and principles stand strong. I know many women who I believe are the picture of Proverbs 31:10-31 and the first thing that I notice about these women is their reverence for the Lord! I am not to the point in my life yet that would be appropriate to say that I have all the qualities described in this post - but my God is not finished with me...

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Join the FEEL GOOD campaign!


Lands' End is making it easy for you to feel good about shopping!!
For every "FeelGood" Sweater that is purchased, Lands' End will donate signature FeelGood yarn to One Heart Foundation’s Warming Families, a nationwide knitting charity. Lands’ End expects to donate thousands of pounds of yarn to the charity where volunteers plan to knit up to 25,000 hats and other items to warm the homeless and displaced...that is something to *feel good* about :)

Vickie Howell, best-selling craft author and host of TV’s Knitty Gritty, has made a knitting "how-to" video for the cause:


As if this campaign wasn't generous enough already, Lands' End and Vickie Howell are hosting a twitter party to increase awarness, here is the info:
Join Lands’ End and Vickie Howell, host of TV’s Knitty Gritty, for a Twitter Party to celebrate the kick-off the FeelGood Campaign! The party will feature more than 20 fun giveaways ranging from the FeelGood sweater and Vickie Howell’s books to Lands’ End gift cards and FeelGood yarn.

Lands’ End FeelGood Twitter Party
Date: Wednesday, September 16th
Time: 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. CST
Location: #landsend


For more information about the FeelGood Project, please click here! This link will take you to a page where you can link to the above learn-to-knit-a-hat video, download 2 exclusive patterns, find a donation drop-off near you, shop for FeelGood sweaters, and more!

BTW, if you blog, please blog about this and send a link to the post to TwitterParty@landsend.com For every blog post before September 16, Lands' End will donate one cone of FeelGood yarn - enough to make 28 hats! For more information please click here.

The Jesus Storybook Bible


"Every Story Whispers HIS Name"

The Jesus Storybook Bible is written for children age 4 and up. This storybook is
made up of 44 Bible stories.

"The Jesus Storybook Bible paints a beautiful portrait of Jesus and invites children to see that he is not only at the center of God’s great story of redemption—he is at the center of their story too."

There is a NEW Jesus Storybook Bible DELUX Edition that is coming out in October that also includes an audio CD of the entire book being read by an award-winning Brittish actor, David Suchet. You can pre-order your Delux Edition here

If you want to enter for a chance to win a case of The Jesus Storybook Bible click here for more information.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Time flies and babies grow!




Thursday (9/3) Natalie turned a year old! Can you believe it, I have a hard time grasping this one. And the really crazy thing is that she is doing so much! She walks, "talks", she has such a personality. When Emily was one, she was crawling and babbling and seemed like a baby still - Natalie, not so much! She has seen Emily, and for a while her cousin Andreu, walking around and talking ALL the time - and she didn't want to be left out, so she caught on rather quickly!
Now days her and Emily are always playing/doing/getting into something together, when I am lucky enough to watch them without them knowing it, it seems almost like two toddlers playing. I treasure this time when both Emily and Natalie are growing and learning so much! I am so incredibly blessed to be able to stay home and raise my children!
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Phases Of Motherhood - Thermos

To celebrate the new Thermos Foogo Phases product launch, Thermos is announcing the “Phases of MOTHERHOOD” contest, where one lucky mom can win a luxury getaway to New York City for the premiere of the new Uma Thurman movie “MOTHERHOOD” and $1,000 spending cash for a red carpet makeover. “MOTHERHOOD”, releasing in October 2009, is centered on lead character Uma Thurman’s struggle to balance her many roles, or phases, as a mother. Thermos Foogo insulated stainless steel sippy cups are featured in both the film and theatrical trailer.

Consumers can enter the contest via the Thermos Foogo Facebook Fan Page (www.Facebook.com/ThermosFoogo) or Thermos Twitter account (@ThermosBrand) before Friday, September 18, 2009. For more information on Thermos Foogo Phases drinkware products, as well as the “Phases of MOTHERHOOD” contest please visit www.Facebook.com/ThermosFoogo. Entries accepted from 12:01 a.m. CDT on Monday, August 31, 2009 until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2009.

$500 Back to School Giveaway from Cookie's

$500 Back to School Giveaway from Cookie's


What is Cookie's?

Cookie's is the World's Largest Kids' Department Store and the #1 School Uniform Headquarters in the U.S. Based in Queens, NY, Cookie's now has a 7 store emporium as well as the online store, CookiesKids.com.

What is the Contest?

CookiesKids.com would like to give one reader a $500 gift card to buy clothes for back to school! Two winners will receive a $250 gift card each and three winners will each receive a $100 gift card.

How Do Readers Enter?

Readers will enter a picture of their family member wearing an item of clothing that Cookie's carries at the Cookie's Flickr group. The reader will then fill out a secure Google Form where the rules and regulations of the contest are posted.

Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cookieskidsbacktoschool/
More information - http://cli.gs/LZM5R8
Reader entry - http://cli.gs/LZM5R8
Cookie's Website - http://cookieskids.com

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Baby Orajel Review and Love to See Kids Smile GIVEAWAY

We were provided with Baby Orajel Tooth and Gum Cleanser and Baby Orajel Cooling Cucumber Teething Gel to review.

