Storyland Yoga DVD; Review and Giveaway

I have to admit something.  I like yoga.  Yep. It's true.  And I like the idea that my kids can do yoga too.  I have tried a few various yoga DVDs with Monkey in the past and he is generally interested in them for a few minutes, and then ready to do something else.  He's not keen on most kid's yoga videos.

Last week I took the Storyland Yoga DVD with us to play with some of Monkey's friends - This was a great test to me regarding the effectiveness and enjoyment of the video.  The kids that were "playing" were ages 21 months, 3, 4, and 5.  What a crew.  This is a very active and noisy bunch that loves to run, jump, and play loudly together.

We popped in the video and tried out the "Save the Whale" story.  The kids were instantly captivated by the story.  They immediately started trying out the yoga positions and motions with the video.  At one point, the 5 year old looked at me and stated, "This is kind of like exercise".  All 4 kids participated in the yoga story telling.  (the 21 month old and 4 year old were less enthusiastic than the other 2).  When the mother of my son's friends came home, the 5 year old asked if they could watch it again and show her the video.  They really enjoyed this yoga video!

Here is what I like about Storyland Yoga:

This DVD is what it claims to be.  It's a story.  It is not pushing "correct position" or learning position names.  Instead, the children are encouraged to move their bodies as they tell stories.  It offers 2 stories for the children to choose.  They are guided with ideas about how to act the stories out.  As the children learn how to move to the story, they can begin to put together their own stories and act them out.  What a fantastic way for kids to learn to get exercise while playing (without even knowing that's what they're doing)!

This is the BEST Kid's Yoga DVD I have tried with my children.  I recommend trying it with your own family!

More information about Storyland Yoga by Playful Planet.

Playful Planet has offered to share a DVD with one of my fantastic readers!

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Mixbook Photo Cards: Review

I recently had the opportunity to try Mixbook photo thank you cards.  I chose to use the "Tailored Dots Thank You Cards".  These can be found under the section, "birthday party thank you's".   The simple design of these cards was easy to customize.  Mixbook's editor was simple to use and the options were plentiful.  I chose to convert my cards from a "Thank you" to a general use card for our family, simply by changing the words.

These cards are high quality printing and I had a selection between matte and glossy finish.  For our purposes, I chose glossy cards.  5x7 cards start at the low price of $.49 each.  What an incredible deal for the ability to personalize your cards!

The service was super fast - I ordered my cards and they arrived only 4 days later!

One thing I wish I had realized is that the photo card is simply that, a card - it does not open up, it has a front and a back like a post card.  If I had realized that, I would have made space on the back of my cards for writing, instead of having a dark background on my entire card.

I will absolutely consider using Mixbook to print announcements when baby Crum comes, or for personal Christmas cards.



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Heelys: Review

BOY PARTY

Post 13

(Final Post)

Heelys is throwing a Labor Day/Back-to-School special!! Between Sept 2-Sept 5, Buy one pair of Heelys, get the second pair for only $30!

I don't care if your boy is 3 or 33.. he'd love some Heelys!  At least, I'm pretty sure he would.  Heelys are shoes with removable wheels that can be inserted into the heel of the sole.  They are great for getting boys active, or giving active boys an outlet for their need to move!  I recently got to try a pair of adult sized Heelys for myself.

My happy feet

BEFORE

Let me tell you the truth about Heelys.  I have seen them before.  They're not new.  If I remember correctly, the original style had a button on the side that popped the wheels out so the user could skate with them.  I thought they were dumb.  (Don't tell my kids I used that word).  I thought Heelys were a dangerous waste of money, a ploy to get kids to buy a new pair of shoes.  I thought they were a nuisance to the public and should be, in general, avoided.

MY TRIAL

I am pregnant.  I have flat feet and when you add in pregnancy, I have FAT flat feet.  Tennis shoes are NOT comfortable.  During my last 2 pregnancies I have worn sandals for 90% of the time.  You know what I've discovered about Heelys?  Because they are a skater-style shoes, they are comfortable on fat, flat feet!  I have worn them on a couple of adventures, including a 2 hour trip to the zoo with my boys.

Not a recommended use!

MY THOUGHTS

1) Heelys are not overpriced.  When compared with other name brand shoes, they stack up nicely.  They make a great quality shoe that I believe will last me at least a couple of years.  

2) Heelys offer a great variety of styles.  I really wanted some cute purple shoes, but they weren't an option for me at this point.  They offer some "girly" options, and some that are much more boyish.  I chose a neutral shoe for my adventures and I think they're great with shorts or jeans.

3) Safety - Heelys are just as safe as any other skate when used correctly.  (Heelys does recommend that the wheel not be inserted into the shoe if you are pregnant).

4) Heelys are not a nuisance, but some people who wear them are.  Children should be given instructions about appropriate places to wear the wheels, wheels should be removed in crowded areas.

