Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Royal Wedding - William and Catherine DVD Now Available

I have been following the relationship of Prince William and Kate Middleton over the past few years. With any public couple, we have seen their ups and downs. But I was truly thrilled when they announced their engagement and looked forward to the wedding.

Once they announced a date I waited patiently for what I considered the most important part... the dress. All the magazines were making predictions. Everyone had their opinion of what it would look like. And of course, Princess Diana's dress was all over the place with everyone wondering how Kate's would compare. Judging by Kate's sense of style I had a pretty good vision in my head and couldn't wait to see her on that beautiful day.

The day of the wedding arrived and I fully intended to wake up early and not miss a moment. Well, that didn't happen. I woke up earlier than usual, but so did Little Miss. I caught moments here and there as we got on with our busy morning routine. But of course I missed all the big moments. I missed when Kate first emerged in her gown and I missed the vows. I was able to catch bits and pieces throughout the day on different channels, but it wasn't the same. I needed to see it in it's completeness without commentary of news reporters and cutting from scene to scene. So when I had the opportunity to review The Royal Wedding - William and Catherine on DVD I jumped at the chance.

Now I have the entire event on DVD and available for me to watch whenever the mood strikes. I can forever look back on this historical event and relive the love, the beauty, and the magic of a royal wedding. BBC released this commemorative DVD on May 24th, so you can get it today! I am excited to be able to share this story with my daughter when she is a little older and the DVD is the perfect way to do it.

The DVD is filled with those breath taking moments, such as their first kiss(es) on the balcony in front of thousands. The first time the public caught view of Kate's dress and the cheers that rose from the crowd. The parade of carriages carrying royals through the streets of London. It's truly a magical experience that should't be missed.

Of course Kate's dress did not disappoint and she looked stunning. From start to finish you felt like you were part  of a fairy tale. To watch two families come together was beautiful. William and Kate stayed true to themselves and kept things simple and elegant. They put their own spin on the day while staying true to tradition.

This DVD also includes a bonus, "William and Kate: A Royal Engagement." This is an interesting view into the relationship of William and Kate as told in interviews by family and friends.

Click HERE to purchase this commemorative DVD at an incredible price!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Little Miss Turns 2!

Wow, it has taken me all week to have a spare minute to get this post up! Spring is a busy time if year, but thankfully now that it has stopped raining it has been filled with fun things!

Little Miss had her party this past weekend and then turned 2 on Tuesday! I thought I would share some snapshots of a wonderful day.
I loved the decorations we got from Heart 2 Heart! It really brought our patio to life with butterflies hanging all over.
Little Miss looked fabulous in her pink dress with matching hat.... perfect for a tea party!
She really is my princess!!
And she made out like a bandit!!


And she got this awesome KidKraft kitchen from us on her actual birthday. She woke up to find it all stocked and ready for playing!!

We then spent the day at the zoo.
And ended the day with ice cream!
This birthday rocked!!

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Great Outdoors

On May 24th Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will release Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Great Outdoors on DVD. As a great value for parents and a fun, portable play set for kids, Disney has packaged this release to include a DVD, a Digital Copy and a Mickey Mote –making this the ultimate Play Set. Get ready to camp, fish and explore nature with your favorite Disney pals.

My daughter loves "mouse," as she calls the very famous Mickey Mouse. We received Minnie's Masquerade a few months back and every day she asks for mouse. It's become a life saver that we can catch him on the Disney channel in the morning, but we've seen the same episodes a whole bunch of times. So when I learned that they were coming out with Mickey's Great Outdoors I jumped for joy!
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Great Outdoors is a really fun DVD filled with 5 great episodes. I love how these episodes are fun, but also educational. Throughout the show Mickey and his friends have to trouble shoot different problems. They rely on Toodles and the Mousketools to help them. But they also rely on the help of your children, asking what they think they should use. 
The DVD is also available with a Mickey Mote. This makes the experience an interactive one and takes the learning to a whole new level. The Mickey Mote allows your child to answer questions throughout the show by selecting one of the four color coded buttons. 

