22
Oct

Hero of the Rails & Frosty Friends DVDs {+ Holiday Giveaway}

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It’s finally here, Thomas the Train-the movie: Hero of the Rails. This DVD is great. Kids of all ages can enjoy the adventures of Thomas and his friends such as Spencer, Sir Topham Hatt, and new friends such as Hiro and Victor. The movie lets children see the value in friendship and how important helping friends can be. Thomas helps Hiro and they go on an adventure of a life time, regardless of the obstacles in their way. The movie has great animation and songs your child will enjoy from start to finish. The bonus features are also great. They have an interactive race, karaoke music video, a segment where you child can yell out the name of the engine as it appears on the screen (my personal favorite-my son gets so excited when he knows the name), and a segment for parents–I never knew there was so much Thomas the Train paraphernalia. This feature gave me some great ideas. This is a moview I strongly recommend for any child who likes Thomas the Train. Remember, this is a movie, not just an 12 minute episode of Thomas. My son doesn’t always sit and watch the entire DVD at one sitting. This DVD may be better for a child a little older to watch as a full movie. He does still ask for it daily and we enjoy it as a family over and over . This is one of my top picks for sure!

HIT Entertainment: Frosty Friends DVD

Hello Winter!!! Here comes a video to get everyone in the holiday spirit. This DVD had all your children’s favorite pals–Barney, Kipper, Bob the Builder, Pingu, and yep you guessed it–Thomas the Train. Your child will enjoy hours of fun and variety with his preschool friends. They will learn the true meaning of sharing, friendship, and caring for the holidays. They will start by singing Christmas Carols with Barney and friends. Next, they will build snowmen and have oodles of winter fun with Bob the Builder and his gang. Don’t forget Thomas and Percy’s new whistle. Last, but certainly not least, your children will enjoy Pingo and Kipper with all their tricks they play on their friends. Dont miss out on this soon to be holiday favorite. Get the hot cocoa out and enjoy!

Reviewed by Debby, Cool Baby Kid Contributor

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win Holiday Collections (3 DVD Sets) of your kids’ favorite friends Barney, Thomas and Bob the Builder on Cool Baby Kid’s holiday gift guide. We’ve teamed up with 15 blogs on the Double Duty Diva Holiday Gift Guide…head over there to enter.





Filed Under: Big Kids Corner, Education Corner, Gift Guides, Toddler & Preschooler, Top Picks · Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
21
Jul

Picture Keeper: Picture Backup Made Easy {Giveaway}

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Great things are made to look easy. For example, have you ever watched Olympic figure skaters, proceeded to put on your skates and give it a go only to realize after exactly 3 seconds you wouldn’t be doing pirouettes anytime soon? OK, so that was just me. Hopefully you get the picture (no pun intended) and will be similarly amazed at how easy Picture Keeper finds and stores all of the pictures on your your computer. We all know backing up our pictures is essential just like we know eating ice cream will not take off extra baby weight. Sometimes life just gets in the way. Picture Keeper makes it so easy there’s really no excuse. Just run a little diagnostic to see what size you’ll need based on how many pictures are stored on your computer, order the correct size Picture Keeper, pop it in a USB port, click “Start Backup” and you’re done. Picture Keeper finds all of your pictures, and since it’s software runs right from the USB drive, you can save pictures from multiple computers. Most moms I know make taking pictures of their kids a part-time hobby; keeping all of those precious memories safe is a snap with Picture Keeper. Much easier than figure skating or staying away from Edy’s Slow Churned ice cream!

Enter to win an 8GB Picture Keeper (store 8,00 photos!) by taking to tutorial to determine which size you need and commenting back here with your answer. Click here to read the contest rules and find out how to increase your chances of winning with extra entry possibilities. Ends 8/4/09.

Filed Under: Giveaways Galore · Tagged With: , ,
15
May

Being Dad DVD: How the Guys Get Ready for Baby

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When I found out I was pregnant the first thing I did, after telling my husband and family, was run to the bookstore and get every book I could find on pregnancy. I had the general book, the week by week book and even a few baby name books. I read them cover to cover and then went and got more. I also picked up a few books for dad along the way. I don’t think the spine was ever even cracked on them. Like most guys, he wanted to be involved but reading a book on pregnancy isn’t his thing. He preferred that I read him the important tidbits while he hit pause on the sports channel. The DVD “Being Dad: A Sneak Peek into Pregnancy From a Guy’s Point of View” was perfect. Not only was the material presented in a way that kept my husband’s attention, but I think that having that information come from other guys and not just his increasingly neurotic pregnant wife would have spoken to him more. The follow-up DVD, “Being Dad 2: Inspiration & Information For New Dads,” picks right up with bring the baby home. Trust me if you have a partner who is anything like mine skip the books. These DVDs will be invaluable during your pregnancy and then when you bring your baby home.

Reviewed by Adrienne, Baby Kid Review Team Member


Still not sure? Check out the Being Dad trailer on their website for a preview to as well as a ton of information on their DVD series.

Filed Under: Adults Only · Tagged With: , , ,
12
May

Kimberly Petruska’s Celebrations n’ Sweets {&Giveaway}

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My mother in law is an artist. A former art teacher, she can create anything and has painted pictures, murals and more for us over the years. I tell you this in introducing my latest find to share my appreciation for those who can create something out of nothing. Like Kimberly Petruska, proprietor of Celebrations n’ Sweets, who started with a decorative/design business which included painting murals and has evolved into an online shop unique in many ways. Kimberly’s creations personify classiness, especially my favorite, the personalized plaques which can be customized with your child’s name and photo. Choose from girls or boys personalized designs or the new 5X7 plaques which make a perfect gift for a new baby. I love our Green & Tan Harlequin Photo Plaque though finding a picture worthy of it’s design has been somewhat of a challenge. (So many pictures in one short year you’d think choosing one would be easy!) I could easily see giving the wedding gift plauqe to a friend or sister too…love it. A beautiful edition to our son’s nusery, Kimberly Petruska’s designs are something to admire.

Enter to win your Choice of a 5X7 personalized plaque with ribbon or an 8″x10″ Photo Plaque without ribbon by visiting Celebrations n’ Sweets; comment back here with your favorite design. Click here to find out how to increase your chances of winning. Contest rules apply. Ends 5/24/09.

Subscribe to Cool Baby Kid by RSS or email for an extra entry and to receive updates on this contest including an announcement of the winner and special discount for entrants.


Filed Under: Baby Picks, Giveaways Galore, Top Picks · Tagged With: , , ,
17
Apr

Top 5 Doodlebug Dezigns Birth Announcements {Giveaway}

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If you haven’t heard of Doodlebug Dezigns then you must be new to Cool Baby Kid! A proud and long-standing sponsor of the site, I first discovered them looking for the best birth announcement for my son. I wanted something unique that stood out from the crowd which their designs most definitely do. So I’ve compiled a list of my top five favorite Doodlebug Dezigns birth announcements for anyone with a new baby to announce. Enjoy!

Top Five Favorite Birth Announcement Designs

1. The Becca (Girl)
2. The Awesome Twins (Twins)
3. The Emma (Girl)
4. The Simpson (Boy)
5. The Dan (Boy, our son’s announcement)

One last note…most designs have a counterpart for the other gender. For instance, The Dexter is their boy version of The Becca.

Cool Giveaway: Baby on the way? Enter to win 25 birth announcements from Doodlebug Dezigns by checking out three of the five favorite designs linked above and leaving a comment about each. Click here to find out how to increase your chances of winning. Contest rules apply; open to US residents only. Contest ends 5/1/09.

In addition to regular extra entry opportunities, receive two additional entries by becoming a fan of Doodlebug Dezigns on Facebook! (Remember to leave two extra comments below in order to receive your entries.)

