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Rafflecopter Launch Party Giveaway!!! Win-Apple iPad 2 & Kindle Fire!!! Ends 2/9!!!

Mommy Ramblings has been using Rafflecopter and we love it!!!

Rafflecopter is now celebrating the official release of the new version with a “name the Rafflecopter” contest.

The prizes are an Apple iPad2 and a Kindle Fire!

Say ‘Hi’ To Rafflecopter

Rafflecopter makes the whole process of running giveaways on your blog really, really easy. Over 80,000 giveaways have been created with Rafflecopter, and if you didn’t know yet, there’s a new version in town! Oh yeah, it’s free. If you haven’t used Rafflecopter, sign up and launch a giveaway in the matter of minutes.

If you’re a Rafflecopter veteran, check out several of our recent blog posts, including ‘6 Tips for Rafflecopter’s New Widget‘, and ‘Rafflecopter Q&A: Facebook vs. Email Login‘.

 

Now… Let’s Give Away Something Awesome!

To celebrate the new year, we’re going to give away a 16GB Apple iPad2 and several Kindle Fires. The giveaway starts Monday 1/9 at 12:01 a.m. and lasts for a month. To enter, simply tell us who referred you to this giveaway! You can receive additional entries by tweeting about this giveaway, following us on twitter, and giving us feedback. In addition, we’re doing something a little special to make things more fun:

Suggest a Mascot Name – You’ve seen the Rafflecopter smiley-face dude hanging around the web. The poor guy needs a name, and we want to leave it up to you to decide what his (or her?) name should be. For an additional entry, suggest a name! After the giveaway is over, we’ll go through the list of names and pick out our favorite suggestions (be creative!) and bring it to a vote on Facebook. If your name is chosen, you’ll win a Kindle Fire and be immortalized in Rafflecopter history 🙂

 

This giveaway is open for the US and Canadian residents and will close February 9th at 12:01 a.m. EST.

Please put that Mommy Ramblings referred you…

I’d love to win a Kindle Fire when you win the iPad2!

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Surf Sweets Organic and Natural Candy Review & Giveaway!!!

I was recently sent an assortment of Surf Sweets Organic and Natural Candy to review.  Surf Sweets organically sweetened gummy candies and jelly beans are drenched in fresh fruit flavor. Free of artificial colors and sweeteners, these fun treats are great for kids and adults. The first thing we all tried were the gummy bears and they were delicious, the kids loved them and I thought they tasted great too.  Now, I am not here to tell you that candy is healthy but we know that are kids are going to have it from time to time.  I would rather have my kids indulge in candy with natural flavors and colors, without corn syrup and with 100% of their daily vitamin C.  The next candy we sampled was the Sour Berry Bears and what I liked about these is that they were not as intense as the leading sour kids candy.  While my older kids like that intense sour to sweet taste it is a bit too much for my little guys.  So these were much tamer and they enjoyed them a lot.  If you are looking for a healthier candy that is organic and natural for when your child wants a sweet treat, check out Surf Sweets.

Surf Sweets is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win assortment of Surf Sweets candies, including their NEW Fruity Hearts that are available for a limited time for Valentine’s.  Thank you Surf Sweets for the review assortment and for sponsoring this sweet giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US Residents.

Surf Sweets Organic and Natural Candy Assortment Giveaway Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using Rafllecopter below.  Good Luck!!!

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Custard ‘N Jelly Guardian Angel Doll Review & Giveaway!!!

 

Several weeks ago I received an email from a mother named Julie who told me about her daughter Ally, who at the age of 8, drew a line of very diverse and adorable guardian angels. 3 years later, Ally and her parents launched Custard ‘N Jelly, a play on “custodi angeli” which is how you say guardian angel in Italian. Custard ‘N Jelly is a line of 7 guardian angel buddies. The angels are a part of GARD, Guardian Angel Rainbow Division, a special task force of guardian angels. Each angel has training and a special skill. Each angel also has an emotional strength and pledges to watch over it’s young owner. Even more, they are affiliated with 3 A+ rated children’s charities. With every purchase, a donation is made to one of the 3 and the child gets to choose which one! Time.com named Custard ‘N Jelly one of the “15 smartest toys for young geniuses of 2011,″ and they were just awarded ‘Top Toy” in the soft toy category by Creative Child Magazine.