This DVD is so much fun and perfect for the upcoming summer weather. Get your kids excited to camp, fish, and be outside right along with Mickey and the gang!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Gnomeo and Juliet - On DVD and Blu Ray

On May 24th Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will release Gnomeo & Juliet on DVD and Blu-ray. This fun twist on William Shakespeare's legendary Romeo & Juliet is great for the whole family! Enter the secret world of garden gnomes and meet two lovely gnomes from two completely different worlds who fight the odds to be together. This release includes some great bonus features such as two alternative endings, deleted scenes and more! Get ready to rock to new music from Sir Elton John when Gnomeo & Juliet comes to DVD and Blu-ray May 24th!
This is the perfect family film to bring home! I remember learning the story of Romeo and Juliet in high school. Now you can introduce your children to the tale at a much younger age, in a much lighter, happier, funnier situation.
These two gnomes and cute and lovable. The adventures they encounter would be foreign to Romeo and Juliet, but will make you and your children crack up. With every pink flamingo or lawnmower race come laughs! And to add to the fun is great music by Sir Elton John.
Our family had a fantastic time watching this hilarious movie. The characters are sweet and funny. The animation is fabulous. The music is great! It's just an overall fun experience.

And you can SAVE $5! Click the image below.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Verizon FiOS - Got it or Want it?

My grandparents recently came back from spending about a month with my aunt and uncle. While they were there they got the opportunity to experience Verizon FiOS. One of the first things they said to me was that they were finally able to view my family blog.

I write a family blog to keep close friends and family up to date on my daughter and how quickly she is changing. Since my grandparents still have a dial up connection they have never been able to view it. They complain about how slow their computer is and how the pictures never load. And forget about seeing the videos! They just don't have the speed to access the internet in an efficient way.

It took them actually using high speed internet to realize how fabulous it is. It's something I couldn't live without. It makes life easier in terms of accessing things faster. So my grandparents were hooked and came home and immediately signed up for Verizon FiOS.

We do have high speed internet in our home, but it's not Verizon FiOS.  Over the past few months we have looked into it as a potential switch because from what we see it looks like we could save money. And for me the biggest draw is the multi room DVR! I live for my DVR. As a busy mom there is no way I can watch all my favorite shows during real time. I watch everything the next day or even a week later. And I can only watch my shows on the downstairs TV, which isn't always the most convenient. I very often find myself sitting in bed at night wishing I could catch up on a show or two. This would solve this dilemma!

The high speed internet is second on my list of priorities. I definitely can't live without it. I very often have just a few minutes to check my e-mail and if my computer is running slow I get frustrated quickly. I know, it's sad. But we live in an age where we are used to having things immediately, so it's a tough adjustment to have to wait. And I get a lot of important e-mails and don't like to fall behind. I also do all my pictures online, so I like to be able to quickly upload and view. Basically I can't survive without my high speed internet!

While we are still discussing switching carriers, Verizon FiOS sure does have a lot of bonuses associated with it. It's definitely worth looking into if you're curious or interested. I can tell you my grandparents are thrilled and they haven't had any problems... which is amazing since they can't seem to operate their DVD player without some kind of problem!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Verizon FiOS blogging program for a gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Lemonade Mouth is Now on DVD!

On May 24th, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment releases LEMONADE MOUTH: Extended Edition on DVD! When five ragtag freshmen first meet in detention, it seems they have nothing in common. But, through music, they bond and find they have the makings of the greatest high school garage band in history! Bonus material includes music videos and Rock Along feature.

When I think of Disney I very often think of the amazing young musical talent they find. With the debut of LEMONADE MOUTH: Extended Edition on DVD we are introduced to a whole new group of young talent in a fun and heartwarming film. 

While watching this movie I kept thinking about The Breakfast Club. Basically this group of students is put together for detention. They each bring their own personality into an interesting mix. While they may not have much in common they do discover they all have a love of music. Each person brings a different talent and they are able to start their own band, Lemonade Mouth.
This unlikely group soon become friends and band mates. They are ready to show the rest of the school their talent and new found friendship. However, a more popular band may stand in their way. Check out this movie to see how differences can be accepted and friendships can be made. Discover hidden talents and cheer on the underdogs! 

This movie is a fun family movie night flick. Moms and dads can pull up a chair and enjoy the 10 original songs and cheer on their own kids as they sing along with the "Rock-Along" version.

Monday, May 23, 2011

5 Summer Getaways Your Kids Shouldn't Miss!

My family always made an effort to make sure we spent time together as a family. In most cases it really didn't matter where we were going or what we were doing. It was the quality time together that mattered, and my parents always included something special and fun even if it was just a stop at a local ice cream parlor.

Now that my daughter is reaching the age where we can do things as a family and she can really enjoy them, my head is spinning with all the places I want to take her. I want her to have all kinds of experiences and I want them to be wonderful memories with me and her dad there.

