"Showering Mommy & Baby" Giveaway Event! - One To Grown On Review & Givaway!

**CLOSED**

Winner: Random.org #82 - MoMoKG064

--Winner has been emailed. She has 48hrs to respond before a new winner is chosen-- 

A Thank You to One To Grow On & to all of you wonderful readers who entered! :)

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Makenna is a huge board game lover so I try to play as much as I can with her. I don't like buying plain old board games that have no basis behind them though. When I came across One To Grow On and I was asked to review the "Ducks In A Row" game I thought it'd be great.

The game is sorta like checkers but of course more fun for kids. Most of the time at this age (5years-7years) kids don't really think ahead before they do things, they are just too excited and want the fun to start or whatever.

With this game it teaches them think ahead and develop strategy so they can win.

Of course the first couple times we played Makenna did the normal thing and just wanted to move her green ducks wherever without really thinking it through, which is fine to me. As we've been playing almost every day now (since it's her new favorite thing in the world, lol) she has actually begun to think before she moves so she can try to get 4 ducks in a row (which is the point of the game).

Like any checkers game, you can move up and down, side to side, and diagonally but they cannot jump the other player or themselves.

Besides the "Ducks In a Row" game, One To Grow On carries other educational toys, baby toys, things for pretend play, dolls and stuffed animals, along with much much more.

Also, does your child like to play on the computer? Send them to a safe online gaming place to play because One To Grow On has their very own area called "Critter Corner"!!!

[[GO BUY IT:]]

You can purchase "Ducks In a Row" board game for only $11.99.
-- Use the code: DDMOM10 to receive 10% off your purchase at checkout :)
(Valid until June 15th only)

[[YOU CAN WIN IT!:]]

One reader will win the "Ducks In A Row" board game we got to review!

[[...HOW?:]]

(Please read my tutorial on "How To Enter My Giveaways" if you are unsure about anything)

(PS:: PLEASE be sure to include your email in EVERY entry!! I need to contact you if you win!)

[[MANDATORY ENTRY:]]

(Mandatory entry MUST be completed FIRST for any other entry to count!!!)

 1 entry – Follow me on Google Friend Connect AND Go to the One To Grow On website to join their Birthday Club!

[[EXTRA ENTRIES:]]
(Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry.)

2 entries – Become a Double Duty Mommy fan on Facebook.

2 entries – Follow me on Twitter

1 entry – Tweet about this giveaway (Leave ur tweet hyperlink, please!!!):

Learn & have fun with the "Ducks In A Row" board game from @jmercurio19 and One To Grown On http://bit.ly/a61zaA (6/16) #giveaway #contest

(can RT tweet 3 times a day w/ at least a hour in between then comment again!)

2 entries – Subscribe to this blog by RSS and/or email. (You must verify your subscription for these entry to count. I do check and I will delete your comment if my feed says "unverified")

2 entries – Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs and Top Mommy Blogs. Enter one separate comment for each site you vote on.

 

(You may click each link THREE TIMES a day. AFTER a hour wait each time.

Then leave a separate comment each time.)

3 entries – Put my *NEW* blog button on your site. Leave me a link so I can find it. (Leave 3 separate comments)

3 entries - Put my *NEW* "Showering..." event button on your site. Leave me a link so I can find it. (Leave 3 separate comments)

5 entries - Blog about this giveaway. Blog post MUST include links back to Double Duty Mommy AND One To Grow On to count. Leave me the link in your comment.

NO BLOG??  5 entries - Post a FACEBOOK status update about this giveaway. Status MUST include         links back to Double Duty Mommy AND One To Grow On to count. Leave me the link in your comment (ur page cant be private though :/ To get the link: Click on the time of your post and then copy the address bar link provided. CAN ONLY DO ONE: Blog post OR Facebook post!!!!)

Are you eligible for extra entries? You know who you are. Write "Extra entry 1", "Extra entry 2", etc. 

[[THE FINE PRINT:]]  

**No other monetary compensation was received for this review - I was sent the product(s) to review at no cost to me. The views and opinions are strictly my own. Your results and views may be different.

Giveaway is open to USA ONLY & will close on June 16th, 2010 at 9 pm EST! Random.org will be used to choose the winner who will then have 48 hours to respond to my email before a new winner is chosen.**

"Showering Mommy & Baby" Giveaway Event! - Kimochis Review & Giveaway

**CLOSED**

Winner: Random.org #229 - Dana

--Winner has been emailed. She has 48hrs to respond before a new winner is chosen-- 

A Thank You to Kimochis & to all of you wonderful readers who entered! :)

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Meet the characters:

Cloud:  tends to be a little moody and unpredictable. Cloud comes with the emotions happy, sad and mad.  This doll can be especially helpful to children who have a hard time controlling their emotions.

