John Deere Earth Mover Action DVD giveaway!

 ***And the winner is commenter number 41,cstironkat who tweeted on 4/1! You should have received an email from me requesting your mailing information.***

The boys and I have been so lucky the last several months and have received several DVD's from Andrea Blain Public Relations to review. And even better, we have been able to offer many of them as a giveaway to one of YOU! Right now I have a couple giveaways going so make sure you check all my recent posts!

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John Deere Earth Mover Action

Usually I watch the DVD's with my boys before I post a giveaway, but with this one I'm so excited that I wanted to post the giveaway as soon as possible so one of you lucky readers can receive it before it hits the stores!

I can't wait to watch this with Kiel and see his excitement. I bet even Noah gets into it. I'm positive this one is going to get a lot of play in our house. Not to mention that I've always been a John Deere fan myself. I guess it comes standard when you grow up on a farm.

John Deere Earth Mover Action is rumbling onto DVD April 13, 2010.  This 40-minute tribute to big-machines – excavators, front-end loaders, graders, scrapers, and backhoes, includes a fascinating look at John Deere’s newest – the fast, powerful, four-track 764 Dozer. 

This is what they are saying about it:

TM Books & Video’s crews scoured the country to find John Deere big machines working hard in interesting places – watch a grader plowing snow in the Rockies, excavators digging dirt and loading big articulated dump trucks, dozers climbing hills and pushing dirt, front-end loaders moving big rocks in a quarry – powerful, big-time earth-mover action that will thrill and delight young and old alike. Learn interesting facts about these mighty vehicles and play the “Let’s Pretend game" where young viewers imagine being the operator of an earth-moving machine.

Stop-action segments feature die-cast toys and articulated super heroes mining candy at the Big Rock Candy Mountain Quarry. Sing-along to all-new toe tapping tunes by award-winning singer/songwriter James Coffey. Kids will learn, laugh, and want more. 

John Deere Earth Mover Action, is recommended for ages three and older, will be available April 13, 2010 for a suggested retail price of $14.95.  

To enter to win 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 April 2, 2010 to enter. I'll announce the winner that weekend.  Again, don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you! 

Full disclosure: I will receive my own copy of this DVD for review from Andrea Blain Public Relations and TM Books & Video. I am not receiving monetary compensation for hosting this giveaway.

Shaun the Sheep: A Woolly Good Time review and giveaway!

******And the winner is commenter #21 -Jessica, who said Thanks for the giveaway! My nieces would love this!

Jessica you should have received an email from me requesting your mailing information. Congratulations!****************

Today was a good day to stay inside and watch movies! My boys didn't completely agree as you can see, but they were happy to come inside after a long romp in the Blizzard of 2010.

We were all lucky that waiting for us was a new movie we were given to review:

 Shaun The Sheep™: A Woolly Good Time

I'll be honest, I don't understand the attraction to this, but my boys (including my husband) love it! They can't get enough of it. When Kiel saw the cover on the DVD box his face lit up and he said "sha shee, sha shee," which I'm fairly certain was "Shaun the Sheep."

Here is some information about the DVD:

From The Academy Award®-Winning Creators Of Wallace & Gromit™ Comes The All-New Shaun The Sheep™: A Woolly Good Time

It’s another crazy ba-a-a-tch of adventures when the all-new Shaun the Sheep: A Woolly Good Time arrives on DVD February 16, 2010 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. An international hit, Shaun the Sheep recently won an International Emmy Award for Children & Young People. Five minute shorts of the series also currently air in the U.S. on the Disney Channel. Fans can only find full length episodes on the DVDs.

A little pinch of zaniness and a big dash of fun is the perfect recipe for laughter as Shaun the Sheep and his barnyard buddies Bitzer, Shirley, Timmy and friends get into more wacky shenanigans in Shaun the Sheep: A Woolly Good Time. The laughs keep rising as the creators of the Academy Award™- winning Wallace & Gromit are on a roll, dough-ling out more sheep herding mayhem by the baker’s dozen.

I figure even if I'm not a fan, it keeps the boys occupied for an hour so I can get some work done. So win-win in my book!

And because my guys are such fans of this, and Andrea Blain Public Relations Inc. is so awesome, I'm able to offer one of my readers their own copy of Shaun the Sheep: A Woolly Good Time!

To enter to win 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 26, 2010 to enter. I'll announce the winner that weekend.  Again, don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you! 

Full disclosure: I was provided with a copy of the DVD for review. The opinions in my review are purely my own and I do not provide false information for personal gain.

$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.