The number one on my list was a trip to the zoo. She loves to look out the window and gets excited to see squirrels. She chases birds in the backyard. And our bunny, Thumper, could entertain her all day. This is a must for kids of all ages! Zoos offer so much fun for not a lot of money.

My number 2 is Disney World. While this puts us in a new league of cost, it's something I don't want her to miss. My parents took us several times and I have the best memories! To me it really is the happiest place on Earth and definitely fun for the whole family. Add to that that my husband has only been once and barely remembers it. So it will be special for him, too!

A family tradition we started when she was born is to spend a week at the beach. We did this her first summer because we could rent a house and have all the comforts that infants demand. But now it's a family tradition that we don't want to miss. Last year we stayed in a hotel on the beach that had a pool and it was so much fun! We always go to the same town and have our favorite restaurants.

My fourth location may surprise you. It will definitely surprise my husband when he reads this! But I really do want to take my daughter camping. We are so used to the TV and toys that make noise and phones ringing. I think being out in nature is a great way to bond, make your own fun, and experience the beauty of the great outdoors. I hate bugs, rain, mud... all that stuff. But I do have great memories of camping with my dad and always wished that my mom had gone and it was more of a family event.

And my final must do getaway is..... take a BIG family vacation. I mean everyone. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. This is something I think every family should do. I don't care where we go... beach, camping, fancy hotel. The experience of everyone being together and making memories is priceless. I was never super close with any of my cousins, but we did do a family vacation when I was in middle school and we really got to know each other. We had a blast and I have some amazing memories. We happened to go to Hawaii, which would be GREAT! But I would truly settle for anything. Local works for me, as long as it's an adventure!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

The Ugly Duckling Dinosaur - Review and Giveaway


We are all familiar with the lovable tale of the Ugly Duckling and the positive message it passes along to children.  Cheryl Bardoe has taken this tale and put a fun new spin on it! As we anxiously await the emergence of 7 little ducklings from their eggs, we are shocked to discover a dinosaur hatching from one of those eggs!

Of course this dinosaur does not look like the ducklings. He stands out with his big teeth and large size. The illustrations by Roy D. Kennedy help to bring this story to life and show you just how different the dinosaur is. In this heartbreaking tale the dinosaur leaves the ducklings and goes off to try and make friends. But sadly they are all scared of how he looks and they run away. 

This story takes us on adventure and lets us know what it feels like to be different. It illustrates the sadness associated with not being accepted and teaches compassion. Fortunately, this dinosaur does find his happy ending  but you will have to read the book to find out how! The author also includes some fun facts about dinosaurs... so you can learn something new, too!

Giveaway: One lucky reader will win a copy of The Ugly Duckling Dinosaur!

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me who you would like to win this for! 

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 entry each)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry) and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)

This giveaway is open to US and Canada.
This giveaway ends on June 6, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Winners!

Random.org has chosen our winners for the Ecomom, Little One Books, and Build a Dream Playhouses Giveaways!!


Ecomom - Waiting on confirmation from the company
Little One Books - #100 Flowerchild
Build a Dream Playhouses - #85 Jenerally Speaking


Congratulations to our winners! E-mail notifications have been sent. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or we will have to choose another winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

The Melting Pot - Westwood, NJ Review



This past weekend my husband and I had the fabulous opportunity to try the new Latin America Big Night Out menu at the Melting Pot in Westwood, NJ. Every time I dine at this location I know that I am in for more than a meal... I am going to be taking part in a dining experience. This is a big deal to parents of a toddler! I knew that we were about to experience a well paced meal that would allow us the time to talk and reconnect while enjoying exceptional food in an intimate environment. I was not disappointed!

The Latin America Big Night Out is a 4 course meal that truly introduces your taste buds to the Latin cuisine. My husband is an adventurous eater, while I am bit more reserved in my typical selections and willingness to try new things. I was grateful that we were dining together, as he encouraged me to step outside my usual comfort zone and try this menu as it was intended.

Our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and walked us through each step. She was ready and willing to answer any questions we had and made the dining experience even that much more enjoyable.


First Course – Cheese Fondue
A fondue version of the classic Mexican dish, the first course, “Queso Fundido,” combines Fontina, Gruyere and Gran Queso cheeses with crumbled Chorizo sausage, fresh lime juice and fresh jalapeños. Chips are also included as dippers.

This was by far my favorite course. This cheese was to die for! You are able to choose whether you would like your cheese mild, medium, or hot in terms if spice. We opted for medium and it was the perfect balance. The chips complimented it very nicely. I  feel that this cheese should be added to their regular menu.. it's that good!