Subscribe to Cool Baby Kid by RSS or email for an extra entry and to receive updates on this contest including an announcement of the winner and special coupon code for entrants. Winner must contact us via email within one week in order to claim their prize.

Filed Under: Baby Picks, Giveaways Galore · Tagged With: , , , ,
01
Apr

Sponsor Shout Out & A Blog Popz Twitter Party!

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With the big Blog Popz Twitter party tonight which celebrates popz we’ve shared and blogs we love, I thought it was a good time not only to recognize the super cool gourmet lollipop shop, Simply Heaven Lollipop Shoppe, who is sponsoring the popz party prizes, but to feature a few other Cool Baby Kid sponsors as well. A mom herself, the owner of Simply Heaven Lollipop Shoppe knows what it’s like to be pregnant and nauseous, so in addition to the yummy pops and lollidrops, the “Pamper Me” popz cater to moms-to-be to help quell that not so right in the tummy feeling!

Another CBK sponsor, Doodlebug Dezigns, has been with us a while now with good reason. We”re a perfect match..cool picks and the coolest birth announcements and photo birthday cards on the web. But did you know Doodlebuz also carries neat self-inking personalized stamps like the one pictured? One of my all around favorite online stores, and I’m not fooling around!

One more for today…Sum-Bo-Shine Naturals and Organics with products that include shampoo, and body wash, organic baby lotion, diaper ointment and more. Both a mother and grandmother herself, the creator of Sum-Bo-Shine (short for summer, rainbow and sunshine) strives to make mom, baby and the environment happy with natural products that are not harmful to any of the above. And how cute is the baby on the homepage!?

So thank you sponsors for allowing the Cool Baby Kid team to keep providing cool picks, tips and giveaways…if you’re a blogger, don’t miss the big party tonight on Twitter! Looking forward to catching up with you…

Cool Tip: Subscribe to Cool Baby Kid by RSS or email to receive updates on contests and more picks and tips.

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17
Feb

Baby Love Cards: Look Who’s Turning One!

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Baby Love Cards designed the invitations for my son’s upcoming cow-themed party. But since I’m reluctant to blog my kids’ pictures, you’ll just have to take my word that it is, by far, cuter than any invite I’ve ever designed myself. For special occasions, it’s hard to make cards and invites stand out with services like Snapfish and Shutterfly. While I’ve used their services in the past, the term “cookie-cutter” comes mind every time I do and, with an event like a 1st Birthday party, I wanted the invitations to be unique. Baby Love Cards also designs photo birth announcements, baby shower invitations, baptism photo invitations and plenty more. They even offer free samples and gift certificates for a unique way to welcome the new baby in your family. The card and invitation wording examples and photo tips come in handy too, making Baby Love Cards a great choice for birthday announcements and invitations.

Cool Tip: Check out all of Baby Love Card’s newest designs on their blog.

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14
Jan

Top 20 Baby & Kid Products You Can’t Live Without

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OK, so I can’t count. There are currently 24 picks on my top twenty list. After wrangling with which to take off as new ones are added, I finally decided I’ll just have to chance that my readers don’t think I’m terrible at math and just can’t pick 20 best. And that I am terrible at math is besides the point. From diaper bags to toy cleaner these are products I use every day for my own baby and toddler. Doodblebuz Designs (pictured) really does have some of the cutest invitations and announcements you’ll find, while the time out pad by Keen has actually made a major difference, for the better, in how we discipline our daughter. And since I only review products and resources I love, it will be harder and harder to keep the list at 20 (which is a good number I think for a top picks list), so please don’t think I just can’t count. And if you have a baby or kid product you can’t live without, can you let me know what it is so i can have an even more difficult time with the top picks list? Thanks!

Cool Tip: In addition to the Top 20 picks I also have a “My Favorites” list so pop over there and check out even more of the best stuff I’ve reviewed.

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