Huggtopus: is a boisterous and happy go lucky character, who often overwhelms her friends with her boundless energy and big hugs.  She comes with the happy, silly and frustrated emotions.  Huggtopus can be helpful to children who are working on the concept of personal space and boundaries.

Bug: is frightened by change.  She is accompanied by the happy, brave and left out feelings pillows.  Bug can be a reassuring friend for children who have difficulties with transitions and unfamiliar situations.

Cat: loves to be the boss.  She comes with the happy, cranky and curious emotion pillows.  Cat makes the perfect learning companion for kids who tend to get a bit bossy with their playmates.


I was drawn to these dolls because I know first hand that young kids can be overwhelmed by the emotions. Makenna has definitely had a hard time telling us how she feels and struggling with expressing them properly. 
Kimochis were designed to provide a fun way to guide kids, toward acceptable ways to express themselves. Each adorable doll has a pocket to hold small emotion pillows representing different feelings. If your child feels a certain way then they can easily just bring you one of the pillows to help express themselves.

We were sent Cat for review. Makenna is a huge stuffed animal fan so took to Cat right away. She loves to put the pillows in Cats tummy and play with the band-aids when Cat is cranky. I think she caught on pretty quickly to the idea of what the pillows were for because she does occasionally bring me a pillow if she is feeling a certain way. She will tell me why she is feeling that way and then when I ask her how we can fix it she is getting better at telling me ways she will feel better.
Each Kimochi also comes with a guide book to help you, the parent, to help your child(ren) appropriately communicate their feelings. It includes lessons and activities for you to go through and read. On each page it talks about multiple emotions then explains what that emotion means so your child can get a better understanding on her emotions at this early stage. 


Sometimes even as parents as much as we try to explain to our kids what our emotions are, I know it can be hard. Makenna used to ask me what certain things meant and I feel so weird that I cannot come up with a response (cuz to me it's so simple to know what something means...), like what does "upset" mean, and how it is just another way of saying "mad". Makenna would then go on to ask how if upset means mad then 'why do we say upset and not just mad', pretty much. 

Buy it:

The Kimochis dolls are available online at Kimochis.com, and retail for $25 each.  Additional feelings pillows are also available there and come in packs of 5 (4 preprinted, and one blank so you can make your own) and retail for $12 a pack.

Win it:

You can win your child their very own Kimochis!

Here's how you can win it:

(Please read my tutorial on "How To Enter My Giveaways" if you are unsure about anything)

(PS:: PLEASE be sure to include your email in EVERY entry!! I need to contact you if you win!)

Mandatory first entry: Follow me on Google Friend Connect AND Go to Kimochis.com and tell me another fact about your favorite character.

(Mandatory entry MUST be completed FIRST for any other entry to count!!!)

Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry.

3 entries - "Like" Kimochis on Facebook. (Leave a post on their wall and tell them you're from doubledutymommy.com)

2 entries - Become a Double Duty Mommy fan on Facebook.

1 entry – Follow me on Twitter

1 entry – Tweet about this giveaway (Leave ur tweet hyperlink, please!!!):

Help ur child express their emotions with a KIMOCHIS plush toy @jmercurio19 http://bit.ly/b7E4aA (6/11) #win #giveaway

(can RT tweet 3 times a day w/ at least a hour in between then comment again!)

2 entries – Subscribe to this blog by RSS and/or email. (You must verify your subscription for these entry to count. I do check and I will delete your comment if my feed says "unverified")

2 entries – Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs and Top Mommy Blogs. Enter one separate comment for each site you vote on.

 

(You may click each link THREE TIMES a day. AFTER a hour wait each time.

Then leave a separate comment each time.)

3 entries – Put my *NEW* blog button on your site. Leave me a link so I can find it. (Leave 3 separate comments)

3 entries - Put my *NEW* "Showering..." event button on your site. Leave me a link so I can find it. (Leave 3 separate comments)

5 entries - Blog about this giveaway. Blog post MUST include links back to Double Duty Mommy AND Kimochis to count. Leave me the link in your comment.

NO BLOG??  5 entries - Post a FACEBOOK status update about this giveaway. Status MUST include         links back to Double Duty Mommy AND Kimochis to count. Leave me the link in your comment.

(ur FB page cant be private though :/ To get the link: Click on the time of your post and then copy the address bar link provided. CAN ONLY DO ONE: Blog post OR Facebook post!!!!)

Are you eligible for extra entries? You know who you are. Write "Extra entry 1", "Extra entry 2", etc. 

**No other monetary compensation was received for this review - I was sent the product(s) to review at no cost to me. The views and opinions are strictly my own. Your results and views may differ.