I thought it was a great story and since my daughter, Alexandra’s nickname is Allie, I chose Ally as my Guardian Angel to review.  The doll is very colorful and cute and comes with a carabiner that will allow a child to attach it to a backpack so their Guardian Angel is always close.  The Website also has a creative doll outfitter interface where kids can choose one of the dolls and design outfits for them. They also have a link to a free app of the doll outfitter that you can download to your iPad, iPad 2, iPhone, and iPod Touch.

If you are looking for a cute doll, created by a child to remind us of our Guardian Angels who are watching over us, that also gives back to kids in need, then you need to check out Custard ‘N Jelly.  What a great way to tell that someone special we love them and for them to always have a special friend to remind them of that love and protection from above.

Well, Custard ‘N Jelly is being even more of an angel and sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their choice of Guardian Angel Doll from the Custard ‘N Jelly Website.  Thank you Custard ‘N Jelly for the review angel and for sponsoring this terrific giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US Residents.

Custard ‘N Jelly Guardian Angel Doll Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter using Rafflecopter below.  Good Luck!!!

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Wonder Forge Games Review & Dr. Seuss Matching Game Giveaway!!!

Wonder Forge

Mommy Ramblings is back with some more fun games from Wonder Forge.  You will remember for our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide we had a review for their Richard Scarry’s Busy Busy Airport Game.  Recently, I was sent Konexi, Chuggington Matching Game and Dr. Seuss Matching Game.  Our family really likes word games so when I saw Konexi, I knew it would be a great fit.  I could try to explain how you play Konexi but I think the video below gives you a much better picture.

If you are looking for a different kind of word game then you should check out Konexi.  It is quite fun and adds another dimension of play that will entice those tweens and teens who may not like word games to join in.  My little ones like to arrange the letters in alphabetical order and sing the ABC Song while pointing to the letters.  I know not what the game is intended for but another application for the letters.

Some games better suited for the little ones are the Chuggington Matching Game and the Dr. Seuss Matching Game.  My little ones loves  seeing the familiar characters from the Dr. Seuss stories we read, reflected on the game cards.  Before we even began to play they wanted to look at the cards and name the characters and the stories they come from.  They have recently started watching Chuggington so they also enjoyed seeing the colorful trains on the cards.  I really like to play memory games with young kids.  My son who just turned 3 a few days before, played for the first time and believe it or not he got the first match of the game.  He was so excited.  The games come with 72 card tiles and you can customize the game to your child’s age by using fewer cards for younger children and add more as they get older or more adept at the game.  Finding the matches really builds their confidence and self-esteem.

 game cards

matching game cards

Wonder Forge is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win the Dr. Seuss Matching Game.  Thank you Wonder Forge for the review games and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Wonder Forge Dr. Seuss Matching Game Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using Rafflecopter below.  Good Luck!!!


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Banner Industries, Flashcar Math Learning Board Game Review & Giveaway!!!

Recently, I had the opportunity to review a great new math learning game called Flashcar.  Math was one of my favorite subjects and it goes without saying it was my husband’s as well.  Not many people get a masters in mathematical sciences, if they don’t like math.  Math can be a subject though that many children struggle with in school.  It is so important to have a good foundation for children to build upon as they go through school. This game is great in that it teaches and reinforces math facts.  There are 2 decks of sturdy coated Flashcar flashcards.  One set is addition and subtraction facts and the other is multiplication and division facts.  The theme of auto racing makes this game fun for kids 6-12 to play while it helps build and reinforce their math skills.  My little ones are a little young for this game now but just looking at it, I can tell it will be a great way to practice early math with them.  As a parent I really like when I find games or applications that really are fun while your child is learning.  This game would also be great in the classroom.  For fun on the go you can take the small box with the flashcards, for a neat kind of travel game of math drills.