5) Newer construction - I like the removable wheel in the shoes.  It is easy to insert and to remove with the tool provided by Heelys.  

HEELYS LINKS

Heelys General Guide

General Heelys Skating Information

Heelys Safety Playbook

***Disclosure: I have received a product free for the purpose of this review.***

Wholesale Halloween Costumes: Review

BOY PARTY

Post 12

Do your boys love playing dress up as much as mine do?  Hrm, maybe it's not masculine to call it "playing dress up".  Monkey especially loves to pretend.  He's frequently Diego, saving trapped animals.  He loves animals too.  

With Halloween just over a month away, it's time to start thinking about costumes, and Wholesale Halloween Costumes offers excellent costumes at fantastic prices!

Crackers will not be a veterinarian any time soon if he keeps biting the animals.

We had the opportunity to try out Wholesale Halloween Costumes.  I was really impressed by the speed of their service, their vast selection of costumes, and the quality of the product we chose.  Monkey loved looking through the great toddler costumes with me and daydreaming about different characters, animals, and heroes that he could become.  

The hammer is not part of this costume and I'm afraid to know what my son is going to do with it.

We finally settled on the "Make a Wish Veterinarian" costume.  When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by the contents.  I had read the description, but did not remember how many things came with this.  Monkey was super excited to try it on.  He loved the animals and stethoscope the best.  We tried it out at dinner with some friends as well, their children loved the jacket and animal x-rays.  The "doctors" in our house give this costume a thumbs up for fun, as parents, we approve of the quality as well as the educational opportunities that come with playing the role of a veterinarian!  (Best of all, it is machine washable).

BUY IT

You can buy a Make a Wish Veterinarian costume for your child too.  At $19.30, it's a steal!  Make sure to check out the Wholesale Halloween Costumes website for your upcoming costume needs!  

Halloween is just over a month away!!!

Baby's Breath Designs: Review & Giveaway

BOY PARTY 

Post 11

I have to admit something.  I love blankets.  I always have, at least for as long as I remember.  My boys love blankets too.  In fact, Monkey and Crackers each have a special "magic" blanket that they sleep with every night.  I especially love blankets in the fall and winter.  I like to bundle up, and I love to bundle my boys and snuggle them.

Baby Crum is expected to arrive this fall.  It gets pretty stinkin' chilly in northern Indiana in the fall.  As I began preparing our home for baby, I went in search of the perfect stroller/carseat blanket to keep his little (or not so little) body warm on cool days.  

I found exactly what I was looking for in the Baby's Breath Designs shop! The sturdy cotton top will keep baby's heat inside, and the soft fuzzy underside will feel good against his tender baby skin.  I can't wait to bundle baby 3 in this sweet package!  

About the blanket

Baby's Breath Designs stroller blanket is a generous 29x41.  It will cover Baby well for a long time.  It has a very sturdy construction and washes well.  The bottom side is soft and fluffy, perfect for baby.  The stitching on the simple design is fantastic and makes me feel confident that we will be able to use this blanket for a long time.  They offer a generous number of fabric choices so you can customize your blanket (and other products) to suit your own tastes.  

About Baby's Breath Designs

The name "Baby's Breath Designs" comes from the owner's middle child, who has Cystic Fibrosis, a life shortening disease that effects the lungs.  She started by making things for her own children and has been able to turn that hobby into a small business, offering a wide variety of great quality products at affordable prices!

Check out some of Baby's Breath Designs other great customizable products right now!

Baby's Breath Designs has offered to give one of my readers a stroller blanket of their own!  Make sure to enter as many times as you can for your chance to win!

Tropical Traditions All Purpose Cleaner: Review & Giveaway

BOY PARTY

POST 10

Boys are messy.  Have you noticed?  I sure have.  I love my messy boys, but NOT my messy house.

It is important to me to keep my boys safe while making my messy house a little more "mommy friendly.  I try to avoid harsh chemicals that could potentially harm my young children.  Oh and also - if you didn't know it - I'm pregnant, so I need to avoid a lot of those things anyway.  

Tropical Traditions offers a fantastic line of food products, health and beauty products, and EVEN home cleaning products.  I completely trust Tropical Traditions to produce safe cleaners for my family.  Recently I have had the opportunity to try their All Purpose Cleaner.  It claims to be safe for household appliances, windows, bathrooms, washing clothes, and EVEN dishes.  

TEST 1

The Microwave

I would show you before and after pictures of my microwave, but I would be completely embarrassed.  Let me put it this way: my microwave sits on a low shelf, so I don't see inside very often.  When I opened it up and looked around inside I was horrified to think that I had been cooking food for my boys in it!  I thought it would be an amazing first test for Tropical Traditions All Purpose Cleaner.  After I pulled out and sprayed the glass tray, it wiped clean easily.  Next, I sprayed the inside of the microwave and let the cleaner sit for a couple of minutes (seriously, this was gross).  I came back to it and wiped it down really well.  The cleaner easily removed most of the mess.  

