Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Bella Sara

So, now I wish I had a little girl, because I had the opportunity to review Bella Sara, a beautiful, girly online world of horses, magic, fun and trading cards. Yes trading cards so all her friends can play and continue the fun even without a computer!

Bella Sara is a horse-themed collectible card game featuring positive messages for kids 5 to 12. The Bella Sara website carries the story beyond the Bella Sara cards, which both horses and objects that kids can activate and play with online in a safe, imaginative virtual world. They can feed, care for, train, and play with their horses and also play games and solve puzzles on the site.

By letting your little girl participate in the Bella Sara world, you can finally give her the pony she keeps asking for-without the cost! Every card has a beautiful horse for your child to care for-and an id number for entering on the Bella Sara website so then the horse on her card can appear in her online stable! How cool!

And you can be rest assured that your child is participating in a safe online environment; At present, BellaSara.com is a private user experience and interaction with others online is not possible. Very awesome for us protective parents!

Bella Sara keeps all personal information private and takes great care to keep the Bella Sara World a fun and carefree place where your child can grow and learn the many joys of caring for horses, which in turn teaches them about how to care for others, be responsible for their actions, just like with a real friend or pet!

There are also great interactive games on the website, like puzzles, printable coloring pages, and offline card games!

Parents have the discretion to decide their child’s appropriate level of interaction with the Bella Sara World through the easy to us parental-controls section of your child's account to turn off or limit his or her access.Having such powers can also be good for "reality discipline" no chores done, no Bella Sara.


Bella Sara was created by Gitte Odder Brændgaard. Gitte was inspired to create Bella when she worked as a social worker, caring for mentally disabled young people and realized the need for inspirational, meaningful messages and imagination-building game play designed to uplift girls and raise self confidence.

Yes, I need a girl. Or I need to borrow my neighbor's little girl when she reaches the age of 5, because I see this being a super fun computer version of "My Little Ponies" meets the card game "Magic" and that can only mean one thing-hours of fun and bonding!


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Bugaloo Kid's Soft Soled Shoes

There is nothing more wonderful to watch than your child's first steps! The amazement on his face (and on yours!)is so fun to experience.

But as a parent, it can be oh so NOT FUN to find shoes that fit your new walker but also don't hamper his new found freedom. For new wobbly walkers, hard soled shoes are out because they lack the give and take bend on the foot that helps our newest upright citizens balance!

So, the most logical option is to get a soft soled shoe that shapes the foot without constricting balance or movement and ensuring your child quickly gains confidence in his or her walking. The problem? Such shoes are usually VERY expensive and don't wash well in the washer. Trust me, I have experienced the 40 dollar pairs you can find out there, and they are great, but that is so expensive for something that will be outgrown soon and can't be washed!(and if you wash them, they come out all faded, twisted and are never as soft again) And the cheap kinds form Target? Yea, they wear out faster than anything, and in the end you've spent 40 dollars replacing them over and over....and over.

So what's a budget conscious and foot conscious mom to do? Turn to Bugaloo Kids!! The mom behind the design, Heidi, is a genius! She has made super durable soft soled shoes that will help your child grow and walk without damaging his feet AND at an affordable cost! The shoes come in all kinds of cute and wonderful designs and at $15 you can afford to have a couple of pairs!!

Also, I washed one shoe 4 times, and in the end, I can't tell the difference between the one I washed and the one I didn't-now that is quality!

Product information (click image below to enlarge)
Bugaloo Kids shoes have:



Bugaloo Kids is MADE IN THE USA, so you can be sure the product is top quality. But that is not even the best part! Every purchase helps to fight childhood slavery. 5% of each purchase goes directly to International Justice Mission to help fight human trafficking and to help the victims of such horror, most of which, sadly,are children.

That's something those $40 dollar shoes I bought can't claim. And helping children, along with the high quality, cute designs and budget friendly cost ensure I will be buying many pairs of these shoes for my son.

Love it? Sign up for Bugaloo's Newsletter by leaving your email so you can learn of discounts, sales, new designs and products first! And by signing up for the newsletter through me, you will be entered into a giveaway for a pair of shoes (the giveaway will actually take place in a few weeks, so check back for more info on when the drawing will be held).


EDITED:: THE GIVEAWAY WILL END NOV. 14th

Monday, October 27, 2008

Secret Keeper Girl

As a mother of young boys, you would think I would not worry about the peer pressure that young girls face today to be skinny, to be sexy, to grow up faster than they should...but I do. Why? Because my boys will someday be dating girls, and I want them to know what is important to find in a friend, girlfriend, wife-and most of all to know that girl is truly a treasure to care for.