Giveaway is open to USA & will close on June 11th, 2010 at 9pm EST! Random.org will be used to choose the winner who will then have 48 hours to respond to my email before a new winner is chosen. Good luck!**

"Showering Mommy & Baby" Giveaway Event! - Matooka Kids Couture Review

If there is one thing the creators of Matooka, a new contemporary girl’s clothing line, know it is little girls. Best friends and now business partners, Yona Elishis and Daniella Kuhl grew up in Toronto surrounded by girls. Each one of six sisters and with eight daughters between them, Yona and Daniella, both former lawyers, launched Matooka in 2009 after leaving behind the safety of their legal careers, to create a line that both mommies and daughters would love, and that would exhibit a European esthetic at an economical price point. 

Their collections feature fun pieces that are contemporary and edgy but also young and sweet, the playful collections are already being sold in over twenty stores in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Toronto. 

These wonderful ladies are also giving back!!

 Matooka is donating 10% of all profits to research in infertility and to families undergoing costly assisted reproductive treatments!!

Makenna was sent the shirt and skirt from their "Let Loose" line in a size 6!

These mom designers definitely know what they are doing when making stylish fun clothes!
Makenna instantly wanted to put them on and keep them on! She wears this outfit just just out and about when going to the grocery store and she's also worn it to a fancy party we went to a few weeks ago. Either way she is gets compliments, I get questions and everyone is happy!!

The lines are very kids couture but still very livable and fun. As you see the aqua-blue shirt has a satin ribbon laced through the neckline. The ribbon is attached at the shoulders but can be tied wherever you like just be feeding the silk through the opposite way.
The Stain skirt is form fitting with just an elastic waistband. I was extremely nervous at first because Makenna is very slim and usually she can barely wear a size 5 without them falling off her but surprisingly the skirt fit just fine. Either way the way these clothes are structured and designed Makenna will be able to wear them for a long time.

I've been hand washing the outfit and it comes out just as good as new.

Your daughter will definitely be stylish in this fun and fancy new company that's on the rise. I promise you, you buy her some of these outfits and you'll be sure to be getting lots of questions & compliments because no one around will be wearing anything like it!

Trendy and dressy...

to casual!

Be sure to stop by their Facebook page and "like" it so you can always be updated on the new and upcoming things coming from this great company!

[[GO BUY IT:]]

You can shop at two of the online stores that carry the Matooka name:

PeachandPlum.com
&
Shopbabytrends.com

[[THE FINE PRINT:]]

**No other monetary compensation was received for this review - I was sent the product(s) to review at no cost to me. The views and opinions are strictly my own. Your results and views may differ.**

"Showering Mommy & Baby" Giveaway Event! - Earth Mama Angel Baby TEA Review & Giveaway

**CLOSED**

Winner #1: Random.org #163 - Simplymerry

Winner #2: Random.org #21 - Tammy L

Winner #3: Random.org #56 - One Southern Girl

-- Winners has been emailed & they will have 48 hours to respond then a new winner(s) will be chosen --

Another fantastic Thank You goes out to Earth Mama Angel Baby for letting me do another great review/giveaway & thank you to all of you wonderful readers who entered! :)

---------------------

This is my 2nd review of Earth Mama Angel Baby. First time around I was sent some great products for my pregnancy and for baby once she arrives.

EMAB is focusing on herbs and breastfeeding herbs for June. Now that I am officially in my 3rd Trimester, Julie (a EMAB rep) was kind enough to send me their 3rd Trimester Tea to review!!

This tea along with Earth Mama Angel Baby's other teas are 100% Certified Organic. The tea is made with a blend of vitamin and mineral packed herbs that was formulated especially to nurture all those mama parts gearing up for the joyous arrival of our angel baby. Some of the great herbs included are 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.

My opinion of the tea?! AMAZING! Seriously... it's sooo delicious. I instantly brewed it once it came in the mail. 1 hour later... I had to have more.. it was that good. I really don't like any tea just plain so to this tea I even add a couple teaspoons of sugar and it is just perfect.

I even tweeted @BlogsMama_EMAB to make sure I wasn't drinking too much of it because I wanted more. 

Earth Mama Angel Baby now has a twitter dedicated to our burning questions about their products (@EMAB_HQ) and they answered me saying that 3 cups/day was the perfect amount and I have definitely been using it up! When I'm stressed out or anything I just drink this tea and I feel relaxed and ready to go.

Red Raspberry Leaf is very beneficial to the uterine and pelvic muscles which explains why I feel more relaxed. Red Raspberry Leaf contains many minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C and calcium. It also contains an alkaloid called fragrine, which lends tone to the uterus. Studies have shown that if you drink one cup of tea per day in the 1st trimester and 2 cups in the 2nd trimester and switching to the infusion in the 3rd trimester it ensures a strong uterus, is good for you nutritionally and prevents miscarriage. Some say it is advised to not use it in the first trimester, particularly if you have a history of miscarriage so I'd always ask your Doctor first of course.