My biggest problem - figuring out whether to use a wet or dry rag while cleaning the  microwave.  The instructions on the bottle don't tell me.  I chose a wet rag, I think I should have gone with dry.

TEST 2

Dishes

I was already in the kitchen, and the bottle says it's safe to use on dishes.  I figured, why not give it a try.  I filled up my sink with hot water and some All Purpose Cleaner and washed a sink full of dishes.  My dishes did get clean and looked nice.  I just wish it would put them away next time as well.

My biggest problem - I couldn't get the cleaner to make suds in my water.  I like suds when I'm washing dishes, it makes me feel good about my soap.

TEST 3

The Bathroom

Again, I have 2 boys.  Monkey is 3 and potty trained.  He has figured out that some boys can potty standing up.  He hasn't figured out how that works, so when he tried, he generally stands on TOP of the toilet and lets loose.  This does not have pretty results.  Our toilet regularly needs cleaned - so does the floor - and the wall...  You get the picture.

My boys also have hands.  They like to put their hands in the dirt.  I am so glad that my boys like to be outside and get dirty - we spend almost every morning playing outside in the yard right now and they love it.  Unfortunately, dirt comes off on white walls, doors, cabinets, the sink, and the bath tub.  I actually found a ring in my tub for the first time this week - YUCK!

I sent daddy to the store with the boys for a little while and took some time to clean the bathroom.  I pulled out the Tropical Traditions All Purpose Cleaner and went to town.  The bathtub ring was gone within moments, the walls and cabinets wiped clean with no problem.  The sink was a little bit harder because there's a tough spot in it that needed to soak in the cleaner a bit longer.  The toilet was simple to clean.

My biggest problem - The bathroom sink needed some extra time for the deep groove around the stopper.  Not a big deal, just took longer for that part than I expected.

TEST 4

The Mirror

While I was in the bathroom I thought I would try glass, I had not attempted to clean any glass yet and thought this seemed like a logical next step with the cleaner.  I sprayed down the mirror and wiped it.  The result?  I could see myself and there wasn't nastiness all over me!  I looked much better (although tired and pregnant).

My biggest problem - I used a rag to wipe the mirror off.  I should have grabbed a newspaper.  The rag left a few fuzzies on the mirror.

OVERALL IMPRESSION

I really like Tropical Traditions All Purpose Cleaner.  I trust it around my boys (it's even sitting on the dining room table right now, within their reach).  I will use it again and again.  I am impressed by the true versatility of this cleaner.  My next challenge?  Laundry stains - I want to see what this stuff can do to some of Monkey's shirts.

(in)courage School Supplies: Review & Gift Code Giveaway

BOY PARTY

Post 4

My boys love paper, they love coloring and painting.  Monkey loves numbers, letters, and shapes - but he does not draw them yet.

This mama is getting ready to start preschool at home.  We'll be working on some of those pre-writing skills, as well as recognizing letters and numbers a little better.  (He knows a few).  I needed some place to organize my thoughts on what activities we will be doing throughout the year to work on these skills, as well as to feed his curious mind with other things that interest him.  He's 3, the world is a great place to explore.

As we are preparing to go "back to school" - I am blessed to be able to use the "God Recycles" & "Going Green" assortment from Dayspring.  Let me tell you why I am in love with this set.

1) There are two 3 ring binders for organizing our school materials.  We have some workbooks that Monkey will use, his pages will go into 1 binder.  My plans will go into the other binder.

2) The price is fantastic - currently $13.09 for the 6 piece set!  (2 binders, 2 folders, and 2 spiral notebooks)

3) Dayspring uses quality material.  My proof?  Before I got these put up, the 2 year old I babysit stood on one of the binders for a few minutes - it did not bend the binder and leave an ugly crease.

4) I love the simple reminders about God's love.

Why do these fit into my boy party?  First of all, the colors and simple designs are perfect for sending any boy back to school.  The reminder that he was created and the reminder to take care of the earth are fantastic things to send with your boy to school!

Another reason - paper.  My boys love to make all kinds of crazy projects with paper.  They love having a special place for coloring.  What mom doesn't want her boys to have the chance for creativity?

The Giveaway

The generous folks at Dayspring/(in)courage want to offer one of my reader (that could be you) a $35 gift code to be used toward any of their products.  With a minimum purchase of $35.  Shipping is not included.  The winner will be randomly selected on August 26.  

How to Enter

You may enter using any or all of the following methods.  Leave a comment below for each entry you complete.  Make sure to include your email address in each entry.

1) Visit the (in)courage page, tell me something you learned.

2) Window shop on Dayspring.  Tell me what you'd buy with your $35 gift code.

3) "Like" (in)courage on Facebook.

