Wordless Wednesday

Grandad was here for 7 weeks and he went back to England last Monday. It's weird not to have him here, we miss him already!

Pop On Pals: a whole new world of "Popabilities"

Have you ever heard of Pop On Pals? I hadn't before but I do now! Pop On Pals are the new creation from Spin Master.
We were sent the Pop On Pals Amusement Park Play set for review.
Pop On Pals encourages imaginative play and helps develop fine motor skills.
The set includes a little pal, 3 pop on rings to mix and match and a big amusement park with ferris wheel and green dragon swing. It also has a roller coaster, you can knock down bottles and ring & light a bell.

I had put the box in the middle of the room and mentioned nothing to the kids. Abby came in first and I wish I had taken my camera to take a picture of her face!
Grandad helped open the box and from then on, Abby played for a long, long time and we have more Pop On Pal little guys on her wish list so they can ride with more on the roller coaster. Abby's seen the picture of the ballerina on the bottom of the box, so that's on her wish list too.

The Pop On Pals (ages 2-4) is a world of fun pals, pets, vehicles and playsets with endless mix n' match "Popabilities".
There are endless, unique and wacky combinations: a fireman becomes a musician, a princess becomes a baker, and a puppy becomes a ballerina.

There are a number of Pop On Pals packs and playsets to choose from, including:
  • Pop On Pals Pet pack
  • Pop On Pals Pal Pack
  • Pop On Pals Ring Deluxe Ring Pack
  • Pop On Pals 2 n' 1 Vehicle Set
  • Pop On Pals Pop and Go Airplane
  • Pop On Pals Pop and Go School Bus
  • and the Pop On Pals Amusement Park Playset
The Pop On Pals Amusement Park Playset comes to life with lights, sounds, music and more! The Pop On Pals are available at Toys "R" Us, Target, Kmart, Sears and the Amusement Park Set retails for $34.99.

Disclaimer: I am participating in a blog tour on behalf of Pop On Pals and Team Mom and was sent the Pop On Pals Amusement Park Set to facilitate this review. I was in no other way compensated and as usual the review is based on my opinions and my little Abby's opinions.

updates

I can not believe it's already Wednesday. I've got a couple of updates. On Monday my father-in-law will fly back to England so after that my reviews/giveaways will start again. I want to thank you all for your patience, I know some of you can't wait for the giveaways to come back.
On Monday we will also take my son Jamie back for an x-ray and hopefully his collarbone will be ok. But I've got a feeling it's not healed or not healed well. Fingers crossed it'll be all fine as the last thing I want is for him to need an operation and not have had a Summer vacation at all..

I'm still using Sensa, but I have to admit with my father-in-law here and him taking us out for lunch and dinner most days it's not been going so good, so on Monday I will be a perfect Sensa sprinkler again.
I initially gained but that weight is almost off again. I just need to maintain it till Monday and then be a better Sensa user again.

See you all soon,

CPSC Recalls

CPSC Recalls

For more detailed info and more pictures, please click on the title link per recall.



Scope® Original Mint Mouthwash Recalled by Procter & Gamble Due to Failure to Meet Child-Resistant Closure Requirement

Picture of the recalled mouthwash bottleLocation of the Identification number

Short sleeve infant bodysuitsPicture of Recalled infant bodysuitPicture of Recalled infant bodysuitPicture of Recalled infant bodysuit
Picture of Recalled infant bodysuitPicture of Recalled infant bodysuitPicture of Recalled infant bodysuit
Long sleeve infant bodysuitsPicture of Recalled infant bodysuitPicture of Recalled infant bodysuitPicture of Recalled infant bodysuit
Short sleeve rompersPicture of Recalled romperPicture of Recalled infant bodysuit

Picture of Recalled Infant Carrier buckle

Picture of Recalled girls’ belt
Picture of Recalled boys’ belt

Picture of recalled bead play toy

Family movie night: The Jensen Project (7/16)

Remember Secrets of the Mountain? Well, P&G and Walmart did it again and this Friday July 16th at 8:00 central time on NBC, there will be a new movie called The Jensen Project that you can watch with the whole family!
We really enjoyed the Secrets of the Mountain and after seeing the trailer, we really can't wait to see The Jensen project either!

