Summer Birthday Bash! BeginAgain Artist of the Go Kit Review & Giveaway

 I love finding companies that sell products that encourage children to be creative and use their imaginations. Both my kids are pretty decent artists and I love to see them spend time creating art on a black piece of paper instead of always playing video games.  At BeginAgain you can find lots of imaginative toys like sports sets, art kits, tea sets, and natural wooden puzzles. And best of all, they are all made from Eco-friendly materials like natural cotton and soy based inks. So they are fun and safe for both the kids and the environment.

 For our review, we were sent the Artist on the Go Kit. This is a great set for children at all different skill levels. It comes with markers, pencils, shaped stencils, a note book, and more. All of these are stored in a convenient carry case that kids can take with them on the go. Its great for long car rides or while you're waiting in a restaurant.  My children, who are ages 3 and 10, both enjoyed it and were able to use it without any assistance.The stencils are helping my little one get a better grasp of how to draw instead of just scribble, and the natural inks wash out of clothes with no hassle. This is really a wonderful gift option for kids of all ages.

In addition to encouraging the budding artist, BeginAgain also has fun, green toys for would-be writers, inventors, heroes and sportsters. Their puzzles are great for beginners because the pieces are large and present no choking hazards.  Their otter tea set is a great way to beat the summer heat. And of course their sports toys are perfect for all sorts of outdoor fun. You can order any of these fantastic toys online on their website. Prices are reasonable and shipping is quick. So if you're looking for the perfect toy for a special little one in your life, head over to BeginAgain and see what magic is waiting for your future star.


One lucky winner is going to receive the same BeginAgain On the Go Art Kit that we received to review.  To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on  8/2/11 and is open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to BeginAgain for offering this fantastic prize.


 a Rafflecopter giveaway



 ***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.  Please note that I  am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. ***

Summer Birthday Bash! Green Apple Supply Wooden Sword Review & Giveaway

There are some toys that are just timeless and can make you feel like you stepped into a fairy tale. My family and I all enjoy movies and books about the Renaissance world--a time when men (and a few strong women) were chivalrous and ventured into the unknown to slay the dragons. My son always wanted to have a wooden sword to start his training, just like in all the tales of King Author. Before he pulled his real sword from the stone, he trained with a wooden sword like all the children on his ers. I had looked high and low to find this kind of toy, and was amazed when I finally located one at Green Apple Supply.

Green Apple Supply is an online store that specializes in bringing you the best green products  on the market. One of the categories they cover are toys, and their selection is vast.  For our review, we picked out the wizard sword. The sword is carved from all natural wood, making it  safe for the environment as well as a fun choice that encourages imaginative play. All three of my kids have been having a ball pretending to be knights, pirates, wizards and more. I love seeing them step away from the television and video games for a little while, and using their imaginations instead. This fantastic toy is available at Green Apple Supply for less then $7. I was amazed by this price. I expected to pay much more for such a high quality toy. Its definitely worth the investment and would make a great gift for any child who is looking to bring their summer vacation to new heights.

In addition to toys, Green Apple Supply also offers a wide range of green and all natural products for the home including water bottles, messenger bags, compostable plates and so much more. They also have a great selection of back to school items.  Prices are reasonable, shipping is quick, and their selection is amazing. If you want to keep your home clean and green, Green Apple Supply is the perfect place to start shopping.

One lucky winner is going to receive the same wooden wizard sword that we received to review.  To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on  7/31/11 and is open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Green Apply Supply for offering this fantastic prize.


 a Rafflecopter giveaway



 ***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.  Please note that I  am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. ***

A Lamb and a Llama -Children's Book Review & Giveaway

Picasso is a strong, proud llama who keeps the other farm animals safe from danger. All goes well until a young lamb named Nola is born. Wild little Nola loves to play. She keeps the other animals constantly stirred up-until she disappears! Will the animals be able to find Nola? Will Picasso save her before it's too late? Find out what happens in this delightful tale based on a true story of a llama from the Pinnacle Peak Llama Ranch.


 Where to Buy

You can get your copy of a Lamb and a Llama on Amazon for only $9.95.

Our Thoughts

A Lamb and a Llama is a beautifully written and original story. It tells the tale of a Llama named Picasso who guards over the other animals.  One day, a new baby lamb named Nola is born. As with any new addition, there is some adjusting to do.  There are times when the new baby aggravates him.  Yet at the same time, an affection grows between the two animals. When Nola disappears, Picasso leads the search party to bring her home safely. This is a scenario my three older children could really relate to since we have a baby in the house who is just starting to toddle around and steal all their toys. But of course they still love their baby brother, just like Picasso loves Nola.

My whole family enjoyed reading this story. Its a  unique idea that was actually inspired by true events. Picasso is a very real llama who formed a special bond with a little sheep who went missing.  Ashley Bustamante took these real life events and brought them to life for children everywhere in this well written and beautifully illustrated picture book. But believe it or not, there's still more that makes this book unique. In the borders of the pages are fun facts about sheep and llamas. Did you know that most sheep are black when they're born or that llamas pull back their ears when they're nervous? I sure didn't! Now when we go to the zoo, we pay special attention to the llamas and lambs to see what they're doing. I love a book that is a fun read for younger children, but that also teaches them a thing or two about the world we live in. This book is full of fun facts and has a great moral. Anyone can be friends because, really, we aren't that different underneath our "fur"!  I would recommend this book to anyone with young children. Its the type of story your whole family will enjoy reading over and over again.

 Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a signed copy of a Lamb and a Llama. You will be able to enter this giveaway at both the New Age Mama and Author Laura DeLuca blogs. You only need to enter ONCE. Please do not enter on both blogs. Entries will be merged and one winner will be chosen. Giveaway will end on 7/30/12 and is open  to the US only. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Author Ashley Bustamante for offering this great prize.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


 ***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.  Please note that I  am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. **

Summer Birthday Bash! A Candy Store Review & Giveaway

 

 

 

This weekend will be my son's tenth birthday, and we have a big party planned! We have all the decorations, a big cake, and thanks to A Candy Store, we also have a huge selection of party favor candy to hand out! With three summer birthdays, I can spend a fortune on party favors. When I know parents are just throwing away the cheap plastic toys, it seems like a waste of money. Candy is a much better option, and with A Candy Store, I was able to get enough candy for all three birthdays with some left over for under $50!  For anyone with a large family, its always a good idea to buy in bulk, and  A Candy Store is great place to buy candy  at great wholesale prices   There you can find gummies, lollipops, mints, chocolate and more at prices well below retail.

 

 

 

 For our review, we were given a $50 credit. Choosing something was tough with so many wonderful options. I was surprised at how easy it was to navigate the site. You can search by candy type, occasion, and even color.  Each of my kids got to pick one item, and we finally decided on a case of Dark Chocolate M & Ms, Jolly Rancher Lollipops, and Sour Punch Twists .  They arrived just a few days later, well packaged and very fresh. All of these varieties are hard to find in my area, so I was excited to get a case of each of them, especially at such a great price. This amount of candy will last awhile, even in my household. 

 

 

 

 In addition to every day snacking and birthday parties, there are plenty of other occasions that A Candy Store can help to make memorable. Their candy would make wonderful party favors for  weddings and baby showers or you can make little gift bags for holiday parties at school. And don't forget to stop back for Halloween!   Kids will love to get full size candy bars, and at these prices, you can afford to splurge. They always offer shipping for the low flat rate of $9.95 so its worth it to stock up on your candy with A Candy Store.

In honor of the Summer Birthday Bash, one lucky winner is going to receive the same three products that I received to review. To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on 7/20/12 and is open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Kor for offering this fantastic prize.

 

 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 ***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.  Please note that I  am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. ***

Summer Birthday Bash - Zooguu Handmade Plush Toys Review & Giveaway

I recently discovered a really cool website that gives you the chance to make personalized items that your kids are going to love! The company is called the Zooguu  You can go onto their website and  your children can create their  stuffed animal in the style and color of their choice. They choose from a variety of creatures including but not limited to foxes, aliens, monsters, turtles, whales and penguins. Once the plush toy is created, it is shipped right to your door.

 My family decided to make an animal for my son, Nicky, who will be turning one in just a month. My older son is nine, and he had no problems getting online and designing just the right stuffed animal.  You don't have to be a computer wiz to use the website. Its all very self explanatory. Once you select which toy you want, you just pick out different color felt. It even gives you an image of what your design will look like, so there are no surprises. Choose from tiny little animals to extra large.  We decided on the hedgehog and while we tried out every possible color combination, just for the fun of it, we stuck with the traditional brown/tan colors.

 Once we were done designing, we simply added it to our cart and it was on its way. Since it is a custom item, it does take a few weeks to ship, so you should order with that in mind. When our hedgehog got here a few days ago, my son was thrilled with it. It is very well made and I'm sure it will be a keepsake for many years to come. It even has clothe eyes, so its safe for kids of all ages, including babies. If you are looking for a last minute gift for a child in your life, a toy from Zooguu is a great choice.   Its a fun gift any child is sure to love. Prices range from $15 for a tiny size toy to $90 for an extra large, so they will fit in any budget. This is such a unique idea, you just can't go wrong.

In honor of the Summer Birthday Bash, one lucky winner is going to be able to create a medium size toy of their choice. That's a $40 ! To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end on 7/16/12. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Zooguu for offering this fantastic prize.


 a Rafflecopter giveaway



 ***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.  Please note that I  am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. ***

Summer Birthday Bash! Glass Peace Jelly Fish Pendant Giveaway

A few weeks ago, I wrote a review about the amazing hand blown glass accessories at Glass Peace. You can read my full review here.  Now this wonderful company is back again, and this time, they want one of my readers to get in the mood for the beach with one of their beautiful Mushroom pendants! The winner will receive the pendant shown in the photo below.

 To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway will end 7/15/12 and is open to the US only.  The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Glass Peace for offering this fantastic prize.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway



If you don't win, don't forget that they are currently offering 20% off plus FREE shipping. What a great deal on these already low prices!

 **Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. Please note that I am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. ***