4.) "Like" Crum's This N That on Facebook.

5) Follow Crum's This N That via GFC (right hand sidebar).

6) Tell me your favorite boy name - leave it on THIS POST.

***Disclosure: I received a product or products free for the purpose of review to share with my readers on this post.***

BOY PARTY!!!

Who's ready for a BOY PARTY?  

In celebration of baby boy #3 we will be hosting a BOY PARTY for the remainder of the month.  All of my reviews and giveaways have been hand selected to enhance life with BOYS!  These include cleaning supplies, diapers, natural healing, organization, preparing for preschool with boys, recreation and MORE! 

Join us as we celebrate our boys for the remainder of August!

Leave a comment on THIS post telling me your favorite boy name for an extra entry into any and all of our upcoming giveaways!

Customizedstickers.com: Review

Have you ever thought of making your own stickers?  You know you can buy blank stickers pretty cheaply at the store and print them yourself - what quality are those stickers though?

CustomizedStickers.com offers high quality stickers in a variety of shapes, sizes, and variety.  You can make bumper stickers with your baby's face on them, or window clings with your business logo.  The possibilities seem endless!  You make your stickers, whatever the purpose with what you want on them - they put them together with their high quality system, and you've got a fantastic sticker!  Their prices seem reasonable as well, however, I honestly don't know how they compare to industry standard prices.

*Disclaimer: Customizedstickers.com gave me a free product for review as payment for this promotion.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Cow Patties Cloth Diapers: Review & Giveaway

Here it is, the much - awaited review for Cow Patties Cloth Diapers!

My first Cow Patties Diaper was a One Size All in 2 diaper.  I was super excited about it and love the minky circle print!  I have to be honest, when it arrived I was somewhat disappointed - there were some flaws that made it difficult to use.  I used it infrequently at first, then I sent a message to Cow Patties about it, and guess what - they fixed the problems.  What I want you to get from this is that Cow Patties Cloth Diapers are willing to fix problems with their diapers.  They have excellent customer service - I just needed to be a better customer from the start.

Overnight - the AI2 works fantastically.  Crackers stayed dry, so did his bed.  He woke up in a good mood!

This diaper has side snaps - 4 sets of them.  I love the side snaps, as I feel like they get tighter on his legs and I have less "wing droop" than with front snap diapers.   As you can see, this diaper is snug on his legs without being too tight.

Another view of the side snaps - again - I love them.

I think my favorite thing about the Cow Patties Diapers might be their inserts.  This one has a snap in insert - it's long and narrow.  The shape makes it easier to customize to my child's wetting needs.  I generally double this over and make the back end wider than the front (better for catching poo), then fold the front down so I have several layers where he's going to wet.

Now - this is the diaper I am officially reviewing, and the style that Cow Patties is giving away!  

This is a One Sized Pocket Diaper, and it's fantastic.  I want to show you the GREAT things about this diaper, and share my one and only concern (which I have already shared with Cow Patties).  

I already shared that the inserts are long and thin - this one is even longer than the other!  Also, it's Bamboo - super absorbent.  AND - the inside of this particular diaper is fleece - which makes it water repellent.  When I use the cover like a wrap instead of a pocket diaper, I can use it again and again.  I've used this at times for an entire day without the cover feeling even a little damp!

Like I said about the inserts earlier - the shape makes them totally customizable.  This is how I fold mine most of the time.

The pocket is big enough to put my hand in when I stuff the inserts inside.  It's easy to make sure my inserts are not wrinkled or bunched up.

I love this print.

Here is the picture of what I don't love - This diaper is on it's largest setting.  Crackers is 18 months old and about 25 pounds.  He's not super chunky, but it's already starting to be tight on his legs.  I can still snap the belly almost to the middle snap - I know, babies are all shaped differently, but I'd like to see a bit more stretch in the legs.

As you can see, Crackers is totally uninhibited in his movement, in spite of my concerns about the tightness on his legs.  He seems to like this diaper as much as any others.  (There are some that he does not like wearing - I will not be doing reviews on those.)

BUY IT

You can buy Cow Patties Cloth Diapers from their online store or through Facebook.  

WIN IT

Residents of US and Canada can enter to win a One Sized Pocket Diaper in your choice of pattern right here, right now!  This giveaway will close on Friday August, 5 at 9pm.  For entry instructions, see below.

How to Enter

Mandatory Entry:  In order to enter this contest your first entry MUST be this:  "Like" Cow Patties Cloth Diapers on Facebook.  Yep, it's that easy!  You don't have to thank them, but it would be polite.  Leave a comment below telling me you have done this - don't forget to include your email address.

Additional Entries: You may complete any or all of these additional tasks for more entries.  Leave a comment below for each entry you complete - remember your email address in EACH comment.

1) Look at Cow Patties fabric inventory - tell me which you think you would choose for a diaper.