(just look at the herbs!!!)

You instantly smell all the wonderful herbs and how sweet they are. The aroma by itself makes you want to constantly drink it. The raspberry is the first thing you smell but it's not overwhelming or anything.

Like any tea, just simply pour hot water over the tea bag and let it steep for about 5 minutes (or shorter if you want a lighter taste) and enjoy!

Of course I love how this tea is organic and uncaffeinated so it's in no way harmful to baby.

Buy it:

Buy the 3rd Trimester Tea or any other tea on the Earth Mama Angel Baby site right now for only $5.97!!

Win it:

Three... yes 3 readers will win a box of EMAB tea of your choice!!!

Here's how you can win it:

(Please read my tutorial on "How To Enter My Giveaways" if you are unsure about anything)

(PS:: PLEASE be sure to include your email in EVERY entry!! I need to contact you if you win!)

Mandatory first entry: Follow me on Google Friend Connect AND Tell me what other EMAB product you'd love to have!!

(Mandatory entry MUST be completed FIRST for any other entry to count!!!)

Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry.

1 entry - "Like" EMAB on Facebook. (Leave a post on their wall and tell them you're from doubledutymommy.com)

1 entry - Follow EMAB on Twitter.

2 entries - Become a Double Duty Mommy fan on Facebook.

1 entry – Follow me on Twitter

1 entry – Tweet about this giveaway (Leave ur tweet hyperlink, please!!!):

#Win ur favorite Earth Mama Angel Baby Tea from @BlogsMama_EMAB & @jmercurio19 http://bit.ly/9M9YAZ (6/9) #pregnancy #giveaway #bfing #baby

(can RT tweet 3 times a day w/ at least a hour in between then comment again!)

2 entries – Subscribe to this blog by RSS and/or email. (You must verify your subscription for these entry to count. I do check and I will delete your comment if my feed says "unverified")

2 entries – Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs and Top Mommy Blogs. Enter one separate comment for each site you vote on.

 

(You may click each link THREE TIMES a day. AFTER a hour wait each time.

Then leave a separate comment each time.)

3 entries – Put my *NEW* blog button on your site. Leave me a link so I can find it. (Leave 3 separate comments)

3 entries - Put my *NEW* "Showering..." event button on your site. Leave me a link so I can find it. (Leave 3 separate comments)

5 entries - Blog about this giveaway. Blog post MUST include links back to Double Duty Mommy AND Earth Mama Angel Baby to count. Leave me the link in your comment.

NO BLOG??  5 entries - Post a FACEBOOK status update about this giveaway. Status MUST include         links back to Double Duty Mommy AND Earth Mama Angel Baby to count. Leave me the link in your comment.

(ur FB page cant be private though :/ To get the link: Click on the time of your post and then copy the address bar link provided. CAN ONLY DO ONE: Blog post OR Facebook post!!!!)

Are you eligible for extra entries? You know who you are. Write "Extra entry 1", "Extra entry 2", etc. 

**No other monetary compensation was received for this review - I was sent the product(s) to review at no cost to me. The views and opinions are strictly my own. Your results and views may differ.

Giveaway is open to USA/CANADA & will close on June 9th, 2010 at 9pm EST! Random.org will be used to choose the winner who will then have 48 hours to respond to my email before a new winner is chosen. Good luck!**

Semi Wordless Wednesday

Sea World 5/26/10

Took a little trip to Sea World today... just because. Today was the only day this week that apparently it's not supposed to rain.

We have season tickets so we (use to) go all the time, but it's been year since our last visit. The cold and our busy schedules have kept us. It was definitely a nice break from Sea World since it was really starting to lose it's "yay" factor to me. Seriously, last year we would go pretty much every single day since we lived right in back of it practically. Before work we'd go for a couple hours, or after work we'd go for a couple hours and then on our days off... we were always at Sea World.

So here are our pics from today! :)

Makenna & Shamu

Baby Shamu kissing my belly, lol

Makenna in my wheel chair before the Shamu show.

& yes, we got me a wheel chair, lol. I was sooo not about to walk around the whole park all day! :)

One of the two BABY Shamu whales. "awwwwww" is right.

Shamu

Makenna waving her flag for Shamu!

Playing in the kiddy water area.

♥ ♥

I freakin' love them!

Winners!!

So here's a small list of the latest winners from the past week/this week!!! Was it you? I'd check your email and be sure to respond within 48 hours or else I'll have to pick another winner :(

PREGO PLANNER Winner: Random.org #40 - Jennifer

PINK PRINCESS Winner: Random.org #381 - Katy

LEAP FROG Winner: Random.org #23 - Emily

YOBABY Winner: Random.org #43 - Jennifer H.

Congratulations to everyone who won and THANK YOU to everyone who continues to enter in the giveaways and who reads my blog!! I appreciate you :)