Second Course – Salad
The Shrimp Ceviche salad is a blend of citrus-marinated shrimp, avocado puree, tropical fruit pico de gallo and mixed greens tossed with lime vinaigrette. The citrus marinade that coats the shrimp consists of lime juice, jalapeños, lemon juice and cilantro.

The salad was light and refreshing. The dressing had a bit of a tang to it, but it all went together very nicely. I said to my husband, it's amazing how they can make a salad taste so good and so much not like a salad!


Third Course РEntr̩e
This dish features fresh meats and marinades including Chimichurri sirloin with influences from Argentina and Brazil, garlic Piri Piri shrimp, mole-marinated chicken breast, citrus-marinated pork tenderloin and fire-roasted corn salsa ravioli. The featured sauce served with the entrée is the Salsa Verde which is a green sauce consisting of tomatillos, jalapeños, lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper and cilantro.

Mmmm... I love this part of the meal. The vegetables cooking, trying a variety of meats, the incredible selection of sauces. We chose the Mojo cooking style to try and stay with the theme. This was first time trying this cooking style and we enjoyed it very much! You could smell and taste the garlic and citrus combination. 


Fourth Course – Chocolate Fondue
For dessert, Chef Shane created a new dark and dulce chocolate fondue. This is a classic flavor combination featuring bittersweet dark chocolate and sweet dulce de leche accented with coarse sea salt.

This comes in a close second to my favorite part of the meal. I am not usually a dark chocolate person, but I am glad I gave it a shot. The hint of sea salt really added to the flavor. We devoured all of our delicious dippers.

While we truly enjoyed the Latin Fusion Big Night Out, this menu option is only available for a limited time. You can take a look at the dinner menu here. Also, regular menu items may serve as substitutions in the Big Night Out menu to help you create your ideal meal.

The proprietors of the Westwood, NJ Melting Pot, Will and Carol Layfield, are also the proprietors of the Melting Pot restaurants in White Plains, NY and Darien, CT. While providing this fantastic style of dining for the tri-state area, they are also active in the community raising funds for several New Jersey based organizations. On this list is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which you all know is near and dear to my heart. I am thrilled to support the Layfield's restaurants due to the exceptional dining experience, as well as their contributions to deserving causes.




GIVEAWAY: FIVE Lucky Readers will receive a $25 DIP Certificate! These DIP Certificates are redeemable at the Westwood, NJ; White Plains, NY and Darien, CT locations.
 
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Like their Facebook Page and leave a comment letting them know Momma Drama sent you!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways(1 entry per giveaway)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)
6. Follow The Melting Pot on twitter (2 entries)
7. Take a look at the menu and tell me one thing you would love to try!

This giveaway ends on June 2, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Water Works

Next Tuesday my little girl will be turning two! Wow, I can't believe it. So I have been busy running around trying to get together the best "Tea for Two" party I possibly can. Her first birthday party was such a hit! I had a scrapbook of her first year and a slide show running all day. So I wanted to try and do that for this year, too. Well, I got the scrapbook done but I didn't get the slide show. So I pulled out the one from her first birthday to see if I could play it again.

I sat down at my computer and started to watch. Between the music, the pictures, and the memories I just couldn't handle it. I started to bawl. Literally. Uncontrollable sobs. But not even sad sobs so much. Just where did the time go sobs. I get so happy looking at those pictures of her when she was so tiny. Remembering her first steps, looking at the pictures of her sleeping on her daddy's chest, her first Christmas. It has been the best 2 years of my life.

The weird thing is I wouldn't trade who she is now for the little baby she was. I miss the little tiny baby stage, but I adore the funny, sweet toddler. It's strange how fast time can go and how much you can miss the good old days, but still be completely content in the moment.

When I first had her I asked a friend what stage was her favorite. She told me that every stage is amazing and it just keeps getting better. I couldn't imagine that being true with the amount of joy I was getting from my newborn. I thought, oh once she talks and becomes independent life will be different and not as special. But it's true... every stage is amazing. Every day is fun and exciting. Every stage is challenging in different ways.

Can anyone relate?

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Loud Book - Review and Giveaway


I have a toddler so my house is full of noise! all kinds of noise... good noise like laughing and squealing.... bad noise like things from my counter that I didn't know she could reach crashing to the floor.  Whatever the noise is it is always LOUD! We avoid places where quiet is expected because quiet is not really in our vocabulary at the moment. But what we are trying to do is to teach my daughter when being loud is ok. We talk about indoor voice and outdoor voice. We try to talk to her when she purposely drops things from high up in her chair simply to see and hear them crash. So "The Loud Book" is the perfect book for us.