2) Share about this giveaway on Facebook (leave a link to the contest and tag Cow Patties Cloth Diapers)

3) "Like" Crum's This N That on Facebook.

4) Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect

Bonus: Make a guess at baby #3's gender before August 1 - guesses go on this post.  Leave a comment here letting me know you did this (you don't even have to be right).

*Disclaimer: I received a product free for review.  All opinions are my own.

Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent: Review & Giveaway

If you've been around a while, you know that I love natural products for my family.  I frequently make my own laundry soaps so I know that they are safe for my family.

Over the last couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to test Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent.  I tend to be skeptical about stain removal & odors - neither was a problem with the Tropical Traditions Detergent.

Not only do I love the gentle way it cleans my clothes, I love how long it seems to last.  1 container lasts about 40 washes (80 with a front loading washer)!  The 5lb container will last me for nearly 2 months!

Natural, non-toxic detergent for $30 seems like a great deal - but it gets better!  Right now it is on sale for $16.99!  Almost half price.

I absolutely recommend trying Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent with your family!

Try before you buy - you have a chance to win Powdered Laundry Detergent from Tropical Traditions right here!

WIN IT:

This contest is open to residents of the US only.  It will close on Friday, July 29.  Please read below for ways to enter.  I have received a product free for trial and review.

HOW TO ENTER:

You may use ANY or ALL of the following methods to enter.  Leave a comment for each entry you complete.  Please leave your email address in each comment.

MANDATORY: Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter.

1) Check out the Tropical Traditions website.  Tell me another product you are interested in.

2) "Like" Tropical Traditions on Facebook.

3) Follow Crum's This N That via Google Friend Connect (upper right hand column of the page).

4) Subscribe to Crum's This N That email newsfeed (upper right corner for the page).

Baby Goes Pro: Discover Sports DVD - review

I was SUPER excited to get this DVD for my boys.  They love outside play, especially when it comes to learning how to use a ball and I couldn't wait to share it with them and then try out different sports as we learned about them.

Baby Goes Pro is a unique educational tool for families and educators.  The team has put together great music and sports themes with some fantastic educational foundations in a way that helps to inspire young children to get active.  We really enjoyed the way the DVD was put together - each sport is introduced in the same format as the one before it, so my boys knew what to expect.

Each type of ball is introduced separately and my boys had the opportunity to learn words related to the sports as well as seeing video of people actually using the ball.  Crackers especially loved the songs.  The DVD caught his attention immediately.  Monkey was a little slower to decide he liked it.  What caught his attention the most was the variety of balls used for different sports.

The difference it has made so far for our family:  Monkey is learning to identify different types of balls.  He recognizes that they are used for different things.  We do not have all of the equipment used in the video, but he is interested in trying them out and will get that opportunity over time.

For only $12, this video seems like a great deal for families who are interested in helping their young children learn more about sports.  I recommend that you check out the Baby Goes Pro website and see how your family might learn from it!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Motherlove Herbal Company: Review & Giveaway

I'm about to tell you about a company that knocks my socks off.  I was first introduced to Motherlove Herbal Company on a blog.  I won a jar of Diaper Rash & Thrush Salve.  This meets a need in our house.  You see, I'm diabetic and when I'm breastfeeding, my babies really struggle with thrush and we tend to pass it back and forth.  I am not currently breastfeeding, but I do still have a little guy in cloth diapers, and I will be breastfeeding in the near future.  We have recently had some difficulties with rashes.  Crackers doesn't get them often, but when he does they are terrible and hard to treat.  In fact, I have not found another diaper rash treatment that would clear it up.  Believe it or not, this salve is all-natural and has a zero toxin rating - with 96% organic ingredients.

I recently had the opportunity to test Motherlove's Green Salve.  This stuff is amazing.  It's great for taking the itch out of bug bites, poison ivy, and other skin irritations.  It is NOT recommended for diaper rash.  I took this with me for a picnic on Memorial Day and had the opportunity to share it with another adult who had an irritating insect bite.  She used it and commented about how quickly it seemed to take the sting out.  I have also used it on closed wounds on Monkey's Arm - he had fallen and scraped up his arm, now he has a little scarring, this soothed him and seemed to reduce the scarring.  Green Salve is not suggested for use on open wounds.  I love this stuff!  It is also non toxic and has 100% organic ingredients.

Have you ever had a dry itchy belly while pregnant?  Have you ever gotten stretch marks?  Pregnant Belly Salve helps alleviate some of those annoying pregnancy symptoms.  I've tried it for a couple of weeks now.  It's hard to for me to tell whether it's working to minimize stretch marks - other than I know that my belly is getting bigger, and so far I don't see any new marks.  I do know that Pregnant Belly Salve has helped me a lot with the itchy dry skin.  I usually use it twice a day and it feels so nice to put on my belly!  It does not feel super oily or greasy.  This is also made of all-natural ingredients and has a zero toxin rating.

