I found this really great site and was able to review one of their organic teas; at the time I was so close to the end of my pregnancy that I chose their Third Trimester Tea and have so enjoyed sipping at a c up of tea over the course of my day!  I wish I would have discovered the site sooner!  I love that this tea is priced affordably and is organic!  So often organic products are a lot more expensive.

Here’s some info from the website where you can also read the ingredients.

 

100% USDA certified organic Third Trimester Tea was formulated as a tonic for mamas who are heading into the home stretch (pardon the pun)! This delicious blend of vitamin and mineral packed herbs was formulated especially to nurture all those mama parts gearing up for the joyous arrival of your angel baby.

Blended with 100% organic herbs, including red raspberry leaf (an all-around great pregnancy herb), iron-rich stinging nettle, calming chamomile and rosehips (both full of vitamins and bioflavonoids), and calcium filled oat straw, Third Trimester Tea is a brilliant blend of Mother Nature's gifts to mamas-in-waiting.

All Earth Mama Angel Baby teas now come in easy to brew tea bags! And there's even more good news: the tea bags are biodegradable, the tea overwrap is compostable and the 100% recycled and recyclable cartons were produced using wind energy. Steep, sip and enjoy, mama!

 

I prefer to shop Canadian, support Canadian companies and avoid shipping costs from the United States.  There is a link on the Earth Mama Angel Baby website takes you to another site to order products from a place here in Canada!  Thanks, Earth Mama, Angel Baby for this great feature!

You can find other great pregnancy, birth and baby products at Earth Mama, Angel Baby Organics’ website.

AND NOW . . . . WE HAVE A GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

But not here!  Hee hee!  You have to go over to my other blog – Just Our Thoughts for a giveaway of a box of tea of the winner’s choice.

OPEN TO: US and Canadian residents.

Earth Mama Angel Baby is the only complete line of safe, zero toxin, hospital recommended, honestly organic and natural herbal products, and USDA Certified 100% Organic teas, specifically formulated to support women throughout the common discomforts of childbirth, from pregnancy through labor, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, baby care and even the loss of a baby. All of Earth Mama Angel Baby® products are made with only pure, plant based, natural, worry-free ingredients. And of course all Earth Mama Angel Baby products are rated 0 for toxins on the respected Skin Deep database. Safe for Pregnancy, Ideal for the Whole Family.

I hope you have fun entering and that the winner enjoys their tea as much as I have enjoyed mine!

Note: I received a box of this tea in exchange for my honest review.

About Tail-Wags:  “All Tail Wags products are manufactured exclusively in Canada using the finest technology including computerized cutting. Every helmet cover is carefully inspected to ensure that it meets our rigorous standards of quality. Of course, Tail Wags have been tested to ensure compliance with the new CPSIA product safety regulations. “ (from the website)

“I LOOOVVVVEEEEEEE IT!!!!!”  K said when we received the package in the mail.  The penguin was supposed to be shared between all the children that have bicycle helmets.  The helmet cover has not left K’s helmet.

 

We don’t really have any trouble getting our kids  to wear their helmets when they ride their bikes.  It’s been a rule from the start and they just accept it.  I know other parents do have an issue at times and these great covers would be an incentive for the children to wear the safety helmets.  Not only that, they are a great addition to costumes at Halloween or other dress up times in the year; I bet I have a penguin in October!!!!

Stand Out In A Crowd

Tail Wags help to increase the visibility of the wearer on the slopes, roads and skating rinks. Remember that increased visibility equals enhanced safety!

There are so many options at the website too.  I could have picked a butterfly for CJ or a princess for M or a zebra for W.  There is such a wide selection!  Something for everyone, even for a bride!  I couldn’t believe it!  I didn’t ask to find out for sure, but I am sure they would try to work with you if your child (or yourself) had a specific request that wasn’t available.

These helmet covers are fun, well made and easy to use.  I struggled only a little to get the cover on K’s helmet and that effort only leads me to believe that the cover will not come of while she is riding.  She goes really really fast!  (hee hee)

Fits All Sports Helmets

Tail Wags’ unique design fits ALL makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets, thereby, making them an ideal all year round accessory.

I guess I should just say that we really really like Tail-Wags Helmet Covers.  They are a Canadian made product with reasonable shipping and very very well-made.

NOTE: I received the product in exchange for my honest opinion.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

I am a lipstick girl.  Well, actually I am makeup minimalist but I like a touch of color on my lips but the sticky glossy stuff is just nasty,  so I was extremely excited to try the new Cover Girl Lip Stain.