Check out the trailer:


About the movie:
"The Jensen Project" is based on a secret community of geniuses conducting underground research to help solve some of the world's most difficult problems. This thrilling science-fiction family movie tells the story of Claire and Matt Thompson, 2 former scientists who return to The Jensen Project after a 16-year absence. Together, with their tech-savvy son Brody, the family is thrust into a frantic pursuit to keep a potentially dangerous technology from falling into the wrong hands. As the family races to stop the group's rogue faction, the rediscover the importance of honesty, courage and being there for one another.

As with "Secrets of the Mountain" music mogul Randy Jackson will produce the movie soundtrack for "The Jensen Project" with tracks from hot artists, such as Jordin Sparks, Brooke White, and Alisan, Ilsey and Jordan. The soundtrack will be bundled with the DVD and available on July 17th, 2010 at Walmart.
Well, we definitely can't wait to see this movie together!

Enter to win a "The Jensen Project" DVD and CD soundtrack Bonus Pack.
For a chance to win, let me know if you watched "Secrets of the Mountain" on NBC and/or what your favorite snack is while watching a movie with the whole family.

Additional entries:
  • follow my blog on google friends connect
  • follow me on twitter
  • tweet about this giveaway, unlimited entries (once per day, leave tweet link)
  • blog about this giveaway (leave URL, 10 entries)
  • post this giveaway on FB (leave link and FB username in comment)
  • add my button on your blog (leave URL)
  • subscribe to my blog (leave email used in comment)
The deadline for this giveaway is 7/26/10 midnight PST. The winner will the be picked using Random Integer, emailed and announced at this post on the 27th. The giveaway is open to US only.

"Disclosure: I was sent a press kit on the Jensen project and will receive the bonus DVD after the movie is released as a thank you for writing this post"

Space Bag announces Clean that Closet Challenge

Now this is a product I am super excited to talk about! As a family of 5 we have stuff everywhere. In an ideal world, my closets would be organized, I wouldn't have stuff lying around everywhere. But again, that would be in an ideal world! Instead, our closets aren't organized, although I try.
I was excited when I was given the chance to test some of these Space Bags in all kinds of sizes. I had seen these on the TV and thought before, yeah right, these won't work. BUT I took on the challenge today!
I couldn't do it earlier cause it was way too hot to do anything like this and not collapse from heat exhaustion (or I can also say, I just couldn't be bothered in this heat :-) )

I will show you before and after pictures so you can see the difference!

Here's our duvet, blankets & sheets closet before.
I know, I know, big mess, and trust me I couldn't squeeze anymore in there, there were 3 more bed sets and a duvet in my room that just couldn't fit in this closet anymore)
At least I know I'm the only mom out there that has a problem with this.

Here's 2 pictures of almost all the sheets and duvets that I had spread out. Lisa got some more sheets from out of her room and a duvet and 3 bed sets out of mine after this picture was taken.
These Space Bags come in different sizes, I used the medium, large, extra large and the Jumbo tote to organize my closet. These Space Bags are super easy to use: you fill them up to the line, zip them closed and use your vacuum and it's amazing how fast the vacuum sucks the air out of it. Afterwards, the bag looks like one of those vacuum sealed meats you can buy, it's amazing!

With the Jumbo tote, I actually filled it, vacuumed it and then realized I could fit even more in there so I opened it up again and added 1 more duvet.
Here's the before and after on the jumbo tote: in it? a king duvet, 4 king bed sets (might even be 5) and a comforter! Amazing, right?
I also decided to split up girls, boys, baby and our sheets and that's what I did.
Here's a before and after of the girls bedding (6 sets in there):

Here's the result:
before
after
Space Bag, the leading manufacturer of space-saving vacuum-seal storage bags, is helping people across America to clear their clutter through its Clean That Closet Challenge!
The Challenge is part of Space Bag's online community, Space Savers. The contest encourages anyone with a messy closet (yep, that's me) in need of a little organization to enter this makeover challenge. The winnings are big, with the first 100 eligible entrants winning Space Bag products and one grand-prize winner receiving a private consultation with a professional organizer (I can so use this!), 1 $1000 gift card to Bed, Bath $ Beyond, and enough Space Bag products to organize their entire home (this would be a dream come true). My house clutter-free would be a miracle!
To enter, participants must visit SpaceSaversCommunity.com between now and August 15, 2010 and explain in 500 words or less why the deserve the grand prize. Participants must also submit a photo or brief video showcasing their messiest closet.
Why wait, I entered and although I'm not proud of my messy closets, I'm keeping my fingers crossed to see if I can win myself some more of these fantastic Space Bags to start organizing the rest of my house!