Deborah Underwood wrote this fantastically sweet book filled with all kinds of "loud." She covers the good the bad and the embarassing. And with the help of the fabulous illustrations, done by Renata Liwska, the book really comes to life.

You can take a look at "good crash loud," which is a strike at the bowling alley. And then look at "bad crash loud," those pots and pans that we so often hear crashing to the floor. It really illustrates the many kinds of loud and how some kinds are great and fun and we should enjoy the noise! But also identifying the bad loud... for me.. the alarm clock!

This book is tons of fun and can really be an interactive story telling time with your child. When I read it to my daughter we made some of the sounds as we were reading along. And the fun little critters in the book are sweet and endearing. And all around great book for kids!

Giveaway: One lucky reader will win a copy of "The Loud Book!"

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!
MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me who you would like to win this for!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways (1 entry each)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry) and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)

This giveaway is open to US and Canada.
This giveaway ends on June 1, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

ScareMeNots Review and Giveaway


When you think of a child's number one fear what typically comes to mind? For me I always think afraid of the dark. I remember being small and being terrified of the dark and all the creepiness that comes along with it. Weird noises throughout the house, monsters under my bed or in my closet, the eerie quiet of the night. What are some things that can help a child through those tough, lonely nights? I had a night light and that brought some comfort. I had a friend who slept in her parents bed. Other slept with lights on or in a siblings bed. But I don't know of anyone who had a solution as fun and cool as the ScareMeNots!

ScareMeNots receive special training from ScareMeNot University. Their skills include being able to see in the dark, hanging from their tails, and staying awake all night long. They are then sent to the homes of small children who need them to help feel protected at night. Their Velcro tails make them easy to attach to doorknobs, bed rails, curtain rods, closets, or many other place's in a child's room.

With the knowledge of their training and the presence of this brave souls children will sleep better knowing someone is looking out for them and keeping them safe. What a brilliant and fun idea! Each ScareMeNot in the gang is different and special in their own way. With 9 to choose from you are sure to find the right companion for your child.

My daughter received "Fearless Fred"! Fearless Fred truly has his eye peeled for trouble and is the perfect protector. My daughter loves to snuggle him and knows exactly where he is at night looking after her. He is bigger than I imagined and very cuddly. He is built to last and I am sure he will have his place in her room for many years to come, helping her through tough nights and making her feel safe.

GIVEAWAY: One Lucky Reader will win a ScareMeNot of their choice!

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit the ScareMeNots website and tell me which one you would pick!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways(1 entry per giveaway)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)
6. Subscribe to my blog via e-mail
7. Like ScareMeNots on Facebook
8. Follow ScareMeNots on Twitter

This giveaway is open to US only.
This giveaway ends on June 1, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Boogie Wipes Review and Giveaway


As a mom of a toddler in school, one thing I have become very familiar with is the runny nose. Her nose seems to run from November to April. My pediatrician keeps telling me it's what I should expect and not to worry. So I'm not too worried about the constant flow, but I do worry about keeping her nose clean and avoiding the dreaded "wipe and smear into your eyes and then touch everything in site" mess that often come with these runny noses. Boogie Wipes to the rescue!

We love Boogie Wipes in our house. They are saline wipes invented for kids by moms. Brilliant if you ask me. It's the perfect way to avoid those poor dry, chapped noses. They also come scented and unscented, but for us we find the scented to be even more motivating for my daughter to want to wipe her nose.

We use them all the time at home, but then she comes home from school with that sore looking nose. How I wish they would use Boogie Wipes at school! Mabe now they will since Boogie Wipes has created the Boogie Wipes Teacher's Kit!
Boogie Wipes has created an exclusive Boogie Wipes Teacher Kit which contains: a poster with Save the Sleeve pledge guidelines, 50 Boogie Wipes samples, $.50 OFF coupons, 2 classroom canisters and 10 Free Boogs.Boogie Wipes are a unique saline nose wipe that are much softer and gentler on young noses than tissues, and the fun scents like Great Grape encourage children to remember the importance of not using their hand or sleeve to wipe a messy nose, keeping clothes clean and helping prevent the spread of germs.


GIVEAWAY: 1 Lucky Winner will receive 2 packs of 30-count wipes!
 
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit Boogie Wipes and tell me which scent you would love to try!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways(1 entry per giveaway)
2. Follow my blog
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)
6. Follow Boogie Wipes on twitter
7. Like Boogie Wipes on Facebook
8. Join the Boogie Bunch

This giveaway is open to US only (no PO Boxes).
This giveaway ends on May 31, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

The Wild Thornberrys: Season 1 - Review

Do you remember The Wild Thornberrys? I do! This show premiered in September of 1998 and ran until 2004. You could then catch reruns on Nicktoons and CBS from 2002-2007. So I be lots of you remember this fun show! So you will be excited to learn that after years of anticipation you can finally own the first season on DVD.... available TODAY!

The Wildthornberrys are that quirky family that you wish you knew. They spend their time traveling around the word in their CommVee (Communcations Vehicle). They go on these wild adeventures to find rare animals to film. Their family dynamics are humorous and the siblings are so different you wouldn't even know they were related! But the star of show is probably Eliza. Eliza has the power to speak to animals, so she is always off on a new adeventure and meeting new friends.

This show provides you with so much more than just pure entertainment. Each episode takes you to someplace new and introduces you to new animals and environments. This is the perfect time to introduce your kids to an old favorite and let them have fun and learn with these wild adeventures.

We had a great time watching these episodes as a family. My daughter was really excited by the animals and I thought it was cool that she could learn about them through this show. They make the scenery very vivid and bright, really transporting you to someplace else.  It's a fun show that doesn't get on parent's nerves... which is a major plus!

The Wild Thornberrys: Season 1 is available in stores today! It is listed to retail for about $29.93 and offers a fantastic cast of voices and 20 action-packed episodes.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Birthday Bash - HEXBUG Review

As part of the Birthday Bash I was sent a really cool toy to check out. This toy would really make an awesome birthday gift as it is unique and fun! I've never seen anything quite like it. We were sent the HEXBUG Nano Habitat Set. Here is a little about it:

The HEXBUG Nano uses the physics of vibration and its small but powerful motor to explore its environment, determined to navigate any complex maze in its path. HEXBUG Nano owners cannow create a customizable playground for the industrious critters to traverse using the HEXBUG Nano Habitat Set. The set contains two extremely rare Nano mutations, four easy connect cruved pieces, three easy conenct straight pieces, and three easy connect hexagon pieces, offering users a variety of configurations.

This set reatils for about $29.99 can be found at most major retailers or at http://www.hexbug.com/.

We had a blast with this set! It is recommended for ages 3 and up, so we made sure that we played with my daughter while she was playing with it, and it really was fun for the whole family. My husband was having so much fun putting the habitat together and then changing it. And my daughter and I just found the Nano's to be so entertaining. Their little legsm ove so fast as they scurry around the habitat. They find their way through paths and into other rooms. We got wild and crazy and had 4 Nano's going at once. They would collide with each other and sometimes flip over. Then we would watch them wiggle and squirm until they got back on their feet.

I think HEXBUG's are really cool and kids of a variety of ages would have a blast with them. You can buy additional sets and really add onto your habitat for an extensive little maze for these guys! I think you should check them out!

Kidorable - Review and Discount Code

If you are a frequent visitor to my blog then you know how much I adore Kidorable. They have the cutest products that make functional fun! The offer necessary items that kids don't often view as fun, like hats, gloves, scarves, boots, raincoats, umbrellas, and more. But they have put a fun spin by creatively turning these items into fun themes. There is a theme for every little girl and boy; from pirates to ballerinas and ladybugs to mermaids and so much more!

So for those of you who are new to Kidorable and for those of you who are already fans... I have exciting news for you! From May 16 through May 31, your readers can purchase our backpacks for 20% off by using code SUMMER33 at checkout on http://www.kidorable.com/.

This is the perfect time to get your little one an adorable new backpack. Whether you want to send it to camp, use it for family trips, get ready for school early, or carry around books and toys... this is one deal you won't want to miss out on!

I was fortunate enough to get the chance to check out their backpacks first hand. My daughter received the Ladybug backpack because her nickname is "Bug." The backpack is adorable! It is created to look like a ladybug and even has pockets that look like wings. She adores this bag and fills it with all kinds of things and carries it around. The size is perfect for her and will come in handy on so many occasions. I am thrilled with the look, style, functionality, and quality.

Check out all the great backpacks and other products on Kidorable's site!

Winners!

Random.org has chosen our winners for the Hair Coverings and Lil Teammates Giveaways!!