My husband's impression?  He was stunned by the quick reaction that Crackers had to the Diaper Rash & Thrush Salve.  He likes the smells of the natural salves.  Mr. Crum is impressed by the organic bee wax used in the salves as he is a beekeeper and knows how very difficult it is to get an organic rating on any bee product.

Motherlove is an amazing company that values the health of its customers as well as the environment.  You can read about their practices under the tab labeled "Company".

BUY IT:

To find a Motherlove supplier near you, check their website!  I discovered that we have 2 suppliers about 41 miles away from our house - in a town we pass through somewhat regularly - THAT is super exciting to me.

You can also order Motherlove products on the company website.

WIN IT:

One of my readers will win their choice of a Motherlove product!  (A fantastic prize if you ask me).  This contest is for residents of the US only and will end on June 24.

HOW TO ENTER:

To enter in this contest you may do any or all of the following things.  Each task is 1 entry.  Please leave a comment in the form below for each entry you complete.  Remember to leave your email address in each comment so I can contact you if you win.

1) Go to the Motherlove Herbal Company website and tell me which product you think you would like to win.  (If you do win you can change your mind about what you would like).

2) "Like" Motherlove Herbal Company on Facebook.  It is polite to thank them for the giveaway.

3) "Follow" Motherlove Herbal Company on Twitter.

4) "Follow" Crum's This N That via Google Friend Connect (right hand column).

5) "Like" Crum's This N That on Facebook.

6) "Follow" me on Twitter.

Earth Mama Angel Baby Tea: Review & Giveaway

The truth? I have a hard time resting. I have a 17 month old and an ALMOST 3 year old... and I'm pregnant. And honestly – I've always had a hard time resting. I like to be on the move. Okay, so I like naps, but really sitting down and relaxing is so difficult at times.

Maybe I'm crazy but it seems like the added hormones from pregnancy make it even harder to let my mind be truly at ease. I lay down at night and think about everything that I should have finished, or needs to happen tomorrow, or what would be a great baby name... you get the picture? There's a lot on my mind when I try and rest and that makes it really hard. I've even noticed that Monkey has a hard time resting, I imagine he's a lot like his mama.

All that in mind – I was super excited to try Organic Peaceful Mama Tea. This is one of many great Earth Mama Angel Baby products that is especially designed for moms! It's caffiene free, so it's safe for pregnant or nursing mamas!

Mr. Crum and I are lovers of tea and I enjoyed testing this. Organic Peaceful Mama Tea tastes fantastic when I drink it from my favorite mug.. it also tastes great when I drink it from other mugs. Does it help me relax? It does! A nice warm cup of tea before bed is perfect for helping to soothe my tired mind. It is great any time of the day, but I especially love it just before I go to sleep.

WIN IT:

Earth Mama Angel Baby is offering one of my readers a choice of organic tea to sample!  This giveaway is open to residents of the US and will end on Friday, June 17.

HOW TO ENTER:

Please leave a comment for each entry and put your email address in each comment.

1) Visit Earth Mama Angel Baby and tell me what product you would like to try.

2) Tell me one way you work on living a healthier life.

3) "Like" Earth Mama Angel Baby on Facebook.

4) Follow Crum's This N That via GFC.

5) "Like" Crum's This N That on Facebook.

Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars: Book Review & Giveaway

Are you like me?  Do you love finding great new ways to help your kids learn and explore?  We especially love helping our boys learn in nature.  A few weeks ago, on a trip to the mall, we accidentally discovered this wonderful book at one of the big bookstores.  (Really, it was an accident).

I picked it up and flipped through it while Crackers played with the train table.  I loved the illustrations, but more than that, I loved all the GREAT ideas for learning with my kids.  Okay, so it says it is Grandma's Bag of Tricks.  The truth is, I have plenty to learn from this grandma.  In fact, I would love her to come spend a week with us and play with my boys.  Or maybe I should send them to her! 

Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars is not a book for grandmas.  Well, yes it actually is - but we all need some help to come up with great new ways to spend quality time with our families.  I highly recommend exploring this book with your children.  There are so many projects that we adore, it was hard to pick out a favorite to start with.

We chose to make a solar oven with our boys - the materials are easy to get cheaply, and the project is simple enough that our 3 year old can help.  What's best is that there is an edible reward in the end!  Our 

choice of foods - mini pizzas!  Yum!

WIN IT:

One of my readers will win a copy of Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars of their own.  This contest will end Friday, June 17.  This contest is limited to residents of the US and Canada.

HOW TO ENTER:

You may enter using any or all of the following methods.  Please leave 1 comment for each entry and include your email address in each comment.

1) Visit Sharon Lovejoy's website, tell me something you learned.

2) Look around the Workman Publishing site and tell me about another interesting book.

3) Follow Crum's This N That via GFC.