Space bag also has a Twitter account to keep updated on all things organizing!
"Disclosure: I received several sizes of Space Bags to test on my closet. I was in no way compensated to write this review and this review is based solely on my own opinions"

I'm still here, just not in blogger land

Hi all,
Just a quick note I'm still here but between my father-in-law here from England, the kids out of school, my son breaking his collarbone, I'm just not finding the time to write every day. I will try and write reviews by this weekend, but it won't be much till the 27th of July (when my father-in-law ) leaves. We want to spend the time we have with him before he goes home and with the weather being really warm this week, this means time outside and not behind a computer.
I am not gone, just a little ways away from the computer...

See you soon,

broken collarbone.....again

So we had a garage sale yesterday.... sold 1 thing and gave lots to Goodwill afterwards.
The kids had fun and I have to admit, the garage actually seems way bigger with all the stuff gone.
While we were cleaning up, Jamie decided to slide on a blanket on the grass. Well, let's put it this way, the blanket wasn't slippery and down he went!
Initially we thought he was joking but after checking his shoulder, he broke his collarbone again. Yes, you read it right, he broke his collarbone before in 2006 and yesterday again!
Off to the doctor we went and his arm is now in a sling and in 4 weeks we need to go back to get his arm checked to see that it's healed good.

Happy 4th of July!!!


CPSC more recalls

It's kind of scary all these recals, but better safe than sorry, so here's another one. For more details, just click on the link.

Summer Pool and Play Set safety tips from UL


Finally the weather's going to get warmer! We're actually going to build our above-ground pool this weekend, so the water can warm up next week.
With this warmer weather, lots of kids will be playing outside. But with this there's some dangers we need to look out for. This Summer Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading product safety testing organization, provides useful tips to keep you and your children safe around play sets and pools.

To keep your family safe while having fun this Summer, UL is offering the following tips:

POOL SAFETY AT HOME

· If you have a pool at home, install a fence. The fence should be at least four feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate that has a locking mechanism beyond a child's reach.

· Cut overhanging tree limbs and remove chairs or ladders from the pool area to prevent children from climbing over the fence that surrounds the pool.

· Keep grates and drain covers in good repair and secured in place. Alert your family and guests to stay away from these devices, as the suction from drain outlets can be strong enough to cause entrapment of hair or body parts, which can potentially cause a person to drown.

· Make sure you know infant and child CPR if you own a pool.

BE SAFETY SMART WHILE SWIMMING

· Supervision is a must. Follow the 10/20 rule when you’re at the pool. The 10/20 rule states the supervising adult needs to position themselves to be able to scan the pool every 10 seconds, and reach the water within 20 seconds.

· Always have rescue devices, such as UL-LISTED life preservers, nearby.

· Flotation devices, toys and inflatable swimming aids are not safety devices. They are toys and can easily puncture and deflate.

· Always drain wading pools after children are done playing. Infants can drown in just a few inches of water.

· Have a telephone nearby and appropriate emergency numbers posted.

· Remove all toys when you leave the pool. Toys may attract children to the unattended pool.

Your kids will enjoy the following clip featuring Timon and Puumba from the Lion King, teaching your kids how to stay safe while swimming.

Did you know that each each year, more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger go to the emergency room for play-set related injuries?

BEFORE INSTALLING A BACKYARD PLAY SET…

· Make sure your backyard is large enough for playground equipment. The site must also provide good visibility and security. Before setting up equipment, look out for obstacles, such as the garage, tree branches, utility poles and wires.

· Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions when setting up play set equipment. Be sure your child's weight and age fall within the manufacturer's recommended limits for the equipment.

· Install protective surfacing, such as rubber tiles or mulch under the play set, at least six feed in all directions, to prevent serious injuries should a child fall.

BEFORE HEADING OUT TO PLAY…

· Carefully inspect backyard playground equipment. Make sure equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed and bolts are not protruding.

· Check for spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs. These spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.

· Always supervise children on play set equipment to make sure they are playing safely.

· Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, pet leashes or cords of any kind to play set equipment. If used improperly, they can be potential strangulation hazards.

· Watch for potential trip hazards, such as rocks, tree stumps and concrete footings. Make sure you’re children are aware of them as well.

· Do a sandbox check. Before letting your child dig in, rake through the sand to check for debris or sharp objects. Also, inspect for any animal contamination or insect problems.


Keep safe this Summer!

"Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Underwriters Laboratories. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate"