$50 Safeway gift card giveaway!! Grocery money people! - ended!

****~~~~~****And the winner is commenter 54 - Annette D ****~~~~~****

Annette you should have received an email from me requesting your mailing information. 

 

 ***Don't forget to go here and enter my other giveaway!**

I do most of my shopping at our local Genuardi's (a Safeway store). I like it because over the years I've come to know many of their employees. Their pharmacists have been especially helpful dealing with all of Noah's medication and insurance billing issues. It feels like a family store, and I like that.

Right now the Safeway family of stores has a special deal where you can purchase two 4-packs of Fiber One yogurt for only $4. This deal is going on until February 9th. It's a great deal, especially if you are able to combine it with the coupons that I'm pretty sure I've seen floating around or go to the Fiber One website and click on the box at the bottom of the front page to print out their coupons. 

Safeway and Fiber One (through MyBlogSpark) are offering one of my readers a $50 Safeway gift card (also good at Dominick´s, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Vons, Genuardi´s).

 

To enter to win the $50 Safeway gift card all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post! 

For extra entries tweet about this giveaway on Twitter with a link back to this post. You can tweet once a day. Make sure you come back here and leave a comment on this post each time.

Don't forget to include your email address in the comment. I know you have to include it to publish the comment, but unless it is actually within the body of the comment or you have email enabled on your Blogger profile I can't see it. 

You have until midnight on Friday February 19, 2010 to enter. I'll announce the winner that weekend.  Again, don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you! 

**Safeway and Fiber One (through MyBlogSpark) have generously given me a gift card and VIP coupon for a free 4 pack of Fiber One yogurt as well in exchange for hosting this giveaway.**

Don't spend more than you have to!

It's never been a secret that I loved breastfeeding! In fact you can read all about it here.

Breastfeeding was one of the big things I felt that I missed out on with Noah. It's definitely one of the big reasons I wanted to be able to give birth to our next child.

That being said, I have nothing against formula. We used it with Noah and despite everything else that is going on with him the kid is healthy! We paid up the wazoo for his formula because he had serious reflux and constipation that we attributed to a dairy sensitivity, so the doctor recommended we give him Enfamil's Nutramigen. Talk about expensive!

It turns out that we probably would have been fine giving him soy formula instead, but we never tried. I have no idea why. After he was a year old we tried soy milk with him and he did fine. He still drinks it.

With Kiel of course you know I breast fed, but despite all my efforts to increase my milk production I never quite had enough for him, so we supplemented with formula when needed. I never felt bad about supplementing with formula, although it pissed me off that there was another part of my body that wasn't doing what it was supposed to. I do think "breast is best" as much for the health reasons as for the amazing bond Kiel and I have because of it, but when I say "breast is best" I mean it was best for us! I don't think you are doing something horrible if you choose not to. Its a personal decision and not one that anyone else should judge.

When we did supplement with formula of course we only bought the "best" for Kiel! No store brands for my child. They aren't as good as the name brand, right? I believed Enfamil when they said Lipil was best and store brands could not compare.

I used coupons whenever I could, but still that shit is expensive!. I'm thankful we only had to buy it occasionally.

So, imagine how pissed off I was when I received an email from MomSelect that told me about the false advertising the makers of Enfamil were involved in. Here's a little bit of the email they sent me:

In a landmark federal court case, a jury verdict confirmed that Mead Johnson, the maker of Enfamil LIPIL Infant Formula, has engaged in false advertising by stating that store brand-infant formulas sold at Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens and other retailers, do not provide the same nutritional benefits as Enfamil.

The jury found that Enfamil advertisements were false and misleading, especially since store- brand formulas have the same nutrients at the same levels as Enfamil. In the process, they have exposed the truth about infant formula: store-brand infant formulas are nutritionally equivalent to, and confer the same developmental benefits as, the more expensive national brands like Enfamil. Buying a heavily marketed formula from a big pharmaceutical company does not get you any closer to breast milk.
If you would like to read more about this you can go here, here, and here. Even Consumer Reports supports store brand formula.

It really busts my boiler when I hear of companies doing things like this, so when MomSelect asked if I'd pass on the information I said hell yes. I just want to know when Mead Johnson is going to reimburse me for some of that money I didn't need to spend!

Disclaimer: While I was offered compensation to post this information I have declined. I feel it is important that parents know this and not spend money needlessly. We spend enough money on our kids, use those dollars on something else!

Bob The Builder DVD review and giveaway!! - ended

 ***Stephanie is the winner of the Bob the Builder DVD. You should have received an email  from me requesting your mailing address!  Congrats***

Kiel has just recently started enjoying Bob the Builder, although not quite as much as Thomas. I think he may need another month or two until he is really ready for the story line of Bob, but he still enjoys watching Muck and Scoop.

Several weeks ago we received a copy of

Bob the Builder: Building Crew Holiday Collection

The press release has this to say about it:
Just in time for the holidays, discover why "the fun is in getting it done" in these action-packed, fun-filled adventures! Join Bob and the Can-Do Crew as they rescue their friend from a winter storm in "Bob's White Christmas." Then it's time to build a log cabin and smooth the ice rink for the Winter Games. Finally, come along as Bob and Scoop hunt for buried treasure -- and make some amazing discoveries -- in this one-of-a-kind collection that's the perfect holiday treat for Bob the Builder fans.

We've been watching the three DVD's in this set for the last couple weeks in between Thomas episodes, and both Noah and Kiel are enjoying them. This would definitely be a hit for those of you with kids that really get into Bob!

I was recently notified that there is another Bob The Builder collection coming out soon and I've been offered a copy to giveaway to one of my readers! Yeah!!

It’s The Biggest Building Collection Ever! 

Bob The Builder™: The Best Of 

Bob the Builder 

Hammers Onto DVD With 10 Favorite 

Episodes In Stores January 12, 2010 

From Lionsgate And HIT Entertainment 

It’s the biggest building collection ever when Bob the Builder™: Best of Bob hammers onto DVD January 12, 2010 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. With 10 great episodes that feature nearly three hours of nuts and bolts action, aspiring builders can revisit their favorite adventures with Bob, Roley, Dizzy, Muck, Scoop and the rest of the Can-Do Crew.  Ready to tackle any project, Bob the Builder and his machine team demonstrate teamwork, positive thinking and the importance of getting the job done right.  Can they build it?  YES THEY CAN!

DVD SYNOPSIS

It’s Bob at his best, along with Roley, Dizzy, Muck, Scoop and the entire Can-Do Crew! Enjoy 10 great episodes celebrating 10 years of building.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

·         “On-Site: Trains” – A 30 minute never before seen feature – Join Bob and his Can-Do Crew for some full steam action as Bob’s world meets the real world in “On Site: Trains.” With Mr. Bentley’s birthday approaching, Mrs. Bentley asks Bob and the team to repair his model train set as a surprise. With footage from real-life railroad construction sites, the team learns the three important stages of the build: setting the foundation, laying the tracks and cleaning up. From recycling old rail ties, to welding the new tracks to creating a railroad crossing where cars and people can cross the tracks safely, there’s no job too big for the team to handle together. It’s all in a day’s work when you go On Site!

·                             

If you would like to win your own copy of this DVD just leave a comment here!

For extra entries tweet about this contest on Twitter with a link back to this post. Come back here and leave me a comment letting me know you did. You can tweet about this contest once daily for extra entries.

Make sure you include your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.

You have until Sunday December 20th at midnight to enter. I'll contact the winner on Monday to get your mailing address.

Don't forget to enter my other giveaway for the new Barney and Thomas DVD's.

Barney: Please & Thank You DVD giveaway!! - ended

****Julie is the winner of this DVD. Julie you should have received

 an email from me requesting your mailing address**** 

Here is the 2nd DVD giveaway I have this week! 

Have Fun Learning Manners with Barney & Friends™ in All-New

Barney™: Please & Thank You

Available On DVD January 5, 2010 From 

Lionsgate And HIT Entertainment

Preschoolers learn the importance of being kind and courteous to others when Barney™: Please & Thank You debuts on DVD January 5, 2010 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Trusted by moms and adored by children, Barney displays sharing, caring, imagining, dancing and learning on television, online and through live events, home entertainment and publishing. The Emmy^® award-winning series, Barney & Friends^™ is one of the top-rated preschool shows today, airing on PBS KIDS^® and PBS KIDS Sprout^SM.

When Baby Bop forgets to say “please” and “thank you,” Barney realizes it’s time for a lesson on how magic words can make other people feel good inside. As Baby Bop daydreams about a world without good manners she realizes that being polite is not only important but it’s easy to do after all.  The DVD features 19 favorite Barney songs including, “Please & Thank You,” “Being Together,” “Clean Up” and more.

If you would like to win your own copy of this DVD just leave a comment here!

For extra entries tweet about this contest on Twitter with a link back to this post. Come back here and leave me a comment letting me know you did. You can tweet about this contest once daily for extra entries.

Make sure you include your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.

You have until Sunday December 20th at midnight to enter. I'll contact the winner on Monday to get your mailing address.

Don't forget to enter my other giveaway for the new Thomas DVD here.

Disclosure: I'm receiving my own copy of this DVD in exchange for a review and this giveaway.

Thomas Holiday Express review AND Thomas & Friends™: Splish Splash Splosh giveaway! - ended

***Andrea from House of Sprout is the winner of this DVD! I left you a comment on your blog. Please email me with your mailing address!***


Kiel is a huge Thomas fan. He asks for "choo choo" all the time and then hands me the remote. When he knows I am turning it on, or if it comes on when he isn't expecting it while watching Sprout, he yells "Yeah!" and jumps up and down. It's adorable and makes it awfully hard to say no when he asks.

Several weeks ago I was sent the Thomas & Friends Holiday Express DVD to review and I've been very remiss in not getting this review up sooner.

The DVD comes with a collectable Thomas holiday train, which I think was the best part! I barely had it out of the envelope it came in before Kiel was begging for the "choo choo."

It’s cold and snowy on the Island of Sodor and Thomas and his engine friends are busy clearing the tracks, making deliveries and helping each other out in the all-new Thomas & Friends™:  Holiday Express arriving on DVD November 3, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.  Packaged with an exclusive, collectible Thomas holiday train only available with the DVD, little carolers will love watching their favorite Number 1 blue engine steaming down the tracks in these winter and holiday-themed stories.

Teaching timeless tales and life lessons such as discovery, friendship and cooperation, Thomas & Friends invites children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story.

All aboard for snowmen, Christmas trees and festive train rides!  When you ride the rails with your favorite friends you never know what to expect.  Enjoy exciting adventures filled with lucky trucks, Christmas puddings, surprise parties and much, much more!  Join Thomas, Henry, Emily, Percy and all your engine friends for a trainload of fun in these six Holiday Express episodes:

·         “Thomas and Percy’s Christmas Adventure”

·        “Snow Engine”

·        “Henry’s Lucky Day”

·        “Don’t Tell Thomas”

·        “Thomas, Emily and the Snow Plough”

·        “Thomas’ Frosty Friend”

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

·        “Sodor Sounds” Game

·        “Cargo Challenge” Game

This DVD is heavily in the rotation at our house right now. If your child loves Thomas this is a must have as a Christmas or Hanukkah gift.

******

I was just notified that there is a new Thomas & Friends DVD coming out in January and I've been offered the chance to give one away to one of my readers!

Soak Up Adventure With An All-New
Thomas & Friends™ DVD Featuring CG Animation
And Never Before Seen Content!

Thomas & Friends™: Splish Splash Splosh

Available January 5, 2010 

From Lionsgate And HIT Entertainment

Soak up adventure with Thomas and his engine friends as they travel around the Island of Sodor in the all-new Thomas & Friends^™: Splish Splash Splosh arriving on DVD January 5, 2010 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Teaching timeless life lessons such as discovery, friendship and cooperation, the Thomas & riends animated series invites children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story.

The new host, Driver Perkins is new on the Island of Sodor, and can be seen ONLY on DVD.  Driver Perkins helps out Sir Topham Hatt, all of Sodor’s engines and the train engineers.  This friendly character also engages children with interactive dialogue and extra fun, like showing how to make a cake that looks just like Thomas and more!  

Even when it’s wet outside you can still have plenty of fun, especially when you share your adventures with Thomas & Friends! Grab your galoshes and join the team as they prepare for rainy day visits and sudsy spills, and then get unstuck from a snowy situation in this collection of stories from the Island of Sodor.