4) Subscribe to Crum's This N That via email newsfeed.

5) Tell me why you want this book and who you would share it with.

BubuBibi Cloth Diapers & Supplies: Review & $25 Gift Card Giveaway!

To the best of my knowledge I have 5 family members (other than myself) who are expecting babies before the end of the year. All of the babies are due between June 9 and November 30. Yep, 6 babies, WOW! I've been talking with some of these ladies about cloth diapers and looking for economical solutions to help them meet their needs.

Playing the piano in his BubuBibi Denim (Fun Prints) Diaper

I found BubuBibi on my search for a great and economical diaper. My qualifications for the perfect diaper to recommend to these women include:

1. One Size Fits all
2. Pocket Diaper or wrap with an insert for easier drying or multiple use
3. Snaps for continued use with toddlers
4. $12 or less per diaper
5. Good quality handwork, easy use, high absorbency
   

   

   Crackers used the BubuBibi Galaxy (Original Print) as a swim diaper on  Memorial Day Weekend

BubuBibi diapers meet all of these criteria. They are also cute with a variety of patterns to choose from. We tested the “denim” print and the “galaxy” print. Monkey fell in love with the galaxy print from the moment he saw it, so he tested it overnight first. He's a light wetter overnight and did not soak through it. It fit him perfectly. Crackers tested the galaxy diaper next, it fit him very well also and we had no trouble with leaks. Galaxy is purple and white, I think it is a little girly, but my boys don't mind, and like I said – Monkey loves it.

Pocket on the denim (fun print) diaper

The "denim" print is a one size pocket diaper and comes with 2 inserts for only $10.50!  If you're new to cloth diapering this sounds like a lot of money, but trust me - this is a fantastic price.  The inserts are made of bamboo which is super absorbent and great at preventing leaks.  I am absolutely recommending this diaper to my friends and family members who are expecting.  Because it is a one size diaper, it can be used from infancy through potty training!  I will be using this diaper on our new baby when it arrives this fall!

The pocket on the galaxy (original print) diaper

BubuBibi's galaxy print is also a one size pocket diaper.  It only comes with one insert (which is bamboo).  This diaper is only $9.25 plus shipping.  I like the style of this diaper slightly better than the style of the denim diaper.  What's the difference?  Where the pocket sits.  The pocket on the denim diaper is at the seam between the lining and the outer shell of the diaper.  This is very convenient for stuffing the insert into just right.  The pocket on the galaxy diaper is at the back of the diaper as well, but inside the lining.  I like this because it's more hidden, and for some reason I feel more comfortable choosing whether I want to stuff the liner into the diaper, or put it on top of the shell to use it like a diaper wrap instead of a pocket.

I am also honored to review BubuBibi's new wet/dry bag. I love this bag for so many reasons – It's LARGE, I can fit 3 days worth of diapers in it easily (keeping in mind that Crackers is almost 1 ½, realize that's approximately 15 diapers). I can also carry a spare diaper and wipes in the front pouch. It's got an elastic loop for hanging it. I love how easy it is to hang and take down. It washes easily with my diapers and is fantastic for traveling on long trips!  These bags are amazingly priced at $8.99 - $9.99 (depending on the fabric) and shipping is only $1.45!

Disposable Viscose Liners

Another great product from BubuBibi is their roll of disposable viscose liners. I had never used disposable liners before and was a little uncertain about trying them. I admit that it is still sometimes difficult for me to remember to stick the little liner in the diaper – but oh how much I appreciate it when it comes time to clean poo! (Especially during the flat diapers & handwashing challenge.) I was concerned that the liner might stick to the diaper and be difficult to remove after it had been soiled. I've found that it's quite easy to remove and dump in the pot. I love how easy it is to dump the messy diapers and then to clean them without worry!  At $5.50 (plus $2 for shipping) per 100 sheets, these are a great deal!

WIN IT:

BubuBibi has offered to give one of my readers a $25 gift card for their shop!  (That's an amazing prize - 2 diapers and some liners... or a diaper and a wetbag and some liners, or.. well, you figure out what you want)!

This contest is open to residents of the US.  It will close on Friday, June 8 at 8pm.

How to enter:

You may use any or all of the following methods to enter.  Leave 1 comment for each entry completed.  Remember to leave your email address in each comment.

* Like BubuBibi on Facebook.

* Visit the BubuBibi website and tell me what product you would most like to try.

* Follow the BubuBibi blog.

* Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post (tell me where you commented).

* Follow Crum's This N That via GFC.

*Like Crum's This N That on Facebook.

*Post about this giveaway anywhere and leave ma a link to your post.

TruKid Skin Care: Review & Giveaway

*** Camera is not uploading tonight: Pictures to come ASAP***

Okay, so I have to first admit that Monkey LOVES using lotion and washing his hands, and brushing his teeth.. he's a very sensory oriented kid and always has been.