 

Flashcar Board Game
  • Challenge your child to race to the head of the class with the Flashcar board game
    Age appropriate for children in grades 1 to 4, ages 6 to 12
  • 1 to 6 players
  • Includes 100 rugged math question/answer cards, colorful race car game pawns, game spinner, and 25 pitcards for added excitement
  • Answer math questions correctly in addition, subtraction, multiplication & division to move around the race track game board
  • Different levels of questions make game scalable to different learning levels.
  • Made from recycled materials, made in the USA

Flashcar is available for purchase online at www.kids-learninggames.com.  

I am happy to let you know that Banner Industries is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win a Flashcar board game.  Thank you Banner Industries for the review game and for this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Banner Industries, Flashcar Math Learning Game Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using Rafflecopter below.  Good Luck!!!

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Tegu, How Do You Roll Sweepstakes!!!

I have blogged many times previously about how much we all love magnetic toys here.  We discovered Tegu in 2010 and we love the natural block set we bought from them.  You will notice I said “we” not the kids and that is because these magnetic wood blocks are a hit with everyone in our family.  Tegu has introduced new products since then and one of their newest additions is their Mobility line of products.  I was recently sent some wheels and the Dart building set and I can attest that adding wheels adds a whole new dimension of play.  My kids love how the wheels are magnetic and they can use all of their other Tegu blocks to make some original creations.  Bravo to Tegu for making their toys even more fun for kids and adults alike!!!

 

 

Now let me tell you about the, How Do You Roll Sweepstakes that Tegu is running.  To celebrate the launch of its Mobility line, Tegu’s How do you Roll Sweepstakes is giving you and your little one – must be aged 4 to 12 — the design experience of a lifetime. The winning child will work directly with Tegu Designer, Nate Lau, to design Tegu’s next car and will help name the car, and then inspire the look and feel of the car’s packaging.  It gets even better: if you’re up for an adventure, Tegu will also send you and your child to Honduras to Tegu’s factory to watch the new car come off the production line. To help teach the value of sharing and giving to others, you’ll be given 10 limited edition samples to share with buddies, pen pals, or classmates. If this isn’t the coolest prize ever, well, we don’t know what is.

To Enter The Sweepstakes Click HERE!!!


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Teething Tots, Baltic Amber Teething Necklace Review & Giveaway!!! Bonus 15% Off Exclusive Discount Promo Code!!!

I have heard of Baltic Amber teething necklaces many times, and how people rave about the way they   work for relieving pain! I’ve always been a sort of skeptic, and wasn’t sure if it was just a bunch of hype.   I was curious and gladly agreed to do a review for Teething Tot’s Amber Teething Necklace. I chose the Honey and Cognac baby necklace to review. The alternating dark and light colors compliment each other and give it character! The clasp is not the usual hook and eye, it is a screw clasp made of hollowed out amber with plastic screw mechanism inserted. All the beads are knotted on individually to reduce choking hazards. This necklace is made to be worn, not chewed on.

When the review necklace arrived, it could not have come at a better time! I was picking up the mail as my 4-year-old and I were heading to the dentist to get his tooth filled. Now these amber necklaces are not baby specific, the pain relief can be used for anyone. I’ll elaborate more on the pain relief properties later.  After his appointment, with his lips completely numb, he accidentally bit his lip pretty badly, of course he didn’t feel any pain. I had the necklace with me, and thought that maybe if I had him wear it, it would help him by the time the Novocaine wore off. Well, for the next several hours , I kept asking him if he was hurting, and he said he wasn’t. At bedtime we took the necklace off for safety reasons, but after laying in bed for a while, he came complaining that his lip hurt for the first time that day! I let him wear the necklace wound up like a bracelet on his wrist, and heard no more complaints from him that night.

After that incident, I am a believer in Baltic Amber’s pain relief abilities! It is evident that the necklace was relieving the pain from my son’s lip. Now when my baby starts teething again, I am confident that this necklace will work once more, and I am not so worried about him being in pain.

Amber is fossilized sap resin, not a stone, so it is warm to the touch. It contains trace amounts of succinic acid, a known anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. The warmth of the skin releases this active ingredient which is absorbed into the blood stream for quick relief of the symptoms of teething such as redness in the cheeks, swollen gums, diaper rashes and fever. It can also help accelerate healing wounds, easing muscle pains, and reducing inflammation of the throat, among other things.  It is important to me to use natural remedies over medication for my baby whenever possible, so I really love that there is no more need for pain relief medication, teething gels or tablets with the use of this amber necklace!