Hair Coverings - #19 Kolpin
Lil Teammates - #27 Krista, #14 GabbyLowe, #103 Ksceviour
*One of our Lil Teammates winners already one on another blog... so she graciously allowed us to pick another winner, #95 Jenerally Speaking.

Congratulations to our winners! E-mail notifications have been sent. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or we will have to choose another winner.
Thank you to everyone who entered!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Birthday Bash - Tutu Terrific Review and Giveaway


When I found out I was pregnant with a little girl lots of things went through my head. But I think the thing that I was most excited about was all the pretty girly clothes! And to me, the girliest you can get is a tutu. Every little girl deserves to have a beautiful tutu that she can prance around and pretend to be a ballerina or princess or fairy. Whatever her little heart desires!

My daughter loves tutu's. She spins and dances. It's magical to watch. And Tutu Terrific is the place to go for all your tutu needs. This year, for her second birthday, my daughter will be sporting the Rainbow Sherbert Tutu that was made with love by Tutu Terrific!
Do you not just love those colors? To me it just screams spring and I love it. This tutu is so well made and has pale pink gemstones throughout for embellishment. I love those tiny little details that make a world of difference!

Tutu Terrific has a wide variety of tutu's for infants and children. They have them for different seasons and even sports teams! You will find the tutu you are looking for here!

GIVEAWAY: One Lucky Reader will win a tutu of their choice from Tutu Terrific! 

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit Tutu Terrific and tell me your favorite tutu. 

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways(1 entry per giveaway)
2. Follow my blog 
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook 
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)
6. Subscribe to my blog via e-mail
7. Like Tutu Terrific on Facebook and tell them Momma Drama sent you!

This giveaway is open to US and Canada.
This giveaway ends on May 28, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!

Blogger Problems

Hi everyone! Since blogger had so many issues for the past couple of days, I won't be ending any give aways until Monday. I also had to repost Thursday's post on Friday, so I didn't post anything new yesterday. Today we will continue on with the Birthday Bash!

The comments were down and I am hoping they are all back. If you entered a giveaway on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday please check to make sure your entry is still there.

I am really sorry this happened and I thank all of you for bearing with me and working through this!

Thanks - Lara

Friday, May 13, 2011

Birthday Bash - Savvylicious Review

Cake Pops are the hot new dessert! I see them everywhere from magazine covers to television to birthday parties we attend. They are the perfect bite size treat and look really nice, too! I decided I was going to jump on the band wagon and make some cake pops. It was an epic fail. I made the cake balls to big, they fell off the stick, the candy coating dripped all over, the sticks were a mess. Basically, they looked terrible but tasted ok.

After the hours I spent on that little adventure I put my cake pop supplies away. While I may not be able to make beautiful cake pops, my daughter can still enjoy them. Savvylicious is the place for you to go if you are looking for those perfect pops.

Savvylicious was started by a mom, just like me! I was following Ana's blog before she even took on the adventure of Savvylicious. She has a beautiful story about her daughter that has inspired her to take on this exciting challenge. You can read all about it on her site under "About Me".

Savvylicious makes amazing cake pops that are light on the inside with a nice shell that is coated so nicely and decorated to your liking. My daughter loves purple and pink, so Savvylicious kindly sent us a dozen chocolate cake pops, covered in a pink shell, and then topped off with purple sprinkles. Every little girls dream!

Savvylicious offers a variety of flavors including Classic Key Lime, Orange Dreamsicle, Double Chocolate, Cookies N Cream, and so many more. You can check out the full menu on their site.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Winners!

Random.org has chosen our winners for the Lovable Labels and Rock N Learn Giveaways!!


Lovable Labels - #11 Snow
Rock N Learn - #35 Raven in a Blue Room

Congratulations to our winners! E-mail notifications have been sent. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or we will have to choose another winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Birthday Bash - Century Novelty Review

When I started to plan my daughter's "Tea for Two" birthday party I knew I wanted to do something special. I wanted to make or create something that we could hold onto. The first thing that came to mind was carrying on a tradition from her first birthday. Last year I painted flower pots that said "Fun to Be One" and had them on every table. They were unique, special, and we still have a couple on our windowsill. We were also able to give one to each of the grandmas, which they loved! So how could I recreate something like that without doing the exact same thing?

While on my search I came across Century Novelty and they had the perfect item! They offered a set of Design Your Own Tea Cup Planters. Wow! This is exactly what I wanted. The set comes with 6 tea cups and 6 saucers. I planned it all out so that each cup would be a little different, but all the cups would be painted in the colors of her party... pink and purple.