First though, our girls need to feel like they are a treasure, and to place some importance on their modesty, appearance, behavior, and ultimately stand up to the peer pressure and glamorization of materialistic items and wild, unchecked behavior young Hollywood displays. A strong self-esteem for our daughters can fight anything, but it is hard to build up against a world that deems morals and modesty as "frumpy".

But where, as a parent, do you start? The Secret Keeper Girl Series. I have had the privilege of reading a book targeted to today's young girls (around ages 8-12), Danika's Totally Terrible Toss, and it tells a fantastic story of a normal, sweet middle schooler facing those very pressures that today's girls face head on. What makes this book great is that the lessons are very subtle, and the story is one that reminds me of the books I was into at that age: Baby Sitters Club, Nancy Drew, Boxcar Kids-this book is written in the same easy flowing, pre-teen fictional fashion, full of all the types of entertainment middle school girls (and me!) love, making this a fun read while teaching VERY important lessons on how to handle peer pressure.

And what I think is super fun about the Secret Keeper Girl Series? There is a fun question answer part in the back set up specifically so moms and daughters can discuss the lessons of the book in a non confrontation, completely open and free way. A FANTASTIC way for a mom and daughter to connect and discuss the trials and tribulations of the world before the world does and a great lesson for moms in how to LISTEN to their daughters when the world isn't.


Dannah Gresh is the author of The Secret Keeper Girl Series, and beyond the series she also wrote a fun book called "8 Great Dates for You and Your Daughter".

And a great first date? Get some toe nail polish out, turn on some of your daughter's music (like the High School Musical soundtrack) and break out: The Secret Keeper Girl Series; you'll both be amazed at what you will learn and build together.

Published through Moody Publishers, you can buy them at Barnes and Noble for $7.99.



Sunday, October 26, 2008

pHisoderm Baby

EDITED: GIVEAWAY ENDED

Remember your awkward teen years? I do. But you know what? Mine were a little bit easier once I discovered pHisoderm face wash. At least then, if I had to go through the teen years I could do it with clear, soft skin!

Well, now the brand that saved my skin (and still does) from break outs and oiliness makes Baby pHisoderm tear free gel wash! Fantastic! I gave Baby pHisoderm tear free gel wash a try and it worked wonders on my JR's sensitive skin. After only a few uses his skin is clearing up from irritation around his tummy, legs and arms that has been occurring no matter what kind of material I clothed him in! What a miracle, because though the dry, red areas may not have bother him, they bother me and I am so happy to have found something that has helped balance the pH of my son's skin!

More reasons to LOVE Baby pHisoderm:

*Phthalate-free formula and packaging
*Dermatologist recommended
*Designed for babies prone to dry skin conditions
*pH balanced to moisturize baby's skin as it cleans
*Soap free gel formula rinses easily and won't over-dry or irritate
*Allergy tested for your little one's skin
*Leaves your little one smelling baby fresh

Baby pHisoderm is also made in tear-free Cream Wash

Love it? Want to win some? I have two bottles of Baby pHisoderm Tear Free Gel Wash to give away to TWO lucky winners!! Leave a comment here or email me to enter. Make sure I will have a way to contact you, otherwise a new winner will have to be chosen! Good luck!



Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Pillsbury and Yoplait-a perfect pair!

I am a huge fan of quick and easy now that I am juggling a toddler and a baby all day! However, that does not mean I want to sacrifice nutrition or taste either! Well, I have stumbled upon two great products:

Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bites are the perfect pre-dinner snack AND a great way to celebrate "you and me" time after the kids are put to bed! Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bies are warm, flaky pastries filled with mouth watering fillings in three different choices: cheese & spinach, buffalo style chicken and mozzarella & pepperoni. My favorite is the cheese & spinach flavor, with its wonderfully salty and rich cheese melted all over the perfectly cooked spinach, it is just heaven in you mouth. My husband loves the buffalo style chicken to give him a great kick of flavor and buffalo sauce heat without all the mess of a buffalo chicken sandwich! They are in great little bite size pieces, perfect for small snacks or finger foods for big parties! My favorite? They are incredibly easy to prepare and serve! That is my kind of great tasting, quick cooking! Also, the three Savorings flavors pair perfectly with wine to make your "date night at home" great fun and a fabulous way to celebrate, relax and save money!