Teething Tots is generously sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings!! One lucky blog reader will win a Baltic amber teething necklace of their choice.  As a special bonus they are offering  Mommy Rambling’s readers an exclusive discount code. Just use the code “RAMBLINGS” at checkout on their Website for 15% off your order! The promo code expires on February 4, 2012. Thank you Teething Tots for this great review necklace and giveaway!!!  Open to US residents.

Teething Tots, Baltic Amber Baby Teething Necklace Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules: 

Please enter the giveaway using Rafflecopter below.  Good Luck!!!

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Modify Watches Review & Giveaway!!!

Recently I had the opportunity to do a review for Modify Watches.  Modify Watches are super cool, interchangeable watches. You can mix-and-match faces and straps to create the “Mod” that allows you to make your statement, whether (quiet) or LOUD.  I was able to use their site to select a watch face and 2 watch bands.  Their Website is easy to use and customize, first you choose the size you want, then you choose the watch face, I chose Purple Polka Face, then select the colors of you watch bands.  When you choose a color it puts the watch face you selected in the band so you can see how it looks before you make the color selection final.

Their site is witty and makes placing your order a lot of fun and that is very fitting since their watches are so much fun to wear. Modify Watches are water-resistant and every face fits into every strap. 3 faces and 3 straps can create 9 different watches.  If you are looking for a fun watch that will let you express your personality then take a look at Modify Watches.

I am happy to let you know that Modify Watches is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will get to choose a watch of their size preference with 2 straps and 1 face in the color of your choosing.  Thank you Modify Watches for the review package and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US and Canadian residents.

Modify Watches Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using Rafflecopter below.  Good Luck!!!

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Pong™ Case and Cover for the iPad 2 Review!!!

I totally embrace technology, I don’t know where I would be without the Internet.  I have for so many years said if there was a gun to my head and I had to give up my Internet or my Cable TV forever, the TV would find itself out in the cold.  I have a hard time even remembering what it was like before we had access to the World Wide Web.  I completed my degree taking online classes through my university, I am a staff writer for a major trade publication in the baby and child industry, I manage customer service for another company, I blog for a major motion picture studio and of course, I blog at Mommy Ramblings.  None of this would be possible without advances in technology.  However, with all the electronic devices, tablets, smartphones, laptops and desktops that make this possible, I still worry about harmful radiation or electromagnetic fields.

I calm myself by remembering stories I heard from people much older than me, about how when TVs first made their way into American homes, that parents were paranoid about radiation from them.  Parents were known to police just how close was safe to sit, in order to escape the harmful radiation these “magic boxes” emitted.  Well, we laugh about that now but in the late 70’s and 80’s as microwaves made their way into just about every home, there was talk about the radiation that these “magic ovens” released and some people were terrified and did not finally get a microwave until a decade or so later.

We know our electronics emit electromagnetic fields.  Given the popularity of laptops and the fact that they are practically given out at birth now, the scientist in me can’t help but worry.  Are we going to be dealing with infertility at staggering rates due to young women and men working on a laptop that is so close to their reproductive organs?  Are there more cases of learning disorders, Autism, birth defects due to the fact that many pregnant women are using laptops while their baby is developing?  We just don’t know.  So we can just be complacent and see what happens, or we can choose the better safe than sorry route.

I know this is a lot of introduction for a review, but I want you to understand, now that I have finally jumped on the iPad 2 train, and use it mainly late at night to read in bed, the thoughts that have crossed my mind.  I worry about having it close to my chest and breast cancer and other cancers.  So when I was asked to do a review for Pong, I was thrilled.  I was more than willing to jump on the “Better Safe Than Sorry” train with my iPad 2.

Using any case with your iPad or iPad 2 can reduce 3G transmission power by up to 75%! Pong™ is the only solution proven in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certified laboratories to protect iPad and iPad 2 users from electromagnetic radiation while preserving TRP (Total Radiated Power) of the iPads, and thus the transmission strength.