If you would like to win your own copy of this DVD just leave a comment here!


For extra entries tweet about this contest on Twitter with a link back to this post. Come back here and leave me a comment letting me know you did. You can tweet about this contest once daily for extra entries.


Make sure you include your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win.

You have until Sunday December 20th at midnight to enter. I'll contact the winner on Monday to get your mailing address.

Don't forget to enter my other giveaway for the new Barney DVD.

"The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit" DVD review

 I received a review copy of The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit DVD several weeks ago. Since my boys aren't big Strawberry Shortcake fans, OK, since they aren't fans at all, I gave the copy to one of my coworkers who has two girls (3 1/2 and 6 years).

Like my boys like Thomas the Train, her girls like Strawberry Shortcake! That means they like her a lot!

Here's a synopsis of the movie that came with the press release:

A sudden storm leaves Berry Bitty City with a gigantic problem. Strawberry Shortcake and her friends will have to move their whole tiny town unless they find a way to safely remove a huge boulder that threatens everything they hold dear. The storytelling Mr. Longface Caterpillar says he has an easy solution. Strawberry reluctantly agrees to follow him in an adventure-filled journey in search of his fabled Geyser Stone. When that journey ends in failure, Strawberry loses faith in herself. Can her friends restore her "Sky's the Limit" attitude to help lead them to save the town?

According to my coworker her girls are enjoying the movie. Her 3 1/2 year old is really enjoying looking at the brochure that came with the movie, and planning what toys she wants to add to her Berry Café collection next! Apparently they already have three of the toys that go with the movie.

If she gives me anymore feedback I'll update this post, but overall the impression I got is that if your kids love Strawberry Shortcake they will enjoy this movie!

The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit is available now!

Bonus: Here's the link to a coloring page you can print off!

"Thomas and Friends: Hero of the Rails The Movie" review

If you have toddler or pre-school aged boys I'm feeling pretty confident in guessing that they are Thomas the Train fans.

Noah was a huge fan when he was three and four, and one of my favorite memories with him at that age is taking him to a Day Out with Thomas at Strasburg Railroad, in Strasburg, PA. 

When I received a copy of the new Thomas & Friends^™: Hero of the Rails The Movie DVD I was excited to have a chance to introduce Kiel to Thomas.

Unlike Noah at that age Kiel is actually happy to sit and watch a video or age appropriate TV show. (Yes, I let my toddler watch TV. I value what sanity I have left.)

Kiel, with his love of trucks, trains and planes, was immediately hooked! No surprise there.

Noah was happy to sit and watch the movie too. Talk about a win-win for Mommy!

Unlike the Thomas episodes I'm used to watching, which aren't more than five or ten minutes long, this is a full length movie (approximately 60 minutes). It's also, according to the press release I received the first time individual character voices are heard for the engines. 

Here is a synopsis of the movie:

-->
In this action-packed tale of friendship, determination and teamwork Thomas discovers an abandoned and broken down engine named Hiro from an exciting far away land.  Fearing that he will be scrapped, Thomas enlists help from many friends including Victor, a new steam engine and Kevin, a new crane vehicle who both work at the spectacular Sodor Steam Works. But mishaps, mistakes and one boastful engine could foil their plans for a heroic rescue.  Can the engine pals work together to help their new friend?  Join the adventure and find out!

There's a really good plot recap of the movie here. I love that it also includes trivia and goofs that point out inconsistencies in the movie. As an adult watching a kid movie I think it makes it a little more fun for me to look for those things. Of course I don't point them out to my boys!

What did I think? Well, in general Thomas kind of annoys me, but less than some other stuff my boys like. Like all Thomas stories there is a message in the story line, which I appreciate. I don't like the teasing and general bullying of some of the engines. Noah has never been able to separate the good from the bad with stuff like this, so I have to be extra conscientious about not letting him watch Thomas without guidance.  That's just another bonus of the autism spectrum disorder.

What did my boys think? They loved it of course. They have watched it several times and it is in regular rotation now with the frequently asked for DVD's.

I definitely recommend this if your kids are Thomas fans!