And the kids you have finally put to bed so you can enjoy your date night? You can rest assured they are getting all the calcium and vitamin D they need with the Yoplait Kids sip-able or spoon-able yogurt! For kids that don't like to drink mild (like my son) a fun way to eat their calcium and vitamins is a dream. Little Dude loves being a "big boy" and eating with his own spoon and Older kids will love the fun way of drinking their yogurt! You can also rest assured that with Yoplait Kids Cup Yogurt or Kids Yogurt Drink, that your kid's nutrition is Yoplait's highest priority and thus extra nutrients, calcium and vitamin D are added to help your child grow to their full potential.

To join in the fun by winning a Savoring The Moment Gift Bag OR a Yoplait Kids Prize Pack, leave a comment here, on my main page, or through email at coordinatedchaos@yahoo.com. Let me know which food you would like to try the most and enter twice if you want to try to win both by leaving two separate comments! Good luck! Contest Ends Nov. 8, 2008 at midnight.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment

Before being a stay at home Mom, I worked at a daycare for ages 6 weeks to 6 years and After School Care aged children. I was blessed to have experiences teaching 4 year olds preschool for a few years and even more blessed to take over as Infant "teacher" for a new group of wonderful babies (who are now starting to turn 4!)

Anyways, with the years I spent with that wonderful group of babies all the way to their two year old years, I went through A LOT of diaper ointments and creams. Parents brought in whatever brand they preferred, and I would use it on little Ben, Sophie, Rebecca and Isabelle, but honestly, all the brands worked about they same, they all took a number of days to start being effective for bad diaper rash, and they ALL STAINED THE BABIES CLOTHES LIKE CRAZY.

It would be so frustrating to try to put diaper rash on a wiggly older baby or toddler and try to avoid getting the creams on the clothes because no matter how much you washed or scrubbed, those creams just wouldn't come out. The brown ones, the white ones, the creamy ones, the organic ones and the perfumed ones-all eventually worked on the rashes, but they all stained and ruined cute little outfits!

Finally though, I have discovered that Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment WILL NOT STAIN. In fact, Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment is a pale white in color, but rubs on as a clear, non greasy, Triple Protection Formula to soothe your baby's bum and prevent irritation from coming back!!

Lansinoh's Diaper Rash Ointment contains:

*Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin-the world's purest lanolin, forms a protective barrier to help seal out irritating wetness and promote natural healing
*Microfine Zinc Oxide-unlike other zinc oxide formulas which go on thick and white, Lansihoh's innovative formula allows the ointment to go on white and rub on clear. It is light when applied to the skin and provides strong, lasting protection.
*Dimethicone-an excellent emollient, allows for superior spreedability while softening and soothing your baby's delicate bum.

Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment is fragrance free, hypoallergenic and has an elegant, non-greasy texture so that it wipes on and off easily, unlike all those other brands of diaper ointments out there! Also, Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin uses ultra-pure, medical-grade lanolin that is created with a patented refining process, making it the ONLY lanolin available that contains no preservatives or environmental impurities of any kind, so you can use Lansinoh products even if you are allergic to wool. Lansinoh ensures it's Diaper Rash Ointment is so pure and safe, it can be used on even the most sensitive and delicate of skin.

Best of all? IT WORKS QUICKLY.

My son, JR, poops constantly, and has very sensitive skin, so he almost always has a bit of diaper rash going on. I have used just about every cream and ointment out there, all of which offered relief after many days of using them. So, needless to say, I was skeptical when I first tried out the Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment, but within the first day, JR's diaper rash had cleared up!! I was absolutely amazed-no more sensitive red area for my son AND I didn't have to worry about getting it on his clothes-fabulous! Truly, a mother's dream come true!

So, to honor my excitement over Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment, I am hosting a little giveaway! I have a gift basket of Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment,Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin, and a travel pack of Lansinoh Clean & Condition Cloths (which I have also fallen in love with!)All you have to do to win is head over to Lansinoh's site for Moms at:

http://www.lansinohmoms.com

Check it out, and tell me what your favorite part of their website is! Please leave comments here or email me at coordiantedchaos@yahoo.com and make the subject Lansinoh Giveaway (make sure to leave contact info so I can reach you if you win!) The giveaway ends November 1st at midnight. Good luck!

And, for those of you that don't win, don't worry, you can buy Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment at a wonderfully low price in most retail or grocery store baby isles as well as online!