I am a working mom of six and watching my spending is extremely important to me.  I splurged on this one and may I say... WHAT A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY! Major disappointment.

I take the safety seal off to see a precision tip,that looks like a Crayola Marker, and it smells like a Scented Crayola Marker.

I go ahead and try to evenly color in my lips, but it just seems too light and the tip dries. I squeeze the marker (lipstain) and nothing happens. I shake it, turn it upside down, let it rest upside down with the cap on and nada, nothing, zip! Finally after about ten minutes I try again and it works. I gave it about ten coats so I see a little color. Okay, I am sorta satisfied. Maybe it was just having trouble because it was new.  I look in the mirror ten minutes later– GONE!!!! What a WASTE!  There were tiny blotches and a faint lipliner outline, but that's about it. Advertised as "A lightweight flush of cover that won't smudge or budge" I expected it to stay put as promised. It did not.  I trashed it after repeating this process for about three days.

Cover Girl you let me down!!

 

In 2006, the United States Senate established the third Friday of May Endangered Species Day, in an effort to spread awareness of our endangered plants and animals. May 21, 2010 will mark the 5^th Annual Endangered Species Day. Over 1,000 species in the U.S. and around the world are at risk of extinction and the goal of this day is to educate and create public awareness of this staggering number.

Sylvan Dell Publishing is offering their endangered species eBooks for free in participation of this important day. Introduce children to Felina the Florida panther, Carolina the loggerhead turtle, LiLing and Tengfei the two giant pandas and a host of other threatened and endangered species with the Sylvan Dell endangered species titles. To access the eBooks, visit the Sylvan Dell Web site or see directions below. Use these books to help educate children about the importance of our endangered species!

eBook access instructions are located on the Sylvan Dell website at: http://SylvanDellPublishing.com/EndangeredSpeciesDay.htm

I just have to start with:

WE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!

My girls played probably ten rounds in the first couple of hours that I had the game out. It took them a little bit to get on to the concept as they'd never really played a game like this before.

A little more about the game:

There are four categories of animals (mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects) and 2 x 20 of each animal. On the back of each card is some very brief information about where they live, what they eat, what color they are, their size. This information helps in asking questions to determine the other player's MVP (most valuable player).

So, K would start by asking a question like, "Is your mammal large?" C would respond with, "No." K would then take any large animal's card and drop it through the slot at the top of her stadium. Then C would take a turn. After a few questions back and forth, one of the girls would only have the MVP card on their stadium and would be the winner of that round.

By the time they stopped playing, their questions were getting more sophisticated. They weren't left to their own devises though. We had an adult friend visiting at the time too, and he got in on the action and so did their dad! It's a great game.

About the packaging:

The box is very sturdy and that is a very important thing in this house! My kids are rough on stuff! The stadiums came dissembled and in order to get everything back in the box, you have to return them to this state. I am disappointed with that. I would have liked to keep the stadiums together when we put the game together. That being said, the stadium pieces are sturdy enough to stand up to being put together and taken apart over and over again. I have not yet allowed the kids to do this task.

About the shipping:

The order arrived quickly and in great shape! I often have trouble with companies unable to find or send to my street address NOR are they able to send to a PO BOX. This has been very frustrating in the past. I don't know why and neither do they. I am guessing that because we live in the "boonies" of northern Alberta, they just can't find me. This WAS NOT the issue with CSN Stores.

Where to purchase:

One of CSN Stores many partners is All Children's Furniture. You can buy Science Stadium by Learning Resources here. To see other popular brands that All Children's Furniture sells, check out this link. I am amazed at the diversity and caliber of products and brands that have partnered with CSN Stores. I think you will be too!

Disclaimer: I received Science Stadium in exchange for my honest review.

Simply Sensational Divas Review has been working a little with Sylvan Dell. I am very excited to be informed about five new ebooks just released this spring.

The stars of the 2010 Spring titles include two Pandas from Northern China, Felina the panther, a little red bat, a dog named Newton, and a host of endangered species. Each title, like every Sylvan Dell book, teaches a lesson in science or math.

* “Panda’s Great Escape” –LiLing and Tengfei, mother and cub pandas, must find a way to survive after a 7.9 earthquake rocks Northern China. Author Phyllis Perry with the help of Illustrator Susan Detwiller help teach children a lesson about natural disaster through the exciting adventures of these two pandas.