All 3G iPads have a built-in proximity sensor that significantly reduces transmission power when the iPad is moved to within 10mm of the body. This reduction of power serves to lower the radiation levels experienced by the user (SAR or specific absorption rate), low enough to meet FCC limits. However, the proximity sensor is triggered not just by the body, but by any solid. As a result, all commercial cases for the iPad and iPad 2 also cause the proximity sensor to trigger, which can reduce your transmission power by up to 75%.

Now Pong’s unique design and technology provides the only solution which allows the iPad to be used as designed. Pong’s unique design ensures that the antenna is exposed at all times keeping transmission power optimized. And Pong’s patented antenna technology spreads and redistributes the electromagnetic radiation, lowering the SAR by up to 82% below the FCC limits.

Okay, so the research shows that it protects us, but I was thrilled to learn that the Pong case was more than that.  It was a great case that protected my iPad 2 and the foldable cover was unique in that it supports the iPad 2 in several different positions.  I love that I can pull up a recipe and have it on my island while I bake or cook supported by the Pong case in an upright position.  I think it is neat that just opening and closing the cover turns my iPad 2 on and off and that it even has a fold that will enable easier typing on the iPad 2.  I also feel safer reading in bed and having my iPad 2 on my lap.  If you would like to get a seat on the “Better Safe Than Sorry” train, there are some seats available.  Pong makes cases for many kinds of smartphones and the iPad too.

For news of special promotions, new product introductions and more, be sure to like Pong on Facebook.  For additional information visit www.pongresearch.com. To see videos on the science behind the Pong case or care and instructions, view videos HERE.

             


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Zibits Mini R/C Collectible Robots Review & Giveaway!!!

 

 

Well, this afternoon I was home alone with my little one who just turned three the other day, and when I thought of some of the reviews I needed to do, I thought about the Zibits.  Zibits are mini collectible r/c robots that come to life with the z-mote.  I quickly unpackaged the 2 review robots, GO-B and Tank and we installed 2 AAA batteries in each z-mote.  Then we pushed the button, and then fun began.   Robot noises and lighted eyes, while the robots spin or move forward with a push of the button on the z-mote.  My 3-year-old had no trouble using the remote and I tell you we played together for a long, long, time, moving from the coffee table to the floor and we were still playing when my husband and 4-year-old came home.  As soon as my son saw these robots, he was so excited.  I handed him my z-mote and he quickly learned how to control the robot and was having a blast.  I can really see why Zibits received the Creative Child Magazine Top Toy Award for 2011.

 

These little robots have so much personality and my kids are still playing with them.  When I was researching the Website for the review and I saw all the other great collectible mini r/c robots, I was in awe.  When I saw one of the robots was all neon green, I knew that before I could even start this review, I had to order that one because my 4-year-old’s favorite color is green, and he is going to freak out when he sees it.  Of course I could not buy for one and not the other, so I picked up a great two pack that had the green robot I wanted and another for my other son on sale at Amazon.com.  I quickly placed the order and then came on here to write the review.  So you can be rest assured, that I really like these mini robots.  They are fun to play with alone or with family and friends.  When I was playing with my three-year-old, he cracked up when they collided and then we both laughed when my robot pushed his off the coffee table.  If my son brings his with him to pre-school on Friday, and I think he will, I expect many phone calls from parents asking me what kind of robot was it that their child can’t stop talking about and has to have.  So take it from me, you really can’t go wrong with these, they are bound to be a hit with kids of all ages, even kids like me. There are lots of play sets and accessories that add to the fun these little guys pack.

 

Welcome to the world of Zibits mini-r/c robots! Combining R/C with  collectible miniature robot designs, Zibits are getting ready to take the world by storm. Rapid development in the robotics industry has fueled Senario’s growth in the category, making advanced tech more attainable and cost-effective. Possibilities are endless as they aim to provide consumers with an array of robotic products that span across multiple markets.

To go to the Zibits Official Website and see these little robots in action, click HERE.

 

I am thrilled to let you know that Zibits is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win a Zibits mini collectible robot.  Thank you Zibits for the review robots and for sponsoring such a fun giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Zibits Mini R/C Collectible Robot Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using Rafflecopter below.  Good Luck!!!

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