That said, he was SUPER excited when we received a package of TruKid Natural & Organic Skin Care products to try.  We had the honor of testing Helping Hand Wash, Happy Face & Body Lotion, and Sunny Days Sunscreen Lotion.

What a fantastic set of products TruKid offers.  The first thing I noticed was the wonderfully bright colored bottles.  The products are color coded to help kids know whether they are for washing, moisturizing, or other purposes.  Each product also carries a symbol to help children learn where to use the product.  For instance, the Helping Hand Wash has a picture of a hand on the front.  This is fantastic with a preschooler, or any child who is learning to be independent!

The next thing I noticed about TruKid products is the smell.  Wow!  These smell fantasic, I wanted to eat them!  They're a little fruity, I think.  The truth is, I love using Monkey's Helping Hand Wash because my hands smell so good afterward.

The Helping Hand Wash and Happy Face & Body Lotion both come with pumps to make them easy for children to dispense on their own and get a proper amount.  Monkey loves it that he can operate the pump on his own.

Here's the kicker for me.  This is what REALLY sells me on TruKid products:  they are free of paba, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, nano-particles, petroleums, chemicals, propylene glycol, sulfates, paba and gluten. 


I feel good about letting my boys use these great products, and about using them myself.  I love the independence they allow for Monkey, and the fact that I don't have to worry about what is in them!  (oh and the smells... I know I said it before, but they smell so good!)

BUY IT:

Right now TruKid is offering $5.00 flat rate shipping in the US!  What a great deal!  Check out all of their products on the TruKid website.

WIN IT:

TruKid has offered to send one of my readers a prize package of TruKid products!  I don't care who you are - you want to win these.  This contest is open to residents of the US.  It will close on Monday, May 30 at noon EST.

HOW TO ENTER:

You may enter using any or all of the following methods.  Each method is one entry and receives a separate comment in the form below.   Remember to leave your email address in each comment so I can contact you if you win.

*"Like" TruKid on Facebook.

*Subscribe to the TruKid newsletter.

*"Like" Crum's This N That on Facebook or Twitter.

*Post about this giveaway anywhere, leave me a link to your post.

*Follow Crum's This N That via Google Friend Connect.

*Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post. 

JoliMini Cloth Diaper: Review & Giveaway

Joli Mini Cloth Diapers are my final BIG ANNOUNCEMENT sponsor.  Oh my goodness, they are so incredibly cute.  I love all the embroidery choices they offer... who can resist this bum?

Fox Embroidered on Aqua

Joli Mini offers one size pocket diapers in a great variety of minky and embroidered PUL patterns.  Her diapers do not come with an insert.  Joli Mini does sell bamboo inserts separately. 

One Size Diaper, snaps in front to adjust

I love one size diapers.  If I had my choice this is all I would use.  With 1 boy in cloth and a baby on the way (that's right, Monkey's pretty much done, we just deal with the night time messes..) I've got to have a good supply and I don't want to have multiple sizes of diapers to deal with.  It's just kind of a pain.  The snaps on the front of the Joli Mini Diaper make it very easy to adjust the rise.

Showing off the side snaps

Joli Mini has a side-snap closure.  Some days I'm not sure what I think about the side snap.  They're really cute, but when Crackers gets squirmy they feel a little more difficult to me than front snap closures.  I do think that side snaps are easier when trying to convince Monkey to sleep in a diaper, because they look a little bit more like underpants.

Joli Mini also sells tutus and lovey sized blankets on her website, which is primarily in French.  Her diapers can be bought on her Etsy shop, which is in English. 

BUY IT:
You can buy Joli Mini Diapers on both her website or through her Etsy shop!  Prices vary depending on diaper fabric.

WIN IT:
Joli Mini has offered to give a diaper to one of my readers!  This contest is open worldwide.  Joli Mini will pay shipping up to $10, if shipping is over $10, the winner will be required to pay the extra.  Contest will close on Friday, May 13 at noon EST.

HOW TO ENTER:
You may enter using any or all of the following methods.  Each method equals one entry.  Leave one comment for each entry you complete.  Remember to leave your email address in each comment below.
1)  Visit Joli Mini's website or Etsy shop.  Tell me your favorite product.
2)  Order something from Joli Mini.  I will check if you say you have done this.
3)  "Favorite" Joli Mini's Etsy shop or "like" her Facebook page.  (or both).  It would be polite to thank her.
4)  Follow Crum's This N That via Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs. (right hand column).
5) "Like" Crum's This N That on Facebook or "Follow" me on Twitter.
6) Subscribe to my email newsfeed.  Upper right corner of this page.

You can earn up to 6 entries for this contest. 
**Bonus** if you responded to my Facebook post about mother's day ideas for grandmothers, you can give yourself an extra entry.. label it "Happy Mother's Day".

***Disclosure:  I received a product free for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.