* “Felina’s New Home”- Author Loran Wlodarski and illustrator Lew Clayton expose the issue of deforestation and endangered animals with the help of Felina and her friends. Travel to the forests of Florida and follow Felina as humans disrupt her forest home.

* “Little Red Bat”- As the air turns cold, Carole Gerber’s red bat must decide whether to hibernate or migrate to warmer weather. Gerber and talented illustrator, Christina Wald, introduce the reader to a variety of animals and how they survive the winter. Read “Little Red Bat” to find out if the red bat decides to stay or go!

* “Newton and Me”- A boy and his dog Newton discover the laws of force and motion through every day activities in this story by Lynne Mayer. Mayer teams up with illustrator Sherry Rogers to teach children that the laws of physics are all around us.

* “What’s the Difference?”- Suzanne Slade teaches children the importance of caring for our endangered species while incorporating a lesson in subtraction. Her clever, rhyming verses along with Joan Waites’s colorful watercolors, celebrate our world’s precious animals while practicing math skills along the way.

These titles, as well as all other Sylvan Dell titles, feature a special “For Creative Minds” section at the end of each story. This section provides fun activities and information to enhance the book’s educational value.

What really makes these books unique is the tremendous amount of free, online educational material available for each Sylvan Dell title. Supporting material includes a 30-40 page “Teaching Activities” packet, interactive reading and math quizzes, the most technologically advanced e-Books in the world today, and much more.

The 2010 Spring Titles are available now for pre-order and will be ready to ship March 10, 2010.

Sylvan Dell's ebooks are AMAZING! I have had the opportunity to view and "play with" some of these ebooks. The pictures are beautiful. The pages turn smoothly. There is an audio option. I would be very pleased for my children to spend time reading these books. I find teaching science tough so I love that Sylvan Dell's books teach science in a fun and colorful way. My children love to read; I am so glad that they love to read. There is so much they can learn that way. The grant program is going to help with that as well! Here's a brief description of the grant program including links to get more information.

Sylvan Dell picture books are perfect for teachers, parents, homeschool associations and children to use at home and in the classroom. The entertaining stories and amazing illustrations make learning about math and science an enjoyable experience for children. Each title comes with an abundance of free, online material found on the Sylvan Dell Web site. Every title is also available as an eBook. Every eBook features auto-flip and auto-read capabilities, and English and Spanish text and audio. Sylvan Dell eBooks are great for teachers with Smartboards or projection screens. In addition, parents and children can access the same eBooks from home. Sylvan Dell is offering schools and homeschool associations free use of all 50 eBooks through its grant program.

I hope that you will check out this great resource for your home, school or library.

I am a busy mom. We always seem to be doing something, going somewhere or having people into our home. I am so happy to have discovered CSN Stores. It's a one stop shopping place for everything from kids bedding, to cookware to home improvement, games and toys and shoes and baggage! For me, I think the best thing is that I can use my PayPal to purchase items at all these stores. Being a family without a credit card (on purpose) we sometimes have a hard time with shopping online. Not all stores advertise that they have PayPal so I am often going through a check out only to find out my cart has to be left behind because there is no payment option for PayPal.

Coming soon, I will be reviewing Learning Resources Science Stadium. This is a deductive reasoning science game for two players, ages seven and up. I only have two in that age group at this point, so hopefully we won't have too many disagreements. I have a plan though. I will make up a tournament! I'll let you know how our game time goes in my review.

Learning Resources** is a great company; I have enjoyed a few of their products in the last couple of years that we have been homeschooling.

(** links to Learning Resources products at CSN Stores)

Disclaimer: I receive the product in exchange for my honest review.

I was given the opportunity to review a series of CDs created by a husband and wife team - Charley and Susan Greenberg. The series is called My Baby Loves . . . The CDs in the series include: My Baby Loves . . . Madonna, My Baby Loves . . . the 80s, My Baby Loves . . . Michael Jackson and My Baby Loves. . . Christmas. I received (in exchange for my honest review) a copy of each one of these discs. Soon to come are My Baby Loves . . . HipHop, and . . . Motown!

"We chose Michael Jackson, Madonna and The 80's for our first three editions because we want to connect with the parents of today and the music they grew up with - the songs that they would most want to share with their children." Susan explains, "We're bringing the biggest hits from the biggest artists to families, so not only the babies will love them, but the parents as well."