I love Baby Orajel Tooth and Gum Cleansers! There is the package that has the Cleanser with the finger cot for little babies and then packages with small baby-sized toothbrushes with the cleanser. I have used these products since Emily was born. The cleanser is fluoride-free and safe to swallow, contains no abrasives, is non-foaming, and comes in great flavors! What more could a mom or baby want!?!
It is important to clean babies teeth and gums because of the sugar content in things that baby eats and drinks, including breast milk, formula, and juice. Natalie has had her gums brushed since she was a few days old - with water, the cleanser is only recommended for babies age 4 months and older! Brushing now will create great habits later in life!

Cooling Cucumber Teething Gel is also awesome! Natalie is just now cutting her first teeth - crazy since she is a year old Thursday! The cucumber teething gel has soothed her wonderfully. She was not overly fond of it at first (would you be?!) but when she discovered that it took some of the pain away from teething, she is much more willing to have it! The box suggests "keep in refrigerator for extra cooling" so I did. Natalie prefers it cooled - I think! ;-) She opens her mouth for it when she sees it coming from the fridge! Great product!!

Thank you to Baby Orajel for this review!

I've teamed up with Danielle at Hunter PR to offer one lucky reader a Love to See Kids Smile Prize Pack
This Package includes Cooling Cucumber Teething Gel, Tooth & Gum Cleanser & Training Toothpaste ($15 value)


To Enter Leave a Comment for each of the following (be sure to include your email address so I can notify you if you win):

Mandatory Entry (this must be completed before any additional entries can be earned): Go to the Baby Orajel Site and tell me one of the 10 ways to make brushing fun!

Additional Entries
*If you have a way to make brushing fun that was not on the list share it with us
to make brushing fun
*Follow my blog (right sidebar)
*Follow Blog through Facebook Networked Blogs (right sidebar)
*Follow me on Twitter
*Tweet this: RT @tinymansmom Love to See Kids Smile Giveaway http://proverbs-31-wife.blogspot.com/2009/09/baby-orajel-review-and-love-to-see-kids.html
**2 entries for blogging about this giveaway and linking it back here
***3 entries if you grab my button for your blog

Good Luck to all who enter. US addresses only, 18+ years old. Winner will be chosen by the random integer generator at random.org. Contest open September 1 and closes on September 8 at 12 noon PST. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Kids SpinBrush® Review

We were sent a Kids SpinBrush® for Emily to try. The one that we were sent is a skateboard. We had a little bit of trouble at first convincing her that skateboards are for girls too. What actually got her to use it was when we turned it on and she saw that it was a "tickle toothbrush like the dentist uses!"
She loves it! She brushes for longer, doesn't ever tell us 'no' when we tell her it is time to brush her teeth. I am happier with it, because she is at the age where she likes to do things herself, and I know that even though her brushing ability has not changed much in the last week, her teeth are getting cleaned more because of the spinning motion on the top part.
The toothbrush (top part that actually brushes) is a great size for her little mouth. The base/handle could definately be a little smaller and more comfortable to hold...but you get used to it. That was the only bad thing about this toothbrush as far as we are concerned. When it is time for a new toothbrush, Emily has said that she wants the butterfly one!

Here are a list of some of the designs available:
Kids SpinBrush® (Girls)
• New! Butterfly
• Dolphin
• Ice Cream Cone
• Princess
Kids SpinBrush® (Boys)
• New! Skateboard
• Astronaut
• Soccer

Some facts about the Kids SpinBrush:
• Kids brush 38% longer with SpinBrush than with a
manual brush
• Perfect for kids ages 3-11
• Great handle design makes brushing more fun
• Smaller brush head
• Promotes healthy brushing, reduces plaque and massages
gums
• Includes 2 replaceable AAA batteries
• Availability: Skateboard in November, Butterfly in
January 2009, others available now
• MRSP $4.99 - $5.99

ARM & HAMMER Spin Brush and Advanced White Toothpaste Review AND Smile Essential GIVEAWAY

I was given the opportunity to review the ARM & HAMMER Spin Brush and the Advanced White Toothpaste.
I really like the Spin Brush, it is one automatic toothbrush that I can use. I have some sensitive teeth, but they were not bothered by this toothbrush. I do feel like my teeth are getting cleaner than with my old manual toothbrush - and with 16,000 brush strokes per minute I can see why! I really like that the heads are replaceable rather than throwing the whole toothbrush away when it is time for another one.
The toothpaste definitely left my teeth and mouth with a "clean" feeling. I don't think there is a dramatic difference in the whiteness of my teeth yet, but will continue using it for a while to see.

I am teaming up with Danielle at Hunter PR to offer you an opportunity to win a Smile Essential Prize Package that includes an ARM & HAMMER Spin Brush and Advanced White Toothpaste! ($20 value)

Here is how to enter:

Mandatory Entry(must be done before any extra entries can be earned) - Click here and tell me what is your favorite reason for Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to be in toothpaste

Extra Entries Please leave a comment for each of the following to earn extra entries -
*Follow my Blog (on right sidebar)
*Follow through Facebook Networked Blogs (on right sidebar)
*Comment on another post
*Follow me on twitter
*Tweet this giveaway RT @tinymansmom Smile Essentials Giveawayhttp://proverbs-31-wife.blogspot.com/2009/09/arm-hammer-spin-brush-and-advanced.html
*2 entries if you blog about this giveaway and link it back here

Good luck to all who enter. Valid to US addresses, 18+ years old. Contest begins September 1 and ends 12 noon on September 8. Winner will be chosen by random integer generator at random.com and notified by email, they will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.