Thursday, October 16, 2008

Holgate Blocks


Simple is best, in my opinion. That is especially true with children's toys. Simple items inspire greater use of the imagination, and that, my friends, is what childhood is all about.

The basic, simple toys of all childhood should be wooden blocks. Blocks to stack, sort, build, balance, and knock down can teach way more to your child than any rigorous study program at any preschool, because your child learns through play. Stacking the blocks works on eye and hand coordination, gross motor skills, and, as the stack gets higher, fine motor skills to keep the blocks balanced. Your child will learn spacial relationships between objects in the world by building, tearing down, building, and knocking down the blocks over and over.

If your child has blocks with images or numbers, you can bring in color, number, and shape sorting to the floor play. Most of all, by playing with blocks, your child is NOT watching TV, and is even developing his use of language as he exercises his imagination to build whatever he can dream, hopefully with you buy his side.

As opposed to "educational toys" that light up and talk to your child, simple blocks encourage an imaginative give and take kind of play between a child and himself (or imaginary friend), children and other children, or parents and children that build and develop the use of language and roll playing that are so crucial to a child's self image, understanding of trial and error, and overall development.


Blocks are truly a parent's best friend and a child's greatest learning tool, and my favorite blocks are Holgate Baby Blocks. They are made of sound wood, the beautiful brightly colored images don't chip off after rough use (trust me, if my two year old can't scratch or eat the images off, nothing can), and best of all, THEY ARE MADE IN AMERICA. Yes, you can heave a big sigh of relief when your child does decide to try licking the blocks because everything is safe, non toxic and made to last for your kid's grandkids to use. I am in love with the blocks and have already ordered more to give as gifts. Everyone should have these lovely, colorful and made in the USA blocks on their children's gift lists this holiday season.



Monday, October 13, 2008

The Life Aquatic!


My son is Loving Life right now. Why? Because he is getting to draw in every room of the house! YES. He can do art work anywhere, over and over again, without marker mess, paper mess, crayon disasters, or water color misfortunes. How is this possible? The Sin Master's Aquadoodle Draw N Doodle! He is LOVING it and I actually think I love it MORE. the Aquadoodle Draw N Doodle mat is the ultimate in mess-free entertainment, and the wonderful drawings your kids create simply disappear on the doodle mat as it dries! No mess, no expensive markers to keep up with, no special paper to buy over and over-just good clean fun! And should your mat get dirty, you just simply wipe it clean with a damp rag! You can see a great video of my son playing the Aquadoodle HERE (Click on My Videos, My Uploaded Videos, and go to Amazing Aquadoodle!)

Aquadoodle Draw N'Doodle Mat Details:
1. No mess magic!
2. Just add water to the Aqua Pen to start the fun!
3. Inspires imagination whether on their own or playing with friends!
4. Durable and re-usable
Suggested Price: $24.99, age range 2 and up, AND it's available at all leading toy retailers

He is also on cloud nine because of Spin Master's new Kid Kleen line of bubbly bath activity toys! Little Dude has always loved water, but now I have to fight him to get OUT of the tub! He LOVES his new Bath Blizzard, a super fun, crazy bubble making machine that hooks right onto the tub faucet and creates a HUGE BLIZZARD of fun and awesome bubbles!! It is so fun to watch and Little Dude falls into the biggest giggle fits ever as the bubbles come out and go all over the tub! I have never seen such wonderful bubbles with such little effort on my part. All you have to do is fill the machine with water and bubble solution and turn it on-then you sit back and watch your children become creative with the mounds of bubbles! I am seriously jealous this toy wasn't around when I was little-I think I might be stealing it for a tub soak of my own! It doesn't make any kind of annoying noise, just great big waterfalls of bubbles!

Kid Kleen Bath Blizzard Details:
1. Fun in the Tub
2. Safe and non-toxic
3. Longer lasting bubble baths
4. Fits right in the tub
Suggested Price: $19.99, age range 3 and up, AND it's available at all leading toy retailers

I hope you enjoy going aquatic as much as we have because these products are going on my gift list this season as FANTASTIC toys to give to all my little relatives!



Friday, October 10, 2008

Feeling Girly in Shabby Apple Dresses


Shabby Apple has made me feel oh so pretty in their lovely dresses! There are dresses for all occasions, from daytime with the kids and grilled cheese to night time out with the girls, Shabby Apple has a dress to bring out your girly side in comfort and style!