I quite honestly did not enjoy these discs. I found the music to be very "tin-y" and very high-pitched. The odd song was way way louder than the others on the discs as well. I can imagine this waking a calm and sleeping baby. This is not one of the goals of the musicians at all.

Aside from those things, I think the fact that I didn't know the music was a big part of why I didn't enjoy them as much as I thought I would, because the Christmas one and the 80's one I enjoyed more than the other two. I knew the songs.

As a mother of many small children (one under the age of 2), I didn't play these discs very often. My older children (8 and 7) would cringe when I would put one in. Sorry. For someone who knows and enjoyed the music of Michael Jackson, Madonna and the 80s these discs might be a hit, but not in this house.

These discs can be purchased / downloaded at such places as www.amazon.com, iTunes, www.bestbuy.com and www.barnesandnoble.com

When our son died in 2004, my husband wanted something that was his, that was also Harvey's.  He wanted that connection.  The hospital gave us a two piece heart (clay I think).  We put the larger piece in the grave and bought a chain for J to put the other piece on to wear.  We talked a lot about getting me something that had the same sentimental value.  I never decided what I wanted.  I wanted a charm bracelet with his name or initials or even a mother's ring that included his birth stone.  We never ended up purchasing anything.  (I think I would still love to purchase a charm bracelet of some sort that I can keep adding children to as we have them.)

When I found and was able to review something from Our Handmade Gifts, I choice their custom photo pendant.  The picture I chose was one of J and Harvey just after we'd removed Harvey from the life support.  There is such love and tenderness in J's face.  I don't have many pictures of the two of them.  We don't have many pictures of Harvey at all.  Had it not been for my aunt and uncle, we would have even fewer.

I received my pendant on a nice black leather cord.  The clasp is well attached.  My 3 year old boy did get his little paws on it and tore it apart.  I was not impressed.  However, my dh has put it back together and it's as good as when it arrived.  I love things that are easy to put back together or have parts that are easy to replace!

The pendant size is approximately 1.25 by 1.25 inches.  I find this a little big for my taste in jewelry and wish I'd gone with the key ring option instead (the directions for this option are on the site).  The picture is clear and seems to be well protected by whatever process they used.

I am very pleased with my photo pendant and I will cherish it and wear it for years to come.  Thank you Our Handmade Gifts for a wonderful product.

I just recently started wearing dangling earrings.  My mom had made a few out of old chains and gave me a few.  When the package arrived from Our Handmade Gifts, there was a couple of bonus items included and one of those was a set of earrings also from Our Handmade Gifts.  I can't find the link to them on the website, but they are three blue beads of different sizes separated by tiny tiny beads.  I love them!  They hooks don't hurt my ears, so they are a good quality and they are just my color!  I was so excited to have a new pair to wear with so many different items.

Our Handmade Gifts does not only carry earrings and custom pendants.  They also have necklaces, bracelets and rings.  There are themes for teams, or holidays, and those who are patriotic (US).  Very fun and affordable gifts for you or for someone else.

*****

Along with this pendant, Our Handmade Gifts sent a couple of coupon codes for my readers and friends!

Our Handmade Gifts is offering 25% off any order.  You may us this coupon as often as you like, and share it with friends.  Use coupon code: REVIEW.  Expires 6/31/10 so as to cover Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Cool Butterflies (I reviewed some photos in this post) is offering 25% off any order.  You may use this coupon as often as you like, and share it with friends!  Use coupon code: REVIEW.  Expires 6/31/10 so as to cover Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Watch for more reviews to come from this great "family" of companies.  Thanks to Deborah Carney and crew for some great affordable products!!!!

Disclaimer: These products were given to me in exchange for my honest opinions.

I was given a reviewer's code to take a peek at Wiggle Time. At this site your preschooler can play games, watch videos and learn along with the Wiggles and fellow characters. The child gets to "drive" a car and go into homes. There are games and Wiggles TV to play and watch.

There is a free sampler of the site, that gives you a taste of the subscribed site. The cost is fairly reasonable and you have the option to support UNICEF too. For one month, the price is 6.95, or if you want to get a bundle (6 months or a year) the cost goes down.

Although we like the Wiggles and their music and videos in this house we did not really enjoy the website. I found the site took a long time to load and was not easy for me to navigate. The games were not engaging enough to hold my children's attention. There are so many free sites out there, that paying for one like this was certainly not in my budget.

Disclaimer: I was given the reviewer's code in exchange for my honest review of the website.