My mom and I decided to tackle this project together, which was so much fun. Century Novelty also sent me some small butterflies that we attached to the handles of the tea cups to bring the butterfly theme into it. I think they look perfect!

Century Novelty talked to me about my party plans and picked up on what would add to my theme. They kindly sent me a whole bunch of decorative butterflies that I will hang throughout the yard to create the feeling of being in a butterfly garden.

There were several things about Century Novelty that really impressed me. The first being their wide selection of items. Any kind of party you can imagine, Century Novelty has the decorations and favors! Another was the great customer service. They asked questions and helped me find just what I needed. And finally, their shipping was quick and everything came in great condition.

I would definitely recommend you check out Century Novelty for your party planning needs.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Birthday Bash - CafePress Review

I am always looking for clothing that is unique. I love things that are personalized, but I also really like when I can find something that just fits my daughter's personality. You know, that shirt that you look at or read and just go, "oh that is so you!" CafePress is a great place to find both of those things in clothing. They offer unique and personalized t-shirts for kids and adults.

CafePress's selection is huge! You can find something perfect for everyone you know. You can get personalized gifts or make your own custom t-shirts. They have everything from television or movie inspired shirts, to shirts for different causes and awareness needs. And they have a great section for family shirts. Shirts for big brothers, big sisters, super moms, great dads... everybody... even grandparents, aunts, and uncles. This is the section I went to when picking out a shirt for my daughter and myself.

Since my daughter is turning 2 I found the perfect shirt. It's kind of been a joke around my house the last few months that she has hit her terrible two's early. Really, it hasn't been too bad, but she gets frustrated easily and wants things her way. She is not a fan of the word "no" and has been spotted throwing herself on the floor in a tantrum Yikes! And then three seconds later it's like nothing ever happened and she's all smiley. So when I saw the shirt "Two's aren't terrible. I'm having a blast!" I knew it would be perfect for her. My husband cracked up the minute I showed it to him and said it was totally her!

For myself, I went with something a little more sentimental. The most important thing in the word to me is being a mom. So I chose a shirt that says, "Happiness is Being a Mommy." So true! I love this shirt and wear it proudly.
I really recommend you check out CafePress and look at their great selection of t-shirts, mugs, stickers, banners, and more! I am sure you won't be disappointed with the selection, quality, or prices.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Birthday Bash - Pear Tree Greetings Review and Giveaway

Pear Tree Greetings is the place to go for all your stationary needs! I was introduced to this company about a year ago when I won a giveaway that was being offered by this company. I was so excited to order a few things with my gift certificate when I realized just how much I could get! Their prices are incredible and I was able to get personalized stationary, return address labels, and gift tags with my daughter's photo on them. It was incredible.

But what was even more exciting was when the products arrived and I saw the quality. For the price I wasn't expecting too much, but was totally blown away. The cards are on thick card stock and the personalization was clear and perfect. The gift tags were incredibly clear considering the size of the picture! People were blown away when they looked at their gift and saw a gift tag that was personalized with a photo.

I have been spreading the word about Pear Tree Greetings because it's a company I believe in. They are always offering giveaways, contests, and discount codes. They have everything from invitations to save the date cards to birth announcements. There was no question that this was where we would turn for our daughter's 2nd birthday invitations.

Since they have such a wide variety of themes, I knew they would have something great for my little princess. We decided to have a "Tea for Two" party and I was beyond thrilled when I found these Tea Time invitations.
The website walks you through your personalization process. It's easy and quick. I love the design, layout, colors, and images. It was truly a perfect fit. When the invitations arrived I was thrilled. They are thick and impressive looking and feeling. They are the perfect way to kick off this party! I even ordered the matching return address labels and am thinking about getting the matching thank you notes!
Use code - BDAYBASH15 for 15% off a $25 or more order for kids’ birthday products; including invitations, address labels, thank you cards and gift tags


GIVEAWAY: One Lucky Reader will win a set of up to 16 Personalized Kids Birthday Invitations from Pear Tree Greetings.
 
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave your e-mail address!

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me which invitations are your favorite from Pear Tree Greetings!

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Enter another one of my current giveaways(1 entry per giveaway)
2. Follow my blog 
3. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (1 entry per tweet - 1 tweet per day)
4. Fan me on Facebook 
5. Grab my button and tell me where it is (3 entries)
6. Subscribe to my blog via e-mail

This giveaway is open to US and Canada.
This giveaway ends on May 23, 2011 at 5:00 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!