For new moms everywhere, it can be a daunting task getting the kids out to the mall so you can do a little long overdue clothes shopping. Having your toddler open the dressing room door as you are trying to squeeze into yet another pair of jeans is just no fun and terribly stressful. And lets not even talk about trying to keep the accessories you are digging through from becoming toys....

But never fear, there is a fantastic solution to your "shopping with young children" delima-The Shabby Apple!

Even better, by avoiding the stressful hassle of chasing young children around a shop, you can help fight global poverty! Peaceful shopping AND helping to save the world? That is what I call shopping the Super Mom way!


Have a daughter or niece? She can join in on the dressy fun as well with Shabby Apple's Shabby Baby line. Oh, how I am wishing for a daughter to buy this for someday! I might have to settle on getting it for a neighbor's daughter-it is just too cute! The dresses for children are made of the same high quality, soft materials their Shabby Apple line is made of-and if you notice you could even get mini me dresses for you little angel-how fun for a mommy and daughter day out!

Shabby Apple also has a great feature for those of you nervous about shopping online and getting the fit right: Their Fit to Flatter center can help you find the perfect style for your body type! Their delicious dresses are also conveniently labeled as "Fits Generously" or "Fits True To Size".

I had the pleasure of trying out the Cleopatra Dress, and let me tell you, I felt absolutely royal while wearing it! The dress is casual and super comfy enough for me to wear it around the house, out to a playdate, or out for a walk with the kids! Yet with a few accessories, the Cleopatra Dress turns into the perfect date night outfit! The fit is fantastic for covering up post baby weight curves I haven't gotten rid of yet, and is super comfortable for warm or cool weather with the long length. And best of all? I feel amazing wearing it, and that my friends, is a boost that all women deserve from their clothes.

Would you like to save the world by shopping Shabby Apple? My readers can enter the code:

CoordinatedChaosblog15off

on the payment screen for a discount toward your next www.shabbyapple.com purchase. Hurry though, the offer ends Dec. 31, 2008!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Sesame Street K'NEX!!

Do you remember watching Sesame Street as a child? I sure do, and my very favorite characters were Burt and Ernie. I loved Ernie's "Rubber Duckie" song and would sing it all the time! I am sure I drove my parents crazy with it!

Now, I have the joy of watching my son fall in love with Sesame Street, and it is amazing the nostalgic and joyful rush of memories I get as we sit and watch all my old pals teach my son great lessons, brought to him by the letter Q and the number 3! My Little Dude is so in love with Sesame Street, he can even point out characters as he sees them in stores or in magazines. "Elmo!" "Zoey!""Burt" "E-ne!" (Ernie) I am just loving it.

Obviously, I was SO EXCITED, when I found out K'NEX (another childhood favorite of mine) was teaming up with Sesame Street to create special Sesame Stree K'NEX toys for toddlers!!! And when I was asked to review them....let me just tell you it was a dream come true!

My son just turned two, so I was a little worried that perhaps the parts would be a little too advanced; however, he quickly identified his favorite characters from Sesame Street: "Burt! E-ne!" and after a short demo from me, he was off and running, building to his heart content. He is still too young to actually balance the Burt and Ernie characters, but as he gets older, the toys will even stand, bend, and work on his eye hand coordination as he balances them in a standing position!

My son LOVES building with these Sesame Street K'NEX, and I LOVE that all 46 pieces are chunky so that his little hands can easily grasp and hold them as he builds. I also love that while he is having a blast he is also improving his gross motor skills, fine motor skills and imagination. We were blessed to try out my favorite guys, the Burt & Ernie building set, and along with the vibrant, great colors, (which are great for teaching my son his colors!) there are also extra pieces in the set to build whatever your child's imagination can dream! The Burt & Ernie Building Set comes with three fun and educational activity cards with additional building ideas, but trust me, these toys are so fun that once you show your child what to do, he will be creating all kinds of wonderful things for you!

There is a whole range of different sets you can buy, ranging from $10.99 up to $31.99, featuring all your lovable Sesame Street Characters. Also, all the sets are compatible with each other AND contain the new KID K"NEX blocks, which are compatible with other leading preschool building blocks, so Little Dude has a whole new world of fun opened up to him. I already have my eyes on some of the larger Sesame Street K'NEX sets as Christmas gifts for him and my little nephew and nieces!!

And let me just tell you, when I need a little time to "be a kid" myself, I LOVE getting on the floor with Little Dude, building our Sesame Street characters together, and singing to him, as he laughs, "Rubber Duckie, you're the one...."